I would hardly call it meditation...

Good day everyone!

Once again it is a beautiful day here in Ohio.

I spent my morning working in the bakery - and my afternoon reading 'Eat Pray Love' on my swingset. Seeing as my alabaster skin burns so darn quickly - I result to wearing a big ol floppy hat, or using an umbrealla on the sunniest days of summer.

Today? Big ol hat :)

I frequently get asked how I keep my skin fresh & fair....

It is really quite simple. I don't go out of my way to do anything special really.

But- here are some "skin tips" of mine:

1). Big ol floppy hat & spf 70 - gotta protect your skin!

2.) Drink a lot of water.

3.) Stay out of direct sunlight (especially when the sun is at it's highest point)

4.) Use umbrellas even when it isn't raining

(this usually embarrasses the people around me...but I don't care lol)

5.) Wear sunscreen every single day - even when you aren't in the sun

6.) Eat fruits and vegetables that have a direct line to the skin cells on your face- and help keep your skin elastic and give it a glowy look (foods rich in Vitamin A & C)

(I'm trying to single handedly bring pale back into style. Wanna join me?)

I've recently noticed that I haven't been posting recipes as much as I used to...

..which made me very sad! I myself haven't had much time to cook or bake within the last few months (which explains lack of recipes) - and I think it's about time things took a turn for the better! I'm always at my happiest when i'm whipping up something, and even happier when I post a recipe and you guys actually try it!!

So this morning I made my favorite "oh so delicious pancakes" and decided to share the recipe with you!

Just scroll down to the bottom of this post and you will find step by step instructions on how to make this delicious breakfast treat!

(I will start posting more recipes here within the next few weeks. Scouts honor.)

So remember the other day when I was talking about meditating?

I knew it would be difficult for me, because I have such a busy mind (which is the exact reason why I wanted to meditate in the first place - to slow down my mind) . But I seriously underestimated the level of difficulty I was going to be facing/ dealing with.

To give you just a glimpse of how my first attempt at meditating went down - I'm going to quote what my inner monologue was saying when I initially started:

"Ok Jenna...it's time to meditate....do I sit on the floor, or do I sit on my bed?....probably the floor...I should vacuum more often..i'll do it tomorrow....ugh this floor is hard - i wonder if i'm allowed to sit on a pillow...should I cross my legs, or lay down?.....do I listen to music?....i'm not sure where my ipod is....ok - forget the music, i'm just going to close my eyes and focus."

Then I closed my eyes...and the real "meditation" began....

"Hmm....I read that I should focus on my breathing, so i'll start with that......i wonder if by "focus" that website meant "count".....1....2....3...4...6....wait 5 or 6?....I'll start over 1....2....3...4....5....6....I feel like if I stop counting my breaths then I wont be able to breath anymore - what a strange thought. I wonder if everyone thinks this? Ok, ok Jenna seriously - you need to focus, this is getting ridiculous.....maybe I should imagine a pond or something like that?...the pond should probably have a bench where I can sit hu?....maybe fish?....ducks definitely - but NO geese, ugh I HATE geese....why am I thinking about this when I should be meditating!!!??? Ugh....let's try this AGAIN Jenna....OMMMMMMMM.....OMMMMMM....OMMMMM... do people really say "ommmm" when they meditate or is that just in the movies?......ok now i'm getting hungry."

Hahaha...just looking back at that whole 10 minutes makes me literally laugh out loud. I'm not giving up though! I shal try and try and try again until I reach inner peace and silence! I don't care if it takes me years - I will figure out this meditation business, and I will be calm!

The past few weeks I've been sharing quotes with my readers from the novel "eat pray love"....

and today I have a full paragraph that I find quite noteworthy - and i think you guys would enjoy.

Here it is:

“There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under my jurisdiction. There are certain lottery tickets I can buy, thereby increasing my odds of finding contentment. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I eat and read and study. I can choose how I’m going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life – whether I will see them as curses or opportunities (and on the occasions when I can’t rise to the most optimistic viewpoint, because I’m feeling too damn sorry for myself, I can choose to keep trying to change my outlook). I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts.”

I had a very similar epiphany a few weeks ago - so when I read this paragraph I immediately knew I would share it with all of you

::You don't have to agree with what I am about to say - it is my own opinion. I am in no way trying to persuade you to think like I do - I am merely sharing my thoughts. But I would like if you would at least respect my opinion, and try to see where I'm coming from.::

We have complete control over every single emotion we have. We have control over every emotion, every action, every thought, everything. If I were to punch you as hard as I possibly could in your face - you would have a choice. You could: laugh, cry, run away, tell on me, hit me back, yell at me, or be unfazed. Just because you get mad at me for punching you in the face - it is very inaccurate if you made the claim that "Jenna ruined my day"....no... actually...you ruined your own day for getting upset when you could've just as easily not been phased, and carried on with your day. (Ok being punched in the face is a poor example of what i'm trying to get across lol - but you get my point)

No matter what example I use to get this point across - the end result is the same - We are in control of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. I'm going to start to practice this idea - and take more control over my life, instead of feeling helpless, and blaming things/feelings/emotions on other people. I'm going to take a lot more credit.

PHEW - I've done so much talking today - i'm ready to take a vow of silence.

I'm sure you're tired of my jabber jawing and random/strange/out of left field thoughts lol - so time to get to the good stuff....time to get to the things you've come here for!

Let us begin...

[[Today’s music]]

COLDPLAY – THE SCIENTIST

Coldplay is one of my all time favorite bands – I absolutley love and adore all of their music. Out of all the songs they've ever written -this one is probably my favorite. It’s so beautiful and has so much heart.

[[Today’s restaurant]]

PURE FOOD AND WINE - NYC

.

[[Today's kitchen gadget]]

CHEF'N SPLICE

[[Today’s news]]

SENATORS CALL ON FDA TO RULE ON ALCOHOLIC ENERGY DRINKS

"More than eight months ago, the FDA asked beverage makers to prove that their popular products combining alcohol and caffeine are safe. But the agency has not issued any results publicly from the investigation. Today, a handful of Democratic senators are demanding some answers.

"The FDA needs to determine once and for all if these drinks are safe, and if they’re not, they ought to be banned,” said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) in a statement. According to the FDA, you have to prove that what you're adding to a food product is safe. If there's no proof that adding caffeine to alcohol is safe — that could technically mean these drinks are illegal.

Then there's the marketing issue. “Caffeinated alcoholic beverages are being marketed to American youth and present a potential hazard for our young people,” Sen. Jeff Merkley, (D-OR).

It's no surprise that people in their 20s are big consumers of these combo products. They look cool and fun. Up to 25 percent of college students seek out that buzz-chill mix, and they think it helps them stay up longer and drink more, researchers say.

And, those who mix alcohol with caffeine are more likely to engage in risky behavior, like driving home, other researchers say."

Want to read more?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/07/29/128849712/senators-call-on-fda-to-rule-on-alcoholic-energy-drinks

[[Today’s random]]

COCA-COLA “BURN IGNITE”

“Steve Berra joins Mexican skaters Jesus Gonzalez, Eder Martinez, Mario Saenz, Angel Santiago and American Luis Tolentino for this Burn Ignite film, shot on location in Mexico City. The film was created alongside two short-form documentaries, one featuring Jess Kimura and the all girl hardcore snowboarding film collective Peep Show, the other is a portrait that celebrates the electric lyrics and gritty beat artistry of rapper/poet Julius Wright, aka Lyrical God. All are part of a new campaign from Coca-Cola’s Burn energy drink.”

http://hypebeast.com/2010/07/cocacola-burn-ignite-video/

[[Today’s food clip]]

TIPS FOR BUYING FRESH FISH

[[Today's curly head]]

EMPRESS ELISABETH OF AUSTRIA

[[Today's recipe]]

OH SO DELICIOUS PANCAKES

I’m not going to claim that these are “the best pancakes in the world” but they are the most delicious pancakes I’ve ever tasted.

(I think it’s the touch of almond extract that makes this recipe special). I strongly suggest you give these pancakes a try - you won't regret it!

::Ingredients::

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

3 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 1/4 cup skim milk (warmed a little in the microwave; just so the melted butter doesn't solidify)

1 egg

3 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

::Directions::

1.) In a large bowl mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

2.) In a small bowl combine the eggs, butter, milk, vanilla, and almond.

3.) Whisk the wet mixture slowly into the dry mixture until a thick batter is formed.

(For this next step I used a griddle - but you can use a skillet coated lightly with oil if you so choose)

4.) Turn the griddle (or stove top) on to medium-high heat.

5.) Spoon out about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the griddle.

6.) Cook the pancake until it forms little bubbles on the top - flip with a spatula when the bubbles begin to break on the surfaces of the pancakes (or when the underside is golden brown).

7.) Cook the opposite side until it no longer sticks to the griddle - or until it is golden brown as well. (A golden color is really the key to a perfect pancake).

Looking to spice up these already delicious pancakes?

Add blueberries, chocolate chips, or whatever toppings you so choose - directly after the bubbles burst in step #6.

Attention ALL curly heads!!

Want to be recognized for your beautiful, crazy, and all natural curls?

Then sign up to be a featured curly head!

You must provide:

- Your: Name, Location, Occupation

-Tell me why you love being a curly head.

-Fill me in on what makes you a unique curly head.

-Give any tips or secrets you might have about maintaining hair like yours.

-And send 2 photos – so you have a chance to put your curls on display!

(If you would like me to provide a link to your blog, facebook, myspace, twitter, etc. for the rest of my readers to see – then also throw that in there! The more exposure you get the better!)

Don’t be shy J Go right ahead and apply!

Please e-mail your application to: Jennablack8@gmail.com