Baking with Friends

I have always been somebody who really believes that what you choose to put out into the universe comes back to you. I’ve definitely uttered the words “meant to be” and “destiny” more than a few times in my life. That being said, I’m also a very rational person who believes in what is tangible and can be explained and understood. So coming from that standpoint, I know that the above phrases can sound naieve and even a little silly. But I don’t know, there have just been too many moments in my life for me not to believe – at least a little bit – in destiny…

I find it especially hard not to believe in destiny when it comes to the people the find their way into our lives; how we meet them, when we meet them, the kind of relationship we develop, and ultimately the things that they give to us and how they enrich our lives. Case in point; my friend Rosemary – aka Rosie – aka the light that was shining at the end of a very dark tunnel that I had felt trapped in for so long, and without her, I really don’t know if I would still be wandering alone.

I often describe Rosie as my saving grace. She will deny it and try to pump me up every time I say it,(because that’s just who Rosie is) but I really don’t know where I would be without her. As I have talked about before in a couple previous blog posts, (that you can read here and here), when my fiancé and I broke up, I found it very hard to cope with and was stuck in a very dark place. I felt like I was completely broken; like I had been shattered into about a million pieces, and left alone to fend for myself in a world that felt like my worst nightmare come to fruition. I felt so alone, and it seemed like no matter what I did, I couldn’t shake that feeling.

And then there was Rosie… She waltzed into my life with all of her wonderful spunk, sass, unconditional love and joy and she literally brought me back to life. At a time when I was so deep in self hate that I couldn’t even remember who I was anymore, she woke me up and reminded me that I actually just might still have something to offer to the world. During that time, one of my biggest fears was that I would never feel like myself again; That I would never feel like spark and genuine happiness for life inside me ever again. I can say without any exaggeration, that Rosie was the one who helped me to get that back.

My mind was stuck in a vicious circle of self doubt, hate and guilt, and she absolutely refused to let me think that way; She made it clear that I had to stop blaming myself and instead take that wasted energy and start being kind to myself. She helped me believe that I was worthy of that kindness – something I had never believed to be true. I don’t know how she did it – because many people have tried and failed –  but she inspired me to start walking a path where I could love myself, and I mean truly love myself for the first time in my life.

She pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many ways that have helped me to finally feel like myself again and discover new parts of myself that I didn’t even know were there. She offered me a shoulder to cry on when I thought I had no-one. She held me through the tears and took my calls when I was having a bad day. Always with patience and kindness that I didn’t deserve. She has brought new meaning to the word “friend” for me and I honestly don’t know what I did to be so lucky as to have her in my life.

I will be forever grateful and indebted to her for what she has given to me. She is such a special, beautiful woman, inside and out. I think the world of her and I will never stop singing her praises because she deserves every little bit of it. I will spend my life trying to be as good of a friend to her as she has been to me, and I know it still won’t be enough.

I recently had her over for coffee, and a little cookie and granola bake sesh. We had a blast dancing around my kitchen, and of course eating the fruits of our labour. Scroll down to take a peak and for the recipe for my favourite cookies and granola!

Happy baking!

To find my recipe for my favourite cookie recipe that is featured in the photos – click here!

Maple Almond Butter Granola

Things you need…
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups puffed kamaut
1 cup large flake coconut
2 tbsp all purpose flour
3 tbsp flax seeds
1/2 cup shaved almonds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup almond butter
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup cocoa nibs (optional)

How to make…
Preheat oven to 325F degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together rolled oats, puffed kamaut, flax seeds, almonds, coconut and flour until combined.

In a small bowl, whisk together almond butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and cardamom until smooth and combined. Pour over dry ingredients and mix together with spatula until everything is evenly coated.

Spread granola out onto prepared baking sheet and press down and out to the corners. Place in the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes or until the granola is light golden brown.

Remove from the oven and lift the parchment paper out of the tray onto a large cooling rack. Allow granola to cool completely before breaking apart into larger chunks. Store in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy!