Hello Y’all! I hope you are doing well in your corner of the world. Fall is officially here, and it’s been a joy to see 54 degrees instead of 114 degrees on a daily. Baking season is here and it’s time to dust off those pans. There’s something so comforting about baking at home with a warm drink in a cozy setting instead of being out on the town in this weather. I’ve had to bring my potted plants indoors because of the temperature drop happening over the next couple of days so it’s seriously getting there.

There is a lot of unrest in the world today and in life generally. Some things we can control and others we can’t. My heart goes out to those affected by the ongoing tragedy in the Middle East. This is so tragic, and I wonder when it will end. A shout out to the Starr readers out there. We send good vibes your way and pray for safety.

Today’s post is going to be a kitchen table blog so get comfy while I bake so get comfy, grab a drink and a snack and let’s go.

Baking Banana Bread with a Twist!

This is such an easy, go-to recipe because the ingredients are readily available for when I want to bake something that fixes my sweet tooth. For this recipe, I’m making it with a couple of new ingredients different from the original recipe and I must say it came our really good. I whipped this up late in the evening and these are the ingredients I used. There are no measurements on this one folks… I eyeballed everything!

Ingredients: 2 Bananas – blended, shredded unsweetened coconut, vanilla extract, 1 egg, powdered sugar, GF flour, milk, olive oil, baking powder, raisins, a pinch of salt, a dash of nutmeg, lemon zest, and water

Its Called Being Human.

Give Yourself Time to Process Your Emotions. A lot of times we get so busy with life and just trying to make it through the day that we file things in our mental bank and never take the time to really experience and examine what we feel and why. It’s a scientifically proven fact that untreated emotions erode the body’s ability to fight disease.

Finding Your Way Through Therapeutics. For some, taking a walk helps, for others running, some like spas, retreats, others may just prefer to schedule a personal sloppy day while a few concerning instances will need medication.

Finding Safe and Healthy Outlets. Whether its counselling, talking to a safe confidant or joining a healing group. Outside of counselling groups, I feel certain churches also have safe groups that people can unburden themselves.

Control your Personal Space the Best You Can. We live in a world where we have no control over what happens on a daily, but we can control what we let in our space. A famous saying is ‘The world is going to hell in a hand basket’, it doesn’t mean you have to. Keep the crazy outside.

Journaling Helps. I believe this is vital because it forces your brain to remember. It’s often said the human body will do anything to keep us alive even to the extent for wiping your memory to shield us from the trauma or shock of an event. Journalling unlocks the mind and helps release details we often thought were forgotten.

Rest. Don’t let outside distractions affect your rest. You can only do and be for yourself the best you can. Overstretching yourself and people pleasing will not help long term and only builds resentment.

Try to Live Life from the Inside out and Not Vice Versa. The latter is dangerous because you will get dragged into everything that flies by on a daily basis. When you are at peace and centered on the inside, you don’t easily fumble for every whim that life throws your way.

Folks I’m so glad you’re here and reading this post. Please like, share and comment. We are in the ember months so it’s getting close to the end of another great year. Be safe, upbeat and positive until I come your way again. I remain

Periwinkle Starr