Embrace your journey.

Hey my sweet friends! Have you entered to win my "Favorite Things" giveaway yet? It's my first giveaway and I'm super excited about it. Who wants to win some free coconut oil, coconut butter, Pamela's gluten-free baking mix and some delicious chocolate!? Definitely check it out :-)

My breakfast this morning looks very similar to yesterday morning's breakfast but it was quite different, I assure you ;-)

I made a banana scramble inspired by Ashley, and ate it on top of a piece of Udi's gluten-free toast. I topped it with Tropical Traditions Coconut Peanut Butter and maple syrup, just like I did for my pancakes yesterday. Such a delicious combo! In the scramble was 1 banana, 1/2 cup of oats, 1 tbsp shredded coconut, 1 tbsp ground flax seeds, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tbsp hemp seeds, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, dash of cinnamon, 1 egg and a splash of chocolate coconut milk. It made two servings. I just mashed everything up together and then plopped two servings of it onto a pan lightly greased with coconut oil. I cooked them on low/medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side until they were slightly brown and crispy. It was so good! Woody thought so too :-)

For lunch today I had an awesome salad.

Mixed greens, tomatoes, olives, cucumber, chickpeas, avocado, raisins and garlic gold topped with a dressing made with hummus, nutritional yeast, dijon mustard, a little water, coconut aminos and a couple dashes of cumin and chili powder. So yummy! :-)

Now I'm sippin' on a sweet and tasty juice that my sweet lover man made for me.

I love how beautiful juice looks before you mix it up! Apples, cucumber, watermelon, ginger, lemon and strawberries. Thanks Woody! It's delicious :-)

Now I want to share something else with you. This is a beautiful, inspirational letter that Woody's mom, Mary Ann, wrote to me a few months ago. She told me that as the kids in her family reached a new chapter in their lives she wrote them each a similar letter slightly edited for each of them. She felt compelled to send me a letter too, slightly edited especially for me. I feel that it's so beautiful and can be applied to anyone's life and the journey they are on. So, I hope you enjoy!

Dear Alaina Rose,
 
As the kids in my family began a new chapter in their lives I sent them each a letter similar to this one, slightly edited for each one of them.  I feel compelled to send you one, also edited just for you. It's what I wish for you.  A new chapter in our lives can be started at any age, ready or not.  Everyone has their story of how their lives' evolved.

Life should be fulfilling and enjoyable.  How will you know what fulfilling life you will truly love?  Sometimes, the only hint we get is a glimmer, a curiosity, a story we’ve read or someone we briefly met who inspired us.  A meek voice inside whispering.  Don’t cling to a single scenario. It’s up to you to hammer out the rest.

   

Learning a lot about yourself will help you know what you will love to do in life. Discover talents you assume you don’t have, overcome your weaknesses. You can get good at what you want to do.  When you embrace your true identity you will discover a power you never imagined.  None of this is easy, and it won’t be quick, it can be an endless process of discovery. Give it a lifetime to payoff.  Patience, long term planning, resilience.

What to do with your life is not something you know, it’s something you grow into, through trials and mistakes. Most people have to learn the hardest lessons more than once.  It’s one of life’s great dramas. What kind of environment will nurture your soul?  Head in that direction. Surround yourself with like-minded people.  Nothing helps like knowing you’re not alone.

Dare to be true to yourself and others.  Truth is challenging, frightening, thrilling and beautiful.  Don’t cheat yourself of it.  Truth and purpose and pursuing your dream will help you resist temptation.  Open your filters and confront your psychological blocks that keep you from the truth and your instincts. Success is when you no longer are held back by your fears.

You are on the threshold of your story, don’t sleepwalk through your life, pay attention.  Be aware of meaningful experiences. But be careful and discriminating about where and from whom you accept input.  Do not substitute others’ thinking for your own, but you can add to your personal knowledge. Seek, adjust, learn.

There will be no life's story like yours!  Someday when you reflect on your story, embrace your journey, including all its luck and pain.  May you always find strength in every tear you cry.

I just love this so much. Words of truth and wisdom. I hope it can inspire you too!


Much love <3
Alaina Rose