Category Archives: Life

Gratitude

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I am so grateful that I woke up today, not everyone has that pleasure or is that lucky. On top of that, I see my son, husband, his octogenarian parents, and my Mom are also alive and well. This is a big deal and I know that I am incredibly fortunate; yes, I’ve been faced with loss, illness, and my share of bumps in the road. Nevertheless, I am still breathing, I have good wholesome food, potable water, shelter, a loving family, people that I can call my friends and one thing I will never take for granted ~ control over my bodily functions.

This year, we are blessed with hosting Thanksgiving in our new multi-generational home. Mathew is very excited about bringing both limbs of his family tree together, as it rarely happens. I am grateful that we can bring our family together and share time and our favorite recipes along with creating new memories.

One of our favorite side dishes when I was growing up was Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallow. It was made with canned candied yams, canned pineapples, spices and marshmallows. When I took over making this dish years ago, I decided to add a little spin to the dish and use fresh ingredients, instead of canned. I found this great recipe in Saveur Cooks American and it has become a staple at our holiday table. I think it’s a delicious improvement on an old favorite. What do you think?

Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
1⁄2 cup raisins
1⁄3 sweet sherry
3 medium organic sweet potatoes
2⁄3 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp. butter, melted
1⁄2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tsp. finely chopped organic orange zest
1 tsp. pumpkin spice (or 2⁄3 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1⁄4 tsp. ground ginger, pinch ground nutmeg, and pinch ground allspice)
1⁄2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 cup pineapple cubes, coarsely chopped
1 1⁄2 cups miniature marshmallows

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°. Soak raisins in sherry until soft, about 30 minutes. Drain raisins and transfer to a large bowl.
Meanwhile, bake sweet potatoes until tender, about 40 minutes. I like to throw them in the oven while the turkey is roasting (hey, the oven is already on, might as well capitalize on it). Allow potatoes to cool, then peel, mash up (I like them a little chunky). Add raisins, brown sugar, butter, orange juice, orange zest, and pumpkin spice and mix well. Fold in pecans and pineapple and transfer to an 8” square baking dish.
Bake casserole for 20 minutes, then cover with marshmallows and bake until marshmallows are golden, about 5 minutes more. Serve warm.

May you also wake up and have the opportunity to feel the blessing of a loving family, good food and friends (and control over your bodily functions).

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Forest Bathing

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Recently, it became apparent that I was spending way too much time indoors and not enough time outside. I was juggling everyone else’s needs and forgot about mine. It became obvious that it was taking a toll on my ability to maintain a sense of calm and balance throughout the day. And that’s what everyone needs from me as well as what gets me through the day.

So I decided to take a fine autumn morning to do some Forest Bathing, also know as Shinrin-yoku. In the early 1980s, the practice was developed in Japan as a form of preventive health care and healing.  Over the years, there has been quite a bit of research  that speaks to the benefits of Forest Bathing. But honestly folks, if you have ever spent any time in the woods, you already know the amazing gifts communing with nature provides. We’re talking about some real stress release, which in turn boosts your immune system for starters.

Although I love sharing a walk in the woods and exploring with friends and family, my focus tends to be more on the conversation and not on my surrounding. I’m more inclined to walk faster to keep up and I miss a lot. The deep stress release really only comes when I am bathing in nature. Think of a long soak in a bubble bath with music and candles ~ ahhhh. Therefore, when I really need/want to reap the benefits of the forest, I go into it alone, allowing myself to be 100% present so I can bath in my surroundings.

If you have read my blogs, you know that I love Waterfall Therapy, simply sitting by a waterfall, allowing it to release all the stress from the body. Well, sitting in the middle of the woods, listening to and watching the wind blow through the autumn leaves is also a fabulous stress reliever.

On snowy days, I love sitting outside listening and watching the snow fall around me. I look up, pick one snowflake, and watch it fall gently to the earth. I enjoy watching water falling from tall waterfalls like Taughannock Falls too. I pick one section and follow the flow all the way down.

After over four hours of wandering through the woods, paying attention, listening, observing, I was ready to re-enter and engage in the activities of my daily life again. It normally does not take that long, but I just could not see a reason to pull myself away from such a lovely experience. Feeling stressed?  Do yourself a favor, soak in the forest; you will be happy you did.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.