Hello everyone and may you start the year in a sweet and fizzy way, in a safe and warm place, admiring the fireworks and also the lovely stars!βThese are some Eastern Europe winter sweets but we do not eat all of them at once.
As I think we should start the year in a healthy way, I wish to sharr with you an amazing recipe – winter brownie- made without sugar. You need cocoa, eggs, dark chocolate, butter, flour, baking powder, tangerine/orange peel, a mix of hot wine spices. I have used 3 eggs, 180g butter, 100/150g cocoa, 170g dark chocolate, some flour with approximation (brown if possible). You need to mix the melted butter and chocolate in a bowl. In another bowl beat the eggs and add up all the other ingredients. Afterwards you can mix the two pastas. If you want to personalise your brownie, give up my extra ingredients (orange peel, etc.) and add something else that you prefer – dry fruits, seeds, fresh aromatic plants, flower petals or anything else that makes you and those who will taste it happy.
Bake it like any other brownie but be careful not to cook it too much; do the same trick with the stick to see when the dough is well baked. My advice is to avoid any sugar topping but rather use maybe some low-fat icecream or fresh fruits.
Hoping that this Christmas holidays are bringing more health, peace and harmony, I send away my best thoughts for everyone at home and everywhere, to enjoy a happy, safe and joyful holiday season! Let us think and pray for those who cannot really celebrate now, to find the force to stay healthy and safe, despite the violence around them. Everyone on this planet has the right to be healthy, safe abd educated.
May these winter holidays make you all more grateful for what you already have and, thus, offer a smile to someone who has less! It may be a good word, some money,a kg of fresh fruits, a hug, a phone call, a blanket or a greeting card. Whatever you offer, it shall never be forgotten.
π²π²π²π² Stay good, wise and trustful and you’ll see how all the good things you need will come your way. π²ππ²π
Summer has arrived already for a while, at lest in the Northern hemisphere. Along with some hot days, it has also been bringing tasty fruits, lots of busy birds singing or working around their nests, energetic bees that are collecting pollen even late in the afternoon, interesting trips, tasty vegetables, wonderful rainbows or amazing discoveries in our home countries or outside them.
Hoping that these photos bring you a bit of fresh air and joy to appreciate what you also have close to where you live, I am sharing some nice moment from one of my trips. I have seen the Plitvice waterfall and complex, located in northern Croatia which is offering the visitors a lot of greenish spots to enjoy the clean air, different water falls, some lakes, various species of plants and flowers, funny fishes and many birds.
The first photo boasts one of the waterfalls and the second is from the same natural park, a nice spot by one of the lakes that is bordered by thick forests and small rocks. Enjoy them both along with your tea or lemonade !
Allow me to wish all of you an amazing health, positive thoughts, divine support for the many weeks to come and a long, peaceful and happy summer ! Take care of yourselves and stay safe and joyful! Thank you for reading these thoughts π
Water is Life, that is clear. On this special day, I would please encourage everyone to use our common waters more carefully and please keep all these as clean as possible. We cannot live without water and we need to be more conscious about this every day. The magical formula H2O gathers in it a whole universe full of amazing things. Swimming, drinking, watering crops, water is priceless. And so are those who are protecting oceans, seas, lakes, rivers – together we can keep and enjoy our healthy water surfaces on Earth.
As I myself have been in difficulty many times when I wanted top drink a healthy non-alcoholic drink, I would like to share my small health discoveries with you too. Healthy hydration is essential to our health and…whatever the alcohol beverage producers say, ALCOHOL does not hydrate our bodies unfortunately. In my case, many times, tap water does not work as it has no taste. So I tried to create or rediscover some healthy options for drinking well and keeping my body well hydrated.
I shall enumerate them and give also small suggestions:
1. Mineral water, spring water – a better option for me (if you wish, add in it some lemon juice, ginger powder or even a spoon of fruit syrup)
2. Fruit juice (the one that has no bubbles and very little sugar) – cherry, apple, apricot, plum juice, etc. with min. content 40% of fruit juice
3. Kefir (I guess everyone knows this, if it is bio, even better but any kefir can help)
4. Home-made lemonade (with lemon, with mint&basil, levendula or whatever aromatic herb you have at hand or in your balcony)
5. Non-alcoholic beer (big discovery, big pleasure – without its alcohol content, this is a healthy drink which supports your bones and your overall mood)
6. Tea – my favourite (a lot of combinations, hot or cold and even a therapeutic drink if you have small issues to solve); I love mint tea, thyme, ginger, sour cherry, blueberry, melissa, lavender, marigold and many others
7. Tomato juice – don’t laugh please but it can also be your friend, especially if it is a bio one; if you do not like it too much add something in it – herb powder, salt&pepper, ginger, curcuma, etc. The lycopene has many health qualities that your body can benefit from
8. Goat milk – I prefer it to other options as it is closer to what the human body needs; it is more expensive but you can use this option more rarely and add a little vanilla in it or cinnamon – beheheee-licious.
9. Hot chocolate – a perfect choice for coldish days, in any season. And a free tip for you (I spent a lot of money until I finally discovered this magical place) – I have drunk the best hot chocolate of my life in a place in Barcelona, called ‘El CafΓ¨ de l’Γpera’ (Las Ramblas no. 74) that I heartily recommend. You shall never forget that hot chocolate, trust me!
As the cold was coming this winter 2022-2023 and outside it felt really freezing, we found shelter in a cave. Luckily there was someone holding the light always ahead of us. This way we have seen the whole cave, even the darkest corners with the joy of discovering an unknown, magical and amazing land. My wish is that 2023 is also bringing you amazing discoveries that you can discover and admire every time, by following that one who is holding the light…or to be yourselves those who are holding the light. May you have light and health and peace and joy for the whole year! Salud & mucha suerte !
David Popovici, golden Romanian swimmer photo: courtesy of http://www.gsp.ro
In June 2022, the name David Popovici reached me for the first time, on the occasion of the Fina World Championship in Budapest. This is a new successful situation, in recent years, with a Romanian athlete obtaining medals in swimming. My joy was immense and it is still supported by the beautiful results of the same swimmer at the European Aquatics 2022 in Rome. At the young age of 17, becoming a world champion seems like an impossible dream to achieve. At this age, many of us don’t even know what path we will follow in life, we are in school and dreaming of true love. What I can conclude is that this David has definitely found his way and maybe water is his true love. But his destiny is just beginning and I am sure that David Popovici’s talent, motivation, education and youth will be clear assets for future medals or personal successes. David is already an inspiration for us and for many other Romanians. Well done David !!
Now it’s Simona’s turn. I discovered Simona in 2014, when I was on vacation in Bulgaria. I was also with a tennis racket in my luggage, but I still didn’t know anything about this wonderful and very serious girl, completely in love with tennis. She had her first big victory at the international level in June 2014 and then, year after year, various other victories followed, smaller or bigger, but each one I believe – with its unique importance and unrepeatable memories for Simona Halep herself. I was very happy when Simona won the Toronto Tennis Championship earlier, this year. I like her a lot, not only as an athlete but also as a person. Unfortunately, now she has some problems due to this suspension, but I am sure that Simona Halep did not do anything intentionally, already having a world-renowned ethical character. This medicine can cause “stroke or sudden death from myocardial infarction”, confirmed by several medical specialists; she would have never risked her health this way. I hope that her talent and character will continue to support her, in order to prove her innocence; Simona is a talented Romanian tennis player and she’s always proving her fair-play.
Simona Halep wins the Toronto tennis tournament photo: courtesy ofhttp://www.gsp.ro
Another wonderful surprise is the Romanian champion, Ionela Cozmiuc, an amazing winner in the Czech Women’s Rowing Championship 2022. The rower Ionela Livia Cozmiuc won the gold medal in the singles event, the lightweight category this year in the Czech Republic. Ionela has also won other medals in the recent years and is currently preparing for future competitions. This year’s successes have confirmed the talent and discipline with which the Romanian rower has been always preparing, for sport events in Romania and beyond the borders. Ionela Livia will surely bring new medals and I hope that she will also have personal reasons for joy.
In iunie 2022, numele David Popovici a devenit cunoscut, cu ocazia Campionatului Fina World Championship de la Budapesta. Este o noua reusita, in ultimii ani cand avem un sportiv roman obtinand medalii la inot. Bucuria ma a fost imensa si este sustinuta in continuare de rezultatele frumoase ale aceluiasi inotator la European Aquatics 2022 de la Roma. La o varsta frageda de 17 ani, a deveni campion mondial pare un vis imposibil de atins. La aceasta varsta multi nici nu stim ce cale vom urma in viata, suntem pe bancile scolii si visam la dragostea adevarata. Ce pot sa concluzionez este ca acest David si-a gasit in mod sigur Calea si poate apa este dragostea lui adevarata. Insa destinul lui abia incepe si sunt sigura ca talentul, motivatia, educatia si tineretea lui David Popovici vor fi atuuri clare pentru viitoare medalii sau succese personale…. David este deja o inspiratie pentru noi si pentru multi alti romani. Bravo David!!
Acum vine randul Simonei. Pe Simona am descoperit-o in anul 2014, cand eram in vacanta in Bulgaria. Eram si eu cu racheta de tenis in bagaj insa nu stiam inca nimic de aceasta fata indragostita de tenis, minunata si foarte serioasa. A avut prima mare victorie la nivel international in iunie 2014 si apoi au urmat, an de an, diverse alte victorii, mai mici sau mari insa fiecare cred – cu importanta ei unica si amintirile irepetabile pentru Simona Halep insasi. M-am bucurat mult cand Simona a castigat Campionatul de Tenis de la Toronto. Imi place mult de ea, nu doar ca sportiva dar si ca persoana.
Din pacate acum are ceva probleme datorate acestei suspendari, insa sunt sigura ca Simona Halep nu a facut nimic in mod voit, avand deja un caracter etic de renume mondial. Acest medicament poate provoca βAVC sau moarte subitΔ prin infarct miocardicβ, aspect confirmat de mai multi medici specialisti. Sper ca talentul si caracterul ei sa o sustina in continuare pentru a-si demonstra nevinovatia; Simona este o jucatoare de tenis romanca talentata si fair-play., in opinia mea.
O alta surpriza minunata a fost campioana romanca, Ionela Cozmiuc, de la campionatul de Canotaj femei din Cehia 2022. Canotoarea Ionela Livia Cozmiuc a castigat medalia de aur la proba de simplu, categoria usoara in acest an in Cehia. Ionela a mai obtinut si alte medalii iar in curand va pleca in cantonament, in Italia. Succesele din acest an au confirmat talentul si disciplina cu care canotoarea s-a pregatit in ultimii ani, in Romania si nu numai. Cu siguranta Ionela Livia va aduce noi medalii si, sper ca va avea si bucurii in plan personal.
All of us know that our health is strongly connected to the quality of our sleep. No matter of the age they have, everyone from 1 month until 101 years old needs enough sleep, in function of their needs. Sleep in closely connected to our immune system so, if we don’t sleep enough, we may certainly have a lower immunity and get sick very easily.
I know a lot of tricks for sleeping well and falling asleep easier that I share with my friends. For example, many plants can help, such as Verbena, Melissa, Tilia, Chamomilla, Mint just to quote the most important. Another element that can help is a daily intake of Mg., the only mineral that brings you calm & happiness.
My advice is that you try and sleep a minimum quantity of hours/night; I would recommend 8 for most of the people and to try and be active for the following 8h after waking up. Physical activity of any kind (even if you work in an office, try to stretch or move for 5min. every hour) helps you to get a bit tired when night comes and, thus, fall easier asleep. Starting from 9pm, stop doing things that distract too much your attention or put your brain to work too much. Stop watching the news, avoid talking to negative people and just focus on yourselves and to giving the body a rest – watch a cooking channel, water your plants, talk to an optimistic person and try to laugh, read something uplifting, if you have children you can do funny things together before their sleep, prepare a nice evening tea, have a massage with your partner, do a short relaxing meditation. These can be more mindful ways to guide you towards a good sleep.
I keep my fingers crossed for you; the healthier we are, the stronger we feel outside and inside and having constantly a good amount of sleep is the right path to staying young & have a long life. Please remember that a good day starts with a good night’s sleep π !!
Love is all aroundZen afternoon Time for a napWe’re happy for guests!!Swimming to keep fitWho wants to hear the latest news ? Beauty has nothing to do with ageFinally…. at home
showing support when our friend has a problem – we can solve it together, no worries π
For this occasion, I have chosen the word COMPASSION. I’ve seen very often children and animals being compassionate to each other and more rarely adults showing compassion. I think this is wrong, as adults should be initiators of such behaviours as it is them who are educating children, not vice-versa. I would be happy to see more compassion among my fellow-adults in all the situations of every day life. Compassion can unite persons of any age, sex or background and can peacefully create more gratitude among people in our society.
In comparison to ignorance or selfishness which are very often seen nowadays, compassion puts people together and creates a peace of mind and such good inner emotions that are bringing about also a lower blood pressure, a more relaxed body & mind and a better immunity. Selfishness creates negative feelings and emotions between people, while compassion hamonises the souls and creates a common feeling of shared support, which is essential especially when someone is suffering.
Just remember that most of the people you run into have more difficult lives than yours, so show them with generosity some COMPASSION if needed, it does not cost a thing. Have a happy & peaceful summer everyone π !
My dear readers, I hope this little post will bring you some freshness, relaxing vibes for your minds, joy, hope and trust in all the good values that inspire us, day by day. I am also attaching a few photos as images can speak for themselves and I hope that, wherever you are, this summer with a nice number otherwise, 2022, can bring you 222 reasons to feel healthy, loved, trustful and joyful, no matter what.
First of all, the choice for an escape to Greece was excellent; the seaside landscape was amazing, the weather was at its best and there were not so many tourists in the seaside resort where I spent my days. Every night I was able to admire fire flies again in the darkness, after many years.
An amazing discovery is linked to the local flora. I have always, wrongly, thought that passiflora grows very far from where I live. Well, it seems that this amazing flower, having a lot of benefits about which I hope to write a future post, grows in Greece, too. It was a magical moment for me, when one evening, while we were walking towards the beach to see again the fire flies, I noticed the passiflora in a green bush near our small village route. I hope you also have such magical discoveries this year!!
I am choosing this other photo on purpose; you all know how the world is now and how it has been in the recent 20, 30 years, although our grandparents went through a world war….mankind has not learnt anything from its history…One of the things I am sure of is that we don’t know at all anything about what and who is behind conflicts and bad news…but we are all suffering because of them, some more, others less. Please read this in any of the languages and, for one second, just close your eyes and imagine a round blue ball smiling and smiling and smiling. Let the blue ball be our Earth and let our positive thoughts help it be healthy, safe, happy and durable… we shall never have another planet to live on.
Time for a little meditation, under the palm trees – happiness is for free, good things take time, live simply so that others can simply live….The breeze, the perfume of the roses, the amazing stones, the ships passing by… and all these things are quite enough to make many of us happy π
As I am mentioning these amazing fire flies, please enjoy this song and focus this summer on all the positive things in your lives:
Of course, photos with the sunset, my favourite time-moment of the day could not miss. This precious sunset was taking place near a beach bay called Lefkimmi. I had the luck to watch the whole sunset with my boys and enjoy the sound of the waves, the amazing smell of the sea, the soft sand I felt with my feet…. and to realise, again, how grateful I am for all these.
Have a wonderful summer everyone & keep yourselves healthy – body and mind π !!!
Josephina-Creations 