November 07

I'm sure most of you have heard the story of the boy at the shore, picking up sand dollars, one at a time, and throwing them back into the ocean. As he is dutifully finding the sand dollars on the beach, a passing adult stops to talk with him. The adults asks him why he is doing it, what difference it will make, the boy answers as he throws another sand dollar, "It made a difference to that one."

Many times we are so overwhelmed by the "big picture" that we lose sight of the present moment. We often consume our time with what we should have done, or what we should be doing. We are so busy worrying about the myriad of possibilities that we forget there is a possibility to take that first small step in making a difference on the the local, personal level. worrying about the past or the future, we don't have time for the now. But right now is all that matters.

Think about it. Right now is yesterday's future and it is also tomorrow's past. Right now, in this present moment, . . .

Pumpkin Pancakes

• 1cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp fresh chopped ginger root
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup milk or soy beverage
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 Tbsp canola or sunflower oil
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Spiced Apple Cider Kanten
This is a dessert, not a drink

• 3 cups apple cider
• 1/4 cup agar flakes
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cloves crushed
• 2 Tbsp coconut milk
• 2 1/2 Tbsp agave nectar
• 1 small granny smith apple diced
• 1 small gala apple diced