Month: February 2025

Habits of the Hippopotamus ~ A Poem by Arthur Guiterman  

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Habits of the Hippopotamus

Arthur Guiterman  

The hippopotamus is strong
And huge of head and broad of bustle;
The limbs on which he rolls along
Are big with hippopotomuscle.

He does not greatly care for sweets
Like ice cream, apple pie, or custard,
But takes to flavor what he eats
A little hippopotomustard.

The hippopotamus is true
To his principles, and just;
He always tries his best to do
The things one hippopotomust.

He never rides in trucks or trams,
In taxicabs or omnibuses,
And so keeps out of traffic jams
And other hippopotomusses.

Source

Healthy Foods & Recipes: Kidney Beans

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Four Healthy Reasons to Add Red Kidney Beans to Your Diet

  1. Rich in Plant-Based Protein – Red kidney beans provide about 15 grams of protein per cup, making them a fantastic option for vegetarians and those looking to build or maintain muscle.
  2. Packed with Gut-Friendly Fiber – With around 13 grams of fiber per cup, kidney beans promote digestion, prevent constipation, and support a healthy gut microbiome.
  3. Blood Sugar Control – Their low glycemic index and high fiber content help regulate blood sugar, making them an excellent choice for people managing diabetes or insulin resistance.
  4. Loaded with Antioxidants and Iron – Kidney beans are rich in polyphenols, which combat oxidative stress, and they provide iron to support red blood cell production and energy levels.

Tex-Mex Refried Kidney Beans – South Texas Soul Food!

Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

  • 2 cups cooked red kidney beans (or 1 can, drained and rinsed)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 small white onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth (or water, as needed)
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  2. Add the spices – Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and salt, letting them bloom in the oil for 30 seconds.
  3. Mash the beans – Add the kidney beans and a splash of vegetable broth. Using a potato masher or the back of a spoon, mash the beans until they reach your desired consistency. Add more broth if they start to dry out.
  4. Simmer and finish – Cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are thick and creamy. Stir in lime juice for a burst of brightness.
  5. Serve it up! Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with warm corn tortillas, tacos, tostadas, or as a side for your favorite Tex-Mex dishes.

These Tex-Mex refried kidney beans bring South Texas soul food straight to the table—rich, smoky, and packed with nutrients.

Healthy Tips: C’mon Eat Your Veggies

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Consuming a wide variety of plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans, may decrease disease risk and promote longevity. For example, many studies link a plant-rich diet to a lower risk of premature death, as well as a reduced risk of cancer, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, depression, and brain deterioration. Source

Note: Last night I did a stir fry of garlic, ginger, onions, red peppers, mushroom and tofu. I tossed in a bit red pepper and turmeric and broccoli. It was delicious. I’ve been using a wok for about three months and it really kicks up the taste.

Our Viewpoint Determines Our Attitude

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Last week in South Texas we were setting record temperatures for warmth. Last night a cold front came rushing through and the temperatures plummeted 40 degrees (F). Okay, it was still not close to freezing, but it was noticeably colder. Some folks complained about the warm weather. When the cold front came through, they complained about the cold weather. Complaining doesn’t do much good especially if what we’re complaining about can’t be changed. We can always view our circumstances differently. For example, when unseasonably warm weather arrives I can wear short sleeve shirts, take a nature walk, or clean up my garden area. As for the cold front, I can enjoy the clean, fresh air (thank you Canada), a sense of energy, and cook up a healthy pot of lentil soup. Changing our viewpoint changes everything. Change what we can change. Let go what we can’t change. Enjoy it all.

Anagram Challenge

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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:  

QUIZ START

You Were Born Resilient

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“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo- far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.” ~ Jodi Picoult

Sonnet 116: ‘Let me not to the marriage of true minds…’ A Poem by William Shakespeare

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Sonnet 116: ‘Let me not to the marriage of true minds…’

William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Source

Healthy Foods & Recipes: Black Beans and Red Bell Peppers

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Black beans and red bell peppers. These two Tex-Mex staples work together beautifully to enhance nutrition and flavor.

Why Do Black Beans and Red Bell Peppers Need Each Other?

  1. Iron Absorption Boost – Black beans are a great plant-based source of iron, but it’s non-heme iron, which is harder for the body to absorb. The high vitamin C content in red bell peppers significantly enhances iron absorption, making the beans a more powerful nutrient source.
  2. Gut-Healthy Fiber Duo – Black beans are packed with prebiotic fiber, which feeds good gut bacteria. Red bell peppers add extra fiber and hydration, supporting digestion and keeping things moving smoothly.
  3. Antioxidant Powerhouse – Black beans contain anthocyanins and flavonoids that fight inflammation, while red bell peppers provide beta-carotene and vitamin C, forming a strong defense against oxidative stress.
  4. Protein + Vitamin C for Muscle Recovery – The plant protein from black beans supports muscle repair, and the vitamin C from red bell peppers aids collagen production, helping with joint and muscle health.

Healthy Tex-Mex Recipe: Black Bean & Red Pepper Tacos with Avocado Lime Crema

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • Corn tortillas

For the Avocado Lime Crema:

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or dairy-free alternative)
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Sauté the veggies – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add red onion and bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and salt. Cook another minute.
  2. Warm the black beans – Add the black beans to the skillet, stirring to coat them in the spices. Cook for 3 minutes until heated through.
  3. Make the crema – Blend avocado, lime juice, Greek yogurt, garlic, cilantro, and salt until smooth.
  4. Assemble tacos – Warm tortillas and fill them with the black bean and red pepper mixture. Drizzle with avocado lime crema and top with extra cilantro.
  5. Enjoy! Serve with a side of fresh salsa or a simple cabbage slaw for extra crunch.

This dish is high in fiber, rich in antioxidants, loaded with plant protein, and perfectly Tex-Mex approved!

Healthy Facts: This Spice is a Super Hero

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When it comes to anti-aging strategies, turmeric is a great option. That’s because this spice contains a potent bioactive compound called curcumin. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin is thought to help maintain brain, heart, and lung function, as well as protect against cancers and age-related diseases. Source

Podcast: Grief Will Not Defeat Us: A Journey of Strength and Hope

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Grief is a powerful force—it can feel like an ocean pulling us under, whispering that life will never be the same. And in many ways, it won’t. But does that mean we surrender? No.

In the latest episode of Journey from Grief to Healing, we explore defiance in the face of loss. Inspired by John Donne’s Death Be Not Proud, we challenge the idea that grief has the final say. We share stories of people who refused to be consumed by sorrow—Alex, Laticia, and Nick—each finding a path forward in their own way.

We also discuss a powerful grief recovery strategy: “Acting As If.”

  • Act as if joy can return.
  • Act as if strength is already inside you.
  • Act as if healing is possible—because it is.

With poetry from William Ernest Henley and e.e. cummings, this episode is a reminder that love is stronger than loss, and memory is stronger than oblivion.

So today, I challenge you: Do one thing that honors life. One thing that says, “Death, you may have taken, but you have not won.”

🎧 Listen now:

#GriefRecovery #HealingAfterLoss #NeverGiveUp #Resilience #LoveAlwaysWins

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