Dear Community ♡

So before *the event that will not be named* last Tuesday stole the spotlight, something else happened to all of us. Can we talk about it??

I’m a little late to the game due to personal and national affairs, but we have officially entered the annual event I host for myself every year, when I make a *huge* deal about the fall time change.

Darkish at 5pm??

WTFAISTDWT?!

(what the f*ck am I supposed to do with that?!)

In such a polarized nation, I seriously wonder- does anyone LIKE this time change??? or can we agree on one thing?!

(Uh oh…here they come…the morning people…lemme move on!) 😁

Anyway…although I am someone who experiences LA as having 4 seasons, the time change feels like it’s own seasonal chapter shift.

In one fell swoop, an unassuming 2am became a 1am and we entered what I call….. The Dark Season.

Real talk: Every year it takes me a minute to adjust. It affects how I structure my days, what and when I eat, what time I want to wake up and go to sleep…

For the past 10 days since the 2 struck 1, I’ve been kind of full with other things and today is the first day I’m dropping in, giving some care to this transition.

I’m gonna share with you a strange life hack that has made my own life function so much better in the dark season.

I cook AFTER I eat dinner. (What?!)

Basically- My body wants to eat earlier in the winter. Give me that early bird special, 5 or 5:30pm dinner makes my body feel the best.

But you think I want to start cooking while it’s still light out and I can be outside catching those last rays??!! I don’t think so!!!!

So it’s all about food made in advance. After all - soup season!!! and we all know soup tastes better the next day.

I heat up food I made in advance, and then once I’m happily nourished, there are still hours before bed and it’s a great time to leisurely cook or bake something for the next days without feeling the rushed feeling that cooking while hungry can give.

✨….and it gives me something to do in those dark hours that doesn’t involve staring at a screen. :) ✨

OK, now let’s move on to what we all came here for. The Banana Bread.

I’m on a major baking kick. This weekend I made 2 loaves of a really yummy gluten-free / dairy-free maple-sweetened banana bread that “slaps”, is “incredible”, and so delicious for the entire family!”

I delivered banana bread to five homes as I moved through my day on Saturday and it was SO MUCH FUN to witness the smiles of the loving recipients. It’s so fun to share love in this way.

I like to make baked goods that are healthy-ish, and this banana bread makes the cut. I’ve made it with butter or Miyoko’s vegan butter before, although this time I made it with coconut oil.

Here’s the recipe.

I added walnuts to the first loaf and pecans to the second. Highly recommend either or both!

So you guys, to be honest I sat down here intending to write you about an entirely different set of topics, but you what- it’s been a weird couple weeks. So thanks for just tuning in with me about when 2 becomes 1 and the magic of baked goods.

I love you.

♡ Mari

Need some support? You know where to find me ♡

craniosacral, sauna, journeywork at www.mari.mu