moments of zen

FEB 2011: A few of my favorite things..

2011-02-06T09:39:00.000-08:00

In no particular order...

1- Flannel lined jeans: I now have 4 pairs and I love them all. Four pairs may seem excessive, but 1 pair is now a size too large (thanks healthy eating!) so they are reserved for super cold weather when I need to layer them up with a pair of thermal underwear. That's right, thermals, flannel and denim- guaranteed to keep you toasty warm. Another of the 4 pack are ripped at the moment and need a trip to the seamstress, so that leaves only 2 pair in rotation that are my go to jeans.

My favorite brands are Eddie Bauer and Land's End. Do yourself a favor and pick up a pair. Your warmed bum will thank you.

2- Bali's Barely There Breathable Boy Shorts: Pretty specific, I know but I like the details on great products. I am boycotting Target, so I had to do a little searching to find a replacement for my Gillian O' Malley underthings. These boy shorts by Bali are the winner. They are tagless, seamless, and made of breathable microfiber. And I can confirm that they are super comfy and produce no visible panty line, even in yoga pants! I pick mine up at the Bali outlet, but there are also plenty of places online you can find them if you are not blessed to live near an outlet mall.

3- My new iPhone4: Why oh why did I resist so long? I love my new iPhone and am already a heavy user of the shop shop app, Pandora, and the facebook app. I am in the process of mastering the on screen keyboard which honestly wasn't as tricky as I imagined. Now that Verizon is releasing it's version of the iPhone, you should be able to pick up one from AT&T on the cheap. Mine came via my company's discount and was too good of a deal to pass up. I also highly recommend the anti-glare screen protectors and this handy little cover that let's you keep your license and some cash on hand (this is my gym solution instead of carrying my wallet).

Feel free to chime in with a few things you cannot live without or have recently discovered and have made it onto your favorite's list.

Happy Birthday Edie

2011-01-04T05:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Edie!

First, God bless you for reaching 41 before me even if it's only by 23 days, my Aquarius sister. I am counting on you to lead the way into this new year of our lives.

For those of you not in the know, Edie is one of the main reasons I started my personal blog. I had been blogging for work and exploring social media and was contemplating taking the plunge myself when I stumbled over lifeingrace. Not only was it a kickass blog in general, but it was written by sweet Edie who I first met in middle school way back before kids, or home schooling and even prior to blue eyeshadow. Yes, I have seen her do a hitchkick, don't be jealous.

I obsessively read over the archives while also making note of the design and structure. It was so fun to be able to peek into a friend's current life and catch up on what I had missed since high school. I could almost hear her sweet southern voice encouraging me, "Cmon now, you can do it!".

And so, I did. I kicked off my blog and love the outlet it provides as well as the ability to have an online journal of sorts since I was never very good at keeping the written version. I am also pretty lax on my blogging discipline but hope to improve this year.

So, back to Edie and her fabulous blog. I read it faithfully and find guilty pleasure in spying into a life so wonderful yet completely opposite of my own. It's like watching a movie of an alternate path I could have taken. A path filled with cheery home-schooled children, baking, faith and a down right admirable lust for books. If Edie has inspired you, made you laugh, brought a tear or made you rent Coal Miner's Daughter, take a moment and wish her a happy bday.

And my gift to you, dear Edie, is a rare and precious thing. It could just be considered your anthem, which is a pretty bold statement, but it meets the following qualifications:

1. It's sung by a kick ass southern chick, Ms Tanya Tucker, at the ripe age of 14. Yes, 14.

2. The video is from Hee Haw in 1973. Enough said.

3. The lyrics make me think of you (see below).

Warning: This song is infectious. You may be singing it all day. I have also included the lyrics since some of ya'll non Southerners may not be able to catch all the words with Ms Tucker's delicious twang.

PS..I am also giving you a rain check to be redeemed whenever I am in town for some Starbucks and good a good gossip session.

Delta Dawn: Tanya Tucker

Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by
And did I hear you say he was a-meeting you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky

She's forty-one and her daddy still calls her "baby"
All the folks around Brownsville say she's crazy
'Cause she walks around town with a suitcase in her hand
Looking for a mysterious dark-haired man

In her younger days they called her Delta Dawn
Prettiest woman you ever laid eyes on
Then a man of low degree stood by her side
And promised her he'd take her for his bride

Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on
Could it be a faded rose from days gone by
And did I hear you say he was a-meeting you here today
To take you to his mansion in the sky

Nanna's Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-12-10T12:46:00.001-08:00

Ok, so these are not my cookies in the photo there, but they are lovely aren't they? If I was more Martha Stewart I would have cookies like this at the ready in my exquisitely decorated home. Instead, I am still working on the decorations and any food left out, cookies included, run the risk of being eaten by our horde of kitties. So this plate of cookies will act as my inspiration until I do get to the cookie baking later in the month.

I will be baking cookies as I do every year the week before Christmas at my grandmother's (aka Nanna) house along with my mother, aunt and a cousin or two. It's a girls only event where there is lots of gossiping and baking and a general good time for all.

I do promise to snap some actual pics of the Christmas Chocolate Chips cookies and load them up here. They look like chocolate chip cookies, so you pretty much know what to envision.

I will warn you, this recipe involves Crisco and coconut. Do not wrinkle your nose or claim "but I don't like coconut"- you will still love these cookies. The coconut is very subtle and all my coconut hating friends rave about these cookies. And the Crisco? I can't recommend using it everyday but some recipes just should not be tampered with. Can I get an amen from my souther sisters out there?

Without further adieu...

Nanna's Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening (that's right, bring out the Crisco! and don't dare think of trying to substitute something healthier)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring/extract

2 cups self rising flour

2 cups quick cook oats

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup of chocolate chips (you can be crazy here and mix half milk chocolate and half dark chocolate or stick with all milk chocolate)

1 cup chopped pecans

1. Cream 1 cup of shortening with 1 cup brown sugar and 1 cup granulated sugar.

2. Stir in 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring and beat well.

3. Stir in 2 cups of Gold Medal self rising flour (yes, my Nanna's recipe in my recipe book is just this specific), then add 2 cups quick cooking oats and 1 cup of flaked coconut.

4. Add 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup of chopped pecans.

5. Take 1 teaspoon of dough, roll into a ball, and place on a cookie sheet. Take a fork and press down the ball of dough in both directions (making a cute basket weave pattern with the fork tines).

6. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.

Eat one or two that may break as you slide them off the cookie sheet. This is an important rule- the eating of the "test" cookies. Let the rest cool and enjoy!

Daily Inspiration- Just Because I'm Lost..

2010-07-21T12:51:00.000-07:00

One of the songs from my spinning playlist. Have you tried spinning? If not, get to a gym and get on a bike. Or even better, get outside for some old school spinning. But maybe not so much in this heat. It was so chilly in the spin studio (yep, that's what they call it at my gym, fancy no?) that my sunglasses got all foggy. But I digress..

This song is one of my all time favorites and it motivates me to ride a little harder without being overly aggressive unlike much of my other workout tunes.

Enjoy- go ride your bike until the shine wears off.

Coldplay: Lost

Just because I'm losing
Doesn't mean I'm lost
Doesn't mean I'll stop
Doesn't mean I'm across

Just because I'm hurting
Doesn't mean I'm hurt
Doesn't mean I didn't get what I deserved
No better and no worse

I just got lost!
Every river that I tried to cross
Every door I ever tried was locked
Oh and I'm just waiting til the shine wears off

You might be a big fish
In a little pond
Doesn't mean you've won
'Cause along may come
A bigger one

And you'll be lost!
Every river that you tried to cross
Every gun you ever held went off
Oh and I'm just waiting til the firing's stopped
Oh and I'm just waiting til the shine wears off

Oh and I'm just waiting til the shine wears off
Oh and I'm just waiting til the shine wears off

Just because I'm hurting

Doesn't mean I'm hurt
Doesn't mean I didn't get what I deserved
No better and no worse

I just got lost!
Every river that I tried to cross
Every door I ever tried was locked
Oh and I'm just waiting til the shine wears off

You might be a big fish
In a little pond
Doesn't mean you've won
'Cause along may come
A bigger one

And you'll be lost!
Every river that you tried to cross
Every gun you ever held went off
Oh and I'm just waiting til the firing's stopped
Oh and I'm just waiting til the shine wears off

Oh and I'm just waiting til the shine wears off

Oh and I'm just waiting til the shine wears off

One Simple Thing...Help the Gulf

2010-06-07T05:24:00.000-07:00

Horrified by the tragedy in the Gulf? Frustrated by the seeming lack of concern and effort on many fronts? I know I am. This list is courtesy of the Huffington Post. Take a few minutes and pick one or more things from the list that you can do today to make a difference.

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Impact: Get Involved

HuffPost Impact has compiled a list of ways you can help contribute to the cleanup and save local wildlife. Thanks to CrisisWiki for their diligence in compiling much of this information.

Volunteer and Cleanup Actions

•The National Wildlife Federation has set upmobile giving services to support their work in the Gulf Coast. Donors can send a text message with the code "WILDLIFE" to 20222 to automatically give a $10 donation to help wildlife affected by the oil spill.

•Oxfam America is working to help affected communities with financial assistance, as well as protect local wetlands and marshes. Make a tax-deductible donation to Oxfam America.

•You can register through OilSpillVolunteers.comto volunteer or join a cleanup organization.

•The BP Volunteer Hotline has set up numbers if you need to report injured wildlife or damage related to the spill. You can also request volunteer information at 866-448-5816.

•The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is providing volunteer information, though help from private citizens is not being requested at this time.

•Global Green plans to spend the coming months working to protect injured wildlife and to lobby Congress to enforce tougher regulations on the oil and coal industries. Volunteer with Global Green or donate to support these efforts.

•The National Audubon Society is asking concerned citizens to donate or volunteer. Sign up to get trained and volunteer to help local birds.

•CrisisCamp set up a conference call for Friday afternoon -- follow the notes of this meeting, containing volunteer information with nonprofits and information from government organizations. You can also follow the CrisisCamp oil spill Twitter list for updates.

•Mobile Baykeeper, and affiliate of Waterkeeper Alliance, is dedicating resources to educate potential volunteers on how to help and address the long term environmental change needed in the Gulf region. Make a donation to these efforts.

•The International Bird Rescue Research Center is coordinating a professional rescue team to help birds covered in oil. You can help by reporting wildlife affected by the oil spill to the organization by calling 866-557-1401. You can also make a donation to support their work.

•The Sierra Club is gathering volunteers to help with the cleanup efforts on the Gulf Coast. Sign up online to volunteer and the Sierra Club will help you find the right opportunities for you.

•The Coalition To Restore Coastal Louisiana is also helping to coordinate volunteers. You canregister online to volunteer or make a donation.

Political Actions
•Oceana's goal is to reach 500,000 names on a petition to stop offshore drilling permanently. A tracker on their website displays how many gallons of oil have been spilled in real time. As of May 24, it's drawing close to eight million.

•Petition sites are packed with letters to politicians that you can sign on to. This one from Care2's The Petition Site aims to encourage President Obama to reconsider his plan to expand offshore drilling and invest in clean energy resources. A similar petition can be found on TrueMajority.org.

•Join the Facebook group 1 Million Strong Against Offshore Drilling. Check out the action page for more suggestions of how to lend your voice to the anti-drilling movement.

•If you want to do more after writing to your representatives, you can always boycott BP products. The main ones you use? Arco and ampm. If Americans stopped buying gas and products from these places, they'd feel it. Currently, BP has seen very little economic backlash from the spill.

Daily Inspiration- Bad Romance

2010-02-26T19:02:00.000-08:00

Totally on a Lady Gaga kick these days.

Her music is perfection to run really hard to. And she round out the "yeah, I listen to Lady GaGa and Joan Jett and I might just get off this elliptical and kick your ass if you look at me wrong" collection.

And I just think she has a whole new take on the pop scene.

Plus I dig it that she says her name in every song she does. Gotta respect that level of cockiness.

This song is great and the video is performance art.

I didn't get it all at first, but the more interviews I read with her, I really admire her creativity.

She's not for the faint of heart.

And who can resist a bad romance where you love even the ugly and drama.

I defy you to listen and not find yourself humming "Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-Roma-ma-ah!"
Get your freak bitch attitude going and open your mind.

Bad Romance- Lady Gaga

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your ugly
I want your disease
I want your everything
As long as it’s free
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your drama
The touch of your hand
I want you leather studded kiss in the scene
And I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a bad,your bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your horror
I want your design
‘Cause you’re a criminal
As long as your mine
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your psycho
Your vertical stick
Want you in my room
When your baby is sick
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a bad,your bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Imma Freak bitch baby

I want your love
And I want your revenge
I want your love
I don’t wanna be friends

(The Same But In French)

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
and all your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Daily Inspiration- Zero

2010-02-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

This is song has recently made it onto my workout playlist.

It's part of the "yeah, I listen to Lady GaGa and Joan Jett and I might just get off this elliptical and kick your ass if you look at me wrong" collection.

Sometime angry chick music is just the thing to kick up the heart rate.

So, put on some red lipstick or a leather jacket and climb higher baby!

Zero- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Shake it like a ladder to the sun
Makes me feel like a madman on the run
Find me, never, never far gone
So get your leather, leather, leather on on on on

Your zero
What's your name?
No one's gonna ask you
Better find out where they want you to go

Try and hit the spot
Get to know it in the dark
Get to know it whether you're
Crying, crying, crying, of love
Can you climb, climb, climb higher

Shake it like a ladder to the sun
Makes me feel like a madman on the run
No you're never, never far gone
So get your leather, leather, leather on on on on

Your zero
What's your name?
No one's gonna ask you
Better find out where they want you to go

Try and hit the spot
Get to know it in the dark
Get to know it whether you're
Crying, crying, crying, of love
Can you climb, climb, climb higher

Was it the cure?
Shellshock!
Was it the cure?
Hope not!
Was it the cure?
Shellshock!
Was it the cure?
What's your name?

Your zero
What's your name?
No one's gonna ask you
Better find out where they want you to go

Try and hit the spot
Get to know it in the dark
Get to know it whether you're
Crying, crying, crying, oh oh
Can you climb, climb, climb higher

Was it the cure?
Shellshock!
Was it the cure?
Hope not!
Was it the cure?
Shellshock!
Was it the cure?
Hope not!

What's your name? (x7)

Daily Inspiration- Yellow

2010-02-25T07:54:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration-

Even the stars are shining for you.

Get out there and shine today.

Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do,
Yeah they were all yellow,

I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called yellow

So then I took my turn
Oh all the things I've done
And it was all yellow

Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
D'you know you know I love you so
You know I love you so

I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh all the things you do
Cause you were all yellow

I drew a line
I drew a line for you
Oh what a thing to do
And it was all yellow

Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
D'you know for you i bleed myself dry
For you i bleed myself dry

Its true look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine
look at the stars look how they shine for you

Daily Inspiration- We Can Be Heroes

2010-02-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

Daily Inspiration-

We can be Heroes, for just one day.

What did you do today to make your life and your world a better place?

I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, for ever and ever.

We can be Heroes, just for one day.

I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing, nothing will drive them away
We can be Heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day

I, I remember standing, by the wall
And the guns, shot above our heads
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall
And the shame, was on the other side
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever

Then we could be Heroes, just for one day

We can be Heroes
We can be Heroes
We can be Heroes
We can be Heroes
Just for one day

One Simple Thing...Help Haiti

2010-02-13T07:04:00.000-08:00

It's been one month since an earthquake devastated Haiti.

Today I am reflecting on what I have done over the last month and how my life would be utterly different if I has been in Haiti on 12 JAN 2010.

There's much to be done to hep out in Haiti, but here's one simple thing you can do today to make a difference.

- Download "Everybody Hurts (Helping Haiti)" from iTunes.

This track was written and originally performed by one of my favorite bands, REM, who graciously waived the royalty fees for this remake produced by Simon Cowell. It's a great song on it's own, but with the proceeds going to relief for Haiti adding this to a playlist is a no-brainer. Artists include:Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow and Mark Owen as well as X Factor stars Cheryl Cole, JLS, Leona Lewis, Joe McElderry and Alexandra Burke. Susan Boyle from Britain’s Got Talent, Rod Stewart, Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey Westlife, Mika, Michael Buble, Miley Cyrus, James Blunt, Jon Bon Jovi, James Morrison, Westlife’s Shane Filan and Mark Feehily.

- Download "We are the World 25 for Haiti- Single" from iTunes.

This is the song you know and love from the 80s remixed and recorded by 80 artists for the 25th anniversary of the first We Are the World effort.

Now you have 2 new tracks on your playlist to enjoy. Link to this post and encourage others to help out with the relief effort.

And don't forget to drop me a comment and let me know what you think of the tracks.

2010-02-04T17:13:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...

It's been far too long since I posted.

Work has had me insane but my dear friend Edie inspired me to share a this song with you which always makes me smile and miss my time in TN.

Indigo Girls- Southland in the Springtime

Maybe we'll make Texas by the morning
Light the bayou with our tail lights in the night
800 miles to el paso from the state line
And we never have the money for the flight
I'm in the back seat sleepy from the travel
Played our hearts out all night long in New Orleans
I'm dirty from the diesel fumes, drinking coffee black
When the first breath of Texas comes in clean
And there's something 'bout the Southland in the springtime
Where the waters flow with confidence and reason
Though I miss her when I'm gone it won't ever be too long
Till I'm home again to spend my favorite season
When God made me born a yankee he was teasin'
There's no place like home and none more pleasin'
Than the Southland in the springtime
In Georgia nights are softer than a whisper
Beneath a quilt somebody's mother made by hand
With the farmland like a tapestry passed down through generations
And the peach trees stitched across the land
There'll be cider up near Helen off the roadside
And boiled peanuts in a bag to warm your fingers
And the smoke from the chimneys meets its maker in the sky
With a song that winter wrote whose melody lingers

And there's something 'bout the Southland in the springtime
Where the waters flow with confidence and reason
Though I miss her when I'm gone it won't ever be too long
Till I'm home again to spend my favorite season
When God made me born a yankee he was teasin'
There's no place like home and none more pleasin'
Than the Southland in the springtime

Earth Day 2009 Manifesto

2009-04-22T16:04:00.001-07:00

Each year when Earth Day rolls around I try to celebrate it in a similar fashion to New Years by making a resolution or two- environmentally focused. I use these resolutions as a way to challenge myself and not just give up/change the easy stuff, but to pick something significant that will make a difference and in some cases may require a little sacrifice or at least a little more planning.

At the beginning of the year as one of my New Years resolutions, I decided to focus more on water conservation. You can read more about this in one of my previous posts. So far, I am doing pretty good with the new water world order, but I do occasionally forget to bring the pitcher upstairs to the bathroom before showers. I should probably spring for another pitcher, since it they are very inexpensive and having just one more would greatly increase my reuse of water that would otherwise be wasted.

So, my new pledge for Earth Day 2009 is to bite the bullet on styrofoam. I like to look at my resolutions in a “Just Say No” format, so this pledge will be my “Just Say No” to styrofoam containers. This may sound pretty easy, but the reality of this is no to go containers from restaurants, no drinks purchased in styrofoam cups (smoothies, etc) , being more aware of the packaging in the food products I buy and also making sure family events have alternatives to paper/styrofoam plates. But fear not; I have a plan.

Why say no to styrofoam? Here are just a few things to consider:

By 1986, styrene was found in 100 percent of all samples of human fat tissue taken as part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Human Tissue Survey. Researchers found that Styrofoam cups lose weight when in use, meaning that styrene is oozing into the foods and drinks we consume. It then ends up stored in our fatty tissue, where it can build up to levels that can cause fatigue, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, blood abnormalities, and even carcinogenic effects.
It’s hard to recycle.
Did I mention the health risks? Click the link above to read more scary information on the health topic.

Now that I have decided to give up the ‘foam, here’s my action plan:

Rubbermaid collapsible containers. I already use these, but will be investing in a new set of three that will be reserved for take out use. I am going to have to train myself to pop one of these into my bag along with a foldable bag to tote home leftovers. You can usually find reusable Target bags in all my bags/totes, but I may need to increase the stock just in case. I also use the Target bags as gift bags at Christmas.
Liquid containers. I am not giving up the occasional smoothie, but I will be bringing my own container from now on. I don’t drink coffee, stop gasping!, so no need for a travel mug for me, but we do have one for the boyfriend to use. If you thin water bottles/containers still look like what you would use in a gym, let me present for your consideration:

my workout bottle compared to my stylish new Sigg bottle. You can get some very cool designs from Sigg and other companies. I usually have my Sigg bottle in my bag, so I will just need to dump out my water when I have a smoothie craving.

Food products. I am going to have to check out the packaging on our meats to see if there’s any alternative, but this one may be a hard option to find an fix for quickly. I will keep you posted.
Paper/styrofoam plates: I already conquered this one last Thanksgiving with sugarcane plates. Yes, actual plates made out of corn that are biodegradable so they will not outlive us all in the landfills. We used the ones from Eco Products on Turkey Day and they held up amazingly well. You do have to order them online, unless you happen to have a store locally that carries eco-friendly products.

So, that’s the plan. I will let you know how it goes and if my planning pays off or if I still make it out of the house without the needed supplies (very likely) to carry off this “Just Say No” mission.

What’s your Earth Day resolution? Post it here and inspire us.

Yummy Enchilada Bake

2009-04-15T18:09:00.001-07:00

This could be my favorite recipe of the moment. The top spot changes frequently, but this dish is so yummy and easy to make that Enchilada Bake could keep the title for a while. It also gave me an excuse to use my new GreenPan skillet which I am in love with.

I can’t claim credit for this recipe, it’s from one of my favorite Food Network chefs, Alton Brown. If you have not seen his show “ Good Eats”, you should check it out. It’s part cooking show, part history lesson; and he has the coolest kitchen toys.

Here’s my spin on his Enchilada Lasagna. That name just didn’t work for me, so the first change is the name.

Enchilada Bake:

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Total time: 1 hour start to finish

Ingredients:

As always, I use organic whenever possible but I won’t judge you for not doing the same. :)

For sauce:

2 dried chipotle chilies, stems and seeds removed, diced (I could not find these anywhere, so I use canned chipotle peppers in adobo from the mexican food section. You only need 2, but could add more if you really like spice)
3 large garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons toasted cumin seeds, freshly ground (ground cumin works just fine if you don’t want to grind seeds)
2 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
3 cups tomato sauce (no salt added, organic)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (I use sea salt)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For filling:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I use olive oil)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed (this is where you can use the extra chicken you baked when making Go Go Green pasta. I shred mine in the food processor, but dicing it up works too)
1 1/2 cups diced onion (organic)
Pinch kosher salt (sea salt)
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas (I use whole grain flour tortillas, but corn would also be yummy. Since the flour ones are larger, I typically use more like 8 tortillas)
3 cups shredded queso fresco or Monterey Jack (yes, it’s a lot of cheese, but it’s so delicious)
Nonstick cooking spray (too many additives here. I use a mist bottle with olive oil or canola oil instead)

Directions

Combine the chilies, garlic, chili powder, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt and pepper in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes or until the chilies are soft. Set aside until ready to use.

* Since I use chilies that are already cooked, I bring the sauce to a boil and simmer 5 minutes, then set it aside while I prep the rest of the ingredients.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the chicken until cooked through, approximately 7 to 9 minutes.

* Another time saver here is if you have the chicken already prepared from another recipe. I always cook extra chicken for use in other recipes like this. Baked chicken works great and is healthier than sauteed in oil.

Remove the chicken from the pan and place in a medium bowl. Add the onions to the same pan along with a generous pinch of salt, decrease the heat to medium-low and sweat for 4 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and oregano and cook until the onions are tender, 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the chicken back to the pan and remove from the heat.

Spray a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray. Place 1/2 cup of the sauce into the bottom of the dish. Dip 4 tortillas into the remaining sauce and lay them into the bottom of the dish. Cut 1 of the tortillas in half to evenly cover the bottom of the dish. Top this with half of the chicken mixture and 1 cup of the cheese. Starting with 4 more tortillas, repeat the layers, ending with the last 4 tortillas on top. Pour remaining sauce over the dish and top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.

* The goal with the tortillas is to completely cover each layer. If you use larger/flour tortillas, you will need fewer tortillas per layer. Don’t worry if you feel like there’s a lot of sauce left over that you are pouring over the top; it will soak in as the dish cooks.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven on the middle rack for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese on top is bubbly.

I add a spoonful of sour cream on top of each serving, low fat of course to make up for all that cheese!

Give the Enchilada Bake a try and let me know if you love it as much as I do.

Go-Go Green Pasta: a Two-fer

2009-04-14T16:25:00.001-07:00

It’s cold and rainy here today and just the perfect setting for some belly-warming pasta.

This dish is a personal creation after picking out my favorite ingredients at Macaroni Grill in the Build Your Own Pasta dish, a fabulous choice for us picky eaters.

You can make this dish in 30 min start to finish, which is another huge plus. We are also going to bake extra chicken to use in tomorrow night’s recipe: Enchilada Bake.

Go Go Green Pasta

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breasts or chicken tenders (double up on the chicken for the two-fer option)

½ cup eggbeaters, or 2 eggs

2 cup Panko Bread Crumbs

1.5 cup shredded/grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash Italian Seasoning

½ box Barilla rotini pasta (or your favorite whole wheat rotini will do)

½ cup sliced sun dried tomatoes

3 cups frozen spinach

2 cups frozen broccoli

3 tablespoons pesto

Chicken Prep:

Grease a baking sheet (or use your Silpat- love that thing!) and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a shallow dish/bowl, empty the eggs/egg beaters.
In a second bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs, 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash Italian Seasoning.
Dredge the chicken in the egg, then press it on each side into the breadcrumb mixture then place the chicken on the baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min, turning once at the 15 min mark.
*Since we are already baking chicken, throw on the other pound of chicken tenders with no coating. We will shred these up and use them for Enchilada Bake tomorrow.

Pasta Prep:

While the chicken is baking, empty the frozen broccoli and spinach into a bowl and microwave for 4 min. It needs to be thoroughly cooked.
Cook ½ box Barilla rotini pasta (should take about 10 min).
While the pasta is cooking, slice up the sun dried tomatoes. I usually chop up about 6 or so or use the already sliced ones to make life even easier.
Once the pasta is drained, empty it back into the pot, and add the spinach, broccoli, and chicken (I slice it into bite sized pieces)
Next add in the sun dried tomatoes and the pesto.
Stir it all up and let it sit on a warm stove for about 3 min to let all the flavors meld and the spinach cook down.

Serve it up with a handful of shredded Parmesan cheese (the remaining .5 cup) on top and enjoy!

Give it a try and let me know what you think. Tomorrow we will visit Enchilada Bake with the pre-cooked chicken from this meal.

Wednesday Motivation: Talkin’ Bout a Revolution

2009-04-08T08:46:00.001-07:00

So, the Monday Motivation is a few days late. I could use it today.

Today’s motivational anthem brought to you by Tracy Chapman.

Talkin Bout a Revolution

Don't you know
They're talkin' bout a revolution (It sounds like a whisper)
Don't you know
They're talkin' about a revolution (It sounds like a whisper)
While they're standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around wait for a promotion
Don't you know
They're talkin' bout a revolution (It sounds like a whisper)
Poor people gonna rise up (Talkin' about a revolution)
And get their share
Poor people gonna rise up
And take what's theirs
So you better run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
Oh I said you better run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
Finally the tables are starting to turn (Talkin' about a revolution)
Talkin' bout a revolution
Finally the tables are starting to turn (Talkin' about a revolution)
Talkin' bout a revolution (Oh)
Talkin' bout a revolution (Oh)
While they're standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around wait for a promotion
Don't you know
They're talkin' bout a revolution (It sounds like a whisper)
Finally the tables are starting to turn (Talkin' about a revolution)
Talkin' bout a revolution
Finally the tables are starting to turn (Talkin' about a revolution)
Talkin' bout a revolution (Oh)
Talkin' bout a revolution (Oh)
Talkin' bout a revolution (Oh)
Talkin' bout a revolution (Oh)
Talkin' bout a revolution (Oh)

What’s your revolution or resolution to change? Whisper something and put it out there in the universe.

One Simple Thing: World Malaria Day APR 25 2009

2009-04-06T16:20:00.001-07:00

Resources: http://www.malarianomore.org/

Sobering facts:

Malaria is particularly devastating in Africa, where it kills an African child every 30 seconds.
Malaria kills more than 3,000 children every day, and over 1 million every year.
350 to 500 million cases of malaria occur annually.
90% of deaths from malaria occur in Africa
Young children and pregnant women are most likely to become severely ill and die from malaria.
Malaria was eradicated from the United States over 50 years ago, yet more than 40 percent of the world’s population is still at risk.

My own experience with malaria is limited. When I was traveling to India for work, I had to take malaria pills daily. They made me a little woozy, but I didn’t agonize over it, didn’t think I would be at risk, I simply mentioned the trip to my travel doctor and was given a prescription for the pills, which I had to take a week before and after my trip as well as daily while I was there. But I am fortunate. In many countries malaria medication and something as simple as a net are impossible to come by.

Now that you have the facts, let’s focus on what you can do to make a difference.

Take action:

Skip dinner out and donate $30 to provide mosquito nets. Your $30 will buy 3 bed nets. A simple long lasting insecticide treated mosquito net can protect a child or several children from malaria for up to five years.

DONATE $10 MOSQUITO NETS

Providing a $10 mosquito net is the easiest, but most effective way to protect African families from mosquitoes that bite at night and transmit malaria. Learn More >>

SEND AN E-CARD

Malaria No More E-Cards allow you to make a gift on behalf of a friend then send them customized E-Card letting them know why you have chosen to honor them by contributing to the fight against malaria. There are cards for all occasions! Pick a design below to begin. Learn More >>

GET EDUCATED

Before you can become an effective advocate against malaria, you first need to understand malaria from the ground up.

ACTIVATE

Turn your knowledge on malaria into action! Whether you'd like to spread awareness at your church, host a bake sale, or canvas your community, Malaria No More has ideas and tools to help you raise awareness and funds for life-saving bed nets. Download fundraising toolkits >>

GET THE WORD OUT

Global awareness about malaria is on the rise and helping to promote grassroots, corporate, and public investments in ending malaria's devastating impact in Africa. To continue the positive trend, Malaria No More needs your help to get the word out. Learn More >>

STAYIN' ALIVE: YOUR DANCE, YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE MALARIA NO MORE

Schools from across the country are dancing to make a difference in the lives of African families threatened by malaria. Here's your chance to make a difference on a global scale… and all you have to do is dance! Learn More >>

IN THE CLASSROOM

From grade school penny drives to high school science presentations to college dance fundraisers, young people are stepping out and leading the charge against malaria. Whether you're looking to do your own project or involve your entire school, we have the resources to help you succeed.Learn More >>

MORE THAN A CLUB: KICK IT TO MALARIA

The program embraces soccer as a unifying factor for children worldwide.Through the program, young people in the United States can use their favorite game to save lives by raising awareness about malaria and raising money for live-saving bed nets that prevent the disease. Learn More >>

BABY NETWORK: HONOR A NEW LIFE BY SAVING ANOTHER

The Baby NETwork, in partnership with Malaria No More, offers friends and relatives an opportunity to honor a newborn baby, child or expectant mother. With a $10.00 honorary donation to Malaria No More, a mosquito net will be sent to protect a baby, child, or expectant mother from malaria. In the process, a network of babies helping babies is established. Through this network information is disseminated and donations collected to help fight malaria, a disease which disproportionately effects children under the age of five. Learn More >>

What action are you willing to take to support World Malaria Day?

Monday Motivation: It’s A New Day

2009-03-30T12:36:00.001-07:00

I believe in the infinite power and wisdom of the shuffle option on my iPod to reveal truths to me. Kind of like a musical horoscope and daily devotion all built into one.

Today while on the elliptical, my iPod decided to offer up this for us to ponder: will.i.am: It's A New Day .

The video has a decided political edge, but if that distracts you, close your eyes or just scroll down and read the lyrics as the song plays.

I like having to lyrics to read along with the song, it’s the control freak in me.

will.i.am: It's A New Day

I went to sleep last night
Tired from the fight
I've been fighting for tomorrow
All my life
Yea I woke up this morning
Feeling brand new
'Cause the dreams that I've been dreaming
Has finally came true
It's a new day
It's a new day
It's a new day
It's a new day
It's a new day
It's been a long time coming
Up the mountain kept runnin'
Songs of freedom kept hummin'
Channeling Harriet Tubman
Kennedy, Lincoln, and King
We gotta manifest that dream
It feels like I'm swimming upstream
It feels like I'm stuck in between
A rock and a hard place
We've been through the heartaches
And lived through the darkest days
If you and I made it this far
Well then hey, we can make it all the way
And they said no we can't
And we said yes we can
Remember it's you and me together
I woke up this morning
Feeling alright
I've been fightin' for tomorrow
All my life
Yea, I woke up this morning
Feeling brand new
Cause the dreams that I've been dreaming
Has finally came true
It's a new day
(it's a new day)
It's a new day
(it's a new day)
It's a new day
It's a new day
It's been a long time waitin'
Waiting for this moment
Been a long time praying
Praying for this moment
We hope for this moment
And now that we own it
For life I'ma hold it
And I won't let it go
It's for fathers, our brothers
Our friends who fought for freedom
Our sisters, our mothers
Who died for us to be in this moment
Stop and cherish this moment
Stop and cherish this time
It's time for unity
For us and we
That's you and me together
I woke up this morning
Feeling brand new
Cause the dreams that I've been dreaming
Have finally came true
Yea, I woke up this morning
Feeling alright
'Cause we weren't fighting for nothing
And the soldiers weren't fighting for nothing
No, Martin was dreaming for nothing
And Lincoln didn't change it for nothing
And children weren't crying for nothing
It's a new day
It's a new day
It's a new day
A new day
It's a new day
It's a new day
It's a new day

What has inspired you today?

One Simple Thing: Earth Hour 28 MAR 8:30 pm EST

2009-03-28T09:25:00.001-07:00

It’s as easy as turning off the lights for an hour. Vote Earth tonight and join a worldwide movement to focus awareness on global warming.

Information from EarthHour.org:

VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.
VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.
Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

* Turn out the lights and Vote Earth today, then login and let me know how your Earth hour went.

Red Beans and Rice, Ya’ll

2009-03-27T16:21:00.001-07:00

I have recently started to attempt to cook more simply. By that I mean, fewer processed things and more natural ingredients.

I figure I have a Kitchen Aid mixer, a food processor, and a boyfriend who loves to eat, so what’s the worse that could happen?

One of the recipes I think I have mastered is Red Beans and Rice. With most new dishes, I search around for recipes and test them out then modify them until I am happy with the result. Red Beans and Rice is in the perfected category; I am still on version 2.1 of some other meals.

I will warn you in advance that this is not the meal to attempt when you are starving right this second. This one will take you at least 2 hours but it is so worth the wait.

Red Beans and Rice (modified from a recipe by Alton Brown)

This recipe will feed four easily with leftovers. I usually cut everything in half for 2 of us, which leaves enough leftover for lunch the next day. This stuff gets better if it sits in the fridge overnight. Viva leftovers!

Ingredients

For red beans:

2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped (all organic veggies, if you have that option)
2 medium green bell peppers, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 teaspoons kosher salt (I use sea salt)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 cloves garlic, minced
4 links/ 1 package /12 oz andoullie sausage, sliced (mine is organic, skinless, and made from chicken and turkey. I heart Trader Joes).
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme (I use Mrs. Dash Table blend)
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 quarts water
1 pound red kidney beans, rinsed and picked of debris (I use dark red organic kidney beans)

Directions (with narrative)

Place the oil in a 7-quart Dutch oven and set over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, salt and pepper to the pot.

*I cry like crazy when I chop onions, to the point that I can barely see. Wearing sunglasses helps. Using a food processer is even better. I chop all the above veggies up very roughly then toss them all into the food processor for a nice dice without tears.

* I will also add that I am really not a fan of raw green peppers and onion. If you are also not a fan, give this recipe a try. It cooks so long that you really only get the flavors and not any crunchy vegetables. Stop rolling your eyes, there’s no way you are a more picky eater than I am, just try it..one time.

Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions and celery are semi-translucent and the bell peppers are tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

*You really do need to stir constantly to avoid having the veggies burn. For this reason, I assemble all the other ingredients before I drop anything into the pot. Times like this I wish I had a sous chef.

Add the sausage, bay leaves, thyme, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, water and beans to the pot and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring frequently until the mixture comes to a boil, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.

* Mine usually takes a little more time to come to a boil, closer to 12-15 min, so have patience. Don’t fret over how green the mixture looks at this point. The red beans and sausage will do their thing, trust me.

Decrease the heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.

* This is the hard part because your whole house is going to smell like yummy, delicious red beans while they cook. In a word, mouth-watering.

Uncover, increase the heat slightly to maintain a steady simmer and continue to cook for another 30 to 40 minutes or until the beans are tender and the sauce is thickened to your liking. If you prefer an even creamier texture, mash some of the beans with a potato masher.

* I use the potato masher trick to thicken up the sauce. I would estimate that I mash up about 1/3 of the beans in the process.

For the rice, I use Trader Joe’s Organic brown rice, which comes frozen and is ready in 3 minutes. If you are not so fortunate to have this miracle of science, old fashioned brown rice works just fine too. You should start it when you uncover the beans assuming your rice will take about 30-40 min to cook completely.

Scoop up the yummy red beans over the rice and if you feel like it, add in a spoonful of sour cream to pretty it up a bit.

My favorite memory so far of eating red beans and rice is sharing a big pot of them with my parents and boyfriend the day of the presidential inauguration in 2009. We were beyond frozen and tired from standing outside from 4am to 2pm, so when we finally made it back to the house around 5pm, the red beans and rice I made the day before was more than perfect. It was our own version of the Inaugural balls- red beans and rice and pajamas.

Give this recipe a go and let me know what you think.

MAR 26: Moment of Zen

2009-03-26T14:30:00.001-07:00

Today’s moment of zen :

Begrudgingly sliding feet into workout shoes to go spend an hour with the elliptical. Feeling something amiss and hoping it doesn’t mean new shoes since I really love these. Shoes back off again and looking at socks for the offending lump then at the shoes only to find a small bundle of fuzzy felt and strings- also known as the youngest kitty’s very favorite toy in the world. Actually, the remains of his very favorite toy which I have replaced with an exact replica but he still loves the sad little bits from the original toy more. Happiness replacing begrudging because a little boy kitten in this house loves me so much he left me his treasures.

Obligatory photo of thoughtful kitten, Sixer, because I know you want to see him:

One Simple Thing: World Water Day- March 22

2009-03-20T13:44:00.001-07:00

One Simple Thing is my Friday contribution to provide you with an easy thing you can do to “be the change” you want to see in the world. Fairly ambitious, no? Think of it as part Martha Stewart (“It’s a Good Thing”) and part social activist.

Here’s our first opportunity: World Water Day on March 22, 2009. Water conservation is one of the areas I am focusing on this year, so there will be lots more info in the blog about my journey into the ways of water.

Sobering facts:

more than 1 billion: the amount people around the world that lack access to clean, safe drinking water.
2.5 gallons: The amount of water per person much of the world is allocated.
400 gallons: The amount of water per person used by the average American citizen; 30 percent of this is used for outdoor purposes, such as watering the lawn.
88 percent: Of deaths from diarrhea are caused from unsafe drinking water, inadequate availability of water for hygiene, and lack of access to sanitation; this translates to more than 1.5 million of the 1.9 million children under five who perish from diarrhea each year. This amounts to 18% of all under-five deaths and means that more than 4,000 children are dying every day as a result of diarrhoeal diseases.

Overwhelming. But knowing the facts should empower us, not make us feel powerless. One of my favorite quotes is to work towards progress, not perfection. In that spirit, let’s consider what we can do, simple things, to change our water habits:

Take action:

Attend one of UNICEF’s sponsored Tap Project restaurants in your city and pay $1 for tap water that you would normally get for free. Every dollar raised through the Tap Project supports UNICEF water, sanitation and hygiene programs.
Install a low-flow showerhead to reduce your shower water use by 20 to 60 percent.
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Fill the basin for washing or shaving.
Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl, and fill you sink to wash and rinse dishes, instead of running the water.
Use a rain barrel to collect water from your roof's downspout to irrigate your garden.
Give up the plastic water bottles once and for all. This is a big one for me. I swore off bottled water 2 yrs ago and have not looked back and encourage you to do the same. More on this topic later, but in case you are wondering why this action is relevant here, estimates are that it takes up to 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water.

Or, if you are overambitious, combine a few of the items above. I am going to renew my water conservation commitment with something simple I am sure you all have at home: a Rubbermaid pitcher. Take said pitcher with you into the shower and place it on the shower/tub floor and use it to catch the water while you wait for it to heat up. If you have a fancy tankless water heater and have hot water on demand, I am jealous of you. And you should pick another simple thing from the list. Maybe two, just because you make me jealous.

Back to the pitcher of water, I usually end up with at least a 2 gallon pitcher of water from the exercise above. I then use the water for a variety of tasks; brushing my teeth, rinsing fruits and veggies, running the disposal, and my personal favorite, rinsing out my recyclable. I was having a moral conflict with wasting clean water on rinsing out cans, so this little water gathering plan has made me much happier. Rain barrels are on my list too for spring. I will keep you posted on how that adventure turns out.

What action will you commit to for World Water Day this year?

Learn more: Treehugger’s Guide to Water Conservation

Moments of Zen

2009-03-19T15:27:00.001-07:00

Why “Moments of Zen” you ask? I stole it. Complete and utter thievery from Jon Stewart and the Daily Show, although I have heard it was around before he signed on at the host. Click on the Daily Show link below if you are interested in the origin.

More amusing definitions of “Moment of Zen”:

“I always took it as a snarky way of saying - "You having a bad day? Things get a little weird for you? You got nothing on these guys."
A real moment of zen would, in theory, be a moment of clarity in which you became aware of the nothing/everything that makes the world go 'round and were somehow better for it.”
“I've always taken The Daily Show's "moment of Zen" a kind of simplified, shorthand, somewhat distorted version of same; i.e. here, in this weird or lame or otherwise remarkable video clip (or whatever) is an actual moment that transpired somewhere in the world today, and so forget the rest of the day's events and just imagine what it was like to be in that spot at that time.”
“Odds are, anytime you read the word “z e n,” it has no relation to actual Mahayana Zen Buddhism. In this context, it could mean “insight” or “enlightenment.” Currently, the highest rated definition in the Urban Dictionary is “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.”

So, for those of you who were afraid I was going to go all deep Buddhist mysticism on you, you are safe.

I am a news junkie of sorts, but some days all I can take is the Daily Show version, which although it is played on Comedy Central is shockingly well done. Just a warning, some may say it leans to the left, a lot. If you are a Fox News fan, you may not want to check it out. Of course, if you are a Fox News fan, you may not want to check out some or all of what’s going to be coming up in my blog. But, if you are like me, sometimes reading or watching something from an opposite viewpoint helps you to question your own views, or in this case, laugh at them.

Are you fascinated by the Daily Show’s Moment of Zen? If so, you can watch over a thousand of them from the link above- complete with descriptions in case you are picky about your zen.

This blog will be a glimpse into my own favorite Moments of Zen, from cooking red beans and rice to worm composting to causes that resonate with me.

Where do you find your “zen”?

First post..Pandora's box Flung Wide Open

2009-03-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

"2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a ~~song~~ post
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to.."

Words courtesy of Anna Nalick's Breathe, but they seem to fit how I feel as I get ready to put it all out here for you all to read. Not really sure who "you all" or "ya'll" are just yet, so please make yourselves known. As much as I like screaming into the void, it will be nice if you chime in to agree with me, point out a new perspective, or just admit that reading other people's blogs is your guilty pleasure, just like it is mine.

So, here we go..

p.s.: Don't worry Mom, that's totally not my neck or tattoo.