Ducky Inspiration for Thriving!

Akima & Nala

 Greetings fellow Thrivers!  Well, the snow is gone for the moment and our lawn is a bit of a mud pit.  My little girls Akima and Nala keep busy chasing our local squirrels.  Brian and I discovered that Mama and Papa duck have returned.  I'm a little concerned, when they return it's usually a sign that spring has arrived.  I hope they'll be okay.  If a duck crosses your path it means you should "meditate upon the meaning of material greed and its consequences for you, your children, humanity, and all of Gaia's animal spirits who now so need your protection" (Animal Wisdom ~ Susie Green).  Now that we've entered the dark of winter we should have the time to reflect on these issues.  If you don't have time - make some.  We've been given the chance to walk in nature without the snow blowing down our necks.  This won't last long, so get outside and meditate on the world around you while you can.  Look for inspiration from nature.  There are many challenges this time of year.  It is a time to pause....look within and allow yourself to open up to all that is possible.  Allow your spirit to draw inspiration down through the top of your head (Crown Chakra). Breathe in all that you desire - feel your chest and heart expand with the light and love. Exhale all the thoughts and feelings that are holding you back.  Take a walk - a silent walk.  Send out feelers of awareness - listen for the messages that nature has to offer.  There are sooo many messages we only need to take the time to hear them.

Roasted Tomato-Basil Sauce

I've been working on a vegetarian spin on stuffed cabbages - I'll let you know when I have a successful recipe to share.  For now we'll work with a quick pasta sauce.  Now this is a quick dish if you already have your Roasted Tomatoes.  I did mine this fall and they've been sitting in the freezer waiting for my inspiration.  If you don't have your tomatoes in the freezer this could be a little time intensive.  I'll take it from the top.

Freezer - Roasted Tomatoes
6-8 pounds cored & sliced
2-3 garlic cloves peeled
Oregano, Basil
Herbs - Oregano & Basil
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil        Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place sliced tomatoes and garlic on sheet. Generously sprinkle with herbs, salt and pepper.  Drizzle with Olive oil.  Bake at 275-300 for 5 hours.  The fragrance is amazing.  When cool pour into freezer bags (you want to keep the juices too). I use one cookie sheet per freezer bag.  This usually gives me the right amount for what ever recipe I'm working with (around 3 cups)  Pop into freezer until ready to use!

Roasted Tomato-Basil Sauce

3 cups Roasted Tomatoes

(from freezer)

1 Avocado

1/2 lemon juiced

1 small onion quartered

3 Tablespoons fresh Basil

Put everything into Blendtec blender in order listed. (If you don't have a Blendtec use a food processor or a regular blender in smaller batches.)  Blend until smooth and creamy!  I can warm my sauce in the blender.  You can put it into sauce pan to heat.  This is a very thick sauce and if you prefer a thinner add a little vegetable broth.

Put over the top of gluten free pasta or your pasta of choice.  Top with fresh chopped basil.

The Roasted Tomatoes make this a wonderfully sweet sauce you'll want again and again.

***This sauce can also be used as a salad dressing. Add 2-3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil until you get the consistency that you want. 

Enjoy this slight pause in the weather!  Look for inspiration and as always Thrive on!

Sweet Tomato kisses!

Namaste`

Naomi