HOLIDAY and NEW YEAR's BLESSINGS

We offer an eclectic, musical mix at Mom's Cosmic Diner.

Here's one of my favorites. MOM

Click here for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's OM Chant

MMM, TASTY LITTLE NUGGETS

An observation....

Each of us no matter who we are or what we do, are all on a spiritual journey. And with this shift of consciousness we begin to “see” how everyday we're meeting teachers and learning lessons. In doing so, we can begin to fully embrace the magic of our lives here on earth.  MOM

TRANSformATIONS

As Winter approaches the seasonal change once again reminds us that we are one with nature and her energies. It's time to retreat into our inner and outer "caves" surrounded by soft light. Time to be quiet and reflective. Time to dream our dreams for the coming year.

Living in harmony with the natural elements creates a sense of peacefulness. There are many approaches to accomplish this goal.

Winter is a great time to visit Mom's Cosmic Diner where you'll find tools to live a healthier, more conscious and fulfilling life.

Stephanie, Mom's Cosmic Diner's proprietor, is available for private phone consultations with her Energetic Life Journey Readings. *Click here for more info.

LAYERS

When visiting my father in Coconut Grove, Florida, I meditate on the balcony of his sixth floor condominium. Beneath is a beautiful rock garden surrounded by gardens.  I watch the sun languidly rise amongst the billowy clouds that make Miami’s sky so sensual. The various shades of tropical tangerine, pinks shimmering in the morning heat and the iridescent, turquoise blue waters of Biscayne Bay seem to applaud the appearance of a new day. I feel very fortunate to observe this beauty. 

As I close my eyes the warm breezes caresses my skin allowing me to feel the borders of my body. I hear the gentle rustling sounds of coconut palm trees, the waterfalls in the gardens, the birds chirping and singing their morning songs. I also listen to the wind playing angelic chimes. I’m watching myself think "how tranquil and soothing nature’s sounds are."

Then I hear a jet as it flies high above me. At first I begin to attach judgments to the sound… "it’s so loud, uncomfortably powerful, annoying, an irritant." I stop myself and allow the sound, just to be a ~ sound ~ a vibration. Not good. Not bad. Just energy.

As I realize this I immediately understand I can still hear the water, birds, trees, and wind in the background. I feel my perception of reality shift.

After my meditation I thought about the experience and appreciated the lesson I had been given. Often times in our daily encounters we experience anger, sadness, low self-esteem, etc. and these powerful feelings have strong energies attached to them. However, if we begin to understand that life is a spiritual journey we can perceive the emotional upheavals as static and still know the peaceful humming core within all of us is always there.

This is why the meditation practice is so important. It’s a sacred space of clearing. A daily reminder that we can always access our inner peace, which is always quietly waiting for us... to be still, to turn our attention and intentions inward and gift us with another way of perceiving life.

MAJORITY RULES

Sri Swami Satchidananda in his wisdom would say,

"When you point your finger at someone whether mentally or physically... 

~ there's one thumb that represents your belief (higher power), 
~ there's one index finger that is you pointing at the object,
~ however there's three fingers pointing back at you, majority rules!"

A great time to think about what you need to learn from the situation aka spiritual lesson!

*Click here to learn more about Sri Swami Satchidananda's teachings

WELLESLEY'S SUNDAY FUNNY

Wellesely's* SUNDAY FUNNY is now our weekly comic strip.

*(MOM's Mascot) 
See below photos of Wellesley at 3 months old and the current one from W's car trip across the USA. MOM found his puppy photo posted on Petfinders and upon seeing it she instantly knew he was cosmic.

MEDITATION... Quieting the Mind

Breathe deeply,

become one with the breath.

Then step aside and listen.

Hear the silence,

feel the inner quiet,

and the peace that is you.

Click here for MOM'S Seated Deep Relaxation

WELLESLEY'S SUNDAY FUNNY

Wellesely's* SUNDAY FUNNY is our weekly comic strip.

* Click here to meet Wellesley(MOM's Mascot).

ODE to AUTUMN

Oh autumn, sweet autumn what a sight to behold as I sit, sipping a cup of tea, watching the last of your orange, red, and golden brown leaves swirling off their branches. Dancing their last hoorah one with the wind as they gently land on the ground beneath. Blanketing Mother Earth, her seeds, bulbs and feeding them nutrition for the coming colder months. The park across the street almost has that wintry look of bare limbs... reminding us that energies are shifting inwards as we stay warm and contemplative in our home-caves. Thank-you Mother for your visual gifts of wisdom. MOM

TODAY'S MENU SPECIAL

Hearty, Lentil~Vegetable Soup

Serves 8 (Freeze half of soup to have on-hand)

4 tablespoons extra-virgin, cold pressed olive oil

2 cups chopped sweet onions

1 1/2 cups celery stalks

3-4 chopped garlic cloves

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup shredded cabbage

1/2 cup shitake mushrooms/optional

1 1/3 cups lentils, rinsed/drained

1 14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes

1 large bay leaf

6-8 cups vegetable broth

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1 cup plain greek yogurt

salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in soup pot over medium heat. Add, onions, celery, carrots, cabbage, mushrooms and garlic. Saute until vegetables are soft (10-15 minutes).

Add broth, tomatoes with liquid and lentils and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover an simmer until lentils are soft; about 35- 40 minutes.

Soup can be served chunky or pureed in a blender. If too thick add more vegetable broth.

OR served on brown rice, with a salad as a main course.

Garnish with a tablespoon of yogurt and parsley sprinkled on top.

Salt and pepper to taste

Click here for info on lentils and nutritional benefits

MMM, TASTY LITTLE NUGGETS

When making a conscious shift in life, meditation creates a connection to one's internal, wise teacher. Intuition is a neon signpost pointing you in the right direction. MOM

MOM's Favorite Jukebox Selection

We offer an eclectic, musical mix at Mom's Cosmic Diner.

Here's one of my favorites. MOM

*Click here for Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang playing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue

*** YOGA the State-of-Grace ***

*

Yoga's State-Of-Grace

through each decade...

20's opens the door to inner and outer flexibility

30's meditation and stress relief from busy life as working mom

40's as a teacher having a deeper understanding of yoga's gifts and passing on the knowledge

50's experiencing the pleasure of oiling the joints, massaging inner organs and being one with silence and peace

60's wonderment of stepping into wisdom years with state-of-grace 

MOM

Click here to see where Stephanie aka Mom teaches in Portland, OR

Wellesley's SUNDAY FUNNIES

TODAY'S MENU SPECIAL

Mellow Yellow Squash Soup

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 large sweet onions~chopped

8 yellow squash~chopped

1 leek~chopped

7 garlic cloves~chopped

5 sprigs lemon thyme

6 cups low/sodium-free chicken broth or vegetable broth

1/2 - 1 tsp. Celtic salt to taste

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Goat Gouda cheese shaved, pine-nuts and chopped parsley for garnish

In a large soup pot, heat olive oil~medium heat.

Add onions, leek and cook; stirring until onions are translucent and soft.

Add squash and leaves of lemon thyme~cook, stirring for 5 minutes.

Increase heat to medium-high; add broth, salt and garlic.

Cook with partially covered pot at low boil for 25 minutes until the squash is soft.

Allow soup to cool and puree in covered blender; return to pot and heat.

Add lemon juice.

Garnish with cheese, pine-nuts and parsley.

Makes 8 cups

THE NOSE KNOWS

Now that we're in Autumn and have less daylight we may be experiencing S.A.D. ~ Seasonal Affective Disorder. Aromatherapy is a non-intrusive way to help fine-tune and elevate our state-of-mind.

The limbic system is the oldest part of the brain and is directly wired to our emotions. Essential Oils used in Aromatherapy are unlike chemical drugs. They don't remain in the body nor leave toxins behind.

Essential Oils are a natural aromatic liquid extracted from flowers, fruits, roots, leaves and grasses. Every oil has diverse uses…oils such as: jasmine, orange, ylang-ylang and rose have a tranquilizing effect. They work by altering brain waves into a rhythm of calmness and sense of well being.

Stimulating oils like: basil, black pepper, rosemary and cardamom produce a heightened energy response.

Peppermint oil is an anti-inflammatory. It’s also beneficial for rheumatism and arthritis. It even helps in relieving digestive discomfort.

You can use the essential oils with an air diffuser, a ceramic disc that’s placed on a light bulb and even in your bath. Lavender oil in a hot bath is a great way to soak away the day’s stress. Lavender oil when applied to canker sores or burns will accelerate the healing process.

Aromatherapy is an easy way to create radiant health for the rest of your life. Educate yourself on the properties of the oils by buying a book, experiment, have fun and remember, “Your nose knows!” MOM

*Most air freshners sold in supermarkets are made from chemicals; you can find essential oils in health food stores and online. They're concentrated all you need is 1-3 drops

GIVE me a J.S.I.T. and what do you have?

Many of my musings seem to gurgle up during my morning meditations. I refer to this as "clarity harvests." One morning as I was minding my breath and attempting to keep the vritties* away, I was aware of a soft thought in my head. (I need to have a commercial break here ~ as I assure you I'm not schizophrenic. I believe meditation gives the inner-self a direct connection to the mind.)

What I heard was... "If you want to do one thing in your life really well... let it be JOY. Be a J.S.I.T. ~ a Joyous Savant In Training."

As you can tell my insights are often light-hearted which makes me pay attention and want to explore the possibilities they offer.

Now being a joyful person is quite an interesting enterprise especially when living in this world with an endless daily supply of unexplainable wackiness. The first thing I decided as I explored this Joyful Path was not to have television channeling it's energy into my home. I thought and now know the chatter from the screen interferes with my peacefulness.

Then I started introducing myself to everyone I met as a J.S.I.T. and would describe the virtual, beannie cap topped with a propeller that I wore on my head. The spinner would actually spin wildly whenever I felt joy. It was a great learning tool for me to be more conscious of joyfulness.

I also know balance is important and that I need to feel and acknowledge my emotions but not allow them to cement me in.

So, the next time you pass a smiling person on the street don't be surprise if you feel a gentle breeze emanating from their head.

*Vritties are what my teacher Sri Swami Satchidananda described as the "constant stream of thoughts passing through the mind. The vritties are like a drunken, chattering monkey, bitten by a scorpion as it's driving the car." Swamiji was a major "J". Click here to meet Sri Swami Satchidananda.

The Alchemist’s Magic…Transmuting Mother’s Energy

Fall is a time to compress our energies by eliminating the unnecessary and extraneous. It's the season of flexibility and adaptability, which are crucial for staying healthy, and balanced during the colder more contracted winter months.

We can prepare for the challenges by:

~ Completing unfinished projects.

~ Communicate as we become mentally and emotionally ready for the darker, yin, winter months.

~ Setting aside extra food and fuel for the possibility of inclement weather.

~ Making our homes cozier and more inviting as we spend more time indoors.

Our ancestors realized the importance of canning, preserving and storing the fruits and vegetables from the fall harvest to sustain themselves as the earth laid fallow and the sunlight lessened. In the later months of Autumn we begin to honor this tradition and utilize Mother Earth’s energy by transmuting time spent as "inner nourishment" to release, reap and keep what works in our life. As the colder months approach we too, begin to hibernate and gather next year’s “spiritual, seeds” utilizing winter's energy to dream and gather next year’s “spiritual, seeds”, as we choose what we want to manifest in the coming new year.

Click here for a link to Leon Rosenblatt's website... he painted the "Man of Miracles" album cover 35 years ago.

STRAIGHTEN UP!!!

So here I am walking my walk, talking my talk, blogging my blog... yet, something is amiss. At the glorious age of sixty-two I need to pay more attention to my spine. And if you're younger than me please don't scroll away from this post. More than ever, younger people have bad posture from the hours spent sitting in front of the computer with the screen lower than eye level.

Our spinal column is the brain's direct and most efficient "information" expressway. Messages travel to the rest of the body as it maintains radiant health. When we have straight spines our chest cavity is opened and our internal organs are positioned correctly and can function to their optimum capacity. Consider the alternative; when the back is rounded the shoulders come forward, squeezing and constricting the inner organs.

Before I teach my yoga, tai chi and meditation classes, I always instruct my students on how to create perfect posture:

STANDING

* Toes and heals are aligned with ankles under hip bones.

* Weight sinking into heels as if standing in wet sand.

* Shoulders are comfortably hinged to the torso and arms are totally relaxed.

* Chin is level to ground and gently pushed back as if resting on a soft cloud.

* Eyes looking forward as you scan (not downward).

* Navel is pulled back and gently lifted upwards to create a lift through each vertebrae through top of head.

SEATED

* Toes and heals are aligned flat on floor with ankles under kneecaps.

* Shoulders are comfortably hinged to the torso and arms are totally relaxed.

* Chin is level to ground and gently pushed back as if resting on a soft cloud.

* Eyes looking forward as you scan (not downward).

* Navel is pulled back and gently lifted upwards to create a lift through each vertebrae through top of head. (Don't lean back into chair).

I have a theory... as we age we begin to "fold" forward into the fetal position. I don't know about you but I rather look at the heavens than at my feet.

By bringing this consciousness to the body and making corrections throughout the day will help you to STRAIGHTEN UP and FLY RIGHT!

Click here for background music as you correct your posture.