Peaceful Daily Blog

St Patrick's Day

My Grandmother loves St Patrick’s Day.  If it were up to her, she would have St Patrick’s Day everyday of the year.

 

She boast at how friendly, warm, and funny the Irish are.  She wears her  “Irish Mom” sweatshirt and shamrock skirt with pride.  Nothing is as nourishing as a thick slice of Irish Soda Bread smeared think with butter. She will march up to any store clerk and some how work into the conversation that she comes from County Cork.  She hums to herself constantly the theme song from The Quiet Man.

 

The truth is she is a ¼ Irish at best.  But for some reason or another she really identifies with that part of her heritage.

 

My Grandmother is in the early stages of dementia.  The more her mind goes, the more she strongly holds on to her Irish identity.  It somehow grounds her.

 

Belonging to something is nice-comforting.

 

I am so thankful she has this.  I am so grateful St. Patrick’s Day lets her feel connected and whole.

 

I am even less Irish then she but in her honor I will call myself Irish today.  I am glad I belong in part to the Irish: even more glad to belong in part to her.

 

Namaste

Krissy

Inherent Goodness

I find myself struggling at times when people are mean, abusive, or even just rude.

I find it hard not to judge or to get defensive.

I find it hard sometimes not to use phrases such as , "What an A@#!"  or "Loser."

Then I find it hard to call myself mindful and compassionate.

All I know is this: That for me I have to make a choice in that moment.  I have to choose to see the inherent goodness at the core of everything and everyone.  I know if I choose a different belief I get scared and anxious.  I tend to become exactly what I am wrestling with :mean, rude, or abusive.

So today I recommit to the belief that each and everyone of us is inherently good.

"Despite everything, I  believe that people are really good at heart."

-Anne Frank

Namaste,

Krissy

Not Bored of Cardboard

I love searching for things on the internet. Invariably, I am led down any number of virtual rabbit holes, at the ends of which lie some serendiptious find. Recently I was searching for recycled, chemical-free cardboard to use as garden mulch when I happened upon one such serendipitous find, CardboarDesign. 

Based in New York, Cardboardesign is a one stop shop for eco-friendly, 100% recycled, recyclable, chemical-free, cardboard products. And their products are fabulous, ranging from modernist furniture and hipster housewares to whimsical play castles, teepees, rockets, and dollhouses.

A lover of all things paper, I was giddy watching a video on their latest product, “Liquid Cardboard”, a free-form cardboard creation that can transform from a bowl to a platter to a vase. I've already requested the WishWall for my birthday--a large sheet of honeycombed cardboard accompanied by a "mailbag" of little colorful papers for one to write wishes upon, roll up, and tuck inside a honeycomb pocket.

Their Ecologic line of furniture is designed to be particularly tough and long-lasting--desks accommodate the weight of a computer and then some. Assembly is designed to be easy as well--pieces fit together like a puzzle, eliminating the need for screws and chemical-laden glue.

And the capper? When the time comes to dispose of cardboard furnishings, simply toss them into the recycle bin or, better yet, use them in the garden as mulch.

Peace,

Annie

I love searching for things on the internet. Invariably, I am led down any number of virtual rabbit holes, at the ends of which lie some serendiptious find. Recently I was searching for recycled, chemical-free cardboard to use as garden mulch when I happened upon one such serendipitous find, CardboarDesign. 

Green Gift Giving: Ecostar Crayons

I'm always on the lookout for good quality, environmentally-friendly gifts for kids. Used books are the perfect green gift for adults, but let’s face it, they’re just not that fun for kids. I try to grab up quality used toys whenever I find them, but not in the amount necessitated by all the gift-giving occasions in my life. So what exactly can I get the little ones in my life that meets my guilt-free gift giving criteria of being 1) reused, 2) cool, and 3) cheap?

 

Hello Ecostar Crayons. We met a few months ago when my little girl received them as a birthday gift. We were delighted when, upon opening the subtly charming brown recycled box, we were greeted by dozens upon dozens of whimsical, star-shaped, 100% recycled crayons. Suffice it to say, all of us were on the floor coloring within moments of unwrapping. 

Ecostar crayons are made by transforming old crayons into colorful, molded little works of art. Ecostar's parent company, Crazy Crayons, has collected over 51,000 pounds of certified non-toxic crayons from schools and restaurants across the nation as part of their National Crayon Recycle Program. 

And the recycling process need not end there. Once our Ecostar crayons wear out, we can send them back to Crazy Crayons where they will be re-melted, re-molded, and lovingly packed, yet again, into a subtly charming brown recycled box. 

Peace,

Annie

 

What I Learned from Snow.

When I was in college there was this young woman that came into class one snowy day and said, “When it snows, the woman in my family bake.”  And she proceeded to present us all with a huge tray of brownies.

 

A friend of my replied, “Oh yeah.  When it snows the woman in my family shovel.” This friend ‘s  “tough as nails-do the dirty” attitude fortified me.

 

Every time it snows I guffaw out loud in remembrance of that exchange.

It actually takes some of the sting out of shoveling.  So, it snows and I get down to business-doing the dirty.

 

This season so far we have had approximately 30 inches of snow in my area in comparison to the 16 we typically have.  Lots of shoveling, lots of reminiscing about that moment.

 

This last time, I happened to be driving as the snow was falling, something I typically avoid doing.  I was driving and mentally preparing myself for the task that was waiting for me when I got home. 

 

Somehow my mind drifted from the job of shoveling to a mind that was just noticing(perhaps this thing called meditation is starting to seep into my everyday life).  It was so quiet.  It was like the world was respectively hushed for a moment.  Everything was muffled.  It was as if the world had taken a giant pause.  It was as if the world was mindful of itself.

 

But the truth is the world is always mindful of itself.  I am just not always mindful of the world.  The world is always taking its pause, its breath, its reverence.  I just don’t always notice.

 

So, thank you snow for giving me pause and for giving me to chance to see the world in silent devotion.  Perhaps I will approach snow shoveling with a little more awe.

 

Namaste,

Krissy

The Anastasia Phenomenon

If you haven’t already, you may very well want to check out the Ringing Cedars Series. Also known as the Anastasia Books, the 9-book series follows the teachings and insights of Anastasia, a recluse discovered in 1992 living in the wilds of the Siberian taiga subsisting only on food gathered with help from wild animals. 

Real or conjured, Anastasia and her teachings are becoming nothing short of a phenomenon. Anastasia-themed discussion groups, festivals, and workshops can be found throughout the world. Anastasia-centered eco-villages and pocket communities are developing as a way to co-create the world she envisions and inspires. Anastasia-inspired elementary schools are forming that incorporate her many teachings around children and education

Published privately by the author (and Anastasia’s discoverer) Vladimir Megre, the Anastasia books have sold 10 million copies worldwide with translations in 20 languages. The series is available through the Ringing Cedars Press as well as any major book store.

Peace,

Annie

 

 

Snake Bites

I was listening to Wayne Dwyer.

He had this amazing analogy I would love to share.

Nobody has ever died of a snake bite.  Sure the bit hurt but it is over in a minute.  It is the venom that runs through the blood that kills.

Anger, resentment, and blame is that venom.

The antidote: Love

Namaste,

Krissy

Miso Healthy Part II: Favorite Recipes

There are a number of simple ways to incorporate miso into your regular diet, thereby reaping the rewards of its many, many health benefits with minimal effort.  For a super tasty and quick sandwich spread, try mixing a teaspoon of sweet white miso with mayonnaise (I love Vegenaise, a delicious, non-dairy alternative). To add flavor to side dishes, mix a tablespoon of miso with just enough hot water to make it creamy, then drizzle over cooked vegetables or rice. For a nutritional punch, try adding a teaspoon of miso to store bought salad dressing and drizzle over fresh greens. Better yet, make your own salad dressing by combining a half cup of olive oil, 3 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar, 4 crushed garlic cloves, and a tablespoon of miso. Left over salad dressing can be stored in a covered jar in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Though it requires a bit more time and planning, homemade miso soup is wonderful, healthy, and pleasing to both palate and soul. Start by preparing a stock to use as the miso soup base. To make my favorite stock, combine a handful of dried mushrooms, a strip of kombu (dried sea vegetable), one  bunch of scallions, a sliced carrot, a dash of both dark sesame oil and rice wine (mirin), tamari to taste, and 6 cups of cold, filtered water. Pressed for time? Simply combine a few strips of kombu and a handful of chopped veggies with 6 cups of cold, filtered water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and store stock in a covered jar in the fridge for up to 3 days.

When the miso soup craving hits, pour some heated stock into a mug, add a tablespoon of miso, then stir until dissolved. (Important note: miso is a live food and cooking it or adding it to stock that is too hot will kill the beneficial microorganisms).  Top off miso soup with a few drops of dark sesame oil and tamari along with a handful of chopped scallions. 

For more recipes, check out South River Miso Company's online recipe collection or pick up a used copy of the classic, The Book of Miso, by William Shurtleff and Akiko Aoyagi. 

Peace,

Annie

Forgive, forgive, forgive and then please forget

What I learned from Thai Kick-boxing.

What possessed me ?  I still have no idea.  I decided to do something I normally would not do.  Try something taht scared me.

 

I signed up for a Thai kick boxing trial class at a pretty serious Dojo. 

 

I walked in and every one was in matching outfits, except for the color belts that they wore.  Everyone was wearing the same expression of determination and intense focus.  I was afraid.

 

The gentleman, Oscar, who was getting me started  asked me a series of questions which I assume I answered.  I was so intimated I didn’t really hear him.  He ended his welcome with, “Any questions?”

 

I blurted out, much louder then intended, “Is anyone going to hit me.  I do not want to be hit.  I am actually opposed to hitting.”    Truthfully I sounded more like I said I am opposed to spitting because I was licking the sweat off my upper lip as I blurted all that out.

 

He assured me that no one was going to hit me.  And the class began.

 

It was harder and at the same time easier then I expected.  All the faces that looked like they were ready to kick my A**, were actually the faces of confidence and support.  As we individually tried to perfect the moves taught to us, we moved as a symbiotic organism. 

 

Before the class ended with bows and encouragement, there was one finally test of strength.  We were to get in a push-up position and just before we hit the  90 degree angle we were told to stop and hold that position for a minute.  The catch was that if any of us released before that minute was up, the timer started over.  I did not want to be that one person.  I looked around and saw everyone’s calm reserve, including those I thought would struggle.  Everyone made it, everyone worked together.  Everyone new that the mind would give up before the body-so keep your mind strong.

 

Will I go back?  I am not sure.  It is a commitment.  But I did take away a couple of things-I can do things I thought I couldn’t do.  I can work alone and collectively at the same time.  And shaking up what you “normally” do is good not only for the body but for mind and spirit as well.

 

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do what you are afraid to do.”

 

Namaste,
Krissy