"Be More Tea"

    Introduced during the Super Bowl this year, Lipton tea launched a very successful commercial of Kermit & the Muppets. The commercial (see link below) features Kermit having a cup of tea then walking through a frenetic New York City. Harry Nisson's version of "Everybody's Talkin'" is playing dreamily in the background. Kermit is immune to the hustle, bustle & noise he experiences along his walk. Yes, he questions, "why can't everyone just be more tea?"
     Yet another reason to take the time & relax with a healthy cup of tea. As Kermit shows us, it is also wonderful for your stress level! I recently was stopped in my tracks at an antique mall where this beautiful, 21 piece porcelain tea set (see photo) was calling my name. Maybe it was the soft spring grass green & pink colors. Maybe it was because the price was soooo good. I'd like to think that with that set comes an excuse to have relaxing tea with friends; Spending time with friends & drinking healthy tea is a win, win for your health studies have shown.
    I've posted the  health benefits of drinking green tea (see left) before, but all teas have endless health benefits. For your own tea with friends, make sure you have honey, lemon, creamer with a variety of teas (have you seen the endless varieties in the stores?) and some delish tea sandwiches & flakey shortbread cookies perhaps... yum. Yes, I think I'll just be more tea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RUa55vAdbc

5 Pain-Fighting Foods

   Ever have those days when getting out of the car or up from the sofa elicits a groan? Yeah, me too. In the March issue of Woman’s Day magazine, nutritionist Joy Bauer handpicks five of the most powerful pain suppressing foods. (And they are delicious at that). Pick some up on your next shopping trip.

1)   Sweet Potatoes ~ the beta-carotene is a strong antioxidant that fights those cell damaging free radicals. I love them simply baked. But slicing into steak fry size, tossing in olive oil and baking that way saves time. Sprinkle with a bit of sea salt. Yum

2)  Red Bell Pepper ~ this pepper has twice the vitamin C as an orange. Vitamin C aids in the health of collagen that helps our joins stay flexible. They also contain beta- cryptoxanthin, a compound that helps reduce pain. Use in salads, omelets, as a dipper with a healthy dip.

3)  Salmon ~ contains a healthy dose of those important omega-3 fats. This can help decrease inflammation by suppressing the production of enzymes that harm cartilage. Also, an omega-3 rich diet can lead to less joint swelling and stiffness.

4)  Turmeric ~ this spice contains an anti-swelling compound called curcumin and can lower inflammatory chemicals in the body. You can buy in pill form. I like to swap out condiments like mayo for turmeric-rich mustards.

5)  Ginger ~ mimics some anti-inflammatory medications. Use fresh or ground in cooking.

Enjoy shopping & trying new recipes with these feel good foods & spices!

Color Your World

“With color, for the price of a pot of paint, people can express their own style and individuality. But, as with style, a gift for color has to be developed by experiment. If you don’t dare, you are doomed to dullness.”  -Shirley Conran

     Pretty strong words, but I have to totally agree. Being doomed to dullness is not my cup of tea. So the next time you are relaxing with a cup of tea, begin to ponder the layers of your world & how color plays (or can play) an integral part. Whether consciously or unconsciously, color is a part of these layers & we need to take some control. My coworker last week was wearing pink because she wanted to chase winter away! Love that. This is the perfect time of year to ‘perk up’ what we wear. Certain colors evoke great feelings in us. Experiment & find your own visceral experience with your wardrobe. Next time you shop, try on a few new for you colors & see how it feels. The Pantone color of 2014 is orchid. Try that for starters! If you need to, start small with a scarf, purse, belt or shoes…

    A friend of mine recently started having his home painted after over a decade of builder’s grade white. I consulted in a small way, really just a nod on the color that was already speaking to him. He left a message a few days ago & was practically speechless with happiness. He realizes now that with a little paint in a brave color that he now loves, all the existing furniture & cabinetry looked new! What a revelation. So dare to color your world too! Jot down a few color ideas for rooms, or some throw pillows perhaps. Just start somewhere & feel the joy seep into the layers of your world!

Permission to Hibernate

    Yes, a few more weeks until calendar spring. We all know, especially east coast, that calendar spring is a crock. Especially after this year, I am ready to hibernate until it is really spring. Consistent 70 degree temps, completely melted snow…

    I truly believe that I was meant to be a hibernating animal. I mean, I cannot take another second of snow, cold temps, head colds, dry air, etc. I mean most bears hibernate & no one would dare call them lazy or a slacker (at least not to their face)! Have you ever seen footage of them fishing salmon?! Serious over-achievers. I am hereby giving you permission to ‘hibernate’; resting & sleeping & recharging those human batteries as needed until real spring begins. Why do we feel that if we feel lazy, feel like napping, feel like staying under the covers most of the weekend is a bad thing? We deserve down time too even though we can’t physiologically hibernate. We can allow ourselves all the time we need to rest & relax. Sure, there are days we need to work, tasks that need to be completed. I suggest we break those tasks into singular to-do’s & break them down even further. I may need to empty the dishwasher but if I do a few glasses at a time, it will get done eventually… then I can get right back to my warm bed sooner.

Lent Isn't Just For Catholics

   Growing up Catholic, I know a little something about the season of Lent, the time leading up to Easter (and spring)!! What my friends and I all remember most is the ‘giving something up’ for Lent. We still participate health permitting. Yes, it usually is a food of some sort. Growing up I remember my Mom ‘making’ my sister & I ‘give’ up watching the cult classic Dark Shadows after school for the 6 week duration. (She said it would be tough & that would be good for us. I honestly think she just hated a show about vampires!) Well, the idea is it should be something tough. In recent years, I have given up chocolate ~ the hardest by far at the time. One year was alcohol, equally as tough I suppose. A handful of years ago I stopped eating after 7pm at night. Extremely difficult thing to do at first, but then a Lenten miracle happened; I actually felt better for the sacrifice in the morning ~ no growling-I-got-to-eat-NOW tummy. To this day I try to abide by the same rule. My brother-in-law gives up beer every year & a wonderful thing happens for him, his body takes on a new & improved shape. Now, I am not saying total deprivation is the way to go, quite the contrary. I believe in moderation all the way. What I am saying is there is something to be learned from sacrifice of any kind. You prove to yourself that you are tougher than you think. You learn to appreciate what you are sacrificing; a bit of forced gratitude along life’s path is not a bad thing. I think our parents forced gratitude on us a whole lot. “You better eat those peas; there are starving children out there that don’t get peas.” Yes, we go along in our adult life not always grateful, not always present in the moment. So the idea of Lenten sacrifice can be good for all. We can learn to be grateful and when spring comes along with the end of Lent, a grateful Halleluiah chorus isn’t such a bad thing either.