Just a quick post about some great reads on the environment. Earlier in the year I’d read a book I loved called The Once and Future World by J.B. MacKinnon (2013). In it he talks about ‘rewilding’, not only protecting natural habitats but actually rebuilding a wilder world. In doing so we enhance our own experiences and interactions with nature and rediscover our own truer nature. 

Today I just stumbled across a beautiful essay on the BBC website by environmental and political writer George Monbiot: Back to Nature and he references rewilding as well. Actually he too has a book on the subject called Feral, also published in 2013, which I’m about halfway through. I had first come across Monbiot when I read his book Heat; about climate change, global warming and the means to cut carbon emissions. It’s a great read, inspiring and encouraging. Amidst all the gloom and doom and dire prognostications for our natural world, there does seem to be some hope, evidenced in the works of both of these authors.  

 So said Keats in To Autumn which makes this time of year sound warm and fuzzy and comforting. And it can be, like wrapping a large blanket around yourself and sitting in front of an open fire being slowly hypnotized by the burning embers. Unless of course you’re out in a torrential downpour, the rain horizontal with the ground making an umbrella pretty redundant as you miserably fight your way onto crowded, damp buses. 

But I digress. It is a lovely time of year, once you’ve gotten used to letting go of summer. (Only another four months until the clocks go forward, yay!). In the meantime, it’s easy to appreciate some aspects like an unexpectedly sunny day that encourages a tromp in the woods. 

Or on a nearby beach…..

But mostly it’s about the enticing treats that glow in shop windows! 

I have to tell you about some delicious, healthy muffins I stumbled across. Gluten free if you want them so, chock full of carrots and zucchini. I chose all organic ingredients but that’s not essential depending on what you have to hand, carrot zucchini muffins

I happen to love olive oil above all oils so I used that instead of coconut oil. Sometimes I use a mix of ground almonds and regular flour. The muffins are pretty moist which is great, but occasionally I’ll reduce the amount of olive oil and maple syrup so they’re a little lighter. Oh, and I don’t bother with a mini muffin pan, I just use a regular sized pan! 

Carrot zucchini muffins