by Maryann Ridini Spencer

Sunday, May 13, is Mother's Day --
the day when we honor and celebrate
mothers and motherhood. 

The celebration of the day occurs
on various dates throughout the
world and can be traced back to
elaborate ancient festivals in
Greece and Rome. 


However, the more modern day version of the holiday began in the early 1900s. 

A woman by the name of Anna Marie Reeves Jarvis, hailing from West Virginia,
founded Mother's Day clubs in several cities at the time, to improve poor sanitary
and health conditions.  Anna and the Mother's Day Work Club also fed, clothed
and treated the wounds of both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. 

The mothers and women who worked good deeds as part of the Mother's Day Club,
truly served the people, not only as loving mothers, but demonstrating
characteristic "unconditional motherly love" and support to all. 

In 1907, two years after Anna's death, her daughter, also named Anna, rightly began
 a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the U.S.  Her desire
came to pass, and in 1914, Mother's Day became a nationally celebrated holiday. 
Honoring mothers with their special day soon became popular around the globe.

In honor of Mother's Day, I'd like to dedicate the following poem to mothers everywhere,
and especially my wonderful Mom, Kay (pictured below Left to Right:  Kay - Maryann's
Mom, Maryann, and Len - Maryann's Dad, Christmas, 2007):

A Mother's Love
by Helen Steiner Rice

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendored miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

Happy Mother's Day!

Visit My Recipe & Video blog for simply delicious easy recipes and joyous living

inspirations. At SimplyDeliciousLiving.com

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST in iTUNES!

Enjoy Simply Delicious Living today and Everyday!

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I looked up the word "flexibility" in the dictionary just to read how it would be defined. One definition read:

"The ability of a material to deform elastically and return to its original shape when the applied stress is removed." - Wikipedia

I chuckled when I read that. The image I saw in my mind was of the Superhero Elastagirl in the Disney/Pixar Cartoon, The Incredibles.  Her body could stretch and contort and revert back to normal with ease.  And seeing that image made me think of the fact that CHANGE requires FLEXIBILITY.

And while we humans might not be able to stretch like Elastagirl (pictured left), in today's world of new technology, mergers and acquisitions, downsizing and job evaporation, in order to survive intact, a person has to definitely remain open and able to adapt -- be flexible -- when necessary.

Some of the most important things you can do when change happens:

Acknowledge the change. There may be some moments of wanting to drown your sorrows in mindless television or eating some good ole' comfort food but then recognize you have to regroup and get organized.

Think positive. Look at change as an opportunity to grow and expand.  Life after all, moves forward.  Change is one guarantee we can all count on.

Write your thoughts and goals down.  Figure out next steps.  Plan and brainstorm with friends and associates. This is the time when nurturing relationships come in very handy.  If you've built a strong network of friends and business associates, you'll be able to talk to individuals about how they dealt with various changes in their own lives and what advice they might be able to give you.

Get the support you need. 

Be kind to yourself.  Plan some activities and events that you love that will cheer you up.  Be extra conscious of doing this while you cope with change.  Doing what you love with the people you enjoy will keep your spirits on an even keel.

I remember, years ago, I was producing and writing for a TV show. When the show got cancelled, I found myself out of work.  I was terrified.  However, a wise friend told me to relax and have fun while I mounted a new job search.  Getting stressed about it wouldn't do me any good.

So I heeded that advice.  I took a few days off for a well-deserved rest in a relaxing location.  I followed that up with spending my days networking and sending out resumes.  And I also took time to go to the gym, watch movies that I never had time to watch and read some wonderful books.  I kept busy with friends and family and eventually found an amazing job.

During times of critical change, make sure you eat right.  Exercise and get enough rest. Meditation can also work wonders. Surround yourself with positivity.

When you feel better and have the right energy, attitude and motivation it requires to remain FLEXIBLE to maneuver around life's twists and changes, YOU BECOME the SUPERHERO of YOUR OWN LIFE!

Enjoy Simply Delicious Living, Today and Everyday!
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST in iTUNES!

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READING LIST:

The Way of Transition:  Embracing Life's Most Difficult Moments by William Bridges

The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Have you ever had a gut feeling about something - positive or negative - that gives you an extra insight into a particular situation?

Maybe it's something related to work.  A feeling that there might be a problem that will come up if you follow (or don't follow) a specific course of action?

Perhaps you've just got off the phone with a friend or family member and they sound okay and say everything's alright, but you "just know" that's not the case.  Or maybe you have an uneasy feeling in your stomach?

Was there a time where you said to yourself, "I knew I should have done that, or "I should have done that." 

When you heard the phone ring, did you know who was going to be on the line before you answered?  Or  just knew what route to drive in a strange setting?

These insights, or immediate cognitions that give us the ability to acquire information without the use of direct knowledge or without rational thought or reason, is INTUITION.  Intuition are beliefs we have about things, people and situations that may not even be justified, accept to ourselves and our gut.

While everyone has intuition, some people are more conscious of these feelings and how to respond to them,  or better yet, how to interpret the information they receive or feel into positive action.

In the time of the cave man, often humans had to live by their intuition - in order to stay alive, find food and avert danger.

Getting in touch with this part of your consciousness can also help today.  In business, in your personal life and in dealing with decisions as they come up.   It's important to use all the information that's available to us - from study and research, history, logic and reasoning... and intuition.

How do you get in touch with your intuition processing powers? 

1. Well, how do you feel? What's the energy in the room? Are you feeling relaxed, breathing normally?  Feeling well or is your gut tight?  Does your skin crawl?  Do you feel drained or get a feeling of foreboding that something negative is about to happen?

When you've weighed the obvious, consider your gut feelings.  Listen to that "gut" reaction in your stomach.

2. If it's something you want to know, ask yourself questions and listen to the first answer that pops into your head.  Try to quiet all the other chatter that fights this dominant thought or feeling.

3. Get  some meditation tapes and books. Learn how to meditate to clear your mind. Meditation allows you to clearly and succinctly identify your thoughts and feelings and it also has a myriad of health benefits.

4.  Get Creative. It's  been documented that exercising your right brain by getting in touch with creativity (such as painting, dance and other creative outlets) can help you lead a pathway to your intuition.

5.  Journal your thoughts.  It might not be a bad idea to write down your intuitions and then see what transpires.  Becoming aware can help you build your confidence and your ability to connect with your gut.

For some great books that enhance intuition, consider:

Practical Intuition, Laura Day

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Joseph Murphy

Developing Intuition:  Practical Guidance for Daily Life by Shakti Gawain

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and The Book of Secrets:  Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life both by Deepak Chopra

Listen to this Podcast in iTunes, CLICK HERE

If you're like most people, there are going to be days you just might not feel like getting out of bed or at least, out of your PJs.  Perhaps you've broken up with your boyfriend or girlfriend? 

Maybe you've had a fight with a family member or co-worker?

Could it be that your going thru stress over a job change or a move?  Maybe you've just got a bad case of the blahs?

What are some great ways to Bust the Blues and get on the road to happy again?

1.  Get enough rest - at least 8 hours. Sleep is essential for a person's health, rejuvenation and well-being.

2.  Exercise - Exercise triggers those wonderful endorphins that make you feel better.  Get moving  by taking a brisk walk or go to the gym for a workout.  Not only will you immediately have more energy, you'll find that life will appear brighter.  Regular exercise will also have you looking your best - which in turn will also contribute to your self-esteem --  and make you feel better!

3.  Eat right - Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Lean meats and fish.  Eating well will make you have more energy and stamina.  And some really good news - Eat Chocolate!  It's  been documented that eating a bit of dark chocolate (70% or higher) every day can unleash antioxidants that are good for your heart and cardiovascular system (by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol).

4.  Evaluate what you think.  If you hear negative tapes in your head.  Erase them.   Listen to positive people, write down affirmations  CUT OUT beliefs and behaviors that don't work for you and only keep you depressed.  A session or two of Hynotherapy, which will go right to your subconscious mind, can also work wonders to get you on the right track!

5.  Write down your problems and concerns.  Make a list of any problems in the personal and/or professional areas of your life.  Talk to a counselor or trusted friend about brainstorming solutions.  If you don't address what's ailing you, it will only eat away at you.

6.  Create a fun social life.   Share interests and activities. Make plans with friends, family and associates.  Look at the calendar to ascertain what days you will have free for fun activities and PLAN.  Search out events in your local area online.  You may also want a change of scenery by taking a weekend excursion to a nearby town to explore.

7.  Get passionate about a hobby you enjoy - Working at something you love builds self-esteem, satisfaction and makes you feel good because you're expressing yourself!

8.  Watch a COMEDY.  LAUGH!  There's a reason why it's been known to be the best medicine!

9.  LISTEN to your favorite music.  Music is also known to have tremendous healing and stress-reducing powers.

10.  Get thee to a local day spa.  Enjoy a yoga class.  Take a dip in the hot tub. Get a new hair cut or blow dry.  Better yet, treat yourself to a professional body massage to relieve stress and for overall healing. A healing touch can work wonders.  Why?  Massage therapy helps move lymph fluid around the body and oxygenate organs and tissues.  And  of course, there's nothing quite like, or as healing,  as the human touch. Amen!

11.  Pay It Forward. Do something nice for someone else.  Giving joy only increases joy.

If you are going through a major life change or upheaval, it would be wise to seek out professional advice from your doctor or making an appointment with a therapist.

There is so much beauty to enjoy in life.  Don't stay in a negative state for too long.

Live it to the fullest and enjoy Simply Delicious Living everyday! 

For more Body•Mind•Spirit inspirations and great recipes & cooking videos, Visit our Recipe and Video blog at SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV

LISTEN to this PODCAST in iTunes.  (View in iTunes and VOTE - 5 stars please!).

 

Getting creative with arts and crafts

is a wonderful way to express yourself. 

Not only is it fulfilling,

it can give you a wonderful sense

of accomplishment, boost

self-esteem and

unleash a more playful

side of you.

 

Spring and the Easter and

Passover holidays are a great

time to share and give thanks with

those you love.  Create a memorable

homemade gift with love to bring to

your holiday celebration or to use

as a unique table centerpiece.

 

One fantastic way to create that special gift or centerpiece is to

get creative painting terracotta pots.

 

Purchase a terracotta pot at your favorite

gardening or thrift shop.

 

Select a size of your choosing and

then gather your favorite spring colors.

Perhaps a vibrant pink, sunny yellow,

lime green, sky blue and orange sorbet.

 

Then pull out a painting brush and get creative!

 

Create spontaneously or you might want to draw a design

on paper first. 

Choose a base color for your terracotta pot.  Paint it. Then take

a pencil and draw your design onto the painted pot. Later, fill in

the design with paint colors of your choice.

 

Once the paint has dried, you can fill the pot with such items as:

 

A pretty plant

Hershey's kisses

Jelly beans and other easter candies

Cookies or muffins wrapped decoratively

 

I still have a terracotta pot that I was given years ago as a gift (with chocolate chip cookies inside), that I use in my office to hold telephone books and other sundry items.

 

Getting creative with painting terracotta pots doesn't just

have to be reserved for spring either. Make painted gifts

and centerpieces with terracotta pots any time of year or for any holiday.

 

It's a great activity to do alone - or with your family

or friends.

 

Spread some smiles & have a simply delicious

Easter and Passover!

 

Listen to this Podcast in iTunes!

 

 

Lujain Al-Saleh, a student at Ventura's Foothill Technology High School (foothilltech.org), doesn't like trash.  So, this month, as part of her school's senior student community service requirement, she led a Hero project in waste assessment in the school courtyard.

 

Ten students dumped the contents of all the trash receptacles at the school on the lawn onto huge tarps, dividing the waste into categories such as 1-Styrofoam (or cardboard) trays, 2-spork packets, 3-milk and juice boxes, cartons and non-recyclable beverage containers, 4-fruits and vegetables, 5-trash, 6-litter and 7- recyclable items (cereal cups, recyclable bottles, pudding cups and snack-ables).

 

 

Lujain plans to write up a "how to manual" for other students who want to do the same at their schools. 

 

"I started getting interested in trash reduction when I attended the Ventura Charter School," says Lujain.  "I want to get other students engaged and aware of waste and its impact on the environment."

 

The assessment conducted on March 23 provides a baseline estimate for how much waste is generated at Foothill annually.  From this one assessment, it can be estimated that about 22.7 tons of trash is sent to the landfill each year from the trashcans located within the common areas in the main quad, not including trash from individual classrooms or other buildings.

 

Foothill Technology High School Waste Assessment Data (3/22/12)
Items		Total (lbs)	Average Daily Total					lbs/yr
Cardboard		6.6		26.4
Disposable Utensils/Spork Packets		0.8		3.2
Milk Cartons & Juice Boxes or Pouches		5.2		20.8
Fruits & Vegetables for Composting		15.2		60.8
Trash		24.2		96.8
Recyclable Items		11		44
Total Amount:		63		252				45360

 

Lujain has already set up a CRV collection and recycling program and has initiated recycling programs at school events such as track meets and other sporting events.  Her Hero project advisor, Rick Villano, was also present at the waste assessment.

 

When Rosie Ornelas, from the City of Ventura's "Volunteer Ventura," found out Lujain was interested in protecting the environment, she was introduced to Environmental Specialist, Jill Sarick, who provides environmental education classes and leads regular waste assessments at the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) elementary schools.

 

"It's important to engage students at their level of understanding and then build upon that knowledge in a creative and entertaining style," said Sarick.

 

The waste sort program is a recent collaboration between VUSD Healthy and Green Schools Partnership and the City's Environmental Sustainability Division. In the program, already conducted at 10 of the 16 elementary schools, 5^th grade students help Sarick sort through lunchtime trash to glean information that could help reduce waste.  So far, it is estimated that roughly 297 tons of material from only the lunch waste is set to the landfill each school year from these 10 schools alone.

 

At one school, the sorting team discovered a significant number of unopened milk cartons and uneaten apples from the school lunch program discarded in the trash.  Further analysis showed that one cause could be students' impatience to get to recess, which immediately followed lunch.       Some schools have students go to recess first and then come in to eat lunch. In fact, a lunchtime waste assessment at another school, where recess precedes lunch, showed almost no such waste. 

 

"These educational waste assessment programs, as well as other educational programs teach concepts of recycling, composting, water conservation, stormwater pollution prevention and other environmentally friendly "best" practices to more than 4,000 students per year," said Sarick. 

 

Environmental Education Programs are provided FREE to all schools in the City of Ventura. Curriculum used in the classroom presentations aligns with State curriculum guidelines for all grade levels. For more information, contact:  Jill Sarick at (805) 652-4501 or email, jsarick@cityofventura.net.

 

-Maryann Ridini Spencer for VC Style/Sustainable Ventura

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Simply Delicious Living is, in part, about making every meal

an experience and - when it comes your body-mind-

spirit balance - it's about living a healthy, creative, fulfilling

and joyous life.

 

There are certain things we do everyday - often without

thinking -

 

• Wash our face
• Brush our hair and our teeth
• Sleep
• Take a shower
• Eat

 

How many times have you grabbed a muffin, piece of toast,

or power bar with coffee to eat while driving in the car?  Or

eaten a sandwich doing work at the computer?  What about

nuking a lean cuisine or TV dinner in the microwave to

eat while watching TV?

 

I must say, I've been a culprit of all of the above.

 

However, when you eat like this, usually you grab the

foods that aren't as nutritious for you.  You might not even

remember what you ate.  Worse, you might not even be able to

pronounce all the ingredients on the packaging. 

 

Your dissatisfaction with inhaling your meal less than

two minutes might even drive you to scan the refrigerator

and freezer for something else to satisfy you.

 

I've been there too.

 

What I've noticed for myself, is that when I slow down,

consciously think about what I'm eating, (making sure by

reading the labeling that it's organic, natural), yet also tasty

to me, I get satisfied more quickly. I also feel better both

physically and mentally.

Conscious eating has also been a lifesaver in keeping my

weight in check.

What are some great tips to conscious, healthy eating that will

make you more satisfied?

•Plan ahead.  Make a list of what foods/meals you'd like to enjoy

each week and what you'll have time to prepare.  Create a shopping

list before you visit the market

 

•Purchase and prepare foods with ingredients you can pronounce

and know what they are.

 

•Eat fresh and local produce whenever possible.  This contributes

to your overall health as well as the local economy and the

environment (less greenhouse gas emissions from importing!).

 

•Cook, steam, grill or eat your foods raw vs. nuking in the

microwave!

 

•Enjoy the foods you like, within reason.  If it's dessert you're

craving, seek out healthy alternatives that will satisfy.  (Visit our

Recipe and Video Blog at SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV.  We have

some great desserts made with fruit and/or made with very

little sugar).

 

•Enjoy the preparation.  As you make your meal, consider all

the ingredients and what you're putting into your body - and

your body's history and reaction to them after eating.

 

•Take the time to sit down and enjoy a meal (minus the electronics).

Use it for family time and for good conversation.  If you're alone,

put on your favorite CD, enjoy the meal preparation and then as you

eat, savor the flavors.   I assure you, it will put a smile on your face!

 

•Breathe.  As you eat your meal, rather than shoveling the food

non-stop, breathe between bites. Let your brain have a chance to

register that you're getting full.

 

•Appreciate and give thanks.  Thank the farmers, the store, the

food growers, yourself or your loved ones who prepared the

meal - and thank God and the Universe, for the delicious food

that you are about to eat that will nourish and satisfy your body

and provide you with sustenance to live and create harmoniously!

LISTEN to the Conscious Eating Podcast!  CLICK HERE

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and SUBSCRIBE our Recipe & Video Blog at

SimplyDeliciousLiving.TV for great recipes and creative

inspirations for joyous living!

Business Grant Opportunity

Reusables Funding up to $30,000

Apply by April 1, 2012!

 

Reusable Grants requests up to $30,000 are available for businesses and other organizations that are planning to incorporate reusable packaging into their transport and distribution.

 

Eligible Projects should focus on waste prevention and specifically reusable transportation (projects that replace single - or limited - use transport packaging with durable pallets or bins, reusable pallet-wrap, expanded use of intermediate bulk containers, IBCs).

 

To be eligible, programs need to be implemented within six months of application or have already been implemented in the six months prior to application.

To find out more, Visit the City of Ventura's Environmental Sustainability Blog.

CLICK HERE!