See It Through [Poem of the week]

When you’re up against a trouble,
    Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
    Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
    Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
    See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you
    And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
    Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
    Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
    See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,
    When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
    Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
    Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
    See it through!

By Edgar Guest
(Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/see-it-through-by-edgar-guest)

Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad

Greetings all!

Don’t you love summer? I enjoy visiting my local farmer’s market in the summer - the colors and smells always lift my mood. Even with social distancing, it is such a treat! 

When in season, I buy heirloom tomatoes and ripe peaches to make this colorful summer salad. If you love caprese salad, you will love this easy 5-ingredient recipe.

Image and recipe idea from https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/tomato-peach-burrata-salad/

Ingredients:

• Tomato
• Peach
• Basil (fresh is best but dry basil will work in a pinch!)
• Burrata cheese (or mozzarella cheese)
• Balsamic reduction (or just a splash of olive oil and balsamic vinegar)

Instructions:  

• To make the balsamic reduction, pour the balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer, swirling the pan occasionally, until reduced to about half of the original amount, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Cut the tomato and peach in chunks.
• Top with burrata cheese and basil. Salt and pepper optional.
• Drizzle the balsamic reduction over the salad and enjoy.

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!

Lift Your Mood [Meditation Technique]

Practice this meditation to lift your mood.

Start by sitting in a comfortable position with your feet planted on the floor. Visualize a glowing light surrounding your body. Watch it grow bigger with every breath, as if your inhale were fanning its flames.

Rub your hands together for 10 seconds as you repeat several words to set an intention. For instance, try “patience” or “peace.”

Then raise your hands about five inches above your head. Inhale to draw in that positive energy as you lower your hands to the crown of your head. Exhale and raise your hands again. Repeat with each breath.

Feel the balance of having only your own energy and radiate that into the world.

~ April Unterberger (as read in the February-2020 issue of Real Simple magazine)

P.S. I also like using “balance” and “vitality” as my intention words. What are yours?

Thought of the week - Hope

Greetings all!

Here is an inspiring thought for the upcoming week (from http://www.deeshan.com). 

Stay safe!

How Many Licks Does It Take to Get Through a Scoop of Ice Cream? [and Other Fun Facts]

Apparently, the magic number is 50!!

Greetings all!

If you love ice cream, you are not alone. Records suggest that Emperor Nero, Alexander the Great, King Solomon, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington also enjoyed this delicious cold treat!

Image from  https://www.needpix.com/photo/908408/ice-cream-waffles-ice-cream-cone-summer-ice-cream-flavors-enjoy-strawberry-ice-cream-pistachios-mango

No one really knows how ice cream was invented. Some historians think that the ancient Chinese might have created it first and Marco Polo brought it to Europe later. In the 16^th century, it became popular in Europe but for a while it was considered a luxury.

So it was possibly in France that Thomas Jefferson first tried it in the 18^th century – and then he helped popularize it in the US. In fact, he is credited with being the first American who recorded an ice cream recipe (scroll to SOURCES for his recipe).

In the 1920s, the American novelty song “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream” enjoyed a huge success and the lyrics refrain became part of popular culture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0pfP_MD6xA).

Then, in 1984, the US President Ronald Reagan designated the month of July as the National Ice Cream Month. In his proclamation, he called upon the people of United States to observe the month “with appropriate ceremonies and activities”! The third Sunday of the month (July 19 this year) is the National Ice Cream Day.

The most popular flavor in the US is vanilla, and an average American consumes about 20 pounds of ice cream in a year.

Ice cream experts suggest several tips to enjoy the ice cream to the fullest:

1. Make sure it is not too cold.
2. Don’t eat it too fast so that you can fully savor the flavors.
3. Don’t eat too much at once.
4. Cones are better than cups, and if you have to use a spoon, make sure it is not metal. By the way, a waffle cone was invented by accident!
5. Store it properly.
6. Slow down to avoid brain freeze. But if you got it, hold your tongue against the roof of your mouth to warm your sensors.
7. Don’t microwave it unless you are serving the whole container.
8. Don’t limit your options and experiment with pairings.
9. Don’t waste your leftovers. Instead you can make French toast or add to a milkshake.

SOURCES:

• https://www.today.com/food/best-way-enjoy-ice-cream-cone-t187079
• https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/19/us/national-ice-cream-day-2020-trnd/index.html
• https://www.idfa.org/docs/default-source/National-Ice-Cream-Month/ice-cream-month-proclamation.pdf?sfvrsn=2
• https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/ice-cream (Thomas Jefferson’s recipe)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0pfP_MD6xA 
• https://www.stanpacnet.com/11-fun-ice-cream-facts-2017/

Do you like ice cream? What is your favorite flavor?

Rustic Potatoes and Potato Nachos

Greetings all!

If you love potatoes, here is an easy, colorful, and delicious recipe that you might enjoy! 

I loved this dish so much that I made it three days in a row with different ingredients! At first, my meal started with a recipe for rustic potatoes but then evolved into potato nachos. Both recipes are below. 

Image and idea from 

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/235982/quick-potato-nachos/

Ingredients for Rustic Potatoes:

• 1½ pounds russet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
• 1½ tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
• salt and pepper to taste OR
• Nachos Variation 1: 1 teaspoon Mexican-style seasoning blend and ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• Nachos Variation 2: use whatever spices you like mixed with oil. I also liked the mix of oil and soy sauce

Extra Ingredients for Potato Nachos:

• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• ¼ cup rinsed and drained canned black beans (or any other beans)
• ¼ cup diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup sliced black olives
• ¼ cup sliced green onions (parsley, cilantro and dill will also work)
• 3 tablespoons canned chopped green chiles
• Salami and pickles (my addition)

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. OPTIONAL step for rustic potatoes: Boil water, add potatoes, and cook for 3-5 minutes. Drain. I found this elevates the potatoes to a whole new level!
3. Combine potatoes, oil, and your chosen spices together in a bowl; stir to coat potatoes completely. 
4. Spread potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
5. Bake in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are crisp and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

At this point, your rustic potatoes are ready to eat! You can sprinkle parsley or dill or green onions on top.

To make potato nachos:

• Transfer potatoes to a plate and top with Mexican cheese blend, black beans, diced tomatoes, black olives, green onions, and green chiles.
• I have also tried mixing in salami and pickles and that was very tasty!

You can serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream or just enjoy as is, as the dish is very filling.

SOURCES:

Rustic Potatoes - https://www.povarenok.ru/recipes/show/166054/

Potato Nachos - https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/235982/quick-potato-nachos/

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!

Shinrin-Yoku [Forest Bathing]

Greetings all!

Yesterday, I sat outside for 20 minutes and I just was. No phone, no book, just cars passing by, my mind blanking out. It was very enjoyable and relaxing even though it was very hot. There is something about being in nature that just calms and comforts.

Maybe that is why the practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is popular in Japan. By the way, did you know that Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world? Can shinrin-yoku be one of the secrets to a long life?

According to the Time article, shinrin-yoku is not exercise but simply being in nature. You actually do not need a forest, just a place with trees! Find a spot, unplug from technology, and see where your senses take you. You don’t need a guide – although in Japan, there are forest-therapy professionals that will design the best walking path for you. You can walk, look at plants, have a picnic, practice Tai Chi, mediate, or paint! I think many of us already practice shinrin-yoku, without realizing it!

I am now interested in reading the book by Dr. Qing Li “Forest bathing: how trees can help you find health and happiness.” According to my library, the book teaches you to “lose yourself in the beauty of your surroundings, leave everyday stress behind, and reach a place of greater calm and wellness.”

“…Leave everyday stress behind and reach a place of greater calm and wellness” - Doesn’t it sound lovely? In the meantime, I am going to find a tree and zone out for a bit!

Source: https://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/

Be well and stay healthy!