WholeSoul

07/25/2025

2yrs ago today I wrote this…

🌱Never in my wildest dreams 🌱

Now those dreams are manifesting right before my eyes, and to say I’m grateful and humbled by this experience would be an understatement!
I have met some of the most beautiful humans these last few weeks since starting WholeSoul . Without them this truly blissful reality would’ve just been a dream.

Remember… that what you now have, was once among the things you only hoped for —Epicurus

I’m still here. I’m just behind the scenes for now. Stay tuned!!!

Our wonderful new friend Carrie, came to the "Set Your Table" event last week and she stepped into our circle with strong strides ❤️

Carrie's words captured her experience beautifully:

“Welcome home” were the words this beautiful stranger said to me as she embraced me like I’ve never felt before. Never have I ever experienced such magic and joy the way I did tonight.
Warm embraces with whispers soaked in gratitude.
It did feel like home.
Hearing stories of love and perseverance around a beautifully set dinner table made me feel, that for the first time every thing leading me up to that exact point, was all supposed to happen. We are all on the same journey on different timelines. yet tonight, we aligned. We cried. We laughed. We listened. We sipped tea with our bare feet marinating in the sand.
There are no coincidences. We are all where we need to be.
Thank you Riverside Acres Retreat for the wonderful evening.
I cannot wait to nourish you the best way I know how 🌱

Carrie Hooper is a Culinary Artist and will be once again attending our "Set Your Table" on Aug.3 and will be sharing one of her popular vegan dishes alongside our catered meal ✨️

Thai Lentil Curry with a cilantro Flatbread 🌿

Here is her Culinary page - full of delicious foods and healthy eating tips

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093387288163&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Join us Aug 3rd:

https://www.riversideacres.net/event-details/set-your-table-2

Or "Full Moon Fireside"
Aug 2nd

https://www.riversideacres.net/event-details/full-moon-fireside

12/25/2024

It’s simple, If you love animals, don’t eat them.
Merry Christmas my Friends 🎄

12/08/2024

Ahhhh, the Vegan Holiday Market was a buzz this year!
From skin care to jewelry, fashion and my favorite …FOOD!

First stop was Loma House Vegetarian Express for BBQ buns. Sweet seitan hugged by a Pillowy soft steamed bun. Could I have eaten 18 more, yes. But I had to make room for the others. Those sweet bbq mouthwatering bites barely lasted the 3 steps it took to get to Martina's Vegan House.
Oh yes! I’ve heard about her peanut brittle for a while now… how excited was I to finally get my hands on a batch!
She also had SPICY brittle available but opted for the original. Glad I did… because the kids devoured it on the car ride home. At least I got a nibble, and truth be told, it WAS delicious.
Thank you Martina. I was so nice meeting you.

Around the table we go for another flavor explosion!
Where they claim their “Cigkofte is more than just food – it’s a journey through the rich culinary heritage of Mardin, Turkey. Whether you’re a long-time fan or trying cigkofte for the first time, we promise a delicious experience you won’t forget”
And I won’t, because I bought some… and made a pit stop on the way home for a head of lettuce and a lemon. Thank you Flavorfusion, it was a pleasure meeting you too.

My husband made a bee line for NUTTEA and indulged in the warmth and spice of the hot brew with a dollop of hazelnut whipped cream while my boys ordered themselves enough CHICKUN sandwiches from Odd Burger to eat for the entire weekend, I swear.

Although I didn’t purchase a copy of Brittney Goudreau’s book “I wish”, I just wanted to say how wonderful it is that people like this exist.
Immortalizing the love and bond animals have for each other and advocating for them in a children’s book. It’s important that children know the truth about where their food comes from… especially dairy. Because we all know “Dairy is Scary”

I’ve said this before, that my only regret for going vegan, was not doing it sooner. If not for my health, but for the animals.
You can purchase her book at
Www.brittneygoudreau.com

🎄Happy Holidays Friends 🌱

12/07/2024

One of my favorite holiday treats is Traditional Turkish delight!
Lucky me, this box was gifted to me from my neighbors Ali and his wife!
Did you know that 99.9% of Turkish delight is vegan because it's made with cornflour to thicken the jelly, NOT gelatin.

Gelatin, if you didn’t know is made by extracting collagen from animal parts such as pigs and cows (sometimes fish) and partially breaking the bonds between the proteins in the collagen.
That alone, is just not worth the less than 5 mins of sensory pleasure for me.

Gelatin is a flavorless, colorless, jelly-like substance used in many products, including: marshmallows, puddings, Jell-O, Cosmetics like shampoos and face masks, wine (sorry) and the coatings on vitamins.
Pudding and Marshmallows broke my heart when I started my vegan journey , but lucky for us there are alternatives!
There is ALWAYS an alternative🌱

12/06/2024

Team work makes the dream work🌱

12/06/2024

CONSTIPATED??

Yes, it's possible to experience constipation on a plant-based diet, even though a plant-based diet can generally promote healthy bowel movements. However, other factors can play a role in having a doomed dookie experience like hormonal changes and low moisture intake. Whatever the case …try these!
Real food for thought 🌱

12/04/2024

Not gonna lie, this tastes like sweet potato pie 💚

12/04/2024

🌱Butternut squash soup is the quintessential winter soup.
And this roasted version is top-notch! It’s delightfully creamy, layered with warming sweet and savory flavors, and a favorite for any dinner occasion.
Roast those bad boys @ 425 until soft.
Once cooled peel that squash and blend all those wholesome ingredients!

It’s one of those days🌱

11/11/2024

Down the hatch 🔥

Fire Cider (also sometimes called Master Tonic) Is a traditional folk remedy infused with powerful anti-microbial, decongestant, and circulatory herbs and spices. Adding a tablespoon of this to your diet every day can help boost your immune system, stimulate digestion, help with colds, flu's and warm you up on cold days. An awesome homemade remedy for a mid-Winter pick-me-up!
I also add fresh rosemary sprigs and thyme 🌱

11/08/2024

Today, I embarked on a transformative journey around the world, exploring eclectic culinary wonders. Ha! Who am i kidding, I went to the library.

I discovered a picturesque Tuscan kitchen overlooking a serene landscape with a cypress lined driveway, a charming German farm with a soothing outdoor cooking space, simmering chamomile over an open fire.
Did you know Germany is known as the vegan capital of the world - pack your bags!
I even ventured to Korea to savor an imaginative gluten-free vegan peach cobbler.

I learned that 'cooking' symbolizes bold action and achievement, or an action where someone is doing OR being crazy (urban dictionary) I like that one.

While 'culinarian', describes culinary artisans (I like that one too) and I learnt fascinatingly, nutmeg's potency can have profound effects as in …getting you high AF.
How much nutmeg though…
Food for thought!

I Immersed myself front to back in a 'Veg News' magazine overlooking Beaumaris lake in a blue pleather chair. I felt inspired, generating innovative ideas and recipes as I entered my flow state.

This unintentional journey has nourished my heart and soul in the worst and best ways helping me heal from past traumas, ptsd and embrace change.

I needed to pause …
after 20 years, I'm courageously stepping away from familiar surroundings, after not being able to step “into it” for some time now and navigate a new life with uncertainty and resilience.
By letting go of energy-draining habits, and an environment that lacks empathy and support, I'm cultivating a passion-driven life. Y’know what’s never changed though? How I nourish my body.
My body will forever be a garden and not a graveyard.

“Cooking” has always been a passion of mine, since the moment I learnt how to butter toast at 5 yrs old. I still remember that feeling of anticipation as I watched the butter glide across the crispy surface and slowly melt into every crook and cranny. Food is NOT just food to me.
Food is medicine and fuel. Food is my love language.

I can’t wait to share my WHOLE soul and renewed spirit with you all again soon.

LET ME COOK!
(Urban dictionary)

~Carrie💚