1. Set an intention for the week. How do you want to feel, act, be?

2. Take a few hours each Sunday, or whichever day punctuates your week, to prep some healthy and delicious food. 

Make a batch of plain quinoa for multiple purposes: big salad with greens and fish, side dish with sautéed vegetables, breakfast grain with fruit and coconut cream.

Make a tray of summery roasted vegetables to use in wraps, sandwiches, salads, with eggs for brunch, or as a side. 

Prepare a big massaged kale salad and some chia seed pudding to eat throughout the week. Try some homemade granola. Marinate proteins like salmon, chicken, and tofu to they’re ready to quickly sear off when it’s meal time.


3. Buy fresh flowers and clean one area of your apartment.


4. Schedule at least two exercise dates with yourself, non-negotiable. Do a form of movement you actually like.


5. Write a gratitude list. Just like it sounds – a list of all the things you’re grateful for. The perspective it gives you is mind blowing.


6. Have a finance date with yourself. Get that stuff in order, then let it go.


7. Schedule at least one date with a friend.


8. Delegate one night for self-care. Create an at-home spa experience for yourself!


9. Stick to your work hours and play hours. Really work when you’re working, and really play when you’re playing.


10. Take one tech-free day each week. No iPhone, laptop, iPad or TV. Power down. It will leave you shockingly refreshed, calm and focused.

My recipe this week is super simple and delicious, and can be prepared in advance. The shiitake bacon is also off the chain, and you’ll want to put it on everything. Thank me later.

Caramelized Cauliflower Steaks with Candied Onions and Shiitake Bacon

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower
3 cups shiitake mushrooms
2 medium red onions
2 t cumin
Cilantro, for garnish
Salt and pepper, to taste
Olive oil
Macadamia oil, or other high-heat oil

Method

Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rinse cauliflower, remove bottom, and cut into slices, forming steaks. Rub with olive oil, cumin, salt and pepper. Bring macadamia oil to high heat in pan and sear cauliflower steaks for a few minutes on each side, until golden brown. Transfer to oven and roast for 15 minutes.

Slice shiitake mushrooms into thin strips, bring olive oil to medium heat and sauté mushrooms until very browned and crispy. This will take 7-10 minutes. Stir every few minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Slice red onion. Add olive oil to pan and bring to medium heat. Sauté onions until caramelized, stirring every few minutes for 7-10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste after they have caramelized. Salt interferes with the caramelization process, so don’t add it right away.

Layer onions then shiitake bacon over cauliflower steaks and garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!

Photo: All Recipes