Light By Nature: Inspired by Gratitude and Forgiveness

Hope you all are keeping warm

Hello Everyone,

This week, I missed saying hello to those of you who read my blog. My mom has been very ill since December. Last year I shared briefly about my Mom's Multiple Sclerosis disease. This week She had a medical test. Her doctor wants to know exactly what the Multiple Sclerosis is doing. We know it is active once again (like an angry Volcano erupting). Plus she had another complication that had her on pain management for the past two weeks. What an ordeal it has been. I have gained so much by witnessing her strength, her love for life and how she is determine to see another birthday in 2011.
My mom has taught me the "Never give up Spirit" by her actions. I am learning it is the most painful events that happen in our lives that shape the qualities in ourselves we value the most. This is the reason why forgiveness and gratitude will be the focus for me. I strive to be inspired by these two words.
When she was first diagnose with the disease I felt powerless, angry and helpless. There were times I felt guilty for being healthy and one time I blamed her for coming down with it. It was not easy hearing a doctor telling you that some one you love may not live a long life. In spite of what has been said, she has been living and fighting every step of the way. It was challenging in the past to shift my focus from a negative view of things to what I am gaining. It has been a breakthrough learning to be grateful for the positive experiences and for the negative experiences. For the year of 2011 I want to practice forgiveness and gratitude so my life can become even more enjoyable and to keep that positive impact on my health.
(For those of you who want to learn more about MS go to the site MS Active Source - www.msactivesource.com)

The raw "Garden Burgers " I made last week, I place half of the mixture into the dehydrator and made a tasty cheese like topping for my squash spaghetti and tomato sauce. The topping has been good on top of salad dishes too.

Note: Winter Squash contains more vitamin A than summer squash. High in potassium and a sodium food that leaves an alkaline ash in the body. Great support for the eliminative system.

I found some nice looking parsnips to make some raw soup and I remembered seeing a recipe for Raw Japanese Rice in the "The Raw Food Detox Diet " by Natalia Rose.
I will make this instead.

Japanese "Rice"1 cup of chopped parsnips
1/2 cup raw pine nuts
2 tablespoons raw honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
3 tablespoons raw teriyaki sauce

Pulse the parsnips, pine nuts, honey and vinegar until the mixture starts to look like brown rice. Add the sauce and mix well.
This will make a great side dish.
Enjoy !

showing off the bangles
to your left - top - gift
second- Alexia
third-Alexia
to your right- top from the 40's
bottom- from the 80's