Change isn’t easy.
- At March 1, 2011
- By Molly Chester
-
28
Prior to culinary school, when I used to spend my days driving the lush, tree-lined streets of beautiful northern Baltimore County towards the windowless production offices that in no way reflected our beloved Random 1, a water-cooler conversation with a work friend led to the realization that I can handle big changes in life, as long as the small things stay the same. For example, I’m equipped to handle the fear of not knowing what freelance job will fill the empty space on my calendar, as long as my chap-stick is on my nightstand when I reach for it in the morning.
Our November 2006 move to Santa Monica, CA landed us in a homey 2-bedroom apartment with lots and lots of light. On the downside, the maintenance man oddly favored pastel green & peach paint. After over a year of living in the waiting room of a doctor’s office, our roommate at the time suggested we paint every single room. Might I add, all at once. For whatever asinine reason (namely, my roommate’s charm), I agreed. And one sunny CA morning, the entire contents of our lives sat haphazardly beneath tarps in the center of what used to be the living room. With the help of several bouts of tears, I made it through that weekend, but not without beating myself a bit about my inability to “go with the flow.”
In hindsight, the wisdom of that water-cooler conversation would have been very applicable to the painting scenario, which didn’t leave any room at all for my chap-stick. It wasn’t that I’m not good at going with the flow. I can flow, baby! But I just didn’t set myself up to thrive, an art form that isn’t a piece of cake to master. Once painting, I probably should have handed myself a big ‘ole dose of compassion. And next time, maybe I could agree to every room except the kitchen, only one room at a time or maybe even renting a reasonable hotel room or staying with a friend for two nights, so that I know I will end my day with a place to rest my weary head. Whatever it may be, my needs include certain creature comforts, and I will probably find myself a certifiable basket-case, if I ignore those needs.
Our little kitchen - AFTER. She cleaned up pretty good!
Recently, I underwent another core restructuring, the kind that sneaks in and moves around my chap-stick. It’s not a secret… Organic Spark got a whole new look! The design should make both of our lives a bit easier with enhanced organization for you and flexibility for me. And truth be told, it wasn’t easy. There were times that I felt as though I had stuck my head into a virtual world without a road map of how to return back home. But, I made it, without shedding a tear (which is a feat for me), and here’s how…
I paid for it. Not as in struggled (though I did struggle a bit to learn the new software), but as in dollars. I am coming to understand with technology, similar to pretty much everything in life, “you get what you pay for.” My cousin, Damon Morda of Branded Clever, made my life so happily structured amongst a sea of piled up “furniture” or in this case “blog history.” He pulled me along with an organized string of homework assignments and support. I’m sure he answered an extra question or two, just because I am his cousin, but the bottom line is, I paid for his services, and in return, I got piece of mind and a beautiful website that I couldn’t love more. It was worth the couple of extra private cheffing jobs. I think even more highly of my dear cousin now that this whole thing is over. That’s saying something…
Change comes in all sorts of forms, and lately, many folks are dealing with the change of converting to a gluten-free diet. Although I do not have Celiac disease (a serious intolerance to gluten), I do not bode well on a whole bunch of grain, and I am always on the lookout for an alternative. I’ve recently become inspired by the pleasant flavor and texture of coconut flour, and I tweaked and played until I found a recipe I liked and straight-forwardly named Coconut Banana Muffins.
I pass this recipe along filled with high hopes that a gluten-free recipe might unexpectedly serve one of you this week, maybe someone who’s currently crouched under the bed, desperately searching for a missing chap-stick.
Click HERE for the Coconut Banana Muffins recipe…
28 comments
-
Dad
Do you realize how healthy I would have been while you were living at home if you and your mom had discovered this path. I enjoyed my hot dogs and mac and cheese, but the dynamic duo of mother and daughter 20 years ago would have had me planning on living until I was 125 and dying of nothing.
Great new format, Scootch. Well done.March 5, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
I WISH I had figured out I love cooking back then! Would have given me a lot more years of practice! Thanks so much for your support Dad!
March 6, 2011
-
-
Deliciously Organic
It’s so you!! I love the new look. Congrats! xoxo
March 5, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Thank you so much Carrie! xoxo
March 6, 2011
-
-
Country Girl
This is WONDERFUL! It’s so beautifully designed. And you kitchen looks great, too.
What a happy surprise to be named as one of your inspirations…wow! Thank you!This is going to be fun…I can tell…
xoxoxo Dawn
March 5, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Thanks so much Country Girl! I love your work, and I am happy to have your site listed as inspiration. The list is rotating, so if you don’t see it next time you come, I did not take it down! :)
March 6, 2011
-
-
Jen (The Domestic Diva)
Your site looks so beautiful!!! Bravo!!
xoxo
JenMarch 7, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Thanks Jen! I really appreciate it! xo
March 7, 2011
-
-
Jen W.
Fabulous new look and can’t wait to try out the recipe! Yummy! I know Bodhi is going to love these.
March 7, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Thanks Jen! Let me know if he likes them, and I am going to email you back about getting together with you all. I’d love to!
March 7, 2011
-
-
Lucy Lean
Congrats on the new site – love it – well done – now put your feet up and dream about the River Cottage!
March 7, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Awe… thanks Lucy and Amanda!
March 7, 2011
-
-
Amanda
Looks FABULOUS!!! Great job!!
March 7, 2011 -
Mom
What an incredible make-over! I love both contributors so much cuz you’re both family…Damon my neph-few…and Molls…my “…Ter”! You two did an amazingly masterful job at harnessing technology to display the essence of Molly Chester. It will be delightful becoming friends with this new website. Well done you two. It was worth every penny and all the effort. XO
March 7, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Hi Mom! Thanks so much, and I’m excited to see your smiling face on this site now, too!
March 8, 2011
-
-
Nancy@acommunaltable
Absolutely wonderful new look!!! Loved the story as well and the recipe??? Dangerously delicious!!
March 7, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Wow! Thanks Nancy! It’s much appreciated…
March 8, 2011
-
-
Leigha Edin
beautiful site! And the recipe looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it! I do not do well with gluten and sugar either!! So we are totally pumped for this recipe!! My hubby is amazing and will eat whatever I cook. My 19mo son is getting there, but he is a little bit pickier. I plan on raising my son and future children without a whole lot of gluten and sugar. So thankful for your site!!! You are amazing!! If I had the money, I would so hire you for the day to pick your brain! :) maybe for christmas….
March 9, 2011 -
Carol
Beautiful – I love the new site Molly! The layout is so easy to navigate and the entire site feels welcoming. You really did a great job!
Oh – and I’ll be making these muffins… they sound deeelish!
March 11, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Thanks Carol! I hope you like them! They are really delicious spread with a bit of coconut oil or butter… yum. :)
March 12, 2011
-
-
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing
Wow, this blog is beautiful! I love it’s simplicity. And I really envy that kitchen ;) So adorable.
March 11, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
You are so sweet to say that… thank you! I love the kitchen, too. We may be moving soon, and I will miss it!
March 12, 2011
-
-
Jen
I am new to your blog, so I don’t know what it looked like before, but this one is beautiful!
I wanted to comment on this particular post about change because I’m currently dealing with being sidelined with a broken ankle. I have a husband, grown daughter, 3 dogs, a cat and a parrot – and I normally go non-stop from morning to night. This has been one of the hardest things I have had to deal with (which I realize is pretty fortunate), but the change in my daily routines has affected more than I would have ever predicted. The first week I was home I couldn’t get upstairs to bed and cried myself to sleep on the couch mourning my loss of “normal” life. The fortunate thing has been that I have had time to explore the internet more than I normally have time for, and have found some wonderful sites created by people who love fresh, delicious , healthy food, animals, and many other things I love. It was strangely comforting to me to read that I am not alone in my attachment to habit and routine :)March 13, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Awe Jen! Thanks so much for sharing. Your story is inspiring to me, too.
March 15, 2011
-
-
Joy
Molly-I LOVE your new site! I’m a wife and mom of 4, I’m not a fellow blogger. but I have visited your site pretty much daily since i found it about 6 months ago. I have cancer in my family, so I live every day trying to eliminate chemicals in our hygeine products, cleaning products and food. My daily goal is to serve organic appealing food to my family every day for every meal. It’s a challenge-good food is more expensive and takes a smidge longer to plan to have in convenience format-but it’s worth it. I go to bed every night knowing I did the best I could for the ones I am trusted to love andcherish. YOU help me do that. I have learned so much through your site. I am thankful for your expertise and your sparkeling wit make it easy to intellectually “digest!!” Keep up the good work and congratulations on your beautiful new web site. I am thankful for you.
March 17, 2011 -
-
Molly Chester
Joy! Your little note was such a blessing to me! It was one of the first things I read this morning to start my day, and that is a great way to start. I so admire your determination and commitment to feeding your loved ones. And, I look forward to sharing more in the future. I am thankful for you, too! Warmly – Molly
March 17, 2011
-
john Chester
YEAAAAAHHHHH !!!!
Molly Chester
Thanks husband… you’re the best. :)