Campfire Stew

Living outdoors brings a longing for warm comfort food. But when you think of camping food what comes to mind are hot dogs, marshmallows, beans and anything packaged, unhealthy and processed. I wasn't planning on doing any food posts on this little adventure, but what I stand for is being able to make healthy, nutrient dense, quick comfort food anywhere so I thought to myself, why not. So here it is. Don't mind my uncombed hair and no make-up, this post was spontaneous and is very real. 

What I bring for food when camping may seem odd to the average camper. It pretty much consisted of peanut butter (because let face it, its amazing on or in anything), trail mix, a handful of spices, a few cans of plain legumes and tomatoes, and a cooler full of fruits and veggies. It actually made for easier food storage because you don't have to worry too much about keeping things cool, most fruits and veggies hold pretty well naturally. 

My Peanut Mushroom Stew wasn't tried or tested it was spontaneously made and ended up being soo delicious. I made so much that we ended up asking our camping neighbour to come on over. Funny story, at first she kindly declined, stating that she was vegan and most likely couldn't eat what was made. But she ended up joining us for dinner and she seemed pleasantly surprised. 

Campfire Stew

What you need:

• 2 tbsp of organic canola oil
• 1 small sweet potato, cubed 
• 1 onion,  rough chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6-8 brown mushrooms
• 1 red bell pepper, rough chopped
• 1 15 oz can chickpeas
• 1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1.5 cup water
• 1-2 tbsp Chili powder
• 3 handfuls of baby kale
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• fresh cilantro and roasted peanuts to garnish

The how to:

• heat oil add onions until slightly caramelized
• add mushrooms and garlic saute for 2-3 mins
• add can of tomatoes, chickpeas, water, and sweet potato cover and cook for 8 mins
• mix in peppers, peanut butter and chill powder simmer for 5 mins
• add salt and pepper to taste
• mix in kale and cook until wilted
• garnish with roasted peanuts and fresh cilantro when serving

True Happiness: What is it?

Lately my family has been hit with a few road blocks, and in times of hardship I ask you this, do you ever find yourself wondering what true happiness is? To continue from my last blog post about; Does Everything happen for a Reason, I found that everything I have been faced with in my teenage/ non mothering years, that I felt at the time were the end of the world, has prepared me for times like these. Being a mother has made me reevaluate what happiness is to me and what values I need to instil in my children. Happiness isn't about the things we have, or how big our bank accounts are, or having all your dreams come true. Those are all definite bonuses in life, but they are nothing more than that. I wouldn't feel any more, or less, happy with or without them. Maybe for a moment. Have you ever wanted something so badly it hurt, but when you finally got it, within a few weeks, it had lost all its value, it slowly becomes another staple in your life, and lets face it, we eventually take it for granted. The journey, we take to get there is where all the growth and dreaming happens. We are forever growing and learning in our lives and I found that not one thing will ever lead to happiness because you already have it. Happiness shows up in everyday, even the days you don't think it has. Its a mind set. I challenge you today to try it. Truly take a moment to smell the roses. Make a conscious effort to STOP, and absorb the moment. Appreciating it for what it is. Making the effort to find the beauty in everyday has changed my life. I am so grateful for every moment in my life. Even if it,s not how I imagined it to be. Yes I'm also talking about those down days you wish would just be over. I appreciate my struggles, as odd as that sounds, they are what lead me to finding gratitude in everything I have. Without the lows you wouldn't have the highs. Without the lows you wouldn't be you. I deep down in my soul believe everything happens for a reason. If you're someone who is in a time of struggle, where you just can't figure out why things are going the way they are, have faith that there is a reason. You have nothing to lose, but everything to gain when thinking this way. Life is about the now. Not your past, not your future. You have the power to your own happiness; It's all a matter of changing the way you see it. 

DRESS: Zara

Photo Credit @maria_lang  www.marialangstudio.com