The Power of Encouragement

I really enjoy these movies by Simple Truths. Here's one about the power of encouragement. Eagles may be considered to be leaders, but even Eagles Need a Push!

Headaches

I've been having some really bad headaches for a number of months and the doctors are now saying they are migraines. I've had migraines before, but never for this long.
In the past, I've had the light shows. I generally get a purple or green spot in my right eye. My migraines have always included light and noise sensitivity. Sometimes my stomach has joined the party, but not always. (thank goodness) I can get irritable and am likely irritating. The headaches often make me tired, but also wake me up in the middle of the night...the list goes on.
These recent migraines have felt like a constant brain freeze, or ice cream headache that is either on the verge of coming on, or drifing off, or full blown. They make me dizzy, frustrated, sad, and annoyed. Sometimes I wonder if I am going insane.
I wish that I knew why I was getting such bad headaches...
As I've said, I've had migraines for years, so I've known about triggers, but I'm checking on triggers again since these new migraines are absolutely incredibly ridiculous.
Common triggers:

• Tension Headaches - those can sometimes be a problem
• Barometric Pressure changes - can't control that
• Strong scents - don't wear them, don't have them in our house, stay away from them
• Tight ponytails - rarely wear ponytails, don't like tight ones
• Strenuous exercise - ok, so now I'm laughing....can't even walk fast without getting dizzy, hard to exercise even moderately...
• Poor posture - that's something I work at, very conscious of at my desk, when I'm tired it's harder, but will keep trying
• Cheese - lactose intolerant
• Red wine - learned it gave me headaches a long time ago
• Cold cuts, processed meats - don't eat them
• Skipping meals - are you kidding me...have you seen my love handles...not a problem these days
• Smoking - nope
• Caffeine - nope, not even caffinated tea...
• MSG - my tummy hates that stuff
• Aspartame - nope, poison for the brain
• Chocolate - ok, so that is one of my vices, but I don't have it daily and not lots

It's tough to know what is causing these headaches. The few triggers that are actually in my life have never caused headaches before. So, I will work on eliminating those few triggers. BUT, I think that chocolate is going to be the last thing eliminated...

Complaining

"There is no problem so bad that complaining can't make it worse..."
Now there's something to think about!
It's a good kick in the pants kind of statement. How many times do I catch myself complaining about something? It is something I actively work against. It is also something that I really find the need to be mindful about.

Some years ago when I found myself in a very negative place I began to notice that every time I opened my mouth it was to complain. I'm sure everyone else was sick of it well before I recognized the problem. But, one day that's exactly what happened. I saw it as a problem that I didn't want to continue. At first I countered it by creating a bit of a game. For every negative statement that I allowed myself to speak, I challenged myself to find at least two positive things to say.
Sometimes it is really hard to do this, and since I'm my own referee, I know I've cheated a number of times, but that's how I started. As I continue I am more and more conscious of my words and thoughts so that I can challenge myself to find those positives.
I do agree with those who say that we are all energetic beings and that like attracts like. I think that there is power in positive thinking and that there is the power of attraction. If I want more positive things happening in my life and I think along those lines I am more able to see the positive that is out there. Frankly, I think we see what we are looking for. I can look for the good, or I can look for the bad. My choice is to consciously look for the good.
This week I listened to John Izzo speak about caring and compassion, about working to make other's lives better. The quote I began this post with was said by him.
 I'll end this post with another quote he also shared, this one from Tom Peters "Celebrate what you want to see more of!" 
So my choice? I'll choose positive and celebrate it!

Habit

"The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds us irrevocably, thought and act." ~ Orison Swett Marden

Integrity

Wisdom is knowing the right path to take. Integrity is taking it.

A New Look at Hummus

I'd never been interested in, nor enjoyed, dips whether for fruits, vegetables, chips, or anything else people dip, until I tried hummus. 

Hummus originates from the middle east and is traditionally a mix of cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. 
The main ingredients, chickpeas, are also known as garbanzo beans. Chickpeas are low fat, high protein and fiber. They also have lots of zinc and other good nutrients.
Usually we purchase hummus ready made at the grocery store, and usually I end up dipping low fat tortilla chips, pita chips, or pita slices in the hummus. 
In my quest to lose some weight and be healthier I've been changing my eating habits. Hummus is still good for me in terms of content, and as long as I remember everything in moderation. 
I've also decided to have less carbs and have switched the chips for carrots, snap peas, cucumber slices, etc. A pretty obvious move for most, but since I've never been a 'big dipper' it wasn't a logical leap for me. 
Recently, I had an avocado that needed to be used, but a strong urge for hummus. I made a compromise. Soon the avocado was smashed into the hummus. I set aside some for my husband and then I pulled out some veggies to dip. Avocados are also a high source of protein, and their fats are the healthy mono-unsaturated type. 
This weekend, while doing some work at home I got hungry and decided to actually make the hummus.
The following recipe is adapted from one I found online. It didn't call for tahini (sesame seed paste), which I really wanted to include. I also smashed in an avocado. I put a quarter of it into a small bowl, dipped some veggies, and put the rest in the fridge.  It is supposed to stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days, or can be frozen. We'll use it up sooner, because I'm not sure how long the avocado will last.
Ingredients:

• 1 can (15oz/540ml) garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained 
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1½ Tbsp of Tahini
• 2 cloves of crushed garlic
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 ripe avocado (optional)
• 1 - 2 Tbsp of water
• salt, pepper, and cumin to taste

Preparation:

Place all of the ingredients into a food processor. Mix it until it is creamy and smooth.

* I reserved some of the lemon juice and water, then added it according to taste and to thin out the paste.

* I also prefer cooked garlic, to raw, so I crushed the garlic and put it in a small dish with the olive oil. I microwaved it for about 30 seconds, to sweeten it up. Then I added it to the processor ingredients. 

You can also make hummus without the tahini. You use more olive oil. The recipe I found suggested 1/4 of a cup. That seems like a lot, to me, so I think I would probably add only a bit at a time until I get the texture I want.

Some recipes I've found also suggest that when serving humus you can dish it into a bowl and then make a small well in the middle of the hummus. In the well you put a tablespoon or two of olive oil. Then you can garnish it with parsley. I think I would just use the garnish and not add more oil, even if it is a healthy one.

As I mentioned above, most people dip pita chips or slices in their hummus. If you want to do that, you can warm your pita slices, first. 

Other options:

• Add a bit of cayenne pepper, finely chopped roasted or raw red pepper, or other spicy tasting roasted vegetables.

I recognize that hummus isn't the first thing people might choose when they are trying to lose weight, but it is healthy and a little bit goes a long way to filling you up. Hummus with avocado has double the protein and filling fiber. 

The Butterfly Effect

Simple Truths has some nice short books with great messages. They also have a number of books that include short movies. The Butterfly Effect is just one of their movies, and a nice look at purposeful lives....enjoy!