MINDFUL MOMENTS

Christmas comes but once a year and when it does people often get into the "giving spirit." It's more of a blessing to give then to receive and one way to brighten someone's day is to give them cookies made with love. Throughout the world there are countless bakers who create magnificent tasting cookies to share with others during the Christmas season and each country has their own version of a festive Christmas cookies such as: American Peanut Butter Blossom Australian Anzac Biscuit Chinese Almond Cuban Tortica de Navidad French Madeleine Italian Biscotti Polish Kolaczki Swedish Pepparkakor Spread the joy of Christmas with sharing homemade cookies with friends, family, and strangers and together everyone will have "Christmas Cookie Moments."

A dining table at Cracker Barrel Once upon a time my father took mother, brother, and myself on a long drive from Detroit to Florida for our family vacation. My father had heard about the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Restaurant and made a point of stopping there for lunch. It was our very first time visiting this classic establishment known for southern homestyle cuisine and what a break it was from being on Interstate 75 for hours and finally having a chance to eat a meal right in Tennessee where the first Cracker Barrel opened in 1969. We didn't know what to expect but we were won over by the charm of the place. There were rocking chairs to sit on at the front entrance and lots of unique items to look at before sitting down to eat at the country store. Once we were seated we ordered all the classic dishes that Cracker Barrel is famous for and ate forkfuls of true southern comfort food. Years have passed by since that August afternoon     in 1988 when I was...

When I pass by some of the big elaborate homes in my neighborhood I'm in awe of how rich some people are. Amidst these glamorous homes are humbling dwelling spots like my studio apartment above a garage. When I first moved into my apartment I couldn't believe how blessed I was to live in a fully furnished apartment for such an affordable price. It never occurred to me that this place would be my home for four years. This small apartment is where I feel comfortable and safe. All I need is here; a bathroom to take a shower, a kitchen to cook my meals, a table to do all my writing, and a bed in the corner of the apartment where I get a restful sleep. There are some people that would consider my living arrangement quite simple but I'm thankful everyday for having a roof over my head. A week ago was Thanksgiving in the United States and my friend and I decided to spend part of the day volunteering at a community lunch. Most of the people that came to the lunch were quite po...

Most people like to be remembered on their birthday because it's a special day. Today I'd like to wish my father who was born on October 2nd a Happy Birthday! My father was caring, delightful, devoted, hardworking, humorous, intelligent, talented, unique, versatile, and wise. Moments of remembrance! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TATO!

Today is the end of JUNE and my favorite month has come to a close. I'm so grateful for all the beautiful things that occurred during my birthday month of JUNE. THANK YOU UNIVERSE!

Recently my boyfriend and I took a walk in the forest and stumbled across patches of leeks. We couldn't believe how many leeks we found. We picked as many leeks as we could and put them in my backpack. That evening we enjoyed leeks in our vegetable stir fry and today we enjoyed bowls of delicious leek soup. Today is the first day of June. In some parts of the world June is the month of long days and the beginning of summer. Leeks are the perfect summer food. They're loaded with essential vitamins, are low in calories and highly nutritious. Consuming leeks can actually help with weight loss. Leeks are similar in taste to shallots. Stay healthy by adding leaks to your diet. You can purchase leeks at your local supermarket or farmer's market or pick them in the woods. Happy Moments with Healthy Leeks! MAGICAL LEEK SOUP: (from a French chef) Clean the leeks and rinse well to get rid of soil Cut off the ends of the dark green parts, leaving all the white parts. P...

Lilac (Syringa) flowers symbolize spring and renewal. These fragrant flowers have such a lovely scent that they're often used in cosmetics and perfume.  There are a few different shades of lilac flowers and their bloom times are very short only lasting three weeks. Originating in southeastern Europe lilac flowers are cherished for their beauty and they often represent love and  romance. Enjoy the long days of spring when lilacs are at their peak and take moments to enjoy the beauty and lovely scent of lilacs. Grow some lilacs and watch them put a smile on your face. Lilac Colors: blue; happiness, magenta ; love & passion, violet ; spirituality, white ; innocence & purity

No need to use dairy products when you make brownies. Chocolate lovers can enjoy decadent vegan brownies without the added fat with vegan brownies. Eat dessert first and enjoy vegan brownie moments. Vegan Brownies: Mix together 1 cup of olive oil, 1 cup of flax milk, 1/2 cup of raw sugar, 1/2 cup of baking cocoa powder, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.  Add approximately 2 cups of flour to the mixture and pour the mixture into a baking pan. Put a cup of non dairy chocolate chips into the brownie batter and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.  Once the brownies are completely baked place 1 cup of non dairy chocolate chips over the batter and spread the melted chocolate over the batter with a knife. You can enjoy the vegan brownies warm or cold and brighten your day with tasty and wholesome vegan brownie moments!

Eating healthy is a very good way to live your moments. Many of the Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam eat healthy nutritional food. After a visit to Thailand a few years ago I got inspired to prepare Asian meals a lot. My favorite? A vegetable stir fry. ADRIANNA'S  STIR FRY (made moments ago) Boil one cup of Oriental style noodles (Bahn Pho). Drain the water and than add a handful of fresh chopped broccoli, orange peppers, and some peas. Stir in about 1 cup of coconut milk to the mixture and a tablespoon of green curry paste and allow the entire mixture to cook for a few minutes. Place your stir fry in a bowl and add a dash of cinnamon. (The spice cinnamon is known to help prevent diabetes). Enjoy your stir fry with a cup of green or oolong tea. Happy Asian Stir Fry Moments!

One of the greatest things we can do to serve others is to share advice that can help them along their life journey. Life is full of challenges and it isn't always easy but it helps when we can Focus on ONE thing at a time. Last year while spending time in one of a kind LOS ANGELES I received this very advice from two professors who have really lived life to the fullest. They gave astonishing examples of how   Focusing on ONE thing at a time works for us rather than against us. Success will come when we focus our minds on that one thing we wish to accomplish.   I've had hundreds of moments pass me by filled with exhaustion because I'm just overwhelmed with multi tasking and can't keep up. Yes life has challenges and ups and down but it's much more peaceful to Focus on one thing at a time. The results are priceless. Fill your moments with Focusing on ONE thing at a time!

It's Saint Patricks Day and today I got up early to make a hearty cabbage and pea soup for my loved ones. Wherever you are today I hope your "Irish" moments bring you a pot of gold filled with blessings! Cabbage Soup Slice up lots of red and green cabbage. Place the cabbage in a pot of filtered water (about 4 cups). Cut up three potatoes and put them in the pot with the cabbage. Boil until cabbage and potatoes are soft and tender. Add more water if needed or some pre made vegetable broth. Place one cup of peas into the soup pot and any spices you might like. Enjoy this delicious and healthy soup and may it bring you the luck of the Irish.

                                                        Hand formed artisan bread made with olives. Bread which comes in many forms is one of the oldest foods of the world. From flatbreads to yeasted breads most countries have some sort of bread in their diet (despite the gluten free craze that has hit the Untied States). I've been working for an artisan organic bread company for three years now and am often referred to as "the bread lady." There's northing wrong with eating bread on a daily basis. The French eats their baguettes and croissants, in India naan bread is a staple, pita bread is enjoyed by those living in Middle Eastern counties and eating tortilla's is a tradition in Central America and...

Lemon Curd tastes absolutely divine. I can easily eat spoonful after spoonful right out of the jar.  The lovely England is the the place of origin of "lemon curd" dating back to the early 1800's.  Made with butter, sugar, eggs, lemon oil, and lemon juice, lemon curd is an extraordinary invention.  WILKON & SONS LTD has been making one of the best lemon curds on the planet in Tiptree, Essex England. It can be found in specialty markets in many countries. I myself bought it at a local gourmet shop in the "United States" and my moments have been full of bliss every time I have a spoonful, or tow, or three of WILKON & SONS LTD lemon curd. It's simply marvelous! When life brings you lemons, make lemon curd, and eat lemon curd.  Happy Lemon Curd Moments! WILKON & SONS LTD is extraordinary! www.tiptree.com

Turmeric, is a healing root that should be consumed by all human beings for a multitude of health benefits. One wonderful way to enjoy turmeric is as a beverage called "Golden Milk."It's easy to prepare and its great taste will have you feeling vibrant. Here's a recipe for "GOLDEN MILK" 3 cups flax milk or any non dairy milk 1 tablespoon fresh turmeric root 1 tablespoon fresh ginger root 1 tablespoon coconut oil 2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 teaspoons agave nectar 1/2 cup alkaline water Adjust any of these ingredients to taste Grind turmeric root and ginger close to a fine powder Add all ingredients into a pot to boil Let simmer for at least 10 minutes Use a strainer to pour the golden milk into a cup Enjoy!

The scent of lavender flowers is very soothing to the senses. Its fragrance is calming and gentle and when used as an essential oil on the body it reduces stress. Purple  flowers known as lavender are a flowering plant of the mint family. Lavender's history goes back some 2500 years where it was first used in parts of the Mediterranean, Middle East and India. Walking through lavender fields is one way to enjoy these beautiful flowers. The amazing lavender can also be enjoyed in culinary form to enhance the flavor of baked goods, cheese, desserts, soups, salads, meat, and seafood. Many countries use lavender to make lotion, shampoo, and soap. It's unique fragrance is magical. Take time to enjoy plenty of  "lavender moments." Happy Lavender Moments! Lavender Infused Butter Cookies 1 cup of top quality unsalted butter, softened,  1/2 cup of raw sugar, 1 cup of unbleached white flour, one tablespoon of vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons of culinary lavender f...