Insights – Melannie Thomas

Archive for July, 2015

“The moon does not fight.  It attacks no one.  It does not worry.  It does not try to crush others.  It keeps its course, but by its very nature, it gently influences.  What other body could pull an entire ocean from shore to shore?  The moon is faithful to its nature and its power is never diminished.”

~Ming-Dao Deng, Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony

Friday July 31 we will enjoy a Blue Moon, which occurs when there are two full moons in one month.  I invite you to reflect on  the moon’s magic.

Coming through the drought of the mid 1970’s, I brought many water-saving tricks into the present day.  Most of us don’t have to put bricks in our toilet tanks and install reduced flow shower heads because low-flow products are pretty much standard now days.  And many of us are experts at the 5 minute or less shower.

However, the current extreme drought has reminded me to be even more water-wise.  My car is a color that displays every little spec of dust as if they are part of a brightly spot-lighted art exhibit.  Nixing the weekly car wash, I bought a dust mop made just for the job.

I catch warm up water in the kitchen and bathroom for use elsewhere.  I wipe most of my veggies with damp to wet wash cloths that I purchased just for the kitchen.  And I scrub potatoes with a wet brush and wipe them clean with those kitchen cloths.  I thought I was doing a pretty thorough job.

Reading an article by a local food writer really got my attention.  She decided to experiment with a bounty of vegetables by using only one pot of water.  She filled the large pot with water and some salt.  When it came to a boil, she tossed in green beans for four minutes, then removed them with a flat slotted spoon.  Next came potatoes, simmered til tender.  Then spaghetti, cooked al dente.  Then she placed eggs in the still hot water, covered the pot and let them sit for 20 minutes.

Not done yet.  Next she set a colander in the top of the pot, brought the water back to a boil and steamed zucchini.  Then followed  sliced carrots and broccoli spears.  Tasting the remaining water in the pot, she ‘deemed it delicious’.  She strained the cooking water added new potatoes, some left over pulled pork, and peppers.  Cooking them together, then pureeing it all with an immersion blender.  Quite an accomplishment with one pot of water.

I have learned to cook many veggies in my microwave with just a spoonful of water.  They are as delicious as the many veggies I oven-roast, using no water. But now when I boil potatoes or cook pasta, you can bet I will find creative uses for the ‘leftover’ water.

For water-saving tips and drought status check out www.saveourwater

My Merriam-Webster gives as one definition of foundation…”the basis upon which something stands or is supported.”  My question to you is, “What is your spiritual foundation?”

In these days, as the dark forces rise, it is ever so important that we have a strong spiritual foundation enabling us to weather the growing storm of man’s inhumanity to man.

Zig Ziglar said that, “The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.”

Napoleon Bonaparte gave us a very insightful look into spiritual foundation.  He said, “Alexander, Caeser, Charlemagne, and myself founded empires, but what foundation did we rest the creations of our genius?  Upon force.  Jesus Christ founded an empire upon love, and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.”

I invite you to a thorough check of your spiritual foundation.  Is it strong, sturdy and reliable?  Is it supporting you through the tumultuous winds of change?  If not, time to shore it up, streamline it, and perhaps even to remodel.

The Fourth of July, like Passover, is a very moving Holiday for me.  I love hearing our National Anthem and “America the Beautiful.”   Old Glory waves  at me from every corner.  I ooh and aah like a 5 year old, as the night sky flashes and sparkles with shiny glitter that twinkles and winks at me.

I think of the men and women, and their families, who have given so much to preserve my independence.  I am grateful.

I found a quote about Independence that I really resonated with, and I want to share this gift with you.

“Independence is a heavy draught, and if you drink it in your youth, it can have the same effect on the brain as young wine does.  It does not matter that its taste is not always appealing.  It is addictive and with each drink you want more.”   ~Maya Angelou

Inviting you to let the energy of Independence Day linger in your consciousness like the last burst of fireworks fading from the night sky.