Stop Biting Your Nails and Start Thinking!

I bite my nails. Often to the quick and then it hurts afterwards... boo hoo!

My sister often bats my hand away and I give her that look as if she had interrupted my award winning speech or something and I just go right back to biting them (often in defiance).

It's a habit of boredom (FYI), and I've tried many different things (Disney Princess colouring book anyone?) to occupy my mind but I often find myself chewing away again.

Anyways, the point of this post is that we should strive to never waste a moment. When I say that, I mean not wasting time just sitting and chewing your nails - Pinterest or Facebook games are fun! Why give up fun?

So, when you're just sitting there, doing nothing but gnawing away, try thinking! That could mean reading a book to expand your knowledge, exercising, or even setting goals!

Think about it, have you ever really sat down with the soul purpose of setting goals?

What better way to better yourself than to inspire?!

Setting goals doesn't mean aspiring to win the lottery (I mean, come on!), but can be as simple as "teach my dog to 'speak'". You know that you can do it, you want to, and think of that little glimmer of pride you will have once your beloved pup learns!

 

Then, think longterm goals. What do you want to do? What is your real answer when the interviewer asks, "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

So... where do you see yourself in five years?

Is there travel in your future?

Do you want children?

What about career goals?

Financial goals?

How about Saving the World? ;)

Think about it! And don't even think about putting that hand to your mouth.

Namaste

Dress it Up!

Would you go outside without a jacket in below zero temperatures?

No.

So why would you eat a salad without dressing?

You're either have no taste buds, or you just like the taste of an undressed salad. 

Ugh, that's about as wrong as spitting on a handrail.

I'm here to save your salad!

No- Fail, Dairy & Gluten Free Salad Dressing

3 tbsp gluten & dairy free mayonnaise (I like Hellmann's light, olive oil mayo)

2 tbsp. lime juice

1 tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cayenne powder

1 tbsp. garlic powder

2 tbsp. parsley flakes

2 tbsp. water

1 shallot, minced

1 tsp honey

Whisk together all ingredients in small bowl. Once thoroughly mixed, place directly onto salad, or cover and refrigerate.

An Inspiring Quote for an Incredible Day!

Start your day the happy way!

"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you decide to see beyond the imperfections!" - Author Unknown

Life should not be a competition; by this I mean that one should not desire to compete and best every other person. Remember, desire leads to suffering and it is that dukkha (suffering) that we must eliminate so that we may be happy!

I am slowly learning this. In my Western world, a high level of stress has become a sort of status symbol, too much value is placed on material goods, and stiff competition can be found anywhere you turn... so, it has been hard. However, I am happy when I am not stressed, and I must seek to eliminate this stress! So, I am not putting value in such things that lead me to stress.

 This is where I try not to "sweat the small stuff" and take everything as a learning opportunity. I must honour others' opinions as I trust that they would do mine, but I must also learn that sometimes there are those who do not want to hear my opinions. As my mother would say, "FILTERS!"

I am happier now than I ever have been because I am learning (always learning!) to not take things personally, be patient and tolerant, and not sweat the small stuff.  Do not feel the need to compete constantly, and get into a happy state of mind with your life and your position in life!

It has been said that the happiest people are the people who have next to nothing; while they do not have an excess in material goods or money, they have faith, or love, or family, or hope.

Let's make a mantra:

"I am happy with myself."

"I am at a good place within."

"I will not take things personally."

"I am in a happy state of mind."

"I have the opportunity to learn and grow."

For this, I am grateful.

I am grateful.

Namaste

Daily Dose of... Dharma

Do not accept any of my words on faith,
Believing them just because I said them.
Be like an analyst buying gold, who cuts, burns,
And critically examines his product for authenticity.
Only accept what passes the test
By proving useful and beneficial in your life.
The Buddha

I often refer to myself as a "forever student of Buddhism" because, for one, there are many schools and interpretations of Buddhism... but mainly because one should never stop learning.

Namaste.

Gluten and Dairy Free Kickin' Chicken!

I loooove meat! However, I've found that, with my allergies, I cannot stomach red meat more than twice a week. So, I have been eating poultry and tofu more and more... which means getting creative in the kitchen so that we're not eating horribly bland chicken every night.

I have this fabulous recipe for chicken with a kick! Of course, it is gluten and dairy free!
Note that prep time is about an hour for the marinade.

Gluten Free, Dairy Free Kickin' Chicken (making for 4 chicken breasts)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/8 cup Louisiana Fire Gluten Free Hot Sauce (Frank's is also acceptable, check ingredients!)

1 tbsp. onion powder

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup red wine (you can use white, but red tastes better - I used a deep Merlot)

1 tbsp. canola or olive oil
1 tbsp. Kikkoman Gluten Free Soy Sauce
2 tbsp. lime juice
2 tsp. cumin, ground
2 tsp. oregano
pinch of salt and pepper, to taste.

Whisk together all ingredients other than the chicken breasts in a large bowl. Once combined, place chicken breasts in marinade for an hour, flipping after 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375F.
Place chicken breasts in oiled ceramic baking dish and pour marinade over top of it. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes. Once timer rings, flip chicken over in dish and bake for another 20 minutes. Depending on your oven, you may need an additional 10 minutes cooking time. If so, flip chicken again and cook until no longer pink in middle.

Serve with rice or homemade fries.

Enjoy!

Tofu Or Not Tofu? That Is The Question

For awhile, I think that I was the only non - vegetarian/ vegan person I knew that openly liked tofu and ate it regularly. Now, however, I've come up with a few delicious tofu recipes to delight my taste buds, but also sticking with my gluten and dairy free diet requirements!

Below, I've posted two recipes for gluten free, dairy free tofu! They're part of a clean eating diet, as well as being very healthy and minimal calories.

Image © Katherine Jaycock

Gluten Free Sauteed Tofu (for 2)

2 tbsp Kikkoman Gluten Free Soy Sauce

1 tbsp olive or canola oil

1 package Extra Firm Tofu, quartered (I buy Sunrise brand tofu)

1 tbsp garlic, minced

1 cup spinach

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, roasted and seasoned to taste

pinch of salt

pepper, to taste

In bowl, mix together soy sauce, garlic, salt and pepper. Coat each slice of tofu with the mixture. 

Heat oil on a stove top pan or skillet on medium heat. Once oil is hot, place tofu in pan, pouring any extra soy sauce mixture on top of searing tofu. Sear 2-3 minutes on each side. 

Place 1/2 cup of spinach on each plate, and place two pieces of tofu on plate. Sprinkle 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds atop the tofu. 

Serve!

Easy Tofu Sticks

1 package Extra Firm Tofu, cut into long, rectangular pieces

4 tbsp. onion powder

4 tbsp. garlic powder

1/8 cup Kinnikinnick Gluten Free Panko Style Bread Crumbs - you can find these via the Gluten Free General Store

2 tbsp. paprika

1-2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 350. Take out cookie sheet and spray with Pam, or line with parchment. 

Whisk egg whites together in a shallow bowl (if you are vegan, or cooking for a vegan, use canola oil). Mix together onion powder, garlic powder, bread crumbs, and paprika on plate or other flat surface. Coat tofu sticks with egg whites, then coat sticks with powder and bread crumb mix. Place sticks on cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes.

A Wintry Kiss

Happy November 1st! Remember to love the Earth, even if the land around you has frozen.

 The Buddha said, "Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.”

The Earth has many treasures for us to uncover, and it is because of the Earth that we are blessed with human life, and the power to make our lives the best that they can be!

So, even though you may live in unbearable heat, humidity, or up here in Calgary where even -15 feels like the end of days, remember that the Earth is giving you opportunities everywhere you look. 

You can overcome the freezing or blistering temperatures, and you can overcome any obstacles that you face.