Red, White, and Blue Parfaits for Your Holiday!

   The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. It's the day we celebrate our independence and also enjoy time outdoors with family and friends. The best part: fireworks of course! This 4th of July, why not surprise your guests with a healthy and patriotic dessert!!
   I found this recipe on the Better Homes and Gardens website. It consists of very few ingredients, just berries and yogurt!! The original recipe calls for whipped topping but if you are wanting to keep this light, I would skip that and just focus on a premium yogurt. If you are vegan, I highly advise substituting coconut milk yogurt instead!
 
      You will need:

• Blueberries
• Raspberries or Strawberries (cut into small pieces) 
• Yogurt
• Vanilla or almond extract
• Optional: Whipped topping

   All you have to do is mix your yogurt with whichever flavored extract you choose. Fold in the whipped topping (if you are using that). Then layer in clear glasses starting with blueberries, then a dollop of yogurt, and finally strawberries and/or raspberries. If you are using larger containers, keep alternating this way until you reach the top! You can even make the parfaits up to an hour ahead and just place in the fridge until ready to eat!! 
   I hope you enjoy this delicious and easy treat for your 4th of July outing. Have a happy and safe holiday from all of us at Azuma Leasing. Stay clean for now!

Sink or Swim?

There was a recent study on rats to determine what effects probiotics, the live bacteria and yeast found in your digestive system, had on mood. That's right, not on digestion, but on how it effects the brain. Scientists fed one group of rats high doses of probiotics for a couple weeks and a control group a low dose. After some time on the regimen, the rats were placed in a pool of water. The control rats would try to swim to get out, but after about 30 seconds of trying would give up and float in the pool. The rats given probiotics, however, would continue to swim... and swim... and swim...

The scientists found that the high doses of probiotics in the rats' systems assisted in the release of serotonin, a calming hormone in the body. The scientists hypothesized that due to the calming effect of the extra serotonin, the rats on probiotics were better able to cope and to continue looking for routes for a solution to their predicament.

At first, this study was fascinating to me because of the extraordinary effect of probiotics on the body. It seems so providential to know that by what you eat and being healthy and balanced on the inside, one can directly effect one's own brain function positively. Probiotics are found in many fermented foods, like almond milk yogurt, kombucha tea or kimchee, a sort of fermented pickled cabbage. They can also be easily added to the diet as a supplement, found in most natural food stores.

However, I feel like the rats' reactions are a good allegory to life, too. When faced with a new and unexpected challenge, there are often multiple solutions. However daunting the task, however hopeless the odds, you must always keep swimming. Not taking action is still exercising a choice. In stories and fables, characters are often outlined as either good or evil. In reality, the obstacles we face are not always so cut and dry, and there will be many paths that are not necessarily considered bad and may even be widely acceptable. The challenge, as Dumbledore put it, lies in choosing between what is right and what is easy.

It's almost the end of the week, but keep trying and stay strong! Remember that it's all in your head. And until next time, keep it clean! :)

Feng Shui Your Way Into A Wealthier You!

     Many of us make plans each new year to make changes in our lives! Whether it be dieting, saving money, or being a better person - we all struggle throughout the year to actually make those things happen! One of the hot topics for all American's is the economy. The massive U.S. budget deficit is the gravest threat facing the economy, topping high unemployment and the risk of inflation or deflation. Today I read an article online with some interesting ideas, and I'm going to pass these ideas onto you to help improve the number one concern of all Americans: increasing your income!

     Well, that is a good question! We've all heard this term, and are familiar with it, but have we actually taken the time to learn what it means? Never fear, because I did some research so we can all understand it more clearly. "Feng Shui is an ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China. It is a complex body of knowledge that reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure the health and good fortune for people inhabiting it. Feng Shui is based on the Taoist vision and understanding of nature, particularly on the idea that the land is alive and filled with Chi, or energy. The ancient Chinese believed that the land's energy could either make or break the kingdom, so to speak."

     The first and most important step to using Feng Shui to help increase your financial resources is your attitude! By using energy to help increase wealth, you are counting on cosmic forces to bring you positive results! If you go into this experience with a negative attitude, how can you ever expect this method to work for you? It absolutely won't. You must BELIEVE that wealth and good fortune are coming your way; otherwise all other steps are null and void. Next, Choose the right charm. This step is also very important. The charm doesn’t have to be anything specific, just something that you associate with wealth. Even if others don’t understand what a particular charm has to do with wealth, remember, it is your space and it’s up to how you associate the item.

      It is very important that you avoid filling the home with items you don’t associate with wealth. This has everything to do with keeping the right positive attitude! If your parents bought a particular grocery product when you were a child and in the back of your mind, you associated that product with being poor (we all know Ramen is the food of poor college students), stop buying that product. The same can be said for clothes shopping. You don’t have to go out and buy a designer wardrobe, but just try to keep in mind when you’re out to cover yourself in brands that you don’t associate with being poor. It may not sound like much, but you must convince yourself that you are worthy of wealth before wealth will come to you. For example, if you're going out to the grocery store, carry yourself differently. Maybe in stead of going in your pj's (like I commonly do) - comfortable casuals would be a good alternative.

      

     Keep in mind that the true objective of Feng Shui is to harness the Chi of the local environment to support us in our goals and desires. It is a science and practice of looking at the quality of a person's life by looking at their living environment and seeking to improve that quality of life by tapping into the natural energies in that environment. This can have an impact on gaining new opportunities and being able to take advantage of them as they arise. Although everyone wants to improve their finances and and make more money, the first thing to review and improve is overall health and happiness. If you don't have those two items, the improvement in finances may be wasted. I hope all our laundry fanatics take these tips to heart! Who doesn't love a little extra cash in their pocket, and a happier lifestyle? I know I sure do! Until next time: live long, prosper, and most of all, keep it clean! :)