Resuming a Vegetarian Lifestyle

For about a week or so, I’ve resumed my vegetarian lifestyle from 20 years ago.  It feels good!  I was thinking about writing about it yesterday as I made delicious potato soup with celery, garlic, onions and malanga for creaminess.  It was so wonderful, nutritious and comforting…no one eating it would miss meat at all.

After only experiencing life for one month, my little body rejected milk.  My mother had to puree vegetables and fruit for me to consume.  I grew strong and resilient to the woman I am today.  However, I’ve always faced problems with diet.

Many times in my life my body has rejected meat.  I either feel better reducing my animal protein intake or ultimately avoiding it completely.  Somehow, it feels healthier and more comfortable for me.

My body has been going through a major healing experience.  An injury has forced me to get chiropractic and massage therapy.  I have also added a supplemental fruit and vegetable program to my daily intake.  The mixture of these changes and my mental focus on being healthy has brought me back to my vegetarian life style.

It is amazing how every change catapults other changes ultimately allowing the true nature of balance and health surface.

In Memory of My Mother...

Yolanda Rodriguez-Figueredo-Reyes  

January 15, 1925-June 17, 2012

She was proud to have shared the same birthdate as Martin Luther King Jr. and would have enjoyed knowing that she left the same day Rodney King passed.  Social activism and martyrs were high on her list as were the Kennedy clan.  Much of my political and worldviews were influenced by her and the books she had me read.  “Las Fuerzas Morales” was high on her list on how to live an upright life, never be a fake or hypocrite.  

Mother’s style, intelligence, stubbornness, graceful graciousness and art of conversation were second to none.  She knew about twenty ways to set a table and had fashion sense enviable of Diana Vreeland.  She had close friends of all nationalities, races and genders. During law school, she befriended Fidel Castro and he wrote her a personal note when she requested her transcripts from New York during the sixties.  It said, “Come and get it!”

Among her many interests, mother loved to paint miniature landscapes, arrange flowers, make gourmet meals, decorate, and write long elaborate letters in divine penmanship and go to the theatre.  She loved artists and intellectuals as well as good music.  One of the most important pieces of information you could ever share with her was what your interests were.  

The last couple of months of her life were precious to me.  I visited with her everyday to enjoy her views and conversation.  The greatest nugget I can share reminds me of something Maya Angelou could have said.  “Allow people to be who they are!”  I plan to apply this advice generously and invite you to do the same.

Adieu, Grande Dame, Ma Mere!

Amazon Reviews....Check it out!

What Do You See (Volume 1)
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Get Something Started!, April 1, 2012
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Have you ever been in a situation with nothing to say? These pictures are a fun way to challenge minds of all ages about what they see. I think I'll be sharing this on plane rides with endless waiting periods!



Internet Marketing for Business Answers - Small Business Expert Interviews (Internet Marketing for B
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Professionalism with Finesse, April 1, 2012
This review is from: Internet Marketing for Business Answers - Small Business Expert Interviews (Internet Marketing for B (Mass Market Paperback)
I met Jim nearly six years ago and have seen him grow professionally as an Internet Marketer and speaker. Now everyone can benefit from his experience and expertise with this book. Internet Marketing is a honed skill and not a hobby, if you are serious and want success, read this book!
 


Flowers With Wings (Butterfly Photographs Coffee Table Books for Kindle)
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Butterflies Are Free...., April 1, 2012
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Flowers With Wings (Butterfly Photographs Coffee Table Books for Kindle) When I was a teenager, I used to draw butterflies all over my books and notebooks at school. I'd write "Butterflies are free!" everywhere as my anthem to free spirited living! This book embodies all those thoughts common in young girls who love both beauty and freedom. It is a perfect gift for all butterfly lovers with a touch of literature under each breathtaking image. Enjoy!



Facebook + Email = Success (ABCs Plus Basics for Websites)
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Learn from Experience, March 31, 2012
This review is from: Facebook + Email = Success (ABCs Plus Basics for Websites) (Kindle Edition)
Too many people get lost in the technical aspects of email and FB marketing without the privilege of experience. Learn from success and stop reinventing the wheel! Also, enjoy the differences of opinion between Carney and O'Hare to balance your own approach. Find you own voice and approach to your marketing with some help from experts!

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What Really Matters

What really matters is to live loving your life. Find your passion and never lose sight of it. My parents used to tell me it is better to be a good shoemaker than a bad doctor. The world needs a good pair of shoes and a bad doctor can kill you.

Do you know what your passion is? Do some writing about it. Automatic writing is like liquid draino for the brain. Just take a few sheets of paper and start listing or describing what really turns you on intellectually, spiritually and emotionally...then the real trick is to find out how to monetize on it. Many people do though so why not you?

If you need to learn more about automatic writing, I recommend Julia Cameron's books, also learn from successful and admirable people like Sir Richard Branson's video below:



For me, I love nurturing people and creativity. Being a coach is a natural for me. I also have a great mind for business ideas and approaches. It comes from being a passionate consumer and people person. I love learning and sharing ideas and concepts. At the same time, I'm a little off center, so working for myself suits me very well.

Please continue these exercises and contact me if you need further guidance. Your attitude and outlook will be much improved after 12 weeks.

Dealing with Forgiveness

This is a tough one! How do you deal with forgiveness? Do you kiss and make-up? Do you let it go, but always remember? Do you seemingly move on, but constantly remind others of their faults? Do you turn the other cheek?

Think of a time you were wronged and truly dissect what your reaction was. Then try these questions by Byron Katie from her Work:

1. Is it true?
2. Are you sure?
3. How do you react to that thought?
4. Who would you be without that thought?

These questions are very simple and powerful at the same time. Okay, so somebody wronged you. Are you sure it is true? Let's dig deeper...

FACT (according to you): Ana hurt your feelings.
ASK YOURSELF: Is it true?
Did Ana intentionally hurt you or did something Ana do or say produce a feeling inside of you?
Are you sure?
Did Ana want to inflict this pain to you?
Did her actions solely exist to produce your pain?
How do you react to that thought?
What did you do to Ana?
Did you try to hurt her in return so she could feel your pain?
Did you betray her for having hurt your feelings?
Who would you be without that thought?
What if Ana never intended to hurt you?
What if she was going through something totally unrelated to what you thought was happening?
What if your reaction was totally unnecessary and no harm was intended?

If you find you are having trouble with Forgiveness, I strongly recommend Byron Katie's book by that title. It is very likely that a lack of forgiveness in a person's life can produce illnesses and undesirable stress. What I am completely sure of is that not forgiving others is definitely more harmful to the person holding the grudge.