Simplicity Magazine Autumn l2016

Page 1

Simplicity MAGAZINE

AUTUMN ‘16


What’s inside:

p.20 TUTTIE’S PLACE

p.4 CREATING YOUR FUTURE IN ONE VISION

p.28 BREAKFAST FOR TWO

(BOARD)

p.7

p.40

ICELAND (by Larisa Vejzovic)

HANGOVER? HANGOUT?

P.44 BEGIN YOUR MORNING WITH ...

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Hello and a

B

eing always on the run, trying to do several things at once, always rushing to the next place, while trying to take care of everything and everyone around you simultaneously, can cause much stress and anxiety. You end up losing sight of what’s important and losing yourself amidst the crazy marathon, ending up drained and tired.

Warm

WELCOME

With the change of seasons, our bodies are also following the natural cycle and getting ready towards the longer nights and colder temperatures. We can feel this change in many ways, such as longing for more comfort foods, warm atmosphere and slowing down our hectic pace by getting more hours of sleep. In our Fall issue, we are bringing you food for thought and soul nurturing recipes, that can ease your seasonal transitions and help you stay grounded and positive. Enjoy! Sincerely, ~ Anna & Marina SimplicityMagazine Magazine | 3


E

Creating Your Future in One Vision (Board)

very beginning comes with a sense of excitement

board together.

and hope for the new, when we turn a page and start clean. Fall is a perfect time to reflect upon

the passing year and make an intention for what you

If you want, fun markers, stickers, or anything else you can think of to deck out your board.

would like to bring forth in the upcoming 12 months. What has served you best this year? What are you

ready to let go of? What do you want to accomplish for

Magazines that you can cut images and quotes from.

yourself? What do you wish to change? •

Most importantly, the stuff you want to look at

If you have already set yourself to create a change in

every day. Photos, quotes, sayings, images of

your life, manifest a dream, or to let go of something,

places you want to go, reminders of events, places,

using a vision board can help you harmonize your

or people, postcards from friends and just about

resolution with deeper realities of your heart and soul.

anything that will inspire you.

There are numerous benefits to creating a vision

Time. Give yourself a stress-free hour or two to put

board, but the most important one is supporting your

your board together. Invite your friends over and

intentions and keeping you focused on what you wish

make a party out of it. Set the tone of the party

to see unfolding in your life. What you focus on expands,

with a short guided meditation and an intention to

thus bringing to life the reality you want to experience.

create your best possible future.

That’s why it is important to know and understand which place you’re creating your intentions from – and

HOW TO DO IT:

even if they don’t manifest, they carry a very important

message to your life. Creating a vision board serves a very powerful purpose

Set the mood. Turn off the TV and turn on some relaxing music. Light a candle and clear your space.

When it comes to actually putting your stuff on

of nurturing your dreams and moving you towards the

the board, you can start with the background

way you want to feel in your life. It is not about the

and then add on words and pictures that you’ve

material things, but about what and who you want to

chosen or been drawn to. You can leave space

surround yourself with that inspires you to be the best

in between each item, if it feels too cluttered on

version of yourself. It is also about creating a sacred

the board. As for choosing what makes the final

space in your home, where the energy of your vision is

cut, lay everything out before you start gluing and

supported and cared for.

pinning so you can get an idea of where you want everything.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: •

Any kind of board, if you’re new maybe start with a cork board or poster board from the hardware store

Let your intuition and imagination be your guide and enjoy the process! You might be amazed at what the results and the vision board can bring into

Scissors, tape, pins, and/or a glue-stick to put your

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your life.


SimplicityMagazine Foodie Magazine | 5


Do little things with great love

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SimplicityMagazine Foodie Magazine | 7


T

oday in our

Inspiring Women

column, we are delighted and incredibly honored to bring this profound interview with the one

and only Ms. Brenda Boyd, Founder and Director of TuTTie’s Place a Foster Care Residential program and the Will of Wisdom Wellness Community Center for Well-being in Baltimore, MD. Her vision and loving presence has transformed lives of hundreds of children and young adults, helping them cope and transpire their circumstances to become conscious adults, leading healthy successful lives and inspiring others to do the same. Her astonishing dedication has recently been awarded by Associated Black Charities’, Women On the Move Empowerment Network as an Inspiring Woman in Business.

~ So, how did it all begin? In 1991 I lost my youngest daughter to a fire in my home and I was encouraged to become a foster parent. I had never heard of kids being in foster care, because in my culture whenever there was a family in need, other family members assisted. So, I never knew there were kids wandering in state care because they had no biological family members willing to care for them once

“I knew we needed

they were removed from their biological parents.

to make that connection

So, I got involved and went through training to

with all three

become a therapeutic foster care parent. The first child that I had was a young man who was 12 years old and who was in need of a lot of services. The agency which placed him with me did not given me all of his history, and therefore I had to learn about his situation along the way. As I was advocating for services for him, I was recruited to sit on the Citizens Review Board for Children, a volunteer Board where you go to a local Department of Social Services to listen to cases of children in foster care. In addition to reviewing 20 to 30 cases monthly, we would make recommendations to the agencies as to the status of the kid’s services.

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for the kids to be able to completely heal..”


moved into my neighbor’s basement. We opened our doors with 6 kids, and within 2 years we had 4 homes with 26 kids and a number of employees, and it kind of went on from there.

~ As the kids come into your program, how are they able to heal? How are they able to change their circumstances and their lives? When we first started the program, I was already on my spiritual path. When I lost my daughter, I spent a lot of time healing in Arizona. In Arizona, I was introduced to yoga, meditations, the Labyrinth, and other nontraditional healing and spiritual modalities. So, when I started this program, the main focus was on holistically treating the mind, body, and The recurring story I heard all the time was sibling groups being separated from their families to come into care and then be separated again because of gender or age. Some providers only take boys or only girls, or younger kids vs older kids. Often times depending on the age of the child, once they are separated, they may float around the system and never connect or reconnect with their siblings again. While doing some volunteer work at a group home program, I met a little girl who was 9 years old who was traumatized not only from the separation of her family but, also from her the separation of her younger brother who was 18 months at that time. So, I thought: “Geez, somebody needs to do something about that”. At that time there were no programs for sibling groups, so I created TuTTie’s Place as a way to keep the siblings together. We served only sibling groups for about six years or so, until the State’s needs became greater for boys.

Spirit of each child. I knew we needed to make that connection with all three for the kids to be able to completely heal. We introduced the kids immediately to meditation and to yoga, and we noticed with the first group (because we started off as a long term program, most of the kids were staying with us for 5-8 years), that once we were able to teach them to practice and embrace it, a lot of kids who came to us on psychotropic medications were able to wean themselves off of it. Believe it or not, the kids gravitated towards and embraced the meditation and healing modalities, and we never got any pushback from them and it just became a part of our program ever since.

~ What are your most memorable success stories? I would have to say honestly that all of the

So that’s how it all started. I gave up my home and

kids who really embraced meditation and SimplicityMagazine | 9


some of the other healing modalities were our most successful kids. They were able to be more productive

Understanding the importance of keep families

in school, many were able to go back home to their

together, whether there is abuse or neglect, requires

biological families, because they had managed to

families to receive the services they need, to

self-regulate their behaviors. Many were able to go

strengthen themselves in an effort to avoid having

on to higher education whether it was job training

their children removed from their homes. No matter

programs or to the community college. We had 2 kids

how much I do or other people do for these kids, at the

who received full scholarships to a 4 year university.

end of the day, they want to go home to their parents,

They were able to maintain jobs and once they aged

and that’s where they should be. So, the motivation

out of the system, they were able to maintain their

for me is to do everything that I can to strengthen the

independence. So, I attribute that to them learning

child while they are in my care, but also reach out to

how to self-heal and self-soothe themselves.

the family and strengthen the family, so they can get

~Learning of your personal story, I understand what motivates you to do what you do. Is there anything else that contributes to your motivation? My parents were from the South, and fortunately I was raised in a two-parent household. I had five

their kids back.

~Your ability to heal your past and help another do the same is astonishing and so inspiring. Is there anyone or anything that inspires you? I’ve been asked that question before many times,

siblings and I can’t ever remember a time that

and for me, it is hard to pinpoint it to only one person.

someone else didn’t live with us for one reason or

I am inspired by anybody who had suffered some type

another. We were just raised that if people needed

of tragedy and has been able to turn their lives around

help – you helped them as best as you could. If that

and live through it. That, is inspiring to me! The kids

meant giving them a roof over their head temporarily,

inspire me often. type of tragedy and has been able

or giving them food, etc. We were just raised that way,

to turn their lives around and live through that. It is

that whatever you had – you shared. And so, for me it

inspiring to me! The kids inspire me often, I’m inspired

comes very naturally, I don’t give a lot of thought to it.

by their wisdom, although it might be very different from mine or from most people. But, in general

As it relates to the program, before my daughter passed away, she was five years old and we were supposed to leave the next day to go on a trip to New

anyone who has been able to shift their life and help others others inspires me.

We had a discussion in bed that night about what

~What is the most challenging thing in your work?

she wanted to do when she grew up. She said, she

Public policy, politics. I’m not a political person and

York because of a relative who passed away there.

did not know, all she knew was, she wanted to help

I don’t do well with it, because I don’t believe policy

somebody. She didn’t have a necessary career in mind,

makers have people’s best interests. They like things

but she just knew, she wanted to help somebody.

just the way they are, keeping the cycles of poverty

And then, having the relationship with the little girl

and dependence on state government. The Foster

at the group home I volunteered at, who was so

Care/Social Service systems are designed that way. For

distraught over losing her brother, I was motivated to

the many years the Foster Care system has existed,

do something to help someone else.

we should have worked ourselves out of it. Even now

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I have kids with three or four generations of foster care history in their family. I find that the way the system is designed, its goal is to keep the kids in the system and dependent. It is similar to slavery.

giver. Through all of this – how do you support yourself? How do you take care of yourself? I’ve learned very early on that I can work 12-13

We are challenged by generations of children and

hours a day, and I can do it non-stop for 90 days.

families living in cyclical poverty and the culture of

But at 90 days, I need a long weekend, or a break,

dependency that is the after affect. We try to teach

and I have always done that. I get massages,

the older kids to tap into their unique talents, learn

reflexology, Reiki, I get Oneness Blessings once a

and gain tools that can enhance and ensure their

week. I’ve learned how to take care of myself. Of

independence.

course, I meditate every day and I also spend a lot

~ What would you like to see changed in the system and how could anyone help or support you in your mission? I would like to see policy changes. Families need advocates to help them navigate the Child Welfare System. As a provider of care, I cannot be an authentic advocate for children in Foster

of time in nature, which is very good for me.

~What would you want to tell our readers? What would your message be to people as to how can they contribute to this cause? How can they become an advocate for a child in need? I think a lot of people feel that in order to have an

Care. Clearly, we should be empathetic to children

impact it has to be in numbers, and I say it doesn’t.

in care and their families but, you can’t get lost

You are going to have experiences where you are

in that, because when you get lost in that, you

going to meet people who are going to be in need

become a part of that problem. The Foster Care

of whatever. Give whatever you can whenever

system teaches children to expect and depend

you can to whoever needs it in that moment. Do

on entitlements. Unfortunately, foster kids have

not base it on what it looks like or what you think

to grow up early but, that is not a bad thing. They

about them. I have heard people say, they never

have to learn a lot of things, and although they are

give to people who beg on the street, because ͞oh,

still kids and have to have their childhood, we must

they’ll go and buy drugs or alcohol͟. I always say:

prepare them to be independent and self-reliant,

“So what, you do not know that to be the truth”. It

because that day is coming. What I need is true

shouldn’t matter if they are asking you for a dollar

advocates, not someone to come in and say, ͞Oh,

or whatever it is, if you have it – you should give

I feel sorry for the kids͟, but to understand what their future would look like if we don’t prepare them today for independence. The kids need love, but they also need structure which gives them opportunities and experiences that they will have when they age out of the system. Therefore we need your time, talents and resources to ensure the success of our children and programs.

~You’re supporting so many people. You are a mother, a caretaker, a 12 | SimplicityMagazine

it, because what they choose to do with it doesn’t have anything to do with you. You gave because they were in need. Sometimes we question whether or not the person is really in need, and in my personal experiences you cannot put a face on someone in need. A person who became homeless yesterday is not going to be filthy dirty and in ragged clothes tomorrow. They may be dressed like you and me, but because they asked for something doesn’t mean they do not need it based


give

WHATEVER YOU CAN whenever you can

TO WHOEVER NEEDS IT in that moment

on the way they look. Please tell your readers that we welcome volunteers and will train them as mentors and advocates. We need their talents, resources and monetary gifts.

~ What a great reminder to give where you can. ͞Don’t judge the book by its cover͟. Because you can’t. A personal story of mine was, my first husband became a substance abuser. I didn’t know, because I hadn’t had that experience. One day, we were supposed to go to downtown with my youngest daughter. He was taking us and we stopped at a McDonaldsWe left him in a car and we went into McDonalds, and my baby says: ͞”Mommy, Daddy just drove off͟.” Well, I never even bothered to turn around to look, because I did not think he would drive off anywhere. But, when we got out there – he was gone. My purse was in the car and it hit me: ͞How am I going to get home?͟ My keys were in the car, there were no cell phones back then. It was the worst feeling I had ever experienced. I can still remember that feeling of SimplicityMagazine | 13


abandonment today. I did not know what to do, at

an Angel. So, I do not question people who are

all. I have a two year old holding my hand and I do

in need. I do not make them tell stories. People

not know what to do.

should not feel as if they have to sell your soul to me, because they are in need.

I remember walking down the street trying to figure out how to get home. Standing on the

Give what you can when you can and don’t

corner, I saw this lady and I said to her: ͞Mam,

worry whether it is to organizations or structured

I need $2. If you loan me $2 and give me your

programs. There are times when people are in

information, I promise I will repay you.͟And, she

need and we can see that look on their face, but

just gave it to me, without any questions or

they are too proud to ask. When we see something

information. Of course, I still couldn’t get home

is wrong, we should reach out regardless, just to

because I didn’t have my keys, but I could get

make sure our fellow brothers and sisters who are

to my parents’ house. Now, I wasn’t looking like

in need of our help, receive it, with Love.

I’m homeless, and my kid didn’t look homeless, but I really needed that money. So, God sent me

There are over 400,000 children in US Foster Care System each year. Every contribution counts, whether volunteering, donating or advocating for the child. To learn more about Tuttie’s Place or make a contribution, please visit: www.tuttiesplace.org.

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ICELAND by Larisa Vejzovic

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“ I was thankful that we didn’t have to travel to another planet to feel the joy of life.”

I

magine a country, a land, so

I was drawn by an incredible

diverse in its landscape it’s hard

opportunity to connect back with

to envision it exists. Mountains,

nature. In our hectic, fast paced life I

volcanoes, lava fields, glaciers, rivers,

don’t think we spend nearly enough

waterfalls are just a few prevailing

time outdoors. Stress of everyday

attractions of an incredible scenery of

tasks of running from point A to

a tiny country called Iceland.

point B and back, from taking kids to activities, doctors, lessons, birthday

As time for our summer vacation

parties only create more anxiety

approached we had to make a

and leave us drained. We miss little

decision on our vacation destination.

things and great beauties of our

After discussing and deliberating

surroundings. More importantly, we

an unlikely choice of Iceland came

don’t pay attention to each other. We

up. Immediately it drew us. Most

may be doing some of our daily tasks

importantly, kids were excited about

with awareness, but we are certainly

it as well. Instantly, they found it on

not mindful most of the time. I was

a map and started using modern

looking forward to leaving all worry

technology to learn what they can

behind and taking kids out of the

look forward to.

comfort of suburbia to show them another part of the world.

As it turns out, Iceland has become quite a hot spot for tourists after

Once we arrived, we were

the financial crash of 2008. It was

immediately mesmerized by the lava

the first country to suffer enormous

fields that line up the road from the

losses as their biggest domestic

Airport to the capital city Reykjavik. It

banks collapsed but it was also

didn’t take us long to learn that elves

the first country to recover. In the

are believed to live in lava fields and

aftermath, tourism was a natural

locals to this day are very respectful of

choice to promote to help the country

their neighbors.

to recover.

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standing in a m

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“Yet, here we were, on a Monday morning, middle of the strange town observing comradery and a sense of care for each other that was staring us in a face...�

SimplicityMagazine Foodie Magazine | 19


People are friendly and warm. They didn’t seem preoccupied to us. They work and earn their living but there was also something else. It was surprising for us to see in the downtown area, in the middle of the busy tourist season stores close at 6pm on the weekday. On weekends they had very limited hours as well. Is it possible that a business is not trying to maximize its earnings?

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When new construction project

were there, we allowed more and

However, one thing that my

is undertaken, utmost care is given

more of our stress and hustling

husband and I noticed is relaxed

to disturb as least as possible

of our busy live to melt away.

attitude of locals. People are

of the lava fields. Even driving in

The time seemed to stop for

friendly and warm. They didn’t

capital huge rocks can be seen

short moments as we sucked in

seem preoccupied to us. They

on the side of the road that were

magnificence of the nature and

work and earn their living but

either gently moved or worked

the fresh air of the slightly chilly

there was also something else.

around as elves are known to

Icelandic temperature. It seemed

It was surprising for us to see in

cause trouble if disturbed. around

to me that Iceland has redefined

the downtown area, in the middle

as elves are known to cause

security and serenity, having no

of the busy tourist season stores

trouble if disturbed.

official army and police officers

close at 6pm on the weekday. On

who are not even authorized to

weekends they had very limited

Iceland is a tiny country, an

carry guns. Iceland is consistently

hours as well. Is it possible that a

island, in size a little bit smaller

on the list of top 10 countries with

business is not trying to maximize

than state of Kentucky. Entire

the lowest crime rate. Perhaps,

its earnings? Why would they not

population is 330,000 people. On

sense of safety plays a role on our

open when the street is swarming

our first day there, as we were

psyche without us even realizing

with tourists?

exploring Reykjavik, we came

that. I watched my kids walk hand-

across a truck that broke down

in-hand independently down the

By the end of the week the

in a middle of a small side road

street without any care. For once,

answer became apparent to us…

creating quite a traffic. To our

we were all calm, peaceful and

they choose to close to spend

amusement, no one honked. Men

enjoying simply being together in

time with family. We learned from

stopped their engines, got out and

a place that at times seemed like a

locals that we met and talked

pushed the truck out of the way.

moon rock. We later learned that

to that they spend a lot of time

Instantaneously thoughts started

NASA actually sent astronauts

with family and friends. Part of it

circling around my head thinking

to Iceland to prepare them for a

is driven by long and dark winter

how odd this is. Can cabs of New

mission on the Moon. But I was

days. Part of it is driven by the

York City go silent? We get stuck

thankful that we didn’t have to

culture. But is it also possible that

behind the school bus on Monday

travel to another planet to feel

some of it is simply driven by self-

morning and wonder why we

the joy of life, to feel our hearts

care? I catch myself often thinking

are so unlucky to have to wait an

open up as we explored simplicity

of my kids growing too fast, not

extra couple of minutes instead

and yet elaborate complexity

remembering a lot of details of

of rushing on our way. We speed

of the Mother Nature that was

their first years, wondering how to

in the vehicle of life with such a

surrounding us.

slow my hectic schedule. It seems

hurry that any delay causes a mild panic or worse… Yet, here we were,

to me that Icelanders, maybe There is so much that can be

some of them, have it figured out.

on a Monday morning, standing

said about natural beauty of

Perhaps it was the magic air of

in a middle of the strange town

Iceland. The Black Beaches in the

Iceland that allowed me to come

observing comradery and a sense

West and South of the country,

back remembering once again that

of care for each other that was

the country side, hikes, geysers

taking care of our soul and mind

staring us in a face.

and glaciers… take your pick of the

should be priority for us all.

With each passing day that we

interests you may have. SimplicityMagazine | 23


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When new construction project is undertaken, utmost care is given to disturb as least as possible of the lava fields. Even driving in capital huge rocks can be seen on the side of the road that were either gently moved or worked around as elves are known to cause trouble if disturbed. around as elves are known to cause trouble if disturbed.

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“...taking care of our soul and mind should be priority for us all..� 27Foodie | SimplicityMagazine Magazine | 27


BREAKFAST for TWO by Nada Piegari

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hile many people think that buckwheat is a cereal grain, it is actually a fruit seed that is related to rhubarb and sorrel making it a suitable substitute for grains for people who are sensitive to wheat or other grains that contain protein glutens. Buckwheat flowers are very fragrant and are attractive to bees that use them to produce a special, strongly flavored, dark honey. Energizing and nutritious, buckwheat is available throughout the year and can be served as an alternative to rice or made into porridge. Diets that contain buckwheat have been linked to lowered risk of developing high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

W

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APPLE POPPYSEED PANCAKES

INGREDIENTS;

•       3 TB Buckwheat Flour         •       2 TB Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour         •       ½ Tsp Baking Powder         •       1 Tsp Poppy Seeds (plus more for topping)         •       ½ Tsp Cinnamon         •       ⅛ Tsp Nutmeg         •       ¼ Cup Unsweetened Applesauce         •       ½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract         •       ⅓ Cup + 2 TB Water         •       Maple Syrup(optional topping)         •       Apple Cinnamon Granola (optional topping)

INSTRUCTIONS;

1.      In a mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Then add the applesauce, vanilla, and water. Mix to form a slightly thick pancake batter.         2.      Heat a greased non-stick pan over medium-high heat on the stove.         3.      Pour half the batter onto the pan and cook for about 3 minutes or until the edges look dry and bubbles form in the middle. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. Repeat for the rest of the batter.         4.      Serve your pancakes with some lovely Apple Cinnamon Granola and syrup!

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1 Apple (any kind) Juice of 1 lemon 1 tsp. of lemon zest ½ cup of candied ginger

g

Lem o

INGREDIENTS:

A

in Th

n

n i G

c e Is N u a S r ow ge

Put all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.

Are you in the mood for something sweet with a kick? Lemon ginger sauce is ust wha you need! Prepare it ahead of time and pour it over pancakes in the morning , or use it as a dip llater in a day. SimplicityMagazine Foodie Magazine | 31


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BUCKWHEAT BREAD INGREDIENTS: * 1 cup rye flour * 1 cup buckwheat flour * 1 cup seeds (sunflower, tickles, flax, sesame) * 1 teaspoon sea salt * 1 tablespoon olive oil * 1 full tablespoon of psyllium * 2 full teaspoons baking powder * 3 dl of mineral water PREPARATION: Preheat the oven to 440F. Mix the dry ingredients, then add the oil and water. Leave the mixture to rest for ten minutes. If you add less water and psyllium, you will have a compact mixture. Shape the mixture into loaf and put it onto a baking sheet. Using a knife, make three cuts, sprinkle the top with

Today I will

Bake

BREAD

flour and put in a preheated oven. Bake for 10 mins and then lower the temperature to 400F and bake for additional 25 mins. If the crust turns out hard, wrap the bread in a wet cloth and leave it to rest for about 10 minutes. After 10 mins, switch to a dry cloth and let it rest until the morning.

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Did you know that the inexpensive, humble and widely used cabbage can practically work miracles? It is widely used throughout the world, and can be prepared in a number of ways, but most commonly, it is included as either a cooked or raw part of many salads. Cabbage is an abundant source of Vitamin C. You might be surprised to know that it is actually richer in vitamin C than oranges, which is traditionally considered the “best” source of that vital nutrient. Vitamin C, as one of the best antioxidants, reduces free radicals in your body that are one of the fundamental causes of premature aging. It also helps in repairing the wear and tear on the body through the course of your life. Therefore, cabbage is very helpful in treating ulcers, certain cancers, depression, immune system boosting, and defending against cough and cold. It can also speed up the healing process for wounds and damaged tissues and regulate the proper functioning of the nervous system. Here is a simple recipe that can serve as a meal or an addition to any savory meal. Enjoy!

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CABBAGE SALAD INGREDIENTS:

1 small red cabbage 1 bunch of green onions  1 cup of black beans (lentils, chickpeas or any kind of beans can be used too)   ¼ cup of olive oil   1-2 Tbsp Umeboshi vinegar ( for saltier taste use 2 Tbsp or more )

DIRECTIONS: In a large bowl shred cabbage, add chopped onions, black beans, olive oil and Ume vinegar. Mix well all ingredients and let it stand for 1-2 hours before serving. Note: Umeboshi vinegar is very salty, first add 1Tbsp, and if it is not enough salty add some SimplicityMagazine Foodie Magazine | 35


T

umeric is famous for it’s healing properties. It can be used for pain relief and to reduce inflamation. The easiest way to introduce tumeric into your daily routine is by making a tea from it. Give this simple recipe a try and see for yourself!

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LEMON TUMERIC TEA INGREDIENTS: 4 cups of water 1 teaspoon of tumeric lemon/ honey to taste DIRECTIONS: Bring water to boil, add tumeric and let the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes on low heat. Add lemon and honey to taste. Serve with a slice of orange or cucumber. Can be served with a pinch of cinnamon and a slice of apple . ENJOY!

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Bake Cookies Crisp Fall Air JUMP IN A PILE OF LEAVES latte Snuggle by the fire AUTUMN Sweater and Boots bubble bath BAKE PUMPKING BREAD walks in natureAPPLE PIE WARM BLANKETS pumpkins APPLE PICKING SNUGLING BY THE FIRE crisp mornings HOT CIDER CUDDLES&SNUGGLES chilly nights ROAST MARSHMALLOWS BE OUTDOORSBONFIRES apples laughter & joy love SWEATER WEATHER holidays hot chocolate HELLO FALL

hot tea

coffee

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HANGOVER? HANGOU T?

A

s human beings, we are considered to be social species, yearning for true connections and striving when a deep sense of belonging

is cultivated and present in our lives. Big gatherings are often designed and carry the purpose to help us build those connections, whether it’s work related events, family celebrations or common cause get-togethers. Days before the celebration you may feel excitement and anticipation of the upcoming event, spending time in preparations and talks about it coming. But when the excitement of preparations and celebrations is over, you may find yourself feeling withdrawn, exhausted or even having a headache the very next day, even if you didn’t overeat or didn’t drink at all at the party. The emptiness sets in and may last long until a new reason for excitement fills the void. The hangover you are experiencing is real. It is not necessarily stemming from the amount of food or alcohol you may have consumed during the event (unless you heavily overdid on those), but from exposure to different energetic fields while having to interact with people on several levels in the same confined space.

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Most of the time, our interactions during social

Another way is allowing yourself to take pauses,

events are happening at the ego level. This is not

whether in conversations or by stepping out for

to take away from meaningful conversations and

a moment to center yourself. Giving yourself

heartwarming connections, but the majority of

breaks to gather your energy is a good way to stay

conversations are either small talk or an opportunity

grounded and centered. If you find yourself getting

to showcase your social skills/status/intellectual

overwhelmed, try to sense your chest and your

abilities. Believe it or not, it takes a lot of energy

limbs, turning your attention to your bodily sensation

to hold forced interactions and this is one of the

rather than feeding the emotional anxiety.

reasons you might feel drained the next day. If the connections are made on the heart level - you will

The key to dealing with social hangover is rest and

know It by feeling a boost of energy the day after.

solitude. 1. Give yourself some space to process your

Another reason we experience social hangovers

feelings of exhaustion, sadness, fatigue, etc.

is because while we get excited or anxious about

Acknowledge how and what you are feeling. No

the upcoming gathering, we tend to get out of the

need to analyze and overanalyze. Just be with

body energetically (hence the feeling of being high

what is.

on excitement, restless or antsy). When we are not

2. Sleep it off. Allow yourself to sleep in or take

fully present in the physical body, we are more prone

a long nap. Resting your body will also help

to absorbing the frequencies around us, doing a

restoring the mind and release the negative

sort of energetic vacuuming and collecting thoughts

effects of social overwhelm.

and emotions that are not our own. This brings our

3. Take a walk. Nature is a powerful healer and

energy level down and we may even develop physical

any time you can spend outside will make a

symptoms of feeling dizzy, nauseous and achy after.

significant shift in your energy levels. 4. Meditate. Meditation doesn’t have to be long

For the sensitives among us, social hangovers may

and doesn’t mean sitting crossed legged on the

happen more often and can become a source of

floor. It can be as quick as 10 minutes of sitting

anxiety and anguish. You may find yourself dreading

quietly and concentrating on the flow of your

the idea of participating in an upcoming holiday event

breath. Focusing on nothing but the simple act of

and looking for ways to avoid it all costs, even if it

breathing.

involves people that you love.

5. Listen to calming music, draw, journal. Any creative outlet can be a catalyst for processing

One way to keep your energy levels healthy before,

the energetic debris that weighing you down and

during and after the social outing is by giving yourself

boost your energy back to your healthy levels.

permission to say “no” to those events that make your heart shrink at the thought of participation. If

Learning to contain your own energy in your physical

there is an obligation you’re fulfilling and there is

body can help you contain other people’s energy and

an absolute must for your presence, practice being

hold space that creates deeper understanding and

present in your body. You can do so by taking a few

opens the door to heart based connections, healing

deep breaths and shifting your focus to your breath

the social anxiety and turning the day after the

each time a conversation or interaction becomes

gathering into an enjoyable experience.

overwhelming. 42 | SimplicityMagazine Foodie Magazine


And

all at once

SUMMER

collapsed W into e’re used to hearing dire predictions about our oceans and to feeling

mounting concern about the seafood on

FALL

our plates. But recent months have brought exciting news for fish lovers, cooks and people who care

about seafood sustainability, an inspiring story of recovery and renewal.

Just 15 years ago, in 2000, the West Coast groundfish fishery was declared a federal disaster. Overfishing and sea-floor habitat damage caused by fishing gear had devastated the federal waters off the shore of California, Oregon and Washington, where fishermen trawl and cast their lines to catch a hugely diverse population of more than 90 species of rockfish, flatfish, roundfish, sharks, skates and, as the

Environmental Defense Fund’s Tim Fitzgerald put it in a recent recent Chefs SimplicityMagazine Foodie Magazine | 43


BEGIN YOUR MORNING WITH...

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B

efore you even put your feet on the floor from your warm cozy bed or grab your smartphone, take a couple of deep breaths, feel your whole body waking up. Bring your awareness to your body breathing as a one living organism. Follow the breath for about 5 minutes and notice your thoughts. Feel your chest and from the place of feeling, set your intention for the day. Be open to your day unfolding and know that you can always come back to the simple awareness of your breath throughout the day. What you begin your morning with has an impact on your entire day. You can choose to begin your day consciously. SimplicityMagazine Foodie Magazine | 45


fall in love with taking

care of Yourself Mind Body Spirit

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HERBAL BATH TEA During Fall and Winter months , when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, there isn’t anything better than a long hot bath. Adding an herbal tea beg to your bath will melt all your problems away . Your body an dsoul will thank you!

INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup of dry milk 1/2 cup of dried oats 1/4 baking soda 1 tbsp dried rosemary 1 tbsp dried lavender flowers 1 tbsp dried chamomile flowers 1 tbsp dried pepermint leaves 5 drops of lavender essential oils 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oils DIRECTIONS: Combine dried milk, baking soda, and dry oats in a blender and pulse until oats are finely ground and mixed in well. Add dried flowers and/ essential oils and pulse a few more times to combine. Pour about a quarter of the mixture into a muslin bag and store the rest in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Just soak the sachet in warm water,draw out the milky tea,and gently smooth over skin for rich moisturizing treatment. It softens and soothes dry, itchy skin.

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Fall in Style

F

all must be one of the most

can sometimes create a feeling of

colorful season’s in nature.

being invisible, therefore balance it by

Although, this season

mixing with more vibrant colors such

reminds us about life’s cycles and transitions, it also offers such an eye

as deep red or black. Gray is generally conservative and

savoring color schemes and soul

formal, but can also be modern. It’s

nourishing harvests. As you switch to

commonly used in corporate designs,

warmer wardrobe, choosing to wear

where formality and professionalism

warm colors in day to day routine can

are key. It can be a very sophisticated

have a significant effect on your mood

color. Pure grays are shades of black,

and overall wellness.

though other grays may have blue or

Traditionally the fall fashion palette is more muted and neutral, signifying

brown hues mixed in. Crème is a sophisticated color

the transition from physically active

which is generally quiet, and can

and fast paced summer to a period of

often evoke a sense of history, purity

incubation and slow down throughout

and elegance. It is a calm color, with

late fall and winter. Yet, adding vibrant

some of the pureness associated

colors to your wardrobe can help keep

with white, though it’s a bit warmer.

up and support your mental well-

Wearing creme can lend a sense of

being throughout cold days and long

elegance and calm. When combined

nights.

with earthy colors like peach or

If you are naturally drawn to neutral

brown, it can take on an earthy quality

colors, beige and crème can be a great

and give a sense of grounding and

choice for this season.

cleanliness. It can also be used to

Beige is dependable, conservative, and flexible. The color beige is neutral,

lighten darker colors. Mixing the neutrals with earthly

calm, and relaxing. The attributes

colors or combining them with

and meanings associated with

vibrant reds can give you a sense of

beige change based on the colors it

confidence and boost your energy

accompanies. The color beige offers

levels as well. Noticing which colors

some of the warmth of the color

you’re drawn to and bringing them

brown and the some of the crisp and

into your daily life can help and make

coolness of the white. While it is a

the seasonal transition smoother and

relaxing color, beige is often seen as

happier. Choose your colors wisely

a dull and boring color. Wearing beige

and consciously!

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“ Life starts all over

again

when it gets

crisp in the fall.� -F. Scott Fitzgerald

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About Marina Shapiro Elbert

Marina is a metaphysical artist , healer and a spiritual councelor. Her mission is to create a loving space , which provides support and guidance on your life path, nurturing your self-healing abilities, promoting your wellness and personal growth. In addition to her healing pracitce , Marina is a blogger on wellness, spirituality and self-care. Her work has been featured in the online publication of nationally aclaimed “Aspire” Magazine and can be viewed on her website: www.colorsfromwithin.com

About Anna Zagorodna:

Anna is a freelance Lifestyle photographer for travel catalogs, an artist, styler and bloger. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and has won the hearts of many. Her love for beauty combined with exquisite taste brings the essence of life in every moment captured. Anna’s work can be viewed on: www.annazagorodna.com All Rights Reserved©Simplicity Online Magazine, LLC All articles©2016 Marina Shapiro Elbert (unless stated otherwise) All photography©2016 Anna Zagorodna (unless stated otherwise)

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