Happiness Found In The Present
happiness is not a target, it is a state attainable by being in the present
Happiness...we all crave it, seek it, work for it, demand it, command it, embrace it, and bathe in it. When it doesn’t materialize on cue, we are saddened and disappointed. And when it is swirling around us, we are often oblivious to its magic.
The late Indian philosopher and guru Osho tells a tale of going to a lake and laying in the cool, soothing water watching birds fly by and clouds drifting past a blue serene sky. Just by being present and drinking in the beauty and splendor of life, all his emotional turbulence drifted away replaced by peaceful thoughts and nurturing feelings. So happy was Osho that he shared this experience with a friend who was in emotional pain. The next day the friend raced down to the lake to experience happiness. Hours passed as he stared into the sky – he saw the soaring birds, he saw the puffy clouds, he felt the cool water…but where was this happiness that was supposed to be so attainable? He was still miserable and dissatisfied with his current state. Upon hearing his friend’s disappointing experience, Osho counseled him saying, “Happiness is not a target…it is a state only attainable by being in the present moment. Surrender to the moment and to the universe and happiness will unfold within you. Point yourself at the target of happiness…and you will miss.”
By experiencing the present moment–and being present in it-we are able to innocently and effortlessly understand feelings of happiness and celebrate them.
Thank all of you for your patronage.
Have an excellent day.
Thom King
President
thom.king@steviva.com
Steviva Brands, Inc
YOUR MIND
Reaping Success From Every Failure
Max Steingart
Everything depends on the way you look at things.
View every problem you encounter as an opportunity.
There is always a good side to every situation.
The optimist sees an opportunity in every misfortune.
The pessimist sees misfortune in every opportunity.
The optimist sees the doughnut, the pessimist sees the hole.
You can develop success from every failure.
Discouragement and failure are two stepping stones to success.
No other elements can do so much for you if you're willing
to study them and make them work for you.
When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.
YOUR BODY
Slimming Lessons
great ways ways to go from thick to thin
I reviewed hundreds of weight-loss studies and found some surprising ways in which nutrition science is remarkably clear and straightforward. Let me present the undisputed masters of minimizing the midsection.
1. To lose weight, you must cut calories
The low-fat/low-carbohydrate debate comes down to this: You still have to eat fewer calories than you burn if you want to lose weight. Every study I looked at shows this. The perfect weight-loss diet is the one you can live with, whether you cut fat, carbs, or some combination.
2. Use whey to cut waist
Protein-rich foods put more distance between hunger pangs. And the fuller you feel between meals, the easier it is to avoid binges.
The best food for appetite destruction: whey protein. A daily shake made with two scoops of whey protein, fruit (fresh or frozen berries or a banana), and water or crushed ice will improve your middle line. You can buy whey protein at any good health-food store.
3. Protein kills fat
When you eat, your body has to expend calories to digest the food. Protein causes this inner fire to burn the hottest, followed by carbohydrates, followed by fat. Animal proteins increase thermogenesis more than vegetable proteins, so the best calorie-burning foods are lean meats. So eat some protein at each meal--build your dinner around lean chicken, beef, or pork. That way, you're burning the most calories through digestion at the end of the day, when your metabolism is slower.
4. If it's fryin', you're dyin'
One thing that every weight-loss researcher and diet-plan author can agree on: Highly refined carbohydrates, such as fructose-sweetened beverages and low-fiber breads, are a terrible idea. Among the many sins of Mountain Dew and Twinkies is the way they cause your blood sugar to spike soon after eating. What goes up fast comes down fast, and you end up feeling tired and hungry much sooner than you should.
Now we know of a way to make refined carbohydrates even worse: Fry them. Researchers have found a suspected carcinogen called acrylamide in such products as potato chips and french fries.
A "suspected" carcinogen isn't the same as a proven carcinogen, such as tobacco smoke. But anytime I get a chance to talk you out of eating worthless snack foods, I do it.
5. Food goes farther with fiber
Fiber's effect is the opposite of snack foods'. When you have fiber in your stomach, food takes longer to enter the bloodstream, and your blood-sugar level stays steady.
The benefits: You'll have a more consistent energy supply and less between-meal hunger. The only potential downside is that you won't get as much reading done in the bathroom. What slows down your blood sugar at the front end speeds things up at the back end. I could give you the usual riff about eating more broccoli and raisin bran, but you can safely and easily take in more fiber by using a supplement. Start with 7 to 12 g a day, mixing some with water and drinking it before your main meals.
6. Count on calcium
Recently, nutrition researchers discovered that dairy and other calcium-rich foods help you stay lean, prevent osteoporosis, and possibly prevent colon cancer. The recommendation is to take in 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day. (A cup of milk contains 300.) Unfortunately, too much calcium may increase the risk of prostate cancer. The tragic number seems to be 600 mg a day from dairy products.
7. Use omega-3 fats
Each year, we learn more about the health benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, which are found in fish, nuts, seeds, and flaxseed and fish oils.
These health benefits--less risk of heart disease and diabetes, for example--are great on their own. But omega-3 fats contribute to a better physique as well. For example, omega-3s reduce inflammation throughout your body. That not only prevents heart attacks (inflammation in the tissues surrounding blood vessels is a major cause) but also helps your muscles recover faster from workouts.
8. Drink More Water
Keeping yourself hydrated will help wash away the fat and additional proteins you are eating. Don't forget to drink plenty of water! What I suggest is adding the juice of half a lemon to 32 ounces of water with a sprinkle of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder . Aside from being less than 2 carbs, you will get the health benefits that the stevia provides along with the vitamin C and electrolytes that lemon have. You can substitute limes for lemons if you get bored. Click here to order stevia powder.
9. Make a plan
Next time you read a weight-loss story in a newspaper or magazine, count the number of disparaging references to popular diets. Based on the way diet gurus trash their competitors, you'd think there was no plan on earth that actually works. But the truth is that you can't lose weight without a diet.
You must have a plan. The more sophisticated it is, and the more tailored to your likes and dislikes, the better. You can't wing it and expect to see results. I won't offer you the perfect weight-loss regimen, because research has yet to discover one. But even the worst plan is more likely to succeed than no plan at all.
This information and other information 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.
YOUR SPIRIT
Blue Skies
The Sky Is Blue Even on a Cloudy Day
When we refer to a “beautiful day,” we are often describing a day that is sunny, clear, and without a cloud in sight to mar a sky that is a brilliantly perfect blue. We find ourselves bouncing along, light in spirit, free from worries, and enjoying the moment. That is, until the clouds begin to form. The sky may turn grey, and a fog may roll in. Puffs of white take on whimsical, darker shades, and our beautiful day disappears along with the sunshine… or so it seems.
A clear blue sky often inspires in us good cheer, bringing on a lighter, more carefree day. We may find ourselves spending time outdoors, breathing in the fresh air, and basking in the warmth of the sun. Yet should clouds appear to wash the sky with shadows, we may let this change of weather decrease our energy and enthusiasm, pulling us into our own cloudy funk. Darker days are just as much a part of life as are the days graced with sunshine. They show us a different perspective of our world, while helping us appreciate the moments of illumination that inevitably follow. A rainy day with clouds helps to clear the air, washing away stagnation. Still, it's hard not to feel gloomy or think that the day has been ruined when there are clouds hanging over us. Yet if you can remember that these shades of grey won't last forever, and that hidden behind the clouds is the blue sky, you will find that the beauty of your day is merely playing a game of peek-a-boo with you. Like the mishaps and interruptions that occasionally block the brilliance that is our own lives from shining through, clouds eventually clear away so we can open up to a brighter horizon.
The next time you wake up to a cloudy day, remember that these shades of grey in life are there just for the moment. And that no matter how hard the rain falls or how chilly the fog is, the clouds will go away, the sun will break through, and you will be able to see the sky that has always and forever been a beautiful and brilliant blue.
YOUR RECIPE
Low Glycemic Sugar Free Curried Pumpkin Soup
(makes 6 servings)
Carbs Per Serving: 1.1 g
Prep Time:<35 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Ingredients:
1/3 Cup chopped onion
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. curry powder
2 tbsp butter or margarine
1 Bay leaf
1 cup pureed pumpkin (or about 1/2 can of pumpkin)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp. Steviva Brand Stevia Blend, Fructevia or a tiny dash of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder.
2 cups veggie broth (or can use chicken broth)
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tbsp cornstarch or arrow root or tapioca powder (use as thickening agent)
2 tbsp heavy cream (optional)
chopped chives (as decoration)
Directions:
1. In large pan cook onion, garlic, and curry in the butter or margarine for a few minutes until onion is tender.
2. Add pumpkin, nutmeg, Steviva Brand Stevia Blend, Fructevia or a tiny dash of Steviva Brand Stevia Powder and the bay leaf.
3. Stir in the broth and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes.
5. Take out the bay leaf.
6. Stir in 1 cup of the mild and cook over low heat for a few minutes.
7. In another bowl, stir together the remaining milk and the cornstarch until dissolved, then add it to the pan.
8. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
9. Cook a couple more minutes.
To serve: Swirl the cream on top, and garnish with chives.
Nutritional Facts
Total Calories: 1468.8
Calories Per Serving: 244.8
Total Fat: 93.8g
Saturated Fat: 43.6g
Cholesterol: 260mg
Sodium: 360mg
Total Carbohydrates: 7.7g
Carbohydrates Per Serving: 1.1g
Dietary Fiber: 1.0
Sugars: 0.0g
Protein: 108g