grains

Hello from the world different than it was when we rang it in. I saw a funny post today that said, “I didn’t intend to give up this much for Lent.” Which, was the humor I needed after the last week.

We are officially home from school, and I have thrown myself into a tailspin of bleaching and organizing and sorting. I haven’t been a good sleeper ever, and this hasn’t helped. For some reason controlling the list of crap I need to do in my house is helping. Only the people I love know how long my list is…and the fact that its typed out. Because, yeah… I don’t know. I’ve embraced my nerdness. Love it or leave it.

Now, in the light of all that is going on in the world I am very aware that I am blessed. I have a career where I am home, can still work, and do my part of social distancing. At this moment we are healthy, and if I can keep us this way and prevent us from causing harm to others, that’s the goal. I get that I am fortunate. I do. Wholeheartedly.

That said, I have kind of broken up with Weight Watchers. I have beenhosting a food-party that calls for every processed cheez-product-and-salt-carbs- chocolate-ice-cream-peanut-butter-standing-in-the-kitchen-alone-zone. I haven’t enjoyed bread for real in months. Game on. I baked bread last night and stood there with my children, real salted butter and real homemade strawberry jam and we had a party. I have eaten processed packaged cookies while making a puzzle. We have ordered take out unlike ever before.

I am essentially the swipe right of online dating with food.

However, we are in the “this is going to be for awhile” part of this process. We are five days in. This can not be my new lifestyle. I have worked too hard to eat my way through anxiety and grief. No matter how precious the Cheez its are in my world. (Think Gollum. That’s how I treat that big red box).

I am for using what I have on hand. I am for not wasting the food in my refrigerator. I want to be the culinary project runway and “make it work.” So when I saw a recipe for a creamy coconut quinoa on @kristydenney’s instagram story…I snapped that screenshot as fast as my fingers could.

The idea of quinoa being slowly cooked in coconut milk, with a hint of cinnamon sounded amazing. I changed up the recipe a bit to include shredded coconut, and almond milk. It’s a fairly simple recipe to follow. Similar to steel cut oats, but changed up. I feel like many of my readers may have half a container of quinoa around, so go ahead and grab it and make yourself a comforting breakfast that isn’t processed or fake cheese orange. (Wait, what…you don’t eat snack food for breakfast when you are stressed? Gold star for you…).

This recipe requires you to bring the coconut milk, water, and almond milk to a simmer with coconut, vanilla, and cinnamon, then slowly cook the quinoa. I added a little more almond milk because I didn’t want a crunchy texture…but you can cook it as you like.

Literally the options here are endless. I threw some more coconut and frozen blueberries on mine. Bananas, berries, maple syrup, peanut butter, nuts, more almond milk, whatever makes your heart happy here…go for it. Because, we need a little comfort today. We also need to nourish our hearts and souls and bodies.

Truthfully, most of last week I didn’t cook. Thursday night when we were told we were not going back to school I think my heart broke. As teachers we love our kids. We love our jobs. We love the routine of life as we know it. For some of us we extend our momma hearts to the students who need a momma’s heart. And now…everything looks different.

For a person who finds solace in cooking and feeding others, my heart kind of said, “why bother?”

But, my heart and your heart are resilient. And our kitchens need someone to create in it. Because we have people to feed, and will feed more and soon…because we live with hope, not despair.

My family, I am sending you so much love right now. I am sending you health and comfort, joy in seclusion, and a sense of wonder. I am sending you nourishment for your bodies, and hopefully, your hearts.

Put down the cheez its. They will be waiting for you later. I promise.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!

Much love,

Chrissy

Click below for printable recipe.

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