Here's Your Smile for the Day. Enjoy!

*STORY FOLLOWS PICTURES

          

PORK CHOPS  ?

In a zoo in  California , a mother tiger gave birth 
to a  rare set of triplet tiger cubs.  

Unfortunately, 
Due to complications in  the pregnancy, 
the cubs were born prematurely  
and due to their tiny size, 
they died  shortly after birth. 

The mother tiger  after recovering from the delivery, 
suddenly  started to decline in health, 
Although  physically she was fine. 

The veterinarians  felt that the loss of her litter 
had caused  the tigress to fall into a depression. 
The  doctors decided 
that if the tigress could  surrogate 
another mother's cubs, 
perhaps  she would improve. 

After checking with  many other zoos across the country, the depressing  news was that there were no tiger cubs 
of the  right age to introduce to the mourning mother..  

The veterinarians decided to try something  
that had never been tried in a zoo  environment. 
Sometimes a mother of one species  
will take on the care of a different species..  

The only orphans' that could be found  quickly, 
were a litter of weanling pigs.  
The zoo keepers and vets 
wrapped the  piglets in tiger skin 
and placed the babies  around the mother tiger... 
Would they become  cubs or pork chops?
Take  a look...you won't believe your  eyes

Now,  please tell me one more time ..
Why can't  the rest of the world get along?  


            I am sending  this to all that love animals.............It is  just too cute not to pass  on.

Yes, Even Santa Needs Therapy!

Honoring a hero

British Army sergant Matthew Jones hold Grace, a search dog with the army, wearing a Dickin Medal - Britain's highest award for bravery by animals - that was posthumously awarded to Theo, a bomb-sniffing army dog, following a special ceremony held at Wellington Barracks, in London, on Oct. 25.

Theo, a springer spaniel, worked alongside Lance Cpl. Liam Tasker, searching out roadside bombs in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand Province.  Tasker was killed in a firefight with insurgents in March 2011, and Theo suffered a fatal seizure hours later.  It is the highest award any animal can receive while serving in military conflict.

Recognizing and Treating Depression

http://www.webmd.com

Unknown Artist

Sleep Problems

Depression is a mental illness, but it can affect your body as well as your mind. Sleep problems, for example, can be a symptom of depression. Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep is common in people who are depressed. But some people with depression may find that they sleep too much.

Chest Pain

Chest pains can be a sign of a heart or lung problem. If you experience chest pains, see your health care provider to rule out any serious cause. But sometimes chest pains can be a sign of depression. There's also a link between depression and heart disease. Depression can increase your risk of heart disease. Plus, people who've had heart attacks are more likely to be depressed.

Fatigue and Exhaustion

If you feel so exhausted that you don't have energy for everyday tasks -- even when you sleep or rest a lot -- it may be a sign that you're depressed. Depression and fatigue can feed off each other. According to one major study, people who are depressed are more than four times as likely to develop unexplained fatigue, and people who suffer from fatigue are nearly three times as likely to become depressed. Depression and fatigue together tend to make both conditions seem worse.

Muscle Aches and Joint Pain

Pain and depression are closely linked. Living with chronic pain can increase the risk of depression. And depression itself may lead to pain because the two conditions share chemical messengers in the brain. In fact, people who are depressed are three times as likely to develop chronic pain.

Digestive Problems

Our brains and digestive systems are strongly connected, which is why many of us get stomach aches or nausea when we're stressed or worried. Depression can get you in your gut too -- causing symptoms of nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation.

Headaches

People with depression often complain of chronic headaches. One study showed that people with major depression are three times more likely to have migraines and people with migraines are five times more likely to become depressed.
  
Changes in Appetite or Weight

Some people lose their appetite when they feel depressed. Others can't stop eating -- it soothes their frustration or misery. The result can be weight gain or loss and, with weight loss, lack of energy. Depression has been linked to eating disorders like bulimia, anorexia, or binge eating. In women, the link between depression and anorexia or bulimia is especially strong.  

Back Pain

Chronic back pain may contribute to depression. But depression may increase a person's risk of developing back pain, too. People who are depressed may be four times more likely to develop intense, disabling neck or back pain. 

Agitation and Restlessness

Irritability and restlessness may be related to sleep problems or other symptoms of depression. Depression increases the risk of alcohol or other substance abuse, which also can contribute to irritability and restlessness. Men are more likely than women to be irritable when they're depressed.


Sexual Problems

If you're depressed, you might lose your interest in sex. Severe depression, especially, can have an impact on sex. People who are depressed are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, both of which can reduce your sex drive. Some prescription drugs -- including ones that treat depression -- can also take away your sex drive and affect performance. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

Exercise may help to improve your mood

Research suggests that a regular exercise program not only keeps you fit, but also releases chemicals in your brain that may make you feel good, improve your mood, and reduce your sensitivity to pain. Although exercise alone won't cure depression, it can help reduce depression over the long term. Keep in mind that if you're depressed, it can be hard to get the energy to keep exercising. But know that exercise can improve energy, ease fatigue, and help you sleep better.

Holiday Countdown 2012

Brief Reflection on Simplicity

Nature's Still Life by Maxie

Simplicity

 

"In character, in manner, in style, 
in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Sometimes Being a Friend Means...

Still Life in Nature by Maxie

"Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing.  There is a time for silence.  A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny.  And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over."

Octavia Butler

Good Read with Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington  




http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/arianna-huffington



Ours is a Global Conversation
Posted: 30/11/2012 08:50

It is an honour to be introducing the 2013 edition of Who's Who - a venerable institution that is remaking itself for the digital age while staying true to its DNA. When we consider the ways technology is rapidly transforming the media landscape and our lives three trends stand out. 
The first is the seismic shift from presentation to participation. The second is the paradoxical shift from using technology to connect to also using technology to disconnect. And the third is the game-changing shift from using social media simply as a way to make our lives more fun to using social media to make the world better. 

The shift from presentation to participation means that the days of the Media Gods sitting up on Mt Olympus and telling us how things are have ended. People are tired of being talked to; they want to be talked with. Ours is a global conversation, with millions of new people pulling up a seat at the table indeed, nearly 3 billion people will join the internet community by 2020. That conversation has fuelled revolutions and allowed media to engage with readers in totally new ways. The success of individuals, organisations, and brands in the future will depend upon how much they understand and embrace this new relationship.

So, if the first trend is a Garden of Eden blooming with engagement and self-expression, the second trend is the snake in the garden. For all the powerful tools at our disposal to bear witness and bring about change, there is also the temptation to fetishize the virality for its own sake. On a daily basis, I'm invited to media conferences filled with panels devoted to how we can use social tools to amplify our messages. But very few of those panels seem to care what the message is. As Thoreau said in 1854, "We are in great haste, to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate."

Luckily there is a powerful, countervailing force using technology to get away from technology, reflected in apps and features like Freedom, Do Not Disturb, and HuffPost's forthcoming GPS for the Soul. Of course, I realise there's a paradox in the idea that, of all things, an app can help deliver us from the temptations of technology, but the snake in the garden is very wily, so our solutions have to be just as clever.

The third trend is the shift from searching for information to searching for meaning. People are using technology to connect with others not just around similar passions and interests, but around the causes that most resonate with them.

In the 1990s I wrote a book called The Fourth Instinct, which explored the instinct that takes us beyond our first three our impulses for survival, sex, and power and drives us to expand the boundaries of our caring to include our communities and the world around us. That instinct is now driving more and more of our choices in terms of what we do, what we value, what we read, and what we buy. And technology has given us the ability to expand those boundaries even further.

So the future is hyper-connected except when it is blissfully, joyously disconnected. And an understanding of these three trends can guide us to a place where we are more creative, more effective, more compassionate, and more capable of making things better for ourselves and for the world. The entries contained within this 165th edition of Who's Who are a powerful tool not only for connection, but for sharing and expanding upon the knowledge, achievements, and wisdom of the people it celebrates. As Lady Boothroyd wrote in her foreword to the 1998 edition of Who's Who, "Long may it continue to flourish."

The First Holiday Without Them -- Coping With Loss

Solitude by David Winston

Article by COURTNEY HUTCHISON, ABC News Medical Unit

There will be no Christmas tree this year for Christine Hebert, and no decorations, as it just doesn't feel right to celebrate the holidays the way she used to since her husband, Leon, died last March of lung cancer.

"Christmas was his favorite time of year and always mine too, but this year I'd prefer it to be more about celebrating his memory than about celebrating the season. Things were more tolerable up until the holidays.Thanksgiving was tough, and I'm sure Christmas will be even worse," Hebert says.

Come Christmas morning, Hebert plans on going to the cemetery to spend time with her husband.

"I couldn't imagine spending Christmas any other way this year. Doing normal Christmas things just wouldn't feel natural. I find comfort in going there. I sit and talk to him and remember a lot of things that you take for granted every day. It's going to be a day that I can stop trying to cope and move on. I'm just going to have the whole day to concentrate on him. Hopefully, next year will be different," she says. "It's been nine months since he passed, but it still feels like yesterday."

For those still mourning the loss of a spouse, child, parent or other loved one, that first holiday season can be an emotionally trying time. Between the memories that are stirred up by the festivities and the expectations to be jolly and full of holiday spirit, the season can mean slipping back into grief and depression for those still coping with loss.

While grief counselors and therapists agree that there's no right or wrong way to celebrate that first holiday after the death of a loved one, there are ways to ease the pain of the holiday, and things that friends and family can do to help those in mourning.

Family Support vs. Time Alone

For Hebert, time with family has been essential and was the predominant factor in her getting through the Thanksgiving holiday, for which her husband had traditionally done all the cooking. She says her family's support has been a great "blessing" for her, but she also feels that she needs to spend Christmas Day mostly alone so that she can remember and mourn and celebrate her husband in peace. She will spend the days leading up to the holiday and the days after at her sister's with extended family, but not the day itself.

Often, there is an assumption that the best remedy for getting through the holidays while grieving is distraction and keeping busy and doing all the traditional holiday activities. While this can be helpful for some, it is not the only way to help yourself through this time, experts say.

Reaching Out and Taking Time for Self

"If a person says to their family, 'I just need to be by myself,' often some family members will say that that's bad and they can't be left alone. But if [you] feel in your gut and your heart that that's what you need for your coping, then you follow your gut. Everybody needs space differently, and I wouldn't say that it's necessarily a sign of someone not coping to want to be alone," says Amy Sales, a social worker and author of "Walking on Eggshells," a guide for caregivers of those with life-limiting illnesses.

It's different for everyone. But those who choose to be alone on the holiday should be aware of getting caught up in negative thoughts, says George Everly, who works in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.


"When you feel yourself start being sucked into the abyss, that's when you need to reach out to your support systems. Negative thoughts like 'I'll never have it as good again' or 'I'm totally alone' are early warning signs that being alone might not be good for you right now, so pick up the phone, get out of the house, do something so you don't get caught up in it," he says.

For many, social support and distraction will be the best cure for the season, Everly says, so it really depends on what makes you feel better. While people often isolate themselves from holiday parties out of fear of being a "downer" or of crying and getting upset in front of others, Everly says it's important to realize that those who love you understand that you're not going to be "your old chipper self" right now and want you there anyway.

Dr. Philip Muskin, chief of consultation-liaison psychiatry at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, agrees, adding that sometimes it takes dragging yourself to the holiday parties to "find out" that people love you and care about you and the one you lost and want to be there for you.

Banishing Guilt, Permission for Joy, and Taking Stock

One of the hardest parts of getting through the holidays for those in grief is the belief they have to be cheerful just because it's the holidays. Those who are grieving often feel bad for not feeling good at Christmas, or if they do manage to have a good time, they feel guilty for laughing or feeling joy when they think they should still be in mourning. It's a bit of a vicious cycle.

The same kind of guilt can crop up surrounding the continuing of holiday traditions: Should they put up the decorations as usual? How can they when their loved one is not there? Herbert didn't end up decorating, but then said she felt guilty for not decorating in her husband's honor. It feels wrong to celebrate without the loved one, but wrong not to celebrate, she says.

The most useful tool against these feelings of guilt and confusion is to ask oneself what the deceased would have wanted, grief experts say.

"In many ways we often do the reverse: 'He's gone, and I can't do this', but that's exactly what your loved one wouldn't have wanted for you. You are not honoring the loss by depriving yourself of your traditions or of the celebrations that the holidays entail," says Muskin. "I try to remind my patients to ask themselves, 'What would he/she want for me right now?'"

It's important to remember that you're allowed to be happy, you're allowed to be sad, you're allowed to whatever you need, Sales says. "It's OK to be selfish with your own needs at this time, and it's important to be gentle with yourself," she says. "It's OK to turn down certain holiday invitations to give yourself space, but it's also OK to let your family know that you need extra support right now."

And perhaps one of the most important things to remember around the holidays, experts say, is to celebrate the life of those who are gone instead of mourning their death.

"It's an issue of perspective," says Everly. "The key is not focusing on the loss. They will always be with you, they are with you whenever you want them with you, and to remember them fondly. Focus on the warmth of their memory rather than the cold of their absence."

For Hebert, she plans on spending this Christmas recalling those warm memories and cherishing her beloved husband's life.

"Sometimes I sit and remember a lot of little things about him that you take for granted every day. You don't realize how many good memories you have until you lose them. It's a good time of year for people to remember that. If they still have their loved ones here, try to cherish what you have."

Those Who Rekindle Our Inner Spirit

Life at the bottom of the Sea
by Theus Alayo

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.

It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.

We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

Albert Schweitzer

Brief Reflection on Kindness

Leaf and pine cones by Mike Moats


"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,
a smile, a kind word, a listening ear,
an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Leo Buscaglia

In the Midst of Abundance

Macro by Maxie

"To live a pure unselfish life, one must count nothing as one's own in the midst of abundance."

Buddha

Maxie's Historical Rum Cake

A Moist and Nutty Cake

 with the Deep Flavor of Dark Rum

Servings:  Approximately 12 slices

Approximate Prep Time:  30 Minutes

Approximate Cook Time: 1 Hour

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped walnuts (could substitute pecans)

1 (18.25 ounce) package of yellow cake mix

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

4 eggs

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup dark rum

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup cold water

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup dark rum

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).  Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.  Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans evenly over the bottom of the pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix and pudding mix.  Mix in the 4 eggs, 1/2 cup cold water, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1/2 cup rum.  Blend well.  Pour batter over nuts in the bottom of your Bundt pan.

3.  Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.  Cool cake for approximately 10 minutes in the Bundt pan and then invert onto a serving plate.  Prick the top of the cooled cake in preparation for the Rum Glaze.  Brush glaze over the top and sides of your cake, allowing the cake to absorb the glaze before repeating the process until all glaze has been applied and absorbed.

4. To Make Glaze:   In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup water, and 1 cup of sugar.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and continue to boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup rum.

Maxie's Free Suggestions:

*For the cake batter:  Use Bicardi Dark/Select or Myers

*For the glaze:  If you can find it, use Appleton Estates Rum.  If unable to locate it, use either the Bicardi or Myers.  The Appleton Estates makes for a sweeter, almost tangy glaze without overwhelming the flavor.  Captain Morgan's is also good for the cake, but not recommended for the glaze.

* SIFT YOUR CAKE MIX and PUDDING!  They tend to clump easily if you don't sift them. ...  Or you could just use the Pillsbury Cake Mix with pudding already in the mix. 

* I use wooden skewer , rather than a toothpick, to poke about 30 to 40 holes in the top of the cake before applying the glaze. ...*  You could, immediately, upon removing your cake from the oven, pierce the bottom of the cake with a meat fork and poor the glaze over it.  Let it sit for an hour or two, upside down, then flip the cake in the Bundt pan over onto a serving plate and let it sit for a few hours to a day before serving.  Leaving the cake in the Bundt pan on the serving plate has two known advantages.  The first is that it keeps the cake moist, the second is that it detracts from people nibbling on the cake.

* A Note of Caution:  When making your glaze mixture, be aware that when the rum is added to the hot liquid mix, the mixture will "bubble up" and could possibly burn you.

Bon appetit / Enjoy your meal or in this case, Enjoy your Rum Cake!

Holiday Stress Tips Included

Holiday Stress Tips: Stay Sane with Advice from Stress Relief Expert Lauren E. Miller

To avoid even more stress as you enter the Season to be Jolly, Holiday Stress Relief Expert Lauren E. Miller, gives people real tips on how to have more joy and less stress in the midst of the holiday craze.
"Stress is simply a signal within your body giving you an amazing opportunity to identify and adjust your perception of a situation, along with your behavior. We forget that whatever we focus on grows bigger quickly - positive or negative," says Miller who offers more quick tips in her book: 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Stressing Out! 
Lauren suggests three quick tips to help you stay sane in the midst of the insanity:
>> Know what you value most in life. When your priorities are clear, decisions are easy. Stress creeps in when you forget what you value most in life. When you spend most of your energy on the "nonessentials" in life you begin to feel depleted very quickly and the stress hormone begins to double. Create moments every day that nurture what you value most in this life and notice how quickly clarity of thinking and inner peace return within your being.
>>Let go of this belief: "In order to be loved and accepted I need to be perfect, have the perfect house, tree, job, car, person, family, job, credentials." What is your inner list of requirements in order to feel loved and accepted in life? Let go of your need for certain outcomes around the Holidays in order for you to feel good about yourself. Happiness returns when you release the attachments you have in life in order to feel good about you. "Remember, joy flows from the inside out, not the outside in. Start loving yourself completely just as you are, right where you are at," she says. "If you lack it borrow it from God's heart where the supply is limitless."
>>Breathe, Breathe, Breathe and be present to the "Silent, Holy, Night" that dwells within every moment of life. Give yourself the gap of empowerment that comes when you become the observer of your life verses the reactor. Be a curious and fascinated human being who looks at everything before them as an opportunity for learning and growth. When one door closes, don't waste one moment looking at that closed door, start seeking the open window. "Don't miss life, when you worry, doubt and fear; you miss the life standing right in front of your face. When you are present you will laugh more in life which has profound physiological benefits, another wonderful gift to give yourself and those around you this season," she says.   

Vistit http://www.beforestressingout.com/ for more information.

Loss and Gain

Bryce Canyon National Park
by Maxie
 
"For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Are You Ready To Adopt A Pet? Ten Questions

March 1, 2011 Samantha Ellis
Are you ready for a pet? Ask yourself these ten questions from the Humane Society to find out if you are prepared to care for a new member of the family. Global Animal

It can happen to the best of us. You see a cute, tiger-striped kitten with white paws and green eyes, just begging for attention. Or maybe it’s a gorgeous Labrador mix whose tails seems to be wagging just for you. You take one look, and the next thing you know, you’re walking down the pet food aisle at the supermarket.

If you’re like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. And no wonder!

Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life’s greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day’s work.
But adopting a pet is a big decision. Dogs and cats require lots of time, money, and commitment—more than 15 years’ worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.

Ten things to consider

The fact that you’re thinking of adopting from an animal shelter means you’re on the right track; homeless pets in your community are counting on people like you to give them a chance. Here are some things to think about before you make a commitment:

Why do you want a pet?
 It’s surprising how many people don’t ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting an animal because of a chance encounter at the shelter or because the kids have been pining for a puppy (without buy-in from mom and dad) often ends up being a big mistake. Don’t forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.

Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you’re tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn’t realize how much time it took to care for them.

Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.

Are you prepared to deal with the challenges that a pet can present? Flea infestations, scratched furniture, accidents from animals who aren’t yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.

Can you have a pet where you live? Many landlords don’t allow pets, and most rental communities have restrictions. In addition, certain types of dogs (e.g. pit bulls, rottweilers, Doberman pinschers and other imposing breeds) are often excluded from homeowner insurance policies, or the owners aren’t allowed to renew or continue their coverage. Make sure you know if and how you are limited by housing-related policies before you bring a companion animal home.

Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you’re a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, for example, waiting until you settle down is wise. If you have kids under five years old and you’re thinking about adopting a small mammal like a hamster or gerbil, you might consider postponing this decision since many small mammals present a risk of Salmonella.

Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active—they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do your research—surf the Internet, talk to pet-owning friends and neighbors, and use shelter staff as a resource. That way, you’ll be more likely to choose an animal who fits your lifestyle and living arrangements.

Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are also essential.

Do you know who will care for your pet while you’re away on vacation? You’ll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.

Are you prepared to keep and care for your pet for the long haul? When you adopt, you are making a long-term commitment to care for an animal. That said, good people sometimes find themselves in unfortunate circumstances that prevent them from holding onto their pets. If this should happen, be prepared to take a proactive role in finding a new home for your animal companion.

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/adopt/tips/adoption_questions_ask_yourself.html

Holiday Trash...the kind you eat!

Celebrating Texas Trash the Lone Star Way

1 Box of Cheerios

1 Box of Rice Chex

1 Box of Corn Chex

1 Box of Mini Wheats

1 Bag of Stick Pretzels

15 Ounces - 3 Pounds of Mixed Nuts 

(depending on personal preference)

1 Cup Cooking Oil

2 Sticks Butter

1 Tablespoon Lawry's Garlic Salt

1 Tablespoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce 

Put all cereal and nuts in a very large roaster.  Mix remaining ingredients in sauce pan until butter is melted.  Drizzle liquid over cereals and nuts.  Mix thoroughly to thinly coat mix.  

Bake in a pre-heated 250 degree oven for 2 hours.

Turn cereal every 15 minutes.

Store in an airtight container.

Word of Caution:  Finished Product is Very Addictive.

A Holiday Ritual and Oh So Good!

Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Are A Texas Tradition In My Home

INGREDIENTS:

2 ( 8 ounce ) cans of Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls or Pillsbury seamless crescent dough sheet if available.  The seamless crescent dough sheet may be difficult to find.

2 ( 8 ounce ) squares of cream cheese or one 16 ounce package, softened

2 cups sugar, divided

2 teaspoons vanilla, divided

1/2 cup = 1 stick of melted butter

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup sliced almonds ( Optional )


DIRECTIONS:

Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with Pam or any other spray oil.
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C ).
Blend together the cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a bowl (with a mixer) until smooth.  Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and stretch it over the bottom of your pre-sprayed pan.  Seal any holes in the dough, using your fingers to form the bottom crust.  Do not extend the dough all the way to the edges to allow for expansion of the dough during baking.

Blend together, cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla, with a mixer until fluffy.
Spread over the dough in the bottom of your 13 x 9 inch baking dish.

Stretch the second can of dough over the cream cheese filling and seal together any holes, in the dough, with your fingers.

Melt butter in a saucepan.  Mix in the the remaining 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon..  Add the 1/4 cup sliced almonds if desired.

When butter with the sugar and ground cinnamon have melted, remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Brush or pour all of the butter mixture over the top of the dough.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 - 30 minutes or until Golden Brown.

Let cool, then refrigerate before cutting into squares.  

* Note:  Two Triangles of the Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls will form the top crust and
Two Triangles of the Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls will form the bottom crust.

Happier Holiday Rituals

Change What Doesn’t Work to Make Rituals Much Richer
by Lauren Zander,  Life Coach

They’re back. The holidays
are here again, appearing
as they always do… year
after year… after year.

Do you find yourself dreading the busyness of it all, the times spent in close quarters with family, the shopping, the non-stop offerings of food and drink? In truth many of us lose sight of this season’s immense pleasure potential, or, for that matter, the pleasure of any of the many rituals we take part in, whether family, cultural or national celebrations. And yes, you read that right— rituals can be extremely pleasurable. Unfortunately many people bury the true meaning and value of rituals as we complain and rush through our to-do lists. How to rediscover the joys? I talked with life coach and frequent Daily Health News contributor Lauren Zander of The Handel Group.

WHY RITUALS?
According to Lauren, no matter how big or small, our rituals give more meaning to our lives. By celebrating and honoring these occasions, they are made sacred and they help ground us in otherwise uncertain times by showing up when they are supposed to. They are also replete with opportunities to draw closer and share experiences that are intimate and memorable with loved ones. The concept of drawing closer is especially significant, says Lauren, since even in relationships that are problematic, deep down inside, everyone really wants to love and be loved—they just don’t know how to connect.  Rituals make that connection easier, and can even be a whole lot of fun.  Why, then, do so many people dismiss or even disparage the holidays and other important rituals? One reason is that we are born into most of them, says Lauren. They are part of our lives simply because they are there. We often fail to think about what they mean to us and how we feel about them. That can lead to the sense that we are victimized by the ritual—we “have to” go to our parents’ home or to the annual Hanukah party or take the children to see Santa. We “must” have gifts for everyone, spend time with boring Uncle Harry and bring the mint-Happier Holiday flavored fudge that was grandmother’s recipe. Whatever might be on our “have to do” lists, we all carry them around with the unspoken implication being… whether you want to or not. But feeling victimized by rituals causes them to lose their magic and their majesty, says Lauren, and that misses the whole point.

FINDING THE MAGIC
If any rituals have become that way to you, the time to start changing them is now. The goal is to have rituals enrich your life, not rob from it.  The first step to change that is the most important—realize that you are not stuck. You have the power to alter what is, as well as to create your own rituals as you see fit. You have this right whether it concerns major holidays or personal rituals that serve a purpose for you alone.  Let’s start with the holidays, which for many is the time we feel powerless to change for the simple reason that the holidays have always been the way they are. Nonsense, says Lauren. “Holidays are a wonderful opportunity to investigate how you really feel about the family, what your problems are with family members and the celebration itself,” she says. If how they have always been isn’t working for you (and perhaps isn’t for the other celebrants as well), it’s okay to step in and make things different. Word of caution: Any ritual that involves other people demands negotiation so before you bring it up, think through carefully what you’d like to happen as a result.  These conversations may be difficult and emotional, but by being open you and your family have the chance to make changes that resolve the issue for all of you. Example: One man with a very successful brother was uncomfortable every Christmas because his brother always gave him expensive gifts and he couldn’t afford to reciprocate. Either he’d spend far more than he could afford or give something that embarrassed him by its modesty. His solution was to tell his brother he was uncomfortable admitting this, but he always felt diminished by their gift exchange. Much to his surprise, his brother responded that it was his great joy to give extravagant presents but had no thought or concern about what he received back. In fact, one of his most treasured gifts from his brother had been a hand-bound journal he had made for him some years before—it was the personal nature that made gifts special to him and knowing this gave new meaning to the exchange. Another example: Each year an extended family came together at the parents’ home for three housebound tension-filled days. Two of the siblings came up with a plan for an annual ice-skating party with a special dinner at a restaurant afterward, plus a neighborhood treasure hunt the following day that each family traded off arranging each year. Lauren adds that she enriched her own extended family’s Thanksgiving by asking each member to share a story about what they are most thankful for in their life that year and why. “It makes the holiday deep and memorable for all of us,” she says.

In addition to increasing the pleasure quotient, the point of revising rituals to better suit celebrants or add value to them is also to bring people closer together. Lauren recommends evaluating all rituals and creating new ones with this in mind.

RITUALS ARE NOT JUST ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS
Many people forget rituals are not just for special occasions. We all have rituals in our everyday lives, be it reading to children before bedtime, sharing a glass of wine with your spouse after dinner or going to the high school football games with friends. In fact, these “everyday” rituals can serve another useful purpose, she says. They can help resolve family problems. Example: Two young sisters complained they did not have enough time with their mother and so the family solution was to have the girls go away somewhere special for a mini-vacation each year with just their mom, no one else allowed.  The young children in another family said they had no personal time with their busy father. The solution: The family started a Sunday morning ritual of dad preparing breakfast and sharing it with the kids while mom sleeps in.

TIPS FOR HAPPIER RITUALS
Don’t wait until next year to start revising your rituals if you are so inclined. Lauren advises the following to lead you to better, happier ones:  Evaluate the ones you don’t love and why.
Come up with ideas about how you can change these rituals, if not this year than next.
Talk to your family, if they are involved, to figure out what works, what doesn’t, how to spice things up and have more fun in a way that works for all of you.  Try new ideas on for size—and remember, if something doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to throw it out and try something new that you will all look forward to next year and perhaps even for years to come.

Feeling Afraid

"I remind myself, while feeling afraid, to love life anyway, to retain the certain knowledge that I will die someday and use that to open to the preciousness of what I see and feel right in front of me.  Now I might feel afraid but am determined to have that fear serve as a counterpoint to my tendency to procrastinate---if I have to apologize, tell someone 'I love you,' try to make a difference, I need to do it without delay."

~ Sharon Salzberg, meditation teacher ~

Hummingbird Legend

Allen's Hummingbird Juvenile
A Backyard Bird Oil Painting by Camille Engel

Legends say the hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration.  Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and savor each moment as it passes, embrace all that life has to offer and to celebrate the joy of everyday.  The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation.


PAPYRUS
www.papyrusonline.com

A Survival Guide for the Holidays

 'Tis the Season to Be Stressed: A Survival Guide 

  by Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post 


The holiday season is upon us -- a time to lovingly connect with family, to relax, recharge and emerge happy, content and revitalized. Just kidding. In fact, of course, it's usually the complete opposite. But why is that? What is it about special occasions -- whether it's holidays or weddings or birthdays or even just dinner parties -- that fill us with such stress? Instead of leaving us recharged, the holiday season is more likely to leave us drained. Or "blorft," as Tina Fey calls it. "'Blorft' is an adjective I just made up," she writes in Bossy Pants, "that means 'Completely overwhelmed but proceeding as if everything is fine and reacting to the stress with the torpor of a possum.'" Most of us have been there, felt that. And many will be blorft again this week, as the harried prep for Thanksgiving unofficially marks the opening of the Stress Season that will last through New Year's Day, when we can officially start feeling guilty about breaking the resolutions we'll make in response to the stress-induced overindulgence of the holiday season.

So that's why this is the perfect moment -- right before it all starts -- to slow down and reflect on why what should be a time of generosity, celebration, and coming together so often becomes a time of high anxiety. It's also a moment to focus on the steps we can take to truly enjoy the holiday season. Because it's not just enjoyment that holiday stress can take from us, but our health, as well. In the American Heart Association's journal, Circulation, Dr. Robert Kloner coined the maladies the "Merry Christmas Coronary" and the "Happy New Year Heart Attack" to describe the increase in cardiac problems during the holiday season -- so there's a lot more at stake than dealing with your mother-in-law's passive-aggressive compliments ("I didn't know you could do this with a turkey -- so creative!"). 

So how do we change things? As with most things, we can start by changing ourselves -- how we react to the seasonal madness. And if enough people changed, then the culture itself would change. "If you want to change the world," Alexander Solzhenitsyn asked, "who do you begin with, yourself or others?"

Stress is truly in the eye -- and the psyche and arteries and heart and immune system -- of the beholder. Change the way we deal with it and we change the situation. But how to do that?

As longtime readers of HuffPost know, the dangers of stress and what to do about it has been one of our core themes since the beginning. Two weeks ago, to mark National De-Stress Day, our 13 lifestyle sections -- from Parents to Travel to Weddings and Divorce -- featured advice, stories and tips on living with less stress (and yes, you can even divorce with less stress, too).

But, of course, the holidays have a stress-producing capacity all their own. Activities we should ostensibly enjoy become wellsprings of stress. People we love become just more items to check off on the to-do list. Instead of feeling connected to our friends and family, they come to represent obligations that make us feel more distant.

Over the years, we've run many pieces specifically targeting the many facets of holiday-related stress. "Holiday stress is an ironic reality for many," writes Robert Taylor. "The anxiety that such stress produces is a sharp counterpoint to the holiday spirit of joy, peace, goodwill and gratitude!"

In fact, gratitude can be the greatest antidote to stress during the holidays. And what better time to start practicing it then during Thanksgiving? Robert Emmons, of the University of California, Davis, and Michael McCullough of the University of Miami have done a lot of research in the field of gratitude. And they have found that people who keep gratitude journals and gratitude lists have more enthusiasm, determination, energy, optimism -- and less stress. As Doctors Blair and Rita Justice put it, "a growing body of research shows that gratitude is truly amazing in its physical and psychosocial benefits."

Laughter is another great antidote to stress and the perfectionism that is rampant during the holidays. As Beth Golden blogs on HuffPost, "There is no such thing as the perfect meal, and if you happen to achieve it once or twice in your life make sure to mark them on your calendar. For the first-time turkey chef, laugh about the giblets cooked inside the turkey... Laugh, laugh, laugh! Laugh at yourself. Laugh with your guests and let everyone who comes into your home know they are present because they are love, love, loved!"

And Dr. Ben Michaelis reminds us to consider our own needs, otherwise "all of your loving kindness to friends and family members may come out as teeth-clenching resentment."

Of course, one of my favorite tips for any season is "Get enough sleep." Adequate sleep is especially needed around the holidays, since too little REM-time will exacerbate every holiday stress point -- from gift-buying to holiday meals with your in-laws. (Our many pieces about sleep can be found here.) And there's a lot to be exacerbated, including the question of what to wear. Eddie Parsons, who offers tips for stress-free holiday dressing, puts it this way: "No matter what you wear on the outside, people will see the stress you carry on the inside and stress is not a good look."

Considering these many potential stress points, Tamar Chansky writes, "Wait, are we preparing for the holidays -- or final exams?... It's time to change our relationship with the holidays. We don't have to break up with them, but just know that as with all things anxiety, the holidays aren't the problem; it's the story in our head about the holidays that needs to change."

To help us change that story, the Mayo Clinic has come up with some simple recommendations: Acknowledge your feelings; learn to say no; take a breather.

One of my own gift-giving tips is to find something you really love and give it to everybody on your list! It's not only a great time-saver, it's also a great way to share something you love -- whether it's a book or my favorite Pottery Barn alarm clock, which I gave to all my friends last year so they could stop using the excuse that they needed their iPhone by their bed to wake them up in the morning.

One of the most centered people I know, Joan Witkowski, who does body work and breathing coordination -- and de-stressed a lot of political convention-goers at the HuffPost Oasis this year -- has a simple practice for herself that we can all use during the holiday shopping insanity:

"Monday is my day of errands, so I used to go down my to-do list and then come home at the end of the day exhausted. Now, I introduce moments of being and recovery in between my errands. I find a cafe or a place to sit, not to look at my phone, but to just breathe and be. By the end of the day, I have everything done and so much more energy."

There are many tools. The key is to prioritize not letting stress turn the holidays from a time of renewal to a time of frenzy. "Everything changed the day she figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in her life," writes the artist Brian Andreas. I love that quote because it reminds me that even though we may think that we can't possibly fit everything we have to do into the time we have, we can fit everything important.

So as we head into the Most Wonderful Stressful Time of the Year, let's remember to give ourselves the first gift -- the gift of mastering our stress and not being slaves to it.

"Life Is What I Make It."

Zion Nation Park by Maxie

 "Life is what I make it. 

 When I succeed in making it peaceful, joyful, loving, beautiful, when I love myself, when I am balanced and come from my heart, I can enjoy the moment and am able to dream my life and reach for a higher level of consciousness...."

Helen Longest-Saccone
Editor-in-Chief
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER

Awareness Makes Change Possible.

Photography by Robert Berdan

The Secret Rule of Changing Anything 
Post written by Leo Babauta.

I’ve learned a lot about changing habits over the years, and have taught thousands of people how to do it.
The hardest habits to change, by far, are the ones people can’t seem to control. They want to change, but can’t seem to find the “willpower” (a term I don’t believe in).
For me, some of the things that seemed out of my control: smoking, eating junk food, overeating during social occasions, procrastination, anger, patience, negative thoughts.
I learned one little secret that allowed me to change it all:
When you are aware, you can change it.

OK, don’t roll your eyes and stop reading yet. That secret might seem obvious to some, or too simplistic. So let’s go a bit deeper.

When we have urges to eat something we know is bad for us, we often give in. But is it that simple? The truth is that our mind is actually rationalizing why we should just eat that cake, why it’s too hard to not eat it, why it isn’t that bad to eat it. It asks why we’re putting ourselves through pain, why can’t we let ourselves just live, and don’t we deserve that treat?
All of this happens without our noticing, usually. It’s quiet, in the background of our consciousness, but it’s there. And it’s incredibly powerful. It’s even more powerful when we’re not aware it’s happening.
It beats us all the time — not just with eating, but with anything we try to do and end up quitting, caving in, doing it despite our best efforts.
How can we defeat this powerful force — our own mind?
Awareness is the key. It’s the start.

1. Start by becoming aware. Become an observer. Start listening to your self talk, observe what your mind does. Pay attention. It’s happening all the time. Meditation helps with this. I also learned through running — by not taking along an iPod, I run in silence, and have nothing to do but watch nature and listen to my mind.
2. Don’t act. Your mind will urge you to eat that cake (“Just a bite!”) or smoke that cigarette or stop running or procrastinate. Listen to what your mind is saying, but don’t act on those instructions. Just sit still (mentally) and watch and listen.
3. Let it pass. The urge to smoke, eat, procrastinate, or quit running … it will pass. It’s temporary. Usually it only lasts a minute or two. Breathe, and let it pass.
4. Beat the rationalizations. You can actively argue with your mind. When it says, “One little bite won’t hurt!”, you should point to your gut and say, “Yeah, that’s what you said all those other times, and now I’m fat!” When it says, “Why are you putting yourself through this pain?”, you should say, “It’s painful to be unhealthy, and it’s only painful to avoid the cake if you look at it as a sacrifice — instead, it can be a joy to embrace healthy and delicious foods, and fitness!”
There are lots of times when “willpower” fails us. These are the times we need to become aware of our minds.
When we are aware, we can change it. This is a small secret, but it’s life changing. It changed my life, because I can now change anything. I watch, and I wait, and I beat it. You can too.