November 23, 2008
Yes, it is Thanksgiving ALREADY! One of my favorite holidays because it's nondenominational and all about gratitude - Be grateful for EVERY day!!!!!!
We are proud of our fundraising efforts here at Satya!
Thank you to all who donated during our Thanksgiving
FOOD DRIVE. All donations went to the Center for Women in Transition and the Holland Rescue Mission. Remember, as an individual, we can create change in our community, although, as a community, we can create change globally.
The following "lesson" has been passed around before, however, it is still a good reminder.
If you could fit the entire population of the world into a village consisting of 100 people,
maintaining the proportions of all the people living on Earth, that village would consist of57 Asians21 Europeans14 Americans (North, Central and South)8 Africans
There would be: 52 women and 48 men 30 Caucasians and 70 non-Caucasians 30 Christians and 70 non-Christians89 heterosexuals and
11 homosexuals
6 people would possess 59% of the wealth and they would all come from the USA
80 would live in poverty70 would be illiterate 50 would suffer from hunger and malnutrition 1 would be dying 1 would be being born 1 would own a computer
1 (yes, only one) would have a university degree
If we looked at the world in this way, the need for acceptance and understanding would be obvious.
But, consider again the following :
If you woke up this morning in good health, you have more luck than one million people, who won’t live through the week.
If you have never experienced the horror of war, the solitude of prison, the pain of torture, were not close to death from starvation, then you are better off than 500 million people.
If you can go to your place of worship without fear that someone will assault or kill you, then you are luckier than 3 billion (that’s right) people.
If you have a full fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are wealthier than 75% of the world’s population.
If you currently have money in the bank, in your wallet and a few coins in your purse, you are one of 8 of the privileged few amongst the 100 people in the world.
If your parents are still alive and still married, you’re a rare individual.
AND SO?
Work like you don’t need the money. Love like nobody has ever hurt you. Dance like nobody is watching. Sing like nobody is listening. Live as if this was paradise on Earth.For those of you working on the grocery list, here a couple delicious twists on the traditional thanksgiving dinner fare... and fairly healthy too!
Vanilla Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, cleaned and left a bit damp
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons heavy cream
1/3 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
1 teaspoon grated orange zest (optional)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
kosher saltwhite pepper in a mill
Preheat the oven to 350F. Put the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake in the oven until tender to a fork tip, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cook until warm enough to handle, 10 to 15 minutes. Peel and discard the skin. Put the potatoes in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade.
Meanwhile, pour the cream into a 2-quart pot, add the vanilla bean and orange zest, if using, and set it over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Use tongs to fish out and discard the vanilla bean. Pour the mixture over the potatoes in the processor and add the butter.
Puree the potato mixture until smooth. Season with salt and 4 grinds of pepper, or to taste. Keep covered and warm until ready to serve.
Serves four.
Autumn Spice Oil
4 star anise
1/2 tablespoon juniper berries
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon allspice1 medium cinnamon stick, crushed, or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1/3 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped
2 pieces dried orange peel,
1 cup oil (note: I used olive oil - a mild tasting one)
Put the star anise, juniper berries, cardamom, allspice, cinnamon, and cloves in an 8-inch saute pan and toast overmedium heat, shaking constantly, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool.
Transfer the spices to a spice or coffee grinder and pulse for a few seconds.
Transfer the spices to a bowl, add the vanilla bean and orange peel, if using, and set aside.
Pour the oil into a small pot and heat it over medium-low heat until warm. Pour the oil over the spices and vanilla. Cover and let infuse at room temperature for 24 hours, periodically mixing the bowl. (Cover and keep at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerate for up to 1 month.
Makes 1 cup.
Vibrant Tasty Green Bean Recipe - This is an easy one skillet recipe that skips all the dairy and the beans are not cooked beyond recognition
The following recipe is best made just before serving time.
4 leeks, well washed, root end and tops trimmed, sliced lengthwise into quarters and then chopped into 1/2-inch segments
1/3 cup fresh dill, well chopped
3/4 pound green beans, tops and tails trimmed and cut into 1-inch segments
extra-virgin olive oil
fine-grain sea salt
In a large thick-bottomed skillet of medium-high heat add a generous splash of olive oil, a generous pinch of salt and the leeks. Stir until the leeks are coated and glossy. Cook, stirring regularly until a lot of the leeks are golden and crispy. I stir every minute or two in the beginning, and more often as they brown using a metal spatula. All in all it takes me roughly 7 - 10 minutes to brown the leeks. At this point stir in the dill, and then stir in the green beans. Cook for a couple more minutes - just until the the beans brighten up and lose that raw bite. Turn out into a bowl or onto a platter and serve immediately.
Serves about 6.
Ok, so you had good intentions to eat in moderation... is that really possible on this glorious day devoted to FOOD!
Don't worry - Come to our "day after thanksgiving" detox class:
Friday, November 28, 2008
*Sunrise* POST-THANKSGIVING "DETOX YOGA" with Michele 7:00am
YES - 7:00 AM!! Join Michele for a *Special* Sunrise POST-THANKSGIVING Detox Class! Work off the extra helpings with this specialized program intended to detoxify the entire body, mind and spirit. What a great way to begin the holiday season, as well as rid yourself of the guilt of all that pumpkin pie!
The room is heated ~ the practice is vigorous ~ and you are meant to SWEAT! All levels are welcome as we will modify for beginners or those with injuries. Towels and water recommended.
$15
