Happy Belated Hump Day! Why, oh Why, was this video not delivered to me yesterday?

Well, Because I took the day off. Yep, That’s right, I took the whole day, and put everyone else off. I wish it was for absolutely no reason, just to prove a point, but, no, it was my Birthday! (Happy, happy hump day to me!). So hence, you get a late hump day delivery =)

Today’s video is a little bit special, and a little bit different. And I have an extra special treat for you – my healthy birthday cake! Just to say thankyou for letting me be me, in my videos and on my birthday.

Yesterday I spent the day alone on my birthday. Not in a sad way, I chose to do it, and I encourage you to do the same thing, as soon as possible. Birthday or no birthday. I used to be really uncomfortable in my own company, by myself. I’d get anxious, and I’d just fool around doing not much really until the time passed. Or, I’d avoid it altogether. A soon as I was alone, I’d call a friend or get on facebook, and sometimes I still catch myself doing it. Waiting in line, or when I’m with a friend and they go to the bathroom, getting on the phone.

Honestly, some of the best times of my life have been when I am completely alone. I can still remember 5 and a half years ago, travelling alone to Portugal, travelling alone for the first time. Those few days, especially the final night hanging out on a beach in a cave and watching the sun come up with my amazing new friends, were some of the best of my entire life. And I’ve had some pretty cool moments since then. But, there’s something about the experience when there’s nobody there to hide behind.

Being completely solo makes every sense prick up. You become acutely aware of your thoughts, your feelings, and your surroundings. You take more in. You pay more attention. You do more of what you want. Nobody is there to guide you, to distract you, or to protect you. Some think that’s bad. We’ve almost been programmed growing up that being alone is dangerous, because of the scary stories we hear of what can happen to you when you’re alone. Granted, walking down a dark alley in a dangerous neighbourhood into a gang of murderers having a strategy meeting… is dangerous… but really, being alone on a regular basis is one of the safest things I believe you can do.

Here’s why:

Because when you can be alone in your own company, and make yourself happy, you never ever need another to do that for you. When you are with others, You can just let them be them. And you can be you, and that is a true gift.

It can be very, very uncomfortable being on your own if you haven’t in a while. You will feel uneasy, anxious, nervous, shy, and not very calm. Those feelings can often be mistaken for danger. But, if you sit with it, and let it pass, you’ll find yourself having more fun than you’ve ever had, because you will totally be in charge… now that’s fun.

My challenge to you this week, is to dedicate some time to yourself. An amount of time that scares you. More than usual. If you spend a lot of time on your own, do something in that time to make yourself enjoy it. Or, book a solo holiday. It will fill you up and re-energise you like nothing else. (Once the initial OMG moment of “Holy Fork I don’t know what to do!” has passed).

This year I have taken a couple of solo trips. It’s always uncomfortable at first. You have to get used to talking to randoms if you’re going to make friends, and putting yourself out there to have fun and do new activities. But It’s worth it. Remember, you don’t always have to be 100% solo. Maybe just a few days before catching up with friends if that’s what you are more comfortable with. But, enjoying the pleasure of your own company, makes you way more fn to be around, (and way more attractive to others by the way.)

When you’re done, leave me a comment and tell me what you did… And in the meantime, have a go at my Raw Organic vegan Choc-Orange Jaffa Celebration cake. (Using nothing but a blender!) It’s to DIE for.

P.S – you might want to make this one solo… you will want to eat the whole thing yourself!

Healthy Choc-Orange Jaffa Cake

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw almonds

• 1/2 cup chopped pitted dates or more if needed

• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder

Filling Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw cashews soaked for 2 hours

• 1 cup Pecans (or any other nut of choice)

• 1 cup organic unrefined coconut oil

• 3/4 cup raw agave nectar, or honey, or other sweetener

• ½ cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

• 1 tsp orange zest

• pinch Celtic sea salt

To make the crust:

1. Place the almonds, dates and cacao powder in your food processor until well combined.

2. Roll this mixture into a ball (you might need a few more dates).

3. Grease a 9 inch springform cake tin with coconut oil.

4. Press the crust into the bottom of the pan and set aside.

5. To make the filling:

6. Place all of the filling ingredients into the blender and blend until rich and creamy.

7. Pour the filling into the tin.

8. Cover this tin with aluminum foil and place in the freezer for at least 8 hours.

9. Before serving, allow the cake to defrost for an hour and then place in the fridge

10. **Note: because of the coconut oil this cheesecake will melt if left out in the heat.

To serve - remove cake from tin, cut into slices and serve with raw cashew cream, shaved raw vegan chocolate, and orange zest. YUMMO!

Recipe source: Healthy Blender Recipes

Stay Curious, Stay open. The life you crave is so much closer than you think.

LOVE 

Hayley xx