I have been out of commission for a while and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your patience and your wonderful comments. Like most Bloggers, I thrive on feedback and comment. I know this sounds corny, but please do keep it up. The more the better!! Thanks again so much. I have been Skating Uphill for a bit, but as the Uphill Skater likes to say,
“Skating Uphill is really hard, but when you get to the top, the view is worth it!”
Well, we say lots of things, but one of my favorites is “HAVE A BLESSED DAY” so here it is for you. Blessed days are filled with happy things, people who do and say nice things to each other, prayer, and good deeds. Grab any one or all of these things and then Have a Blessed Day-Why Not??
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder creating the impression that somehow there is a standard for beauty-a definition so to speak of what is beautiful and what is not. I totally disagree. There are some things that are universally beautiful and to prove my point I am sharing this picture!
I have taken down Christmas early this year and put up lemons. I love the look and smell of lemons and they have cheered up the grey “let down” days following Christmas. Take down Christmas and put up some cheerful stuff! I highly recommend it!
I make smoothies regularly and I just love the fact that they can count as your fruits for the day, your veggies for the day, and with a few simple additions a smoothie can fill in the blanks for things you may be missing in your diet even though it is healthy.
I start with berries for a fruit smoothie and then add any kind of fruit yogurt, some 5 Calories Cranberry juice, ice cubes, and a flavorless protein powder. Don’t forget the banana. I am a vegetarian and the protein powder helps me.
For a veggie smoothie I like to use squashes raw, and for the liquid I use V8. Add a couple of ice cubes and drink up. I use pretty much any raw vegetable that I like and this is very good for fiber too.
If either one of these sound not so good to you, I challenge you to make up your own versions. Remember, life is like a smoothie-it is exactly what you make it and you get out only what you put it.
PS Be sure you have a good blender, there are many types out there and most are good, but you want to be sure the one you buy is heavy duty enough for all on your ingredients.
Beauty is everywhere but perhaps the most beautiful thing of all is doing an act of random kindness for someone who needs it. You do not have to give $$$, go somewhere for a nice dinner, or even drop by. Something as simple as a card or a phone call can make someone else’s day. Give it a try and maybe someone will do something nice for you, right out of the blue. Pay it forward
Yes, I know that Thanksgiving is no longer politically correct, but can we not gather with loved ones and share a meal? Can we enjoy each other’s company and forgive and forget past wrongs, think about the future not the past, and just talk about anything good that we all feel? Don’t look back, you are not going that way!
There are sooo many things to do with an empty pie shell. Think of it as a totally blank canvas and go from there. I think first of quiche. I make literally 10 different types of quiche with veggies, different types of cheeses, and leftovers.
Think also of fruit pies. The skies the limit on fruit pies with all different types of fruit, different toppings and so on. Think also of summer pies, I love the one you make with jello, cool whip and jello pudding. Yummy.
I am sure you could think of many more things to do with an empty pie crust. Also, one can do so much with imagination. Foods are such a pallet. Think about tastes you love and combine with other tastes you love. Also, think about all of the new fruits and veggies that are out there now.
Finally, I do not mean to be a nag, but also check out labels as you shop. We now know sooo much more about nutrition and health. Take advantage of all of this new knowledge.
It actually snowed yesterday. Just when we here were all hoping for the dogwood blossoms, it actually snowed among the “white” trees. Yes, we had white dogwood trees in the start of their beautiful yearly bloom, then white flakes of snow making flurries into the petals. The robins on my front lawn were very confused as was I. The theme here is “hope.”
Winter in the weather and winter in my heart simply cannot last forever. Boy, warm weather and fresh fruit and outdoor hikes keep coming up in my dreams. How about YOU?
I have been on a vacation, but have been thinking of all of those of you who have been faithfully following this blog. We have been learning new things together, I hope, and gaining and growing in many ways. Participation has been wonderful and I hope it will continue to be so. Please write a comment, share a recipe or thought, and just be a part of “Skating Uphill.” My sort of life motto has always been that skating uphill is really hard work, but when you get to the top, the view is well worth it! I hope you agree.
Anyway, we are back and ready to go again. Join the group for recipes, stories to share, comments, life style tips, and on and on. Thanks to all and of course, I have been “Thinking of You!”
