A recipe requires the coherence of many elements. Getting orgasmic results from a recipe is the fruit of love, patience, care and quality ingredients. Sometimes you cook something out of the need to eat. And regardless of the quality, it will be something good to chew on and fill your tummy with but never repeat. Other times the recipe is amazing; simply enjoyable you want to make it over and over again. Yet each time is different from the other. My biggest fear was for the recipe to fail. Although I don’t usually follow the rules completely but I keep hoping it’ll work. The worst feeling is when your fear materializes in front of you. The time and effort happily spent turns into anxiety and panic. You know you messed up at one point but keep hoping it’ll work. You keep hoping that with some sugar, spice and nice things it’ll be edible. But when it’s done, it’s over and done. It’ll certainly upset you. It might break you or even hurt your pride. It’ll make you want to quit. It’ll make you stop eating. Or eat more. It’ll make you fear the kitchen. Or leave you with no willpower or any joy to touch a utensil, flour, butter or anything that used to bring you joy and gave you happy moments and good memories. You’ll be scared. Terrified to venture into that world you once called yours, your Kingdom. You will try to get up, make yourself feel better but things keep flopping. Until that moment that you reach, with the help of loving people around, where you decide to get yourself up, fix yourself, wear your apron gracefully and decide to get over the previous heartbreaking result. You fail a couple of times but with your different mindset you decide to try again. You try and try but you realize you should come back with a different approach when the results of the recipe reflect the way you feel; pancakes that turn out bitter at one time, too spicy at second, greasy and lifeless at another. Yet you decide to try on more time. To climb up to the surface and take a peek, a deep breath. The thing about life, it goes on. You have to be present; fully aware. You try one more time hoping it will work. Try a recipe you know and trust, and this time focus and work with love and a positive attitude. Smile and measure the flour. Move your arms swiftly and mix the batter. Take a breath and scoop the batter onto the pan. Listen while it sizzles on the hot pan. Look at it bake and follow the Golden edges as they shape. Hope rises again. YOU CAN DO IT! It’s wonderful. It’s wonderful how a change in attitude can do miracles. But it doesn’t come easy. You will fall low after flying so high but you gotta get back up. Take a moment first. Grief. Then dust yourself and get back up to take control. On that occasion, I’m dusting myself and in the process of getting back up as I’m on my way to Colombo, Sri Lanka. I’m flying solo. This trip was planned and executed on a whim. I got introduced to nice people there along the way and I planned part of the trip with them beforehand. The other part will come into shape as I get there. An adventure. I think I’m ready. Wish me luck! I’ll share photos and recipes along the way. So keep connected with me on Twitter and Instagram. The above-mentioned pancake recipe is an easy vegan pancake recipe adapted from www.food.com I added 1 more tablespoon of sugar and a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseed. Feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon, orange or lemon zest depending on the topping paired with it.

Easy Vegan Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 cup nut milk
• 2 tbsp oil

Procedure

• Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl
• Add the wet ingredients and fold avoiding over-mixing
• Heat a skillet and when it’s hot enough scoop half a cup of the batter (use a measuring cup for consistent portioning)
• Reduce to medium low
• Bake for 2 minutes or until it turns golden then flip and cook the other side
• Serve with jam, nut butter, syrup, honey or Nutella if you’re up for non vegan choices Greetings from Wijiya beach and a local beer!