Start you day by opening your eyes to this beautiful video and wise words from Benedictine monk Brother David Steindl-Rast. Refresh your tired eyes and look at each day in a new way.
Use as meditation to open your eyes and heart so you can bless others with your eyes, smile, touch and presence. Let the gratefulness overflow into blessings so it will really be a good day.
This day is unique.
“What day is it?" asked Pooh "It's today", squeaked Piglet "My favorite day", said Pooh
This isn’t a new recipe for a fresh salad but it is a successful recipe to keep your salad fresh! I’ve just tried and tested an organic way to keep greenfly away from my crops (tomato and pepper plants seem to be their favourites).
What to do . . .
Pop a clove of garlic into a water sprayer filled with water, marinate for a few hours, then spray your plants until your hearts content. It may take a couple of occasions spraying the plants if they are heavily infested with greenfly.
A perfect, organic way to keep unwanted pests away from your garden.
Do you ever get that feeling or voice inside your head telling you do something nice with no gain for yourself? Whether it be telling a nurse, teacher, police officer that they are doing a great job, or telling a colleague that you think their support is invaluable or stopping and helping someone in the street who look like they are struggling.
Sometimes we avoid doing these things for fear of coming across as strange. Our own embarrassment can often stop us, but have you ever thought of the impact you could have if you got over yourself and went for it. Grab the bull by the horns and go for it, take a leap of faith and make a difference.
Next time you see an old lady struggling down the street with shopping, ask if she’d like assistance, tell the security guard you walk past every morning you appreciate his smiley face, spark up a conversation with the shop assistant. Connect with each person you liaise with throughout the day, thanking those that a difference to your day.
Do what you can, but make sure you do all you can to bring light to someone else.
I’ve just got my hands on a delightful cookbook entitled Cook, Eat Smile by Bill Collison. The book is cleverly designed according to seasons, ensuring you always get the freshest, juiciest fruit and vegetables to maximise the tickling of your taste your buds.
I have just tried my first recipe adapting slightly to suit my tastes. . . scrumptious.
What you need . . .
Quantity per guest:
1 peach/nectarine (halved and stoned)
½ ball of mozzarella
A generous handful of rocket (or a mixture of your favourite leaves)
A slosh of virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar
5/6 mint leaves
Pumpkin seeds (or alternative seeds) for texture
What you do . . .
Place the peach flesh side down on a piece of kitchen towel for 5 minutes. Dry heat a griddle pan (a frying pan works just as well but without the attractive griddle stripes). Lightly rub sunflower oil all over the peach. Griddle the peach skin side first for 2 minutes, turning over to the flesh side for 1 minute.
Meanwhile, place the handful of rocket onto your serving plate, sloshing with the olive oil and balsamic (being as generous as your taste buds enjoy).Then tear the mozzarella over the leaves and place the griddled peaches in the centre. Garnish with the torn mint leaves for garnish. Finally season to taste and add pumpkin seeds for texture.
A truly delectable starter, bursting with flavour.
After two bouts of sickness in 2011 I decided it was high time I gave my internal army some new weapons to beat anymore pesky bugs that tried to invade. After some research I turned to my wise furry friends the honey bees who collect a sticky resin called Propolis. Propolis oozes from the buds of certain trees. For centuries, bees have been using the resin to protect themselves and their hives from bacteria.
So what are the benefits?
It is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
It is rich in amino acids, important for immune system function
It has a high vitamin content (Vitamin A (carotene), Vitamin B1, B2, B3, biotin) and is extremely rich in bioflavonoids (Vitamin P) which are believed to have numerous immune building properties and health benefits
It also contains an array of albumin, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.
Propolis has been shown to be beneficial for gastric disorders, hay fever, sinusitis, bronhcial asthma, candida albicans, rheumatism, arthritis, and other auto-immune conditions.
I have only been taking liquid Propolis for a week and I have already noticed new levels of energy. I have tried to do some research into the side effects but it appears at present there is not extensive scientific research in this area, so as with all things treat with caution and seek advice. One thing is clear if you are allergic to bee stings or honey it’s not recommended!
I watched the film Paying it Forward earlier in the week, and it reminded me how each of us have the power to be the difference to make a difference in the world.
For those that have not seen the film a young boy is given a school assignment ‘think of an idea to change our world and put it into action’.
The boy’s idea is to do a random act of kindness for three people. For the boy the act of kindness had to be something big – something that they couldn’t do for themselves, something that would make a difference in their lives. He helped them and then they do it for three people. Just imagine what a difference we will make when we all do this!
It’s a great idea, simple to do and doesn’t have to cost a penny. In the film a range of acts of kindness occurred from sticking up to a bully, to forgiving a longlost parent, providing resources for a homeless person to clean up, to setting up a date for two people struggling in life to letting someone else in greater need jump the queue in a hospital waiting room.
How can you be the difference to make a difference?
With the fun and frolics of Christmas been and gone, the ever lasting New year hangover finally passing and dark winter mornings, it’s not surprising some people are suffering from the winter blues; desperate for a bit of sunshine in their life. We can’t control the weather and persuade the sun to put his hat on but we can change the way we feel by taking action!
Here’s my top 3 ways for beating the blues:
1) Do a few of your favourite things
What makes you tick? What do you enjoy doing? Well do them, you’ll instantly notice a step away from the blues. Play your favourite tune loud enough to annoy your neighbours and dance around the room like no one is watching!
If you are struggling to think what to do, take a look at the ‘Getting to know yourself’ section blogged on Sept 28th. http://beeatone.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/looking-to-kick-start-your-career/
2) Get out and about
Go outside and get a bit ‘of fresh’. Take a walk in your nearest park, hit the beach for a brisk walk, drive into the country – get out there and feel alive!
3) Eat your way happy
Eat foods that contain natural feel good chemicals such as:
Omega 3 – Research has shown that just a gram of fish oil each day decreases symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disorders, unexplained feelings of sadness and decreased sex drive by 50%. Omega-3 fatty acids can also lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. Where can I get some? Walnuts, flaxseed and oily fish like salmon or tuna.
Vitamin B1 – Helps the old grey matter tick, it is known as a “morale vitamin” due to its positive effect on the nervous system and a healthy mental attitude. In addition, helps with digestion and conversion of carbohydrates into energy. Where can I get some? Peas, tuna, sunflower seeds, black beans, whole grain and brown rice.
Serotonin plays an important part in the body including the control of appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, mood, behaviour, cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, endocrine regulation and depression. Where can I get some? brazil nuts and dark chocolate (at least 70%) – chocolate also also contains a feel good chemical called phenylethylamine
Vitamin B6 – B6 is one of the best vitamins for supporting the nervous system, so it can help support the body in warding off all sorts of feelings like sadness, depression, anxiety and panic. It is also helpful in the breakdown of sugars and starches in the blood, supporting proper insulin function, which helps provide energy and prevent fatigue. Where can I get some? Brown rice, peas, spinach, bananas and tuna.
Selenium – this mineral acts like an antioxidant inside the body, and research suggests that the presence of oxidative stress in the brain is linked to some cases of depression. Where can I get some? whole grains like oatmeal, whole grain bread and brown rice
Get some giggles, laughter is the best medicine by far!
2011 is a rather special year: 2011 is a prime number (for those that may have nodded off in Maths lessons a prime number is a number that is divisible only by 1 and itself) – a ‘one off’ number.
According to the psychologist Steven Gilligan we are all ‘one offs’. He says that we are all “incurable deviants” using the merry phrase to celebrate our individuality as people. However much we might attempt to fit in to an environment that may not suit us, he suggests that our health and happiness depend on our being able to express our individuality as the “incurable deviants” that we all are.
Make 2011 the year for you by focusing on you, your values and your goals. Once you‘ve completed the exercise below, take key words or pictures from your plan and create a collage or story board of the year ahead. I’ve stuck my collage besides my bed so first thing in the morning I can focus my day on who I am, my values help me kick start the day in the right direction of my goal. It’s also the last thing I see before I go to bed giving me the chance to reflect on how my day has contributed towards my goals.
Give it a try and make 2011 a special year for you.
1 small red onion finely diced
1 clove of garlic finely diced
300g of frozen peas
1 small bunch of finely chopped mint leaves
1 big bunch of spinach leaves
750ml of vegetable stock
salt and pepper to taste
What you do . . .
Fry the onion and garlic on a medium heat until they become translucent.
Add the peas and mint leaves giving everything a good stir.
Add the stock and let the peas simmer for 10-15 mins.
Towards the end, add the spinach until wilted and season well.
Whizz in the blender.
Voila! Beautiful fresh smelling soup full of seasonal goodness.
It’s that time of year when unrealistic rules and expectations are set for the New Year, these kind of restrictions and limitations become a burden and are often out the window mid month. Create a different start to the New Year setting realistic goals that are inline with who you are. Embracing and enhancing your own self rather than trying to recreate.
One way to do this is to ensure your goals are inline with your values – who you are at your core. If you have previously identified your values the new year might be a perfect time to revisit them and see if/how they have changed as you have developed.
The exercise below is a great way for you to revisit your values and set goals for the year ahead. Take sometime out to complete and then share with a close friend. Discussing helps build the excitement about what a great new year it will be for you and gives you support to reach the goals. Stick to the time guides for this exercise grabbing the first thing that comes into your mind.
Give it a whirl today.
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GOAL PLANNING
The following exercise is a useful way to loosen up your thinking, help you identify core values and put you in a positive frame of mind for goal planning. Each question should be answered quickly in the allotted time.
What are the five basic values in life that are most important to you (e.g. friendship, health, etc.)?
(Take 60 seconds)
What are your three most important long-term life goals?
(30 seconds)
What would you do if you had six months to live?
(30 seconds)
How would you change your life if you became an instant millionaire?
(30 seconds)
What activities give you the greatest feeling of importance and satisfaction?
(60 seconds)
What have you always wanted to do but been too afraid to attempt?
(30 seconds)
BRAINSTORM
Write down as many goals as come to mind (perhaps separating the areas of home, work, leisure, relationships)
Home
Work
Leisure
Relationships
Re-write three goals with specific timed outcome
(Eliminate or modify unrealistic goals)
