Gratitude, and Lemon-Rosemary Water

I know Thanksgiving is done and fading into a distant memory already. I know that in our society, we tend to quickly forget our bountiful living in pursuit of the best deals for Christmas presents. 

But this year, I'm trying to pause, breathe, and enjoy the winter. No easy task, especially for me right now. I am no longer enjoying school, I am not pulling in much money and my job is on a time limit, and my immediate future is extremely unclear.

But then I remember all the information I have gathered through my years. All the Yoga Sutras, 4 Agreements, Ancient Toltec Philosophy, Law of attraction, positive thinking, everything comes flooding in until I'm drowning in Zen. And yet I am still nervous, anxious, and dissatisfied.

Then a few simple words from Dr. Usui come into my awareness, almost as if whispered into my ears that I am clutching in useless attempt to block out the outside world. (Dr. Usui founded modern day Reiki).

Just for today, I will not worry.

Just for today, I will not anger.

Just for today, I will be grateful.

I will earn my living honestly, and treat everyone with kindness.

(*Note: There are so many versions of Dr. Usui's words, I kind of just gathered what spoke to me. Google search for more!)

And no, the skies didn't open up and shower me with gold and rainbows. 

But I did start thinking of what I DO have. I have a bed to sleep in. I have healthy food to eat and the knowledge to feed my body well. I have a loving family. I am loved by an amazing man. I have a passion and a purpose and I am slowly but surely treading the path towards expanding it into my own business. I have an education and the opportunity for more education. I have my senses and my mind and my body and my breath. 

In short, I am extremely fortunate. 

Things aren't always stable, and things that we have may come and go and it may seem as if the world is ending sometimes. I can't offer solutions, all I can do on this day is urge my dear friends and family to stop and smell the candy canes and pumpkin spice this holiday season, give your loose change to the people standing outside stores ringing bells and telling you to have a happy holiday, and if you find yourself caught up in all the price tags and gaudy glitter garlands, take a moment for yourself and take a big giant breath and think of what you're grateful for.

And if, just for today, you want a break from Pumpkin Tea and Pumpkin coffee and pumpkin lattes and need something refreshing, try some lemon rosemary water. Just lemon, a sprig of rosemary, and filtered water. No recipe needed, just a few moments!

So much love from my heart to yours!

-Sharon Jeanette

Lemon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I love the idea "less is more", and it could not be more accurate in this super simple recipe. You could add a million more ingredients or slabs of butter to your sprouts, but it truly isn't necessary :)

Ingredients:
1 Stalk Brussels Sprouts
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
1 tsp Italian Seasoning (mine had thyme, basil, parsley, etc)
1/2 Lemon
4 Veggie Bacon strips (I used morningstar brand)

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Grab your stalk! You could, of course, just buy them single but where's the fun in that?

Take them off the stalk, cut off the bottom of the sprouts and slice them in half. Rinse well!

Lay on a towel to dry and mix the Olive Oil, S&P, and spices up in a bowl. Once the Brussels are dry put them on a baking sheet and toss in the oil until they all have a thin coat.

Place in oven for 5 minutes! After 5 minutes, take them out and squeeze the lemon juice over the Brussels, and cut up some slices if you'd like to throw in the pan.

Put back in oven for 5 more minutes. In the meantime, crumble up the veggie bacon and cook until slightly crisp.

Take out Brussels and toss in the "bacon" bits. Put back in oven for 5 more minutes.

Super simple, delicious, seasonal. Nothing better :)

This recipe is perfect because it's cheap, seasonal, and full of veggies. I made a lot so I might put the leftovers into a pasta dish later. These would be so perfect for a potluck.

Yummmm :)

Enjoy friends! From my heart, to yours <3