Hearty No Bean Chili: low-fodmap and gluten free

| Rachel Boulos

Today, Captain America, Scooby Doo, and Superman visited my doorstep. Not gonna lie, when little miss bunch of grapes rang my doorbell, I about died.

I don’t know who is more giddy, me or the trick-or-treaters. But one thing is for sure. When you’re spending some serious time visiting the neighbors, you’ve got little time for much else.

Like dinner.No Bean Low Fodmap Chili

Since when did Trick-or-Treating expand to FOUR HOURS? That’s a serious stash of candy, my friends.

If you want more than candy for dinner this week but don’t want to put in the time, I’ve got you covered. We ended this year’s chilly Halloween with a hearty bowl of…you guessed it…weeknight Chili.

Throw it in the slow-cooker and forgetta bout it. Perfect for those busy Fall nights! Continue reading →

Why I Am Not Worried About the Election

| Rachel Boulos

As this bitter campaign narrows to a close, I for one am ready for it to end.why I am not worried about the election

For months, many have used social media to fight for the cause leaving the rest of us feeling like collateral damage. Facebook makes me apprehensive with its onslaught of endless debates.

Fear and anxiety run rampant across the country. Americans remain divided and distraught over the options for commander in chief. Many believe the future of our country (along with our rights and liberties) may very well be at stake.

But I am not afraid. Nor am I angry. I am not the least bit stressed and honestly, I’m not even that surprised. Continue reading →

How you can prepare for emotional disasters

| Rachel Boulos

how to prepare for emotional disasterLast week my cousin spent the day chasing plywood and supplies all over town in preparation for Hurricane Matthew. Store shelves were sparse, gas stations drained, and Home Depot was like Black Friday with the amount of frantic pushing and shoving.

My cousin spent nearly 24 hours securing windows and battening down the hatches. He was just praying his home wouldn’t blow away.

When faced with a natural disaster like the one we saw last week, one thing is for sure. People spring into action. Survival mode kicks in. Some evacuate. Others brace for a fight. But one thing we all have in common? Continue reading →

Tomato Basil Tuna Salad

| Rachel Boulos

Cooler weather means it’s time to use up those garden leftovers before it’s too late. So I spent an hour last night gathering up all the goodness.title4

On a random side note, witnessing our first frost last year was most fascinating. One moment my flowers were beautiful and thriving and then literally in 12 hours they were black, shriveled, and lifeless. I was actually shocked how much damage frost can do in an instant. Hmm…feel like there’s a spiritual analogy in there somewhere… Continue reading →

The 1 Thing Your To-Do List Won’t Accomplish

| Rachel Boulos

1 thing your to do list won't accomplishWhen you retreat to a quiet place, it’s amazing how loud everything becomes upon re-entry.

We spent last week in the mountains, nestled in a cabin just above the treetops. Every morning the sun would peek through the blinds, gently nudging me awake. With a cup of coffee in hand, I would snuggle myself into a sweatshirt and pull up a chair to the edge of the pine deck. The sun would rise over smokey ridges and rows of mountain peaks as I stared out into a silent world. The chirping of crickets and rustling of bears in the woods were the only sounds vying for my attention. Crisp, cool air filled my lungs with every breath.

Peace and quiet. Solitude at its finest. Continue reading →

Don’t Let Your Past Define You

| Rachel Boulos

How many thoughts do you have about yourself? And of those, how many are negative?

It wasn’t until I was suffering from soul-crushing anxiety and felt depleted of all motivation that I started giving my thought-life some…well…thought.Don't let your past define you

Who says my creative efforts are not good enough?

Who says I’m a major disappointment?

Who tells me that I can never change?

Or says I will certainly fail if I try?

Who believes that I am broken?

I do.

It’s me. My thoughts are to blame. Continue reading →

Low Fodmap Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Pineapple Salsa

| Rachel Boulos

My favorite part about summer? The gas grill. Throw on just about any meal, toss in a few sides and you’ve got yourself a winner.

Officially on my Make-It-Again List, this recipe gets all three stamps of approval.Grilled Mahi Mahi Pineapple Salsa

That’s right. This fish dish is gluten free, dairy free, and low fodmap! Not to mention full of omega 3’s, clean ingredients, and no sugar added! The combination of jalapenos, Cajun seasoning, and fresh pineapple gives it the perfect balance between sweet and spicy.

This is a great way to enjoy a healthy dinner today without the digestive pain tomorrow!

But enough about that. On to the important stuff. Continue reading →

2 Ways to Overcome Your Fear This Week

| Rachel Boulos

2 ways to overcome your fear this weekDon’t worry. Easier said than done.

Especially for me. I come from a long generational line of worriers. Anxiety and fear have been constant companions for most of my life. Fretting has become a common pastime around here.

How about you this week?

Because every time I turn on the news fear is being magnified. We fear terror. We fear race. We fear other religions. We fear diseases (Zika? Anyone?). We even fear the upcoming election.

I even find myself worrying ABOUT WORRYING.

Seriously? Continue reading →