by Roxanne -

“Nice and Quiet”

Why are people (read “women”) considered good if they are “nice and quiet”?

In my family, growing up, I often heard neighbors called “good” if they were “nice and quiet.”

Children should be “nice and quiet” – especially girls. Really? Is this what we are called to be? Nice and quiet, obedient, compliant? For who? To who?

Wrongly believing we should be “nice and quiet” keeps us from being outraged – not nice – when confronted with the abominations of poverty, abuse of women and children, unfair trade laws, lack of health insurance and lack of social safety nets for those struggling.

Just for today speak out. Say what you think. Use your voice. Take up space and room in the world. Spread out. “Make a joyful noise.” Let the universe know that you are here, alive and in the world.

You may also like Endlessly Interesting and Authentic Living.

by Roxanne -

Into the Desert – Fasting for Lent

Do you fast during Lent? Here’s an idea. Instead of fasting from favorite foods, chocolate and other physical indulgences, why not fast from those things that destroy our hearts and minds?

Deep spirituality is about becoming whole. This is what it means to be “holy.” With this in mind why not –

  • Fast from gossiping about others.
  • Fast from self-talk that is self deprecating.
  • Fast from comparisons with others.
  • Fast from the “victim” mentality.
  • Fast from emotionally abusive relationships.
  • Fast from people who lower your self-esteem.
  • Fast from telling yourself that you’re not good enough, smart enough, capable enough.
  • Fast from thinking you need more _______ (fill in the blank).
  • Fast from negative thinking of any kind.

I’m fasting this Lent.  40 days is all it takes to re-train my mind to think differently!

You may also like Lent – Into the Desert, Visio Divina Reflection, and Other Ways to Simplify.

by Roxanne -

Life’s Beautiful Doors

Everyday life offers us many doorways. Some lead us into amazing new life. Others lead us to delightful places we could never have envisioned for ourselves. We choose to walk through some and not others.

If you would like your life to be different then definitely walk through a new door.

Why? As DH explained, if you stay where you are it is certain that your life will remain just as it is- NO chance for a better life. Remember the definition of “insanity” – continuing to do the same thing expecting a different result.

If you walk through a new door there is at least a 50% chance that your life will improve. The fearful fatalist will note that there is also a 50% chance that things could get worse, but that is true even if you stay where you are!

Since I am a believer in a loving God I actually believe that the percentage that things will improve by walking through a new door is much, much higher than 50%.

Life beckons – urgently.

Watch and see the many doors your life places before you today. Can you find them? Which new door will you open?

alvhemmakleri.se

 

alvhemmakleri.se
alvhemmakleri.se
alvhemmakleri.se

You may also like The Doors of Dublin, Back Door Makeover and Live a Little.

 

 

by Roxanne -

Brussels Anyone?

Basically, I can eat pretty much anything. Also I like pretty much everything. Really there are only two things I really dislike: creamed peas and brussel sprouts. Ever since I was a kid I have hated creamed peas and brussel sprouts 🙁

Creamed peas are generally overcooked and the creamy texture is so unappetizing to me. I find the taste worse than bland. Brussel sprouts have always seem like overcooked, over-boiled small cabbages – also unappealing. However, for brussel sprouts, this has changed.

DH created a dish with brussel sprouts that was unbelievably delicious! Take a look. It’s also gluten free and salt free (if you use no salt broth).

Saute (cook until brown) rinsed and sliced brussel sprouts in 1 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp olive oil in a saute pan on medium high heat.

Photo R. Meshar

Add 2 cups of chicken broth and the juice of one lemon. We added one dried, broken shitake mushroom to our chicken broth.

Photo R. Meshar

Simmer 7-10 minutes until sprouts are tender.

Photo R. Meshar

Remove sprouts, add 2 tbsp of dijon mustard and reduce sauce on high heat, stirring while reducing.

Photo R. Meshar

Spoon reduced sauce over brussels sprouts. Serve with toasted garlic bread or maybe red wine.

Photo R. Meshar

Now I love, love, love brussels sprouts!

For the record, I still hate creamed peas 😉

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