Randy Pausch Inspired Millions

The Pittsburgh City Council declared November 19, 2007 to be "Dr. Randy Pausch Day".
A brilliant researcher and gifted teacher, Randy Pausch, the professor at Carnegie Mellon University who inspired countless students in the classroom and others worldwide through his highly acclaimed last lecture, has died of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 47. He was widely respected in academic circles for a unique interdisciplinary approach, bringing together artists, dramatists and designers to break new ground by working in collaboration with computer scientists. 
Outside the classroom, he gained public fame for delivering what would come to be known as

Click here and go watch the full video:   "The Last Lecture." It will do good to YOU. 

On Sept. 18, 2007, only a month after doctors told him that he had three-to-six months to live following a recurrence of pancreatic cancer, he presented a lecture called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" to a packed auditorium at Carnegie Mellon.

The moving and often humorous talk recounted his efforts to achieve such childhood dreams as becoming a professional football player, experiencing zero gravity and developing Disney World attractions. In the process, he shared his insights on finding the good in other people, working hard to overcome obstacles and living generously.{Resources: Carnegie Mellon University}

Positive affirmation for the day: "If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you."-- said Randy Pausch, who inspired all of us.

                                             With love and admiration, 

                                                          Linas and Lana

Israeli Salad

israeli salad + pita chips

Israeli Chopped Salad (Hebrew: סָלָט קָצוּץ‎, salat katsutz) described as the "most well-known national dish of Israel' and are common to much of the Mediterranean and Arab world, isn't just as dish, as much as it is a palette to build your salad dreams upon. Aside from cubed cucumbers and tomatoes, the base salad recipe includes red or green onions, finely minced parsley, a bit of lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, pepper and you're just going to run out and buy some sumac powder. Not only it is the most phenomenal rusty red flavor--a cross between sour lemon and smoked paprika--it is so wonderful, it's a shame we don't see it in more non-Greek, non-Mediterranean dishes. 

Some of my favorite additions include a can of drained chickpeas, diced bell pepper, a handful of feta cheese or chopped olives. Finely chopped fresh mint or basal leaves are also common, but you can try some dill instead, if that's your thing. Yet, if you really want to show off, my absolute favorite addition to this salad is some broken up pita chips that have been toasted with olive oil, sea salt and either sumac or za'atar. If you make the chips, leave them separate from salad, that people can use to scoop the salad directly into hungry mouths. Finger food is always the most welcome guest at barbeques. 

Pita Chips:: 6 large pitas, cut into 8 wedges each, then each wedge split into two layers {for small chips} or cut into 6 wedges and split {for large, scoopable chips}. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a large baking sheet lined with the parchment paper, arrange of the pita slices so they do not overlap. Either brush or spray with olive oil, then sprinkle with sea salt and your spice of choice. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they begin to color. Let them cool completely before using, or bagging for later. 

{Generally, the cucumbers are not peeled.}

Big Israeli Salad

4 Roma tomatoes, cubed

3 medium or 6 small Israeli cucumber, cubed

1/2 medium red onion, cubed, or 4 scallions, finely sliced

3 tablespoons finely minced fresh, flat-leaf parsley

Juice of half a lemon

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons sumac powder

Salt and pepper, to taste 

Dressed with fresh lemon juice, olive oil and black pepper. You could also whisk a couple Tbls of tahini into the dressing for a thicker, sesame-coated flavor. I love Cindy's Kitchen All Natural Balsamic Vinaigrette from Whole Foods dressing. 

Click here:: Joanne Weir's Cucumber and Feta Salad Recipe::

But from there, let the salad be your canvas, as the possibilities are endless. 

Shalom, Linas & Lana. 

What's Your Skin Telling You?                                          

Have you ever heard of face mapping? 

If not, it's pretty much the key to unlocking the mysteries behind problematic skin. Alex Gariano over at U Look Haute blog shared a fascinating look at "face mapping"— the art of skin analysis from ancient Chinese medicine that explains why and how certain areas of your face are connected to other parts of your body. If you ask me, it's pretty amazing stuff...

Why do you break out in some areas and not others?

Acne and problematic skin are your body's way of telling you something is not quite right. Don't just run to the doctor for a prescription of Roaccutane, steroids and antibiotics. This is called the band-aid effect. We need to get to the root causes of blemishes. Here is an overview of the basic areas and what breakouts in those areas mean:

Zone 1 & 3:

Bladder & Digestive System — Improve your diet and drink more fresh water. 

Zone 2:

Liver — Try cutting back on alcohol, heavy food or dairy. This area can also indicate a food allergy, such as lactose intolerance. Use Liver DTX Complex, {detoxifying herbs, milk thistle, dandelion, burdock}

Zone 4 & 10: 

Kidneys — Make sure you're keeping yourself hydrated with water and cut back on liquids that dehydrate you [like soda, coffee and/or alcohol}. Use Performance electrolyte blend.

Zone 5 & 9:

Respiratory system — Those who smoke or have allergies tend to have pigmentation and acne here.

Zone 6 & 8: 

The eyes are related to the Kidneys — Dark circles and puffiness are usually a result of dehydration. Drink more water and include super foods, like algae, spinach, kale, nuts, berries, etc.

Zone 7: 

Heart — Redness, rosacea. Check your blood pressure and try to lower your cholesterol. Use pharmaceutical-grade OmegaGuard fish oil, avocado, nuts, and flax seed.

Zone 12: 

Stomach—Consider a detox or adding more fiber to your diet to help with digestion.

Zone 11 & 13: 

Jawline, ovaries or colon. Hormones — Stress and hormonal changes can be alleviated with more water and a few extra servings of dark, leafy greens and make an appointment with your doctor to look into a possible hormonal imbalance. Additionally, breakouts in this area also indicate when you are ovulating (and which side).  

Zone 14: 

Lymph nodes. Illness — Can be a sign of your body fighting bacteria to avoid illness. Take a yoga class, breathe deeply and drink plenty of fluids. 
Please note these are general guidelines. Just because breakout on your nose doesn't mean you have a heart problem. As with all medical issues, it is always best to see your doctor or dermatologist for a proper prognosis. So the next time you breakout or notice dark under eye circles, look to your face map.

What's your skin telling you?

Don't you wish you know about this in middle school? Linas & Lana

From face to organs--Read this article: Chinese Face Map { eruptingmind.com }

Source + image: u look haute, skinacea.com, evonnz.com, curezone.com, 

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Autumn DIY Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Latte (Better Than Starbucks!) , dedicated to my husband Jack

Many fans of Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte wait for it to show up on menus again in the fall, and it made its annual re-appearance last week. However, for those of us on a budget, making your own latte at home will not only save you money, but...You can also enjoy those little cups of spicy goodness year-round and without waiting in lines. In addition, you have more control over the ingredients, you can change the sugar and fat content of this recipe quite easily. I would even be willing to bet that you could kick the Starbucks habit completely with this little recipe. 
Well, please enjoy:

Pumpkin Spice Latte {RECIPE FROM THE KITCHN}

Ingredients

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice {no sugar added, just the spice mix}
1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso
2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk or regular organic milk +1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp pure maple syrup or brown sugar 
whipped cream, to garnish 
{optional: 1/8 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground ginger, 1/8 tsp ground cloves or cinnamon} 
Makes 1 to 2 servings
In a saucepan whisk together milk, pumpkin and brown sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until light foamy. If you don't have a blender, don't worry about it - just whisk the mixture really well with a wire whisk. Your home will smell fantastic.  

Pour milk mixture evenly between 2 large mugs. Pour 1/2 cup hot coffee in each mug. Whipped cream is spread on top if desired, with a sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon to finish it off. 

Serve hot, with a cinnamon stick to stir. And there you go! No lines, no weird syrups, and perfectly delicious for a chilly fall morning. I love this recipe because it is completely adaptable to your tastes.  

Positive affirmation for the day: 

 While I have given you the recipe for my perfect Pumpkin Spice Latte, you can freely play around a bit until you find yours. And did I mention it's much, much cheaper?

Happy Autumn and Welcome to Have a Cuppa With Me!

Linas & Lana

TELL ME ABOUT YOU!
What’s your favorite coffee shop drink? Drop your comments and questions below

Health TALKS – The Exciting New Show in Australia

Many Health Coaches have taken their nutrition and wellness knowledge to the web, using blogging as a platform to connect with their clients and other interested readers. It’s a great way to share recipes, advice and daily reflections, but with so many wellness bloggers out there, how can you stand out? 

"When I started this blog, I had no idea of the opportunities that would become available to me because of it. At the time, I was just grateful to have something to do between all the juicing and coffee enemas. Now, a little over two years on, my little piece of online realty has grown so much that it is working overtime for me and my message. It has connected me to some of the most amazing people in the wellness field, and now it has lead me to work on an awesome new TV show called Health TALKS."
Posted by Jess Ainscough on Monday, September 10, 2012 · 28 Comments  

{Jessica Ainscough, Natalie Kringoudis, Melissa Ambrosini, and Samantha Gowing.}

Now an incredibly successful blogger with three e-books and a digital transformation program in the works, Jessica is truly a wellness warrior. Since graduating from the Health Coach Training Program, she is able to focus on something other than her health and treatment and work towards a greater goal. 
Read more about her journey and how she built her blogging business!
"Those gorgeous girls up there on my left are Australia's absolute experts in wellness and we are all so thrilled to have collaborated an a new multi media project called HealthTALKS. This is an entirely new way of sharing health and wellness tricks and tips. Why is it so unique? We're taking things to a whole new level, and sharing with you things others may not dare. This means, you not only get the information you need as to how to make your life that little bit better, but the tools to implement it. Like the HealthTALKS Facebook page and keep an eye on all our upcoming segments here"-- says Sam Gowing (an organic therapeutic chef and co-host of the TV Show).

How to Make Fresh Almond Milk

"Almond milk can be found at your local grocery stores. But there is nothing quite as delicious as freshly made, completely raw and live, and preservative-free nut milk made in your own blender. It’s kind of magical the first time you see the process of milk being made from nuts. Milk from nuts… wild, right?! You may not have time to make your own almond milk every single week, but once you get into the habit of remembering to throw almonds into a bowl of  water overnight, you might just end up making it more often then you think."-- Kimberly Snyder
Thanks so much for writing this article, Kimberly!! Please watch her video-How to make fresh almond milk:

Fresh Almond Milk Recipe From Kimberly Snyder

4 cups raw almonds {soaked overnight}

5-8 cups of filtered water {use less if you like your milk thick}

optional: stevia or dates {remove the pits} to sweeten to your taste

1. Rinse the soaked almonds very well in a strainer. This helps remove the inhibitor enzymes on the outside of the nuts, and helps make them more easily digestible and less acidic.
2. Place the soaked almonds and the filtered water in a blender and blend on high until smooth.
3. Taking a nut milk bag or cheese cloth, pour the mixture through the cloth into a separate container.
4. Squeeze all the liquid out of the cloth with your hands, so you get all the milk out and discard all the nut pulp and nut fiber {or save for another recipe}. If you are in a rush, pour the liquid through a fine strainer (though you won’t get every drop of milk out, the way you would with the cheese cloth.
5. Do a quick-rinse of the blender. To make a smoothie right away pour some of the strained almond milk back in the blender with some stevia to sweeten it, along with some vanilla extract and any other smoothie ingredients you are using. Store the rest in a container with a lid in the fridge.I

   Yields: 6-8 servings, keeps up to 3 days in the refrigerator

   Enjoy plain, or as a base for smoothies or other recipes!
   Linas & Lana
   People who read this post also read:  How to get pretty, youthful and healthy skin?

How to Make Coconut Milk

Coconut milk, derived from coconut meat, makes an excellent substitute for cow's milk. The increased demand for coconut milk and a devastating harvest has made coconut milk an expensive and rare find in some Western countries. Fortunately, coconut milk is very easy to make at home. Here's how it's done.

Directions

1. Pour 2 cups of shredded coconut flakes into a blender.

2. Pour 4 cups of boiling water into the blender.

3. Cover blender and PULSE the mixture for 10 sec,10 times {don't run it on high} + 30 sec.

4. Take a jar, a funnel, and a fine-mesh sieve (you can also use a nut milk bag).

5. Pour the milk from the blender over a fine-mesh sieve or bag and press out as much liquid as possible.

7. The resulting liquid is coconut milk and can be used     for drinking or used in recipes. Store in the refrigerator or freeze. This will keep for about 3 days.

You do not want to run it on high. What you'll be left with, after about a minute, is a pulpy, gloppy mess. When you're done pulsing, carefully strain the 'milk' from shredded coconut. I use a fine mesh sieve. And it gives you something I think the others don't get--a nice, thick layer of coconut oil that rises to the top when you chill it.

If you strain through a cheesecloth {which you're more than welcome to do}, the fabric will catch the oils. Repeat Steps 1-6 three more times, reusing the shredded coconut. Keep a lid on your milk tightly covered and you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to reuse the leftover shreds (after you've "milk" them), you can do what Tropical Traditions suggested and make macaroons. What else do you guys think would be good in coconut milk, to make it fruitier or velvetier, or...what sounds delicious to you? 
Pics from homemade coconut milk
http://www.crunchybetty.com/homemade-coconut-milk-the-recipe-to-remember

So, there you have it: coconut is a powerhouse of nutrients and a beauty food which makes learning how to make coconut milk a worthwhile pursuit. 

Positive affirmation for the day: 

Today I will do things that make me feel good.

Have A Great Week! 

Linas & Lana

 Read here:  How to Shred Fresh Coconut!

Pumpkin Spice Shake

Autumn DIY Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Shake
 (Better Than Culver's!) 

dedicated to my husband Jack

Pumpkin Treats in Autumn

Pumpkin Spice Shake: Real pumpkin, pureed and mixed with traditional pumpkin pie spice and vanilla Fresh Frozen Custard. The three items up for grabs on the Culver's fall menu are their frozen Pumpkin Spice Shake, a Pumpkin Pecan Concrete Mixer, and Pumpkin Cheesecake Concrete Mixer.

This is the season for pumpkin, so why not start your day with a protein shake! It's a great way to keep your blood sugar levels balanced plus burn stored fat as fuel. I just found about the 90 day challenge shake that testes like cake. There is just one flavor and endless possibilities of recipes for your daily shake. Here is one of my favorite shakes.

Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake

• 8 oz. organic almond milk
• 1 scoop vanilla Cinch protein shake mix
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin (without salt)
• 1/8 tsp. vanilla extract 
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
• 3 ice cubes
• 1/2 frozen banana
• Blend well in blender until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Pumpkin Layer {makes 2 parfaits, you can double it for 4}
{recipe from PUREMamas Blog}

1.5 cup baked pumpkin or squash, baked {see my recipe}
1/4 cashew milk or water
2 heaping Tbls raw local honey 
pinch pumpkin pie spice
pinch cardamon
pinch allspice
pinch sea salt {tiny pinch}
1 tsp sunflower lecithin {optional} 

When cool, blend the squash in blender with all of the listed ingredients until VERY smooth.  Top it with the yogurt layer, follow the recipe.

Enjoy perfectly healty recipes, 

Linas & Lana

 Click here:: CINCH®  VANILLA SHAKE MIX, CANISTER

"Tranzuojame į Tallinną..."

Хиппи в Эстонии. Как это начиналось: воспоминания Кеста
"Первых отечественных хиппи я вскоре увидел на тогдашней Площади Победы 
(ныне Площади Свободы),  в самом центре Таллина, буквально напротив моего дома, примыкавшего к гостинице "Palace". Это как раз вид, на ту самую Площадь Свободы: Крест Свободы, и купол церкви XIII века. За крестом видны башни оборонительных укреплений.

Naujasis miesto centras Vabaduse väljak (Laisvės aikštė), senamiesčio pakraštyje, netoli yra Hotel Viru degtukų dėžutė, buvęs Intourist ir žinoma, kiekvienas kambarys buvo stebimas KGB. Jeigu neklystu, ant šios kalvos buvo kavinė, kur rinkdavomės ir gurkšnodavom glintveiną, karštas raudonas vynas su prieskoniais.

Из Риги, помимо Илоны, периодически наезжали Маленький Янка, Аушра... Из литовцев в Таллине на постоянное жительство осел симпатичный блондин с женским ником Бирути. Ну и, разумеется, собственно эстонская молодежь тоже не осталась в стороне: Рейн Роллинг, Рейн Мичурин, Аарэ Лойт, Янус Ныгисто, Фанат, Айн — лишь вершина айсберга. Одним из самых популярных тусовочных флетов в ту пору был дом Александра Дормидонтова, больше известного как Сассь. Этот человек был одним из тех, кого я впервые увидел еще в тусовке на площади Победы, а затем встретил в Раку. К нему в Кивимяэ (зеленый пригород Таллина, приезжали целыми командами и на несколько суток. Места было мнoго, два этажа, гуляли как хотели!

          Сась Дормидонтов изТалинна. 

      Колекционер и старейший хиппи /Эстонии

 Александр Дормидонтов, обладатель одной из самых крупных коллекций, рассказывающих о жизни эстонских русских, строит дом-музей-архив, из камней, бывших в основании памятника Петру I. Он и сейчас называет себя последним настоящим хиппи Таллинна. Я очень рано стал жить отдельно от родителей.  К тому же неплохо зарабатывал  шил джинсы в огромном количестве.  Словом, полная свобода  она для меня и сейчас на первом месте.  Будучи хиппи, он очень удивился, увидев однажды свою фамилию в газетах, в календарях и т.д. И стал все это собирать.  
 Straipsni skaityti cia

Su pagarba,  Švieselė

Kelyje--Kerouac--It's a long, lonely road

Dž. Keruako romanas „Kelyje“ ir mano "tranzuojanti karta"

Visi yra skaitę arba bent jau susidarę vienokią ar kitokią nuomonę. Tačiau legendinė Jack Kerouac knyga Kelyje-On the Road--turėjo milžinišką poveikį man ir mano tranzuojančiai kartai abiejose Atlanto pusėse. Buvo idomu skaityti autoriaus išpažintį. Sakoma, kad jei pabandytume atsieti knygą nuo hipių ar bitnikų ideologijos, kas iš jos liks? Kelionių dienoraštis? Romano veikėjai  — amžinai apsvaigę, apdriskę, gyvena nuo miesto iki miesto, nuo moters iki moters, kurioms jie žada aukso kalnus. Ir tai nėra tuščias laiko leidimas. Tai gyvenimo filosofija, gyvenimo prasmės paieškos. 

— Tu manai, kad mes baigsime gyvenimą kaip valkatos?
— Kodėl ne? Žinoma, taip ir bus, jei panorėsime. O kas čia blogo? Gyveni sau, dėmesio nekreipdamas į kitų norus, — o ir tau niekas nesuka galvos, ir droži savo keliu, ir esi pats sau ponas." 

Positive affirmation for the day: There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars. Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.

--- Jack Kerouac“

Kryzkalnis, Jaunius Dragūnas a.a. ir Kristupas Petkūnas 1969 vasara tranzavome i Talinna.....

Straipsnis Kauno hipiai: mažoji išpažintis, 
Čia spausti ::   KAUNO COMPANY

Taip, knygos herojai visą laiką kelyje. Jie dumia iš Niujorko į San Franciską, kaip mes kadaise is Kauno į Rygą arbaTalliną. Jie klausosi džazo, filosofuoja, ieško atsipalaidavimo, naujų pojučų ir tiesos. Didžiausias jų troškimas -- nebūti daiktų vergais ir patirti tikrą gyvenimo džaugsmą. 

Jauna karta raso apie knygą:
---"Kažkaip neužkabino. Bandžiau skaityt ir seną ir naują leidimą, bet rezultatas tas pats - padėjau į šalį. Ir vis dar nesuprantu, kuo ji kai kuriuos žmones žavi...Reiks dar kartą pabandyt perskaityt, reiks..."

Sudėtinga aprašinėti kultines knygas. Atrodo, kad visi yra jau susidarę savo nuomonę. Ar verta dar piršti savąją? Taip, verta! Norime išgirsti visų jūsų nuomonę, tad maloniai prašome palikti savo komentarą.

Su pagarba, Švieselė 

“I was halfway across America, at the dividing line between the East of my youth and the West of my future.” 
― Jack Kerouac, On the Road

P.S. Užsidėkit savo mėgstamą džiazo plokštelę ir skaitykit.