Coconut Pancakes + 29 Life Lessons
Another year has passed, and I’m apparently a year older according to the universe. Am I any wiser than this time last year? Who knows; let’s take a stab in the dark and say, yes.
Every year I look forward to my birthday. I count down the days as soon as it hits the 1st of April, and start planning ways to celebrate. This year however; I couldn’t give a crap. There, I said it. I didn’t care that they days were whooshing by, and the day to celebrate my arrival on this planet was approaching. I cancelled the plans I had made, and just opted to do stuff that was low key.
I’ve put it down to living my dream, enjoying life, and having a lot of giggles along the way. That, and I’m probably trying to recharge my batteries before the next wave of excitement hits. I’ve been packing my bags and going on adventures LOTS lately; been helping friends’ make their weddings special by making cakes, pushing my own boundaries with personal endeavours and trying to not letting anyone rain on my parade.
Age is of no importance as to how I feel. I don’t like when age is the focus of things which I feel many of my friends put too much pressure on. It’s just a number at the end of the day. Get over it. Stop thinking about it and go out and live your life.
I decided to make Linda Lomelino‘s coconut pancakes as my cake for myself this year. Just like last year, I decided to be apart of the shoot and photobomb the food. Setting up for the shoot looked like I was filming a terrorist video with the backdrop set, the camera on the tripod and fire and sparklers and lots of smoke. It took quite a few takes and lots of sparklers, but I think I managed to get some good selfies 😉
You can get the recipe for them by clicking here. I found the batter to be a bit thick so I added some water after resting the mixture to thin it down slightly. I used figs instead of raspberries due to the seasonal fruit available 🙂
♥ ♥ ♥
29 things I’ve learnt during my 29 years on this gas ball of a planet, hurling it’s way through space
1. Pop-rocks can make just about any dessert better.
2. Laugh. Every single day. More importantly, learn to laugh at yourself.
[source]
5. Learn to accept compliments.
6. Learn to believe the compliments you receive. (This is something I’m still struggling with!)
9. Failure is an option.
10. Chocolate coated confit garlic is not an option. It’s disgusting, and I hate you (you know who you are!!) for making me try it! 😛
11. Reach out to people, but don’t expect a reply. Sometimes just letting someone know you are there for them is enough.
13. It’s okay to ask for help. It doesn’t make you any less of a person.
14. Go to bed early…. sometimes 😉
16. Do something everyday that scares you.
17. Do things for others without expectations.
18. Never stop learning.
20. If it’s doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.
21. The scariest moment is always the one just before you start.
22. There are some people on this planet that need a high five, in the face…with a chair.
[source]
24. Yes, my name is in a song. No, you don’t need to start singing it to me.
25. Over-thinking ruins you. Ruins the situation, twists things around, makes you worry and just makes everything much worse than it really is.
27. Do more of what makes you happy.
28. Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and think about what could go right.
♥ ♥ ♥
PS; Happy Easter xo
Katie
Best post ever!! Love how positive you are. Such an inspiration to me in everything you do. Happy birthday!!! I can’t wait to celebrate with you soon. Ps – My name is in a song too. The only person who could get away with it was my nana. ❤️❤️
Iron Chef Shellie
<3 thanks Katie, you are amazing x
GourmetGetaways
Happy Birthday!!
What a beautiful story and life lessons, thanks for sharing.
“The do more of what you love” motto is one of mine too 🙂
Iron Chef Shellie
Thanks Julie 🙂 I must re-read this post and it’s lessons from time to time to remind myself to do more of what I love!
Michelle @ The Bakeanista
If I could, I would double, triple tap this post to like it! This has gotta be my fav post!!! Love your positivity!! <3
Happy birthday again, girlfriend! xx
Iron Chef Shellie
awww Mish <3 thank you! xo
tania@mykitchenstories.com.au
Love this Shelly especially 25. happy Birthday to you
Iron Chef Shellie
😀 thanks Tania!
Katherine
Happy birthday and yeah you are right about eat well travel often
Iron Chef Shellie
😀 thank you!
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
What a gorgeous post. I love this!!! Happy birthday, sister. Your words are so right on. These photos are simply stunning. You’re amazing xxx
Iron Chef Shellie
Thank you Heidi 🙂 awww bless xo
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Happy Birthday and Happy Easter and #12 does it for me!
Iron Chef Shellie
Thank you Maureen! xo
Daisy@Nevertoosweet
One of the best posts I’ve read 🙂 Love all 29 points but the last is the one I truly believe in! Screw the number, haters and all those people who judge!
Wishing you my dear a very very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! xx
Iron Chef Shellie
awww thanks Daisy 🙂 screw them all! haha
Hannah
Happy Easter, lovely! You’re a star. #30 should be “celebrate every birthday with sparklers”, I think. Add for next year? xo
Iron Chef Shellie
I’ll be sure to add it for next year 😉 thanks Hannah xx
Mez
Happy birthday gorgeous girl. Just catching up on this post now, loving your life philosophies and I’ve taken a few on board.
Big hugs, thanks so much for your support and love. Can’t wait to see what this next year of your life brings you!!!
xxx
Iron Chef Shellie
Thank you lovely 🙂 I’m also looking forward to see what life brings me, or shall i say, what I can get out of it! x
msihua
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVEEEEEEEE!! And 30 (for next year) There will always be bananas 😛
Iron Chef Shellie
<3 <3 <3 yay! x
Maureen
Happy birthday dear, love how you photobomb the pancakes and the positive lessons you have. Eat well and travel often! 🙂
Iron Chef Shellie
hehe thanks Maureen 😀 I must come travel and visit you and EAT ALL THE THINGS!! x
Yasmeen | Wandering Spice
Just dropping by to share my wishes once more! As always you have shared a beautiful recipe, and your thoughts on your self and your direction from here are inspiring. I’ve had something holding me back for a while now – too long – and I’ve decided that this is the year to let it go and really fight for my goals. Reading this really gave me the final nudge to get off my butt!
It sounds like you had a great day which is just what you deserve. Keep being your awesome self x
Iron Chef Shellie
This makes me so happy to hear Yasmeen <3 I'm glad I could give that nudge to just one person 🙂 xo
Thanh
Beautiful photos and the pancakes look awesome too (please accept my sincere compliments).
As for the life lessons, some really great ones. But I totally have to disagree with number 10. Chocolate coated confit garlic are delicious. You just got a bad one I say 😉 You’ll thank me years later when everyone is walking down the streets eating them and you can say you tried them yearsssssssssss ago and they’re so old skool.
Iron Chef Shellie
Thank you Taz 🙂 but nooooo… nooooo to chocolate coated confit garlic!!
Winston
Shellie… This is by far my favourite blog post of yours to date. Such a happy and heartwarming post to read. And talk about the stellar recipe and photos. That’s a great list you’ve got there I’m glad that you took time to reflect and share. Can definitely resonate with a lot of things you’ve shared whilst picking up new nuggets of wisdom from it. Especially agree with #2 (I tease myself ALL the time too — it’s so much fun people should try it). #5 & #6 are definitely still difficult for me, must be the inherent asian modesty “paiseh”. I think so highly of many ppl but can’t believe a word if it’s about me. So much gold in this post. You seriously ROCK, Shellie!!!
Iron Chef Shellie
awwww Winston <3 <3 thank you!!! xx
Sneh | Cook Republic
What a beautiful beautiful post! What lovely words and what gorgeous photos! Hope you had a lovely day becayse you are awesome and you deserve it 🙂
Iron Chef Shellie
Thank you Sneh! <3 xo
cynthia
Happy happy birthday to you! These photos are GORGEOUS and that pancake-cake looks perfect — this is my first time on your blog but I’m already so glad I’ve found you. (And love your list… so many of those are things I need to work on!) Hope you had a wonderful birthday 🙂
Iron Chef Shellie
Thank you Cynthia, I’m glad you found me as that means I also found you and your gorgeous site! xo
Cara @ Gourmet Chick
Happy birthday! Only 29 – that means it’s a big one next year! Exciting…
Iron Chef Shellie
Thanks Cara, yup the big one next year! xo
Krys
The coconut pancakes look delicious! Such great life lessons to keep in mind, I need to try to remember no. 9 + 11! Thanks for these and a very happy birthday to you…
Linda Herd
Love this!