WINTER ACTS OF SELF-EMPOWERMENT
During the cycle of Winter dormancy…when activity is slower…and staying at home is the norm due to colder weather…really is such an ideal time for you to create the space to connect with your inner world and your spirit…to create a more calm…peaceful and happier you.

Spiritual growth doesn’t have to be painful or even done a certain way…it can be in fact…a joyful…easy and fulfilling experience…that you can begin this Winter season…and each day for the rest of your life.

WHOLE BODY MEDITATION
Meditation…there is no right or wrong way to meditate…and there are countless instructions on how to do so…the key is…for you to practice a meditation on a consistent basis…and do a meditation that works for you…not necessarily what meditations others practice…in fact create your own if you are so inclined.

I developed this meditation…to calm myself…and relax my whole body…I hope you try it…and like it!

MEDITATION ITSELF
Find a comfortable spot to sit on the floor…or even do this in bed…upon waking up or retiring for the evening.

Close your eyes…and breathe evenly and deeply for a few minutes…allowing your body to n to relax. Don’t try to force yourself to stop thinking or have inner dialogue…just focus on breathing deeply and evenly.

When you feel more relaxed…see a white light above your head…see how beautiful it is…and feel its warm glow on the top of your head. Just breathe in the white light for a few breaths.

Now see this warm…beautiful light enter the top of your head…and slowly fill up your head area…and gently flow down to your neck…your chest…and see and feel the light fill up your heart and lungs…with relaxing and calming… white light. Continue deep…even breathing… And see the light fill your arms and your hands…and fingers.

Now…see your stomach area fill up with the light…giving everything in your stomach area calming…relaxing energy.

Slowly…see the white light go up your back and shoulders…giving you calming and relaxing energy all up…down…and around your back…and shoulders. Feel your shoulders and back relax.

Take a long deep breath and see the light go to your genital area and buttocks…relaxing the energy in this part of your body.

Continue breathing slowly…and see the white light travel down your legs…feet…and toes…calming and relaxing this part of your body.

When you feel complete with your meditation…gently open your eyes…stretch…and come back to present time and go about your day. Notice how calm and relaxed your body feels. If you practice this meditation before bed…gently drift off to sleep. Repeat each day or evening.

Please share this meditation with those you care about.

PRACTICE THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
Genuine giving from the heart…you know practicing “giving” to others is such a positive…uplifting…joy creating act…for the recipient and for you too.

Give what you can…and what feels right to you. A smile…a hug…a meal…a plate of homemade cookies…money…a helping hand to a neighbor…a car ride…a casserole for an ill homebound friend…a kind word…listening…babysitting…the list of giving is endless and priceless.

JUST GIVE.

Without expecting anything in return.

HOT CHOCOLATE AND INSPIRING STORIES
We all get in slumps or get stuck from time to time…not sure what we are doing or what next step to take. Or perhaps you are just weighed down by negativity…and need encouragement…whatever the case may be…you could use some support…help…and inspiration.

Our families and friends often inspire us the most…as you will see when you “listen” over a cup of hot chocolate…loaded with marshmallows.

The only guidelines to this hot chocolate and story sharing is this…
1. A good cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows
2. You must not interrupt or judge the person sharing their inspiring story…or give them advice…just listen and support them.

On a lovely cold Winter night…with family and friends…get comfy…with a cup of homemade hot chocolate…and have each person present…share a story that inspired them to do better…or be a better person…during not so great times. Hearing stories about how others overcame something in their life…often is just the right story you need to hear to help you move forward with a challenge you have…an obstacle you have to overcome…or when fear is blocking you from taking the steps you need to achieve something you want.

We all have certain issues that are the same really…they just show up in different form…at different seasons of our lives. Hearing others share their experience with a story someone told them or went through themselves…that gave them hope or turned their attitude around for the better…is worth listening to…and implementing in your own life where applicable.

When everyone is complete sharing and the last drop of hot chocolate is sipped…everyone give everyone a big huge hug and a huge THANK YOU!

WINTER SEASON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Cooking and eating in season is more economical…as well as being more nutritious and flavorful. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables also supports your local farmers and economy.

FRUITS FOR WINTER
Apples
Grapes
Kiwi
Oranges
Pears
Pomegranates
Lemons
Limes
Grapefruit
Bananas
Plantains

VEGETABLES FOR WINTER
Beets
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Collard greens
Kale
Herbs
Leaks
Parsnips
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Yams
Swiss chard
Turnips
Winter squash

WINTER SEASON RECIPES
The smell of soups…stews and hearty fare are filling your hearth and home with delicious and hearty meals…can you smell the enticing aromas?

CREAMY TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SKILLET
A delicious and hearty meal…for a cold evening.
4 servings
6 tablespoons olive oil divided
4 cloves garlic minced
2 cups cherry tomatoes…halved
11/2 teaspoons kosher salt…divided
4 cups spinach
2 (14.5-oz) cans cannellini beans…drained
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup ounce Parmesan cheese…finely shredded…and extra for serving
4 thick-cut slices white country bread
½ cup fresh organic Basil…thinly sliced…plus more for serving
In a large skillet over medium heat…heat 2 tablespoons oil. Add the garlic and cook…stirring …for about 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes…season with ½ teaspoon salt and cook…tossing occasionally…until tomatoes soften and release their juices…3 to 4 minutes. Add the spinach and cook…stirring…until wilted…1to 2 minutes more.
Stir in beans…cream…Parmesan…1/2 teaspoon of salt and ¼ cup water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium -low and simmer…stirring occasionally…until thickened to a creamy sauce…about 8-12 minutes.
Meanwhile…add 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet and toast the bread on both sides until golden brown…for serving.
Fold the sliced Basil into bean dish…and sprinkle with Basil…and Parmesan…serve with toasted bread.

YUMMY CREAMY CHICKEN DISH
Serves 4
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 …8 ounce boneless…skinless chicken breasts
Sea salt or kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
2 garlic cloves…finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh organic Thyme leaves
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup finely chopped sun-fried tomatoes
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Torn fresh organic Basil for serving

Arrange an oven rack in center of oven…and pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat…heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper…and cook…turning halfway through…until golden brown on both sides. Transfer chicken to a plate.

In same skillet over medium heat…heat remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir in garlic…Thyme…and red pepper flakes. Cook…stirring until fragrant about 1 minute. Stir in broth…tomatoes…cream…parmesan cheese…adjust seasoning if necessary. Bring to a simmer…then return chicken and any other juices to skillet.

Transfer skillet to oven. Bake chicken until cooked through…10 to 12 minutes.

Arrange chicken on platter. Spoon sauce and add fresh torn organic Basil. Serve…and enjoy this yummy creamy chicken dish.

LEMON ROSEMARY SCONES
A lightly sweet…tangy scone…with just the hint of Rosemary
Makes 12 scones
3 ½ cups pastry or all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup frozen butter grated
1 cup cream chilled

Zest of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons minced Rosemary
¼ cup lemon juice from zested lemon

LEMON GLAZE FOR SCONES
1 cup powdered sugar sifted
Zest of one lemon
¼ cup cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Add the flour…sugar…baking powder…baking soda and salt in a food processor or bowl if you are going to use a handheld mixer.

Add the pieces of butter and pulse in food processor or mix with hand mixer until mixture resembles a coarse meal…with no large pieces.

Transfer dry ingredients to a mixing bowl and add the lemon zest and Rosemary.

Make a well in the middle of the mixture…and add the lemon juice and then add the cream…mixing lightly with a fork until just combined.DO NOT overmix. If it is too dry…and won’t hold together…add a bit more cream…1 tablespoon at a time.

Transfer mixture to a flour-covered surface and using your hands…flatten into a 1-inch thick rectangle roughly 5 inches by 8 inches. Cut into triangles and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Cover with plastic wrap and put in fridge for at least 2 hours. You can if you need to…place in freezer and kept in airtight container until ready to bake at a later date.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees…when oven is ready put scones in oven and bake for 15 minutes…rotate and cook another 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Allow to cool…while the scones are cooling prepare your glaze. If glaze is too stiff…add more cream 1 tablespoon at a time…until you have the desired consistency for drizzling on scones. Enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.

WINTER HOMEKEEPING
Keep bacteria and germ spreading at bay this flu and cold season…with a natural and Earth friendly cleaning.

TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL SOFT SCRUB
Tea Tree oil is anti-bacterial and antimicrobial
1 ½ cups baking soda
½ cup natural liquid laundry soap
10 drops Tea Tree essential oil

Mix all together to form a paste…in an airtight container with lid. Store in cool dry space until ready to use. Just scoop out as much as you need…and use for sinks…showers…bathtub etc.

LAVENDER AND ORANGE CLEANING SPRAY
Lavender oil is anti-bacterial…and antimicrobial
Orange oil is antimicrobial and uplifting

1 cup distilled water
1 cup white vinegar
10-20 drops Lavender essential oil
10-20 drops Orange or Lemon essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle. Shake before each use.
*** Test area where you are going to use this spray…vinegar doesn’t do well on some surfaces.

Happy Winter season to you…

Victoria