Vegan oatmeal pancakes

A favourite breakfast on my retreats! And I have to say… they taste amazing!!

What you need:

  • oatmeal
  • banana
  • cinnamon
  • vanilla powder (can be left out)
  • baking powder (can be left out)
  • plantbased milk
  • agave (to make it a little sweeter if you like)
  • frying / pancake pan

For the amount of ingredients, I don’t have exact numbers – trust your intuition to guide you! I use 1 banana for 2 people and about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, vanilla and baking powder.

Just put all ingredients in the blender and mix. Start with a little bit of the milk, you can always add more if needed. You want the batter not to be to thin, so when you put it in the pan, you can put 3 scoops next to each other without them running into each other.

In total my mixture for 2 people comes up to 600ml in the blender.

It’s easiest to make small pancakes (you can fit 3 in a pan each time), as they are easy to turn. Fry on medium/low fire. Wait until the top starts to get dry before you turn (or until you smell they start to burn haha).

Topping ideas:

  • Almost any type of fresh fruit will do!
  • Warm red fruit (as in the picture) – easily made with frozen red fruit and just heat up till it becomes like jelly.
  • Agave or maple syrup.
  • Coconut cream.

You can make them as (un)healthy as you like… Enjoy!

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Breakfast inspiration

Something different to start your day with… This was my breakfast this morning: baked apple & nuts with some Dutch cookie spices (you can use cinnamon and vanilla instead), combined with a homemade banana-coconut-milk ‘yoghurt’. For the ‘yoghurt’ just mix the 2 ingredients in the blender. Yummmmm!

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Vegan berry “yoghurt”

I just made this “yoghurt” with some left over coconut cream, a banana and some blue berries from the freezer and it tastes GOOD!! It’s perfect as a base for more/other fruits, nuts & seeds. There’s no recipe to it, just put it all in the blender and enjoy!

Tip: don’t blend all the berries, but keep a few to add them in later.

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Vegan garlic sauce

Super simple and super yummy to go with the cauliflower wings (or anything else you like of course!).

What you need:

  • vegan mayonaise (you can make your own, or buy it – I like Hellman’s one)
  • sriracha sauce (or some other spicy sauce to your taste)
  • fresh garlic
  • salt
  • pepper
  • (fresh) chives

Take a good amount of mayonaise with a bit of sriracha (depending on how hot you can handle and what you like), 1 or 2 cloves of garlic and salt, pepper and chives to taste. Mix them all, done!

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Cauliflower wings

This is currently one of my favourite recipes: vegan cauliflower wings! It’s great as snack or as a meat replacement at lunch or dinner. Great with some salad and potatoes next to it.

What you need:

  • cauliflower
  • chickpea flour
  • water
  • breadcrumbs
  • spices, I mostly use (but you can play and be creative with this!):
    • garlic powder
    • cayenne
    • salt
    • cumin
    • spicy paprika
  • baking tray with baking paper
  1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC.
  2. Cut the cauliflower in pieces, from more or less the same size.
  3. Prepare the batter: mix the chickpea flower with the spices you like (I use: garlic powder, cayenne, herbal salt, a bit of cumin and spicy paprika) and then add water little by little. You want it to be thick enough to stay on the cauliflower when you dip them in.
  4. Prepare the crust: mix the breadcrumbs with some spices (I only use a bit of garlic powder and cayenne here).
  5. Now take a piece of cauliflower, dip it in the batter so it’s completely covered, then put it in the crust again so it’s completely covered and then put it on the baking tray.
  6. Repeat till all pieces of cauliflower are done.
  7. Put into the oven for about 15-20 minutes. Turn them around half way. Keep an eye on them so they won’t burn.
  8. They’re ready when the crust is slightly brown and feels crispy. Enjoy!

Tips:

  • Make your own vegan garlic sauce to go with them!
  • If you have any cauliflower left over, you can make it into tasty cauliflower rice.
  • If you have any batter left over, you can fry it as a vegan omelette (maybe water it down a little bit), to go with your cauliflower rice.

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“I’ll never be vegan” (yet I am)

If you asked me a few years back what I thought about being or becoming vegan, I probably would have laughed. I couldn’t live without my meat, fish, eggs and mostly: cheese! But by now I’m eating (mostly) vegan for almost 3 years already. Why? Because I became aware…

A few years back I got an invite to a ‘vegan festival’ here on the island. I told the girl who invited me that I was considering eating a bit less meat and fish. She told me it was really important to not eat it at all. To be honest, my first reaction was “Yeah… I know you vegans always trying to convince everyone.”. But then she said something that made me think. She said: “If you’re not vegan, it’s because you’re unaware, or you just don’t care.”. I didn’t want to belong to any of those groups, so I thought it might be a good idea to at least make myself aware.

She suggested that I’d watch ‘Earthlings’. I didn’t feel much for it at first, because I didn’t want anything to spoil my good appetite for yummy spareribs, bacon, shrimps, eggs and again: cheese. But then I realised that if a documentary could ruin my appetite, then maybe there was some truth in it that I was unaware of? Why didn’t I want myself to be aware?

I didn’t immediately watch the documentary, but her comment was still in my thoughts. At that moment I was mostly thinking about how to live without cheese, as my aunt had just came to visit me and she brought me a big piece of some of the best Dutch farmers cheese I had in a long time. And then it happened that while I was driving, I decided to stop at a supermarket where I had never been before. In that particular supermarket there was a whole range of vegan cheeses! I had to laugh… I took it as a sign and bought a variety of vegan cheeses and prepared myself to watch the documentary, from which I sensed it wouldn’t be a pleasant watch.

It turned out that ‘Earthlings’ is an amazing documentary, which is not just showing a lot of horrific images of animals getting slaughtered, but there’s an important theory in it. It states that after racism and sexism – in which it is believed we can do anything we want to another race or sexe because we think we are superior to them – now we’re practising “specicism”. Which means that because we think we are superior to animals, we can use them to our own benefit: for entertainment, for science, for clothing, for breading them as pets and for food. It continues to show how animals do have emotions, family bonds and experience pain. Maybe in a different way than us humans, but it’s undeniable.

I’ve been crying during almost the whole documentary. Of course I knew that for the meat/fish I ate animals were killed, but I never gave it any thought. It was completely normal to me, as to most people, as this is how we’re being raised. But now I fully realised, fully became aware of it, I lost all appetite to eat any meat/fish or even cheese again! Who was I to decide an animal should have a shitty life, being taken away from their family and being killed, just for my pleasure of eating it?

Regarding cheese: did you know that for a cow to give milk, it needs to be pregnant first? I didn’t, or never really thought about it. As a kid we learn “a cow gives milk”, but it only does after being pregnant! Just like any other mammal. And the milk is meant for her baby. But as the milk industry wants to get as much milk as possible to sell or to make it into cheese, they take away her baby as soon as possible. Also they milk the cow over and over and over again, to keep the milk going. Where a cow would give 2500 liter of milk per year in 1910, now a milkcow gives up to 12.000 liter per year! (source: Wikipedia) Cows are being used as a milk factory, to the point they can’t even stand on their legs anymore. Goodbye appetite for cheese! I couldn’t even finish the Dutch farmers cheese I still had… I decided to give it away to someone who’d happily eat it, as throwing it in the trash felt even worse.

So after watching ‘Earthlings’ I gave up eating all animal products! And I never even missed it…

Almost 3 years later, I’ve only ate meat once again: my first time flying long distance and having forgotten to specify my dietary wishes. So there was only a choice between chicken or fish. I choose the chicken meal, but it didn’t taste good. Sometimes, when eating out or eating with friends, I still eat something that contains milk, butter, eggs or cheese, mostly out of convenience, or simply not having another option. But when I can, I choose a good vegan alternative.

It turns out that there’s a lot to explore in the vegan cuisine! Food doesn’t need to become boring, tasteless or difficult. It just needs a little adjustment and some creativity. There’s a lot of amazing vegan recipes out there on the internet and I haven’t lost my joy for cooking nor eating! As both cooking and eating good food are still part of my passions, I love to start sharing some of my favourite recipes with you here on my website.

PS: I’m not trying to convince anyone into becoming vegan, as I know for most people (just like for me until a few years back) it will only have the opposite effect. But if you’re ready to become aware: watch ‘Earthlings’ (you can find it on YouTube with subtitles in any language of your choice) and be prepared to change your opinion on eating anything that comes from an animal. And even if you don’t, make sure to try the recipes I share, as they’re just too good not to!

This is me

This is me, in the kitchen of my best friend on the day of her wedding. Helping with serving coffee, tea and ‘Brabantse worstenbroodjes’ (a Dutch savory treat). It really pictures me the way I am, in my role of being of service.

All of the jobs I had, I’ve always been of service to other people. I’ve worked as a waitress for over 17 years and I just loved taking care of people, making sure they had a good time out. I’ve worked in childcare, where the role of service was more nurturing and playful, but I loved it just as much. I’ve done voluntary work in Ghana, also truly wonderful to do. I’ve had my own backoffice business, where I supported others in their jobs. Again something that came from my heart, although working in an office is not really my thing. I’ve worked as a hostess on many events, have worked as a receptionist, as a facility manager and I’ve assisted at retreats. And everything felt really good, as I could help others, as I could be of service.

I’ve got my Bachelor of Social Work, from my study Creative Therapy. A beautiful profession to help people who have a hard time talking about their problems, to express it in a different way: through art, music or drama. I loved the 4 years of studying, all internships I did and learned so much! But I knew I wouldn’t work as a Creative Therapist, the focus was too much on ‘problems’ for me (even though my teachers told me that they needed more people like me to focus on the possibilities in the work field).

When I received my first Reiki session, I immediately knew that this was something that I wanted to give to others as well. This feeling of coming ‘home’, of deep love, of being fully connected to my heart was so special! This is something that everyone should experience. And so I learned to give Reiki and started my own practice, next to my other job.

Now, quite a few years later, everything seems to come together again. Only now I work for myself in my own practice, which gives me the freedom I enjoy so much and where I can be completely in service to others, in the ways I love most! I still give Healings, but they are quite different than the Reiki I started with. And now I also offer coaching, help people through online meditations and videos (including a free 21 days of mindfulness program) and the best of all: I offer personalised, private retreats. These retreats are special to me, as I can take care of people in so many ways during these days! I cook for them, they stay with me at my place, I coach them, give Healings and offer guidance. Together we explore the island and I get to share my love for Ibiza. It really makes my heart sing to be of service in this way!

Want to find out more? Check out my Reconnect & Recharge retreats!

Photo by Joyce Boutkan Fotografie

Distant Healing

I take all my things with me and look for a good place to sit. We’re living on a mountain now and there’s many beautiful spots where I can sit down. As it’s still early in the morning and it’s not so hot today, I choose a lovely spot in the sunshine. I lay down my yoga mat, place a stool in front of me for my iPad and sit down to tune in. I start with a short meditation to ground and centre myself and to connect with my Guides & Angels. Now I am ready to start working.

I call my client through Skype and explain to her how a distant Healing session works: it’s almost the same as in person, with the only difference I can’t touch her physically. But we both still close our eyes and I do exactly the same as I would do when I am physically with my client. We switch off our cameras and continue with just the audio connection. I help my client to ground herself and then ask what she wants to put into our Healing session today. I make sure that we get to the core of the issue she wants to heal and clearly state what we’ll be working on, so my client can feel if it’s correct and if anything needs adjusting.

Once we have specified the theme of the session today, I tell my client to relax and to open herself for the Healing that’s coming. I open the Healing part of the session by calling in our Guides & Angels and start the session. During the session everything just flows. There’s nothing I need to think about, as I’m guided all the way through. I get sensations in my body, images in my minds eye and messages from my Guides that help me to give this Healing to my client. My hands move, I channel sounds and I feel the energy flowing between us – even though we’re miles apart.

In the session there’s chakra balancing, help with extra grounding, a Chamber of Light for an energy upgrade, assistance with the integration of this new, higher frequency and the session ends with a beautiful channelled message from the Angels. When the Healing is finished, I ask my client to switch on her camera again, so I can see and hear how she feels.

She feels wonderful, touched and quiet. She doesn’t want to put her feelings into words at this moment, as she feels it wouldn’t do justice to what she’s experiencing. I understand, it happens a lot after a session. I advice her to stay in that lovely Healing bubble for as long as she wants, she promises to get back to me later that day. We end our Skype connection and I feel happy, grateful, blessed, energised. This is my work! Sitting on a mountain with a spectacular view, in the sunshine, sharing this energy and messages from above with people who need it… It doesn’t get much better than this!!

PS: you can also experience a distant Healing, or even learn how to give them – in June I’m in Holland teaching! Have a look at www.ankhana.com or contact me through WhatsApp: +316 3912 5227.

Egypt update

“Do we have free will, or is everything predestined?” – Something I had an interesting conversation about this morning…

I feel that some things in life are predestined, but through our own free will we can sometimes choose to take a different route. Depending on our decisions we will end up at one set point or another. So there’s a (very wide) range of possibilities from the moment we are born until the day we leave this life.

A few months ago Egypt was calling very, very strongly. I received guidance about organising a spiritual journey through Egypt, but I felt it wasn’t complete yet. Then I met a beautiful man and fell in love, the guidance changed: we should take a group together. Which explained to me why it didn’t feel complete earlier.

Now a few weeks later, I sat down to channel again, and the guidance changed again. By the choices we’ve made, we changed our route, we changed our path. For now settling down on Ibiza is what’s needed, Egypt might happen in the future, but for now we’ll let it go. We’ll spread our light from a magical place on the island!

I trust in the path unfolding, I open myself to be a clear vessel, an open channel for Divine Love & Light. I trust that whatever happens is for my Highest Good and the Highest Good of All. I’m grateful for all the amazing opportunities that are coming my/our way and I know for sure there’s a LOT more to come!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The truth, and nothing but the truth

“You are not normal, really you aren’t”, said someone to me this week. It made me laugh. Earlier that week that same person pointed out to me that I have “an extreme conviction for the truth”, I’m not sure if it was meant in that way, but I took it as a compliment. Because for me telling the truth is the best thing you can do, why would you lie?!

It might be because of my upbringing that I feel this way, the most important ‘rule’ my parents had, was being honest – no matter what. Where I struggled with that when I was young, I learned through the years that if I was honest, my parents would always respond in a reasonable way. They didn’t get angry, they would be happy that I told the truth and explain to me – in all honesty – why it would make them upset or why they would react in a certain way. We could talk about what happened without any blame or without feeling unsafe. Telling the truth was ‘the easy way out’.

Through this, I learned to always be honest and in the past years I’ve learned that that doesn’t mean to always speak your mind. That there’s a difference in sharing open and honestly what’s on your mind without being asked – or when you are indeed asked for your opinion. I’ve learned to not always speak my mind immediately, as some people don’t appreciate that, and that’s fine. But if I get asked, I speak my mind, without trying to dampen it down.

Of course I never want to hurt anyone with what I say, but for me telling/hearing the truth is ALWAYS better than telling/being told a lie. And today I saw this quote: “Anything you lose from being honest, you never really had to begin with, my love.” and that just resonated so much! That’s exactly how I feel. If I have to lie to you to keep you in my life as a friend, then our friendship isn’t worth much…

The beauty is: if people are always honest, you know you can trust them no matter what. Maybe sometimes it’s difficult to hear what they have to say, but you know it’s the truth. You don’t need to worry if they maybe mean something else, you know what they say is exactly what they mean. It makes life so much easier! And it gives you many special occasions to learn from. If two people really speak their mind to each other, they can help each other grow, by openly and honestly sharing their thoughts, emotions, automatic reactions, old stuff that comes up. Being there in all honesty, without any judgement, holding space for each other, is in my opinion the most beautiful gift you can give to one another!