A Happier Cooking Experience

It’s already August can you guys believe it? I’m excited to say that I started a new chapter in my life as a chef in training at the Natural Gourmet Institute! Currently I’m on a “vacation” (I use air quotes because the school is undergoing maintenance) and I will be back in action in a couple of weeks. I’ve only spent two weeks in the school, and can honestly say that I already love what I’m learning and can’t wait to go back! I love the lectures and even when I’m sleepy I can’t refrain from being deeply engrossed with all the topics. For example I learned that a spoonful of Umeboshi paste can be eaten to alkalize the body, promote concentration and also help with digestion. Bring on the paste!
I think it’s so awesome this school promotes the healing benefits of whole foods and how to cook for people who suffer from various illnesses. It’s not only going to be beneficial for me and my health, but for the health of those who are around me as well. NGI will give the tools to make a difference in someone’s life by doing what I love and that’s more than I could ever ask for. The only challenges at the moment are A) cutting carrots into matchsticks B) working in a tight space with fifteen other people and C) not being allowed to wear nail polish. Challenges that I can’t do anything about but A) practice B) accept and C) deal with it (it’s a safety hazard!) But like anything else worthwhile, challenges will always come and go, and I am prepared for that.
Before, I go I wanted to share a list of tips that could be useful for your happy kitchen endeavors. They are just some of the random considerations that have been truly beneficial throughout my experiences in cooking. I hope that you could benefit from them as well!
For a happier kitchen experience consider:

1. Having patience because you’ll need it. Cooking requires tons of patience and you’ll find that out when you first begin your endeavors. Whether you’re cooking for a bunch of people or making something from scratch, you’ll need to sacrifice your time and give it your best effort. The best way I find patience is reminding myself that the end results will be worth it. If the food isn’t what I expected, then I simply try again and again; patiently trying to get it right the next time.  Your kitchen should not be your worst nightmare but instead it should be your best friend and a happy place for you. So please be patient and continue cooking, because practice only makes you better!
2. Cleaning your kitchen before you start cooking. A dirty kitchen is not only unsanitary but cooking in clutter may cause you frustration, and unnecessary anxiety. By nature I am not the neatest person in the world, just ask anyone who knows me! So I push myself to tidy up the little messes around me before I make an even bigger mess. I do not spend hours cleaning. I simply wash the dishes that are already in the sink, sweep the floor and make an effort to clean as I’m cooking. I promise you, this in the long run this method will save you lots of time and energy; not to mention make your cooking experience far more pleasant!  A clean kitchen really is a happy kitchen.
3. Gathering all your ingredients beforehand or as the French say Mise en place which is used a ton in the culinary world and it literally means “putting in place.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve decided to bake cookies, and skipped the process of checking my inventory by gathering my ingredients beforehand. A true story: I grab the flour and baking soda, start pouring them into a bowl and then come to the conclusion that I don’t have enough sugar, butter and/or chocolate chips! See what I mean? That could’ve easily been avoided if I would’ve gathered my ingredients beforehand! When following “mise en place” I’m not only being organized, I am checking to see if I have everything I need. This method also saves me time because I have all the ingredients I’m going to use in my sight.
4. Following a new recipe as it is written. Have you ever come across a recipe with really long and detailed steps and just skimmed through the ingredients list, without really looking at the steps? I have. And almost always regret it! I usually only skim a new recipe if it’s something real simple like a one pot meal, and even then it’s comforting to know where the ingredients go. I challenge you to read the recipe from start to finish before you even begin cooking, and acknowledge where those ingredients go in that recipe. It’s important to remember that cooking & baking are also a science, and there’s a reason behind every step. Allow your cooking experience to be a learning experience and I promise you’ll get optimal results!
5. Tasting as you cook. Recipes usually say things like “salt to taste” or “a pinch of paprika” but, you’re not going to know if you’re using too little or too much of an ingredient to your taste, if you do not taste it. I think it’s best to use less salt in the beginning and then add more as needed, same with other flavors. It’s especially important to taste when you’re cooking for other people, because by tasting you’re in control of the original delicious of your dish. That’s pretty empowering if you ask me!  Just make sure you’re using a clean spoon when you taste and please do not double dip, thanks.
6. Testing a recipe beforehand. This rule isn’t always applicable because some recipes have familiar ingredients that almost always taste yummy together. But I feel safe if I test a recipe before serving it to other people. It saves me time, gives me confidence and sometimes it saves me some grief. Tasting and testing go hand in hand, and it’s awesome when your family offers their taste buds for moral support. Sometimes if I don’t hear an “mmm” I’m not a sold on that recipe.  Let your food make an impression! I don’t know about you but, “the girl who can’t cook for beans” is not something I like being remembered by :x! So avoid that by testing a new recipe for yumminess or if I’m in a pinch, I’ll just make something that always pleases.
7. Finally a bonus tip: always have fun and don’t be afraid to try something new! To me the key to being successful in my kitchen is not letting a little mishap discourage me from cooking, but instead it makes me want to try again until I get it. Let your kitchen to be your happy place and I guarantee you’ll come up with delicious wonders!

-Jessica

Read!

You’re probably wondering why I am writing a post about reading, on a blog which main focus is health and fitness; but I personally believe that having a healthy appetite for books is vital! With a generation that revolves around smart phones and reality television, there’s no wonder why people have the attention span of a peanut. I’m sorry if I am coming off as harsh but, I cannot stress the importance of picking up a book, and broadening your vocabulary every once in a while! Not only will reading enhance your vocabulary, it will also benefit in heightening your creativity as well; which this day and age seems to be lacking. Personally, I love a good book and if reading were a sport I'd an athlete reader! It’s relaxing and takes me to a happy place, but you know what else I love about reading? It's a brilliant pass time that requires the use of your imagination; which just so happens to be the foundation of my creativity and inspiration!
When people tell me, “reading just isn’t my thing” they are either reading the wrong book OR not taking the time to understand the characters from the books they've read in the past.  Because reading requires the use of imagination, you must try and pretend you’re watching these characters from a distance. If you’re like me and find yourself people watching in social environments, then you my friend are an excellent candidate for a dramatic novel.
Speaking of genres... As a new reader you should probably start by reading a genre you’re comfortable with! For example, I wouldn’t recommend a Jane Austen novel if you’re a sci-fi fanatic and vice-versa! But, I would encourage you to read numerous books of that genre, until you find what you’re looking for. I know it sounds like a lot... But just be patient my dears and allow reading to become a healthier and happier pass time for you!
Steps for Healthier and Happier Reading:

1. Go to your local library. I know there are billions of books in this place but, don’t let a library overwhelm you and don't be afraid to ask a friendly librarian to assist you. Libraries are especially nice because books can be quite expensive. (Just remember to renew  and return your books!!)
2. Start with a lighter read. Try something like a short story, newspaper article, or even a graphic novel. You should never see reading as homework and should only move on to the heavier, thicker and lengthier books, when you feel ready.
3. Set a Mood. If you have a set place and time to read, you’re more likely to build a routine for yourself. I think the best atmosphere for me, is a place where nature is playing in the background; maybe for you it’s on the beach with the waves whispering, a park on a warm summer’s day, or even your bed after a very hectic day.

I know you’ll find other ways to cultivate a love for reading and I’m sure when do, your imagination will thank-you; thus, inspiration will follow.
"Let us read and let us dance - two amusements that will never do any harm to the world." -Voltaire
-Jeffie

Controlling Anxiety + Cookies to Help

To all my anxious readers,
I know you’re spending the day worrying, experiencing panic attacks and maybe even feeling devoured by life itself. And you know what? You’re not alone my friends. Trust me: you are not alone. I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest and the amount of sleep lost due to over-analyzing every situation throughout the day. I’ll admit it, I’m notorious for worrying. Don’t get me wrong, a little anxiety can be healthy, but when it’s controlling your life, that’s when you need to take action!
To start off, the first and most important role in managing your anxiety is accepting you have anxiety. You’re probably thinking, “Duh… I wouldn’t be reading this if I didn’t have it,” but I thought the same thing and would avoid confronting my anxiety. My anxiety is often triggered by time, clutter, exams or looking stupid. For example instead of just being organized, I’ll add on to the clutter in my life and when meeting someone new I’ll over analyze everything they say by painting ridiculous scenarios in my head. The truth is controlling your anxiety takes work! It requires self-evaluation, dedication and most importantly, seeking support from the people who love you. I’ve managed to come up with a few natural and pill-free ways that have always helped me get through my anxiety.

1. Organize your closet. Try thinking of your closet as your brain: as you focus on removing the excess baggage in your closet it gives you the opportunity to connect to the idea of cleaning out your mind too. I am not sure why but when my closet is clean I feel like a weight has been lifted from shoulders; which is inspires me to rethink my anxious thoughts.

1. Talk and vent to a close friend/family member. I used to never talk about my anxiety or when things bothered me which led to more toxic thoughts. So my advice to you is, talk to your friends and family when you need to vent. You won’t be burdening them because they love you! I believe that there’s always someone who will listen to you speak and be there to give you that hug and understanding you need.

1. Eat away your anxiety. NO, I don’t mean eating copious amounts of Oreo cookies or eating ice cream by the tub! I’m talking about omega 3’s and antioxidants which are found in foods like: salmon & almonds and even dark chocolate!  Eating foods that are rich in omega 3’s release endorphins in the brain which feels incredibly euphoric. You know what else releases endorphins?

1. Exercise! Not only does a good workout help prevent depression it also naturally detoxifies the body which helps release unnecessary stress. I love scaring away my anxiety with an intense workout; it improves my health and boosts my confidence!

1. Get enough sleep. Trust me, a good night’s sleep will keep you away from anxiety; whether you’re a college student, hard worker, stay at home mom, etc. Feeling sleep deprived and cranky will not benefit your busy schedule! My anxiety comes from feeling unprepared which is usually a side effect from sleep deprivation. I know this can be impossible for people who struggle with anxiety. Insomnia loves anxiety but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can read my “Get Some Sleep!” article for natural sleep aids!

I hope this post helped you guys! Anxiety can be very debilitating, but start by remembering the first step: accept you have it and understand you don’t have to face it alone! Clean your closet, talk to friends and family, eat up some omega 3’s, exercise, get enough sleep, and most importantly STAY POSITIVE! Oh and here’s a cookie recipe…

Almond Joy Cookies
These cookies were inspired by the infamous “Samoa” Girl Scout cookies. They were my favorite growing up along with Tagalongs and Thin Mints. For these cookies I used dark chocolate, ground flax seeds, and a hint of almond which automatically give them anxiety fighting nutrients! I call them almond joy cookies because I added an almond to each cookie for a kick of omega 3’s and of course for aesthetics ;)
Almond Joy Cookies
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cups organic brown sugar
1/3 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (I only used ½ tsp)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Almonds
Chocolate layer: 1 heaping cup dark chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips), 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot or skillet, pour in the coconut and toast over medium low heat for about five minutes, until the coconut turns golden brown. Be careful not to burn it, and stir occasionally. Once the coconut is toasted, remove it from the heat to cool.
In a large bowl, combine the coconut oil, brown sugar, almond milk, flaxseeds, and vanilla and blend until smooth. Sift in the flour, baking soda and salt and stir until the batter is thick. Fold in the cooled, toasted coconut.
Drop tablespoons of dough on a parchment lined pan. Use your palm to press down the dough balls until they are flat discs. (I put a little flour on my hand to prevent the dough from sticking to me) Press an almond in the center of each cookie. Bake the cookies for about eight minutes, just until the edges start to turn golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the pan and then cool completely.
To make the chocolate glaze: Using a small saucepan melt the chocolate chips and stir in the coconut oil. Allow the mixture to cool for five minutes to allow it to thicken a bit. Once the cookies are completely cooled, dip the bottom in the chocolate mixture and place on a pan lined in parchment paper. Repeat with all the cookies. Use the remaining chocolate to drizzle glaze over the top of each cookie, covering the almond in the middle with chocolate.
-Jeffie