Thankful Thursday

I want to dedicate this blog post to my dear and trusted friend, Judy Craig, and my Mom who love me enough to tell me the truth when I need it, even when it hurts and kicks my butt.  Love you both!!!

I like to think of myself as being a fairly optimistic person, a little south of Pollyanna most of the time.  Like the old Monty Python song says, “Always look on the bright side of life… do do… dah doot... de doot dah doot!” 

However…

Lately I have chosen to let loose the Negative Nelly in me – she’s a bit south of Darth Vader.  Nelly is the little voice that lives to point out the bad side/points of everything in my life – from people to places to every little nook and cranny.  You gotta give her props for creativity, because she can find the down side to anything.  Some of her favorite lines usually include the words, “it’s not enough… you could do better… look at what the other person has…  it's not fair...”, and similar words that are the termites to my thankfulness.  She’s the daughter of that snake in a garden long ago that hissed doubt in Eve’s ear… and thus Negative Nelly was conceived.  She is the voice that breathes life into discontent, dissatisfaction, disgruntlement and displeasure.  Yep… she is the part of me that is the “Diva of Diss”!!!

It’s easy to allow yourself to become influenced by the circumstances of life – complex things like the economy (and how it affects you personally), the behavior/outlook of others around you... right down to the weather (she writes as yet another dreary NJ snowstorm rages outside).  It’s kind of like being a non-smoker in a room full of smokers.  You may come out a non-smoker, but the smoke has permeated your hair and clothes, it’s internalized in your lungs, and you carry the stench with you - until you choose to change those clothes, toss them in the laundry, and take a shower.  Negativity (and what we do with it) is a lot like that, isn’t it? 

It takes someone who really cares about to you have the courage to verbally hit you upside the head and call you on your “never satisfied” and “pity party thrower” sad self, and to encourage you to stop playing that same old tune and change the station! How grateful I am to have some treasured people like that in my life.

One of my favorite quotes about attitude come from Chuck Swindoll (see frame).  

So today I choose to change.  Today I will wipe the “diss” off my lenses, own my ‘tude, get down on my knees to ask God (and my longsuffering loved ones) to forgive me for being such a self-focused crabapple, and get on with the business of being grateful and thankful for the incredible life I have… right this second.  I’d rather wear a bit more rosy lenses, tinged with realism, but nonetheless more likely to see that for which I can and should be appreciative.  My blessings overflow, and it’s time my ‘tude, words, countenance and life reflected just that.

It’s like the old hymn said, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.  Count your blessings, see what God has done.”

Won’t you join me today?  Together let’s duct tape shut that Negative Nelly voice within, exercise our grateful muscles and work them out till we drop with thanksgiving!

Blessings,

Coach Linda

Wild Woman Wednesday

Wild women make other wild women smile – we bless one another, intentionally, mindfully… on purpose.  In last Wednesday’s Wild Woman post (click HERE if you missed it), I wrote about our gal pals and how important it is to stay in touch with them, be there for them, etc.

I gotta tell ya, Wild Women, today has not in my top ten list of “Oh let’s live this bad boy over again” days.  I’ve received some sad news from a family member, I’ve been chewed out by someone (not because of what I did, but just because she is overwhelmed/super-stressed and in my impeccable timing I wound up smack dab in the line of fire for her projectile vomit of words).  A team project that has been one of my babies has had some revamping and rejuggling that I’m not thrilled about but it’s not in my “circle of influence” so I need to learn to hold my tongue and let it go.  (I feel like a contortionist holding this and letting that go – I’m more twisted than Dee Snyder!). I’m still dealing with my pity party of “will Spring EVER EVER EVVVAHHHHH get here?” blues. I’m trying to figure out my time in the next few days to shop, bake and cook so we can get ready to celebrate Easter/Resurrection Day.  But here I am feeling grumpy, stressed out and crabby as a Maryland crab cake!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear… but a friend approaching with these bee-oooo-teee-ful flowers!!!!  I had done an ever-so-insignificant favor for her, and she brought these to me as a thank you.  What a blessing.  It was just what I needed to kick my butt into the reality of how good a day can be.  It helped me adjust my attitude and mood (my ‘tude ‘mood), and lifted my spirits so now instead of being a budding hot mess I’m blossoming into a happier mood.  Okay, it’s not exactly poetic and certainly on the far side of corny, but it had to be said!

Why not exercise your “bless your sistah” muscle and take time to do some supportive, loving random act of kindness for one of the women in your life today?  Not only will it prove to be a mood ‘tude adjustment for both of you, it may be the brightest spot in her day… even her week.  

Blessings,

Coach Linda

And just remember:  

"A friend is like a good bra: hard to find, comfortable, supportive, always lifts you up, makes you look better, never lets you down or leaves you hanging, and always close to your heart." 

Tasty Tuesday

Did you know that January is National Soup month? I am a soupaholic, and I love everything about it – from chopping up the veggies to sautéing the onions/garlic until they’re golden, to the pot simmering on the stove... the smells, the sounds, the bright veggie colors, and of course the TASTES!!!! There is something incredibly satisfying about making a big pot of soup on a cold day. It’s almost healing to the soul (and it doesn’t just have to be chicken noodle)! When cold weather hits, the first thing my dear friend Kasey does is run for her turtleneck sweaters and her soup-cooking gear! I’ve spent many a night sitting in her kitchen sharing laughter and friendship over a steaming bowl of homemade soup.

Today I found a recipe on my favorite food store’s website, www.wholefoodsmarket.com. They’re featuring an array of soup recipes this month, and their Simple Black Bean Soup caught my eye. It’s easy to make, easy on the budget, nutritious, and has only 120 calories per serving and a whopping 7g of protein and 7g of fiber! What’s not to love?!?!?

Another thing I love about soups is that you can easily double or triple the recipe to have enough not only for your freezer for future meals, but to give away to someone you know that needs a meal. Perhaps it’s someone sick, an elderly neighbor, a friend who has a crazy schedule and would love a home-cooked meal, or a single parent. Deliver it with a loaf of bread and a bag-o-salad from the market, and it’s a lovely and thoughtful (and I’m sure oh-so-welcome) treat! I remember when I was a single parent recovering from pneumonia, a woman from our church brought me a hot dinner from soup to dessert for my daughter and I – thinking about it still touches my heart. What a blessing that meal was from that angel in disguise. Imagine how something as simple as a bowl of soup given in heartfelt friendship mayn last in someone’s memory for years to come.

So exercise those culinary muscles, wild women, and stir up some divinely delicious soup for yourself, your family, and someone in need. It will leave a wonderful taste in everyone’s mouths!

Blessings,

Linda

***********************

SIMPLE BLACK BEAN SOUP


Serves 8 (vegetarian, gluten-free)
Cooking dried beans is low maintenance and a great value. Make sure to plan ahead and allow time for soaking the beans. Serve with hot sauce or salsa, if you like.

Ingredients
1 pound dried black beans (about 2 1/2 cups), rinsed
2 medium onions, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 ripe avocado, chopped

Method
Soak the beans overnight or 6 to 8 hours prior to cooking. Drain and rinse.

In a large pot, bring 1/2 cup water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add onions, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in cumin and chipotle and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add drained beans and 10 cups water. Bring soup to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until beans are tender. Remove 4 cups soup and carefully purée in a blender. Return purée to pot and stir in cilantro, nutritional yeast and lime juice. Spoon into bowls for serving and garnish with avocado.


Nutrition

Per serving: 120 calories (25 from fat), 2.5g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 15mg sodium, 20g total carbohydrate (7g dietary fiber, 2g sugar), 7g protein

Manic Monday!

Well, for those of you here on the East Coast, many are either home still cleaning up branches and flooded basements, dealing with no power, or trying to find a non-blocked, non-flooded road on which to safely commute to work. I’m blessed to have only gotten some puddles in the basement and some tree limbs down here and there. Yes, exercising my knees today by being down on them thanking God for Hurricane Irene not hitting with the full-throttle force original anticipated by the media. Our prayers go out to all who are having difficulties or long-term hardships from the aftermath.

To that end, today I am listing the website for the American Red Cross. You can find disaster kits, information on where to get help, and overall information. I must admit I’m not one to be super-prepared for emergencies, but between last week’s earthquake and hurricane double-headed, I’m making sure to put together a kit for both home and car. So this Monday, if you’re not already doing so, take time to exercise your safety by putting together everything you need in case of another emergency. And make sure to reach out to others who are not as fortunate as you!!!

http://www.redcross.org/en/

Blessings,

Linda