Hi, friends. I hope your 2016 is off to a lovely start. Last week on instagram I shared a little bit of my heart behind why I am opting out of “New Year’s Resolutions” this year. No, it’s not that I’m lazy or complacent (most of the time at least). Quite the contrary. My intention for 2016 is, in fact, one of the most difficult goals I’ve ever set for myself. It’s not quantitative or easily measurable. Those kinds of goals are arguably more cut-and-dry and include a logical pathway to success, even if it’s to run a marathon by September (you run.) or read a book every month (you read.)
Hear me out, I am not in any way diminishing the significance or difficulty of definable goals. Just ask my husband if he thinks I could ever run a marathon. (He’d laugh. A lot. Lovingly. But he’d laugh.) However, for me, I wanted to delve down deep to the core and dig around in the dusty and uncomfortable areas of my heart to find what it is I truly need for myself in 2016. I discovered that I simply need more love. And I’m not talking about love from others, my cup overfloweth there. I mean love for myself.
Love that encourages me to take time for myself (and not feel guilty about it). Love that allows me to say “no” when I just can’t and “yes” to things that scare me, but why the hell not? Love that isn’t afraid to say “it’s good enough” or ask for help. Love that gently reminds me to be still and listen to myself, to trusted friends, to God. But to ignore the naysaying, the gossip, the negativity, the fear-mongering. Love that pushes me to move and to sweat, to physically take care of this one body I’ve been given, a gift, but not to obsess over it. Love that empowers me to make one healthy choice, then another, then another.
Love is the bud of a new year. It’s deep, quiet and introspective; it contains a mystery that will blossom into unimaginable beauty and will, undoubtedly, brighten another’s day along the way.
Happy new year! Choose love. And, as always, buen provecho!
- 8 cups water
- 2 cups steel cut oats
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, grade a
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- toppings: berries, nuts, more brown sugar
- In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil. Stir in oats every minute for about 3 minutes, then turn the heat down to medium-low and cover. Let them simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes. Pour in molasses, maple syrup, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and salt and stir. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes. Top with more brown sugar (depending on your taste), berries and nuts. Enjoy hot! This makes a lot on purpose! Can be stored in the fridge and reheated with a little almond milk or water for up to a week.