How does my garden grow...

...with lavender, iris and mimosa tree too! I had to share with you what is blooming, or some at least. The mimosa tree photo is from last year and it (the tree :D) is much taller now. I'll photograph it tomorrow, it is just starting to burst into bloom.

Note the lemons behind the iris? This year the lemon tree is laden with so many lemons as we have never seen before. Reggie does baby it all year and so far we have not had to spray it - except with a weak solution of dishwashing liquid and water to rid it of a pest or two.

The golden plum tree, bursting in snowy bloom, buzzes with bees going about their bustling business. Snowy bloom, I say...and today was 34C in the sun? heh heh!

The pool had maintence on it, tiles regrouted, a few water vents replaced and finally refilled. Very inviting blue.

Spring has spronged in my part of Spain!

Loved this one...

I have to share this quote from probably the oldest working pediatrician:

Dr. Leila Denmark, a pediatrician, who "sort of" retired at 103 in 2002:
Quote:

"Anything on earth you want to do is play. Anything on earth you have to do is work. Play will never kill you, work will. I never worked a day in my life."

-Dr. Leila Denmark, 100, USA's oldest practicing physician.

Don'tcha jus' love it?!

Preoccupied and More Quotes

I've been preoccupied lately by a new project that really takes up my time with reseaching and reading a lot. I can only say at the moment that it involves another website - this time I want to have the background work really honed so that it is optimized in the best way for the search engines. Already have a domain name and designed a logo (which I had graphically perfected by the woman who did my graphics for http://www.epicureantable.com/) . Turns out my new domain name may not be optimal. Part of the researching for that is brainstorming and keyword pondering.

Luckily, I signed up for a fantastic system that walks/talks you thru all that and eventually much will be automated. This is great, because to leave things up to one's self (keeping on top of seach engine alograms and submitting regularily, autoresponders etc etc) I find is very mood dependant - at least with me. Then I do fall into the D's - distracted, disoriented, discipline (intermittant lack of) disorder, dis-, dis- you name it.

Anyway, since I have NO idea if anyone is even reading this blog - going by the lack of commenting here :>/ I won't go into the project at this point. When I have it up and running, we'll have an online launch party, yes? Champagne and all.

This morning I want to share following quotes:

There is only one thing more powerful than all the armies of the world, that is an idea whose time has come.- Victor Hugo

To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right.- Confucius

That first one really resounded with me at this particular period for me. The second one is soo, soooo true. It all starts with setting hearts straight. Would that we could (globally) achieve that. May sound irrelevant, but besides our own (hearts) wouldn't it be nice to get Hollywood, the media, those aggressive 'game' developers to take responsibility for what they are 'contributing' to society and her children...to have more 'heart' for society...which we are all part of, like it or not.

And then the politicians...do they have any?
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Closing thought: concentrate more on your heart's needs.

Take heart.

More Quotes

Ran across two interesting thoughts this evening, from www.aksworld.com at the blog:

"Fear has been described as F_E_A_R = False Expectation Appearing Real."

Unfortunately such clever anograms usually work only in the originating language. I'd love to pass this one on to my (German) Aunt. The anagram won't work, but the statement is 'real'. On second thought, I should just leave it alone (about her). Her fears are like dear old friends to her. She knows them so well and so intimately. Reality, and how she has created it for herself is just too frightening for her (another fear?). Yes, of the unknown - happiness. Well, at 85 ......

And then this one from the newsletter (aksworld.com):

Quote For Thought

In Tibetan, the word for body is "lu", which means "something you leave behind", like baggage. Each time we say "lu", it reminds us that we are only travelers, taking temporary refuge in this life and this body.

That is a lu-lu (groan...sorry couldn't resist)! Humour aside, that quote, I find is a gentle reminder.

Give yourself a hug today. Tell your body how much you appreciate it...yes even with its quirks.

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By the way, has everyone drunk enough water today??

I am still amused

Yes, I am...still amused at something that happened on Women's Day 8 March.

On that day I purchased a spanish newspaper from the paper shop and the girl gave me a bottle of flour cleaner.

"What is this for?" I asked, meaning why-are-you-giving-me-this.

"Its a free gift from the newspaper for International Women's Day."

We looked at each other with that knowing, ironic look. A look of solidarity mixed with 'what do you expect'.

She, still surpressing a stubborn grin, snorted in laughter (yes, she did). Me, I burst forth a sincere belly laugh. Nothing would surpress it and I almost doubled over. By then there were a few curious bystanders. Getting a brief explanation across, by then in English too and wiping the tears of mirth from my eyes I explained more or less following.

"Look at that! This newspaper is so caring and considerate enough to think of we women and gives us (how generously) a free bottle of floor cleaner. Instead of giving us perhaps a small textile flower (cheaper too), we get a reminder of what this macho newspaper really thinks of the value of women. Hey, what century are we in? With all the women's rights and equality (snort, giggle) every now and then we get a symbolic reminder of what reality is!"

"Typical!" I said, still laughing.

The few men there were at a complete loss (what else? ;>D), a few women grinned and I had to find the next cafe to visit the toilet.

What did I do with the bottle of floor cleaner? I told the girl to give to next man who purchases the paper.

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Thought for the day: The begining is always today.

Looking Younger - Being Younger

Looking younger is something we are all interested in - even those who loftily deny any interest in the subject. Deep inside we all are happier when we look our best and that alone makes us 'look' or 'feel' younger than our chronological age. That little boost is uplifting.

And what is aging? (I mean beyond the wrinkle!) Is it our chronological age (based on birthday)? That is far less important than our physical/biological age - in other words looking and feeling younger/actually BEING younger for our age. Isn't that more important?

Following is from various statistical sources.

Here are a few easy tips for today:

Make sure you drink lots of water - at least 2 litres and more if you are a serious coffee drinker. Every cell in your body benefits and can function more efficently. Foggy, unconcentrated thinking can sometimes be a sign of dehydration of the brain cells. Outwardly, the skin benefits, cells are plumped and the overall appearance improves. This alone can make you look and certainly feel a few years younger.

Laugh a lot... this can make your biological age 8 years younger.

Learning ...those who never loose their interest to learn and keep intellectually fit are 2.5 years younger than those who 'give up'.

Move...even just a little exercise (of ANY kind, such as walking) for 20 minutes twice a day will make your biological age 5 years younger.

And lastly (for today) our mental attitude will affect our biological/physical being and appearance. We all know people with faces like road maps pushing 70, 80, 90 + who seem far younger. I find it is their youthful attitude that makes them attractive and uplifting to be around.

We have so much we can do for ourselves/well-being. No one can do it for us. Ain't self-empowerment grand?

So are you!

Food, trivia and tips

I found following in a newsletter I receive:

"Give yourself a tropical pick-me-up with antioxidant-rich guava.
Red guava offers more antioxidant benefits than spinach, strawberries, or oranges, a recent study concluded, making red guava a free-radical-scavenging powerhouse. The phenols in red guava are responsible for the fruit's antioxidant activity. Simply peel and remove the seeds from well-ripened fruit and enjoy. RealAge Benefit: Getting the right amount of antioxidants through diet or supplements can make your RealAge 6 years younger."

Blueberries also are highly beneficial and when compared to40 other fruits and vegetables seem to have the most antioxidant properties .

I love guava, but only ate it when we lived in Florida. MAYBE I can find it in the Valencia food market. A phenominal place, supposed to be the biggest in Europe. Well, I suspect that is an exageration, but they do seem to have e v e r y t h i n g in herbs, fruits and vegetables. We can occasionally get blueberries here but they are from France and for the price of a small basket, one can have lunch! Well ok, a few tapas - but still...

I have endulged when they are in season and bought a basket for Mama and one for me...in pancakes (Mama) or yogurt or as is, it is a great treat. But for the health benefits, blueberry extract/tincture seems a good way to take in the benefits from a natural substance.

By the way, if you take iron supplements (or iron rich food) don't take them with calcium rich foods (or supplements) . The both will bind together in the intestines and the body cannot absorb the benefits from either. ...they get flushed. I love spinach and chickpeas, with a yoghurt sauce - a not so uncommon dish amongst the calcium wise or vegetarians (and most vegetarians think they know it all!!). Hmmm....there is so much we don't consider when eating what we think is healthy and good for us. It also shows that one must be more aware, read more on such topics and be open. That is, if you want to care for this gift (our body) we are temporarily loaned! ;>D

Trivia of the day: A medium papaya contains 200% of your Vitamin C requirement A green pepper has more Vitamin C than a orange.

Herb of the month: parsley

Goal of the day: eat something really healthy today that you don't normally eat.

Thought of the day: My own attitude, words and beliefs on the long run create my own reality. I alone am responsible for them. I alone can change them.

Verbal bad-habit-phrase to dump: No, I can't because... (this is often fear driven or just plain lazy cover up for 'No, I won't because (I don't want to). If you find yourself using this phrase - more automatically than you realize - see if you can pass a week without it. If you can't, talk to yourself in the mirror and ask yourself why. Ask yourself what you can change to get rid of that negative, self-inhibiting phrase.

Life is grand. And so are you.

Inspiring Quotes

Happy International Women's Day!

Today I thought I'd post a few inspiring quotes:

"Women are half the world's people who do two-thirds of the world's work. They earn a tenth of the world's income and own a hundredth of the world's property." WomenAid International ...warrants comment when in mixed company. Amongst we women, 'gee, why are we not surprised?'

"If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow."
Chinese proverb

“Lost time never returns.”
Czech proverb

"The person who says it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it."
Chinese proverb

"The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men."
English writer Mary Ann Evans aka George Eliot (1819-1880)

"You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person."
Anonymous I thought this one was especially good.

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Each day is a gift, live it with appreciation - even if some 'gifts' are less than great. It just takes 24 hours to get over the bad days and we have 1440 minutes to savour the good ones.

Good days and bad days pass with equal speed. The bad ones just seem to last so much longer. Take the good days with joy, not with nonchalance. On bad days, do something especially nice for yourself - even if you don't feel like it. Take a luxury bath, light that expensive candle, go out for the most expensive cappuccino, go to a silly movie. On those days, one needs to get behind one's self and PUSH forward. Even if its just a long walk somewhere.

Life is grand. Every 24 hours we get another chance!

Of Goat Yoghurt and Laughter

Good news! My yoghurt turned out great...thickish and creamy (could be a little tarter though) and I am happy. I have about eight jars. Today I made Irish Soda bread with it instead of buttermilk...very nice and tomorrow maybe I'll do a simple almond cake using some yoghurt and honey as well. I shall be asking Blanca for more of her milk in future.

Here's an interesting link on the value of laughter. Scroll about midway down for following info:
(Laughter reduces cortisol, which is a hormone that causes stress and increases endorphins, which are the body’s own natural opiates ...)
http://www.ofspirit.com/margaretmccathie1.htm
Click on the left menu for various links to inspiring articles


http://silverreflection.tripod.com/thelightersidecopy/id176.html
Click also on the side links, especially the one on southern ladies. (Disclaimer: there are 'reflections' there also that I consider in bad taste mixed in amongst the humorous and useful - I take distance from any racist comments found on the site.)


This next one has a video. Click on the photo - the download is worth the wait. I dare you not to laugh with her!

http://laughpractice.blogspot.com/2005/09/coaching-laugh.html

There is always something to laugh about...even if only at ourselves!

Mama Goat Nurses Lamb

My walks out to the lighthouse take me past an old stable - in past years abandoned. Last year or so I heard dogs there and often saw them running free in the enclosed acres.

Then a few months ago I heard the low clang of bells - and that sound can only mean goats or sheep (a deeper, longer clang means cows). And there among the brush of rosemary and company was a herd of goats. Monday I heard the happy barking of dogs and thought the owner must be there. And he was.

Seems the stable now 'stables' goats, dogs, wild rabbits, chickens, quail and ducks. Short story shorter, he has had to throw away goat's milk when the little ones couldn't drink it all and is happy that someone (me) who appreciates it can come by for it. So today I came at the agreed time and Blanca - whose babies died - bleated softly and gave little kisses as Joaquin (whah-keen) milked her. Her utter was so full - almost 2-1/2 litres full all for me and my yoghurt.

After filtering it a few times, heating it and adding some yoghurt to act as a starter, the milk is now in the oven hopefully doing its yoghurt thing by the light of the pre-warmed oven. Tomorrow I shall see. I am excited. I love goat or sheep yoghurt - something easily found here. And, I can get healthy, free range and free of anti-biotics and other chemicals that cows are subjected to. I know what they breathe (sea air), what they eat, where they eat it and love the same herbs that obviously the goats do as well. Not a great milk fan, I do like goat's milk - sweeter, richer and easy to digest.

The lamb in the photo follows Joaquin around like a puppy. Her mama couldn't give milk, so the goats are happy to comply. Here she is getting dinner from Margarita, but she boards at night with another mama who just gave birth to three kids. This evening I held a two day old kid. I was over the moon.

Life is grand!