As I write, the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked spelt bread wafts out of the oven. I’m sipping on my salted caramel latte and listening to a beautiful folk/indie playlist. The sun is shining onto the kitchen table. I feel completely content in this moment.
This winter, I have made a conscious effort to slow down. I’d preached it for years, but never fully stepped into the space myself. Every time I dipped my toes into the waters of slow living, guilt would creep up on me. I always felt that I had to be working hard at something in order to be worthy approval from both myself and others.
In my previous post, I mentioned that I was itching to set a new goal and strive to achieve it. And I am. But at the same time, I feel content in the present moment, and I have surprised myself by how naturally a slower, more mindful way of life has come to me. Society has done an excellent job at conditioning us to believe that we are successful only when we are ‘busy.’
Now, I fully recognize that not everyone has the means to live this way. I am lucky that I have a light course load that allows me to schedule my days with as much or as little work as I please. I was able to save some money last year, alleviating the need for me to work while in school this semester. There’s no denying that there are complex social and economic forces at play when it comes to determining who can afford the luxury of slow living. How ironic is it that what was once the norm-a life lived at a natural pace- is now thought of as a luxury that only a select few have time and money for?
If you can afford to take even an hour for yourself this weekend, I can’t recommend doing so enough. And what better accompaniment than this drink?
My salted caramel latte could not be easier to make: you can whip it up in far less time than it would take to buy one at the local coffee shop. It’s more economical, too, as well as being made with whole food ingredients like dates and almond butter. Yes, you can have a rich, decadent-tasting caramel latte without the sugar crash afterwards.
This drink pairs perfectly with my weekly roundup of reads/videos below!
Here’s what caught my eye this week:
- A giant dam in the Ecuadorian jungle, financed and built by China, was supposed to help lift the country out of poverty. Instead, it has engulfed the country in debt.
- Vandana Shiva urges us to decolonize the mind and wrap our heads around a regenerative agricultural model. Definitely worth watching.
- An often forgotten aspect of environmental sustainability is its spiritual aspects: “There is now a single issue before us: survival. Not merely physical survival, but survival in a world of fulfillment, survival in a living world, where the violets bloom in the springtime, where the stars shine down in all their mystery, survival in a world of meaning.”
- The calming effect of sewing can help relieve inner turmoil.
- A comprehensive guide to freezing food in glass jars. I’m definitely bookmarking this!
Salted Caramel Latte
A healthy salted caramel latte made with dates, almond butter, almond milk, and strong coffee or espresso.
- 1/2 cup hot strong brewed coffee (or sub 2 shots of espresso)
- 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 pitted Medjool date
- 1/2 tsp virgin coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Fat pinch of sea salt
- Dash of cinnamon
Warm the almond milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until hot, whisking occasionally.
Place almond butter, date, coconut oil, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon into a blender. Add hot coffee and almond milk. Blend until very smooth and creamy. Wait 20 seconds to allow froth to form on top before pouring into a mug. Enjoy!
If you make this latte, tag me #holisticallie and @holisticallie on Instagram!
Have an awesome weekend!
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