Happy New Year!!

It's that time of the year again. The time of the year where we reminisce about the past 12 months and look forward to the future 12.

Are you where you want to be? Have you done everything you set out to get done in 2010? What will 2011 bring? Where do you see yourself in a year?

We can't help but evaluate and reevaluate what was, what is, and what's to come. It's human nature and we're all victim of it.

What are your plans for 2011? A new job, a new way of life, a different perspective, more exercise, more risks, less routine, more travel...

Whatever your plans are don't forget to enjoy New Years Eve and New Years day. 

Many of us get caught up in making the plans, and get overwhelmed by thinking of the past and future that we forget to enjoy the now. Embrace what is and for at least one night set your thoughts aside and take the day to just enjoy. Enjoy the end of another year and the beginning of a new one. 

New Years Resolutions?
This year I am going to choose to do something simple. Something that will not involve too much work. This year I choose to pay attention to the now, to make sure that whatever I am doing I am doing with an open mind and with full attention. I choose to enjoy everything I take part in and I choose to find the positive in everything I am involved in.

Wherever you are and whatever you do I wish you:

Happiness & Joy

A Peaceful Heart

A Life Full of Love

The Strength to Fight for What YOU Want

To Always Be In the Now

To find the Positive in Everything that Finds it's way into your Life

To Just Be

From the bottom of my heart I wish you a very

Happy New Year

Stay Healthy!

Jeita Grotto

I finally visited Jeita Grotto! I've been to Lebanon a number of times, but have never fit in the time to visit Jeita. Since it is a finalist in the New Seven Wonders of Nature competition, I felt it was time to pay it a visit.  

"The Jeita caves are 'solutional karst caves, which have formed over millions of years due to the dissolution of limestone. Jeita is the longest cave complex in the Middle East, it sits at 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level and has a height difference of 305 metres (1,001 ft)."


The drive over to Jeita was beautiful. The sky was clear, the sun was out, and the mountains were calm and traffic free (which is rare in Beirut).

 

Going in I wasn't too sure what to expect. Once inside the upper cave I was dumbstruck by how incredibly beautiful, perfect and natural it is.

There are two caves. The first cave you walk through, while the second one you tour by boat. The entire 'tour' takes about an hour to an hour and a half, and worth every second.

You are not allowed to take picture inside the caves, but our boat tour driver let me sneak in a couple of photos.



These pictures do not give the beauty of Jeita justice. This is a must see, so if you're ever traveling to Beirut make sure to put Jeita on your to do list. You will not be disappointed.

Stay Healthy!

Merry Christmas

The Christmas season always reminds me of the story of the Christmas log - 'Le Buche de Noel.' Very few know the significance behind this delicious dessert.

"The great Napoleon Bonaparte of France issued a proclamation stating houses in Paris to keep their chimneys closed during the winter because of the cool air that caused medical problems. This prohibited Parisians to use their fireplaces. But ingenious French bakers then invented this dessert as a symbolic substitution around which the family could gather for story-telling and other holiday happiness."

No matter what your plan is for Christmas or the holidays make sure to cherish the time you spend with family and friends.

Share stories, create memories, laugh, eat, drink and fill your heart with love. 

Wishing you & your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!

-Le Buche De Noel-

Stay Healthy!

Bon Voyage

I am spending Christmas and the New Year in Beirut Lebanon. It's a good opportunity to visit family and friends. I have never visited Lebanon during Christmas time and, I must say, I am impressed with the Christmas spirit that is illuminated through the people and the various cities.

Everywhere I turn I am reminded of the spirit of Christmas.

I snapped a few photos whenever I had a chance...

Stay Healthy!

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!