Ingredients:

1 can pinto beans
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs ( I use whole wheat)
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 slices of cheese (any kind)
1/2 cup sour kraut
1 tsp mayonnaise ( I use light mayo made with olive oil)
1 tbs. cocktail sauce
1 tbs. extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Drain and rinse pinto beans. Place in a bowl, mash with fork until paste like. Add egg and mix. Add salt, pepper, and bread crumbs, mix well. Put olive oil in pan, cook on medium/high heat. Make 3 large or 4 small patties and place in pan. Cook on each side for roughly 7-10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Mix mayo and cocktail sauce in a small dish. Place cheese on burger, sauce and sour kraut. I like to eat my burger without a bun.

Enjoy!

I look into my full length mirror with the gold antique trim. I lift my right hand and pinch the “fluff” on my right hip, 2 -3 inches of fat. I repeat the measuring technique with my left hip, yes 2 - 3 inches of too much “fluff.” I am sickened by the extra fat on my body. I turn to my right side to look at my profile, my stomach protruding, I take both of my hands and squeeze the “fluff,” I want to cry in disgust of my body. My long boney arms with no muscle tone, Olive Oyl in the cartoon Popeye, that’s what I look like. Lucky for Olive Oyl she didn’t have any extra “fluff” like I do. If I only could shave some of the fat off my body, I would love myself.

I take my favorite Levi jeans, so warn that they feel like velvet on my body. I slip my right leg into the pants then the left leg, now comes the scary part, zippering my pants and buttoning them. Nothing has changed, it’s still there, the “fluff” hanging over my sides like an overstuffed tuna sandwich. I reach into my closet and take my tan sweater with sparkles that lightly glisten all over. As I pull it over my head, I pray that my sweater will cover my “fluff.” No, I see the fat bulging like weeds growing uncontrollably through my shirt. Throwing the sweater on my bed, I reach for the royal blue shirt with a double layer of fabric, this will do the trick. Yes, it worked, camouflage like a chameleon hiding from its prey. Adding my beige belt with the gold buckle, completes my outfit.

My size 2 pants will have to do for now until I can lose my “fluff.” I will love myself when I no longer have the extra “fluff” and I am wearing a size 0 in my favorite Levi jeans.

Reiki is a natural and simple method in which energy healing is used to balance the bodies Chi. Hawayo Takata brought Reiki to the United States in the 1940’s. Since then, Reiki has grown in popularity for people who use the healing as an alternative to Western medicine, complementary, or adjunctive treatment to medical protocol. Reiki is non-intrusive and can be done anywhere at any time. Studies of the benefits of Reiki have shown individuals to have reduced stress, anxiety, pain, healing on physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual levels.

There are seven specific energy centers on the body: Root Chakra, Sacral Plexus Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra, Heart Chakra, Throat Chakra, Brow Chakra (Third Eye), and Crown Chakra. Each of these energy centers needs to be in balance for the body to heal itself. The Root Chakra is our connection to the earth, where we ground ourselves like the roots of a tree, growing deep into the earth and becoming stronger as we penetrate. This is the point where we let go of our past, not allowing ourselves to be held back by past experiences, instead we look to the future and all that it has to offer. The Sacral Plexus is where one will find their creative energy, those images and ideas that pop up out of nowhere. It is up to you what you will do with those images/ideas, will you use them to grow in your life or will you ignore them? The Solar Plexus is where our emotions lie, personal power, and will. One must look inwards and listen to what we feel, doing so will lead one on their path to fulfillment in life. The Heart Chakra is where we find love, healing, and openness to life. When one looks deep into their heart, they can look in the mirror an feel love for themselves. Loving oneself, means letting go of the negative voice that devilishly silently talks to us, telling us we are nonexistent. This is an untruth and when one loves themselves, the heart beats with joy for life. The Throat Chakra involves our communication through our voice, social media, phone, and emotions. This is where one speaks their truth in a respectful and compassionate manner. Allowing one’s opinion to be heard even if it is not in alignment with the others. The Brow Chakra (Third Eye) is where the power of one’s mind and self-awareness is developed. Thoughts can now be brought to fruition in a sensible manner. The final Chakra, the Crown is where all of our experiences are combined, physically, mentally, and spiritually. We see and feel the true meaning of life, the lens has been cleared and the light is shining brighter than it ever has. We no longer allow our minds to be filled with negative thoughts. No need to follow the path that was not yours, but another’s. One can look at themselves and feel a sense of warmth, peace, and wholeness.

This delicious frittata isn’t just a meal for breakfast, you can eat it anytime of the day.

Ingredients:
10 eggs (2 whole, 8 whites)
1 medium tomato
2tbs pesto
1/4tbs extra virgin olive oil

Cooking instructions
Beat eggs in bowl, put in greased pie dish. Cook at 425 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly firm. Take out of oven and spread the pesto on top, add the tomatoes and swiss cheese. Place bake in oven for another 10 to 15 minutes or until firm.

Forest Bathing for Physical and Emotional Wholeness

Simple breathing technique to help with stress, lower blood pressure, and lower heart rate.

It’s 9:40 am as we pull into the parking lot at Lafayette Place. I step out of the truck, to feel my lower extremities tighten from the three-hour car ride. My mind quickly shifts to the cold air seeping through my clothes to chill my bones. I layer my body with a warmer coat, hat, and gloves. I feel the the weight of my backpack as I strap it onto my body. I am well prepared for the 8.6 mile hike on the Franconia Ridge.

Excitement runs through my body as we begin the hike. Our pace is steady, but even, taking caution not to slip on the trail, knowing the ice that lies underneath. As we begin the ascent, I feel my heartbeat beating faster and my body warms rapidly. The conversation slows as we focus on our breath, making sure we save our energy for the long hike up the mountain. These are the moments I enjoy on my hikes, stillness. We come to Falling Waters, where you hear the trickle of water through the ice filled waterfall. At this point the trail takes a steep ascent, but we continue our steady pace. Surrounded by Spruce Trees, their fragrance fills my nostrils, and the thought of Christmas comes rushing into my mind.

I grab ahold of a wet slimy tree branch to pull myself up and over a slippery rock. The branches seem to be placed there almost on purpose, exactly where I need a little extra help. Thankfulness comes to mind as Mother Nature has provided such beauty for all to enjoy. Alas, we break through the tree line and our first peak is in close range. We stop and fuel our bodies with food, hiding between the trees to protect us from what is about to come. I am famished, my peanut butter and jelly sandwich has never tasted so good. It is amazing when one is hungry, how a simple sandwich can taste like a delicacy.

I immediately feel the harsh wind cover my body, as if swirling inside me. As we reach the peak, my body shifts to the direction the wind is trying to take me. I must lightly fight the wind, to not be taken off my feet. I can feel my soul filled with delight as I walk along the rocky ridge. Looking out at the surrounding mountains, I am in awe of the beauty that I am engulfed in. We start to work our way down the mountain, trying to go at a slower pace as not to fall unexpectedly. The trail is steep with packed powder and ice underneath. We can’t help but slide rapidly as the trail glides us down the mountain faster than our ascent. I am ready to to get back to the parking lot and change into clean clothes. The excitement of the day is over, but my dreams will be filled with the sights, smells, touch, taste, and sounds of the day’s hike.