At the end of every project, I'm usually overcome with the need for introspection. Early in my career, I thought it was due to me still being very young (and as every young person is, a little too consumed with myself and my own life). Now that I'm older, I realize it is quite the opposite of that – or at least to me, it is – an endowing endeavor.

It takes months to turn around a new collection – but strangely enough, it is not the 15-18 hours a day that I put into them that changes me every single time. It's not the weekends spent sitting in my office or the lack of personal time that makes this such a cathartic experience – but rather, it's the process of turning blank pages into something that will help bloggers, even you – to build the business of your dreams, to get excited about blogging again and to dream of one day running your own business and being your own boss.

Each collection I launch starts with the idea of bettering someone else's life – and that process is an incredibly personal one. It peels layers off my own life and my own dreams as I develop each idea.

This collection is inspired by the changes my own style and beliefs have undergone over the past 2 years. I wanted to build pro themes that were still mindful and minimal, that could easily set you up for success, something that you could transform and make your own, that could fit anyone’s brand – and not just compliment it, but better it. I truly hope I've achieved that.

Now, it's time for me to spend a tad bit of time in the sun, exchange the quick plates of toast and hummus for a hearty meal... and let you take your new theme to exciting new places.

As always, it's been a pleasure to create something for you.

I hope you enjoy this collection.

Love,
Ana

Cover: Caroline Birk, with thanks

Warrior One is a Yoga Studio located in bayside Melbourne – design by the geniuses of Golden. Inspired by the client’s deep connection to the ocean and the desire to create an organic, sensory experience for guests, Warrior One embodies a holistic approach to wellbeing. The design outcome is both sophisticated and bohemian at the same time, which makes it both equally inviting and pleasantly surprising.

Ph: Sharyn Cairns

This 150sqm apartment located in Denmark, Copenhagen was designed by Natalie Dubroska, a talented interior designer based in Kiev and founder of Dubroska Studio.

Her work stems from very basic principles – those that we often overlook as important in any creative process. She describes the focus of this project as "creating the perfect home", which to Natalie is:

Space, an abundance of light, literate details, every item matters.
Harmony, silence, good energy.
In decisions, there is a soul, every idea "lived".

Meaning, feeling, mindfulness, mind.

It is impossible to disagree with such a perfect description – in light of how it plays out in reality.

Ph. Yaroslav Priadka

Let’s face it: If your a carnivore reading this, you have most likely already dismissed the idea of making this recipe. Why? Because sadly, most veggie patty recipes out there seem deliciously healthy… but once you click over to read a recipe, you encounter a potion-like list of ingredients and steps. What was meant to be healthy and easy ends up becoming a mission.

I’ve personally rejected the idea of attempting to make falafel at home, with the excuse that most recipes call for deep frying, prodigious amount of starches, chilling, freezing, breading… with the express purpose of making them hold together and not come apart in a pan full of oil.

So yes, I’ve tried it in the past and I’ve failed. BUT last Sunday I was feeling like eating something flavorful and ‘healthy-ish’ and all I had at hand were the ingredients I’m about to list below. You’ll be surprised at how geniously creative we can be when we’re limited. Who was it that coined the phrase, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”? Well, that person was spot on.

This time, I came at it from a simpler direction: only using the ingredients I had at hand, not caring if my falafel would offend any falafel-know-it-alls AND most importantly, forgetting about frying. Who has the time and the stomach for that, anyway?







ana degenaar

Now, before I FINALLY move on with this recipe, let me just say, eat these as you wish. I went the wrap way because I was craving a nice wrap – but you can eat these as you wish. The idea is to make this recipe work for you. Open your pantry and bask in your options. Who knows, maybe we can swap notes at some point? I’d love to get more ideas.

To make baked falafel:

• 1 can of cooked chickpeas
(I can hear the above mentioned know-it-alls gasping at my suggestion of not using dried chickpeas... but it is what it is)
• 1 tablespoon of grated onion
• 1 small grated garlic
• 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/2 tablespoon of tahini paste
• A dash of fresh lime
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Steps
1. Use a food processor to combine all the ingredients
2. Make small patties (about 2 TBS portions)
3. Pace them in a pan lined with baking paper or greased with olive oil
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 180ºC for 20 minutes or until they look golden and dry
5. Let them cool off before removing them from the pan so they don’t stick

Serving suggestion

Tzatziki
• 1/2 cup of natural greek yogurt
• 1/3 cup of grated, seedless cucumber
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• 1/2 lime juice
• 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley (replace with dill if you want authentic tzatziki)
• 1 tablespoon of chopped mint
• Salt and pepper to taste




Wraps
I make these wraps at home whenever I crave a good sandwich – and realistically they don’t take a whole lot of extra time, but it does involve gluten, kneading and more dirty dishes... so instead, you could also use some paleo bread or gluten free tortilla if you wish.

I also served this one with radishes (because, obsessed!) but the falafel alone is deliciously enough.

Add more tahini paste over the top and get really to have your mind blown by a simple falafel wrap.