:: Inspirational

Breath

Breathing in, I know I'm breathing in.
Breathing out, I know
As the in-breath grows deep,
The out-breath grows slow.
Breathing in makes me calm.
Breathing out makes me ease.
With the in-breath, I smile.
With the out-breath, I release.
Breathing in, there is only the present moment.
Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

You can search the whole universe and not find a single being more worthy of love than yourself. Since each and every person is so precious to themselves, Let the self-respecting harm no other being.

- Buddha

An Excerpt from Man's Search For Meaning
A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into songs by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is in love and through love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation, when man can not express himself in positive action, when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way an honorable way in such a position man can, through loving contemplation of his beloved, achieve fulfillment. For the first time of my life I was able to understand the meaning of the words "The angels are lost in perpetual contemplation of an infinite glory."

- Victor E. Frankl

Enlightenment is the "quiet acceptance of what is". I believe the truly enlightened beings are those who refuse to allow themselves to be distressed over things that simply are the way they are.

- Wayne Dyer

Please feel free to send me some of your favorite inspirational quotes.

Healthy Recipes

Yogi Tea

Yogi Tea (also called Chai) is a health-promoting beverage and a tonic for the whole body. It strengthens the nervous system, energizes the body, clears the mind, and is both a remedy and preventive measure for colds, allergies, and other diseases of the mucous membranes. The spices together create a synergistic healing effect. The black pepper is a blood purifier; cardamom aids digestion; cloves strengthen the nervous system; cinnamon aids calcium absorption; ginger heals inflammations and removes physical weakness; the soy or dairy milk aids in assimilation, and the black tea activates the ingredients. Yogi Tea is best made in at least a two quart batch at a time. It can be stored in the refrigerator or even frozen. Simply heat tea and add milk and honey when you're ready to drink it.

To make two quarts: Bring two quarts of water to boil in 3-4 quart pot. Add 15 whole cloves and boil for one minute. Then add 20 black peppercorns, 3 sticks of cinnamon, 20 green cardamom pods (crush or split pods first), and 8 or more slices of fresh ginger root (about 1/4" slices; no need to peel). Spices may be bought in bulk at health food stores or Indian grocery stores. May add nutmeg if a calming effect is desired.

Cover and boil gently for at least 30 minutes. (For best flavor, cover tightly and boil over a low heat for 2 to 3 hours!). When through boiling, turn off and add 1/2 teaspoon of black tea (do not omit; you can use decaf black tea as we do) and let tea cool. Strain tea; use or store. When ready to drink, sweeten to taste with honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar. Add soy milk or dairy milk. Drink often!

According to Dr. Frawley and Dr. Lad of the Ayurvedic Institute, Ginger is considered one of the best and most sattvic of the spices, and is called vishwabhesaj, "the universal medicine." It is a stimulant, and expectorant, increasing agni and reducing kapha. Fresh ginger is great for colds, cough, and nausea. It is a heart tonic, helps with arthritis, and is used to treat respiratory and digestive disorders.

Cloves are an effective stimulant and aromatic for the lungs and stomach. They dispel chill and disinfect the lymphatics. They are very heating and energizing as they are rajasic.

Black Pepper is a powerful digestive stimulant, it destroys toxins, cleanses the alimentary canal and increases agni. Rajasic.

Cardamom is a mild digestive stimulant, it awakens the spleen, awakens agni, stimulates the mind and heart, helps neutralize mucus and detoxifies caffeine. Its quality is sattvic and is good for opening the flow of prana in the body.

Cinnamon strengthens and harmonizes the flow of blood circulation. Expectorant for colds and flus, strengthens weak constitution. It strengthens the heart, warms the kidneys, and promotes agni. Like ginger it is almost a universal medicine. Sattvic.

Nutmeg is a great spice for increasing absorption in the digestive tract. It is one of the best medicines for calming the mind. However, it has a tamasic quality, and in excess can increase dullness of mind.

Super Summer Cooler!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 frozen banana, cut into chunks

Method

• Combine the raspberries and the fresh strawberries in a blender with the cranberry juice.
• Blend to a puree about 1 minute.
• Add the frozen strawberries and banana chunks.
• Blend until smooth, about 1 minute longer.
• Serves 2.

Pumpkin Spiced Rice

This delicious rice can be eaten as a meal on its own or as an accompaniment to meat, poultry or fish.

Ingredients:

• 20 oz pumpkin
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 cup rice, uncooked
• 2 Tbsp currants
• ¼ cup almonds, toasted
• 1 cup baby spinach leaves
• 2 Tbsp chicken stock
  

Directions:

• Cut pumpkin into 1" chunks and cook until just tender.
• Boil, steam or microwave rice. Heat a heavy-based saucepan and cook onion and garlic in chicken stock until soft.
• Add cooked pumpkin and curry powder to saucepan. Blend in cooked rice, currants and toasted almonds. Cook, stirring gently until rice is hot and ingredients are well combined.
• Just before serving, stir through the torn spinach leaves.
  

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