Self-Care
Courage Grace & Compassion
March is the Month of Expectation.
Emily Dickinson
Greetings to all my precious people!
Just when you thought it was safe to put away your winter coat, the North wind blasted us with one more reminder that Nature is in charge of the environment. The month of March is mercurial, and perhaps that makes sense, since the name March is ultimately derived from the Latin word Martius, named after Mars, the Roman god of war. While we are in the midst of welcoming the Spring Equinox, Mercury has entered its “pre-retrograde” shadow and there is also a lunar eclipse on the horizon for March 25th. Change is constant, and the shifts in the season gently remind us that we, too, are part of the environment, contributing to the outside world as well as being affected by it. continue reading
Savory Spinach and Mushroom Quinoa Recipe
This is a delicious dish to whip up for any meal – top with eggs for breakfast, include roasted salmon or your additional protein of choice for lunch or dinner, or enjoy it simply as a vegan dish. Quinoa is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own, packing in about 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber in each cooked cup. continue reading
Rest & Reset
Rest and be thankful.
~~ William Wordsworth
Greetings to all my precious people!!
It is the middle of March, and there is a firestorm of activity occurring!! The first noticeable change was the historical and controversial “spring ahead” to welcome daylight saving time, switching our clocks ahead one hour, effective Sunday March 10. According to the Library of Congress, this measure was first introduced in the United States in 1918 under the Standard Time Act as a way to save on fuel costs during the First World War by adding an extra hour of sunlight to the day. Daylight saving time was enacted as a legal requirement by the Uniform Time Act of 1966. Under this act, states could exempt themselves from daylight saving time, and Hawaii and Arizona opted out. continue reading
Mushroom Rice Pilaf Recipe
The next time you’re faced with a big bowl of leftover rice and have no idea what to do with it, look to classic rice pilaf for inspiration. Rice pilaf is made by sautéing aromatics in fat, adding rice, and cooking the whole thing in broth, which infuses the dish with savory flavor. Here, you’ll start by cooking shallots and garlic in butter, adding mushrooms and fresh thyme, and then deglazing the pan with chicken or vegetable broth. Because the rice is already cooked, you’ll add it in at the end, which still gives you all the wonderful creaminess you expect from a good pilaf. This creamy mushroom and herb-flecked skillet makes the perfect partner to anything you’re cooking for dinner, be it pork chops, grilled chicken, or even a platter of roasted vegetables. Better yet, top the pilaf with a poached or fried egg to make it the star of your plate. continue reading
Unlocking the Secrets of Sleep
Beyond a nightly ritual, sleep is an intricate dance our bodies and minds perform, playing a pivotal role in our overall health and well-being. Let’s delve into the profound importance of a good night’s rest:
💤 Restoration and Repair: During those peaceful hours of slumber, our bodies embark on a transformative journey. Cells undergo repair, muscles grow, and growth hormones are released. It’s a nightly reset button, allowing our bodies to heal and rejuvenate.
💤 Memory Consolidation: Ever wondered why a good night’s sleep enhances your ability to recall information? Sleep is the maestro orchestrating the consolidation of memories. It’s a crucial process for organizing and retaining the wealth of experiences and knowledge acquired throughout the day.
💤 Physical Health: The link between adequate sleep and physical well-being is profound. Sleep regulates hormones governing appetite, metabolism, and stress. Skimping on sleep can lead to weight gain, increased stress levels, and a compromised immune system. Your body’s way of saying, ‘I need my rest!’
💤 Mental Health: The mind, too, seeks solace in the realm of dreams. Sleep is intricately connected to mental well-being, influencing mood and emotional stability. Chronic sleep deprivation is a potential gateway to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
💤 Brain Function: Ever heard of the saying, ‘sleep on it’? There’s wisdom in those words. While we snooze, our brains oscillate through different stages, including deep sleep and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. These stages are the VIP pass to cognitive function, creativity, and problem-solving.
💤 Energy Conservation: Sleep isn’t just a time of rest; it’s an energy-saving strategy. By reducing our metabolic rate and overall energy expenditure, sleep ensures we wake up refreshed and ready to conquer the challenges of a new day. It’s the ultimate recharge.
💤 Dreams: As the night unfolds, our minds weave intricate tales in the realm of dreams, especially during REM sleep. These vivid experiences are more than just nocturnal adventures; they serve as a conduit for our brains to process emotions and thoughts, contributing to mental and emotional well-being.
So, the next time you’re tempted to sacrifice sleep for other endeavors, remember: it’s not just a break from reality but a vital component of a healthy, fulfilling life. Prioritize your sleep – your body and mind will thank you!
