The Secret Art of Non Toxic Relationships book launch video

Revisiting Past Publications....

Read it at: http://issuu.com/duomagazineus/docs/laz

Read it at: http://issuu.com/duomagazineus/docs/gloria

Read it at:  http://issuu.com/duomagazineus/docs/fall2008

Read it at: http://issuu.com/duomagazineus/docs/britto

Building Relationships

I am a relationship person. What that means is that I get emotionally, intellectually and spiritually involved with other people. I listen to them and attempt to understand them or at least learn their patterns of thought.

Who I allow into my life is of the utmost importance to me. There are so very few things we really have control over. What, who and why you have in your life should be a conscious choice made with the best possible intent. As open as I am to experience, I don’t want to have unnecessary bad ones or more than my share of heartache.

Now if you know me well, you might be amazed at how conservative my attitude is. Sometimes I’m shocked at it as well. I open my heart much more readily than I open my life to people. Not everyone gets in. It is very personal and private. I like it that way.

In business, I only work with people I like and trust. Believe me, I’ve paid the price. I’ve lost opportunities, jobs and professional growth due to my views and opinions. I don’t and won’t play games or take cheap shots. There is something to be said for having standards and making a living with some dignity. Material wealth can never make up for a good night’s sleep.

Now, I have been a professional networker and business matchmaker in my past. Bringing people of similar minds and complimentary talents is hugely gratifying for me. You would never think I’m terribly shy. I am. Crowds tend to scare me and it takes every bit of courage in my being to talk to strangers. Somehow I’ve made a living out of talking to strangers and telling them what to do. How odd is that?

Once relationships are built there are no strangers. Connecting to that other being’s mind, thought or action makes everything familiar and safe. We all long for that connection so we don’t feel so isolated and alone. We build relationships so we can be stronger as individuals and help each other achieve greater heights impossible to reach alone.

Join me at the South Beach Seafood Festival!!

South Beach Seafood Festival is being held the weekend after my birthday and I was fortunate enough to win tickets!

Follow this festival on FB and let them know I recommended you to do so...maybe I'll get a VIP upgrade and I'll write about it on my southbeachannie blog....Join me!!

Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/SOBESeafoodFest

Thank you for helping me celebrate my birthday!!

Absurdist Times

Today I saw a news video of a woman being beat to a pulp in front of her child by a burglar, Paula Dean is being called a racist, and a young man who leaked something most of us suspected is fleeing for his life as a national security threat.  However, the Kardashians are doing fine and keeping some balance in their lives with a new baby named North.

I don’t understand anything anymore.

As a teacher, I guided my students in choosing their words.  What Paula Dean uttered was strictly forbidden in my presence.  It harms anyone who utters it.  It demeans others and our minds.  There are many words that have that power.  Words are things and have an effect.  We must be careful how we wield our weapons.

Paula was wrong.

Zimmerman is facing the fire for his actions.  Is it any wonder?  It is wrong to hurt children, much less kill them.  What else needs to be said?

We are living in an angry society.  What will we do with such rage?

Back in the mid-nineties I read how we are being monitored in Wired magazine.  What’s new?  If you want to talk about something personal, don’t do it on a cell phone, email, or blog.  Really?  Someone wrote about Big Brother a long time ago, smell the coffee….

I grow tired of people posing like they are supermodels on FB.  What are you selling?  I miss down to earth reality…If you don’t want people in your business, keep your mouth shut!  Really, what are you selling?

Anthony Weiner might make a great mayor someday.  What the hell was he thinking when he was online?  There is no privacy and there are multitudes of opportunists.  Who are these women who spoke up about Tiger and Weiner?  Are they real or like the imaginary girlfriend that football player had?

There are too many rats in this cage…they are turning on each other!!

"Real" Health Insurance

This morning, I went shopping and ended up getting an assortment of fresh fish, fruits and vegetables.

 

 Of course, I added some Sub-lingual B-12, mouthwash, gentle enough for children shampoo and an assortment of nuts. As I was checking out, I thought of how this was my "real" health insurance. It has become a habit to go to where I have been informed by former distributors that the fish is fresh. Getting organic apples and celery has become a must due to pesticide issues. All natural supplements and gentle "greener" cleaners are increasingly important. It seems like everything that is in my cart and kitchen is an ode to health and clean living. Who would have thunk it?

However the oc·ca·sion·al Chili Cheese with Onions Hot Dog (CCO) at Arbetters in Westchester will always be an indulgence.  Seeing how people age and develop dependencies on medications has opened my eyes to the importance of what we put into our bodies.  Just listen to some of the side effects on any drug commercial on TV.  This is getting serious!  Not that I'm afraid of aging or the inevitable end of all living beings, but the journey can be a more pleasant one if we are cautious and caring with ourselves.


 

Sunday Morning Calalloo

When I was nine years old, I read a Reader’s Digest quote stating that according to the Chinese, each time you try something new you add 78 days to your life.  As the child I was, I believed I found the secret to living forever!!

So, here we go, try this…Calaloo:

Servings: 6

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

·  4 cups vegetable stock
·  Red pepper flakes
·  6 cups collard greens or kale, chopped
·  4 cups okra, chopped
·  Coconut Oil
·  Coconut Milk

1. Combine all ingredients except coconut milk in a large pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer.

2. Simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until veggies are nice and soft.

3. Puree soup using an immersion blender (you could do this in a conventional blender but be careful not to burn yourself!).

4. Add coconut milk, stir to dissolve. Enjoy!