Manifesting & Cultivating Joy

Welcome to our first ever guest post! Mara has been working with me on all things Forest Feast since 2019 and I’m excited thats she’s contributing here. She’s helped me a lot with visioning for The Forest Feast and she’s super talented. Around the new year I always like to make some goals and set intentions for the year ahead. I grew up with parents who always talked about the power of your thoughts and intentions so when I recently read one of Gabby Bernstein’s books, it really resonated. Feeling grateful and finding joy are a big part of the process for me.

This is a slight departure from our usual food content but perhaps you’ll find a spark of inspiration in it. Read below and enjoy!

xx

Erin

The month of January will soon be behind us. Most years I make a single resolution at the start of the year, but this year I decided to do something different. On January 1, 2021, I began a manifesting challenge that lasted 21 days. After the challenging year that was 2020, I felt like it was time to put some intentions out there and have some additional support.

I know some people may be skeptical about the idea of manifesting. I’ll admit I have been skeptical in the past myself. I grew up in a family that values hard work and self-determination, which goes against some aspects of manifesting (like letting go of control and trusting the universe). Yet at this point in the pandemic (we have been in lock down almost a year) and after four years of a seriously troubling political climate, I’m also thinking — what do I have to lose? Why not embrace hope and positive vibes for something I really, really want to happen in my life?

So I decided to take the leap and did the challenge with the help of Gabby Bernstein.

“Manifesting is the creative process of aligning with the energy of the universe to co-create an experience that elevates my spirit and the spirit of the world.”

— Gabby Bernstein

The quote above is how Gabby defines manifesting. It sounds like a lot — aligning my energy with the energy of the universe. I spent 21 days journaling, meditating, saying my desire out loud, and surrendering it to the universe. There were moments of calm and moments that felt really, really uncomfortable (i.e., lots of tears).

But if I take only one thing away from the experience, it is that manifesting is about cultivating joyful energy. It is reveling in the joy. Whether or not my desire comes true this year — or on another timeline — or not at all — I can still try and get back to the present moment, steady myself, and look for the opportunity to feel joy. And to trust that if my desire does not happen precisely the way I envision, the universe has something better in store for me. I just might not know it yet.

What do you think? Do you believe in manifesting?

xo,

Mara

Holiday Gift Guide 2020

This has been a year unlike any other. I hesitated to even include a Gift Guide this year but on second thought I figured many small businesses (like mine.. hint hint!) could use the extra love and support this year. And for those who prefer to skip the tangible gifts, I’ve included a couple of ideas for supporting organizations that are serving the people who need it most during 2020 - a food bank helping to fight food insecurity during the pandemic and a local organization supporting fire victims during California’s most destructive wildfire year on record. The new year can’t come soon enough!

*The book links below are from Indie Bound, a website here you can enter your zipcode and find titles for sale at indy bookstores near you.

Kids

The Forest Feast for Kids: Simple and easy recipe ideas that incorporate creative ways to add more vegetables and fruits into your children’s meals.

Ambitious Girl by Meena Harris—an empowering picture book.

The Adventures of Lily Huckleberry in Mexico: The third book in the series of children’s bed time stories with beautiful illustrations by my friend Audrey — another female small business owner and mama. We have all her books and the kids love them.

Cooks

Olive Oil Subscription: This is a great shop in SF’s Noe Valley and they offer several seasonal subscriptions for olive oils and vinegars.

These adorable mugs made in Japan from Umami Mart, my favorite shop in Oakland, run by my friends Kayoko and Yoko.

The Forest Feast Mediterranean: My latest book is a great way to bring a taste of the Mediterranean home (especially during the colder winter months!) when in need of a taste of summer or tapas from Spain!

Pasta Cooking Class with Lucca & Lorenzo (online): I love to give gifts that are experiences and this pasta cooking class looks entertaining and educational at the same time — a virtual trip to Italy from the comforts of you own home.

Edible gifts like baked goods and cheeseballs are always fun to drop off on doorsteps. Watch my recipe video for a cheeseball here...I show how to wrap it, too!

Hygge Life

Beeswax Candles: I can never get enough of toxin-free beeswax candles. They are perfect for dinner parties and/or everyday—these lovely ones are from a local shop in my town.

My favorite watercolor set.

An Online Art Class: This looks like a fun online course package for kids. This one on Skillshare looks fun for adults (the instructor paints from her farm in the Appalachian mountains.) You can gift an annual membership to Skillshare or to Masterclass, which both have virtual cooking and art classes.

The Forest Feast Gatherings: I know many of us miss hosting dinner parties and gatherings with larger groups this year. Make moments at home feel a bit more special with entertaining ideas, pretty spreads, and plan-ahead ideas for intimate gatherings at home.

Giving Back

For those who would prefer a donation to a charitable cause (hint: you have until the end of the year for tax purposes)

Puente: Serving as the only south coast community center, Puente advocates for diverse farming communities in Southern San Mateo County near where I live. They have been a huge supporter for families who were displaced during the wildfires in this part of California. My brother lost his house this year in the fires so this feels especially important to me.

Second Harvest: Many families in Silicon Valley near where I live have been struggling to provide consistent meals to their families this year. Founded in 1974, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is one of the largest food banks in the nation and a trusted nonprofit leader in ending local hunger. The organization distributes nutritious groceries through a network of more than 300 partners at drive-thru and walk-up sites across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. I have been baking challah monthly as a fundraiser for them and plan to donate by the end of the year as well.

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Happy Holiday shopping! Please remember to support your local bookstores and shops whenever you can. Also check out Book Passage’s virtual author series! You could gift a book and then email a link to a (free) upcoming talk with that author. I recently had an author conversation hosted by them with cookbook author Andrea Bemis who has a beautiful new book out about eating locally. Sign up and watch past author talks as well, for free.