Julie and Julia (and Jen)

Lately, I have been inspired to cook more. I’ve never been that great at it (I usually just end up making a mess, my timing is off, I’m not very creative when it comes to food) but my recent experiences have encouraged me to be more adventurous in the kitchen. By changing my diet I am paying more attention to ingredients – and the possibilities are endless!

After reading My Life in France (Julia Child’s autobiography) and watching the movie Julie and Julia, I realized you don’t have to be an expert at cooking to enjoy it. When Julia Child moved to France in 1948 she spoke no French and knew nothing about the country but dove into French culture by buying food at local markets and taking classes. She is now known for her various cookbooks, her television cooking show and for sharing her passion for food with audiences for half a century. So inspiring.

I’m not diving into any culture in particular (although I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to be cooking in France!) but with a few clicks there countless recipes available online at my disposal. Daily tweets even suggest new recipes to try. Most of all my new-found inspiration is encouraging me to try new things, learn about my surroundings and take the time to appreciate it all.

I can confidently say that I will never be an extraordinary chef, but at least I can say I gave it a good shot! And in the meantime I get to enjoy some pretty delicious foods. Bon appetite.

lots and lots of roasted veggies for my lasagna

Some recipes I have tried to far: roasted vegetable vegan lasagna (my own concoction), vegan cranberry orange muffins, organic tomato, kale and lentil soup (a modified version of a bff`s recipe), eggplant chips

New on tonight’s menu: curry style sweet potato fries. Yum.

Searching for balance

I didn’t really make a new years resolution, but I do feel like so far 2010 has brought about a lot of change. I have been doing a lot of reading and learning and as a result, trying new things. Part of this is eating healthier – trying out the vegan thing, buying more organic, tackling recipes, reading the ingredients. It’s really about being aware of what I’m putting in my body. On top of that I am trying out some new products – skin care, hair care, cleaners, candles – being aware of what I’m putting on/around my body. With all this also comes an updated routine – more yoga, more cardio, more reading, more writing, more cooking. After a few weeks at it I am finding myself to be in the swing of things.

Yoga has become a regular part of my routine. My room now doubles as my yoga space.

All of these changes (for me) are about achieving balance in my life. While I am on my way there (and enjoying every minute) I also realize this will be an on going challenge. I guess that what makes life such an interesting journey.

To me, being balanced means being happy and living in the moment. I feel lucky to be surrounded by family and friends, to have experienced practices like osteopathy and yoga, to have the capacity to read and learn – it is all of these things from which I receive inspiration every day, and its this inspiration that leads me to balance!

I hope that all your inspirations lead you to balance – whatever balance may mean to you.  And in the meantime, enjoy the journey!

Here are a few books I found pretty inspiring…
Skinny Bitch
You are here
My Life in France
Eat, Pray, Love