Moving to Maui, Hawaii

Aloha! As many of you know, this past month has been a big transition period for me as I have moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Maui, Hawaii! I am finally now feeling somewhat more grounded to write a post for you all, and share more of my experiences and what has been going on down here on the island.

As I write this, I am sitting at a cute outdoor cafe surrounded by plants and tropical trees. I am sipping on a decaf macadamia nut-milk cappuccino, after teaching a morning of yoga classes. This all sounds extremely picturesque and dreamy, and don’t get me wrong there are not a lot of complaints on my end, but I want to be super honest and transparent about what it actually is like moving across the ocean all alone. This is week two of my move, and I am still definitely in that transition period, taking each day as it comes, and all the emotions as they come and go.

November 26th, 2018, I boarded a plane with a one way ticket to Maui, not fully knowing what the next chapter would hold for me. I had connected with a local yoga studio on the island looking for Baptiste yoga instructors, (the type of yoga I was trained in), and was warmly welcomed into the studio and was offered a position as an instructor. This is a relatively new studio on the island and is in the process of building community, so I was very excited for the opportunity to come and help grow such an awesome yoga community. Besides the connections I had made through the studio, I do not have any friends or family on the island and was definitely scared to leave my home in Texas. I lived in Austin for 14 years, and Fort Worth for about 6 years. The comfort of home, of loved ones, of routine, and of security, were about to be traded in for the unknown.

The unknown is a scary place to be, and even the thought of the unknown often stops us in our tracks. However, staying where we are comfortable never inspires growth, change, adventure, and new experiences. I realized I was in a space where I was needing to be pulled out of my comfort zone, to see what I could create with my passions, and take advantage of the opportunities that were coming my way. BUT this is not to say that this decision was in any way easy. I am not a super spontaneous person, I like plans and to know what’s coming my way. But it was time for me to jump without knowing exactly where I would land, and to trust that my path would reveal itself to me. It always does, if we just trust ourselves and the journey.

So what has it been like for the past two weeks?? Definitley not cocktails on the beach! haha. I was fortunate enough to stay my first 2 nights with family friends who own a home on the island in Kihei. In those 2 days, I got ahold of a car and set up 2 different interviews at local places on the island. After the first 2 nights, I then moved temporarily to Makawao for a week to housesit for my boss and take care of his family cat while he was out of town! And in that week, I started teaching at the studio, and figuring out where I would be living after the week was up. I had a couple different leads, but it is not easy finding housing on the island, even if you have been down here for awhile! But no worries, a connection I had made helped me to find a room in a cute little home with some awesome roommates with full access to kitchen and all the necessities. I am planning to find longer term housing with just one other person around the start of the year, but I am so thankful to have somewhere that is safe and clean! It’s crazy how much we take for granted having a bed, a roof, kitchen supplies, washer and dryers, but we are so fortunate to have all of those comforts. The people here have been nothing but welcoming and helpful to me, and I truly could not have made this transition without the help of my yoga community, kind strangers, and connections from friends. I feel lonely at times, and cry when I need to. I often wonder if I made the right choice, and question if this is where I am supposed to be. That seems to be the human condition, always wondering if we are doing what we are meant to do…. I try to trust myself and follow my heart, and for now, this is where I am supposed to be.

My days have consisted of mainly adulting activities, like getting car insurance, buying some basic home supplies, working, interviewing… and also some fun like yoga and some stops at the beach! Like I mentioned earlier, I am just starting to feel somewhat more grounded, but emotionally each day is different. Moving to such a beautiful island comes with more than just the pretty beaches and waterfalls, it comes with the reality of starting from scratch. There is so much freedom in starting from scratch, but also so much letting go. This is a time for personal growth, of being open to the flow, working on my passions, and having new life experiences. I have no idea how long I will be here, but I am hoping to learn as much as I can, enjoy the opportunity to live in such a beautiful place, and focus on being in the moment each day.

You don’t have to move across the ocean to shift your life or your perspective, you can find that right where you are. I hope you feel inspired to take action towards creating the life you want to live and towards the passions that light you up.

Talk soon (:

Lauren

At Home Burrito Bowls

Growing up in Texas, I was exposed to lots of Mexican food (or Tex-Mex), and it’s definitely one of my favorite types of food! I have some favorite places back home in ATX that I always go to when I’m there, like Matt’s El Rancho! (If you’re ever visiting, you have to try it!) I love going out to dinner and it makes me happy to share that experience with someone else, because it normally involves lots of conversation, connection, and laughter! However, eating out often can get expensive, and there is usually a lot of extra ingredients restaurants add to the food when cooking. (heavy oil use, sugar, etc).

This isn’t to say that eating out is "bad” or “unhealthy,” but notice and be aware of how often you find yourself going out to eat or grabbing a quick fast food meal. Notice, but don’t judge, and see if there is any room for improvement or if you feel like you want to make any changes to your eating habits.

I like the 90/10 rule, or even 80/20 when it comes to “eating healthy.” I know that about 90% of the time, I am cooking at home, and consuming nutrient-dense ingredients with little to no additives. 10% of the time, I feel happy about getting to enjoy some of my favorite foods that aren’t quite as “healthy,” and are more of an experience to enjoy. Having a health mindset about enjoying your favorite foods is crucial, and try not to let yourself feel guilty or ashamed when you make mindful choices to indulge or treat yourself!

Telling yourself you can’t eat something is just going to make you want more of that food you think you shouldn’t have, and often leads to negative self-talk and feelings after that food has been consumed. Feeling guilty after eating is not going to do any good, so remember every second of every day is a new opportunity to reset (:

Now let’s talk about this recipe!

Since I love eating Mexican food out, I wanted to share with you what I make at home when I’m craving some hearty guacamole, rice and beans, and lots of yummy veggies!

This recipe has plenty of room for variations, so feel free to mix it up! I will post below this exact recipe. I tried to add some “harder to eat” veggies, (broccoli and brussel sprouts), because they are easier to eat covered in guacamole (; The great thing about burrito bowls is that you can make enough for leftovers, and each time you cook the recipe you can try something new!

Let’s get cookin!

Prep/Cook Time

• 45-60 mins

Ingredients

• Brown rice

• Black beans

• Broccoli

• Brussel sprouts

• Green onion

• Orange pepper

• Avocado

• 1 tomato

• Garlic

• Lettuce greens

• Sea Salt

• Pepper

• Garlic powder

• Red Chili Powder

Directions:

• In a pot, add two cups water and bring to boil. When boiling, add 1 cup brown rice, turn to low heat, cover and simmer for 35-45 mins. (Until water is absorbed and rice is soft).

• While rice is cooking, begin to prep your veggies. Chop 1/2 cup broccoli and 1/2 cup brussel sprouts (maybe even 3/4 cup each, and definitely a cup each if intending for leftovers).

• Chop any additional veggies to garnish (I used 1/2 raw orange bell pepper).

• Prepare guacamole: mash 1 avocado, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder. Mix well. Add finely chopped 1 green onion, and half of a ripe tomato. Mix and set aside.

• Heat a pan to medium heat and add a splash of water (or tsp. of olive oil). When heated, add broccoli and brussel sprouts. Season with sea salt and pepper, add a splash of water if veggies start to stick to pan. Cook for about 10 mins.

• Heat up black beans.

• On a plate or in a bowl, add a good handful of salad greens (lettuce, spinach, or spring mix).

• Add about 1/2 cup or so of cooked brown rice and black beans.

• Next, add your cooked veggies and pepper.

• Lastly, top with guacamole.

Enjoy!

Let me know if you give the recipe a try or any fun modifications you made! (:

The Perfect Bowl of Oats

Oatmeal has somewhat of a bad reputation… too bland, sticky, boring, tastes watery, etc. However, I am here to change your mind about “boring” oats, and to show you how to make your bowl of oatmeal super satisfying, creamy, and delicious. I actually get asked all the time about how I make my oatmeal, so I’m going to fill you in on my tips and tricks!

Not only is oatmeal a quick and easy breakfast, it is extremely nutrient dense as well, even before adding all the fun toppings. Oats are loaded with vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, zinc, manganese, phosphorous, and copper. They are also high in fiber and protein, perfect for my plant-based friends and anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based protein rich foods into their diet! Eating a hearty breakfast is extremely important for you metabolism, brain power, reducing cravings, and losing weight. Don’t be afraid to eat a “big” serving in the morning! Here’s what to do:

Prep/Cook Time:

• 10-15 mins

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats or steel cut oats

• Plant milk or water

• Favorite nut butter

• Optional: Cacao powder

• Toppings: fruit of choice (banana, berries, apple) and seeds (hemp, chia, pumpkin)

Directions:

• In a pot, add 2 cups water (or 2 cups plant milk) along with 1 cup of oats and bring to low boil. (The trick here is to add the oats in with the water BEFORE boiling).

• When liquid begins to boil, turn to a very low simmer and stir every minute or so (you will want to be close by, stirring often).

• While oats are cooking, start chopping your fruit (half a banana, handful each of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.)

• The oats will start to get thick and creamy after about 5 mins. If you would like thicker oats, keep cooking for another 2-3 mins.

• Transfer oatmeal to bowl

• Add 1 tbs. cacao powder and 1-2 tbs. of your favorite nut butter (mix well).

• Top with fruit, tsp. of chia seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds.

ENJOY!

Let me know if you give the recipe a try! (: