Learn to Cook in a Week II

Hi everyone!
We all a blast during Learn to Cook in a Week I and many of the same people wanted to come back! I heard from one of my students who was in the last class (and is coming to the next) and he said he has incorporated everything into his daily life and feels so much healthier because of it. You have no idea how happy this makes me to hear.
Learn to Cook in a Week II begins January 8th and ends January 12th. Our furthest student this time is from Georgia! I'm really looking forward to the class and hope you can join us.
Best of health,
Patty

Joan of "Joan's Thoughts," also my Mom is 85 today!

My Mom, Joan, is 85 healthy years old today. Mum is an inspriation to all of us; my sisters, children, grandchildren, friends and extended family. She is truly an amzing person. Why is she so healthy? Good genes do make up part of it, but she has always cooked homemade food and exercised. This past week she had a touch of the flu and boy oh boy, she is not a good sick person...she isn't used to it. She was "bored silly." Now she is feeling better and is ready to join her walking friends at Ragle Park.
Mum is very wise and has a very spiritual side. As the matriarch of the family she keeps everyone close, probably without thinking. Have you chatted with your sister Dorothy today, she had a job interview that went well....or your sister Joanne is feeling good today or...you get the drift. I find myself doing the same thing. I ask my son Russell if he called his sister Olivia because she wasn't feeling well, on and on. We all learn from example how to behave and what health habits that will become a part of our lives. I have my Mom to thanks for setting a good example in many ways.
Thank you Mum and Happy Birthday!
Love,
Patty

P.S. If you want to send a message to Joan, reply to this blog and I will pass along your well-wishes.

Dining or Eating?

Hello everyone,
I was at a party last night and a woman said something that immediately registered with me. She said that no one dines anymore, they just eat. Don't you love the word "dine?" So civilized. Shouldn't we all dine? Even if you are having the most basic of meals, dine.
If we dined wouldn't we slow down and enjoy the meal a bit more rather than simply eating and moving on to the next thing to do? I would imagine we would all eat slower and enjoy our food more. We would most likely eat less because we aren't wolfing down our food not allowing our brains to register that we are actually full. We would light the candles or enjoy something pretty on the table such as flowers because we are dining. Our digestion would improve and we would assimilate more nutrients because we are chewing our food more. One thing about the flowers and candles comment. Even when I was in college and was eating baked potatoes 3 nights a week, I still liked to eat at the table and enjoy the meal; you don't have to have anything expensive to eat to create a dining experience. Personally, I love rocks! A beautiful rock on the table suits me fine.
Let's all dine, shall we?
Best of health,
Patty