Someone You Know

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imageWe were camping in the rain when I heard news of the flooding in Louisiana. It seemed a world away, although from where I live in Austin, TX – to where it happened – is only 450 or so miles. Close, and even closer, when those floods affect someone you know. The way the news was solely focused on an Olympic swimmer’s bad behavior, I had no idea how bad things were in Louisiana. To my relief, my friends in Lafayette and Baton Rouge had “checked in” on Facebook saying they were alright.

Then I received an email from another friend. “Just a quick note to let you know, even though Lucy and Ricky’s house didn’t flood inside, things are bad for them.” (For their privacy, I have changed their names.) “Please drop her a couple words of encouragement.”  That’s the kind of woman she is. I wrote Lucy that night, asking if there was anything at all that we could do to help.

imageShe responded this morning, and we emailed back-and-forth for more than two hours. Lucy told me they’d been in their new house for less than a year, and thankfully the house was okay. While their new neighborhood in Greenwell was damaged, (see left) their old house and neighborhood in Central, (below) just three miles away, were ruined by the flood. They have three people living with them right now, and Ricky’s company was a total loss. “I am focused,” she said, “on keeping everyone fed and comfortable.”

Lucy told me it had been very emotionally and physically draining, knowing that so much of Louisiana is a total loss.  “We will be fine,” she said, “I went through all of this during Katrina when we had 18 people living with us for four months. Back then, I saw the home and city I grew up in completely destroyed. This time I saw the home and neighborhood where we raised all three of our girls completely destroyed.”

imageI can’t imagine going through that once, but to go through it twice is mind-bending. Lucy agreed, “It’s definitely been an eye-opening and heart-breaking experience.”  I asked why they had moved. “We needed more land for the race cars and motorhome.”  It was good that they moved when they did. I pointed out that their toys saved them, and she laughed. “That’s true!” then she added, “I’m glad we moved, this house definitely saved our lives, and has given shelter to others.” Those others are her youngest daughter (who is expecting) and son-in-law, and a friend who has also lost everything.

“Last thing. . . looking on the bright side, we should have 5 1/2 people by next week. Our daughter should be induced if she hasn’t gone into labor by then. Can’t wait to get that baby in my hands!”

With all of her family history gone, she’s focusing on the good that is yet to come, because, that’s the kind of woman she is.

XO Donna

AWOL

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I know it probably seems like I’ve been “absent without leave,” but the last three weeks have been crazy-busy, stressful, and exhilarating, as if I’ve been riding a giant roller-coaster… and, mind you, I hate riding roller-coasters. I’m always afraid I’ll be that person… you know, the one who gets sick!

Long story, short: On July 15th we moved again,  and downsized even further. On July 20th, up to our ears in boxes, we finally found our dream motor-home just up the road in Georgetown, TX.  The owners have been a dream to deal with, too.  Talk about getting lucky!

imageThen, on July 31st, the book I’ve been writing (for a couple of years) – Sick and Tired… & Sexy: Living Beautifully with Chronic Illness became available on Amazon. If you (or anyone you know) are dealing with chronic illness, I’m sure you will find this book to be both helpful, and a fun read.

I hope you all enjoy it. If you do, please tell your friends, and please write and tell me. I’d love to hear from you!
Here is the link:
https://www.amazon.com/Sick-Tired-Sexy-Beautifully/dp/1943658110

XO Donna

P.S. – I also wrote a new article for the online women’s magazine: 1010ParkPlace.com

 

GIVE PEACE (of mind) A CHANCE

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meditationI wrote about meditation in my book; how I struggled with it, but did it anyway. I benefited from my commitment,  but  it wasn’t until I began working with a personal coach last September that meditation became a focus in my life. I once had a boyfriend tell me that I was “too airy-fairy.” As it turns out, I wasn’t airy-fairy enough.

My coach urged me to surrender to meditation, to move from a place of “having to” into a place of willingness.  She also urged an a.m. and p.m. practice. I resisted. I didn’t see how it could help beyond making me feel a little more relaxed.

Here’s what happened after I finally did surrender:

  • Within 90 days of wholeheartedly meditating, I realized I could retire. I was ready to take the risk and go for what I truly wanted.
  • 90 days after that, I was finished writing my book, Sick and Tired & Sexy, Living Beautifully with Chronic Illness.
  • In the next 120 days – the book is now ready to go to print, I just approved everything this morning!
  • I used The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo and got rid of all of my extra “stuff.” What is left brings me joy, and I have a new awareness of who I am, without all of my stuff.
  • I was invited to join the team of talented women writing at 1010ParkPlace.com.
  • A new book idea appeared for me, and I am making daily progress on a “spiritual murder mystery.”
  • And last, but not least – we move into an even smaller, but sexier, apartment tomorrow morning. This will allow us to travel and I can write-on-the-go.

Here is what I realized: we are only having a one-way conversation with our Spirit/God/Higher Power/The Universe if all we do is talk, ask, pray, but never sit still and listen.  We need to make time for answers, guidance, solutions, and inspiration to come into our lives. These charge us, like magnets,  to attract just what we need in the form of wonderful coincidences and seemingly miraculous occurrences.

Here is a great article including a video (01:48 mins!)  by Madeline Diamond:
http://www.huffingtonpost.comentry/a-tibetan-buddhis-masters-simple-guide-to-meditation_us_57850a79e4b07c356cfe8158

Take a few minutes to sit down, get still, and give inner-peace a chance. Let me know what happens!

XO Donna

My Tangerine Cake

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imageI have been promising this forever, and I have finally typed it out for you!

 

Almond Flour & Whole Tangerine Cake

When I began looking for something to do with a 6 lb. bag of tangerines I impulsively bought at the grocers this winter, nothing appealed to me until I saw a stunning cake on a blog called The View from Great Island.  And it was wheat-free!

I faithfully copied hers the first time, but felt I could change a few things and make it taste better to me. At cake number four I knew I had gotten it just the way I love it.

I’ve made them as gifts for friends, I trust this recipe that much. You can even do the fruit one day, and put the cake together the next.

Note: You must have a food processor and a 9” springform pan to make this cake.

 4 medium tangerines

3 eggs at room temperature

3 C almond meal or almond flour

1 tsp of baking powder

¼ tsp of sea salt

½ tsp of vanilla extract

¼ tsp of almond extract

¾ C of sugar

Powdered sugar for decoration

  • Prep the tangerines by washing them and placing them whole in cold water, bringing them to a boil, then simmering for 15 minutes. Drain, cover them with cold water again, and repeat process. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside to cool.

  • When you can handle them, cut them up, discard any seeds and place in food processor bowl fitted with steel blade. (I did this on a plate so I didn’t lose any of the juice.) Clean the sides of bowl once or twice as you puree.

  • Measure out the one cup of tangerine puree you’ll need.

  • In one large bowl, I beat the eggs, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla and almond extract and tangerine puree. Then I add the almond flour and scrape it all into a greased or buttered spring-form pan to which I have added a piece of parchment paper cut to fit the bottom.

  • Bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 50-60 minutes. It will be a gorgeous golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the cake will come out clean.

  • Cool the cake in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then run a knife around sides, and remove them. cool cake on a wire rack, still on bottom of pan.

  • When cool, I invert onto a plate, leaving it bottom-up. Dust with confectioners sugar and garnish with a twist of peel or two from another tangerine.

  • It’s very rich and can serve from 8-12 people.  I’ve also served it with a dollop of mascarpone or unsweetened whipped cream.

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I hope you love it as much as I do. Please let me know what you think after you’ve made one!

XO Donna

 

TANGERINE DREAMS

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imageEven though their name, tangerine, conjures up images of bustling souks and Moorish architecture for me, these little mandarin oranges have been cultivated in China and Japan for more than 3,00 years. They got their name because Tangiers is the port they were shipped from, bound for Europe and America in the 1800’s.

It seems about that many years ago that I was a little kid. Since their prime season is in the winter, as children our Christmas stockings were always filled with candy canes, assorted nuts, coloring books, and tangerines. So, I associate them with Christmas.

And it was during the holidays this year that I found myself faced with a 5-pound bag of the little cuties – organic, no less – and wondering what on Earth to do with so many, when I struck gold!

Well, golden-orange. I found cakes made using many different types of citrus, and almond meal. Baking with almonds goes back hundreds of years, and I found recipes of Spanish, Middle-Eastern, and Italian origin.

imageI sought out the commonalities in each recipe, put them all together, and created my own delicious recipe. Where our food comes from, it’s provenance, has always been important to me. It’s something that was lost when our food started coming in boxes. The act of spending time making this cake brings the rich history of many different centuries and cultures right into my kitchen.

I’m making this one for a dear friend whose parents and brother are visiting her this weekend in her new home. This is truly a special occasion, and needs a special cake!

Next time you’re in town visiting, I’ll happily make one for us to share.  But, call ahead, it’s not available in a box yet!

XO Donna

P.S. – If you are interested in my recipe, please leave me a note in the comments and I will gladly share it with you. 

A rabbit out of my hat

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MagicTrickI still chuckle when I think of Bullwinkle J Moose and his promise to pull a rabbit out of his hat.  Speaking of performing magic tricks – I finished my book! It was sent to a publisher here in Austin on Monday.

The title is Sick & Tired. . .and Sexy, Living Beautifully with Chronic Illness. I have been writing it for a bit more than two years, but when I decided to retire at the end of December, I committed myself to finishing it. I worked for 4-5 hours each day for the past three months, and Voila!  Bullwinkle would be jealous.

It is a Body/Mind/Spirit/Style guide to feeling good, having more energy, and keeping that sexy part of ourselves alive and well, in spite of chronic illness.  But, I believe it has great information for everyone.  Who couldn’t use more energy?

I’m going to leave you with a sneak-peek of the piece of art being used on the “Flaming-June”-by-Sir-Fredrick-Leightoncover: It’s an all-time favorite of mine called “Flaming June,” by Sir Fredrick Leighton. Isn’t she beautiful?

XO Donna

Oh, Ojo!

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When I awoke this morning it was cloudy, damp, and quite cool.  That’s what winter is here in Austin. Since it’s been summer for the last two weeks, a day or two of winter is welcome, although it’s confusing the hell out of the plants; the Mountain Laurel is flowering, as are the Daffodils and Iris.

The damp chilled me, and my mind wandered to Ojo Caliente in northern New Mexico, one of my favorite hot spots in the country – and by that I mean geothermal hot springs. My other is 10,000 Waves in Santa Fe.

Iron PoolOjo is special because they are the only place in the world with four different types of mineral water. Clustered at the base of a high ridge, open to a big sky, they contain minerals that have been credited with healing powers by the Native Americans who have valued them for centuries.

They weren’t easy to get to the last time I was there – off a main road, then down a long poorly paved one.  My hope is that will prevent them from becoming another roadside attraction. They have day fees, and provide you with a big robe and locker for your clothes. You must wear swimsuits in all pools except one, and signs everywhere  say “Whisper Zone,” in order to maintain the tranquil atmosphere.

SodaBathsSoaking in the Iron Pool, looking up at the red dirt cliffs, my mind and body relax and I become one with the warm water. This pool is my fave, considered beneficial to the blood and immune system.

When I finally drag myself out, I stroll next door to the Soda Baths, the only covered pool. Sound is muffled in here, and I  really enjoy that, and the old rock-work.  Then, on to the Arsenic Spring, purported to offer relief from arthritis, and a variety of skin conditions. (For all of you who think I have a portrait up in my attic, now you know my secret. Ojo, baby!)

MonksOjoThe Tibetan Monks were there this past December to bless the healing waters, and went from pool-to-pool to do so. That would have been an amazing sight!

When your day is done, and you’re as pruny as you can possibly get, you can traipse into the lounge,  and savor a delicious glass of wine.

I’ll let you know when I’m going. You’re invited, of course!

XO Donna

 

Attitude of Gratitude

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People always make New Year’s resolutions, only to blow them off six weeks later. And, that’s next week. I resolved to give up resolutions years ago. Instead, on New Year’s Day I pick something I want to focus on – and this year it was gratitude’s turn.

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Besides attracting better things, you will attract even more things, because what we focus on expands. And by looking for things to be grateful for, you will find that you’re  happier.

It’s not that everything will suddenly be perfect, sometimes life turns into a shit-show no matter how well we plan it. But, we can choose to look for something positive to be thankful for in each situation.

Every evening before bed I write down at least 5 things I am grateful for in the journal I bought just for this purpose. It’s still early in the year, why not find a journal or notebook and give it a try? See what happens and let me know.

As far as I’m concerned, the best benefit of gratitude is walking around with a smile on your face all of the time. That’s a sexy look at any age, and it will make people wonder what you’re up to!

 

XO Donna