I went to the botanical gardens yesterday. The signs of spring were all around. There were lots of people there. There is something that brings about the best in people when in a outside natural place. There was no running or screaming. There was no loud music. There was a sense of peace and quiet. The loudest noise I heard was a Cardinal singing. Natural environments have a calming affect on one’s spirit. Make an effort to get out more often into natural settings.
Month: March 2025
Do You Recognize Your Wonder?
“I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.” ~ Hafiz
O Living Always – Always Dying ~ A Poem by Walt Whitman
O Living Always – Always Dying
Walt Whitman
O LIVING always—always dying!
O the burials of me, past and present!
O me, while I stride ahead, material, visible, imperious as ever!
O me, what I was for years, now dead, (I lament not—I am content
O to disengage myself from those corpses of me, which I turn and look
at, where I cast them!
To pass on, (O living! always living!) and leave the corpses behind!
Healthy Foods & Recipes: Plantains (Healthy Tex-Mex Plantain Tostadas)
Plantains are a staple in many cuisines, including Tex-Mex and Latin American dishes! Here are four healthy reasons to include plantains in your diet:
1. Rich in Complex Carbohydrates for Sustained Energy
- Unlike refined carbs, plantains provide slow-digesting complex carbohydrates, keeping energy levels steady and supporting endurance during workouts.
2. High in Fiber for Digestive Health
- A medium plantain has about 3 grams of fiber, which aids digestion, promotes gut health, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
3. Packed with Vitamins and Minerals
- Plantains are a great source of potassium, which supports heart health, muscle function, and hydration. They also provide vitamin C for immunity and vitamin A for eye health.
4. Naturally Anti-Inflammatory
- Plantains contain antioxidants and resistant starch, which may help reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and support metabolic health.
Healthy Tex-Mex Plantain Tostadas
This dish blends the sweetness of plantains with bold Tex-Mex flavors, offering a nutrient-packed, fiber-rich meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe plantains (yellow with black spots), peeled and sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and mashed
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 4 small corn tortillas (or lettuce wraps for a lower-carb option)
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
Instructions:
- Roast the plantains: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the plantain slices with olive oil, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and slightly caramelized.
- Prepare the beans: In a pan, heat the mashed black beans with smoked paprika and lime juice for 5 minutes.
- Make the fresh salsa: In a bowl, mix cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Assemble the tostadas: Lightly toast the corn tortillas. Spread a layer of black beans, add the roasted plantains, and top with salsa and avocado slices.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
This plantain tostada balances sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, making it a delicious and nutritious meal.
Healthy Facts: Healthy Personalities Have a Sense of Inner Peace
Healthy Personalities Have a Sense of Self-Acceptance & Inner Peace
Healthy personalities are Self Accepting of themselves. The accept their flaws, strengths, and all—without excessive self-judgment. Healthy personalities are at peace with past mistakes while striving for personal growth. Example: Someone who embraces aging and change rather than constantly trying to fight it.
Source: ChatGPT
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:
Need a Good Story? They are All Around Us
I make a to do list each night before I go to bed. I do that to prevent my mind from waking me up at 2 a.m. and saying, “Ray, don’t forget to pay your electric bill, crazy stuff like that. When I check those items off the list I’m not sure if it eases my mind or not, but I no longer think about it. What I remember about my day is the people I connected with. Each one has a story they want to tell and all I have to do is listen. Yesterday, Jody told me about a close relative who died. I heard about the cremation and memorial service. Corky told me about his hips and how badly they hurt and about his wife who has stage 4 breast cancer. He can’t have operation on his hips because he has a bad heart. Bob told me he doesn’t know how to cook and envies me because I do. Alice told me she is going on biking trip in Europe this summer. Each of us has a story that’s waiting to be told. When we listen to the stories of other people we gain deeper insight and compassion for them,
When One Door Closes Another Opens
“If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new Hello. ~ Paulo Coehlo”
Touch Me ~ A Poem by Stanley Kunitz
Touch Me
Stanley Kunitz
Summer is late, my heart.
Words plucked out of the air
some forty years ago
when I was wild with love
and torn almost in two
scatter like leaves this night
of whistling wind and rain.
It is my heart that’s late,
it is my song that’s flown.
Outdoors all afternoon
under a gunmetal sky
staking my garden down,
I kneeled to the crickets trilling
underfoot as if about
to burst from their crusty shells;
and like a child again
marveled to hear so clear
and brave a music pour
from such a small machine.
What makes the engine go?
Desire, desire, desire.
The longing for the dance
stirs in the buried life.
One season only,
and it’s done.
So let the battered old willow
thrash against the windowpanes
and the house timbers creak.
Darling, do you remember
the man you married? Touch me,
remind me who I am.
Healthy Foods & Recipes: Pomegranates (Healthy Tex-Mex Recipe: Pomegranate Avocado Salsa)
Pomegranates are super healthy for you. I drink 110% pomegranate juice daily. Here are four healthy reasons to eat pomegranates:
1. Rich in Antioxidants
- Pomegranates are packed with polyphenols, including flavonoids and tannins, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
2. Supports Heart Health
- Studies suggest that pomegranates may help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve blood flow, reducing the risk of heart disease.
3. Boosts Immunity
- The high vitamin C and antimicrobial properties of pomegranates support immune function and may help fight off infections.
4. Aids Digestion and Gut Health
- Pomegranates contain fiber and natural compounds that promote gut bacteria balance, supporting digestion and reducing inflammation in the intestines.
Healthy Tex-Mex Recipe: Pomegranate Avocado Salsa
This vibrant salsa blends sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, perfect for topping tacos, grilled fish, or serving with tortilla chips.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pomegranate arils (seeds)
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon chili powder for extra spice
Instructions:
- In a bowl, gently combine pomegranate arils, avocado, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
- Drizzle with lime juice and olive oil, then season with salt (and chili powder if using).
- Toss lightly to combine.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, on top of grilled fish, shrimp tacos, or fajitas.
This recipe brings a fresh, Tex-Mex flair with a pop of pomegranate sweetness!
