a few thoughts to chew… or crackers
I always think it’s funny when babies/kiddos do something new, or seem really interested in something that you jump to the conclusion that ‘That’s it! They are going to be a _______.’
I do it with Misty all the time:
- He draws all over the BBQ with chalk… he must be going to be a famous artist, possibly in the medium of charcoal portraits.
- He strums the guitar and sings (Daaaa! Daaaa! Daaaaa! It’s a great song)… he’s a future rock star, for sure.
He’ll probably be an accountant or something equally as boring.
I wonder what I used to be fascinated with as a child… I bet no one ever thought, ‘She’s definitely going to be a hippie- who dropped out of uni- that cooks weird food- and hangs out at home all day with her child.’ Not so glamorous, but a lot of fun for sure.
It’s my birthday tomorrow, so I’m getting all reflective on this past year… and years of my past. I’m definitely a happier person, and I think this is because I’ve stopped trying to “define,” myself. What you do for a job, what possessions you hold, where you’ve been in the world – all these things are important, yes, but they do not make you the person you are.
I think there’s so much pressure on kids/young adults to know “what they want to be” (when they grow up) – it’s haunted me for years. I’m still not close to any discernible answer to this. As a kid, I would answer with occupations that I thought would impress the “grown ups” – a vet, a teacher etc, etc. Really I should have just answered with,
‘I want to be a good person, and I want to have fun.’
That kids, is what it is all about.
Oh, and good food…. these may LOOK like cardboard, but it is tasty cardboard that utilises almond pulp nonetheless.
Cinnamon, Oat and Raisin Crackers
(RAW, Vegan, wheat/soy/seed/refined sugar/corn free)
- 2C leftover almond pulp (I use leftovers from almond milk making, but you could try almond meal here, I would add maybe 2T water though)
- 1C pitted prunes
- 1/2t sea salt
- 1t ground cinnamon
- 1C oats*
- 1/2C finely chopped dark raisins (or any dried fruit)
- Process together prunes, almond pulp, salt, cinnamon and oats until a soft dough forms. It doesn’t matter f the oats stay a bit chunky – this is nice for texture.
- Stir through chopped raisins and either spread out onto non stick dehydrator sheets, or do what I do… smoosh out onto pieces of baking paper (about 2mm thickness – I have a weird circular dehydrator that calls for some creative techniques)
- Dehydrate 8-12 hours at 60 degrees C for a chewier texture or 15-20 hours for a crispier cracker style snack.
Viper liked these chewier, I like them crispier. Viper also liked them eaten with a square of milk chocolate on the top… he said it was like the ultimate “fruit and nut.” I enjoyed with mashed banana and tahini. Misty kind of chewed one and then threw it at Boosty. Bless.
25 Responses to “a few thoughts to chew… or crackers”
Leave a Reply
Vegan. Stay at home Mum of Misty. Yoga teacher in training. Passionate about REAL food - creating it, eating it, sharing it. I can never stick to a recipe.
Yum more crackers!
I totally agree with what you said- there is too much pressure these days to go to school and get THE job that you will be settled with for the rest of your life. I don’t want to be trapped into commitment just yet. I want to enjoy life and be open to possibilities!
You’ve definitely got the right attitude, Gabby
Happy birthday
Thanks Alice!!
I hear ya! I totally agree, I always tried to impress people by telling them what they wanted to hear about who/what I wanted to be. I think the older I get the more I start realizing though that if you aren’t happy…. truthfully NOTHING else matters. Passion and happiness have this funny way of making everything feel as if it will sort itself out. Money, possessions, a swanky job… none of them can bring you the same peace and joy that being your authentic self can. Sometimes its all easier said than done for sure, but each year I hope I get better at it
. Happy early birthday to you!!
Thanks Ami, I love this comment – you’ve nailed it!
I used to feel like a “failure” as I hadn’t obtained some sort of impressive job… now I’ve realised that I have spent a long while developing MYSELF, which, in the great scheme of things far outweighs any flash occupation, huh?
Becoming a Mother has taught me way more than any college/university could!!
Oh my gosh, I love this post so much Lou! <3 Whenever anyone asked me what my goals are in life I've always said to be happy, and to have brought sunshine / made people's life brighter by being in it…in any way I can (even if it's little). So like you say – being a good person <3 and be happy! Living a life that's more about my loved ones and my life outside of the workplace, than being strictly defined by what I do…which has changed a lot over the years!
Which is probably why I've never earned very much money, lol. But I do have my values! 
I found it hard giving up teaching, because I think that was kind of part of my identity in a way….but I learned who I was outside of that too, last year! <3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Wishing you a truly amazing year (and day) filled with love and laughter, gratitude and joy! 
xyx
* teaching yoga I mean
Oh you’re a star, Yolie, I’m so happy to see your smiley-self (albeit in a gravatar!) back here @ fridge scrapings!
Thanks so much for your well wishes and beautiful comment… I knew you would “get” this post
xxx
happy (almost) birthday!!! i hope you have a great day!!!
Thanks T
Those look and sound just like the raw “cookies” I buy at the farmer’s market. Yum!
And happy birthday to you! You are such a doll.
Thanks so much
Happiest of birthdays! Oh, you are so right. For a long time I kept waiting for something to “call” me – and then I’d be happy and know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I envied people who seemed to know from the time they were little what they wanted to do/be. Now I’m perfectly content to putter through life, following my whims and interests and live in a way that feels true to me.
Thanks, Annie
I am SO happy puttering too… these days I feel quite fortunate that I DIDN”T commit myself to ONE career/qualification – I can evolve and change as I want to, not feel stuck in some pigeon hole 
Someone once told me to look at life like I was collecting “tools” for my tool box (life) – different skills/traits that all come together to form a collection of goodies 
i love who you are! who wouldn’t? and I am glad you love you too! misty is lucky to have such a cool mom. happy birthday!!
Oh thanks Lindsay, you’re such a star, I can’t wait until we can drink wine and LAUGH together again
happy birthday to you!!! i hope you have a lovely birthday!!
<3
Thank You!!! xx
oh gosh, that million dollar question. what do you want to be when you grow up?
i’m 28 and i still don’t know…but like you, i want to be a good person. a good, kind person who hopefully leaves the world a little better
You’ve got the right attitude for sure, Lou and I’m sure you will be all the more happier because of that
It’s all about letting that inner light shine through and not to get dulled down by all meaningless stress/crap that we get bombarded with, no?
he’s getting so big! cute
thanks for coming back to my blog after a long leave! nice to hear from you again.
It’s crazy how quick they grow…. he ain’t no baby any more! No worries, Caitlin, I never forget a reader
I’m so in love with the fact that you dropped out of uni. My obsessive perfectionist streak would never, ever have been able to consider that option. I love that you knew it wasn’t right for you.
Love seeing a photo of you with Misty, too!
Yeah, I used to be a perfectionist, then I decided to be a hippie
I lasted 6 months at uni, ha!