Today's Spiritual Woman by Mind and Spirit and Body Improvement

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Spiritual Woman A magazine for women who want to explore their inner spirit and share with women all over the world.

Image by Jackie Kever: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32814074@N00/5690231199/

Spring 2012

MASABI

MASABI Editorial Staff: Lola Carlile Ph. D.: Art Therapist & Editor of Today’s Spiritual Woman. Cin Broyles: Digital Creative Editor & Advertisement Liaison. Mind and Spirit and Body Improvement is proud to present our Spring 2012 issue of Today’s Spiritual Woman. We would like to thank every contributor to this issue and are always looking for new submissions. Please send your artistic personality in to us for inclusion by E-mailing our Editor Lola Carlile Ph. D. at todayspiritualwoman@gmail.com . Advertiser, we would be happy to help you reach more consumers with our inexpensive ads... Full page for $200.00, half page $100.00, quarter page $50.00, your business card for $25.00; for photo ready advertisements. If you need us to create a graphic ad for you, we would be happy to for an additional $20.00 with the inclusion of your own logo and images. For more information or to place your advertisement, E-mail Cin Broyles at cinbroyles.masabi@yahoo.com .

Back Cover: Christophe Villedieu Cherry Blossom tree on a parc - Tokyo ©

What would you do if your twelve â&#x20AC;&#x201C;yearâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;old son began his period? That is the question one california family had to ponder in 1960, and era when rock and roll shattered the innocence of the 50s. With impending doom from nations near out shores, the world was not ready to accept, discuss nor tolerate a boy having a girls period. This American family was soon to be drawn into a world they never dreamed of, much less were prepared to cope with.

Lola Carlile is a writer, muse, traveler, and, most of all, an educator interested in the psyche of people. She lives on the West Coast with her husband and enjoys writing as a form of meditation. Stephanie Anne Stockton is a gardener, seeker of truth, and a woman in search of happiness from within. She also lives on the West Coast.

On Sale now through Author House Publishing online Hardcover $28.20 E-book $ 3.99 Softcover $18.70 Get your copy now at http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000382249/The-Twin-Within.aspx

Spring 2012

Issue 1

Sweet are the uses of adversi Darlin Photography Coos Bay Oregon

Mind............................................................................ Blogging Good for My Soul by Laura Moriarty....Pg 6–7

Good Times Roll by Saundra Shaw-McDow....Pg 8–9

German Teacher Teaching English in Mexico by Silvia Lenke....Pg 11

Spirit............................................................................ Resurrection Morning Scriptures. Faith Speaking. by Unknown....Pg 14–15 by Elizabeth Beasington....Pg 18–20

Bunnies, Bunnies Everywhere! by Vye....Pg 24–25

Looking Back… by Jenny Ramsley....Pg 16

Siblings by Unknown....Pg 22

Censorship vzzs. Feelings by Unknown....Pg 26

Slumber by Jenny Ramsley....Pg 17

Big Sister by Unknown....Pg 23

Easter Parade by Unknown...Pg 27

Today’s Spiritual Woman

ity ~William Shakespeare Body............................................................................. Cases of Black Beans So what do I do with ‘em now??? by Vye....Pg 30

Homemade Rock Candy by Unknown...Pg32–34

Zucchini Wraps: Healthy Hors d’ouvres by Unknown....Pg 36

Even though you’re NOT Diabetic I’m gonna treat you like one... by Lola ....Pg 37

Improvement.............................................................. What you eat Affects how you sleep. By Unknown....Pg 40–42

IMPULSIVITY – I want it NOW! by Lola....Pg 44–45

Recycling FUn with FaceBook. by Melisa Lua....Pg 48

Maintaining Good Rela tionships Musings during writing class… Tales of an Insomniac Insomnia – not being able to sleep? Af t er Retirement is Very Hard by Melisa Lua....Pg 47 by Vye....Pg43 Work. by Vye....Pg46 Bouncing Polymer Ball; Materials Having fun with chemistry! by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D....Pg 49

Mind

Blogging Good for my Soul By Laura Moriarity

I have never been much of a talker. When I was in kindergarten my teachers worried that there was something wrong because I never spoke up. I remember the first time I actually raised my hand in class; my mom took me out for ice cream. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have anything to say, it was that I struggled to say what it was I wanted too with all of those people staring at me- it was like I could hear the chorus of their thoughts as I was trying to speak- so it made more sense not too. I also enjoyed listening. I liked hearing other people without the same affliction as I sat in silence. It was a combination of my natural shyness, over-processing of others opinions and my true preference to be the one observing, taking it all in.. As an adult I have learned the importance of contributing, speaking up, making my opinions heard; but it is a daily struggle to feel like what I said was what I meant to say; wanted to say. I have always felt much more comfortable taking my time, thinking about every syllable, every word, really making what I say sound and be as close to what I mean as I can. So I write..

With the advent of technology, I am efficiently indulged as I can text, e-mail, and blog; allowing plenty of time to say it, take it back, say it differently and then click ‘send’. I can think about the feelings I want to inspire, my tone, but the most incredible thing writing provides me time and space to process, reflect on and otherwise de-tangle the things inside ME. It forces me to stamp myself; turn the rudimentary knot of emotions and compulsions into a line that can bear weight; be purposeful. I have found the act of writing to be transformative. Oh, yes, it is no less scary or uncomfortable than speaking (in fact the permanence of the words in print, I believe, must withstand much greater scrutiny than the spoken word) which is allowed a bit more grace. But the restorative power of physically scratching, carving things in paper and presenting it (my soul in courier new) is nearly inexplicable in its awesomeness. Pair that permanence with the ability to present the soul-scratch publicly in Nano-seconds and you have something pretty darn powerful. I recently started a blog whereby my knotted heart and stomach are being undone; and as I undo (and learn more about the blogosphere) I have also come across some of the most moving and life-changing sites by other women who are doing the same thing. While my space is one for women who are learning to live fully in the midst of their spouse’s absence (frequent travel leaving its ugly mark on mamma’s heart). There are like spaces that offer intimate conversations and an honesty beyond what I have ever experienced. I want to encourage you today, mother, wife, sister, woman of God to perhaps join me if it fits, but more importantly consider starting your own blog, contributing to one or simply seeking one to keep you inspired to undo.

Some of my favorites: www.plane-janes.com (my site) or join on Face Book http://www.facebook. com/PlaneJanes www.aholyexperience.com (soul shaking blog by Ann Voskamp) http://www.fearlessexperiment.com (fighting for a relentless faith) http://momheart.org/blog/ (mother after God’s heart)

Image By Val Brooks

Good Times “... and he’s got a body like a teenager,” her rush of words swept by me, leaving me puzzled. Here’s my old friend, the operative word being old, prattling on like a 14-year old. “He wants me to, you know, move in with him, marry him later on.” Has she taken leave of her senses? She leaves me wondering two things: What does he want (if indeed he is pursuing her), and is it true that some things never change? Ruthie was a pretty girl who grew into a beautiful woman and aged into an interesting character-you know the type--too old for bare legs and sandals who shows up everywhere with bare legs and sandals. Her penchant for Vodka tonics and younger men always brands her right away: COUGAR. At sixteen, she liked guys. I mean really liked guys--especially if they were going with other girls. It was kind of a challenge to her. She kept score, as if she was bowling, how many pins could she knock down. No one else came close to her score, not even the guys who kept score e--although their criteria for points was a little different--and, she always prided herself on never going all the way. Ruthie was fecund. She married young, at the end of her junior year, snagging the graduating basketball star who had tantalized and challenged her greatly. He was headed to the U on full scholarship for as long as his jump shot held, but a quick pregnancy altered his course. “Barry never would have made it in college,” she later confided in me, “he was too dumb and too horny.” “Don’t you ever wonder what he might have become if you hadn’t married so young and had so many kids so fast?” I had to ask. Ruthie just gave me the look. With Ruthie, you didn’t ever question her version. She demanded total obsequiousness from her friends; you either went along or fell from her circle of favor. Even as a very young woman, she had the kind of charisma that held you in thrall, and for you sure didn’t want to get on Ruthie’s bad side. Of course, they got divorced. Of course, Ruthie got custody of the four children. The children grew up and away, leaving her with no one to daily reflect her beauty and importance back at her. She was left alone, except for her few disciples--those friends so fascinated by her that they chose to stay, making Ruthie their addiction of choice, affirming her pronouncements always. Ruthie had them, but she needed more. She needed to get back in the game, to keep score again.

s Roll...

BySandra Shaw-McDow

First it was the art professor at the U. It was no contest for him. Ruthie was gifted, as well as beautiful and buxom (that’s a euphemism for big boobs), and he fell hard. Score one for Ruthie. She left him in the dust as she pursued a career, along with whomever took her fancy. In ‘72. Ruth took up with an up-and-coming attorney. He was good with the kids, she told me. They were getting into their teens and she found that pretty tiresome. “You’re going to move in with this guy?” I was dumbfounded. This time it seemed like she was going too far--this guy, married, had three young children of his own. “Why don’t you find some guy who’s single? Or at least doesn’t have kids?” I must have sounded critical. “Just fuck off.” She threw me a glare over her shoulder and stomped off. And damned if she didn’t end up marrying the guy. And, damned if he didn’t end up becoming a lush. And, damned if she didn’t end up taking him for everything in the divorce. But this time, Mr. BL A T, with whom she seems entranced is too old to even be a challenge--actually a high-school classmate. He must be crazy, or thinks he’s rich. Or she’s crazy and thinks he’s rich. Or . . .? Either way, the proposition is ludicrous. I remember him from high school. Every warm-blooded girl in the school had the hots for him-Big Ben Watson. He was an athlete, scholar, class president and the most likely to succeed. He ended up marrying the banker’s daughter--big stuff for a kid from down on Front Street--going to college and disappearing off the radar for sixty years. Now, I don’t “do” class reunions, but I’ve heard from friends that he showed up a couple years ago, single (divorced?), looking pretty fit and being pretty full of himself. My friends reported that he told anyone who’d listen his life story, ad nauseum, and it got bigger and better with each retelling. Ruthie, on the other hand, suffers from several debilitating diseases, relies on health food, crystals and meditation for guidance--you get the picture. Still beautiful? Not so much. Still charismatic? Not so much. Rich? Hell no. Still trying to keep score? You can bet your sweet patootie. As for Mr. Body Like A Teenager, I don’t know about him. But maybe, just maybe, he’s still keeping score too.

Image By Val Brooks

German Teacher Teaching English in Mexico By Silvia Lemke

I received my ESL endorsement from Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon. I thought I might be teaching in the U.S., but can you imagine the surprise when I finally decided to teach in Mexico? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been teaching several years there now and am about ready to go home to Germany to teach. All my friends are Mexican. I go to a Mexican church. My boyfriend is Mexican. I love the culture. Mexicans are wonderful warm-hearted people.

I am going to a university on the weekends. I am getting my doctorate in education because I have always wanted to be like Lola, my mentor teacher, so I am actually going for it. :-) I am in my 2nd year and I take classes on Fridays and Saturdays.

On Sundays, I play in church. I am part of the worship team in my church, called Amistad. I spend almost all Sunday there. I play trumpet. For my doctorate, I teach at a local high school right now. I work in the morning for money in the American School and I teach for free at a high school in the afternoon. I also give lots of private classes. Time is always scarce. I see friends on Saturdays and we go out to movies or to have coffee. I live in an apartment in the city of Puebla where I have had many wonderful teaching experiences

Spi

irit 15

Resurrection Morning in S cripture Matthew 28:1-8

Read this scripture for some background before you get started.

1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. . 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. . 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. . 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.

Resurrection Cookies Recipe and Devotional To be prepared with your children the night before Easter Sunday morning. These are sometimes called Empty Tomb cookies, too, or just meringue cookies, and are quite tasty.

Ingredients:

Bible 1 cup whole pecans mixing bowl 3 egg whites wooden spoon 1 cup sugar 1 tsp vinegar zip-top bag 1 pinch of sale wax paper cookie sheet tape

Instructions: Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pecans in the baggy and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3 to them. Let child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30 Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life for our life. Read John 10:10-11 Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand let them taste it then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that represents the salty tears shed by Jesus followers,and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27 So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of this story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16 Beat with mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3 Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid. . Read Matthew 27:65-66 Put cookies sheet in the oven. Close door and turn oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66 Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22 On Resurrection Morning open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9 He

is risen! He is risen, indeed! Image By Val Brooks

looking back my face has no colour my soul has no creed i am ruled by the dollar controlled by my greed

i look to the west where my journey began where i picked up my bed and i ran and i ran

i searched for the father found satan instead he came mostly at night and crawled into my bed

i scream at the vultures surrounding the kill and fifty years later i climb down the hill

forgiveness is easy forgetting is too understanding is simply the right thing to do

as i stand here before you i ask myself why? can i really blame satan? and did Satan die?

i gather the children when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re washed and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re fed and i tell them itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ok the devil is dead

and there in the corner his face to the wall a figure stands waiting for satan to call

i stand on a hilltop looking down on the earth and a river flows slowly past the place of my birth

his face has no colour his soul has no creed he was born in a vacuum he carries the seed

Jenny Ransley

Image By Cin Broyles

Slumber as i curl into my slumber fold away my battered wings lay my head down close my eyes imagine sweet imaginings of how things were when first i knew before the dark years took their toll i drift away into a place where I am safe and I am whole Jenny Ransley

19 Â

Faith Speaking

~By Elizabeth Brasington

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.” John 12:26 “Episcopalian.” The word tripped off my ten year-old tongue, stumbling among my incisors before whistling through the gap in my teeth. I shifted awkwardly in the lunch line. It took me several tries to answer a deceivingly simply question. “What religion are you?” my friend asked innocently. Ee-peess-koh-pahl—een. In Marshfield, WI, your church and denomination made the lunch line topic lists. But my answer always ended the conversation. My friends would look at me, perplexed, as if I had spoken another language. I envied the kids whose denominations filled their mouths with round vowels and smooth consonants.

Lutheran. Catholic. Presbyterian. To complicate matters further, our church’s name was St. Albans. This quickly became “St. Almonds” whenever I had to answer the next question in the religion lunch line series, “Where do you go to church?” My classmates never understood my answers. I kept asking my mother “where do we go to church?” I hoped each time to have a different answer for the queries from my friends. “Mom, what is our religion?” I heard again the horrible word, filled with hissing and cutting the air. How could this be a religion? It sounded like something from Harry Potter, a horrible spell that could split my tongue in half. Filled with anxiety, I hid from any conversations regarding God or church.

These are the earliest memories of my faith. To call it faith at that point is misleading. My sermons were stories told in sandboxes filled with stick figures. I prayed for the desire to be the angel in the Christmas play, but ended up stuck with playing Mary. God was the grocer who handed you your reward for being quiet in church each Sunday, a fresh donut. But something changed in me. I do not know when it happened, but I know I was late compared to my friendsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nascent and profound faith. My friends went on missionaries, while I went to the movies. Their youth groups filled classrooms, while I was the only youth in my church. It was clear to me then I was in this Faith thing all alone. I thought faith in God would just happen to me if I paid attention and went to coffee hour. I did not realize it was a process in which I had been embedded for years. It started with an itchy Easter dress. Every Easter, my family drove six hours to Iowa City to celebrate with my Nana and Poppy. I sat through countless services, suffering through scratchy dresses with puffy sleeves and lace collars. If I was not gorging on an Easter basket, I was bored. My sacrament was a chocolate bunny, not bread and wine. I hardly saw the point of being in church. But something remarkable happened every Easter. My Nana stood at the front of the church, serving God as a Reverend. Her position as a Reverend never seemed that significant to me when I was young. I never considered a female reverend as a remarkable career. I did not know of any controversies regarding women serving in the priesthood. I watched her many times at the front of the church, and all that registered in my young mind was that I was uncomfortable and jonsing for chocolate. When I look back at those Easter visits, I see my Nana dazzle me with her love of God. She enraptured me as all gathered together after the service. This love was in her rapier wit, the smell of her Channel 5, and the comfort of her lap as I snoozed off my sugar crash. She never spoke of God directly to me, but I could feel God surround her. He was this unspoken presence. I spoke carefully around her, sure that God was listening nearby. She was why I chose to acolyte. I did not acolyte because of the reverend at my church (he irritated me) nor did I acolyte for the glory of sitting in front of St. Albanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 20 person congregation. Rather, I chose to acolyte because I knew it would bring me closer to God. My Nana was the closest person to God that I knew. She served, so I knew I had to serve as well. I could not just sit and listen; I had to stand in the front of the church and reach out to Him.

And it was through my service that I learned to listen. I had to listen to the Gospel if I wanted to distract myself from the weight of the cross I lifted in front of the reverend when he read. I had to know the words of communion so I knew when to ring the bells. Soon after I started serving, I heard God. I did not hear some booming voice, but instead I heard His message in every life challenge He placed in front of me. As an acolyte, I had the honor of serving with my Nana. We stood together through two different wedding ceremonies with one of our souls standing firmly with God, and the other still sputtering to speak her faith. Although we were close in many ways, we never spoke about God or faith. We just felt His light together, like two people sharing the warmth of a fire. She just always sat a little closer to the benevolent flames. My Nana brought churches to life. Her congregations gathered around her light while I stumbled slowly toward it. When my Nana died, I realized what she had done for me. She planted trust in God. The faith that was once just an itch for a Sunday donut grew into a constant search for the ultimate sustenance. Episcopalian was no longer a word I said with hesitance; it was a song. Although I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go back to those embarrassing lunch line days, I can rejoice in the same tongue and teeth that used to trouble me. And I can hear them speak over and over again the faith my Nana gave me, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Episcopalian.â&#x20AC;?

Image By Cin Broyles

Siblings I could never please my sister Didn’t like a thing I would do Sister, the eldest, named Billie Lou Hated her name cuz it was after Mom and Dad Hated people staring at church which got pretty bad She hated the acne on her face Sometimes she just hated the whole human race I wanted to be just like her Read the books she read Quote anything she said Sit in her assigned place Really was like a race To see if I could be her But it never worked out She would put on a pout

And scream to mom for help “She’s bothering me and my things!” To her I was a great big pain

Anonymous little sister

Big Sister’s Response No, she didn’t gaze at me kindly Nor compliment me on my looks She pulled my hair rudely And randomly tossed my books

I warned her time after time My patience was growing thin Yet needless to say she kept it up She was getting under my skin

I was forced to look after her When my friends left me behind I tried not to be bitter But how could I not mind

Anonymous, too

Interested in writing an article, poetry, or creating an image for Today’s Spiritual Woman? Interested in subscriptions to the magazine perhaps placing an advertisement in our magazine to help support the Communities we reach in the Willamette Valley? Write us at: todayspiritualwoman@gmail.com

Bunnies, Bunnies Everywhere! By Vye

When one of my sons was little, he adored bunnies! So much so that when a friend had two lop eared bunnies to give away, we gave it a try. It lasted about, oh, let’s see, a day? He loved how friendly they were and how they jumped over him as he played his Nintendo games, but he was sick and tired of them pooping everywhere! Just like Cocoa Puffs (which I never ate before, but will never even consider eating ever now!))….

But because of this love, I have started loving Easter, especially cute little figurines of bunnies, little stuffed bunny toys….When I was younger, kids were given bunnies and colored chicks for Easter. Such a sad sight! After about a week the chicks either died or the parents had to give them away. Very few became endeared pets. So we just settle for the inanimate, nonliving ones to give our family delights.

The mother of three boys, I am now delighting in having granddaughters, daughter in laws, etc. I enjoy fixing up a basket for each one in my family, even though I am told this is quite unnecessary. While my mother and grandmother were able to sew, crochet, and thusly gift us with treasures, I am bound by laziness, ineptness, and a strong desire for beauty – so I shop for my little treasures. Here are a few of my favorites this year that I might just include in a gift basket for a friend, seeing as all my kids are all grown up and too big for that kind of thing (truth be known, I would still love an Easter basket!)….

Image By Val Brooks

According to the news (and I won’t mention the station, cause some of you will then begin a litany of sins by such station), companies that make standardized testing have been instructed to ban some of the following words and topics: dinosaurs, Halloween, birthday, dancing (except ballet), and computers (unless mentioned in reference to schools and libraries).

Megyn Kelly asked Monica Crowley on America Live if this is satirical news straight from The Onion. Crowley replied that this is “absurd” but the official mandate includes all public schools citywide because “certain children might be offended because they can’t afford a computer in the home, therefore seeing that word in that context on a test might insult them.” One of the words on the list is slavery, to which Megyn pointed out that they’re “literally eliminating historical facts because they’re worried that it’s going to upset someone.” Crowley agreed to her point adding, “Real historical events that our students should be learning about in context, understanding why it happened, why either the dinosaurs or slavery no longer exists.”

So what do YOU think? Are we so politically correct we are becoming invisible? We are interested in your take of this recent PC anomaly, or maybe it is not an anomaly? Are we paying attention while things like this creep into our schools? What is next? E–mail us at todayspiritualwoman@gmail.com with your responses and we will post them in the Summer, 2012 edition.

Easter Parade

In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, You’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade. I’ll be all in clover and when they look you over, I’ll be the proudest fellow in the Easter Parade. On the avenue, Fifth Avenue, the photographers will snap us, And you’ll find that you’re in the rotogravure. Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet, And of the girl I’m taking to the Easter Parade.

Body 30

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21905294@N03/4093413381/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Image By BillyDl (Flikr creative commons)

Cases of Black Beans

So what do I do with ‘em now??? By Vye

Ever have one of those moments when you gotta buy all those canned products because they last long and if it snows one more time and you can’t get off that hill, you will still have food for sustenance? As I gazed at my tiny pantry and those imposing 12 cans of black beans I did not want to eat them again. Then into my e-mail box came a gift from all recipe – a video that I liked. A video that I enjoyed and a recipe I could actually make. Please check out Chef John’s easy going style and see if you can’t turn those cans of black beans into a sumptuous and nutritious dinner for the family. Or just for you….

“All you need is a couple cans of beans, an onion, some bacon and spices to whip up this simple but delicious soup.” ~ by Chef John http://allrecipes.com/video/535/quick-and-easy-black-bean-soup/detail.aspx?prop24=RD_RecipeVideo Ingredients • 6 slices bacon, chopped • 1 large onion, diced • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 2 cups chicken broth • pinch of dried oregano • pinch of cayenne pepper • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin • salt to taste • 2 (14.5 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained • 14 1/2 fluid ounces water • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper • • Relish: • 1/3 cup minced green onion • 2 teaspoons sambal paste (or minced red chiles) • juice of 1 lime • • Garnish: • chopped green onion (optional) • sour cream (optional)

Directions 1. Place bacon in a cold pot. Turn heat to medium, cook and stir until the bacon is cooked but not crisp. 2. Stir in onion; cook and stir for 5 minutes, until the onion turns translucent and golden. 3. Stir in garlic; cook for 2-3 minutes. Add chicken stock, turn heat to medium-high. Stir in oregano, cayenne and salt. Add black beans and water. Return to a simmer. 4. Simmer on medium-low, stirring occasionally, for 20-30 minutes. While it’s cooking, mash about half the beans to thicken the soup. 5. Stir in black pepper and cumin. Add salt to taste. 6. Make the relish by stirring together minced green onion, sambal paste, and lime juice. 7. Serve garnished with relish, chopped green onions, and sour cream. Nutritional Information Amount Per Serving Calories: 328 | Total Fat: 9.1g | Cholesterol: 22mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

Image By Val Brooks

Have something you would like to share with the world, send us your submissions and you may see it appear in a future issue of “Today’s Spiritual Woman” . Send those submissions to:

todayspiritualwoman@gmail.com

Homemade Rock Candy We’ve had fun trying our hands at some homemade candy recipes lately and are excited to share them with you! Homemade Rock Candy is incredibly easy to make. There are many variations and links online to help you along the way. We took bits and pieces of what we found and here is how we did it! Trim down your skewers to a reasonable size to fit in whatever jars or cups that you will be using. You’ll also want to get rid of the point. Dip them in water, then roll in sugar. Let dry completely and set aside. This gives the sugar a base. Something to stick to when it starts to crystallize. Mix equal parts of water and sugar in a pot on medhigh heat until dissolved. Then continue to add sugar until you have AT LEAST a 2:1 ratio. You can also do a 3:1 ratio. We used 8 cups of water and 16-18 cups of sugar and it made a lot. So you can definitely half the recipe. We wanted a lot of colors. You are making a nice, sticky, sugary

syrup. Mix until completely dissolved and mixture starts to simmer. You do not need it to boil or bring it to a certain temperature with a candy thermometer. Easy. Allow your syrup to cool for 10 minutes or so and ladle into your jars using a funnel to catch spills. It is still pretty hot at this point. We used the tips that we trimmed off of our skewers and dipped them into concentrated food coloring paste, then swirled the skewer into our hot syrup mixture. You can use liquid food coloring, but I like the paste better. Then attach a clothespin to each skewer (the ones you dipped in sugar and let dry) and place in cup. Make sure the skewer isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t touching the bottom or sides of jar/glass. They need room to grow. Since our glasses were narrow, one skewer seemed to work out best, but we added two in a few of the colors. Place your jars in a warm location with lots of natural light. Here they are on day one...you can see that there is a bit of sugar build up from when we dipped them in water and then let them dry in sugar.

Day 3. More crystallization. Day 5. The syrup is crystallizing on the bottom of the glasses as well.

7 days---DONE! We had a great time watching them grow and sampling the finished product. We did not add any flavorings to ours, just sugar and water, but it might be fun to try that sometime. In the end, the glasses with 1 skewer did better as they had more room to grow. So if you attempt to do more than one skewer/jar, use a wide mouth jar. The orange glass had two skewers and both turned out GREAT, but a couple of the other glasses with 2 were a bit smaller than the rest of the single skewered glasses. *There will be crystallized sugar in the bottom of your jars/glasses. Just run them in hot water and chip it out with a butter knife. It comes out pretty easily http://brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/09/ homemade-rock-candy.html

“Candy is natures way of making up for Mondays."

“Unknown Author”

Image By Anja Hill

Zucchini Wraps: Healthy Hors d’ouvres

• 2 medium sized zucchini • 2 cups fresh Basil • 1/2 c pistachios • 1 Tbs Olive oil • 1tsp sea salt (or to taste) • pinch of freshly ground black pepper • sun dried tomatoes – either packed in olive oil or re-hydrated in water.

Slice the zucchini into long strips using a vegetable peeler. Place on a drying rack and let sit for 20-30 minutes to absorb excess moisture. In a food processor, combine basil, pistachios, olive oil, salt & pepper until smooth. Once zucchini strips are soft and of a dryer consistency, place a spoon full of pesto and a sun-dried tomato on one end of the zucchini strip.. Simply roll and secure with a toothpick.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil—by Jean Fisher Why do the What's For Dinner? recipes use olive oil almost exclusively? Well there are several reasons. Substituting olive oil, a monounsaturated fat, for saturated fats or polyunsaturated fats can: Reduce blood pressure Inhibit the growth of some cancers Benefit people at risk for or with diabetes Lessen the severity of asthma and arthritis Actually help your body maintain a lower weight

Even though you’re NOT Diabetic I’m gonna treat you like one... by Lola

http://andreasrecipes.com/2006/03/01/chewy-oatmeal-cookies-with-almonds-and-toffee-chips/

Okay, that’s not what I wanted to hear from my doctor. I’ve been skating all around the issue of health, thinking, apparently, that I could survive the odds of not getting diabetes, although my siblings, paternal aunt, and maternal uncles all have or had it….So what did I think I was doing grazing into the arena of obese American women? I had hit the 200 mark long ago and my weight was slowly inching up. I always hated exercise. No skirting around the issue. I just absolutely hate the gym, the treadmill, and even, getting my lazy butt off the couch or chair to go to swim. Well, I need to clarify here – I don’t swim. I can’t swim. I flunked phase 5 of swimming in 8th grade. So I paddle with a board. And I hate it until I get into the water. But the impending wedding of my youngest son coupled with my doctor’s proclamation did something to me. I had to eat better. I had to make sure my body didn’t wither away and atrophy. So I mapped out a little trail in my house. Upstairs, downstairs, throughout each room I pad. And I do so 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon. I try to eat smaller meals and choose very carefully. And so what happened? In more than 30 yrs. I have never lost more than a pound or two and this monthly check up I lost 6 pounds! My blood sugar was down to 116 from 135 and I felt proud. This feeling was something I had never experienced. I mean I

actually enjoyed making smart choices. Note I have not said I am dieting. I am making informed choices. At a party last night, instead of drinking the wine to get a buzz (LOL), I drank water instead. And, to be truthful, none of the wine being served was the kind I like anyway. I still have a bit of a sweet tooth, so today I played around with a recipe for oatmeal cookies. They weren’t terrific, but they satisfied that urge to eat sweets. Were I to try the recipe again, I think I would add some apples to sweeten it more and to give it a bit more of a moist taste. Why don’t you try it and let me know how your batch comes out? 1 ½ c flour 1 ½ c regular oatmeal Sugar substitute to equal ½ cup sugar 1 teaspoon lemon juice ½ t baking soda ¼ t salt 5 T cold water 1 t vanilla ¼ c butter, softened Mix all ingredients, except for the butter and cold water. Then cut in the butter, add water and knead by hand. Makes 24 lovely cookies. I pressed a walnut half into some and added a sprinkle of cinnamon. Not bad for a first try….

Improv

Official U.S. Navy Imageryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photostream

vment http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/6100399678/sizes/o/in/photostream/

What You Eat Affects How You Sleep If you could pick the right foods to help you get the best sleep possible, wouldn’t you? And if you knew which foods would hinder your restful slumber, wouldn’t you avoid them? Now’s your chance to learn which foods to eat, and which to steer clear of for a good night’s sleep.

Reach for Tryptophan-Rich Foods We’ve all heard of warm milk’s magical ability to send us off to dreamland. Do you know why it’s true? Dairy foods contain tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting substance. Other foods that are high in tryptophan include nuts and seeds, bananas, honey, and eggs. Indulge Your Craving for Carbs Carbohydrate-rich foods complement dairy foods by increasing the level of sleepinducing tryptophan in the blood. So a few perfect late night snacks to get you snoozing might include a bowl of cereal and milk, yogurt and crackers, or bread and cheese.

image byPrasad–happiness http://www.flickr.com/photos/prasad-happiness/514588679/sizes/sq/in/photostream/ Image by Unknown: http://www.bestnaturalotcsleepaid.org/uploads/Healthy-Foods.jpg

Have a Snack Before Bedtime If you struggle with insomnia, a little food in your stomach may help you sleep. But don’t use this as an open invitation to pig out. Keep the snack small. A heavy meal will tax your digestive system, making you uncomfortable and unable to get soothing ZZZs.

Put Down the Burger and Fries! As if you needed another reason to avoid high-fat foods, research shows that people who often eat high-fat foods not only gain weight, they also experience a disruption of their sleep cycles. A heavy meal activates digestion, which can lead to nighttime trips to the bathroom.

Beware of Hidden Caffeine It’s no surprise that an evening cup of coffee might disrupt your sleep. Even moderate caffeine can cause sleep disturbances. But don’t forget about less obvious caffeine sources, like chocolate, cola, tea, and decaffeinated coffee. For better sleep, cut all caffeine from your diet four to six hours before bedtime.

Medications May Contain Caffeine Some over-the-counter and prescription drugs contain caffeine, too, such as pain relievers, weight loss pills, diuretics, and cold medicines. These and other medications may have as much or even more caffeine than a cup of coffee. Check the label of nonprescription drugs or the prescription drug information sheet to see if your medicine interferes with sleep or can cause insomnia.

Skip the Nightcap Here’s the catch-22 with alcohol: It may help you fall asleep faster, but you may experience frequent awakenings, less restful sleep, headaches, night sweats and nightmares. If you’re consuming alcohol in the evening, balance each drink with a glass a water to dilute the alcohol’s effects. For a good night’s sleep, the better bet is to avoid alcohol four to six hours before bedtime.

Beware of Heavy, Spicy Foods Lying down with a full belly can make you uncomfortable, since the digestive system slows down when you sleep. It can also lead to heartburn, as can spicy cuisine. Make sure to finish a heavy meal at least four hours before bedtime.

Keep Protein to a Minimum at Bedtime Sorry Atkins. Protein, an essential part of our daytime fare, is a poor choice for a bedtime snack. Protein-rich foods are harder to digest. So skip the high-protein snack before bedtime and opt for a glass of warm milk or some sleep-friendly carbs, like crackers.

Cut the Fluids by 8 P.M. Yes, staying hydrated throughout the day is great for your body, but curtail your fluid intake before bed. You’re sure to have interrupted sleep if you’re constantly getting up to go to the bathroom.

Don’t Be Fooled by a Relaxing Smoke

Nicotine is a stimulant, with effects similar to caffeine. Avoid smoking before bedtime or if you wake up in the middle of the night.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rinux/141966559/sizes/sq/in/photostream/ Cin Broyles: BerryAde Project http://www.flickr.com/photos/brentolson/606568990/sizes/sq/in/photostream/

Image by Sadie Hernadez http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadiediane/5181349586/sizes/sq/in/photostream/

Tales of an Insomniac Insomnia – not being able to sleep? By Vye

You all can recognize it – pleas on Facebook, late calls at night, IMs, texts, and other disturbed requests for help in finding solace at night – sleep. Interrupted sleep, delayed sleep, no sleep. . . . I was going out of my mind not being able to have a good 8 hours sleep (and I’m the kind of person who really thrives on 10). I tried everything everyone suggested: no food at night, lots of food at night, hot milk (with a bit of chocolate in it!), going to bed at the same time each night (boooorinnggggg), and my mother’s favorite, “take two aspirin and call the me in the morning.” Some worked once but not the second time. And other remedies did not work at all for me. Finally, last night, I slept a good 11 hours. Thanks to my hubby, we sampled an over the counter sleep aid that really worked for me. Not for him, though! So, before you go taking some medication, check it out with your doctor. I woke a few times, but it was easy to return to sleep. Hallelluia. I feel rested for the first time in eons. So, I guess what I am telling you is that there are many remedies for sleep deprivation, but each of us is so different, it may take some experimentation to check out what really will work for us. I will still have sleepless nights, especially since my adult children are grown and think they don’t need me (I stress out ‘cause I know they still do and don’t realize it and I am anticipating the day they do! And I am still their mom, darn it!) Life can be fulfilling and sometimes the stress (albeit good stress) of helping a new group or finding out your idea is really helping someone – all that starts to keep me company right when I wanna go to sleep….Relaxation techniques, including deep breathing, counting the proverbial sheep, praying the rosary, all those will still be with me as I continue this journey of life, but I do know that I have options. I don’t have to wake up and be somewhere at 8 am. I don’t schedule most things before 10 am and even now that is still early, LOL! But I can live with my erratic night schedule. Thankfully, I don’t have to deal with little ones who are up at the crack of dawn. No, this sleep schedule is workable for me. Hope that all your nights are sleep perfect nights and all your days stress free!

IMPULSIVITYBy–LolaI want it NOW! It’s only March as I write this, but the cherry blossom trees are blooming with the delicate pink petals opening their souls to the sun and the shoots of the daffodils are standing straight and tall. Too bad, snow is in the forecast for tomorrow! I wonder if we don’t sometimes do that as human beings. We grow too bold too soon and then bam! We are shut down. Specifically, I am referring to people who are impulsive. At the moment what you say or do seems right or righteous. Afterwards, oftentimes immediately afterwards, a pang of regret begins to sprout. Oh, no, I didn’t do that, did I?

What are the causes of impulsivity and how can we control it? Sometimes impulsivity is a sign that we have a disease. Bipolar disorder is one possible diagnosis. Bipolar disorder used to be termed manic-depressive disorder. Being manic depressive can manifest itself in several ways:

• Violent surges of mania and the extreme pathos of depression • Cyclical moodiness, such as happy one moment and sad the next. Continuous…. • Mania manifested by extravagant behaviors – spending, sex, drugs, alcohol, disobeying the law – feeling immune to danger. The best thing to do when one suspects bipolar disorder is to contact a psychiatrist or other physician, preferably a psychiatrist, who has been trained in diagnosing and dispensing medication for bipolar disorder. Some of the side effects of medication can be brutal, so it is best to have a continuous therapeutic relationship with your psychiatrist. Also, if you have been diagnosed with depression and depression meds are not working, it is possible that you are bipolar. Individuals diagnosed with depression and receiving depression meds actually get worse after a while on their meds. Bipolar individuals need to be treated with different medications. If you need more information, contact your physician, but know one thing for sure: if you had a broken arm, you would most certainly go to a physician, preferably an orthopedist, so if you are having mental problems, you should definitely seek out the advice of a psychiatrist. In this day and age there is no reason not to take care of your WHOLE body, which includes your mind.

And the next time you feel like speeding down the hill at 80 mph in a residential district or purchasing more than you can afford, then, perhaps, then you will be able to resist, knowing that your mind is being impulsive and you do not have to deal with that behavior anymore. And you are not alone! Books of interest:

The following site is extremely helpful for those who have loved ones diagnosed with bipolar disease: http://www.bpso.org/booklist.php

Maintaini ng Good Rela tionships Aft er Ret irement is Very Hard Work by Vye

Anything worth doing is worth doing well. I still hear my mom telling me that, harping on the fact that life is not easy. It is very difficult at times and it takes energy and enthusiasm to create a satisfying life and relationship. Boy, she was NOT kidding! Life is very stressful, especially for those of us who are retired. Several things occur when one retires: • • • • • •

New schedules Less organization Less social contact More time to sniff out problems Enhanced problems with others Lack of energy, purpose

But retirement does not have to be all negative. It can be wonderful if we just remember to do a few things: • Organize life and structure it so that there are places to go and people to meet • Take a class or join a club and be active • Fill down time with books to read, great movies to watch with friends or your spouse • Find meaningful work, even if it’s temporary and volunteer • Reward yourself for small milestones • Keep in touch with others • Pray Life can be so rewarding if we choose to make it so. If we choose to give up and squander our moments away, we may find that retirement is nothing more than a prison sentence only to end in the end. Nothing rewarding about that attitude…. Some other hints from seniors who are retired include plant a garden, work out in the yard, do some art, listen to music, give your opinion to the editorials in the newspaper, take a class in something you don’t know a thing about, go to the senior centers and help spark up their programs by teaching what you know…

Musings during writing class…

By Melisa Lua

Bright winter sun shone through the classroom window as students, with varying shades of graying hair listened intently to the instructor. She sat at her desk, as a captain commanding her ship. Using her fingers to make a point, she sat solidly, filling the chair and the spaces between her desk and chair. Her age would be somewhere near that of her students as her voice droned on and on explaining her favorite writing points. She seemed to enjoy her every word as she spoke much as one savors the last morsel of a tasty meal. Her eyes policed the room, not in apparent cheerful anticipation of finding creativity, but, instead of finding an offender to reprimand. She found one – a student – me. I was looking t a book while she spoke. Broken cardinal rule #1 without even knowing it was one of her laws. Her victory was bitter sweet. Embarrassing herself and others with her old school marm rules. I decided I need not be reprimanded for breaking a rule of whose existence I did not know. I quietly returned materials o my folder, pushed it to the corner of the table- stood and left the room as quietly as I had come in. The class was sans one less writing student. The sun shone through the window and onto the heads of hair, with varying shades of gray. The teacher’s voice droned on. The carpeted floor drowned the sound of a single student’s footsteps walking away from that instructor’s classroom.

Recycling Fun from FaceBook by Cin Broyles

Bouncing Polymer Ball Materials Having fun with chemistry!

http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/bounceball.htm Materials:

• borax (found in the laundry section of the store) cornstarch (found in the baking section of the store) white glue (e.g., Elmer’s glue - makes an opaque ball) or blue or clear school glue (makes a translucent ball) • warm water • food coloring (optional) • measuring spoons • spoon or craft stick to stir the mixture • two small plastic cups or other containers for mixing marking pen • watch with a second hand • metric ruler • zip-lock plastic baggie Procedure 1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6. 7.

Label one cup ‘Borax Solution’ and the other cup ‘Ball Mixture’. Pour 2 tablespoons warm water and 1/2 teaspoon borax powder into the cup labeled ‘Borax Solution’. Stir the mixture to dissolve the borax. Add food coloring, if desired. Pour 1 tablespoon of glue into the cup labeled ‘Ball Mixture’. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the borax solution you just made and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Do not stir. Allow the ingredients to interact on their own for 10-15 seconds and then stir them together to fully mix. Once the mixture becomes impossible to stir, take it out of the cup and start molding the ball with your hands. The ball will start out sticky and messy, but will solidify as you knead it. Once the ball is less sticky, go ahead and bounce it! You can store your plastic ball in a sealed ziploc bag when you are finished playing with it. Don’t eat the materials used to make the ball or the ball itself. Wash your work area, utensils, and hands when you have completed this activity.

What a wonderful way to spread your wings and explore! Who wudda thunk it? Enjoy!