Hey there! A warm welcome and thank you to both my new and loyal readers.

For those of you new to Delectable You, here is a quick run down of what you will find here:

I am far from an expert on anything except for chocolate chip banana bread (and that recipe will die with me), but I am never without a notebook and a pen. I use them to record my observations about life as it happens around me. When I can make heads or tails of what I have written, the time is ripe to pass my learning along, which I do here at Delectable You.

For the record, my notebook is white, pink and gold. It has flowers on it. Or maybe they’re leaves. Yup, definitely leaves.

My hope is that each time you visit, you will not only find recipes for food, but also, recipes for your life. By gathering and sharing my reflections about life, my intention is that you will to find and apply some of that insight in your own life, to help you live the best one possible. If nothing else, hopefully you’ll at least get a good laugh either with or at me. Either one is fine with me – as long as you’re smiling.

On we go.

5 things you can do to have a kick ass week (along with working out, eating healthy, and being all around awesome, of course).

     1. Make like Nike, and Just do it.

Do you have a tendency to keep to-do lists? To-do lists for chores, books to read, restaurants to eat at, places to travel, etc.?

Me too! But some things just don’t belong on to-do lists. If you’re about to write something down – do the dishes, eat healthier, do a good deed, reach out to an old friend – whatever it is – if you can do it right now, do it right now.

Don’t get me wrong: lists are fantastic ways of remembering what you need to do, but they can also be daunting, which leads to stress, and inevitably, to procrastination because we don’t know where to start. Before you know it, we need a to-do list for our to-do lists!

So take that 60 seconds, tie up that garbage, and take it out. Not only will you have a fresh smelling kitchen and quite possibly have earned brownie points from your cohabitant(s), but you also no longer have to think about doing it. It’s already done. It was checked off the list before it had a chance to even get there. That creates a sense of accomplishment that makes us better at achieving other, more important, items on our to-do list.

     2. Want less.

Say what? You heard me! Want less. Desire less. Want a new $5000 bike? Do you really need it? Are you going to be as in love with it 6 months from now as you are as adamant about getting it right now (like….right now)? Be honest with yourself. Ok, fine, maybe you will still love it in 6 months. Let’s go for 12 months down the line when a newer, better model with an electronic gear shift arrives on the market.  “An electronic gear shift?? Shut the front door,” you say to yourself, “I need one immediately.” Suddenly your brand spankin’ new $5000 bike isn’t worth so much to you anymore.

In Buddhism, it is believed that desire is at the root of all suffering. Desires – including material goods (which, just to clarify, includes your new bike) – are cravings that can never quite be satisfied, like a thirst that can never be quenched, no matter how many electrolytes are in your water. Just look at your phone. Is is the iPhone 3? Probably not. Because since the 3, there’s been the 4, the 4S, the 5C and if I am informed correctly, the 5S. There is a new iPhone on the market before you even walk out of the Apple store with your new toy. And once the newer version comes out, you don’t want to play with your old one anymore. Boohoo. *For the record, I have the 4, the only iPhone I’ve ever had (I had a flip phone before it, obviously), and until I drop that puppy for the thousandth time and it actually breaks, I’m gonna go ahead and stick with my perfectly functioning 4.

Buddhist or not, it doesn’t mean there isn’t any truth in their belief about desire. Think about it. When you want something, particularly when you can’t really afford it, it causes stress. Stress is no fun. Word on the street is that it actually causes disease, which apparently can lead to an earlier death. I’m not saying all desires are bad, but sift through the ones that are actually making you happy, and get rid of the ones that are causing you unnecessary distress.

Cherish what you already have – your house, your dog, your car, your iPhone 3 (or 4 or 4S or …17Z) – whatever it is. You already have it all. You don’t need anymore. That, my dear friend, is pure joy, satisfaction, thirst quenched. That is where life can be grand. If you can get there, everything else you acquire is just icing on an already delicious cake.

     3. Slow down.

It’s 7am. Your alarm goes off, and so do you. It’s off to the races. You’re brushing your teeth while simultaneously deciding what to wear, maybe making the bed, and putting the water on for tea. And you’re wondering why you stubbed your toe. I’m just glad your toothbrush didn’t get lodged in your throat!

Hey, I’m all about efficiency and maximizing your day, but know when to take the time to slow down. Maybe it’s just me, but I find that so often I’m rushing through life. Rushing to shove my morning oatmeal down my throat while packing my bag for work and checking my e-mails at the same time, trying to fill every last second before I leave the house, get in the car, and go to work.

Did I remember to lock the house?

Half the time I can’t remember because I’m rushing so much I don’t even remember leaving the house in the first place.

If this sounds like you and you actually want to slow down (which I am advocating), change your routine. Go to bed earlier. Get up earlier. Remove something from your routine so you can slow down. Sip your tea. Take in the flavor, the texture, the temperature. Feel it heating your throat as it travels down your esophagus and into your belly. Just be – be with yourself if only for a few minutes. Take that moment for yourself, because it’s yours, and you don’t want to miss it! Now proceed with the rest of your day/night/life. Rinse and repeat.

     4. Stop ordering more bad day.

How many times have you said/heard it: Ugh! I’m having such a bad day. Well, crap, it’s only 10am! There are another 14 hours in this day. It’s gonna be a long one with that attitude, friend!

I don’t believe in bad days. I believe in bad moments. And as I’ve said before, every moment is an opportunity to make a better choice.

So, fine, the coffee machine broke this morning, and you need coffee to survive the day. And then you hit your knee on the side table and now it’s throbbing.  Then you got in the car and noticed that somebody is blocking you in and now you’re going to be late for work. Bad day? Perhaps. But it’s not even 10am. If you say you’re having a bad day, you’re ordering more bad day from the universe. If you can find the strength to laugh in spite of the bad moments, and declare that it will in fact be a good day with many good moments, the universe just might grant your request. Don’t believe me? Give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose. Except for more bad days, of course. And I’m pretty sure you’re not into those.

     5. When in doubt, dance it out.

Good day. Bad day. Great mood. Bad mood. Whatever the case, put on your favorite song, turn up the volume, and dance it out. Yes, it will feel silly. Yes, you will laugh at yourself as you do the air guitar and make like Tom Cruise in Risky Business as you glide across the floor in your socks like a champ. But who cares? Let yourself go, be free. Shake it out! Shake out the bad moments, dance up the good ones, and get to gettin’ happy.

Need some help with song selections?

Shake it out by Florence and the Machine

Thrift Shop by Macklemore

I’m too Sexy by Right Said Fred (and any song from Dance Mix 92, for that matter)

Single Ladies by Beyonce

Baby Got Back by Sir Mix A Lot

Ain’t no Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Hey Ya by OutKast

I got a Feeling by Black Eyed Peas (and anything by them, let’s face it)

Blurred Lines featuring T.I and Pharell by Robin Thicke

Here’s to your awesome, kick ass week! Make it one for the record books – your record books – the only ones that matter.

Your crazy friend,

Lauren

xxx