Frankincense

-Promotes Balance
-Relaxes the body
-Eases shortness of breath
-Helps clear lungs
-Calms nervous tension and stress
-Helps rejuvenate cells, promoting youthful skin

Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash is a wonderful source of carbohydrates that help sustain energy.  Butternut Squash is a winter squash that contains beta-carotene.  Beta-carotene is responsible for converting vitamin A in the body and is needed for normal immune, respiratory, and digestive functioning, as well as for healthy skin.  

Vegetarian Chili

Here's my delicious vegetarian chili.

Ingredients: 

Chili Powder

Green Bell Pepper

Onion

Diced Tomatoes

Kidney Beans

Black Beans

Vegetarian Meat Crumbles

There are no specific directions for this recipe.  Make as much or as little as you'd like, adding your preferred ingredients based on your taste and enjoy.

Joy & Blessings

May the Lord continually bless you with heaven's blessings as well as with human joys.

-Psalm 128:5 TLB

Today and always, I hope that you enjoy a life full of joy and blessings!

Less Is More

While there’s a lot of talk these days about decreasing our environmental footprint, it might be time to recalibrate our lives in general. There’s a lot to suggest that for a bigger and more fulfilling life, what we really need to do is live smaller. 

Material World

For most of us, having lots of stuff—whether or not we need it—feels familiar and comfortable, and is even an active social objective. As members of a generally affluent Western culture, we tend to collect belongings, even hording them, as tangible evidence of our success or social standing. Perhaps what we’re really doing, at least some of the time, is filling up spaces in our lives that might otherwise be uncomfortably bare, whether in career satisfaction, spirituality, connection to the natural world, or our personal relationships.

Long before the entire nation became concerned about failures within our economic and eco systems, a movement called Simple Living took hold. Launched decades ago by author, educator, and lecturer Duane Elgin, the tenets of simple living include a strong focus on an authentic way of life that honors and values deep, personal relationships between other people and the natural world, rather than on glitter and material trappings.

A highly respected leader in the area of consciousness research and ecology, Elgin is the author of a several books including Promise Ahead: A Vision of Hope and Action for Humanity’s Future (2000), Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life that is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich (HarperCollins, 2009, now in its 3rd edition), and, with Joseph Campbell, Awakening Earth: Exploring the Evolution of Human Culture and Consciousness (William Morrow, 1993). Elgin’s work urges us to examine our own lives, and to devote our energy to what’s truly important.

“Happiness is largely a networked social phenomenon once a sustaining level of material well-being is reached,” explains Elgin. “Worrying less about the material appearances and more about the soulful connections with others, we could put our life-energy into creating the most robust, healthy, and rewarding relationships that we can. The more we learn about the ‘science of happiness,’ the more we see that focusing on material acquisition and status is not serving us well and that it would be enormously helpful to redefine progress.”

Dealing with economic crisis, both on a national and personal scale, requires not only spending adjustments, but an adjustment in outlook and expectations as well. Mel Schwartz, L.C.S.W, is a psychotherapist, professional speaker and educator, and the founder of the Emergent Thinking® process, an approach to personal evolution. He is the author of The Art of Intimacy, The Pleasure of Passion (Quantum Press, 1999), and is currently at work on a new book, titled A Shift of Mind: Rethinking the Way We Live.

“Our worldview is ridden with material consumption as a false pathway toward happiness,” says Schwartz. “We need only look at the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and general malaise to understand that it’s not working. I fervently believe that all crisis presents opportunity. The opportunity in this economic crisis is to reconsider where we look for meaning and purpose, to free ourselves from the mindless pursuit of bigger and more, and open to the contemplation of a more authentic way of being. A recession is an opportunity to come out of the habitual groove of consuming, and still ourselves in a more mindful way.”

Creating Community

Somewhere along the way, we’ve become not only a culture of consumers, but also a society that has almost completely lost touch with the source of our goods. We buy a wool blanket at a chain department store, but have no concept—or real interest—where the wool came from, who cared for the animals, or how those animals were cared for. This disconnect can be a dangerous thing, separating us from the natural rhythms of the planet and our place in the ecosystem. Getting in touch with these aspects of consumerism encourages us to embrace the concept of living our lives on a smaller scale, and helps us to understand that lives all around the planet are inextricably connected.

If you live in a city environment—or in a very small town—you may already appreciate the value and satisfaction of doing business with familiar shopkeepers. Chances are you know one another by name, or even share a common history based within the neighborhoods that surround you. For much of the country, though, it’s necessary to drive to a retail center to shop for groceries and purchase goods, or to get to school, work, or other obligations. So, while the old model of shops centered around a village green, within easy access of residents, is a rarity these days, you can still take steps to build a sense of community with those with whom you do business and encounter socially.

Schwartz’s Emergent Thinking® approach, founded on the discoveries of various emerging sciences, is an approach to life that mirrors the messages of an inseparable, flowing and participatory universe. “From this perspective,” he adds, “our lives unfold in meaning and with purpose, and we are no longer manipulated to consume, but free to create and experience life from wholeness.”

Redefine Shopping

Green and eco are popular buzzwords today, and an increasing number of people are expressing a deep and personal interest in contributing in the healing of the planet. With limited disposable income as a factor, it’s the perfect time to get very choosy about where you spend your money. If you live in a place where meandering to the local shops isn’t an option, and the nearest retail choice is a mall complex with chain mega stores selling mass-produced products, you can still make wise choices that connect you—often quite affordably—to sustainably produced goods.

“Now may not be the time to get that fancy new hybrid, but there are still plenty of things you can do to live more sustainably—which has never been easier,” offers Mark Spellun, publisher of the former print version of Plenty Magazine, which helped guide consumers to ecologically viable and sustainably produced goods, services, and lifestyles. “Even if you shop mostly at the big box stores like Walmart and Target,” says Spellun, “there are more and more sustainable options. The trick is that you have to look for them. They aren’t all in one section. Ask the store staff where [to find] the new organic clothing lines, or what locally grown produce they can suggest.”

How can getting in touch with these aspects of consumerism encourage us to embrace the concept of living our lives on a smaller scale? According to Elgin, we can accomplish this by coming to what he defines as “an ecology of mind.”

“This type of ecology,” he explains, “literally sees through the prism of wholeness as opposed to the fragmented parts of Newton’s worldview. When we learn to see in wholeness, it becomes quite natural to see the origins and flow of process, not simply the end product. The rupturing of wholeness removes us from nature, and has us only as manipulators of nature as we utilize it to our own ends. Shifting how we think and see, resisting the tendency to fragment, can restore our ability to see ourselves as an inseparable co-participant in and with nature. When we accomplish this, larger is no longer better, and more is no longer preferable.”

Downscaling our lives might even be the catalyst for finally achieving that elusive state of balance we all long for, where we can realign our goals and energies to properly reflect both our physical beings, and our true, spiritual selves.

Practical Tactics

There are a number of effective strategies for living smaller that we can take immediately in our own homes and lives. “There’s a simple idea to keep in mind: Think less,” advises Mark Spellun, former publisher of Plenty Magazine (now a website). “What if you turned down the thermostat a degree or two, or took shorter showers? Eating less meat can lower your carbon and your water footprint. Try to save leftovers, and either eat them later or compost what you can. Even if you can’t use the compost yourself, a local farmer’s market will probably happily take it from you.”

Live smaller and bigger at the same time by trying some of these other approaches: Read all the latest bestsellers. Remember the library? If you love to read, but hesitate to indulge in new books because of the cost, treat yourself to a library card. And don’t forget great neighborhood used bookstores, where you can stock your own private library for a fraction of the cost of new books.

Go on vacation. The world is a wide and wild place, filled with fascinating cultures and landscapes—making it easy to forget that old jewel about happiness being in our own backyards. If your budget doesn’t currently include India, why not stay in the comfort of your own home, and make day trips to all of the nearby places you haven’t ever had the time to explore? Map out routes for area botanical gardens, museums, parks, and galleries, and enjoy becoming familiar with them.

Have a gourmet meal. One you cook yourself, that is. Dust off all those cookbooks you’ve collected, and spend some quality time in your own kitchen experimenting with your favorite comfort foods. Invite neighbors or friends to share the results with you, and you’ll begin to redefine your home as a true sanctuary filled with joyful companionship.

Free fitness membership. Getting and staying fit doesn’t require a membership to a fancy gym. You can walk, hike, and skate for free by stepping outside your front door. Prefer a kickboxing class or tai chi session? Buy a DVD, trade one you don’t use for one you find more interesting, or borrow one from the library. The bonus? No crowded shower room.

Trade it. Need a dogsitter or cat watcher while you’re away on business, but worry about the expense? Make friends with a dog-owning neighbor, and arrange to trade pet-sitting services with him or her when it’s their turn to travel. You can do the same thing with babysitting, snow shoveling, gardening, and any number of things.



This post was written by Debra Bokur for HealingLifestyles.com.

Vegetable Stuffed Cabbage

Tonight, I made vegetable stuffed cabbage- a seriously modified version of one of Mario Batali's recipes.  It was really good.  Here are the ingredients: Cabbage, onions, tomatoes, mashed potatoes, tomato sauce, olive oil, Italian seasonings, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

                           

 

                           

    

-Boil the cabbage leaves

-Saute the vegetables and seasonings

-Either boil and mash your potatoes or use the instant kind

-Mix the vegetable, mashed potatoes and 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese together in a bowl

-Place one large spoonful of the mixture in your cabbage leaf and fold it over

-Arrange them in your baking dish

-Spoon the desired amount of tomato sauce over your stuffed cabbage rolls

-Optional: Sprinkle with cheese

-Bake 20-30 minutes on 400 degrees 

-Enjoy

Eco-Therapy: Healing with Nature in Mind

Eco-Therapy:

Healing with Nature in Mind

By Linda Buzzell & Craig Chalquist

Let It Snow

We received our first snow of any significance last night.  So my family and I ventured outside for a little eco-therapy.  What a great time!  It was our son's first time playing in the snow and I even made a snow angel.  No matter what the weather's like outside today, take some time to enjoy nature and your surroundings.

Veggie Burrito

I made veggie burritos last night.  Wild rice, black beans, onions, green peppers, chik'n, corn, cheddar cheese and salsa wrapped in a warm whole wheat shell.  Yummy!

Eco-Therapy

Eco-Therapy is the practice of spending time outdoors, connecting with nature.  This practice can help relax the body, decreasing blood pressure and post-operative recovery time, improving self-esteem and even lessening depression.  Eco-therapy has also been shown to decrease the production of stress hormones and improve the mood following stressful events.  This restorative practice brings balance and calm and provides a space for us to spiritually connect with ourselves and with something greater than ourselves.

Walking, or other outdoor exercise, gardening, or playing with animals are simple ways to spend time outdoors.  Caring for potted plants, having an indoor garden and including natural lighting are simple ways to bring nature indoors and also helps create a healing environment.

Quinoa

Quinoa is a complete source of protein, containing all eight essential amino acids.  It is also an excellent source of magnesium and calcium, which helps strengthen bones, and iron helping to prevent anemia.

Saunas

A Sauna is a small room that provides a form of hydrotherapy that promote relaxation and sweating.  There are wet, dry, smoke, and steam saunas, as well as those that use infrared waves.  They are heated to very high temperatures with well controlled humidity.  Saunas cause capillaries to dilate and temporarily lowers blood pressure.

Vegetable Lasagna

Here's another meal that I made up!  Vegetable Lasagna made with Spinach, Artichoke, Mushrooms, Onions, Eggplant, Marinara Sauce, Italian Seasonings, Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese & Lasagna Noodles of course.  So simple to make.  Just layer the veggies until your hearts content (or until you run out of room in your dish!)  Put it in the oven- 350 degrees for about 30 minutes (depends on how many layers you have.)  Let sit for about 10 minutes once out of the oven to let all the ingredients blend together.  Then eat up!  Enjoy!

The Organic Family Cookbook

The Organic Family Cookbook

By Anni Daulter

Relax: A Liquid Mind Experience

Relax:

A Liquid Mind Experience

By Liquid Mind

Raw Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Toasted Walnuts

Pile your plate with healthy dark leafy greens. Kale, which boasts a cool 45 flavonoids (plant pigments that promote antioxidant activity in the body), helps lower cholesterol.











Ingredients

• 1 bunch kale, torn
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1/2 fruit)
• 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• Coarse salt and pepper

Directions

1. Rub kale with olive oil, lime juice, and ginger until well coated.
2. Add pomegranate seeds, red onion, and walnuts and toss. Season with coarse salt and pepper.

Yield: Serves 4

This post was taken from WholeLiving.com.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa is full of easily digestible nutrients and enzymes.  It is eaten sprouted and contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids and phytochemicals that protect against disease.  Alfalfa also has properties that help to build blood, reduce cholesterol, detoxify the body and balance hormones, while producing an anticarcinogenic affect on the body.

Chik'N, Broccoli, & Mushroom Alfredo

Vegans and Vegetarians know that there are plenty of meat substitutes that can be used to complement meals.  Tonight, we had Chik'N (a vegetarian substitute), Broccoli, & Mushroom Alfredo.  I think it was great for my first try.  It didn't take long to prepare either.  I'll be creating this recipe again.

Chik'N (entire bag)

Broccoli (2 cups fresh)

Cream of Mushroom Soup (large fat free can)

Grated Parmesan Cheese (1 cup)

Pasta (use what you like)

Roasted Vegetable & Farro Salad

INGREDIENTS

a big handful of Brussel Sprouts quartered


2 Carrots cut into small enough pieces


1 Sweet Potato peeled and cubed


1 Shallot sliced


1 clove garlic chopped

2 Tbs of Orange Champagne Vinegar (or whatever you like)

1/4 cup Farro

DIRECTIONS

Spray cookie sheet with PAM or cooking spray (You can use olive oil)

Spread brussel sprouts, carrots and sweet potato on sheet and sprinkle with salt

Cook on 375 for about 35 minutes or until cooked and starting to brown

Cook Farro as instructed on package

Soak garlic and shallots in Vinegar until ready to serve

Mix components together

Serve hot, cold or room temp

This recipe was provided by the Chefanies for HealingLifestyles.com.

Lemongrass

-Balances oily skin conditions
-Has antiseptic properties 
-Acts as a deodorizer 
-Effective insect repellent

Millionaire Moms: The Art of Raising a Business and a Family at the Same Time

Millionaire Moms: 

The Art of Raising a Business and a Family at the Same Time

By Joyce Bone

Put More Produce in Your Day

3 Simple Strategies to Put More Produce in Your Day.

1. Include a fruit or vegetable at EVERY meal. There’s no meal that can’t fit a fruit or veggie—fresh, frozen, dried or from a bottle or can. Put a banana in that cereal, berries in your oatmeal, salsa or veggies with those eggs, a salad instead of fries with the meal, or veggies on the sandwich.

2. Have a fruit or vegetable in at least ONE of your snacks each day. A handful of grapes? Trail-mix with raisins or dried cherries? A sliced apple with peanut butter? A cup of low-sodium vegetable juice? Carrots and hummus? A mug of vegetable soup? You choose.

3. If you nosh at night, instead of giving yourself an ultimatum that becomes too restrictive or worse yet, gets you back on that guilt-ridden rollercoaster ride of emotional distress at your dietary behaviors, make a deal with yourself. Unless you’ve planned in advance to have an evening dessert or home-popped popcorn with a movie, if you find yourself returning to the kitchen with those after-dinner munchies, commit a fruit or veggie choice, period. Plain and simple: guidelines on what to choose NOT whether you can. It feels so liberating and ultimately, you may find at times you’re not as interested in a post meal nibble as your mind originally told you or that you simply and nutritiously end up adding to your overall health with an extra fruit or veggie serving.

For lots of cool information and strategies on how to bump up the berries and broccoli, cash in on carrots and cherries , or mix-it-up from mushrooms to melons, visit the Produce for Better Health Foundation at fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.

This post was written by Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD for HealingLifestyles.com.

Music to Promote Sleep

Music to Promote Sleep

By Hennie Bekker & Dr. Lee R. Bartel

Vegan Breakfast Burrito

5 Meditations for a New Year

1. Think about what you're thinking about.  

Take 3 deep breaths and give your full attention to your thoughts.

2. Recharge each day.  

Ideas: Take a brisk walk, read a chapter in a new novel, add your favorite fragrance to your bath.

3. Pick 3 new practices to try.  

Ideas: Try a new food, listen to a new genre of music, try a new yoga pose.

4. Pamper yourself. 

Everyday is a special occasion. Make yourself a priority and do something you enjoy.

5. Find Balance. 

Eliminate your clutter. Ideas: Clean 1 drawer in your home, unsubscribe from unnecessary emails, evaluate your relationships and choose the ones that empower, uplift and support you.