Come back around July 4

Hello:

If you should stop by between now and July 3, please visit again on the 4th. I'm off on a mountain trip and anticipate having memorable stories to share upon my return.

Have a great week!

Warmly,

Penny

Spread Love!

Today, I've been flipping through the book Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar by Paul C. Bragg and Patricia Bragg and revisiting all sorts of inspirational tidbits. There are so many wonderful quotes, facts and thoughts in the book. One powerful quote from Mother Teresa is:

Spread your love everywhere you go; first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor...Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile and kindness in your warm greeting.

My parents came to mind when reading this quote. Here's a picture of them surrounding me with their love and kindness 15 years ago!

Much love to them for their invaluable lessons and expressions of kindness.

Penny

Craving The Present Moment Cafe

I'm well overdue for a visit to one of my favorite places in town, The Present Moment Cafe in St. Augustine, Florida. At the last visit, my husband and I sat at the Juice Bar and enjoyed green juices while we waited for my take-out order to be ready. We also enjoyed chatting with a friendly waitress who shared some more neat things about The Present Moment Cafe. She explained that if customers ride their bikes there, they get 10 percent off of their bill. Isn't that cool? By car, however, we live about 45 minutes or so away from there, so it would be quite a long journey by bike. But, who knows, one day I might be up for the challenge! :-)

Talking about traveling to PMC, my husband and I drove there in this fancy vehicle when we last stopped by. My husband's car was at the car dealer's that day; some generous soul lent him this expensive toy in the meantime. What fun we had cruising in it! Memories of my first car in Bermuda -- a Volkswagon Golf Convertible -- came flooding back.

In the Convertible BMW, however, here's what rode home with us from The Present Moment Cafe. Delicious would be an understatement!

Sunlight Burger
"Open-faced walnut, sunflower, almond, and carrot zucchini burger served over a slice of tomato and dripping with pine nut provolone. Topped with caramelized onions and served with salad and chips."

Below -- Kale Avocado Ala Present Moment
"Our signature satisfying kale salad massaged with red & yellow pepper, avocado, tomato, lemon garlic-olive oil and topped with candied pecans."

Understand why I'm craving The Present Moment Cafe? :-)

Refreshing Summer Drink

I made a drink today that seemed quite fitting for the first day of summer. A Zucchini/Apple/Banana Smoothie!

I juiced about 3/4 of a super large Zucchini -- fresh from a friend's garden. I also juiced one Apple. I then poured the Zucchini/Apple juice into the blender with four small Bananas and added Ice. What a drink I ended up with. Caleb and his friend, Chris, enjoyed it, too.

"Similar in nutritional content to cucumbers, zucchini acts as a natural coolant and thirst quencher, replenishing the body with needed fluids. As it does this, it also acts as an internal cleanser. The juice is bland and should be mixed with carrots or apples." ~Jay Kordich, The Juiceman's Power of Juicing

Cheers to Summer!

First Day Of Summer

F -- Feeling full of life today

I -- Interested in life's journey all the way

R -- Revisiting memories of summers past

S -- Standing strong in my first-day-of-summer fast

T -- Talking to those who are uplifting and true


D -- Daring to embrace all that I have to do

A -- Accepting of my abilities that lie within

Y -- Youthful and vibrant, I'm humming a hymn


O -- Optimistic about the days ahead

F -- Forever grateful, no time to get sad


S -- Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year

U -- Living under God's umbrella, handled with care

M -- A summer mountain trip is on the way

M -- Creating new family memories every day

E -- Eating what God has provided the earth

R -- Loving raw because it creates and celebrates life and rebirth!

Quenna's Raw & Vegan

Last week, I had to take an impromptu trip to Virginia. However, before I set off on my journey, I checked online for any raw-vegan restaurants in the area to which I was heading. I was excited to learn about Quenna's Raw & Vegan in the Ghent area of Norfolk, Virginia. I quickly jotted down the address and phone number in a pocket-size notebook. Then, two days later, there I was ordering take-out at Quenna's Raw & Vegan located on the second floor of Health Food Center at 1701 Colley Avenue.

Quenna's inviting menu of Appetizers, Sandwiches, Main Course, Salads and Desserts vary from week to week. Some of the sandwiches there are served "in a Pocket Book" (Wheat Pita Bread), but since I wanted a 100 percent raw-vegan sandwich, Quenna suggested I try a Cabbage-Patched one replacing the Tofu with Avocado. In the Cabbage, shaped somewhat like a canoe, Quenna placed the most delicious seasoned Avocado, Celery, Carrots, Beets, Lettuce, Onions, Tomatoes, Bell Pepper, Mushrooms, Alfalfa Sprouts and Sesame Seeds and topped it with a tantalizing Sesame Dressing. Oh my! Delicious! The meal was quite filling and ended up being lunch for me for two days which prevented me from returning to Quenna's the following day as planned.

I also ordered a cucumber/apple juice and Da' Maue Whip -- "whipped Avocado and Banana sprinkled with 'Sum Nutz'." The dessert was creamy and tasty but slightly too sweet for me to eat all at once, so I consumed a small portion at a time. But, that's okay, it lasted longer that way.

I thought I would eat my Cabbage-Patched meal literally in wrap-style, but once I scooped my fork inside of the cabbage and got a taste of what rested there, I couldn't help but continue to pierce my utensil into all of that goodness. The next day, during lunch, once all of the ingredients were cleared out of the remaining cabbage, I ended up scooping the remainder of the dessert into the cabbage and created a wrap of my own. The cabbage helped offset the sweetness of the dessert and was fun to eat.

During my visit to Quenna's, I had glanced a menu listing some Friday avocado specials. Unfortunately, since I didn't make it back there to try those selections that Friday, the choices inspired me to create a new, simple avocado dish at home: Mashed avocado seasoned with sea salt, black pepper and curry powder served on tomato.

I horizontally cut a tomato in half and smeared the avocado over the top of each side. It was absolutely delicious and has been dinner for me for the past two nights.

View additional pictures and learn more about Quenna and Quenna's Raw & Vegan in the July issue of Pear Magazine. Contact Quenna's at 757-714-2396 or e-mail QRV@cox.net. Catering is also available.

To Daddy

Daddy, Sweet Daddy, just whom would I be
If you had not been sent to earth to help protect and guide me?
Even though your journey moved beyond this earth 11 years ago
You are still spiritually with me and that I do know.

When I try to imagine the person I might be if your influence had not been placed upon me

I can't even visualize that person I try to see
Because your parenting style was destined for me.....so gentle yet strong as a lion
And now my sweet dad, you have made it to Zion.

Every second you invested in me, every word you spoke
Please know that the depth of my heart was constantly taking note
A completely loving, hands-on dad was you to your core
And I grow to value all of your lessons more and more.

Thanks for being the type of dad who gently disciplined even when I was bad
Who never got so mad that he didn't care what type of day I had
For accepting me for me and not only whom you thought I should be
Thank you for honoring the inner light that shone inside of me.

Thanks for always listening to me
When I expressed my thoughts
And for being kind to all of my friends
Even if it was a relationship with one that you thought should end.

Daddy, you were truly an angel father on earth
How blessed I am to have had you in my life even prior to my birth.

I love you so much! Thanks for our spiritual connection!

Happy Father's Day, My Beloved Daddy!

Lovingly Remembering You,

Penny

Lawn Therapy

Mowing the lawn -- with a push mower -- is extremely therapeutic for me. Although I don't necessarily dash outside to cut the grass as soon as it's in need, I thoroughly enjoy the cutting process once I'm out there. Today was one of those days!

I love how many things simultaneously take place while doing the one task of mowing the lawn: the grass instantly starts to look tidy and more appealing, burning calories, sweating away toxins, tanning, absorbing Vitamin D, emptying the mind, breathing fresh air!

Some friends of ours pulled up soon after I was done cutting the grass today. They parked in front of the house and observed the freshly cut lawn. "That's impressive," one of them commented. His wife said , "When we were driving toward the house, he told me, 'she cuts their lawn.'" "Want me to cut yours?" I asked. "Sure," he replied.

Although I was joking (kinda), the thought has casually crossed my mind on more than one occasion about doing part-time work in lawn cutting. Really, I have thought of it. :-) If my uncle, who had such a business, lived closer to me, I think I would have asked him for a part-time gig. Cutting a few lawns a week would have provided plenty lawn therapy for me! :-)

But, back to today! Not only did the cut turn out pretty darn good, but my overall being feels lighter, and light feels good!

Penny

Leaning Happiness

Today, a dear friend of mine told me that I'm finding blessings everywhere I turn. While every day is a blessing in and of itself, I do seem to have been given some fun bonus blessings lately. Maybe this is partly or fully a result of my recent fast (a fast I didn't do as long as I anticipated, but the days I did were done from my heart and soul and enriched me spiritually and mentally).

Maybe as I strived to get in closer touch with God, God came closer to me and showered me with a few extra surprises. I don't know...perhaps those blessings were coming my way...anyway. I can only speculate, but what I do know is that my fast has enriched me in some way that words can't quite explain. And even though some of the same life challenges remain, something just feels very centered? solid? okay? with me...very right!

Maybe this is indeed what happiness really is...when you can feel inwardly centered even during the times when life feels like it's leaning -- as opposed to thinking that ultimate happiness has finally arrived when everything in life is just "right."

Now, when will that happen anyway? In this lifetime? I think not. How do we grow when everything is just right?

Today, I feel happy in the true sense of the word. I will remain happy. I'm claiming it. It's our birthright! You claim it, too, because there's enough happiness to go around and who wants happiness without sharing it anyway? Then, would you really be happy?

In Sharing,

Penny

Living Foods

Today, I was blessed to receive a sizable scholarship toward a living foods training program at The Living Foods Institute in Atlanta, GA. All of my related contact thus far has been with the founder and director herself -- Brenda Cobb, author of The Living Foods Lifestyle.

If I've already received such personal care and attention from the founder, I can only imagine how much of a quality program I'll experience when the time comes for me to participate in the program. I am "tasting" this experience and just joyfully watching the puzzle pieces unfold.

Learn more about The Living Foods Institute here.

In Health,

Penny

Liquid Fast -- Day 3

Today is Day 3 of my 10-day liquid fast. Here's what I did on Day 1. On Day 2, I decided to drink fresh juices (such as, Zucchini/Carrot juice, and more) versus the Lemon Drink. I didn't do the Salt Water Flush yesterday, but am back to it today along with the Lemon Drink. With the rotation of the one-day-Lemon-Drink and the next-day-fresh-juices, it works out that I can have a variety of freshly made juices on my 15th wedding anniversary on Wednesday. So, that day will be full of more than just lemons, lemons and more lemons! :-)

My advisor, Melissa, whom I have previously mentioned here, had this to say about my idea to have the Lemon Drink every other day:

"If you are doing the juice one day and lemons the next, you can still do the salt-water flush each day, but I think I would do it every other day with the lemon drink. That way, you are getting all the nutrients absorbed into your body from the juice, and you should have some form of elimination from drinking the juice anyway. Not so with just the lemon drink. Good luck, do what feels right for you and your body.

"I am lifting my MC (Master Cleanse Lemon Drink) in cheers to you. I think I am on day 26 today; I will have to check to make sure."

Now, if Melissa has made it to about Day 26 of a liquid fast, surely I can make it to 10, right? She's a big motivator for me right now.

Happy Sunday!

Penny

P.S. I consumed the Sea Salt water drink a lot quicker today (versus Day 1). I think it helped that I drank it out of a slimmer cup versus the large measuring cup!

Joyful June

In my Mountain Preparation post, I mentioned feeling the need to do a fast of some sort. A day or so after that post, I did the Lemon Cleanse for a day with the intention of keeping that routine going for several days...until...when rinsing some beautiful strawberries for my son, I just couldn't resist tasting one, two, three, and more! So, here I am on June 1 making a fresh start to a 10-day liquid fast.

My friend, Melissa, a Raw Food Coach and Nutritionist and a writer for Pear Magazine, mentioned the Salt Water Flush to me (scroll down when at the "Salt Water Flush" link). Apparently, this can be done in conjunction with a juice fast.

This morning, I kicked off my day of liquids with the Salt Water Flush: 1 quart of lukewarm water mixed with two teaspoons of Sea Salt. What a mighty good cleanser for ridding the body of excess toxins! Since that drink, I've had several glasses of the MC Lemonade.

Initially, I thought I might commit to the Lemon drink for the next 10 days, however, I am considering altering it with freshly made vegetable juices. At this point, I'll know at the start of each day -- for the next 10 days -- what my plan for the day is! Maybe one day of the MC Lemonade, one day of juicing, back to MC Lemonade, and so on! What do you think, Melissa? You are the expert on such matters! :-) Is it best to stick to the Lemon drink for the duration of this 10-day fast or will "switching up" be just as effective?

My Devotional
After making this morning's Sea Salt water mixture, I proceeded outside with the large glass measuring cup in which I had made the beverage. I drank from it (with straw) during my lovely devotional time. (I imagined drinking some tropical drink in a huge glass.) :-)

Joyce Meyer's Starting Your Day Right has this to say for June 1:

Have a New Mindset

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

She went on to say:

"We set ourselves up either for misery or for joy by the mindset that we have toward the things in our life. Mindsets are the patterns in which our mind
normally operates toward a certain determination..............But, if we choose
the mindset that God will help us through it, we will enjoy watching how
everything falls into place....."

In the Joy Mindset,

Penny