Peaceful Daily Blog

Miso Healthy Part I: The Source

Years ago, I developed a cherished daily tradition of drinking miso soup. I took this miso soup tradition seriously, sipping it from a thermos during class, even traveling with it while on vacation. But, as happens with habits (particularly my habits), my beloved miso tradition gradually faded over time, and then disappeared from my life entirely.

This month I have decided to reacquaint myself with miso as part of my ‘Fermented Foods 2010!’ resolution.  Made from a fermenting process lasting anywhere from 1 to 3 years, miso is a high protein super food rich in natural carbohydrates, essential oils, vitamins, minerals, and a complete assortment of amino acids. Since miso is a living food, it also provides natural enzymes and beneficial microorganisms that aid in digestion and immune system functioning. All that and it’s delicious to boot.

I have tried many types of miso from many sources, becoming a bit of a miso snob in the process. My favorite source for miso is the South River Miso Company.  They have been making certified organic, unpasteurized miso by hand since 1979 (and their newsletter rocks, I actually look forward to reading it.)  Since my local natural food store doesn’t carry South Rive Miso, I order 1-2 jars of  miso each year through their website (note: they only ship miso during the cooler months in order to protect it from heat damage). For those with soy allergies/intolerances or those trying to minimize soy consumption, they offer soy-free varieties (hard to find, believe me) as well as gluten-free varieties. 

Coming soon, Miso Healthy Part II: Favorite Recipes

Peace,

Annie

Resolutions

As I do every year, I have made New Year's resolutions and broken most of them by now.   This year I will lose five pounds.  This year chocolate will not be in every one of my meals.  This year I will take a multivitamin everyday instead of one a month.  This year...

I usually tape them up on the fridge to remind myself of the issues I want to tackle.  By now I have taken down the piece of paper to make the fridge better serve as my daughter's art gallery.  Besides, my desire and motivation are fading.

I wonder why?

Perhaps it is because I don't really care about these resolutions.  Deep down my authentic self knows that these resolutions will not truly help me live to my highest potential.

The other day my husband sent me a link to a foreign commercial.  It was the most raw and honest commercial I have ever seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvYb4BLIAQw&feature=related

After viewing it, moved and motivated, I made a new resolution.  I resolve to be more mindful of my "time"-be more mindful of my moments.  Instead of a list, I taped a picture of my family on the fridge, nestled  between a report card and a drawing of puppies.  I think this one I can keep because it speaks to the divinity inside of me.  This one will help me reach my highest and best.

Blessings.

Namaste, 

Krissy

To Haiti and her people

May spirit bless each and every one of you and your land.

With much love and prayer, 

Krissy

Some ideas to help can be found at the site below:

http://www.whatisleft.org/lookie_here/2010/01/six-ways-you-can-help-in-haiti.html

Time Banking

I’ve often wondered how much more efficient my life would be if I could just find a way to pool resources with other people. For instance, when I make soup, I make A LOT of soup, why not have a soup exchange with someone else who does the same? Or what if, while I’m at the farmer’s market, I pick up your produce and next week you get mine? Sounds good in the dream phase, but locating these people and their respective needs is another story all together.

Enter Time Banking. A simple exchange system wherein each member earns one Time Dollar for every hour spent helping another Time Bank member. Time Dollars are then 'spent' when a Time Bank member receives help from another member. For example, I plant trees for one member, another member builds me a chicken coop; I share my extra soup with one member, another member picks up my produce at the farmer's market. Everyone’s time is valued equally and hours earned and spent are tracked in a local database accessible by Time Bank members. You save money and forge relationships and strengthen your community, all while nurturing your soul in the process. How cool is that?

There are over 50 officially recognized Time Banks in the U.S.  To find one near you, visit the Time Banks Directory.  Can't locate one in your community? Check out www.timebanks.org for a start-up kit. 

Peace,

Annie

 

Be-ing

Today was so peaceful...so remarkably, surprisingly, and delightfully peaceful. The proverbial quiet after the storm of the holiday season which, in our family alone, is filled with 8 days of Chanukah, 2 days of Christmas, and 3 very important birthdays. As much as I adore the holidays, suffice it to say that I’m welcoming this new peace with REALLY open arms. 

Not wanting this sensation of peace and stillness to be threatened in any way, I made an effort not to read the newspaper, nor listen to talk radio, nor answer the phone...nor talk. nor listen, nor think...I wanted only to be. 

So I drove slowly to yoga, fell asleep during final resting pose, ate lunch on the grass, read to children under the covers, played hangman with children under the covers, thought about knitting, napped instead, woke up and put a fire in the fireplace, and (when I reluctantly allowed some thoughts to enter) reflected upon how glorious it is to have such a peaceful, lovely, and deliciously still day. A day without obligations, parties, appointments, baking, wrapping, giving, or receiving...

just be-ing...

and being thankful for being able to be.

Peace,

Annie

"We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love"

Mother Teresa said that.  She is pretty awesome, huh?

The giving season has begun. Consider giving a gift of life.  

There are so many options out there from rescuing an animal from a high-kill shelter to stocking a food bank.

But there is an option you may not know of.   

The program is called Be A Match.  This wonderful organization keeps a data base of people willing to be marrow transplant donors.  Bone marrow is often the only life saving procedure for some of our ill-stricken brothers and sisters. Consider going to their website and seeing if this is a gift you could make at www.marrow.org.

Hoping everyone has a happy, healthy and blessed Holiday!

Namaste,

Krissy

Intentional Giving

I think the tradition of giving gifts is beautiful...when done with a skillful intention.  When a gift is given, big or small, with the intention to let someone know, "Hey, you are special to me.  I just want you to know that."  or "I love you." it is magical.

Sometimes this can get lost in the Holiday hustle and bustle.

Sometimes we need to reset our intentions.

One way I find that helps me get grounded and giving for purpose rather then obligation is to start with a note.  If I can write a note that expresses my gratitude and love for a person, I find my gift is much more meaningful and fulfilling.

Sometimes I go to write a note and all I can think to say is, "Hey, you are a person and I am a person, cool huh? ."  I stop and think that this is probably an obligation gift and maybe not authentic.

Perhaps the value of the gift is in the essence of why we gave it.  And perhaps, if the essence of that gift is hallow it brings no light into this world.

I think this holiday I want to be a giver of light.

Namaste

Krissy

Christmas lights

I love Christmas lights.  I just love the way they sparkle and look like stardust covering the houses.  Through the Holiday season, I often drag the family in a car ride through the neighborhood just to look at the houses all lit up.  It is one of my favorite things about this time of year.

Then there is the matter of getting the lights on the house.  As much as I try to visualize it will easy and send positive "light" energy out into the universe, I find my self bruised and broken by the end of the day.  Let me give you a glimpse of this years endeavors and what not only happen to me but I am sure countless others:

First, you drag the boxes from the basement  that you swear next year you will label so you won't be searching for hours.  Next, one untangles the lights which again you  swear you will make sure are neatly packed next year.  You test them all but the funny thing is when they are all bunched up they may appear to be all working.  Let me make this clear though, you really don't see if they are all working until you have hung them up .  So. you hang them up by risking your life on an old ladder stuck in dirt that is very wet from rain.  You only notice the wet dirt as that old rickety ladder starts sinking in , tilting as it goes down.  It is then when one realizes that perhaps this is something that you should do when there are  people home in case crash to your death.  As you hang on to the gutters, flashbacks of middle school race through your head and somehow the cords wrap around your neck.  By the grace of God you survive and carry on until all the lights are hung.  The magic is about to happen and you go to plug in the lights when you realize...oh poop..you strung them the wrong way and the it can't be plugged into the outlet this way.  This is when you start rationalizing and saying, "who needs lights anyway." 

Eventually it gets done and night comes and your lights are on and you feel apart of the Holidays. Every curse, bump, and bruise was worth it.  

You know you will do it all again next year just for this warm feeling of tradition and joy

Namaste,

Krissy

Thanks

e.e. cummings is one of my all time favorite poets.  

The other night I was going through a book of poetry 

and opened up it right to the page with this classic on it.  

How fortuitous to rediscover this gem on Thanksgiving week.

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth
day of life and love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any--lifted from the no
of all nothing--human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

Thank you e.e. cummings for the inspiration!

Namaste

Krissy

Service with a smile

My daughter is one of the many infected by the swine flu here in my county.  9 out of 20 kids in her class are confirmed flu cases. Needless to say, there has been a run on the medication being given to those at risk with the flu. Only one pharmacy in the area carries the pediatric version of Tami-flu.

I didn't want to bring her out with a fever to the pharmacy.  I called ahead and told them what time I would be there to get the medication giving them two hours to fill the prescription.  The sitter could only spare a half hour and it took fifteen minutes each way to the store.  You can already picture the tension over a long stoplight, never mind any issues at the store.

I got there and there was no one in line. SCORE!

However, the girl I spoke with put my prescription in the wrong pile and the pharmacist never saw it and said, "It will be at least a half hour."

"But I called and asked if it would be ready."  sounding more nasty then I intended.

"Well, you can just go to another store then."  The pharmacist sourly replied.

"You are the only pharmacy selling the suspension."  I frantically recoiled.

"Then you will just have to wait then."  He smugly retorted.

Sarcastically, I thanked him for his compassion.

I started calling around trying to find a relief back -up babysitter but before I put in my second phone call he said, "Ma'am, your order is ready."

Astonished I walked over to the counter.  He looked wearily at me and said he was sorry.  He was being worked to the bone trying to get this stuff out fast enough.  I apologized too.  Recognizing that when I am stressed with having a sick child my best behavior isn't always shinning through.  We again recognized the other person's position and continued our day.

I would being willing to bet that this is a good illustration of what happens most of the time when we handle or are handled with hostility.  I would being willing to bet behind the clip, angry, or sarcastic comments are stress, frustration or fear.  

I hope I can remember that the next time I am dealing with someone and it is not going smoothly.  I hope I can take the pharmacist's example and be the first to apologize when the moment of clarity arrives.

“You should respect each other and refrain from disputes; you should not, like water and oil, repel each other, but should, like milk and water, mingle together.”

Buddha  Namaste, Krissy