PFMs in the Kitchen: Thanksgiving is Here!

Thanksgiving means more to me than ever this year. I've always loved this holiday for a couple of very specific reasons...my brother and I both have birthdays that happen to fall on or around this holiday (yay!) Next reason is the food: my mother serves up a few of her infamous (and my absolute fave) vegetarian Thanksgiving dishes. Ultimately, nothing can hold a candle to the real excitement behind the holiday- recognizing and being able to give thanks for what's important in life. To my husband, my in-laws, and my sweet sweet friends...I hope you feel the major vibes of gratitude that I'm sending your way. To my mother and brother...this will be the first Thanksgiving in (too) many years when we will be celebrating altogether under the same roof and I can't wait. Lastly to my incredible neighbors and friends in Long Beach with whom we will forever share a special bond...I'm grateful for all the support and help we've given each other over the last few weeks. For our readers that want to give back and help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, you can find one of the many options right here.

And as always, let's bring on the healthy living! Things have been too chaotic lately for me to post any of our actual Thanksgiving recipes, so I borrowed inspiration from the internet to give you a glimpse at some dishes that are similar to what we will be chowing down on tomorrow. Our Thanksgiving will be a non-traditional mix of vegetarian-vegan-deliciousness! Have a wonderful holiday! xoxo Becca

Poblano Cornbread Stuffing via loveandlemons

Spiced Tofu Katsu via The Cilantropist (Tofu Cutlets are the superstars of our Thanksgiving!)

Brussels Sprouts and Red Cabbage Slaw via The Yellow Table

Parsnip Puree Topped with Almond Parmesan via sb&gb

Gluten-Free Apple Cranberry Crisp via Two Peas & Their Pod

Spiritual PFM: Death, Transformation and Saturn in Scorpio

in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we on Long Island (and around coastal NYC) are doing our best to get life back to normal.  the hardest part is that normal life isn't possible for many people who have had major or total damage to their homes.  i can't imagine being told that you can't return home for weeks or months or, even worse, ever.  i know a few people, like Becca, who are in this similar situation.  the only silver lining is that many of the areas hit by the storm are middle to affluent neighborhoods; they will rebuild and most will return.  i can't help thinking about just how devastating Katrina must have been to the lower income areas of Louisiana and to those who couldn't afford to rebuild.   i also can't help but think about all that is going on as i witness the forced transformations happening all around me, especially as i am dealing with personal transformation.  a few things came to mind as i pondered it all:

• death and transformation - many are afraid of the idea of death, me included.  i think that fear comes from not understanding the powerful message of death.  when the death card, like the image above from the Motherpeace tarot deck (my favorite deck), shows up in a reading, it doesn't always mean literal death.  everything in nature goes through a death and dying cycle.  things have to die to make way for new things just like the leaves fall of the tree each autumn.  while that doesn't mean death for the tree, it does mean a stage has ended for that tree symbolized by the dying of its leaves.  many of us are in a stage of transformation.   some were forced into the stage by Sandy.  others, like the earth, are in this stage because this is the time of year that our part of the planet goes dormant. 
• scorpionic energy - this time of year, in astrology, is ruled by scorpio.  scorpio is associated with endings and beginnings, death and dying, and transformation.  it rules the time of year when the days are more dark than light, plants are literally dying and animals are stashing food - all in preparation for the cold of winter. it makes utter sense (at least to this layman astrologer) that we would be dealing with all that is happening now while we are in scorpio and right as saturn entered the sign of scorpio.
• saturn in scorpio - as i mentioned, i am a just an astrology aficionado.  i tend to believe that this science truly affects or maybe dictates what is happening on earth.  when things are hectic in my personal life or there are major occurrences (i.e. eclipses, full/new moons), i literally look to the heavens for answers.  i am a libra so i was fully aware that saturn was in my sign recently.  i was also fully aware that at the beginning of the month, it moved out of libra and into scorpio.  i wanted to do a dance of joy!  saturn is known as the taskmaster and forces us to experience hard lessons based on where it falls in our astrological charts and also what sign it is in.  so basically, scorpios are going through it right now.  the things is, you don't have to be a scorpio to feel the pressure of saturn.  if scorpio plays an important part in your birth chart (which i recommend you have done at least once in your life), it can also be stressful for you.  well, needless to say, my dance of joy has quickly stopped. scorpio plays a major role in my birth chart.  Dang it! so basically, i thought the hard lessons were over and they seem to be just getting started.  while in my search for understanding, i came across this cool astrology blog.  please see the links below to see how saturn's placement can affect you - scorpio or not.  hopefully you'll find some interesting and enlightening info like i did:

http://willowsweb.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/saturn-in-scorpio.html

http://willowsweb.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/saturn-in-scorpio-grounding-charge-and.html

it seems like both Becca and i are in the middle of transformation.  life is forcing us to say good-bye to things and concepts that no longer fit into the plan.  just like the snake in the pic above, we are shedding layers so that we can make way for the new, wonderful, bigger and better (have to stay positive) things waiting for us on the other side.  Becca is shedding layers of her house and i am shedding concepts and behaviors.  that doesn't mean that there won't be tears or resistance or downright kicking and screaming throughout this change.  (i think i've done it all and i'm sure Becca has too lol.)  ...but i am just trying to keep my eye on the prize and trust that as i peel away the dead layers that no longer serve me, i am making way for a happier, self-satisfied me. #fingerscrossed lol xo sesheta

Design Lust: Vintage Style Bathrooms

(Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

 When things get difficult, don't give up! It's truly been an amazing thing to see all of my neighbors pull together and support each other in the aftermath of the hurricane. Long Beach was hit very hard, but we are staying strong and will rebuild better than ever. 

On a lighter note, there seems to be a few rooms in my house that I now unexpectedly get to rebuild. Let's be real...of course I'm not thrilled that we just moved in 1 1/2 years ago and plenty of the work that we did has to be redone...but shall we have a look on the bright side? Due to our trouble with Sandy, my husband and I are able to start fresh and tap into what I absolutely love doing- interior design! 

Our first project: the bathrooms. We originally didn't do anything to the two bathrooms in our house other than a coat of paint after moving in. Fast-forward to now...due to flooding our entire finished basement (including the bathroom) had to be gutted down to the studs. The one on the main floor is getting a total remodel. I'm turning my negative thoughts into positive ones by fantasizing about having a beautiful vintage style bathroom where I can finally take a steaming hot bath and relax in peace and quiet. All I will have to do is light some candles...and breathe. Here are some of my recent inspirations that I've been collecting to get the bathroom reno process started.

My ideal bathroom is vintage-inspired and would stay true to the aesthetics of our 1920s bungalow. I imagine it with white subway tile, marble hex tile on the floor, and perhaps a wall-mounted sink. I'm obsessive about choosing paint color so white tile is a (classic) no-brainer! Both bathrooms are super small and will have to remain so...which means it will take some smart (and quick) decisions to increase storage and save as much space as possible. I'm looking forward to documenting each room throughout the house that we remodel, while also re-defining how we use the space. Although my in-laws are generously letting us stay with them as long as needed, my husband and I are feeling the time crunch to get the renovations completed. We can't wait to get back into our own home. What's your idea of the perfect bathroom remodel? I'd love to know if you're making any plans that you want to share. xoxo Becca

A Day in the Life: Home Is...

Hurricane Sandy came through NY and completely destroyed the city of Long Beach that we love so much. My hubby and I are safe, but our home is not. Cue this song, which has become my mantra "home is wherever I'm with you." Thanks to family and friends that are keeping us optimistic. Not sure when we will be back with steady content here on MavenFresh, but you can keep in touch via Instagram and Twitter. Sending love and prayer to everyone else affected by this disaster. xoxo Becca