Shadows & Cornbread

Grief and hope, shadow and light, these are all two sides of the same coin.

Hello love,

I'm writing to you from my kitchen in California, integrating the medicine from almost a month in Portugal. And yes, I'm calling travel medicine.

Note, that medicine isn't always easy to take down...

Shadow work found me

Picture this: I'm sitting in a circle with women I've been working with for months alongside others I'd never met before. Different faces and stories, but the same theme kept emerging – our shadows.

You know what I mean by shadows, right?

Those parts of ourselves we don't want to admit exist.

The thoughts that make us cringe.

The beliefs we've shoved so far down to pretend they're not ours and shame others for exemplifying them.

But here's what came up:

Why shadows are our superpowers

When we bring care and curiosity to these hidden parts instead of shame and rejection, something magical happens.

That critical voice might be holding discernment.

That anger you're afraid of? Pure life force energy waiting to fuel necessary boundaries.

The shadow doesn't disappear when we shine light on it (aka bring our hearts into the conversation), it transforms into a guiding gift.

It can seem like everything is falling apart...

But there is always something that can remind us it will be okay.

This week has been heavy and empowering.

Heavy that the U.S. bill almost allowed passport revocation based on suspicion alone,

We mourn and rage the death of another young black man, 21-year-old Trey Reed, lost to lynching in this day and age,

and so much more to grieve.

Empowering because at the same time, Haiti cut ties with France after decades of economic and humanitarian oppression,

Missouri has outlawed child marriage,

California Extends Cap‑and‑Trade program (a win for climate and humanitarian justice),

And an independent U.N. Commission of Inquiry concluded Israel is responsible for committing genocide in Gaza, finding that Israeli authorities have carried out four out of five acts defined under the 1948 Genocide Convention.

These moments remind us why shadow work isn't just personal healing, it's preparation for the collective work still needed.

Our bodies are not meant to hold so much overwhelm at the same time

This is the first time in human history that we are aware of all these events at once.

But we are expanding our capacity to hold the heavy and empowering by tending to our own shadows with love, holding hope, honoring movement in the right direction, and allowing the sacred rage to be expressed safely.

I believe if the majority can embody this, everything will change for the better.

Ways we can befriend our shadows:

1. Notice without judgment – When a constraining or harmful thought arises, pause and say, "Hello, what are you trying to protect or show me?"
2. Get curious about the gifts – Ask: "If this part of me has wisdom, what might it be?"
3. Offer yourself compassion – These parts were developed to keep you safe. Thank them before you start the conversation about transformation.

Grounding home with cornbread

After this work, the body can crave something deeply grounding.

A craving to feel a sense of safety and home.

This can result in repetitive eating patterns like binge eating, processed foods, and late-night eating, because the nervous system wants to avoid too much change, which it subconsciously couples with danger.

Your Āyurvedic antidote for Fall transitions:

As we move into Vata season (air and space elements), and the darkest half of the year, our nervous systems need extra stability.

Daily Vata-balancing ritual:

After the Fall Equinox next week and temperatures drop, warm oil self-massages before your morning shower will strengthen the stability of the nervous system.

Use sesame or olive oil in slow, circular motions around joints and warming strokes toward the heart on long extremities.

We talk more about morning oil massages in this video (12:45):

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This simple practice prevents the seasonal anxiety, digestive issues, and sleep disturbances that come with increased air element.

🛑 - Avoid if you feel you are about to get sick and/or channels are clogged (not expelling waste).

Enter: cornbread.

Not just any cornbread – the kind that connects you back to earth and simplicity while satisfying the body's need for warm, sweet, grounding comfort.

Fudgy Chocolate Bites Makes 12 · Preheat 325°F Eggs - choose one: ▢🥚3 eggs Richer More structure, deeper fudge. The classic. ▢🌱3 flax eggs Vegan 3 tbsp flax meal + 9 tbsp water - rest 10 min before using Fat - choose one (⅓ cup)​ ​▢🥥Coconut oil Slightly lighter, dairy-free, subtle sweetness. ▢🧈Butter Classic richness. ▢✨Shatavaryadi ghee Postpartum Deeply nourishing and restorative. Turns these into postpartum medicine. Sugar - choose one or combine (¾ cup total) ▢🍯½ cup jaggery + ¼ cup brown sugar My favourite: Deep, caramel, complex. Jaggery is less processed and carries minerals. ▢🌴¾ cup coconut sugar Lower glycemic, earthy sweetness. ▢🟤¾ cup brown sugar or organic cane sugar Reliable, familiar. Works every time. Easy to digest Liquid — base + optional 🥛⅓ cup whey Base - See the whey note above to decide if this is right for your body right now. Recipe to make at home alongside ricotta cheese below ➕¼ cup milk, coconut milk, or more whey (optional) For a looser batter. Add gradually until you reach your preferred consistency. Method If using flax eggs - mix 3 tbsp flax meal + 9 tbsp water. Set aside for 10 minutes before continuing. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin. Melt ¾ cup dark chocolate + your fat of choice + 2 tbsp sunflower oil over low heat. Stir gently. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes. Whisk in your sugars until dissolved and the mixture looks glossy. Whisk in whey, milk if using, 1 tsp vanilla, and eggs or flax eggs. Sift in ½ cup flour, ¼ cup cocoa powder, ½ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp baking soda. Fold until just combined. Do not overmix — stop when you can barely see flour. Optional hidden layer: Fill liners halfway, add a small spoonful of organic vanilla marshmallow creme or a few goji berries, then cover with remaining batter. Fill liners ¾ full. Top with coconut flakes if using. Bake 18–20 minutes. Edges should be set, center should have a slight jiggle. Toothpick should come out with moist crumbs — not clean, not wet. Cool in the pan 15 minutes before removing. ​ Optional Additions & Toppings 🍬Vanilla Marshmallow Creme Hidden inside before baking. Kids love it ✓ 🔴Goji Berries Antioxidant boost Especially good for postpartum nourishment 🥥Coconut Flakes Sprinkle on top before baking Toasts right on the surface ✨Shatavaryadi ghee + goji berries This combination makes these nourishing postpartum treats Note: Sugar is intentionally kept to ¾ cup total - the dark chocolate carries its own sweetness and bitterness that does not need to be overwhelmed. Trust the chocolate. Whey & Ricotta Cheese ▢8 cups whole milk 2 liters ▢½ teaspoon salt ▢3 tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar, freshly squeezed Cheesecloth or cotton towel (option to use a colander with cloth) Large jar Instructions Line a colander with a large piece of lightly dampened cheesecloth or thin cotton towel. Place the colander over a bowl or large jar. Make sure to use non-reactive materials. I did not use a colander, and it worked fine. In a large saucepan or pot over medium heat, heat the milk. Add the salt and stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Make sure the milk does not scorch. If you have a thermometer, heat to 185 F. If you do not have a thermometer, reach a stage where there is a lot of steam, little bubbles close to the edge of the pot and the formation of a slight film. Takes about 20 minutes to get to this stage. Bring the heat to the lowest point or remove it if it is starting to bubble faster. Add the lemon juice (or vinegar). Slowly mix for 2 minutes. You will notice the curds (the ricotta) separating from the whey (yellowish liquid). Remove from heat if you have not already. Cover pot and let stand for about 20 minutes. Ladle your ricotta into the cheesecloth so the whey liquid drips into the container underneath. The consistency of the final product will depend on the amount of time you leave the ricotta to drain in the cloth. For a creamy ricotta, let it sit for 3-5 minutes; for a drier ricotta, it can sit up to 20 minutes. Use cheese immediately or cover and refrigerate any leftovers for up to 5 days. Use the whey liquid left in the jar for cooking your grains, lentils, beans, or baking yumies like the recipe above! Whey is okay covered in the fridge for 3 days and 1 month in the freezer.

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Client celebration: Truth becomes medicine

Last week, I had a session that reminded me why this shadow work is so powerful.

My client shared something he'd never told anyone: his fear about intimacy and the terror of making it "real" by speaking it out loud.

We didn't try to fix his numbness.

We named it, let the fear come out, held it with care, and worked with tangible practices: diet, herbs, somatics. The next day:

He'd been dealing with insomnia for a year.

Truth-telling helped his nervous system finally feel safe enough to rest -- exactly what we need as we transition to Vata season.

Explore your shadow gifts

As we transition into Fall (perfect for supported shadow work), I have 3 spaces for 1:1 coaching starting in October.

I only work with 6 clients at a time with sliding scale pricing.

Invitation to take embodied next steps:

• Try the cornbread recipe and share it with loved ones
• Prep for daily oil massage starting end of the month
• Journal about what shadows you hold and the gifts they hold for you to uncover
• ​Apply for 1:1 support​

Remember: your shadows aren't blocks to your light,

they're the compost that feeds your most radiant growth.

With love and cornbread crumbs,

Veronica

P.S. - Now it is time to plan our next gathering.

August / September 2026 will be our Panchakarma retreat/ cleanse in India.

Send me a message if you want more info.