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Well, December is actually here and along with it came the craziness.  No internet on and off last week, every time I went to post my blog – no link to the world wide web!!!  Never mind – I’ll add an extra recipe at the bottom to make up for it.  This entry has now been added to over the two weeks and so had comments before and after some of the events!!

We have the Advent Calendar (very hard to teach a 2yo to only open one each day!!), our tiny little tree is up and seems to be surviving the inquisitive little fingers that can’t resist the pretty decorations.  We’ve been making our Christmas presents and the excitement in building.

Tomorrow a girlfriend and I are off to have our children’s photographs taken with Santa Claus.  It will be very interesting – it will be Georgia, my little girl’s first Christmas and visit with Santa, and Joshua’s 3r d time.  That doesn’t mean it won’t be without tears because he’s decided to be afraid, or a drama because he doesn’t want to share Santa’s lap with his sister!!  I never can tell which way it might go – but it will be exciting none the less.  [ This day was a total success – little Joshua was allowed in a toy store (and free to roam, out of the pram) for the first time in his little life – what an excitement!!!!  The santa photo was gorgeous. Georgia was perplexed – but very cool about the whole thing...  Be sure to check out the pic.  I love Santa photos!!!]

I’ve started trialling some of the tasty treats in my books – not such a good start to the season with regards to my waistline!!  Joshua and I made some sugar cookies this week – FANTASTIC – we ate them all in a couple of days.  Crisp and light all the way through – it was the perfect biscuit recipe.  Also a perfect activity for a little 2yo who loves to get into the kitchen.  He’s quite a pro with the cookie cutter and loves the different animals and shapes we have.   It’s also more fun for him as he can then watch them cook (they only take a few minutes, so his attention span can cope) and then eat them.  Playdough doesn’t have the same appeal any more….

I went off to Ikea to help Santa with the last of the children’s gifts over the weekend, so happy to say – my gift shopping is complete!!! YAY!!!!   Needless to say it’s time to start working on the food for Christmas day.   Joshua, Georgia & I have Santa together first up then they’re off to see their Dad, while I’m off to do some charity work and spread some joy for others.  I’m really looking forward to giving back a little something this year.

Anyway, now that I’ve raved on about how much fun we’re having with our preparations and told you about the perfect cookie recipe (Mary’s Sugar Cookies) – I’d love to hear back with any interesting activities you have been undertaking in preparation for Christmas.

I hope you’re all enjoying this fun time of year.

Mary’s Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
granulated sugar

Mix together sugar and butter. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix well. Blend in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours. Heat oven to 375 F. Divide dough in half. Roll each half 3/16 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered board. Cut into desired shapes; sprinkle with granulated sugar. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until light brown on edges.

ANGEL FOOD COOKIES

1 cup of butter or margarine
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 cups of flour, sifted
1 teaspoon of cream of tartar
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of coconut

Cream the butter and sugars. Add vanilla and egg and beat well. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Roll dough into balls using 1 teaspoon per cookie. Dip in water, then in granulated sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Enjoy!!

For more fantastic cookie recipes go to http://www.digitallifeinformation.com/family-occasions/homemade/

Also, check out our great range of ebooks and audio programs designed to give you information on health, wealth, happiness, lifestyle, hobbies, fitness and diet.

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Live, laugh and learn!

Warmest wishes,

Lisa

Bikram Choudhury is very inspiring – this video shows more reasons why we all need make the practice of yoga part of our daily routine.   This video was taken some years ago, but rest assured whilst he now has less hair (and hopefully more clothes -lol) – he is still practicing!!  Dr Wayne Dyer is now into his 70s and practices yoga every single day.

Want to learn more?  http://www.digitallifeinformation.com/wellness/yoga/

Also, check out our great range of ebooks and audio programs designed to give you information on health, wealth, happiness, lifestyle, hobbies, fitness and diet.

Click Here for more Information

Live, laugh and learn!

Warmest wishes,

Lisa

Why Yoga?

Yoga is one of the best exercises in the world when it comes to being able to work out your entire body with one single exercise routine. Although yoga has only recently come into incredible popularity, it has in fact been around for hundreds of thousands of years.

There are, of course many reasons why you may wish to participate in Yoga.  The final goal, however, is ultimately the same.

You may select Yoga as it seem exotic, you may be looking for fitness and wellbeing, mental control as well as physical or for disease or pain management.

Initially yoga assists us in the physical realm and then as a by-product, assists us in the mental and spiritua l realm.  The practice puts demands on the body and mind in controlled conditions so that we can see our routine propensity to try to manage reality.  We try to escape from the discomfort, physical, mental or emotional in the pose in much the same way we do in life.  As we learn to better allow for all sensations, emotions, thoughts to be present without needing to comment, fix, judge, rationalize, or change the experience in any way, we are in practice for life circumstances where we are called on to do the same.   Second, as we progressively learn to overcome the tendencies of the mind to manage reality, we drop into the state of being that is always present. In the absence of striving to achieve anything or make anything happen we experience the Being that we are. Yoga becomes the practice ground for learning to live from choice number two-the Way of the Yogi.

By attending a simple beginner’s class, you will be required to perform basic postures.  In doing so, whether you are consciously aware or not, you will find your mind, body and spirit become involved in the process.  It truly is an incredible experience.

There are many paths in Yoga, but the goal is singular.  As with any practice, there are several schools which adhere to different paths as a focus.  You will need to find the one that suits you personally and seek out an instructor with whom you feel a real connection.  For example, if your primary reason for Yoga is physical fitness, then research yoga schools with an extensive emphasis on Asanas of the Hatha Yoga kind.   Hatha Yoga is the most popular, especially among beginners.  Contact them to locate a suitable teacher in your area.  Finding the “right” yoga instructor is like anything else, you may have to try a few before you really find the one that suits your needs and level.  Remember too, that as you grow, you may need to move onto a more experienced tutor.

There are multiple asanas and they are practiced with two objectives in mind. One is to condition the body to enable it to hold a particular asana for an extended period of time. When the body is in this resting form the mind is able to move into a meditative state allowing the spirit to also move along its path. The second reason that asanas are used is to bring about increased physical well being, mental alertness and spiritual health. The asanas open the body up to receive, release or otherwise balance the energy inside with that of the outside Universe. Therefore, you get physical benefit, as well as mental.

Studying Yoga books can very much assist your development and progression in Yoga.  A deeper understanding of the principles makes the process much more effective.  In addition, reading on the subject can help to motivate your spirit and hasten your journey to the next level of awareness.   It may fill a gap that your instructor may not have the time to provide for you.

Types of Yoga:

Vinyasa Yoga is All about Breathing and Movement

Tantric Yoga Combines the Elements of Mind, Body and Spirit

Namaste Yoga performed with hands together at the heart charkra and generally performed in combination with another style of yoga.

Kriya Yoga techniques work to hasten the practitioner’s spiritual development and as well to help bring about a profound state of tranquility and God-communion.

Iyengar Yoga best known for its use of props, such as belts and blocks for instance, of which work as aids in performing the different postures

Bikram yoga, a series of 26 postures in a hot room

Mantra yoga, repeating words or phrases

Viniyoga,  therapeutic and tailored to the individual’s personal needs

Hatha,  slower and more passive yoga but most popular and easy for beginners

Modern adaptations:

Power: exercise-class-style yoga (no set postures)

Yogalates: yoga meets Pilates

Jivamukti: modern spiritual teachings, chanting, meditation, readings, music and affirmations

Benefits of Yoga:

Tones the body

Improves circulation

Realigns the spine

Calms the mind

Detoxifies

Builds strength, stamina and flexibility

Promotes weight loss

Reduces stress

Increases vitality, energy, relaxation, concentration and mental clarity

Keeps joints supple

Increases blood circulation

Improves immunity (eg, arthritis and thyroid disorders)

Helps heal injuries

General sense of wellbeing

Just in case:-

Asanas – The word ‘asana’ literally means comfortable or stable position.   When referring to a pose in yoga, it is called an asana.

Chakra – One of the seven centers of spiritual energy in the human body

Namaste – a conventional Hindu expression on meeting or parting, used by the speaker usually while holding the palms together vertically in front of the bosom.  (Thank you to www.dictionary.com )

Want to learn more?  http://www.digitallifeinformation.com/wellness/yoga/

Also, check out our great range of ebooks and audio programs designed to give you information on health, wealth, happiness, lifestyle, hobbies, fitness and diet.

Click Here for more Information

Live, laugh and learn!

Warmest wishes,

Lisa