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 💚