Sunday 01.03.16

Happy First Sunday of the New Year!  Hoping that everyone enjoyed their holidays with family and friends and looking forward to the New Year unfolding!!  It was a wonderful holiday at my house, thanks to technology - Face Time with my kiddos on the East Coast vs being home for the holidays.  And lots of mini celebrations with wonderful family and friends.  I am truly blessed.

Setting a New Year's resolution is a common tradition to celebrate change in the upcoming year that dates back to ancient Roman celebrations. To successfully achieve your goals for the new year, make the resolution a positive and attainable habit -
         I will join a gym and workout more vs Spend 10 minutes 3x a week walking
         I will consume more water vs Drink 8oz  of filtered water 4x a day
         I will meditate more vs Daily Devotional reading
         I will journal daily vs Gratitude journaling daily before retiring

Also, remember it takes on average 66 days to turn a goal into a habit.  Be gentle with yourself - if you falter on a goal, give yourself permission to restart and not to entirely abandon the goal.  Revisit the goal to see what aspect could be changed to pique your personal interest - change the exercise from walking to running, add fruit to infuse the water, setup reminders on your devotion app.
                                           
                                                              Happy New You!!!

Sunday 12.13.15

This Sunday morning we are in the Twelve Days before Christmas!  The time of the season for celebrations with family and friends, the decorations are hung, the cookies are made and the presents are wrapped.

I enjoy these twelve days prior to celebrating the birth of our Savior to reflect upon the hope for the New Year.  The decorating of an evergreen tree is symbolic for celebrating winter solstice.  The evergreen tree does not go into hibernation and symbolizes eternal life.

Take time to enjoy and reflect upon your individual family traditions and ensure the love of Jesus Christ is the center of your celebration.

                                                       Merry Christmas!!!

Sunday 11.22.15

in just four days, we all will begin our family traditions for celebrating Thanksgiving.  It is a time of inward reflection for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon us over the past year.

My blessings-
My faith in God-for he is at the helm
My health-fourteen years cancer free
My family-including the addition of baby puppy Snickers and grand puppy Jules
My friends each one blessing my life with their personalities and love
My career-provides me with peace and security
My home - provides a place of tranquility and safety
My freedoms-that so many still serve to protect

Take a few moments to reflect over your own personal bounty!

Sunday 10.18.15

Blessings on everyone this crisp Autumn Sunday!  The air is a little "crisper" in the Midwest these days.  I was forced to bring inside my outdoor fern.

The excitement in these parts is the KC Royal standings in the ALCS!!  Baseball has been an American past time since the 18th century, as the game evokes nostalgia since many people played the sport growing up.  It is a lesser contact sport than football, and involves specific skill of hitting, throwing and catching the baseball.  Once has to think about the strategy of the play for placement of the ball to achieve an out of the opposing team. It's a fun spectator sport!

Enjoy your Sunday Fun day with your family and friends!!  I am headed out to a festival at a local vineyard with friends!

Sunday 10.11.15

Wishing autumn happiness to everyone on this second Sunday in October.  The air is crisper, the sky clearer and each colorful leaf is like a flower.  In our region of the country there are lots of fall festivals – Apple Fest, Cider Fest, Art Fair, Renaissance Fest, Pumpkin Fest, Barbeque Fest and Hot Air Balloon Fest!  And lots of activities at local wineries.  Be sure to enjoy the sights and smells of the season!  As for me, I am beginning my morning with pumpkin coffee with pumpkin cream and a pumpkin bagel while sitting on my patio.

Links I enjoy:

1.  How to Lose Weight Without Really Trying

2.  Decadent Pumpkin Recipes to Keep You Happy This Fall

3.  Jewelry That Sparkles

4.  Six Mars Water Products

5.  Awesome Apple Cider Cocktails for Autumn

 

Cooking with Quinoa

High in protein and fiber, quinoa [KEEN-wah] is versatile and has a nice crunch.  It is a rain grown primarily for its edible seeds.  It originated in the Andean region of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia.

The nutrient value is comparable to common cereal grains.  The seeds contain essential amino acids and acceptable quantities of calcium, phosphorus and iron.

Black Bean and Quinoa Salad:

12 oz can black bean, drained and rinsed   

Salt

1 C quinoa, rinsed                                            6 scallions thinly sliced

3T sherry vinegar                                             1 small red onion, finely diced

1T soy sauce                                                       1 yellow bell pepper, finely diced

1T fresh lime juice                                           1/4C chopped cilantro

1 chipotle in adobo, minced                        1/4C + 2T EV olive oil

1.  In medium saucepan, combine the quinoa with 2C of water and pinch of salt.  Bring to a boil.  Cover the saucepan and simmer the quinoa over lo heat until the water has been absorbed (about 15 minutes).

2.  In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice and chipotle.  Add olive oil in a thin stream, whisking until blended.  Add the black beans, quinoa, scallions, red onion, yellow pepper and cilantro.  Season the salad with salt, toss to combine and serve.

Make Ahead

The black bean–and–quinoa salad can be refrigerated overnight.

 

Laughter

Laughter is wonderful and powerful.  It has the ability to change the atmosphere, bring people together and help us connect with others.  A good laugh or giggle with family and friends has health benefits.

You should laugh more because:

1.  It is a great cardio workout because it gets your heart pumping and exercises your face muscles.

2.  Laughing reduces blood pressure which reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

3.  Increases general sense of well-being and produces a general sense of contentment leading to a longer and enjoyable life.

4.  Laughter triggers the release of endorphins which reduce chronic pain and produce a feeling of wellness.

5.  Lowers stress hormone levels which decrease the anxiety you feel and results in a better performance of your immune system.

6.  Tones your abdomen by expanding and contracting muscles.

7.  Gives a boost to your T cells helping your body to battle sickness.

Isn’t it good to see the reasons that laughter is good for your soul?  Do you laugh enough?