Last month I was fired from my day job. I was simultaneously shocked and not surprised because it was like that relationship you were holding onto for financial reasons but was toxic to your well-being...and you just didn't know how to end it. Insert 2x4 here.
I finally surrendered to IT. IT being that Dream of what I really really wanted to do. Cook, write, travel, do, BE and Live Ceremony.
I took the 'firing' as the ultimate sign: the opportunity to invest in ME and what I love AND was/is passionate about it. Where happiness and joy emanates. When you first wake up and you're excited about your day...and not just trying to 'survive' or 'get through it' or Goddess forbid you're 'dreading' it. That, unfortunately, was my reality for many years.
Ironically, this is the first blog I've written since I created it 3 years ago. How auspicious! since this year is when I finally decided to invest solely on what Athena, Inc. looked like and how to move forward in manifesting it into reality.
So, yesterday I had the golden opportunity to bring Goddess Cafe to LACI located in downtown Los Angeles courtesy of a Hummingbird Circle contact (thank you 'Holy Tree').
I wouldn't be from California if I didn't mention LA traffic and it was a 3 hour commute round trip from Ventura County to the Arts District. The anecdote to this is good music, good company and good conversation. I had all three there and back again.
The menu I chose was a personal favorite: Fettuccine Alfredo.
I thought a fresh salad of romaine lettuce and spinach topped with hemp seeds, pine nuts, walnuts and tomatoes with a salad dressing that had marinated chopped garlic would be a good accompaniment.
What's so great is that they have a small kitchen with an electric stove and conventional oven. I brought my pot that a set of triplets could comfortably sleep inside of and my bags filled with spices and other chef accoutrements. Before cooking (as I was taught), I made my offering to the four directions, Mother Earth and Father Sky. People walking by must have thought I was quite strange standing in the middle of the kitchen with my eyes closed and my palm reaching towards the heavens, but this aspect is a vital component as much if not more so than the love put into the food. I feel you can sense and taste it.
I sauteed the mushrooms first and set them aside. Next, it was the garlic and onions. My hope was that the aromatic scents of the kitchen would permeate those in close vicinity and instill a hunger for what I was preparing. Needless to say, it worked and there were some whom were drawn to the kitchen with an unsatiated curiosity.
The Alfredo sauce is a combination of garlic, onions, mushrooms, Daiya mozzarella cheeze, hemp milk, spices and herbs and most of the time...singing.
Here's the end product:
For Dessert, a chocolate chia pudding (chia seeds, coconut milk, flax seed with blueberries, hemp seeds and cocoa powder) topped with cashew creme and strawberries.
Throughout the entirety of the experience, I sung the Grandmothers song softly to myself, smiling and thinking of my own Grandmother whom taught me about food and spirituality. I hope she is proud.
Today I promise to continue to: Follow the Grace and Bliss of My Life.
Infinitely grateful,
Athena
