Do Your Moods Control You?

Jun 9th, 2010

The secret to successfully sticking with a healthy diet or exercise routine is the mastery of your moods.  When I quit smoking 20 years ago, I used to say “I’m too bummed to eat a salad” and I’d order a cheeseburger and fries.  I wanted comfort foods because I no longer had the comfort of my cigarettes.  Since then I’ve learned a hundred ways to self-soothe, and still my moods challenge me to stay the course at times.  Og Mandino has the key:

“Henceforth I will recognize and identify the mystery of moods in all mankind, and in me. From this moment I am prepared to control whatever personality awakes in me each day. I will master my moods through positive action and when I master my moods, I will control my destiny.” Og Mandino

What positive actions can you take today to help you stay the healthy, happy living course?  Some possible actions include having a personal vision for healthy living, keeping healthy snacks in your desk drawer at work, planning the meals for the week so you aren’t caught at 7pm with no healthy food in sight.  What ideas do you have?  Please comment at the link below.

Secret to Reduce Your Stress Level

Jun 8th, 2010

Any cleansing cleansing program can be amplified by a cleansing of negative thoughts and feelings. Angry or stressful thoughts can wreak havoc on our health and well-being. The Loving Kindness Meditation as taught by Buddha has been practiced for decades to great effect. Try it for a few days and watch how it works in your life to bring peace and calm.

Close your eyes and imagine people you love (or just one person) as you mentally recite these words (slowly):

Breathing in, I breathe in the world’s pain.

Breathing out, I send it healing love.

May all beings be happy.

May all beings be peaceful.

May all beings be kind.

May all beings be free.

Next, visualize people (or a person) you do not know well – a neutral person (e.g., check out clerk, someone you see in your building) and recite these words slowly again:

Breathing in, I breathe in the world’s pain.

Breathing out, I send it healing love.

May all beings be happy.

May all beings be peaceful.

May all beings be kind.

May all beings be free.

Finally, visualize someone in your life who you feel is difficult to be around or someone you are having conflict with. Repeat the following words with this person in mind:

Breathing in, I breathe in the world’s pain.

Breathing out, I send it healing love.

May all beings be happy.

May all beings be peaceful.

May all beings be kind.

May all beings be free.

Let us know how this stress reduction practice works for you. Do you practice other stress reduction exercises?

Crazy One Pan Dinner

Jun 3rd, 2010

I’m a lazy cook and I don’t really like fish.  With that disclaimer out of the way, let me tell you what a delight I cooked up in one pan – it involved fish and cooking and I lived to tell the story.  Though I did die and go to heaven when I ate it.

I really don’t know what I’m doing half the time when I’m cooking but I’m a risk taker and follow my intuition.   My intuition is a powerful tool – thankfully I listen to it now and then.

I wish I had a video to show you how I made this meal, but it was so tasty I didn’t want it to get cold while I fooled around.  Speaking of fooling around, let me get to the point.

My one pan meal….

I added olive oil and a splash of sesame oil to the skillet.  Next I added the following chopped veggies:

• fresh pea pods (from the farmers’ market)
• fresh asparagus (ditto)
• zucchini – quartered and chopped
• minced fresh ginger and garlic

Then…now this is the genius part…I cleared a spot amongst the veggies and added a 4 ounce slab of cod.  Why dirty two pans?  The lazy cook in me got creative and started thinking…hey the veggies and fish would take about the same amount of time to cook, why not use one pan?  I was right!  I love it when that happens.

Next, I added a splash of tamari (you can use soy sauce) and a touch of water because the pan was starting to get dry. 

After about 4 minutes I added a large handful of fresh spinach around the edges of the fish.  It got too complicated trying to stir the spinach around the fish so I chunked the fish up and gently stirred.

Then, I added a half cup or so of brown rice prepared the night before (for just such an occasion). 

Finally, I squirted about a quarter of a fresh lemon over the works, added a bit of salt and pepper,  and heated it all through.  In less than 10 minutes I was eating a fabulous one pan meal. 

Look at all the amazing things here:  I don’t like fish, yet I loved this meal.  I am a lazy cook, but I prepared this delightful meal in 10 minutes.  I don’t like cleanup and had just one pan and wooden spoon to wash.  The bowl and fork went into the dishwasher leaving plenty of time for my 45 minute walk with Toby.   Life is good!

How do you speed up the process of cooking…..as you make delightful, healthy meals?

How to Make Veggies Taste Good

Jun 2nd, 2010

On my way to the farmers’ market this morning, I asked a colleague if he was headed there too.  “No, it’s too green for me.  I’ll wait for the corn.” 

I know that’s the way a lot of people feel.  Heck, I used to feel that way myself.  When my mother asked us kids what vegetable we wanted for dinner, I always hollared out CORN.  My loud, quick, standard response annoyed my sister, now a vegetarian, because she wanted to eat different kinds of vegetables.   Not me!  She was a budding vegetarian way back then and I was a full blown carnivore.  I’ve since learned to like vegbetables.  If you don’t like vegetables, there’s hope.  But you’ll need some help. 

I’ve got two suggestions that can change the way you look at fruits and vegetables.

1. The Produce for Better Health Foundation has listed their “Top 10 Healthy Ways to Cook Fruits & Vegetables.” The list is fabulous, not the usual boring suggestions. 
2. In the Fruit & Vegetable Video Center on the same site, Michael Marks, The Produce Man, stars in 101 wonderful, short videos.  He shows you how to shop for produce, prepare it, and make it taste great – all in less than a minute per video.  He’s funny too.  He also provides recipes and other tips.  Check out these super short videos.  You can watch  a handful on your break. 

Do you like veggies?  Why?  Why not?  Any yummy veggie tips to share at the comment link below?