Peace.

Let’s start off this post on a positive note, shall we? Today, September 21st, is the International Day of Peace. What does that entail, you ask? Well…

“Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace.”

And this is great. A day of ceasefire among nations and man (and lets add animals in there!). But the thing is…it sounds great. What would be truly great is this peaceful attitude being put into practice. Actually putting into practice these peaceful ideas is what is going to change people’s attitudes, and thus change the world itself. Actually negotiate with countries – and with words, not weapons. See the point of view of others – don’t automatically assert that your way is the right way and expect everyone else to conform to that “ideal” *cough cough, American exceptionalism and European imperialism, cough cough*. Really, really care about those within and outside of your country (or state, city, town, school…) who are struggling and do what you can to help. See people, peace is not just on a national level. It’s not even just on a statewide level. Peace needs to be within every single person. And this means being kind to others.

Now I wish to switch to a more somber tone. Just recently a 14 year old boy from Williamsville, NY (located right near where I attend University) named Jayme committed suicide from being constantly bullied by his peers because of his sexual orientation. This is unacceptable. Bullying is a hate crime that needs to be stopped. No child deserves to die because of the cruel words of others. People need to understand the power of words. People need to understand that one thing said can resonate with someone for a long, long time and really effect them in major ways. Poor Jayme just happened to pay the price. Let’s take this peace day to realize what peace really is. Peace needs to come from within everyone.  Please, if you Twitter, make a post promoting peace and love amongst all with the hash-tag #MakeALawForJayme to help stop bullying.

Onto a much lighter note! Would you like a piece of apple crumble with you’re peace in the world this evening? Yes. Yes, of course you do. Especially considering it is a healthy apple crumble. Unlike the streusel-topped, brown sugar laden recipes that are all too prevalent, my “crumble” is not a crumble at all. It’s well…a surprise! Oh, okay. It’s actual cooked oatmeal and rice! It’s good, really! Give ‘er a try!

Apple “Crumble”

Makes one 8″ or 9″ pan

Ingredients:

“Crumble”: 

• 1 cup oats (rolled oats or quick oats)
• 3/4 cup water
• a pinch of salt
• 6 packets of stevia in the raw (or sweetener of choice, to taste)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ginger powder
• 1/8 tsp cardamom powder (optional but good)
• 1 tbs vanilla extract
• 1 tsp maple extract
• 1 cup butternut squash, cubed and cooked until quite tender**
• 1 cup cooked bastmati rice
• 1/2 cup almond milk

Apple Mixture:

• 4 small-medium sized apples, peeled and sliced fairly thin
• 1 tbs flour (any sort is fine…although whole wheat probably wouldn’t be so pleasant…)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 tbs water
• 1 tbs vanilla extract
• 1 tsp maple extract

**You could also use 1/2 cup or perhaps even more of butternut squash, pumpkin, or sweet potato puree. 

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350F and get your pan prepared with non-stick cooking spray.

In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients for your apples and mix. Pour into your prepared pan, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.

While your apples are roasting, in a saucepan, prepare your oats as per instructions with the 3/4 cup of water (yes, I know – it’s less than what the instructions say to do on the package. Deal with it…it’s supposed to be really thick!), salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, extracts and squash. When your oatmeal has cooked and very thick, lower the heat to well…low and add in your cup of cooked rice and the almond milk. Over the low heat mush and mix everything together. Set aside until your apples are done cooking.

When your apples are cooked and soft, spread/press the oatmeal-rice mixture evenly on your apples. Give a spritz with nonstick cooking spray, and bake at 350F for another 20 minutes. Enjoy!

[Wellness Weekend Recipe]

Good and guilt free! Well..except for if you’re me and feel guilty after eating a bowl of kale, but let’s not get into that! I am doing my best to keep eating. Today for lunch I made myself my current favourite combo…roasted squash and kale! I used a yummy heritage carnival squash this time instead of my usual kabocha. Don’t you just love the variety of squash during autumn?

And as I promised, I made some sweet mango chutney! I’ll probably use it as a spread on tortillas or toast or something like that. Or stirred into rice pudding. Mmm…mango rice pudding sure sounds good!

But perhaps another day. I’d rather not think too much about carbs. I ate an extra serving of food yesterday, which still has me in a bit of a loop so…yeah. Not fun.

Well, the time comes to go and study. Adieu!