Purple Hearts for Paws

While touring  Washington, DC,  I felt  there was a voiceless  group that  had not garnered  recognition for its accomplishments.   With Memorial Day approaching and my  discovery of  an organization that helps  retired veterans called Paws for Purple Hearts, I couldn't be in denial about  the  myriad contributions made to humans by canines.

     Paws is for Purple Hearts began in 2006 as a program at Bergen University in their division of Canine Studies in California. This program offers therapeutic intervention for veterans suffering from post dramatic stress disorder known as PTSD and other combat related injuries.  Service dogs are trained by veterans for other veterans which creates a win-win situation for everyone involved, both humans and canines alike!    Specifically bred Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers  undergo a thorough 18 to 24 months service dog training regimen which involves learning over 90 commands.  Service men and women are trained so that they are able to teach the service dogs all the useful commands they need to know.  Upon completion of this program the dogs or given to veterans who have sustained mobility limiting injuries.  For those men and women suffering from PTSD,  training these animals gives them a sense of purpose, increased patience, and a greater opportunity for social interaction which reduces their stress, anxiety, depression and the need for various medications.  For those who receive the service dogs,  these dogs provide forever companionship and a sense of independence.  The service dog  gladly performs daily tasks not easily performed by the veteran. The service dog accompanies the airport everywhere- home, work, doctor visits and vacations.  All tasks previously performed by an attendant or a family member is now performed by the service dog,  reducing the vets dependence on other people.  Both trainers and receivers of service dog experience unconditional love and support provided by the service dogs.  This goes beyond what most human beings can do for one another.

      Dogs have been used in warfare by many civilizations and for various purposes. In more modern times, canines  have been used protect soldiers, send messages, locate bombs and enemy forces, transport supplies and wounded soldiers.  I was horrified to discover that some were deployed with explosives and others were used for experimentation to save human lives! Many millions of canines have lost their short lives in pursuit of their function in war.  Of those that did not perish, some were unable to return to civilian life and were either euthanized or left behind as unneeded equipment.

     Is this how we humans reward dogs who serve alongside soldiers, helping to protect lives?  When I began this blog my goal was to applaud the efforts of canines in war times and not to uncover the abuses they have suffered and the complete indifference to the plight of these four legged heroes afterwards.  Do they not suffer the ills effects of combat as we do?  Are they not entitled to the same respect as our two-legged veterans? Why are they not returned to the United States to receive proper medical and psychological treatment?

     The following is a shamefully  short list of the kind of  support offered  to our canine war heroes in the United States:  (Side-Note:  Nothing officially from our government) 

1. Petition2Congress is a website which you may sign your name and add a personal note to your elected officials in congress about how you feel about the  abominable treatment received by our military war dogs.  No soldier should be left behind and each one is entitled  health care benefits. 
2. Senate National Defense Authorization Act involves Senator Charles Shumer of New York who wants to make a provision in this act to guarantee the return of all military dogs to the U.S. with their handlers.  As yet, this proposal is still pending.
3. Save-A-Vet.Org is a website that welcomes donations.  They save dogs that can not be adopted.  At the present time they need more political support to allow them to use the space in military bases that have been shut down or are being closed.
4. Dog Center Europe is a clinic headed by Michigan State alumnus Major Kent Vince in Germany which is the first stop for dogs evacuated from combat zones throughout Europe, Africa and Afghaststan.  Major Kent believes when these 4 legged soldiers are injured, we owe it to them to do everything possible to save that dog's life.
5. K9 Pride offers to send Kevlar vets, equipment, supplies and toys to help our current military working dogs. 
6. U.S. War Dog Associates Chapter1 allows those interested to fill out an application to adopt a retired military working dog (i.e. MWD).  Upon adoption, you will sign papers that make you responsible financially for all expenses including medical treatments and equipment.  As yet, government support has yet to be approved.
7. Paws Of War claims to match dogs often left behind from war torn area with military vets suffering from PTSD.

     It is my intention to make those in the United States and elsewhere aware of the selfless contributions that dogs make in our lives. They are more than just an antidote for depression and deserve  our respect and every consideration for all they do in times of war and peace.   Please acknowledge their efforts by writing to your elected officials, donate your time as a volunteer, make financial contributions, adopt a MWD and let their voice be heard through your own.  They deserve do much and they have gotten too little.

Never Too Old To Swap

Time and time again friends ask me how I'm able to maintain my health and the same weight without a struggle.  They suggest I have a fast metabolism or that I'm a workout fiend.  Neither of which is true.  One day, I had this epiphany.  I came to the realization  that there is no  perfect diet.  Diets are too restrictive and therefore doomed to failure.  It is far better to examine your eating habits,  the food you consume and the satisfaction you garner.  The key is flexibility.  Try to eat healthy when it is possible to offset the times when you can not.  Good eating habits is more about a balancing act.  You don't have to give up the food you love if you can be satisfied with less or if you can make a healthy swap for the foods you adore.  This allows for those times when no swap is possible or desired and you must submit.  You then appreciate that special food all the more!

 Here are some of my go-to swaps near the top of my list:

1. This one requires some advance prep.  Keep a freezer bag of individually wrapped peeled frozen bananas.  Put one in your blender when you have a craving for ice cream.  You can also add frozen berries to vary the taste.  In the summer, I like to chew on frozen grapes for a refreshing treat instead of ices.
2. Thinking about indulging in pasta?  Why not ditch the high carbs for spaghetti squash.  Just slice it in halves and put in a tray face down with one inch of water.  Bake at 350° for 25 minutes.  Cool and the scrape with a fork to make strands.  Add your fav veggies, oil, garlic, sauce or whatever you desire.
3. Want a yummy side dish instead of mashed potatoes with heavy cream?  Try baked sweet potato fries or mashed cauliflower in the blender with almond milk, grass-fed butter and Himalayan sea salt.
4. Limiting your dairy because of allergies and other health concerns?  Nut milks like almond, cashew, and coconut milks are good options.  There are also soy, rice and quinoa milks available.
5. For those loving their salt fix switch to Himalayan sea salt which contains essential minerals and magnesium missing from table salt.
6. Instead of chips why not substitute mini peppers to make a tasty nacho snack.  Mix corn, black beans and salsa.  Arrange and fill each pepper half on a greased baking sheet.  Sprinkle with cheese of your choice.  Broil for 2-4 minutes and enjoy!  One pound of mini peppers makes 4 servings.

                                           

A sweet reward every so often will help you stay the course.

Bottom Line:  You can keep your New Year's Resolutions this and every year with a little compromise and flexibility.

The Beginning of The End of Wild Animals In Circuses

        The March 5, 2015 announcement by Ringling about  phasing out  elephants in its circuses has been compared to the fall of the Berlin Wall for animal activists everywhere by Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the United States.  He says Ringling Brothers has fought animal welfare groups in the city councils, state legislatures, within Congress, in courts and in the press using bottomless pockets and devious practices to maintain its elephant icon.

       This new proclamation about elephants is purely an economic reality for Ringling and not so much concerned with animal welfare but we'll take it.  In 2011, the circus paid out $270, 000  in fines related to animal treatment.  Many localities now have legislation in place so that circuses with animals may no longer be allowed and legal consequences can be garnered. All this is the result of an enlightened American society is finally using its power of the purse and  recognizes the combined stress of boxcar traveling in chains and heavy handed physical abuse of elephants  in traveling circuses can no longer be tolerated.  All animals  have complex social and behavior needs.  We recognize the profound depth of animal emotion, thinking and suffering.  They feel stress and pain much in the way that we do.  They too are social beings.  There are  videos at news.nationalgeographic.com that exemplify these facts.

     Those that have  expressed a desire to retire the elephants sooner than 2018 have been met with opposition from the circus' parent company, Feld Entertainment.  They claim that their  200 acre Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation facility in Polk City, Fla needs time to build adequate accommodations  for these animals. The Feld family, in their own defense, acknowledges the intelligence of elephants and claims emphatically that those performing in their traveling circuses have shown a desire to do so.  I would like to know how they arrived at that conclusion.

     On March 11, 2015, a crowd in Richmond, Virginia protested the treatment of all wild animals by Ringling.  They demonstrated outside the Richmond Coliseum.  The time has come to acknowledge that we have finally reached the beginning of the end of animal abuse for entertainment.  We have begun to turn the tide by becoming unwilling to accept inhuman treatment of animals in labs, farms, film sets, and other venues that were considered commonplace.  Let us continue to fight for those who have no voice by protecting all animals, both wild and domestic, from the evil encroachment of human beings who exploit them for some ill gotten gain.  The most recent travesty is renewed tusk poaching in African where  adult elephants and rhinos are slaughtered for tusks that have tripled in price and their  babies are left to die. According to Fox news, park rangers are receiving military training and drones with thermal cameras are helping to protect these creatures.  Even with new laws with stiffer penalties greed is still a strong motivation for some.  Good people everywhere must be forever vigilant. 

Bottom Line:  Can we be happy with ourselves if we, knowingly, allow animals to mistreated or die because we lack the courage to protect them?

Drowning in Catalogs

     Have you ever wondered what it would be like  to be free of  catalogs.

Do you feel you are doing  penance for making a purchase  eons ago  or that you have become a hapless victim of forces beyond your control?  Welcome to the marketing nightmare where you are slave to unending catalog mailings.
     A rare day without  catalogs becomes totally emancipating.  You are free from recycling, sorting  and looking to see  which are worth  a sideways glance or not. Its similar to the way you'll when a toothache subsides.
     In reality, catalogs  are somewhat  superfluous  because of online shopping. Only those  in rural areas  or those without internet access require them.  So why not have the choice?     Think of all the waste in time, trees,  paper, ink, machinery, human resources, etc.  expended  to induce you to acquire more stuff.   We are drowning in an economic quagmire that depletes us of  energies better spent in more productive pursuits.

     Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?   Catalogs can be gone and your time and energy restored.      Curse not the darkness and light a candle.   Doing nothing, is choosing to be a victim and to be irresponsible to the environment. 

     There are  two courses of action   you might employ ( aside from moving)  to remove catalogs from your life.  The procedure for stopping the distribution of catalogs to your home is called opting out.

1. One way to opt out is by calling each catalog company and speaking to Customer Service or  by dialing the phone number listed on the catalog.   When you opt out of catalog distribution they will take down your information such as your name and address. Some of the catalogs are pre-printed so it make take up to 90 days for a mailing to cease.  It is important to mention any other individuals in your home who may be receiving mailings as well.  Ask if you have reached a call center that handles a number of company publications so you can save time by not calling individual catalog companies.  Be aware of the operating schedules and times zones of each company. Be prepared for long automated hold times and reduce your frustration by multi-tasking.   I often do the laundry, pay bills, read a book or play Solitaire or Sudoku.  This choice is very time consuming so its important to remind yourself of the happy ending you will eventually experience.  Keep your eyes on the prize!
2.  The other solution is to employ what is known as a third-party company.  There are several listed on the Internet.  They may charge a fee to  opt out for you.  You fill out a number of forms and they do the rest.

• You can go to the Direct Marketing Association who can make it possible for you to opt out through its Mail Preference Service.  The DMA sends out 80% of the catalogues, sweepstakes and credit card solicitations.  There is a DMAChoiceWeb site.  The service is free and you can select which catalogs you want to drop.  The problem is you have to give a credit card number as proof of your identity.  
• Another website is catalogchoice.org launched by a coalition of environmental groups like the National Wildlife Federation.  Their purpose is to eliminate unwanted catalogs using the internet. The businesses that have signed up to honor this pledge truly believe that if a customer wants to know about  sale or make a  purchase they can sign up for emails.  Close to one thousand merchants like LLBean, REI, Lands End, Urban Outfitters, Office Depot, and Giam who believe that good business practices involve respecting the rights of the consumer and showing responsibility to our environment.  There is no fee and no credit card authentication necessary.  They will forward your wishes to other catalogs not signed up with them but there is no guarantee that non-member companies will comply.

  

Hair Today: Flat Iron Beauty Trends For Tomorrow

       Coarse frizzy hair with unmanageable waves has been an insufferable problem defying  most skilled stylists  attempting  a workable solution without creating a deleterious effect. Women have wept bitterly at the prospect of a humid  day.  When all hope of sleek, shiny, smooth manageable hair seemed a remote possibility a drum roll is heard and a slew of new flat irons rise to the challenge.
      Researchers have garnered much information as to what transforms  frizzy, dry and unmanageable hair to straight and shiny.  Some  evidence suggests  an optimum temperature  will control locks without frying your frizz  and worsening its texture. What temperature  and which heat delivery system is still hotly debated---pardon the pun!  Desired results are accomplished  in various ways by each of the new products.  Let's examine what the current trends have wrought.

The newest and fairly expensive flat iron is the Eclipse by Ghd (aka good hair day) .  Retailingat $245, is it worth the price?  Here are the claims:

• styles faster  and with less heat
• handles all hair textures
• creates gloss and shine
• heating system uses optimum heat of 365 degrees
• no loss of heat using heat sensors with three hating zones in each plate
• uses universal voltage
• 30 minute automatic shut off
• 2 year  limited manufacturer warranty

      My curiosity caused me to purchase the above flat iron online to provide a first hand account.   My hair was easily straightened with fewer passes and its texture remarkably improved.   It took  30 seconds for the flat iron to reach the optimum temperature of 365 degrees and remained consistent throughout. Only the passing of time will tell regarding the condition of my hair and whether this pricy iron will live past its 2 year guarantee. I will provide future updates.  This is so new there are no reviews as yet.

      Another interesting flat iron is the Maxiglide Sonicglide.   It claims to be able to      metamorphosize  your frizz into smooth straight hair in one step.  It retails at $100.

• Each  plate on this flat iron has detangling pins that are ceramic coated acting like a fine comb.  
•  Sonic vibration and a steam burst system to smooth out split ends.  
• There are extra flat plates 
• Uses nano ceramic technology to prevent heat damage to your hair.
• 1 year limited manufacturer warranty 

     The steam creates negative ions with even heat distribution to create a silky, shiny finish with a temperature range of 234-428 degrees.  This flat iron was created by celebrity stylist Masood Max.  Reviews are mixed at the time of this post.

     The last next greatest latest flat iron is the Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium 1 1/4 " Flat Iron Straightner retailing at $220.

• Uses a heat delivery system called Advanced Surround Heat.  It produces the desired results 40% faster, reaches a temperature of 450 degrees, and eliminates the damage made by multiple passes.  
• This model offers a 4 year manufactures warranty.

     The above are the most promising new-bees on the flat iron horizon so far, in my opinion,  but once again only the passing of time will tell the tale of the next great flat iron!

The new "Electric Slide"  is no longer a a dance routine  but  a hair care ritual!


Botton Line:  The good news is that with its increased popularity, flat irons have improved over time. 

The Value of Truth In Relationships

     Truth  supersedes all other  attributes in a personal  relationship.  It is the bedrock upon which this special connection must thrive.   Failure to be forthright undermines its stability  and defines the authenticity of  its members in a way that demeans them. Lack of credibility will disintegrate all trust.  The relationship becomes history.
     Richard Pryor, the late and great American comedian, actor, film director, writer and uncompromising social critic once said only three types of people tell the truth--- kids, drunk people, and anyone who is  f______g  pissed off.  If you have ever been any of these three, you  are aware being honest  is a challenge.  In a significant relationship it  takes even more courage and due diligence for those involved to maintain this truthfulness.   Here  are some  obstacles we may encounter while trying to sail on a steady course:

• We sacrifice our happiness for the sake of another.
• We are overwhelmed with self-doubt with regard to the  inability of another  to accept the truth in an appropriate manner. 
• We detect a lack of the tools, experience or desire to interact in a  personal level in others. .
• We discover  egocentric behavior  impedes another persons  ability to listen with objectivity   invariably bringing  the topic at hand back to themselves.
• We are dealing with someone who may have a tendency to become  defensive and interpret a desire for a serious dialog as negative criticism making communication unattainable.  

      All of the above are red flags detracting from any meaningful interaction.  They indicate a need for relationship  revision otherwise  demise is eminent.  Over-reactions to circumstance  may indicate an inability to accept each other as equals and/or a lack of investment in the relationship.  Self-sacrifice can lead resentment, anger, jealousy and self-abandonment.
      There is no room personal growth within this type of social interaction if these adverse effects persist.  What exists is a misrepresentation of each of the participants.    When either of the participants  have  continually been compromised or been mistreated,  it becomes necessary  to dissolve the association .  Temporary pain of loss  it is better than living a lie. We need to live a life that makes us happy by seeking out relationships  that serves us truthfully.

Bottom Line:  Make the most of each moment by surrounding yourself with those who value the importance of truth in a relationship with you.

Beauty Blast: Hair Botox

      The inspiration for this topic came about when  a friend  queried if Hair Botox is a joke.  No, it's very real, very new on the beauty scene and has great potential for  to improving  hair stressed out by coloring, heat treatments, straightening,  chemical additives and hormonal issues.  It also does wonders for coase frizzy hair.  It's touted as a kind of time machine and fountain of youth  that brings your hair back to life.   Supposedly, this product fills in the gaps left in your hair follicles by years of neglect thereby smoothing out your hair the way  Botox smooths away wrinkles minus the injections.  Cumulative damage and decreased keratin production as we age causes our hair to become severely weakened.
    Hair Botox contains caviar oil, B5, E vitamins and collagen complex which moisturizes,  and revives hair, repairing split ends, adding shine, softness and eliminating frizz. Wow!  And it does this without using formaldehyde or harmful chemicals.  Unlike previous hair straightening treatments, it  adds nutrients to the inside of the damaged cortex of the shaft cuticles.  It strengthens the integrity of hair from the inside out.  Hair Botox contains both  organic microspheres which help minimize hair loss and acid which exfoliates and helps with scalp conditions.  I have personally tried the Hair B restructuring cream instead of my usual cream rinse which made the texture of my hair softer but still required the use of a flat iron to tame my frizz.  This got me thinking about the latest trends in flat irons which will be the subject for my next blog.  I am anxiously  awaiting the delivery of one of the so-called latest and greatest ones so  I can  present you with a first hand account.
     If at home preparation appeals to you then look into Fiberceutic by L'Oreal.  It can be a bit pricey so try eBay where you may be lucky at an auction.  The kit contains a 15x15ml bottle of Hair Filling Serum, 500ml of Restorative Hair Sealing Treatment for Fine Hair and a blunt, flat syringe.  If you feel more comfortable with a  visual demonstration  before you begin there are tutorials on You-Tube where you can watch step by step instructions.
     L'Oreal says a treatment lasts about 10 washings but it might vary.  If cost is an issue you might choose to use it when a special occasion arises.  Check with your hairstylist and inquire about a special promotion going now or in the future.
     Rusk also makes a similar product that is touted as an anti-curl treatment using keratin.  It is available in an assortment of formulas for tinted, naturally curly, permed, highlighted, tinted and coarse hair.  It claims to remove frizz, create shine and improve the condition of your hair using amino acids derived from plant sources.
     There are other companies that claim to act like  hair botox used by professional hairstylists which are not readily available on the retail market.  This product is somewhat  new and it may take time before it becomes more common .  I will post more information as it becomes available.

     Are there any drawbacks to using these products?  Let me share what I've found out thus far:

•  The treatment time takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the texture of your hair.  As you might expect, coarse hair takes longer.
• The treatment needs to be repeated every three months on average- more often if you wash your hair more frequently.
• You need to purchase a starter set to maintain you hair so that it lasts up until the prescribed time.  This set includes a shampoo, restructuring cream and a booster spray.
• A blower and flat iron is still required to tame your frizzy locks but the drying time is diminished by about 1/3.  If it took you 45 minutes to dry your hair now it will take 1/2 hour.
• This may not be cost or time effective but this based on individual need and bank account.

      Below are before and after pictures  illustrating  the possible effects of this treatment.
      Should you try it?  What have you got to loose?  Weigh your options and decide!  In the end, its whatever makes you happy?  Isn't that what life is  all about?

  Bottom Line: Wishing you good hair days with or without these treatments!
You can't deny that looking good helps you feel happy!

   

Circus Animal Abuse

     As an animal activist and pet lover I am inspired by the ever expanding popularity of animal-free circuses.  Our present intoxication with  computer generated images of animals performing incredible feats is  relatively innocuous compared to the subjugation of animals in performing acts that are unnatural to them solely for our pleasure.  a good example are tigers forced to jump through fir hoops even though tigers naturally fear fire. Is it not possible to dazzle human beings without exposing animals to a life of tortuous enslavement in the circus?
      It has been reported that more than 17 European countries, nine Central and South American countries, all of India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Israel, have banned the use of some/or all wild animals from performing in circuses.  In the United States, more than 50 local governments have imposed restrictions on the use of pain in animal training.  Hardly enough!
      America needs to  arrest such cruel practices like the use of  electrocution prods,  piercing implements, shackles, whips, bullhooks and/or employ the custom of imprisoning animals in darkened rooms endlessly,  as well as similar "techniques",  to break their will.  Do you know that less than 100 U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspectors are assigned to monitor the 12,000 circus-related facilities in America?  Sadly, much of a circus animals life is spent in a cage during transport.  It is unconscionable to permit individuals to earn a living  by abusing animals. They do have a voice. We should speak for them but we refrain.  They do cry but many of us choose to ignore the plight of the innocents.  An honorable citizenry can challenge the above mentioned  pernicious practices by refusing to patronize  circuses using animal performers. Our attendance condones innumerable heinous  behaviors and  creates a  demand for more of the same abuse.
     Although it may be argued that some trainers treat their animals better than some pet owners,  the animals themselves have not chosen the life of servitude to which  they may have become accustomed.   We need to mobilize our elected officials so they become aware of our desires.   Animal shelters have reported  the ill effects suffered by  animal residents  who were rescued after surviving lives "on the road'.     Apathy will enable this affliction to endure .  To do nothing is a choice.  It promotes status quo.   We  are  compelled  to do everything in our power to commit  to the end of animal injustice.  Too many innocent souls have  sacrificed their short lives for the sake of an  archaic form of amusement.    Certainly the success of all-human circuses like Cirque de Soleil proves that the use of animal performers is totally unnecessary.  I will leave you with something  to ponder.  Every major circus in some way has violated the Animal Welfare Act in the United States.  The abuses perpetrated are too numerous to be covered in this blog!
     Enjoy the circus?  The animals don't!

Bottom Line:  How can we be happy with ourselves  if we  tolerate the suffering of innocent animals  for the sake of our amusement?

Anger Management

     What do you do when whatever you have chosen  doesn't work out the way you planned? What happens when you express your needs and you are rejected? You can curse the heavens or sit on the pity pot but nothing will be resolved and you won't feel one bit better.  Isn't that the goal?  To feel better?  Unresolved anger can give rise to depression and to other negative affects. Below are some  strategies you might employ to manage your anger.

• Absent yourself from  toxic individuals manufacturing all the drama. Remove the cause and the effect will dissipate.   If you stay with negative people it over shadows the positives in your life.  Seek out the company of those who are pleasant, kind and thoughtful.  
• Suppress your frustration  and redirect your energies in the pursuit of those activities that bring you joy and inner peace. Stop thinking about your anger. Long walks, reading a book, listening to music, following a hobby, chatting with a friend are examples of behaviors that can serve  to make you feel better.  It will help you to calm down and lead to rational thinking.
• Simple relaxation tools like deep"gut" breathing while repeating a calm word or phrase or employing some slow less intense yoga stretches may help.  Meditation and yoga have seen me through some dark times.
• Change your thinking and you can change your life.  "The world is out to get you" is an example of an irrational thought.  Recognize overly dramatic thinking as an obstacle and redirect your thoughts to more rational ones like reminding yourself that its normal to feel frustrated, disappointed and hurt when you don't get what you want.  
• Accept that there may not always be a solution to your problem so direct your energies into facing the problem. Make a plan to deal with a situation you can not change.  Do whatever will not stir up your anger. Sometimes stepping back for a time and having some distance is helpful.  Progress may be slow but logic will eventually prevail.  Give time time.

     The way you choose to handle your anger will vary in each situation but the end result should lead to a logical way of dealing with your problem.  Mahatma Gandhi once compared holding on to anger  as similar to holding onto a hot piece of coal. It serves no purpose other than to burn you.  Human beings make mistakes.  Some will let you down but  others who  lift you up. Some will be out of control.  Just move on for you own sake.  Anger is necessary and there will always be events and/or people that trigger it.  You can not  eliminate pain, frustration and loss but you can change how you let anger affect you.

     Life is too short to waste time and energy on unproductive activities.  Obsession robs you of happy moments.  Pick yourself up and move forward with like minded souls.  Forgive where and when  necessity for your own sake and allow yourself to evolve and become a better person.  Change your mind and you change your life.

Bottom Line: "The best fighter is never angry" ~ Lao Tzu

Finding Yourself At The Movies: One Step At A Time

     There are those who attribute their  shortcomings to the past which serves to entangle the believer in a quagmire of inactivity giving birth to depression.   In this instance,  there is little to be gained from analyzing  the past.  I recently saw the movie "Wild" that reminded me of the futility of extreme soul searching.  This flick is based on a book penned by Cheryl Strayed (not her birth name)  about her  internal as well as external voyage.  In this tragic tale, she takes a 1,100 miles hike across  the Pacific Crest Trail  along mountain ranges of the Mojave Desert into Washington State. Her humongous back back weighs her down and represents her past mistakes and hardships.  She carries it everywhere  immersing herself in intense pain symbolized by the body bruises they inflict. Initially, her purpose is  penance for sins  committed as a consequence of past hardships and to honor her mother who was a naturalist and an expert on the PCT. Eventually she learns that everything in her life has had a purpose or maybe not.  She learns to giver up he obsession with the past  and get on with her life.
     Cheryl, played by Reese Witherspoon,  is no super hero with any special skills.  She represents anyone whose screwed up badly and lost their internal compass.     We share her  past perceptions and her journey.  We learn about her resourceful mom Bobbi, played by Laura Dern, who left her physically abusive husband. Bobbi supports herself and her two children on a meager salary and food stamps and then dies from cancer  two months shy of earning her college diploma.  Shortly afterwards, our  protagonist begins a four year decent into heroine abuse and numerous extramarital affairs resulting in divorce and chronic depression. All background information is provided to us by the use of flashbacks which are Cheryl's remembrances.   Cheryl's inner spirit is so low she has nowhere to travel but up and so her introspection proceeds one painful step at a time.  After a lengthly examination of the past she then fast forwards those  thoughts and revelations  to bring herself to the present moment.

     "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."- Buddha

        At the risk of redundancy,    there is very little benefit  analyzing  the past.We need to perceive who we truly are one step at a time without putting obstacles in our path. You can not un-ring the bell.   Hopefully, your survival made you stronger, wiser, resourceful. resilient  to withstand the challenges in life.  Let go of your preconceptions,  of comparisons with others, and have the fortitude to fight for the life you want!  You have been presented with a unique opportunity to live ever mindful of who you really are to yourself.  No longer judge yourself harshly and  forgive your shortcomings.  Heal and look forward eagerly to the infinite possibilities in your life.  
     The Dalai Lama said,  There are two days in the year that nothing can be done.  One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live."

Bottom Line:  Celebrate the life you have and not the one you lost.  Live in the present.

    

Happiness Is

     Happiness can be elusive yet everyone continues to search for it.  The journey is idiosyncratic and never ending and the methods by which we hope to attain it are infinite. Here are some thoughts to ponder from those fellow travelers who consider happiness in various ways:

• Sweetness, in whatever form, helps to make challenging times bearable.
• I don't drown my sorrows, I suffocate them in chocolate.
• Coffee keeps me busy until it's acceptable to drink the hard stuff. 
• Life is short.  Buy the shoes.

   In line with some of the above thinking,  I would like to provide you with one of the ways I seek a little bliss.  Some favorite recipes serve me well  when life challenges every fiber of my being and I need to take a time out.  How about something that satisfies a sweet tooth?    Happiness is a state of mind, so change you mind and indulge in  guilt-free goodies that have some redeeming value.  I try to add something healthy to a decadent snack.    Below are two samples of my "time out goodies".  The first is a simple blueberry jam but you can substitute whatever berries you like should you care to improvise.

             

                                         Raw Blueberry Jam

                                          4 cups blueberries

                                          2 tablespoons raw honey

                                          2 teaspoons chia seeds

                                        

Soak chia seeds in 4 teaspoons of water for 10 minutes.  They will begin to gel in the water and provide a thicker consistency for the jam.  Blend all ingredients and refrigerate for at least an hour or more then enjoy on some really good artisan bread or whatever you heart desires.  I love it on Quinoa pancakes with a few dark chocolate chips!

     My second recipe takes a little bit more time and some effort but totally worth it.It is a chocolate brownie made with black beans but you'll never know they're there--seriously!  The upside is they are very satisfying, the downsides are the  baking times and the thickness of the batter.  The solution are: 

 Make them while streaming your fav movie, series or exercise class ;-)

Use a heavy duty food processor to mix the ingredients really well.

 Canned beans are softer and easier to blend than fresh but the choice is yours.

                                              Clean & Fudgy Brownies

                                              2 cans of black beans

                                              1 1/4 cup pitted dates

                                              2 teaspoons raw almond butter

                                              1 teaspoon vanilla extract

                                              1/2 cup organic cocoa powder

                                              1 teaspoon ground chia seeds

                                   

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.  Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Start with one ingredient at a time and process each until smooth.  Most ingredients are very dense. Use a well oiled 8"x8" pan.  Bake for 90 minutes and you will be rewarded. I sometimes use parchment paper which makes removal from the pan a bit easier.

Bottom Line:  Never say diet! Improvise your way to health and happiness in a tasteful way!

Quick And Free

     Within each of us is the power to be well and stay well.  A friend once told me a story about a farmer who lived on a somewhat profitable farm with his family.  His farm was equipped with a stream, cows, wheat, chickens and so on somewhere in the world.  Sadly, this wasn't good enough so he left his family and exchanged his farm for a diamond mine which proved to be worthless.  Years later, penniless, he visited the home of the farmer who purchased his farm and discovered the largest diamond he had ever seen on his mantle.  When questioned,  the farmer declared  he had found this diamond and many others  on the farm.
      Like the farmer, many of us don't realize the diamond mine within us.  We have the potential to be creative, joyful, productive and healthy.  We  can make a difference in ourselves and  in the world if only we believe.  It might be tough going initially but the rewards are infinite when look within  to evolve toward a higher state of being in both mind, body and spirit. So why do we look elsewhere like that pathetic farmer?
     Pharmaceutical companies and drugs dealers have set us on the wrong path.  They arouse our belief in great expectations that they can never fulfill. These are the  obstacles that prevent us from realizing  our inner  strengths.  Substance providers are doing well at our expense. They  have had the most profitable businesses during the last millennium.  Their business plan relies upon our desire for a quick fix to feel better and/or  be happy rather than exert the effort or time needed to get or stay well.  We have yet to disappoint them.
      Ads that promote anything that is "quick and free" is analogous to the flame and the moth.  Our rational mind should tell us  if something seems too good to be true it most definitely is. There is no free lunch.  There is a price to pay and many do pay dearly.   Drugs, both legal or not, are dangerous.  Putting the medical profession on a pedestal is unrealistic. You have only research the side-effects of most pharmaceuticals to realize that you are placing yourself in harms way.  Drug profits soar as we fail to thrive.
     If you have the ability to make yourself well and stay well why would you trust an economic vampire to drain you of your physical and financial well-being?   Each of us have diamonds in our own backyard.  Dig deep and take the time to gather them.   Your  self esteem and your quality of life will sparkle.  How can you settle for less?

Something Fishy

     I love salmon  but it is so fishy smelling and I hate the clean up but it is a treasure trove of tantalizingly healthful ingredients.  Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorous, vitamin B12, selenium, choline, pantothenic acid, biotin and an excellent source of protein.  The estimated Glycemic Load is zero as compared to the daily allowance which is 100/day. Salmon contains 0% Carbs,  54% Fats and 46% Protein.  Since it is sooooo very healthy I wanted to find  a way out of this odoriferous dilemma  ...... TODAHH!  Enter aluminum foil!
    

Side Note:  I only buy wild caught salmon, never farm raised, for reasons you can check out in my previous post "Supermarket Sweepstakes".  I recently discovered during my research that sockeye salmon are also wild.  It seems that because of their mating routine they can not be farm raised.  This is good to know!

      Below is my recipe for foil-proof salmon, pardon the pun!  Prep time is minimal, maybe 10 minutes, and clean up is a painless and swift and hence, less smelly. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  This recipe makes 4 servings.

                              

                                             Asian Foiled Wrapped Salmon

                                        2 lbs. sockeye or wild caught salmon

                                        1/4 cup raw honey

                                        3 cloves organic garlic

                                        2 tablespoons Liquid Aminos (natural soy sauce alternative)

                                        1 tablespoon rice vinegar

                                        1 tablespoon grated ginger

                                        Black pepper to taste

                                        Chinese Five Spice to taste

                                        1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds

Marinate the salmon for 1 hour to make it more flavorful.  Wrap the salmon with all ingredients and enclose on all sides in foil making a packet.   I would add an extra piece of foil on the baking sheet in case of leaks.  Place the foil packet on a baking sheet lined with foil in a preheated oven at 375 degrees and cook for 20-25 minutes, depending on the thickness. Open the foil packet with caution.  Really hot steam will surge out and can burn you, so take care.  The fish will be flavorful and moist. I like to pair this salmon with quinoa and stir-fried veggies.  Enjoy!