TODAY THE WORD is CORNY. Corny as it may seem, there are days when we need a great sense of humor. Yesterday, while I was having what I call a “down” day which is unusual, one of my daughter’s friends made a post under a picture I had posted of myself. Her words expressed she had always loved how positive I had always been and I chuckled. Oh my, I had better pick my spirits up and I found myself laughing at the irony. I usually am positive by nature but I had been reminded people do pay attention and so my temporary pity party came to an end. I thought about this post I had written in 2013 and decided to repost for a laugh or two. At least I am going to have some fun with this post. I come from this time and I think it is ironic the word “corny” has become corny in today’s vocabulary.
According to the Free Dictionary, corny is defined as: corn·y(kôrn) adj. corn·i·er, corn·i·est
Photo courtesy of Linda Christian, fine gardener of life.
Trite, dated, melodramatic, or mawkishly sentimental. I guarantee all of my friends are having flashes of their children and grandchildren thinking we are a little corny even if they don’t know that word. I admit I am a little “corny” even in my writing as I love to go back to a simpler time, a slower time, and a time when we relished the memories of our elders and would sit for long periods of time, and yes, actually stay quiet while we heard their “corny tales” with their hard times, times of sacrifice, stories of war time events, and a lot of time we learned history from loved ones who lived through those times. We loved the funny stories and even the tragic ones because they were told with love and patriotism and we learned how to appreciate our heritage. A lot of television shows which were aired at that time, and amazingly some of them are still running like The Andy Griffith Show had characters like Barney Fife, corny as they come. But who doesn’t love Barney, master of corniness? My husband still loves this show and I even kid him and ask, “How many times have you watched that episode?” He usually just smiles and goes back to watching it. Maybe America, we need to get back to the Red Skelton Days, the Mayberry Days, or Happy Days and relieve some stress from our tense world? Life was somehow simpler with the times slower, a lot less political attention; more family time; and a more neighborly time. We knew our neighbors and we helped our neighbors and they helped us too. We shared with each other; we shared their losses and they shared ours; if one family was blessed to receive, we shared our gifts; and if one of the families suffered we were charitable.
Yesterday, when my good friend, Linda Christian posted another one of her garden treasures, the fresh miniature cobs of corn; everyone immediately expressed how they would love to have some and how willing she would be to share them with others and it brought me back to the “good ole days” and gave me hope there are still good people willing to share. I am hopeful in God placing people in my life who love people as I do and we “share”. Live life; love life; and live life to the fullest by opening your hearts and share even if the only thing you have to share is YOU!
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
(c) copyright 2012-2016 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission.
TODAY is FOOD JOURNEY IN AN ALLEY. There are times which are worthy of stepping out or stepping into an alley for an unexpected treat and last night was one of those times. For our 15th wedding anniversary, we chose to go out for a great dinner date. Greg and I love to go to different locations to try the cuisine and atmosphere. We had heard through word of mouth a great restaurant is located in Macon, Georgia named Downtown Grill and made reservations which is always a good sign of a great dinner preview. The fun part was Greg had set the location in GPS but he kept saying it is in an alley. I thought he was kidding, but he wasn’t and sure enough, into the alley Mulberry Lane we went. Complimentary valet parking made us feel safe and secure. We walked out of the alley and into one of the finest dining experience we have had on our dining outings.
I was surprised the restaurant was established in 1997 as it gives an atmosphere of forever existence and presence. As stated on their website:
The downtown grill is an English Steakhouse that specializes in prime cut Black Angus steaks, fresh pasta dishes, fish filets and decadent desserts. This fine dining restaurant also features a well stocked bar that includes a vast array of scotches and bourbons. We also offer an extensive wine list by the glass or by the bottle and a large oak cigar humidor.
The restaurant does have a private upstairs banquet room that will seat 50 for any of your special occasion needs. You can visit their website at: http://www.macondowntowngrill.com/
Here is Blake who served us with style.
Here is a recap of our experience. It seemed extremely dark when we entered but immediately it felt warm and cozy. The old brick walls and floors with dark walls called to our love of the historic buildings. It felt as if we stepped back into the early 1900’s. We were seated and found ourselves looking forward to an exquisite dinner. One of the first things we noticed was how small the menu was. What we realized when we met Blake our server he had all of the details in his head and very nicely guided us through the entire meal with a wonderful personality. I have to say sometimes Greg and I have been guilty of slightly rushing through a meal but Blake made a point to slow us down to savor each course and morsel. His explanations and description of our choices made us want to try everything. Greg went for the blackened dry aged ribeye with garlic potatoes and button mushrooms for his entree and I chose the blackened scallops with cheese grits and fresh sauteed spinach but let me tell you about the appetizers. They have, hands down the best creamy shrimp and grits with andouille sausage Greg or I have eaten (I only tasted the grits but out of this world) and the lump crab cakes were mouth watering. Each taste of all of our meal was properly seasoned and exquisitely prepared with the best service we have experienced.
I have to stop and say, “There has to be a cheat night.” We try to eat healthy but on these occasions, we lift our ban and enjoy ourselves. This was one of those nights, with the dessert, which was a Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Crusted with amaretto sauce topped with delicious almonds. I am not sure I can accurately describe this delightful dessert and we tried with all of our might to eat as much as we could, but had to leave some behind. That should tell you portion size as we shared it.
If you are in Macon, be sure to call and make reservations at this wonderful restaurant. Plan on eating leisurely, soaking in the history of a great ambiance, and indulge in great food and service. You can count on us returning for another treat and date night and we may not wait until an anniversary comes around.
Note from Author; Life gives us opportunities to try new adventures, meet new people, and open our minds to “going into an alley” or getting out of our comfort zone. By stepping outside the normal, we go down paths maybe less trodden but worth every step. Try new places; order a different food than you usually order and develop a great palette of life. LIVE LIFE; LOVE LIFE; AND LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST by trying new things! (C) Copyright 2012-2016 Arline Miller with rights reserved. Third party reference material source to original location. Photos from Downtown Grill and are found on their website (link listed above).
TODAY THE WORDS are UNTYING THAT STUBBORN KNOT. This message was an inspiration early this morning and even though I think I have written many times of my southern stubbornness, a strong message came with this enlightenment. I hope you enjoy my lesson which may help you or others to make life a little better and a lot easier.
All of us, at one time or another have dealt with a stubborn knot which seems like you will never loosen it to get it untied. Either in a ball of twine, a rope, a string, a flimsy belt, or a cord. It has tested our patience, wore us down, and only if we had a stubborn streak to keep us trying, did we eventually manage to untie it. One thing which was brought to me was the memory when I took my time, evaluated each tug or pull and untied it a lot easier than when I jerked on the knot. Let’s look at the meaning of knot as a noun and then I will share my thoughts on UNTYING THAT STUBBORN KNOT in life.
knot1
nät/
noun
noun: knot; plural noun: knots
1.
a fastening made by tying a piece of string, rope, or something similar.“tie a knot at the end of the cord”
a hard mass formed in a tree trunk at the intersection with a branch, resulting in a round cross-grained piece in timber when cut through.
a hard lump of tissue in an animal or human body
4.
an unpleasant feeling of tightness or tension in a part of the body.“her stomach was in knots as she unlocked the door”
5.
a small tightly packed group of people.“the little knot of people clustered around the doorway”
6.
a unit of speed equivalent to one nautical mile per hour, used especially of ships, aircraft, and winds.
historical
a length marked by knots on a log line, as a measure of speed.“some days the vessel logged 12 knots“
I have found there are Stubborn Knots of Life which we have to untie to have a smooth line or cord (which in my interpretation is life itself with relationships, faith, work, community, etc). Is there always going to be crinkles or knots which have to be dealt with on a regular basis? Yes, and how we deal with the issues or “knots” has a lot to do with how we react to them. If we jerk on the issues, we tighten the knot instead of loosening it and we defeat our purpose. If we don’t attempt to untie the strained and tenseness of the knot, we never untie the issues (or as I say, resolve them). Is it not better to work through the knot, loosening it with patience than to pull against it? I feel we have to have determination instead of stubbornness and with a little effort, we can release the tension and lighten our spirits. Life is to be smooth but never has it been promised we wouldn’t have to untie a few stubborn knots……Even our stubborn selves once in a while! Loosen up and untie your knots of emotions, stress, bitterness, or hate and let the flow of love and peace enter your belt of life.
Have a great day and until we read again…….Arline Miller
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
TODAY THE WORDS are THE SAUCE OF LIFE. In keeping with my healthy eating, I find myself reminiscing when I threw caution to the wind and ate what tasted good. Since thinking about those delicious moments of times gone by since my health is now the focus, and my memories are what I have, my thoughts went back to Thanksgiving, a great holiday for gathering with family and friends. I started thinking about the sauces which go along with the usual fined dinner; the cranberry sauce, whether it is homemade or canned; the gravy for the turkey and dressing (or sometimes stuffing, whichever is preferable). Please remember as I post this message, I am talking figuratively and not literally. All of us know who are eating healthy, the sauces can be hazardous to our health but they are consumed in large quantities and are quite desirable for the majority of diners who are indeed thankful for each morsel. Any of us who haven’t over indulged at this time of year are in mostly likely denial.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sauces we taste during this meal. First, cranberry sauce has a different taste since it is the perfect mixture of sweetness and tartness. The canned version has a slightly odd texture but blends softly and is easily blended with the meat or dressing. Second, we usually have the giblet gravy to spoon over the meat or the dressing so it is possible to have both sauces to be shared with the main attraction. Some people make a gravy from the drippings of the turkey so it can be either two or three sauces or gravy to enhance the great food. All three have a different taste but magnifies the taste.
Now for the deeper thought of The Sauce of Life…..From the descriptions of these tremendous tasting sauces which are part of a festive occasion; let’s see how they may play into our lives. Life can be divided into several “sauces” and there are times when life is rolling along with some sweet episodes and some “tart” days and issues. We find ourselves accepting the tartness along with the sweetness and are mostly satisfied with our lives at this time with acceptable jobs and/or careers, a few children with our spouses, maybe a slight up and down financial status, maybe a move, maybe a short sickness but all seems pretty settled. Once the meat of life is served; life can become a little dry and maybe everything is a little less tasteful; we have enjoyed the same meals over a course of time but we may question if this is the right menu and unless we put on the “giblet gravy” we, as humans, may wonder if we still love this menu. It is important to make sure we coat the main course of our life with a hearty dipping of gravy to spice up our life without changing the whole meal. Then when we have coated the meat, the dressing, and moved on through the meal of life; we sit still and rub our bellies (or our hearts) and reminisce about the whole meal of life. We will remember the good times, the vegetables and the starches of life; we will relish the sweet desserts by seeing our children and grandchildren grow up and we smile at all of the courses of life and then we will wipe our souls off and welcome eternity.
SET SAIL with LIFE’S WIND TOSSED HAIR. This morning, one of my friends posted the quote and my mind went crazy with the symbolism of sailing after responding with this simple phrase, “no wonder I have wind tossed hair.” I found this article explaining some basic instructions and thought it would be interesting to add how this can be applied to LIFE. You can find my FOR LIFE comments behind each one of the basic tips found in the article. I hope you see the connection as I did. The article is sourced below if you are interested in sailing and want to read it in its original format.
New to sailing? Let us help you master the basics with these handy sailing tips and instructions for beginners. You can also read our sailboat buying guide and watch videos on sailing, plus compare sailboat brands to find the right one for you. Both novice and experienced sailors alike can benefit from a quick review of these beginner sailing basics!
Choose calm, uncrowded waters If you’re just starting to master sailing basics and learn how to sail, then one of the most important beginner sailing tips to remember is to practice in ideal conditions of light winds and low traffic.
FOR LIFE, choose a calm life without so many interferences and distractions.
Choose a small boat to learn how to sail It’s easier to learn how to sail with fewer lines and sails. A small dinghy will be more responsive and easier to maneuver, and is also perfect for practicing test capsizes in (see tip #7 below).
FOR LIFE,don’t take on a large amount of debt but practice staying in your comfortable zone.
Begin on a boat rigged with one sail Similar to the above, beginning on a boat that’s rigged with just one sail will make learning sailing basics easier and less complicated.
FOR LIFE, choose one partner and stick with this one for life if at all possible.
Follow sailing basics for safety There are certain sailing basics for safe boating that should go without saying, no matter what your level of expertise. These include always telling someone before you go out on the water, always bringing a floatation device and knowing in advance how to swim. For additional information, please see our safe boating pages.
FOR LIFE, protect your relationship by playing it safe with faithfulness and loyalty.
Research tide, wind and weather conditions. Check the weather forecast so you can be prepared for whatever the weather might bring. Be sure to bring along adequate provisions, clothing and basic weather gear as needed. Boating and sailing basics means always being prepared.
FOR LIFE, there will be rough times, hard times, and your hair and life will be wind tossed.
Become familiar with sail control The best sailors are the ones who are able to adjust sail settings to take the best advantage of different wind and water conditions. In general, sails should be relatively flat when the wind is either very light or very strong, and full when there is a moderate wind.
FOR LIFE, insure peaceful home environment control your emotions with patience and kindness.
Capsize on purpose. This may seem like one of the oddest beginner sailing tips we could suggest, but it’s better to practice how to handle a capsized sailboat within a controlled environment, as opposed to an uncontrolled one. We learn best from experience, and the valuable sailing basics you’ll pick up from going through a test-capsize in a small dinghy will serve you well in the event of a real-life one.
FOR LIFE, find the purpose in life by prioritizing family, faith, career, and hobbies with consideration for others.
Respect the boom Some of the most common sailing injuries are a result of not being aware when the boom is about to swing. To avoid a bump to the head, or even worse, being knocked overboard, one of the most important beginner sailing tips to always remember for both passengers and crew is to be conscious and respectful of the boom at all times.
FOR LIFE,respect dangerous situations and act appropriately by consciously making good choices.
Learn basic sailing terms. Before you venture out on your first trip, be sure to acquaint yourself with basic sailing terms. Make sure you know the difference between port, starboard, and other important concepts.
FOR LIFE, learn how to communicate on a positive, respectful level with others and listen better.
Practice makes perfect. Don’t try to teach yourself all the sailing basics. Invest in a good sailing course, research guides and books, and learn from friends with experience.
boating lifestyle
FOR LIFE, practice does make perfect and if you make a mistake or many mistakes, realize apologies show strength, not weakness.
Note from Arline Miller: I see a life lesson in almost everything I do and I enjoy relating those everyday events into building character or living life to the fullest.
(C) Copyright 2012-2016 Arline L Miller Property with rights reserved and used with permission. Third party material is sourced with original location of articles.
IN ALL THINGS BE THANKFUL. This morning my husband Greg made us poached eggs on multi grain toast. I thanked him and it brought to mind how many things he does for me and do I thank him each time? I then posted on Facebook the following and thought I would share it on the blog.
My Sunday Morning Thought: My desire is to be more thankful and to express my gratitude in all things. Saying Thank You when my loving husband does something nice; when a friend gives me support and/or good advice; when my daughter sends me a text message with fourteen hearts and I love You Mom; when a stranger opens and holds the door; when my employer understands I have a rough day sometimes; when a child smiles or giggles; when the sun comes out after a rain; or rain comes when it is needed so badly; or when I wake up for a brand new day……May I say Thank You in all things. Until we read again, Arline Miller
I have learned in life what we put in is what we get out of life. If we seek happiness; we should give someone else a reason to be happy.
Keep the faith; speak in the voice of gratitude. In all things be true and kind. Arline Miller
TODAY THE WORDS are NEW BEGINNINGS. So many of us made New Year Resolutions which only lasted for a month or two for the majority of us. We find our goals disappearing and/or changing. How many of us can say we have maintained whatever plans we made to get on a healthier eating lifestyle, exercise more, give up bad habits, etc? I can say with experience, Not Many! Even me with some health issues finds a piece of cake tempting, looking around for an excuse to not cook healthy, running away from exercise instead of running or walking. This is our nemesis in our health programs. Why I am writing about this is because we have to recognize the human weakness factor. We have to have NEW BEGINNINGS. Before we start a new beginning in health, I think it wise to have a new beginning in our spirit. If our spirit is at peace, we find the challenge to change habits, eating healthy, and exercising less intrusive and more rewarding. We start looking forward to each milestone with eagerness instead of drudgery. Let us take a positive look at this approach.
In sports, we have a new season to do better than we did the year before. In school, students start a new quarter or a new year to obtain a degree or have a better grade. With a new career, a person has another beginning and an opportunity to “shine”. There are numerous times in life that a new beginning is afforded and do we see the importance of this opportunity? A little baby comes into this world “beginning” its life and also at the same time a new beginning as parents occurs. Sometimes with new beginnings, we are able to start without bringing the past into this arena. This can be the best situation, leaving behind all failures, mistakes, relationships, etc. If we are afforded a fresh start, a new beginning and yet we have the experiences of lessons learned from mistakes made; how can we fail?
Now, for the deeper thought………look at the picture and realize, if you haven’t done so before……every day is a new beginning. We can leave the past behind, forgive people that have wronged you, ask for forgiveness for yourself; see the day for the opportunity to start fresh. If habits need to be changed or stopped; stop them. If you have been angry; chill out. If you have been losing; try to win this time. If you are not happy; figure out what is wrong and change it or change yourself. If you need help; ask for help. If you need to get busy and get out of a depression; start moving as it is a known fact that busy people do not get depressed as complacent ones. The deepest thought now……Have you realized that you choose whether or not it will be a new beginning or if you stay in the same ole rut? You do have a say in whether or not your life will change in a better way. God has given you each day as a new beginning and it is up to us whether we rise, look at a beautiful sunrise, and say, “This is the day to start over”. To each of you, enjoy the beauty of this day!” Photo courtesy of Mark Lott
DAILY FEATURED BIBLE VERSE:
Revelation 21:4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
(C) Copyright 2012-2016 Arline L Miller with all permissions and rights reserved. Third party material sourced and credited.
TODAY LET’S MAKE OATMEAL COOKIES. I will post my recipe for Arline’s Version of Grandma’s Oatmeal Cookies but before I do, I thought I would re-post the message behind the Oatmeal Cookies attached to a loving memory of my Mom. In days where I watch all sweets, there is something wonderful about an oatmeal cookie and it is not the sugar; it is the sweet love I feel for my precious Mother.
3 cups oats (we use Quaker Quick or Old Fashioned. Do NOT use instant.)
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (use 1/2 cup if using raisins)
1 cup raisins (optional)
Method
1 Cream shortening and sugars, add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
2 Sift flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Add to first mixture and mix well. Add a tablespoon of water. Add raisins (if using) and nuts. Add oats last.
3 Spoon out by heaping tablespoonfuls on to greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350°F. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove to wire rack. Cool completely.
Copyright reference for above recipe. Hello! All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to Grandma’s Oatmeal Cookies on Simply Recipes. Thank you!
My version is taking and cutting sugar by half of the brown and granulated sugar and replacing with honey. I never measure by use taste method but no more than a 1/4 cup unfiltered raw honey. Love this taste.
TODAY THE WORDS are OATMEAL COOKIES. We are going to go down memory lane for a visit to my dear Mother’s home before she passed away. As my Mother got older, she cooked and baked less, which is understandable. I began to bring her baked goodies when I would visit her. I started out with a variety of different desserts but it was soon narrowed down to my version of “Grandma’s Oatmeal Cookies. They had honey in them and they are scrumptious to say the least. I would bring her a container full. She would always eat one as if testing them to make sure they were as good as the batch before. As I would watch her, I received more sweet enjoyment than the cookies’ sweetness. I could tell how much she loved them and she also loved I had made them for her. She had a certain spot the container would be placed when she had finished. Once in a while she would splurge and eat two, but never more than two. As sweet of a memory as this is to me, this is only part of the reason for the topic. Why the oatmeal cookie plays such an important part is not that the cookies were tasty, it was Momma’s rationing of the cookies that will reflect a life’s lesson. When I would call Momma for our regular Saturday morning talk which usually lasted about an hour and a half, one of the things Momma would share is how many cookies she still had and if my Sister had stopped by and had eaten some cookies. My Momma was a wonderful person and she would share whatever she had, but you had to be willing to be frugal with those goodies like she was. I would bring her fresh ones every time I would come so rationing was not necessary. It was built into my Momma to have a willing spirit of anticipation.
Now for the deeper thought…...If we would live our live on Momma’s Oatmeal program, we could enjoy life a lot longer and better. I see many people who devour what they receive in a hurry never thinking if they are going to get hungry soon. We are a living, breathing example of why we should eat a reasonable amount of food and not overindulge. The same goes for the rest of lifestyles. some of them need to be lived (or tasted), We need to savor each day (or morsel). We need to appreciate the love and labor which went into each opportunity with a palette of life. We should exercise moderate portions of life and enjoy each bite (or experience) we are given and not feel as it we are on our last “cookie”. Live life, love life, and live life to the fullest!
Here I am in the middle of two young ladies who believe in healthy eating and exercise. Tiffany on the left, who is my daughter’s BFF and an extra daughter and on the right is my daughter Missy and they both glow from the inside out.
TODAY THE WORD is GLOW. As we can see from the definition of the word glow; :to shine with or as if with an intense heat glowing in and the darkness; this can be a warm subject for us. My daughter visits us about twice a year and I have noticed a beautiful glow about her which radiates us while in her presence and warms our heart. She practices healthy eating, exercise, and takes care of her skin so it would be natural to think these are the reasons for her glow; they are but I feel there is another reason for that special glow. Her glow seems to penetrate from below her skin and it does glow as if it has an intense heat from her inner being. When she speaks of others, she is kind with her words and descriptions of them.
Here is an interesting article on how healthy eating produces healthy glowing skin and hair:
Ready to nosh your way to better hair and skin? You can. Research is now showing that it’s possible to influence your looks simply by choosing specific foods.Hair growth (and fallout), skin collagen production, hormone balance and more are all tied to what you choose to eat.
First thing to know, don’t skimp on rich, healthy ingredients this season, even if you are trying to slim down. ‘Our body has no idea what a calorie is,’ says Ciara Foy, a Toronto-based holistic nutritionist. ‘That’s important to understand with respect to eating whole foods because they contain tons of nutrients, phytochemicals and enzymes that work synergistically to keep us healthy.’
Here are our must-eats to help you get your glow on.
Fatty Fish
Fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids have incredible beauty benefits, including glowing skin and shiny strands. About three percent of the hair shaft is made up of omega-3 fatty acids. They’re found in cell membranes on your scalp and in the natural oils that keep your scalp and hair hydrated. While salmon is usually the superstar choice, Foy says mackerel, sardines and anchovies are even better. ‘They’re great because they’re at the bottom of the food chain, so they’re not living for very long, which means toxins like mercury do not accumulate in them.’
Red Bell Peppers
Did you know that red peppers contain far more skin-boosting vitamin C than oranges? ‘Vitamin C is a pre-cursor to collagen production and is also an antioxidant,’ says Dr. Julia Carroll, a dermatologist with Compass Dermatology in Toronto. ‘When light hits your skin, it creates free radicals. These bounce around inside your skin and lead to DNA damage, which turns into aging.’ The antioxidants attach themselves to free radicals and neutralize them so that they can’t do damage. Loading up on red peppers will help keep your skin younger-looking.
Spinach
Not only does spinach give you strength, but it’s also a major anti-ager. According to celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, author of The Beauty Detox Foods, it’s rich in beta carotene, which converts into the powerful anti-aging vitamin A. This nutrient is crucial for allowing proper moisture retention to the epidermis, helping to prevent wrinkles and remove dead skin. For premium absorption, pair spinach with a food that’s high in vitamin C. Try a squeeze of lemon in a homemade dressing drizzled over a spinach salad.
Coconut
The water from coconuts is a great natural hydration aid and contains potassium, an electrolyte that helps move nutrients into our cells. Coconut oil, which is high in healthy fats, vitamins E and K and minerals, is one of the best natural nutrients for your hair, boosting growth and shine by moisturizing the scalp. It’s also highly effective in reducing protein loss when used as a pre-wash conditioning treatment ‘ protein loss can leave strands weak and prone to damage. You can also try swapping vegetable oil for coconut oil when cooking ‘ it has a high smoke point, which means it’s great for high-heat cooking.
Avocado Oil
We all got the message about the benefits of eating whole avocados; now it’s the oil that’s getting all the attention. Avocados contain good amounts of vitamins A, D and E and omega-9 fatty acids ‘ one of the building blocks of healthy skin ‘ which is highly concentrated in the oil. All of these nutrients help to even out skin tone over time when added to your diet regularly. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, so it’s versatile enough to use when sautéing or roasting veggies or as a drizzle on a cold summer soup.
Eggs
Whether you enjoy them sunny side up for breakfast or boiled and sliced cold over a green salad, eggs are serious healthy-hair helpers. One of their key ingredients is sulfur, an essential nutrient that helps with everything from vitamin B absorption to liver function (your body’s detox organ). Sulfur is also necessary for the production of collagen and keratin, which help create and maintain shiny locks, strong nails and glowing skin.
Garlic
Truly one of nature’s best medicines, garlic also helps prevent breakouts and maintain clear skin. To make the most of its naturally antibiotic compounds, it’s best to crush or chop garlic and leave it on the cutting board for a few minutes before cooking.
Walnuts
These nuts have omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help the body retain moisture, giving your mane a healthy-looking shine. The protein content of the walnuts helps boost hair follicles, making hair fuller and stronger.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are skincare superheroes, protecting you from sun damage thanks to their high antioxidant content. A recent study presented at The Royal Society of Medicine in London found that women who were given five tablespoons of standard tomato paste with 10 grams of olive oil every day for 12 weeks showed significant improvement in their skin’s ability to protect itself against UV damage.
Pumpkin Seeds
These little wonders are packed with zinc, as well as vitamins A and K and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are essential to building a healthy hair shaft. They’re also rich in fatty acids and vitamin C, which are important for producing sebum ‘ your skin’s natural oil ‘ to protect and repair skin.
Collard Greens
All greens are great for our health, but collard greens are one of the most underappreciated. They are extremely high in vitamin C, a major antioxidant that fights toxins (just one cup of collards provides 70 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C). If you’re trying to eat more raw meals this summer, try this take on the traditional taco: Mix ground walnuts with taco spice and a few dashes of tamari, top with salsa and roll in raw collard leaves.
Hemp
Hemp seeds are made up of 30 percent pure protein and a full range of amino acids and essential fatty acids needed to maintain your skin’s structure. You can sprinkle a spoonful on cereal, or use hemp seed oil in dips or add it to your morning smoothie. According to a study noted in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, symptoms of skin dryness and itching significantly improved after using hemp seed oil for 20 weeks when consuming one to two tablespoons a day.
Pineapple
This sweet treat is high in vitamin C and the enzyme bromelain, which is known to be an effective skin softener. Drinking pineapple juice and munching on the fruit help the body synthesize collagen, which supports skin structure, while vitamin C and amino acids aid in cell and tissue repair, giving you a youthful appearance. Add it to your morning smoothie for a refreshing treat.
Oysters
These saltwater delicacies do wonders for hair, nails and skin. ‘They’re a great source of dietary zinc, which is really important for the growth and function of skin cells,‘ says Dr. Carroll. ‘If you go out and order half a dozen oysters, that will give you 500 percent of your daily requirement.’
Oats
For the love of your locks, you need to eat more oats. ‘They have high amounts of zinc, biotin, magnesium and potassium,’ says Foy. ‘A deficiency in these key nutrients can lead to more brittle hair and more breakage.’ For the perfect summer breakfast, Foy suggests making soaked oats in a Mason jar: Fill a small jar halfway with oats, top with your favourite milk (dairy, almond or soy) and spices (like cinnamon and nutmeg), and let soak overnight in the fridge. In the morning, you can add berries, nuts and seeds for added nutritional value.
Looking at another view of “glow”, a few years ago, I attended the services for my uncle and even in death, it was so visible that his wife had a lover’s glow for her husband. Even through the sadness and grief, the glow from their relationship of over a half century together was so radiant, it felt as if the heater was on in the church where the service was held. That glow will never burn out as they are true sweethearts and even death cannot blow out their flame of love and devotion. I have seen that same glow in my sister and husband and I see the twinkle in their eyes for each other and it has radiated for many years. I don’t have the fifty years with my husband, but I can feel the glow of love and it is the same glow I wanted for my entire life. That warmth gets us through the rough times and allows me to enjoy to the fullest the good times.
Now for the deeper thought….probably the saddest thought…..I see people who seem to be dark and without a glow of life. In this life, some people trade their glow for temptations and substances that are bleeders of life. As the dependence on these things grows; the lesser the glows of the addicts. It seems to me, it is not a good trade off. The glow of life grows as we get older and keeps the warmth of life in our bodies. The glow of God is so brilliant, it can light the way in the total darkness. How sad to have blackness in life and not to be able to see your way. It is so important for us to withstand the temptation to try those things that others will say, “one time will not kill you” and it might not. However, it starts the blowing out of the glow from within. God’s light produces the glow in us and it is up to us to maintain that special glow. Be a glow worm today and shine, shine, shine!
FEATURED BIBLE VERSE: Matthew 5:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (c) copyright 2012- 2016 Arline Lott Miller. The material here copyrighted, use only by permission. Third party sourced for original source material.
n
) adj. corn·i·er, corn·i·est
Trite, dated, melodramatic, or mawkishly sentimental. I guarantee all of my friends are having flashes of their children and grandchildren thinking we are a little corny even if they don’t know that word. I admit I am a little “corny” even in my writing as I love to go back to a simpler time, a slower time, and a time when we relished the memories of our elders and would sit for long periods of time, and yes, actually stay quiet while we heard their “corny tales” with their hard times, times of sacrifice, stories of war time events, and a lot of time we learned history from loved ones who lived through those times. We loved the funny stories and even the tragic ones because they were told with love and patriotism and we learned how to appreciate our heritage. A lot of television shows which were aired at that time, and amazingly some of them are still running like The Andy Griffith Show had characters like Barney Fife, corny as they come. But who doesn’t love Barney, master of corniness? My husband still loves this show and I even kid him and ask, “How many times have you watched that episode?” He usually just smiles and goes back to watching it. Maybe America, we need to get back to the Red Skelton Days, the Mayberry Days, or Happy Days and relieve some stress from our tense world? Life was somehow simpler with the times slower, a lot less political attention; more family time; and a more neighborly time. We knew our neighbors and we helped our neighbors and they helped us too. We shared with each other; we shared their losses and they shared ours; if one family was blessed to receive, we shared our gifts; and if one of the families suffered we were charitable.
