6 Friday, March 3, 2017 brooklintowncrier.com There are things we habitually do like brushing our teeth, showering, and heading off to work. These habits become so ingrained that we feel awkward if we skip them. They're generally done mindlessly every day. Indeed, habits are hard to break and even harder to create. Once created though they become a part of your day or who you are. Changing the way you eat means breaking some habits that are also deeply ingrained. As a busy mom, I had my "go to" recipes and when I became plant-based I had no "go to" recipes. I had to look up recipes, figure out the ingredients, and trust that it was going to taste good. Even more important, I had to hope that the family would eat it. It was hard at first. I was in the habit of making certain meals and eating a certain way, so changing meant giving up all that was easy and habitual. There certainly were times when I thought this was way too hard. But it became easier when I soon noticed the extra energy I had and loved the light feeling of eating plant-based. You can jump into the deep end by becoming plant-based all at once or you can slowly make the change by incorporating more and more plant-based meals into your diet. One of the things I like about a slower change is that it allows you to get used to new recipes and experiment with what works for your family. It also gives you the chance to become a student of this new way of eating, to feel the difference between how you feel after a heavy processed or meat-based meal and a lighter easier to digest plant-based one. As you make the change, you may want to buy a cookbook or two. If you do, look for recipes that are easy, with easy-to-find and not too many ingredients. The internet is a great resource for recipes. Some days I just type words into Google such as: vegan, black beans, peppers, and recipes. Like magic, the search engine serve me a bunch of recipes. Blogs are also a fantastic way to help you make the change. Among my favorites are ohsheglows.com and minimalistbaker.com. I have perhaps six plant-based cookbooks but have generally found the internet provides more than enough. See the box above for a quick and easy oatmeal ball recipe that makes a great snack before or after a workout. It's from onegreenplant.org. Sheree's Hack: Double your recipes and freeze half for those super busy weeks and nights. The Corporation of the Town of Whitby Office of the Town Clerk 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby, ON L1N 2M8 whitby.ca Town of Whitby Notice Appointments to Town of Whitby Advisory Boards and Committees Whitby Council is currently accepting applications from residents interested in volunteering on an Advisory Board or Committee. Citizens are encouraged to participate in their community by volunteering for one of our boards or committees to recognize, promote and strengthen the sense of community. Applications will be accepted from Whitby property owners and/or residents 18 years of age or older. Please note that Committee participation may require involvement in Town events outside the regularly scheduled Committee meetings. Board / Committee Brooklin Downtown Development Steering Committee The Brooklin Downtown Development Steering Committee (BDDSC) is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Downtown Brooklin Strategic Action Plan which has three main goals: to address the traffic issues on Baldwin Street; to enhance the Downtown both physically and in terms of uses/activities; and to enhance communication in the Downtown. In accordance with the Terms of Reference, applicants should reflect community members with a knowledge or interest in the downtown area and those who own and run a business in the defined downtown area. The Brooklin Downtown Development Steering Committee meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 8:00 a.m. Community Connection Executive Board of Directors The purpose of Community Connection is to provide affordable recreation, leisure and special interest programs in Whitby and Brooklin, and to oversee all the Community Connection sites as well as all related expenditures and revenue generated by these programs. Community Connection partners with the Town of Whitby, Community and Marketing Services Department and the Durham Board of Education or other governing agencies. The Community Connection Executive Board of Directors meets monthly on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Whitby County Town Carnival Committee The mandate of the County Town Carnival Committee is to plan and operate a safe and enjoyable free event on Canada Day with a family focus, including but not limited to children's activities, live entertainment, demonstrations, information displays and concessions. The Whitby County Town Carnival Committee meets the last Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Deadline for receipt of applications is March 17, 2017. Whitby Town Council will consider the names of citizens who wish to stand for appointment. An application form must be completed with supporting documentation or a resume. Applications are available online at whitby.ca/advisorycommittees or at the Town of Whitby Municipal Building, Office of the Town Clerk, 575 Rossland Road East, Whitby. Christopher Harris, Town Clerk Town of Whitby 5-Ingredient Oatmeal Balls 1 cup soft medjool dates, pitted 1 cup rolled oats (gluten- free if necessary) 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (can use other nut or seed butter) 1 tsp vanilla extract 2-3 tbsp water, only if necessary to blend Preparation Process medjool dates in a food processor until a sticky and creamy consistency is formed (may form a ball). Add in oats, peanut butter, and vanilla, and process until well combined. If the dough is dry, you may add a few tablespoons of water to help everything stick together. Use your hands to form the dough into balls. Place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set. Enjoy!