Food was celebration, conversation, and nourishment. The table is where the big decisions of the family are made and all the arguing takes place. —Adriana Trigiani Enlightened Eating When we begin to properly nourish our bodies, an amazing transformation takes place: We begin to discover ways for nourishing all parts of ourselves.

Portuguese Fish Stew Recipe This recipe serves: 4 Preparation time: 1 hour Cooking time: 30 minutes Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 pound chorizo sausage or Italian sausage, sliced into bite-size pieces 2 cups sliced onion 1 stalk celery 2 cloves garlic 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed 2 cups chicken stock 1 cup chopped, fresh tomatoes 12 little neck clams, or cherrystones 12 mussels, washed and "beards" removed 12 shrimp 8 ounces cod or monk fish, cut into bite-size pieces 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley salt to taste freshly ground black pepper Cooking Instructions 1. Pour the olive oil into a heavy skillet. Add the chorizo and sauté on medium heat, for about 3 minutes to brown the sausage. Drain any excess fat. 2. Add the onions, reduce heat to low and cook another 2 minutes. 3. Add the garlic and fennel seed and cook another 1 minute. 4. Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. 5. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes. 6. Add the clams and cook about 2 minutes. Then add the mussels and cook about 2 minutes. 7. Add the shrimp and fish and cook until the fish pieces are white and opaque, the shrimp are pink and the shells of the clams and mussels open. 8. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. 9. Divide the stew into 4 soup bowls and garnish with a pinch or two of the parsley on top. Nutrition Facts Serving size: 3 clams, 3 mussels, 3 shrimp, 2 oz. cod with broth Calories 336 Total Fat 11 g Saturated Fat 3 g Protein 46 g Total Carbohydrate 17 g Dietary Fiber 2 g Sodium 1455 mg Percent Calories from Fat 30% Percent Calories from Protein 49% Percent Calories from Carbohydrate 21%

For one human being to love another; that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation. -Rainer Maria Rilke

Odors in Plastic Containers If your plastic food containers have taken on food smells, you can remove them by scrubbing the inside with a baking soda and water paste, let sit a while and then rinse well.

Insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors, including consumption of caffeine, nicotine or alcohol; stress or anxiety; a change in sleep schedules; snoring or nightmares. The American Sleep Association offers advice on how put this sleep disorder to bed. Insomnia can often be treated by addressing any underlying emotional issues or stresses. Another way to get better quality sleep is to only use the bedroom for sleeping. Watching television, working, or talking on the phone should be done elsewhere. You should avoid watching television before bed, as that can be a stimulant. If you have a hard time falling asleep, you should try reading or another relaxing activity before heading to bed. Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the hours before bedtime. Setting an alarm and waking at the same time each day will help establish a regular sleep pattern, and may help you achieve better, more consistent sleep

May the Lord bless and encourage you today. The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us. -Ashley Montagu The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid. -Lady Bird Johnson "My motto now that I tell people is that I am not only 'going' through a rough patch, but more importantly, I am 'GROWING' through it." –Elahnsson

I Love You Pink By: Jennifer Manson Dedicated to: Cynthia Manson My daughter made me see light in my life. She brings me more joy with each new day and I want to share a little of our joy with others. Thank you pink for being my daughter and making me believe in happiness. I hope everyone who reads this book will feel the love I have for her and will take that extra step tonight to go give their child one more kiss goodnight. Mommy says to her little Pink “Baby girl, It’s time for bed. Now lay down your sleepy head. The sun is gone and the moon is out. No more little Pinks running about.” “Today we had fun but the day is done. Tomorrow will be anther one.” So she said “good night” with a wink “Sleep tight my little Pink” But before her mom walked out the door, Pink says “Mommy will you give me one more hug” Her mom turned around “Yes of course” She said with smile on her face. “Not only will I give you one. I will give you two and I am in no race.” That’s how many kisses Pink got One, Two, And What about you? Pink says “Mommy wait! You forgot my kiss, you silly mommy” Her Mommy says as she walks back in the room. “You are right my dear. How about I put one right here?” But her mom didn’t just give her one big kiss. She gave her two. One on each cheek, But that wasn’t all for the week. Pink stops her mom one last time and says “Mommy I love you.” Her mom says “I love you too!” Pink says “No Mommy I love you” “Around the world” “And back” “Infinity times” “One, Two, Three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,” “From my head to my toes, from my toes to my nose,” “From my nose to tummy, from my tummy to my eyes, “From my eyes to my ears, from my ears to my fingers, love, love, love,” Mommy smiles at her little pink with one tear rolling down her faces. Pink says ‘Mommy don’t cry, I love you that much and even more.” Her mommy says “I’m not crying because I am sad, It is a happy tear see. My one happy tear is here to tell you my pink. I love you all the way around the world.” “”and I love you all the way back, infinity times.” Pink smiles real big at her mommy and giggles her sleepy giggle. “I love you One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. “ “I love you from my head to my toes, from my toes to my nose. “From my nose to my tummy, from my tummy to my eyes, from my eyes to my ears, from my ears to my fingers, Love, Love, Love” “And much more and with a kiss that last all night and one last hug real tight. I say to you pink I love you and Good night”

Carne Asada Tacos Recipe This recipe serves: 4 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Ingredients 1 pound skirt steak salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 lime 8 corn tortillas salsa guacamole, optional Cooking Instructions 1. Sprinkle the steak all over with salt and pepper. 2. Place cast-iron skillet or grill pan over high heat and lightly coat with oil. Sear the steak about 2 minutes per side and place on cutting board to rest for about 5 minutes. 3. Cut the limes in half, pierce the juice side with a fork and twist to release the juices over the cooked meat. 4. Cut steak into thin slices across the grain and then cut each slice into bite-sized pieces for bringing to the table. 5. Warm the tortillas by dipping first in water and then placing in a dry pan over low heat. Use tongs to lift out and wrap in a towel to keep warm. 6. Assemble the tacos at the table with salsa and guacamole. Nutrition Facts Serving size: 2 tacos Calories 341 Total Fat 16 g Saturated Fat 4 g Protein 26 g Total Carbohydrate 26 g Dietary Fiber 3 g Sodium 303 mg Percent Calories from Fat 41% Percent Calories from Protein 30% Percent Calories from Carbohydrate 29%

Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragout Recipe This recipe serves: 4 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Ingredients 1/4 teaspoon finely chopped garlic 1 cup skim milk 1 bay leaf cayenne pepper to taste 1/4 cup cornmeal 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/8 teaspoon salt For the wild mushroom ragout: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped shallots 2 cups sliced wild mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, chanterelles) 8 plum tomatoes, quartered and skinned 1 sprig fresh tarragon, or 1/4 teaspoon dried 1/8 teaspoon salt Cooking Instructions For the polenta: 1. Heat the olive oil in a pot over low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, keeping the heat low so the garlic doesn't burn. 2. Add the milk, bay leaf and cayenne pepper. Increase the heat and bring the milk to a boil. 3. Pour the cornmeal into the hot milk slowly, whisking constantly. After all the cornmeal has been added, cook 3 to 4 minutes more, stirring constantly. 4. Remove the pot from the heat and slowly stir in the grated cheese. 5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For the wild mushroom ragout: 1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. 2. Turn the heat to medium-high, add the mushrooms and sauté 2 minutes more. 3. Add the tomatoes, tarragon, salt and pepper. Heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. If using canned tomatoes, simmer for 30 minutes to reduce the acidic taste. 4. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste. 5. To serve, place a portion of polenta on a warm plate and spoon on the mushroom ragout. Nutrition Facts Serving size: about 1 cup Calories 404 Total Fat 12 g Saturated Fat 2 g Protein 20 g Total Carbohydrate 57 g Dietary Fiber 17 g Sodium 335 mg Percent Calories from Fat 25% Percent Calories from Protein 20% Percent Calories from Carbohydrate 55%

Daily Christian Wisdom The depths of our spirituality does not depend upon changing the things we do, but in doing for God what we ordinarily do for ourselves. -Brother Lawrence