Live Positive Today .Org: December 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

Creating Positive Changes in Your Life for the New Year

Creating Positive Changes in Your Life for the New Year

Hi Friends,

With another hectic holiday season behind us we begin a new year, our eyes and ears open for change, all of us poised and ready to see what will be written on the clean slate of 2011. As a country we seem to be in a period of great transition, collectively focused on the economy, employment, the environment, foreign affairs, including the war on terrorism, health, wellness, and many other pressing issues at hand.

If you have followed tradition, chances are that you have already taken that momentary pause before the New Year to assess your life and determine what changes need to be made in your personal world. Many people make New Year's resolutions and create a short (sometimes long) list of things that they hope to improve, working at them diligently for a few weeks or perhaps even a month, until the effort becomes too tedious and the novelty of the whole thing has worn off. Why is it that New Year's resolutions never seem to stick? Perhaps we really don't want change as much as we tell ourselves that we do.

Change is a tricky thing. It often involves deep introspection and the retraining of long-standing negative habits. We tend to resist change because it feels uncomfortable and pushes us outside of our cozy little comfort zone. We like feeling comfortable and in control, and even though we may realize that a habit or a person or a job may not be the best thing for us, we still prefer it to the unknown because it is recognizable, familiar and safe.

Creating profound change in our lives takes courage and perseverance. These large-scale changes usually take an enormous amount of effort and a great deal of time to implement successfully, such as quitting smoking, or starting an exercise program or a diet to lose weight. Because our habits are often intertwined with our identity, we feel scared or nervous about who we will be once we have let them go. These habits have become coping skills, even useful little crutches for us to lean on, and though we know that they are not best for us, they still bring us comfort when times get tough or when we feel stressed or unhappy.

Resistance is a natural part of the process of change. An important thing to remember about resistance is that it exists entirely in the mind. We tell ourselves stories about why we need our comfortable yet negative habits, about how they serve a purpose or fulfill a need in our lives. We shudder at the thought of giving up fast food or exercising everyday or having to say no to that beer we want when we are out with our friends. Change scares us. Period.

One of the beautiful things about life is that change can happen in an instant. We can realize that we want to do something differently and then, in that crucial deciding moment, we can recognize our resistance and make a different choice. When we begin to understand that life is lived in each moment as it occurs, not in the future, then we only have the present moment to deal with. Resistance just becomes a thought we have as we are making a choice, a thought that we can face and question and ultimately overrule.

Don't let resistance and your fear of the unknown make your choices for you this year. Allow your awareness of the present moment to open you up to the next step, a new direction, or an unfamiliar path. Take a risk. Choose something new. Do something different. Don't be afraid to live life moment by moment and see where it takes you. Life can be either a daring adventure or a repetitive routine meant to keep you safe and cozy in your comfort zone. Creating or embracing change is really only about one thing- what you choose to believe in each moment.

The good news is it's all up to you.

As we approach the start of a brand new year, open lines of communication between those you love and allow thoughts and ideas to flow. Gaining positive self esteem within one’s life doesn't have to be a painful process although expect some painful realities to come to light. Deal with them, move on and laugh more. Honest, real and committed citizens who want the best for their families and communities. An urgency for change is what we must feel deep within our bones to work toward having the best life possible going forward. This is why positive self esteem is so important. Without it, we settle. By addressing our issues at home and in our nation, it will make us stronger, more able and unified. There is a saying that rings true in my life (no matter how difficult it is): when the thought of changing is harder than change itself, we change. Together if we make a concerted effort to make one positive shift this year, the results will be monumental. At the very least we've collectively contributed to the greater good. Certainly a better place than where we stand today.

New Years 2011!!

Its like a new Sunrise… of Hope, of Prosperity, of Happiness
Its like a new Beginning… of Thoughts, of Words, or Actions
Its like a new Day… of Energy, of Strength, of Ideas
Its like a bunch of whole new things… of Prayers, of Friends, and of Love.

Your Turn!!

I welcome everyone to become a part of this 2011 resolution revolution!

Most New Years’ resolutions are about fixing what is broken, making changes, and trying to be better, greater, more than what you are right now. But what if, this year, you add this resolution to your list……………..

“I will PROMOTE PEACE and NON-VIOLENCE starting with MYSELF. I will PROMOTE RESPECT for HUMAN LIFE starting with MYSELF. I will HAVE NO FEAR by acting according to my HIGHEST SELF and INNER GUIDANCE.”

If we all do this, then collectively our Resolution Revolution will cause ripples of hope, joy, gratitude and beauty through the entire Universe. Stop “not having enough time” and MAKE TIME. Stop, “being so worried about the economy” and MAKE ENERGY. Stop, “being so mad about the wars” and CREATE PEACE. Stop acting on your fears and INSIST on ACTING from YOUR HIGHEST SELF.

Let’s walk on our own two feet, feel the earth beneath us,
reach for the stars and make 2011 the year we really LIVE!

You might lose weight, get a better job, stop fighting with your partner or screaming at your kids, really start practicing the oboe and get your finances in order—- or you might not. But, I guarantee that if you make an honest pledge to this positive collective resolution, this will be one of the best years of your life.

What will your resolutions be? What changes would you like to make?

Happy New Year 2011!
<3
Alternative Health Solutions of NJ
Michelle Leonard

EAT BETTER. PLAY HARDER. LIVE HEALTHIER. LEARN EASIER. WELLNESS IS A WAY OF LIFE! FEEL SOUL GOOD! http://www.facebook.com/AlternativeHealthSolutionsofNJ

If you are thinking of Alternative care for yourself or if you’d like more information on what alternative care can do for you today:

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Email us at alternativehealthsolutionsnj@gmail.com

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Have a Wonderful day

Michelle Leonard

:0)

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Monday, December 20, 2010

Muddy Water Hot Chocolate

Muddy Water Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
Serves 4

4 cups unsweetened almond milk
2 cinnamon sticks, split lengthwise
1/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
4 ounces dark chocolate (preferably at least 70 percent cacao), grated
4 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.Bring milk and cinnamon sticks to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks, rinse, and reserve.

2.Whisk in cocoa, chocolate, vanilla, and honey, whisking vigorously until mixture is foamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Divide among mugs. Garnish with cinnamon sticks or peppermint sticks dipped in chocolate for the kids.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Gingerbread People Cookie's

3 c Whole Wheat Flour
1 ts Non-alum baking soda
2 ts Ground ginger
1/2 ts Allspice
1/2 c vegan Margarine
1/2 c Maple
1/4 c Molasses (pref. blackstrap)
2 tb Sweet Potato Baby Food
1 ts Corn Starch

Mix flour, baking soda and spices in medium sized bowl. In large bowl, blend margarine, baby food, maple syrup and molasses together. Gently mix in dry ingredients thoroughly. Wrap dough in plastic wrap or waxed paper and refrigerate until firm (approx. 1 hour). Preheat oven to 350 F. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece out on lightly floured surface. Cut into desired gingerbread people shapes and place carefully on oiled or greased cookie sheet. Bake
in middle of oven for 6-10 minutes, depending on size of cookies. Remove from sheet carefully.

Monday, December 6, 2010

YOUR JAR YOUR LIFE

Your Jar

When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the jar and 2 cups of mint tea.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty left over peach jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, If the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked The students again if the jar was full.. They agreed it was..

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded With an unanimous 'yes..'

The professor then produced Two cups of mint tea from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the Empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

Now,said the professor, As the laughter subsided, I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - Family,
Children, Health, Friends, Optimal Wellness Lifestyle, Positive living, and Favorite passions – Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house,and car.

The sand is everything else --
The small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first, he continued, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time And energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play With your children. Take time to get medical checkups and preventative care. Take your partner out to dinner. Snuggle when ever possible.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter.. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the mint tea represented.

The professor smiled. I'm glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for A couple of cups of tea with a friend.

May we always know what is important in our life!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Quinoa

Quinoa

For those of you who are wondering, it’s pronounced “KEEN-wah“.

If you’re looking for a highly nutritious carbohydrate, that’s not only going to help you stay lean, but will also maximize your energy levels, look no further… quinoa really does have it all!

History
While relatively new to the United States, quinoa has been cultivated in the Andean mountain regions of Peru, Chile and Bolivia for over 5,000 years, and it has long been a staple food in the diets of the native Indians. The Incas considered it a sacred food and referred to it as the "mother seed."

In their attempts to destroy and control the South American Indians and their culture, the Spanish conquerors destroyed the fields in which quinoa was grown. They made it illegal for the Indians to grow quinoa, with punishment including sentencing the offenders to death. With these harsh measures, the cultivation of quinoa was all but extinguished.

Yet, this super food would not be extinguished forever. In the 1980s, two Americans, discovering the concentrated nutrition potential of quinoa, began cultivating it in Colorado. Since then, quinoa has become more and more available as people realize that it is an exceptionally beneficial and delicious food.

So, what does quinoa taste like?
The taste and texture of quinoa is a bit like brown rice crossed with oatmeal. It’s fluffy, creamy, crunchy and somewhat nutty, all rolled into one.

The great thing is, it can be prepared in so many different ways, making it extremely versatile.

Quinoa is commonly thought of as a grain, probably because of how we use it, however it’s actually a relative of leafy green vegetables, like spinach and Swiss chard.

Quinoa is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent food for celiac patients or other people following a gluten-free diet.

Nutritional qualities
A cup of quinoa will give you around 127 calories, 2 grams of fat, 23.4 grams of carbohydrates (2 of those being fibre), and 4.5 grams of protein. In fact, it has a pretty similar nutritional profile to that of brown rice, except it’s slightly higher in overall protein content. So, qunioa is a really great option if you’re trying to maintain an active lifestyle.

Health benefits of quinoa
Complete source of protein

unlike most grains, which contain an incomplete source of protein (you need to pair them with another food to make the meal complete), quinoa provides the full spectrum of nine essential amino acids.

So, it’s a really great choice, particularly if you’re a vegetarian or vegan.

Great for cardiovascular health
Quinoa is especially high in is magnesium, which is important for maintaining good cardiovascular health. Magnesium helps to relax the blood vessels, reducing the rates of hypertension, heart disease, or heart arrhythmias.

Provides antioxidant support
Regular intake of antioxidants is so important for warding off the damaging effects of free radicals, which we encounter on a daily basis. Quinoa does a wonderful job of boosting your antioxidant levels — being high in both manganese and copper, which help to promote a healthy immune system, and ensure that red blood cells remain in top condition.

Reduces the risk of gallstones
Since quinoa is high in fiber, it helps keep the digestive system running smoothly, and can also help reduce your chance of getting gallstones. A study, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, found that those eating foods mostly rich in insoluble fiber, had a 17% lower risk of getting gallstones.

Help for Migraine Headaches
If you are prone to migraines, try adding quinoa to your diet. Quinoa is a good source of magnesium, a mineral that helps relax blood vessels, preventing the constriction and rebound dilation characteristic of migraines. Increased intake of magnesium has been shown to be related to a reduced frequency of headache episodes reported by migraine sufferers. Quinoa is also a good source of riboflavin, which is necessary for proper energy production within cells. Riboflavin (also called vitamin B2) has been shown to help reduce the frequency of attacks in migraine sufferers, most likely by improving the energy metabolism within their brain and muscle cells.

Significant Cardiovascular Benefits for Postmenopausal Women
Eating a serving of whole grains, such as quinoa, at least 6 times each week is an especially good idea for postmenopausal women with high cholesterol, high blood pressure or other signs of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A 3-year prospective study of over 200 postmenopausal women with CVD, published in the July 2005 issue of the American Heart Journal, shows that those eating at least 6 servings of whole grains each week experienced both:

• Slowed progression of atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaque that narrows the vessels through which blood flows, and
• Less progression in stenosis, the narrowing of the diameter of arterial passageways.

The women's intake of fiber from fruits, vegetables and refined grains was not associated with a lessening in CVD progression.

So, if you love your carbs, but would really like to find a healthier option to plain old white pasta or rice, quinoa is a great substitute for those higher-carb foods.

So, now that you know how great quinoa is — you’ve dashed down to the shops to buy some — what do you do with it?

How to cook quinoa (You can also buy prewashed)

• Wash the seeds in cold, running water to remove any residue.
• To cook, add one part quinoa to a saucepan, with two parts liquid.
• Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer covered.
• One cup of quinoa normally takes 15 minutes to prepare.
• You’ll know it’s ready when the grains become translucent, and the white germ has partially detached itself.

Tips for using quinoa
#1 Eat as breakfast “oatmeal”— just add nuts and fruit when cooked.
#2 Add quinoa to your favorite soups, stir-fry or casseroles.
#3 Combine cooked, chilled quinoa with chickpeas, roasted red pepper, scallions and coriander.
#4 Use sprouted quinoa in salads and sandwiches — similar to alfalfa sprouts.
#5 Ground quinoa flour can be added to cookie or muffin recipes.
#6 If you’re after a wheat-free option, make a tabouli salad using quinoa (rather than bulgar wheat).

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Egg Salad In A Lettuce Wrap

Egg Salad In A Lettuce Wrap

Ingredients:

6 eggs, hard boiled. (peeled and chopped)
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 Tbs light mayonnaise
2 Tbs spicy mustard
a little bit of horseradish
salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Mix together.

spoon into a romaine lettuce leaf.