I’ve been very busy this past year. Friends have gotten married, filed for divorce, and had babies, and I’ve hardly noticed. Unfortunately, my dog has become a bit pudgy from lack of exercise and my garden is more weed-ridden than I would like. This is because I’ve been writing a book while at the same time trying to juggle everything else. Sometimes my head spins out of control when I see my “to do” list, and all I want to do is crawl back into bed. However, remarkably I’ve remained pretty sane, as well as happy and joyful, throughout this intense time.

I owe this, in large part, to the fact that I rarely let myself get so busy that I skip a meal. Even when there’s an incessant pinging of incoming e-mails, the phone is ringing off the hook, and there are stacks of drafts to edit, as much as possible I make time to sit down and treat myself to a delicious dinner. For some, the best form of self-care is a luxurious bath and for others it’s a solitary walk in nature, but for me, it’s a good meal.

People often tell me that they don’t cook for themselves, only for friends and family. But, why should love-filled, homemade meals just be reserved for others? I believe in the power of nourishing ourselves with the same care that we give to others. When we show ourselves that we’re worthy of such attention, we radiate that out into the world.

It doesn’t have to take a lot of time to feed both your spiritual and physical appetites with a satisfying meal. Often I make a large batch of soup, curry, stew, or whatever it is, and then eat it for a few days, which cuts down on prep time. Not only are these meals tasty, but also they’re infused with my love and intention, which is more nurturing than anything I could purchase and eat on the fly. And when I’m really short on time, I might just eat a salad, fried eggs, or a sandwich, but I still make a point of arranging them artfully on a plate and sitting down to eat. For me, beauty, in addition to taste, is an important component of eating well.

I believe living well and eating well should be tasty and fun. By savoring the little moments in our lives, including the foods we eat, our lives will be more enriched. As a result, we’ll be healthier, happier, and more balanced. Believe it or not, when we slow down and take the time to relish each delicious bite, our mood improves, our body better metabolizes our food, and we’re more open to hearing the whispers of our soul. Here’s to living deliciously!

Triumph Trail Mix

When you have to eat on the go, consider foods that make you feel nourished, nurtured, and satisfied. A number of years ago, I found myself on a cycling trip in the Swiss Alps that was physically and emotionally challenging. (The Swiss Army actually had to rescue me…but that’s a story for another day.) As it turns out, climbing mountains—whether real or metaphorical—can be as much about working through interior limitations as it is about exterior ones.

After this experience I thought about what would’ve helped propel me up the mountain, and I realized that if I’d had a bag of trail mix in my pocket that provided physical sustenance, but also contained special messages to uplift and encourage me, I may not have needed the aid of the Swiss Army. Thus, Triumph Trail Mix was born!

Triumph Trail Mix

Makes about 6 cups

1 cup each, raw cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts

2 Tbsp. coconut oil

salt

1 cup roasted peanuts

1 cup dried pitted cherries, such as tart Montmorency

3/4 cup roasted coconut chips

5 words or phrases of encouragement, written on small strips of paper

5 of your attributes, qualities, or talents written on small strips of paper

Preheat oven to 200ºF.

If your coconut oil is solid, warm it in a small pan over low heat until liquid. Combine the cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts in a large bowl. Toss the nuts with the coconut oil and a dash of salt until evenly coated. Distribute the nuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 3 hours. Remove from the oven and allow the nuts to cool until they’re crisp. When they’re cool, toss with the peanuts, cherries, and coconut chips. Mix in the words of encouragement.

With every handful of Triumph Trail Mix, you’ll feel increasingly uplifted. (Just don’t eat the paper!).