Sugar And Spice... Among Other Things

With regards,From Italy

Posted on February 12, 2019January 19, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“L’uomo è ciò che mangia” (a man is what he eats)- Ludwig Feuerbach

For those of us who know Italian or in love with Italian food, these words would sound familiar and seen sometimes across the menu cards. One of the most popular global cuisines apart from the American snack industry, French cuisine or Indian “curries” would be the Italian cuisine, which is actually in popular demand, ranging from the “pizza” to pasta, panini, lasagne, risottos, tortelinni. Although most would be familair with a selct few, Italian cusine offers a whole range and variety of meals which is quite simple to cook, especially for those of us who want a change from the regular.

“Italian food is all about ingredients and it’s not fussy and it’s not fancy.” Wolfgang Puck

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Like with most European cuisines, the Italian cuisine developed over centuries with its’ roots primarily spreading and growing with the fall of the Roman Empire. With traces from Athens as well, the Sicilian cuisine was initially well liked and many believe it to be the first real Italian cuisine; especially in the Middle Ages. A lot of the cuisine varies from region to region primarily because of the Mediterranean and Arab influences in South compared to the Germanic and Roman roots of the north. In fact each area has its’ own specialty like cuisines from Basilicata, Lomabarde, Saridinia or Tuscany to list a few.

“In the 20th century, the French managed to get a death on the myth that they produce the world’s best food. The hype has been carefully orchestrated, and despite the fact that the most popular food in the last quarter has undoubtedly been Italian, the French have managed to maintain that mental grip.” Clarissa Dickson Wright, English Chef and Author

The versatility of Italian cooking lies in the explicit use of vegetables, cheese as well as meat along with the ease and simplicity in its’ making. For novice Italian cooking, the pasta and risotto are quite easy to make. With many recipes available online, its’ not that hard to bring a change to the menu once in a while and gives a healthy break from fast food and restaurant dinners.

Anche l’occhio vuole la sua parte (The eyes want their part – in the sense that something has to be pleasing to the eyes – apart from having other qualities)…An Italian Saying

Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Life, Quotes, Reflections, Work

Courage for Today

Posted on February 11, 2019December 7, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“First, in feelings of fear and confidence the mean is bravery (andreia).The excessively fearless person is nameless…while the one who is excessively confident is rash; the one who is excessively afraid and deficient in confidence is cowardly.”-Aristotle (Source: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics)

The progress and changes that man has seen, witnessed or underwent is the culmination of events that have taken place when one has decided to act on their thinking, feeling and emotions. In the course, choices have to be made between the right and the wrong, to conquer fears and pains to reach the intended goal.

“Courage is about doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared. Have the courage to act instead of react.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

The decision or the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation can be termed as courage, bravery or valour. Yet true forms of courage can be physical or mental. While the former is bravery in the face of physical pain, hardship, death or threat of death; moral courage encompasses the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, discouragement or personal loss. Add perseverance and patience to courage; then courage becomes fortitude.

“And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Steve Jobs, Stanford commencement speech, June 2005

For the world today, courage is needed not just for achieving records, dashing car rides, conquest of mountain peaks, quests to discover new places or attempting new events and the like. While they do require us stepping outside our comfort zone; there are many more instances where we have to put on the cloak of courage knowingly or unknowingly.

“Sometimes standing against evil is more important than defeating it. The greatest heroes stand because it is right to do so, not because they believe they will walk away with their lives. Such selfless courage is a victory in itself.” N.D. Wilson, Dandelion Fire

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Courage entails the process of acting despite the gnawing fear. Courage helps us to follow our hearts and persevere in the face of adversity. Courage helps us to endure suffering with the hope to renew our struggle for the brighter tomorrow.

“There is no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bear witness that a man has the greatest of courage, the courage to suffer.” Frank

Man will need immense courage to follow his dreams, faith and strive hard in the face of constant criticism, opposition and doubts. He will need courage to raise children, stay as family, grow trees and build a house. Today he will need courage to do the simple and necessary things in the right manner than for bright lights, glory and fame.

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Daily, Life, Personal Musings, poetry, Quotes

Warmth Around Us

Posted on February 10, 2019November 28, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Everyone smiles in the same language,
Happiness knows no frontiers, no age.
No difference that makes us feel apart
if a smile can win even a broken heart.”
Ana Claudia Antunes

The beauty of living lies in the inherent sense of happiness within as well as the balance of our personal nature while interacting with others. In due course, we realize in the dark rainy days there are times when we still feel like the sun is shining. The reality is that the warmth around us is enough to drive off the sudden chill within. What we later realize is that warm people were around and they had given off a part of them to thaw the cold. It’s best to be around them for they are what make the dreary world a much better place to live in.

Source:https://vk.com/public752900000

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. Henri Nouwen

To sum up, the warmth around us that drives away the chill of winter can be found in these lines of poetry which I had chanced on, in my social network pages. These words are too beautiful and need to be shared to ward off the sudden cold that engulfs us from time to time.

There are warm people, like the summer sun
Like a gentle breeze, like a sea tide.
They warm to the very bottom,
And their word heals, as a gentle motive.

There are warm people, like native hands,
Like the light from a childhood favorite window.
They will calm down in moments of dashing,
Support and say that they need you.

God bless you, good people!
In response, I send my warmth.
Let your life be filled with light
For bringing goodness into the world.
-Rus Svyataya

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a

Daily, Food

The “Snack” Cravings

Posted on February 9, 2019January 12, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“The road to enlightenment is long and difficult, and you should try not to forget snacks and magazines.” Anne Lamott

No matter how old we grow, there’s always time to grab a snack in between, either when still or on the go. Remember the childhood treat of “cookies or biscuits and milk”, “vada with chai” or “fritters after school” and so on, with the best being around the “midnight ice-cream or chocolate teat”. As time moved on and we grew up, “snacking” became a must especially during college, university and struggling between jobs when cooking a full meal was a rarity. Slowly as the years evolved, being healthy declined and we got out of shape, “snacking” became a struggle for the mind and body between “should I or should I not.”

“Some people wonder why they can’t have faith for healing. They feed their body three hot meals a day, and their spirit one cold snack a week.” F. F. Bosworth

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

From childhood and school days, the focus has been on having three healthy meals a day; the occasional decline in the sugar levels as well as the temptation of the taste buds prompted the occasional snack. On a scientific note, research has recommended that “small snacks” does indeed life up the metabolism, boosting mental work and triggers satiety. On the other hand, as we overdo it; the scales tip and we find ourselves in a continuous cycle of frustration and over-snacking.

“Everyone I know is looking for solace and a tasty snack.” Maira Kalman

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Yet the balance between “healthy and unhealthy snacking” is very fine. Keeping all snacks portion controlled, mixed range and on balanced nutrient density helps us to continue snacking on “legal celery sticks and granola bars” as well as the “delicious cheesy pretzels and chocolate rich gooey globs of goodness” for some occasions. Sticking to “wise snacking”, varied options and balancing between both, keeps the interlude between the three meals interesting not just for the palate but creativity, mind, mood, emotions, body and soul; making “happy snacking” a trend.

“All of life is a continuous state of wonder interrupted by bedtime and light snacks.” Joyce Rachelle

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, poetry

Gift of Grace

Posted on February 8, 2019December 7, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” (Ephesians 4:7)

As time has again and again proven, one of the greatest fallacies of man is that we take a lot of our blessings, gifts and sacrifices of others for granted. There is a fine distinction in learning to respect others when they do their job out of duty or out of love. Come to think of it, how many of us have actually opened our eyes and thought about the numerous people who do their work so that our day goes smoothly.

“Out of the fullness of his grace he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another.” (John 1:16)

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Being human, its’ natural to think of the greener fields on the other side than the barren land that also exists. Yet to practice the art of “gratia” or “grace” we need to learn to appreciate all. What we term as “luck, fortune or advantages” are all forms of God’s Grace, which the sooner we learn to appreciate them, the longer we can put them to good use.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Despite all the successes or uphills that we enjoy, it takes a mere matter of seconds for things to go haywire and then downhill. Being prepared for all eventualities as well as to enjoy the “lucky breaks” and the grace of God requires us to grow a soul of peace, respect and contentment. For then we learn to value not just His Grace but His Mercy as well.

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

How quickly we get used to the good,
We often make God ours,
And take grace for granted,
And do not value mercy anymore.

We get used to ordinary problems,
We call our sins with mistakes,
and out of habit we pray and repent,
We take forgiveness as it were.

Trying to solve difficult tasks
And with his head bogged down in bustle,
We take the Cross of Christ for granted,
I’l just forget about the Cross.

We skillfully juggle doctrines,
quote the Scripture for an encore,
But daily recognize the impotence,
When we go with a sin to compromise.

It is so difficult to live in the world quite God’s way,
As for the first time tasting the grace …
How quickly you get used to the good,
God forbid, have to wean

Margarita Kolomiytseva

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings, Photography Art, Quotes, Reflections

Finding the Harmony

Posted on February 7, 2019November 28, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.” Rabindranath Tagore

In the chaotic existence of the days, as we come across many people and numerous interactions, there is one set of people that I admire the most. They are open to all ideas, listen to entire narratives with infinite patience, kind to many but rarely allow others to interfere in their lives. They look for the truth by themselves, gathering their world bit by bit and at times with gentle subtleness, not paying attention to the surprised and condemning views of those around them.

“Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity. From discord find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

These kind of people are so rare being many-sided and beautiful. They are open to others, but they will never knock on doors where they are not welcome. They live in harmony with themselves, as their heart tells them. Usually they are considered insane, but these people love life, and she reciprocates them, giving them their best gifts. Harmony is the word that centers around these people.

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.” Thomas Merton

The peacefulness and concurrence with each other cannot be born in a day. For harmony to be attained it needs each one of us to be aware of the expectations and requirements that encompass us as we adapt in our own particular approach to life. To be in concordance with others will happen when we are in agreement with ourselves, living consistent with our most profound feelings of what is genuine and what matters most. The joy of life can be seen exemplified through the quiet power of harmony. When the state of harmony is balanced, one often discovers that life blossoms even through the tired, difficult, bleak and lonely days. All we need to do is find and synchronize the rhythm within to the thoughts, desires and dreams in our mind. Though this may seem difficult, it is never impossible to do so.

“The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. A persistent simplification will create an inner and outer well-being that places harmony in one’s life.” Peace Pilgrim

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Christian, Family and Society, Life, poetry, Stories Around the World

Making of the Family

Posted on February 6, 2019November 16, 2018 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

The institution of marriage is one of the most sacred things of life. For two people to trust each other and share their lives, requires a magnanimous amount of courage, love and sacrifice. This journey involves the active and equal participation of two individuals, “give and take” from both sides and sharing of both sorrows and joys. Marriage then on leads to family.

Family is the place where a person should always be comfortable, understood, supported and heard. Family is the one place where one can hide from the whole world. Family has no envy, rivalry and controversy. Each person is understood almost without words. Family is where happiness lies in just being together.

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Richard Bach

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Being part of a family involves strength,respect, understanding and most of all love in order to flourish. Unless mutual effort lies in everyone’s part, family can never be complete and whole. Society has its’ own share of happy and broken families. Yet as long as we can help it, giving a try to keep the family going is a must. If all avenues and paths fail, then its’ time to break off the unit.

Below is a poem I found on one my social networking pages. Unfortunately it doesn’t have a title nor the author’s name. Yet these simple lines bring out the sweet essence of family.

Real happiness nests in simple:
In the way he comes from work every evening,
How she fills their home with comfort,
And how together they are every Saturday evening.

How she worries, whether he ate at dinner,
How he wonders what she is writing about,
How she permits not to turn off the light,
And how he agrees to turn it down.

How they make plans for the day and for the year,
How they sometimes do not interfere with each other,
How everything, in general, is going slowly
In one easy circle.

What is so wonderful about it? … It’s life! …
Here the pots rattle and the floorboards creak …
Yes! … but it is here that it is possible to love
And to read each other – to the last page …

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a