#plantPOWER Round II: I is for…Indian Food!

I is for…IGLOO…

…because it feels like we’re living in one right now.

It’s snowing just a little bit outside. I’m shacked up at Matty’s house and it looks like we’re going to be stuck inside longer than we thought. No plows in sight! This is sort of a beautiful assignment for me, because chilling out all day in the house is not my strong suit. I love working and being active outside of the house, so it’s definitely pushing me outside of my comfort zone in that way.

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Our “H day” highlights come from two ladies who are embracing the “H” in their lives!

Ashley (@ash_nich8) made Kasey’s cheesy basil quinoa dish, topped with healthy fat! Avocado, baby.

She said, “Cheesy basil quinoa with butternut squash, over a bed of wilted spinach. My daughter questioned everything in it but eventually ate it. She devoured the spinach! H is for healthy fats. Thanks @Powercakes for the great recipe!”

Debbie (@accidentlydelish) expressed her sheer HAPPINESS for the support she gets from her guy while she makes strides in recovery.

She said, “Today could not be more fitting. H is not only for happiness but also for health. I have been pushing so hard to fight my ED and am actually making progress. The weight gain has happened and I have so many mental struggles with accepting it. But this kid has been the most amazing support and reminds me daily I am doing this to be HEALTHY again. His support makes me incredibly HAPPY. I love and appreciate all the support I get in these hard times.”

Well, ladies, we love and appreciate YOU so much! Kasey and I chat about the check-ins every day. We are blown away with love and gratitude for you! We HONOR you. There’s another “H” for ya.

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I is for…Indian food!

If you’re a frequent visitor over here, then you know how much I love Indian food. 

Last night, I put my noggin and a new condiment to use and creatde a lip-smacking Indian-inspired dish. It all began with Maya Kaimal spicy ketchup! Matty’s mom purchased a bottle of this incredible ketchup at Home Goods one day and gave me the go-ahead to use some. She’s the best! I threw together an Indian-inspired dinner in 20 minutes flat, and it tasted so decadent and gourmet!

Spicy Eggplant & Okra Bake

Serves 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes 

Ingredients

• 1/2 eggplant, diced
• 8-10 okra pods, diced
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1.5 tsp. coconut oil
• 2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
• 2 Tbsp. hemp seeds
• 3 Tbsp. unsweetened almond milk
• 1 Tbsp. Maya Kaimal’s spicy ketchup

Directions

• Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
• Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray, place eggplant on the sheet, and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
• While eggplant is roasting, place coconut oil, garlic, and okra in a skillet on medium heat. Saute until okra slightly charred, then turn the burner off.
• While okra is simmering and eggplant is roasting, combine nutritional yeast, hemp seeds, and almond milk, and spicy ketchup in a small dish.
• When eggplant is roasted, add it to the skillet with the okra.
• Next, pour the sauce over the veggies.
• Plate the dish and devour!
• *NOTE: Instead of spicy ketchup, you can always use any other sort of store-bought curry. Seeds of Change makes a great jalfrezi that you can purchase at Whole Foods and most Stop ‘n Shops! 

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I is for…INFINITE.

According to Mirriam-Webster, the primary definition of infinite is “extending indefinitely : endless <infinite space>”

What makes you feel infinite – so filled with love and space, that you feel like you could endlessly extend that love out of yourself onto others, or that you could constantly make space for even more love in your heart? 

I feel infinite when I do things that strengthen my mental muscles – when I do things that allow me to cultivate inspiration and tap into my intuition.

I heard a quote the other day that really hit home: “Spirituality without discipline is just a hobby.” Regardless of whether you consider yourself spiritual or not, I encourage you to stop and think for sec. How often do you allow yourself to feel infinite? How often do you work your mental muscles? What is it that you can do everyday that makes you feel like anything is possible?

I know, for me, I gotta stop, drop, and meditate. And I’ve gotta do the yoga. Every day. I have to journal. I have to mosey down to my piano – even if it’s just for 5 minutes – and play and sing at the top of my lungs. All of these things make me feel infinite. They make me excited to tackle the day and give my goods to the world in whatever way that I can.

What makes you feel infinite?

Stay lovely,
Heather

P.S. – Make sure you check out Kasey’s post today! xo