Follow Your Heart to Happiness | Kitchen Connections

Shot in the Boise Foothills.  My city moves me and I hope to give back and in turn move my city.

"People who value money, power, fame and good looks are less likely to be happy than people who value compassion and a willingness to make their world a better place."

That was the quote that started it all for me.  My recent push to obtain true happiness.

I'm lucky to live in the lovely #4 Boise, Idaho.

What is happiness?  We must all dive into that question to figure it out.  We must take chances, risks and be  honest with yourself.  You must respect yourself for who truly are in every sense.

If we are afraid of taking a first step to finding ourselves and our happiness, me must not be fearful of the consequences.  Without taking that chance though how would we ever know if it were to be a good choice or a poor choice made?  As long as we learn from the little trials and tribulations of life, we will find that we can overcome much more than we think we can!

Job security, personal insecurities, a multitude of fears and anxiety will keep us held back in dead end jobs, unhealthy relationships, stuck in our ruts without feelings of hope or strength to get where we feel is best for us.

I'm here to say that following your heart is always best.  Stay true.  Trust yourself that when you feel something isn't quite right.  Go with what your gut tells you.  Our gut feelings and instincts are usually pretty accurate and a good judge of what's wrong and right.  This will drive you closer to the sources of your true happiness.

Stick with your best pals, they know you best!

If you need more help with how you can reach your true, inner feelings I would suggest doing writing exercises where you write three pages non-stop - whatever comes to mind.  Without thinking or worrying (that's a no-no!) you can just write whatever it is that's on your mind.  You may find answers to your problems and understand your contemplations by being aware of what you honestly think without the censors of yourself and others.  You will see what you couldn't see before, your true thoughts.  Use those to guide yourself through life!

I have recently been very inspired to follow my heart to find my true happiness.  I have made decisions - some tough, some easy - to discover what drives me, what makes me feel good

Creativity Contract

Use what makes you smile.  Dig inspiration from your favorite musician, stick with spending time with those who give to your inner creativity and those who value your time and appreciate your talent.  Read good books and take notes of quotes you find inspirational.

I'm juggling a few books at the moment, but I find the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron to be a big help reconnecting with the creative mind.  This book was recommended and then given to me by my great neighbors who have both read and took part in the book.  The book sets up a 12 week  - weekly plan (creativity contract and all ) for you to dig deeper into what inspires you and what may block your creative thoughts and how you can get past those blocks.  I'm only into week one so far, but it's never a bad thing to get more in touch with your artistic self.

The Artist's Way and my notebook for my morning pages - 3 pages each day of uncensored continuous writing.

The other book was given to me as a gift.  Ann Wigmore's Recipes for Longer Life.  My grandmother originally bought this book because it "looked old."  She looked through it and discovered there wasn't any recipes she would enjoy.   Of course, being the only one in my family who doesn't eat meat and has the desire to go raw (did my grandma not take a peek inside at all?) the book ended up in my hands.  The book is an informative raw recipe book.  The book covers everything from sprouting, making a beverage called "rejuvelac" that creates high enzymatic activity which benefits digestion, preparation instructions and recipes for a raw meal appropriate for any time of the day, to proper food combining.  Full of information about the human diet that I find downright fascinating!

Raw Vegan - All Natural + Organic - Mock Tuna Salad

This book has only been one major source of inspiration.  I have finally made the move to make my own kombucha!  It is a living drink described as "an effervescent tea-based beverage that is often consumed for its anecdotal health benefits or medicinal purposes."  This goes along well with my idea that nature creates and thus can cure all.  I was sick with a lousy flu and I turned to filtered water, tea, food, rest and apple cider vinegar breathing treatments to help with my stuffy nose.  I don't take pills or any other prescription medicine.

Only one of the great illustrations of Ann Wigmore's Recipes for Longer Life.  This book is a GEM!

Raw Caesar Dressing + Broccoli 

I have always worked in the hospitality industry - started out as a hostess, server, bartender - everything you could do for work in a restaurant.  I've seen my life outside of working for others after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.  Though, I am still learning how to go about your own business slowly but surely I have made a better approach to work and have looked into Nurseries and Greenhouses - any place where I can learn more about growing your own plants, herbs and food.

HAPPY!

After watching so many documentaries from raw vegan lifestyle to dumpster diving for organic healthy food and every sustainable doc in the middle I have decided to take action.  I applied and interviewed very recently for an apprenticeship with the local Earthly Delights Farm.  I will be ever so excited if I land a spot in the March-October apprenticeship and appreciate the opportunity for all that it will do for my goals and future.

My happiness has always been on the path, but just getting more and more fine tuned as I go.  A past vegetarian who lived (somehow) off of cheese sandwiches - now a strict vegan and raw in training!  Always a creative crafter, that DIY approach to most things can still be applied to the adult life.  I can make my own clothes, sprouting jars, even my own earth ship (well maybe one day!).


If I can keep my creative censors quiet, stay confident, remain true to myself and what brings me happiness - I shall do no wrong, even with failure and setbacks.  Those will only bring me closer to the ultimate goal:  success!

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!  Live the life you've imagined.  As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler."
 - Henry David Thoreau

Raw Vegan Beet Cheesecake Bites - A lovely dessert!