Today I was making a vegan potato salad while listening to Michael Singer talk about Living Untethered. I took my first bite and my mouth burst with delight from all the textures and flavors. I thought to myself, “Wow, this is such a miracle to be eating this meal.” 

First, I thought about what each and every ingredient in the recipe had to go through in order to be in my kitchen now. For example, the salt, I didn’t harvest the salt, or the pepper. The potatoes, onion, celery, bell pepper, olives, and pickles all had a huge journey to be in this meal. The soil had to be tended, someone planted and nurtured them to ripeness, they were harvested, shipped, and stored, some items were jarred, some items were fermented, and so on. And here I am eating these all in one bite without doing much work to have them. I simply went to the store and yet even that is such a miracle. 

I take this miracle for granted. Sometimes I see making food as a burden, but in moments like today, I slowed down and really focused on just how amazing it was that I even knew how to make this delicious meal, and how simple and accessible things are today. 

I thought about all the times I wasn’t even present to enjoy my meal. I was distracted by a conversation, my phone, thoughts of the past, future, or other people’s business. Many meals I have eaten and hardly even tasted. I didn’t truly appreciate what a gift it was. In reflection, I can see how entitled, ungrateful, distracted, and disconnected I have been. Wow. 

But today, I found myself giving thanks to all those who made it possible for me to sit in my kitchen and eat this bowl of potato salad. I am guessing hundreds of people were involved in this process if not thousands if I really thought about all the systems and structure that was put into place for me to have this simple convenience.  I had to acknowledge this truth and I was humbled.

I felt inspired to write and share it with you today. Einstein said, “One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. “ I know that I can get caught up in my head and not truly enjoy and appreciate the simple pleasures in life, but I am grateful that today I slowed down enough to be grateful, humbled, appreciative, and truly enjoying the moment and the miracle of my meal. 

Who knows, maybe today you will do the same. I hope you do and find the richness in what we often do not allow ourselves to fully receive.

Do you eat fermented foods? They are filled with healthy bacteria that make the gut feel good. If you struggle with the winter blues you may want to consider adding the following feel-good fermented food to your daily diet. Here are my top 10 favorites.

1. Sauerkraut 
2. Any veggies: carrot, radish, cucumber, cauliflower 
3. Kimchi
4. Yogurt
5. Sourdough
6. Idli 
7. Beet Kvass
8. Miso
9. Tempeh 
10. Fermented fat: nut-based cheeses

Fermented foods are fantastic to consume for health and wellness. I personally find it easier to consume in the cold winter months when there is less sweet fruit in season. I am less drawn to having fermented foods during the hot season. However, in the cold months, fermented foods go well with winter seasonal produce like greens, root veggies, winter squash.

Which fermented foods are you committed to eating this winter? Share in the comments below. 🙂

What do you do when the weather gets cold? How do you enjoy making the most of the dark skies and cold nights? Here is the list of my favorite things to do in winter.

• Snowboarding
• Iceskating
• Hot yoga, hot tea, and hot packs
• Hot tubs and body rubs (especially with hot stones)
• Epsom salts, bubble baths, and classical music
• Fireplaces and fairy lights
• Candles and hot cocoa (made with almond milk of course)
• Hot and cold plunges
• Movie nights and cuddles
• Cozy warm clothing, slippers, robes, and blankets
• Saunas and soups (made with pure veggies of course)
• Reading and rest
• Dreaming and envisioning
• Spiritual awakening and healing with shadow work
• Stillness and the warm glow of a salt lamp
• Scrapbooking the best photos of the year
• Caffeine-free chai lattes and long chats with friends
• Baked goods (gluten-free and oil-free vegan) and fermenting foods
• Feasting at sunset under heat lamps, with firepits, and string lights
• Flannel sheets and fuzzy feet (warm socks)

I hope you enjoyed this list of my favorite things about winter. Perhaps it inspired you to play more this winter or maybe it sparked some creativity within you, either way, Feel free to share in the comments below your favorite things to do in winter.