The Nourished Trail

06/05/2026

I made these quinoa wraps yesterday to pair with a tofu shawarma I made - I didn’t get pictures of the shawarma (next time) but it was 🤩. I would challenge anyone hesitant about the taste of tofu to try this!
I might even come over to make it for you.

Anyway, back to the wraps. They were so easy and fun to make- a bit time consuming to cook each one, it became a mindful process which helps to slow me down. This is what kitchen practice is about. They were well worth the effort. Full of antioxidants + complete protein = ❤️🙌💃

Ingredients are quinoa, chia seeds and water. I added a bit of spice as well. These would also make fantastic crepes as my French friend at the abbey suggested. 😉🥞🍁 He loves his sweets and French food 😁

Recipe from

06/05/2026

I made these quinoa wraps yesterday. We needed a grain to go with a tofu shwarma I made- OMG! So good. I didn’t get pictures of it this time but I will next time. Definitely doing this again! Tofu need not be boring folks 💃🙌🤤 I added cauliflower rice which fooled several people a they thought it was couscous.
Mission accomplished- trick them into eating more vegetables ✔️😊

These wraps are full of goodness- just quinoa, chia seeds and water. Great protein and healthy carbs. They could also be used as crepes.
I love easy and healthy recipes I find.

I’m going to try lentil wraps soon as well - loaded with protein and goodness as well.

Laurie Didyk

05/30/2026

So many birthdays this month. It’s always fun baking with a new cake recipe - 😇 food 😍- and especially for my kiddos that I absolutely adore. They choose the cake, I make it. A happy place for me 🎂❤️🥰

05/19/2026

The Silence Beneath the Noise

What I learned in Silence at Gampo Abbey Silence. It sounds simple right. But is it? I am currently living at a Buddhist monastery where we practice silence each morning. We just recently hosted a 7 week winter retreat called Yarne, where there are even longer stretches of silence, for up to 6 days at a time. I feel compelled to share some of my experiences of the practice of silence during this retreat and as part of life lived in a monastery....

What I learned in Silence at Gampo Abbey Silence. It sounds simple right. But is it? I am currently living at a Buddhist monastery where we practice silence each morning. We just recently hosted a …

05/09/2026

I played with some middle eastern flavours and harrissa spices this week. 🙌

Tofu fried in tapioca, and coated with a harissa spiced peanut sauce I created. Chewy texture with a rich and earthy pop of flavour. It paired nicely with the quinoa tabbouleh that I put together.

The way I cook is this- I use a blend of recipes, intuition, creativity, flavour combinations I’ve tasted, then taste it and adjust accordingly.

It’s fun, playful, and allows for adjustment and uniqueness. My happy and comfort zone 😊

05/04/2026

You asked for the recipe. Here you go! ❤️
My version of Marry me chickpeas

This recipe is so adaptable - you can add greens right in the sauce. I serve it with a side of cooked greens and/or salad. You can never have too much greens 💪🏻🍃🙌

Comment below if you’d like a vegan version of this. I’ve played with a cashew cream style version of this 😋 it’s soooo good

Happy cooking my friends 😊

04/29/2026

Today’s lunch at Gampo Abbey 🙏❤️

😋 delicious
💪 💪🏽💪🏿nutritious
🍃fresh greens
🌈colorful = variety vitamins + minerals 🫰 🫰🏽🫰🏿easy peasy

That’s how we roll 😁✨☀️

04/25/2026

04/25/2026

My son and I made the Marry Me chickpeas recipe I use, inspired by Live Eat Learn ‘s recipe. I add mushrooms to mine and adjusted a few ingredients.
Well it is now officially “Aidan approved” ✔️ which means a lot to this momma.
It was great to shop, cook and eat with my son, as a quality time activity. My happy place and his too.

Enjoying special moments in the kitchen 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳and nourishing 🌿 ourselves is a key ingredient of a happy 😃 life for me. 🙌
In gratitude 🙏❤️

03/15/2026

Here are a couple of items I cooked this week during our first week of silence at Yarne retreat at Gampo Abbey, and a few spectacular views. What an honor to cook for this retreat led by the one and only Pema Chodron ❤️. Such a fabulous group of humans 🙏❤️

When I have gobs of leftover quinoa, I make croquettes with a tahini lemon sauce.
Plus a favourite of the residents here, and the most simple meal to make, “Marry Me Chickpeas” over pasta. It was a joy indeed. I’ve been told by some retreatants that this will lead me to my next marriage proposal indeed…. 😉💍 ❤️ 😁