Honey Cake, which is called Midoviy Tort in Russian, was and still is one of my favourite dessert cakes of all time. When I was growing up I would always ask my mom to bake this, and would always ask her to buy this cake when we were going to visit relatives and friends. As time went by and we moved to Canada, I completely forgot about this delicious and rich cake, until we went to visit back home after 5 years of being away.

It was at one of many family gatherings that my cousins, sister and I were given the task to go out and buy a cake. When we entered the bakery and as soon as I saw this yummy cake, so many memories flooded my mind, and I immediately told everyone that’s what we were going to get. Thankfully, I didn’t have to convince anyone too hard, as everyone seemed to agree this was the best option. I had to be so patient after we came home, to wait until dinner was over and it was time for dessert. As soon as I dug in with my spoon and was finally able to taste this deliciousness, I was in dessert heaven!!

Since then, I’ve been dying to make this cake at home, and recently was able to obtain the recipe from one of my favourite women, my sister’s future mother-in-law. This is one of her signature cakes, and I just had to try it!

And try it I did! It was absolutely delicious and I got rave reviews from everyone who was lucky enough to try a piece. I made this cake a few weeks ago, and have been saving the recipe to share with you all on the blog. As I’ve been putting together this post, I am getting increasingly hungry to make it again soon. And you should too! It is a real piece of cake to make And here I will show you how.

Here is a recipe to start you off with.

Honey Cake
Preparation time: 20 minutes, baking time: 3-4 minutes per layer (usually you’ll have 4-5 layers in total)

INGREDIENTS

For the dough:
2 eggs
1 cup white granulated sugar
1 tbsp honey
1 cup unsalted butter
2 tsp baking soda
4-5 cups of sifted flour

For the cream:
1 can of condensed milk
3/4 stick unsalted butter

And again, because all posts are better with photos, here is what you’ll need:

Sugar, eggs, sifted flour, baking soda, honey, butter and condensed milk (which we’re going to boil)

Put the can with the condensed milk in a pot and cover with water. You’re going to need to boil the condensed milk for about 2 hours in advance to making the cream. So plan ahead.

Next, if you have a double boiler use that, if not (like me here), use a small pot, fill it with water and bring to a boil. On top, in a glass bowl combine sugar, butter, eggs and honey…

Keep stirring the mixture over the steam of the boiling water, as it melts and make sure to not let it boil over.

Once it’s all nice and melted, take it off the heat, and sprinkle in the baking soda, and put back over the boiling water.

Keep stirring, until it’s all combined. You’ll notice the mixture is going to lighten up in color considerably after you’ve added in the soda. That’s a good thing.

Now that it’s well combined, take it off the heat and start adding in your sifted flour, one cup at a time, mixing well to combine.

The batter is going to be extremely sticky, because of the honey, so you’ll need to add plenty of flour to make it manageable. I can’t remember how many cups I used exactly, since it’s been awhile. But I think you’re probably going to need about 4-5 cups. Basically, you want the dough to be soft and pliable, so you’ll be able to spread it over the parchment paper. Use your judgement here.

Now, using the bottom of a spring form pan, outline the shape on a parchment paper and cut it out. You can either make 4-5 of these to use for each layer that we’re going to bake, or you can just make 2, and keep re-using them, which is what I did.

Now spray the parchment paper with cooking spray oil lightly…

Dip your fingers in flour and flour the surface of the parchment paper to prevent the dough from sticking. Next, take a chunk out of the dough and place in the middle of the circle. Using your fingers, gently spread the dough to cover the entire circle in an even layer. Don’t worry if you didn’t get enough dough, you can always add some if you don’t have enough to spread all around. Or add in places if you have any holes or tears.

This is what it should look like when you’re done.

At this point, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Take the bottom of the spring form pan and place the circle with the dough on top of it.

Once your oven is heated to 350, place the circle in the center of the oven, on a middle rack and bake for about 3-4 minutes, depending on your oven. Want you want is a nice golden-brown color all around.

While it’s baking, spread a large kitchen towel over a flat surface (kitchen island or dinner table). Once the layer is baked, take it out of the oven (be careful not to burn yourself), and turning it upside down, place it on the kitchen towel. Once it’s cooled a bit, carefully remove the parchment paper from the baked cake layer.

Repeat and do the same thing with all of the layers. I managed to get 4 layers out of my dough, which worked out fine, but if you can get more, you’ll end up with a nice, high cake.

Leave all 4 layers to cool on the kitchen towel

Now on to make the cream.

Crack open the can of condensed milk…. And exercising all of your will power, try REALLY hard not to grab a spoon and devour all of its contents at once.

Assuming you were able to withstand the temptation, dump the condensed milk into a mixing bowl and your butter, which should be at room temperature. Cube the butter, so it will be easier to mix.

Using a mixer, beat the butter and the condensed milk until it’s well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to cool.

Once the cream got a chance to cool a bit, it’s time to assemble the cake.

Using whatever platter you want to serve the cake in, place one layer of the cake onto it…

NOTE: I should mention here, the mistake I did… I forgot to consider that I would need some extra dough to make the crumbles that are supposed to cover the entire cake after you’ve assembled it. So what I did is, after my cake was done, I went around it with a knife and cut off the uneven edges, and crumbled up those pieces. But my mistake was in that it was hard to crumble, because the cream is so sticky.

So what I should have done instead is either: A) bake an extra layer of dough and use that to crumble, or B) put all 4 layers on top of each other without the cream and cut around the edges then. Oh well, live and learn!

Back to the assembly…

Spread the first layer with a generous amount of cream over top

Repeat the same with all of the layers, including the top layer.

Now using those crumbles that I’ve just talked about (hopefully you used one of the A & B options, and not do what I did), sprinkle them evenly over the entire surface of the cake…

The trick with this cake is patience. Once it’s assembled, you’re supposed to leave it alone for at least a few hours, so the cream can work its magic and absorb into the dough. If you’ll be patient enough, then you’ll have a deliciously rich, soft and moist cake to indulge all of your senses.

Because it’s a very rich cake, I recommend enjoying it with a nice, hot cup of tea…

Mmm… Yum! I want a slice.

Make it soon, I promise you won’t regret it!

What is your favourite childhood dessert? Go ahead and share it in the comments below. =)

Very interesting and ironic, but today’s post will be my last post from my beloved book The Teaching of Little Crow – The Journey of the Soul by Angelina Heart. Life is filled with significant and less significant beginnings and endings… In my personal life, I am facing a double “ending” situation, where I have to find the strength within to face & accept the situation, let go of the people that I’ve come to love and care for and move on to hopefully bigger and better things.

By God, it is awfully difficult… but since it is happening to me, I know there are lessons I should be extracting that will hopefully make me a better, stronger & wiser person.

When something good ends, that means something better is about to begin. At least that is what I am choosing to believe. You have to have faith. You have to believe.

Believe in Yourself.

Believe in God.

Believe in Your Dreams.

Believe it is all going to work out in the end.

Because this life is merely an illusion, a game, an act… of God experiencing itself through a human form.

And so, nothing can truly hurt us. As it is reminded to us in the words below, we are all part of God and all of us have the Divine Wisdom, Intelligence and Love vested inside of us. All it takes to fully feel empowered is to bring your entire awareness to it. =)

I truly hope that the information I shared with you from this fabulous book, The Teaching of Little Crow – The Journey of the Soul, sparked some inspiration, enlightenment & shed some light on such subjects as religion, spirituality, love, karma and many more.

Today’s post is a short one about Dylan’s final realizations about Jesus, religion and the Law of Life. – Page 497

< While reading the words highlighted in red in the New Testament (those supposedly spoken by Jesus of Nazareth,) it became evident how often his most profound statements were prefaced with the words “I AM”. Crow realized Jesus referred to the God within – “the Father within me” – and not his personal self.

His childhood training always presented Jesus as the only son of God, the intercessor, holding mankind once removed from God, always looking to this being for mercy, instead of looking to the God within. After reading the teachings of Jesus with new eyes, he could see his brother had only taught about the God within ALL mankind. When he understood Jesus’s reference to the Universal Christ Consciousness as the intercessor, suddenly, “as above, so below,” became crystal clear. This great and holy being, by his example, came to remind us we are, in fact, One with God, and have the Father anchored right within us, and the Christ-self acting as the intercessor between the lower self and the Mighty I AM Presence – God individualized within each man.>

< Every blessed and loving thing you freely put out to the world, whether it be thoughts, feelings, words, deeds, or money, returns with more of its kind. No wonder Jesus Christ instructed us to love our enemies. What we send out must come back to the creator, magnified. >

< Whenever life hands you experience of disappointment or betrayal and you feel your heart is broken beyond repair, turn your attention to God, and he will fill your broken heart with the illumination of his Divine Love, Intelligence, and Wisdom. Then will this world appear to you as the illusion it truly is, and all experience will serve only to teach and enlighten you. >

Oh, I so needed to be reminded of that wisdom from the last paragraph.

If you haven’t already, I highly-highly recommend you get and read and re-read this book many times over. Because it is filled with priceless, enlightening information and insights.

I hope you enjoyed reading the excerpts from this wonderful book. I am a bit sad that it is over, and at the same time excited to start sharing with you another one of my MOST favourite books of all time, that has changed my life!

Subscribe to my blog today to receive updates, because I will be featuring a brand New Book with you soon, and will be having another fabulous Giveaway to go along with it!

Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings in the comments below.

I’ve mentioned in one of my older posts, that I have recently discovered small wrinkles under my eyes. Being a person who likes all things natural, I took to the all powerful source of information – The Internet, to find ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or even prevent new ones from developing.

I always knew that natural ingredients are great for the skin, and that fruits and vegetables not only benefit us from within, but can also be applied directly to the skin to achieve amazing results. You wouldn’t believe how fast and effective these all natural, homemade masks were! After only using these masks a few times, people started noticing that my skin looked better. Someone even told me that my wrinkles disappeared! While, I know they didn’t disappear, their appearance is definitely softer and not as noticeable.

Although, I can’t say that I am an expert, as I am still testing out various homemade facial masks, I thought I’d put together a list of the ones I’ve tried so far, and have felt the positive effects of, so that you too can start using these regularly to maintain a beautiful and healthy skin.

Before I give you the recipes, I wanted to quickly tell you of the process of how you should apply and remove these facial masks.

Start by washing and cleansing your face with warm water. What this dose is opens up the pores and makes the masks a lot more effective, as they penetrate the skin on a deeper level. You can always apply the masks after a shower, which would be ideal. Once your skin is clean and the pores are nice and open, dry any moisture with a towel.

Next, apply your chosen mask using a brush or your fingers all over your face and neck, making sure to avoid the eyes. Leave on anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes.

Once the time is up, I usually take off the mask using tissues. I find it to be a less messier approach, than just trying to rinse off the mask into the sink (of course, this depends on which mask you are using) Once you’ve taken off the mask, rinse your face and neck with cool water, which will close off the pores. Again, dry off your skin with a towel and always end with a thin layer of your favourite moisturizer.

There are a million different recipes out there, you should do your research and choose whichever one suits you and your skin type the most. Here are a few recipes that I’ve tried and like so far:

For Dry Skin:

Avocado Mask

1 Ripe Avocado
2 tbsp Honey
2 tbsp Yogurt

Mash the avocado with a fork until it is of smooth, creamy consistency, then add in the honey and the yogurt and mix well together. Avocados and honey are great moisturizers, packed with nutrients. This mask is particularly great for mature, wrinkled and dry skin. Apply all over your face & neck, avoiding the eyes, and leave on for 15-20 minutes.

Honey Mask

2 tbsp Honey
1/2 lemon, juiced

This is one super easy, and I found it to be very effective. Simply stir in the honey with the lemon juice, apply all over your face and neck (avoiding the eyes) and leave on for 30 minutes. Honey is a known humectant, which means it works as a natural mosituriser. It is hydroscopic, drawing pure moisture into you skin to help hydrate, smooth and soften. My skin felt silky smooth, and the wrinkles under my eyes were a lot less noticeable after only a few uses.

Banana Mask

1/2 of banana, peeled and mashed
1 tbsp honey
1/2 lemon, juiced

Peel and mash the banana with a fork. Stir in the honey and the lemon juice. Apply all over your face and neck (avoiding the eyes) and leave on for 20-25 minutes. Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals, and contain triptophan, a natural relaxant. Bananas are also one of the most nourishing fruits available because they contain large quantities of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A, B (folic acid), E and F. On top of that, banana acts as a cleanser and a moisturizer all in one.

Egg White and Olive Oil Mask

1 egg white
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil.

Beat egg white until smooth, add the lemon juice and the olive oil. Smooth all over your face and neck, and leave on for 20 minutes. This is a great anti-wrinkle mask. Egg white tightens the pores, while olive oil nourishes the skin.

Cucumber Yogurt Mask

1/2 cup cucumber, grated
2 tbsp plain yogurt

Cut the cucumber in half, spoon out the seeds and grate the cucumber with the skin on. Add the plain yogurt and mix well together. Apply all over your face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Cucumber helps to sooth and soften the skin, leaving it smooth and supple.

Go ahead and give these recipes a try. Anybody should be able to do these, as these ingredients can easily be found in most of our kitchens. It is super easy, fast and way more inexpensive than store bought creams and treatments, or botox and plastic surgery. I think the earlier we start to take care of our bodies, inside and out, and especially our skin, the better. So don’t put it off any longer.

Try these at home, and come back to let me know of the results.

Have fun with it!

]]> http://leylasroom.com/health-and-fitness/all-natural-facial-masks/feed/ 7 http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/weekly-hits-misses18/ http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/weekly-hits-misses18/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:31:49 +0000 Leyla http://leylasroom.com/?p=1258

To all my Canadian readers, Happy Family Day! What a great little holiday it is! I hope everyone makes the best of this day, and spends some quality time with those we love the most. I think it doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as it’s done as a family, gathered together, it will be all worth it.

This Week’s Hits are:

- Zuzana of Bodyrock.tv! Whenever I lose my motivation to workout and keep fit, I usually find inspiration by looking up at other women who have amazingly fit bodies. Last year, when I made the commitment to working out consistently, it was one a girl who had a similar body type to mine, but was much more toned and muscular. So she inspired me to push hard to achieve the same results. Recently, I have been feeling less inspired to workout, because I guess I needed another visual motivator. And I found her! This woman is a beast! She has the most beautiful, toned and muscular body, and I know that if she can do it, so can I! And so can you! All it takes is to stay focused, motivated, consistent with your workouts, and of course have a balanced & healthy diet. The best thing about Zuzana is that she shared all of her amazing (tough & intense, I tell’ya!) workout videos and photos on her awesome website, called BodyRock.tv. I highly recommend you check it out, and start working out with her & with me. Summer/bikini season will be here in no time! So Lets get fit together!!

- Driving and empty roads at 6 a.m.! This morning I had to drive my dad to work, and it was awesome! Since it was a holiday & it was so early in the morning, the streets & highways were almost empty and I cannot tell you how I love driving when the roads are free of cars. I can’t explain the satisfactory feeling entirely, but I think it’s got to do with the fact that it is quite liberating, and makes you feel like you own the roads & the world, and can do anything! Very empowering feeling. Silly? Maybe. But that is who I am. I try to find joy in the little things in life. Makes it much easier to live =)

This Week’s Misses are:

- The gloomy weather! I know I can’t really complain, because, sure it is winter, and we were lucky not to get too much snow this season. But, I can’t tell you how much I miss the sunshine. If you’ve been following my blog for awhile, then you know! You know, that I am a total Sun-Worshiper. And having this gloomy and dark weather really doesn’t inspire me, at all. I miss Summer, I miss Sunshine, I miss the beach, and the green lawns, and trees and the buzzing bees… Oh Summer, will you hurry up please?

How about you guys? Are you making the best of Winter with skiing & skating trips, or are you like me, and are hibernating indoors and counting the days till we can all wear our short shorts, flip-flops and have picnics on the beach or in the park?

With the Spring Season just around the corner, I think it is time to start inspiring you, my lovelies, with some awesome, hot & trendy color combos in case you’re planning on doing any large or small home renovating or decorating in the upcoming months. Personally, I LOVE color! I can’t just choose a favourite, as most of the vibrant colors make me feel happy inside. I say, most, because it all depends on the tone of a certain color, that takes it from trendy to fugly…

So today, I’d like to introduce you to one of my favourite, vibrant and happy color combos! It’s a gorgeously rich Peacock blue & a citrusy, vibrant green that can be called any of the following: wasabi, chartreuse, olive and avocado. This color combo has been popping up everywhere recently, from the hottest Runway shows to the trendiest hotels and boutiques. I think this pairing is dramatic & pleasing, and can be incorporated into our home decor in various ways.

If you are brave and bold, you can always paint the walls, or just choose a feature wall, and paint just one, or at the very least, if you’re not as brave and don’t want to commit to painting the walls, you can always incorporate this color combo through accessories which can be easily switched around when you get tired of it or when the seasons change.

The key is to choose furniture and accessories in the coordinating colors, which will create a flow throughout the space. The easiest way to do this is by changing up the window treatments, throw pillows, accent chairs, lighting fixtures, glamorous cabinet hardware and other little knick-knacks accessories.

Here are just a few images & ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

What do you guys think of this color combination? Love it or hate it? Would you give it a try in your home? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. =)

Happy Wednesday!

I have been neglecting my blog for a few weeks now, and I can’t say that I am proud of that at all. But at the same time, I never intended for the blog to become a chore. And unfortunately, with all the rest of my life’s challenges in the past few weeks, that is how I felt. To say I didn’t have the time, would only be half the truth. The other half is probably more relevant: which is that I was lacking the motivation.

But, my friends, since it is Monday, and it is a new, fresh day, I am making an official commitment to get back to blogging regularly. You know, it feels quite embarrassing to be admitting your mistakes to the entire blogosphere like this, but it also feels liberating.

So, now that I have made this commitment to you in writing, I give you all a permission to hold me accountable if you see me slacking. I think it is important to try and find a way to stay motivated, even if you feel as though it is missing. The hardest thing in life, is to START something. The next hardest thing is to maintain something… So, knowing and accepting those challenges laying ahead, lets move forward.

This Week’s Hits are:

- My robe! I can’t entirely understand and explain it, but something really magical and so super comforting happens every time I slide my comfy robe on. Somehow the warm, cozy softness that envelopes my body is quite reassuring in a way that makes me feel like all is well with the world, and that I am protected and comforted by the plush feeling of the fabric against my skin. I love my robe, and if you’re not a robe-wearer (yes, I am aware that I just made up that word), I suggest you invest in a good quality, soft & cozy robe. You will be glad you did! Just imagine shedding all of your days clothes and the stresses & worries along with it, taking a nice, relaxing shower, and then allowing the plush feeling of the fabric to comfort you! Oooh… cozy! =)

- Pets! I was driving past a park last week, and while stopped at a red light, I witnessed a simple scene that put a huge smile on my face. A couple came to the park with their cute little doggies, and as soon as they let them off the leash the dogs took off like there is no tomorrow! After I observed them for a few more seconds, I realized there was a reason to their madness! The doggies were chasing after poor little, scared to death squirrels! I know it might be mean to say, because I am sure the squirrel didn’t think it was funny, but it was a hilarious little scene to witness. That moment made me really miss having a pet at home, because they truly give you so much unconditional love and happiness and do some pretty funny stuff that always seems to bring a smile to everyone’s face. We are currently looking to adopt a new kitten to our family, so if anyone can help out, let me know!

This Week’s Misses are:

- Liars. One thing I really pride myself on, is being open and friendly to everyone I come into contact with, and not having any enemies in my life. Well, that is what I thought up until yesterday. I will spare you the details of exactly what happened, but someone, that still remains anonymous to me, has said a pretty terrible lie about me to someone special in my life to deliberately try and screw up my relationship with that person. Although, I don’t have any anger towards that individual, it just puzzles me. How can someone be so miserable and cruel to want to do bad onto another on purpose?! It would be easy for me to judge that person, and want to wish bad upon them back, but you know what? I will not do that. Instead I will pray for them to be liberated from the dark forces of the EGO, and instead find a place within that derives from Love, Peace & Light.

And in case you are curious, I’m glad to report that although it came pretty close to an end, thankfully their dark lie did not ruin my relationship at the end of it all.

Moral of the story: Be open & trust everyone, until they give you a solid reason not to. Otherwise, you, yourself run the risk of living a miserable life. And it is just not worth it! Life is way too short to waste it on negative people, emotions or situations!

Lets keep on smiling, despite it all!

Can any of you guys relate to my situation? Have you ever had to deal with lies being told about you? How did you manage the situation? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. I love to read them! =)

]]> http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/weekly-hits-misses17/feed/ 3 http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/what-exactly-is-karma/ http://leylasroom.com/reading-and-spirituality/what-exactly-is-karma/#comments Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:24:16 +0000 Leyla http://leylasroom.com/?p=1239

http://www.trueyogainc.com

I can’t say I understand the depth of what Karma means and how it works completely, and I am by no means an expert in an area of spirituality and wisdom. However, I think I understand the basics of the principles of directing one’s energy at creating only constructive experiences, because by nature, what you put out, inevitably comes back. Whether or not, you believe in Karma, it exists. It’s just one of the Universal Laws, of cause and effect, that you don’t have to fully understand or believe in, for it to work. It’s like the Law of Attraction. We might not fully get how it works, or why it works… But it works. It has been tested by me (and many others, of course), MANY times, and it definitely works if we learn and master how to properly use this magnificent and powerful Universal Law. So it is the case with, Karma as well. Anytime you put out any kind of energy into the world, know that by virtue of Universal Laws, it will make a circle of life and come back into your energy field.

But enough of me trying to explain it. The little excerpt that I am about to share with you, explains what Karma is and how it works in beautiful, simple terms. So I hope that it will shed some light into the area and help you further your understanding of this important Universal Law.

Dylan continues to remain at the healing Center and is making quite a progress with his addictions. – Page 487

{ As he went on his usual morning stroll, he came upon a building whose entrance had been created with an inlaid violet stone he’d never seen before. It looked stunning. He simply had to go in.

The rectangular room contained only twenty seats, but as Crow sat, he filled the last one – coincidentally vacated by the gentleman to whom he’s just spoken. The lecture hall had been decorated in shades of violet. Through a skylight in the ceiling, which appeared to be encrusted in amethysts, the sun filtered through in purple streaks.

“Many of you are at the Center attempting to assess certain aspects of your life which have created imbalance. Some cannot seem to put a finger on which particular activity or event initiated your descent into the mire from which you wish to extricate yourself, and to that end, I’d like to address the concept of Karma this morning.

“Karma can be defined as energy and consciousness in action. It is the law, not only of cause and effect, but also retribution. Some ancient traditions referred to it as the Law of the Circle, which essentially means whatever you do inevitably goes around the great circle, collecting similar energy and returns to you, magnified.”

Now there’s a wee lesson that keeps popping up for me! Crow declared silently.

The old man continued. “The Law of Karma necessitates that the soul re-embody until all karmic cycles are balanced. Thus from lifetime to lifetime one determines one’s fate by his thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds. In other words, it’s accepting complete one hundred percent responsibility for the way you use energy. Through many Eastern religious constructs it is taught that there is Karmic Board which dispenses justice to this system of worlds, adjudicating karma, mercy, and judgment on behalf of every lifestream. Every single soul must pass before this Karmic Board prior to, and after each incarnation on earth; receiving their assignment and karmic allotment for each lifetime before, and an overall review of their performance at its termination. The Lords of Karma have access to the complete records of every incarnation of every soul. These are referred to as the akashic records, which are an energetic imprinting of your entire life.

“This board determines who shall embody, as well as when and where. They assign souls to families and communities, measuring out the weight of karma that must be balanced. The Lords of Karma, acting together with the I AM Presence and Christ-self, or higher mental body of each individual, determines when the soul has earned the right to be free of the wheel of reincarnation.

“Now, I have just given you an overview of karma as seen through the eyes of most Eastern philosophies. Fact is, karma, or at least this concept that one must balance every title and jot relating to misdeeds by counteracting those deeds is a man-made concept. It is true that with every thought, feeling, word, and deed you create something – at least an energy form of some sort. Because energy is magnetic in nature, it attracts similar energy and by the time it travels the great circle, it does come back to the creator magnified. Now, that’s the truth of karma.

“Every single ensouled being, as Son of God, must learn to manage the unlimited substance of God’s energy in a constructive way. Nothing can stop you from coming back time after time, experiencing a relentless stream of trauma and drama to try to make things right…if that is your soul’s desire. If you’re someone who loves soap operas, it may, in fact, be your pathway of choice.”

The group, as a whole, laughed.

“BUT…it’s possible to forgive, dissolve, and consume the mis-creations, which, in this world of polarity may have served to further your soul’s education, but are now no longer required. A pathway of learning, or choosing, to use this energy constructively in a way that expands God’s perfection and expresses Divine Love may be more appropriate at this stage of your soul’s development. There’s no reason, save addiction to drama, to carry around all that excess baggage which weighs so heavily upon the soul, constantly acting as a magnet to draw more darkness into your world.

“As all children of God have free will, the choice is, of course, up to the individual.

“Those who are drawn to this facility may be dealing with conditions that have been brought forth from other lifetimes, or they may have misused their power in this one. Most likely, all here are dealing with a bit of both. You’re not in this room listening to this discourse by accident. You are present because your higher mental body and your unseen assistants have brought you here.” }

And so it is by no accident that you are reading this right now. You, your soul was ready to be exposed to this Universal truth and the Ultimate power of freedom that lies within it.

Now the choice is yours… How will you choose to dispense your energy from now on, knowing the power of creation that is in every single one of us? Please share your thoughts below. I love reading them! =)

This is one of those recipes that almost everyone will love, except of course, you are a vegetarian. Then you will either hate it, or be indifferent to it. But if you are a meat eater, then you will be very satisfied with this hearty, classic Italian Pasta Bolognese Recipe. Which of course, means Meat Sauce in Italian. So, call it whatever you want, but this is one easy and delicious pasta recipe that is sure to warm up your heart & tummy on these cold winter days. Or if it is warm wherever it is that you are, then you can still enjoy it, of course you might get hot and sweaty after eating it, but either way, you will enjoy it!

So enough talking, here is the recipe:

Pasta Bolognese
Preparation time: 10 minutes, cooking time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 Package Fusilli Rice Pasta (or whatever type of pasta you prefer, spaghetti works really well also)
1 pound lean-ground beef
1 pound mushrooms, sliced (I am using Button Mushrooms here, but you could just as well you use Crimini Mushrooms, which are delicious)
1 whole red onion, chopped
3-4 cloves of garlic, pressed
2 small cans of tomato paste
1 10-15 oz jar or can of tomato sauce
4-5 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese, grated (to garnish, not pictured below)
Parsley, chopped (to garnish, not pictured below)

Here is a photo, because blog posts are always better with photos

To begin, bring a pot of water to a boil. Oh and don’t forget to salt it to taste first.

But you probably knew that right? I am making an assumption here, but I’m sure most people know how to boil some pasta…

While the water is boiling, grab the red onion, cut off the ends, peel off the skin and cut in half.

Finely chop it up…

By this time your water is probably boiling, so dump the pasta into the boiling water…

And give it a good stir… Make sure you do that, because if you don’t, it’ll all stick together, and we definitely don’t want that.

Next peel and press (or chop, if you don’t have a garlic press) the garlic…

But as a side note, if you don’t own a garlic press, invest in one. They are so handy and time saving.

For some reason, when it comes to chopping garlic, I really don’t have patience for it. So the press works for me

Next, take out the stems out of all the mushrooms and discard. Or if you want to use them, go ahead and do so, they are edible and I used to use them in my cooking as well, until one day I stopped. Don’t ask me why.

Perhaps it has something to do with my anal, obsessive nature of wanting all my mushroom pieces to look the same? Who knows

Oh yeah, at this point, don’t forget to check on your pasta. Follow the package instructions. You want the pasta to be al dente (which means, a little more than half cooked, so it has a pretty hard texture), because we’re still going to cook it later in the meat sauce.

Use your judgement, and if you think it’s ready, drain it and set aside.

Back to the lovely mushrooms. Slice’em up, not too thick, not too thin. Mushrooms sort of melt as they cook, so if you slice too thin, they will disappear.. and you definitely don’t want that. We want to feel the delicious mushroom texture in the end result.

Now, on medium-high heat, using the same pot that we used to boil the pasta in, pour in the Extra virgin olive oil, and when it’s heated up, throw in the chopped red onion, and then the garlic.

Season with salt & pepper to taste…

Let it get golden brown, stirring occasionally, to prevent burning.

When the onions are nice and caramelized, add in the ground beef. Use your wooden spoon to sort of break apart the big chunks of meat, so it’s nice and loose.

I know we’ve already seasoned the onion & garlic mixture, but I like to season the meat as I add it in. Not too much… just enough to bring out the flavour.

Keep stirring until the meat starts to brown… Which will probably take 7-8 minutes.

Then add the mushrooms…

Stir it around and let cook for about 5-6 minutes.

Next, goes in the tomato sauce…

Dump it all in, baby… don’t be stingy.

Stir well… Mmm… Smells delicious!

Now you can add the tomato paste, which will thicken the sauce and add a nice texture to the whole thing.

Remember that pasta we boiled and drained earlier? Well, now you can finally add it in.

Let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes on medium heat with the lead on.

Turn off the heat and serve while hot for best results…

Oh yeah, almost forgot… Grate some fresh parmigiano-reggiano cheese right over top…. Come on, be generous!

And sprinkle some parsley for a pop of color, and of course the health benefits of fresh herbs!

Buon Appetito!

Life is so unpredictable… I have learnt and continue to learn so much from what has been happening in my life from the past 3 or so weeks, that I am in total awe… I won’t go into detail about what exactly has been going on, because I am sure you all have better things to do with your time than read about my emotional roller-coaster experiences. But I will share the few lessons that I am extracting from all the changes that are happening to me.

Don’t ever assume you know it all, because if you do, life will throw a curve ball onto your path to test you, and believe me, it’s a good thing. Because if things are going smoothly, and according to plan, do you really think that you are growing? Chances are, you are not…

Because it is only when we are placed into unknown, uncomfortable and emotional situations do we really have to tap into the limitless reservoir of our abilities to get ourselves back on track. Real growth only happens when the boundaries of our comfort zones are pushed to a point of expansion.

So if like me you are going through something that feels uncomfortable and makes you question life to try to find the answers to whatever dilemma or challenge that it is you are facing at the moment: rejoice! I tell you… Rejoice an celebrate in knowing that if you allow yourself, and believe and trust your inner voice, you will make the right choices and in the end come out stronger, wiser and a better human being thanks to those challenges.

Change is good, change is necessary… Nothing stays the same. And so accept whatever it is that is happening to you, smile, trust yourself and go with the flow of what feels right.

This Week’s Hits are:

- Avatar!! I finally got to see this incredible movie last night. And wow, I don’t even know where to begin to express what I feel about this phenomenal work of art, in all of its aspects. If you haven’t seen it yet, DO SO! I always loved James Cameron and his work, but this piece really takes it to a whole other level. Now I am convinced that James Cameron is truly connected to the Divine Source, because to create something so deep, so beautiful and so relevant to our society and its place in the evolutionary process, he has got to be out of this world!

The depth and level of imagination completely blew my mind out of the water! The graphics and the 3D experience was just unbelievable. And of course, most importantly the story line is what really got to me. It touched upon so many important and relevant issues of our modern day, and I can only hope that watching and reflecting about the messages will awaken people and make them realize it is time we connect to the Source of all there is and stop acting from a place of EGO, from a place of Human Greed… all for nothing! It is time to see and become aware of the real power we possess, it is time to reconnect with our Higher Self to create a Loving, Caring society where there is no place for War, Hunger, Misery and Pain…

Call me a true romantic and an idealist… But I choose to believe there will come a day when we humans, as species will get to a higher point where we will only operate from a place of Love, Care, Peace and Divine Connection to All that there is and ever will be…

There is my two cents about the movie… and its important messages. But I urge you to watch for yourself and take your own lessons out of it.

- Baking and Freshly Baked goods! I have a total soft spot when it comes to freshly baked delicious goodies… I love all kinds of breads, buns, rolls, pastries etc.. and can never say no, especially when it is just came out of the oven, all warm and cozy and delicious!! This week I realized that I have recently turned to cooking, and most importantly to baking as a form of therapy. When I am sad, upset, confused, or need to feel good… I bake! =) It is such a good form of therapy, and it’s free! lol.. Well, minus the cost of the ingredients. And sure, the calories that come with consuming baked stuff. But who cares? Certainly not me… The pleasure and the reward I get from baking and sharing my creations with loved ones, and sometimes even strangers highly overweighs the negative aspects.

I have lots of new delicious Desert recipes to share with you guys.. so stay tuned!

This Week’s Misses are:

- Ego. You can call it whatever you want: mind, evil voice in your head, the negative emotions… whatever it is you choose to call it, the effect that it has on us humans is all the same. Ego is part of all humans, and it is an extremely complex part of us that is beautifully explained in lots of books out there. One day I will have to make a list of all my favourite books to share with you all. The way I see it, ego’s job is to create a negative force within you that does not allow you to find inner peace and contentment. It is that voice in your head that screws up our relationships, our self esteem, our view of life and the one that tells you cannot do something… That’s right.. that voice. Like I mentioned earlier…I have been dealing with quite a few emotional issues recently, and boy oh boy, despite all of the wisdom and awareness that I have gained from learning about the Ego and how to tame it and silence it… It has certainly been affecting me and my well-being for a few weeks now… It is a poison that doesn’t allow me to find happiness with those that I love the most.

But you know what? Being aware of it is Step 1…

Now I just have to overpower it with directing my conscious thought towards positive energy, and lots and lots of meditating and connecting to the inner self for answers.

Because all the answers to all the questions that you ever had or ever will have, are already Within Us! It’s just a matter of believing and trusting yourself, as soon as you do… the answers appear. =)

Do you guys know what I am talking about here? Can any of you relate or share similar stories? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Welcome to the brand new, first of many more Food on Trail Features! I have been thinking for awhile to add a new segment to my blog, called: Food on Trial. Every so often, I will choose a certain food, fruit, vegetable, grain, meat, fish etc and will research its health benefits, and all the rest of the pros and cons pertaining to that food. I promise to share all of my findings with you on here.

There are lots myths and fables when it comes to certain foods, and it is my mission to discover and uncover all of the truths about our every day foods, so that together we can be educated about what it is we choose to put in our bodies. I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying: “You are What You Eat”, so it is my hope that with the help of my findings we can all choose to eat consciously every day, so we can live long & healthy lives. =)

I decided to choose Avocado as today’s feature, mainly because I have been hearing a lot that this magical fruit (that’s right, you read it correctly: it is a fruit indeed, and not a vegetable, like most people believe), is a Super Food! Personally, I only fell in love with Avocado a little over a year ago, and ever since then I include it in my diet regularly. I love to enjoy avocados in my salads, as a spread on a whole wheat toast or as a classic quacamole with some baked tortilla chips.

Classic Guacamole Recipe

So what is an Avocado and where does it come from?

The avocado (Persea americana), aguacate or palta (Spanish), butter pear or alligator pear, is a tree native to the Caribbean, Mexico,^[1] South America and Central America, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel. The name “avocado” also refers to the fruit (technically a large berry that contains a large seed^[2]) of the tree which may be egg-shaped or spherical.

About 75% of an avocado’s calories come from fat, most of which is monounsaturated fat. Avocados also have 60% more potassium than bananas. They are rich in B vitamins, as well as vitamin E and vitamin K.^[22] They have a high fiber content among fruits – including 75% insoluble and 25% soluble fiber. - Source: Wikipedia

I found this helpful list of Healthy Ways to Enjoy Avocados on Leslie Beck’s (Canada’s Leading Nutritionist) amazing website, which by the way is filled with tons of helpful information on Nutrition. Thank you, Leslie for these awesome suggestions! I will be sure to follow this guide, and I hope you guys will also find it useful.

Breakfast

• Avocado and eggs are perfect partners for omelettes or frittatas or when paired in breakfast wraps.

• Sprinkle diced avocado over scrambled eggs instead of cheese.

• Try the recipe for an Avocado smoothie.

• Spread mashed avocado on whole wheat toast or bagels instead of butter or margarine.

Lunch

• Include avocado in your green or fruit salad.

• Spread your wrap with mashed avocado before filling.

• Fill egg white halves with guacamole instead of the usual yolk and mayo mixture.

• Top soups with avocado slices or dices.

• Avocado and seafood such as crabmeat, make a great sandwich filling or salad topping.

Dinner

• Serve grilled avocado with feta cheese on pizza instead of pepperoni and mozzarella cheese.

• Toss salads with avocado slices and balsamic vinegar instead of a creamy dressing. Save on the fat and up the flavour.

• Try an avocado salsa as a condiment or side dish to grilled chicken or fish.

• Mash potatoes with avocado instead of sour cream or butter.

• Try an avocado soup for something different.

• Pair avocado with pasta.

Snacks

• Dip into guacamole with baked tortilla chips. Or try baked whole-wheat pita triangles.

• A small dish of cubed avocado, seasoned with lemon or lime juice and salt makes a delicious and creamy snack.

• Have pieces of fresh fruit accompanied by a sweet avocado dip.

Beet & Avocado Salad Recipe

So now that we know how we can enjoy this delicious fruit, lets closely examine its many benefits. I did a quick search and read online, and here is a list of Top 15 Health Benefits of an Avocado:

1. It protects cholesterol related heart diseases and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
2. It is used both in prevention and treatment of prostate and breast cancers. Scientists have proved that a toxin in avocado kills the cancer cells. So-called toxin has a great effect on the tissues, particularly heart muscle tissues.
3. Avocado includes necessary minerals like potassium, calcium, vitamin C and K, folic acid, copper, sodium and dietary fibers. These are used to provide the mineral necessity of the body.
4. Oleic acid in avocado can be used to lower cholesterol level in the blood.
5. Avocado is a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure. Adequate intake of potassium can help guard against circulatory diseases, like high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke.
6. It has been traditionally used to treat osteo-arthritis, and its oils have been used topically to treat wounds, infections, arthritis, and to stimulate hair growth.
7. The Monounsaturated fat contained in Avocados speeds up the metabolic rate when comparing it to saturated fats, and the high fat content leaves you feeling full, which helps reduce overeating, thereby complementing weight-loss plans!
8. Sodium reduces the risk of high blood pressure and stoke.
9. It improves the ability of the body to absorb carotenoids.
10. Avocado is used to help people who have sexual problems.
11. It is a good antioxidant.
12. It can be used in the treatment of skin disorders.
13. It is used to heal people who suffer from digestive and circulatory problems
14. Last, but not the least, it has a rich and creamy texture that can be easily used to replace high-calorie foods like mayonnaise, cheese and ketchup!
15. One cup of avocado provides almost a quarter of your recommended daily intake of folate, a vitamin which cuts the risk of birth defects. If you’re pregnant—or planning to be—avocados will help protect your unborn baby.

Chipotle Shrimp Taco with Avocado Salsa Verde Recipe

So with all of these amazing benefits, is there anything bad that can be said about Avocado? Here is a few points to keep in mind:

- Avocados are pretty high in calories. In fact, one medium-sized avocado contains a little more than 300 calories, most of them coming from Fats (77% Fat, 19% Carbs, 4% Proteins). However, it is mostly mono-saturated fats, which means the “good fat”; so its just the calories that you need to worry about, which can be burned by being active!

- Individuals who are allergic to latex or to other tropical fruits, such as bananas or kiwi, may also be allergic to avocado. Large doses of avocado or avocado oil may have mild laxative effects.

- Avocado may decrease the effects of blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin and aspirin, as the oil in it may interfere with the absorption of drugs or some nutrients from food. So one should avoid eating these when using similar prescribed drugs.

I don’t know about you, but personally, I think the benefits well outweigh the so-called negatives, and now after doing this little research, I will be enjoying my avocado even more so than before knowing how much good this little miracle fruit does for my body!

How about you? Are you already an avocado fan or will you give avocado a chance after reading this post? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.