tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84639932826281077362024-02-06T21:04:38.783-08:00Doreen GraceLiving with GraceDoreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-78180160445484689272020-03-11T17:33:00.000-07:002020-04-02T18:26:29.477-07:00Finding Your Purpose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>What are you here for? </b></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Finding your purpose can be confusing and mystifying. But, when you connect your ability, passion, and interests, with what the world needs, you will begin to engage with life at a higher level that is deeply soul-satisfying and fulfilling. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Nailing that sweet spot where your passion, abilities, and personality overlaps with what the world needs can feel like a giant puzzle to piece together! </span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">It often feels like you only get one puzzle piece at a time and no one gave you a picture of what the final image is supposed to look like. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">The Japanese call this sweet spot in the middle “Ikigai,”<b> </b>where your passion, natural ability, and interests overlap in service to others. Ikigai literally means “your reason for living”. If you are still alive there is <i>still</i> a Purpose for your life, even if you are retired from what was your career. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>The way to check and see if you are in that sweet spot, at the center of your Purpose, is to ask yourself these questions: </b></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• What do you love to do? </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• What comes easily to you?</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• What are you good at?</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• What do people ask you for help with?</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">• What are you afraid of?</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">• What Injustice bothers You?</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">• Who do you admire and follow on social media?</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">• What would you do if you knew you were going to die in 3 months?</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">• What would the world look like if it were operating perfectly according to you? </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">In my perfect world, everyone is happy, healthy, whole, and enjoying their life to the full. I enjoy teaching and equipping people with the tools to become the best version of themselves to enjoy their best lives. People ask me to share my tools and I am happy to do so. I find deep satisfaction from helping others enjoy their life to the fullest. </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">If you’ve asked yourself all of those questions and your purpose still feels fuzzy here’s one last question to ask yourself: What is that thing that you think about all the time, but you don’t talk about it publicly yet because you’re still processing it? That could be a clue into your Purpose.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Purpose is not the reason we do something, it is the specific thing that we <i>do.</i> Passion, on the other hand, is the reason <i>why </i>we do what we do.<i> </i>If you don’t have any passion for what you are doing then you won’t stick with it for very long. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">In middle school, I played the flute. I was very talented at playing the flute and it came to me naturally, but I did not <i>enjoy</i> playing the flute. Another girl I knew at church also played the flute. She was less naturally gifted than I, but because she enjoyed it more than I did she practiced more than me. And in time she became a much better flute player than I. My mom was disappointed when I told her I wanted to sell my flute to buy a skateboard. She pointed out that I had much more natural ability and potential than the other girl. But, without any passion, I knew I was never going anywhere with it. So I sold the flute and got a skateboard instead and it was a lot more fun. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Passion is what gives us endurance. Passion is what makes the journey feel like a pleasure. Passion is what enables us to keep going when things become challenging.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>To determine your Passion ask yourself these questions:</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• What makes you light up? </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• What are the things you truly care about? </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• Do you feel energized by what you are doing or do you feel drained by it? </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• Do you feel a sense of “flow” where you lose all track of time? </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• Or are you stressed out and counting down every last second on the clock? </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">• What energizes you and leaves you feeling fully engaged and fully alive? </span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">• What would you do if money were not a factor?</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">My mom taught kindergarten. She loved working with 5-year olds so much that even just strolling through the shopping mall she would light up like a Christmas tree at the sight of a five-year-old that she didn’t even know! She used to claim that all the kindergarten activities we did at home were for the kids or grandkids, but once us kids were all too old and we were <i>still</i> doing puppet shows, crafts with paper plates, and eating <a href="https://doreengrace.blogspot.com/2013/03/moms-pear-bunny-salad.html"><span class="s3" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>pear bunnies</b></span></a><b> </b>with googly eyes and almond ears, it became apparent that my mom just loves kindergarten!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">What makes you light up like that? What does your ideal life look and feel like when it’s in sync with your Purpose? When my life is ideal, I am loving, serving, and adding value to the lives of others. That feels deeply soul-satisfying and fulfilling. Even when I am spent, I still feel energized by what I am doing.</span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">On vacation, I started reading a book called <i>Resilience, Hard-Won Wisdom For Living A Better Life</i> by Eric Greitens. This book documents a series of emails between Greitens, who is a former Navy SEAL, and another one of his former Navy colleagues. Throughout the book, which I haven’t finished reading yet, they discuss why Vets often struggle to flourish after active duty. During their deployment, Vets enjoy a close-knit community and have a deep sense of purpose, but after they return home, although happy to see their family, sleep in their own bed, enjoy a cold beer, and play with their kids again, civilian life eventually begins to feel meaningless. Greitens asserts that resilience, and having </span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">a sense of purpose, are the way to a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.</span><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"><b>We all want that!<br />But, how do you find your Purpose? </b></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Author Joseph Campbell says, “If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">You were born with an inner guidance system that acts much like the GPS in your car or on your phone. First, the GPS determines where you are currently. Then you tell it where you want to go and it gives you instructions on how to get there. To find your purpose listen to your inner GPS and pay attention to the feedback loop between your heart and your gut. To follow your bliss, make a list of all the times you’ve felt the most joy in your life. Then, look for any patterns of all the times you’ve felt joy in the service to others. This is a clue about your Life Purpose. </span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">J</span><span class="s1" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">oy is part of your internal guidance system telling you when you are on course. Noticing the things that bring you the greatest amount of joy and pursuing that further will help you get into alignment with your purpose.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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Some jobs are a good source of income but not all that fulfilling. <span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Your day job may enable you the financial freedom so you can volunteer with a cause that you deeply believe in. </span>Or, you may want to change jobs and find a more fulfilling career. You can choose how you mix and match to create a meaningful life. But, if you are depressed that is one sign that you are out of alignment with your Purpose and you need to make an adjustment.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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In one season your purpose may be tied into your career, but not necessarily. Your Purpose could be to become the best mom or dad you can be. <span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Or to love the people around you and cr</span>eate a spiritual family, or to take care of your aging parents. If you are miserable as a stay at home parent, it may be to focus primarily on career and hire out the child care. I knew a girl who felt pressured by the religious culture to be a Stay-At-Home-Mom, but she was so miserable doing it that she drank heavily and died very young. To fulfill your purpose you may need to disappoint some people and break free of other people’s expectations.</div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Of course, there will be challenges, whatever you choose to do, so you’ll want to lean your ladder on the wall that leads to the most joy. You don’t want to be successful at climbing the wrong wall. If the path you are on begins to harm you or there is no joy, then you need to correct your course.</span> Jim Carey says, <span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">"Depression is your body saying, 'I don't want to be this character anymore. I don't want to hold up this avatar that you've created in the world."<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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If your career is unfulfilling you can always find ways outside of work that will allow you to operate within your Purpose. It could be to volunteer somewhere or become more actively involved in your community. <span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">If there’s one habit to focus on to help you find your Purpose, it is helping others. </span>Purpose is not just about us. Purpose is what we do in the service for others. <span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">It’s what you can do to make the world a little bit better for everyone else too.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Research has found that happiness and meaningfulness overlap, but are <i>slightly</i> different. Happiness is linked to being a <i>taker</i> before a giver. Meaningfulness is more about being a <i>giver</i> than a taker. Being a giver in life creates a more fulfilling life. When you lack purpose you feel unfulfilled. But, that feeling- that something is missing, fades as you lean into your Purpose. </span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">Your purpose may not be just one huge thing. It may be a combination of things that evolve and change throughout the various seasons of your life.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">If Purpose is the <i>what,</i> and passion is the <i>why,</i> then your abilities, talents and natural gifting are the <i>how</i>. </span>Joanna Gains says, <span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">“I truly believe that each human carries a gift - amazing gifts and talents - and we are all carriers of something greater than ourselves. And, when we walk in the fullness of who we are, and we’re not letting insecurity and self-doubt, and all that stuff hinder us, it’s the most beautiful thing.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">What are your unique talents, gifts, and abilities? What are you naturally good at? These gifts give you a clue as to what you’re supposed to be doing. Of course, it takes effort and hard work to develop the skills that may be needed. Even the most talented baseball player still has to practice. But, there are just some things that will come naturally to you. These are a clue to your Purpose. You may need to get the required education, training, or certificates to practice within a particular field, but what you are gifted to do comes naturally with ease and you enjoy the process of learning, developing, and honing these skills. If you focus on the abilities you are naturally bent toward, you can develop any skills necessary to excel in your Purpose. If you can lean into your natural wiring you will not only excel, but you will enjoy also the journey.</span><span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"> </span>As you give of yourself, it will boomerang back to you with increased joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment.<span class="s2" style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"> </span><span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">If you </span>don’t know yet what you want to do in life, just get started somewhere. <span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">You don’t need to completely overhaul your life overnight. Just take one small step at a time and lean into the process. </span>Otherwise, you’re going to miss it. But if you step out in faith and are making strides forward, listen to your heart, f<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">ollow your bliss, and let joy be your guide. </span>If you’re sitting around waiting for the perfect scenario before you get started, then you will miss it. <span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">Passion plus action creates a Purposeful Life. When you find your purpose, you will feel fully alive. And, what the world needs most is more people who are fully alive!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-kerning: none;">If you’d like individual coaching to help you figure out the puzzle pieces to your Purpose, message me <b><a href="https://doreengracekester.com/front-page-2/contact/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</b> I’d be happy to help you sort through the pieces to your puzzle and create an action plan to help you find your purpose.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<br />Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-10785066409288644142020-01-04T09:56:00.001-08:002020-01-04T10:36:18.422-08:0010 Ways to Elevate<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: ProximaNova-Regular, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; margin-bottom: 10px; outline: none !important; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Feeling like you need a little LIFT after the holidays?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To deal with the everyday stressors of life in a balanced way we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle that will release more feel-good chemicals such as dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These chemicals help us to relax and enable us to deal with difficult people, challenges at work, conflicts in relationships, traffic jams, etc.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ongoing stress activates the fight-or-flight response in our nervous system. This produces cortisol and other stress hormones. That's great if you are being chased by a cougar and need a quick burst of adrenaline to leap over a fence and escape. But, on a day-to-day basis, it is not good to continually overproduce high levels of cortisol. Too much cortisol can disrupt our body's processes and systems. It can make us moody, agitated, depressed, or short-tempered, among other things.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Mayo Clinic explains it like this: "Your brain comes hardwired with an alarm system for your protection. When your brain perceives a threat, your body releases a burst of hormones to fuel your fight-or-flight response. When the threat is gone, your body returns to normal. Unfortunately, the nonstop stress of modern life means your alarm system rarely shuts off."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So how do we compensate?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Get plenty of sleep - at least 7 hours each night.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Decrease processed foods and refined sugars, increase plants and probiotics.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Exercise 30 minutes/day to get the heart rate up.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Practice relaxation techniques such as breathwork, mindfulness, & meditation.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Unplug and spend time in nature.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Cultivate your faith and renew your mind.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Take time for hobbies such as reading a book or listening to music.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Spend time with good friends and in healthy community.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Smile and laugh - - even when there are no jokes!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Give, serve, & volunteer.<span data-redactor-span="true" data-redactor-style-cache="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><span data-redactor-span="true" data-redactor-style-cache="font-size: 18px;" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none !important;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none !important;" />The rewards for ELEVATING your nervous system's chemistry are increased peace, added patience, better health, and a longer, happier, more JOY filled life! </span></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Need help integrating some of these healthy habits into your daily routine? <span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: none;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial;">The 2020 Vision Planner</span></span> is chock full of science-backed prompts to help you cast a vision and stay on track all year. You can grab it on</span> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1088503896/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0?tag=none" target="_blank"><b>Amazon</b></a>.</span></div>
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<span class="ng-binding" ng-bind-html="display.value | unsafe" style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wishing you much joy, health, and happiness!</span></div>
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<span class="ng-binding" ng-bind-html="display.value | unsafe" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">Doreen</span></span><br />
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<span class="ng-binding" ng-bind-html="display.value | unsafe" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1088503896/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0?tag=none" target="_blank">THE 2020 VISION PLANNER</a></b></span></div>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-55061167142274179532019-12-05T07:30:00.000-08:002019-12-13T10:07:10.496-08:00BOUNCE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Resilience is the ability to BOUNCE back from trauma, failure, setbacks, or disappointments. It’s mental toughness to endure in the face of <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">enormous</em> challenges. Resilience is the grit and glue that enables us to hold on and press in when others with less mental fortitude would fold up or cave in. So, how do we BOUNCE?</div>
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In the book, <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://amzn.to/315JrHg" href="https://amzn.to/315JrHg" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Man’s Search for Meaning</strong>,</a> author and psychologist Viktor Frankl details his harrowing experience while interned in a Nazi concentration camp. Frankl turned his imprisonment into a case study. He researched what caused some fellow detainees to grab onto the electric fence and commit suicide while others who were more resilient grabbed onto hope instead. He discovered that one’s motivation to act stems from their own definition of life’s meaning.</div>
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There is a success formula that increases resilience: E+R=O.</div>
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“E” stands for the “events” that happen in our lives. We often have little control over many things that occur in our environment. Some things are pleasant; others are tragic and painful. Either way, some things are just beyond our control.</div>
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“R” stands for our “response” to the events. We can determine the course of our own lives by how we respond to the things that happen that we can’t control. Resilient people focus on those things they <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">can</em> control. Things like thoughts, beliefs, values, dreams, goals, choices, and habits.</div>
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“O” stands for the “outcome” that is created as a result of the events combined with our response. The outcomes we experience are the sum total of how we choose to respond to the events in our lives. We can learn from the past as a lesson, but other than that, we just have to keep going.</div>
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Resilient people focus on <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">where</em> they are going more than where they have been. They don’t let the past limit their future. And, they don’t wait for their circumstances to align before they begin to enjoy life. Owning our response leads to personal freedom, success, fulfillment, health, and happiness.</div>
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Thankfully, we are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. It’s like a muscle that can be built and strengthened. One of the most <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/how-to-be-more-resilient-when-things-get-tough.html" href="https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/how-to-be-more-resilient-when-things-get-tough.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">valuable tools</strong></a> for developing resilience is a positive mental attitude. Resilient people view difficulties as challenges instead of obstacles. They see failures as opportunities for growth and mistakes are viewed as lessons to be learned.</div>
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BOUNCE is a choice and there is a process. We choose our thoughts. And, our thoughts become our beliefs. Our beliefs determine our attitudes. Our attitudes affect our decisions. And, our decisions make our lives. Each of us has the power to decide what kind of person we will be.</div>
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We can even redesign our personality and rewrite our history. <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2010/06/04/memory-is-fiction" href="https://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2010/06/04/memory-is-fiction" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Memories are often more fiction</strong></a> than actual facts. And, we are the author who holds both the pencil and the eraser. We decide which facts are important to us and which facts are not. We can rewrite the past, as well as create our own future, by how we frame things up, similar to a <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.goodreads.com/genres/choose-your-own-adventure" href="https://www.goodreads.com/genres/choose-your-own-adventure" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">Choose Your Own Adventure</strong></a> story. Whatever we focus on expands.</div>
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If we wait for everything to straighten out before we allow ourselves to enjoy life, we might spend our whole lives waiting. Instead, we can train our minds to enjoy the life we currently have regardless of our circumstances.</div>
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I have a friend who was diagnosed with colon cancer in his thirties, not once but <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">twice</em>. Too sick to play with his three-year-old daughter, or care for his newborn baby, he lay on the couch watching movies as he contemplated his own epitaph. Then, a line from The Shawshank Redemption changed the course of his life forever: “Get busy living or get busy dying.” Sick as he was, he dragged himself off the couch and began to play ball with his daughter. That was the beginning of his turnaround. He fully recovered and now counsels others who have the same rare form of cancer. Now he probably has the most <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">joie de verve</em> of anyone I’ve ever met!</div>
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I was also diagnosed with a life-threatening form of skin cancer in my thirties while raising a young daughter. One of my life mottos became: “I don’t need to get sick to start living.” Now I hardly ever even catch a cold. This is just one of the many ways I have had to BOUNCE.</div>
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Healthy self-talk resets the mindset and liberates us from limiting beliefs. Sometimes the biggest bully is the one in our own head. We beat ourselves up and we say things to ourselves that we would never say to our friends. We need to talk to ourselves the same way, with compassion and kindness, like we would to our friends.</div>
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<a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://time.com/magazine/us/4547305/november-7th-2016-vol-188-no-19-u-s/" href="https://time.com/magazine/us/4547305/november-7th-2016-vol-188-no-19-u-s/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">They say</strong></a> teens today are more anxious, depressed, suicidal, fragile, and less resilient than previous generations. If you are a parent, you can teach your kids resilience by teaching them how to be aware of their thoughts. Whenever they find themselves thinking critical thoughts toward themselves they can record over it with kind words instead.</div>
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Resilient people cultivate joy independent of any outside circumstances. When faced with adversity we all have a choice: will we complain and remain… or will we BOUNCE?</div>
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I HOPE YOU BOUNCE!</div>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-48194230363470902622019-11-19T17:22:00.005-08:002019-11-19T18:00:51.322-08:00Wholehearted Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Is There a Formula for Wholehearted Living?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">In the book </span><strong style="font-size: 16px;"><a data-link-id="294286010" href="https://amzn.to/2qG0kYx?&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=is_there_a_formula_for_wholehearted_living&utm_term=2019-11-19" style="color: #4998a1; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank">Daring Greatly</a>,</strong><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Dr. Brene' Brown tells how she was researching vulnerability, fear, and shame when she accidentally stumbled upon a discovery that was about to unravel her life. According to Brene's research, she uncovered a pattern of thriving in life that she later defined as "</span><em style="font-size: 16px;">Wholehearted Living."</em></div>
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />Brene says, "<em>Wholehearted Living is</em> engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, no matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough."<br /><br />This discovery set Brene' on a two-year quest to reset her priorities and redesign her life for deeper meaning and fulfillment.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Below are Brene's findings as to what Wholehearted people do differently and how we can cultivate a more Wholehearted and fulfilling life for ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Need help to cultivate your own Wholehearted Living? <strong><a data-link-id="294286014" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1088503896/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0?tag=none&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=is_there_a_formula_for_wholehearted_living&utm_term=2019-11-19" style="color: #4998a1; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank">The 2020 Vision Planner</a></strong> is chock full of science-backed prompts to help keep you on track all year. Available on <strong><a data-link-id="294286016" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1088503896/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0?tag=none&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=is_there_a_formula_for_wholehearted_living&utm_term=2019-11-19" style="color: #4998a1; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></strong> now.<br /><br />And save the receipt! That's your ticket into <a data-link-id="294286018" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2128672424105957/?&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=is_there_a_formula_for_wholehearted_living&utm_term=2019-11-19" style="color: #4998a1; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank"><strong>The Vision Mastermind</strong></a> for additional coaching and support to ensure your success (<a data-link-id="294286020" href="https://doreengracekester.com/coaching/?&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=is_there_a_formula_for_wholehearted_living&utm_term=2019-11-19" style="color: #4998a1; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank"><strong>Learn More</strong></a>).</span></div>
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<em>“I wish for you a life of wealth, health and happiness; a life in which you give to yourself the gift of patience, the virtue of reason, the value of knowledge, and the influence of faith in your own ability to dream about and to achieve worthy rewards.” – Jim Rohn</em></div>
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<tr><td align="center" class="bodyTitle" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 30px; text-align: center; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Have You Heard About The Soul Spa Podcast?</td></tr>
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Subscribe to The Soul Spa Podcast on <a data-link-id="294286032" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-soul-spa-podcast/id1481732187?&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=is_there_a_formula_for_wholehearted_living&utm_term=2019-11-19" style="color: #4998a1; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank"><strong>iTunes</strong></a> and automatically receive the latest episode as soon as it is released. And, if you’ve enjoyed The Soul Spa Podcast, I invite you to leave a rating and review on iTunes. I’d love to hear what your favorite part was and welcome any feedback. Many thanks for listening!<a data-link-id="294286034" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-soul-spa-podcast/id1481732187?&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=is_there_a_formula_for_wholehearted_living&utm_term=2019-11-19" style="color: #4998a1; text-size-adjust: 100%; word-break: break-word;" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Wishing you much joy, health, and happiness in the year ahead!<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">— </span>Doreen</span></div>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-26886744372488858662019-11-06T12:17:00.001-08:002019-11-06T13:21:06.855-08:00Benefits of Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqouI2AwfLtrSOU7rWcyuNHUUBXJuJlKtkFoNN2t-OOodsBMSfqVxPrRxhD7zUlx4fOsqN-ByLUN01PSzyIQfhe1-005kHivNepwGqbWnngB8nK9MOK9HL09oHt6FakoWzkQsb8zgsUQY/s1600/alex-geerts-NuO6iTBkHxE-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqouI2AwfLtrSOU7rWcyuNHUUBXJuJlKtkFoNN2t-OOodsBMSfqVxPrRxhD7zUlx4fOsqN-ByLUN01PSzyIQfhe1-005kHivNepwGqbWnngB8nK9MOK9HL09oHt6FakoWzkQsb8zgsUQY/s640/alex-geerts-NuO6iTBkHxE-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">As November kicks off the holiday season with feasting and family gatherings, for many this time of year can be tinged with stress, anxiety, sadness, or depression. The simple practice of GRATITUDE can help reduce anxiety and stress surrounding the holidays. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;"><b>Here are a few other AMAZING benefits of practicing gratitude:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">• Gratitude improves physical health.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">• Gratitude improves psychological health.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">• Gratitude improves relationships.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">• Gratitude improves sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">• Gratitude reduces stress, anxiety, and PTSD.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">• Gratitude increases longevity, joy, and happiness.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><b>So, how do we practice more gratitude?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: normal;">• Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself feel happier and nurture relationships by writing a thank-you letter expressing appreciation for someone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Thank someone mentally. No time to write a letter? Simply thinking about someone who has done something nice for you, and silently thanking them is a great way to practice gratitude.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Keep a gratitude journal. Write down the highlights of your day, the moments you've savored, and all the blessings you've received. Keeping a record a loved one's good deeds increases feelings of appreciation and deepens your connection.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">• Pray and meditate. Focus on what you're grateful for and allow your heart to expand with joy as you give thanks. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-soul-spa-podcast/id1481732187" target="_blank">Listen on iTunes</a></span></span></b></h3>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-soul-spa-podcast/id1481732187" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cyBYk08xgbpd3sqNjy2_Hvg_IIShPymlD-eNj_BZqksQkrofXwK0Y5ize4XzuDGPcTR0PACKNie7tMQ4jDxq8OT1qpHqwRM71VTpyHzx_SRFQE70kjL_mcyrGzh4nhLWKhkIGuFcQ5Q/s640/November+Newsletter+Art.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">AND SAVE THE RECEIPT!</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s4"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">That's your ticket into the 2020 Vision Mastermind group!</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Each month will be chock-full of integrative strategies, techniques, tools, and shortcuts to map out the way to help you reach that next level of health, happiness, soul-prosperity, and success that you have always dreamed of.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s5"><a href="http://doreengracekester.com/the-vision-mastermind/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">You Can Learn More About The Vision Mastermind Here</span><span class="s6"></span></b></span></a></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Wishing you much joy, health, and happiness in the year ahead!</span></span></div>
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</style>Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-47138898741245083572019-09-04T17:39:00.000-07:002019-10-04T14:54:11.387-07:00WONDER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND2SYJg6oTat6CM0D2xzPGFbqbA6K9XiPZ3u3BeRYd2RDvR1vVX7q8roh9sv8ryNlKifAyh3_esS9Gp-m7xYVynTm4ffPV1GGCccfZ8IIN1q6Jb1X2i1Cyh8n8t7QqdZy0e9JggoRkrg/s1600/Wonder+Balloons+Featured+Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1500" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiND2SYJg6oTat6CM0D2xzPGFbqbA6K9XiPZ3u3BeRYd2RDvR1vVX7q8roh9sv8ryNlKifAyh3_esS9Gp-m7xYVynTm4ffPV1GGCccfZ8IIN1q6Jb1X2i1Cyh8n8t7QqdZy0e9JggoRkrg/s640/Wonder+Balloons+Featured+Image+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2007, Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post, collapsed from exhaustion, fractured her cheekbone, and nearly bled to death. She had been working eighteen hours a day, seven days a week, for two years in order to succeed in the news industry. As she recuperated in the hospital Arianna had a lot of time to question the workaholic lifestyle that had resulted in her burnout. She realized “success” wasn’t about money and power, but about thriving and creating a happier life you enjoy. Money and power were only a two-legged stool that had toppled over. Arianna wanted a more balanced life and set out to shift the workaholic culture and redefine success so it would allow people to thrive, focused on Wellbeing, Wisdom, Giving, and . . . Wonder."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What is wonder? Wonder is the intoxicating feeling of awe, amazement, or astonishment as we behold something beautiful or something unexpected. It’s curiosity, doubt, or uncertainty in the unfolding of a brave new adventure. Wonder is any experience that reveals the human spirit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like a toddler at the county fair with sticky lips covered in pink spun sugar and eyes open wide like saucers as they take their first taste of cotton candy, Wonder is a delightful sensation. And, like the marvel of a fuzzy newborn puppy curled up in your lap, Wonder opens the heart. Wonder is like chocolate icing on a vanilla cupcake. It’s not something we need in order to survive, but it adds delicious flavor and texture to the quality of our lives. Wonder is an essential ingredient in order to thrive. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />With Love & Light,</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doreen</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-41818500440016526702019-05-09T01:00:00.000-07:002019-10-01T13:54:35.755-07:00The Secret Cave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://illumine.collectivelight.org/" target="_blank">The story Below was featured in Illumine</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "montserrat" , sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 1px; text-transform: uppercase;"> THE SECRET CAVE</span></span></h1>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Nick reached across his nightstand to silence the alarm. He could hear Caroline in the bathroom singing along with the shower radio he’d given her for Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “You got me workin’ day and night. And I’ll be workin’ from sunup to midnight …”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Nick joined in the chorus as he threw on his slacks and buttoned up an oxford shirt. Then, he grabbed his phone from the charger. With clients in twenty-four different time zones, dozens of new emails and voice messages flooded his inbox each night. Nick’s thumbs flew into motion as he typed, <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Cave @ 5:30</em> directly under a reminder to schedule a 7-year check-up for the twins.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> A quick stop at the drive-through for a triple mocha and Nick was on his way. He fumbled with the dials as he kept his eyes on the road. During his two-hour commute, last year alone he’d completed thirty-one Marketing Masters podcasts, forty-five audiobooks, and maintained his Start Your Day Right reading plan, without missing a day, except when the twins were sick. Nick slowed as traffic merged. Orange cones announced a lane closure up ahead. He glanced at the clock. At this rate, his first appointment would already be waiting when he arrived. That would throw his entire day into overdrive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As he took the elevator up to the fifth floor, Nick checked his calendar again. Three meetings, two in the morning, one in the afternoon. He would have to get a jumpstart on the proposal for Idea-X1 before the second meeting or he’d miss the deadline. Elevator doors slid open and he hurried down the marble hall. He wondered how he’d ever make it to The Cave<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </em>tonight.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> On the way home, Nick finished another Marketing Masters podcast, then set up the doctor’s appointment for the twins on speakerphone. As he rounded the cul-de-sac, there was the familiar two-story, brick, colonial with Jaxon in the driveway.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Thump, thump, thump. </em>Jaxon took aim then, hurled a ball that bounced off the backboard. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Bam! </em>The house rattled and windows shook as the ball ricocheted off the garage door.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Haha, Jaxon missed again!” Harper and Addison bobbed up and down on the trampoline behind the fence.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Daaaad, the girls won’t leave me alone,” Jaxon pounded his ball into the pavement.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Nick grabbed the ball and fake passed to the twins on the trampoline, then tossed it back to Jaxon who slammed it through the net. “Let it make you even stronger, Jaxon.” He grabbed his computer and headed inside. Caroline was working late, so it was his turn to cook again. Nick tossed his keys on the counter and checked the fridge for a dinner kit. “Yes!” He grabbed a pot from the cupboard and filled it with water.</span></div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “This just in, twelve kittens were found abandoned in a dumpster . . .”</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Nick clicked the remote to shut off the t.v. and pulled out a cutting board. He checked the clock on the microwave. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">5:15.</em> If he hurried he could still make it to The Cave<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </em>before dinner. He chopped the carrots into little rounds then checked the recipe that came in the box. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Julienne?</em> Nick tossed the recipe card into the trash and continued to chop.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “GRRR,” Addison crawled through the kitchen with a dinosaur robot wrapped around her forefinger.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “GRRR,” the toy growled back.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Harper jumped out from her hiding spot behind the sofa and grabbed the dino.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Hey, that’s mine -” Addison shouted. “Waaaaah!” She ran over to the sectional and buried her head in a pillow.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Harper!” Nick dropped the wooden spoon and pad Thai noodles spattered across the wood floor. He grabbed a sponge and sighed, knowing The Cave would have to wait.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “What happened in here?” Caroline set her laptop on the counter and surveyed the mess, brown eyes wide.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Just making dinner.” Nick leaned in for a kiss, but a stray rice noodle fell from the ceiling and landed on his head.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Caroline pulled the sticky noodle from his brown trusses and tossed it into the sink, her hands now covered in sticky sauce. “How do you cook like an Iron Chef and still manage to stay calm in all this chaos? She raised an eyebrow. “Is it <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Cave</em>?”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Nick passed her a paper towel and grinned with a sly smile. “No, it’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The River</em>.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Caroline chuckled. “I’ll call Zip-Thai for delivery and the kids can clean up after dinner.” She patted his shoulder.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Zip-Thai sounds better than <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">floor</em> Thai,” Jaxon chimed from the hall.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> After dinner, Nick climbed the steps to The Cave and slipped into the faux suede recliner. With both feet in front of him, he leaned back and the lounger sprang to life. “Aaaah!” He sank into the taupe upholstery and drew in a breath, then let it out. He inhaled again, but this time more deeply. He exhaled again, slower. One more deep breath, then out again. Nick closed his eyes and let his head sink deep into the headrest. He imagined the scent of real leather, even though it was just microfiber. He could still see his to-do list etched into the back of his eyelids. “Shalom,” Nick breathed in, then out again. He wasn’t Jewish, but he hoped that incorporating a few solemn Hebrew words would add an element of sacredness to his practice. The work left undone on his computer continued to tug and pull for his attention. “Shalom,” Nick breathed in, then out again. Like a sailor standing on the shore, he watched as boats of distraction floated by. The tick of the clock on the wall reminded him he was still in his den. Nick opened one eye to peek at the clock. He shut his eyes tight again, then waited. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">I wonder what the Ducks final score was?</em> “Shalom,” he whispered when he realized he’d drifted again. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Then, there it was . . . <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Peace</em>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Nick took a deep drink from The River and soaked in the sweet communion. He hoped for some sort of revelation, vision, or inner whisper. He shifted his weight in the chair. “Ruach Hakodesh.” He had no idea how to pronounce this strange new Hebrew phrase he’d read on Instagram, but he tried anyway. “Wind, breath, glory, Spirit of the Holy Place . . .” he pondered how all that could fit into two tiny words. “Ruach Hakodesh.” Nick noticed his thoughts shift. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Addison needs extra time and attention.</em> He glanced at the clock. It was almost bedtime for the kids.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Just then, Addison poked her head around the corner. “Dad, can you come read me a lion story?”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Sure, Addi-.” Nick pressed the button on his side panel. As the recliner folded down, all the cares in the world seemed to fold up with it. He grinned as he headed downstairs, one hand wrapped around his daughter’s. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Addi curled up on the sofa in her favorite blue blanket and leaned against Nick’s shoulder.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> He opened the book and read the first line. “The lion lived in a great big cave . . .”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Love & Light,</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doreen</span><br />
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-12009782129729779812019-04-30T00:00:00.000-07:002019-11-16T21:15:04.401-08:00Stillness<span style="color: #444444;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-266231f9-7fff-8234-4d05-8235f4bf6f11" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As w</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">e are bombarded throughout our day with text messages, notifications, emails, blinking ads, and long hours of screen time that cause eye strain and neck pain, with unlimited access to endless information at our fingertips and constant connection to everyone we’ve ever met since kindergarten, this overload of stimuli can lead to FOMO (fear of missing out) which has been shown to increase anxiety, depression, and even suicide. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the midst of this digital age, Stillness is more relevant, but also more elusive than ever. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s no wonder the current dress-for-success uniform is to wear the same thing every day and the latest trends in home decor are white walls and uncluttered minimalism. In this visual jungle of data, where life seems busier than ever and information travels at the speed of light, we crave</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> calm</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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But, the moment we set out to be still, the chatter of the mind fights for attention and endless distractions wrestle with our resolve. And, before we can even down the avo toast with a swig of coffee, how many times have we already googled something?</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope this sheds some incandescence on the intrinsic and enduring value of Stillness to inspire your practice.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Love & Light,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doreen</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFHyMsEv7I3xBSJLe4cLDXCwPnTQRe48A90jF8Agg-oinZcQfNKcxPsV4FPsqy6z_JapSLi1nknhfIbkWBGYm_l9QvJldBfGReqeGjiKdQZIcrpBs7Rqd83osA99WQDquEb91EiJRmSQ/s1600/Grand+Canyon+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFHyMsEv7I3xBSJLe4cLDXCwPnTQRe48A90jF8Agg-oinZcQfNKcxPsV4FPsqy6z_JapSLi1nknhfIbkWBGYm_l9QvJldBfGReqeGjiKdQZIcrpBs7Rqd83osA99WQDquEb91EiJRmSQ/s640/Grand+Canyon+2019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I peered over the edge of the Grand Canyon for the first time, borrowed backpack on and a pair of shiny new hiking shoes tied in a double knot, it was intimidating, to say the least. I had never hiked anything this <i>HUGE </i>before. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All I could see from the top was a tiny, winding ribbon of dusty trail that zigzagged across a flat </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">shelf dotted with sagebrush and cottonwood. I couldn't see the bottom and the path </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">appeared to </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">abruptly</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">drop off into a terrifying abyss. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, loaded up with Gatorade and Cheez-its, I started out, one small step at a time. Soon I forgot all about the pending chasm that lay up ahead and relaxed enough to enjoy the scenery and soak up the breathtaking views. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An hour into the trek, I stopped to look back over my shoulder to see how far I'd come and was amazed to find t</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he view had now reversed! </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ledge that once appeared to drop off into a bottomless crack mysteriously smoothed out in front of us and each bend unfolded into a series of switchbacks carved into the sheer cliffside that made it easy to descend. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before I knew it, </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was at the bottom of the canyon sipping ice cold lemonade and ready to do it again. Now we have returned many times. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">But, that first day at the canyon, when I faced my fear and did it afraid, I learned that we <i>can</i> do hard things that look really big. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">All</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> that is required is we take one small step at a time.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One Small Step at a Time.</b><br />
<b style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's one big dream, goal, or new habit you'd like to accomplish?</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, what's one small step you can take to begin today?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gBmodVySEzhD4yR4Pfi4cVjTDqMbTFE5jZJHZ27WuduD7pdXGSVjMKzMq3z-2S_yfj_1MhJC5nEPzq1rnPE9fLtzNm7n_O4d7PraZlg6GMaox8lWjxChyphenhyphen5APWeZKNwERWHEtj1u-Ko0/s1600/Grand+Canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gBmodVySEzhD4yR4Pfi4cVjTDqMbTFE5jZJHZ27WuduD7pdXGSVjMKzMq3z-2S_yfj_1MhJC5nEPzq1rnPE9fLtzNm7n_O4d7PraZlg6GMaox8lWjxChyphenhyphen5APWeZKNwERWHEtj1u-Ko0/s640/Grand+Canyon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">With Love & Light, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doreen</span></div>
Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-49812198632058151902019-04-14T16:47:00.000-07:002020-01-04T10:43:31.263-08:00Twins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdEy8X5ogvpPahg0vBckSKGsk5I18JSUdvGTtvHbPFPEZGD_JFlwCkg4CQ60-PPFJ0R0-XRCt9Go-QlLivWMc1iCZavs9I3UMbEZwlpytL9T56pNFbxZnIdn3-LUT0fhdnVswYh2dKQs/s1600/Kester%252C+D+Illumine+Vol+1+Artwork+Spiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdEy8X5ogvpPahg0vBckSKGsk5I18JSUdvGTtvHbPFPEZGD_JFlwCkg4CQ60-PPFJ0R0-XRCt9Go-QlLivWMc1iCZavs9I3UMbEZwlpytL9T56pNFbxZnIdn3-LUT0fhdnVswYh2dKQs/s640/Kester%252C+D+Illumine+Vol+1+Artwork+Spiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">TWINS</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #707070; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">by Doreen Grace Kester</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Two twins went to sleep one night.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">One dreamed of the future.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The other dreamed of the past.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">One twin jumped onto a cruise ship.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The other joined a battleship.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">As neurons fired and wired on both vessels,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The twins began to shift and split,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">New scripts created new realities.</span><br />
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<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">On the cruise ship, one twin danced and sang.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">New dreams filled the heart with hope.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Gratitude spilled over into joy,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Which made a life well-lived.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The other twin sat in ashes,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Wallowed in self-pity and blamed others,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">They held on tight to injustice and bitterness,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Then grew ill from broken heartedness,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Until waves of regret swallowed their boat,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And the twin drowned in sorrow.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Within the imagination,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Parallel universes exist,</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And I get to choose:</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #545454; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Which of the two twins will I be?</span>Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-23359237374441123862019-01-31T15:00:00.000-08:002019-09-24T14:04:06.373-07:00Imagine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNZ7NHk9uyGSG8q9XK-57F827aE2qPBsTnLQmHCPCrIhNQdnzoqmMLtJLO2NZ4HX_aCvSHoiYXCwiaghahXrT7BhIPws1aca0y0npuFBtuVqNfYhFq2WyX63NfVrXyLi8kGDJPmSYnuQ/s1600/Vol+1+-+PR+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNZ7NHk9uyGSG8q9XK-57F827aE2qPBsTnLQmHCPCrIhNQdnzoqmMLtJLO2NZ4HX_aCvSHoiYXCwiaghahXrT7BhIPws1aca0y0npuFBtuVqNfYhFq2WyX63NfVrXyLi8kGDJPmSYnuQ/s640/Vol+1+-+PR+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When author and illustrator </span><a href="http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Eric Carle</a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> grew up in Nazi Germany, his art teacher revealed a secret trove of forbidden paintings he had stashed away for safekeeping. “Degenerate” this style of art was called, with its playful brushstrokes, whimsical colors, and exaggerated proportions. Abstract art was to be shunned and destroyed during this dark period in history. And, art teachers were only allowed to teach realistic art. But, as Carle studied one painting of an innocuous blue horse, he was awestruck by the image stretched across the canvas. It stirred his soul and later inspired the classic tale of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and more recently, his book The Artist Who Painted A Blue Horse. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Artwork and stories have a powerful way of giving us wings. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Through our imagination, we can sail to the moon in a wooden shoe or dive deep into the sea to hunt for gold doubloons. We can travel to fantastical lands filled with glittery wood nymphs and fairies or discover uncharted planets inhabited by aliens. Through story, we can become a ballerina, study ancient pyramids or even throw the first pitch at the World Series. Heroes and heroines, cliffhangers and comedies, romance and dramas, with each subtle plot twist or turn, the imagery in our mind takes on a life of its own. Whether fantasy, sci-fi, fiction, or true story, as we imagine each scene in living color, a spark ignites, creativity unlocks, and dominoes of possibility fall into place. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When creativity is unleashed, we can access solutions and explore new ideas. We can dream up witty inventions, and solve world problems. Emancipated from coloring inside the lines, we soon realize that if a blue horse is possible, then anything is possible for us too! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine that!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">with love & light,</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Doreen</span></div>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-48092514294154890132018-12-08T15:12:00.000-08:002018-12-15T09:57:19.570-08:00Year-End Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">As the year draws to a
close, and we reflect on our accomplishments to clarify our vision for the year
ahead and set new goals, it's tempting to focus on the gap between where
we are and where we want to be, especially if the past year didn't go quite as
we had planned. </span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I had planned to finish another book this year then try to find
a good home for it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I feel a wave of sadness as I write that sentence. Last
February, we came home from a two-week vacation to find our new house flooded
with 119,000 gallons of water from a broken pipe under the kitchen sink. We
then spent half the year living in a hotel during the restoration. Sure, it was
nice to redecorate and get some new stuff, and we met a lot of wonderful people
along the way. But, it definitely wasn't the way I had hoped to kick off the New
Year. </span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I did eventually finish the manuscript I was working
on like I had planned, but I didn't close the book deal with that
agent I was working with, although I got really close this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Success-Principles-How-Where-Want/dp/0060594888/ref=sr_1_7?tag=none" target="_blank">success coach</a>
says, "N</span><span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "arial";">o matter how “bad” you believe this year has
been, I guarantee it has been better than you think. And no matter how much (or
little) you think you’ve accomplished in the past twelve months, I guarantee
you’ve achieved more than you know!" </span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: "arial";">Canfield
goes on to list several accomplishments to take stock in during your
year-end evaluation process that I hadn't considered:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 46.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 46.0pt; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Successfully dealt with an unexpected
challenge</span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 46.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 46.0pt; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Experienced pure joy</span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 46.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 46.0pt; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Lifted someone else up</span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Cleaned up a “mess” in your life</span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Dared to dream big</span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 46.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 46.0pt; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Felt deep peace and contentment</span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Made the world just a little bit better in
some way </span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "symbol";"> </span></span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">"By taking stock of these moments, you
remind yourself that THIS is the kind of person you are -- and that these are
the experiences you want MORE of in your life!" </span></b><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">- Jack Canfield</span></b><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Canfield's
words flipped my glass from half empty to half-full. I suddenly realized just
how much I have accomplished this past year. And, instead of time wasted, I see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">growth.</i></span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Wishing
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</style>Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-69121129987678167542018-01-16T08:23:00.005-08:002022-03-09T17:01:24.734-08:00Oyster Mushroom Quinoa<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-ingredients" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 1.25em; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Back-Roots-Organic-Mushroom-Packaging/dp/B00CD0KZ78/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1516060751&sr=8-1&keywords=oyster%2Bmushrooms%2Bback%2Bto%2Byour%2Broots&th=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnbKUjAY9Gn6gMeF5lGICfVKCJhPBiqmJivy5D-oDvBC5TEgihMthYk5uFLNmp-DXaE4JYLXfFy89-BxoNASA_b6i9Gh98y3EtXnk4Vwo9I8HgrQAPmU2DrwnaetjxQBnEgA8uFGBUO8/s640/Organic+Mushroom+Kit+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Back-Roots-Organic-Mushroom-Packaging/dp/B00CD0KZ78/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1516060751&sr=8-1&keywords=oyster%2Bmushrooms%2Bback%2Bto%2Byour%2Broots&th=1" target="_blank"><br /></a> It came in a box. We peeled back the perforated panel and cut slits into the plastic liner, just like they said. We removed the inner block, scraped through the paste, and immersed the particle wood face down in a bowl of water to activate the spores. The package said to let it soak for six hours. But, we accidentally forgot about it until the next morning. We placed the slab back inside its cardboard case and spritzed the cavernous hole with a water mister every time we passed by.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">At first, the blooms were grey and scary, like something you'd rather squirt with bleach if you found it in the shower. But then, the tiniest little footstools began to take shape. About ten days passed and new growth began to slow. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><b>We began to dream of what we would make ...</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij53yjz5wNwE2O5AE3zj2rYc3oIllF2obHtQpI4P-h1HY9PMCNMNpGhMXfGHq_EkVSTXcZrOhQ8yZzpKRcANfic9pPIn0tvHyihERpGpbSQFUY5cwqiJnpuncTVNPJgcgvP6Jgh54UEug/s1600/Oyster+Mushroom+3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij53yjz5wNwE2O5AE3zj2rYc3oIllF2obHtQpI4P-h1HY9PMCNMNpGhMXfGHq_EkVSTXcZrOhQ8yZzpKRcANfic9pPIn0tvHyihERpGpbSQFUY5cwqiJnpuncTVNPJgcgvP6Jgh54UEug/s640/Oyster+Mushroom+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="text-align: start;">The flavor of oyster mushrooms is beyond the best! </span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="text-align: start;">(I used to hate mushrooms as a kid so my mom might be surprised to read this.)</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span> <b><br /></b></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;"><b>Oyster Mushroom Quinoa Recipe</b></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 1.25em;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></span><br />
<ul data-spx-slot="1" id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.5em; list-style: none; margin: 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2.4em; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">1 Cup Quinoa </span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">2 Cups Water </span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">2 Tablespoons Parsley</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">1/4 teaspoon Salt</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">1 Tablespoon Olive Oil</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;">1 Stipe Length of Chopped </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Back-Roots-Mushroom-Mushrooms-Gardening/dp/B00CD0KZ78/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?tag=none" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1323682208"></span>Oyster Mushrooms</a></span><span id="goog_1323682209" style="color: #666666;"></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">1 Cup Chopped Portobello Mushrooms</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">4 Cloves Minced Garlic</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">5 Sliced Green Onion Shoots</span></li>
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<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-size: 1.25em; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">Instructions:</span></div>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">1. In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil, then add 1 cup quinoa. Add salt and parsley as water comes to a boil. Cover with a lid and turn heat to low, then s</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">immer for 15 minutes. </span></div>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Chop mushrooms and dice garlic, then add to heated pan. Saute' on medium for 3 minutes, stirring with a spatula. Cover with a lid and cook for 7 minutes more, stirring occasionally. (I</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">f there is still fluid in the pan, c</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">ook uncovered for a couple of extra minutes.) Add half the green onions and stir for one minute more. </span></div>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">3. Place quinoa in a large serving bowl then, add the mushroom mixture on top</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">. Sprinkle with remaining green onions. Salt and pepper to taste.</span></div>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;"><b><br />Bon Appetite!</b></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">• Makes 2 entree servings or 4 side dish servings.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;">The </span><span style="color: #666666;">Oyster Mushroom Kit</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #666666;">was something we picked up at a local market but, it can also be found </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Back-Roots-Mushroom-Mushrooms-Gardening/dp/B00CD0KZ78/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?tag=none" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">here.</span></a></span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span> <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">.: Vegan</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">.: Healthy</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">.: Organic</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">.: Vegetarian</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #666666;">.: Non-GMO</span></span></div>
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</ol>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-86670505432878075952017-11-14T08:03:00.000-08:002019-09-19T14:19:12.697-07:00Pumpkin Spice Muffins<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC59WKJ1h5QNxTtIezbh5XGsHIh-QZwJ737S0VPr8r5LpbwHhcHkAr3_k1D6ikpCJ7DmszdM1ED-LOL_m7nKAJDjj39KSTmcGC3Adn1QS-fRv6mYg4lSVv8wV2Rv6X-L3g5jmC_Hk-CA/s1600/Pumpkin+Spice+Rack+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1229" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC59WKJ1h5QNxTtIezbh5XGsHIh-QZwJ737S0VPr8r5LpbwHhcHkAr3_k1D6ikpCJ7DmszdM1ED-LOL_m7nKAJDjj39KSTmcGC3Adn1QS-fRv6mYg4lSVv8wV2Rv6X-L3g5jmC_Hk-CA/s640/Pumpkin+Spice+Rack+2.jpg" width="489" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Pumpkin Spice Muffins<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">{With <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Simply-Baked-Tangerine-Disposable-Oven-safe/dp/B018FRF7AM/ref=sr_1_3?tag=none" target="_blank">Simply Baked</a></b> Baking Cups}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Ingredients:<br /></span></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1 tsp real vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1 tsp baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: 0.1pt; margin-top: 0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1/2 tsp salt</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">½ tsp cardamon spice<br /><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">2 tsp pumpkin spice<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1/3 cup coconut oil<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1/3 cup egg whites<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1/2 cup pure maple syrup<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">15 oz canned pumpkin<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1/4 cup almond milk<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #7f7f7f; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 128; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1/3 cup old-fashioned oats<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Instructions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl combine melted coconut oil, maple syrup, egg whites, pumpkin, almond milk and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine baking soda, salt, spices, flour, and oats. Mix well. Add dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir gently. Place 13 Simply Baked baking cups on a cookie sheet. Spoon the batter into each baking cup. Fill to the top. Then sprinkle tops with a dash of additional oats. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 18px;">* Add raisins and/or nuts if desired.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Now it smells like Fall!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The tangerine-striped Simply Baked Baking Cups can be found <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Simply-Baked-Tangerine-Disposable-Oven-safe/dp/B018FRF7AM/ref=sr_1_3?tag=none" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">here</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4kPaxt29rpBv6QC33qPUvPOk5gS0W-W3LnPbYtNmE7vD0sJBZ5lhwEnRFvU4kcBhLLpmDSJEo6f-GO_DNCiJ3ndd8rxLuAEDnAwQ3U9B2laZVLf6zjfQMomdpkwt27W5AE_3O7rs-Dk/s1600/Pumpkin+Close+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1500" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4kPaxt29rpBv6QC33qPUvPOk5gS0W-W3LnPbYtNmE7vD0sJBZ5lhwEnRFvU4kcBhLLpmDSJEo6f-GO_DNCiJ3ndd8rxLuAEDnAwQ3U9B2laZVLf6zjfQMomdpkwt27W5AE_3O7rs-Dk/s640/Pumpkin+Close+Up.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-10733863706276502592017-09-12T08:33:00.003-07:002018-12-15T08:50:57.515-08:00Brain Fuel Pancakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSIy7rWrtsvot5gpyaZrAQxyM1csXz4cU2cuQ0732_RS6J2R4MHwWTdf0PgaJLeu20E6LnPXWzd4EAmbRjZtwYd_aokg4eI1z8UZUt277-thGPvi-BbmAgbLP0XHEspo5DiFz0tIBxrA/s1600/Protein+Blueberry+Pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSIy7rWrtsvot5gpyaZrAQxyM1csXz4cU2cuQ0732_RS6J2R4MHwWTdf0PgaJLeu20E6LnPXWzd4EAmbRjZtwYd_aokg4eI1z8UZUt277-thGPvi-BbmAgbLP0XHEspo5DiFz0tIBxrA/s400/Protein+Blueberry+Pancakes.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; text-indent: -24px;">Have a big day ahead? These gluten-free, high protein, blueberry pancakes are a great way to achieve optimum brain performance </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; text-indent: -24px;">compared to </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; text-indent: -24px;">refined, white flour and artificially flavored corn syrup </span><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; text-indent: -24px;">that can reduce the ability to think or concentrate. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Brain Fuel Pancakes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; letter-spacing: 0.65pt; text-transform: uppercase;">INGREDIENTS:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 26.65pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 26.65pt; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">2 cups rolled Oats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">1½ cups egg whites <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">2 cups low-fat cottage cheese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">1 tsp of vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">2 tsp ground flaxseed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">1 cup dried blueberries</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; letter-spacing: 0.65pt; text-transform: uppercase;">DIRECTIONS:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients (except blueberries) until smooth. Gently fold in blueberries. Preheat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat and coat with coconut oil cooking spray. Scoop 1/4-1/2 cup of the batter onto the pan for each pancake. Flatten with a measuring cup if needed. Cook until the edges begin to bubble. Flip and cook until golden brown.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Makes 4 servings.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Gluten-Free</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; letter-spacing: 0.65pt; text-transform: uppercase;">To Serve:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Top with coconut oil and a dash of Himalayan pink sea salt, then drizzle with genuine maple syrup. I like to use Coombs maple syrup which you can find <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Coombs-Family-Farms-Organic-Robust/dp/B0083QJU72/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?tag=none" target="_blank">here.</a></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica";">Note:</span></b><span style="color: #244061; font-family: "helvetica";"> Maple tree syrup contains healthy antioxidants and minerals that maintain blood sugar levels better than maple-flavored high-fructose corn syrup. <a href="https://draxe.com/maple-syrup-nutrition/" target="_blank">You can read More Here.</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: large; text-indent: -24px;">If you have any other favorite breakfast recipes for peak brain performance I'd love to hear it in the comments section.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LTmnPlkYYDRClBgFoR7ROVOcp6Z7anvAo6UNmBzrKnaDxynw0V-PSVTPc9WBpDnUwCDbbOKlGDGB8LWG0_5I8VJSbcAqefv3C9AN8oMlcG4XSYz9f9x4yMM0RBFcMrdQuzZ7ATRDYV4/s1600/protein+Pancakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1600" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LTmnPlkYYDRClBgFoR7ROVOcp6Z7anvAo6UNmBzrKnaDxynw0V-PSVTPc9WBpDnUwCDbbOKlGDGB8LWG0_5I8VJSbcAqefv3C9AN8oMlcG4XSYz9f9x4yMM0RBFcMrdQuzZ7ATRDYV4/s640/protein+Pancakes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Enjoy!</b></span></div>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-19368588890725247572017-07-02T20:25:00.000-07:002018-12-15T08:30:00.580-08:00Book Launch Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGjQ-wfbsCNrrrTm_ysjoYGjqujsS_zTpX48NyzAFSrWwLWCBkvI7-RWuN6CbtXRJkHEAH82TJNFaZgkDS09RKZSoy0a8tQvLmQb_tvJ6YUCAHGtvFz2Iwlc_eR4cS-kmlMHnpdy28o8/s1600/Paisley+Flatlay+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1600" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGjQ-wfbsCNrrrTm_ysjoYGjqujsS_zTpX48NyzAFSrWwLWCBkvI7-RWuN6CbtXRJkHEAH82TJNFaZgkDS09RKZSoy0a8tQvLmQb_tvJ6YUCAHGtvFz2Iwlc_eR4cS-kmlMHnpdy28o8/s640/Paisley+Flatlay+5.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm excited to announce the Book Launch Party for:</span></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Paisley+Doreen+Grace+kester" target="_blank">Paisley!</a></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">32 Pages | Full Color | For Ages 4-8<br />(But, can also be enjoyed at any age!)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">As Paisley is bullied by a squirrel named Rasma, watch and see how she overcomes to become all she is made to be. Young and old alike, sometimes we all need a reminder of who we really are!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh2Il_u8aM0PoA3rPD7IgBX1_IYhLmtAkerwCjReg5c0CyxqKQ9KeQaEQ5LhKMW4NmUIxl_BK3b92Et0xDJ3WxCT27DGYTgfmsYOWpq8pbslU1WhkAsbQG0sfkdhQ-chspKfi1q_4kfQ/s1600/Paisey+Activity+Sheet+Flatlay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWh2Il_u8aM0PoA3rPD7IgBX1_IYhLmtAkerwCjReg5c0CyxqKQ9KeQaEQ5LhKMW4NmUIxl_BK3b92Et0xDJ3WxCT27DGYTgfmsYOWpq8pbslU1WhkAsbQG0sfkdhQ-chspKfi1q_4kfQ/s640/Paisey+Activity+Sheet+Flatlay.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;">It wouldn't be a real party without some goodies to take home, <br />so I wanted to share this </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">FREE</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">printable activity sheet with you!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;"><br /><b>Just drag the file below to your desktop to print!</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeo4J3irS3Howxl9qbm8pIzkjFfb7oogMH-8tSuvdrqb77We5IOkix-CceafeybeC060O9qsOIA_YEXlcuuZFL4x3gO25WMrQir98HEL4tDDDGfDOl-Sw3zL6zXt4kLFdt5YsbEkwZjw/s1600/Paisley+Activity+Sheet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeo4J3irS3Howxl9qbm8pIzkjFfb7oogMH-8tSuvdrqb77We5IOkix-CceafeybeC060O9qsOIA_YEXlcuuZFL4x3gO25WMrQir98HEL4tDDDGfDOl-Sw3zL6zXt4kLFdt5YsbEkwZjw/s640/Paisley+Activity+Sheet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you haven't had a chance to check out Paisley yet, you may do so </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Paisley-Doreen-Grace-Kester-ebook/dp/B073DW21HD/ref=sr_1_1?tag=none" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Hope you enjoy the summer fun!</b></span></span></div>
<br />Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-10753189627826467942017-02-14T14:58:00.005-08:002018-12-15T08:30:48.663-08:00Hygge<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With cold, dark, winters, like the one we've just had here in the Pacific Northwest, we can learn a lot from the Danes about how to make the most of life by practicing <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062658808?tag=none" target="_blank">hygge</a> (pronounced "hoo-guh"). </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">Hygge is more than a soft, chunky blanket to curl up in, lighting candles,</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">sipping from an earthen mug, </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">or wearing wooly things ...</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> but, this is a wonderful place to begin.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9B1_tgE3xiXhdzwyb6YrYnxKBXO2JrQgiUjvg5YlDR9Q4G_C7eHe7PuNpmXZXNRPtZR7pc3weTnjefuR29gp7qHnNqv3Yzebss8h_Uzar0YVbl_9nZeU9UuhS6uKNHQ0K0sIwH8K8Do/s1600/Hygge+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9B1_tgE3xiXhdzwyb6YrYnxKBXO2JrQgiUjvg5YlDR9Q4G_C7eHe7PuNpmXZXNRPtZR7pc3weTnjefuR29gp7qHnNqv3Yzebss8h_Uzar0YVbl_9nZeU9UuhS6uKNHQ0K0sIwH8K8Do/s640/Hygge+10.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Hygge feels like a big, warm hug. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a wellness program and a way of life. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's gratitude and smiling for no reason. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's enjoying life's simple pleasures and b</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">eing present.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hygge is about f</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">inding beauty in the ordinary and meaning in the mundane.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphbDWt3ibKXKjkjVEI_n-NBnZAqp7u9D4EOZcWNGsLJQQEo6PISa_E8m2S5EcOSYN28RdB5dGloFXIU-Lqyj4ZVJI0h08p-y3lo5DCXI1639wyGzf4kxzfV6bNUkZK1gYjF49D5E6mgc/s1600/IMG_20151024_222617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphbDWt3ibKXKjkjVEI_n-NBnZAqp7u9D4EOZcWNGsLJQQEo6PISa_E8m2S5EcOSYN28RdB5dGloFXIU-Lqyj4ZVJI0h08p-y3lo5DCXI1639wyGzf4kxzfV6bNUkZK1gYjF49D5E6mgc/s640/IMG_20151024_222617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's in the act of making art ... and letting all of life become the art as well. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />It's peace within and being loved.<br />Doing life together.<br />Hygge feels like <i>home</i>.</span></div>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-48215981054669994462016-08-25T13:00:00.000-07:002016-08-26T15:55:31.205-07:00Cuke Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDmhUcxPkkpkgTtCP4QgZ9Jw435tSp6vCleHHkwMYgKdZp3Bb470aFUSZiqCJWV3FU9_MY-T6H92FiWLUBnQy-BucKpmPg_rCmwhpC5FGdKwQquw6Sgdge5_pXhFqribhmwe9FZGrAK0/s1600/Greek+Salad+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; color: #666666; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDmhUcxPkkpkgTtCP4QgZ9Jw435tSp6vCleHHkwMYgKdZp3Bb470aFUSZiqCJWV3FU9_MY-T6H92FiWLUBnQy-BucKpmPg_rCmwhpC5FGdKwQquw6Sgdge5_pXhFqribhmwe9FZGrAK0/s640/Greek+Salad+1.jpg" width="640" /><i> </i></span><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">This quick and easy salad is one of my favorite ways <br />to enjoy </span></i><i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">the vine ripened, garden fresh, vegetables of summer! </span></i></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Cuke Salad Ingredients:</span></span></div>
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2 cucumbers </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">2 cups cherry tomatoes</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">1⁄2 medium red onion</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">1⁄4 cup Italian salad dressing</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Directions: S</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">lice the cucumbers about 1/4", then cut into quarters. Chop or mince the red onion. Cut the cherry tomatoes into quarters. In a large bowl combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and feta. Toss all ingredients together and drizzle with the salad dressing. </span></span></h3>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">(For another variation toss in some large pitted kalamata olives, if desired.)</span></i></h3>
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy!</span></i></div>
Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-52291487110365742582016-07-04T10:33:00.004-07:002016-08-26T15:46:20.344-07:00America - Land of the Free<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="color: #444444;">We celebrate </span><a href="http://www.heritage.org/initiatives/first-principles/primary-sources/the-declaration-of-independence" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Independence Day</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> this year with a deep sense of reflection and gratitude. Although, saddened by world news that travels at the speed of light, our hearts celebrate with renew</span></i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">ed appreciation for continued freedom. </i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So much more than just a backyard barbecue, as we savor our </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Inalienable Rights. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Thankful to all who've fought to secure this precious Liberty!</i></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy 4th of July!</b></span></div>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-79206118294818665992016-05-10T12:01:00.000-07:002018-12-15T08:29:13.772-08:00Avo Zoodles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvcnEi-R2BPJeXMreHOWOuh82vj7g6a-RceG-V0yqnWcbrJHruaVPEal8ZUaRzc1_TfPf1OI5kOa8HdzCyKjqjPvqp4cZ45XZI_nRIBXxbBDcVbg7VsUQKddTZn2sRc87H8Gu7ai5gUY/s1600/Avo+Masher+Zoodle+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvcnEi-R2BPJeXMreHOWOuh82vj7g6a-RceG-V0yqnWcbrJHruaVPEal8ZUaRzc1_TfPf1OI5kOa8HdzCyKjqjPvqp4cZ45XZI_nRIBXxbBDcVbg7VsUQKddTZn2sRc87H8Gu7ai5gUY/s640/Avo+Masher+Zoodle+bowl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">To make these Avo Zoodles I used a spiralizer that was a Christmas present from our daughter last winter. It's a simple kitchen gadget that's easy to use, and quick to clean, that transforms vegetables into raw, vegan, delicious noodles, ready to eat in minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br />You can find a spiralizer <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Vegetable-Spiralizer-Bundle-Spaghetti/dp/B00KIVD1PC/ref=sr_1_6?tag=none" target="_blank">here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Avo Zoodles</span></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Ingredients:<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></span></b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">- 4 medium zucchini<br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, </span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">chopped</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">- 1/2 cup sliced black olives</span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">- 1 large, ripe avocado (stem falls off easily when fully ripe)<br />- 3 large cloves garlic, </span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">minced </span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br />- 2 teaspoons lime juice</span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil</span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">- 1 Tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">A dash of Himalayan pink sea </span>salt & black pepper to taste </span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">- Sriracha sauce optional<br />
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</span><b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">Directions:</span></b><b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">1. Cut the zucchini stems off, then </span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; line-height: 18pt;">over a medium glass bowl </span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; line-height: 18pt;">push and twist the zucchini through one end of the spiralizing tool. Repeat for each zucchini, then julienne the leftover nubs afterward, so as to not waste anything.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK9dT3CKDIrPi7p9gbuSDxNOqellRsbkavFij3Yli17sik6ZUERVIGML6FcMhRmKSNtjB2xhOC2MLMF0-rgf7mIfNhhKsP2JGHDUxVM2tu4IEunF5PzzAHuFBTQnxCURZ0IFRME-0PjI/s1600/A+Zoodle+Spiralizer+at+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK9dT3CKDIrPi7p9gbuSDxNOqellRsbkavFij3Yli17sik6ZUERVIGML6FcMhRmKSNtjB2xhOC2MLMF0-rgf7mIfNhhKsP2JGHDUxVM2tu4IEunF5PzzAHuFBTQnxCURZ0IFRME-0PjI/s640/A+Zoodle+Spiralizer+at+work.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">2.) Add the olives, tomatoes, and cilantro to the bowl and toss together with the zoodles.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br />3. In a separate smaller bowl, place oil, basil, garlic, lime and diced avocado (with the pit removed) and mash together with a fork until creamy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br />4.) Add the avocado mixture to the zoodles and toss together with a large fork to coat.</span><br />
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">5.) Salt and pepper to taste. Add a dash of Sriracha sauce for heat if desired.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">* Serves 2-4</span><br />
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="line-height: normal;">Carb free, gluten free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, whatever... This is a delicious way to enjoy pasta without the head-fog often felt after traditional pasta.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWqgrUHe53V4F9WTixQJGNlmmlb2Pcot1Vwt_qlgN5REvkugxmccJi35SzVTktc4IsSt-5R2uMl5DVAQ5G66-WBD11n2XxhJv3R3RAXWcjVSkc7CB-6GRFmtf_lhiU2li6YFpUYgMq5Y/s1600/Avo+Zoodles+Bowl+Above.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWqgrUHe53V4F9WTixQJGNlmmlb2Pcot1Vwt_qlgN5REvkugxmccJi35SzVTktc4IsSt-5R2uMl5DVAQ5G66-WBD11n2XxhJv3R3RAXWcjVSkc7CB-6GRFmtf_lhiU2li6YFpUYgMq5Y/s320/Avo+Zoodles+Bowl+Above.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">If you try this recipe, or have another favorite way to enjoy zoodles, please drop me a note with a link in the comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "century gothic";">Also sharing this post here: </span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://daybydayinourworld.com/2016/04/healthy-living-link-party-58/" target="_blank">Healthy Living</a></span></span></div>
Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-81264623942760775192016-03-27T00:08:00.000-07:002018-12-15T08:35:51.803-08:00Ylang Ylang Sugar Scrub<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDIiDUYT9OAwd4owsvqTaNEzNkiJwmF87UP6YGR2tT0LvsUXz0ZUAVNjq-mG6l8hcf49xwpKbiPfy0pPWYgJxikO9NHMKh6glf5hckEclT2uTgp_bKdE50rYnz6zKV_O2GaHY20NpUwc/s1600/1+Jar+of+Sugar+Scrub+open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDIiDUYT9OAwd4owsvqTaNEzNkiJwmF87UP6YGR2tT0LvsUXz0ZUAVNjq-mG6l8hcf49xwpKbiPfy0pPWYgJxikO9NHMKh6glf5hckEclT2uTgp_bKdE50rYnz6zKV_O2GaHY20NpUwc/s640/1+Jar+of+Sugar+Scrub+open.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";">Homemade sugar scrubs are the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, a friend’s birthday, or even fun to make just for your self! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";">As the coarse sugar exfoliates, the fragrant coconut oil moisturizes, with the gentle scent of Ylang Ylang</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";"> that creates a therapeutic relaxing effect out of this world. Toss in some green tea for antioxidants and you've got it made.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666;">If you haven't heard of Ylang Ylang oil before, it is derived from star-shaped flowers on the tropical Ylang Ylang tree and has a sweet, rich, spicy fragrance. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666;">In aromatherapy, Ylang Ylang is used to lessen tension and stress, balance hormones, and promote a positive outlook. Topically, it is known for its nourishing and protective properties in skin care. I also use </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";">Ylang Ylang oil for freshening up wax candles that have lost their scent or add a few drops to the hot tub to create a </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: 'century gothic';">virtual</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";"> tropical vacation.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";">Infused with the fragrant aroma of Ylang Ylang oil, this sugar scrub recipe will take you on a tropical aromatherapy escape, that will leave your skin feeling soft and silky smooth all over.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 16.25pt;">1 cup granulated sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 16.25pt;">2</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 16.25pt;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 16.25pt;">green tea bags</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">1/2 cup<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>coconut oil</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="color: #666666;">10-20 drops <a href="https://www.amazon.com/doTERRA-Ylang-Essential-Oil-Antioxidant/dp/B004O29146/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?tag=none" target="_blank">Ylang Ylang</a> essential oil</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="line-height: 16.25pt;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></span></span></b></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">Step 1:</span></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"> Place the sugar in a small mixing bowl. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">(You can use coarse, raw sugar, but any plain white sugar will do.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><b style="letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">Step 2:</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"> Cut & empty the bags of tea bags into the sugar.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.466667px;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80ovi4fxaiAJ3ZHmFlZnhxKOzpB5DgaESY4gyxV_FpJj8OImxNig-d5MyAEhznTkKjXYnOLHi2O-XDQg6lIFDuuZTuFBVFa2UXawY3gImBnWKlNsoG63tzujNZpcfXfmGVsirBP-M-ac/s1600/2+Sugar+in+Bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: times; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80ovi4fxaiAJ3ZHmFlZnhxKOzpB5DgaESY4gyxV_FpJj8OImxNig-d5MyAEhznTkKjXYnOLHi2O-XDQg6lIFDuuZTuFBVFa2UXawY3gImBnWKlNsoG63tzujNZpcfXfmGVsirBP-M-ac/s640/2+Sugar+in+Bowl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.466667px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">Step 3:</span></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"> Add the coconut oil. </span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">(</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";">Depending on the air temperature of your area, you may </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";">need to warm the oil up in the microwave a little so it becomes soft.) </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #666666;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";">Step 4:</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";">Add 10-20 drops of Ylang Ylang essential oil,</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">depending on the strength of aroma you prefer.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;">Step 5:</span></b><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"> Mix all of the ingredients together.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2clnPtT56kSykG3p2JwlEfRclhZW2FeqlINK9XpvxA1AfjtdRToYbbRH8qgAq4txUiFR3MCZvvmBcG2MClx1BqVFaMSz2I08tqIYmIfKkN6hoWIBo2RuWsn-P_HBAsUdlZ7eZrbpCcA/s1600/3+Sugar+Scrub+in+Bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: times; font-size: medium; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2clnPtT56kSykG3p2JwlEfRclhZW2FeqlINK9XpvxA1AfjtdRToYbbRH8qgAq4txUiFR3MCZvvmBcG2MClx1BqVFaMSz2I08tqIYmIfKkN6hoWIBo2RuWsn-P_HBAsUdlZ7eZrbpCcA/s640/3+Sugar+Scrub+in+Bowl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><br />
</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 16.25pt;">Step 6:</b><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; line-height: 16.25pt;"> Store in an airtight glass jar container.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.35pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJjlHKjtD9FfR3RT08_s0uSN3Qo9tR0dkLE0BzRn_t52wc7w5NBgbeLXtmHqohGDYBxKRRQXHzw0KzeN2t3757Zvlp_CEIRhN6KxeBFRKqvlnRj7B6dIT6fz_HrKwawiOHqEAcE_zCzo/s1600/4+Sugar+Scrub+making+label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJjlHKjtD9FfR3RT08_s0uSN3Qo9tR0dkLE0BzRn_t52wc7w5NBgbeLXtmHqohGDYBxKRRQXHzw0KzeN2t3757Zvlp_CEIRhN6KxeBFRKqvlnRj7B6dIT6fz_HrKwawiOHqEAcE_zCzo/s640/4+Sugar+Scrub+making+label.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="color: #666666;">To give as a gift, I used a small, scrap of brown paper bag for the labels and attached it with a piece of double stick tape on the back then, wrapped it with a piece of twine for a natural, homemade feel. It makes for a quick and easy gift!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIq9PkJXa6QUsWYRtsg0dlt2vlfVw-aneoZC_a1s4S4pKIfd9N9GMj-_IpMbx3DWzLWSTF-jFnltZE1EeE9a4jCzl6z2X65rSU3aqttdgxn0LV31dze2-5vmjuo5bJEdxj4UgiS7lY4SY/s1600/6+Final+Jar+of+Sugar+Scrub+to+Give.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIq9PkJXa6QUsWYRtsg0dlt2vlfVw-aneoZC_a1s4S4pKIfd9N9GMj-_IpMbx3DWzLWSTF-jFnltZE1EeE9a4jCzl6z2X65rSU3aqttdgxn0LV31dze2-5vmjuo5bJEdxj4UgiS7lY4SY/s640/6+Final+Jar+of+Sugar+Scrub+to+Give.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-weight: normal;">To apply the sugar scrub just take a small scoop and massage it into any dry, cracked areas such as elbows, fingers, or heels, then rinse with warm water. Rub in any residual oil that remains on the surface of your skin. Enjoy soft, smooth skin ready for sandal weather. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.466667px; line-height: normal;">You can find Ylang Ylang essential oil </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/doTERRA-Ylang-Essential-Oil-Antioxidant/dp/B004O29146/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?tag=none" style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.466667px; line-height: normal;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.466667px; line-height: normal;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Smells Amazing and is Totally Edible!</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></span>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-60206982015740934542015-11-27T07:30:00.000-08:002015-11-28T22:36:29.653-08:00Power Nog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgukjD-2sltO3c8zIdhJc7hNg72_r0Qxjx2X9asDSkBP4KvCBM5HYfDEqXkLhxIFvo2-pIQqyZWlArrSKIFLnhWVZ_blZhaUFowXym8IM-y4a6PbXohKn_aqwf5TdvNQOm5X9DtFu8OQ/s1600/Power+Protein+Eggnog+Recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgukjD-2sltO3c8zIdhJc7hNg72_r0Qxjx2X9asDSkBP4KvCBM5HYfDEqXkLhxIFvo2-pIQqyZWlArrSKIFLnhWVZ_blZhaUFowXym8IM-y4a6PbXohKn_aqwf5TdvNQOm5X9DtFu8OQ/s640/Power+Protein+Eggnog+Recipe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The holidays don't have to be a fitness train wreck. Come enjoy a cup of this protein rich Power Nog without the saturated fat, artificial flavors, added color, corn syrup or preservatives often found in processed eggnog cartons, and maintain your muscle gain throughout the holidays instead.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 1/4 cup nonfat milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/3 cup liquid egg whites</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/4 cup vanilla protein drink</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 tsp cornstarch</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon vanilla</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A dash of nutmeg</span></div>
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directions:</b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, egg whites, protein drink and cornstarch</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Stir continually over medium-high heat until hot and bubbly (about 7-10 minutes)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Remove from heat and add vanilla </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Pour into mugs and froth with an electric whisk</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Makes two servings </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To make this healthy, holiday workout recovery drink, I used <i><b>Premier Protein</b></i> from Costco, which comes in a liquid sweetened form, but any brand of vanilla whey protein will do. Just keep in mind that if you use an unsweetened vanilla protein powder you may need to add an additional 1/4 cup milk and sweeten to taste with maple syrup or agave.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Enjoy!</b></span></div>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-58584031051951919152015-05-29T18:00:00.000-07:002017-11-11T10:30:27.308-08:00Living in the Overflow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mantras. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That word brings to mind different things to different people. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>But, we all do it. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We make mantras every day w</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hether we think so or not. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />A mantra is anything we repeat over and over in our thoughts.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our thoughts can turn to worry if we are not intentional.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These sort of mantras are not beneficial.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will never be able to get all this done.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I don't have enough time. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I'm not good enough.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I'm too old ... Or, maybe I'm not old enough?</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>What if I fail?</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, mantras can be beneficial if we are intentional. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am able to do all things.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I have enough time. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I'm am enough.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I'm always in the right place at the right time.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>What if it does work out?</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/people/zbeokube" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRg4c9fnAUNHTX3x-AAejnQB1DdkfZMLfWpxsHXfltnPbHCHdBrohi8BfSsmOoYMb_FkZbdzYjbLAgs9K72iXBUZ-WT3F9KPYb5MijmnoTbL9tSc7jfmAIJ1G72utZc2GzxnpCEy3j26I/s320/Philipians+4%253B8.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our minds think 60,000 - 80,000 thoughts per day. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's about 3,000 thoughts per hour.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We can choose to make as many of those thoughts as beneficial as possible. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I use scripture. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I use an inspiring quote. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I just make something up that sounds good. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I post it on the bathroom mirror. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tape it on the dash of the car. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Carry it in my back pocket. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I read aloud over and over and ponder what it means. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I imagine and feel the outcome.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Then, go and have a blessed day expecting something good!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pocket cards like the one shown above are available in the shop </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/people/zbeokube" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-46188796163561972752015-02-22T08:00:00.000-08:002018-12-15T08:39:45.584-08:00Muscle Milk {Protein} Brownies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF55c_12eKJNIVb1GdkrC3Yzx8kC086P3CcMN3rea-4wx4AQOUk8RGiY5CFELcTsyx1rw0N2IXt9WfgI4EOLDH-rrynlCdVeNsTRtODk53oRVEFv4ptnZO-0HKMmDEeZCXgz9635wc8o0/s1600/Muscle-Milk-Brownies.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";">No need to worry about the proposed dessert tax that may accompany the new FDA dietary guidelines. These brownies are high in protein but, low in added sugar.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><br />Muscle Milk {Protein} Brownies</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";">Ingredients </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">1/4 Cup Oats<br />3/4 Cup plain Greek Yogurt<br />1/2 Cup honey or Agave<br />1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder<br />1/2 Cup chocolate Muscle Milk protein powder<br />1/4 Cup liquid egg whites<br />1 tsp baking powder<br />1 tsp vanilla</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">Optional:</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic";"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">½ cup chopped almond pieces </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Frosting</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic";">2 Tbs chocolate <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Muscle-Milk-Protein-Knockout-Chocolate/dp/B00DX7MVKY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?tag=none" target="_blank">Muscle Milk Protein Powder</a><br />3 Tbs honey or agave<br />1/2 Cup plain Greek yogurt<br />1/4 Tbs cocoa powder<br />1 tsp vanilla<br />2 Tbs natural peanut butter</span></div>
<!--[endif]--><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Directions</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Preheat oven to 350. In the blender, add oats first and grind into flour. Combine remaining brownie ingredients and blend well. Stir in the nuts if desired. Pour into a greased 8×8 baking dish and bake for 25 minutes. Combine frosting ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Frost while still warm. Dust with Himalayan sea salt or espresso grounds if desired.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "century gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">You can find the Muscle Milk Protein Powder <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Muscle-Milk-Protein-Knockout-Chocolate/dp/B00DX7MVKY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?tag=none" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">#myplate</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></b></div>
<i style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; text-align: left;">These power bites taste more like a protein bar than a pan of brownies, <br />but without the aftermath of a sugar spike,<br />they energize and build lean muscle.</i></div>
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Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8463993282628107736.post-87952084479813442692014-12-30T16:20:00.000-08:002019-08-15T14:47:46.092-07:00Warrior Smoothie<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhhiLKAoJ0rpr4YcqvAh0fPjuE19tvIiVxfVh0io6TFGfrKVaSXqD96W8xIGyMcj873FqnHRDTFSbhhGCNqpm3kfMhtZXMJrFJ6FRcMjwHIX2WNTC-LKgSPFJIOJjUNt4qfT6LrbevpQ/s1600/Warrior+Smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhhiLKAoJ0rpr4YcqvAh0fPjuE19tvIiVxfVh0io6TFGfrKVaSXqD96W8xIGyMcj873FqnHRDTFSbhhGCNqpm3kfMhtZXMJrFJ6FRcMjwHIX2WNTC-LKgSPFJIOJjUNt4qfT6LrbevpQ/s1600/Warrior+Smoothie.jpg" width="360" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">On a recent trip to visit our peeps in SoCal, we stopped by a superfood bar for a quick pick-me-up with a "Warrior" smoothie. Laden with nutritious greens and sweetened with dates, it was a refreshing way to reboot the system that really did make me feel more like a warrior. </span>Whenever the head begins to get cloudy, or the body begins to feel sluggish, the Warrior is a great way to cleanse. <span style="text-align: center;">So, now I've been making these at home.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Warrior Smoothie</b></div>
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<b>Ingredients:</b></div>
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4 cups kale or spinach</div>
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1 cup unsweetened almond milk<br />
1 apple (cored)<br />
1 frozen banana<br />
4 dates<br />
1 tablespoon almond butter</div>
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*You may add protein powder for a boost if desired.</div>
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<b>Directions:</b><br />
Add almond milk to the blender, then add the greens. Place all remaining ingredients on top. Turn on the lowest speed first, then gradually increase to top speed until smooth and frothy. Dilute with water as needed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pBVZqI8oLtxB38KM9vKt-YxvgaPBjIRiDIs5oh0-DVrDAG8teRc2skQc84iJ0HBP9yj217gsJTBLDxkAsPBkEcjnRb1_vxIpxSh0Vzu0AccghWDUB7-bn_p9ZmkYn0rDthsmueYQrLc/s1600/INgredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pBVZqI8oLtxB38KM9vKt-YxvgaPBjIRiDIs5oh0-DVrDAG8teRc2skQc84iJ0HBP9yj217gsJTBLDxkAsPBkEcjnRb1_vxIpxSh0Vzu0AccghWDUB7-bn_p9ZmkYn0rDthsmueYQrLc/s1600/INgredients.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>A fabulous way to use up those greens past their prime in the fridge!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UZlpPYdLvo_IpSNI56vsnq0WGqxt2RR4evdbKqHMEWDgHhyphenhyphen39rHKWQ2IiU7qVmqzpFrGLlMHYpeygSmo9uhQNdJBk80El6JGIDM60mwXvdjcPg3CC34vacl1Ls9HctYyVMSLPnzuCiQ/s1600/Warrior+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UZlpPYdLvo_IpSNI56vsnq0WGqxt2RR4evdbKqHMEWDgHhyphenhyphen39rHKWQ2IiU7qVmqzpFrGLlMHYpeygSmo9uhQNdJBk80El6JGIDM60mwXvdjcPg3CC34vacl1Ls9HctYyVMSLPnzuCiQ/s1600/Warrior+2.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal; white-space: nowrap;">¡</span>Salud<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal; white-space: nowrap;">!</span></span></h3>
Doreen Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03739153799477282088noreply@blogger.com