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mar's Desk

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A Healthy Recipe for a Balanced Life

2/24/2016

22 Comments

 
Picture





To Get You Started...



​Well, I readily admit that cooking is not my forte but enjoying a delicious meal certainly is! I have learned from and watched some of the best cooks around, two of whom being my husband and my Mother-in-Law.


Despite two very different styles of cooking, similarities were most evident:
  • Meals are never boring... (awesome spice cabinets; experimenting with ethnic foods)
  • Don't be afraid to try something new. There are always recipes you can follow. When you really develop confidence, you get into the "little bit of this/ little bit of that phase" of cooking, like they did/ do.
  • Even awesome cooks made awful mistakes... (shhh, throw it away... when cooled)-- this is why they invented take-out!
  • Meals need to be balanced... (always a vegetable, always a little something sweet)
  • If someone takes the time to cook for you, take the time to enjoy it...
  • Even a simple meal is special with nice conversation, cloth napkins, fresh flowers from the garden or candles-- no TV or other interruptions/ our pets are fed before us as well.
  • ALWAYS thank the cook... (this may be in the form of a kiss but always involves clean-up... what's fair is fair!)
Both my husband and his mother truly love(d) the art of cooking. To watch someone derive happiness from such an act of creativity is inspirational.

I really believe we can derive the same sense of wonder and joy out of everyday life. We all know some people in our lives who just seem to always radiate an inner happiness and serenity. They do not have to be necessarily "gorgeous on the outside" but the inner beauty seeps through into a presence that can light up the darkest of moments ~~ often with a simple smile. This person can be young, old or somewhere in the middle... this person could be YOU...!

It is difficult to know why or how these inspirational people can keep the positive attitude ongoing through the most difficult adversities of life. I have subtly asked this very question in my community client assessments with the homeless, as I found this group to be most inspiring. By great majority, those I spoke to found their past trauma had given them an increased faith and the strong determination to keep going.
​
So, if I substituted life for meal and cook for our loved ones, I am thinking that these seven steps, sounds like a never-fail recipe for a balanced life..
"If it's sanity you're after, there's no recipe like laughter."
​ Henry Rutherford Elliot

​When the Pot is Boiling Over

PictureMiss Sammie and I
So, there is no doubt indeed that the kitchen we call life can be a mighty stressful place to be at times.  It's hard  enough to think about getting through the day~~ let alone setting the table with cloth napkins and fresh flowers, are you kidding me?

And, if I could see the amount of work you had piled up at work~~ Or hear the boss that was screaming down your throat about a project that was late by a day~~ And, then your kid who forgot to let you know about the 24 cupcakes needed by "tomorrow" - and I completely forgot _______ (well you fill it in/ it is different for all of us and I suspect it happens to the best of us...!)

The cold reality is, however, that all of the stress (along with all of the joy, beauty and happiness in our world)... can be over in a flash~~ whether an accident, an illness, or a trauma that totally took you off guard... life is that fragile. In no way does this reality mean to dampen anyone's zest for living; in fact, it is a strong reminder not to overly dwell on the inevitably negative factors that temporarily invade our day. Selecting the cupcake situation in the above paragraph as a stressor~~ a possible solution would be to escort my young lad to the store after dinner so he could select his cupcakes, along with  a reminder about the importance of reminding Mommy the weekend before for planning purposes.

Keeping communication open and non-defensive at work is key. Your boss has spouted off about a deadline (you realize it is so very stressful for him)~~ he is apologizing and bringing in donuts the next day, thanking everyone for a job well done. Leaders like this are respected and a pleasure to work for~~ even better, if you enjoy the type of work you are doing. Sadly, there are abusive situations where one needs to evaluate if it is the healthiest work setting ~~ while balancing home factors as well. This is so much better when one has a loving and nurturing home environment to come home to.​

In closing, I wanted to round out my recipe for a balanced life by adding a little "Food for Thought" by my dear Mother... she left this for me in one of my journals...

"My Dear One~~ I wish for you the best of health always, happiness in whatever life brings you and true peace of mind. Whenever possible, always put away your cares and worries before you retire for the night. Leave your mind free preparing for its necessary sleep and rest. A new day will arrive with dawn. With much love, Mom (July, 2000)"
​
Speaking of Mom, I know she would have loved this 'new' song by a gal who is 83 years old and going strong... 

Loretta Lynn:  "Who's Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone?"

Check out some more 'food for thought' by indie biz bloggers...

•Tips for Talent Club: Encouraging the Art of Giving​ via Graceful Intentions

•Training you, so others lose their jobs via WarnerWords

•Farmacopeia: Lemongrass for musculoskeletal trouble via flashPress

Until next week, wishing you peace.

​mar
22 Comments
Kimmie
2/24/2016 08:42:54 am

Dear Maria you always put things into prospective and truly warm my heart. Thank you for a beautiful post.
Love and hugs
Kimmie

Reply
Maria link
2/24/2016 08:09:32 pm

And thank you for your visit, your friendship and your tip, dear Kimmie.

Love you,
Maria

Reply
paula link
2/24/2016 09:45:07 am

Ahhhhh...."Balance." What a wonderful concept! Maria honey, I've been struggling for decades to find that "balance" & I'm never giving up!
Love your attitude, girl. I agree we must STRIVE for all the value we can possibly derive from this life.
A husband who cooks? Heaven! I confess~ I had to set up an alarm system to alert me if Jim entered the kitchen OR the laundry room!! In fact, he was restricted to 3 areas of the house: His lounge chair, the office & bedroom. That's it! That's what I call "balance!!"
Thank you for a fabulous read, girlfriend. Love ya, Paula/Effer

Reply
Maria link
2/24/2016 08:11:29 pm

Dear Paula,
You can make me smile faster than most anyone I know. Thanks for your perspective and sense of humor.
Love you too, Maria

Reply
Mike
2/24/2016 09:55:53 am

As usual you serve a full plate. The rules listed above do not seem to be posted on my refrigerator. This post is certainly food for thought.

Reply
Maria link
2/24/2016 08:13:20 pm

Dear Mike,
We'd better get you a kitchen magnet to do some posting...LOL
Your visits are most appreciated.
Hugs,
Maria

Reply
Peg Cole link
2/24/2016 10:02:37 am

Fabulous advice, dear Mar. I really like the part where you remind us "not to overly dwell on the inevitably negative." That's so important. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the moment, until we look around and see that life is fragile and like a vapor. Great words of wisdom from your Mom, as always. Love.

Reply
Maria link
2/24/2016 08:17:03 pm

Dear Peg,
Your insightful remarks are ever so wise...life is indeed fragile,
Thanks for your kindness and friendship. Love and hugs, mar

Reply
Angelia link
2/24/2016 12:53:43 pm

Prof. M,

I loveeee your mama's message to you. It's sound advice but also such a beautiful inclusion. I appreciate your being consistently generous in sharing Ms. Sammie with us. She's been so worthwhile getting to know through you. That's an outstanding legacy to leave, to continue to make friends after walking on from here to there.

Smart lady. Big heart. Apples don't fall far from their trees. :)

femme

Reply
Maria link
2/24/2016 08:19:36 pm

Dear femme,
Your comments go straight to my heart...Mom would be thrilled (and quite humble) about her wisdom being spread far and wide.
Thanks for your never ending support and friendship.
Hugs, mar

Reply
Nancy Collier
2/24/2016 03:16:58 pm

Maria,

You've hit "the nail on the head" of having BALANCE in our lives.
Too often we become so embraced with minor challenges that face us and overlook and miss what is happening in "THE MOMENT"......a moment which is here briefly, then gone andnever return.

Reply
Maria link
2/24/2016 08:21:00 pm

Dear Nancy,
How lovely to see you and your wise take on this post.
Have a peaceful evening.
Love,
Maria

Reply
Ruby Fuller link
2/24/2016 06:53:31 pm

I loved reading this. I just returned from visiting my son in ark. I missed seeing your story on ID. I get that channel here on 192. I wanted to see it so badly. I am not a great cook, but I enjoy good food and your recipe for a balanced life. Your mother's food for thought was precious. I love you. Thank you for the beautiful card.

Reply
Maria link
2/24/2016 08:23:20 pm

Dear Ruby,
Hope you had a great visit with your son.
The show is available "on demand" on the Discovery ID station.
Wishing you a happy birthday and a great year to come.
Love,
mar

Reply
Martie link
2/24/2016 11:25:21 pm

Maria, you are, out and out, an inspirational person. Thank you for being such a shining role model, and for sharing your recipe for a balance life.

Oh, Loretta Lynn! I will never get enough of her.

I love that picture of you and you mother.

Hugs,

Reply
Maria link
3/1/2016 06:21:46 am

Thanks, my dear Martie... so pleased you love Loretta Lynn as much as I do.

Wishing you a peaceful day.
Love you,
mar

Reply
Sannel link
2/28/2016 12:43:16 pm

Dear Maria,
What a wonderful message Ms Sammie left for you! Loved reading it and loved reading this beautiful, and as always, inspirational post. As the saying goes; a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand. However, in my case, is a cheese in each hand. What can I say, Looove my cheese! :)
Take care, my dear one!
Love ya,
Sannel

Reply
Maria link
3/1/2016 06:23:36 am

I join you in loving my cookies and cheese as well, dear Sannel - you are 'my kinda gal'...!

Thanks for your visits and insights. Love you much, Maria

Reply
Shyron
2/29/2016 03:53:56 pm

Dear sweet Maria, every day the pot boils over and this whole week the pot boiled over and spilled into the next day.

I hope your days are calm and spilling over into the next
Blessings and hugs.
Shyron

Reply
Maria link
3/1/2016 06:25:10 am

Dear Shyron,
Hope things are simmering along beautifully for you...
...thinking of you and sending love and hugs, Maria

Reply
crazyhorseladycx
3/21/2016 01:49:09 am

howdy, ms. mar!

i so loved this :D does sadden my heart a bit though, the hubs'll not turn off the t.v. nor sit't the table 'n aint fer years....but that'd be 'nother chapter.

it seems that those who appear to've 'less' oft prove to've the most. not'n worldly possessions, but that'f heart, compassion 'n true beauty ~ that which only comes from within.

big hugs!!

Reply
Maria link
3/21/2016 07:30:45 am

Dear Lady,
Your comment is filled with such life wisdom and I agree with you that 'within' is much more important than the surface.
Perhaps in life our best companion can be "me, myself and I"...? Your hub is missing out on some beautiful company IMHO.
Wishing you a peaceful and blessed Easter. Love, mar

Reply



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    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

    I am a work in progress, so a rule of thumb is to expect the unexpected every week!

    Pull up a comfy chair and make yourself at home.

    Thank you,

    mar  



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    • Kylie's Stories
    • Other books by Maria Jordan >
      • Mysterious & Miraculous Book I - News and Reviews
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    • Poetic Ponderings
    • marcoujor on Hubpages
  • I Recommend...
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