simple days with bonnie rae

Hi everyone!

It’s thanksgiving here in the U.S. A holiday that has some pretty upsetting historical significance, but has morphed into a special day spent with family and friends, giving thanks.

I believe that it is so important to remember our history and to honor the people we treated so horrifically. It is also important to forgive ourselves and to spend the day full of love and gratefulness.

That being said, I hope you had a beautiful day with your loved ones (whether you celebrate american holidays or not).

I spent today cooking a yummy meat free thanksgiving meal with my partner Andrew and our beautiful pets, Kiley and Ming. I intentionally chose to have a slowed down thanksgiving with just us for a few reasons. First, neither of us eat meat so it’s nice not to have to worry about that during the meal. Second, we know that Christmas will be very busy with travel, so it is nice to be able to cook, eat, and relax on this day.

Part of slow living is knowing it’s okay to say no. It’s okay to take time for yourself and to not do those things we’re all “supposed” to do (even around the holidays). My amazing cousin once told me, “You’re allowed to make new choices, start new traditions. You’re allowed to do what’s best for you, regardless of the pressures you feel from others.”

I’m not suggesting everyone has to slow down their thanksgiving or do what I am doing. I am suggesting that we all stop this glorification of busy. I am suggesting that we all become just a little more un-busy. 

“Stop the glorification of busy. Busy, in and of itself, is not a badge of honor. In fact, directed at the wrong pursuits, it is actually a limiting factor to our full potential. It is okay to not be busy. Repeat this with me: It is okay to not be busy.” – Joshua Becker

Living slowly and intentionally looks different for everyone. For me, a big part of intentional living is eating a plant based diet. I am currently vegan and Andrew calls himself “meat free”.

My current eating habits are part of my slow and simple lifestyle. After I found out what eating meat does to the animals, to the environment, and to my body I was done. In fact, during my sophomore year of college I watched a documentary called Vegucated on Netflix, cried myself to sleep, and gave up meat the very next day. I was a vegetarian for four years and recently became vegan.

There is always a catalyst for change. Crisis leads one to make choices. I want to live a life I am proud of. A life where my values line up with my actions. A simple, un-busy, gentle life.

Thank you for reading this. Thank you for letting me explain my current life choices and share my heart.

Below are pictures of what we ate today, during our un-busy thanksgiving, and recipes for each dish!

Sweater (Target)

Green bean casserole, agave carrots, brussel sprouts

Garlic mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes

Vegan, plant based butter (Earth Balance)

Vegan cranberry sauce

Recipes we used this year!

Bonus tidbit: Here is a link to a new tradition started by Farm Sanctuary where turkeys are fed an amazing thanksgiving meal! They are the guest of honor instead of the main course. I promise the videos will make you laugh and smile so much, no matter what your dietary choices are.

Happy thanksgiving!

Talk soon,

Bonnie Rae xx