On My Mind Today

With easy access to social media today, it seems everyone is looking for their fifteen minutes of fame. Whether it's making videos of themselves singing, or telling the world their life story, they are ultimately hoping it will go viral. And who knows? Maybe somebody will discover them and make them famous. Unfortunately most people don't realize what they are giving up to get there, or how they appear to the rest of the world. If they are discovered by some producer or talent scout, chances are they will not be portrayed in the best light if they are offered a contract. The truth is none of it is reality and often exploits the individual, and their family and friends. Selling yourself out for fame is one thing, but I will never understand how they can exploit their children. What someone might see as an opportunity to be the next big star, or to "help" others through their life experiences, is actually another way for Hollywood to "entertain" and increase

Spirituality: the quality or state of being spiritual. of or relating to religion or religious beliefs of or relating to a person's spirit When I think of spiritual the second definition comes to mind. I do believe in God, but I do not think of myself as a highly religious person; one who follows a specific religion. However, I am a very spiritual person. Spiritual in the sense that I try to remain connected to the earth and nature. I do believe we are linked far more than many may think. Those outside the Native American culture often confuse religion with spirituality. Native American spirituality includes a strong reverence for animal life, the environment and each other. Although many tribes practice different spiritual ceremonies and rituals, the main feature is the relationship of man with the land. There are times in my life when I begin to feel I am losing my way, or when outside forces seem to easily impact me. These times are also when I have become disconne

Several years ago I found some healthier options for desserts made with pumpkin in First for Women magazine. They cited some facts regarding the benefits of pumpkin: It prolongs satiety - one cup of pumpkin contains only 83 calories, but has 8 grams of fiber which is almost a third of your daily need. Per a USDA study, people who increased their intake of this filling nutrient decreased their overall calorie intake by 10%. It balances blood sugar - Pumpkin is rich in beta-cryptoxanthin, which reduces the risk of insulin resistance by 51% (per Japanese scientists). This makes pumpkin a great way to prevent fatigue, belly fat and cravings that can come from insulin resistance. Half a cup of pumpkin contains 100% of the RDA of vitamin A, which revs the body's production of sickness-fighting T cells. Plus, once ingested, the squash's alpha-carotene converts to retinol, which spurs skin-cell renewal and collagen production. Here are some great new ways to make your favorite

With all the things I have accomplished, it seems more recently that I often feel tired. Even though I have plans to do many things, the energy is not there. As I reflected on this, I was puzzled as to the reason why. I work out on a regular basis, have a healthy diet for the most part, and a good life with wonderful family and friends. There are no health issues and no medications to impact how I feel. What I have finally come to realize is that for more than a year we have all been bombarded with negative messages on a daily basis. Whether it is the nightly news or social media, the negative seems to be front and center, with no end in sight. It's no wonder that people are feeling exhausted. It zaps you both emotionally and physically. And if we allow it to continue then our lives will not improve. I have decided to remove this from my life as much as possible. We all know what pushes our buttons and zaps our strength. These are a few of the steps I have chosen to take: Whe

A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage, and a public proclamation is made by an authority figure of this marriage. It shows those attending that these two people are making a commitment to one another. I know many of us have seen weddings large and small. And although the big weddings I have been to were nice, some of the most beautiful ones I have attended were small and intimate. Anyone who watches TV has seen the programs that show big extravagant weddings. The ones where brides try to out do one another with the extremely outrageous locations, decorations and food. The destination wedding seems to be the thing today. What I want to know is this; how many people do you know that could not only take the time, but afford to go to one of these? Certainly not on my budget, and even if I could, I'm not sure I would spend the money. Then there are the shows where brides are looking for their gown. Can you say ridiculous? So many are expecting their famil

My mother recently gave me The Fibromyalgia Cookbook by Shelley Ann Smith. I was reading the information provided in the Forward, and then skimmed through to see what recipes were included. I love chili so decided to try the Chicken Chili. It is very easy to make and can be ready for your dinner table in about 45 minutes. It has great flavor and is a dish that will be a regular in our home. Chicken Chili 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces 1 cup finely chopped onion 1 cup finely chopped red onion 2 medium red bell peppers, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 - 15.5 ounce cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed 1-3/4 cups low-sodium chicken stock 2 - 4.5 ounce cans green chilies, drained and chopped 1/4 teaspoon cumin 1. Spray large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Add the chicken, onions, bell peppers, and garlic, and cook over medium heat until the chicken is done. 2. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.

2017 - growing up I can't say that I ever thought about coming to the year 2017. For someone born in the 50's this seemed so very far away. And now here we are. A reminder of how many years have passed in my life. If there is one thing I have come to realize over the years, it's that New Year's resolutions are very seldom kept. We all have good intentions, but most are not able to follow through. The main reason is because people are not ready to do whatever it is they have resolved to do. Success only comes if you are ready to stop or start whatever you have chosen to do. We all would be better off if we just decided to live our lives in a more positive and healthy manner. Setting lofty goals has a way of setting us up for failure, which is not good for our spirit. If our spirit is knocked down then it is not good for those around us. It has a way of spreading negativity. I no longer have New Year's resolutions. I choose to start each day throughout the year

The definition of beauty from Merriam-Webster Dictionary: the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit. Unfortunately, advertisements on television and in the print media continuously bombard us with their perception of beauty. It always seems to be someone who is very young, very thin and wearing enough makeup to cover any slight imperfection they may have. They appear to have absolutely no flaws whatsoever, which only leads young women to focus on anything in themselves that they don't see as perfect. They look at these models and spend their youth desperately trying to reach the unattainable. And even as adults, we women often focus on what we perceive as our faults far too often. Society needs to do more to change this. We as individuals need to change this. Beauty runs far deeper than what we see on the outside. It has more to do with what kind of person you are. Do you strive to do th

This mini frittata recipe came to me through my healthcare provider newsletter. Not only are they great for brunch, but also as a snack. You can make them your own by choosing the vegetables you love. Great to make ahead and freeze, so you can grab one as an on-the-go breakfast. Muffin Pan Frittatas Makes: 12 regular-sized "muffins" Serving size: 1 muffin Cooking spray 1 teaspoon olive oil 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup green and/or red pepper, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces 1 cup other vegetables chopped into 1/4 inch pieces (such as mushrooms, asparagus, zucchini, broccoli, or spinach) 6 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper 1. Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Coat a muffin tin generously with cooking spray. 2. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to the pan. Add onion and peppers and other vegetables of your choosing. Cook