Welcoming Back Our Veterans
a season of homecomings
Nearing a milestone in the long and divisive Iraq war, President Barack Obama on Monday hailed this month's planned withdrawal of all U.S. combat troops — "as promised and on schedule". Obama said Iraq will have 90,000 fewer U.S. troops by September than when he took office — a steady homeward flow he called "a season of homecomings." This has come as a great relief to Americans that have been separated by their loved ones.
This week somebody sent me an email with a link to a video and that pretty much sums up this great occasion. Grab a box of Kleenex. You are going to need it. This is such a beautiful and inspiring video. Pass it around.
Thank you for your patronage.
Have a sensational week ahead!
Thom King
President
thom.king@steviva.com
Steviva Brands, Inc.
YOUR MIND
Leadership Is Rooted In Action Not Position
Max Steingart
All successful people became successful, because they gave some talent or ability in the service of others. You can contribute in some way to others, no matter how small your talent. You too, can become successful.
No one achieves success without being of service. Successful people don't use others, other people use the successful, for above all success is of service.
Everyone has to be someone to someone to be anyone. Service is the essence of success.
Copyright 2010 www.yourdailymotivation.com
YOUR BODY
Yoga - YoGotta Try It!
Yoga offers many benefits including: improved flexibility, posture, balance, circulation and coordination; increased self awareness; reduced risk of injury for other activities and relaxation and stress reduction. With all this going for it... don't you think it's time you give yoga a try?
Yoga is an ancient philosophy or discipline that originated in India. Most people think of yoga as stretching, breathing or a meditation activity only to be enjoyed by people who eat granola and wear sandals. The truth is yoga has many benefits that can be enjoyed by everyone. The concepts of yoga can be difficult to translate and often refer to concepts rather than concrete definitions.
There are three main types of yoga but there are different ways to practice each type. Hatha yoga is the most popular in the U.S. These are the three types of Yoga:
- Japa refers to the yoga of the mind. It's practiced with meditation and chanting. This type of yoga is more of a spiritual or religious type of yoga and doesn't involve stretching and flexibility.
- Karma yoga deals with healing and emotions and is also practiced through meditation. The emphasis is the effect of a person's actions or conduct and the positive effects towards others. This is also a more spiritual or religious type of yoga.
- Hatha yoga is considered the physical yoga and is usually practiced by stretching and breathing but can also include some chanting. Most people are only familiar with 2 of the stages of hatha yoga but there are actually 8 different stages. The first 2 steps (yama and niyama) deal with ethics, morals and personal conduct. The 3rd step (asana) is the stretching and flexibility portion and the 4th step (pranayama) has to do with controlling breathing. The 3rd and 4th steps are most commonly known in the U.S. The next three steps help you control your senses (pratyahara), concentration (dharana) and meditation (dhyana). The last stage (samadhi) is sort of a combination of the previous stages and results in reaching a new spiritual level.
Although the different styles of Hatha yoga may use the same positions (known as postures or asanas), they can be practiced differently with the emphasis changing from breathing technique (known as pranayama), the alignment of your body or the movement from one asana to another. Below are just a few of the different styles of Hatha yoga named for their founders:
Iyengar yoga focuses on the how the asanas are done, paying close attention to the alignment of the body, strength and flexibility. The goal is to balance and strengthen the body and improve muscle imbalances and posture.
Ashtanga (or Astanga) yoga uses a fast paced series asanas (sort of like "circuit yoga") that are designed to improve strength and flexibility but also to warm up the muscles. This is less relaxing than Iyengar yoga but can be an excellent workout.
Bikram yoga, which is becoming more popular, is done in a warmer room and uses 26 different asanas. This type of yoga is also designed to stretch the muscles and connective tissue (ligaments and tendons).
Just learning the asanas and practicing can improve your flexibility, reduce stress and prevent injuries. Practicing asanas and pranayamas requires concentration and over time this will lead to an increased self-awareness. All of these things are helpful for athletes, people who exercise, a mother of 3, students, busy professionals... basically anyone.
This information and other information on this site is intended for general reference purposes only and is not intended to address specific medical conditions. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional. No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.
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YOUR SPIRIT
Living Potential
Sharing Your Gift with Others
The gifts we are born with and those that we work to develop throughout our lives vary in form and function. Some we find use for every day while others are only useful in specific circumstances. Yet many times we overlook opportunities to share our unique gifts with others. It may be fear of criticism that holds us back or the paralyzing weight of uncertainty. Ultimately, we doubt that our innate talents and practiced skills can truly add value to others’ lives. But it is the world as a whole that benefits when we willingly share our gifts. Whether you have been blessed with the ability to awaken beautiful emotions in others through art or industry, or your aptitudes transmit more practical advantages, your gifts are a part of who you are. As you make use of those gifts as best you can, be assured that your contribution to worldly well-being will not be overlooked.
Your personal power is defined in part by your gifts. To use your talents is to demonstrate to the world that you understand yourself and are truly attuned to your capabilities. Your earthly existence provides you with ample opportunity to explore your purpose, to utilize your skills in a life-affirming way, and to positively touch the lives of others while doing so. Yet you may feel that your gifts are not as valuable or worthy of attention as those of others and thus hide them away. However, every gift lying dormant in your soul has the potential to fill a void in someone else’s life. Just as your existence is made richer by the love, support, friendship, aid, and compassion of others, so, too, can you add richness to their lives. Your natural ability to soothe hurt, inspire compassion, bake, dance, knit, organize, or think outside the box can be a boon to someone in need.
As you embrace your gifts and allow their light to shine, you will discover that more and more opportunities to make use of them arise. This is because your gifts are a channel through which the universe operates. By simply doing what you are good at and also love to do, you make a positive difference. The recognition you receive for your efforts will pale in comparison to the satisfaction you feel when fulfilling your innate potential
YOUR RECIPE
No Added Sugar Thai Salad Rolls in Spicy Peanut Sauce
(makes 8 servings)
Cook Time 25 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Ok… this isn't exact Low Carb but, all things in moderation, right? One of my favorite restaurants PeemKaew Thai has these on their menu and it is a perfect appetizer that isn't fried, has a lot of fresh veggies and is delicious. You can substitute tofu, cooked chicken or beef in place of the shrimp. And the peanut sauce can be used as a dressing for salads. Tasty!
Ingredients:
8 ounces package rice vermicelli
8 ounces cooked, peeled shrimp, cut in half lengthwise or Tofu
8 rice wrappers (6.5 inch diameter)
1 carrot, julienne cut
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Water as needed
Directions:
Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Remove from heat. Place rice vermicelli in boiling water, remove from heat, and let soak 3 to 5 minutes, until soft. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
Fill a large bowl with hot water. Dip one rice wrapper in the hot water for 1 second to soften. Lay wrapper flat, and place desired amounts of noodles, shrimp, carrot, lettuce and basil in the center. Roll the edges of the wrapper slightly inward. Beginning at the bottom edge of wrapper, tightly wrap the ingredients. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Set these finished rolls aside in the refrigerator for a minute while you prepare the Peanut Sauce.
Spicy Peanut Sauce
Ingredients:
4 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup minced red onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon hot chili pepper
2 tablespoons Fructevia, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend or a tiny dash of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 cup of water
Directions:
In a blender or food processor, combine olive oil, onion, garlic and hot chili pepper; blend for a minute or so.
Empty the mixture into a saucepan and place over low heat until the mixture starts releasing aroma. Add peanut butter and mix well over low heat.
Add water and let it simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened.
Stir in vinegar and Fructevia, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend or Steviva Brand Stevia Powder; continue to simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Taste and add more vinegar and sweetener if the mixture does not have the sour and sweet taste you are looking for.
Place sauce in a shallow plate for salad roll dipping or pour over fresh salad.
Nutritional Facts
Total Calories: 1,633 (8 servings)
Calories Per Serving: 204 (1 salad roll with 2 tablespoons of Peanut Sauce)
Total Fat: 113.4g
Saturated Fat: 20.2g
Cholesterol: 161mg
Sodium: 230mg
Total Carbohydrates: 92.2g
Carbohydrates Per Serving: 11.5g
Total Dietary Fiber: 13.9g
Total Sugars: 12g
Total Protein: 55g
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