Dinner ideas

Wednesday night is my favorite meal because I patronize a local business that makes homecooked meals from scratch and Wednesday is Fried Chicken night! I order a two piece white meat meal that comes with THREE veggies of my choosing. Tastes great, inexpensive and no mess! What could be better? I would like to say that it is a splurge but the truth is I don’t think I could buy the food for the money they charge. The fact that I don’t have to go buy it, fix it and clean it up makes it a real treat!  They also make wonderful baked goods and offer gift baskets (The holidays are coming so I'm trying to think ahead.) Get on their email list and they will email you the daily meal choices (there are usually 2.) You can call ahead and tell them what time you would like to pick it up and it is ready. They also have seating so you can eat it right there!  Thank you Simply Sara's! simplysaras.net 

Baked goods from Simply Sara's

             

Quote for the Day

Quote for the Day

“When learning is needed, the teacher will come.”


I have learned that every interaction and every situation has something to teach me. It may not be a pleasant lesson (and could even be a very painful one) but if I am honest, everything I need for growth is presented to me at the exact right time. Sometimes a difficult concept but in retrospect, I am grateful.


I don't say this lightly because I know that sometimes life gives us tragedy and great sadness. I may not be available to "learn" the lesson immediately but upon reflection, I do learn. Sometimes it is as simple as I cannot control anyone or anything but myself. Controlling myself takes practice at times. I am only responsible for my thoughts and deeds. No one can make me do anything and no one can make me think anything. It's all about me. Can be frightening and freeing at the same time!

Shadow of the Bear

The Shadow of the Bear

On our way back to Cashiers from Highlands, NC( with my husband, daughter and son in law) we noticed several cars and a group of people enjoying the view overlooking a valley (Rhodes big view overlook in Jackson County.) The fall leaves were at their peak so we surmised that the view at this particular spot must be spectacular. We wanted a family photo, so we stopped. The view was beautiful but it was similar to driving the winding roads. We later learned that two times a year (mid October through early November and a few weeks in mid February) the shadow from the mountain formed the image of a bear and the people gathered were waiting for that event. The best time to see it is on a clear day starting at about 5:30 pm.  Unfortunately, we left the view about 15 minutes before the sun would have been at the exact point to see the bear form. I looked it up and was disappointed that we missed it. Nature is awesome!

                                                 Photo by examiner.com  Oct. 26, 2010

                                                                  Jackson County, NC

                                                  Nothing like a photo on the side of Hwy 64

Gratitude

Gratitude... what a game changing concept. It never fails that if I'm feeling sorry for myself, down in the dumps or just fearful, reciting a gratitude list is like hitting a "reset" button. One day I challenged myself to do a list of 50 things I was grateful for every day for a week. I admit it was more difficult at first as I was reaching for the "lofty" things. At some point I realized I was extremely grateful for the things most of us take for granted... like running water! After that realization, my gratitude lists are always full. It is fun to make a game of it. Instead of counting sheep  I  start with A and try to get to Z with things that make me thankful. It is so comforting, I am usually asleep halfway through the alphabet.

Challenge yourself to make a gratitude list. If 50 things every day sounds too daunting, start with just one. Whatever suits you. I think you will be grateful you made your lists!

Nature's Miracle

I am thankful for so many things. One of them is our crazy but precious little maltipoo named Sassy. (Incidently, the name can also be spelled maltepoo.) The dog is a cross between a poodle and maltese. She definitely has the Napolean complex. Meaning, she thinks she is much bigger than her ferocious 8lbs.  She guards our house like a guard dog. She will bark profusely when anyone or anything is within 25 yards of the house (which makes her a superb doorbell.) She is super loyal and loves me unconditionally. As anyone with small dogs knows (hopefully it's not just me) their potty training adventures can be just that - adventures. Even when they have the skill mastered, there are still "accidents." If you haven't already discovered it, there is an all natural product that will virtually take all traces of the scent and stain out of the affected area. It is called Nature's Miracle. (And it just may be.) I get it at the large Pet stores and it is worth the trip!

Okay... full disclosure here:
Sassy isn't the only one who makes mistakes. (Imagine that.)
One day I accidently left her outside when I left for the morning. I had no idea she wasn't sitting in her usual spot protecting the house all day. When I returned, about 6 hours later, she was waiting patiently at the back door looking confident I would arrive shortly. Sassy was delighted to see me! I am quite certain I would not get the same happy treatment from a family member that I had inadvertently locked out! Dogs are one of nature's miracles!

                                                                   

Sassy waiting patiently to be let inside

Our ferocious guard dog

                                      

                                  

Reflections

live with intention.

walk to the edge.

listen hard.

practice wellness.

play with abandon.

laugh.

choose with no regret.

continue to learn.

appreciate your friends

do what you love.

live as if this is all there is.

mary anne radmacher

Yummy

My friend, Mary, gave me 3 different flavors of ice cream to try. At the time, I liked ice cream but it was not my dessert of choice. After a few bites of the Mint Chocolate Chip I was hooked. I didn't think the next flavor would be as good. Wrong again! The Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip was incredible.

If you are interested in a sweet treat that is worth every calorie…RUN, don’t walk, to your grocery store and look for Graeters ice cream.  I LOVE the chocolate/chocolate chip but have tried every flavor and they are all delicious.  The chocolate chips are huge and really, really good chocolate.  My grocery store ordered it upon request.  Check the Graeters website for a list of stores in your area that may carry this yummy product.  If your store doesn’t carry it, they deliver! 

Warning... This ice cream is irresistible!

Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip

Enough Said

Healthy Snacking

Healthy Snacking!

I like to snack between meals so I try to choose snacks that have nutritional value. Fruit is alway a favorite but there are many other options.  Popcorn topped with nutritional yeast is both healthy and delicious. (It might even trick me into thinking I'm eating fun food.) Popcorn is a good fiber source and nutritional yeast is a complete protein plus it is full of B vitamins. What is nutritional yeast you may wonder? Wikipedia has the answer:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nutritional yeast flakes

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, often a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae,which is sold commerically as a food product. It's sold in the form of flakes or as a yellow powder similar in texture to cornmeal, and can be found in the bulk isle of most natural food stores. It is a source of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins and is a complete protein.

It is also naturally low in fat and sodium and is free of sugar,dairy and gluten. Sometimes it is fortified with Vitamin B12.

Roasted Kale or Asparagus
 Another warm, crunchy idea is roasted veggies. I cut up thin asparagus, put them in a plastic storage bag with a teaspoon of olive oil (which lightly coats them), then spread them onto a cookie sheet. I bake them at 400 degrees until crispy. As a final touch, I add some sea salt. Wonderful!  You can do the same thing with Kale. Misting the olive oil on Kale works best because it is easier to control the amount  used. Nutritional yeast is good on both of these veggies too!

* In the interest of full disclosure, check out my next post about totally indulgent treats!!

Nutritional yeast flakes

Nutritional yeast from German natural food stor

Glorious!

Oh my! I just walked outside our back door to feed the kitties and was almost knocked over by the heavenly smell of our night blooming jasmine 25 yards away (the length of a short course competitive swimming pool.)  It is a large plant and it really gives off a wonderful scent.

Speaking of scents, I love "smell goods" so I put a few drops of scented essential oil in several air vents around the house and it doesn't disappoint! There is such a wonderful smell when I come into the house. It lasts for a few days, and I use it sparingly, but it always lifts my spirits.

                                             One of nature's gifts... Night blooming jasmine

Intention

I have recently challenged myself to do something intentionally kind for someone daily. It can be as simple as helping an elderly person reach a certain product in the grocery store on a high shelf or a generous tip to the person cleaning a public restroom. The act doesn’t really matter. The truth is that love is one of the things that expands and grows when it is given away. I have heard that repeating something for 21 days makes it a habit. That is my goal, to make it a habit.  I would like to encourage and challenge everyone reading this to do something nice for someone today.

Live each day with intention!

Exercise

  

I play tennis in a Ladies club league. The experience offers fun, fitness and the all important community. I learned a great tip today. When receiving a difficult lob (a shot that is high and deep) back up a little to get behind it.  Sounds like it is something I should intuitively know but that bit of coaching makes it much easier to return the ball offensively! This is a great tip for my level because we can get some stellar lobs!! I didn’t play tennis until I discovered this Ladies league. It is a perfect way to exercise that doesn’t seem like work. I would encourage anyone who wants to get some exercise to find a tennis league. There are city leagues, country club leagues and USTA leagues. You are put with your own level so everyone enjoys it.  If this sounds interesting, go to USTA.com  for great information.

                                                               
                     TEAMWORK! Team members Sheila and Lacey high-five after a good shot!

Gardening

My friend, Tricia, is quite the gardner and we often share clippings and ideas. This year she gave me some seeds from her Monet Marigold stock. I threw a handful next to my tomatoes to encourage bees and,therefore, pollination. I am in Florida so the temperature is still very warm and today I am checking on my beautiful yellow flowers. The flowers are a great burst of color and when cut make a delicate and beautiful arrangement for a small vase. When the flowers brown and dry up, they house the seeds and you can save them and have a new crop next spring! Thanks Tricia!

Delicate flowers

Seeds are the spindly, brown pod on the left

                                                                               

                                                            

First Post!

My daughter is working on a blog so when she suggested I try it, I bit! I hate to admit that I am not very computer savvy but once I get it up and going I will not be fighting with the technology.

This makes me think of  how much there is to learn, Constantly! Technology is like math. If you don’t do it everyday it is easy to forget the basics. I have to keep it fresh and in the forefront. It doesn’t seem to be like riding a bike.  That’s what spirituality is like for me. I have to nurture and feed it so I don’t easily forget that  I am a spiritual being having a human experience! 

What I know for sure:

Nothing.

A big shout out to Annie for her patience and wisdom in helping me set up this blog. And kudos to Josh, my amazing son-in-law, who didn't send us to time out during the process.