Tag: inspiration

HEALTH

Volunteering

Cristina Carlos-Supino

It is official, I have received my training and am now a volunteer at the Oncology Department at a nearby hospital. Every week  I will be greeting, assisting, listening to, and comforting patients scheduled to meet the Oncologist, or to receive a chemotherapy treatment.

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You may be wondering why I opted to volunteer with the Oncology Department. Three simple words…………it grounds you. I get to converse with individuals of all ages. Some patients are humorous about their situation, some are still in shock, and some are understandably very angry. However, some are in recovery, and simply follow-up with the department when necessary.

This is a constant reminder to me that I am blessed, as my family is all in good health, and we can go about pursuing our projects and dreams. For cancer patients, some projects and dreams have to be put on hold.

Volunteering or giving back may have positive benefits for the person or community but for the volunteer as well

I get inspired meeting individuals in adversity, and I feel a have a purpose if somewhere I was able to bring comfort or make someone smile in such times.

 

Cristina for Peas & Peace

 

 

Desserts, RECIPES

Raspberry Cheesecake

Cristina Carlos-Supino

Try this delicious and easy recipe when hosting or simply for yourself !

Crust:

40 gr Almonds
1 tbsp Hot water
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
1 tsp Coconut oil (melted)

Process the almonds in a food processor until small pieces. Then add dates and water, continue to blend until a sticky dough forms. Grease a 18 cm diameter springform pan with the melted coconut oil. Press the dough into the mold and refrigerate at least half an hour.

In the meantime prepare the filling:

1 cup soaked cashews (at least 4 hours)
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
1/2 cup Coconut cream (solid part of the can)
4 tbsp Agave
2 tbsp Coconut oil

Process the soaked cashews in a food processor until creamy and smooth, then add in the rest of the ingredients until smooth.

Pour *half  of the filling over the refrigerated crust. Place the mold in the freezer for at least half an hour.

For the pink layer:

Blend some frozen raspberries along with the other half of the filling, pour it over the white layer and put it in the freezer for another half hour.

Ready to enjoy !

My inspiration was @foodie.yuki

Love

Cristina for Peas & Peace

MISC

Life is beautiful

Cristina Carlos-Supino

 

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Life is Beautiful and giving Life is Beautiful ! Can’t wait to meet the Little addition to the Family in April 2019 !

 

Cristina for Peas & Peace

RECIPES, Sides

Purple Flesh Potatoes Please

Cristina Carlos-Supino
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Purple potatoes add a unique flair to your dish due to its beautiful hue. They can be a side or they can be added to a salad !

I roasted mine at 350 for approx half hour

  1. Cut potatoes in half
  2. Then cup 5 to 7 garlic cloves in slivers
  3. Drizzle with olive oil
  4. Once cooked through add your favorite herbs, I in this case added smoked chili flakes and shallots
  5. Salt and Pepper to taste

Nutritional value

  •  fiber
  •  protein
  •  vitamin C
  •  potassium
  •  vitamin B
  •  phosphorus
  •  copper
  •  manganese
  •  thiamine
  •  niacin
  •  magnesium

Enjoy !

Cristina for Peas & Peace

HEALTH

Music 🎶 energizes, appeases you ! I invite you to discover this Alternative group, puts me in a great mood, great mood is conducive to wellness. Do something everyday for YOU regardless

Cristina Carlos-Supino

Desserts, RECIPES

No Bake Lemon Raspberry Bars

Cristina Carlos-Supino
  • Love week-ends, gives me a chance to be in the kitchen and practice my photography as well !
  • Made these this morning, light in taste, perfect dessert or snack !

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Photo taken by Peas & Peace

Inspired by

@briewilly 

  • 1 1/2 cup pitted dates
  • 1 cup raw almonds or walnuts
  • Pinch of salt
  • Filling
  • 3 cups pre soaked raw cashews 
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice 
  • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup 
  • 2 tsp lemon zest 
  • Raspberry chia topping 
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
  • 1 tbsp pure maple syrup 
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds 
  • Soaking The Cashews
  • In a bowl, cover the cashews with water and let soak for 3-4 hours. If you’re in a pinch for time, you can put the cashews and water in a pot on the stove. Bring the water to a boil and then remove the pot from the heat and let sit for 45 minutes to 1 hour. You can prepare the other ingredients in the meantime.
  • Making The Topping
  • Mash together raspberries, chia seeds, and maple syrup. Set aside to gel.
  • To Make The Crust
  • Add dates and nuts to a processor and pulse a few times to break up the big chunks. Add the pinch of salt and process for 2-3 minutes, or until finely chopped. Mixture should hold together when pressed. If mixture is too dry, add in a few more dates and process until well combined. Press mixture into the bottom of a 8×8 or 9×9 pan with parchment paper.
  • To Make The Filling
  • After your cashews have soaked, rinse and drain the dirty water. Add cashews to your food processor, along with lemon juice, coconut oil, maple syrup, and lemon zest. Blend until creamy.
  • Putting It Together
  • Pour filling onto the crust and spread across the pan evenly. Spread the raspberry sauce on top of the filling until evenly distributed. Cover the pan well with foil and place into the freezer for 2-3 hours, or until mixture has firmed. Cut into bars and thaw for 10-15 minutes before serving. Best eaten when cold, but creamy. Keep in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve.

    • Peas & Peace

    HEALTH

    Remembering Penelope

    Cristina Carlos-Supino

    Anyone that knows me knows that I am passionate about horses. I once had my own horse, Penelope. She has since passed away, and I miss her….immensely.

    Now, being in my mid-fifties, I know that it’s not feasible to get another horse, as we leave for longer periods of time when vacationing. This is not fair to an animal, despite the fact that there are wonderful individuals that can look after them while we are away.

    After a few months of struggling with this notion, I came across an inspirational lady named Anouk Lorie, the founder of Wásábi Coaching (Wásábi is an Algonquian word, that means “eyes wide open”, “seeing clearly”). She is also the owner of four beautiful, gentle horses. This one is Buck !

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    Amongst her many different workshops, I noticed one that intrigued me; Chakras and Coaching with Horses. Although I didn’t necessarily understand the meaning nor the purpose at the time, it appealed to the dormant Yogi in me. Not to mention, I loved the idea of being in contact with horses, as well.  I decided to follow suit and attend.

    Well, it just so happens it did me a world of good. I was outdoors all day long with horses, learnt about Chakras and what they can communicate to you and came to terms with Penelope’s passing.

    No experience with horses is required, so if you love horses and this is something that appeals to you, simply consult the website to find workshops and certifications that best suit your needs.

    They are located in Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada.

    -Cristina for Peas and Peace

     

     

     

    RECIPES

    Ginger & Lemon Tea & Rest

    Cristina Carlos-Supino

    Just recovered from the flu, this years strain was particularly brutal, unfortunately there are no miracle remedies for the flu. It is lots of Fluids ! and lots of Rest !

    For fluids, my go to is Ginger and Lemon Tea, simply mince or cut chunks of ginger and freshly squeeze lemon juice into a large mug, pour over bowling water and seep for 5 minutes. Now ready to drink.

    Ginger and Lemons are filled with Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium vitamin C & B-6.  In addition to tea being rehydrating it is replenishing you with these much-needed nutrients.

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    As for forced rest, see it as a period for reflection.  I also caught up on pre-recorded documentaries that I hadn’t had a chance to watch, so I got fuel for the brain as well !,

    Think positive thoughts although feverish and achy, I am somewhere convinced it contributes to a speedier recovery

    Cristina for Peas and Peace

    RECIPES

    Two ingredients only !

    Cristina Carlos-Supino

     

    woman smiling in grayscale photography
    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    Make your own !  TEETH WHITENING that is !

    I kid you not, Baking Soda and Coconut Oil, 2 ingredients that we all have at home.

    You are assured of no additives and will not pay the exorbitant amounts certain brands  retail for.

    Simply mix one teaspoon of each ingredient in a tiny bowl.  Mix it well, that is until there are no lumps and until you no longer hear a grainy sound.

    1st step, floss and brush as you would regularly do, then use your toothbrush to do same but with your mix, use it entirely. Rinse well.

    You will notice a difference after the very first time !

    I Repeat every month but you can certainly do it once a week if you wish or on a need basis.

     

    Cristina for Peas and Peace

    MISC

    You have it in you

    Cristina Carlos-Supino

    I’ve always seemed to be more drawn to, as well as more adept at processing numbers, graphs, and math. I never though I was capable of painting, nor drawing.

    To explain this further, I have two  artist aunts; one very successful on my father’s side that has exposed her art in many venues across Europe, and one on my mother’s side who is just as talented.  Seeing their skills and ease of creation made me put it in my mind that I could never be that good, due to the assumption that people always have one side of their brain that is more dominant, mine being the left side.

    This all changed when I took an arts class with an amazing teacher who was able to rid me of that insecurity! She made her class interesting by bringing in nude models of all shapes and ages, which actually gave way to my very first drawings. She also  encouraged us to undertake any object, image or life form we desired, which led me to begin drawing, portraits, fruits, fauna, and flora, as well.

    The image below is of a drawing I created based on a picture of coffee growers in Cuba that I came across in a magazine.

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    The message here is that you should always go for your dreams, ANY DREAM and not let any pre-thoughts get in the way. We all have amazing potential within us!

    -Cristina for Peas & Peace

     

     

     

     

     

    HEALTH

    The shape of me

    Cristina Carlos-Supino

    Having recently celebrated a birthday, I realised I am in the later part of the 50’s… and heading towards 60.

    Know what,  I like the shape of me !

    Society, via ads and other mediums dictates how we should or could look. I am of the generation of abnormally thin models and the frenzy was to possibly fit into a size 0. The fact that a size 0 even exists is actually worrisome. I do see a shift and models look healthier where their weight is concerned. I do see that some fashion creators have also broken the mould in terms of diversifying, they will have all ethnicities, heights, shapes and genders represented, thumbs up to them.

    Then comes the topic of what should a 60 year look like. Well, like somebody that is comfortable in their skin, and does exactly as they wish regardless of what others think ! you no longer want to dye your hair, then don’t, that is actually my next step.

    Should also let you know that wrinkles are beautiful, they tell a story. Those stories enrich you.

    Last but not least, your Mind ! at 60 you know BETTER ! you trust your Gut, the same one that was there all along but that we sometimes chose to defy.

     

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    Hopefully this will inspire anyone that sometimes has doubts and please pass on the message to all the beautiful women in your lives

    Cristina for peas and peace

    JADE, WILLOW, SKYE & VALENTINA

    Body Image

    Cristina Carlos-Supino

    Hi! I’m Jade, and I am a Maine Coon cat. Interesting fact: Maine Coons are one of the largest breeds of domestic cats. That being said, not everyone knows that, and when we have visitors at our home, many of them look at me and say things like “wow he’s huge!”, or,  “oh my, he’s fat!”.

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    I just wanted to say that no matter how different you may feel you are from others, and no matter who you are, receiving comments, such as “huge”, “fat”, etc. is hurtful, inappropriate, and unjustifiable. Of course, if medical advice is administered in a polite, controlled way by a physician for health purposes, that’s a different story. But the fact of the matter is that we need to build each other up, understand each other, and work to make the world a more positive place to be.

    That being said, I am glad that we are living in a time where body image and body positivity are things that are being adressed more and more, and that the molds we tirelessly try to fit ourselves into are being broken down one by one.

    There is beauty in shapes, wrinkles & white hair !!! Never change !!!

    -Jade

    HEALTH

    Find Your Passion (s)

    Cristina Carlos-Supino

    In today’s times, we all have more duties, responsibilities, chores, and obligations than one can possibly imagine. This is why establishing and nourishing a passion is essential to counterbalancing the volatility, and craziness that is LIFE.

    Some of my personal passions include photography and tennis. With regards to photography, I recently put the time aside to develop my photo taking skills and truly dedicate myself to honing the craft. In fact, each and every picture posted on this blog has been taken by me! I often carry my camera with me everywhere I go, as I never know when that special moment will present itself.

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    With respect to tennis, whenever I engage in a match, or a practice session, I spend that two hours strategizing and running. In doing so, I always get the reassuring sense that not only am I taking care of my body (my physical health), I’m also expanding my Circle of friends, as I’m constantly meeting up with old partners, or getting to know new ones.

    A passion is something that will remain true and present regardless of whatever else is going on. Through exhaustion, sadness, or other, the passion you undertake can bring a smile to yourself, and maybe even others.

    Go out there, explore, and try to identify one that peaks your interests, no matter how long it takes. It is the key to establishing longstanding balance in your life !

    -Cristina