Blog Entries

Why Should I Seek?

genpo.roshi — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:13:49 -0500

In this video Genpo Roshi use's a triangle to demonstrate the importance of 'the seeking mind' and the 'non seeking mind'.

Zen Master Roshi founded the Kanzeon Sangha, an international Zen community in 1984, with groups and centers throughout Europe and the U.S., and is abbot of Kanzeon Zen Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, which he founded in 1993. He discovered the Big Mind process in 1999. His newest book is Big Mind Big Heart: Finding Your Way. You can find out more by visiting his website at: www.bigmind.org

4 Steps to a Healthier Thanksgiving Menu

linda.larue — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:17:51 -0500

Studies show Americans gain between 5 to 10 pounds during the fall thru winter food fest holidays. It’s a yearly cycle that brings us temporary enjoyment then; despair as we begin to feel our pant waists become tighter along with unsightly, muffin top bulge. Many of us are unclear about how to prepare healthy, low Calorie, low-fat meals without sacrificing taste and flavor.

I’ve consulted with my friend Registered Dietitian, Robyn Goldberg, R.D., www.AskAboutFood.com, for some healthy holiday meal makeover tips and recipes that are quick and easy. These Calorie and cost cutting tips and recipes will make you the star of your holiday gathering and have all your girlfriends asking for your healthy holiday meal makeover secrets!

Planning creamy sauces and dips can be done the “skinny” way by using nonfat dairy products or using extra firm, low-fat tofu. Tofu has a consistency that is easily implemented in desserts, puddings, whipped toppings, frostings, dressings, and creamed sauces. Soymilk and rice milk may also be used in place of full fat or reduced fat dairy products. De-fatting the turkey and stuffing are key healthy steps for serving lean poultry. While the bird is resting after cooking, put the pan drippings in the freezer for 20 minutes. The fat will congeal on the top for easy removal. Bake the stuffing in a casserole dish instead of in the turkey where it absorbs animal fat. Baste the turkey with low sodium broth instead of fatty drippings.
Roasting vegetables enhances and intensifies their flavor because it concentrates the natural sugars. Cut the veggies into wedges or strips then, season with fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, thyme, and/or oregano and brush lightly with good quality extra virgin olive oil. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until fork tender. Using canola oil instead of margarine or extra virgin olive oil for salad dressing are healthy alternatives for butter or hydrogenated, trans-fat bottled dressings and marinades.
When you are cooking meals frequently tasting will add Calories and inches to your waistline. A great idea to cut Calories during cooking is to serve crudities of fresh veggies for you during the cooking day (then, later to your guests). This will help fill you and your guests up—not out. Other great low Calorie, low-fat appetizer ideas include low fat hummus with baked pita triangles or a reduced fat cracker with your favorite low-fat spread. Try making fun and colorful fruit or veggie kabobs with your favorite seasonal fruits and veggies, which will be taste best are they are freshest and most budget friendly as they are in season. Pick deeply colored fruit and vegetables, because they are highest in vitamins, minerals, and cancer fighting nutrients.
Dessert is always a hot topic over the holidays. Pies are commonly seen at various events. I recommend my healthy and delicious Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust that is only 125 Calories per slice or substitute a fresh fruit cobbler to satisfy to your sweet tooth without sacrificing taste.

Stay tuned for my next post, which includes the Pumpkin Pie recipe, along with a healthy menu for Thanksgiving dinner, and a low-cal recipe for green bean casserole!

For more great health, fitness, and nutrition tips visit Linda at www.LindaLaRue.com.

Breaking the Cycle of Hardship

deepak.chopra — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:51:56 -0500

Question for Deepak: I have been self studying meditation and alternative healing for over 17 years; I will be 37 years old this December. I am not financially stable at the moment. I am in the process of having to move out of my apartment. I have found myself living this cycle of loss every year around the same time for the last 4 years. I have had many breakthroughs spiritually and have helped many do the same. As a healer, I have help people have better lives. My question is, even though my intention in life is to bring love and joy into others lives, why must I go through so many hardships; and how can I bring an end to this cycle?

Answer from Deepak: An essential aspect of getting out of this cycle is to shift your perception of this situation so that you don’t frame it as a cycle of loss. That conceptual package in itself sets the image that you are doomed to come back and repeat this current set of circumstances. Focus on what is new and different in your life right now, because there are undeniable differences between the present and your past. Magnify and empower those forces of transformation with gratitude and positive acknowledgement. Gratitude is an immensely powerful force of change that is always available to us if we only stop and take notice. This will help pull you into the present where you are more unencumbered by your past and able to create something useful for yourself.

Love,

Deepak

How Can You Help Intent Grow?

mallika.chopra — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:54:39 -0500

Intent is gaining momentum, and we hope that you will help us grow!

Over the next two weeks, if you invite 5 or more of your friends to the Intent community, we will give you a free subscription to PhilosophersNotes. PhilosophersNotes is a source of 50 of the best self help titles -- written by the likes of Eckhart Tolle, Russell Simmons and Joseph Campbell.

PhilosophersNotes is "Mini-CliffsNotes for Self-Development Books." With a subscription, you'll get access to a pdf or mp3 of a condensed version of a range of self-help books.

Interested? Invite 5 friends to Intent and get instant access to your free subscription! (And each of them can get the gift of PhilosopherNotes also, as they add their 5 friends.)

Not yet a member of Intent.com? Sign up here!

Just think, if you participate, after the next two weeks your friend network will have grown, and you'll have gained the wisdom and insight of having read the PhilosophersNotes!

Henry Waxman Gets Key Energy Post

linda.larue — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:09:43 -0500

Today Henry Waxman, my congress person, won the chairmanship of the influential energy and commerce committee. Waxman will play a center role in helping shape President-elect Obama's proposals to curb global warming and help develop alternative fuels. Mr. Waxman is keen upon helping create new eco-friendly businesses that will "fuel" new jobs in order to help spur the American economy.

I have been a big fan of my esteemed congress person for many years. His intentions and integrity are of the highest caliber.

...Yes We Can...

Today's Astrological Forecast: Starting A Fun and Exciting Period

kelli.fox — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:09:36 -0500

The Sun moves into festive Sagittarius today, lightening our spirits and increasing the fun factor -- a sure indication that the winter holidays are approaching. It’s fitting that the Sun’s ingress into this Fire sign coincides with the start of a busy, fun and exciting period. This event also happily coincides with a wonderful aspect between expansive Jupiter, which rules Sagittarius, and steady Saturn. This fabulous connection between two complementary planets helps us take the best from the past and use it to improve the future. This energy is available to everyone, but especially those born on January 11, May 11 or September 13.

How Can Dads Connect?

joe.kelly — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:18:21 -0500

I got an email yesterday from the dad of 4 year old and 19 month old daughters who describes his marriage as “wonderful.” He asked: “How can I reach out to connect with my kids more at their age? Most of the info I read seems to be for older girls.”

If you’re a professional working with families, it’s good to remember how many fathers and stepfathers long to be close to their children—even if they don’t always talk about it. We also tend to put a lot of focus on father-child relationships when the child is older, which is why this dad has trouble finding resources for his situation.

Here are the 3 things I suggested that he try:

1) Join up with the free Yahoo group "DadTalk" and ask is question there. DadTalk has been around for 9 years and has a cadre of good dads and stepdads of daughters (with kids of all ages) with good suggestions based on their experience.

2) Get my book The Dads & Daughters Togetherness Guide: 54 Fun Activities to Help Build a Great Relationship. The title is self-explanatory, and the activities are divided by age of the girl. And, by the way, all of the activities in the book can be used by dads with sons, too. As well as by mothers, grandparents, other relatives…and family professionals like counselors, pastors, teachers, health care pros, etc. Just change the pronouns to meet your circumstances! ;-)

3) If you’re giving your daughters as much time and attention as possible, then don’t worry overly about your connection. Time and presence build the connection, IMHO. The time and attention can come while changing diapers, making dinner and other mundane tasks--it doesn’t all have to come in big, "special" activities. I've come to believe that our kids and us really get to know each other in the mundane, ordinary activities of life...as long as we are THERE during those mundane, ordinary activities. So, make sure you're showing up.

I hope these suggestions were helpful to him—and you, too. Share your ideas for how family professionals can promote and encourage dad-child connection in a comment below.

Who's your favorite actor?

EmmaBrownell — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:52:04 -0500

Some actors are actors because they're beautiful -- but some are actors because they are truly gifted when it comes to channeling a character or part.

Lately I have been enjoying "True Blood" (a guilty pleasure) -- and I actually adore Jason Stackhouse. I think the actor -- Ryan Kwanten -- does an amazing job of playing the part.

In years past, I was a big fan of Gwyneth Paltrow's.

Who is your favorite actor?

Save the Planet, Don't Fly!

ed.begley — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:20:42 -0500

People are usually surprised to find out how much pollution comes from commercial air flights. Large jets burn about a gallon of fuel per second. On a cross-country flight, every single passenger is responsible for about 100 gallons of fuel use.

The easiest way and also the most cost-effective way to cut down on these emissions is simply not to fly. Particularly if you're a business traveler, you can cut down on the number of trips you take by combining trips or conducting meetings by telephone.

If you have to fly, look for direct flights and book economy class tickets, both more environmentally friendly options. Finally, consider offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions from your flights by funding clean energy projects through our partner TerraPass.

Your Bucket of Fish

Philosopher — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:40:48 -0500

"Your purpose is to act on the resources God gives you. If God gives you a bucket of fish, you have to distribute those fish. If you don't, they're going to rot, attract a bunch of flies, and start stinking up your soul." ~ Russell Simmons from Do You!

Love that.

Don't believe Simmons? How about Joseph Campbell?

--> "To refuse the call means stagnation. What you don't experience positively you will experience negatively."

Not good enough? How about Abraham Maslow?

--> "What one can be, one must be!"

Still not enough? What about Jesus (from the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas)?

--> "If you bring forth what is inside you, what you bring forth will save you. If you don't bring forth what is inside you, what you don't bring forth will destroy you."

We have gifts to give to the world.

Let's (!!!) GIVE THEM!!!

-bri