Purposeful Living
Do you ever get so caught up in "doing" that you forget what you're doing it for? The last couple of months have been a total blur for me. Somewhere in that blur, there were birthdays, meetings, workout days, kid's events etc. -- some dry stuff and some really wonderful stuff, but looking back I am wondering if I was chewing without tasting!
Does Bionic Woman feel more deeply?
Better, stronger, faster - we continue to push and push and push. I can be a real workhorse - competitive, strong of mind and body and with exacting quality standards. But this applies more to my working life - do I approach my personal goals with the same drive and passion? Like so many women, I think it sneaks up on us and our dearest needs, hopes and desires slowly slip away from us like a receding tide. Chewing without tasting, looking versus seeing; "being there" versus true connection with others and with environments. If I am so omnipotent, why don't I feel wonder and joy at the same epic scale???
One thousand needles!
Sometimes it takes a physical twinge (or two, or three!) to jolt the mind and body back to attention and attentiveness. There can be a robotic separation of self when when we get caught up in "doing" rather than truly living and experiencing; using all of our senses. My mini-awakening came yesterday when I went for treatment of leg veins. A medical procedure to kill off varicose veins with a painful series of injections. The physician was experienced and quick with a needle, but the process was much more extensive than I imagined it would be. Like an explosion of glass embedding my tender skin, when we had reached the half-way point, I thought "What on earth have I got myself into?" I likely had fifty or so injections, but it felt like a thousand, a million - my nerve endings on fire with pain.
Nourishment
So, they wrapped me up -- I am bandaged from ankle to groin on both legs and my best friend was waiting for me in the waiting room. You have to walk, albeit gently for about 30-45 minutes after this treatment; so we went to a city park. The May air was moist and fragrant; the sun, benevolent and restorative. I was already willing my body to heal, to feel the promise through the pain. My little wake up call came in all of those rapid-fire injections -- I am so fortunate, I am in possession of these amazing gifts and abilities; I am willing myself to soar and I am committed to my self-care above all things.
When we are fully engaged in our self-care we reap the benefits many times over and the quality of our experience can then over-spill to all others we touch -- AND we truly are able to touch others, because we are really connecting; not just buzzing by.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
May 10, 2010
Ginger Ale Pancakes xo xo xo!!!
Mother's Day has always been a stressful day for me. I guess mostly because I have been conditioned that the day was not for me -- I thought, and still think, more of my own Mother: Marvelous Mother Martha, or MMM as we lovingly and gratefully call her in my clan :)
But I am a Mom -- I have three great kids (who are my life and breath) and I am thankful for their presence in my life every day and every hour that I live.
Why this sense of unease? Why do I feel unworthy; like I am never "enough", never worth praising or celebrating? In the past couple of years I have been trying to shake that negativity, and inside I do realize that "yes", it's okay to feel proud of my kids and that doesn't make me arrogant, and it's okay to want to celebrate my own motherhood -- and THAT doesn't make me selfish. It's okay to want to pursue the activities that bring me joy like my art, photography, time with gal pals and time outdoors.
A couple of years ago it just dawned on me that I had never really been celebrated as a Mother. The focus in my home has typically been, not even on my own Mother, but on my Mom-in-law -- who is a great gal, but she has raised her kids and has four children to honour her motherhood. Why do my kids have her as the focus of their Mother's Day? Am I wrong to want that day for myself as Mother with my children?
I don't think the whole "Mother's Day hijack" is a purposeful thing -- I think some parents just don' t want to face that the birdies have to leave the nest; nor do they even recognize that the birds have left! I think they are afraid of their own mortality.
Amateur psychoanalysis aside, I am taking back my Motherhood, piece by piece and learning that it's okay to celebrate that role and be comfortable with praise that I receive both as a Mother and more generally as a woman.
My highlight this year was my nine-year-old son's invention of Ginger Ale Pancakes -- it was his suggestion to alter the ingredients for our family recipe (from my junior high school home economics recipe book). Recipe follows, hope you will try and enjoy and that you will have the courage to celebrate your unique place in this world, whether as a Mom, daughter, Father, friend - whatever! You are important and only you can fill your shoes. Have a wonderful week xo!
K-Man's Ginger Ale Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 cup ginger ale
(My son wanted to substitute the milk for ginger ale, so we did it!)
1 egg
2 Tbsp. canola oil, plus 2 tsp. for frying
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. granulated white sugar
Preheat your griddle to medium-low heat, and drizzle/spread the 2 tsp. canola oil across the griddle. In a 4-cup bowl, beat the egg with 2 Tbsp. oil and stir in the ginger ale. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar and gradually stir into the wet mixture to form a smooth batter.
Drop by ladlefuls onto the preheated griddle. When bubbles begin to form on the surface of each pancake, flip over. The pancake will "sigh" -- that is rise slightly then fall slightly -- when done on the second side.
These pancakes are 50% airier than our regular recipe -- great with cinnamon and maple syrup or with butter and fruit syrup, such as raspberry.
Enjoy! Our next pancake experiment will be with cream soda to make pink, cotton-candy sweet treats xo!
Mother's Day has always been a stressful day for me. I guess mostly because I have been conditioned that the day was not for me -- I thought, and still think, more of my own Mother: Marvelous Mother Martha, or MMM as we lovingly and gratefully call her in my clan :)
But I am a Mom -- I have three great kids (who are my life and breath) and I am thankful for their presence in my life every day and every hour that I live.
Why this sense of unease? Why do I feel unworthy; like I am never "enough", never worth praising or celebrating? In the past couple of years I have been trying to shake that negativity, and inside I do realize that "yes", it's okay to feel proud of my kids and that doesn't make me arrogant, and it's okay to want to celebrate my own motherhood -- and THAT doesn't make me selfish. It's okay to want to pursue the activities that bring me joy like my art, photography, time with gal pals and time outdoors.
A couple of years ago it just dawned on me that I had never really been celebrated as a Mother. The focus in my home has typically been, not even on my own Mother, but on my Mom-in-law -- who is a great gal, but she has raised her kids and has four children to honour her motherhood. Why do my kids have her as the focus of their Mother's Day? Am I wrong to want that day for myself as Mother with my children?
I don't think the whole "Mother's Day hijack" is a purposeful thing -- I think some parents just don' t want to face that the birdies have to leave the nest; nor do they even recognize that the birds have left! I think they are afraid of their own mortality.
Amateur psychoanalysis aside, I am taking back my Motherhood, piece by piece and learning that it's okay to celebrate that role and be comfortable with praise that I receive both as a Mother and more generally as a woman.
My highlight this year was my nine-year-old son's invention of Ginger Ale Pancakes -- it was his suggestion to alter the ingredients for our family recipe (from my junior high school home economics recipe book). Recipe follows, hope you will try and enjoy and that you will have the courage to celebrate your unique place in this world, whether as a Mom, daughter, Father, friend - whatever! You are important and only you can fill your shoes. Have a wonderful week xo!
K-Man's Ginger Ale Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 cup ginger ale
(My son wanted to substitute the milk for ginger ale, so we did it!)
1 egg
2 Tbsp. canola oil, plus 2 tsp. for frying
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. granulated white sugar
Preheat your griddle to medium-low heat, and drizzle/spread the 2 tsp. canola oil across the griddle. In a 4-cup bowl, beat the egg with 2 Tbsp. oil and stir in the ginger ale. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar and gradually stir into the wet mixture to form a smooth batter.
Drop by ladlefuls onto the preheated griddle. When bubbles begin to form on the surface of each pancake, flip over. The pancake will "sigh" -- that is rise slightly then fall slightly -- when done on the second side.
These pancakes are 50% airier than our regular recipe -- great with cinnamon and maple syrup or with butter and fruit syrup, such as raspberry.
Enjoy! Our next pancake experiment will be with cream soda to make pink, cotton-candy sweet treats xo!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Going a bit bananas???
Yes, it's another birthday... and another, and -- yes, another...
Today is my oldest daughter's birthday - 21 candles; so hard to believe because I can remember her playing with my toes while I made her supper (age one). She is an amazing artist and is in her third year of university (Fine Arts -- no surprise there!)... We went out to this great retro steak house tonight and now she is at the bar with her Dad (they share the same birthday!) having a birthday cocktail. My younger daughter is tending bar tonight!
Bananas...
Good thing we have these celebrations to ease our way through the winter blahs! I am definitely NOT a winter person lol :) I do love to look at the hoar frost and pristine white landscapes from inside my warm car or warm office etc. Also is nice to get home, put on my tank top and shorts and bake something comforting. here is my recipe for Banana Bread -- simple and so good; this is especially delicious right outta the oven with some dairy butter mmmm.... hope you will bake some and enjoy it this weekend xo.
Pam's Banana Bread
4 medium-size mashed ripe bananas
1 cup granulated white sugar (or 1/2 cup Splenda plus 1/2 cup honey)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup melted butter or canola oil
1 tsp. real vanilla extract
1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-3/4 cups sifted flour
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix sugar, eggs and mashed bananas. Stir in vanilla, cinnamon, salt, butter (or oil) and walnuts. Combine flour with soda and baking powder, stirring into wet mixture just to combine. Grease Pyrex loaf pan with softened butter and fold in batter.
Bake for 1 hour, testing at 50 minutes for doneness. If loaf is still moist in the middle at one hour, reduce heat to 300 degrees and bake an additional 5-7 minutes at the reduced temperature. Remove loaf from oven and invert on wire rack to cool, removing from the loaf pan (loaf will pop right out easily).
Enjoy!
Today is my oldest daughter's birthday - 21 candles; so hard to believe because I can remember her playing with my toes while I made her supper (age one). She is an amazing artist and is in her third year of university (Fine Arts -- no surprise there!)... We went out to this great retro steak house tonight and now she is at the bar with her Dad (they share the same birthday!) having a birthday cocktail. My younger daughter is tending bar tonight!
Bananas...
Good thing we have these celebrations to ease our way through the winter blahs! I am definitely NOT a winter person lol :) I do love to look at the hoar frost and pristine white landscapes from inside my warm car or warm office etc. Also is nice to get home, put on my tank top and shorts and bake something comforting. here is my recipe for Banana Bread -- simple and so good; this is especially delicious right outta the oven with some dairy butter mmmm.... hope you will bake some and enjoy it this weekend xo.
Pam's Banana Bread
4 medium-size mashed ripe bananas
1 cup granulated white sugar (or 1/2 cup Splenda plus 1/2 cup honey)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup melted butter or canola oil
1 tsp. real vanilla extract
1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1-3/4 cups sifted flour
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix sugar, eggs and mashed bananas. Stir in vanilla, cinnamon, salt, butter (or oil) and walnuts. Combine flour with soda and baking powder, stirring into wet mixture just to combine. Grease Pyrex loaf pan with softened butter and fold in batter.
Bake for 1 hour, testing at 50 minutes for doneness. If loaf is still moist in the middle at one hour, reduce heat to 300 degrees and bake an additional 5-7 minutes at the reduced temperature. Remove loaf from oven and invert on wire rack to cool, removing from the loaf pan (loaf will pop right out easily).
Enjoy!
Monday, February 8, 2010
February 8, 2010
Season of LOVE; muys caliente
We are enjoying an unusually mild winter -- today the skies were a brilliant robin's egg blue that is more typical in mid summer, certainly not in February! I am soaking up each golden ray like a lazy cat. Local papers quote Dr. Doug Barber's concerns about the polar ice caps' rapid melting -- it appears this is happening far quicker than even the worst case scenario predicted!
NO Fear!
Maybe I am naive, but I think that humanity has far less physical control/effect on the world climate than is calculated/hypothesized. Our Earth is a living, moving, morphing creation; always recreating itself -- I think the rapid speed of communication has just made us all more aware of one another and what is happening around the globe. Climate change is a given -- to exist in static mode would be to negate life as we know it.
Taking care each day
Don't get me wrong -- I do my part to take care of our world. An avid recycler and hater of over-packaging, litter, and commercial excess, I value a nature-based lifestyle. I also believe that all of the good little bits add up -- don't be freaked out that you can't move mountains, and that there is so much that needs to be done, just follow your instincts for wholeness and goodness and do what you can to make a positive difference each day.
A little love, from my kitchen
My little bit of relaxation this evening is making my Valentine cookie dough -- this recipe, which I will share with you, is wonderful and is from my Marvelous Mother Martha (MMM), baker/chef/parent extraordinaire! While my dough is chilling, I am writing to you. Hope you will try these and share a little love and goodness with those in your immediate circle -- I usually bake them one night and decorate the next to make it less arduous. I put in long days and I am up before the sun (which is still significant, even in winter months), so I try hard not to extend my waking hours too often.
MMM's Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups butter or margarine, softened
1-3/4 cups granulated white sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp. fine sea salt
2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. ground coriander (my personal addition to this recipe - optional)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
5 cups flour (approximately)
Cream butter with sugar and beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in spices, baking powder, salt, soda and cream of tartar. Gradually mix in the flour. Place the dough in container with a tight fitting lid and chill in fridge for 1-1/2 hours.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4" thickness. Cut out cookies with heart-shaped cutter. Bake for 8-10 minutes -- should be light golden, but not browned so watch carefully the last few minutes.
Yield: about 8 dozen medium size cookies -- happy baking and Happy Valentines Day xo xo!
NOTE: I usually do a couple of dozen of these with red sugar sprinkles applied before baking -- a little plainer for those watching sugar intake. The remainder I frost with simple hard icing made from 2 cups icing sugar, a few teaspoons hot water, colouring and and flavoured extract -- such as lemon, vanilla, cinnamon, almond. I usually make 2 or 3 different icing types in assorted pastel colours to make a more exciting presentation.
We are enjoying an unusually mild winter -- today the skies were a brilliant robin's egg blue that is more typical in mid summer, certainly not in February! I am soaking up each golden ray like a lazy cat. Local papers quote Dr. Doug Barber's concerns about the polar ice caps' rapid melting -- it appears this is happening far quicker than even the worst case scenario predicted!
NO Fear!
Maybe I am naive, but I think that humanity has far less physical control/effect on the world climate than is calculated/hypothesized. Our Earth is a living, moving, morphing creation; always recreating itself -- I think the rapid speed of communication has just made us all more aware of one another and what is happening around the globe. Climate change is a given -- to exist in static mode would be to negate life as we know it.
Taking care each day
Don't get me wrong -- I do my part to take care of our world. An avid recycler and hater of over-packaging, litter, and commercial excess, I value a nature-based lifestyle. I also believe that all of the good little bits add up -- don't be freaked out that you can't move mountains, and that there is so much that needs to be done, just follow your instincts for wholeness and goodness and do what you can to make a positive difference each day.
A little love, from my kitchen
My little bit of relaxation this evening is making my Valentine cookie dough -- this recipe, which I will share with you, is wonderful and is from my Marvelous Mother Martha (MMM), baker/chef/parent extraordinaire! While my dough is chilling, I am writing to you. Hope you will try these and share a little love and goodness with those in your immediate circle -- I usually bake them one night and decorate the next to make it less arduous. I put in long days and I am up before the sun (which is still significant, even in winter months), so I try hard not to extend my waking hours too often.
MMM's Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
2 cups butter or margarine, softened
1-3/4 cups granulated white sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp. fine sea salt
2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. ground coriander (my personal addition to this recipe - optional)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
5 cups flour (approximately)
Cream butter with sugar and beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in spices, baking powder, salt, soda and cream of tartar. Gradually mix in the flour. Place the dough in container with a tight fitting lid and chill in fridge for 1-1/2 hours.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4" thickness. Cut out cookies with heart-shaped cutter. Bake for 8-10 minutes -- should be light golden, but not browned so watch carefully the last few minutes.
Yield: about 8 dozen medium size cookies -- happy baking and Happy Valentines Day xo xo!
NOTE: I usually do a couple of dozen of these with red sugar sprinkles applied before baking -- a little plainer for those watching sugar intake. The remainder I frost with simple hard icing made from 2 cups icing sugar, a few teaspoons hot water, colouring and and flavoured extract -- such as lemon, vanilla, cinnamon, almond. I usually make 2 or 3 different icing types in assorted pastel colours to make a more exciting presentation.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
January 31, 2010
Last day of January -- can't say I am sorry :) This week is my daughter's birthday and I am excited to go shopping for her presents etc. today. She loves to bake pies and has asked for rolling pin (if you can believe that!) for her birthday.
Wine not?
I use a cylindrical wine bottle (Italian brand) when I make pastry -- and my girl thinks Mom is a bit kooky/ghetto ;) It works great and you can pile ice cubes inside to keep the dough cool while rolling -- just like the old-fashioned glass rolling pin my mom and grandma used. However, I will seek out something a bit more conventional/typical for my daughter. She is still thinking about what she wants to do as far as furthering her education/career choices etc. Maybe a pastry chef is about to be born, who knows?
Mmmm.... Cake!
We are going to a restaurant for my daughter's birthday dinner and this place gives the "birthday kid" an amazing piece of ice cream cake that has all of the top favourites covered: chocolate, toasted almonds etc. However, she will be disappointed if I do not make some kind of cake for home also. We also have a tradition of waffles for breakfast on birthdays -- with strawberries and whipped cream of course (oink!).
Decisions, decisions...
So, I am searching through recipes this weekend, trying to decide on a great cake or cupcake recipe for the big day. To be continued.... xo
Wine not?
I use a cylindrical wine bottle (Italian brand) when I make pastry -- and my girl thinks Mom is a bit kooky/ghetto ;) It works great and you can pile ice cubes inside to keep the dough cool while rolling -- just like the old-fashioned glass rolling pin my mom and grandma used. However, I will seek out something a bit more conventional/typical for my daughter. She is still thinking about what she wants to do as far as furthering her education/career choices etc. Maybe a pastry chef is about to be born, who knows?
Mmmm.... Cake!
We are going to a restaurant for my daughter's birthday dinner and this place gives the "birthday kid" an amazing piece of ice cream cake that has all of the top favourites covered: chocolate, toasted almonds etc. However, she will be disappointed if I do not make some kind of cake for home also. We also have a tradition of waffles for breakfast on birthdays -- with strawberries and whipped cream of course (oink!).
Decisions, decisions...
So, I am searching through recipes this weekend, trying to decide on a great cake or cupcake recipe for the big day. To be continued.... xo
Saturday, January 23, 2010
January 23, 2010
Weekend Musings
Almost one week under my belt - well on my way to losing the extra inches I have packed on. Celebrated a bit today by buying a fabulous, reversible Betsy Johnson belt -- black patent on one side with a touch of leopard on the reverse.
I am feeling much better having cut out the sugar! I find the Atkins style of eating not only a great way to lose/maintain weight, but I feel less sluggish both physically and mentally-- like flipping the "ON" switch, you know?
My chest is a bit sore from Friday's work out -- but the sore back that I suffered with starting last Saturday seems to be gone. I think it was hormonal, because I didn't do anything (some sort of extreme exertion, that is...) to trigger it. It was scary because I could barely walk. I missed Monday and Wednesday workouts to allow my body time to rest. I am looking forward to going out to the museum with my son tomorrow -- his love of science reminds me so much of my dad.
Missing you Dad xo
Almost one week under my belt - well on my way to losing the extra inches I have packed on. Celebrated a bit today by buying a fabulous, reversible Betsy Johnson belt -- black patent on one side with a touch of leopard on the reverse.
I am feeling much better having cut out the sugar! I find the Atkins style of eating not only a great way to lose/maintain weight, but I feel less sluggish both physically and mentally-- like flipping the "ON" switch, you know?
My chest is a bit sore from Friday's work out -- but the sore back that I suffered with starting last Saturday seems to be gone. I think it was hormonal, because I didn't do anything (some sort of extreme exertion, that is...) to trigger it. It was scary because I could barely walk. I missed Monday and Wednesday workouts to allow my body time to rest. I am looking forward to going out to the museum with my son tomorrow -- his love of science reminds me so much of my dad.
Missing you Dad xo
Sunday, January 17, 2010
January 17, 2010
Newness!
Two weeks into 2010 -- glad to leave the cement boots that were "2009 issue" in the dumpster and moooove things along :) We have been experiencing unusually mild weather conditions this winter on the Canadian prairie -- bravo El Nino, we appreciate the break!
Typically our January weather is the peak of coldness and average temps are in the minus 30-40 Celsius range. Yesterday it was plus 2 or 3 Celsius! When it is cold I just want to hibernate -- even though I was born here and my ancestors on both sides of the family came to Canada in the 1880's, I just can't take the severe cold; I just find it demoralizing and immobilizing!
Healthy Living = Happiness
The cold combined with a stagnant/depressed economy is not a great mix, to say the very least. We are also finding (in the work world) that basic courtesies, appreciation and loyalty are scarce and cannot be counted on -- where is the honour? Are you experiencing this also? I would love to hear your take on things and your ways of coping, moving things along.
What I am finding amid this uncertainty and mistrust, is that the security of self is emphasized. Of course we all know this at a core level, but ultimately we can only rely on ourselves and can only control our personal reaction to things/events in our respective environments.
I am focusing on these goals for 2010 - growth, renewal, assurance of self and to maintain joy, positivity in the face of any and all negativity, opposition and fickle behaviours. I hope that you also will find a way to not only be productive and joyful, but to grow and thrive in this difficult, mercurial environment.
A great support to maintaining this course is to choose healthy foods and activities -- too often in my life, as a woman and as a mother, I have acquiesced, editing myself and my needs at times to almost extinction. I will no longer "go there". In particular, the past six months have allowed no time for some of my loves: belly dance, walking outdoors (the tread mill is sooooo soul sucking!) and guitar/African drums/music.
In the last few weeks of 2009 I was trying in earnest to follow a healthy diet that allowed for more carbohydrates, versus the Atkins-styled high protein/low carb eating plan that had been so beneficial for me. Unfortunately, I am just finding that with even a modest increase in carbs, I bloat and become more sluggish (this is amplified by the cold weather and short days) -- also, if I have some carbs, even healthy/high fibre/low sugar selections, it soon becomes a downward spiral common to the carb-addicted where I begin to want more and more carbs and I experience sugar cravings.
Suiting Up!
So... back to low carb for this lady! I am looking forward to fitting into some jackets (...and one darling grey pant suit in particular) this spring/summer. I will emerge from the ice and snow like a shimmering butterfly from the chrysalis!
I would also like to share a personal recipe for you. It is quick, low carb and high fibre and it was an experiment that worked out well :). Here it is... and "no", it has nothing to do with Dr. Seuss!
Pam's Green Eggs
3 hard boiled eggs
1 Tbsp. mayonnaise or peppercorn ranch salad dressing
salt, pepper and dill weed to your taste
Approximately one cup of broccoli florets
Place all ingredients in a food chopper or processor and blend to a spreadable consistency. Great in a flax or whole wheat tortilla as a wrap sandwich, or served on a small bed of mixed salad greens.
Enjoy!
Two weeks into 2010 -- glad to leave the cement boots that were "2009 issue" in the dumpster and moooove things along :) We have been experiencing unusually mild weather conditions this winter on the Canadian prairie -- bravo El Nino, we appreciate the break!
Typically our January weather is the peak of coldness and average temps are in the minus 30-40 Celsius range. Yesterday it was plus 2 or 3 Celsius! When it is cold I just want to hibernate -- even though I was born here and my ancestors on both sides of the family came to Canada in the 1880's, I just can't take the severe cold; I just find it demoralizing and immobilizing!
Healthy Living = Happiness
The cold combined with a stagnant/depressed economy is not a great mix, to say the very least. We are also finding (in the work world) that basic courtesies, appreciation and loyalty are scarce and cannot be counted on -- where is the honour? Are you experiencing this also? I would love to hear your take on things and your ways of coping, moving things along.
What I am finding amid this uncertainty and mistrust, is that the security of self is emphasized. Of course we all know this at a core level, but ultimately we can only rely on ourselves and can only control our personal reaction to things/events in our respective environments.
I am focusing on these goals for 2010 - growth, renewal, assurance of self and to maintain joy, positivity in the face of any and all negativity, opposition and fickle behaviours. I hope that you also will find a way to not only be productive and joyful, but to grow and thrive in this difficult, mercurial environment.
A great support to maintaining this course is to choose healthy foods and activities -- too often in my life, as a woman and as a mother, I have acquiesced, editing myself and my needs at times to almost extinction. I will no longer "go there". In particular, the past six months have allowed no time for some of my loves: belly dance, walking outdoors (the tread mill is sooooo soul sucking!) and guitar/African drums/music.
In the last few weeks of 2009 I was trying in earnest to follow a healthy diet that allowed for more carbohydrates, versus the Atkins-styled high protein/low carb eating plan that had been so beneficial for me. Unfortunately, I am just finding that with even a modest increase in carbs, I bloat and become more sluggish (this is amplified by the cold weather and short days) -- also, if I have some carbs, even healthy/high fibre/low sugar selections, it soon becomes a downward spiral common to the carb-addicted where I begin to want more and more carbs and I experience sugar cravings.
Suiting Up!
So... back to low carb for this lady! I am looking forward to fitting into some jackets (...and one darling grey pant suit in particular) this spring/summer. I will emerge from the ice and snow like a shimmering butterfly from the chrysalis!
I would also like to share a personal recipe for you. It is quick, low carb and high fibre and it was an experiment that worked out well :). Here it is... and "no", it has nothing to do with Dr. Seuss!
Pam's Green Eggs
3 hard boiled eggs
1 Tbsp. mayonnaise or peppercorn ranch salad dressing
salt, pepper and dill weed to your taste
Approximately one cup of broccoli florets
Place all ingredients in a food chopper or processor and blend to a spreadable consistency. Great in a flax or whole wheat tortilla as a wrap sandwich, or served on a small bed of mixed salad greens.
Enjoy!
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