Gather + Graze

09/21/2024

The best time was had at last night's Harvest Moon Hootenanny 💚🥰✨️🍂

Sending huge thanks to each of you who came out to the First Annual Harvest Moon Hootenanny- some from as far as Mabou! And lots of love to our supportive Board, our caterer, , for sponsoring the event, to and - really grateful for all your help to raise money for our Nourishing Communities food budget- addressing food insecurity in our neighborhood with access to fresh, local, caring farmers' market goodies, while ultimately supporting our local economy and vendors. See ya again next year!

08/08/2024

Refreshing this post from my personal page.

A friend sent along this throwback to when I was maaaaybe 15 or 16. I'm not sure I really recognize this girl anymore... or perhaps, that girl wouldn't recognize the person we are becoming. That girl only saw that she was fat, and that her only worth was weighed on the scale. It's uncomfortable to see how small I was back then, to reflect on how huge I believed that I was, and how often I was told this, too.

The girl I was wouldn't recognize me now. Not because I'm double the weight, but because my size doesn't stop me from enjoying my life anymore. My weight doesn't weigh me down to go to the beach and feel the sun on my skin. My shape doesn't stop me from wearing clothes I feel comfortable in. People's words don't stuff me in a box anymore that limits my living, and keep me afraid of experiencing things. My worth is not determined by the words of others, or a number on a scale.

The girl in the photo was scared of everything.
She was scared to eat in front of others.
She was scared to have fun
She was scared to dance.
She was scared to advocate for herself.
She was scared to live.
She was scared to speak up when her 'friend' called her fat.

I haven't felt the things that the girl in the photo did for a long time. It's taken a lot of time to heal those wounds, and to be able to love myself, in ways that back then, I never thought could be a reality. I think if that girl could have seen a glimpse of who we are becoming, she'd be happy.

We only have this lifetime in this vessel.

You are kind, smart, and important.
You are worthy, deserving, and capable.
And you are so loved.

Be kind to yourself.

Follow along for more honest reflections.

07/31/2024

July has been a time. And I'm grateful. I've had to dig deep into my discomfort, really trust in myself, find the belief I have in others in me, and surrender to being present to weather the chaos.

1. The first summer retreat with Empower.Her at Shobac was dreamy.

2. I pulled this card the first couple days of July from a deck gifted to me from the always magical Jenny and oh did the card ever see what was up.

3. Spent some beautiful days on the Lunenburg Waterfront working with Chanelle and had the most powerful realization of a pattern of behaviours I kept defaulting to. It's shifted everything.

4. Had my last sitting with Regan and I love him. Her work never ceases to amaze me and I'm so honored to have him with me.

5. Oh there were beach days with Little Gremlin.

6. My love for mushrooms from Fancy's Fungi is really huge. These king oysters become the most delicious tacos 🌮 🍄

7. The most beautiful gift box from Chanelle for an exciting group container of magical Sistars commences.

8. I've taken more time to slow down and journal. To breathe. To meditate. To be still.

9. Gigi's Hat bar had an amazing week at The South Shore Exhibition, we decorated so many fun hats!

10. More beach days with Teen Gremlin.

✌🏻 Peace out July, August is looking powerful.

07/30/2024

Isn't it magical to enjoy a meal with people who lift you up? It's one of my favourite things about cooking for people. Good food brings people together. We sit longer. We share more. We keep face time for real life instead of in our phones.

This glorious night was at the most recent retreat offering from .her hosted at and this picture was kindly taken by on our final evening together. And the beauty of it, is it doesn't need to be fancy. A few simple ingredients, and the intention to be present.

On this particular evening we had maple bourbon pork and Greek tofu kabobs, tzatziki, couscous with lots of fixings, and some naan. Easy, and delicious.

Meal planning overwhelming?

Don't worry if it's:

❌️ Instagrammable
If you like sharing pictures of your food, angles and lighting are your friend, but you don't need to have fancy plating to be well fed!

❌️ Exactly as written
Don't have zucchini? Use more carrots. Don't have sweet potatoes, regular white ones are fine. Dont like parsley - skip it! The more you play in the kitchen, the more comfortable it will become to stray from how a recipe is written.

❌️ Matches an aesthetic
Instagram has us feeling we need a vibe, but we don't, we just need to be nourished.

The KISS acronym applies to cooking, too - Keep It Simple, Silly 💚 Does your meal:

✅️ Fit your budget?
Buying a bunch of ingredients for one recipe can be costly - are there other ways to use those ingredients, or could you swap out a few things for what you have already?

✅️ Take minimal time?
Life is busy, especially when you factor in work, kids, commitments, events - finding ways to get a quick meal on the table will keep you on track, help your wallet, and save going for take out.

✅️ Support yours and your families overall health and wellness?
The person who majority buys the groceries and cooks the meals ultimately controls the health of the family. We all get into periods where easy does it, myself included, but that doesn't benefit myself or my family. When I'm on track with planning and prepping, we all benefit.

If this sounds like it's been on your mind, keep watching, help is on the way!

07/14/2024

Today felt like I woke up on the otherside of a proverbial storm that had lasted for too long. Not quite joyful and celebratory, but rather quiet, and still. Peaceful. And full of clarity.

After a storm, you can see what wasn't working. The areas that old ways are no longer serving. And what needs to be done.

And now I can welcome the pause.

Life is busy.

Yours, and mine.

How do we welcome pause? To take space? To call in more of the things that resonate with us?

I feel best on track is when I have meals made ahead in my freezer for my family, and it can be time consuming, and labour intensive when you're already working a busy schedule or don't even know where to start. Trying to fit in more during your week is heavy.

I feel that! And I'd love to help 💚 my love language is wrapped up in food and service.

🧇 Feel like you don't know where to start?

I got you! Menu planning and meal prep may feel intimidating, but we can work through it together. Or if you don't have any interest, I can certainly take care of these things for you.

🥗 Curious about plant based or gluten free options?

You're singing my song! Whether you're curious, have moral questions, or for health reasons, there are lots of alternatives that don't require buying specialty pre-made products. I can help support you on that journey.

🍜 Looking to give yourself a break?

Oh sweet creature, I am cooking up some delicious options for this fall to keep you well stocked, and not having to worry each night what's for dinner.

Whatever life is throwing at you, don't let it be a reason to not nourish your body.

💚

Court

📸 .her

07/13/2024

Early morning muffin baking back in October. I'm eager for retreat prep, another beautiful offering is right around the corner with .her and lately I've found myself reflecting a lot on this weekend that kicled things off. I certainly didn't expect things to be where they are now nine months later.

It's funny how things work out. When you trust the process. When you surrender to the potential.

I'm excited for where things are headed!

Still have availability for a few events in August and October for 2024 - would love to discuss how I can support your offering.

📸

07/12/2024

Focaccia is my favourite.

That is all.

07/10/2024

Sometimes imposter syndrome creeps up without warning.

And I'm learning it's okay.

It doesn't erase the work I've done or how much growth I've had. It doesn't invalidate the good.

It's nice to have people in your circle who believe in you for the times you question believing in yourself.

You're kind, smart, and important.
You're worthy, deserving, and capable.
And you're loved.

You got this.

07/08/2024

It's been a day.

Think I may make some sushi in the morning.

Hope you've all enjoyed your weekend 💚

07/06/2024

Today I was reminded of the growth I've made on my personal journey. I had a few errands to run this morning, and thought perhaps I would pick the kids up after to go for ice cream in town.

For me, as a parent, these are things I often struggle with.

The impromptu activities, "hey, let's go do !" It doesn't often go smoothly, we end up in multiple "loops". And more often than not, it ends with me thinking "how do other families do this? Why do I even bother?"

It's hard. I know it isn't failure, but it feels like my perception of failure.

However, today, I threw caution to the wind, and said "let's go".

And then it started. And ended with us sitting in the parking lot with a dead battery in my van. Nothing I was trying was working, and I didn't cry. I just sat quietly and breathed. I didn't feel worked up. There was nothing more I could do at this moment than call Rick to come give us a boost, and maybe take a look to see if it was something more than a dead battery. So I called, he troubleshooted some things over the phone, none of those things were working, so he would come over to help.

Then I noticed that I hadn't ONCE had to ask the kids to give me space to breathe or think so I could deal with this while it was all happening. No whining in the background. No bickering with one another. Nothing.

And it was because of my energy.

A former version of myself would have been incredibly overwhelmed at the whole series of events from the day, and would have started to unravel at this point. But I felt fine. It was just the next thing. And it wasn't bad because I was able to breathe through it. The work I put into my Self to grow, and heal always pays dividends. The kids didn't feel and see my energy start to unravel, and it didn't unravel their energy. It was an incredibly quiet, and calm hour and a half.

The more I fill my cup, the more I have to give to others. It isn't depleting or draining us. The more joy, the more ritual, the more peace I welcome into my journey, the fuller my cup will be.

And the more it fills up for those we are showing up for.

How do you keep your cup full?

📸 .her

07/05/2024

When you start to make changes in your life to heal and grow, your circle begins to change. You start to notice that some relationships don't resonate anymore, and it feels uncomfortable for a while as you navigate this new space your mind and soul are in, but if you lean in magic happens.

I talk a lot about magic, because I believe deeply in it. The magic of nature. The magic of food. The magic of connections. The magic of the people around you. And when this magic begins to happen, and you can start to see yourself in a truer picture, you can start to feel the difference, and the energy that happens when you're with different people.

When we spend time with people who are putting in the work, who are supportive, and are so happy to see you do well - the energy just hits differently. If you're spending time with people who live in a scarcity mindset, who can only see their own successes, and live in competition with themselves and others around them - that energy just doesn't feel good.

But when you start to put in the work, and you start to feel empowered, and you empower others to reach their favourite Self - the potential is exponential.

And that's what I love about going on retreats. It's a unique container to bring people together to be able to step into the possibility of "what if I AM worthy? Deserving? Capable?" And you can sit with it. With others, who also want to explore that. The support that comes from being in Circle with a group during a retreat is immediate. Everyone immediately can feel the magic that everyone is bringing, and they each show up so authentically to raise the other up.

We can all rise together.

When we heal our Self, we heal others consequently.

And nothing has taught me the truest power of that since beginning this journey to working for myself. Through retreats, and stepping into entrepreneurship, I have found the wider cast net of love and support than I ever imagined possible.

If you are looking to find your voice. Find your power. Find your Self. Seek out a retreat. And I hope I'll get to be the chef to nourish your Soul wherever you choose.

You're worth it.

Photo .her

07/04/2024

You know it. I know it.

And it's okay!

Snacks are awesome. Charcuterie can be as simple or as fancy as you want it to be, but the most beautiful things come from simplicity. Days when it's too > to bother making a cooked meal, and charcuterie is the way to go.

Plus it's also great for the budget, because you can use whatever you have on hand, and it's different everytime. Leftover protein? Toss it on the plate. Only have apples left for fruit? Chop 'em up, toss it on the plate. Roasted carrots - heck yes!

It doesn't even need to be fancy, but somehow it just organically becomes beautiful because you're pairing simple things together on a plate. And that's magical.

My kids eat like birds, and love to pick. If I make a meal - unless it's tacos, ramen bowls, or veggie burgers - my kids just won't eat much of it. And I get it. They're both busy, they are caught up in what they want to do, and now it's summer. So being able to set out a plate, and they can pick and choose what they like is a huge win, because it's usually almost empty after.

Feeding your family doesn't need to be complicated. And I always put the "treat" on the plate for them, too. They know they can have it right away, during, or after, but it's there for whenever they want it during the meal. Sometimes it's a few squares of dark chocolate, sometimes it's a couple marshmallows, or if we've baked something, it's a cinnamon bun, but you get the idea.

Everything goes on the plate.

And kids enjoy having autonomy over their food choices.

Little Gremlin tells me "I don't like these", and I remind him "it's just a choice on the plate", and he says "oh yeah, I don't have to eat it... but I can if I want?"

And sometimes he will eat it. Sometimes he doesn't, and that's okay. Setting up plates this way for my kids has made mealtime easier. And the choice gives them the tools to be able to learn to feed themselves in a way that feels right to them without pressure and allows them to listen to their bodies.

And a little bit of this, with a little bit of that, is what it's all about.

What's on your plate tonight?

📸

07/03/2024

The Universe is always remind us how we're all connected.

And sometimes in the silliest of ways.

Last night, Rick and I were watching Bob's Burgers and Bob's character comes across a Masterclass for this world renowned chef. He's watching the classes, and ultimately, he's trying to embrace the concepts that the chef is talking about, and this idea of "the everythingness of food".

Insert Bob talking to one of the burgers he's cooking (as he often does talk to the food he is preparing), and the burger offers him some enlightenment back, cue the fantastic song, and then Bob gets it.

I love the conversations around how it's all connected.

The song goes on about how it's the seed, it's the grass, it's the rain, it's the cow, it's the sun and so on. And that's what it's all about. We are all a part of this cycle, and in every layer of our consumption, and existence.

The song ends with "everything that is made of me is made of made of me."

When we consider how we consume food, all of the pieces and moving parts are integral to our nourishment. It isn't simply a box of produce. It's the farmer, the sun and the rain, the soil, the person who drove the truck to get the vegetables to the market for you to buy. When we make conscious choices to support local growers, we give back and nurture that cycle of growth within the system we belong to.

When I buy mushrooms from @ I know that I'm supporting Griffin. When I buy coffee from , I know I am supporting Alex, Shaun, and their girls. And when you support one, you support many. Each of the businesses and individuals we support creates a net of support that is spread so wide, because they can support suppliers they use, and their families, and their dreams.

One is All, and All is One.

We're all a piece of this huge net, and it's cast so wide. When we take time to honour our place in the net, and all of the pieces that are in balance to support, and nourish us.

There is power in your dollar.

Shout out your favourite businesses below! I'd love to see who your favourite market suppliers are - where do you get your food from? Favourite farms, favourite growers!

📸 .her

07/01/2024

To the person who is afraid to begin.

So was I.

And one day, I just started to see that the love, support, and advice I was sharing with others, I could apply to myself. It was all indeed a possibility if I could take that first step. To say out loud:

I am worthy, deserving, and capable.

Recently, I decided to go all in on myself. Place all my cards on the table. To bet on myself. And to bet that I'll make it. This wasn't an overnight decision, but in the moment, the way my body was screaming at me, you would have thought it was. I was terrified. And some days, I still am. The imposter syndrome is very real some days. The one that says:

"Who am I to work for myself?"

"What do I know about being my own boss?"

"How are you going to make this work?"

And truthfully, I don't have answers to all of those questions yet, but I do know now that that voice isn't my truth.

That voice is my fear.
That voice keeps me small.
That voice wants to keep me "safe".

Shaking that voice isn't easy, and I'm certainly not here to try to tell you that she suddenly packs up and leaves. However, I do want you to know, that voice is from a time when you needed to be protected. When you needed to be kept safe. When you didn't feel supported. And even though those things may not be the case, that voice has been around a long time doing this work, and she's well practiced. Ready to jump into action immediately to say "hold up, slow down, do not pass Go!"

But the more we become aware of this voice, and we sit with the discomfort that her voice brings out in us, we know she wants the best for us. She wants us to be okay. So the more we can pause in those moments when the "imposter syndrome" starts waving flags, and remind ourselves "even though I am feeling scared, I know that I am okay".

We can do hard things.
.. continued in comments

📸 .her

06/24/2024

06/18/2024

Swipe to Bake! 🥧

When it comes to your sweet tooth - are you a pie or cake fan? If you had to choose of course 😊

Personally, I'm not a big sweets fan, and will always choose savoury over sweet, but if its choosing between cake or pie, the pie will always win.

Likely because of the crust!

Was overjoyed to get to put together this blueberry pie for a special order at last week. Definitely not the person to say 'make it special' to 😅 I may have become very invested in my pie letters lol but I'm thrilled with the outcome, and appreciate the creativity we get to have on special projects.

Now who is ready for a slice?

06/13/2024

Quick dinner tonight after a rather busy day, and heading out the door to meet up with more incredible business ladies ( - seriously, they have you covered for your coffee, candles, and artwork - check them out). So I threw everything in the rice cooker and bam! One pot deliciousness. I prefer to pan fry my veggies, but really fast way to get dinner on the table when it's all in the rice cooker.

Rice. Curry. Tamarind. Garlic. Ginger. Spicy kimchi. Broccoli. Brussels sprouts. Carrots. Egg.

Easy AF.

Have a glorious night and be well ✨️

06/13/2024

When Women Gather

There was a time where I didn't have many women in my life, and I thought I was okay with that. Society really pushes women against one another, and encourages competition over community. The idea that we couldn't all rise was ingrained so early.

But we can all rise.

And when women gather, magic happens.

I had the utmost pleasure, and privilege to be able to attend Jolena's Garden Party yesterday hosted at The Lux of her . It was beautiful in all of the ways you would envision a Garden Party. Everyone dressed in lovely white outfits. The sun was out, just enough cloud cover, and even ended exactly on time with the rain to shoo us all away.

And truthfully?

I almost didn't go.

I got in my head about not feeling like I was someone who should go, who could go - who was deserving of going. My nerves, worries, and anxieties spiraled fiercely, and the imposter syndrome was coming in strong. Thankfully, after a chat with my partner, I promptly messaged Jolena "I'm in! I'm coming!"

And I'm so grateful.

Grateful that I went scared. Grateful to Jolena for continuing to be a Champion of Women rising. Celebrating their structure and flow to become a magnitude of energy to Rise. Bringing those energies together to grow, and learn, and rise together stronger.

Yesterday was beautiful.

Every piece was so wonderfully thought out. The collaboration with for the food and drinks was an incredible fusion. Food is nourishment. Food is fuel. Food brings people together. Gabrielle's story was inspiring, her resume is empowering, and the symbiotic pairing of Gabor's sommelier skills - perfectly curated ingredients, and wines to accompany.

Which was perfect.

Because that was so much the point of the day. This exciting partnership between and , but also bringing women in businesses together, to connect, to celebrate, to curate excitement in one another. To lift each other up to higher places.

Like simple ingredients.

Coming together to make magic.

And just like the clearing of the table, the rain came, we all worked together to pack up.

My heart is full.

06/06/2024

This is incredible 💚

We have some big news to share!

Nova Scotia Loyal and Farmers' Markets of Nova Scotia are teaming up to provide every public school student in Nova Scotia with a $10 voucher to use at a participating Farmers’ Market location.

Yes - that’s over 130,000 vouchers helping Nova Scotians save money and choose local!

From produce to protein, and so much more, we’re helping young minds explore the variety of products and talents our province has to offer.