“How many of you feel like you’re having a ‘corona comeback’? Anybody feeling like you’re catching your second wind and getting reenergized through this whole thing?” I asked.

Hands went up in the little squares filling the Zoom room.

A few days before I hopped on the Q&A for the Cannabis Cooking Masterclass last week, I realized that I was feeling this newfound boost of energy after several weeks of feeling stuck in the mud.

I was back in a routine, stacking some familiar healthy habits and trying on a couple of new ones.

Cold showers. Early mornings. Meditation. Treadmill desk marathons. Microdosing. CBG oil. Ashwagandha. Reading at night instead of filling a never-ending apocalypse-themed shopping cart on Amazon.

After June zoomed by bringing with it fast, furious, and challenging lessons, things were feeling like they were starting to click into place. Days were feeling much smoother, even though uncertainty is still peeking around every corner.

I wanted to know if our first masterclassers were feeling it too.

I wasn’t too surprised when several of them smiled and nodded knowingly.

I started asking people in my little world if they were feeling the same thing; this “comeback” feeling of new energy and a better attitude, and I was getting yeses everywhere.

People told me about how they were taking back control of their health and their lives, and were even excited about what they would do next.

In this time where you’d think most people would feel like things were bleak and scary, they were talking about how grateful they were that they’d had a chance to slow down and start moving towards what’s really important in life.

I hesitate to use words like “global shift” or “world reset” because they’re a little new-agey and played out for my flavor, but every conversation I have with people seems to back up this idea.

Many folks (obviously not all) are realizing that life isn’t what they thought it was and they’re ready to do things differently.

People now know that they want to spend the rest of their time on this planet being and doing good, and are in the transition to getting to where they want to be.

They’re concerned about making things right, envisioning a different kind of future, and many are going beyond the same old game of detailing all the problems – and instead – are doing the brave work of coming up with solutions.

A growing number of people are talking about getting healthier, changing jobs, starting their own conscious businesses (ahem… cannabis coaching), growing their own food, and spending more time with people they love (and actually paying attention when they’re there).

They’re spending more time outside and remembering that this world is beautiful and dynamic. They’re seeing how stepping out into it can get you out of your head and plug you into this experience and all it has to offer.

So what does all of this have to do with these cannabis-infused waffles?

A lot, actually.

After being in the health and wellness world for almost a decade now, I know how fun and exciting this part of a transformative experience is.

I know that if you’re riding this wave of change, you may feel like you have boundless energy, and you want to change every single bit of your life that hasn’t been working for you. I also know, that if you hurdle on ahead at full speed in all of your excitement, you’re likely to get burnt out, sabotage yourself or not like who you become.

So I’m offering these waffles as a gift of transition and as a tool that can guide you.

As a transformation junkie, I know how gratifying it can be when things change overnight, and as a cannabis and health coach, I know that changes that happen gradually are usually the ones that stick.

That’s because transition is one of the most important – but most neglected – aspects of transformation.

(I promise this will make it around to waffles. Stick with me.)

As an overweight kid and teenager, I started dieting really young. I first did weight watchers around 8th grade and it started me off on a path that took years to recover from.

I did what I was told to do to help me become the person I wanted to be. I counted my points. I added things up. I did good at it or I did bad at it. I followed their rules or I broke them and felt like I’d failed.

Most of you know this whole song and dance personally, so I don’t need to go into detail, but I was stuck for years in the shuffle of: eat garbage food, feel terrible, get motivated by something momentarily, want to change everything about myself and my life, find someone to tell me what diet to do, find someone to tell me how to move my body, hate life but feel like it was worth it because I was so motivated, lose weight, forget about whatever temporary motivation I had going, stop doing what I was told to do, “cheat”, feel defeated, and back to garbage food and the couch.

Again, this went on for years. It wasn’t until I started slowly making changes while listening to my own body that things started to change for good.

It wasn’t until I started to focus on two things that changes started to feel so natural they couldn’t help but stick:

1. Feeling inside for what really worked for me
2. And being patient and committed during times of transition

Transition is just the process or the period of time that is in between where you are and where you want to be.

And how you transition matters if you really want to step into something new that will grow and evolve as you do.

I so often see people at this stage looking for someone who will tell them what to do so they can not think (or feel) and can just follow the instructions and do it right.

I am one of those people.

Over the years, I’ve burned through my share of gurus and semi-cult-leaders.

Heck, I’m still a sucker for those emails from people who are like: “X about your life sucks. If you did things with my system, they wouldn’t suck anymore. Matter a fact, you’d be the most healthy, rich and chill person you’ve ever met!!! P.S. My program only has a half a spot left, and if you don’t take it you’ll die sad and alone.”

But I’ve learned that’s not what life is about, and that anyone who promises that they know the way forward for you, is usually full of it. They’re just using a very effective marketing tactic.

Here’s the secret. No one knows what’s right for you, or what will work for you, except for you.

Of course there are good teachers who can help show you a better and easier way to change your life, but typically the best teachers aren’t the ones who are telling you to eat only blueberries, greens and beets and lose 14 lbs in just 7 days or to do 70 burpees the first day you go to a gym so you can have abs next week.

And as annoying as it sounds, if you’re in the mode of wanting to be better tomorrow, the most effective way to do that is to tune in to how things make you feel, listen and make small adjustments every day that support those feelings.

As soon as I stopped following other people’s rules and trying to change everything about myself and my life all at once by stepping into someone else’s plan, and instead, started slowly uncovering what felt good for me, and how I wanted to experience this life, I had a barometer to gauge every experience, every food, every choice.

Does it feel good?

Does it give me energy? Or does it take it away?

Am I left feeling better and happier? Or sluggish and weird?

I repeat: Does it feel good?

So here’s the gift inside these waffles… when I eat them they feel good. For me.

I can eat half of one of these and feel full, but energized.

My digestive system doesn’t feel like it’s working on overdrive and I can go hike or work, or do things I wouldn’t be able to do if I ate a conventional waffle.

But – here’s the kicker – they might not feel good for you.

I’m sure you’re thinking “Cool, Corinne. You’re giving yourself a gift of waffles that feel good for you, but maybe not for me. Cool cool.”

The gift for you is the invitation to see if they do feel good, and if not, you can adapt them using ingredients and ratios that really work for you.

This gift is the only tool you’ll ever need through any transition to help you keep moving forward in a way that’s sustainable and ever-evolving and know if what you’re doing is right.

The gift is feeling through this transition and doing what’s right for you.

Getting better using someone else’s plan will always get old and so my gift is to free you from outsourcing your intuition and to use this transformative time to practice uncovering what feels good for you.

Let me know in the comments if it’s these waffles. If not, let me know what aha’s or insights came along with feeling yourself.

With love,
Corinne

P.S. Everyone always asks me about the waffle maker that makes such gorgeous breakfast foods. It’s a Waffleye and I love it.

I don’t have another waffle maker, so every waffle in my house, infused or not, is always stamped with this iconic leaf. It leads to great conversations with Alice about plant medicine, problems with the healthcare system, unjust incarceration, and activism.

One time she went to preschool and told them she had “cannabis waffles” for breakfast. That one took a bit of explaining.

And yes, for the record, I do know she’s going to be a weird adult.

I partnered with Waffleye to get you 20% off, so go here and use the code WAKEANDBAKE, save some cash, and make the world a little more confusing for your 4 year old too.

[FYI that’s an affiliate link, so we get a kickback that supports testing, recipe development, and education here at Wake + Bake. We are so grateful for you support and are here to help!]

Crispy Cannabis Infused Waffle Recipe (Grain-Free, Paleo, and Vegan Optional)

adapted from the Real Food Dietitians

• 2 cups Organic Almond Flour (172 grams)
• 1 cup tapioca starch/flour (113 grams)*
• 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. baking powder
• 2 Tbsp. flax meal** + 6 Tbsp. water
• 1 cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk of choice)
• 2 tsp. coconut vinegar*** or apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 teaspoons+/- of cannabinoid infused coconut oil, melted  (see dosage info below)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flax meal and water to make the ‘flax eggs’. Set aside for 5 minutes while the mixture thickens. Skip this step if you’re using regular eggs.
2. In a measuring cup, combine the almond milk and apple cider vinegar and allow this rest until slightly thickened (about 15 minutes, depending on the milk you are using).
3. Preheat waffle iron – I use the Waffleye to get these lovely on-brand waffles.
4. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, tapioca starch, and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
5. To the dry ingredients, add the almond milk and apple cider vinegar mixture, flax eggs (or eggs, if using), maple syrup, vanilla, and melted coconut oil. Whisk just until batter is smooth.
6. Using a 1/2 cup scoop (or size recommended by waffle iron manufacturer), pour batter into the preheated waffle iron and cook until golden brown and steam is no longer coming from the waffle iron. NOTE: It’s important to wait for the steam to stop before attempting to open the waffle iron. Opening it too soon will cause the waffles to stick. 
7. Serve with pure maple syrup, if desired (cannabis infused maple syrup recipe coming soon!)

Servings: these made about 4 waffles in the Waffleye waffle maker. I made many double batches while testing and all of the batches were even better after freezing or refrigerating and reaheating in an oven at 350f.

Recipe Notes

* Tapioca Starch or Flour worked and felt best for me. I also tested arrowroot (also good, but had to add a few tablespoons to the batter to get the consistency I wanted) and cassava (not terrible but made for a doughier experience and overcooked easily without crisping up)

** I tested with flax eggs and real eggs and the flax eggs felt and tasted better to me

*** I love coconut vinegar with my whole heart and soul. If you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend it. It’s sweeter and has a more mild flavor than apple cider vinegar and can be used interchangeably in any recipe

**** I haven’t tested this recipe with dairy because milk isn’t a friend of mine. If you do, share it in the comments below. The best part about being in this community is learning from each other!

Dosage Information

These waffles can be infused using homemade THC infused oil, CBD oil or CBG oil.

At 30mg of cannabinoids per teaspoon, this recipe yielded 4 – 15 mg waffles.

I always do my dosage math before I make my oil. You can find out more about doing that here.

After years of experimentation and easier access to CBD and CBG, I’ve found that blending ratios of THC, CBD and CBG and microdosing work best for me. So I typically make each serving come to approximately 5mg THC, 10mg CBD and 10mg CBG.

Disclaimer: This is not intended as medical advice. I’m not a doctor. I’m also not a lawyer and can’t defend you if you get busted trying to make this recipe in a state that still considers possession or cultivation of cannabis a criminal act. I don’t agree with this law, but I’d never advocate that you break it. Jail would suck. Instead, I strongly advise that you work to change the law in your state or nation by supporting and being active in grassroots organizations that are trying to legalize cannabis in your area. This recipe is heretofore only intended as educational information for people who live in states or countries where medical or recreational use of cannabis is legal, who are 21 and older, of sound mind and who understand that operating heavy machinery (cars, trucks, planes, electric bikes, etc.) under the influence of any intoxicant, including high THC cannabis, can be incredibly dangerous. Please don’t ever eat or drink anything intoxicating and drive. Support public transportation or use the two legs that evolution gave you and walk your sweet ass wherever it is that you need to go.