Being my best self isn’t me being perfect. Perfect is boring. And one-dimensional. Yet, so often I use it as a shield and man-oh-man can it get heavy. It takes a LOT of courage to be vulnerable. And authentic. And reveal my imperfect self. Because if I look happy and “perfect” people won’t judge me or blame me, or see my inner-most self right?

Maybe…not so right.

Maybe I will drop my perfection shield and take part in the Perfect Protest. That’s right…I’m going to find the courage and compassion to say that I am enough. Me and all my glorious imperfections. And you can either love it or leave it because I am going to start believing in who I am. Wanna join me?

Here’s my Glorious Imperfection List. Make one of your own and join the Perfect Protest. Leave it in the comments or just write it for yourself.

• I beat myself up. Often.
• I can be judgemental.
• I like hearing gossip.
• I get jealous.
• I am competitive. Not always in a good way.
• I eat when I am lonely. Which is a lot.
• I bake when I am bored (which is a lot. Hence the recipe below.) and it doesn’t always turn out perfect.
• I hate shaving my legs.
• I watch way to much TV and still call it “taping” when I program the PVR.
• I can work all day in my stinky running clothes and think nothing of it.
• I don’t always love myself.
• The older I get the less I judge others about the use of Botox.
• I swear.
• I am doing the best I can.
• I have dreams.
• I like to tell it like it is.
• I love kissing and being kissed.
• I am learning to forgive myself.
• I like cheesy, romantic movies.
• I have crazy, flexible shoulders.
• I always have treats in my hand bags.
• I am a wife, an aunt, a daughter, a sister (in-law), a friend.

I AM ME.

Hello Courage!

Apple and Pecan Bread

adapted from Bumbles & Light

• 1 1/4 C whole wheat flour
• 3/4 C all purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• pinch each of cloves and nutmeg
• 3/4 C maple syrup
• 2/3 C non fat vanilla yogurt
• 3 Tbsp butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 C grated apple
• 1 C 1/2″ apple chunks
• 1/3 C pecans
• cinnamon and raw sugar for sprinkling

• Preheat your oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan.
• Whisk together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.
• Whisk together the syrup, yogurt, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix together the flour mixture and wet ingredients. Gently fold in the apples but do not over mix.
• Spoon the batter into your prepared pan. Sprinkle with the pecans, a little extra cinnamon and raw sugar.
• Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until done.
• Cool for half an hour on a cooling rack before removing from your baking pan.

Notes:

• My bread didn’t look perfect. It kinda baked over the sides. I should have used a loaf pan a little bit larger (notice how not all loaf pans labelled 9″x5″ are actually the same size?). But despite the loaf’s imperfections it tasted great. And I even brought some over to my Mom & Dad who didn’t care that it wasn’t perfect in appearance.