My body must sense that something is wrong. Ever since Thursday, I’ve been insatiably hungry. It’s like my body was expecting a Thanksgiving feast, and when it didn’t get it, my stomach rebelled, demanding mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Constantly! Pizza and chocolate cake will have to do. Food Diary | Friday, November 27, 2009 Breakfast Oatmeal with Pears, Pecans and Banana The crappy white balance is indicative of my use of kitchen lighting. Yes, even though it w... Read Full Story

Don’t get too excited: I had a very quiet Thanksgiving here at Orchard Cottage. And by “quiet”, I do mean “peaceful” (not “lonely” – I swear). No pumpkin pie or cranberries, alas, but plenty of tasty home-cooked autumnal food all the same: hedgerow jelly, onion soup, sourdough bread, sweet potatoes and lots of fresh veg. All that said, I hope everyone State-side had a lovely Thanksgiving and that you stuffed yourselves silly and had lots ... Read Full Story

1.What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured. - Sacred Tradition, BukhariTo serve the imminent creation (zahiri khalq) is to serve the transcendent one (wahidal batin).- Sacred Teaching2.The increasing gap between the rich and poor all over the Read Full Story

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His Name. ” - Psalm”If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.” - Meister Eckhart”If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily.” - Gerald GoodGuest Post by AVIt is Thanksgiving Day morning in America. God Read Full Story

Lovers share a sacred decree to seek the Beloved.They roll head over heels, rushing toward the Beautiful Onelike a torrent of water.- Rumi, One Whisper of the Beloved1.If you’re a lover of beauty, you will appreciate JPG Magazine, as I did this morning after stumbling into this magazine online. The About page of the Magazine reads, “JPG is for people who love image-making without attitude. It’s Read Full Story

One of the hardest things about living in England is missing out on Thanksgiving with my family in Chicago. I’ve always loved Thanksgiving – the pies, the parties, the people – all without the pressure of having to give presents. And even though I’m observing Thanksgiving from afar, I seem to be feeling the holiday fever more than ever. I think this has something to do with my latest read: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. Kin... Read Full Story

1.More than a thousand hearts have You laid waste, More than a thousand suffer grief for You, More than a thousand wounds of Yours I’ve counted,Yet the uncounted still are more than these.Lord! who am I, and of what company? How long shall tears of blood thus blind my eyes? When other refuge fails I’ll turn to You, And if You fail me, where shall I go?I am that sea now gathered in a tear.I am Read Full Story

There are lots of companies manufacturing Yoga-related products. One of the most popular products today is a mat. A flat piece of PVC could cost you up to $100. Are you ready to ? Read about the factors you need to consider before concluding on whether to buy something rugged, trash your yoga mat on a regular basis, or use one provided by your studio. We also outline the factors that are worth looking at when choosing the right yoga mat. Read Full Story

To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at at anchor.~Oliver Holmes Read Full Story

It’s been a while since I last posted. I’m not sure what’s been getting me down – maybe it’s the weather. We’re heading into a typically wet English winter. Wet. And dark. Sunset is at 16:06 today, which tends to eliminate all possibilities of pre- or post-dinner strolls. And the wind has been howling for days, bringing with it rain, farm smells and shifting food cravings. Only a month ago I was a fiend for raw salads, but these days I seem to b... Read Full Story