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The Grey Lady

The Grey Lady, Oil on Canvas by Juliane Porter

(Please click image for a better, larger view)

 

The "Grey Lady" is the nickname for beautiful Nantucket Island, referring to her appearance from the sea when fog-bound.  Please enjoy my oil painting of one of Nantucket's historic marinas, captured just as the magical mist is setting in.

As always, share your thoughts in the comments below.

And, feel free to visit  www.JulianePorter.com to view more of my commissioned portraits, private collection pieces & more.

 

Love,

Juliane

 

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Dragon Herbs

 

Today, I wanted to share with all of you a very special book, The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs, by Ron Teeguarden, along with his equally special company, Dragon Herbs.  "If you have not used tonic herbs before, you are about to embark on a great journey. If you are already familiar with tonic herbs but have just discovered Dragon Herbs, you will find throughout the pages of this website (and book) products, education and services available no where else in the world."(1)

Dragon Herbs' formulations are of the very purest, highest quality available.  My experience and the experience of countless individuals over thousands of years is that these sophisticated and proactive tonic herbs and herbal formulations get results!  After all, isn't that the point?  

To get started, Dragon Herbs offers free 30 minute consultations to discuss your specific health and life goals, thus providing a tailored program of safe, effective tonic herbalism to support each of the three treasures: Jing, Shen and Qi.  The herbalist I have personally spoken to was incredibly qualified with her Master's Degree in Chinese Medicine, her own private practice previously, as well as the experience of being a parallegal prior to all that.  She, and the entire company, are caring and impressively knowledgeable, making sure everything is tailored to your needs and goals.  I receive nothing for posting this information, in fact the company probably isn't even aware that I have.  

I wanted to share this amazing jewel of a company, and the book as well, as I feel so blessed to have found them myself:-)

Do you incorporate Chinese Tonic Herbs or Formulations into your lifestyle?

Wishing you radiant health and well being.

Much love,

Juliane

 

References:

1. http://www.dragonherbs.com/gettingstarted.asp

I am not a healthcare practitioner or provider. To the extent that any information is provided through this website, it is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute or substitute for medical advice or counseling, the practice of medicine including but not limited to psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, the creation of a physician-patient or clinical relationship, or an endorsement, a recommendation or a sponsorship of any third party, product or service by me. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements available on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

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Creamy Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes"

 

Creamy Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes"

 

Who doesn't love the rich, creamy comfort of a bowl of mashed potatoes?  Here's a delicious take on the classic that will keep our taste buds singing and our waistlines, hips & thighs slim and sleek.  Oh, not to mention this recipe is fabulous for our skin, hair, nails, heart and digestion too!  Here are just a few of the amazing nutritional bennies of our lovely friend Cauliflower...

1. Cauliflower is an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid and vitamins C and K, which, when combined with lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates, are linked to a lower likelihood of wrinkles and dry skin according to a 2007 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
2. Cauliflower contains other important antioxidant phytonutrients, such as beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol, all of which work together to protect our body against free radicals and reduce the risk of diseases caused by oxidative stress, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and various infections. They are also important in slowing down the aging process.
3. It has high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, well-known for their anti-inflammatory properties. 
4. Cauliflower is an Excellent Detoxifier due to its sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinates which help our body get rid of toxins and carcinogens. After broccoli, cauliflower boasts the second highest content of glucosinates.  Eating cauliflower can help prevent various types of cancer and cleanse our body of toxins.
5. It can help prevent heart diseases in many ways including via allicin, which reduces the risk of stroke and many cardiovascular disorders.
6. Cauliflower contains excellent anti cancer properties via compounds such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which have been found to reduce the risk of prostate, breast, cervical, colon and ovarian cancers.  One Canadian study has shown the consumption of ½ cup of cauliflower/day may cut risk of prostate cancer by over 50%.

I enjoy this simple and satisfying dish at least once a week.  I'm certain you'll love it too :-)

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes with Chives

Recipe for Creamy Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes" (Makes 4-6 Servings)

Ingredients

• 1 Head Cauliflower broken into florettes
• 1/2 small clove Garlic
• Coconut Milk or Almond Milk- to taste depending on how thick you like your mash (use less than you think as you don't want it to get too liquidy)
• Sea Salt to taste
• Fresh Ground Pepper to taste
• 1/4 tsp of fresh lemon juice (yes you read that right- you won't taste it & it adds a fab freshness)
• Coconut Oil for garnish (optional - an option I go for always :-)
• Fresh snipped chives for garnish & zippy flavor pops

Method

1. Steam cauliflower and garlic over medium heat for about 8 minutes until a fork easily inserts into the side. (Be sure not to overcook as that causes it to get increasingly bitter, as well as lose nutrients)
2. Place steamed cauliflower, garlic & 1/4 tsp lemon juice into a food processor or heavy duty blender along with coconut milk. (Start with less than you think you need- as once the blender gets it all moving it will get surprisingly smooth & thin out quickly.)
3. Add sea salt and pepper to taste.
4. Process until mash is smooth and creamy. Check seasonings and adjust if necessary.
5. Pour into serving bowls and add a dallop of coconut oil for extra richness plus a sprinkling of snipped chives for some contrasting zip and green brightness.  A little fleur de sel on top is always nice too:-)
6. Serve immediately (mashed cauliflower is best eaten immediately as it's pungency develops if it sits overnight)
7. Enjoy!  

What's one of your favorite healthified recipe makeovers?

Do share with all of us :-)

 

Lots of love,

XOXO

Juliane

 

PS. If you just can't give up your potato fix try my amaze lightened up Irish Style Colcannon Mashed Potatoes. SO much lighter & way better tasting than standard recipes.

 

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Gratitude Journal

 

My Gratitude Journal waiting for me atop the pillows.

 

"I'm either the luckiest gal on the planet… or I just have really low standards." :-)  That's a great quote from my teacher, and, I have to say I'm right there with her!  The fact is, there is such an abundance of gratitude for life overflowing from me each day, it feels as though I've cracked some secret code to a treasure chest of beautiful miracles.  There are many practices to which I attribute this freedom and joy...  seven years of Soto Zen Buddhist Awareness Practice & Transcendental Meditation, my amazing Teacher, my cheerleaders, and a simple, yet powerful ritual...

my nightly Gratitude Journal.

My Nightly Gratitude Journal

 

Taking a moment each night to record just a few of the infinite miracles for which I am grateful each day, is a beautiful frame of mind to fall asleep.  And it doesn’t stop there, I wake up in the same beautiful space of gratitude.  It's an excellent practice for everyone - including those of us sweethearts who occasionally wake up on the “wrong side of the bed” :-)

It only takes a minute or two - though you’ll find yourself wanting to write much more than you expected... that’s the nature of gratitude, it has a compounding, expansive, contagious quality.  Keeping a gratitude journal is a really fun way to focus our brains on the infinite miracles in our lives, and away from conditioning's incessant mantra of something wrong/not enough. 

The greatest gift we can give to the world is our own happiness.  It ripples out reaching farther than we can ever begin to imagine. 

 

Love,

XOXO

Juliane

 

Do you have a favorite practice or ritual which brings you happiness or peace? Do share with us!

I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.

– Joseph Campbell

 

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