I lived.

The other morning as I was driving from one errand to the next, I unexpectantly found myself in tears. I quickly scanned my body, physically and emotionally, wondering where this sudden burst of emotion came from. I reflected on what I was thinking about right before the waterworks and suddenly it all made sense. 

You see, that day marked eleven years since I sat in that cold and sterile doctors office with my mom and dad and heard those words that I naively thought I'd never hear. 

The tears that streamed down my cheeks weren't actually because I was sad, quite the contrary. Those were tears of joy and gratitude because I have had the opportunity to live.  To be honest, I'm not sure I've ever truly experienced these kind of tears before. My whole body reverberated with joy and happiness as I felt the heat and warmth of those tears slide down my cheeks.  

As I drove down Encinitas Boulevard, fully sobbing, I gave into this uncontrollable experience. 

ELEVEN F-ING YEARS.

How did I get so lucky?

I shared a picture on my Instagram talking about how every day is an opportunity to wake up and remind yourself that you are, indeed, so very lucky because the truth is, we are all on borrowed time. My health and wellness, they mean everything to me and at any moment, during any doctors appointment, they can be taken away from me.

Today I treat my body like the temple it is so hopefully I never have to deal with cancer again. Each day is a new beginning, an opportunity to use those struggles to grow into the person I am and to help others. I GET to live life to the fullest. To make smart and healthy food choices to nourish a body that works very hard to support me in life. I workout and eat clean foods not for vanity reasons but because like all of you, I deserve to live a long, healthy and happy life. Or do my best trying. 

I know it can sound cliche and it's thrown around a lot but ask someone who has almost had it all taken away from them or ask a person who is dying a slow death and I guarantee that each one will say the same thing, life IS a gift. ALL OF IT, every single moment, even the shit that happens in between the amazing and sweet moments. 

There are two truths I know for certain; no one gets out alive and many are taken WAY too soon. When you put it that way, how are we all not waking up every single day, jumping out of bed and shouting "fuck yeah! I GET to do this again!" 

I think the biggest lessons I've learned through cancer is that we are on borrowed time and no matter what is going on in my life, I have to find some kind of peace and happiness moment to moment. This isn't to say I am always able to live this way. I have to remind myself often by saying, "Smile and live Amanda. Stop taking this all so bloody seriously!" I usually have to say this to myself daily. 

We all could probably stand to give credit where credit is due for where you are right now. Even the mundane and ordinary are pretty special moments when you compare it to the alternative. Even when things feel heavy and big and you wonder how you will make it through this next moment, think about it from the perspective of the dying. I'm sure they'd give anything to be in your shoes. 

Slow down, lean into what you are experiencing and let the flow of life happen because you get a new day to fucking do this again. You get a new day, another opportunity, a second chance. Stop trying to force or control things. Let life happen and oh yeah, bloody smile already! 

This is all leading you somewhere. I promise. 

If one day I am told I have cancer again and that I only have a short amount of time to live, I truly hope that I can look back on the life I lived and say, "Well, this isn't the news I was hoping for but at least I F-ING LIVED."

I lived every day awake and conscious of where I currently am and where I want to go.

I lived every single day telling those I love just how much. 

I lived every day not holding back. 

I lived every day giving thanks for everything and I mean everything. Even the shit.  

I lived every day making choices that were aligned with my values and what is in my heart and not because I felt like I had to in order to please others or it was the acceptable thing to do.

I lived every day with the hope that I could make one person smile. 

I lived every day letting go of the petty bullshit, letting others off the hook, giving second chances, and letting go of grudges. 

I lived every day loving so big that I felt unstoppable. That I felt as if my heart just may explode with love. 

I lived every day remembering that I am on borrowed time. 

I lived every day dancing my ass of in my living room not caring who sees or that I have two left feet. 

I lived every day not giving a flying fuck what others thought of me because I followed what was in my heart and that my friends, that's where the GOOD stuff lives. 

I lived every day as an example that no matter what happens, you can still find a reason to smile and laugh. 

I lived every day giving thanks for the little things just as much as the big. 

And, I lived every day with one intention, to live my truth and to live with integrity. 

And sure, maybe I'll look back and see that I never climb that huge mountain or I never hiked the Pacific Crest Trail or jumped out of an airplane. Maybe I'll never write that New York Bestseller or visit all the countries I hoped to but despite it all, I will look back and be able to say with certainty and the greatest of conviction that I did, in fact, LIVE. 

So I ask you this, right now, how are you going to live?

Just be-cause: give and change a life

This time of year brings up a lot, both emotionally, physically and mentally. As much as I love the holidays. I mean LOVE the holidays, there is an underlying sadness because I'm reminded of all those who will go without. Without food, without shelter, without warmth, without a kind smile to brighten their day and most importantly, without feeling loved. 

I can't imagine living a life where I go without. As much as I can get caught up in the mentality of lack and wanting, I'm always brought back to reality when I see or read about others who go without so much more then I will ever be able to comprehend.  It breaks my heart in so many ways. 

I sometimes find myself overwhelmed by feeling helpless. I'm only one person, how can I make a difference? 

Here is the thing, no matter how small you feel in this gigantic world, you can always do something to make someone else's life a little easier, a little brighter and little less challenging, even if it is as simple as buying the next person in line a cup of coffee. 

We just never know what is going on in someone else's life. Sometimes it's easy. There are obvious indicators that things are difficult. A dirty face, torn and ragged clothing, bumps and bruises. However, in many cases, there are challenges we will never know about.

A single mother praying for a way to buy her child, or children at least one gift, anything to make their Christmas feel special. Someone who was just diagnosed with an illness and instead of investing the time and energy on healing, they are filled with worry and doubt about how they will pay for their medical treatment. A teen who ran away from home because they felt it was their only option to survive a home full of fear. A family who just lost everything in a fire. A stray animal, cold and alone wandering the streets looking for a safe place to sleep. 

The list goes on and on. 

You just never know what someone else is going through. 

This leads me to ask; how can we all walk through our day making a difference, be it small or large? 

Maybe we buy a cup of coffee for the person behind us or leave an extra tip in the tip jar. Maybe we give our time and volunteer. Maybe we lift our head as we walk down the street, looking into those passing by and smile. Maybe that's the only smile the receive all day long. 

No matter what is going on in my life, no matter how much money is (or isn't) in my bank account, no matter if I feel like I have nothing to wear or I'm tired of what is in my closet, no matter if my refrigerator only has a jar of pickles, some hummus and hot sauce, I still have WAY more then so many. 

I recently read something that cut me pretty deep. It's a line from a book I'm currently reading called Crazy Love by Frances Chan, a pastor here in Southern California.

He wrote:

"I believe He wants us to love others so much that we go to extremes to help them."

Maybe it's because it has been on my mind so much lately, but it sucker punched me right in the gut and made me tear up. 

There are so many moments in my life where I feel like I'm not walking my talk. I say that one of my greatest traits is my compassion yet to feel is not enough. I say that I am  loving and giving but often there are times when I find myself stuffing my last dollar deeper into my wallet. There are times when I turn away from locking someones glance. Someone who probably needs it way more then I will ever know. And there are times when I complain and moan about the so called 'lack' in my life.  

I don't say all this to bring pity but rather to show you that I am human too. I have moments of not feeling like giving and hoarding that which I do have. I have moments when life feels heavy and hard and financially daunting, where I just want to hide everything I do have away for fear that one day it will all disappear. 

Then I read this other line:

 

Whoa, right? 

But I wondered, how can I give more?

Then it hit me. As I grow my Etsy shop and continue to sell my handmade products, I can give back by doing just that. For every sale I make, I can change a life, and so too can you. 

For the month of December, for every Etsy sale I make I am going to donate 100% of the proceeds (just after covering the small cost of materials) to two causes that are very near and dear to my heart. I'll be working out my giving campaign moving into the new year but for December, it's all or nothing. 

My handmade signs are 100% made by me. The love and detail that goes into them is motivated by my drive for adventure and authentic living. I incorporate my love of vintage vehicles and aztec, tribal and southwestern design. It's a little random, just like me. 

I can also do custom designs. I love to create something that is special to one particular person. 

These pieces make a great gift or a beautiful piece to adorn your own walls. 

But what's even more important and even more special is that, by purchasing one, you will be giving back to others. 

Here is a little information on two causes:

Team Becca Guild

On December 8, 2013 the world lost an incredibly beautiful person, outside and more importantly, inside. My cousin, Becca was taken far too soon when she passed away after several months of aggressively fighting Stomach Cancer. She left behind so many people who love her, including her beautiful son, Gavin. Those who were lucky to have known her will forever be changed by her loving grace, humble nature and beautiful spirit. 

In honor of Becca, the Team Becca Guild continually raises money for and brings awareness to the Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA through Seattle Children's Hospital. Ben Towne held a special place in Becca's heart after watching her best friend's family suffer through Ben's courageous battle. 

For more information please read here. 

 

Wahine Project, Inc.

I've had the honor of meeting so many wonderful people since moving to San Diego last year and in January, two of my good friend's, Natalie and Molly will be hitting the road heading to Cuba with The Wahine Project to help break down barriers and create opportunities for young girls and women. 

Last May I was lucky to join Natalie and Molly, who went to Mexico to work with several women and their children. To see their faces and feel the love between all who were present is something I will never forget. 

For more information on The Wahine Project please read here. 

You may feel like one small person but believe me, one small step is all it takes to make a huge difference. Let's take this step together. 

With love,

Amanda

creativity is in the eye of the creator

 

For years I wished so badly to be a "creative" person. I wanted to paint with such beauty and majestic qualities that my art would touch the souls of those looking onward in a way that left them longing for more. I wanted to write stories with characters so vivid and wild that they came to life at night dancing in the dreams of those reading. I wished that I was brave enough to stand on stage, singing and dancing as I embodied the persona of someone that had been crafted by the imagination of someone with wicked creativity. 

My lack of confidence and insecurities got the better of me however and I soon bought into my beliefs that I wasn't creative at all. I would sit in my room for hours drawing, never quite able to capture what I really wanted. I'd write stories but never felt like I could think of the right words to express what I truly wanted to say. And in the quiet hours when no one else was home, I'd turn my music up and theatrically sing and dance throughout the house but never when anyone else could see. So, like a lot dreams left uncared for, I let the idea of being a "creative" person die too. 

It wasn't until sometime in my late twenties that I started to hear the calls to tap back into my creative side. One day in the late summer of 2009 I was sitting at the dining room table of my friend's beautiful early 1900's West Seattle home, a place I was fortunate to live, when I heard a voice. I was nearly in tears, frustrated with feelings I couldn't quite figure out. I felt like I had betrayed myself. I felt lost and confused and all I could do was ask for help. With my head cradled in my arms resting on the dinning room table I cried out, "what do you wish for me to do?" 

As if on cue, I heard a very loud and clear voice that said, "Amanda, start a blog."

I lifted my head, confused as to where the voice came from and asked out loud, "What do you mean start a blog? I'm not a writer! Who, besides my mom, is going to read anything I have to write?" (no offense mom...you're my most cherished reader!)

And I heard it again, "Amanda, start a blog."

Exhausted and tired from the self-inflicted fight, I decided to give in and listen.

As I was just about to move to Taiwan, I figured that was a great great transition into blogging. I barely knew what blogging was but I would capture my thoughts and experiences with words and photos and in doing so, the craziest of things happened. The very process started to feed me in a way I'd never been fed before. I would leave my house and spend hours, completely unaware of the time, walking around the streets of northern Taiwan capturing everything I could. I felt a shift inside and an openness in my heart I hadn't felt in a long time. 

Then when I moved to Oregon I started a new blog, Bullfrogs and Bulldogs, and documented my life transitioning from the city to living on 50 acres of farm and vineyard. What was intended to be a platform to share the hilarious stories of a chuck wearing city girl navigating her way around country life turned into a creative outlet that allowed me to use my house and the land as my canvas. I felt pulled to start exploring home up cycling and gardening and would share those projects on my blog. My canvas was big and I was fortunate to have the means to dive deeper into the things I was being called to do.  I learned to paint and sew and explore my greenish-brown thumb. 

The more I did, the more I felt pulled to try new things. 

Since then I've continued to be open to whatever I feel called to do and it has totally changed my perspective on what it means to be a creative person.

After many years I realized something really important. The problem wasn't my lack of abilities. It was my definition of creativity. It was very black and white. I thought I had to fit into a perfect little box. Worst of all, I thought that to be creative I could only love and spend my time focusing on one craft. Was I so wrong!

Isn't it interesting what we allow ourselves to believe? I completely shut off such an integral part of who I am as a person all because I thought I didn't fit into a mold. 

If you are anything like me, you are a multifaceted person with many interests and passions. One minute you think you've found it, that one thing you are supposed to invest your life doing, then five minutes later something shiny and pretty catches your eye and you are left confused and wondering in a different direction. 

It's really not so black and white though. There really are NO rules. We are the ones limiting ourselves by this convoluted idea that creativity (and life mind you) have to look a certain way. 

It makes me sad to think that so much creativity is not being shared with the world because of this preconceived notion of what creativity is supposed to look like. So many people are afraid of making a mistake that they never try at all.  Creativity is vast and big. Creativity is something you do that makes your soul and spirit come alive. Creativity is taking risks and letting go of the fear of not being perfect. 

Creativity is your souls way of communicating to the world. 

And my dear, your soul needs to be heard.  

That's the key to creativity, figure out what lights you up and do that. 

What are the things that you are excited to do that you can you get lost in where hours slip by like they were merely moments in time? What makes you giddy excited to rush home to or spend any and all free time you may have doing? What gives you butterflies and makes your heart beat a little faster? What is that one thing that if you could not fail, you would do forever? 

We are all creative beings. The sooner you can believe that and start breathing life into that side of you, the sooner you will find a personal freedom that makes you feel truly alive. 

What are you longing to create? 

---

And without further ado...it's now open. My Etsy shop is officially up and ready just in time for the holiday season. Make sure you check back often in the coming weeks as I'm working on some awesome holiday signs that I think you and your loved ones will adore hanging on their walls. 

suffer no more dear one

I breathed in slowly. As I released it all out, I whispered those words that would set me free: "I forgive you. Please forgive me."

And I knew it was time. 

It happened one day recently and what felt like out of the blue. When I get really honest with myself however, the truth is I could feel it bubbling up from deep within for a while. I long to feel free in my life, both figuratively and literally, emotionally and physically, and these feelings tied me down as if there were heavy, invisible metal chains wrapped around me holding me in place. 

Earlier that day, as I sat in my Chinese/Ayurvedic Naturopathic Doctor's office (phew, that IS a mouthful) he asked me how I was doing. I starred back at him and took a long pause as I met his gaze, really thinking about the question he just asked. I wanted to speak honestly.

"So, how are you Amanda?"  I asked myself.

Pause, ponder, silence, response. 

I felt it regurgitating up my throat, passing through my lips. " I think I'm ready to finally forgive my ex-husband." I said, "I mean..." I paused feeling that familiar tightness in my throat that happens right before I start to cry. "...really forgive him." Just as right before you vomit is the most excruciating moment, once it's out you feel so much better.

Just saying those wordsI felt so much better. 

Dr. Michael sat tall with his lean stature and perfectly pressed spine, his eyes never leaving mine. I'm not sure I have ever met someone with better posture or a more calming disposition. "Ok, well that's good. " Dr. Michael said in a matter of fact tone. 

"Yeah." I said hesitating, looking down at my clasped hands, damp with little beads of sweat, something that has always happened when I talk openly about my feelings. "But here is the thing..." I said, "I'm really scared."

"Why are you scared?" he asked with no sign of judgment, just honest curiosity in his tone. 

Again, I paused collecting my thoughts. "Because once I do, once I completely forgive him, I really have to let it all go, don't I? All of it. I mean, the pain, the hurt, the betrayal, the identity I've created from that experience...and most importantly, the suffering." I answered as tears started to well in my eyes. I looked out the window hoping that the view of the Pacific Ocean would keep them at bay.

"What is the suffering bringing you Amanda? Why would you want to keep that trapped in your body?" Dr. Michael asked. 

I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. "I guess the suffering is familiar. In a twisted way it's feels safe. I've known emotional suffering for a long time. Its been a second home. But it's just not doing anything for me anymore. I've growing tired of feeling sad. I'm tired of feeling angry and like I'm a victim. And more then anything, I'm tired of suffering. I'm so tired... of the silent suffering." I responded. "I just want to let it go and live in a space of happiness and peace."

"So forgive him" He said, "Forgive him and forgive yourself too." 

Later that day as I sat at my kitchen table starring down at my phone I knew in my heart that in order to forgive I had to finally set that part of my life free. It was time. Really time. I have a new life, an amazing future and I can now only live in a space of moving forward. 

Everything in me, even the scared parts that found comfort in the suffering were ready to let it go. No more "my ex did this to me" stories. No more anger over what I had lost despite my vast efforts to love and save someone who did everything to push those efforts away. It was over. Done. My heart was finally ready to move on and be happy. 

I typed his phone number from memory into the little text box, one of the only numbers I know by heart. I took a deep breath and wrote out my message and hit send. The final chapter of this story.

"I forgive you. Truly and whole-heartedly, I forgive you. I hope you can forgive me too"

The End. 

Other then to lift the last vail of darkness from my heart, I did so without any expectations in return. You can't fully forgive if you are doing so to get some kind of response from the other. There was no concern for whether or not he would respond. This was for me. This was to end my suffering.  

And it was in that moment that the most incredible and interesting thing happened.  The moment I hit send I felt those heavy, invisible metal chains break free and drop to the floor and I realized it was always me. I was always the only person who cu=ould break those chains. 

It was always my choice. 

I forgave him. 

I forgave myself.

I am free. 

---

let go of the suffering

One of the greatest things I have learned through all the experiences in my life that have brought about pain is that suffering has a lot to do with perspective and personal choice. I'd even go as far to say that suffering has everything to do with these two things. Grief, which isn't the same as suffering, is a natural part of healing from tragedy, from painful experiences. However, suffering, I believe, is something we choose.  

Most of us have heard all of this before. The moment we can take an honest look at our own life and reflect on whether we are still grieving or if we are stuck in a state of personal suffering is a powerful moment and can provide a lot of clarity. 

When I realized that I could actually change the stories I was replaying over and over in my mind, I saw that freedom from all the suffering was actually more attainable then I thought. Choosing to let the pain from our past go doesn't mean we will ever forget those experiences or people, we just don't allow ourselves to be victims anymore. It means that we recognize that we have way more power over the situation then we originally thought.

We have a limited amount of time here and to choose to stay in the suffering and let it influence our present and future happiness is a whole other tragedy in itself. Don't you agree?

Pain is a natural part of living. No one goes through life without experience varying levels of pain, both physically and emotionally. If we can get comfortable with this idea and accept it fully, we can work through it and eventually let go of the idea that we have to suffer past the initial grieving of the experience. 

It's a practice mind you. It's not something that happens over night. I have to work on it daily. It involves staying in a state of consciousness, asking ourselves important questions and being very aware of our thoughts. It's staying present with our feelings, our emotions, our triggers, and getting very honest with ourselves.  

In a world full of instant gratification and new shiny objects right around the corner, getting comfortable with pain and working your process to freedom is easy to avoid. Believe me when I say I understand this. 

I use to avoid pain at all cost. I'd do anything to stuff it down and ignore it. I'd convince myself it didn't exist and go about my merry little way putting on a big fake smile and pretending I was happy. However, doing so was causing me more harm then good. Through my daily thoughts and action, how I treated others, what triggered me and sent me into moments of sadness and rage, it was clear that all of this was stemmed from what I wasn't allowing myself to feel. I didn't see any light nor did I believe there was a better way. I didn't believe that I could actually find the true happiness or that I deserved it. 

But listen to me when I say this: YOU DO DESERVE TO BE HAPPY. We all do.  

Honoring your pain in a way that allows you to experience it in an honest and genuine way grants you the permission to be human. Pain is a natural part of life as mentioned earlier.  When you can breath through it and really feel it, knowing that you have the choice to stay or to let it go, you will start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and I promise you, you will survive it and come out on the other end.

You can however, choose to stay there, swallowed in the sadness of the past and miss out of the sweetness that is life. It comes down to choice. 

It may sound better to avoid and hide from the pain now but in the long run the pain turns into silent suffering which turns into a lifetime of unhappiness. Do you want to spend your life unhappy, consumed by sadness or can you accept what has happened and give yourself permission to let it all go and truly believe you deserve to be happy?

I think to really appreciate happiness we have to know what sadness and pain feels like. We have to have moments when we are so fucking sad we can barely get off the floor, drowning in a pool of our own tears. We have to feel the wounds and lesions that come from betrayal, the separation that comes from thinking that this is all there is. We have to know the dark to appreciate the light. 

But feel it and set it free. Break those invisible chains and you too shall find freedom. 

The choice is always yours. 

With love, 

Curry Chicken 'Ramen' Soup with Roasted Honey-Miso Delicata Squash

I woke this morning to the sound of torrential rain pouring out of the sky and hitting the hard, draught-ridden, clay-like ground outside. As I lay in my cozy bed, covers pulled up tight around my body, it took me a moment to recognize what the sounds was. Coming from the Pacific Northwest you spent about nine months deep in the trenches of a wet and soggy reality but since moving south, that once familiar and comforting sound has become a thing of the past. 

A smile broke across my face as I realized what this meant. First and foremost, San Diego was getting a good dose of some much needed rain. Coming off the tail end of one of the worsts draughts in history this barren city needs weeks worth of rain to even begin to scratch the surface and fill the now almost empty lakes, rivers and streams. However, this also meant something special to me; a lazy day doing one of the things I love most; cooking warm comforting foods. 

I knew when I moved here that this time of year could be a little challenging for me. Growing up in Seattle and with my short four years in Oregon, I always waited patiently for the beginning of the impending seasonal change that is just following my brother's birthday (August 22nd) and right before my own (September 6th). It's subtle but it's always there and it's a race between my mom and I to see who can call the other first and shout into the phone, "fall is in the air!" It's just our special thing.

So, I love this time of year. The smell of decomposing leaves wafts through the air as earth begins to ready itself for a long winter's sleep while bounties are waiting patiently to be harvested and preserved for later use. 

It's during this time the morning and night air turns crisp and cool yet the days still linger with the hope of one more warm day. And then theres the moment when we happily tuck away our shorts and tanks for our Hunter Boots, chunky sweaters and puffy Northface vest. Anyone who grew up in the Pacific Northwest understands the significance of these days. As much as we complain about the weather, these are secretly the days we lived for. 

Don't get me wrong, living south comes with its own beauty, I just love a good rainy day. Its kind of like the comfort of going home to your parents house and curling up in your mom's arms. It's peaceful, its familiar, it soothe your soul. 

After lying in bed a little longer then normal, I finally peeled back the covers, jumping up to grab a sweater before the bite of the crisp morning could nibble at my skin. This is quite the contrast from the previous months when I found myself regularly stripping down to my bare skin, desperate to escape the heat.

I opened the blinds and peeked out the window to meet the early morning dark and grey sky and I knew exactly what I wanted to do, get cozy and make soup. 

While living in the countryside of the Willamette Valley in Oregon, I was met with some of the rainiest days I've every seen. We'd have days upon days where all it did was rain and you'd find yourself wondering if you'd ever see the light of the sun again. This soup, sans the chicken at the time, became a regular. It is the perfect combination of comfort and heat. Now that I eat meat again the chicken thighs add a depth I had not yet experienced. It kind of reminds me of my youth, when I'd eat Top Ramen for days, but with more sophistication. 

The greatest thing about this mock version of ramen is it's so versatile and you can add or eliminate almost anything. It really is the perfect soup on a day like this. 

And days like these really are the perfect days. 

I hope you enjoy. 

Curry Chicken 'Ramen' with Roasted Honey-Miso Delicata Squash

Ingredients:
1/2 pound chicken thighs
2 quarts beef broth (or you can use veggie or mushroom)
1 can full fat coconut milk
2 table spoons rice vinegar
3 table spoons coconut aminos OR Bragg's Liquid Aminos
2 tbsp coconut oil
3 small bok choy
1 carton shitake mushrooms lightly chopped
1 medium onion diced
3 large carrots, julienne
1 medium jalapeño, thinly sliced
1 package rice noodles or if you can eat gluten, ramen noodles
1 large delicate squash or 3-4 small ones. (Recipe below)
Green onion for garnish
Cilantro for garnish
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cayenne powder
1 tsp smoked paprika

How to make:

1. In your soup pot, add one tablespoon coconut oil and heat up. Add in chicken thighs, turmeric, cayenne and smoked paprika. Cook until each side is a deep brown, about 4-5 minutes, then remove and set aside. They don't need to be cooked all the way through because you will add them to the soup to continue to cook. 

2. On med-high heat the rest of the coconut oil in soup pot and add in your onions. Cook for about five minutes then add in mushrooms and continue cooking. 

2. Add rice vinegar, liquid aminos, bok choy, carrots and jalapeño and continue cooking for about 5-7 minutes, turning heat to medium. 

3. Add in coconut milk and beef broth.

4. Shred chicken by using two forks and gently pulling each thigh apart. Add chicken to pot. 

5. Cover with lid and turn to simmer, allowing to cook for about 10 more minutes. 

6. Add in whatever kind of noodles you like and cook until noodles are tender. 

7. Portion out a serving and garnish with delicate squash, cilantro, green onion or whatever else you may like. 

8. Enjoy!

Roasted Honey-Miso Delicata Squash

Ingredients:

1 large delicate squash or 3-4 small
1 tbsp virgin coconut oil
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp white miso
1/4 tsp sea salt
pepper to taste

How to Make:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cut squash down the middle and remove seeds by scooping out. 

2. Cut in 1 inch slices or cubes (however you prefer)

3. In a roasting pan add squash, coconut oil, honey, miso and salt/pepper and mix. Place in over (once heated). After a few minutes stir squash to combine all the ingredients. 

4. Cook for 25 minutes. This is also dependent on your oven. You want your squash to be soft and tender. 

5. Enjoy!