veg in the southwest

I love this on seitan, or chickenless strips, or...well, just about anything. And here's a hint: wear gloves when you handle the habaneros. Just do it. Trust me on this.

Hummus is traditionally made with chickpeas, but you can make an excellent hummus with white beans as well. Roasting mellows out the garlic and gives it an almost sweet flavor, so don't be afraid of the garlic! Plus, it keeps the vampires away. (Except the ones that you don't mind coming around...Damon or Stefan Salvatore, perhaps?)

Would you believe I never had fresh cherries as a child? I thought those yucky sweet maraschino cherries were the ONLY cherries. Boy, was I wrong. Fresh cherries are one of my absolute favorite fruits. I was delighted to walk into the grocery store over the weekend and discover organic cherries for just a few bucks a pound! The health benefits of cherries are pretty awesome, so I stocked up!

With my sensitive skin and sensitivity to chemical smells, I quit using chemical laden, scented laundry detergents and dryer sheets ages ago. Instead, I use doTERRA's On Guard Laundry Detergent  to wash my clothes, and I use unscented dryer sheets with a couple of drops of essential oil for a light, natural scent when I dry them. (And I'm on the hunt for reusable dryer balls that are NOT made of wool or plastic! If you know of any good ones, please let me know .) I keep three bottles of oil on the laundry shelf and decide which one to use on the dryer sheets, depending on my mood. You can use others, of course - but these are my three favorites!

We all have bad days, even those of us lightworkers who do our best to shine brightly as a beacon of light and hope in these challenging times. Sometimes it's helpful to take a break, take deep breaths, and meditate on a few powerful words. These quotes have helped me get through many a rough day so I could refocus and align with my deeper purpose. I hope they are helpful to you, too!