MINDFUL MOMENTS

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!