Beating the Winter Blues!

From Newsday “Most snow of any January – 34.9 inches of snow has hit the ground at Brookhaven National Laboratory this month.  The previous January record was 26 inches in 1947, the first year statistics were kept there.”

Do you have the winter blues?  Are you sick of the cold weather and constant snow?  Are you missing the warm sunshine?  Well….get over it!  Okay, that was a bit harsh, but sometimes you just have to blurt it out.  I will admit we’ve gotten way too much snow this winter, however, isn’t it beautiful?!! Why not switch off that part of your brain that says, “I hate winter.”   For it deserves a positive mindset.  After all, winter can be a very unhectic season.  It’s that time of the year when you get to slow down.  The holidays are over!  It’s time to focus on rejuvenation and revitalizing yourself.  Snow storms may force you to hibernate in the house.  Just think of all the things you can get done from home.  Therefore, let’s relax your mind and beat the winter blues by changing your attitude in how you view winter and enjoy what the season has to offer.

I had an experience a few years ago that changed my attitude toward winter.  On a cold, blustery winter day, I was driving with my neighbor Susan to an adult education class.  It was an overcast day with flakes in the sky.  The snow was already in mounds on the ground from a previous storm.  We were running very late for class.  Unfortunately, there was an accident on the road and traffic was at a standstill.  Oh “$%&#” is all I could think for this was going to make us even later to class.  As I moaned and groaned, I heard Susan say “Look,” as she pointed her finger.  “Look at that branch, see how the ice and snow just hang off of it.  Look at the magnificence, the beauty of nature.”  I looked at the tree and then at the branch and thought.  Is she nuts?  As I continued to look, I forgot that we were stopped in traffic.  It really was quite pretty what I was viewing.  It really was quite serene to see a blanket of white cascading down the branch and among the various twigs on the tree.  It made the traffic disappear and so what if I was a bit late to class.  Winter is quite beautiful .  What a better way to beat the winter blues than to just stop and watch the beauty of the season.

I know you are cold, tired of shoveling and just plain sick of it, but look around at the beauty that winter provides and appreciate the nature that surrounds you. I have taken some pictures this week I think you will enjoy.  Can you see the beauty in each picture?  Don’t you feel better now??

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Who’s ready to watch some football?  Who’s ready to eat chips, drink beer and binge on junk food during the entire game?   I would ask you to put your hand up, but you are probably too preoccupied screaming at the television set.

Does this sound about right?  I don’t have to be much of a football fan to know what goes on during the games.  People absolutely BINGE on junk food!  What usually also occurs is you are so focused on the game you lose sight of just how much you drank or ate.   You then feel very bloated and full.  While it may be hard to control the amount of food you eat during a game, it certainly is easy to control what you eat during a game.  Why not assemble an assortment of organic and healthy foods to eat instead of the usual junk food.  At the very least, you will feel energized!  Just think of all the extra energy you will have to scream at the top of your lungs….lol.

I must confess, I do not watch sports (well…only ice skating).  I always get laughed at when I ask my family what inning it is during a football game.  I really have no interest.  However, I live with two huge Jets fans, my husband and son.  They frequently invite friends over to watch the game.   Therefore, it is customary to put out a nice spread of finger foods at my house.  Here are 10 healthy food ideas to serve your guests during a football game:

1.        Hummus with an assortment of organic vegetables

2.       Guacamole dip with organic, non-GMO tortilla chips (**Read the Labels)

3.       Organic chicken wings (Your health food store will carry these or make your own)

4.       Assortment of olives

5.       Raw cheese and organic crackers

6.       Mixed raw nuts

7.       Sourdough crostini toast with artichoke heart spread

8.       Crockpot Chili – (vegetarian or with grassfed meat)

9.       If you must have soda, your health food store has soda made with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.

10.   Organic beer – Your local health food store will carry this.  Look for brands like Peak Organic.

See…..not so bad!  There are alternatives!  Now go and enjoy the games…  And, remember to “root, root, root for the home team.”…;)

A Few Words About Gossip......

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.
--Spanish Proverb

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
--Will Rogers

I have a few words to say about “gossip.”  Before I start, I need to clarify a few things.  When I told my daughter I was writing a blog piece about gossip, she said “…but Mom, you gossip all the time.  What does gossip have anything to do with Inner Beauty?”  Let me address these questions. 

It is basic human nature to discuss the actions of others. Whether one talks about politics, religion, music or art, it usually involves the actions of another human being.  We seek alternative viewpoints from family and friends regarding the actions taken by others.  This is acceptable and necessary for one to learn and grow.  Gossip, on the other hand, is usually hurtful to the person who is being discussed.  Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines gossip as “a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others.”  If we find ourselves spreading rumor, fact or fiction, about someone else, we need to stop.  Did you ever hear the word “karma?”  What goes around really does come around.  We need to think before we speak so we don’t hurt someone, whether it was intentional or not.

I’m sure each one of you can recall a circumstance where you have been the victim of “gossip.”  If you think back to your school days, do you remember being upset or hearing something that someone passed along about you?  Do you remember thinking, “Why are they talking about me?”  Unfortunately, gossip is not something that just happens when you are young.  You can be the victim of gossip all throughout your life.  Why?  Because some people just thrive on spreading information.  In addition, often the subject of the gossip started out as something totally different than what was originally heard.  It’s like playing the game telephone.  You hear something, pass it along, and along, and along.  By the time it gets to the end of the line, it is something completely different than originally heard.  Gossip takes one to talk and one or several to listen.  The gossip is not damaging until others listen and give it attention.

It recently came back to me that someone was passing along information about me.  My first thought was, “I’m almost 46 years old.  Why would someone be so interested in what’s going on in my life.”  “Am I that interesting?”  I may not think I’m that interesting, but I’m interesting to the person spreading the gossip.  Could it be that they have nothing better to talk about?  Could it be that the subject of “me” is more fascinating than any other subject?  To this person….I guess so!

 Why do people gossip in the first place?  A fascination with someone else’s life is usually because that person is not happy with their own life.  When someone is not happy, and they perceive others as happy, they pry into the other’s life to see if they can find any unhappiness.  In addition, people that view life as negative are usually not happy and are, therefore, prone to gossip.  If you view life in a positive way and focus on what good you find in yourself, you will see the good in others.  How about talking about the good attributes you see in someone and not the negative ones.  Gossip can be viewed as a personal flaw in the character of those who have to use such ugly ways towards their neighbors/friends.

What to do if you are a victim of gossip?  Hold you head up high and ignore it.  They cannot reach you because you cannot be reached.  You are perfectly happy with who you are and the decisions you make for yourself.  You don’t have to impress anyone but yourself.  You have Inner Beauty!!  Being confident and secure in who you are will totally protect you from gossip.  It just doesn’t matter what they say or think because it’s just not important to you.  If they are slandering you and completely ruining your reputation, you may want to confront them and ask them why they feel the need to spread rumors about you.  Hopefully, you will appeal to their kindness of heart and they will stop…and hopefully apologize.  My Spartan side says, if they want to spread rumors, you can really give them something to talk about!...LOL

Minestrone Soup

What happened to our predicted mild winter?  All I see is mounds and mounds of snow.  Since I’m dog training, I’ve been spending hours outside each day in the cold weather.  When I come in, I crave something warm and comforting.  Therefore, I’ve been on a soup kick.  I just made a huge pot of Minestrone Soup and decided to share the recipe on my blog.  There are a lot of ingredients, but it is so worth the effort.  Enjoy!!

Minestrone Soup

½ cup great northern beans, soaked overnight

1 tbsp. coconut oil

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tsp. dried parsley & basil

2 zucchini, chopped

1 cup cabbage, chopped

1 turnip, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

2 small potatoes, chopped

3 sticks celery, chopped

1 (24oz) jar tomatoes (I buy Bionaturae brand)

2 tbsps. Tomato paste

6 cups vegetable broth (see my recipe for fall/winter veggie broth)

½ cup whole wheat orzo or small pasta

Sea salt & pepper to taste

Soak beans overnight then drain and rinse the next morning.  Put in pot with enough water to cover beans and cook, covered, until beans are done – about 1 hour.

Heat coconut oil in large stock pot.  Add onion and  garlic and sauté until they begin to soften.  Add parsley and basil and continue to sauté.

Add all prepared and chopped veggies to the stockpot and stir until combined.  Add the can of tomatoes, tomato paste and vegetable broth.  Bring to a boil.  When all comes to a boil, cover and let cook until veggies are tender – about 1 hour.  Add the beans, pasta, salt & pepper to taste.  Cook at least 30 minutes longer.  The longer the soup cooks, the better it tastes. 

*Please shop for organic produce.  You don’t want chemical soup!!

My Organic Dog

I made a vow to myself if I ever got a dog again, I would do things very different.  My first dog was a yellow Labrador who was an amazingly great and obedient dog but was plagued with all sorts of health problems.  Of course, if I could do things over again, I would do many things differently like give him more healthy food.  I wasn’t on the internet when we first got the dog and just plain wasn’t aware of the relationship between diet and health.  It was so easy to go to the store and just buy whatever dog food was on sale and feed it to him.  He ate everything!  Not only did he eat whatever I gave him, but ate so fast I swear I think he inhaled his food.  I wonder if all his health problems, (hot spots, skin disorders & allergies, and eventually cancer of the stomach) could have been avoided if I had made better choices for him.  Therefore, I vowed to myself that I would do things differently the second time around.  I now have my chance.

We recently adopted five month old Abbey from an animal shelter.  We were told she is part Australian Shepherd and part Labrador.  Our dog trainer thinks she has some coon dog in her.  In my mind, she is part wolf.  Abbey is one tough cookie.  It’s going to take a while to domesticate her.  Do you remember the T.V. series Green Acres?  Well, my dog reminds me of Zsa Zsa Gabor.  Zsa Zsa’s character got married and had to live where she was not accustomed, a city girl living in the country.  My dog belongs running around some big farm chasing sheep not in a suburban Long Island home.  However, I’m up for the challenge or maybe I need my own reality show?

Abbey is one spoiled pooch!  She is currently getting three meals a day through her growing period.   I am feeding Abbey organic  dog food that I make myself as well as supplement with a can of dog food (Wellness Brand) at lunch.  I will phase out the can of food when she is eight months of age.  Here’s how I make her dog food:  I buy some organic, non GMO, no antibiotic chicken thighs at the store.  I boil the thighs in some water for about a half hour.  I then remove the chicken and add some brown rice to the water and cook until done.  I then either boil some carrots in the water or grate them and leave them raw.  Put all of it in a food processor with some of the liquid and mix until smooth.  She gets about two cups of my home made  food in the morning and two cups in the evening.    For treats, she likes organic jerky and peanut butter.   I sneak a few drops of cod liver oil into her food each day as well as a teaspoon of olive oil because her skin is a bit dry.  Is this the best food regime?  I doubt it.  My gut tells me that dogs should be on a raw food diet.  After all, in the wild, dogs were never able to cook their own food.  It seems to me that giving dogs raw meat is better for their digestive systems.  Therefore, I will begin introducing raw foods to Abbey, starting with raw eggs, one a day.  I will then introduce bits of raw grass-fed meat.  My trainer says it’s “smelly” so we will see how it goes.  In the meantime….

Abbey enjoys her beef bones that I purchase from Wild By Nature in East Setauket.  They are from a company named “Happy N’ Healthy” (www.happynhealthypet.com).  The beef bones contain no antibiotics, no added hormones, nothing artificial and are 100 percent natural.  Sorry to disappoint you, but the package does state that they are NOT for human consumption….lol.  There are so many alternative choices available for pets these days.

Did you know that Petco has a section of toys that are made with organic cotton?  Since the toys go right in the mouth, it is a good idea to buy fabric that does not contain any harmful chemicals and are safe and non-toxic.  I purchased a few of these toys for Abbey and she loves them.  I was surprised she didn’t rip them apart like my other dog would have, but she seems to really enjoy them.

I also purchased an organic cotton bed for Abbey online at www.onlynaturalpet.com.  This website contains natural products, holistic remedies, organic food and more for your pet.   The bed cover is made with 100 percent certified organic cotton and is stuffed with certified organic buckwheat hulls.  Just as synthetic materials in bedding and mattresses outgas in human beds, it also outgases in pet beds, which can be hazardous to your pet.  The organic cotton bed is also made without polyurethane foam, chemical flame retardants, formaldehyde, anti-fungicides, pesticide-treated cotton or other harmful chemicals.  Abbey really loves her bed and I don’t have to worry about chemicals soaking into her skin.

It’s fun to have an organic dog.  As a result of my efforts, I know she will have a healthy long life.

**Thanks to my friend Arlen, I just ordered some beef bully sticks for Abbey.  They are from an online company (www.bestbullysticks.com) are all-natural, and are from free range, grass fed bulls.

Inner Beauty Workshops ~ Strategies for Setting and Attaining Goals

Happy New Year!!!!  Did you make any resolutions to follow throughout the New Year?  Do you find it easy to set goals but hard to carry them to fruition?  Do you think setting goals is a waste of time and you are setting yourself up for failure and disappointment?  I enjoy making goals for myself each New Year.  Do I usually attain my goals….Yes!  How do I accomplish this?   By following some simple rules that I am sharing with you below.  Some of you may be reluctant to set goals in the first place and feel it is a waste of time.  I say, “Your goals and dreams are how you move forward.” Without your own life plan of action, you will probably find yourself in a rut.   It is beneficial to reflect and think about what you want to accomplish over the next year to propel and motivate you on your life journey.  Here are five simple strategies I use to keep focused and on track in order to complete my yearly goals:

**Set Realistic Goals – Do you want to fly to the moon?  Unless you are an astronaut, you are setting yourself up for failure.  It is much better to set realistic goals and attain them before moving toward goal(s) that are more far reaching.  For instance, if you really do want to fly to the moon, how about entering and completing a program on space travel first.  If you set goals in smaller steps, it works well.  Besides…what’s your rush?

**Don’t set too many goals at once – How come some people make long lists of yearly goals?  It is much more advantageous to prioritize your goals according to what is most important to you.  Even if it is just one goal for the year, you will feel great if you accomplish it.  It’s hard to juggle too many goals at once.

**Set goals that concern you – Don’t rely on the behaviors or action of others to accomplish your goals.  You are in control only of your own behavior.  If you rely on someone else, you may not attain your goal(s).

**Make a plan to implement your goals – It is not enough just to set a goal.  You must think up and execute a plan of action.  A vision board is a great tool to help you implement your goals.  By itself, knowledge is useless.  Just knowing what to do guarantees nothing.  It takes application, i.e., work, self-discipline and commitment in order to maintain and achieve results.

**Don’t despair if you don’t accomplish your goal(s) by the end of the year.  There are options! -  If it gets to the end of the year and you have not completed your goals, re-evaluate and either carry the goal over to the next year to work on again, break it up into parts (part a & part b), or fine tune and redefine it.  Again, what’s the rush?  Remember it is the journey, not the destination that brings the greatest reward.

"If one asks for success and prepares for failure, he will get the situation he has prepared for." ~ Florence Scovel Shinn

 

Post blog note:  My sister says nobody makes New Year Resolutions anymore.  I explained that she must have goals in life.  She said, "of course I have goals" and rattled them off.  Ok...so she doesn't label them as "resolutions" but they are still "goals."........LOL