Happy Halloween!

Here are my contributions to this weekend's festivities:

Black Cat Greek Pasta Salad

2 bags Black Cat Pasta (397 g/bag)

2 cups Green Peas

1 cup Carrots, chopped

Greek Feta and Oregano Dressing

Halloween Fruit Tray

Choose black, white and orange fruits, such as blackberries, black grapes, oranges, lychee and peaches, and add to decorated skewers. 

To add a little 'Halloween' to the dishes, I glued plastic spiders and rats to the ends of some skewers and black tape to the ends of others.  

Whether you're having a Halloween party, heading to a Halloween party or just staying in for the night have a wonderful evening!  

Pumpkin

Stay Healthy!



Just Add Pumpkin

Fall is upon us. Our days are getting cooler and trees are turning colours. With Halloween only a couple of days away, I'm sure you've added a carved pumpkin or two on your porch.

                        Pumpkins

Pumpkins are a lot more than Halloween decor. Pumpkins contain various nutrients that have an array of health benefits. These include:

Beta-carotene - Research shows that people who eat a diet rich in beta-carotene are less likely to develop certain cancers.

Potassium - Lowers the risk of hypertension.

Zinc - Boosts the immune system, aids in bone density support for those at risk of osteoporosis, and reduces signs of aging.

Fibre - May prevent cancer and heart disease.

Phytosterols - Promotes prostate health.

Vitamins A & C - Essential in the health of your eyes, skin and hair, and help reduce the signs of aging.

Vitamin E - Important for skin and heart health.

Here are some of my favourite pumpkin recipes:

Pumpkin with Chestnuts

Ingredients:
1/4 Pumpkin, chopped
Roasted Chestnuts, halved
Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Garlic, minced
Agave Nectar
Ground Cinnamon

Directions:

1) Drizzle the pumpkin with olive oil and place in oven at 400C till tender
2) Dressing: Mix the apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, agave nectar and ground cinnamon
3) Place cooked pumpkin in a bowl, add the roasted chestnuts and the dressing
4) Mix well & enjoy!

Serves 2

Hearty Vegetable Chowder

Ingredients:
1 cup Chickpeas
4 cups organic Vegetable Stock
1 medium Onion, diced
½ Pumpkin, diced
2 Carrots, diced
2 Zucchinis, diced
4 Bay Leaves
1 cup Milk (can use coconut milk or soy milk)
4 tablespoons fresh Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons chopped Cilantro

Directions:
1) Bring the 2 cups of vegetable stock to a boil over high heat
2) Add the onion, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes
3) Add the chickpeas, pumpkin, carrots, zucchinis, corn and bay leaves
4) Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the veggies are tender
5) Add the milk
6) Bring to a boil
7) Add the coriander and lemon juice

Serves 4 to 6

Fall Style Chicken Casserole  

Ingredients:
1 Whole Chicken
¼ Pumpkin, chopped
2 Carrots, chopped
1 cup Green Beans
1 Red Onion, chopped
1/2 Red Onion, sliced
3 Red Potatoes, chopped
3 strands of Thyme
½ a Lemon
6- 8 Garlic pieces
Olive Oil

Directions:
1) Stuff the chicken with half a lemon, half an onion, 1 thyme strand and 2 garlic pieces
2) In a large casserole put the chopped pumpkin, carrots, green beans, chopped onion, red potatoes, thyme, and the remainder of the garlic chopped
3) Place the whole stuffed chicken on the veggie mix
4) Lay the sliced red onion on top of the chicken
5) Add a little salt and pepper over the chicken
6) Drizzle the entire casserole with Olive Oil
7) Cover and place in the oven at 400C for 1 ½ to 2 hours

Serves 4 to 6

Stay Healthy!

Meditate on it!

I'm sure I am not the only one that finds it extremely difficult to quiet the mind and find my 'centre.' There are days when I have so much going on that I feel my head may possibly explode right off of my neck.

Last night was one of those nights.

Did I lock my car? Did I turn off the hair straightener? Oh no, I forgot to pay my visa bill! Did I pay my MasterCard bill? I have to buy so-and-so a birthday gift. Where are we going again for so-and-so's birthday? Should I have applied to this position? Should I take that job? What should I do about this contract? What was the address to so-and-so's place? Right at Yonge and Eglington, or was it left? Blah, Blah, Blah, and Blah...

The mind is in constant chatter. Even when it's quiet and you vote for some rest and relaxation 'you' time, the mind tends to have other plans.

We've all heard the wonderful phrase: "Just meditate on it and the right path / decision will come to you." - Jee thanks, but how exactly does one "Meditate?"

Meditation was foreign to me. I always found it difficult and, most of the time, still do.

A state of complete silence - body, mind and spirit. Are you kidding me???

After getting through the torture of trying to focus, stay quiet and stop fidgeting, I began to understand and appreciate the importance of meditation. There is something about focusing on your inner thoughts that really helps clear the body, mind and spirit. 

It takes time and lots of patience. Two traits most of us hate to spare. 

A friend recommended Meditation - The first and last freedom - A practical guide to Meditation by Osho. 

I did not realize there were so many different ways to meditate. I found a lot of the meditations to be out of my comfort zone. I became too occupied with completing the meditations that I got distracted and lost the initial purpose of meditating.

Here are my thoughts on and some suggestions for meditating:

• Meditation is about teaching yourself to live in the moment. To be in the moment. It's about listening, seeing, feeling and being.
• After meditating ask yourself: "Does this meditation help make me feel good? Is this a meditation I would want to repeat?" If not, then it's time to make a change.
• Meditation is about staying centred in everything you do. Pay attention to your actions, feelings and words. 
• Focus on relaxing, watching and being judgement free.
• I find it best to meditate in a comfortable and quiet place. 
• Clear your mind and focus on one thought. I find it best to repeat the thought to yourself or out loud over and over.
• Use essential oils to help keep you calm and focused.

Some helpful resources and interesting reads:

• eat pray love by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Health & Beyond - Caroline Dupont
• Goddess Relaxation & Meditations by Mary Marzo
• 4 Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How to Get Started

Good Luck...

Stay Healthy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Some have various traditions for Thanksgiving, while others have very few to none. Whether you're going all out and sprucing up your day with family, friends, brunch, lunch, dinner, a feast, or taking a rest and relaxation day, make sure to reflect and meditate on all that you are thankful for. 



Luckly, I will be spending my day with good friends and family, sharing delicious food and making wonderful memories.

I am blessed. I am fortunate. I am happy.

I am thankful for so many people, places and things... 

Bright sunny days ~ Smiling faces ~ Loving family ~ Wonderful friends ~ Best friends
To see ~ To hear ~ To taste ~ To touch ~ To feel
Rainy days ~ Loud thunderstorms ~ Sky-shattering lighting ~ Clear blue sky ~ Fresh air ~ Clean water

The rainbow drawn across the blue sky after the rain stops
Memories ~ Trips ~ Picture perfect afternoons ~ Violettes ~ Roses ~ Lillies
Dreams - Those that have come true, those that will come true & those that will forever stay deep in the centre of my heart
First snow falls ~ Snowflakes ~ The crackling wood in the midst of a warm fire
Honesty ~ Loyalty ~ Strength ~ Faith ~ Fate ~ The simple ~ The exotic ~ The complicated
Memoryful yesterdays ~ Beautiful todays ~ Exciting tomorrows
Warm words ~ Motivating phrases ~ Stomach-aching laughter ~ Artists that bring the creative into my world
A cozy bed to end my day in ~ A home cooked meal ~ A voice ~ A vote ~ Endless possibilities 

You

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Stay Healthy!