Brownies for Breakfast - Book review
Why eating healthily doesn’t have to be boring- Book review. “If you make it yourself from these recipes, you can eat donuts, brownies, mac’n’cheese, and pancakes along with a bunch of other stuff that would otherwise be totally off limits for a diabetic, a weight watcher, or a heart patient.” — Lynne Parmiter Bowman.
Read full storySacramento's storms wreak havoc - fallen trees and flooded roads
Biden declares emergency in California due to winter storms. After a weekend of hard rain and heavy winds, Sacramento's residents struggle to get around massive pine, oak trees, and redwoods that block the streets.
Read full storyI ran to "the end of the world" in Kona - Personal travel story
“In a blaze of musket fire, sacred practices died along with more than 300 warriors. The dead, including Kekuaokalani and his wife Manono were interred in the terraces visible on this lava field.” — Quote on the Lekeleke Burial Grounds.
Read full storyBuddhist monk Matthieu Ricard's advice on cultivating happiness
Finding the right type of happiness is within our reach. “One does not become happy overnight, but with patient labor, day after day. Happiness is constructed, and that requires effort and time. In order to become happy, we have to learn how to change ourselves.” Luca and Francesco Cavalli-Sforza.
Read full storyClouds make me happy and grateful - Personal Story
“The thoughts that occur to me while I’m running are like clouds in the sky. Clouds of all different sizes. They come and they go, while the sky remains the same sky always. The clouds are mere guests in the sky that pass away and vanish, leaving behind the sky.” — Haruki Murakami.
Read full storyThe Okinawans' advice on living a long and happy life
Did you know that the Japanese language does not have the word “retirement” in its vocabulary? According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai — a reason for living and purpose in life.
Read full storyBrooke Siem sheds light on antidepressants withdrawal in her memoir May Cause Side Effects
There must be a better way to heal depression and find more light!. "I have taken 10,920 antidepressants. To let go. To fall. Who might I be without them?" - Brooke Siem. From the very beginning of her memoir May Cause Side Effects, Brooke Siem plunges her readers into her heavily medicated world that looks like this: "6 prescriptions a day X 7 days a week = 42 pills per week. 42 52 weeks in a year = 2,184 pills per year. 2,184 X 15 years = 32,760 pills. One third of those 32,760 medications are for my head. 10,920 antidepressants."
Read full storyCyberspace Safety Tips with Jennifer Jolly, Tech-Life Journalist for USA Today
Three tips for parents to keep their kids safe online. “With or without any social media, you have everything that you need to be a bright light and to succeed in the world that you live in. The most important part of your entire life is inside of you. It's you. It doesn't matter what phone you have or don't have. It doesn't matter who's doing what on social media. You are more powerful than any gadget, social media, TikTok trend, or anything. You are enough! No gadget, no bit of electronics and devices will ever replace the power and magic that is you.” - Jennifer Jolly.
Read full storyEmbracing diversity with children's book author Paula Karll
A few ideas and ways to increase diversity in the classrooms. Photo by Andrea Thompson, author's social media strategist. It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity, there is beauty, and there is strength. - Maya Angelou.
Read full storyTechnology makes walking and working possible
"I should go for a walk and exercise more," your inner voice might tell you quite often. "But I can't. I have meetings and lots of work to do," the voice of consciousness ringing in your ears. "I guess I will exercise whenever I have some time off."
Read full storySacramento doctor's walking journey across America for health equity
Dr. Dennis Godby trying on the backpack for his walking journey for health equityIsaiah Godby. “The amount of risk and vulnerability one’s willing to endure for a cause is directly proportional to people’s willingness to listen, open their hearts, and be inspired. This method of non-violent, direct action, often earns one the right to be heard.” - Dr. Dennis Godby.
Read full storyExploring happiness with Dr. Neehall- Book review
Happy is the New Healthy by Dr. Joan Neehall, Ph.D. Being happy also equates to being healthy, according to Dr. Joan Neehall, Ph.D. and best-selling author of Happy is the New Healthy.
Read full storyPhilosophy should be fun when raising philosopher kids
Book review of Nasty, Brutish, and Short - Adventures in philosophy with my kids by Scott Hershovitz. When wisdom and parenting advice intersect in such a delightful philosophical and practical manner in Nasty, Brutish, and Short - Adventures in philosophy with my kids, readers will be rewarded with playful, fun, and meaningful conversations between the author and his two sons Rex and Hank that they can also practice with their children.
Read full storyResearch shows that beliefs are essential for survival
And being self-motivated helps you achieve higher goals. The author at The Rock of Gibraltar saluting the day with joyPhoto taken by Sophia, my daughter. “Do not wait; the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” — George Herbert.
Read full storyLessons in resilience from Kim Conley, the former Sacramento US Olympic runner
And some wise advice from Melanie Conley, Kim's mom, on raising an Olympian. Feeling happy after a great run in Flagstaff, AZDrew Wartenburg, Kim's wonderful husband, chauffeur, and chef.
Read full storyThis week's Sacramento triple digit-weather a worrisome sign for the future
Our scorching 100+ degree days could triple in the next 30 years. A deer trying to find some green leaves to eat at Ancil Hoffman Park, Carmichael, CAPhoto by Carmen Micsa. My husband and I have lived in Sacramento since 1995 when we moved here from Romania. We immediately felt at home. We love our weather in the Sacramento Valley, especially in the spring and fall, but not in the scorching summers when it's 100 degrees or hotter.
Read full storyEating polenta might help your health
Once upon a time when I was a child growing up in Romania, my grandpa used to make polenta for my family whenever we visited them in the summer. As we sat around the table watching the steam from the hot polenta coil up to the ceiling and enveloping us in aromas of fresh corn, my grandpa delivered the same story about my cousin who had amused him with his polenta argument.
Read full storySanta Claus melons truly exist - Opinion
Santa Claus Melon found at Wholefoods, Sacramento, CAPhoto by Carmen Micsa. On our first 100-degree day, I bought Santa Claus Melon for the first time in my life!. It was Santa Claus Melon sent to cool us off on a scorching late spring day!
Read full storyDrinking coffee might increase your longevity
And an Iced Pumpkin Spice “Latte” Smoothie recipe. “We want to do a lot of stuff; we’re not in great shape. We didn’t get a good night’s sleep. We’re a little depressed. Coffee solves all these problems in one delightful little cup.” — Jerry Seinfeld.
Read full storyBison gores Ohio woman in Yellowstone Park
Keep your distance from wild animals while visiting National Parks. Visiting Yellowstone National Park in 2021 with my family and keeping our distance from wild lifePhoto by Carmen Micsa.
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