Wow. Just this moment—when I looked at the date this blog will “go live” — I realized that it has been an entire year. It was exactly 12 months ago that the business that had been my career, my livelihood—and practically my whole life for 25 years —closed, and my former business partner and I went our separate ways. Now I get why I have felt sort of odd all day. I understand why it was unusually hard to get out of bed this morning, and the reason I felt sort of separated from myself today. Now it makes sense that I felt a little “misty” even while I was shopping at the Farmer’s Market. Isn’t it funny how the body holds memories? My body/soul knew before my mind caught on. Anyway, originally I was going to write this blog installment about my recent trip to Fort Bragg, California to participate in the Living Light Chef Showcase: Hot Chefs, Cool Kitchen. I was going to thank everyone for voting for me and helping me win the Hot Raw Chef title. But what I really find myself wanting to say right now is: Thank you, God. Thank you for putting me here in this place at this time when I can experience so much freedom and so much joy. Thank you for standing by me during this (sometimes painful) transition year. Thank you for placing such incredible people in my life just when I needed them. Thank you for answering my prayers (although I didn’t always get exactly what I ordered!). I am grateful and I am humbled. And I never in a million years thought I would say such a thing in such a public way.

My trip to California is something else to be grateful for. I was treated splendidly. I got to meet chefs and raw food authors I have admired for years, and reconnected with people I met long ago. I ate fabulous food, attended inspiring presentations, and my demo of Hash Brown Potato Pancakes went off without a hitch (yes, I am posting the recipe. I think you’ll enjoy it!).

It has been a long journey from last Labor Day to this one. There were plenty of “What the hell was I thinking?” times and an equal number of “Woo hoo, this is how it’s supposed to be!” flashes. I am grateful for every moment. Thanks again, God.

HASH BROWN POTATO PANCAKES
Yield: 25-30 pancakes

Equipment
Food processor
Dehydrator

INGREDIENTS
12 cups yams, shredded
1 cup shredded onion
1/3 cup flaxseed, ground
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon unrefined salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
1 teaspoon paprika

Using the food processor, shred/grate the yams and onion. Place into a very large bowl and mix.

Remove 6 cups of the mixed potatoes and onions, place in food processor equipped with the “S” blade, process until very smooth.

Add the processed mixture to the shredded potato and onion. Add the remaining ingredients (flax, lemon juice, asafoetida, paprika, pepper, oil, garlic, and salt) and thoroughly mix with your hands.

Use a 1/4 measuring cup for each pancake. Place on a dehydrator tray lined with a nonstick sheet and gently flatten a bit if desired. Flip pancakes and remove nonstick sheet when the tops are dry – approximately 4 hours. Dehydrate for 8 hours or more to taste, for a total of 12 or more hours.

I had forgotten I used to be one of them. The morning culture: the people who walk or run or use the dog as an excuse for early morning solitude. I used to be a devout one; I never missed. Even if I had a 6:00 flight — I went at 3:00 a.m. Ice and lightening were the only two things I bowed to. Sometimes not even they could keep me away.

The morning culture got me through it all: The rocky times with the ex. The employee rifts. The money scares. The fears, the doubts, the bad news. It also became my place for solitary celebration of the things that no one else would notice: Of the times I stood up for myself. Of the small victories over adversity. Of the mile run 15 seconds faster. And then—somehow, one day—I just stopped. I think it was years ago. I think I said “I get better exercise in the gym.” I think I fractured my foot. I think I took it for grated, all that it had done for me. I know I slipped away.

I went back there this morning. It was only for 15 minutes. One mile, not 10k. And it felt exactly like when I visited my fathers’ grave after 25 years: I wondered why I hadn’t come sooner. It started to rain lightly about halfway into it: I thought to myself that the sky was so happy to see me again, it cried. That thought came to me not out of ego, but out of a sense of deep union. I reconnected to the smell of pre-dawn ground. To the neighbors who are up early too, obeying the Code of Silence. To the understanding that it can rain on one side of the street, and not the other.

I am writing this to take a snapshot of it. So I remember. To help me re-forge the connection; maybe it’ll be stronger this time. I hope so. I need it, and I’ve always needed it. It’s good to be back.

This has been a big week here at Fork in the Road and for me personally. First, I am delighted—no, thrilled—to announce that I won not only “Peoples’ Choice” in the 2010 Hot Raw Chef competition sponsored by Living Light Culinary Institute, I also won The Grand Prize! The competition was formidable, and my hat is tipped to the other contenders. I need to test drive some of their recipes, for sure! To learn more, visit www.hotrawchef.com. Also see my July 7 blog to snag the recipe for my winning “Chocolate Jalapeno Poppers.”

The other big news is that I graduated this week from the Institute for Integrative (IIN) Nutrition, in New York. I am now a certified health coach and a member in good standing of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. I am also an “ambassador” for IIN, which means that if you are interested in enrolling there yourself, I represent the school and can talk to you about it further.

Not every milestone is as major as winning a contest or receiving certification. Some milestones might actually seem to be small in the grander scheme. But lately, I have been trying to let myself celebrate even the “little” high points in my life and I encourage my clients (and you!) to do the same thing. Give yourself a new pair of athletic socks when you make it to all your spin classes in a month. Acknowledge yourself for holding your tongue during a heated discussion by taking a long bubble bath. (Of course you probably wouldn’t want to celebrate losing ten pounds with a slab of cake, but you shouldn’t let the occasion simply slip by: after all you know how much effort that took!)

So what about you: What milestones have you marked lately? Post your accomplishments below and tell us how you marked the occasion!

May all your forks in the road be delicious,

Sheree