“Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore
Month: February 2025
Behind Me – Dips Eternity ~ A Poem by Emily Dickinson
Behind Me
Emily Dickinson
Behind Me — dips Eternity –
Before Me — Immortality –
Myself — the Term between –
Death but the Drift of Eastern Gray,
Dissolving into Dawn away,
Before the West begin –
Healthy Foods & Recipes: Mangos
4 Healthy Reasons to Eat a Mango a Day 🥭✨
- Boosts Immunity – Mangoes are packed with vitamin C (one mango provides nearly 70% of your daily needs), helping strengthen your immune system and fight inflammation.
- Supports Eye Health – They contain beta-carotene and lutein, essential for protecting vision and reducing the risk of age-related eye diseases.
- Aids Digestion – With fiber and digestive enzymes (like amylases), mangoes help promote gut health, prevent constipation, and support smooth digestion.
- Rich in Antioxidants – Mangoes contain polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and certain cancers.
Concern About Too Much Sugar? 🍬
Mangoes are naturally sweet, but their sugar comes with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them a better choice than processed sugar. However, if you’re watching your blood sugar levels, eating a whole mango daily may be too much.
✔ For balance: Pair mango with protein (like Greek yogurt) or healthy fats (like nuts or avocado) to slow sugar absorption.
South Texas-Style Mango Salsa Recipe 🌶️🥭
This fresh, spicy, and vibrant mango salsa goes great on fish tacos, grilled chicken, shrimp, breakfast eggs, or just inside a tortilla for a quick snack!
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe mango, diced
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño, minced (remove seeds for less heat)
- ½ red bell pepper, finely chopped
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cumin (optional, for a smoky depth)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the diced mango, red onion, jalapeño, and bell pepper.
- Add the chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and cumin.
- Toss everything together and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Serve on tacos, grilled meats, or just spoon it into a warm tortilla and enjoy!
🔥 Bonus Tip: For extra South Texas flair, throw in some diced avocado or a splash of hot sauce.
Source: ChatGPT
Healthy Tips: Happy People Live Longer – It’s a Fact
Feeling happy can significantly increase your longevity (52).In fact, happier individuals had a 3.7% reduction in early death over a 5-year study period (53Trusted Source). A study of 180 Catholic nuns analyzed their self-reported levels of happiness when they first entered the monastery and later compared these levels to their longevity. Those who felt happiest at 22 years of age were 2.5 times more likely to still be alive six decades later (54Trusted Source). Finally, a review of 35 studies showed that happy people may live up to 18% longer than their less happy counterparts (55Trusted Source).
NOTE: You’ve read the data, c’mon smile. That’s it. I know it’s hard to smile some days. With practice you’ll be a ray of sunshine and you’ll light up every room you’re in.
Put it On the Shelf
Putting impulsive actions on the shelf is a good thing. Thoughts will pass in time. Anger will ebb. Bad decisions will slowly give way to thoughtful actions. The everyday stuff we find ourselves caught in is much like the weather. Things, events, and circumstances are always in constant state of flux. If we recognize the emotional churning within us, get busy with alternative actions, the focus is taken away from any action that in the end will do us more harm than good. The emotion drains from the potential action. We can go forward not worrying about an action we regret.
Anagram Challenge
Daily anagram challenge! Sharpen your brain with today’s anagram puzzle. Unscramble the letters to reveal the hidden word or phrase, and submit your answer to see if you’re correct. Happy puzzling!
Today’s Anagram:
Know Who You Are
“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” ~ Jane Austen
Wonder ~ A Poem by Robert W. Service
Wonder
Robert W. Service
For failure I was well equipped
And should have come to grief,
By atavism grimly gripped,
A fool beyond belief.
But lo! the Lord was good to me,
And with a heart to sing,
He gave me to a rare degree
The Gift of Wondering.
I could not play a stalwart part
My shoddy soul to save,
And should have gone with broken heart
A begger to the grave;
But praise to my anointed sight
As wandering I went,
I sang of living with delight
In terms of Wonderment.
Aye, starry-eyed did I rejoice
With marvel of a child,
And there were those who heard my voice
Although my words were wild:
So as I go my wistful way,
With worship let me sing,
A treasure to my farewell day
God’s Gift of Wondering.
Healthy Foods & Recipes:
4 Healthy Reasons to Include Trout in Your Diet
- High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Trout is rich in EPA and DHA, which support heart health, reduce inflammation, and boost brain function.
- Excellent Source of Lean Protein – With about 20 grams of protein per serving, trout helps build muscle, support metabolism, and keep you feeling full.
- Packed with Essential Vitamins & Minerals – Trout provides B vitamins (especially B12 and niacin), selenium (for immunity), and potassium (for heart health).
- Low in Mercury – Unlike some seafood, trout is low in mercury, making it a safer choice for regular consumption.
Healthy Tex-Mex Recipe: Spicy Trout Tacos 🌮🔥
Tex-Mex flavors pair perfectly with trout! These spicy fish tacos bring in that bold South Texas heat with a smoky chipotle-lime marinade.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- For the Trout:
- 1 lb trout fillets (skin removed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Zest & juice of 1 lime
- For the Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (green or purple, or mix both)
- ½ cup grated carrots
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ½ jalapeño, finely chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt or light mayo
- ½ tsp honey
- ¼ tsp salt
- For the Chipotle Crema:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Juice of ½ lime
- Salt to taste
- For the Tacos:
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Cotija cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Marinate the Trout:
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil, lime juice, zest, and seasonings.
- Coat the trout fillets and let them marinate for 15-20 minutes.
- Make the Slaw:
- In a bowl, toss cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and jalapeño.
- Mix lime juice, Greek yogurt, honey, and salt. Pour over the slaw and toss well.
- Make the Chipotle Crema:
- Stir together Greek yogurt, adobo sauce, garlic powder, lime juice, and salt. Set aside.
- Cook the Trout:
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook trout for 3-4 minutes per side until flaky and slightly crispy on the edges.
- Flake the fish into chunks.
- Assemble the Tacos:
- Warm tortillas on a skillet or directly over a gas flame for slight charring.
- Layer with trout, slaw, avocado slices, and a drizzle of chipotle crema.
- Sprinkle with Cotija cheese if using.
- Serve & Enjoy!
- Pair with a side of black beans, grilled corn, or a fresh mango salsa.
Why These Tacos Work for a Healthy Diet
✅ High in protein & healthy fats (keeps you full & supports muscle recovery)
✅ Packed with fiber (cabbage & avocado aid digestion)
✅ Rich in antioxidants & vitamins (cilantro, lime, chipotle, and trout offer immune support)
✅ Balanced with good carbs (corn tortillas offer a natural energy source)
Healthy Tips: Don’t Smoke Tilt the Odds in Your Favor
I enjoy going to Vegas about 3 times a year. I’m not a heavy better. I play the slot machines and I might take a trip to sports betting area. I have a budget. I make a valiant effort to stretch my budget to the finish line – The finish line being when I check out and head for the airport. I know when I go to Vegas all the odds favor the casinos. All this background leads to today’s healthy tip.
In Vegas the casinos are going to win. When you smoke, death is going to come early to your door. Here’s the facts: Smoking is strongly linked to disease and early death (42Trusted Source). Overall, people who smoke may lose up to 10 years of life and be 3 times more likely to die prematurely than those who never pick up a cigarette
