Blogging for good health!, Holiday Celebrations, Recipes, This -n- That

Homemade Yogurt? Easy Peasy!

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If you’ve followed this site for even a minimal amount of time, you know I’m on the up side of improving my health compared to last year which, as I refer to it, was a complete disaster.

Since then, I’ve made a few changes in my life – some more significant than others. My daughter, Abby, taught me to make kombucha. The important thing with kombucha is you must have a metal spout, no plastics! Sourdough is another. Neither one of these is labor intensive, just a little time consuming, which is great when you think of the end result.

My new favorite is homemade yogurt. Since I am lactose-intolerant, I found limited choices when shopping. I was feeling a little left out when I thought, why not use lactose-free milk to make it? “Little success,” the experts said.

Hmmm. I don’t normally accept, “no, can’t, or not possible,” without trying variations of my own. So, I am going to tell you how to make my successful lactose-free yogurt. It’s so easy – I promise!

The first thing I did was put everything together I needed, which is in the banner picture above this article.

A dependable yogurt maker, which contains six – eight clear jars with plastic lids. It doesn’t have to be expensive at all. Mine was only $35 and weighs no more than a pound. You can also use a rice cooker which is configured for ‘yogurt,’ by following the recipe. Instead of putting it into individual jars, cook once the tempature comes down to 110 degrees. Do not put a tight lid on the metal cooker, but place a loose-fitting on over it instead. Process the same.

Other items needed:

1 Yogurt Starter (I ordered mine from Amazon – Cultures for Health)

2. Lactose-Free Whole Milk (any brand)

      3. Measuring Cup – (I used four cups of milk)

      4. Stainless Steel Wisk

      5, Plastic Spatula

      6. Electronic Temperature Guage

      OPTIONAL:

      Food Processor

      2# fresh strawberries

      Stevia (per taste)

      Gather all your ingredients, You can use a smaller pan, but I use a larger one as it takes less time to get the temperature to 180 degrees. I use the spatchula to keep stirring the four cups of milk practically continually – about 5 minutes.

      Make sure to keep your thermometer handy and check often, as the tempature can go up very quickly.

      Once it reaches 180 degrees, (or thereabouts), turn the burner off and move your saucepot to a cooler area of the stove. Monitor your milk with the thermometer until it comes down to 110 degrees.

      Open a single packet of yogurt starter and stir it in with your spatula, just enough to mix it throughout.

      I usually plug in my yogurt maker and pour a couple of 8 ounces of regular water so it will have a start. Keep the cup handy. You’ll need it again.

      With your clean yogurt jars ready, dip the milk out and pour into each jar. Usually, the jars are labeled for 100 ml and 180 ml. I fill mine to 180 mil, which will leave a small area to place your topping.

      After filling each jar, place each one into the yogurt maker bath – do NOT put the lids on them at this time. After you have each one filled and placed into the maker, make sure the water comes up to the smallest part of the jar. Make sure the water is not close enough to go into the jar itself.

      Place the yogurt maker’s lid on tight, set the temperature to 110 degrees and process for 8 hours.

      Just set it and forget it!!

      Once the 8 hours are complete, the yogurt maker should automatically shut off by itself. You may now take them out of the water, wipe them off, place the lids on each one, and place them in the refrigerator.

      Done and done!

      Well, almost. Hahaha! How about fresh strawberry sauce? Tis the season!

      You can use about anything you can think of to put in your yogurt. I bought 2 pounds of local, fresh strawberries, cut off the tops, and processed them in my food processor. You can make them as fine or chunky as you like. If you want them unsweetened, (your yogurt will be unsweetened except for whatever is in the milk to begin with), don’t add any sugar in them.

      I, myself, like them a bit sweeter; so I use Stevia while I am processing the berries. I add just enough for taste, the way I like it.

      I usually buy small freezer containers so,, if I have enough to put them in the freezer, I don’t have to thaw all of them at once.

      There you have it! Done and done!!

      By the way, I have also used powdered or fresh fruit like blueberry, lemon, passion fruit, and always add Stevia to taste. There are so many combinations. It’s all up to you!

      No more extra chemicals, preservatives, and artificial flavors. Make this recipe your own!

      Enjoy, ya’ll!

      Sheree

      Yum Yum!

      The end

      Blogging for good health!, Habit Building, Recipes

      Kitchari – Oh, So Good For You!

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      The spellings of Kitchari and the recipes are varied, but the purpose remains the same.

      Kitchari is a traditional Ayurvedic dish made with a mixture of yellow moong dal (split mung beans), Basmati rice, and spices – all created for the purpose of a gentle reset and cleansing of imbalances within the body.

      People reminisce about their mothers making this dish for them – especially when they were not feeling well or were still recovering from being sick. Kitchari became comfort food for them – not unlike the beloved bowl of chicken soup.

      This one-pot meal is gentle on the tummy and can assist in any kind of needed reset – after long travels, in times of mental or physical stress, at the change of seasons, or during or after illness.

      There is always the option of adding 2 cups of vegetables, and I often serve this with a side of easy-to-digest protein such as grilled chicken.

      Combining elements from The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook by Kate O’Donnell, Banyon Botanicals, Real and Vibrant, and urbanfarmie.com, I settled on my own version. The complete downloadable recipe will follow.

      Kitchari is pretty straight forward and hassle-free, but before starting the Kitchari, it is important to get the spices prepared for both the cooking phase and the tempering phase.

      Ayurvedic recipes are often prepared using whole seeds of cumin, coriander, and fennel that are either dry roasted, cooled, and ground fresh or lightly cooked in ghee until they become fragrant and start to pop. Powdered turmeric is also an essential.

      These spices are a traditional blend that enhances and balances digestion.

      The rice and split mung beans will cook in water with the spice blend, and near the end of the cooking time, a tempering of spices will be added. Prepare the spice blend in advance and have the tempering spices set up and ready to be warmed in the ghee for the finish.

      Mung beans and the split moong dal beans were new to me, but they have now earned a permanent place in my pantry. They are rich in protein, essential amino acids, antioxidants, fiber, and important nutrients that may help support healthy blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, and reduce heart disease risk.

      Because mung beans are high in resistant starch, fiber, and protein, they also help slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream, making them an excellent choice for supporting stable blood sugar levels.

      Find out more about the benefits of mung beans here.

      There are choices to consider before preparing Kitchari:

      First the rice. For tender tummies, white basmati would be the choice, but I chose brown basmati today because we wanted the added fiber and slightly nutty taste.

      Your second choice is the proportion between the rice and the (split yellow) moong dal. 1:1, 1/2 cup rice to 1 cup mung beans, or 1 cup rice to 1/2 cup mung means. My first version relied upon more rice; today’s version was equal parts of each – which we liked because it felt less starchy.

      Some recipes advise rinsing the rice/mung bean mixture well before cooking, while others also advise soaking for 30 minutes after rinsing to shorten cooking time and increase tenderness. Today, I rinsed the dry grains using a fine mesh strainer and then let them soak by putting the strainer over a bowl of fresh water while I prepped the vegetables.

      To learn more about the pros and cons of rinsing rice, check out this.

      I wanted to add the optional 2 cups of veggies using what I had on hand: leek, carrot, and celery. Nothing dramatic. I put all of these in the pot at the beginning. If you have leafy or more tender additions, those can be put in after the initial 20 minutes of cooking.

      Many eat Kitchari on a regular basis, and others will eat this for lunch and dinner for several days as a part of a digestive reset.

      As you get familiar with the basic recipe, changing ratios, rebalancing spice blends, and offering a variety of colorful vegetables with different textures will make this a fun go-to flavorful, yet gentle, comfort food that will balance out your system.

      In health –

      Deidre

      Download the delicious Kitchari recipe below!

      Kitchari – foodtalk4you.comDownload

      Dear readers: I am exploring the Substack platform as a means of sharing this foodtalk4you content and to offer additional regular posts helpful to family caregivers. Many people are following multiple authors on Substack already, and I wanted to make information more accessible to those folks who prefer reading on that platform. Check me out on Substack here.

      Blogging for good health!, Exercise, Habit Building, Stress Reduction

      The Last Thing You Want

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      Have you noticed that the cure for what ails you is often the last thing you feel like doing?

      Doing that thing requires an initial push – using energies you don’t feel like giving.

      I was reminded recently of how a still deeply grieving widower friend was having difficulty even participating in occasional Facebook posts. He was too numb, and understandably, missing his wife so deeply.

      How I remember feeling like that after my husband died.

      While still redefining who and what my purpose was – since I was no longer his caregiver – I was, literally, stepping into a new chapter of my life – yet untitled, save ‘new widow’ – and I found venturing out into the community was the last thing I wanted to do.

      Yet, every day, with the enthusiasm of a robot, I did the very thing I didn’t want to do.

      Get up. Put my shoes on. Drive somewhere. Get out of the car. Walk.

      Dive into the moment. Study the grass, look at the leaves. Notice the people around me. Share the best version of a smile. I could.

      Without judgement or analysis, look around to observe the life around me.

      At first, the natural tendency was to interject memories of my loved one into the present scene – oh, how I missed him … we used to do this together …

      Eventually, my thinking moved to how I was interacting with the present moment.

      Those were my bare feet in the dewy grass. The sun was shining on my face. The breeze was blowing my hair. I was surrounded by life, and I had to participate because I was alive!

      Similarly, when I’m feeling tired, sometimes the best thing to do is get up and walk around the block.

      Sure, the well-timed short nap can revive, but often when working my way back from low energy, the best thing to do for me, is the last thing I want to do.

      Move.

      By getting the blood flowing stronger throughout the body, muscles have the oxygen they need, and every other organ can be fed to function better.

      In medicine, we talk about ‘stasis.’ Stasis is a period of inactivity or stagnation in the normal flow of bodily fluids.

      When not flowing properly, blood will clot.

      When we don’t stir or move about, our muscles and joints will not move well.

      When periods of even needed isolation are protracted, we may lose our way to form or maintain connection.

      Just a little reminder – when you are feeling low, sometimes the best thing to do is the last thing you want to do.

      Move about and reach out!

      In health –

      Deidre

      The stats are in! Last week’s post, More Than Just Water, was a big hit! Thank you for sharing it and thank you for subscribing. By subscribing to foodtalk4you, you will receive an email each Tuesday morning with the link to the full post. Plus, there are no pop-up ads, and there will be no deluge of emails cluttering your inbox! Just fill in the form at the bottom of your device screen or at the left of your computer screen.

      Anti-Inflammatory Foods, Blogging for good health!, Habit Building, Titles Worth Reading

      Autoimmune Hide and Seek

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      When the experiences of a childhood game of hide and seek are applied to medical conditions, it’s no longer a fun game.  

      Many of our foodtalk4you readers are familiar with their own frustrating experiences of medical hide and seek. An odd symptom here. A strange feeling there. Periods of, “I just don’t feel well.”  

      Wondering if it’s “all in my head.”  

      Feeling discounted by family, friends, and professionals who are thinking it is all in your head.  

      We’re talking about the shadowy world of autoimmune disease.  

      May is Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month, and I wanted to, once again, touch on the topic and highlight some general approaches that are applicable to all of us.  

      Millions of people live with autoimmune diseases, yet awareness remains surprisingly low.  Conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Celiac Disease affect daily life in ways others may not see – symptoms are often invisible, unpredictable, and misunderstood.  

      Autoimmune diseases can affect almost any part or organ system of the body and are often difficult to identify. Fatigue is one of the most common—and most disabling—symptoms many people experience.  

      It’s not hard to see that autoimmune disease can thus impact more than the person’s body – it can also affect relationships, careers, caregiving responsibilities, and mental well-being.  

      At foodtalk4you, our focus has always been on the lifestyle choices that support overall wellness for those with autoimmune disease, because these healthy approaches can benefit everyone.  

      Consider:  

      1. Anti-inflammatory foods  
      2. Stress reduction  
      3. Improved sleep  
      4. Gentle movement  
      5. Reducing processed foods  
      6. Identifying food sensitivities  
      7. Mindfulness  

      This reads like the table of contents to my first book, Toolkit for Wellness. I call such an approach an ‘Anti-inflammatory Life.’ 

      To manage an anti-inflammatory life, consider adopting an anti-inflammatory diet with these guidelines:  Focus on whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.  

      Incorporate healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts, to reduce inflammation.  

      Limit processed foods, refined sugars, and trans fats that can trigger inflammatory responses.  

      Include omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.  

      Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and herbal teas.  

      Consider eliminating common allergens like gluten and dairy to identify potential triggers.  

      Our greater awareness can lead to:  earlier diagnosis  better support systems  reduced stigma  more compassionate workplaces and families .

      Sometimes the most meaningful support begins simply by believing someone when they say, “I don’t feel well,” even when they look fine on the outside.  

      Take time to listen and just be there, supporting them with your presence.  

      If you are playing hide-and-seek with symptoms and answers, continue to embrace an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, as you also approach your health care provider with questions about auto-immune disease testing.  

      Next week, I will be posting an Ayurvedic staple, which will help all of us on our anti-inflammatory journey!   

      In health –  

      Deidre

      Blogging for good health!, Habit Building, This -n- That

      More Than Just ‘Water’

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      Well, dear readers, you are expecting a post about Kitchari – I certainly was, but life has, once again, reminded me to be flexible.

      Circumstances derailed my expectations; so instead of healing soup, I’m going to talk about water.

      Once upon a time, I had a whole house water filtration system installed. Perfect!

      The resulting water tasted better than before; my dishwasher sparkled like brand new, and even my clothes felt better.

      Then I moved.

      Goodbye, filtered water.

      I am now living in a new part of the state, in a brand new house with PVC water pipes, and some funny pink film around the drain that builds up over time.

      “All harmless,” said the water district.

      Hmmmm. They are selling it; but I am not buying it.

      Plus, there’s a month in late winter when they change up filtration processes for some kind of a reset and the water tastes really unpleasant.

      “All perfectly safe,” mind you.

      No, thank you.

      But I can’t afford another whole house water filtration system. Sure, the refrigerator’s water filter gets changed every 6 months, but sometimes I do not want to drink ice cold water.

      So, we’re keeping our Brita water pitcher busy as we fill it countless times a day and change filters regularly.

      But – is there something else we can do?

      For that first glass of water we drink each morning before consuming our coffee, we are now drinking ‘copper water.’

      What?

      My response was the same when my daughter gifted me with a gorgeous copper water bottle.

      I learned there are benefits to drinking water from a copper bottle that surprised me.

      After water is stored in a copper container for 6-10 hours, optimally, it absorbs the copper mineral ions.

      One of copper’s more understood properties that it is naturally antimicrobial and can help kill harmful bacteria.

      Ayurvedic tradition indicates that it is also beneficial for digestion, immunity, skin health, hearth health, and can help reduce oxidative stress in the body.

      Check out these resources for more information:

      Healthopedia

      Copper Water Benefits

      Biology Insights

      I am now filling my new copper water bottle with filtered water each night so, in the morning, we can each have a large glass of copper water.

      One glass of copper water is sufficient. Drinking copper water all day could lead to an overdose of this trace mineral.

      In health –
      Deidre

      Blogging for good health!, Stress Reduction, This -n- That

      Pause For A Rest

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      Bottom line, we’re on a rare family time together on the East coast; and I couldn’t experiment with the recipe for this calming soup to give you an accurate evaluation of ingredient balances.

      I can say that my first creation of Kitchari was, indeed – gentle, filling, and calming.

      Considered a ‘reset’ meal, Kitchari, a blend of basmati rice and yellow mung beans, – often used in Ayurveda for gentle, complete cleansing – and is often used at change of seasons or in times of stress.

      It proved to be a wonderful first meal to offer my daughter and family after a red-eye flight across six time zones! With the addition of grilled marinated chicken, it gave a gastronomic hug to weary bellies and bodies.

      Next week, I will prepare Kitchari again, possibly nudging the balance of rice and mung beans – based on my daughter’s experiences – and report back to you.

      I will take pictures to share – which I forgot to do last week when I was in a rush!

      Embracing cherished family times is feeding my soul right now; and you know, being kind to myself by not trying to meet a deadline for a full post is taking our message of balance to heart, right?

      In health –

      Deidre

      Blogging for good health!, Recipes, Titles Worth Reading

      One Small Step …

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      … leads to a gentle transformation.

      Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – discovering my dosha seemed like the most sensible first step. Have you Googled, “what dosha am I,” yet?

      Haha! I’m still noodling around with that one! Banyanbotanicals.com is proving to be a useful, user-friendly, free resource which also offers an assortment of free next steps, including yoga variations, to help each dosha.

      Those questionnaires are a bit tricky because it’s important to understand the point of reference for each item and to be mindful of how you used to be – versus how you are now, including when you were at your most-balanced state – versus – when you were stressed.

      Taking assessments from various free sources would be beneficial to more accurately zero-in on your dosha. Banyan recommends retaking the quizzes to get a feel of how you are changing over time.

      So, doshas aside, the text I am using to launch my journey of self-discovery is Kate O’Donnell’s The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook.

      Just starting with her introduction, I was already finding myself skipping around her excellent book to learn more about each of the concepts I was discovering. There are bookmarks and Post-it notes everywhere!

      Which brings us back to the grounding philosophy I have always used: make any changes to your life in teeny, tiny bites that are sustainable.

      As you get comfortable with that one thing, add another teensy adjustment – that is hardly even a blip on your radar – and incorporate that into the fabric of your life.

      I chose to start with a simple cooked breakfast cereal.

      Longtime readers of foodtalk4you know my fascination with variations on the theme of ‘gruel’ – often adding everything I could think of (chia, ground flax seed, pumpkin seeds, etc.), and using what I called ‘sweet spices’ plus vanilla, to trick the palate into not needing much or any added sugar.

      The recipe in O’Donnell’s book features just buckwheat – not a grain, but a seed – and is gluten-free. She flavors this with her trio of sweet spices: cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, plus vanilla extract.

      After the 1/2 cup of buckwheat, sweet spice mix, and 2 cups of water have cooked, 1 cup of fresh strawberries and 2 teaspoons of coconut oil are stirred in and allowed to rest for 5 minutes before serving – along with 1/4 cup toasted, unsweetened-shredded coconut sprinkled on top of the two bowls.

      The next time we made this, we found adding a pinch of salt to be beneficial.

      Holding power? Our bowl of her ‘berry buck-up cereal’ not only felt easy on the tummy, but sustained us all morning.

      The rational behind this?

      Seeking more ways to calm inflammation, which is the first domino to fall leading to ‘dis-ease.’

      Whether you believe yourself to be sensitive to the effects of gluten or not, gluten is pro-inflammatory.

      Take a tiny first step to start your day with less inflammation on board. You don’t have to jump into the deep end – just a few times a week. Start there.

      Our next post will dive into a balancing staple food of Ayurveda, which is good anytime, anywhere, for anyone – and is perfectly neutral, adaptable, and an excellent resource for the change of seasons we are all experiencing right now.

      In health –

      Deidre

      Blogging for good health!, Habit Building, Stress Reduction

      Let’s Go On An Ayurveda Quest!

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      As a member of the foodtalk4you community, you are likely on a personal quest for whole life balance, right?

      We’ve been working together on “doing my body good” for twelve years! Did you know that last week on April 12th, foodtalk4you turned 12? Hmmm. Is there a conversion rate for blog years to human years?

      In any case, we have explored a better understanding of how we respond to food, exercise, and ways of thinking to make our life journey smoother. We have traversed many steppingstones along the way: “Paleo,” “gluten-free,” “low-carb.”

      These approaches can be helpful, but they don’t always capture the full picture of what our bodies, minds, and lives truly need.

      Lately, I have felt the need to gather all the scattered pieces and return to something more cohesive, more intuitive, and more deeply rooted. Something that would reflect the innerconnectedness by which our bodies function.

      That search has led me to Ayurveda – thanks in great part to my daughter’s fellowship in integrative medicine and her studies in Ayurvedic medicine.

      Don’t know how to pronounce it? A·yur·ve·da /ˌīərˈvādə/ and A·yur·ve·dic /ˌäyərˈvādik/

      Ayurveda, often translated as “the science of life,” is a centuries-old system of health and healing, originating in India. But more than a system, it’s a way of understanding ourselves in relationship to the world around us. Instead of focusing only on symptoms or rigid dietary rules, Ayurveda invites us to consider the whole person—body, mind, spirit, and the senses—as interconnected parts of health.

      Again – not unlike much of what we have been exploring here for twelve years – but with a greater understanding on putting all the elements of life together in a way that is personalized to each of our unique needs.

      Ayurveda organizes this individuality through the concept of doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—energetic patterns that reflect different physical and emotional tendencies. The goal isn’t to fix ourselves, but to recognize imbalances and gently bring the body back into harmony.

      It’s about tuning in. Paying attention to how we feel after we eat. Noticing how the seasons affect our energy, digestion, and mood. Recognizing that stress, rest, movement, and connection all play a role in our overall well-being.

      For me, this shift also feels like a natural evolution of what I’ve been exploring here on FoodTalk4You. The focus is expanding from “what to eat,” into “how to live well.”

      Food is still central—but now it’s part of a larger, more meaningful conversation. One that includes daily rhythms, self-awareness, and a deeper respect for the signals our bodies are constantly sending us.

      In future posts, I’ll be sharing what I’m learning about Ayurveda in a practical, approachable way—how it can shape our meals, our routines, and even how we care for ourselves during challenging seasons of life.

      This isn’t about perfection or adopting an entirely new identity overnight. It’s about integrating timeless wisdom into modern life, one small, thoughtful step at a time.

      If you’ve ever felt like your health journey needed more coherence, more flexibility, or simply more meaning, you’re not alone. Consider this an open invitation to explore Ayurveda with me—not as a rigid system, but as a guide back to balance, awareness, and wholeness.

      Because, as I have always believed, we are, “designed for health.”

      In health –
      Deidre

      Blogging for good health!

      Reality Check for a Mind-Set Shift

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      When belief does not meet practice, it’s a call for change to fix the disconnect

      What do we encourage here at foodtalk4you?

      Balance with food, breathing and mind-set, and body movement. Perfect.

      So, what’s the problem?

      I look for reasons – excuses, perhaps – but elements of what I already know will often slip away from my daily practice – until I get a nudge.

      Then it’s, “Wow! Why did I stop doing that?”Sometimes that nudge is a swift kick in the pants that I am so grateful did not kill me. I get to live another day…doing better again. Duh. I knew better.

      Today’s message is about one thing: unplugging from stress.

      We all know that stress kills. How that effects our bodies is individualized. From levels of inflammation, mental status, or “dis-ease” of any body system, so much can be traced back to stress.

      We all have it. What is your action plan for creating a safe harbor from stress?

      We have to have a plan. Finding our ‘happy place’ spoken of last week, is a start, but I have found that I needed to totally unplug from even thinking about anything except for the quality of my next breath and discovering lingering muscle tension in order to release it.

      It’s called yoga.

      Calming neural pathways and releasing muscle tension makes releasing mental tension so much more natural and obtainable.

      When I was a caregiver for my husband, regular yoga classes kept me from going off the cliff.

      After his passing, I switched to a calming exercise movement class.

      Today, while yoga classes are offered through my HOA, I struggle in the necessary advanced registration process. I needed something more spontaneous.

      After experiencing my own swift kick in the pants, I on my computer and am now following Yoga with Kassandra who is one of probably thousands of yoga practitioners online.

      Why hadn’t I done that earlier? Doesn’t matter. I’m doing it now.
      No blaming. No negative energy. There’s too much of that already, right?
      My thirty minutes with Kassandra are now cherished and essential.

      No time? I have already found one of her sessions that lasts just a few minutes – but proved to be just what I needed to tune me up for the new day by dialing me down.

      Hanging on to the image of Earth as seen from the moon that I referenced last week, it makes sense to embrace the lyrics of an old song by Johnny Mercer.

      Chorus: Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers:

      Ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive. E-lim-i-nate the negative. And latch on to the affirmative

      Don’t mess with Mr. In-Between. No, don’t mess with Mr. In-Between You gotta spread joy up to the maximum. Bring gloom down to the minimum. And have faith, or pandemonium. Liable to walk upon the scene

      The time is now, sweet readers, to release, relax, and embrace the positive – otherwise our present moment is being given over to the negative, and the moment after that may be snatched away.

      In health –

      Deidre

      Blogging for good health!, Stress Reduction, This -n- That, Titles Worth Reading

      Making A Positive Entrance

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      What kind of an entrance are you making?

      “To what? A meeting?”

      Well, let’s start with your day. How are you entering this new day?

      “Yawn, well after that first glass of water you told us about, it’s coffee for sure.”

      Is your cell phone already in your hands? Are you immediately scrolling for the latest?

      Or perhaps that mental reel is still playing in your mind, filling you with stress? You are supplying both sides of the conversation, and the message is full of labels – never good ones.
      We can’t make that good first impression entrance to an event, a conversation, or our day if we are pulling from empty or poorly replenished reserves.

      With the daily challenges that we are all facing with personal issues – let alone world issues – daily resets are no longer optional for me. How about you?

      I will offer two points and a change in perspective for you today.

      One. Find a happy place for daily resets.

      It could be a park bench on your lunch break. Perhaps the top step going to your front door.

      No cell phone.

      Listen.

      Be aware of what’s around you. Observe. Drop your gaze and mindfully breathe.

      Read something that inspires you, directs you to a higher path, and that gives you peace.

      Journal. The power of unfiltered brain dumps through journaling is not to be underestimated. Paper, pen and a few minutes of sharing with that page is utterly transformative – and cheap therapy.

      Release your cares to the fresh air above, the universe, or your higher power. Our fretting mental reels never solve our problems. Just make yourself open to receiving the answers or guidance for your next steps.

      Two. Assume a positive intent in others.

      Reading a quote from business executive and former CEO of Pepsi, Indra Nooyi, recently blew me away with its simplicity. She speaks of approaching others:

      “When you assume negative intent, you’re angry. If you take away that anger and assume positive intent, you will be amazed.”

      She goes on to explain how such an approach changes us – we become more intent on understanding the other person and are listening more carefully to them without being defensive at the onset. This sends a positive message to the other person that will often lead to more constructive, respectful interactions.

      A change in perspective:

      We’ve all seen those humbling, awe-inspiring images of Earth from space—our small, radiant planet suspended in darkness, wrapped in a thin, fragile atmosphere.

      Do those views stir something in you—a sense of love, protectiveness, even responsibility? From that distance, “world peace” begins to feel less like an abstract ideal and more like a shared necessity. Perspective changes everything.

      The minutia falls away – of no importance – as the big picture gives us pause.

      Taking that same kind of perspective on our own lives can help quiet the worries and negative loops, making space to reset—with more compassion for others and for ourselves.

      Find that happy place to regularly give yourself a reset and assume the positive in your daily interactions – now, that’s a good way to make a grand entrance!

      Deidre

      If you are looking for some resources to build up your resilience, get these FREE downloadable Resilience Practices HERE.

      Originally designed to help family caregivers, these resources are universally applicable and can guide you through practices that will help you build your inner strength.

      Reclaim your health one meal at a time