Celebrate the Sun coming out with this unique recipe!
1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. softened butter
1 c. sunflower or vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp salt
2 c. unsalted sunflower seeds, shelled
Preheat oven 350 F.
Mix sugars, butter, and oil in a bowl.
Add other ingredients and mix into a dough (I recommend using your hands in this process)
Roll dough into small balls and put on greased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork.
Be sure to dip the fork in sugar between cookies.
Bake 10-12 minutes.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Get Addicted!
University of Arizona (and other colleges I'm sure) have studied the chemical compounds of emotions such as happiness, stress, sadness, etc. By doing so they have shown that the body creates specific compounds per emotion and for each compound the body creates a receptor.
The more of a compound your body creates, the more receptors are created.
What does this mean?
Well when your not feeling that emotion, your body is not creating that compound but the receptors are still there and they will cause cravings for that compound.
This means that your body can actually become addicted to an emotion, any emotion, including happiness.
The bad news.
This also means your body can become addicted to stress. Ever find yourself with nothing to do but relax and enjoy yourself but sure that this free time means you must have forgotten something or something bad is about to happen to ruin your good time? This is your bod's reaction to stress addiction.
Also, your body can develop other receptors to compounds you put into your body, like nicotine.
Nicotine compound is very similar to that of happiness. Your natural happiness receptors take in this compound and later develop nicotine receptors instead of happiness ones, creating addiction.
The good news.
Addiction can be stopped and receptor creation reversed. By starving the receptors, they will lessen in number, making your craving for that compound lessen.
When starving nicotine receptors, slowly but surely, happiness receptors will take their place.
Just a thought the next time you stress over a to-do list instead of taking a break or reach for that pack of cigarettes.
The more of a compound your body creates, the more receptors are created.
What does this mean?
Well when your not feeling that emotion, your body is not creating that compound but the receptors are still there and they will cause cravings for that compound.
This means that your body can actually become addicted to an emotion, any emotion, including happiness.
The bad news.
This also means your body can become addicted to stress. Ever find yourself with nothing to do but relax and enjoy yourself but sure that this free time means you must have forgotten something or something bad is about to happen to ruin your good time? This is your bod's reaction to stress addiction.
Also, your body can develop other receptors to compounds you put into your body, like nicotine.
Nicotine compound is very similar to that of happiness. Your natural happiness receptors take in this compound and later develop nicotine receptors instead of happiness ones, creating addiction.
The good news.
Addiction can be stopped and receptor creation reversed. By starving the receptors, they will lessen in number, making your craving for that compound lessen.
When starving nicotine receptors, slowly but surely, happiness receptors will take their place.
Just a thought the next time you stress over a to-do list instead of taking a break or reach for that pack of cigarettes.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Loosing Weight with Auryveda
Permanent weight loss can only occur when the body's fat ideal is lowered.
Auryveda believes that speeding up the body's organism in healthy ways to lose weight. It controls the Vata while relieving the system of excess Kapha. By using excercise, natural supplements, and non-Kapha-producing foods in a process that is slower than most dieters prefer. They definitely believe the idea of haste makes waste.
If you are morbidly obese you weight loss needs to be under the guidance of a competent professional.
Symptoms of being overweight:
Pendulous belly, breasts, and buttocks
Panting for breath after mild exertion
Profuse perspiration when it is not hot
Excess thirst, especially at night
Intense food cravings
Prolonged but unsatisfying sleep
Unpleasant body odor
Inflammation where skin folds rub against each other
Generalized body ache
Loss of sexual appetite
Lack of enthusiasm for living
If you do not suffer from many of these symptoms then you should not attempt "heroic attempts to loose weight."
Focus instead on bringing your body into balance.
Affluence of the mind causes obesity. Once the mind overcomes boredom and eating out of boredom then transformation can begin.
Transformation needs to be your goal, not loosing weight. Reducing weight happens naturally with transformation of mind and habits.
Spring is the best time to begin but any time is a good time, even if it is beginning again.
Every attempt will benefit you, if it is sincere.
Eventually, you are bound to succeed.
Exercise is important for permanent weight-loss. Continual, moderate exercise is better than vigorous exertion. However it suits you, you must get your body moving.
Oversleeping is a significant cause of being overweight. To reduce weight, go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. After a month of a regularized sleep patter, reduce your sleep by half an hour.
Except when ill, no one should sleep longer than eight hours a night. Some people can go with six hours, others need seven or eight.
Eat foods according to your Prakriti or constitution. These can be found on auryvedic websites or in books like Prakriti by Dr. Robert E. Svoboda.
Auryvedics recommend fasting once a week according to your constitution. Some recommend fasting or Juice fasting at the beginning of your diet. You can find an article on juice fasting in my list of websites.
Slow down while eating. think about the food n our plate. Let all five senses prepare for what you're about to consume. Some people count to three after each bite. Make sure the previous bite is consumed before taking another.
Stop eating when full.
Keep a journal of what you eat to help be conscious of the foods you digest. Make a menu of your meals before you eat. All too often we eat without thinking, this allows awareness of our eating habits.
Lusting after food can actually add fat to your body. Instead of fantasizing about food, take a walk, chew sugar-free gum, or drink herbal tea.
Turn off the Food Network and other shows about food!
Reward yourself!
When you've done one of the above for a week, reward yourself by the intake f Sweet through another sense. Get a strenuous massage (deep tissue massages aid in ridding yourself of Kapha). Listen to sweet sounding music.
Never punish yourself for backsliding!
Punishment for failure reduces hope, reinforces guilt, and ruins self-image.
Most importantly, whenever and whatever you eat, enjoy yourself. Think about your food and enjoy it.
avoid the following Kapha-producing foods:
Beef, pork, butter, cheese, ice cream, sour cream, wheat products, white sugar and products containing it, alcohol, fried foods, junk food, fast food, and all excessively sour or salty foods like pickles and chips.
It is most important to focus on your constitution. All Doshas and dhatus, including Fat, must be healthy to loose weight.
Change your diet gradually; speed and extremes will only cause failure and unhealthy lifestyles.
Do not salt your foods. If you crave salt, us light salt or kelp powder.
Avoid sweeteners but allow yourself regular use of honey (do not cook it). Honey has a fat-reducing effect.
Take fiber when you crave sweets. Fiber helps the body balance itself in response to sweet cravings.
Do not reduce carbohydrates. The body needs them to reduce fat.
Try not to eat after sunset.
Eliminate all cold drink and food. Cold creates Kapha, this is why we get colds in the winter.
Reduce the amount that you eat. Kapha constitutions should wait 6 hours between meals, 2 at the least.
Drink water when thirsty but 6-8 glasses is not mandatory like most physicians and nutritionists would insist. Warm to hot water or herbal tea melts fat.
Some auryvedics recommend vitamin supplements. Talk to your physician before taking a regular supplement!
Many auryvedics recommend flushing the system with castor oil before you begin your diet and follow this with fasting. Again, talk to your physician before doing this.
Auryveda believes that speeding up the body's organism in healthy ways to lose weight. It controls the Vata while relieving the system of excess Kapha. By using excercise, natural supplements, and non-Kapha-producing foods in a process that is slower than most dieters prefer. They definitely believe the idea of haste makes waste.
If you are morbidly obese you weight loss needs to be under the guidance of a competent professional.
Symptoms of being overweight:
Pendulous belly, breasts, and buttocks
Panting for breath after mild exertion
Profuse perspiration when it is not hot
Excess thirst, especially at night
Intense food cravings
Prolonged but unsatisfying sleep
Unpleasant body odor
Inflammation where skin folds rub against each other
Generalized body ache
Loss of sexual appetite
Lack of enthusiasm for living
If you do not suffer from many of these symptoms then you should not attempt "heroic attempts to loose weight."
Focus instead on bringing your body into balance.
Affluence of the mind causes obesity. Once the mind overcomes boredom and eating out of boredom then transformation can begin.
Transformation needs to be your goal, not loosing weight. Reducing weight happens naturally with transformation of mind and habits.
Spring is the best time to begin but any time is a good time, even if it is beginning again.
Every attempt will benefit you, if it is sincere.
Eventually, you are bound to succeed.
Exercise is important for permanent weight-loss. Continual, moderate exercise is better than vigorous exertion. However it suits you, you must get your body moving.
Oversleeping is a significant cause of being overweight. To reduce weight, go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. After a month of a regularized sleep patter, reduce your sleep by half an hour.
Except when ill, no one should sleep longer than eight hours a night. Some people can go with six hours, others need seven or eight.
Eat foods according to your Prakriti or constitution. These can be found on auryvedic websites or in books like Prakriti by Dr. Robert E. Svoboda.
Auryvedics recommend fasting once a week according to your constitution. Some recommend fasting or Juice fasting at the beginning of your diet. You can find an article on juice fasting in my list of websites.
Slow down while eating. think about the food n our plate. Let all five senses prepare for what you're about to consume. Some people count to three after each bite. Make sure the previous bite is consumed before taking another.
Stop eating when full.
Keep a journal of what you eat to help be conscious of the foods you digest. Make a menu of your meals before you eat. All too often we eat without thinking, this allows awareness of our eating habits.
Lusting after food can actually add fat to your body. Instead of fantasizing about food, take a walk, chew sugar-free gum, or drink herbal tea.
Turn off the Food Network and other shows about food!
Reward yourself!
When you've done one of the above for a week, reward yourself by the intake f Sweet through another sense. Get a strenuous massage (deep tissue massages aid in ridding yourself of Kapha). Listen to sweet sounding music.
Never punish yourself for backsliding!
Punishment for failure reduces hope, reinforces guilt, and ruins self-image.
Most importantly, whenever and whatever you eat, enjoy yourself. Think about your food and enjoy it.
avoid the following Kapha-producing foods:
Beef, pork, butter, cheese, ice cream, sour cream, wheat products, white sugar and products containing it, alcohol, fried foods, junk food, fast food, and all excessively sour or salty foods like pickles and chips.
It is most important to focus on your constitution. All Doshas and dhatus, including Fat, must be healthy to loose weight.
Change your diet gradually; speed and extremes will only cause failure and unhealthy lifestyles.
Do not salt your foods. If you crave salt, us light salt or kelp powder.
Avoid sweeteners but allow yourself regular use of honey (do not cook it). Honey has a fat-reducing effect.
Take fiber when you crave sweets. Fiber helps the body balance itself in response to sweet cravings.
Do not reduce carbohydrates. The body needs them to reduce fat.
Try not to eat after sunset.
Eliminate all cold drink and food. Cold creates Kapha, this is why we get colds in the winter.
Reduce the amount that you eat. Kapha constitutions should wait 6 hours between meals, 2 at the least.
Drink water when thirsty but 6-8 glasses is not mandatory like most physicians and nutritionists would insist. Warm to hot water or herbal tea melts fat.
Some auryvedics recommend vitamin supplements. Talk to your physician before taking a regular supplement!
Many auryvedics recommend flushing the system with castor oil before you begin your diet and follow this with fasting. Again, talk to your physician before doing this.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Forgiveness is necessary
Very simply:
you must forgive others and yourself to be happy.
Not so simple:
this is, how you say, "easier said than done," yes?
Most major religions demand forgiveness.
This comes in 3 parts:
Asking forgiveness of God, the Divine Creator
Forgiving others in likeness of the Divine
and forgiving yourself in turn.
If you do not forgive others, not only does this hurt your relationship with others but this hurts yourself.
Vengeance is a meal best served cold and excellent when not served at all.
Holding grudges has a rotting effect on your soul.
Let go and let be. You do not have to be best friends with the person that wronged you but you should love them: meaning you should wish them to be happy.
Forgiving yourself is harder.
You are your own worst critic. Even when others and God have forgiven you, can you forgive yourself for what you have done no matter how minor or major the transgression?
I want to define two terms before moving on with my sermon of sorts.
Guilt and Regret are two different things.
Guilt is recognizing what you've done wrong and believing you are unworthy of love because of it.
Regret is recognizing what you have done wrong and resolving not to do it again.
Now class, which of the above is a healthy response?
Yes, regret.
By forgiving yourself and showing regret, you are not saying that what you've done is now ok but you are allowing yourself to move on.
If you are guilt ridden this is like your soul slowly rotting and going bad.
Guilt leads to more sin and bad habits.
Guilt can lead to drugs and alcohol, to bad relationships, to depression and harming yourself and those around you.
Example: if you have cheated on your spouse and do not forgive yourself and are in turn filled with guilt, you may never have a healthy relationship again.
My recommendation:
Recognize what you have done wrong
Ask for forgiveness of others if applicable
Ask for forgiveness of God
Forgive yourself
Show regret in that you will do your best to not do this again
Move on and be happy
you must forgive others and yourself to be happy.
Not so simple:
this is, how you say, "easier said than done," yes?
Most major religions demand forgiveness.
This comes in 3 parts:
Asking forgiveness of God, the Divine Creator
Forgiving others in likeness of the Divine
and forgiving yourself in turn.
If you do not forgive others, not only does this hurt your relationship with others but this hurts yourself.
Vengeance is a meal best served cold and excellent when not served at all.
Holding grudges has a rotting effect on your soul.
Let go and let be. You do not have to be best friends with the person that wronged you but you should love them: meaning you should wish them to be happy.
Forgiving yourself is harder.
You are your own worst critic. Even when others and God have forgiven you, can you forgive yourself for what you have done no matter how minor or major the transgression?
I want to define two terms before moving on with my sermon of sorts.
Guilt and Regret are two different things.
Guilt is recognizing what you've done wrong and believing you are unworthy of love because of it.
Regret is recognizing what you have done wrong and resolving not to do it again.
Now class, which of the above is a healthy response?
Yes, regret.
By forgiving yourself and showing regret, you are not saying that what you've done is now ok but you are allowing yourself to move on.
If you are guilt ridden this is like your soul slowly rotting and going bad.
Guilt leads to more sin and bad habits.
Guilt can lead to drugs and alcohol, to bad relationships, to depression and harming yourself and those around you.
Example: if you have cheated on your spouse and do not forgive yourself and are in turn filled with guilt, you may never have a healthy relationship again.
My recommendation:
Recognize what you have done wrong
Ask for forgiveness of others if applicable
Ask for forgiveness of God
Forgive yourself
Show regret in that you will do your best to not do this again
Move on and be happy
Friday, March 19, 2010
Indulge: Hummus
Indulge will be recipe posts because i think we should all indulge a little bit.
Hummus is a favorite of mine and my friends and my mom. Its perfect to just much on when reading or watching tv or as a party food. You can find hummus at the store but its so easy and inexpensive to make that I wanted to encourage that option.
Basic Hummus Recipe
15 oz Can of Garbanzo beans
1/4 c tahini (sesame seed paste)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove of garlic, crushed through press
1/8 tsp salt
reserved garbanzo bean liquid to taste
garlic press
food processor
strainer
bowl
hummus container
Drain the beans over a bowl, reserve liquid
Process beans, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt until smooth
Add liquid 1 tsp at a time and process until hummus reaches the consistency that suits you (i like it the same creaminess of mashed potatos).
Serve as a dip or spread.
Alternatives
red pepper
chipotle
ginger
green onion
and so much more. Have fun with it.
I reccommend with veggie chips or baked pitas.
Hummus is a favorite of mine and my friends and my mom. Its perfect to just much on when reading or watching tv or as a party food. You can find hummus at the store but its so easy and inexpensive to make that I wanted to encourage that option.
Basic Hummus Recipe
15 oz Can of Garbanzo beans
1/4 c tahini (sesame seed paste)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove of garlic, crushed through press
1/8 tsp salt
reserved garbanzo bean liquid to taste
garlic press
food processor
strainer
bowl
hummus container
Drain the beans over a bowl, reserve liquid
Process beans, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt until smooth
Add liquid 1 tsp at a time and process until hummus reaches the consistency that suits you (i like it the same creaminess of mashed potatos).
Serve as a dip or spread.
Alternatives
red pepper
chipotle
ginger
green onion
and so much more. Have fun with it.
I reccommend with veggie chips or baked pitas.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Get Up, Get Out
For those of you, like myself, who have had a streak of warm weather and sunshine, Get up off your bums and get outside!!!
Take your morning coffee, or, if like me, you have the day free, spend the day in the sunshine. Lay out a blanket, take a sandwhich and a bottle of water, and a good book, and bask in the new warmth.
Wear a skirt or shorts and a light top so that the light doesn't just touch your face.
Sunshine is medically proven to lighten the mood, something to do with vitamin D.
Oh, and remember sunblock.
Take your morning coffee, or, if like me, you have the day free, spend the day in the sunshine. Lay out a blanket, take a sandwhich and a bottle of water, and a good book, and bask in the new warmth.
Wear a skirt or shorts and a light top so that the light doesn't just touch your face.
Sunshine is medically proven to lighten the mood, something to do with vitamin D.
Oh, and remember sunblock.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
"Would you care for a spot of tea?"
Tea is one of my favorite things in the whole world and, of course, makes me happy.
Many people, when thinking of tea, have an image of some see-through, brown-gray beverage drunk by lil old Brits or green tea drunk by the Japanese (depending on what sort of movies you watch, I suppose).
Tea to me, is more like wine ot many others. There are so many types, flavors, etc that to taste all of them would take a lifetime. Also, like wine, there are the inexpensive types and types that would cost more than I could make in a year working over min. wage.
The basic differences in teas. First there is the obvious: bag and loose. Tea bags can sometimes contain dredges of tea leaves (also called fannings) and often loose tea's true taste (there's not much to protect the tea in putting it in a bleached bag and a cardboard box). Loose teas are usually the way to go, especially if you can find and afford to buy them at a shop specializing in organic, local, and fresh produce.
The other major difference is tea vs. tisane (aka. herbal tea).
Tea is actually only tea when it involves leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. These are the teas sub catagorized as White, Green, Oolong, and Black. If the tea you are drinking does not have Camillia leaves, it is not a tea but a tisane.
Tisanes are made from herbs (chamomile, peppermint, rose hips, etc) and are equally yummy and good for you, just in different ways.
Best way to brew tea?
Everyone will probably differ a little bit on how to brew and drink your tea.
Me? I heat my water, usually just to the point right before boiling (its an eye thing). I then pour the hot water over the tea (if its loose, use 1 tsp. per 8 oz of water in a strainer, tea pot, or diy tea bag) and let steep. I usually do this by eye as well. When the water is thoroughly tinged with the color the tea is (golden yellow for chamomile, dark and black for black tea, etc) I take out the tea bag/remove the strainer and set the tea to the side for a second use (yes, teas can be reused, though the second time calls for a longer steep).
What sweetener I use depends on my tea. White/natural sugar is used in most of my teas but for green, white, and florals I use honey (my fiance's family has their own hives. For those of you not this lucky, use natural honey bought at the local stand in the warmer seasons).
Many teas are sweet by themselves and can be drunk without sweetener but I have a strong and demanding sweet tooth so I've yet to experience this.
Next time you want to reach for the coffee try a strong black chai (some chai teas even have vanilla or chocolate in them for a gourmet cafe flavor). Or when you want some hot cocoa to relaxe with try chamomile instead. Teas are a healthy and wonderful drink to add to your happy life.
Many people, when thinking of tea, have an image of some see-through, brown-gray beverage drunk by lil old Brits or green tea drunk by the Japanese (depending on what sort of movies you watch, I suppose).
Tea to me, is more like wine ot many others. There are so many types, flavors, etc that to taste all of them would take a lifetime. Also, like wine, there are the inexpensive types and types that would cost more than I could make in a year working over min. wage.
The basic differences in teas. First there is the obvious: bag and loose. Tea bags can sometimes contain dredges of tea leaves (also called fannings) and often loose tea's true taste (there's not much to protect the tea in putting it in a bleached bag and a cardboard box). Loose teas are usually the way to go, especially if you can find and afford to buy them at a shop specializing in organic, local, and fresh produce.
The other major difference is tea vs. tisane (aka. herbal tea).
Tea is actually only tea when it involves leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. These are the teas sub catagorized as White, Green, Oolong, and Black. If the tea you are drinking does not have Camillia leaves, it is not a tea but a tisane.
Tisanes are made from herbs (chamomile, peppermint, rose hips, etc) and are equally yummy and good for you, just in different ways.
Best way to brew tea?
Everyone will probably differ a little bit on how to brew and drink your tea.
Me? I heat my water, usually just to the point right before boiling (its an eye thing). I then pour the hot water over the tea (if its loose, use 1 tsp. per 8 oz of water in a strainer, tea pot, or diy tea bag) and let steep. I usually do this by eye as well. When the water is thoroughly tinged with the color the tea is (golden yellow for chamomile, dark and black for black tea, etc) I take out the tea bag/remove the strainer and set the tea to the side for a second use (yes, teas can be reused, though the second time calls for a longer steep).
What sweetener I use depends on my tea. White/natural sugar is used in most of my teas but for green, white, and florals I use honey (my fiance's family has their own hives. For those of you not this lucky, use natural honey bought at the local stand in the warmer seasons).
Many teas are sweet by themselves and can be drunk without sweetener but I have a strong and demanding sweet tooth so I've yet to experience this.
Next time you want to reach for the coffee try a strong black chai (some chai teas even have vanilla or chocolate in them for a gourmet cafe flavor). Or when you want some hot cocoa to relaxe with try chamomile instead. Teas are a healthy and wonderful drink to add to your happy life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)