"Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it" - Kahlil Gibran

I can't breathe.
My mind is such a mess.
I'm such a mess.
What can't I be normal, just for one time in my life? I'm not even playing "the persecuted and weirdo girl", that's a fact.

I'm almost twenty one and sometimes it's like I live apart from this world, I don't belong to this planet, this air doesn't suit me and human beings cannot understand me. They don't even know what kind of thing I am.

Bye the way, what kind of creature am I? An animal? An alien? The only thing I can say is that I'm kind of a fearful curiosity. Oppressed by her feelings. Depressed by herself. I try, I'm always trying. Sometimes it's really hard to keep your head up in spite of everything happening around you.
The world is moving too fast for me and I can't follow the rythm. It's like a giant whirl with no way to exit. You HAVE TO keep the cadence, to go as fast as you can and to be as strong as it's possible to go through the experience.
Loads of people told me it's worth it. I wan't to trust them, I want to be part of them.

But tonight it's not my turn. Tonight I'm just this creature unable to breathe. This creature filled with fears and questions. This anxious little thing.

I can't control myself. I can't foresee tomorrow but it's like my mind is being really rude right now and he just wants to keep up with his plans: think about what's not happened yet, spoil everything and bring all his "little friends": insomnia, suffocation and anxiety. Good job silly mind.

I don't know why I'm making this public tonight. (or today, it depends on where you live, or when you're reading these words..)
This is not the first time it happens and it certainly won't be the last. (I'm not even pessimist, just honest with myself, this is important)
I guess I needed it. I needed to write this few lines to free myself, at least a little bit.
I always repeat that this is not a fatality. This is not the end. This is just a rough period to cross but then everything will be ok. Tomorrow will already be better. The day after tomorrow even better... And one day, I will feel perfectly fine.

You can't go up if you're not down. 

I accept. I accept my weakness caused by my lack of sleep, by my stress, by all the questions gushing in my head. I accept everything. This is necessary if you don't want to be sticked in your anxiety crisis and if you've got the goal to move forward.
Words are just my little helpers to go through it faster. Too make it smoother.

You see, even if it's still not perfect, I can already feel nicer than I was thirty minutes ago.

Are you an optimistic or a pessimistic person?
Do you think anxiety is kind of a disease or rather a mood?

Ginger Potter.

London, January 2014. (photo full of good thoughts)

November 2013: my wishlist.

Hello!
I know, it's been more than a month since my last post but I've been so busy, and my session is not over yet.

Today I'm back with a new type of article on my blog: a monthly wishlist. I don't think I'll do it every month but I'll try to be as regular as possible.

Stop chatting, let's begin!

Fashion:

These shoes are available on the Asos website. I'm in love with them since we met (yes, we met and the Internet, SO WHAT?) but I can't have them in my wardrobe yet, sadly.

Too much cuteness and softness here, oooooh.

As you may know, I live in Quebec and we already had some snow last week. Trust me, you DON'T WANT to go outside with fine socks unless you enjoy frozen toes. 

If someone told me one day that I would have said "Oh look, velvet is gorgeous, I could totally wear that!" I think I would have       laughed so hard. But it happened.
Do you know what's marvellous? Garage, a canadien store, has a new collection most based on velvet for November/December… :D

I could spend the rest of my life in a large and warm jumper. This one (you can find it on Romwe) would be perfect with a pair of   black leggings and these are the perfect colours to match with the season my (future) shoes!

Everyone who knows me know I'm a "crazy cat lady". This dress (also from Romwe) must have been made for me, for sure.

Beauty:

The Body Shop Body Scrubs already have their reputation and it's not ready to change if you want my opinion. Its smell so gooood and it's so perfect on your skin. The grains don't burn or destroy it, if you know what I mean, ahah.. (I decided to go with the peach smell because it's so fresh and natural and pure and.. Perfect.)

Last year for Christmas, my Mom bought me the Naked 2 which I've been using every single day since. (I don't wear make-up everyday but it's a way of speaking). I know the Naked 3 seems very similar compared to her two sisters, but I think those "pinky colours" are soooo beautiful, it's like having the palette of a princess. I can't tell you I'm going to replace my Naked 2 by this little one but.. Ohmygeorge this is so cute.

Do you know the Pixiwoo sisters? They became famous on Youtube. They made a partnership with Real Techniques and.. Here we are. Brushes. What would be make-up without brushes? When I started I didn't have any brush and I was ok with that. One day, I tried to use one "just for fun" and it appeared that, clearly, the result was much more better!
I already have the "starter kit" from Real Techniques and now.. The "travel kit" is in my wishlit. (which lets you a hint about the quality of their brushes.)

Maybe you know, maybe you don't know. I absolutely LOVE ginger people. It's kind of a worship, Yeah, don't read it twice or you'll be scared of me. I wish I was a real ginger but I'm not. When I don't have brown, red or green (true fact) hair, I always go with ginger. You can't go wrong with this (perfect) colour. Actually one thing is sure: I'll soon become "one of them" again! (I haven't                decided which hue will I choose yet)

Random:

I love kitchen books. I wish I had a library full of kitchen books.
Marilou is a Quebecer very promising and she's creating her first cooking book, scheduled for September 2014. Yes, it's a long time to wait but I'm sure it's worth it. If you want to pre-order it, it's here! (You'll find her on her blog. Everything seems so delicious!)

Olivia Burton makes such stunning watches, woaw. I really appreciate most of them but this one won my heart by its simplicity and its elegance. (Could anyone tell me WHY this watch is sold out, uh? I love both models. Yes, I love loads of things.)

I'm sorry for the lenght of this post but I reduced it once and I couldn't do it twice, ahah.

But don't worry, this is the end..!
(I spent a lot of time on it, I hope you enjoyed this new kind of article!)

And you, what's on your wishlist?

What's your favourite product on mine?

Have a great day/evening!

Ginger Potter.

DIY: How to be thanked by your tummy.

Hello little kittens!

Today I'm back with a...
Recipe!

Every person who knows me can tell you that eating is kind of a lifestyle (I'm not exaggerating that much), and that I'm a real sweet tooth (but I've already told you I was "one of them").

That must be the reason why I wish I could eat breakfast everytime I take a meal, ahah.

After this revelation, it won't be a surprise for you if I present a granola recipe, right?

When I went to my market last week, I was staring at all kind of cereals and I was like "OhMyGeorge, why are them so expensive? It's nonsense !"
It's like I HAVE TO pay between 7 and 10 dollars to eat granola for a week. I'm just a student, I don't want to be ruined because of my gluttony! And they always put too much this or that, and not enough pecans in their boxes. (NEVER ENOUGH PECANS!)


Then..
I finally decided myself to cook my own granola for this Autumn, with everything I love (not exactly everything, ice cream would have melted if I'd put some..) and I can tell you: that was one of my best ideas!
I'm giving you my recipe right now, or I'll never stop talking writing.

You'll need:

- 2 cup oatmeal (500g)
- about 1 cup oleaginous seeds (between 200g and 250g). I put pecans (I had to!!), hazelnuts and unsalted sunflower seeds.
- 2/3 cup unsweetened dried fruits (150g). I put cranberries and prunes.

- 4 tbs (4 c.à s) coconut oil (or walnut oil, for example, but coconut is the best, according to me)
- 4 tbs (4 c.à s) maple syrup
- 3-4 tbs (3-4 c.à s) agave syrup
- 2 tbs (2 c.à s) honey
- 2 tbs (2 c.à s) vanilla essence

What you'll have to do:

First of all, put your oatmeal and your oleaginous seeds in a big bowl.

 Mix a little bit.

Add your unsweetened dried fruits. I sliced my prunes because I prefer to have a lot of pieces scattered in my granola than entire lumps. (it's already pretty nice, isn't it?)

When you're done with this step, you can put your coconut oil, your maple syrup, your agave syrup, your honey and your vanilla essence in a hot pan until everything is mixed up.
Add your preparation in your big bowl. With the help of a big spoon, stir until your almost-granola is entirely covered with your liquid part. (I was very dubious with the quantities but it has been fine, so don't worry if you think you lack sauce, you just have to continue and be patient!)

Then, spread it on a baking tray covered with aluminum. Put it in the oven at 270ºF for 30 to 45 minutes.
When you think it's enough, let it cool and put your granola into jars!


I eat mine with almost everything: almond milk, applesauce, ice cream (I couldn't include it in my recipe but I can take some with my recipe!), or greek yoghurt if you like it..

Once you've done your first batch I think you're ready to change your recipe depending on seasons (with papaya, mango, macadamia and coconut slices for Summer, hmmm) or your mood.

And because you'll be proud of you, every morning will be joyful and cheerful, with a touch of comfort,  trust me! 

And you, what's your favourite granola recipe? What would you put in yours?

Have you ever tried my recipe? Please let me know, and send me your opinion about it!

Ginger Potter.