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:
Month: March 2025
Early Spring ~ A Poem by Rainer Maria Rilke
Early Spring
Rainer Maria Rilke
Harshness vanished. A sudden softness
has replaced the meadows’ wintry grey.
Little rivulets of water changed
their singing accents. Tendernesses,
hesitantly, reach toward the earth
from space, and country lanes are showing
these unexpected subtle risings
that find expression in the empty trees.
Healthy Foods & Recipes: Peanut Butter
4 Healthy Reasons to Eat Peanut Butter
- Rich in Protein & Healthy Fats – Peanut butter is an excellent source of plant-based protein and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which help maintain energy levels and support muscle growth.
- Supports Heart Health – It contains resveratrol, a plant compound linked to reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of heart disease. The healthy fats in peanut butter also help improve cholesterol levels.
- Packed with Essential Nutrients – Peanut butter is a good source of vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, and fiber, all of which contribute to overall wellness, including brain health and digestion.
- Helps with Satiety & Weight Management – The combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats in peanut butter helps keep you full longer, reducing unhealthy snacking and aiding in weight control.
What Kind of Peanut Butter to Buy?
- Look for Minimal Ingredients – The best peanut butter should have just one or two ingredients: peanuts and possibly a pinch of salt. Avoid added sugar, hydrogenated oils, and artificial preservatives.
- Go for Natural or Organic – These options ensure fewer additives and higher-quality peanuts. Natural peanut butter may separate (oil on top), but a quick stir makes it smooth again.
- Avoid “Reduced-Fat” Versions – They often contain added sugars and fillers to compensate for the removed fat, making them less healthy than regular peanut butter.
- Opt for Unsweetened & Unsalted – This allows you to control the salt and sugar content in your meals while keeping it as healthy as possible.
Healthy Tex-Mex Peanut Butter Recipe: Spicy Peanut Butter & Black Bean Tacos
A fusion of Tex-Mex flavors with a creamy, spicy peanut sauce that enhances the black beans and veggies!
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra spice)
- ½ cup vegetable broth or water
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded cabbage or lettuce
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 8 small corn tortillas
- Optional toppings: Avocado slices, crumbled cotija cheese, hot sauce
Instructions:
- Prepare the Peanut Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, lime juice, and vegetable broth until smooth. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook the Beans: Add black beans, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne. Stir well and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Incorporate the Peanut Sauce: Pour the peanut butter mixture over the beans and stir until everything is well coated. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm the corn tortillas. Fill each tortilla with the peanut butter-black bean mixture, then top with shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. Add avocado slices and crumbled cotija cheese if desired.
- Serve & Enjoy: Drizzle with hot sauce for an extra kick and enjoy these unique, protein-packed Tex-Mex tacos!
This dish balances protein, fiber, and healthy fats while delivering bold, spicy flavors!
Health Tips: Make Winning a Habit
Losing weight requires mental toughness. It’s not easy. Food surrounds us. We can’t live without it. The right foods sustain our health. The wrong foods can contribute to all types of health problems. So, how do you eat healthy and lose those extra pounds? You have to figure out the diet and healthy foods that work for you. You can check out my Healthy Foods & Recipes blog post. It comes out daily. Once you decide on your eating plan here’s a mental toughness tip to get you to the finish line.
Mental Toughness Tip
The following tip works with any habit you’re trying to break or instill. A big problem with breaking a habit or trying to develop a different habit is that we get discouraged when we fail. Often, after a couple of failures we may say to ourselves, “What’s the use.” We stop trying. Okay, here’s what you do. Take a plain sheet of paper. Draw a line down the middle so you have two columns. On top of the left hand column mark a W. On top of the right hand column mark an L. W equals win. L equals loss. Each day that you win put a mark under the W. Each time you fail, put a mark under the L. Here’s what you’ll see. You’ll discover that you’re getting more W’s than L’s. No sports team has all W’s. Why should you? Stay with it for 30 days. At the end of the 30 days count up your W’s and L’s. You’ll discover you’ve broken the habit you wanted to break. Or, you acquired the habit you wanted to acquire. It’s the W’s that count. You’re not perfect, you’ll get an L or two, big deal. Let’s get started. You can do this!
Have You Thought About Your Unfulfilled Potential?
If I listened to my critics and those who didn’t believe in me, I’d still be living next the railroad tracks and hoping I had enough money in my checkbook to pay the rent. Don’t listen to the critics, naysayers, and those who try to pass their insecurities off on you. Go for it. Whatever it is, go for it. If it doesn’t work out, you gave it a shot and go for something else. There’s an endless supply of good ideas. There’s an endless supply of needs that you can fulfill. Don’t join in with the negative chorus and whack yourself. Be your loudest and best cheerleader. C’mon, you’ve got so much to offer. Listen to the inspiring words of Pope John XXIII, “Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.” Yes you can! Go For It.
What a Way to Start the Day
“Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields…Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness.” ~ Mary Oliver
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:
Light ~ A Poem by Tagore
Light
Tagore
Light, my light, the world-filling light,
the eye-kissing light,
heart-sweetening light!
Ah, the light dances, my darling, at the center of my life;
the light strikes, my darling, the chords of my love;
the sky opens, the wind runs wild, laughter passes over the earth.
The butterflies spread their sails on the sea of light.
Lilies and jasmines surge up on the crest of the waves of light.
The light is shattered into gold on every cloud, my darling,
and it scatters gems in profusion.
Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf, my darling,
and gladness without measure.
The heaven’s river has drowned its banks
and the flood of joy is abroad.
Healthy Foods & Recipes: Wild Rice
4 Healthy Benefits of Eating Wild Rice
- High in Nutrients & Antioxidants – Wild rice is rich in essential nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. It also contains powerful antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
- Good for Heart Health – It has a high fiber content that helps lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and support overall cardiovascular health.
- Supports Digestion & Weight Management – The fiber in wild rice aids digestion, promotes gut health, and helps maintain satiety, making it an excellent choice for weight management.
- Gluten-Free & Protein-Packed – Wild rice is naturally gluten-free and contains more protein than regular white or brown rice, making it a great option for those looking to increase plant-based protein intake.
Spicy South Texas Wild Rice & Black Bean Bowl
This recipe is packed with bold flavors and a little heat, making it a delicious and nutritious meal inspired by South Texas cuisine.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup wild rice
- 2 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- Juice of 1 lime
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 avocado, sliced (for topping)
- Optional: Crumbled cotija cheese or vegan cheese substitute
Instructions:
- Cook the Wild Rice: Rinse wild rice under cold water. In a medium pot, bring vegetable broth to a boil, then add the wild rice. Reduce heat, cover, and let it simmer for 40-45 minutes until tender. Drain any excess liquid.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, garlic, and jalapeño, sautéing until fragrant (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add Seasonings: Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne. Let the spices bloom for about a minute.
- Mix in Beans & Veggies: Add black beans, cherry tomatoes, and corn. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Combine & Finish: Stir in the cooked wild rice, squeeze fresh lime juice over the dish, and mix in chopped cilantro. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve & Garnish: Plate the wild rice bowl, top with avocado slices, and sprinkle with cotija cheese (or a vegan alternative if preferred).
Serving Suggestion:
Enjoy this dish on its own or pair it with grilled shrimp, tofu, or a side of warm corn tortillas for a hearty and flavorful meal.
Source: ChatGPT
Health Tips: Developing Mental Toughness – Do It, Even When You Don’t Want to Do It
Daily persistence and focus — never stop: Do what you have to do every day, even when you are tired, feel lazy, etc. It does not matter if it is physical training, studying for a test, working toward a deadline or just getting out of bed every day with a positive attitude, do it, no matter what. Make moving a habit. Source
Note: I have a thirty second rule (I make up crazy rules for myself). When I’m faced with a task I don’t want to do, I use the thirty second rule. I do it for thirty seconds (at times I’ve even set a timer! LOL). I find that getting engaged in th activity is all I need to push forward. If, after thirty seconds I want to stop. I make myself do another thirty seconds. The important thing is to do it, don’t quit until it’s finished. When I’m finished, I feel good about myself and what I’ve done even if it is washing the kitchen area floor.
