Inspiration!~

Find it everywhere! Look in the most oblivious places! I am so inspired by the bright, clean looks coming into the fashion scene. Everything looks so fresh and happy! A trip to Whole Foods surprised Vic, he was astonished at how fresh and delicious all the fruits and veggies looked. I told him that's why I love to shop there, everything looks good and is good for you! Despite the cold weather and dreary skies, look forward to Spring! It's only a few moons away!

Positive Thinking

My resolution to avoid negative thoughts is really working! I've been really positive and not frazzled by the usual ugliness of life. I challenged my class to challenge themselves by reaching out to a person that they are at odds with and to just say "Hi" and smile. People who are generally negative are going to be that way regardless of their situation. Allow yourself to be immune to pessimism and discontent. There is always a positive aspect to ones life, look for it and write it down, do this daily. Look back at your list after one week. Have a blessed day!

New Years Wishes

I wish the following for all who read this and humankind at large:

Undying appreciation for the Glory of God, if you don't know much about him; make a point of learning.

For all to have peace of mind.

To appreciate the challenges in life and to remain positive.

To look for opportunities to grow and learn.

For all to have the gift of feeling good, physically and mentally.

Almost Happy New Year!

I have really enjoyed the time off from our regular routine! We've been playing video games, eating way too much and sleeping to 8:30! I've really been enjoying my classes lately, more than usual. My students are wanting more challenging classes and I'm happy to oblige. I'm seeing tremendous gains in their strength and flexability. I'm surprised at how much I've improved over the past 6 months. I'm making an effort to set my resolution for the new year now. I'm resolving to not think or speak negative thoughts. I believe that negativity eats up our positive energy and we "fester" over things longer than we should. Join me in making one resolution that can really make a difference in your life.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Let it snow!!

A view inside my back yard door.

A view out my back yard door.

How awesome!!! I love a great snow!~ Get your gear on and go outside and play!

Gratitude

I was really touched after class today. Many of my students came up to tell me how much they loved my class and my style of teaching. I am very humbled and so appreciative of the opportunity to help others, as I have been given the gift of yoga as well. I really love teaching, and it shows. If your heart isn't in something you're doing, try to figure out why? Ask yourself a question "If I had to do it all over, would I do this again?" If it's your job, first be thankful that you have one! Second, realize that sometimes one has to work for a living and find really fulfilling hobbies to increase one's sense of satisfaction in life. If you're thinking of changing your job or field, take time to really think through your options. Spend some quiet time reflecting on your state of self. Make a goal list and start working toward it today! Remember that being healthy and fit are a lifestyle choice not a diet or a routine!

Peace and light~ Tricia

News

Why do they call it "news"? It seems to be more like "tonight's depressing spiral of moral decay." I think the media is creating the "mass murder super star syndrome". Our society need to refocus on positive information, and inspiring stories. Maybe more people will be inspired to do good in our world.

A good day for Chicken soup!

Both boys are home sick today! I caught whatever cold Alex has, so I feel just lovely! I'm making a big pot of chicken soup, with a whole head of garlic! I finally got the Christmas lights on the outside of the house, and almost all the shopping done! Find my chicken soup recipe onthe Nov 9th posting.

I made a batch of almond crescent cookies, we ate the whole batch in 2 days! The recipe is really easy, here it is:


2 sticks unsalted butter
2/3 cups sifted powdered sugar, plus more for rolling
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
1 T almond extract
1 1/3 c finely chopped almonds
2 1/2 c sifted all-purpose flour

preheat oven to 350, line baking sheet with parchment.
Cream butter and 2/3 cup of sugar until fluffy.
Beat in extract, then add almonds. Stir in flour and beat until well mixed.

Roll into crescent shapes about 2" long and place on baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Let cool and roll in powdered sugar.

Spirt of giving

The boys had the pleasure of really giving something back. Our church has trees with gift tags attached. They received information from 15 Detroit area charities, including shelters and a veterans service center. The boys each chose a tag, with the age and description of what the child would like for Christmas. They went shopping and chose items for the children, and paid for the gifts from their own money that they earned. They were so excited to be able to help another child. It really warmed my heart to see them learn to think about another person who is in need. Look past your own needs and find a way to help another person.

Crispy Bread Recipe

Begin this dough the night before you want to eat it.
You will need a 6-8 quart heavy covered pot, such as a cast iron or Pyrex for this recipe.

3 cups all purpose flour (*I use organic bread flour)
1/4 t instant yeast or 1/2 t active yeast
1/1/4 t kosher salt
1 1/2 c water

olive oil as needed

Mix flour, yeast, salt then add water. Mix until blended, dough will be rough and shaggy (sticky too). Place dough in oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap. Let it rest up to 18 hours at room temperature. When surface is dotted with bubbles, it's ready.

Place dough on floured surface, sprinkle with flour. Fold the dough over on itself once or twice. Cover and let it rest 15 minutes.

Sprinkle flour on surface and fingers, grab dough and form a ball quickly and gently. Place on clean cotton (non-terry) floured kitchen towel, seam side down. Cover with another towel.
Let it rest 2 hours.

After 1 1/2 hours, put pot in oven with cover on, preheat oven to 475.

After oven is preheated and dough is ready, remove top towel from bread.
Remove pot from oven, remove lid, slide hand under towel and gently place dough in pot (you will almost roll the dough off the towel), shaking gently to spread it evenly.

Put lid on, put the pot back in oven for 30 minutes, remove top and bake for 15 to 30 minutes more until the top is golden brown.

Place it on a plate, let it cool for a few minutes. Carefully cut it, steam comes out really fast and hot!

Serve with Manchego cheese, fresh butter, soup and or salad.

Just sigh!

It's been one of those days when you just have to sigh and carry on. People are becoming irritated about the impending Holidays, cold weather and lack of peace. This is the season of Joy! We need to focus our energy on quality interactions and spending time not just money on those we love. Take an elderly family member out to lunch, spend time really talking to them. Shut off the TV and enjoy some quiet time with your family doing something meaningful. Look for ways to share joy and peace with others. Set a good example and others will be inspired.

crackling bread

I made a loaf of no-knead bread (DIVINELY soft and spongy inside and super crunchy on the outside). When I put it on a plate, it started to crackle, loudly and for a long time! It is so good! I made a huge pot of tomato cabbage soup with a homemade beef base. It goes so well with the bread!

I can post the directions if interested.

Dinner

While not claiming to be a vegetarian, I don't really eat much meat. I cook (white)meat or fish with veggies and a starch, or vegetarian recipes (once a week) for dinner. I usually end up eating only a 3 ounce portion of meat at best. Last night I made baked potatoes, green beans and a big chunk of red meat. I'm still feeling pretty bad so I figured a heavy, fattening dinner was justifiable! I browned a 2 pound blade roast with olive oil, kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. I put in the oven at 325 on convection roast for 1 1/2 hours, I flipped the meat once and put more salt and pepper on. It was so good, we couldn't stop eating it. The outside was almost crisp but the meat underneath was juicy and tender. No regrets and 3 tablespoons of sour cream on my spud later, I felt really good. Vic said he's sick of chicken, I agree. I think I'll pick up a leg of lamb soon. Tonight we're having Italian sasuage (with peppers and onions in it) with a salad, sauteed zucchini and yellow squash and rice pilaf on the side. My friend Ann and I went through the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks and chose 14 entrees and put together a "menu" to help plan shopping and cooking better. It worked well for a few weeks but I get bored and like new recipes for dinner so I have to expand my menus.

Thankfulness part 2

I am always so thankful for living in this time, and for where I live. I got sick last week and by Saturday night I could not breathe. My asthma acted up and I have a bad case of bronchitis. I went to the doctor and got my asthma medicine (I haven't used it for 18 months) and two other medicines. I feel way better and can breath a little better! I think about how life must have been for people along time ago, and how it still is for so many who live in poverty and underdeveloped countries. I am so thankful for being able to go to the doctor, for having medications that treat my illness and for having access to good hospitals. We all have so many great things in our lives that we take for granted. Find something to be thankful for today! I'm so thankful for good friends and their support!

Peace and Light~ Tricia

Pumpkins and Angels

I had a laugh with my friend Peggy that I still have my vampire house on my foyer table as Vic and the kids are bringing up Christmas decorations! Where did the Fall go? I'm sick again with a bad cough so I have no interest in decorating. Hopefully I'll be better soon. I'm not teaching until Friday this week so I can try to recover. Enjoy the snow!

Another beautiful day!

Take a look outside! It's gorgeous! Take a walk and smell the fresh, fall air.

office yoga

Visit http://www.download.com/ enter office yoga. You can download, for free yoga poses for limited spaces. While seated you could do eagle arms, gentle spinal twist, swan dive forward to gentle forward fold. Reverse the swan dive and put arms as if in chair pose. Remember that all yoga is breathing!! Pull your breath deep to the navel, through the nose, exhale slowly through the nose (to keep heat and moisture in the body).

Namaste~

Finding little bits of joy

A little, seemingly ubiquitous occurrance can be viewed as special and worth savoring. This is especailly true if you open your awareness to experience them. Simple pleasures as one could call them. These events occur much more frequently than a big trip or a date with your spouse sans children. I mean really small things, like a hot bath after the kids go to bed. Candles, scented bath salts and a fluffy warm robe waiting for you. Try to find a little bit of bliss for yourself everyday.

Thankfulness

As I prepare to teach my first class in Plymouth tomorrow, I'm struck with an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness for finding yoga. I'm, still in a state of disbelief that I'm teaching yoga...me...the former most intensely inflexible person in the world! It's been such an incredible blessing, always around but never appreciated until 2 years ago. It makes me feel like I may be missing out on so many wonderful things, people and places because I've not had the chance to meet them, or experience it. I resolved to live life to the fullest a long time ago. I've just got to make an effort not to dismiss something as uninteresting or irrelevant until I experience it.