New Year's Resolutions

I usually try to come up with some kind of resolution - lose weight, drink more water, read more, volunteer more... but this year I have chosen not to make any more promises that I most likely will not keep.  I have a genuine interest in improving all areas of my life all the time, but as life would have it, some things just get put on hold.

I have made up my mind though to rebuild my yoga practice.  In the last year, my practice has become dull due to some aches and pains.  I have allowed my aches and pains to rule my daily activities.  While I want to honor my body and not push myself to unreasonable lengths, I feel that moving beyond complacency is really needed right now.  So...I will chronicle my progression, if there is any, as a way to inspire others to move forward in whatever areas they want and to achieve a keener level of fitness and physical abilities.  

In case you are in the Scottsdale area and are looking to try yoga, head over to Yoga Village in the Scottsdale airpark.  Check out www.yogavillage.net for class schedules, prices, location and teachers.  I do teach a gentle class there on Monday mornings.  Whatever you are doing for your new year, enjoy the beginning and never be afraid to start over and over and over!  

She liked it!

Well, my step-mom loved the basket of fruit! She said they ate for 6 days in a row - a little dessert after every dinner. I'm thinking it was a hit and since they are happy, I'll use that company again.

If you run across a great gift idea that has worked for you, send in a comment.

Cool Holiday or Birthday Gift

Word of mouth is really powerful. My sister Lori told me about http://www.ediblearrangements.com/ because I was looking for a nice gift for my step-mom's 70th birthday. It goes out this Monday, so I'll let you know how she likes it. Another tip is to enter - edible arrangement coupons - in the search engines and you will find $5.00 off coupon codes and get a discount on your order! Isn't that great? So...if you're looking for a nice holiday or birthday gift, consider this beautiful, bountilful, fresh, hand-delivered gift for someone special. And tell them you heard it from me. It would be nice if they had an affiliate program for this. Happy Holiday Shopping! :)

Good Manners - Not Old Fashioned Yet

Every set of parents has their own set of standards (or not) for rearing their kids with an emphasis on what's important to them.  For me and my husband, it is good manners that makes a kid stand out and be respected.  My son is 15 and is still getting compliments from food servers for his politeness.  We are proud, of course, but more than that, we are relieved that he will have some advantages for getting along in society.  There's a difference between knowing manners and using them.  One of the ways we model this for our kids is by asking nicely for them to do things.  We rarely make a demand or command to them.  We have always preceeded a request with "would you please...empty the dishwasher...clean your room...flush the toilet...do a load of laundry...?"  On occasion we've had to raise our voices, but that's because as kids become teenagers, they either space out on the action or just don't feel like getting up right then and there.  In return, our kids have always asked nicely for things.  The civility between parents and kids is high and therefore, there is very little confrontation.  Harmony in the home...that's what I like.  Also though, as kids grow up with high standards in communicating, they may have a better chance of responding to the world thoughtfully and with confidence.  By the way, once our kids have done something we've asked them to do, guess what we say?  You guessed it..."Thank you!"  

Holiday Friendly Recipes

Well Halloween is over and now it's time to really enjoy Fall and get into the season.  I can't think of a better way to do that than with good friends accompanied by good food.  I am sharing these recipes because they are like comfort food - warm and yummy - and best of all, easy!

Brisket:

1 jar heinz chili sauce, 1 can cranberries, 1 pkg. lipton onion soup mix
Mix together and pour on top of:

3-5 lb brisket, fat side down on a heavy bed of raw onions, carrots and celery

Top with sauce and add 1/2 jar of water. Cover with foil, snug. Cook at 350 for about 5 hours, After two 1/2 hours, loosen foil and poke at meat. After 5 hours poking should be easy. If you are serving a lot, double up pans, vegetables, sauce and meat (like 4 lbs each pan)

Serve with this yummy pasta dish:

Saute onions, garlic, bell peppers, green and/or red, use olive oil. Add some chicken broth so veggies don't burn. Cook until veggis soften. Add canned tomatoes (1 15 oz) and hand fulls of spices: parsley, basil, oregano, whatever else you like...add a few Tbls. lemon juice, 4 tsps. sugar and simmer till it thickens. Add shrimp or scallops (thawed, raw) and cook another 10 minutes. Pour veggie/shrimp sauce over your choice of pasta noodles (I use penne) and then add parmesan cheese to taste.

Great for holiday party. 

Why Do Yoga?

Well, for one thing, it is good for you. But as I always like to go a little deeper, it’s because it has the power to transform the way you live. Hatha yoga helps us gain control of our thoughts and actions. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. How many times have you lost your temper or reacted badly to a situation only to discover it wasn’t necessary? Not only is it not necessary, but it wastes energy and can hurt people – and I hate waste and hurting people! In this month’s Yoga Journal, Kelly McGonigal, psychologist and yoga teacher at Stanford University, explains how yoga helps to regulate the autonomic nervous system and reduce overall stress. One of the ways we can be impactful is to reduce our stress levels and experience a sense of peace on a more regular basis. This has a ripple effect and lets those we are in relationship with know they can rely on us as safe ground. I recommend trying different styles of yoga to see what resonates with you. My favorite is Anusara yoga, founded by John Friend. Happy yoga hunting!

My New Boss

Oh yes...besides teaching yoga and other important things, I am now working for TerriO...the reigning Craft Queen and Media Mogul who hosts her own show at www.aterrioshow.com

She is wearing a beautiful amber necklace that she made and she shows how to make it on her website video.  I am having so much fun working for Terri.  She is as fun in person as she appears on Good Morning Arizona!