When was the last time you truly unplugged from the internet? Or the last time you simply sat at the window to relax and listen to the wind blow? If you can’t even answer these questions, perhaps it’s time… to take your time. To finally reconnect with your own life, “slow living” is the movement made for you.

Living at 100 miles an hour

Modern society tells us that speed and performance are the keys to success. In some way, we’re conditioned to using every single second of our day, or else we feel guilty. And in spite of this impression that we are in control of our daily schedules, time still seems to slip away. We feel stress gathering in our throats, pounding headaches and anxiety around every corner. Welcome to the world of “fast living”!

 Slowing down in every way

As a reaction to this constantly accelerating way of life, “slow living” showed up in Italy in the 1980s. They wanted to put an end to the mad dash against the clock and finally chose to take their time. The counter-culture movement was first noticed in the “slow food” movement, which encourages people to cook their food themselves with non-processed ingredients, rather than gobbling down a burger behind the wheel. Then, the “slow” philosophy spread to other spheres of life: travel, work, money, and so on.

So, what does this mean for us in our daily lives?

Unplugging

At any time of day, we are stimulated by technology: television, computers, tablets, mobile phones, and so on. We complain that we don’t have enough time even though we spend hours on social networks. How about unplugging the Wi-Fi at home, turning all your devices off and forgetting about the TV just for one evening?

 Plan on “slow” leisure activities

Now that you have eliminated the activities you don’t really enjoy and the phone is tucked away in a drawer, choose a few “slow” leisure activities: meditation, drawing, reading, cooking and so on. Do things that you like doing, with no pressure for performance.

 Take the time and treat yourself

What about taking a few minutes to do… nothing? Take a short time-out to feel the sunshine on your skin. Or simply treat yourself with delicious and healthy food that is good for the body and mind. Just take the time and enjoy the present, it feels so good!

Mini Lemon Yogurt “Cheese” Cakes

If you love desserts that aren’t too sweet and come in small packages, this mini lemon cheesecake for you! It’s the perfect way to end a meal with something light and luscious. The lemon topping and our unsweetened dried cranberries add that tangy touch everyone will love.

Yogurt cheese is also called labneh. Instead of waiting for your yogurt to drain, you can save a little time by using 1 ½ 250-g containers of store-bought labneh. Keep it simple, with one less dish to wash!

Preparation time :10 minutes

Cooking time Assembly: 5 minutes / Resting time: 8 hours

Portions : 6 little pots

Ingredients

For the no-added-sugar dried cranberry crust:

• 85 g (1/2 cup) Graham-type cookie crumbs

• 25 g (1/4 cup) ground almonds
• 20 g (2 tablespoons) Patience Fruit & Co No Added Sugar Dried Cranberries, finely chopped
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
• 7.5 ml (1/2 tablespoon) maple syrup or honey

For the lemon topping:

• 750 g Greek yogurt, drained
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) sugar (more or less, to taste)
• A few drops of pure lemon extract
• 6 fine slices of lemon

Steps:

1. Line a large strainer with a clean tea towel or cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Pour in yogurt, cover with plastic wrap or cover, and leave in the fridge to drain for 4 to 12 hours.
2. For the no-added-sugar dried cranberry crust
   Mix all crust ingredients in a bowl. Lightly press into the bottom of little pots or ramekins. Set aside.
3. For the lemon topping
   Mix drained yogurt, sugar and lemon extract in a bowl until smooth. Spread yogurt mixture over crusts and garnish each with a thin slice of lemon.

Recommendations:

The liquid that’s left after yogurt is drained is called whey. Don’t throw it out – you can use it to replace part of the liquid ingredients next time you make muffins.

Will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week