Month: March 2025

Changing of The Seasons ~ A Poem by Shel Silverstein

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Changing of the Seasons

Shel Silverstein

Oh the changing of the seasons it’s a pretty thing to see
And though I find this balmy weather pleasin’
There’s the wind come from tomorrow and I hear it callin’ me
And I’m bound for the changing of the seasons
Oh it’s blowin’ in Chicago and it’s snowin’ up in Maine
And the Islands to the south are warm and sunny
And I’ve got to feel the earth shake and I gotta feel the rain
And I’ve got to know a taste of more than honey

So don’t ask me where I’m goin’ or how long I’m gonna be away
Don’t make me give you all the hollow reasons
I’ll think of you like summer and I might be back some day
When my heart miss the changing of the seasons
Oh it’s blowin’ in Chicago…

Oh it’s nothing that you said and it ain’t nothing that you done
And I wish I could explain you why I’m leavin’
But there’s some men need the winter and there’s some men need the sun
And there’s some men need the changing of the seasons
Yeah it’s blowin’ in Chicago…

Source: All Poetry

Healthy Foods & Recipes: Sweet Basil (Tex-Mex Sweet Basil Avocado Crema 🥑🌿🌶️)

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Four Healthy Reasons to Include Basil in Your Diet 🌿

  1. Powerful Anti-Inflammatory & Antioxidant Properties
    • Basil is packed with flavonoids, polyphenols, and essential oils (eugenol, linalool, and citronellol) that help reduce inflammation.
    • These compounds fight oxidative stress, which may lower the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and arthritis.
  2. Supports Immune Health & Fights Infections
    • Basil has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it a great immune booster.
    • It may help combat common colds, flu, and bacterial infections.
  3. Promotes Heart Health
    • Basil contains magnesium, which helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation.
    • Its eugenol compound can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
  4. Supports Digestive Health & Gut Balance
    • The natural oils in basil aid digestion and help reduce bloating and gas.
    • Basil acts as a prebiotic, supporting a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for overall well-being.

Tex-Mex Sweet Basil Avocado Crema 🥑🌿🌶️

This smooth, creamy Tex-Mex sauce is perfect for tacos, bowls, grilled veggies, or even as a dip. Sweet basil brings a fresh twist, making it a delicious and healthy alternative to sour cream-based sauces.

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • ½ cup fresh sweet basil leaves, packed
  • ½ cup plain unsweetened Greek yogurt (or dairy-free alternative)
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeds removed for mild heat (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1-2 tablespoons water (to thin, if needed)

Instructions

  1. In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, basil, Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño, olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more lime or salt if needed.
  4. Use immediately as a topping for tacos, grain bowls, grilled vegetables, or as a dip for tortilla chips.

Why This Recipe is Great for You

✅ Sweet basil provides anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits.
✅ Avocado offers heart-healthy fats and fiber.
✅ Greek yogurt adds gut-friendly probiotics and protein.
✅ Jalapeño & lime give it a fresh, zesty Tex-Mex kick while adding vitamin C.

This Tex-Mex Sweet Basil Avocado Crema is a vibrant, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipe that adds bold flavor and health benefits to any meal! 🌮💚

Healthy Facts: Have Allergies? A Healthy Gut Can Lesson the Severity

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Probiotic-Rich Foods to Strengthen the Immune System

A healthy gut can help regulate immune responses, reducing the severity of allergies. Fermented foods provide beneficial probiotics that support gut health.

  • Yogurt (Dairy-Free Options Available) – Look for “live and active cultures” on the label.
  • Kimchi and Sauerkraut – Fermented cabbage is rich in probiotics and vitamin C.
  • Miso and Tempeh – Great sources of fermented soy that promote gut balance.

Source: ChatGPT

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

It’s Going to be a Great Day

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It’s going to be a great day. I can feel it. There’s a great day vibe in the air. I’m going to grab hold of it and not let go. I’m not sure where it will take me, but I’m ready for an adventure. Who knows who I’ll meet today or what surprises are in store for me. Where will your day take you? Are you ready for the adventure? No need to pack anything. Take a happy heart, smile, and a mind open to all the possibilities that come your way. It is going to be a great day.

What Excites You Today?

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What are you excited about today? What good news are you anticipating. If we race through life we miss out on so many things that could pump up our zest for living. Here’s an example, spring (la primavera in San Antonio) is busting out all around me. Red bud trees are in bloom. Tulips are popping up. The migratory birds have returned. And, the wild flowers will be showing up any day now. That’s enough to get your blood moving. What about coming home for work and seeing the people who love you. That’s a powerful anticipator. Poet Amy Lowell said it well in the first verse to her poem, Anticipation:  

I have been temperate always,
But I am like to be very drunk
With your coming.

C’mon, let’s crank it up a bit and get excited about life.

What Are You Waiting For – Go For It

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“Destiny is usually just around the corner. Like a thief, a hooker, or a lottery vendor: its three most common personifications. But what destiny does not do is home visits. You have to go for it.” ~Carlos Ruiz Zafon

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

Renewal of Strength ~ A Poem by Frances Ellen Watkins

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Renewal of Strength

Frances Ellen Watkins

The prison-house in which I live
Is falling to decay,
But God renews my spirit’s strength,
Within these walls of clay.

For me a dimness slowly creeps
Around earth’s fairest light,
But heaven grows clearer to my view,
And fairer to my sight.

It may be earth’s sweet harmonies
Are duller to my ear,
But music from my Father’s house
Begins to float more near.

Then let the pillars of my home
Crumble and fall away;
Lo, God’s dear love within my soul
Renews it day by day.

Source

Healthy Foods & Recipes: Pistachios (Tex-Mex Pistachio Avocado Salsa 🥑🌶️)

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Four Healthy Reasons to Include Pistachios in Your Diet

  1. Rich in Antioxidants to Reduce Inflammation
    • Pistachios contain lutein, zeaxanthin, and polyphenols, which help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
    • These antioxidants support eye health and may protect against age-related vision decline.
  2. Great for Heart Health
    • They are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
    • Pistachios also contain arginine, an amino acid that helps keep blood vessels flexible and supports healthy circulation.
  3. Supports Gut Health with Fiber and Prebiotics
    • A serving of pistachios provides a good amount of fiber, which promotes digestion and supports a healthy gut microbiome.
    • Pistachios act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial gut bacteria, which helps with immunity and digestion.
  4. Helps with Blood Sugar Control
    • Despite being slightly sweet, pistachios have a low glycemic index, meaning they help stabilize blood sugar levels.
    • They contain protein, fiber, and healthy fats, which prevent sugar spikes after meals.

Tex-Mex Pistachio Avocado Salsa 🥑🌶️

This fresh, creamy, and crunchy salsa is perfect for dipping, topping tacos, or serving with grilled vegetables. Pistachios add a unique Tex-Mex twist with their crunch and healthy fats!

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • ½ cup roasted unsalted pistachios, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small jalapeño, finely diced (remove seeds for less heat)
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and jalapeño.
  2. Add chopped pistachios, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  3. Gently mix everything together until well combined.
  4. Serve immediately with corn tortilla chips, tacos, or as a topping for grilled veggies or fish.

Why This Recipe is Great for You

✅ Pistachios add crunch, protein, and healthy fats.
✅ Avocado provides fiber and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
✅ Jalapeño & lime give it a zesty Tex-Mex kick while boosting vitamin C.
✅ Cherry tomatoes & red onion provide antioxidants and gut-friendly prebiotics.

This Tex-Mex Pistachio Avocado Salsa is the perfect blend of flavor, texture, and nutrition—all while keeping it simple and delicious! 🌿🌮

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