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My Author Interview at Book Reader Magazine

Yesterday I saw my author interview at Book Reader Magazine. I always get excited when I get publicity. Want to learn a little bit more about me as an author? Check out my interview at the link below. Using the social icons to share it while you’re there would also be nice.

http://bookreadermagazine.com/featured-author-rogene-robbins/

Thought for Today

“Earthly Angels do not allow other souls to dim their light; they just keep shining bright as the sun, for this helps other souls to reconnect with their own light and shine brightly too!” ― Molly Friedenfeld

Fun and Easy Ways to Shine your Light: Be Nice

Snow Couple Wreath
Copyright 2011 by R.A. Robbins

When you read todays topic you may have thought, REALLY? Do we need to be reminded of this during the holidays?

Well apparently we do. It seems that each year during November and December we start hearing about things like brawls at the mall with people fighting over particular items that may be in short supply. Or angry battles over nativity scenes being displayed on government property with both side being sure they are “right.” Then we have the annual brouhaha over what type of holiday greeting is proper to extend to people.

As I watch this unfolding year after year, I can’t help but wonder what all this has to do with what we say we are celebrating. If you are a Christian, does your holiday behavior reflect the life and teachings of the Master Teacher, the Price of Peace whose birth you say you are celebrating? If you celebrate a “secular” Christmas and say your celebrations are all about family, does your behavior reflect this? Do you want to pass down traditions that bring you closer as a family or that teach greed and selfishness? No matter what you celebrate during this time stop and ask if you behavior is reflecting what you say you are celebrating.

Okay so what can we do to make the holiday season a little kinder and gentler?

Remember this is a stressful time for many people. Retail workers in particular are working long hours and serving larger crowds. Tempers can be short and people can be easily provoked. Be patient with others and do not do anything to intentionally provoke another person during this time.
When someone gives you a holiday greeting accept it in the spirit in which it is intended. They are greeting you from their traditions and customs and may not even know that you believe or celebrate differently.
Focus on light, love and peace rather than who is right and who is wrong.
Buy an extra gift, pair of mittens, winter hat, etc. for charity.
Watch what you post on social media. Focus on the positive. Be the voice of love and light instead of discord and anger.
If you practice random acts of kindness, continue throughout the holiday season. If you don’t this is a good time to begin. These don’t have to be big and flashy. Something as simple as opening the door for someone with their arms full will be appreciated.
Each day think of one thing for which you are grateful. Speak it out loud. Come back to this throughout the day.
Finally take time to listen. I mean really listen to someone else. Give them your full attention. Look them in the eyes and listen. Don’t look at your cell phone or other distractions. Let the other person know you are present and you really hear them. Give the gift of listening — this could be the best gift someone receives this year.

Life is not always about who is right and who is wrong. Our life on this planet is a school. We are here to learn how to get along with each other. If we are ever going to learn this we need to start practicing. Isn’t this the perfect time to start?

Oh and one last thing… SMILE! But be careful. It’s contagious you know. 🙂

Thought for Today

“Love is a spark of light.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita, Think Great: Be Great!

Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light: Did Somebody Say Cookies?

Yes, it’s National Cookie Day, just in time for the holidays. Time to get started or at least start planning your holiday cookie baking. Maybe even time to think about hosting a cookie exchange.

I love cookie exchanges because you can get as simple or fancy with this as you want. The basics are that everyone brings a set number of cookies, the recipe and a container to bring their cookies home in. The cookies are set out on the table and there is sampling, conversation and cookies to take home.

The cookie exchanges I have attended we each brought one dozen cookies and we took one dozen cookies. I don’t know where the six dozen cookies that seems to be common now came from. You could adjust the number to fit the number of participants if you wish. You could also decide on 2 or 3 dozen cookies if you wish, which is an average size for a batch of cookies. We also took enough copies of our recipe for everyone. That’s the basics. Now if you want to provide containers for guests to take their cookies home in or have a craft time and decorate boxes or provide decorative envelopes for people to put the recipes they collect in that is totally up to you.

What I like about this idea is that it can be customized for special dietary needs and would be great for a support group meeting. You can invite all people who are gluten free, dairy free, vegan, allergic to nuts — whatever your need may be.

Try not to get too obsessed with the details. The point of this is to hang out with friends, enjoy a few cookies and recipes, relax and most of all have fun! Group activities are always good at the holidays. You never know who may need a little bit of light in their lives. You could be the one who brings it and not even know.

Now a few tips on planning a cookie exchange from My Recipes, The Cooking Channel, Good Housekeeping and Martha Stewart.

This article is linked to the Sugar and Spice Link Party.

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More information on gluten free holiday celebration ideas is available in the my holiday book, Have Yourself a Healthy Little Holiday.

112 Positive Resources is now 127

I continue to add to the positive resources page as I find time. I have added holiday resources and a few others. Please take a minute to stop by if you haven’t looked for awhile

127 Positive Resources

My Bliss Ball/Power Ball Recipe

I did something different yesterday. I had a holiday party at my house. Some of the ladies from the neighborhood came over and we sang carols, made crafts, put on reindeer antlers and of course ate. It was a fun time.

A few people asked for my bliss ball/power ball recipe so I decided to post it here and share it with you as well. I have posted this before, but the chocolate version is new. I’m an add a little of this and that kind of cook so you may want to adjust measurements to your own taste.

Genies Bliss Balls/Power Balls

Ingredients:

3/4 c. natural peanut butter (without added sugars, oils, etc. Peanuts and a maybe a little salt are all I want to see on the label.) “Regular” peanut butter might work as well, but I haven’t tried it.

1/4 c. agave nectar (or other liquid sweetener – honey, brown rice syrup, etc.)

1 t. vanilla or almond extract

3 T. cocoa power

1/4 c. flax seed meal (ground flax seed)

1 c. oatmeal, quinoa flakes or crushed rice squares cereal). Remember to check labels if you need these products to be gluten free.

Directions:

1. Combine peanut butter, agave and vanilla in a bowl. Mix well to combine.

2. Add remaining ingredients. This may take a little work to get them all mixed in. It the mixture seems dry add more peanut butter.

3. Form into 1 t. sized balls using damp hands and place on waxed paper covered (or greased) plate.

4. Put in refrigerator until firm and ready to eat. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

That’s the basic chocolate recipe — now here are the variations.

Leave out the chocolate and add 1/3 c. shredded unsweetened coconut. Or try rolling them in coconut.

Leave out the cocoa powder and add 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Or add it to the chocolate version.

I wanted to try substituting mint flavoring for the vanilla with the chocolate version, but haven’t tried this one yet.

Add any other mix-ins you like such as:

1/4 c. raisins, mini chocolate chips, trail mix or nuts

This is a very versatile recipe. Make it your own and add whatever sounds good to you.

Thought for Today

“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.” –Henri Nouwen
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/celebrate

Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light: Non-Perishable Food Donations**

A word of advice here. Don’t just give that old can of lima beans no one really likes anyway. First think of practical needs. Items always needed at food pantries include:

*Shelf stable proteins — Canned tuna or salmon, Canned chicken or other meats, Canned beans, Dried beans, Canned soups and stews, Peanut butter, Nuts, Canned chili, Trail mix

* Pantry staples such as Rice (especially whole grain), Oatmeal, Pasta (especially whole grain), Diced tomatoes, Tomato sauce, Canned vegetables, Cooking oils (such as olive oil or canola oil), Flour

*Holiday Ingredients and Side Dishes, Canned pumpkin, canned yams, cranberry sauce, boxed stuffing, dried macaroni, canned vegetables.

Think about healthy foods you like to eat. Hold off on the snacks and junk foods. Most food banks get more than enough of these. What they need is good food to fill people up. Some food pantries like to have juice boxes for children, but real juice only please. If you have special dietary needs think about picking up an extra when you buy your special foods. People in need also have health conditions requiring special diets. If in doubt call the food pantry and ask what they need.

Finally, remember there are hungry people every day of the year. Contribute to food pantries throughout the year, especially in the summer.

For more information:

The Best Foods to Donate to Food Banks During the Holidays