We are in Autumn! Everything is changing in one way or another, everybody is undergoing some sort of transformation. It can appear superficial but something below the surface is shifting. Have you identified your transition?
It seems to me with less Sun up here in the Northern Hemisphere we are all forced to face a bit more of our shadow side during Fall. Our true colors come out. Trees are the most obvious correlation to this analogy. During summer the Sun has been allowing chlorophyll to abundantly produce green food for the tree, but when the days get shorter the tree is forced to use its other chemicals. Fall is the opportunity for the other colors in the tree to show off. They have been there all along but the green overpowers. In a similar sense we all have a shadow side that is usually overpowered by the light, active part of our nature.
My experience this autumn is colored by Somatic Therapy which is my way of getting more acquainted with my shadow side. All those thoughts and feelings that cycle round and round on the horizon of my mind are reeled in for a closer look. Most of them have been kept at a distance for my sanity and safety, but how safe am I really when those "things" are still there. Lurking. I am seeing a Somatic Therapist once a week in effort to induce a transformation in the deeper layers of my Self. So far its been disturbing, frightening and frankly a real drag. I am confident though that learning to navigate these emotions and issues will be a skill I rely on the rest of my [amazing] life. I am also taking a Raja Meditation class that is teaching me to intentionally be in the presence of myself. A specific time to shine the light of awareness into the corners of my mind.
And now I would like to share a delicious, not-too-sweet recipe that I came up with for Gluten Free Pumpkin Ginger Muffins (or bread). I really can't believe it turned out so well. I basically Googled about 25 recipes and then combined what I thought to be the best, most appropriate ingredients. Feel free to add to and change this recipe to make you happy.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
It made about 12 medium muffins and 1 small loaf.
Combine organic dry ingredients - 2 cups GF flour (I used Bob's Red Mill mix) and 1/2 cup ground flax seed, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp xanthan gum, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Combine organic wet ingredients - 2/3 cup grade b maple syrup, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 overflowing cup of pumpkin (baked sugar pie pumpkin is best), 1 TBSP grated fresh ginger, 2 beaten eggs, 3 TBSP melted butter, 1/2 lemon squeezed, 1 TBSP vanilla, 1/2 cup almond/soy/coconut (add up to 1/4 cup more if needed)
Combine all ingredients together until smooth. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup roughly chopped pecans (or nuts of your preference).
Put by the spoonful in muffins cups or in lightly greased pan. I decorated the top with pecans. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Eat and be happy. Gluten-free for me means fart-free. hooray.