Style 101- What Every Stylish Woman Should Know

Every now and then I come across a good reference book. This particular one is targeting woman who are interested in style.  The book covers over 100 how- to’s.  The information is very useful and timeless. I first saw this book in a home decorating store. I purchased it and mailed it to my sister – I think shes enjoyed it.  I, myself, have rented it from the library twice now.  I recently gleaned information from this book before buying a double string of vintage pearls I had spotted at a thrift store.  I’m very pleased with my purchase.  Some topics include how to:

Find the perfect pants

Pick a makeup brush

Trim your bangs

Buy pearls

Arrange a bookshelf

Buy vintage clothes

Create a 5 star bedroom

Decorate with color….

I am sure you will find something useful in this book if you pick it up or rent it from your library. Have a great week.

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Urgent and Non Urgent Activities

I was recently reminded of how important it is for me the pay attention to the urgent and non urgent activities I participate in.

I find that if I am not paying attention, my activities can easily be consumed by someone else’s urgency. For example, when someone calls me with a concern I may feel I must respond and help solve the problem. It really has nothing to do with me, but now I am involved. If this continues to go on day after day, these demands can make me feel overwhelmed. Sometimes it is best to say ‘I am sorry I don’t know …..’ I find that paying attention has helped me to see what a valid need is and what drama is.

The daily activities that are most important to me are the ones that have no urgency.  If I am not careful, these activities can be very difficult to fit into my life – but they are the ones that have the most value. They are things like: spending time with my girls; talking with my husband; physical fitness; developing relationships; responding to a valid need & taking care of my soul.

Ladies, why not take the time to write out your daily activities for a few days. Are you spending more time on other people’s urgencies or on the activities you value?  Give urgency to the things that are most important to you. Have a wonderful day. Linda

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Broccoli and Lentil Soup

Although I’ve had ‘The Diabetes Choice Cookbook’ for sometime, this recipe just recently caught my eye.  Broccoli and Lentil soup is easy; nutritious; tastes great and freezes well.   I like that the soup is pureed as my daughter Erin doesn’t like lentils – so I can disguise them. I double the recipe and freeze half for use later. I also blend in 1/2 – 350 g pack of tofu. (Soya products are effective in reducing bone loss, so I use tofu a fair amount in soups).

I hope you give this soup a try, I think you’ll like it.

Broccoli and Lentil Soup

Serves 4-6

Ingredients :

• 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil
• 2 tsp crushed garlic
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 1/2 cups chopped broccoli
• 3/4 cup dried green lentils
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

(I use gluten free ingredients)

Directions :

1. In a large nonstick saucepan, heat oil; sauté garlic, onion, celery and carrot until softened, approximately 5 minutes
2. Add stock, broccoli and lentils; cover and simmer for 30 minute, stirring occasionally, or until tender
3. Puree in food processor until creamy and smooth
4. Serve sprinkled with parmesan

Nutrition Information Per Serving :

• 1 starch Choice
• 1 Protein Choice
• Calories 139
• Fat, total 3 grams; saturated 1 gram
• Carbohydrate 20 grams
• Fibre 4 grams
• Protein 10 grams
• Sodium 999 milligrams
• Cholesterol 2 milligrams

Source : “The Diabetes Choice Cookbook for Canadians”, Katherine Younker

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Become Great at Accepting Unforeseen Gifts

You know, it really is important to be a good gift receiver.  There was a time when I felt uncomfortable receiving gifts out of the blue. Then I thought about how I like to give a little spontaneous gift just because I’m thinking of someone & want to show them that they’re special to me. I realized that I needed to allow others to experience the special blessing that gift giving creates by accepting a gift graciously – with no strings attached. Now, I’ve become a much better receiver of unanticipated gifts.

Here is a story that illustrates my point better. Over the years, I’ve occasionally volunteered at a local soup kitchen.  I like to work at the coffee/tea counter because I have direct client contact. At this kitchen, it’s suggested that the client pay a dime for a cup of coffee. (If they don’t have a dime, they get the coffee anyway). I wondered about the fee and asked a staff member why the coffee wasn’t free considering the meal was. It was explained to me that charging a fee was providing an opportunity for the clients to maintain their dignity. You see, most of them have a dime. What surprised me was how generous these individuals were with their limited amount of money. If they could, many also paid .10 cents for the person behind them in the coffee line. Believe me; the clients were very happy to have the opportunity to give a gift of a cup of coffee to another. I’m always moved by these acts of kindness.

There is just something so very special about giving a gift – don’t you agree? We all need to help provide the opportunity for others to give gifts by being good receivers – no matter what journey we (or they) are on.  Have a wonderful day. Linda

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Quote Thomas Merton

“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul” Thomas Merton

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about this quote since I came across it recently.  Although I sometimes wonder why things happen the way they do, I believe that if I’m awake (not drifting along) then all events really do plant something in my soul. I hope you find this quote inspiring today.

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