Dear Blog Friends-Sorry not to have posted for a week. We have been on vacation and NO Computer!!! I am back now and will continue to communicate and hope you all will do the same. Best regards, Judith
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Togetherness
It is pretty common knowledge that having someone with which to share life experiences is good not only for your well being, but also for your health. In fact, some say that health and well being are close to the same thing. In the case of having a friend, loved one, special other and on and on, I agree. Being lonely is no fun. Don’t ask me how I know this! I am not there any more, but I have been. Have you?
Uh Pear Unt Lee
OK, so the spelling of apparently was not correct, but when something is apparent, it is eye catching, right? So I have used the pears as an example. I have recently been discussing and sharing recipes from the Mediterranean Diet and I wanted to pass on what is probably the biggest “To Do” of the whole food prep and consumption parts of the plan. Eat 5 Servings of Fruits and or Vegetables Every Day.
When I first read this it seemed like a whole lot, but it isn’t really. A serving is 1/2 cup and if you eat a big salad with lettuce, tomato, and a bit of celery or a bit of green onion that is about 3 servings. I make a salad with butter lettuce, ice berg lettuce, bagged chopped cabbage, cold green beans or corn and any other leftover veg I have in the fridge.
If you are not in to so much green salad, try a fruit salad. You will be surprised how quickly you can get to three or four servings. Chop an apple, slice a banana, add a few grapes, and put in a small can of pineapple chunks and there you are. Add lean meat, chicken or tofu or my favorite which is salmon or tuna and life if good. The Mediterranean Diet is not nearly so challenging as I thought it would be. It is also very easy to modify. I am a pescaterian and I have no problem at all. MMMM, fish and shellfish!
About Rising
I love the sun and wake as often as I can to see it rise and I must say that I have very seldom been disappointed in the beauty of a new day. For many people their goal is to rise as well. Growing, gaining, and living large are all good goals, don’t get me wrong. I am frequently reminded though of a saying from Lao Tzu an ancient Chinese follower of the Zen path. He said that we rise together. He also said, and this is one of my “words to live by” sayings, We Rise By Lifting Others. Think about that next time a friend needs your help or you can share a kind word with someone who needs to hear it.
Beauty In Your Kitchen??
Surround yourself with lovely things. Why not? Yes, even your kitchen can be a place of beauty and you can fill your “heart of the home” with things that are not only good to eat, see edible flowers above, but are lovely as well.
Beauty In Your Kitchen
People don’t think of their kitchens as being a place of beauty but let’s try to change all of that. I like to keep edible flowers out. They are so colorful. I also put my fruit in arrangements. It takes so little time and it makes such a difference to a mood. I also have some very pretty platters that I love to put out in picture frame holders. Many of them are thrift shop finds that I have purchased for under $2.00.
I have a girlfriend who collects wooden trays and she puts them out with pictures she loves, little arrangements of Rosemary in pottery jugs, pretty napkins in collected napkin rings and just anything she likes on any given day. Do try some of these ideas even in a small kitchen. It can make kitchen time something really fun instead of a chore. Aren’t we always looking for ways to find a smile!
Shared Wisdom
If you are living a “goal focused” life, then no matter what you do, you never have enough.
Not so with a “value focused” life because your values are always available to you no matter what your circumstance.
I’m Just Saying!
Banana Fanna Fo Fanna
Yes, Mr. Banana even has his own song-remember it? The lowly banana is, in reality, a big star. Not only are bananas delicious, everyone knows also that one banana is a whole days worth of potassium. At only 100 calories, that is quite a deal
This is really only the beginning of the banana story though. For example, I NEVER make a smoothie without a soft banana or two. Does anyone-I think not. It goes best, in my opinion, with a cup of unflavored Greek yogurt, a scoop of protein powder, some blueberries and strawberries, some ice cubes and my secret ingredient-a cup of 5 calorie cranberry juice.
Also, you can make that non dairy ice cream that is so very good. Freeze some banana chunks, add your favorite flavors like a bit of vanilla or some chocolate syrup, use any non-dairy milk, I prefer oat milk, and blend. Add or use less liquid to determine your texture. Freeze and enjoy.
Some people use a mashed banana as a moisturizer too, but to be honest, I have not tried that. I have used avocado though and it works! Try the banana facial and let me know!
PS if you have extra bananas that are going black, freeze them right away for future use in a bunch of different things.
Personal favorite
Winnie the pooh is one of my favorite characters. He has such a positive self-image. He loves and is kind to his friends. He put up with rabbits who are occasionally grumpy. He has a “Love Thy neighbor” outlook on life that is hard to beat. He works within his limitations-Even though he is referred to as a bear with little brain, he is never held back by that definition. He doesn’t hesitate to seek help when necessary. He is pretty game to try new things. Finally, and above all, he is lovable. A guy like that is hard to find these days. (I’m Just Saying!)
What is a “Tacosaurus???”
What the heck is a Tacosaurus you may ask? Well, it is a word that I overheard a child use in a Mexican restaurant the other day and it means someone who loves all tacos. You can put pretty much anything in a taco and still have it be really great, so I thought I would make a couple of suggestions for those among us who are not yet in to the joys of taco life!
- Use any kind or size tortilla-flour, corn, spinach, herb, etc. Large or small makes no difference. Some purists may call a taco made with a big tortilla a burrito, but it is NOT. If you fold the tortilla in half instead of doing any sort of wrap, it is a TACO! Also soft tacos are not fried and crispy tacos are.
- I always start with lettuce, chopped tomato, and grated cheese. I like cheddar, but any kind will do.
- Beans are a must-Refried, vegetarian or regular, the difference being that regular are made with lard and vegetarian are not. Black beans are good, and so are kidney beans. Pinto beans work too.
- Now for the fun-your favorite fillings. I love shrimp, any kind of fish, soy ground beef, or QUORN shredded chicken. I also really like deviled egg filling. Non-veg people love ground beef, steak, chicken, pulled pork, and chopped ham.
The most outrageous taco I ever saw had pork and beans and chopped hot dogs. Anyway, you get the idea, right. Make it yummy and customize to taste-Be creative!
PS Don’t forget guacamole on top!