I used to avoid change like bill collectors, and well, actual bill collectors. But all that has changed now. Not necessarily by choice, but by pure force of the universe I have had to change and basically learn to adapt to things out of my control so many times and in so many ways.

Once upon a time the girl afraid to leave home who pinky-swore her childhood best friend that she never would, is moving again, for the third time in the last five years. Needless to say, I have become an adaptable person. But it wasn’t always this way and it wasn’t easy to let go, move on from things no longer serving me or accept life as it is.

Many times in my life I’ve been stuck in the comfort of familiarity unwilling to go with the flow of things and have faith, all things that for so long felt inherently against my nature.

If you’ve ever felt the same, then maybe you understand my need for change and a name change. On the contrary if you’re annoyed with my ever-changing name, you’re not alone. I often annoy myself with my constant need for change. But recently I’ve been feeling like I am OK with being an ever-changing person. I saw a meme the other day that really hit home for me…..

Meme reminding us it’s OK to change

The figure on the left kind of highlights our inability to accept change in society. Which makes perfect sense. Change challenges our once held beliefs and pulls people out of their comfort zones. Sometimes it’s the reaction of others to the changes we are making in our lives that can’t disrupt the changes necessary for us to grow. I know because I’ve often been that person as well, the one who can’t let things or allow other people the growth and change they need to become their best selves. I’ve also kept myself from growing and change because of discomfort.

Having things stay the same feels so comfortable until you begin to feel like a hamster on a wheel. The definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result. Sometimes you’re lucky enough for this to occur to you out of nowhere and other times you’re unlucky enough to have something that turns your world upside down to remind you of this.

For me, it has been many things. Most recently my Mom’s death that has once again been a reminder from the universe the need to adapt to change, this time a life, without my Mom.

This new chapter will certainly bring significant change to my life and for me in particular, it’s imperative that I get on top of this change, build a solid foundation for myself and ride the waves, as pissed, hurt, guilty, angry and sad as I may feel, I know what it’s like to do the opposite and get carried away in the tide. It’s not a pretty thing.

Here are some things I’ve found helpful in the process of adapting and an adapted recipe as well…..

• The Book, “You Can Heal Your Life,” by Louise Hay
• The Book, “The Art of Possibility,” by Benjamin Zander and Rosamund Stone Zander
• Therapy
• Meditation, although I still find it hard, bee watching and other things can serve as meditation practices

How do you adapt to changed circumstances in your life?

Adapted recipe from a dish my Mom love-Stuffed Bell Pepper

Adapted, Dairy-Free Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipe (serves 2)

*use all organic ingredients if possible

1 pound grass-fed ground beef, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have great options

2 large bell peppers

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 onion, chopped

Kite Hill Garlic and Chive cheese cream cheese (nut based)

3 cloves garlic

1/2-1 teaspoon ground Turmeric

1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder

sea salt, freshly ground black pepper

parsley or cilantro for topping

1. Mix meat with salt, pepper, turmeric and garlic powder in a bowl and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat small pot to steam bell peppers. Add steam basket and turn sliced bell peppers upside down and cooked until fork pierces somewhat easily through. Be sure not to overcook or they’ll be soggy. Once cooked through, remove from pot and set aside in a covered dish to keep warm.
3. Back to the meat…Make sure to use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat up. Add the chopped onions and garlic and let cook a bit longer, or add later raw if you prefer. Once completely browned, the meat is done. You have the option to  cook it longer or shorter according to preference.
4. Drain fat and add cooked quinoa long enough just to warm it through.
5. Stuff cooked bell peppers with meat and top with Kite Hill ‘cheese’ and minced parsley or cilantro.

Tip: Avoid green bell peppers. Green bell peppers are actually red bell peppers that have never ripened and can be hard on your digestive system. See more here about the benefits of bell peppers.