Cement Poem~

Meditation~ Inflammation Relief

“Inflammation is a common contributor and possible cause underlying all diseases, whether you are talking about heart, liver, kidney problems, obesity, or psychiatric disease,” says Dr. Daniel Lee, clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center and School of Medicine.

In general, when your mental energy takes too much from your physical energy, it puts your body in a state of deficit, and inflammation in the body occurs.

It takes mental energy when we use our brains to think and analyze. In fact, we are constantly using our brains to think, analyze, and figure stuff out. This continual thinking from the brain takes energy from our body. At some point our body needs to rejuvenate.

We need to take time to relax, and get out of our heads, so our body can rejuvenate. There is such a thing as “too much thinking,” just like too much of anything is not good. Thinking needs to be balanced with non-thinking. Balance is good. Take time for thinking, then take time to relax. This allows for optimal functioning of the brain and the body.

What happens when we think too much?

When the thinking of the brain takes too much energy from the body, this depletes the energy of the body. Lower body energy affects our immune system — it functions more slowly. The immune system is our natural response to inflammation in the body. An impaired immune system results in incomplete repair of cells and tissue, and inflammation in the body expands.

We’ve all heard the saying, “keep your mind active,” especially as we age. Well, this is a little bit of a misnomer; more precisely it’s saying, “keep your brain active.” While brain activity is all well and good, there needs to be balance. There needs to be brain activity, and rest. Just like anything, balance is best.

We are thinking when we work and when we play. Our brain is “on” all day during work or at school. Our brain is “on” when playing sports, or other games such as cards, board games, checkers or chess. If you are, for example, constantly working, playing games, or thinking, you are not giving yourself downtime — a chance to rest, relax, and renew.

This can lead to inflammation in the body.

Common examples of inflammation are arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other autoimmune problems. Be active, get going during the day, but give yourself time to rest, too. Balance. Then the body gets a chance to recuperate, and your immune system ramps up to repair damaged cells and tissue. Isn’t an awesomely functioning immune system invaluable?

This is similar to exercise. Exercise is good for the body, but you need to rest after exercise.

A good way to relax the brain is to get into the mind. The mind only knows balance and does nothing in excess. The flowing energy of the mind brings our bodies back to balance.

Meditation teacher and author, Ron W. Rathbun, says, “We need to get out of our brain activity, and into our minds, so the mind can balance the brain and the body. In mind, we balance the body and reduce inflammation. The mind allows for mental and physical rejuvenation.” 

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Nature is simple. There is the brain and the mind. By learning to access your mind, you move away from the brain and into a more relaxed state of renewal.

Kelee® meditation is a way to access the mind.

In a study at UCSD, patients who did Kelee meditation for 12 weeks saw a significant reduction in stress, anxiety and depression. Lead author of the study, Dr. Daniel Lee, says, “These days, researchers are looking for answers on how to control inflammation to fight disease.  However, Kelee meditation provides a unique way to access the mind to calm and quiet brain activity, which helps to relax the physical body allowing for recovery and rejuvenation.  It is through understanding the concept of moderation and the balance between mind function and brain function that ultimately leads to the improvement of quality of life and begins the process of the reversing the disease process naturally, without having to rely on medications.”

https://www.thealternativedaily.com/meditation-beats-inflammation/

Wondering how to access your mind and balance your brain and body? You can download this simple-to-follow ebook, Kelee Meditation: Free your Mind, and practice Kelee meditation today.

Pressure Cooker~ Spicy Lime Chicken

Pressure Cooker Spicy Lime Chicken

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, optional

Directions

  • Place chicken in a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker. Combine broth, lime juice and chili powder; pour over chicken. Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 6 minutes.
  • Quick-release pressure. A thermometer inserted in chicken should read at least 165°. Press cancel.
  • Remove chicken. When cool enough to handle, shred meat with two forks; return to pressure cooker. Stir in lime zest. If desired, serve with cilantro.
  • Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Microwave, covered, on high in a microwave-safe dish until heated through, stirring gently and adding a little broth if necessary.
Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 132 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 420mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat. Originally published as Southwestern Chicken Wraps in Skinny Instant Pot

Beautiful Place~Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile

“Looking across the lake from the Explora Lodge you see one of the most magnificent mountainscapes in the world,” says Friedman, citing his favorite spot from which to take in this, one of the newest and grandest parks in South America, and a UNESCO World Heritage Reserve. The 598,000-acre park, tucked at the far south end of the Andes, offers stunning mix of landscapes and fauna, making it a gem. Say the folks at Geographic Expeditions (who had it on their shortlist, too): “Paine’s unique physical attributes of glaciers, lakes, gnarled Magellanic trees, and dramatic mountains offer some of the most awe-inspiring hiking in the world.”John W. Banagan/Getty Images

See the source image


Snow Leopard~July 27th, 2017

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https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2017/07/sweet-snow-leopard-cub-born-at-woodland-park-zoo.html

On July 6, a 12-year-old Snow Leopard named Helen gave birth to a male cub at Woodland Park Zoo.

The new cub is the first offspring for mom and her 12-year-old mate, Dhirin (pronounced as dir-in). Helen has given birth to two previous litters, with a different mate.

The mom and cub are currently in an off-view maternity den, to allow bonding and proper nursing, in a quieter setting. Zoo staff has been monitoring the mother and cub through a closed-circuit system to watch for normal behaviors.

The Zoo anticipates putting the cub and mom in the outdoor exhibit in late September. Woodland Park Zoo will be providing updates about the cub and will host a public naming via their blog and Facebook page.

As part of the exemplary animal care and health program for the Zoo’s thousand-plus animals, animal health staff performed a neonatal exam on July 20, the first time the newborn cub was handled. At that time, the cub weighed 2.6 pounds.

“Our overall assessment is the cub appears to be healthy. His eyelids are beginning to open—one eye is already open and one remains closed—the eyelids normally open around two weeks. His belly was full of milk, which means the cub is nursing and being nourished,” said Dr. Darin Collins, Woodland Park Zoo’s director of animal health.

Veterinarians will perform health check-ups every couple of weeks for weight monitoring, vaccinations, and critical blood and fecal sampling.

“Helen’s track record of providing excellent maternal skills to her past cubs continues with this cub. She’s nurturing her cub very well, they’re bonding and the cub appears to be progressing normally,” said Deanna DeBo, an animal collection manager at Woodland Park Zoo.

On July 6, a 12-year-old Snow Leopard named Helen gave birth to a male cub at Woodland Park Zoo.

The new cub is the first offspring for mom and her 12-year-old mate, Dhirin (pronounced as dir-in). Helen has given birth to two previous litters, with a different mate.

The mom and cub are currently in an off-view maternity den, to allow bonding and proper nursing, in a quieter setting. Zoo staff has been monitoring the mother and cub through a closed-circuit system to watch for normal behaviors.

The Zoo anticipates putting the cub and mom in the outdoor exhibit in late September. Woodland Park Zoo will be providing updates about the cub and will host a public naming via their blog and Facebook page.

As part of the exemplary animal care and health program for the Zoo’s thousand-plus animals, animal health staff performed a neonatal exam on July 20, the first time the newborn cub was handled. At that time, the cub weighed 2.6 pounds.

“Our overall assessment is the cub appears to be healthy. His eyelids are beginning to open—one eye is already open and one remains closed—the eyelids normally open around two weeks. His belly was full of milk, which means the cub is nursing and being nourished,” said Dr. Darin Collins, Woodland Park Zoo’s director of animal health.

Veterinarians will perform health check-ups every couple of weeks for weight monitoring, vaccinations, and critical blood and fecal sampling.

“Helen’s track record of providing excellent maternal skills to her past cubs continues with this cub. She’s nurturing her cub very well, they’re bonding and the cub appears to be progressing normally,” said Deanna DeBo, an animal collection manager at Woodland Park Zoo.

Black Bean Dip

24 servings

Baked Black Bean Dip

1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup BREAKSTONE’S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

2 Tbsp. chopped pimento s

1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Authentic Mexican Style Finely Shredded Cheeses, divided

1/3 cup finely chopped green onions

Let’s Make It

1 Heat oven 350°F.

2 Mash beans in large bowl. Add cream cheese, sour cream and pimientos; mix well. Remove 1/2 cup of the cheese; refrigerate for later use. Stir remaining cheese into bean mixture. Spread into 1-1/2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray.

3 Bake 20 min.; sprinkle with reserved cheese. Bake 5 min. or until cheese is melted and dip is heated through.

4 Sprinkle with onions.

Kitchen Tips

Tip 1 Make Ahead Assemble as directed. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, uncover and bake as directed.

Tip 2 Serving Suggestion Serve with assorted cut-up vegetables or your favorite crackers.

Nutrition

Calories 70

Total Fat 5g 6%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 15mg 5%

Sodium 105mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 4g 1%

Dietary Fibers 1g 4%

Sugars 1g 2%

Protein 4g 8%

Vitamin A 4%

Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 8%

Iron 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Cheesy Mushroom-Fish Bake

Cheesy Mushroom-Fish Bake

Ingredients

4 frozen haddock fillets (1 lb.)

2 Tbsp. KRAFT Lite Zesty Italian Dressing

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Let’s Make It

1. Heat oven to 450°F.

2. Place frozen fish in 13×9-inch baking dish; drizzle with dressing.

3. Bake 25 min. Top with mushrooms and cheese; bake 5 min. or until cheese is melted and fish flakes easily with a fork.

4. Sprinkle with parsley.

Kitchen Tips

Tip 1 Substitute Prepare using halibut or cod fillets. Tip 2 Substitute Prepare using KRAFT Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.

Nutrition

Calories 130 Calories From Fat 0 % Daily Value*

Total Fat 3.5g 4%

Saturated Fat 1.5g 8%

Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 65mg 22%

Sodium 420mg 18%

Total Carbohydrates 2g 1%

Dietary Fibers 0g

Sugars 1g 2%

Protein 22g 44%

Vitamin A 4%

Vitamin C 4%

Calcium 10%

Iron 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Poem

Make, by MwsR

In making something, using all you are suppose to and mixing it well

Not really sure though ,if it is heaven or if it is hell.

Traces left behind that will never be used or dissipate,

That is the way it goes though when something is made.

Sometimes no matter how well we follow the directions or read ahead,

The remnants of life/it will still stay in our heads.

Like ingredients we choose everything well and as we should,

But life has a way of changing things around.

It surprisingly can come out like nothing we had thought,

Looking totally different whether we like it or not.

You can proceed with satisfaction

If you don’t expect a perfect situation.

We can choose to learn by it somehow

Or crumble in the process. Wow.