Superhero - Day 55 - Paneer

I like making food from scratch. 

Making paneer is fun. It's like a science experiment. And I love to eat it!

My wish is to be able to buy raw milk. But alas, it is illegal. 

I took a photo of the recipe. I hope you can expand and see it. It's from Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine by Harish Johari. 

The milk curdles so fast. Wow!

I just hung it from the cupboard knob in my almond milk making bag. 

The final products, paneer and the whey. I put whey in smoothies and I am sure I will discover more uses for it as I explore. 

The paneer I put into a simple stir fry, onions, garlic and hot peppers and lastly added the paneer. So satisfying!

Superhero - Day 54 - relationship to food

Our relationship with food is here to teach us about our relationship with life. 

I've been finding out a lot about food and me. At first it was depressing. Something I couldn't ever figure out. I enjoyed a free conference last week with the psychology of eating folks. 

This website is about our relationship with food. I have enjoyed this approach. Marc David, the founder, has a free video series (they are really talks, you can listen in car or bus too). It's about issues with food, new concepts about food, challenges with food, habits, evolution of food, and more. It is very positive. It's an invention to be more aware. Health. Weight. Love. Life. It is about seeing yourself as whole. Being who we are supposed to be. 

This is a list of 10 simple strategies for changing your relationship with food. 

If you can't see it, you can download it got free off: psychology of eating.com

Superhero - Day 53 - Hercules

My first recollection of a superhero was Hercules. Re-runs of the Hercules movies were shown on television in the afternoons, after the Three Stooges. I got to watch only on days when I was home sick from school which was rare. The good guy, Hercules, always won. And against great odds and after great persecution. 

We went to see the new Hercules movie tonight in 3D. I still love those craggy faces and the muscles. I wasn't disappointed. In the end someone in the movie said that it didn't matter if you were a superhero or not. What mattered was if if you believed you were. 

Superhero - Day 51 - canoe duels

Superhero - Day 47 - questions

Ask questions. Ask the questions that you don't want to know the answers to. 

Remember that all the scary things are smaller than you are.

Superhero - Day 46 - raw food

I love raw food, especially in the summer. Today I went to Thunder Bay's raw food restaurant, Bliss Cafe, on Cumberland street. Oh my! It was a wonderful experience! The owner and raw food chef, Helen Liba, is showing me her chocolate pie here. It's cozy. Helen knows her customers by name. 

I loved the wrap I had with falafel and lots of veggies with awesome sauce. And I had a very fresh blueberry tart or pie! I love how raw food leaves my lips tingling. No tiredness after eating either. I had so much energy! Isn't this what you are supposed to have after nourishing yourself with food? I notice how often I eat what makes me tired and lethargic, usually because it's familiar to make. Raw food is definitely in!

A superhero eats food that grows strong, healthy bodies and minds. 

Superhero -Day 45 - a walk around the lake

When Mike Link retired, he and his wife, Kate Crowley, decided to go for a walk. A long walk. All the way around Lake Superior. 1,555 miles or 2,502.5 kilometres. It took them 145 days. 

We attended their talk and slide show today at the marina, on Lake Superior Day. They really were great to hear and see. I am so inspired to do something like that. Something that makes me go "wow!!" We had lunch and thought about options and time frames. For the "wow!!"

Maybe we will keep the car and drive around the lake as a starter. That's on my bucket list. We decided not to walk it for sure. 

Mike and Kate superheroes? You bet!

Superhero - Day 43 - power pose

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

This is a wonderful TED talk on what your posture reveals about your mood. And it teaches you a great power pose! A female superhero pic at the end :)

Superhero - Day 42 - little free library

I went over to my friend's house last week and asked her retired husband if he would build a house for me. In fact, a library. They both chuckled politely but really wondered what I'm up to. 

I heard about littlefreelibrary.org a while back and instantly knew I wanted one. 

And tad dah!

The opening gala for the library was this afternoon with cake and coffee. 

Superhero - Day 41 - Oregano oil

I made my second batch of oregano oil today. To make your own, start with 1 cup of oregano leaves, washed & dried. Put them into a mason jar and fill to the brim with I cup of vodka (at least 80 proof). Place wax paper over jar and screw lid on tightly. Store in a cool, dark place for a week. 

After a week, using a cheesecloth or a coffee filter, strain the mixture into a clean jar. Cover with clean cheesecloth and set aside in a dry, warm place for at least 7 days or until the alcohol completely evaporates. What remains is pure essential oregano oil. Store in a cool dark place. 

This recipe is from an awesome book called Power Plants by Frankie Flowers and Bryce Wylde. It's about growing and using the healing plants that we can all grow or find in ourown gardens. 

Oregano oil has many, many benefits. It would take pages to tell you. It has antibiotic ability so I use it during the winter to prevent colds. Look it up. Everyone can use it. 

Superhero - Day 39

"This home urges us to find sacredness in the here and now of daily living. Cooking, eating, bathing, and the other specific actions of dwelling become a means for reconnecting mind, body, environment, and spirit to the integrated wholeness of the psyche. Within such a home, each distinct action can be experienced as a step in the cycle of creating, dissolving, and re-creating life. Simple tasks can become pathways to deepening soulfulness in daily life. "

Anthony Lawlor

Superhero - Day 38

Open street Thunder Bay. No cars. 

I rode my bike down the centre of Algoma street. Such a feeling of freedom not having to worry if the car behind me sees me. There were lots of people out and about, especially in front of the Bean Fiend drinking lattes. 

An old friend popped in to visit. She has been away for 10 years or so and moved back, finally found a job here in her field. She says people here don't know that it's the best place to live. She is so happy to be back. Loves it here!

Superhero - Day 37

My inner condition is more important than my external way of living. I've come to this understanding. 

I've written three different paragraphs and deleted them all. Hmmmm. What do I really want to say?

I guess it matters more how I feel inside than what I have. Or how smart I am. I don't think I ever felt they were important but I didn't know what else to pursue. I didn't actually think I could explore what made me happy. 

I don't think it's ever too late (or too early) to wonder about and to explore and pursue what makes us smile and sing and dance and explode with joy. What are we passionate about? I think a superhero has to know. Why else would a superhero do what a superhero does?

I don't know if I know.

Superhero - Day 36

Everything is coming up orange. 

I slept in this morning, until 7:30 am. I guess someone is laughing. But that's late for me. I just maintained today. Cleaned house, laundry, cook, got groceries, pulled some weeds.  All these everyday things that must be done. Today it was joyfully done. That's because I don't feel rushed since I have tomorrow free and also the next day. How do I do this joyfully in busy times? It's the same amount of work. The anticipation of time off made the difference. 

There really is no such thing as time off. We are always doing something. It's what we deem more valuable or more fun or more suited to how we see ourselves that makes the difference in joyfull doing something. Isn't it all just doing? Couldn't we just do the next thing and then the next thing? All with equal acceptance of just this next doingness?

Superhero - Day 35

I found this poster under my door today. This guy is awesome!! Thanks Amne and Joan. 

It's particularly great when you can laugh at yourself. If nothing seems funny just make faces at yourself in the mirror. And just start laughing. It's addictive. 

Superhero - Day 34

Apparently when we are near death one of the things we regret is not having made more time for friends. I so often feel too busy to connect with good friends. In fact, it's because THEY are good friends that I have any. They call me more often then I call them. I have received hand written notes and letters from friends near and far and I've decided to write some back. It's a dying art. Nothing is more wonderful to receive a letter in the mailbox. To think that someone actually took the time to think of you, write something, get a stamp, and bring it to the mailbox. Wow! That's a superhero!

This week I have phoned up a few friends and I feel so good about that. It was fun.

Long live friends!

Superhero - Day 33

I've thought a lot about putting on my sneakers and walking instead of driving.

Today I walked to work and back. Then to pick up my car, about a 45 minute walk, then walked back to work later. I was tired. Not so easy walking. And I am throwing up excuses about how I need a car but every time I do there is someone that says no that's not true. I met someone who takes a bus all the time and she knows the bus routes of the city. She said I don't need to transfer to where I have a weekly client. The bus drops me right in front of her residence. Okay, good. But I can't go to the U.S. with a rental car, can I? Apparently I can for very reasonable rates. Okay, good. I met someone I've seen biking a lot and asked him if he bikes all year. He said he's never had a car (he is about 60 years old). He takes a bus in the midst of winter. Don hasn't had a car since he was 34. He bikes or walks. He can carry anything home on his bike! And said he would get all the groceries if we didn't have a car.

Most people who have a car say they really need a car. At least in Thunder Bay....long distances, lousy transit schedules, no rapid transit, etc. Is this true for me?

I think it would be fun to see if I could do it. Have no car. Maybe it would be a hassle and maybe not. I could always buy another one if I really missed it. Wouldn't a superhero at least check it out? Wouldn't transit become more popular, along with more routes, more bike lanes, more sidewalks?

I was in Seattle once and they have free bus service in a 3 mile radius of city centre. Buses were full.

Wouldn't it be cool if we reduced our carbon footprint if we can?

Superhero -Day 32

I had two warning lights come on in my car today. Brakes and battery. Both are new. Hmpf!

The mechanic has Big Mama now.

I would love to be without a car. I don't need it for work or groceries. Or restaurants or banks. Or dentist. Everything is walking distance. Plus I don't mind taking a bus. Walking home from the mechanics I dreamed of how it would be - having no car. We'd have to sell our canoe. That's okay. I'd have to take a cab sometimes. That's okay.

It's my independence that I think about. This freedom to go wherever and whenever I want. It would take more time to get places and some places I would never go. But I would be free in a different way.

And of course, I have the bike for part of the year and yes! The broom!

Superhero-Day 31 correction

Oops. I misquoted my kid. She said "this was the best thing I have EVER done"

Superhero - Day 31

Minna, my daughter, rode her bike 200 km this weekend for a charitable organization. Afterwards she texted me "I finished! It's the most fun I've EVER had!"

Now how wonderful to be able to say that? I hope she and me and you and everybody could say it every day of our lives. That would make us superheroes!

Superhero - Day 30

Benjamin Franklin was an amazing man. He invented many useful items and never patented any of them.  They were to be used by humanity because they were needed. He was an author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and a diplomat. He was the master of productivity!

How did he do it?
He asked two questions of himself every day. One in the morning. One in the evening.

In the morning he asked:

What good shall I do today?

In the evening he asked:

What good have I done today?

Awesome!! A superhero!

(I received this wonderful information from another superhero, Jim Kwik, of kwiklearning.com)

Superhero - Day 29

I rode my bike everywhere today. I looked for bike paths to get over to the other side of town. I looked for flat areas to ride on which is pretty hard from where I live. I  went to Petries where I bought the bike to get handlebars adjusted. Don was my escort. I bought a basket for the back and Don encouraged me to buy the biggest one. I can see why. On the way back he was loading it up with books from Friends of the Library, doo dads from Dollarama, and food. Here's the basket fully loaded when we arrived home. It's disappeared under its load!

I felt like we had been exploring all day as tourists. A staycation. I want to do it again!

Maybe the bike is my superhero cape. 

Superhero - Day 28

In wanting just one thing there can be no conflict. Once it has been decided to want this one thing - doubt disappears because there are doubts when there are conflicting wishes. It's good to ask why we are doing anything. To find out what is the purpose of anything is sure to lead to a good outcome. In one way or another. This one want can be the biggest want. Peace. Acceptance of all. Joy. Truth. Then in every moment if faced with a decision you can ask yourself which choice would lead to what you want. 

I always start with this. What do I want? What do you want?

Superhero - Day 27

Lake Superior 

Super - Superhero - Superior

Superhero - Day 26

First full salad from the garden. Yum!

Superhero food. 

I like using lots of fresh herbs in a salad. All different kinds. After eating raw, healthy, real food my lips always feel like they are alive. Ki