Natural World: Tree in a Tree

At first this stark tree seemed like any other tree. But when I saw another tree through it, I realized how special it is, with its curvy branches.

Photo 101, Day 8

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My Perfect Green Smoothie!

I love this smoothie!  It’s light and has so much good nutrients.  I love to make it for myself and my husband.  Kids totally freak out with the green color.  They don’t know this, but I do add a little bit of green stuff in their smoothie, just enough so it does not turn green on them :).  Crazy mom!

I add strawberry, banana and water into the smoothie tumbler.  We recently bought the Ninja (blender/smoothie-maker/food-processor).  I’m loving the fierce speed of this machine – 1500 watts, and the box says, “Total Crushing Technology.” 🙂  

I add the GREENS!

I use my fingers to push the greens below that -MAX FILL- mark on the tumbler.  The blade-lid unit does not screw in otherwise.

I close the top with the blade-lid.  This top will be the bottom on the Ninja machine.

And, here it goes…the “Total Crushing Technology” at work!    

I take two deep breaths and voila!  The smoothie is ready for my husband.  He drinks it right out of the tumbler.  I love this part too; no extra cups or drinking glass to be washed.  I’m all set to make mine, now. 🙂  I love this drink!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direction:

(1 – serving; Prep time: less than 5-minutes; total time: less than 5-minutes)

1/2 of  6″ Banana

1/2 Cup Frozen Strawberries

2 Cups Olivia’s Organic mix (can use any other spring mix, spinach or kale)

1 Cup water (more if the smoothie is too thick)

Place all four ingredients in the tumbler.  Close with blade-lid.  Blend.  Blend for 10 seconds and it’s done!  Enjoy.

Nutritional Information:

Calories: 80 gram;  Carbohydrate: 21 gram;  Fiber: 4.8 gram;  Protein: 2.55 gram;  Sugar: 10.7 gram;  Fat: 0.17 gram;  Cholesterol: 0 gram;  Potassium: 281 gram

The salad gives me – Vitamin A 110%; Vitamin C 50%; Calcium 6%; Iron 20%.  The Strawberries give me – Vitamin C 45%, Iron 2% and Calcium 2%.  Banana and Strawberries are high in potassium.

(I eat lean meat/fish for my protein to balance my meal.  Sometimes I add protein powder in this smoothie and get protein that way).

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I’ll go for a walk… with who?

When I crossed our main street to get to the sidewalk, Thomas, my beagle, pulled me to the left, a path we rarely take, as I, automatically, turned to the right, a path we usually take.  I decided to follow his lead.  He seemed happy.  His tail wagging, he took his time walking.

Nice cool breeze on a warm wintry day kept embracing us. And, the mostly cloudy day felt more like spring, not winter.  I felt my mind happily hopping.  I heard a complex symphony of sounds in the background – The chirping of the birds flying over us; the humming of the cars whizzing by us; the soft bark of a dog coming from nearby distance; the rustling of  leaves on trees around us.

As Thomas and I sauntered, I couldn’t help but chuckle remembering an encounter with an acquaintance – I had asked her about why she preferred walking alone.  She had blatantly answered, “Sweetie, because I can fart freely!”

I, too, realize walking by myself is immensely satisfying!  An accurate definition of myself would be  – me and my dog!  These walks are exclusive –  My conversations with myself remain private; my quiet times remain absolutely and phenomenally soothing; my silly but unavoidable burps, spits, and farts become one with the nature :).  Thomas and I walk completely immersed in our own worlds.  I walk leisurely at my own pace.  Actually, leisurely at Thomas’ pace :).  But, both walking, joyfully.

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Doggy Photo Shoot #29

“Folks, have a great year. Make 2016 a year to nap! The best year to dream! Dream big! And, may all your dreams come true in 2016,” Sir Thomas wishing you the best in his best way – set to take his first 2016 nap😀.

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(Extra)ordinary in ordinary sight

On my walk this morning, I saw an oil spill, likely from an ordinary vehicle. I got interested because it looked so beautiful. It had artistically spread in the standing water, collected from last night’s rain. And this morning, the same oil spill shimmered, emitting rainbow-like colors, under clear skies and pure sun rays. I thought how (extra)ordinary is this!

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “(Extra)ordinary.”

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Freeze Banana Slices for Smoothie – 5 Easy Steps

 When bananas start to have brown spots like the ones you see in the picture below, you are left with two options:  1) Eat them as soon as possible, or 2) Freeze them.  Many people never think of freezing bananas, but I do it all the time.  Frozen bananas make the best smoothies.  Better freeze than throw away a good-looking banana:)

1.  I peel the banana and cut them into 8 slices.   I, then, arrange them flat side up in a single layer on the cutting board.  You can use a cookie sheet also.  

2.  I place them in the freezer for about 45 minutes.  They freeze nicely.

3.  Next, I place each individually frozen banana slices into a sandwich bag.    Freezing them individually, and then storing them in a bag keep these slices from sticking to each other.  

4.  Then I place the sandwich bag with frozen banana slices into another bag, a storage bag or freezer bag.   Just for extra protection!  I do this so that these banana slices won’t get freezer burn.  

5.  And, that’s it!  I just throw in 2 to 3 frozen banana slices into the blender when I’m making my delicious smoothie.  Yum!

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Doggy Photo Shoot Day #19

“I’m so happy…I’m where I see FOOD…you are where you see me…now give me what I want, you big DUDE!” Sir Thomas’ thought – loud and clear.  He lives for food:)

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The Space to Write

Quietness surrounds me; concentration pulls my thoughts together;  vision focuses to my notes and my laptop.  My body sits still on the bar stool, while my fingers do a tireless dance on the keyboard spewing words on the screen.  And,  the next thing I know, I’ve written something.  I read, re-read, edit, edit again, and once I enjoy my writing, I post!

Before I post:  I grab my space in time to write, because time keeps fleeting fast .  I write in between my responsibilities.  A habit that’s becoming addictive.  I miss it if I don’t do it.

My iPhone is always with me, wherever I go.  (I might as well embed it into my skin.)  In the house, I keep my laptop right on the kitchen counter-top, few steps away from the stove.  I have a drawer near the stove-top that carries my hand-writing supplies.  Paper, pen, pencils, and Sharpies.  I frequently jot down ideas on paper.  Later when I type, I refer to my paper notes.  A good system for me.

When I sit down to write, I shift my mental gear.  I close all other thoughts and get focused on my notes, and start to elaborate on each point as I type on my blog.

Enjoy your writing!

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Doggy Photo Shoot Day #18

Thomas being Sir Thomas! Loving the cool weather.

Today’s walk was awesome.  Thomas loves the cool weather and dry grass.  He walked slow today:).  And, he thoroughly enjoyed rolling in the grass.    Then, he sat like Sir Thomas on the grass and rested for quite a while:).  I also sat beside him until he was ready to walk back home.  We had a blast!  

 

Monochromatic – A photo challenge

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Monochromatic.”

I walk with one of my two dogs, Thomas, my beagle, everyday.  I am amazed by what I see  during these walks.  I see so much beauty, it intoxicates me.  I’m addicted.  I try to capture what I see.  I walk the same path, but the path does not offer me the same.  Each day is a “glass full” experience for me.  

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