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The Taste of Real Food

It amazes me how good fresh, natural food tastes. What compares to a fresh strawberry, or a luscious juicy peach trickling juice down your arm? Even a fresh, crisp garden salad has a wonderful taste and crunch all it’s own.

While eating a lettuce wrap I noticed the flavors of the meat, tomato, even the condiments. I don’t remember being able to taste individual flavors of a sandwich on a bun or sliced bread.

Why do we dull our senses with processed food full of additives and preservatives? If it’s been awhile since you have eaten “real food” give it a try. You won’t go back.

Thought for Today and a Few of My Own

“Life’s too short to just use one color of green.” — Dee Greuning

When you think of “green” does one particular color come to mind? There are many different shades and gradations of green. Why limit ourselves to just one?

This applies to more than just color. We leave most of the world unexplored because we become comfortable with the familiar. Life is too short to get stuck in comfortable ruts. Have fun and shake things up. Use a different color of green, try a new vegetable, create a new recipe, read a new book, think a new thought, go in a different direction, embrace life in all it’s fullness and lighten up.

Thought for Today

IowaTrain 080 — Copyright 2010 by R.O. & R.A. Robbins

“Experience is not what happens to a man, it is what a man does with what happens to him.” ~ Aldous Huxley

A Cold Smoothie for a Hot Day

Choc smoothie resized 2012 003 — Choco-nana peanut butter smoothie
Image copyright 2012 by R.A. Robbins

Smoothies have replaced ice cream for us. To make one of our favorites I combine:

1 cup almond milk
1 frozen banana
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons flax seed meal
2 Tablespoons natural peanut butter (optional)
1 Stevia packet (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla.

Process in blender adding enough ice cubes to make it as thick as you like. This will make two large servings. Enjoy!

Now it’s your turn. What’s your favorite smoothie flavor?

Weekly Photo Challenge: Wrong

potted cat resized 2 006 — Potted Cat
Copyright 2012 by R.A. Robbins

A Potted Cat?

REALLY??!!!

Thought for Today

“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou, All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes

And the #1 Staycation Idea is…..

~Solitude~ (Photo credit: Dhoomakethu!!)

Drumroll please…

Organize your own at home spiritual retreat.

* Turn off your phone and take off your watch.

* Choose books, CD’s and videos to study during your retreat or study the sacred texts of your tradition.

* Allow plenty of time for rest, reflection, meditation and journaling.

* Spending time outside in a park or on a nature trail is also a good while on retreat.

You don’t really need all the trappings of an expensive spiritual retreat or conference. Spirit speaks when and where we listen.

Thought for Today

web train — Image copyright 2010 by R.O. & R.A. Robbins

“Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.” ~John Updike

Top 10 Staycation Ideas #2

Nebraska State Capitol, old house chamber ceiling. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Think you can’t afford a vacation this year? This is one of my top ten ideas for fun and relaxation close to home.

Take a tour of your State Capitol building. This is something everyone should do at least once. This may be a bit of a drive depending on where you live, but will be worth it. If you have children spend a few days before the trip helping them study your state. After the tour, encourage them to talk, ask questions and perhaps write an essay.

Thought for Today

English: Actress Mariska Hargitay reads "... — English: Actress Mariska Hargitay reads ” Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss at the 2010 White House Easter Egg Roll. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!