My Favorite Morning Smoothie

So, I'm a whole foods fan and not-so-much a smoothie fan, but sometimes for a change of pace I love this concoction I put together this summer.

6-8 ozs. plain. lo-fat, organic yogurt
handful of blueberries
4 or 5 strawberries
1 tblspn of flax seed freshly ground
1 tsp of cinnamon ( I use Penzy's Vietnamese)
1/4 cup of walnut pieces or halves
a couple of handfuls of greens (baby spinach, kale, any "super foods")
6-8 ice cubes (this makes it better tasting than without)

I blend the first 5 ingredients, then add the walnuts and blend, then the greens and blend (may need to use a spatula to push them down), then add the ice cubes and use the "chop" selection on my blender. The color is purple because of the berries, not yucky green:)

If you like your smoothies a little sweeter tasting here's some alternatives:
Flavored yogurt (but still use a low fat one)
A good local honey or stevia

Enjoy!!!!

The berries are not in the photo because I used them all up!

First Thoughts of the Day- Oct. 20, 2011

I will myself to push the covers off and sit up and pull myself up out of my warm bed. I instantly note how my body warmth stayed in the cocoon I am leaving and my present body temperature is dropping quickly.

It’s still dark out and it’s after six in the morning.

I squint as I come into the kitchen in the lights Fred already has on and smell the coffee he’s just made and accept the freshly poured mug from him full of the rich aromatic warmth swirled with cream.

Pulling my warm sweater more tightly around me, I step outside onto the side deck and the chill air instantly does its job of awakening my senses.

I thought it was still going to be cloudy this morning and I am stunned by what I gaze upon as I lift my eyes skyward!

It’s still plenty dark enough to see a strong scattering of stars and the crescent moon nestled in among them all trying to stay ahead of the imminent sunrise.

The breezes are cold in the forty-degree air, but also clean and crisp and refreshing.

I love that I can see Mars trailing behind the moon just to its east. Way to the west Jupiter is like a beacon or distant lighthouse in the ocean of the retreating night sky. All around them are unnamed stars and multiple constellations, more and more appearing as my eyes adjust.

I am thankful that you got me out of bed this early Lord!

Thank you for waking me and saying, “Look what I’ve left up in the sky for you to rest your eyes and soul upon before the start of another day.”

Ummm Summer's Over?!?!?!

Well, how time flies! I have been so inconstant in this blog that I doubt there's anyone out there even checking in anymore...
I know I don't hardly go to other blogs, but I love it when I know there are folks following mine. So there you have it!
I am going to make a list of Creative (and some not so creative) acts of kindness that either I have done for others or been the recipient of. I started a Pinerest Board with this, but this may be a  better venue...we'll see. Any way, I would love others to share ideas as well so we can inspire one another and encourage and be encouraged as we are challenged to do in God's word.

1. Pay someone's parking meter if it is about to expire or has expired.
2. Smile at the grumpy-looking person
    a. On the street
    b. In the elevator
    c. Who's your checker at the store
    d. The drive-thru attendant
    e. Who's just cut you off or worse in traffic (this takes resolve)
    f. With your voice ( you know what a "voice smile " is) to the telemarketer on the phone
3. Ask a friend or acquaintance how they're REALLY doing when you sense their answer of "Alright" is      not accurate.
4. Pay for the person's order behind you at Starbuck's or wherever...It's such a blessing either doing it or receiving it!!
5. Offer to help that person reaching for an item out of their reach or trying to stoop to reach or pick up something when it's obviously hard for them.
6. Help the mom with the screaming baby/kids get her cart to her car at the grocery store...instead of wishing that baby would settle down or thinking "Why don't they quiet that poor baby down".
7. Bring a spontaneous gift of flowers, an inspiring book, food item, or whatever fits to a new mom, stressed mom, someone who's grieving, or "just because"...better than sunshine and Vitamin D!!!
8. Note the date that a friend lost a relative and on the anniversary of their loved one's death remember to email, call, or send a card that you are thinking of them and their loved one. Also remember to check in on how they are doing when birthdays and holidays arrive, especially the first year!
9. Let the other car go ahead even if you have the right of way at a four way stop. Then be ready to wave and smile in your mirror at the impatient driver honking behind you:)
10. When you feel out of sorts or sad or tired...treat yourself to a walk, sit down and drink a tall glass of ice water, or hot tea, or if time's limited, close your eyes and stretch your arms and legs and breathe deep...you need to remember to show small kindnesses to yourself throughout your days as well.

If anyone else has ideas or wants to share a story about this I for one would love it!!! 

Happy Autumn!!!