A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Sir Winston Churchill
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Baked Salmon Recipe
Baked Salmon
Serves 4; 3 ounces fish and 1/2 cup vegetables per serving
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 ounces fresh spinach leaves
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers, rinsed and drained if bottled
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
Cooking spray
4 salmon fillets (about 4 ounces each), rinsed and patted dry with paper towels
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Directions
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the spinach and lemon zest for 2 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted, stirring constantly. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in the bell peppers, basil, and walnuts. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray.
Cut a lengthwise slit in the side of each fillet to make a pocket for the stuffing. Be careful to not cut through to the other side. With a spoon or your fingers, carefully stuff a scant 1/2 cup spinach mixture into each fillet. Transfer to the baking sheet. With a pastry brush or spoon, spread the mustard over the fish.
In a small bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients. Sprinkle over the fish. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork and the filling is warmed through.
This recipe is reprinted with permission from Light & Easy Recipes, Copyright @ 2008 by the American Heart Association. Published by Publications International, Ltd. Available at ShopGoRed.com, while supplies last..
Serves 4; 3 ounces fish and 1/2 cup vegetables per serving
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 ounces fresh spinach leaves
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 cup chopped roasted red bell peppers, rinsed and drained if bottled
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
Cooking spray
4 salmon fillets (about 4 ounces each), rinsed and patted dry with paper towels
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Directions
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the spinach and lemon zest for 2 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted, stirring constantly. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in the bell peppers, basil, and walnuts. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray.
Cut a lengthwise slit in the side of each fillet to make a pocket for the stuffing. Be careful to not cut through to the other side. With a spoon or your fingers, carefully stuff a scant 1/2 cup spinach mixture into each fillet. Transfer to the baking sheet. With a pastry brush or spoon, spread the mustard over the fish.
In a small bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients. Sprinkle over the fish. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork and the filling is warmed through.
This recipe is reprinted with permission from Light & Easy Recipes, Copyright @ 2008 by the American Heart Association. Published by Publications International, Ltd. Available at ShopGoRed.com, while supplies last..
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Is The Economic Crisis Driving You To The Fridge?
Economy . . . Two Wars . . . Plunging Stock Market . . .The Great Depression . . . How do these words make you feel? Do you find yourself cringing when you hear such dire news and predictions for the future? As much as words have the power to hurt us, to lower our energy level and cause us to suffer, by the same token, words have a tremendous power to heal.
This is a difficult time for many of us. If you are an emotional eater, you may feel particularly trapped in a negative cycle due to the state of the world today. While in the past, it may have been easier to “block out” world events, now the unpleasant effects of some of our decisions as a human race, are increasingly impossible to get away from.
You would have to virtually live in a bubble not to be effected by the fear, worry, and anxiety that is plaguing our country at the present time.
So how do you react to uncertainty and loss? Do you tend to reach for the refrigerator – fueled by fears that there won’t be enough? Do you react physically with headaches or a knot in your stomach—and then focus on these ailments? Or are you overcome with lethargy, hopelessness or fatigue, turning to food to boost your energy?
Though any of the above responses are certainly common, they only perpetuate a negative state. So even though the recent chain of events in world history may be spurring you to positive action on the outside—caring for the needs of your family, getting involved politically or working to help those less fortunate than yourself—if you are being torn apart on the inside, it is likely that you will effect your own ability to stay healthy and steady, as you move forward.
The underlying reason why we often turn to food to soothe our emotions, aside from the habit of doing so since childhood and perhaps learning to reach for food mindlessly from within our environment, is because we have the positive intention to comfort ourselves, relax, and giving ourselves love and nurturance. Unfortunately, despite having such noble goals, the act of eating to comfort oneself only leads down a road of increased pain.
So how can you comfort yourself and stay calm during such trying times? On a physical level, take care of yourself! Make sure that you are drinking plenty of pure water, getting lots of physical exercise and eating healthy, nourishing unprocessed food, from the earth, as much as possible. Also make sure to balance your intake of protein, complex carbohydrate and healthy fat (olive oil) with lots of fresh vegetables.
On an emotional level, what is it that you are truly craving when you reach for the sugar-laden or greasy treats, or when you are just eating excessive amounts of food, in general?
Most likely you are seeking love, comfort, safety, control, peace and relaxation.
Unfortunately, there’s no amount of food that can satisfy these genuine needs that we all have. How can you comfort yourself emotionally, in a healthy way?
There are some physical steps that you can take to quell emotions, as well. For example, instead of rushing through your day—going from one activity to the next, mindlessly, slow down even if it’s just a little bit. Notice your breathing and make the shift from rapid, shallow breathing, to deep, slow abdominal breathing, as much as possible. Even just becoming aware of your breathing without attempting to change it, can be incredibly healing. That’s because as soon as you become conscious of your breath, it automatically becomes slower, steadier and more even, without any conscious effort on your part.
The body wants to maintain a state of balance, so all we need to do is open our awareness. Take time to stretch your muscles as much as possible, throughout the day, even by doing small physical movements such as tensing and relaxing your muscles.
The body and mind are intricately connected. When you make an adjustment in your breathing or posture, the emotions are affected. So make a decision to put your shoulders back, hold your head up high and put a big, fake smile on your lips. You will find that it’s difficult to maintain a depressing thought while you hold this posture.
Now, remember the power of words I was speaking of? Nothing can cause your shoulders to slump and your head to hang low faster than contemplating phrases such as, “a devastating economic blow,” “a stalled economy,” “a trillion dollar deficit that keeps growing,” “escalating health-care costs,” etc. If these concerns cause you to get motivated to help the world in the unique way that you are able, then they have served a wonderful purpose. But if they are causing you sleepless nights, binge-eating attacks, or physical symptoms such as migraines or neck pain, then you need to “fight-back” with the same weapon, or in this case healer—words!
How do you feel when you contemplate words such as safety, love, beauty, truth, peace, calm, love, generosity, warmth, life, holiness, sacredness, strength, comfort, friendliness, compassion and infinite freedom? Allow yourself to contemplate each of the words above. The reason words have such power over us is because they are not just words. Every word has the power to evoke an image and these images create feelings. The result is when we hear certain words, particularly when they are spoken, either internally or externally, with a certain tonality, we feel either good or bad, to one degree or another.
You can’t not conjure up a picture when you are impacted by someone’s words or your own thoughts. If I utter the phrase “pink elephant” what comes to mind for you? Exactly, that! So you may think that you are innocently watching the news without much emotional attachment—perhaps you are not personally invested in the stock market at this time—but the words and the tone of fear are bound to effect you. As human beings, we are made up of energy and this energy travels . . . so if you are surrounded with the energy of fear, it would be very difficult not to be effected by this vibration of doubt.
The good news is that you also have the potential to lift your vibration by surrounding yourself with more positive people, and filling your own heart and mind, with thoughts that uplift you and give you hope. Since we are all connected at the level of energy, by doing so, you would automatically be effecting the people around you in a positive, healing way.
It takes a conscious decision to lift your own vibration. The first thing to do is turn off the News. Next look inside your own mind and heart and see the places that are blocked by negative predictions about the present and future. Let the words that are infiltrating your awareness become conscious. Perhaps you’ll notice the thoughts, “lower home values,” or “no money for education,” or “no jobs.” Now imagine that these thoughts were written in your mental field in black ink. Shrink the words and the pictures they conjure up for you down and move them outside of your body . . . Then take a moment and allow words of hope and comfort to come to you. Imagine that you are now resting in a cloud of love and safety. Perhaps the words, “Loving,” and “Patience,” enter your awareness. Allow the deepest meaning of these words to fill you with light and safety and with connection to the most healing power in the Universe. If there is an image of that healing power for you, allow it to come to you and fill every cell of your body. Bask in the idea, “I am a magnificent, resilient person.” Allow images that confirm how resilient you truly are to infiltrate your body and mind. Feel the gratitude for all the help you have been given in your life, thus far—and for the people who have truly been angels for you.
In this time of uncertainty, we must have faith that something better is emerging for us. Words have the power to destroy and they have the capacity to build us up and take us to a whole new way of thinking about ourselves and our world. If you find yourself responding to events by hurting yourself in any way, immediately command yourself to STOP. Be firm but also gentle and loving with yourself. Let go of any judgments about past actions you have taken, and in this moment, realize what you are truly craving. . . Love, Safety, Courage . . . Hope. Give yourself what you are truly needing. As you raise your own level of energy in this way . . . you are now making a vital contribution to all of us by becoming part of the solution. . . . and you are paving the way for a much, brighter, more desirable outcome.
By: Rena Greenberg
This is a difficult time for many of us. If you are an emotional eater, you may feel particularly trapped in a negative cycle due to the state of the world today. While in the past, it may have been easier to “block out” world events, now the unpleasant effects of some of our decisions as a human race, are increasingly impossible to get away from.
You would have to virtually live in a bubble not to be effected by the fear, worry, and anxiety that is plaguing our country at the present time.
So how do you react to uncertainty and loss? Do you tend to reach for the refrigerator – fueled by fears that there won’t be enough? Do you react physically with headaches or a knot in your stomach—and then focus on these ailments? Or are you overcome with lethargy, hopelessness or fatigue, turning to food to boost your energy?
Though any of the above responses are certainly common, they only perpetuate a negative state. So even though the recent chain of events in world history may be spurring you to positive action on the outside—caring for the needs of your family, getting involved politically or working to help those less fortunate than yourself—if you are being torn apart on the inside, it is likely that you will effect your own ability to stay healthy and steady, as you move forward.
The underlying reason why we often turn to food to soothe our emotions, aside from the habit of doing so since childhood and perhaps learning to reach for food mindlessly from within our environment, is because we have the positive intention to comfort ourselves, relax, and giving ourselves love and nurturance. Unfortunately, despite having such noble goals, the act of eating to comfort oneself only leads down a road of increased pain.
So how can you comfort yourself and stay calm during such trying times? On a physical level, take care of yourself! Make sure that you are drinking plenty of pure water, getting lots of physical exercise and eating healthy, nourishing unprocessed food, from the earth, as much as possible. Also make sure to balance your intake of protein, complex carbohydrate and healthy fat (olive oil) with lots of fresh vegetables.
On an emotional level, what is it that you are truly craving when you reach for the sugar-laden or greasy treats, or when you are just eating excessive amounts of food, in general?
Most likely you are seeking love, comfort, safety, control, peace and relaxation.
Unfortunately, there’s no amount of food that can satisfy these genuine needs that we all have. How can you comfort yourself emotionally, in a healthy way?
There are some physical steps that you can take to quell emotions, as well. For example, instead of rushing through your day—going from one activity to the next, mindlessly, slow down even if it’s just a little bit. Notice your breathing and make the shift from rapid, shallow breathing, to deep, slow abdominal breathing, as much as possible. Even just becoming aware of your breathing without attempting to change it, can be incredibly healing. That’s because as soon as you become conscious of your breath, it automatically becomes slower, steadier and more even, without any conscious effort on your part.
The body wants to maintain a state of balance, so all we need to do is open our awareness. Take time to stretch your muscles as much as possible, throughout the day, even by doing small physical movements such as tensing and relaxing your muscles.
The body and mind are intricately connected. When you make an adjustment in your breathing or posture, the emotions are affected. So make a decision to put your shoulders back, hold your head up high and put a big, fake smile on your lips. You will find that it’s difficult to maintain a depressing thought while you hold this posture.
Now, remember the power of words I was speaking of? Nothing can cause your shoulders to slump and your head to hang low faster than contemplating phrases such as, “a devastating economic blow,” “a stalled economy,” “a trillion dollar deficit that keeps growing,” “escalating health-care costs,” etc. If these concerns cause you to get motivated to help the world in the unique way that you are able, then they have served a wonderful purpose. But if they are causing you sleepless nights, binge-eating attacks, or physical symptoms such as migraines or neck pain, then you need to “fight-back” with the same weapon, or in this case healer—words!
How do you feel when you contemplate words such as safety, love, beauty, truth, peace, calm, love, generosity, warmth, life, holiness, sacredness, strength, comfort, friendliness, compassion and infinite freedom? Allow yourself to contemplate each of the words above. The reason words have such power over us is because they are not just words. Every word has the power to evoke an image and these images create feelings. The result is when we hear certain words, particularly when they are spoken, either internally or externally, with a certain tonality, we feel either good or bad, to one degree or another.
You can’t not conjure up a picture when you are impacted by someone’s words or your own thoughts. If I utter the phrase “pink elephant” what comes to mind for you? Exactly, that! So you may think that you are innocently watching the news without much emotional attachment—perhaps you are not personally invested in the stock market at this time—but the words and the tone of fear are bound to effect you. As human beings, we are made up of energy and this energy travels . . . so if you are surrounded with the energy of fear, it would be very difficult not to be effected by this vibration of doubt.
The good news is that you also have the potential to lift your vibration by surrounding yourself with more positive people, and filling your own heart and mind, with thoughts that uplift you and give you hope. Since we are all connected at the level of energy, by doing so, you would automatically be effecting the people around you in a positive, healing way.
It takes a conscious decision to lift your own vibration. The first thing to do is turn off the News. Next look inside your own mind and heart and see the places that are blocked by negative predictions about the present and future. Let the words that are infiltrating your awareness become conscious. Perhaps you’ll notice the thoughts, “lower home values,” or “no money for education,” or “no jobs.” Now imagine that these thoughts were written in your mental field in black ink. Shrink the words and the pictures they conjure up for you down and move them outside of your body . . . Then take a moment and allow words of hope and comfort to come to you. Imagine that you are now resting in a cloud of love and safety. Perhaps the words, “Loving,” and “Patience,” enter your awareness. Allow the deepest meaning of these words to fill you with light and safety and with connection to the most healing power in the Universe. If there is an image of that healing power for you, allow it to come to you and fill every cell of your body. Bask in the idea, “I am a magnificent, resilient person.” Allow images that confirm how resilient you truly are to infiltrate your body and mind. Feel the gratitude for all the help you have been given in your life, thus far—and for the people who have truly been angels for you.
In this time of uncertainty, we must have faith that something better is emerging for us. Words have the power to destroy and they have the capacity to build us up and take us to a whole new way of thinking about ourselves and our world. If you find yourself responding to events by hurting yourself in any way, immediately command yourself to STOP. Be firm but also gentle and loving with yourself. Let go of any judgments about past actions you have taken, and in this moment, realize what you are truly craving. . . Love, Safety, Courage . . . Hope. Give yourself what you are truly needing. As you raise your own level of energy in this way . . . you are now making a vital contribution to all of us by becoming part of the solution. . . . and you are paving the way for a much, brighter, more desirable outcome.
By: Rena Greenberg
Monday, November 3, 2008
Something to Consider . . .
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Friday, October 24, 2008
Courage
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.
- Ambrose Redmoon
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.
- Mark Twain
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.
- John Wayne
- Ambrose Redmoon
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.
- Mark Twain
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.
- John Wayne
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Love is Stronger Than Fear
How can you change your thoughts? You can’t. Try not to think of a blue elephant . . . It's impossible! But you can drop into your heart -- to the reservoir of pure potential within you and allow the infinite love and power that resides in your deep, metaphorical heart, in the center of your chest, to wash the thoughts of doubt and fear away.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The impact of your positive thoughts
Every positive thought is like a drop of water. Imagine that your consciousness is a bottle of impure water. Drop pure, positive thoughts in. Each drop purifies the water until the entire bottle is filled with pure water.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Which part of yourself do you identify with?
Which part of yourself do you identify with? If you don’t want to workout or you think it’s too hard, it’s because you identify with yourself the way you are . . your identity is that of someone who doesn’t work out. When you shift your identity to someone who loves to exercise, you’ll find that you can’t not move – you'll feel compelled to exercise in one way or another.
If you look within you may discover that there's a part of you that wants to exercise and a part of you that does not. The action you ultimately take or don't take will depend on which part you identify with. I encourage you to make the choice that takes you to where you want to go and most importantly, believe in yourself!
Rena
If you look within you may discover that there's a part of you that wants to exercise and a part of you that does not. The action you ultimately take or don't take will depend on which part you identify with. I encourage you to make the choice that takes you to where you want to go and most importantly, believe in yourself!
Rena
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Breaking Free From Obstacles
Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.
- Norman Vincent Peale
- Norman Vincent Peale
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Thought Precedes All Action
Man's whole conduct in life depends upon what he holds in his thought.
- Hazrat Inayat Khan
- Hazrat Inayat Khan
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Your Subconscious Mind is a Storehouse
Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.
Earl Nightingale
Earl Nightingale
Monday, June 2, 2008
The Importance of Planning
I got a wonderful comment from one of the readers of my newsletter, Laura, about my last article, "Oops, Why Did I Eat That?"
Laura wrote that what made the most sense to her was the reminder to plan ahead. She said it reminded her of a quote from
Alan Aiken, a Harvard MBA who does training on time management. His remark is, "Failure to plan is planning to fail." I love it! Isn't that true in so many areas of our life?
I believe that understanding this concept is the difference between someone who is successful at weight management and someone who isn't. Failing to plan is not a sign of some inborn deficiency -- it's simply a mistake that needs to be corrected to achieve the results you desire.
Laura wrote that what made the most sense to her was the reminder to plan ahead. She said it reminded her of a quote from
Alan Aiken, a Harvard MBA who does training on time management. His remark is, "Failure to plan is planning to fail." I love it! Isn't that true in so many areas of our life?
I believe that understanding this concept is the difference between someone who is successful at weight management and someone who isn't. Failing to plan is not a sign of some inborn deficiency -- it's simply a mistake that needs to be corrected to achieve the results you desire.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Be Patient With Your Imperfections
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them--every day begin the task anew.
- Francis De Sales
- Francis De Sales
Sunday, May 18, 2008
To change the outer, first change the inner
Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, cam change the outer aspects of their lives.
- William James
- William James
Friday, April 18, 2008
Eat When you are Hungry!
One of the biggest mistakes any of us can make is ignoring our physical hunger and just pressing on. Doing so almost insures overeating later on. Sometimes, we are so in the habit of ignoring our own needs that we don't even acknowledge the fact that we are getting hungry. Take time every hour to feel into your body and assess how it's doing. Take a deep breath into your abdomen. If you are feeling light headed or tense, you may need to balance your blood sugar with some food. I find that protein and a vegetable (or a small amount of complex carb such as a whole grain cracker) can do the trick very nicely. A great pick me up is a slice of fresh roasted turkey wrapped in Romaine. It's always worthwhile to take the necessary time to fill your need for food, and rest. Not doing so is a surefire way to fall into the old trap of bingeing on carbohydrates later on. The wonderful thing about caring for yourself is that those actions also create momentum and before you know it, you have created a positive habit of keeping your blood sugar steady and meeting your own physical needs.
You Can Do It!
Rena
You Can Do It!
Rena
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Power In You
All is in Silence waiting to be brought
Forth to form and substance by the builder, Thought.
That is how God fashioned everything He wrought,
Everything you long for, in the Silence wait.
Yours the power to shape them either soon or late,
But be very careful how you form your fate.
- Wilcox
Forth to form and substance by the builder, Thought.
That is how God fashioned everything He wrought,
Everything you long for, in the Silence wait.
Yours the power to shape them either soon or late,
But be very careful how you form your fate.
- Wilcox
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Road to Happiness
The road to happiness and prosperity begins in one's secret thoughts, and the motive power by which we progress along that road is constructive emotion expressed in right action.
Venice Bloodworth, PH.D
Venice Bloodworth, PH.D
Sunday, March 2, 2008
My Prayer
May Your Strength
Overshadow my weakness
May the Goodness and Generosity You have placed in me
Be greater than my withholding
May my Love
Overshadow my fear
May my Gentleness
Be greater than my hardness
May my Forgiveness
Seep into my judging nature
May my Softness
Infiltrate my rigidity
May Beauty
Color my vision
May Deep Peace
Permeate my worries
May my experience of Kindness
Re-instill my faith
May Your Patience
Slow me down
May Understanding and Compassion
Pour forth from my eyes and tongue
May Your Wisdom
Infuse my thoughts and words
May I always remember
the vastness of Your Universe and the healing nature of time
May Your Eternal Presence
Kindle everlasting hope in me.
By: Rena Greenberg
Overshadow my weakness
May the Goodness and Generosity You have placed in me
Be greater than my withholding
May my Love
Overshadow my fear
May my Gentleness
Be greater than my hardness
May my Forgiveness
Seep into my judging nature
May my Softness
Infiltrate my rigidity
May Beauty
Color my vision
May Deep Peace
Permeate my worries
May my experience of Kindness
Re-instill my faith
May Your Patience
Slow me down
May Understanding and Compassion
Pour forth from my eyes and tongue
May Your Wisdom
Infuse my thoughts and words
May I always remember
the vastness of Your Universe and the healing nature of time
May Your Eternal Presence
Kindle everlasting hope in me.
By: Rena Greenberg
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Believe in Yourself!
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't;
If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
For out in the world you'll find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.
- Unknown
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't;
If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
For out in the world you'll find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.
- Unknown
Friday, February 22, 2008
Finding Your True Wisdom
Increase in me that wisdom that discovers
my truest interest, Strengthen my resolution
to perform that which wisdom dictates
- Franklin
my truest interest, Strengthen my resolution
to perform that which wisdom dictates
- Franklin
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
We Are Not Alone in the Universe!
A human being is part of the whole, called by us "universe," limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest--a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a prison, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons close to us.
Our task must be to free ourselves from our prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all humanity and the whole of nature in its beauty.
- Albert Einstein
Our task must be to free ourselves from our prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all humanity and the whole of nature in its beauty.
- Albert Einstein
Sunday, February 17, 2008
contact your core of inner silence and power
Spend time contacting your core of inner silence and power daily. The Sufi poet Rumi wrote,
"Only let the moving waters calm down, and the sun and moon will be reflected on the surface of your Being."
"Only let the moving waters calm down, and the sun and moon will be reflected on the surface of your Being."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Know Your True Self
Absolute Consciousness
Whenever a thought arises, do not be carried away by it. You
become aware of the body when you forget the Self. But can you
forget the Self ? Being the Self how can you forget it?
There must be two selves for one to forget the other. It is absurd.
So the Self is not depressed, nor is it imperfect. It is very happy.
The contrary feeling is a mere thought which actually has no
stamina in it. Be rid of thoughts. Being the Self one remains
always realised. Only be free from thoughts.
Ramana Maharshi
Whenever a thought arises, do not be carried away by it. You
become aware of the body when you forget the Self. But can you
forget the Self ? Being the Self how can you forget it?
There must be two selves for one to forget the other. It is absurd.
So the Self is not depressed, nor is it imperfect. It is very happy.
The contrary feeling is a mere thought which actually has no
stamina in it. Be rid of thoughts. Being the Self one remains
always realised. Only be free from thoughts.
Ramana Maharshi
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Delicious Recipes to Enjoy . . .
Enjoy these fabulous recipes from Darryl Schumacher who lost 123 lbs. after attending the Wellness Seminar for Weight Control at University Community Hospital in January 2006. Way to go, Darryl and thanks for the recipes!
Broccoli / Squash / Chicken Casserole
2 lbs chicken breast
3 lbs broccoli (frozen or fresh) florets or broccoli cut up into small pieces
1 lb squash (frozen or fresh) cubed or small pieces
3-4 tablespoons Italian salad dressing
10-12 0z Velveeta cheese
Cube chicken meat into 1" or smaller pieces & stir Italian dressing into meat.
(Note: This can be done earlier & put in refrigerator to act as a marinade if you want.)
Place chicken in large pot season with garlic, salt & pepper to taste
Cook on med - high until meat turns white
Pour in broccoli & squash with chicken - season to taste & cover pot
Cook on med-high & stir frequently until vegetables are done - I cook mine until they are soft & mixed well
(Note: Vegetables are usually done @ same time that water/juices cook out of the mixture)
Pour mixture from pot into large baking pan (9x13 or larger) & set aside
Cut up velveeta into chunks & add 2-3 tablespoons of milk -
Put velveeta into microwave & melt down - will need to stop & stir often
When cheese is liquid --- pour cheese over mixture in baking dish & serve
Cold Broccoli Salad
1 lb Broccoli florets or chopped up Broccoli
¼ Cup Red Onion - Chopped (optional)
½ cup of Bacon Bits or 4-5 slices of crispy bacon pieces
¼ Cup - Salted Sunflower seeds
¼ - 1/3 Cup - Raisins
½ cup of Cheddar or Mozzarella shredded cheese
1/3 Cup Mayonaise
¼ Cup Sugar (I use Splenda)
2-3 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar
Combine dry ingredients in large bowl
Stir together the Mayonaise , Sweetener , & Apple Cider vinegar until mixture is smooth
Pour dressing over your salad & mix together
Chill salad for 30 minutes --- up to 24 hrs & serve
Cold Chicken Salad
1 Whole roasted chicken deboned & cubed or shredded ( I prefer the chicken's from Sam's)
3 Apples Diced ( Fuji Apples are my preference)
1 to 1 ½ cup of grapes cut up
½ to ¾ cup of Cashew nuts chopped
½ Cup Mayonaise
¼ to ½ cup of Raisins ( optional)
2-3 stalks of chopped up celery (optional)
Mrs Dash original seasoning (yellow top)
Chop up chicken - dice up apples - cut up grapes
Combine together in a large bowl & add raisins now if you like - Add cashews last
Season with Mrs Dash seasoning & salt to taste
Stir in mayonnaise until salad sticks together.
Cover & refrigerate - Serve alone, on lettuce, or on a sandwich
Darryl's Eggplant Pizza (Baked Eggplant)
1-3 Eggplants (or as many as you want to serve)
Tomatoes - enough when sliced to cover eggplants
Olive Oil & Minced Garlic
Grated Cheese of your choice (Parmesan, Mozzarella, Cheddar)
Peel eggplants & slice @ ¼" thick --- Place eggplant in a baking pan ( I use a cookie sheet)
Baste both sides with mixture of olive oil & minced garlic - Salt / Pepper / season to your taste
Slice tomatoes @ 1/8" to 1/4" thick & place on top of each slice of eggplant
Bake eggplant / tomato @ 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the eggplant is tender
Put parmesan / mozzarella / cheddar cheese of your choice on top of each eggplant slice
Put pan back in oven until cheese melts - Take pan out & serve. (They resemble small pizza's)
Eggplant Cheyenne --- My Grand daughter (the light of my life) helped me come up with this idea!
2-3 eggplants
2 cans of stewed tomatoes (can use Italian or Mexican style if you prefer)
1 ½ lb of lean ground beef
Olive oil
Minced Garlic
Oregano / Garlic / Salt / Pepper or Mrs Dash Italian style seasoning
Parmesan Cheese - shaker style
Season the hamburger & stir fry meat until done (sloppy joe consistency) - Set aside
Peel eggplants & cube them up into ½ "-- ¾ " pieces ----
Place in large pot with 3-4 tbsp of olive oil & minced / chopped garlic to your taste
Add cans of tomatoes & season mixture to your liking with Oregano / Salt / Pepper etc
Cover pot & cook mixture slowly - stirring occasionally to keep from sticking until mixture is soft
Once mixture is cooked soft - add in the cooked hamburger & then stir in parmesan cheese to taste.
Serve as a stand alone dish or over rice. It is delicious
Broccoli / Squash / Chicken Casserole
2 lbs chicken breast
3 lbs broccoli (frozen or fresh) florets or broccoli cut up into small pieces
1 lb squash (frozen or fresh) cubed or small pieces
3-4 tablespoons Italian salad dressing
10-12 0z Velveeta cheese
Cube chicken meat into 1" or smaller pieces & stir Italian dressing into meat.
(Note: This can be done earlier & put in refrigerator to act as a marinade if you want.)
Place chicken in large pot season with garlic, salt & pepper to taste
Cook on med - high until meat turns white
Pour in broccoli & squash with chicken - season to taste & cover pot
Cook on med-high & stir frequently until vegetables are done - I cook mine until they are soft & mixed well
(Note: Vegetables are usually done @ same time that water/juices cook out of the mixture)
Pour mixture from pot into large baking pan (9x13 or larger) & set aside
Cut up velveeta into chunks & add 2-3 tablespoons of milk -
Put velveeta into microwave & melt down - will need to stop & stir often
When cheese is liquid --- pour cheese over mixture in baking dish & serve
Cold Broccoli Salad
1 lb Broccoli florets or chopped up Broccoli
¼ Cup Red Onion - Chopped (optional)
½ cup of Bacon Bits or 4-5 slices of crispy bacon pieces
¼ Cup - Salted Sunflower seeds
¼ - 1/3 Cup - Raisins
½ cup of Cheddar or Mozzarella shredded cheese
1/3 Cup Mayonaise
¼ Cup Sugar (I use Splenda)
2-3 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar
Combine dry ingredients in large bowl
Stir together the Mayonaise , Sweetener , & Apple Cider vinegar until mixture is smooth
Pour dressing over your salad & mix together
Chill salad for 30 minutes --- up to 24 hrs & serve
Cold Chicken Salad
1 Whole roasted chicken deboned & cubed or shredded ( I prefer the chicken's from Sam's)
3 Apples Diced ( Fuji Apples are my preference)
1 to 1 ½ cup of grapes cut up
½ to ¾ cup of Cashew nuts chopped
½ Cup Mayonaise
¼ to ½ cup of Raisins ( optional)
2-3 stalks of chopped up celery (optional)
Mrs Dash original seasoning (yellow top)
Chop up chicken - dice up apples - cut up grapes
Combine together in a large bowl & add raisins now if you like - Add cashews last
Season with Mrs Dash seasoning & salt to taste
Stir in mayonnaise until salad sticks together.
Cover & refrigerate - Serve alone, on lettuce, or on a sandwich
Darryl's Eggplant Pizza (Baked Eggplant)
1-3 Eggplants (or as many as you want to serve)
Tomatoes - enough when sliced to cover eggplants
Olive Oil & Minced Garlic
Grated Cheese of your choice (Parmesan, Mozzarella, Cheddar)
Peel eggplants & slice @ ¼" thick --- Place eggplant in a baking pan ( I use a cookie sheet)
Baste both sides with mixture of olive oil & minced garlic - Salt / Pepper / season to your taste
Slice tomatoes @ 1/8" to 1/4" thick & place on top of each slice of eggplant
Bake eggplant / tomato @ 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the eggplant is tender
Put parmesan / mozzarella / cheddar cheese of your choice on top of each eggplant slice
Put pan back in oven until cheese melts - Take pan out & serve. (They resemble small pizza's)
Eggplant Cheyenne --- My Grand daughter (the light of my life) helped me come up with this idea!
2-3 eggplants
2 cans of stewed tomatoes (can use Italian or Mexican style if you prefer)
1 ½ lb of lean ground beef
Olive oil
Minced Garlic
Oregano / Garlic / Salt / Pepper or Mrs Dash Italian style seasoning
Parmesan Cheese - shaker style
Season the hamburger & stir fry meat until done (sloppy joe consistency) - Set aside
Peel eggplants & cube them up into ½ "-- ¾ " pieces ----
Place in large pot with 3-4 tbsp of olive oil & minced / chopped garlic to your taste
Add cans of tomatoes & season mixture to your liking with Oregano / Salt / Pepper etc
Cover pot & cook mixture slowly - stirring occasionally to keep from sticking until mixture is soft
Once mixture is cooked soft - add in the cooked hamburger & then stir in parmesan cheese to taste.
Serve as a stand alone dish or over rice. It is delicious
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