Burrito, I guess… For One...

Put a flour tortilla on the plate. Line the tortilla with thin slices of Oscar Mayer Delifresh Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast. Put a generous amount of Black Beans down the center. Top the beans with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese. Roll up. Microwave 1 minute. SO Good!! I ate this with a fresh, sliced tomato. Perfect for dinner on my own. Fast and delicious. Just thought I'd share.

Inspiration

The first time I noticed her was in August of last year when I first started back to work after my summer break. She was bent over, her body beginning to form a question mark. But she was running. Well, not really running. More of a little shuffle as her feet lifted slightly from the ground, her arms bent at the elbow with almost fists in front of her chest. Her back was bent and her head was low. She wore sweats, a hat, and white ear bud cords. I've been seeing her for about six months now. It was almost painful to watch and I wondered what motivated her to get out and do this every morning.

I saw her again this morning. She wore the same sweats, the same hat, the same ear buds. But she looked different. This morning her back was straighter! Her little shuffle was more the gait of a runner! Her steps were more confident. I smiled and gave her a silent cheer as I drove past, looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow. The body that had looked old and wasted was no longer. And I understood.

Laughter

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~Milton Berle

I hope to be on vacation all year.

Buon Natale e Buon Anno a tutti!

Anise and Walking

Anise prevents wrinkles

and

Walking exercises the brain.

Anise ~ according to Dr. Oz.

Walking ~ according to an "ongoing study which spans 20 years….." (San Jose Mercury News, Wed, 1 December 2010) "The more people moved, the higher their brain volume, a marker for brain health….. For healthy adults, walking at least 72 blocks a week (about six miles) can preserve brain volume and slow the risk of cognitive decline. Cognitively impaired adults needed to walk at least 58 city blocks a week (about five miles) to achieve the same results."

SO…...

I'm going for a walk and then coming home to make some biscotti with anise seeds.

Flexibility and Resiliency

"Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone know this, but no one can do it." ~ Lao Tzu

Thoughts:

Relinquish your hold on experiences that don't serve you.

Be willing to let go and move on.

Be open to changes in your plans and have back up strategies.

Switch gears.

Discussions?

"Food, Glorious Food"

I don't usually do this much thinking about food, but I'm having fun finding recipes on line and in old cookbooks. Here are two easy blender recipes.

Blender Banana Bread

from Red Castle Historic Lodgings, Nevada City, CA

2 eggs

3/4 tsp. grated lemon peel

1 cup sliced ripe bananas (I used 2 that I had in my freezer)

1/2 cup soft butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 3/4 cup sifted flour

1 1/4 tsp cream of tartar

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Put eggs, lemon peel, bananas, butter, and sugar in blender container. Cover and blend on high for 20 seconds or till smooth. Sift together remaining dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Pour egg mixture over and stir just until moistened. Fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I used pecans) if desired. I also added 1/2 cup chocolate chips at my grandson's suggestion. (great addition!!!) Turn into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or till done.

Blender Lemonade

from Ina (The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook)

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (I used Meyer lemons from my garden)

1/2 cup superfine sugar, to taste

1 cup crushed ice

4 cups water

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until completely smooth. Serve over ice.

Now find a lovely spot in your garden and enjoy!

Rice Salad

I tried a new dish on Papa today. Rice Salad. He was BBQing pork chops and I wanted something quick and refreshing to go with it. I also wanted to use up some leftovers in my refrigerator. Rice... Chopped tomatoes from tacos the other night... I hate throwing food away.

I put the rice and chopped up tomatoes in a bowl and added:

cut up celery

flat leaf parsley and a couple leaves of basil, chopped up fine (about a hand full)

then I tossed the whole thing with:

a generous sprinkling of olive oil

a little vinegar

sea salt and pepper

It was delicious! I'll definitely make it again. It would have also been good with some feta cheese sprinkled in.

Just thought I'd share.

:-)