Witchy Woman Walking

Embarking on a spiritual life involves looking into all the deep, dark corners. In these places we learn more about the way we're moving through this human journey. Our closets may seem mundane, but they're actually the perfect place to do genuine spiritual work. What is your closet saying about you? And is your current wardrobe a true representation of how you want to feel in the world? As we wander through the budding forest, imagine confronting your chaotic closet and whittling it down to only the pieces that speak to the style in your soul. 
What am I reading?
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781982112820
The Wisdom of the Enneagram:
The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Typesby Don Richard Ross & Russ Hudson
https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9780553378207

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

What am I playing on repeat? 
Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top

What is for dinner?
Honey Garlic Sausage and Sweet Potato Sheet Pan Dinner
Ingredients:
 14 ounces of pre-cooked sausage 
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
1 large head of broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets.
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste 
Honey Garlic Sauce:
¼ cup honey
¼ cup of low-sodium soy sauce or tamari or coconut aminos
4 cloves, minced
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry for thickening.
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Roast the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes. This gives them a head start to become tender.
While the potatoes are roasting, prepare the honey garlic sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
 After 15 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Add the sliced sausage and broccoli florets to the pan with the sweet potatoes. Drizzle half of the honey garlic sauce over everything. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the broccoli is crisp-tender.
Remove from the oven and drizzle the remaining sauce over the top. Toss one last time to ensure everything is coated in that delicious glaze. Enjoy!

Strawberry Lavender Milkshake
Ingredients:
4 oz fresh strawberries washed
Splash whole milk
1/4 tsp dried culinary lavender
2 large scoops vanilla ice cream
2 tsp strawberry jam or preserves
Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions:
Wash strawberries then cut into large chunks.
Add the strawberries, milk, dried lavender, and vanilla ice cream to a high speed blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Line the inside of glass with jam, pour in milkshake, top with whipped cream. Enjoy! 
Podcast Recommendation
https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-383/
WWW Closet Clearing episode 3/15/24 
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2251895/episodes/14692366
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Anxiety has a way of creeping up on us. Sometimes the source of our unease is easy to pinpoint, while others times it seems to bubble up without cause. The natural tendency is to push away the anxious thoughts or deny they exist at all. Unfortunately, this rarely helps matters; in fact, it often makes things much worse. But what if we were able to face our anxiety head on? And what if we could use our spiritual practice as an additional tool to support ourselves through these anxious periods? Is it possible that anxiety could actually serve as a useful teacher? As we listen to the pitter-patter of the spring rain, consider how you might create a new relationship with the anxiety in your life.  
What am I reading? 
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman 
https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781501160844
How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing Women by Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell 
https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781464241222

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

What’s playing on repeat?
Song of Sorrow by Elle King

What’s for dinner?
Mediterranean Baked Cod
Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds cod fillet
1 small red onion OR large shallot, sliced
3 cloves garlic crushed
1 pound cherry tomatoes halved
¼ cup sliced black olives
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
salt & pepper to taste
¼ cup white wine OR water
4 tablespoons butter chopped
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a rectangular baking dish that will comfortably hold all your cod pieces and tomatoes and place the fish inside.
Scatter the onion, garlic, tomatoes and olives around the fish.
 Drizzle the olive oil all over the ingredients in the dish. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper.
 Pour the water into the dish. Scatter the butter evenly over the dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tomatoes and fish are cooked.

Tofu Matcha White Chocolate Mousse Ingredients:
Mousse
12 oz (340 gr) silken tofu
6 oz (170 gr) white chocolate, melted
1 tbsp matcha powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
Toppings:
Greek/coconut yogurt
Berries
Instructions
Blend silken tofu, melted white chocolate, matcha powder, and vanilla extract in a blender until smooth.
Pour the mixture into serving glasses.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let the mousse set.
Top with toppings. Serve.
https://jajabakes.com/wprm_print/tofu-matcha-white-chocolate-mousse
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What am I reading?
Letting Magic In by Maia Toll
https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9780762480418
The Untethered Soul by Micheal A. Singer
https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781572245372

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

What’s playing on repeat?
Curbside Prophet by Jason Mraz

What’s for dinner?
Thai Peanut Chicken 
Ingredients:
1 Ib chicken breast or tofu
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup peanut butter, 
2 tbsps tamari
 1-3 tsps honey
 2 tbsps lime juice
2 garlic cloves
I inch fresh ginger
3 tbsps water
4 cups green cabbage
1/2 red pepper 
1/2 mango or 1 cup pineapple 
4 stalks green onion
Instructions: 
1. Mince the garlic and ginger. Chop the cabbage. Shred the carrot. Dice the red bell pepper. Cube the mango or pineapple. Chop the green onion.
Add the chicken to a small bowl and season with chili powder, smoked paprika and sea salt. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken on both sides until cooked through, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Remove, let cool slightly and then shred with two forks.
In a blender, add the peanut butter, tamari, honey, lime juice, garlic, ginger and water. Blend until smooth and creamy.
 In a large bowl, add the cabbage, carrots, pepper, mango and green onions.
Add the shredded chicken to the bowl and toss with the dressing. Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake
Ingredients:
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon cooking oil Any neutral-flavored oil like vegetable or canola
2 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon peanut butter
Instructions:
Stir together the dry ingredients in a microwave-safe mug: flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure there are no clumps.

Add in the oil and milk, stirring until smooth.

Drop the peanut butter into the center of the batter and gently press it down.

Microwave on high for 1 minute. If needed, adjust the time by a few seconds depending on your microwave.

https://themidst.substack.com/p/aging-out-of-fcks
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Most of us can recall a time when we did something purely to please someone else. Maybe the action didn't sit well in our gut, but we did it anyway to avoid conflict or rejection. This desire to please others is hardwired into our survival instincts. When we make others happy, we're less likely to be cast out of the herd. This behavior makes sense, but when it becomes excessive we risk emotional and physical burnout. So how can we tell when our behavior is genuinely kind and helpful versus people-pleasing? The trick is to discern whether you're acting from a place of fear rather than a place of love. As we stroll through the late winter woods, consider your people-pleasing tendencies. Are they based in genuine kindness or are they fueled by fear? It's time to see and feel the difference. 

What am I reading?
The Violin Makers Secret by Evie https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9780008777678
The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women's Magic by Lindsey Stewart
https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781538769508

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

What’s playing on repeat?
Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chili Peppers

What’s for dinner? 
Healthy Burger Bowl
1 lb ground beef, chicken, turkey, or plant based protein 
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
6 cups chopped romaine
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/2 cup pickle slices
2/3 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 avocado 
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp pickle juice
1/2 tsp hot sauce 
Instructions:
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground protein and seasonings. Cook until browned. Drain fat. Set aside to cool.
Wash and chop lettuce, halve tomatoes, shred carrots, slice onion, and slice pickles. Dice the avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
Mix yogurt, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, and hot sauce. Season to taste.
Divide the lettuce between bowls. Top with layer of ground meat, then add tomatoes, carrots, onions, pickles, shredded cheese, and avocado. Drizzle with sauce. Enjoy!
Fudgy Date Brownies
Ingredients: 
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted 
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips 
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper.
Place the pitted dates and hot water in a food processor. Blend until you create a smooth paste. 
Add the melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the date paste. Mix. 
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the food processor. Pulse until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. 
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Center should remain fudgy.
Let the date brownies cool in the pan before cutting. Cooling helps set the fudgy texture.
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Managing feelings and emotions can be a complicated part of life. When we’re angry, sad, or frustrated it’s all too easy to blame our negative feelings on someone else. Sometimes we have a difficult time separating our own emotions from the emotions of others. We can even create codependent relationships by caretaking the feelings of others, rather than allowing them to do emotional work for themselves. Learning to be emotionally autonomous is a skill that we can hone once we start taking accountability for our own inner worlds. Your feelings are your responsibility… full stop. As we wander through the muddy forest, reflect on your emotional landscape. How healthy are your boundaries? What work is yours to do? 

What am I reading?
The Ferryman and his Wife by Frode Grytten
https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781643757452
Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics by Mirabai Starr
https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781683641568

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

What’s playing on repeat?
Up, Up, and Away by Jack Harris

What’s for dinner? 
Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad 
Shredded chicken 
2 cups cooked quinoa
Cucumber
Cherry tomatoes halved
Fresh spinach
1 can chickpeas 
Fresh dill
Chopped olives
Goat cheese crumbled
Olive oil
Apple cider vinegar
Fresh lemon juice
Minced garlic 
Pickled onions 
Salt and pepper
Instructions: Marinate and cook chicken, shred into bite-sized pieces or use precooked rotisserie chicken. Cook quinoa according to instructions. Wash and dice cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, fresh spinach, and fresh dill. Add olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, and salt and pepper to a big bowl, mix. Toss in veggies, chicken, chickpeas, and quinoa. Mix thoroughly, season to taste, sprinkle with goat cheese. Enjoy! 
Lavender Cookies
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon culinary grade lavender buds
1 large egg yolk 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon fine salt
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 F, and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl, and melt it in the microwave in 25 second intervals until fully melted. 
In a food processor, combine the sugar and lavender buds and pulse a few times.
Stir together the melted butter, lavender sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Stir very well to combine.
Next, sprinkle the flour, baking soda and salt evenly over the dough, and stir just to combine.
Press the dough flat and evenly in the bowl, and then divide it in half. You should get 3 cookies from each half.
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