Gratitude Week 36

05 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by in Blue Zone, Gratitude and Happiness, Gratitude nourishes the soul, Green living

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Gratitude to gratitude always gives birth ~ Sophocles

I miss blogging. I miss everything about it, reading other people’s blogs, critiquing them, gathering pictures, writing them. Since I have started to work full-time in March, I have been absent from this very enjoyable activity. So, I decided, that I needed to do something about this and incorporate writing back into my life. I plan to write at least one thing that I am grateful for each week until Thanksgiving 2014. Surely, I can write ONE thing, every week. Here goes:

1. I am so excited! I am giddy. I registered for the 2nd International Plant Based Conference. September 17-20, 2014 at Coronado Island California. My favorite doctors, research scientists, and authors that inspired me on my personal  journey to better health will be presenting. I will be meeting up with some friends and  colleagues and we will be hearing the latest and greatest research in the power of plants to fight heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, and pain. I have attended many professional conferences, this will be the first that I actually look forward to eating the catered vegan conference food.

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Dr. Campbell, Dr. Esselstyn, and Dr. Lisle will be at the conference.

2. I am thankful that my dad insisted on planting fruit trees in our small suburban space. Even though he has not been able to visit us this past year, I am reminded about his labor of love. Last month we had an abundance of the sweetest Mission figs. This month its Jejube dates.

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I enjoy the green Jejube dates, similar to the taste of an apple.

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Red, ripe Jejube dates.

3. I enjoy working as an advanced practice Nurse, and Lactation Consultant. On most days I find my work rewarding. The last few weeks have been tiring. I had a few challenging cases and I started to doubt whether I was effective, questioning whether I am “enough” for Nursing  and vice versa. Is what I am currently doing “enough to satisfy me the rest of my working years”. Today sharing my clients big victories and seeing the amazing talents of newborns and their parents inspired me and made me realize that I am exactly where I need to be.

Reader, What are you grateful for? Please do share.

“Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.” Aesop~

With deep gratitude,

Christine

A Plant-Based Diet

04 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by in Blue Zone

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Lovely recipes and pics! Look forward to seeing you at the conference!

PETIT WORLD CITIZEN

Food writer Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and other books, re-defined what it means to eat smart when he shared his credo: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
Super grains salad
Did you know that reducing your intake of animal products and embracing a plant-based diet is one of the best things you can do for your health and the environment
? Now this doesn’t mean you have to become a vegan, or even a vegetarian, if you don’t want to. Small changes in your diet can yield big results. And, studies have proven that a plant-based diet—one based on vegetables, grains, legumes and fruit, with little or no animal products, including dairy—can reverse diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and certain cancers promoted by scientifically generated foodstuffs, genetically modified foods and animal products.

As a vegetarian I should say that just being a vegan…

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Recuperating by Mission Bay

24 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by in Blue Zone, Favorite places in Southern California, Parotid Mass, Recovery

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“The cure for anything is salt water: tears, sweat, or the sea.”  Isak Dinesen I was privileged to get some …

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Happy New Year! 2014

01 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Blue Zone, Green living

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“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”  -Dr. Maya Angelou

Hi All,

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View of The Blue Ridge Mountains from The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.

Greetings from the mountains of Western North Carolina where I have been celebrating and visiting with my family the last ten days.

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Sunny winter day at the Asheville Arboretum.

In addition to eating delicious vegan and  mostly gluten-free meals we have been enjoying our daily hikes into the Blue Ridge mountains that surround Asheville. I am thriving here! I am eating well, sleeping soundly, and my fickle stomach has not given me any troubles. I have even been migraine free! I want this good living momentum to continue even as I return to the rigors of juggling work, school drop offs and pickups, and striving to maintain domestic tranquility. I want to do so much more than merely survive! I want to thrive! I have learned this means fueling my body with a plant strong vegan and gluten-free diet, staying active in the great outdoors, and regularly connecting with friends and family.

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Glass Noodles made from Mung beans sautéed in sesame oil, wheat free soy sauce powder, and vegetables.

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Baked sweet potatoes my favorite anytime meal or snack.

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Kale Salad with crushed garlic and lemon/honey olive oil vinegarette

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Dried fern. Traditional korean side dish. I love this stuff!

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Collard Greens sautéed with carrots, and purple cabbage. Tastes as good as it looks!

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Thankful to be able to spend time with my loving supportive family. Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC.

My wish for you is that 2014 is your year to Thrive On!

Cheers!

Christine