How?

Two things. I stopped going to the store stoned and starving. I also started creating some of the alternatives, and thought it might be nice to share.

I wouldn’t recommend ripping up one of these as a daily deal, but if we are careful with the array of toppings, we can curb our sweet tooth, fill our tummy, have some fun, and keep it under 400 calories, which is perfect for a breakfast meal.

I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it for the hard-heads in the back row; recovery is way more than counting days, and abstaining from our drugs or booze. Recovery includes our bodies, brains and spirits. Food can be our friend or our foe/faux. It can make us tick or make us sick. It can give us life or the opposite. It just fucking matters.

I don’t live a perfect nutritional life, obviously. I love cake. I love cookies. I love pasta. I love ice cream. I really love pizza.

I love that because of these smarter alternatives, I can avoid those more often than not.

This was, of course, inspired by things I had in the freezer and the pantry that needed to go. Have we met?? That’s been the M.O. since my most humble foodie beginnings when I had to work with what was available. Options were often limited.

You’ll be able to find all the ingredients for this fairly easily, with maybe the exception of the chocolate coconut covered almonds. I ran into those at ALDI. If you don’t have an ALDI near you, I highly suggest moving. The cash you save on food will pay for the relocation. Don’t worry!!

I know you want one of these today, or at least this week, and I’m definitely not my overly chatty self right now, so let’s jump right in.

What You Need:

For the “Nice Cream”

2 frozen bananas, sliced

2 scoops chocolate protein powder

1 c or more of coconut milk

The toppers:

Chocolate coconut granola

Almond slivers

Shredded coconut

Chia seeds

Chocolate coconut almonds

I had half of a LARA chocolate coconut bar, so I cubed it up and added it.

What You Do:

To your blender, add the bananas, protein powder, coconut milk, and a bit of the shredded coconut.

Blend until smooth but still thick. If you need a bit more milk, add it to the consistency you like, but if you plan to take pretty pics, it needs to be thick to hold up your toppings.

Use a spatula to transfer it into a bowl.

Cover this chocolate coconut “nice” cream with your toppings and dive in. Try not to stick your entire face in there.

I had a real hard time withholding in order to photograph this beauty…

So rich and delicious with thousands of textures, it seems. Let me know in the comments if you try it, or even better, tell me one of your fave creations or tips on how to curb cravings. I’d love to hear from you!!

Stay strong in your pursuits, people. Nourish yourself lovingly. Know that you are very loved, safe, seen and supported.

I’ll be back soon, Loves.

XOXOXO, Chelle.

2022©️chelleonwheels.com

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase products via my links, it doesn’t cost you anything and I earn a tiny commission, which helps me continue to provide free content here at Chelle On Wheels. Thanks so much for the support!!

As for myself; well, as an old friend used to say; if I was any better I’d have to be twins. Life is good and I am super grateful.

I’ve finally given in to the fact, not idea, that I’ll never be able to churn out recipes to accompany the many foods these hands produce. I do cook a lot, even though I take breaks from it.

There’s no way I’m going to take beautifully staged pics of all the delightful dishes that come out of our kitchen. As I mentioned in the previous post, my phone just can’t handle it, and breaking out the professional set up can be tedious. SD cards and all that jazz. Ugh.

Oh, my God. I’m not a food blogger.

In fact, I’m not a blogger at all. I’m just a person who has a blog. Get the difference??

This is a hobby. Not a job, and I’m telling myself, not you. To avoid any guilt I feel sometimes for not showing up.

I think we recently talked about labels. I mean, I know I did, either here or somewhere else. At any rate, it is worth repeating that labels are lame AF. You see, labels trap us into these descriptive and defining roles that maybe we don’t want to stay playing forever.

Food blogger. Foodie. Blogger. Vegetarian. Bitch. Yogi. Runner. Drunk. Writer. Crazy.

The list goes on and on of labels I have quit wearing.

We do things. We are not objects. We are ever changing, so it makes no sense to label ourselves as any one thing. What if I don’t write for a year?? What if I don’t feel yogic today?? What if I want pepperoni on my damn pizza this time??

You always have some wise ass who wants to “call you out” on it, too.

“I thought you don’t eat meat…”

Quit thinking about what I do or don’t do. There’s an idea.

That being said, my human name is Michelle. I’m nothing and I’m everything all at once. I love to cook and I love to write. Sometimes I make good shit and share it here to combine those two loves.

Now. To the question you probably ask yourself often when opening your email and reading these entries; that question being, “WTF has this got to do with food,” I want to say that this little ditty of a dish would probably be labeled “Christmas” bark because of it’s red, green and white colors. Oh, and the fact that I usually, (ok, always) make it at Christmas time, lends to the label as well.

We’re not labeling this anything but “snacktastic.”

I love this in a creamy white bark, but use any substance you like for the base. Well, maybe not butterscotch or cinnamon chips. Those would be fuggin gross.

The chewy, tart cranberries alongside salty, crunchy pistachios is a combination that is far too good for any one label. It is bomb in any chocolate, but in the white bark it doesn’t have to compete. There’s a perfect balance and everything comes together for an easy treat that will, no doubt, be devoured and requested over and over again. Make a ton.

There is a tiny and funny story that is pertinent to the recipe, though. Have we met??

Check it out.

We haven’t had a microwave in the house for probably two years. One day I opened the door to get my lunch out, and it just kept running. It wouldn’t stop releasing radiation into the kitchen, so I unplugged it, and off to the dump it went. Best kitchen move ever. More counter space. Less nuclear energy. Win, win.

Anyway, I guess I haven’t melted chocolate in awhile because as I was all prepped to rock this out, I realized I had no means of getting my melt on.

See. I’m not a food blogger. I don’t even own a double-boiler hook-up.

Whaaattt?? Foodie. Fail.

I had to MacGuyver (did I spell that right?) a rig to pull this one off, and of course I did. Check it out…

Where there’s a will for sweets, there will always be a way.

I highly suggest you acquire a double-boiler for yourself, but if the entire city you live in doesn’t have one (like mine didn’t) and you don’t have time to wait for Amazon, then I hope you have a steam basket because that’s all I could figure to use.

I actually had three or four items that required melting chocolate this past holiday season, so this set-up was put to the test and it passed with flying colors.

Right after the first mishap of seized up white chips. A true foodie would never let that happen, and I truly just laughed out loud.

Word to the wise; don’t allow the boiling water in the bottom pan to touch the top pan. Keep them apart or your chips could seize. It only takes a millisecond to happen, so pay close attention.

Other things you’ll need but maybe not think about:

• Parchment paper
• 12 x 16 baking sheet
• Silicone spatula

Alright, Cookers. Let’s get our bark on!!

What You Need:

2 bags white chips

1 c dried cranberries

1 c shelled pistachios

2 Tbsp refined coconut oil

You can double or triple this as much as you like.

I made a LOT, but here’s the first pan.

What You Do:

Begin by adding 1-2 inches of water to the bottom pan of a double-boiler or your homemade melting apparatus.

Bring the water to a slow simmer. I know it’s a double-boiler, but actual boiling is not necessary.

In top bowl, add the coconut oil and the chips.

Let it sit for one minute and then begin to stir with your silicone spatula until it is 3/4 melted.

Remove from heat and keep stirring.

Note: We melt in the microwave by simply adding one bag of chips and 1 Tbsp coconut oil to a medium sized glass bowl, then nuke in 30 second intervals. Stir it, of course.

When the chocolate is smooth, add in about half of the pistachios and cranberries.

Quickly transfer to parchment lined baking sheet and spread it out.

Sprinkle remaining nuts and berries on top, distributing evenly.

Press the top berries and nuts into the bark.

Move to the refrigerator and cool for 30-60 minutes.

When it appears solid and matte in color it is done.

Bring it out, bring it out now!!

I look super in love with it, don’t I?? Is that a cocky smirk on my mug?? I think it is. Like, “gotcha, Bitch.”

Break this into pieces and enjoy. Then make another pan for the others, because trust me; that first one won’t last.

Hey, you guys. I miss ya!! I am so focused on living life in real time that I don’t think much about external things lately, but sometimes I pause and reflect on how much a part of the healing and recovery journey this “fooding” gig has been. I would never have made it this far into peace and freedom if I hadn’t had this space to express myself so freely. It is one of my favorite healing spaces.

From the bottom of this wild heart, I thank you so very much, whether there are five or five million of you.

I’m still only entering social media a few minutes a day to clean the memory bank out. After that, it’s the entire “delete” process on the account, and on with real life. It’s hard to see some of the shit I put out there in the past. It’s really nice to cut cords with old, out-dated versions of myself, and with the negativity that comes with social media.

I have to say that absence from the virtual world is a definite reflection of inner-peace. We really can get to a place where we no longer require the constant feeding of our egos via likes, follows, etc.

Plus, I really have shit to do!! I’m not sure where I ever found time for all those posts and scrolls before!! Our time is precious, people. Just saying.

I’m still working on the manuscript for a book about that, aaannnd I’ve been putting together ideas for a cookbook since I can now publish in hardcover.

Other than that, not much is going on that isn’t regular.

We lost our eldest dog and had to deal with that tragedy. We managed to stay sober and are still going strong every damn day and in every damn way. It’s not a perfect life, but it is my perfectly imperfect vision come to life.

Yoga. Domestics. Dog. Family. Stillness. Raising consciousness. Staying sane. Half-assed homesteading. Keeping our shit together.

Sugar-free and spicy as ever.

Until next time, stay peaceful and free, friends.

XOXOXO, Chelle

2014-2022©️chelleonwheels.com

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. via appropriate and specific direction to original content.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase products via my links, it doesn’t cost you anything and I earn a tiny commission, which helps me continue to provide free content here at Chelle On Wheels. Thanks so much for the support!!

What?? Am I a little late?? Oops. Been busy.

I really hope this post reaches you in great health and soaring spirits.

I’m not going to come up in here all enthused and pretending I’m geeked to write a recipe.

I’m not. Not today. I am sorry, though, because I adore the readers here. I see the email list. I know who you are, and I appreciate you so much.

I also know that you will love me if I don’t write. Hell, some of you might love me more!!

There’s just a lot of madness going on in the world and I’m doing my best to stay out of it. By that I mean, I’m spending a lot of my time away from people, tech and devices.

Trouble is, I can’t keep storing food pics in my phone. It’s a habit I’ve been breaking, along with so many others. Like, no more than 300 pics in the phone type shit, so I have got to move this recipe. Plus, it’s a good one, I think you’ll agree.

It’s 2022. The year of the tiger, and that’s my jam, babes. This will be a year of devouring goals, shedding layers and being pretty quiet about it all.

The last version is leaving and the upgrade is integrating as we live and breathe. It’s kind of like going from canned vegetable soup to this one. Up-leveling.

You know, all that “dark night of the soul” talk is real, and I am right in the dead of it. Thing is, I have never minded the dark sides. I thrive there, in fact. So, full disclosure, and all the happy vibes BS aside; it’s been a tough 10 months. Emotions are everywhere and I don’t like putting low energy onto others, so I stay under the radar when I’m working through hard stuff, for the most part.

See, I thought once I quit drinking, all would be well in the world. Or at least in my world.

WRONG!!

It’s been one obstacle or situation after another, and I have been tested beyond measure, but have not given in to the temptation to slam a shot and say, “fuggggg it, man.”

Instead I’ve been doing cool stuff like Wholeness Alignment, lots of yoga, reading books like crazy, and you know I stay working on me.

Still sober. Still sweet. Still secure. Still spicy. Still strong. Still silly. Still sassy. Still standing.

Still hungry, so let’s talk food, shall we??

If you want details of the sobriety journey; go to the podcast. Ain’t nobody got time to write about all that (except in my journal) but we are talking, and it has been fun getting that whole thing off the ground. Not saying I’m great at it as of yet, but I’ll keep showing up because it has helped keep me alcohol-free. Accountability is everything and I’m happy to show up sober each week and run my mouth, ya know??

Here’s a link to the latest, if you are curious to know what’s up…

Rolling Toward Recovery Season 2, Ep 1 “What’s New for 22?”

Alright. The food. Thought I didn’t feel like writing…

Today’s recipe is a winter-perfect, zesty, vegan, bone-warming, super easy “zuppa.” That’s the general Italian term for “soup” FYI. They also call it “la minestra,” which is probably a more technical name for this goodness I’m bringing today; or “il brodo” (broth).

I love soup. When I have a pot on the stove, and the air is filled with aromas of oregano, garlic, basil, sage and onion; all is right in the world.

Also, if there is bread baking in the oven, well, it is essentially the heaven on earth I am always creating out here in the woods.

Most of the ingredients for this are probably in your pantry and refrigerator already, so sharpen up your favorite paring knife, and get some bread on the rise, or grab a take-and-bake. I won’t tell.

It’s about to get warm and rustic up in this MF, and if you can’t find some hope and comfort in this meal; well, I’m not saying it’s a wrap, but I am saying you need to get your shit together. This is the epitome of comfort, my friends.

Now go get your stock pot out, don’t forget to rinse it because you know it’s dusty as hell, and let’s make this happen.

What You Need:

I threw everything but the kitchen sink into this pot, so feel free to use any veggies you need to get rid of.

2 boxes vegetable broth

1 large can tomato sauce

I large can diced tomatoes

1 box of small pasta like ditalini

1 can kidney beans

1 can cannelloni beans

1 small bag frozen soup vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

3 stalks celery

2 small zucchini

1 large onion

3-4 redskin potatoes

1 large sweet potato

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 stalks fresh thyme

Bay leaves

Onion powder

Italian seasoning

Salt & Pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

What You Do:

First thing we want to do is get our onion and celery sweated, so heat the oil in the bottom of your pot, and then add diced celery and onion.

Cook these on medium heat until they are translucent.

When they have reached a soft state, add the garlic in.

Give this about a minute until you smell it in the air.

Now add the seasonings and broth to the pot, then bring to a boil while you prep any of the other vegetables.

Add the potatoes, and allow these to cook about 30 minutes.

Add in the beans, tomatoes and tomato sauce.

At this point you can let it roll as long as you please, but I’d not let the potatoes get too soft. That’s a matter of preference.

Add the frozen veggies and bring it back to a slow roll.

About 20 minutes before you serve this, add the zucchini and pasta. Again, it’s definitely a matter of personal preference, but we don’t want mushy pasta or squash.

Get a big bowl, add salt and pepper to taste.

Don’t forget to warm your bread. I chose a nice, crusty, 7 grain loaf.

Looks delicious, doesn’t it?? And let me reiterate that it is too easy, so don’t set this recipe off to the side. Get your items together and make it happen. Whoever you share this with, will love you the most.

That’s all I have for today, friends. Life is going to slow down a little in a couple of weeks, and I’ll probably get back at writing over here. I am thoroughly enjoying the freedom of doing what I want, when I want.

I’m requesting of the Universe a year filled with blessings and abundance for myself and all I make contact with in 2022.

Sending you love and warmth, Chelle

2022©️chelleonwheels.com

As an Amazon Associate, I earn when you purchase products via my links. It doesn’t cost you anything and I get a tiny commission, which helps me continue to provide free content here at Chelle On Wheels. Thanks so much for the support!!

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Ok, I know you’re all like, “Maraschino cherries, for real, Homegirl??”

I know!! I get it!! I have blasted these things from a mixology standpoint for decades.

Before we get into the recipe, I feel just slightly compelled to defend myself for creating something that literally revolves around maraschino cherries, a true foodie faux pas if I have ever known one.

I abhor these overly sweet, well preserved, red-dyed, little grotesquities (my word), but they need love, too. This particular recipe was inspired as I was cleaning out a bunch of our old mini-bar fixings from the refrigerator to make way for a new one. Blue cheese stuffed olives didn’t get a recipe. They got gifted. The cherries, well, I mean…

Who doesn’t like the chocolate covered ones, though? (shoulder shrug)

By the way, we’re clearing out cocktail fixings because we are eight months ALCOHOL FREE and aiming to stay on this path. Thanks to all who have supported us and this choice.

Also, let me address a question that came up recently; I’m not vegan, vegetarian or committed to any certain diet plan. I don’t eat meat for the most part, but it’s an energy thing, not an ethics thing or a set-in-stone thing. Just wanted to clear that up. I tag my #vegan meals, but I am by no means vegan. In all honesty, I find the vegan community to be a bit (quite a bit) judgey and pushy. Yes, I think we eat too many animals, but being a dick about our chosen causes rarely gets any real work done. Ask me how I know.

Now, back to this recipe…

I had been half-assed seeking a replacement for the boozy cherry cordials I used to give out for Christmas, and I’ll just tell you; it won’t be these. These are a huge pain in the ass, however, if you have extra cake or brownie mix laying around, let them happen. They’re named “bombs” for a reason.

The chocolate cake version of these is already out there, so naturally I had to up-level my recipe to bring something different to the table. I used cherry-chip cake and fudge brownies rather than chocolate cake. Credit to Hungry Happenings blog for the original recipe. They seem to have been the pioneers of this unique and fun confection.

A couple of notes and suggestions about this before we get to the deets…

• Make your cake and/or brownie mix of bakery quality by replacing the water with milk, the oil with melted butter and use an extra egg.
• You can go light on the amount of cake you try to wrap around that cherry. I did too much on the first few, and the cake slid right off into the melted chocolate. Keep it light. Maybe a cookie scoop worth. They still come out pretty hefty.
• Don’t use the stem as a handle to dip. They break off and the end result is not as cool, aesthetically.
• Don’t chill your balls!! Seriously, it will cause the chocolate to crack when you dip them, and also they will make your chocolate sweat as they come to room temp. It’s just super counterproductive.

I’ll write the recipe close to how I made them, with the exception of the dipping process.

You can check out this video of The Runaways song Cherry Bomb if you want to really get in the groove while dipping these. Full disclosure; I totally played it. A couple of times!!

Alright, Cookers, let’s get down to business because this is quite the project.

What You Need:

1 13” x 9” prepared pan of cake or brownies

1/2 or full can cherry frosting (you decide how much)

1 jar maraschino cherries

2 bags dark chocolate chips

4 TBSP coconut oil

What You Do:

In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, crumble and crumb the cake or brownies.

To this, add the cherry frosting, and then mix by hand or use the stand mixer paddle. I just glove up and handle it, myself.

Once all the cake crumbs are moist and pliable, set them aside and drain the cherries.

Pour them into a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess juice.

Using a cookie scoop, start to make uniform balls of cake and set out on parchment lined cookie sheets.

Take each cake ball, and stuff the cherry into the center, wrapping the cake around the stem. Just use your hands to manipulate it until the cherry is covered.

Repeat on each ball until all are finished.

Let the cake balls set while you melt chocolate.

I use a double boiler method to melt my chips because I don’t own a microwave anymore, but it’s up to you how to go about it.

Use 2 Tbsp of coconut oil with one bag of chips. Place both in a bowl and stir occasionally while melting, regardless of the chosen method.

Once chocolate is melted, transfer to a dipping bowl.

Quickly drop the cake ball into chocolate, coat it by rolling it or spooning chocolate over the top, then use a fork to lift it out. A plastic fork with the middle times removed is incredibly useful here.

Place the bombs back on parchment lined sheet pan.

When all the bombs are coated, if you have extra chocolate, go ahead and pour it over them for extra coverage.

Refrigerate until chocolate sets up.

Enjoy!!

You’ll have a tough time staying out of these. I suggest giving them away ASAP!!

I hope you’ll enjoy this recipe as much as we did, and I wish you all a blessed and joyous holiday season, however you choose, and whatever you choose to celebrate, or not celebrate.

Life is weird right now so until I see you again; eat good food, keep good company, raise your frequency, smile big and love lots.

Oh, and eat the fucking cake!!

Kisses, Chelle

2021©️chelleonwheels.com

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase products via my links, it doesn’t cost you anything and I earn a tiny commission, which helps me continue to provide free content here at Chelle On Wheels. Thanks so much for the support!!

Hey!! What’s happening, hot stuffs??

I have about 10,000 things to tell you!!

Buuuuttttt…

I’m not doing it. I don’t have much time, so I’m going to do my best not to ramble today. No promises, though. I am who I am.

I’m like 360 days from adding “wife” to the list of hats I wear, and while I’m not hyper-focused on the “wedding” part of it (because IDGAF about impressing people), I am stoked about the whole marriage gig. SO!! I am slowing my roll.

Putting on the brakes again??

Yup. Seriously, y’all!! I really want to be most present as a partner and the best wife I can be. That’s my current priority in life. I’m keeping all this health (mental, emotional, physical) in check. That means good food, daily practices, low stress, high vibes.

I’ve broken the family curse of “serial spouse” by not getting married multiple times, and I’m damn proud of that. I actually never thought I’d do it, the whole wife thing. Back when my dad told me I wasn’t the type of female men married, I took it as an insult and I built a wall of limiting beliefs from his bogus and unwarranted assumption. He never meant to hurt me. He meant that I’d never meet a dude strong enough to handle my wild ass. I can’t blame him for thinking that. I am a bit of a handful to say the least. Even in this current semi-stable state.

Dad, you were wrong and you’d love him.

We already have a great marriage.

That is all.

At any rate, I’m tying the knot, and while I have a healthy obsession with being a good partner, I’m also faced with all the scary questions I assume occur for many, prior to the nuptials actually being exchanged.

The Questions??

• Am I even wife material?
• Do we really like each other that much?
• Does marriage ruin the friendship?
• Will we still bang like screen doors in a hurricane, or is that all done?
• Does he even like this person I’ve become?

To clarify; I’m pretty sure he still likes me, but I am far from the same woman he met almost 29 years ago, and I am certainly not the hot mess he hooked up with in March of 2013. I am alcohol, drug, cigarette and mostly animal-product free. I spend my time planning yoga classes, walking dogs or educating myself to help others. I’ve also become overly and naggingly obsessed with home improvement. Oh, and I’ve barely fucking cooked the last 2 years!!

Everyone is like, “Who are you and what have you done with Michelle??”

Well…

The yoga took over, you guys, and with yoga came simplicity and a contentment that I never would have believed in if I had not been the first-hand witness and recipient of an evolution like this. I had to completely unravel and undo everything in order to “fix” myself. And I have. I walk my talk, and I practice what I teach.

I’ve evolved and changed, but I’m still me. The fooding was always there. The yoga was always there. The desire to write, talk, share. All that shit. Always there. I just had so many layers to remove and so many programs to discard in order to get to the core of who I really am. Now I can release her, and when I say release her I mean I let go of all those old versions and also of any future ideas I have about myself and who I have to be. Release her means I get up each day and unleash her in all her authentic goddess essence and glory. Good and bad.

Some days “she” is an angel who radiates love and light.

Some days “she” is a total demon or the old “Chelle-ion” who is moody and will turn on you like a viper.

I love her on both days and I am finding ways to balance the hot-head energy. Beautiful smoothies and breakfast bowls like this one right here can be incredibly beneficial to cooling a pitta dosha. We talked about doshas and Ayurvedic practices in prior posts. I share these things because I want you to find your balance, too. Balance is the first step to bliss, in my very humble opinion, and bliss is my wish for the collective.

Other than all that, staying away from assholes and minding my own business seems to keep my blood at an even temperature.

And the yoga.

Lots of the yoga.

Simplicity and contentment doesn’t mean plain and boring. I’ll never be either of those, but part of recovery for me was an illusion of needing to keep myself from boredom because I viewed it as the first brick in the road to relapse. I think that’s why I spent so much time jumping from one hobby or goal to the next. I’d move onto something new the moment I conquer the first stage of anything. If we do that, we are always in a cycle of seeking, grasping, or expecting some feeling or result; and then when it comes, or if it doesn’t right away, we are O-U-T.

It was exhausting, so I finally just took a chill pill (literally) for a bit, and I learned to be still for a change. To find some comfort in the silence and to be at ease without chaos. Prior to recovery we never have that, right?? It can be hard to settle into.

Finding balance in our eating was a matter of it being simple but exciting at the same time, and that’s exactly how I’ll model the marriage.

For our food, I want easy to access ingredients and execution, combined with exotic flavors and a kick ass aesthetic.

For our union I will have an uncomplicated partnership with clear communication and commitment to keeping it fun, even when it isn’t perfect. Period.

This bowl is a metaphor for all of it.

Want the recipe??

You got it.

Listen, I hope you’re all doing well in life and in recovery from anything that might be challenging you. These are odd times. We got this. We are not alone. Thank you for being here, for being part of this community and these sometimes silly as fuck conversations. I do got that good food though…

This recipe takes about 5 minutes from start to finish. Remember that healing starts from the inside and as individuals. If we’re going to serve the collective, we have to serve ourselves first and with the utmost compassion. What we eat is a great indication of our self-respect. Love you much.

What You Need:

1 c frozen banana slices

1 c frozen raspberries

1/2 c frozen strawberries

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Cashew milk to your desired thickness. 1 to 1.5 cups should do it.

1 tsp True Goodness cocoa powder

Chocolate granola from Bear Naked

Sugar-free chocolate chips

Fresh raspberries

Shredded coconut

Slivered almonds

What You Do:

Place all the frozen fruit into a blender along with the milk, protein powder and cocoa powder.

Blend until thick and smooth.

Use a rubber spatula to spoon into a bowl.

Garnish with remaining ingredients.

Grab a spoon and dig in!!

I’m on break from podcasting and I’m not sure about going back in 2022. It seems everyone is just out to sell something or push their own agenda onto others and that’s not what I started this for. We shall see. For now I will continue being committed to contentment and peace. I really like it here.

I’ll see you the next time I have something of value to share. Until then, please take care and stay smiling!!

XOXOXO, Chelle

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Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase products via my links, it doesn’t cost you anything and I earn a tiny commission, which helps me continue to provide free content here at Chelle On Wheels. Thanks so much for the support!!

I’m having a bit of dejá vu right now and I’m sure we’ve discussed this pattern of mine. I get busy outdoors during the summer and I eat salad like a MOFO. No new recipes get cooked. Not many blogs get written. It is what it is and I like it.

This year was no exception. I’ve been eating greens and veggie wraps all season. Plus, I have been productive. School, work, podcast, planning our wedding (sort of), dogs, house, yoga classes, blah, blah, blah.

It is now autumn or “fall” as far as my ass is concerned, (it will be official by the time this drops) and what’s the first dish to rock the crock??

Well, duuhhhhh….it’s CHILI!!

What’s better or easier than popping open some canned beans and letting them simmer all day while you live your life??

I got the usual Monday mani/pedi, went shopping, recorded some podcast segments, walked the dogs, cleaned the house and taught a yoga class while this cooked. Could I have made it from dry beans and fresh tomatoes??

Absolutely!!

NOT!!

Chili is a lazy meal and it needs to stay that way.

Ok, guys. I’m not sure if you remember, but I went meat-free a few months ago for a 90 day Sadhana. The habit stuck. Or the old habit burned. I don’t know, but I am meat-free and happy to be.

I’ve been real good about not using meat substitutes and just enjoying most plant foods in their natural form, but when Labor Day came around and I’d recently bought the man a new charcoal grill, I just knew I had to have a burger.

I’ve tried quite a few veggie burgers and I’m not impressed. Just being honest. They’re mushy and they go straight through me. Usually.

I was cruising for some recipes though, and I happened across reviews for Beyond Burgers so I got curious and we acquired some for the holiday meal.

They were good. Like, really good. Like, I couldn’t tell it wasn’t a burger good.

And that is how this chili came to fruition.

Like I said, I’m ok with not using meat substitutes most meals. But, this is a transition!! We don’t just go from life as a raving carnivore, surf-n-turf at least once a damn week, BBQ-rib-bone-sucking human, to vegan in a few months without some allowances.

I haven’t been perfect either. I tried chicken at work a couple of times and it immobilized my digestive tract. I indulged some weird craving for a McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, too. Bad move. Very bad.

Chili without any type of meat seemed “blah” and boring, plus; I’d like to not completely alienate my partner who still likes meat.

If you aren’t about the Beyond meat deal for whatever reason; maybe try this recipe for vegan “taco meat”. I recently did taco meat out of quinoa and red lentils. It was ok. Not crumbly. More pasty like refried beans, but we liked it.

As I said before, this chili was a busy Monday meal, so I prepped the onions and peppers, threw everything in the crockpot, and went about my business that day.

I suppose you’d like to get to the recipe?? Ok. I’d like to get you there as well. It’s pretty fantastic.

Before you ask; the ingredients in Beyond Burger are few. It is mostly made of pea protein. Also, it’s a gluten and soy-free product, but I haven’t done a ton of reading on it yet. I will. I plan to. I’ll fill you in when I do.

For now, just make some chili and chill.

If you’re not meat-free, use beef cubes, ground beef or turkey. It’s all good. No judgement. But speaking of judgement; if your friends quit eating meat or drinking alcohol or whatever they choose to change, how about we normalize leaving people the hell alone about those choices.

Be happy for folks making decisions that make them feel better. Can we try that?? Their choices aren’t put in place to bug you. I feel bad for all the times I made fun of vegans or those who gave up meat. I had to deal with some real morons last month about the whole thing. I wish I’d known better when I was the one being a carnivorous prick.

Rant over. Here is the recipe.

What You Need:

1 pkg of Beyond Beef crumbles or 1.5 lbs of ground meat of your choosing.

1 medium yellow onion diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 can mild chili beans

1 can black chili beans

1 can of dark kidney beans in chili sauce

1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes (chili ready)

1 can of tomato sauce

1 can of corn

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 Tbsp chili powder (yes, I like all that flavor)

1 tsp smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

What You Do:

You can sweat the peppers and onions if you want to, but I did not because I’m trying to use minimal oils and no butter. I tossed them straight into the crock, dumped all the canned ingredients in, and like so many things in life; I let that shit go!!

If you’re using meat you’ll definitely want to cook it first and drain the fat off.

If you use the crumbles or another meat substitute recipe, you’ll want to wait until about an hour prior to eating before adding that in.

Otherwise, cook it until it’s hot (4-6 hours), and until the onions and peppers are softened to your liking. That’s it.

I didn’t take a bunch of gorgeous pics of this dish. I honestly didn’t think I’d be sharing it!! Shout out to Michael Johnson for requesting a recipe. I hope he’s laughing about the fact that it’s just a bunch of canned goods thrown in a crockpot!! I see your insta, Mike. You are a kitchen bad-ass. I’m a kitchen lazy-ass, as of late.

(Insert shoulder shrug)

I did find the leftovers from this made an excellent vegan version of Wendy’s Taco Salad.

Seriously. A bed of lettuce, some tortilla chips, tomatoes, onion and a cup of this chili. It was BOMB!! You don’t even miss the cheese and sour cream.

Alright, lovely humans. I’m on the couch today with a nasty bug (first illness since 2019), and I’m thinking about how to make some vegan soup that resembles chicken noodle. It’s probably not going to happen, but I’m still going to think about it.

I hope you’re all doing well and feeling jazzy. I have a bunch of stuff going on that I have zero desire to write about. I’m humbled by all the gifts the Universe has granted me. I think I’ll just stay that way.

Loving you all from out here in our little hippie heaven. Life is beautiful.

Until next time…..

XOXOXO, Chelle

2021©chelleonwheels.com

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

What can I say??

The weather has been pretty crappy the past ten days, and I’ve been stuck inside with not a lot to do but write or study. I’m so chill I don’t even recognize me.

There’s not a lot to share. All the interesting stuff I come across to ponder is going into the podcast vault to talk about at a later date. My fingers don’t really want to type or cook. It’s all about yoga and a lot of good reading.

That’s life right now. Dogs. Yoga. Solitude. The only things I’m working on are my tan, growing my hair and getting rid of this fluff from not running around a bar for hours a day.

Don’t even ask about it. No. I haven’t quit or been fired. That’s all I know.

This entire past year and a half has been shady AF as far as “work” goes and I’m not concerned at all. I’m blessed to have the universe on my side, a great partner and all kinds of hustle. Money will never be a worry in life again. It’s just energy, and it’s our choice whether it is abundant or lacking. I choose to manifest abundance daily.

So that’s that. I’m here to share this pasta salad because it would be a crime not to, and because I was asked for the recipe a few too many times to ignore.

I found something like it in a Tasty video and, as always, had to make some changes but it is phenomenal. So here we are.

Why not just share their video?? Well, I did but my version is better so…

I mean, no I didn’t try theirs to know for sure and I didn’t do any blind taste tests either. Mine is better because it has more “Mary” type stuff in it (like pickles), and also, I made a tomato vinaigrette and styled it after my yummy Bloody Mary recipe. Which, by the way; we are back to talks of bottling. It’s just a bit of a conflict of interest in my sober state, so things have to be explored in that area of branding. I can’t be the face of a cocktail mixer, I don’t think.

I obviously am not going to be enjoying any cocktails (95 days sober today) but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss them. I wasn’t always the drunky-drunk girl when I used to indulge either. Sometimes I just really enjoy the taste of adult beverages and it is in my DNA to be a bit of a food and beverage scientist.

In other words; having a Bloody Mary on a Sunday holiday is something I miss quite a bit, (there I said it) but it’s the flavor profile rather than the booze and the buzz. Seriously.

The minute I saw this I was on it, and Father’s Day was the perfect occasion to try it out. I used whole grain penne, and found some “fa-con” to replace the bacon. The dressing is made up of a V-8 juice base with all the goodies to make it very Mary. For the next recipe, I will add in some sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red pepper for color, but it doesn’t need anything at all.

I tossed some of my favorite skewer garnishes in, like mozzarella and banana peppers. In the past I would have had pepperoni or some other kind of a sausage in there, and you better feel free to go that route if you are so inclined, my friend. My decision to be meatless does not mean I am judging others.

One thing to note. You definitely want to use the avocado oil with olive oil. Olive oil will congeal in the refrigerator, but avocado oil won’t. What this does is make the dressing stick to the pasta but not turn to a coconut oil or that buttery-type grotesque-ity (I like making words) that feels foul in your mouth. Trust me here.

This is a pretty simple recipe and with about a half an hour of prep work you can have this chilling in the refrigerator while you get your tan on, walk the dogs, get pretty or nap…

I hope any of the dads out there who might be reading this had a wonderful day and I send you much respect and appreciation.

Ok. Let’s get cooking. I think I’d like a nap. The storms have kept us all awake for three nights and life still goes on, but it’s catching up. We’re whooped. I’ll be enjoying a little of this when I get back up, FO sho!!

What You Need:

I package of pasta; cooked, drained and chilled.

1 green pepper, diced

4 celery stalks, diced

1/2 red onion, diced

3 dill pickle spears, seeds removed and diced

1/2 c bacon bits

1/2 c chopped green olives

1/2 c chopped banana peppers

8 oz mozzarella cubed

Bloody Mary Vinaigrette:

1 c V-8 juice

1/2 c extra virgin olive oil

1/2 c avocado oil

1/2 c red wine vinegar

1/4 c pickle juice

1 Tbsp horseradish

1 Tbsp minced garlic

1/2 Tbsp worsterschire

1/2 Tbsp sweet chili sauce

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp celery salt

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp paprika

Hot sauce to taste

I have a secret ingredient in my dressing but I can’t give it away as it is also in my mix that is protected so, I’m sorry your version won’t be exactly like mine, but it’s close and you’d never know.

What You Do:

You guys know how I feel about this.

Like, seriously if you don’t know what to do from here I’m not sure I like you very much. I’m just kidding, but I mean I’m a little hostile about giving directions for a salad. Like is that really necessary??

I grew up in a time where if you asked for a recipe they spit out a list of ingredients and that was it!! Y’all are spoiled and I’m not contributing to that mess.

The pasta is boiled and chilled, right??

The recipe calls for diced ingredients.

Put the vinaigrette ingredients into a blender cup or whisk with an emulsion wand. It won’t turn out unless it’s pulverized.

Put all that goodness in a great big bowl and mix until your arm hurts and all the bits and pieces are coated.

See why I’m not writing many recipes these days?? No enthusiasm for the details. I am sorry if I’ve let you down and if you really do need help putting it together, just email me, darling. We’ll talk it through. Kisses.

I’d let this chill at least three hours once it’s mixed up, but I have to tell you it was best on Monday, so I suggest 23 hours.

If you’re serving it at a party, I’d definitely garnish the rim of the bowl or individual cups. It looks too cool, right??

I still enjoy food and I definitely love you hungry Cookers.

I’ll see you soon. Don’t forget to join me on the podcast Sunday evening, July 4. It’s not live because…fireworks. All the soundproofing in the world won’t block that noise!!

I’m super excited about this next chapter and will shamelessly plug it every chance I get. If we don’t believe in ourselves, no one else will either!!

Here’s that link to listen…

https://open.spotify.com/episode/260mfVgWppGyt2QhKorWIc?si=xgzE42dSSjeK0j9HF3pAMQ&dl_branch=1

Alright. Lemme get some pics added to this post and get you set up with a recipe by Tuesday.

XOXOXO, Chelle.

©2021 chelleonwheels.com

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Can I ask you something??

When was the last time you had an absolutely perfect day?? Think about it.

I don’t mean when we’re on vacation or if some big event happens. I mean when we can sit down with a cup of yummy tea after an evening shower, or enjoy it in the bath; and languish in the feeling of accomplishment and relaxation.

When was the last time you went to bed and felt the satisfaction that comes with getting all your shit done because you’re doing what you love?? Not the feeling of being beat because you’re in a stressful job or not doing what you absolutely love. There’s a difference between using sleep to rest and using it to escape. It can be as much a vice as booze or dope.

I’m asking this because The Secret and law of attraction principle as a whole is kind of under fire by some anti-MLM bloggers and You Tubers. With an open mind to and respect for what they are saying about it being used to scam people, I still have to defend its honor just a little bit!! Because I use it and I get what I desire. It hasn’t always been the case, either. Life’s been a bit of a struggle, but a lot less of one since I found “the secret” of The Secret and I stand by that. How can one go wrong by living in gratitude??

We all know I’m just looking for peace and freedom like the rest of us, and today I’m going to share with you the recipe for creating a life that includes more ideal days than shitty ones. It’s not as difficult as you might think, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy, nor will it happen over night.

Earlier this week I was on the mat closing my practice when I came to the realization that I was living my dream day, and had been for a few weeks at least. Yes. Erry damn day!! It’s been lovely!!

I had gotten up early and completed Sādhānā, then the dogs took me for a 3 mile walk. We have to walk or they are a nuisance. I came home, fed them and proceeded to enjoy fresh coffee and a couple hours of studying while they rested. By the time I got up from my desk it was only 10 AM!!

I did some housework, had a healthy lunch, messed with the plants, and toyed with some social sites for about 10 minutes. They’ve been really busy since I came out from under the radar last week. It’s nice to be missed, but I use social differently these days. I don’t have time to linger on there scrolling. I post and go.

I’ve actually been time lapsing my yoga practice and sharing it. It’s pretty funny and I think it makes yoga interesting to those who maybe wouldn’t be. It’s kind of my job to expose people to the practice. This is my little way of going about it without shoving it down throats.

By the time I finished, the dogs were up from their snooze so we played, I took a second shower and got ready to head to the restaurant to start putting it back together so they can open her up. Have I mentioned how excited I am?? I am!!

I still had a bunch of time between my shower and leaving for work, so I messed with the podcast and signed some books to send out.

My fucking dream life, right??

Uhhhhmmm, yeeeahh. Actually it is.

I recently looked over my latest vision board and couldn’t help but be amazed again at how many items could be removed. It’s about three years old and they aren’t all visions anymore!! They are reality, and I created it all.

Well, wait…let me rephrase because I’m not that powerful. I created my reality by getting into alignment with the purpose that is put before me, but had been hidden under so many other things.

I don’t even mind the “work” part!! I absolutely love being able to mingle with people for a few hours a night. It’s a great way to make money to invest in and support all my dreams and hobbies. It helps that I work for a super fun establishment with some great people, doing what I love.

After genuinely enjoying the company of my coworkers I went home and had a little dinner with the man, and then got into a bomb text exchange with my mixology mentor that ended with a plan to share a visit the next afternoon.

I wondered if I could manifest another perfect day…

It was pretty much the same as the one prior, but I had added the visit with Mizz Jackson to the daily roster. She came to the compound and we enjoyed some table chat about our current lives and future plans.

A little business gab and a walk around the land later, then I was off to work feeling very, very alive and aligned. You see, she and I have a lot in common and we are both multi-faceted go-getters.

Sober mixology mavens, Cancer sisters, and animal lovers who like to spend our time in the woods making potions and being all witchy and shit.

She found me in 2010 at a jazzy Italian restaurant in downtown Kalamazoo, MI where I was working as the general manager. I didn’t love the position, and I was truly happiest when an unreliable bartender called in because I was the one to cover the shifts. Then I had to let him go, so I found myself behind the bar more frequently and I was cashing in on the things I’d learned about crafting fine cocktails. That’s what we do. We aren’t glorified bartenders as some like to say. Mixology is an art and a science. Oddly enough, just like yoga; it is all about balance. Seems to be trending in my life.

Anyhow, we did an event for breast cancer awareness where she showed me her Ta Ta Tinis, and the rest is history. A lifelong bond was built.

She told me to embrace mixology and shared with me all she could. I ran with her idea and found that I was very passionate about it. She’s always been available since and we’ve supported one another. Whenever I leave her I feel ready for the next level, and it’s by many of her suggestions that I’ve gotten there. The world needs more of her. I’m going to strive to leave more people with that feeling, too.

Thank you, Angie!! You’re a true warrior spirit with a golden heart. You inspire so many.

I went to work after she left, and had a blast reorganizing and putting the bar back together. Everything is all new, clean and sparkly. It smells like lumber and paint. I love it. And at the end of my shift I drove home still in awe of how simple it is to make a perfect day happen.

The next morning came and I woke up to a drizzle on the roof that made me remember how much I loved lazing around in bed doing nothing when it was rainy and gray outdoors.

But, noooo.

That’s never brought me a perfect day and I was on a roll. So I got my ass up, did Sādhānā (still committed) and although I had to switch my routine a little; it ended up being just perfect.

Every day in routine, something magical happened!! One day it was a surprise deposit in my checking, and not a little one. One day it was an email for a bulk order of the book which, of course, created another decent deposit.

Every day it was getting up, getting shit done as intended. It was feeling grateful and satisfied as I settled into that fluffy bed at night where the sleeps were transcendent. Seriously.

By Friday afternoon I was just a ball of energy and was seeing a violet and silver light show when I meditated. It was better than any drug I had ever tried or loved.

I felt phenomenal and since I had the day off work, I spent a couple of hours recording a welcome and introduction episode of the podcast, which I think anyone should do a month before they go live. A teaser episode, if you will. It happened to be exactly a month to the date of official release, so I took that as a sign to take action, of course. Who wouldn’t?? That’s the stuff we do!! Follow the signs and our gut. The tingles. The chills. The hairs that stand up on our arms. Act on that stuff. Fuck fear.

I published it, too, y’all!! I mustered up some balls and put that twenty minute episode on the air. It isn’t fabulous!! Some fear and inexperience is very present in my voice, but it was a courageous leap that had to happen. No equipment hooked up yet. No trimming of the audio. Not in the garage “studio” or other quiet place with the soundproof up. Shaky and unsure. I didn’t care. It was a now or never moment.

Here’s the deal. If I didn’t publish that first one when I did, and get a feel for pushing the button; July 4 would have come and gone with some lame excuse about a BBQ, and there would have been one, too. I would have smothered my sadness from pussing out with brisket and strawberry shortcake, possibly drank some beer and then been angry at myself, but would have taken it out on someone else by the end of the night. Oh, I’m well aware of who I can be.

Not today, Satan. I’m going to roll ahead into my dreams. That fear you peddle is done holding me up. I’m on the air and you can even listen. Just head over to Spotify or Anchor FM and…

Well, what the hell, Chelle??

Here’s a link, for fuck’s sake. Duh.

By the time Johnny got home that night I was bursting at the seams, and honestly felt like vomiting. Too much excitement had built up, so when he walked through the kitchen I just about melted into tears of nothing but bliss!!

As we sat there and he listened to my buzzing about all the goodness, I said to him, “I want to always be just like this, Babe. Everything isn’t perfect, but it is.”

I do. It’s exactly what I want, and I want everyone to have the belief in themselves to manifest and live their perfect day. To feel just like that. That bliss feeling. That free feeling. You deserve it. That’s why I’m telling you all this. Try to remember that a mere 17 years ago, July 4 2004; I checked into rehab for the first time to try and get off the crack. By 2006 I was shooting speedballs at a cost of about three hundred bucks a day. I’m not the “if I can do it, you can do it” type, but I’d like to believe we can all overcome and, well, be blissful much of the time we have left here.

You’re probably like, “Yeah, no shit. Give us the goods already.”

The recipe:

• A vision.
• A plan.
• Perseverance
• A routine.
• Action steps.
• Patience.
• A network.
• Passion.
• Ambition

First of all figure out what you want in a big picture sense, then start taking them baby steps without obsessing and driving the people around you crazy. Listen to me when I say; keep your dreams and manifestations quiet. Work hard and try to always keep your integrity at the front of your mind.

I’ve been making vision boards for years and bringing them to fruition. They used to be super outrageous and while I don’t like to say anything is unrealistic or impossible, they weren’t aligned with who I am. They were aligned with what I thought I needed to be in order to appear “successful.” Material shit. Shit that would only bring even more responsibility and stress to our lives. I’m good. We are already dedicated to and responsible for plenty of things.

I do a job that I really like and because I’ve become very skilled at that trade for 25 years, it makes me a good amount of money with only working short hours and minimal stress. I’ll always suggest that we find work we enjoy and that will pay the bills while we set the course for our dream life.

Then, maybe turn the hobbies we love into a valuable side hustle for the extras. If your dream is to work for yourself eventually, no matter if it’s large or small scale; it takes the dedication of another job. The hours it takes requires sacrifice, and the risk you have to take requires courage.

In other words, stay humble unless you like going backwards. I personally do not, so I’ll keep working for tips until…??

Also, a social life?? Forget about it. I’m busy until I get to live my perfect every day.

Without a solid vision of what it is you want to do, I’m sorry but it’s really difficult to get anywhere that feels like any semblance of bliss, in my opinion. By that I mean wholeheartedly that if I want to be a woodsy, hippie chick I have to accept that and embrace it. All that fancy shit I thought I wanted had to go. Simplicity now rules my world. Besides, the last time I got off the narcotics I asked the universe to be sure I never had a lot of money again. Or a partner with money and a drug habit.

If I wanted to be a writer I had to write and write some more until it was decent enough to publish. I had to suck at it, and hell, maybe I still do to some; but I love what I’m doing so it doesn’t matter. Will I ever write a best-seller?? Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t care about that either. Everything I’m into is about feeling free, and I do. If you’re here, I hope you are also free or well on your way.

I think it’s really important to experience things that we once dreamed, but that we no longer have the energy for. I wanted to be a singer at one point in my life, so I sing all the time. I wanted to have the rockstar experience so I quit being scared and started singing with bands who would allow me, and I did a vocal competition a few years back in front of hundreds of people in my hometown (maybe thousands if you count the web) so I got the experience. I didn’t suck at that and took second place. Rockstar moment for sure. I’m not trying to rehash old experiences. All I’m saying is we can find creative ways to live out our visions.

Not everything I place on those boards has come to fruition, so I’ll reevaluate them before I make the next one, and I’ll decide if they still matter. I often find that they don’t.

I once wanted this beach house in Carrabelle, Florida.

The idea of hurricanes and the ridiculousness of this house squashed that vision.

Today this sweet little beach bungalow is on the board and I am on Zillow a lot!!

I also had this truck on the brain in 2017…

By 2019 I had the ability to purchase one. I drove it. I loved it. The dogs inability to get in and out put that vision on hold and I bought a different model that was accessible for the fur babies, then I took the remaining money I’d saved from the purchase and took myself to, you might’ve guessed it; Carrabelle, Florida!! Alignment. It’s all about alignment.

I now have this in place of that and I’m thinking on my 50th birthday I’ll make it happen and keep the dog’s Jeep too. I wouldn’t want to be making the payments or fueling this baby in the current state of the country. Bullet dodged!! My small Jeep is fifty bucks to fill right now, and I drive a lot!!

Businesses are up and down, gas has increased 100% and we don’t need that stress on top of all the loot we’ve been sinking into our home renovations. Roofs and furnaces and central air are priorities. Paying off our debts before we retire is the main priority.

Just because something doesn’t happen when we want it, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. The worrying about how or when demonstrates a sense of lack, and we won’t manifest a damn thing if we spend our time in that mind set. Gratitude is the only way toward dreams coming true.

As for making the plan and following through with said plan; I have two methods and use both in conjunction. Full disclosure; follow through wasn’t always my strong point.

First I make the vision board and then I literally draw an outline of what daily life will look like when I am living that vision. Ok. So here’s the best way to explain this.

The vision board is what life looks like to you such as the environment, the career, the family, whatever you want to be in your realm. I have a physical one hanging up and a digital one in my phone.

The outline is a map of the perfect day in that life. You just account for every hour and what you’d be doing on a regular day as the highest version of yourself. A day in your best life!!

My outline looked like this a few years ago:

6-7 Exercise and shower

7-8 Dog walk

8-9 Coffee for me and food for the boys. Check emails and manage socials.

9-10 Clean house

10-2 Work at what I love

2-2:30 Dog play and lunch

2:30-5 Work at what I love

5-6 Cook dinner and feed dogs or get food and do what I want

6-7 Eat and clean up

7-7:30 Walk dogs

7:30-11 Quality time with him or alone

11 Bedtime and read until my eyes say stop.

This is not the life I live to a “T” but it’s pretty damn close for the past two years thanks to the thing I just don’t say anymore because I’m over it. There’s no going back now. I’ve gotten a taste of bliss and I’m hungry for more.

I looked at that thing every day for who knows how long. Then I started to make a daily intention lists and use a calendar to keep my shit straight. At night I log what I’m grateful for and generate a list for the next day. It’s that simple. I don’t exceed 11 goals and sometimes they transfer to the next day for a month, but they always get done.

The day starts long before 6 (usually 4:30-4:45) and I get to free-flow most of it. Yoga is work I love, so I do a lot of it. Writing is also work I love, so I do a lot of it. There are many irons in this fire, and they’re being well managed at this point.

Not having hangovers helps a lot. Just saying.

We can do many different things, but in my experience we are definitely better served to focus on one at a time. Once that thing gets rolling smoothly and we have it to the point that it’s not a time challenge, we find ourselves with open space to fill.

Bring on the next hobby or business plan!!

I’ve figured out in the past couple months that by having the vision and plan in place along with the patience, passion and perseverance to see myself through some type of action; a network builds itself as those who witness your growth come to respect you because you are consistently showing up. Trust me when I say there will be no community built on wishy-washy ideas and no real plan of action or dedication. It’s just facts.

I doubt every day will be perfect. I hope it is, though. Some days just getting out of bed and getting the dog hair vacuumed makes it perfect. On the days I feel the fire, I fuel it. On the days I feel the need to rest, I just do my best and keep pushing forward to the next perfect day.

I wrote this earlier in the week, and I’d like to share it here: “Never be ashamed of humble beginnings because it hurts a lot less to fall from a baby step.”

I mean that. Take it slow. Invest in little things for your dream here and there. None of us wants to be over our head in debt before we are even established. Keep a job. Move each day toward your vision. Be humble. If you make a ton of money, be sure to do something meaningful with it. These are the things I tell myself. My mantras, perhaps…

Life isn’t perfect, but a lot of days are!! I have no wants. No needs. I maybe wish for world peace and love, but I know that starts with me. I don’t live outside my means, so I don’t have to be stressed over money. It’s nice when it comes, and I hope to have enough someday to help others in a significant way.

I wonder if that’s why my last vision board was made almost three years ago…

I’m not really reaching for anything or grasping at anything in the present. I think that is the place in life where perfect days start to happen. I have a good idea what my purpose and path look like, and I’ll live as close to them as my time here allows without being pushy. I’ve chosen to flow with just enough intent, and I smile a lot more these days.

All in all, and while I don’t care to give unsolicited advice, I do love to share what’s working in my life with the hope it will help someone else. Let me know if you’re that someone else, or if you are interested in knowing more about how intention and gratitude can bring you more perfect days than you could have ever imagined.

Thanks for dropping in!! Stay in pursuit of what gives you tummy tickles. I’m sending you love and violet silver energy tonight.

XOXO, Chelle

Add on: 6/10/21

The day before I was to publish this post, my admin panel was hacked and my checking account bought a bunch of 300.00 websites. This website account was locked and I had no idea if I’d ever get back in.

I decided it was the sign I needed to really move forward with the podcast and probably let this go. I like to just cook and eat my food without all the fuss over pics and lighting. I am now spending less time on the computer writing and more time enjoying life.

I haven’t made a stone set decision, but I’m going to say “bye” for now as I may never write another blog. It’s time for the next level. I love you all so much. Thank you for all the love and support you’ve offered through the years. I never would have continued this without you.

Now it’s time for the dude, the dogs, the land and the lake. Oh, and some golf!! Enjoy your life in the now no matter what the future visions look like.

2021©chelleonwheels.com

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

Life is starting to look a little more pre-pandemic and I hope with all my heart you are finally able to experience peace and freedom.

It’s 6 AM as I return to the physical plane and I have thoughts to share before the sun rises. They won’t get to you until noon, but that’s fine by me.

As always, this entry is a little deeper than the title would suggest. I’ve been in some lame-as-fuck, on-again-off-again relationships with a few things for literally decades, and that is a serious issue I’m going to be investigating this year and dealing with. I think deep down in my psyche, I believe there is a power in showing your vices who’s boss because there is power in it, but when does “quitting” become just another vice in and of itself?? When do we finally quit all the stop-and-start?? It’s just a way of not really looking at the deeper issues.

Man, I love a good breakthrough moment. That metaphorical slap in the head that brings us to our senses. No one slaps my face, not even Mama Universe, but I’ve taken it to the dome from her a few times when needed.

I’m getting real about it, so it’s time to clear the air and be accountable. I find that once I write about something I’m over it and ready to take real action to change.

Change is necessary. Change is ascension.

The drugs, the food, the booze, the smoking, social media and people. The list of things I go back and forth with is ridiculous, and I’m sick of my own bullshit. I have been for some time but this year is different. I’m not just taking action, I’m continuing the action, and that makes a huge difference in the process and the outcome.

We sometimes bloom late because our true selves were buried under bad situations and we halted our development by using drugs to escape them. I talked about this a couple of years ago when I was on the wagon, and we went over how once we get some sober time and the head becomes clear, we begin to quickly ascend into who we really are. It gets super confusing because there is so much information out there to explore, and we often try to figure ourselves out by any means but the one that actually works. Looking within!!

While the on-again-off-again in my life might look out of control to some, I want to clarify that I do learn from every trial. Because I am a writer who records experiences, it’s very easy to recognize patterns when I’m hyper-focused on healing, and I am.

Nutrition and finding what is best for my body has been one of the biggest challenges because I have a lot of old material around food, as I know many of us do. So let’s talk about it in a real and candid manner.

I grew up in a house that was in constant chaos, so grocery shopping was not on any non-existing to-do list. In fact, I just told John yesterday how I once swore I’d never eat a “Little Debbie” snack again in my life. As we were eating two apiece because they were there. Ugh!!

I’ll get to that discussion later but I have to clarify this, too: I didn’t buy the shit food and I don’t even want it in the house because I have a hard enough time controlling myself when it’s not available. We acquired it by other means, and it helped someone else for us to take it away, but like a stray pet; we can’t keep it.

Anyway….when I was a little girl my dad was always on the go. He worked a construction job by day and he hustled by night. On the weekends we were traveling and visiting friends. His job was to keep me alive and safe. Well-fed just wasn’t a priority for lots of parents. Many of us were ingesting things like ramen noodles and bologna sandwiches. My dad’s weekly “stop by the store” was when he got cheap lunch meat, bread, Miracle Whip, snack cakes and that fruit punch mix that came in the gallon. You know the shit I’m talking about. The sugar water with fruit flavoring and whatever color additives it takes to make it resemble juice.

Dad always kept ground beef in the freezer in case he wanted to make that weird goulash recipe of his, and I often cooked him or his buddies a burger (for a fee) when they were at our place instead of at the bar or biker clubhouse.

It seems as though I’ve always offered food in an attempt to express love. I started my service career young and I’ve had some odd and amazing classrooms to learn in along the way.

The unpacked material around food has come up in therapy and as I transition from eating meat as a staple, I find myself opening that old baggage and sorting through it. I’m going to share with you because I’m betting someone out there is also working through something similar or knows another who is.

In addition to not being a great shopper, when dad’s heroin addiction got real bad, there just wasn’t any food in the house. I can recall times when he’d been gone for what seems like a week or so, and the neighbors would bring me food or invite me over to dinner. I was always super shy about eating at people’s homes too, so I never would go. Even then, I wouldn’t be a victim or accept help. Stupid pride starts early.

I’ve eaten macaroni and cheese with no butter or milk, using oil to make it work. I remember the old commodities dry foods I would attempt to create a meal from, such as canned chicken and noodles, or canned pork and biscuits. It got pretty grimy at the peak of his addiction and then when I started getting in trouble he would withhold food as a punishment.

All our parents did that “you’ll go to bed with no dinner” shit, but my dad took it to the extreme. First of all; dinner?? WTF was that, even?? Egg noodles and butter?? A ham and cheese sandwich from the bar he’d been at?? Bologna and Miracle Whip?? Gross!!

He was clean of drugs by the time he had to pick me up from an Indiana jail when I was 13 and ate White Castle in front of me on the way home. I hadn’t eaten the two days I was there because they served bologna sandwiches, for fuck’s sake.

I probably sound like an entitled brat to some, because I was. I recognize today that many would be so very grateful for those foods I snubbed. But he wasn’t always clean, and there wasn’t always bologna or egg noodles. I also wasn’t always an entitled brat.

I can remember stealing food from the store, and it wasn’t for a thrill. I was desperate to eat at times. I had stolen a can of Manhattan clam chowder once and was pissed off because I was like ten years old and didn’t know it was different than New England style, or that it was simmered in a tomato base. I was all ready for some creamy soup and I opened that can to find nasty ass tomato, which I hated back then. I cried out of frustration and hunger, then threw it away because I mean I really fucking hated tomatoes.

I also remember that in second grade I was skinny because I wasn’t getting proper nutrition, and by third grade I was overweight because I’d learned to steal and stash food.

Third grade was also the year my dad came into some money and we drove across the country to bring my older sister home. She is a phenomenal cook and I plumped up quickly. There was never a food shortage while Char was there, but she moved out and by that time I was a delinquent little demon and knew how to get what I needed to survive.

It didn’t matter that my dad was loaded out of his mind most of the time now and didn’t know his own name, let alone if I was eating right. I always managed to not starve, and he wouldn’t have let me, but the roots of my food issues had definitely taken hold.

This is just a little part of my story. Please don’t judge my dad. He had his own traumas and pain. He did the best he could with the knowledge and skills he had. That’s all there is to that. I love him dearly. He had his shit but he is also a warrior who was able to overcome a lot. He left this earth having healed himself from many afflictions and he always had my back, no matter his parenting mistakes. I respect him and I forgive him. I’m only talking about it because it pertains to this entry and my work today.

Delinquency landed me in the “juvie” where some semblance of order was taught and I had a taste of real nutrition as outlined by the USDA. I mean they had to feed kids healthy in the youth center, right?? Wrong!! I was huge when I left there from Mrs. Early’s soul food. She spoiled us with big spreads three times a day and I bet I would do the same in her position. Meal time was was a regular event for the first time in many of our lives. She understood that and showed us compassion through her cooking.

By high school I had developed a plethora of insecurities surrounding body image, plus I’d long since found pot so I was giving in to the munchies. I’d left the juvenile program at age and size 14 and now I wanted to be thin.

Enter the eating disorder.

I’m telling the whole truth when I tell you I left the detention center and within a week I had all new running gear and was going to take on the world. Wrong again. I ran my ass right over to my old middle-school and juvie friends, and to be quite honest; everything went to shit from there.

High-school, more trauma, a child, a parental suicide, a drug addiction, a couple near deaths, lots of incarceration, relapse, recovery; and still I can’t figure out WTF to eat.

From whatever I could find, to having an abundance of food. From containers to keto. From fasting to binging. It’s all just been too much.

When food was scarce in our childhood we tend to hold insecurities around it, and store it out of fear. Will we have enough?? I don’t want to go hungry again.

When we have loads of trauma and grief we don’t want or know how to deal with, we hold it down by stuffing food on top of it. Of course we are unaware of the pattern at the time.

When our heart hurts we feed our tummy. That’s on our grandma’s generation. They created the “comfort food” concept, I’m sure. When others hearts hurt we feed their tummies, too, so the tradition carries forward.

When we are out of control with our weight we put on the old indignant act to justify our poor choices. Well, I’m going to enjoy my life, so…

When we are trying to lose weight and failing we put up a good fight and put on a good show. Then we binge eat shit food when no one can see us and complain that we aren’t becoming fit no matter what we do.

Maybe we lose a large amount of weight and we think we’ve done enough, yet we secretly loathe getting dressed because the lumps and soft spots still make it difficult to really love our bodies.

I’ve been through all of the above stages!!

I even, as much as I hate to admit this; joined Beachbody once and got in damn good shape, but the business model made me want to eat a large pizza and tell them all to fuck themselves. By the time I got done with that mental beat down I was in black sweats and in a state of deep depression. Everyone hated me because I’d become arrogant and felt the need to push my shit on them by posting my WOD on social constantly. Gaaawd.

So what did I do?? I found ketones, Pruvit and another “business” to make me feel shitty about myself. You know, those programs only work if you get into the marketing and sales end in a big way. You’ll be so busy posting selfies of your “ahhh-mazing” fake success or DMing strangers that you won’t have time to eat. Ask me how I know!!

It hasn’t always just been my problem to resolve either. Like it wasn’t just hurting me. I’ve always given food as an expression of love because, more often than not, I was too afraid to just tell people. Fear of rejection cause and effect. If I feed them they can’t really not love me. Well, that’s sweet and all, but it’s inaccurate and ridiculously toxic.

Yes. I still love to feed people occasionally, but I can also just say, “I fucking love you” without fear of rejection. See, love is what I am. Not what I do or what I give. If people don’t love me back it’s their loss, for real. Or maybe none of us loses and it just is. It doesn’t matter.

I truly believe that today, and guess what?? It’s because I love myself. And with that comes proper nutrition and the respect our spirit vessel deserves.

Last month I began a journey toward mostly meatless meals. I’m doing this to balance my Dosha, or Ayurvedic body type. The first two weeks were pretty bad because I hadn’t properly planned a menu. It’s hard to do when you and your partner are not on the same page with nutrition, and we are not. He’s meat and taters. I’m attempting to live moderate carb and mostly meatless.

To be honest, I feel better, not only in my body, but in my spirit knowing a furry faced being wasn’t treated cruelly or killed to feed me. The meat-free part is no problem as I just replace meat with eggs or mushrooms, but to get protein you need beans or quinoa, which are both pretty carby.

Always a challenge, right?? Well, life would be pretty mundane and boring without them. As we journey down the road, or roll toward recovery and good health we will face tons of challenges. Hell, yesterday I was invited to enjoy Wagyu brisket with friends, and my future in-laws decided it was cool to send all the junk food (those Little Debbies) from their pantry to our house because it’s bad for them.

I could be mad, and I have been because it’s just wrong to try and sabotage other people’s progress. You either don’t want them to succeed or you just don’t respect their life choices. Maybe you just don’t know. I suppose that’s possible and forgivable. Either way, if you know someone is trying to improve and you keep contributing to their demise; maybe consider not.

This doesn’t mean your very generous friend who invites you to dinner is trying to sabotage your meat-free Sadhana!! They don’t always know what you’re into, especially if, like me, your ass is all over the place. No one can keep up.

Now your partner, well that’s a different story altogether and we will discuss it when we get to the talk about “those who would rather see you fail,” or the “misery loves company” chat. Neither applies to him, but sometimes in life we are in contact with them and we have to be cautious about where we put our energy.

As I move through weeks of early morning practice to enlighten, I find I myself no longer attracted to anything that weighs me down or holds me back. That, too is for another chat and another day.

I think I’ve made the challenges pretty clear, and even gave some extras to ponder.

Maybe some of you are asking what I eat when I’m not eating meat?? Good question indeed!!

Can’t have a blog without pics, so I’ve been taking some!!

I kept the stuff I made simple because I’ve been super busy working on the house and doing school as per the usual. It’s never going to end, y’all. Simplicity in the kitchen is allowing me to be more productive than I’ve ever been in life. Things are getting started and completed.

I haven’t been perfect. There were shrimp, and two different burger nights. One with hot pepper cheese and one without as a test. Both made me feel like shit so beef is going bye-bye. If I decide to try a taste of something that’s my business and I don’t have to explain myself anymore!! Same with whatever else I change my mind about. Fuck. Can we all just live??

Yes, we can. As soon as we give ourselves permission to, and stop caring what anyone else thinks. And so long as we keep it real.

Other than the meat-free meals I shared, I have been getting down with lots of smoothies, salads, rice cakes with peanut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, potatoes, veggies, hummus and TONS of green tea and moon water. Oh also, tostadas are like my fave now and I never took a single pic.

I shared the recipe for a my latest meat-free creation over here. Check it out.

What are the benefits??

Well, I feel my energy becoming lighter and I feel more free to do the things I desire to do. I get good sleep and need less of it.

I don’t know about my weight because this food choice had zero to do with it. Food has been “just fuel” and I love it. Holy shit!!

I’ve had some digestive issues to overcome, but I’m not ready to be that transparent.

Food prep and clean-up are easy for the first time in my life because it’s not some huge production every meal.

Mostly what I’ve noticed is that I am getting things done that I’ve been working on for a long, long time. Things like this website and the podcast. This site was a shit show, by the way and I’m sorry. I made changes in December and they never saved so it just looked like I wanted a book sale and you could kick rocks.

Today I’m feeling like the woman I’m meant to be. I’m relaxed and not so rigid, but not wasting time. I’m listening to my body and watching the patterns of the moon and stars, figuring out how I can use them to be the highest version of myself. In the words of the Almost Famous main character Mizz Penny Lane; it’s all happening.

Is it the meat-free choice or the Sadhana practice??

Not sure, but rather than fuck around and find out, maybe I should just keep both.

I’ll see you next week, Beautiful Humans. Until then eat well, live well and love lots.

Chelle

2021©️chelleonwheels.com

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

I had to add a post to create the page and link so here we are!! I hope you’re all having a super relaxed weekend and honoring those who gave their lives for our freedoms.

This is where you’ll find reviews on books and all the woo-woo items I use to make magic happen.

Stay tuned…

This is a beautiful daily read for anyone in recovery from any form of addiction. It offers a mindfulness practice each day and amazing recollections of the author’s own journey through recovery.

You can find it on Amazon if you’d like to read it with me.

Ok. I am getting back to work. It is not leisure time for this chick. The full moon this week has been on my creative ass and I’m taking full advantage of this Yin energy by working on this site and the podcast from the couch or the bed.

It’s a good life.

Peace, Loves!! XOXOXO

2021©️chelleonwheels.com

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission by the owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts or links may be used, provided that full credit is given to Michelle L. Clement or cHELLe ON WHEELS, LLC. with appropriate and specific direction to original content.