How has it been a whole month? I swear, the summer just started. I hope in some way you have been able to enjoy the warm weather and more laid back summer days. Unfortunately, most of my time has been tied up, so I haven't seen much sun after I came back from vacation. But, this comes with an amazing reason why...
I have started culinary school! I am now a student at the Natural Gourmet Institute, and I couldn't be more happy, scared, stressed, and in love. I did this more for myself. As someone who started cooking at a very young age and food becoming a big part of my life, it seemed to fit perfect. I was worried for a long time that passion wasn't enough. If it was truly possible to take my hobby and turn it into my career. It turns it out, it very well could be.
With longer days and nights, and very literally, no days off, thoughts if I could make this dream come true scared the shit out of me. What if I do actually do it? I believe we so often think how it may not happen, that dream or goal, leading us to not truly dive in and see how big and UNKNOWN it can be if it did. Would you be ready for it?
I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but I don't believe in being ready. Sometimes things are going to happen, situations and opportunities will arise, and you just have to act. For myself, applying to culinary school was an example of just that. Did I have the money? Hell no. Did I have the time and energy to put another thing on my plate? I knew if I wanted it enough, I could make it.
It's been a world wind of emotions, and sometimes I can't verbally say what I feel, but maybe able to write it.
In the beginning of the year, I wasn't sure what my next move should be. I've accepted so many things that had or hadn't happened, until I realized I didn't have to anymore. I wanted to prove to myself and others, I could do it my way. I wanted to genuinely share my love and knowledge for food and health, with nothing holding me back. I didn't need more money, the connections, a man, or mental stability. Thinking maybe, for a little while, I could do it alone. And although I really do have an amazing support system, that loneliness when working your ass off for something others may not understand, is always there. And because of that, I learned to feel more confident in owning and hustling for my UNIQUE vision.
So, here is my recipe of what I love and still holds true.
Crumbles are the dessert that make people fall in love with you. Because you know what, they don't look that nice, but damn, they taste amazing. Every concentrated flavor of the fruit comes out, the crumble is both indulgent and light, and if you serve with ice cream, you may win them over for life.
Blueberry Thyme Crumble
- 2 pints blueberries
- 1 tbs fresh thyme, plus garnish
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick cubed, cold)
Preheat over to 350 and butter a 9x12 pan.
In a bowl combine flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add cubes of butter in the mixture and combine with your hands. Make sure small clumps of butter remain, coated with flour mixture.
Pour blueberries onto pan, and mix about 1/4 cup of the crumble plus thyme in. Then evenly distribute the rest of the crumb topping. Place in the oven for 45 min or until topping is golden brown. Top with more fresh thyme and ice cream. Enjoy!
~No dream or goal will ever come to you easy, but you can easily take the first steps to making them come true~