Feeling Blessed: A BIG thank you

Has it really  been a whole month since my last blog update? What a busy little beaver I have been lately! Please give me this moment to thank everyone who reads this blog, who comments on my facebook page, who makes me laugh on Twitter, and who encourages me to keep following my dream of Doing What I Love. It is proof that one small gesture can make a difference in the life of an individual. Be good to each other and yourselves. Have a wonderful weekend. Namaste.

Quick Chili: Perfect for Cold Winter Days

Alexis and her awesome chili

Originally uploaded by santheo

Part of living a balanced life involves cooking and eating nutritious and filling food. People often find it hard to find the time to cook, leaving a trail of takeout and frozen food wrappers. Fortunately, there is hope. My family has been making a version of the following chili for a few years now. It is a little spicy, but not too spicy for our toddler. It is also easy, economical, and quick. See below the recipe for tips on how to make it a little healthier. We made it tonight. It went perfect with the blizzard.

This Recipe is originally from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 white onion, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 (15 ounce) can ranch-style beans
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

Directions

In a large pot, cook beef over medium heat until brown. Stir in onion and cook until onion is translucent. Stir in tomato sauce, water, ranch-style beans, kidney beans, chiles, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 364 | Total Fat: 16.5g | Cholesterol: 57mg

For a healthier version: I usually buy at least 85% lean ground beef, but ground turkey would add less fat and calories to the meal. I usually leave the grease from the meat in the pot, however; you can drain the liquid after cooking the meat for less fat and calories. In addition, substitution of fresher ingredients along with organic ingredients, will increase the nutritional value of the meal.

All in the Name of Love

I'VE GOT A LOVE THAT I CLING ON TO.. By Niffty on Flickr

Read at weddings and framed on walls, most people have heard a version of Corinthians 13:4-7 (Love is patient, Love is kind). Some people would say the passage is a little played out and annoying. Or is it?

I found an exercise that brings new meaning to the overly used Bible passage. I encourage you all to try it and share what you think. All you have to do is read the passage below, inserting your own name where there are blanks.

_____ is patient, _____is kind. _____ does not envy, _____ does not boast, _____ is not proud. ⁵ _____is not rude, ____ is not self-seeking, _____ is not easily angered, _____keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ ______does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ ______always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Do you embody this passage fully? Has this exercise changed the way you see this passage and your life?

Making the passage so personal, gave me better insight into my own life. I am not always patient with my child, or kind to those who do me wrong. Envy, I am sad to say, can consume me. I often boast and am proud when something great happens to me. Let’s face it, I can be rude, especially when tired or annoyed. I can be self absorbed. And anger, well, let’s just say don’t push me too hard. I keep a mental list of all the things my husband has done (or not done) in order to win the next fight.

Even if you do not read the Bible or believe in it, you can not deny there is some great stuff in there. Sometimes we just need to look at it from a different angle or in a new way. May all your days be filled with Love, Hope, and Faith, but the greatest of these is Love. Namaste.

Guest Bloggers Coming Your Way Very Soon!

Mrs. Scott is happy to announce that some very talented, sincere, and awesome friends have agreed to do some guest blogging gigs right here! I am so happy to have them aboard the Life in Balance- Do What You Love train! Stay tuned….the first one is scheduled to hit tonight! I will give you a sneak peak.

It seems that confessions are replacing baseball as our national past-time. Tiger Woods, Eliot Spitzer, Jim McGreevy, John Edwards, Mark Sanford and far too many others are clogging up the airwaves with their heartfelt, public confessions, loyal wives often at their sides, promising penitence and reform.

Ok, that is enough. Be sure to tune in. Same Mrs. Scott channel, same Mrs. Scott….well you get the picture.

Namaste!

Rekindle your Relationships, Not Just the Yuletide Fire

I tried not to blog about it, I really did. But it has been everywhere lately and it can no longer be avoided. What am I talking about? First there was Tiger, then Bradgelina all over the super market isles, and now a scandal among friends. I ask myself, what do all these people have in common, besides a failing relationship and a cheating spouse?

Tiger and Bradgelina both have small children. And let’s face it, small children take up a large part of anyone’s time and energy. Who has energy left for your once significant other? But my friend did not have kids. She is; however, dealing with the death of a loved one. In all these instances, energies have been diverted other places. A plant can not grow and will soon whither and die without light, water, and warmth. In the same way, a relationship will fade when not given attention and love.

If you feel like life, in all it’s joys and sorrows, is pulling you away from anyone you love-take actions to ensure your relationship is nurtured. It might not even be a spouse, it could be a close friend, or a family member. Especially in the holiday season, our minds are lost in our To Do list. Here’s My New To Do List:

1.) Hold his hand and kiss him in public

2.) Give him a massage after a hard day

3.) Treat each date, like it was the first

4.) Show interest in what interests him

5.) Take care of and show LOVE for myself

What is on your To Do List today? Namaste.

Budget Savvy MD Style Crab Cake (without the crab)

One of the hardest things about creating an ideal work/life balance is eating healthy. It is so much easier to pick up the phone or turn into a drive thru. In my search for  meals made from more simple and fresh ingredients (that do not put a dent in my pocketbook), I came across a recipe for cauliflower fritters. As I was making the recipe, I noticed the fritters were looking alot like a crab cake. Being a MD native, I love a good crab cake. So I altered the recipe and think I have a winner. Not only is it more economical than using crab, it is also better for the environment, as crabs are overfished and populations (especially in the chesapeake bay area) are dwindling. Let me know what you think.

Ingredient List:

1. Large head of califlower (about 2 1/4 pounds) trimmed and chopped (or buy pre-chopped bags for convenience)
2. At least 1/2 cup flour (I used whole wheat flour)
3. 1 large egg, beaten
4. Old Bay seasoning (to taste), at least 1 Tablespoon
5. 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)- I used more for a deep fried approach
6. Horseradish and Ketchup (or store bought cocktail sauce)

Steam the califlower until tender. Mash and let cool. Stir in flour and egg (I added more flour than the recipe called for). Season with salt and pepper and Old Bay. Return to fridge for 15 minutes. Roll 1/4 cupfuls into balls and flatten into patties, it will make about 12. Heat EVOO over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the patties until-golden brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Serve with cocktail sauce and Old Bay on the side. To make your own cocktail sauce, simply mix equal parts ketchup to horseradish. This is pretty spicy, so you might want to add more ketchup.

Happy Cooking! Namaste.

I Want to Get Away….I Want to Fly Away

As I write this, my 21-month old is crying and banging on the door of her bedroom. You see, she has mastered the art of climbing (or falling) out of her crib. I mean how long can she really cry?

Yes, I am having one of those days, or weeks, or even months where I just want to walk out the front door and not worry about a screaming kid, dirty dishes, an article deadline, a shrinking bank account, and a sore back and neck. (Happy hour anyone?)

When I am having days like these, I take a few deep breaths and try one (or many) of the following happiness helpers:

1. I inject silence and calm into my day whenever possible, especially during nap time.
2. I close my eyes, breath in and out, and picture a place I like to be. For me, I usually picture being on top of a mountain with the warm wind blowing, the fluffy white clouds floating by, and no one around for miles. (Guess what, this is a form of meditation–and you thought it was just for monks and hippies.)
3. I take a shower or bath.
4. I do Thai Chi, Qi Gong, or Yoga to stretch and relax my mind and muscles.
5. I take a walk. (In fact, I put the little one in the stroller and we both get fresh air).
6. I count my blessings. Being grateful is a wonderful way to spark a happier mood. Thank God and the universe for providing you food, shelter, and life.
7. I repeat positive affirmations. The mind can be an enemy or an ally. Tell yourself you are wonderful and today is a great day. Hey, it can’t hurt, right?
8. I connect with my friends and family. I call my mom, I update my Facebook status, I write this blog, and soon enough I am feeling a little better.

Life is tough. Times are tough. But we have a choice. We can continue to curse the day or even the life we live, or we can choose to be grateful for what we do have and make this one of our best days.

Wait……what is that I hear? Silence. Sweet sweet silence. See, my happiness helpers are working already. Have your best day! Namaste.

Take a cue from the Hawaiians and just " Hang Loose"

Fall: My Favorite Season

Just as the trees drop leaves every fall, so should we. In Chinese medicine, fall is a time of letting go. This is a great opportunity to purge our closets and basements of unneeded stuff. I keep telling myself I am going to make some money on ebay and craigslist with all the stuff I have lying around. Maybe the fall will actually propel me in this direction.

Don’t think of the fall as a time to just let go of the physical. What emotions and mental thoughts are you holding onto? Release your worries, fear, anger, grief and resentment. Know that by letting go now, you will be better able to grow and evolve come spring.

Fall is my favorite season, not just for the turning of the leaves, but also the crisp clean air it brings. So it comes as no surprise that  fall is the time for the lungs in Chinese medicine. Breathe in to receive inspiration. Breathe out to release what is no longer useful. Prepare yourself for the very introspective winter.

Now that I think about it, maybe this is my season to shed the extra “baby weight.” I am ready to let go of the extra baggage I have been carrying around in my gut, heart, and head. Are you?

Take care of yourself and others. Happy Fall and as always, Namaste.

A Daughter’s Final Farewell

And instead of saying all of your goodbyes – let them know

You realize that life goes fast

It’s hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn’t go down
It’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning round

—Flaming Lips Lyrics to Do You Realize

A friend of my family, Pam Erisman, recently wrote a touching memorial to her father and sent it to family and friends in an email. It reminds us to never take for granted the people that we love.

My fondest memories of my father are going to Ocean City (MD) as a child. We would ride the trailways bus there, and spend  the week at the Plim Plaza hotel. We’d eat dinner at the Paul Revere Smorgasbord, walk the board walk, and ride the rides.  I enjoyed nothing more than digging in the sand looking for sand crabs with him. The two of us would hold hands and jump the waves, sometimes our hands would break apart, but he always came to my rescue!!

When Skylar (my daughter) was three or four, I took her to Ocean City, and took my father along with with us. We stayed at the Plim Plaza too, and did all the things that he and I had done so many years before. This time I watched him with my little girl, and it took me back to a time when I was much younger, doing that very same thing with that very same man.

He and I talked about how much Ocean City had changed, and how much it had stayed the same. He loved Ocean City, and I still love Ocean City.

I grew up. My father grew old. We still fished and crabbed, and we always laughed. When we talked, somehow, some way, our conversations would always go back Ocean City. It was always “remember when……”

My father’s death was and still is the biggest shock of my life. I wasn’t ready to let go. Not yet anyway. I was mad at him. I was so frustrated with him.  I was just mean to him.

He wasn’t going to die, not this time. I hadn’t said goodbye, or I’m sorry. We hadn’t laughed again yet. I  said goodbye a year before, and prepared myself for his death. But he wasn’t ready that time. My father  made a remarkable recovery. When he moved in with me, we talked about how close he  was to really dying.

As I drove to the ER, I was sad because he was going to spend another Thanksgiving in the hospital. I promised Skylar that Pop-Pop would be home for Christmas that year because I believed he would.

When I got the call, I was numb . As I made that final trip to the hospital, I knew  he wasn’t going to spend another Thanksgiving in the hospital. He wouldn’t be home for Christmas. All I could  think was that he was laying in that hospital bed remembering the day before, remembering me throwing my temper tantrum.  I held my dying father, sobbing, and begging for forgiveness. It didn’t matter  if I was ready to let go or not, he was. I watched him die . About an hour passed, and I still watched him, it was like he was still  here, just sleeping very comfortably. It was then I realized that at last, he had found peace. No longer could I give him a hard time about anything.

I still talk to him, and I still tell him I am sorry. I can only hope he has forgiven me. I will live with that regret every day for the rest of my life. My father’s death taught me how fragile we all really are; to treat people like everyday is their last day. It could very well be.

We talked about death. I know what he wanted. He didn’t want anything elaborate. My father was a simple man. I can still hear him laughing after I told him I was going to feed him to all the fish and crabs.

I’ve made one more trip to Ocean City. I stayed at the Plim Plaza once again. I brought my father with me this time too, to keep the promise that I made to him. Just as she was with me at  the hospital on the day he died, my closest and dearest friend Kelli was by my side.  Tonight the stars were shining bright. There was one star that was especially bright, I believe it was my father looking down on me. Kelli and I threw  handfuls of ashes into the ocean, and watched as my father blew into the air.  I waited for that one big wave to come, just like the ones he and I used to jump, and I let the rest of him go. It was a bittersweet moment.  My father is now where he always wanted to be. At our favorite place ever. He is now and forever will be part of Ocean City.

To end the night, Kelli and I went out for a drink, to  toast my father. We got  drinks for us, and a budweiser for my father. As we sat at the poolside bar, the house band played. I’ll call it coincidence, but the singer of that band played a song that he had written for his father. One of the lyrics from that song  was “if the waters get to rough, I’ll be by your side.” It moved me.  It was the closure that I have needed. Rest In Peace Daddy. I love you.

Everybody Stretch Now

Ok, it is mid-afternoon (well somewhere it is). Everyone get up and stretch. That’s right, take some deep breaths. Roll those shoulders, stretch out the legs, wrists, fingers, hips. Rock back and forth from your toes to your heals (slightly). You are in the seventh inning stretch at your cube (or office). Beat that afternoon urge to grab sugar or coffee (only to crash even harder later). Get your blood pumping. Take a walk to the water cooler and back (maybe get some water while you’re at it). Desk stretches are a good way to get the blood pumping and the energy flowing through your body again. I came across a good stretch routine (link below).  Try it today. Namaste.

Get an easy 3 minute routine here