Thought of the week - You Know You Are Capable of Better!

Image from

 https://pixabay.com/illustrations/sign-traffic-sign-road-a-notice-417828/

“Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer.

Put your principles into practice – now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! You aren’t a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you’ll be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better.

From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do – now.”

― Stoic philosopher Epictetus

Have a great week! Drop me a line!

CALM: February-2022 Calendar

Greetings all! 

Here is the February-2022 calendar from CALM. I think the main theme is (re)connection - with yourself and others (from https://www.calm.com/blog/february-2022-calm-calendar).

My favorite ideas are from February 13, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 27! What are yours?

Image from 

https://pixabay.com/illustrations/personal-growth-becoming-changing-2268884/

February 1 - Date yourself! Schedule some me time in your day. Fill it with something that nourishes you. Whatever makes you smile!

February 2- Make time for connection. Check in on loved ones or open up to someone about what's on your mind.

February 3 - Try a loving kindness meditation today.

February 4 - Schedule at least 15 minutes of pure enjoyment into your busy day.

February 5 - Look in the mirror today and find something you love about yourself. Say it loud and take a selfie!

February 6 - Meditate twice today.

February 7 - Make time for silence today. Think of it as a gift to your mind.

February 8 - Ask yourself, "What can I do less of today?”

February 9 - Reach out to someone that means a lot to you. Connecting with loved ones is good for your health.

February 10 - Choose a self-care practice and make time for it.

February 11 - Charge your mental and physical batteries by getting enough sleep and going to bed early or on time tonight.

February 12 - Write yourself a self-love note.

February 13 - Text a friend who may need some love today.

February 14 - Write yourself a Valentine.

February 15 - Play music that you love today when you wake, as you walk, or while you're eating a meal.

February 16 - What needs tending in your life? Invest 15 minutes of your time and attention to something that you've been neglecting.

February 17 – Make your lunch with extra care today.

February 18 - Rewrite a story that you've been telling about yourself that is no longer serving you.

February 19 - Find a way to spend some time outside today. Just 30 minutes in nature can improve your mood and sense of wellbeing.

February 20 - Make space in your day for some YOU time.

February 21 - Ask a loved one to give you 3 reasons why they care for you. Listen and fully receive their love.

February 22 - Inhale and think of something you're grateful for. Exhale gratitude. Repeat at least 5 times.

February 23 - Spend time looking up at the sky and notice how it makes you feel.

February 24 - Practice patience and allow things to unfold in their own time.

February 25 - List your best qualities. If you find this difficult, ask a friend!

February 26 - Massage your face and give extra love and attention to the places you hold tension.

February 27 - Be kind to someone that you find challenging in your life.

February 28 - Find a poem that you love and read it.

Hope you have a great week! Stay well!

Games We Play

Greetings all!

Do you like playing word and number games? Not only are they fun to play solo and with friends but they also have tremendous mental health benefits:

• improve various brain functions like problem-solving, memory, cognition, and creativity
• slow down memory loss and dementia
• relieve stress
• improve vocabulary, logical thinking, and concentration
• provide a sense of accomplishment

There are quite a few options, many of which are downloadable as apps:

• Crosswords
• Sudoku
• Find the difference
• Word search
• Scrabble
• Lumosity
• Number puzzles
• And many more

The game that has been taking the world by the storm is WORDLE – and I have to say I love it! It is easy to get addicted to the game – but patience! - only one word is available daily so you have to wait until tomorrow once you guess today’s word.

The rules are simple:  

https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/

So take a break, guess a word today (I just gave you three 5-letter words!).

Sources:

• https://swaay.com/word-games-that-can-benefit-your-mental-health
• https://www.lumosity.com/en/
• https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/
• https://brightside.me/wonder-quizzes/

What did you think? Drop me a line!

Fasoliyyeh Bi Z-Zayt (Syrian Green Beans with Olive Oil)

Greetings all!

Do you like green beans? I confess, I have never been a bean enthusiast. However, I am trying to eat more fruits and vegetables so I am always excited to discover new and interesting ways of cooking.

But before I give you the recipe, here are some interesting facts: 

1) Central and South America is where the green bean is thought to originate thousands of years ago. Christopher Columbus introduced it to Europe after his travels.

2)   I also got curious about which country eats the most green beans. According to the IndexBox 2020 article, China was the largest green bean consumption country, representing 75% of the total volume, followed by Indonesia and the U.S. In 2019, the global green bean market was estimated at $31B! 

3) China’s per capita consumption was 14 kg per person=31 pounds! As far as eating your vegetable servings, I thought this was pretty inspiring!

So now I present to you the very tasty Syrian Green Beans with Olive Oil - Fasoliyyeh Bi Z-Zayt. What I loved about this delicious recipe is that it is very easy to make, has only a few ingredients, and you can use frozen green beans!  

Image and recipe from 

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/56161/fasoliyyeh-bi-z-zayt-syrian-green-beans-with-olive-oil/ 

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen cut green beans 
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• salt to taste
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro 

Instructions 

• Place the green beans into a large pot, and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt to taste, and put the lid on the pot. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until beans are cooked to your desired doneness. Syrians like it cooked until the green beans are turning brownish in color. The idea is not to saute them, but to let them steam in the moisture released by the ice crystals.
• Add cilantro and garlic to the beans, and continue to cook just until the cilantro has started to wilt. Eat as a main course by scooping up with warm pita bread or serve as a side dish. 

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it! 

Sources:

• https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/farm-basics/how-to-crop/history-of-the-green-bean-crop/
• https://www.globaltrademag.com/global-green-bean-market-grows-robustly-to-31b/

Thought of the week - Happiness

Greetings all!

 

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

I love the idea that happiness is naturally in us and we just have to find the courage to live it!

Have a great week!

Happy New Year!

Greetings all and Happy New Year!

Image from

https://pixabay.com/photos/new-year-christmas-holiday-winter-4686591/

I wanted to share with you a wonderful email I recently received from Jessica, who writes a blog “Dwell In Magic” (https://jessicadimas.com/). Her message really resonated with me and I hope you enjoy it too!

“I enjoy the energy of the New Year. The closing of one chapter, which holds so much growth and expanded new awareness, and stepping into our next chapter...our next adventure.

If there's one thing I've learned in the last few years, it's the peace and joy of surrendering and being vulnerable. Of being open to all experiences and allowing myself to feel the full range of emotions. Of trusting that I'm always being guided and supported.

All experiences hold a gift and a chance to see beyond the illusion. Beyond our stories and limited viewpoints. They invite us to reach out and touch the innermost portions of ourselves.

I know that wherever you are in this moment, you are meant to be there. Relax your shoulders. Take a deep breath and be still. Feel yourself here now. 

Everything you've walked through up to this point was necessary to be everything that you currently are. To know what you know. To see what you see. None of it was a mistake and there's nothing about you that needs to be erased, suppressed, or cut away for 2022. No, you're taking all of that hard-earned wisdom into the New Year with you. 

I hope you walk into this New Year arms wide and open, thankful for the parts and pieces of you that have been and still are confused or not "getting it right". The most beautiful, innocent portions of you that teach you so much about yourself, others, and life. 

You are getting it right, more than you know. Keep surrendering, letting go, and showing up with an open heart. There's nothing to fear because the only real truth is love. Everything is flowing and unfolding from a divine order, and you can trust in that.

Every adventure has its challenges and triumphs, its sorrows and joys, creating a more seasoned and wise traveler along the way. You came here for the adventure–so have one this year. We will laugh and we will also cry, and we will be beautifully expanded and richer from it all.”

Be safe, happy and healthy in the upcoming year!

Holiday Traditions Around the World

Greetings all!

The New Year is almost here, and may it be healthy and happy! There are so many interesting traditions around the worlds – here are just some of them!

1. BAHAMAS:  Junkanoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa5uX2TcrRo

Not to be confused with Carnival, the immensely popular street festival called Junkanoo is celebrated on December 26th and January 1st. Parades start around 2 a.m. and go until about 10 a.m. the following day. Wearing elaborate costumes, Bahamanians shimmy across the island to the sound of cowbells, drums, and whistles. While the origins of Junkanoo are debated, many Bahamians trace the celebration back to the era when enslaved people used “days off” between Christmas and the New Year for roving parties.

2. AUSTRIA: Krampus

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJVGpXe6fks

With curled horns, fangs, and hooves, the legendary figure of Krampus is an alarming-looking creature that appears during the Christmas season. Instead of giving out presents, the mythological figure, believed to have roots in pre-Christian, European traditions, is said to scare children who have misbehaved. Today, Krampus parades are held in Austrian villages through the month of December.

3. JAPAN: Eating KFC

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlZDufo7XZw

While Christmas isn’t a national holiday in Japan, in 1974, KFC launched a campaign that read “Kentucky for Christmas” and the country has never looked back. Today, if you want to celebrate Christmas in Japan with a “party barrel” from KFC, you better order it weeks in advance. It often comes with all the fixings, including Christmas cake.

4. MEXICO:  Night of Radishes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQnpJt4o-Xk

December 23 marks the Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca, Mexico. This interesting tradition dates back to colonial times when the Spanish introduced radishes to this region of Mexico, which is well known for its wood carving traditions. Hundreds of carved vegetables are displayed for a radish carving contest, all depicting Christmas-themed or Mexican folklore scenes. Radishes are grown specifically for this event, but in the past, it was a simple radish carved by shopkeepers to attract customers. Today, it’s a three-day long festival that attracts thousands of spectators. Sounds rad(ish)! 

5. Greenland: Unforgettable Dinner

 

Image: Freshly prepared Mattak (Creative Commons: Lisa Risager)

Each Christmas, Greenalnders tuck into mattak – raw whale skin with a little blubber – and kiviak, which is made by wrapping an auk (a small arctic bird) in seal skin, burying it for several months and eating its decomposed flesh. 

6. Venezuela: Get your skates on

Image: 

https://www.thetravel.com/weird-christmas-traditions-around-the-world-done-in-america/

In the week leading up to Christmas, Venezuelans attend a daily church service called Misa de Aguinaldo (Early Morning Mass). In the capital, Caracas, it is customary to travel to the church service on roller skates.

Indeed, so widespread is the practice, many roads in the capital are closed until 8am to provide Christmas worshippers with a safe passage.

 

Sources:

1-4: https://smartours.com/10-holiday-traditions-around-the-world

5-6: https://www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/worlds-weirdest-christmas-traditions/

Which one was your favorite? Do you have an interesting tradition to share? Drop me a line!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!