A Recipe for Love – My Heart is an Artichoke

This post is very appropriate since I am working hard to teach Bhakti - teh way of the heart - if in LA check out my class or visit the website if you would like to take one online http://ww.doctorlynn.com

Is there anything more difficult to get to than an artichoke heart and is there anything more difficult to find than true love? Like love we need to painstakingly peel away each thistly protective leaf to find a sweet heart.

The origin of the artichoke dates back to 371- 287 B. C. when the naturalist and philosopher  Theophrastus discovered them in Sicily and Italy. The Greeks however made them into legend involving the God Zeus. Seems Zeus visited the Island of Sicily where he found a beautiful mortal girl. She did not fear Zeus and he was quite intrigued; deciding to make her a Goddess and take her back to his home in Olympus where he would have his way with her when his wife was out of town. The Girl missed her family and returned to Sicily for a visit. Zeus was enraged by her return to her mortal ways so he turned her into an artichoke.

The ancient Greeks considered the artichoke an aphrodisiac. The plant spread from Greece to Rome, to Europe and to the United States where today the biggest crops are grown in Northern California. Artichokes have become big business.

Scientists have discovered that artichokes contain phytonutrients that not only lower bad cholesterol but raise good cholesterol. If it’s good for cholesterol control it’s good for the heart and anything that’s good for the heart has to be good for love.

Furthermore the artichoke is chock full of good for you nutrients such as magnesium, which works with calcium to create strong bones and teeth. Magnesium is also necessary regulating the body temperature. Artichokes contain potassium. In fact, a medium sized artichoke has almost as much potassium as a small banana. Potassium is necessary to maintain your heart rhythm, nerve function, fluid balance and muscle. Artichokes are also a great source for vitamin C, beneficial for the immune system and building collagen.

In the plant world, color pigments offer protection against the elements. The pigment, anthocyanin, which gives artichokes their color, also gives you powerful antioxidants when you eat it. Scientist believe that anthocyanin may lower your risk of losing memory function, help prevent cancers and improve urinary tract health.

Now I must admit that harvesting through those prickly leaves in search of the heart is a daunting task. But once the heart is found it is worth every arduous step. For love is like the artichoke; it does not come without a little effort.

From the "Book of Nature," by Dr. Bartolomeo Boldo in 1576, "it has the virtue of . . . provoking Venus for both men and women; for women making them more desirable, and helping the men who are in these matters rather tardy."

Patience and kindness

Patience and kindness will carry you far. This is one of the lesson in yoga- learn to identify the critcal judgemental voice within and counter it with a true a positive thought.
Doctor Lynn

A recipe for Happiness – Saffron the yellow bloom

Yellow is a color that lifts our spirits. We see this in SAD ( seasonal affected disorder). For many people a lack of sunshine crates a sad and depressing mood. However I would safely say that for everyone a beautiful sunny day makes us all feel a little happier.

If you want to stimulate your memory and remember something jot it down of yellow paper. That’s because yellow is the most memorable of all the colors. Yellow tends to raise blood pressure and increase pulse rate but not to the degree of red. It is subtle, energizing, uplifting and can help to lift a sad or depressed mood.

Although saffron tends to increase our physical heart rate and pulse it contains the chemical crocetin which actually lowers high blood pressure. Some people even speculate that the low incidence of heart disease in Spain is due to the nation’s high consumption of saffron.

But can saffron really make you happy? Well it is the world’s most expensive spice. Saffron is the threads from the stigmas of the sativus crocus flower. It takes about 13,125 threads to make one ounce. There are only three stigmas per flower. Saffron is handpicked. That is why it is so expensive.

Although Saffron is used in traditional Persian and Spanish cuisine it also has a magical and medicinal aspect. In fact non-Persians in ancient times feared the use of saffron believing it drugged people and induced sexual promiscuous behavior. However, Cleopatra is said to have bathed in saffron to make love making more pleasurable. The Phoenicians marketed the spice as  a cure for melancholy and Buddhist monks adopted the color of saffron for their robes.

Modern medicine has discovered that saffron has anticancer, anti mutation and antioxidant prosperities. A tea made from saffron is said to help cure alcoholism and to lift depression.

Saffron is also associated with Eos the goddess of dawn who is said to open the gate to the sun each morning bringing sunlight and joy.

Saffron contains over 150 aromatic oils. It also has many nonvolatile components like carotonoids and lycopene. Actually lycopene is a carotonoid that has anticancer components that are more powerful than Vitamin E.

So if the yellow color of the crocus flower doesn’t make you smile the fact that you can uplift your anticancer protection by simply eating the world’s most expensive spice while also uplifting a sad mood and enhances love making sure makes adding saffron to your diet a happy proposition.  

To Master Something you must work at it

You are not supposed to master something immediately. It takes patience and work as well as the abilty to be kind ( have compassoin) to yourself as you toil throught the process of learning.
Doctorlynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

A Recipe for Sex - Shrimp  -it’s no little thing

Are those little sweet crustaceans really a sex tonic? Famed French mistress, Madame DuBerry served her shrimp in Champagne sauce. Casanova’s traveling companion, Agnolo Torredano, said of shrimp that it was the “food of life that makes it possible for the cold, old body to still enjoy the heat of passion.”

In the United States spicy shrimp gumbo has a long history of being a salacious stew. And a little farther south in the Caribbean it is believe that eating shrimp during sex doubles the pleasure. What is it about these little creatures that are so sexy?

Shrimp provide iodine which is essential to the thyroid gland and basal metabolism. Iodine deficiency has been documented as reducing sex drive. Like many forms of seafood, shrimp offer iodine and omega-3 fatty acid – great for circulation and vital in the battle against aging. Shrimp also serve up a good portion of zinc and iron- two erotic minerals. When digested shrimp protein breaks down in the body to produce the amino acid phenylalanine, which increases levels of sex boosting neurotransmitters in the brain.

Archeologist have found evidence that shrimp and other crustaceans such as lobster were eaten by sea dwelling humans. I grew up off the coast of Maine in a small fishing village. My family fished for shrimp in the harsh winters of Maine. Shrimp Pea Wiggle was a dish we ate in the winter. I always thought my mother made up this name as a fun way to get us to eat our dinner but it turns out that Shrimp Pea Wiggle is a New England dish. Nobody seemed to know where it originated from but it was a staple in New England cuisine.

Shrimp Pea Wiggle is shrimp tossed into a béchamel sauce with peas added and served over toast points. It is hearty and warm on a cold winter’s day. Everyone in the family went to work to create this dish.

The fresh shrimp would be brought in off the boats caught by the family fisherman and then we would all go to work de-heading and shelling the little creatures. My mother would make the sauce and create the dish. Unfortunately for me if you have eaten fresh shrimp right off the boat anything else is tasteless.

May-be the name has a sexual undertone. Shrimp Pea Wiggle just might make you wiggle and it certainly will make you giggle and isn’t wiggling and giggling a part of good sex? Perhaps there is more to this dish than a hearty meal?

Whatever the origin, seafood and especially the Mediterranean diet which is mostly fish and seafood provides us with essential nutrients that gets the metabolic fires burning and boost the sexual neurons making shrimp no little sexual thing!

A Beautiful Day

It's early morning and the sun is bright. it feels like a warm and beautiful summer day. Appreciate the opprtunities and the moments and don't look back with regret or you'll lose now...
Doctor Lynn

A Recipe for Sex - Shrimp  -it’s no little thing

Are those little sweet crustaceans really a sex tonic? Famed French mistress, Madame DuBerry served her shrimp in Champagne sauce. Casanova’s traveling companion, Agnolo Torredano, said of shrimp that it was the “food of life that makes it possible for the cold, old body to still enjoy the heat of passion.”

In the United States spicy shrimp gumbo has a long history of being a salacious stew. And a little farther south in the Caribbean it is believe that eating shrimp during sex doubles the pleasure. What is it about these little creatures that are so sexy?

Shrimp provide iodine which is essential to the thyroid gland and basal metabolism. Iodine deficiency has been documented as reducing sex drive. Like many forms of seafood, shrimp offer iodine and omega-3 fatty acid – great for circulation and vital in the battle against aging. Shrimp also serve up a good portion of zinc and iron- two erotic minerals. When digested shrimp protein breaks down in the body to produce the amino acid phenylalanine, which increases levels of sex boosting neurotransmitters in the brain.

Archeologist have found evidence that shrimp and other crustaceans such as lobster were eaten by sea dwelling humans. I grew up off the coast of Maine in a small fishing village. My family fished for shrimp in the harsh winters of Maine. Shrimp Pea Wiggle was a dish we ate in the winter. I always thought my mother made up this name as a fun way to get us to eat our dinner but it turns out that Shrimp Pea Wiggle is a New England dish. Nobody seemed to know where it originated from but it was a staple in New England cuisine.

Shrimp Pea Wiggle is shrimp tossed into a béchamel sauce with peas added and served over toast points. It is hearty and warm on a cold winter’s day. Everyone in the family went to work to create this dish.

The fresh shrimp would be brought in off the boats caught by the family fisherman and then we would all go to work de-heading and shelling the little creatures. My mother would make the sauce and create the dish. Unfortunately for me if you have eaten fresh shrimp right off the boat anything else is tasteless.

May-be the name has a sexual undertone. Shrimp Pea Wiggle just might make you wiggle and it certainly will make you giggle and isn’t wiggling and giggling a part of good sex? Perhaps there is more to this dish than a hearty meal?

Whatever the origin, seafood and especially the Mediterranean diet which is mostly fish and seafood provides us with essential nutrients that gets the metabolic fires burning and boost the sexual neurons making shrimp no little sexual thing!

Too much to do and not enough time

Staying to task when other creative ideas pop into your head is sometimes very difficult. It's also difficult to stay to task when monetary results are no where to be found - but the creative process has a way of unfolding in due time and is never done for monetary reasons. The creative process is simply creative...
Doctor Lynn

A Recipe for Health - Peas Please

Did you know that peas are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, thiamine (B1), iron and phosphorus? They are rich in protein, carbohydrate and fiber and low in fat which is mostly of the unsaturated kind. Half a cup of frozen peas has only 5% of the daily value for sodium. Foods low in sodium are good for your heart. An 85 gram serving of peas, cooked, provides 50 calories, 4 grams of protein, 8 grams of carbohydrate (of which 3.5 grams are sugars), 3.8 grams of fibre, 17mg of vitamin C (28% of the recommended daily allowance) and 0.2mg Thiamine (B1) (15% of the recommended daily allowance.)

Thiamine or B1 plays an important role in regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates in the body. Thiamine is also necessary for the growth and maintenance of healthy skin. The cells of the nervous system are extremely sensitive to carbohydrate metabolism. This may be why the brain and the nerves are the first to show thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is needed as a catalyst for the metabolism of carbohydrates so it should come as no surprise that the more carbohydrates we eat the more thiamine we need.

There was a preliminary study that indicates thiamin levels drop significantly after surgery, during a fever, over active muscular activity and during physical and emotional stress. Some of the symptoms of thiamin deficiency include loss of memory, nervous disorder, leg cramping, fatigue and irritability.

Fortunately many foods including organ meats, soybeans, wholes grains, brown rice, egg yolks and peas supply us with thiamin. In our over active and over stressed world getting adequate nutrition is essential. So pass the peas please.

Freshly frozen garden peas and petits pois are frozen within just two and a half-hours of being picked. This locks in all the nutrients, which can be lost at room temperature. Peas are just about the most versatile vegetable in the world. They taste great in risotto, omelet’s, pizzas, pastas, soups, salads, casseroles and curries.

The UK grows the largest supply of the world’s peas. However peas are widely used in just about every culture and in many native dishes to many different countries including all of Europe, India, Asia and the Americas.

Here’s some pea facts for you: A monk by the name of  Gregor Johann Mendel (1822-1884), worked with peas to lay the foundation for modern day genetics.  A 16^th century treatise of the art of love says that peas boiled with onions and a dash of cinnamon is an aphrodisiac. Birds Eye frozen peas advertisement was the first color add on TV. If you threaded every frozen pea produced each year in the UK onto a piece of string you would need 3,900,000 kms of string, which would stretch from the earth to the moon and back more than five times And did you know that there is an etiquette to eating peas? The British love their peas but eating them properly is a must. Most people shovel or spear peas; the Brits smash them on the back of their forks and eat them. So smash away and enjoy these little green pills of natural health.

Back to work

It's 5:30 AM Monday morning and I'm back to work. I teach  cycle class at 7:00AM so get up early to ahve a cup of tea and post the blog before I go off to teach. I watch the sun come up as the day begins to break quietly alone in my world. I've grown to love this erly morning time.
So here e go...anothr post to teh book.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

To Health, Sex, Happiness and Love We Dine

The table is set, the candle is lit, the wine is corked- it’s time to dine.

Begin with dessert which needs to be prepared at least three hours ahead of time. This dessert can be made up to three days ahead.

Poached Pears for two – double recipe each time you add two more persons to the meal

¼ cup dry marsala wine

¼ cup water

 2 Tbsps of sugar

1 cinnamon stick

1/3 vanilla bean split

4 long strips of orange peel

1 Bosc pear peeled sliced in half and cored

*** Optional a small scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream

Combine wine, water, sugar, cinnamon stick vanilla bean and orange peel in a heavy small pan. Bring to a boil over high heat stirring to dissolve sugar. Add pear halves. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and simmer until pears are tender, turning pears occasionally – about 35 minutes. Use slotted spoon to remove pears to a serving dish. Remove orange peel and place two strips on top of each pear half. Chill for at least three hours. Serve with a side of vanilla gelato. Make sure and eat the orange peel – it’s divine.

Start with a salad

Torn butter lettuce on a chilled plate. Top with two or three canned artichoke hearts ( drained) Crumble goat cheese on top and sprinkle with slivered almonds. Use balsamic vinegar and olive oil as dressing.

Side dish Sautéed kale

In a medium size pan add two tablespoons of olive oil and 1 clove of finely mined garlic. Heat and stir until garlic is slightly brown. Toss in about a cup of sliced celery and stir for a few minutes. Toss in the kale and stir gentle until the kale just starts to become limp.

Main Dish Chicken Marsala

4 boneless skinless chicken thighs

2 Tablespoons of Flour

1 ½ tsp of olive oil

¼ cup chicken broth

½ cup marsala wine

1 cup sliced mushrooms

½ tsp of basil

2 shallot chopped ( or ½ medium onion)

Place chicken into a large size baggie and pound with a meat mallet to about ¼ inch thick. Dredge chicken through the flour. In a skillet over medium heat add chicken to heated olive oil. Brown chicken on each side. Remove to a serving platter.

Add shallots to skillet and cook until tender. Stir in chicken broth, marsala wine, basil and mushrooms and cook for 2-4 minutes reducing liquid to about half. Return chicken to pan and cook turning the chicken to glaze both side with the thickened sauce.

Serve Chicken with sauce on top and a side of kale.

Add a crusty bread and /or rice or noodles. The added carbohydrates will add calories to the meal.

Eat your pear dessert for healthy bones, vanilla bean sauce and vanilla bean gelato for a a sexy delight, marshals wine for happiness and artichokes for love.

When you take the time to consciously eat for health, sex, happiness and love you create something great for the body, the mid and the soul.

“ cibo buono”

Divided we conquor

If I could divide me into three people I think I could get all my projects organized. Ever had so much on your plate that you need another self to get it all done? I find myslef flourishing with ideas and tangible projects and scrambling for time. Balance is the catch word. Managing my life so that time is not wasted. How do I do it? Start with a goal or a desire and motivation will follow. Just make sure it is a worthy goal or you will not stay focused. Still wish there was three of me working side by side to accomplish all my goals. So let's post again...keep the book rolling!

A recipe for Love - Think Green

Green is the color, according to color therapist and yogis, that is associated with the heart chakra. It both supports heart health and is the energy center for love. The color green is a neutralizing balancing and centering color. Connected to the heart chakra the color green is the quality of air, openness, expansiveness and unconditional love.

The color green in fruits and vegetables is a mark of nutrients rich vitamin and minerals. Darker and richer greens such as that found in kale is a great source of calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals. Kale is also a great antioxidant vegetable with beta carotene, vitamin K and lutien making it a great source for heart health.

Kale is much milder in flavor than collard greens but equally as nutrious. The minerals in kale have been shown to help the liver detoxify the body and to help to prevent cancer. Although often times used as a garnish kale makes a wonderful side dish.

Kale like all of the cabbage family is easy to grow and survives in cold and harsh conditions. It’s a hearty food that for many years was considered a “poor man’s food”. Thankfully today chefs are beginning to appreciate the nutritional value of kale. It is low in calories, low in fat and high in vitamins and minerals making it an ideal food for those watching their weight and supporting their health.

Love sometimes comes in a funny form. The cabbage family is not necessarily the prettiest of vegetables and it’s rather bitter and strong taste can be “off putting”. But it’s nutritional value cannot be denied. Sometimes those things that look the least lovable are the most giving and supporting of all.

Kale like love, sometimes must endure harsh conditions in order to flower and grow. Its presence can be bitter sweet. However, love is more than just the attraction to something exciting and new. Love is something that grows and gives with an eye to health and well being. We worry about those we love and we make every effort to see that they are cared for and nourished in body, mind and soul.

 Now I can’t say I’ve always been in love with Kale. For years it was a garnish to me but then suddenly I discovered its rich dark slightly bitter taste and its rich nutritional value. Sometimes it takes maturing a bit, experiencing a bit and opening up to new possibilities that allows a healthy love to enter your life. Hail to kale!

http://www.doctorlynn/com

 

Stay Motivated

It's hard to stay motivated when it can appear that what you are doing is simply an excerise in futility. But it is the satisfactoin that you get from completing a project that is the ultimate reward. It's takes focus to stay to course when the temptation to play presents itself.
So back to work....

 

A Recipe for Happiness –Marsala-Marsala-Marsala

Its’ all in the grapes; so it has been said. Catarratto, grillo and Inzolia are the three primary grapes that make up Marsala wine. These grapes blended together create a port like wine referred to as Marsala wine.

Marsala is made in the “solera” tradition; meaning a melding of years. First a keg is filled with wine from the current vintage of grapes. Later vintage wines with similar taste are placed in kegs above the current keg. When liquid is drawn from the bottom of the oldest keg, it is refreshed with wine from the next keg and so on. The taste remains the same with every bottle of wine (potentially) the same as the first.

Marsala is a city in the west section of Sicily, the island near the foot end of Italy. In 1798 the Sicilians managed to substitute their own wines in place of the standard rum in an English naval shipment. In those seafaring days, something had to be done to wine to allow it to last the long ocean journeys.  Brandy was added to allow the wine to last longer, and to be more resistant to temperature changes. These were called "fortified wines". Once the British tasted Marsala wine the demand grew. In the United States during prohibition Marsala wine was bottled to look like medicine. This made it less risky to get wine. Although not as popular now for drinking, Marsala wine is still used in cooking.

Through a melding of the years ( solera), blending together three bold grapes and fortifying the wine; marsala wine had a great shelf life, gave a better kick, was readily available and tasted great. That’s enough to make  anyone happy! What else could we want but to meld the years of our life into a blended taste of experience fortified with wisdom?

Sicily is a vast wealth of culture influences by the Arabs, the Europeans, the Greeks and the Romans. Many legends abound. One is worth remembering. Zeus had a son named Dionysus the God of fertility, joy and well being. Dionysus left the kingdom and headed for Sicily with the root of a grape vine. To carry the vine safely he first planted it in the bone of a bird, then the bone of a lion and finally the bone of a donkey. The vine flourished and so did the following saying; "A good glass of wine makes you light as a bird, another drink and you are courageous as a lion, but when you exaggerate with wine, you end up an ass!."

Sharing with joy and well being a glass or two of a good wine with an appreciation for the culture, nature and history of the things we consume makes tipping a glass or two a happy moment. Smile, be happy and enjoy!

Back at it again

Here we go again. I'm back to posting the recipes and working on the book. I could sit and write eveyday but find that other things get put aside and then suddenly I need to take a break and catch up with friends, family and my other projects. So back to posting.

A recipe for Sex – It’s not just Vanilla

Did you know vanilla is an aphrodisiac? Vanilla is not just plain old vanilla. It has qualities that make it the most widely used flavoring. It’s expensive, second only to saffron. It is a flavoring extracted from the orchid genus vanilla which grow in Mexico. It is also cultivated in other countries.

There are three main commercial uses of vanilla; in the pod, ground and as an extract. All three are used in products. Since vanilla is every expensive often times artificial vanilla flavoring is used in baked goods and other foods. Beware of artificial vanilla- it’s just plain fake.

The major use of vanilla is in flavoring ice cream and the most common ice cream is vanilla. Therefore it developed the nick name “plain vanilla” to mean a default or common basic flavor which is not true at all. Vanilla is often times used to enhance chocolate and other flavored ice creams and foods.

Vanilla is considered an aphrodisiac.  The Aztecs used it as an aphrodisiac and in 1776 a German study gave men a medication based upon flavored vanilla, which was said to cure their impotence.

 Vanilla has been used as a popular scent in Aromatherapy since the late 80s, described in 1991 by Sloan-Kettering as,

"Vanilla, a homey scent which may remind people of food, may be a preferred scent [for this stress research test]. Its recent rise in commercial popularity is well-deserved."

But is it really an aphrodisiac? When it comes to sex vanilla is often referred to as just plain old boring sex. Could this not be true? If vanilla is so expensive and if vanilla is the major flavoring that is added to other flavors to enhance them then if we add plain good old vanilla to the other flavors of sex don’t we enhance them?

Vanilla is considered an aphrodisiac because the scent of vanilla(the chemical molecules) mixes with human pheromones and enhances our scent making us more attractive to a potential sex partner. That’s why vanilla is includes in so many perfumes. Vanilla also quells the appetite for sweet foods. The scent seems to give us sweet thoughts instead of sweet cravings and sweet thought are good for sexual appetite!

Drop vanilla beans in brandy or dessert wine and let them sit for a few days. The vanilla will release into the liquor and add a delicious flavor. Drop a bean into a cup of hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Burn vanilla candles (make sure they are aromatherapy candle and good quality).

Or add a little vanilla to a sweet dessert and serve it to your lover. The flavor and scent will excite the sense and surely bring thoughts of sex to your body, mind and soul.

http://www.doctorlynn.com

A Recipe for Health – is Boron boring?

Here I go...posting again.

Is Boron a boring trace mineral? What does it have to do with your health? Isn’t it best known as Borax- a cleanser and mineral used in the making of glass?

Boron is a trace mineral found in plants. Plants take the mineral out of the soil and give it back to us when we eat the fruits and vegetables. We cannot get our minerals directly from the soil so we are dependent upon plant life to supply us with the necessary minerals to insure health.

Boron has recently been shown to be effective in preventing bone loss and deterioration. In a US Agricultural study boron was given to post menopausal women, who were at high risk of osteoporosis. The results of the study suggest that boron works much like estrogen to help prevent bone loss. But don’t rush out and buy boron supplements. A healthy diet and a multi- vitamin should give you enough boron. Check with your primary physician if you are considering supplementing.

There appears to be no shortage of boron in humans due to only a limited amount of boron is needed and it is highly available through the fruits and vegetables we eat. Boron is a trace mineral and not an essential mineral meaning we only need trace amounts for health.

Fruits and vegetables are the best sources for boron; meat and fish are poor sources. A diet containing a variety of fruits and vegetables will supply adequate amounts of boron. One such fruit that is rich in boron is the pear. Pears contain large amounts of boron and thus pears help to prevent osteoporosis.

Besides boron, pears are an excellent source of water-soluble fiber.  They contain vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, folic acid and niacin.  It is also rich in copper, phosphorus and potassium, with lesser amounts of calcium, chlorine, iron, magnesium, sodium and sulfur.

Some varieties have more iron content than others.  This can be seen when a cut pear turns brown.  If it doesn't turn brown, it means that the iron content is very low or non-existent.

In Greek and Roman mythology the pear was sacred to Pomona the  Roman goddess of gardens and trees. In Europe it was customary to plant fruits trees when a couple got married. The longevity and fruitfulness of the trees were thought to give strength to the marriage and children. As each child arrived, an apple tree was planted for every boy and a pear tree for each girl.

Somehow boron doesn’t seem so boring when you bite into a fresh succulent pear and partake of all the wonderful nutrients that nature so aptly provides. If we let her; Mother Nature will always take care of our health.

Distractions

It is so easy to get distracted by life's events and put certian things aside. I am still writting the book but not on schedule due to family events, other obligations and time restraints. Now those are excuses and of course I can always find the time if I sleep less, don't watch TV, ignore my friend and I eat dinner at my desk. Ah but life is a balancing act and if you balance all things out what you want to accomplish will happen- even if at a slower pace but not at the expense of living a full life. My life is full of events, friends, family and simple things like a Sunday afternoon at the museum. So I'll work with the distractions and pick away at my projects and balance it all out so my life stays full and rich. The secret is to make sure the distractoin are worthy of your time. Family, friends and artful Sunday afternoons enrich your life and are well worth the distrctions. Back to the book...
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

Discipline

Although I wrote two pages for the book yesterday and finished an article and my Newsletter this week I have not gotten organized to begin posting the book again. So I'm organizing myself with a little self discipline to get the job done. It takes disicpline to sit at the computer and write when the sun is shining and you are sitting alone. However it is very rewarding in and of itself. To be successful you must write,create and do something just becasue it's what you want to do without thoughts of monetary gain- otherwise it's a daunting task.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

Regroup

Just got back from Monterey/Carmel where the world seemed to slow down and I felt a sense of regroupng. Back in LA and the pace quickens. So it's back to the book, work and all the other intricacies of life. So here we go....

Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

Out of here

Today I'm out of here (LA) for a long weekend to avoid carmegeddon - or better known as the 405 closure. We're taking advantage of an opportunity to get out of town. I'm lucky to have the option and remind myself daily to appreciate what I have and don't waste time feeling bad about what I don't have, which in the big scheme of things is minor. Just look around you. Life is not so bad.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

Ideas

 Ideas...where do they come from? Observation rather than obsession. Keeping yourself open to the possibilities that are all around you. The other day while having lunch I noticed something that had the potential to turn into a business idea. It came to me simply because I was quietly observing the world around me. We need to take moments to be quiet and simply observe if we are to catch the possibilities of life. Next time you are out and about, find a place to sit and just watch the world with an observers eye. Observe without judgement and who knows what will turn up?
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

Apprecaite your health

When I was younger and used to complain about things my Mother would always say to me - if you have your health you've got everything. It didn't have any great meaning to me until the day I was diagnosed with cancer. Yesterday I lost a friend to cancer. A lovly woman who had so much to live for...2 sons and a very loving husband. She was an inspiration to me through my sickness, surgery and recovery. Today as I remmeber her I think about my health and am thankful.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

Prioritizing

Discipline yourself to writing everyday can be both fun and at the same time leave you little time for errands and other things tht need attending. I've decide to take a little time off and take care of some persosnal and business isues as well as spend the time learning how to use this smart phone I got two months ago that I can barely turn on. Learning to use a new phone( or leanring to do anything new) can be very time consuming. So a break from cooking and writing although I'm making notes and ready to srtart again next week. Some times we need to take a break form one thing to priorotize others things - staying in touch with freinds and family is also important- so I'm also making some time to get together with friends. More on that later...
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

New Computer

Yesterday I got a new computer. I was two days without a computer so that my husband's office could download from my old computer to this new one which of course now needs to be reconfigured. I'll need to set new passwords and search for everything again... what a hassel! However I set up and used my sewing machine with my free time and spent some time reading and enjoying life without a computer. Amazing how things have changed. I rememeber getting my first cable unit and renting a VCR to rent movies - a big box. Now it's all about technology and we feel helpless without our computers and phones.
So now I am back to the modern day world but I still realize the value in a good conversation face to face, a good book to read and something creative to do with idle time. Take a little time today to relax and enjoy the world around you.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com

Bullies in Action

On the 4th we went to Catalina Island from the Marina on the small one boat cruise line. Because the cruise line is small they often get muscled out of docking because the bigger ships push their way in to port. Our boat upon departure had to change gates at the last minute because the bigger boats took our gate which caused mass confusion.
We then went to one of our favorite pizzerias in the Marina who is being muscled out of their lease by a big company that wants their space. The little guy sometimes gets pushed around and it doesn't seem fair but with resilence and a good sense of humor the little guy can prevail. Just think back to high school - and then flash ahead several years where the underdog is often the one who prevailed!
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com/

Ideas

Creative ideas can spring up when you least expect them. Last night I was having a simple sandwich at a simply delicous little resturant and I came up with an idea for a business. It was something that is a great idea but wrong timing for me...so i will ponder it for a while...to succeed you must find the right place, at the right time with the right idea and the right amount of energy to make the idea become a reality.
Back to my book.

Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com/

A Recipe for Health – is Boron boring?

Is Boron a boring trace mineral? What does it have to do with your health? Isn’t it best known as Borax- a cleanser and mineral used in the making of glass?


Boron is a trace mineral found in plants. Plants take the mineral out of the soil and give it back to us when we eat the fruits and vegetables. We cannot get our minerals directly from the soil so we are dependent upon plant life to supply us with the necessary minerals to insure health.

Boron has recently been shown to be effective in preventing bone loss and deterioration. In a US Agricultural study boron was given to post menopausal women, who were at high risk of osteoporosis. The results of the study suggest that boron works much like estrogen to help prevent bone loss. But don’t rush out and buy boron supplements. A healthy diet and a multi- vitamin should give you enough boron. Check with your primary physician if you are considering supplementing.

There appears to be no shortage of boron in humans due to only a limited amount of boron is needed and it is highly available through the fruits and vegetables we eat. Boron is a trace mineral and not an essential mineral meaning we only need trace amounts for health.

Fruits and vegetables are the best sources for boron; meat and fish are poor sources. A diet containing a variety of fruits and vegetables will supply adequate amounts of boron. One such fruit that is rich in boron is the pear. Pears contain large amounts of boron and thus pears help to prevent osteoporosis.

Besides boron, pears are an excellent source of water-soluble fiber. They contain vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, folic acid and niacin. It is also rich in copper, phosphorus and potassium, with lesser amounts of calcium, chlorine, iron, magnesium, sodium and sulfur.

Some varieties have more iron content than others. This can be seen when a cut pear turns brown. If it doesn't turn brown, it means that the iron content is very low or non-existent.

In Greek and Roman mythology the pear was sacred to Pomona the Roman goddess of gardens and trees. In Europe it was customary to plant fruits trees when a couple got married. The longevity and fruitfulness of the trees were thought to give strength to the marriage and children. As each child arrived, an apple tree was planted for every boy and a pear tree for each girl.

Somehow boron doesn’t seem so boring when you bite into a fresh succulent pear and partake of all the wonderful nutrients that nature so aptly provides. If we let her; Mother Nature will always take care of our health.

Eat, Drink and be healthy, sexy, happy and loving

Let’s make dinner. Tonight we are going to have a salad, ratatouille and macarons.


Radish salad – radishes you will recall are low in calories, high in fiber, good for circulation and brain health.

1 bunch of red radishes

1 tablespoon of olive oil

2 scallions minced

2 tablespoons of fresh parsley minced

½ tsp ground pepper.

Trim radishes and coarsely grind in a food processor. Put olive oil, parsley and scallions in a small pan and heat stirring until tender. Stir in radishes and stir for about 2 minutes. Remove form heat and top with pepper.

Butter lettuce

Goats cheese

Place leaves of butter lettuce on a chilled plate with crumbled goat cheese. In the middle place a scoop of the radish mixture. Serve with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

For dinner it’s off to Provence for ratatouille

1 bunch scallions

2 small zucchini

2 medium tomatoes

1 small eggplant

1 tsp minced garlic

2 medium sized skinless/boned chicken thighs

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons of Herb de Provence or 1 teaspoon each of basil and thyme (the Herb de Provence adds a different flavor as it is mixed with lavender. For a more spicy and less herbally taste use basil and thyme.)

½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper

Chop scallions; slice zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes and chicken into bit size pieces. Coat a medium size deep skillet with olive oil and sauté garlic and scallions until tender. Add chicken and stir for 2 minutes. Add vegetables and spices. Stir and cook for another 10 minutes or until vegetable are tender. Let sit for about an hour. Reheat before serving. Serve in bowls with a side of French bread

Serves 4

Calories appx. 223 per serving

Serve with a white wine – a Sancerre works very well with this dish.

Dessert – Bring on the macarons! Arrange a few macarons on a small plate. In the center place a small scoop of vanilla sorbet or ice cream. A little French ice wine from Quebec adds an extra touch.

Bon appétit!

A Recipe for Love – A morsel of delight

But before I post the next page from my book...last night I watched La Toya Jackson being interviewed. I must say she was very well groomed. Her nails were beautiful - long and covered in a silver nail polish. I search for the color today and think I have found it - my favorite nail polish in China Glaze - cheap and very good quality - Silver Lining - yes that's it - keep finding that silver lining in the midst of all the storms.

Doctor Lynn http://www.doctorlynn.com/

and now....

A Recipe for Love – A morsel of delight




The macaron's origin isn't clear, but it may have been brought to France from Italy as early as 1533 by Catherine di Medici and her pastry chefs. Macarons gained fame in 1792 when two Carmelite nuns seeking asylum in Nancy during the French Revolution baked and sold macarons in order to support themselves. They made simple macarons from a combination of ground almonds, egg whites, and sugar. No special flavors and no filling.

It wasn't until the 1900s that Pierre Desfontaines of Parisian pastry shop and café Ladurée decided to take two cookies and fill them with ganache. Today the macaron is a delicious treat of thin, light crust followed by a layer of moist almond meringue with a center of silky smooth filling. Lucky for me and lucky for you these little love cushions are now available here in the states. Nothing tops a French meal off like a little morcea (morsel) of macaron.

On Valentine ’s Day 2011, I was in French class and one of my class mates brought in boxes of French macarons to share. They came from Paulette Macaron in Beverly Hills, California. You can order them online at paulettemacaron.com. These delicious little morsels mixed well with our conversational French as we licked our fingers and continued to pass the cookies around the room. The chocolate were divine! I think I’m in love.

Macarons are made from egg whites, sugar and almond flour. Among their many health benefits almonds are good for heart: Mono-saturated fat, protein and potassium contained in almonds are good for the heart. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart diseases. The presence of magnesium in almonds helps to avoid heart attacks. Almonds help reduce C-reactive protein which causes artery-damaging inflammation. Almond is also a source of folic acid. They therefore help to reduce the level of homocystein, which causes fatty plaque build-up in arteries. What’s good for the heart must be good for love.

I read recently that macarons are the new dessert de jour. Cupcakes are passé. So I bought a box of macarons and served them as a dessert along with a little fruit sorbet. Light and fluffy these little treats called pets in French (meaning either little farts or little meringues- depending upon whose interpretation) brought joie de vivre to the night.

Whether a pet or a meringue these almond delights are healthy and heavenly. Almonds have been a part of many cultures and have made their way into many dishes. The almond is a symbol of faithfulness. Making the macaron the crème de la crème of love.

In Greek mythology,a princess, beautiful and faithful to her prince and lover, Theseus goes down to the sea each day, hoping to see her lover’s ship returning from the Trojan War. When it does not look like the fleet will ever return, she dies of grief and is changed into an almond tree to commemorate her faithfulness.

Now that’s love….

A Recipe for Happiness – Think Aubergine

Just say aubergine and visions of Mediterranean stews and casseroles might dance in your head. Aubergine is the French and Italian name for the eggplant. Who doesn’t just love the deep purple eggplant color which seems to compliment any skin tone and match with just about any color? And the eggplant is well just so funny looking it can make you laugh.


The delectable fruit is a staple in Europe and the Middle East. It is nicknames the “mad fruit” because of its relationship to the deadly nightshade fruits such as belladonna. Because of its shape and color it was also nicknamed the “bad egg”.

Although eggplant has somewhat of a sketchy reputation and all nightshade fruits should be eaten in moderation by those with arthritis it has many health benefits. Eggplant's ample bioflavonoid may be beneficial in preventing strokes and hemorrhages. The fruit contains the phytochemical monoterpene, an antioxidant helpful in preventing heart disease and cancer. The National Cancer Institute has been researching the fruits of the nightshade family, especially eggplant, to see if they may inhibit the production of steroidal hormones that encourage tumor growth. Eggplant may also prevent the oxidation of cells that leads to cancer growth. And if you should encounter a scorpion bite, apply raw eggplant directly on the affected area!

Now if you love ratatouille, mousaka, eggplant parmesan and babba gouache, you’ll be really happy to know that the eggplant supplies such great nutrients not only helping to prevent disease but eggplant is a great addition to a dieter's menu with only 28 calories and 3 grams of sodium for 1 cup (240 ml) of boiled drained cubes. Almost fat-free, that quantity contains 0.2 grams of fat.

Although the eggplant is low in calories it is not very rich in vitamins, however it has a plus on the mineral side. Eggplant delivers 21.4 mg of calcium, 13.0 mg of magnesium, 248 mg of potassium, and 22 mg of phosphorous.

Interestingly the body needs potassium for muscle strength and the brain needs potassium to lift one from an apprehensive mood. Calcium of coarse builds strong bones, adequate levels of magnesium have been shown to positively affect mental health and phosphorous is needed for the transport of nutrients in and out of cells. Minerals are essential to both physical and mental health.

To boost the nutritional benefits, pair eggplant with other vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and peppers, which supply an abundance of vitamins.

Eggplants have become very popular in the US and are a major source of the cuisine of both Turkey and the Middle East. Next time you see an eggplant in the grocery store smile and think of this; There is a middle east saying that goes like this; "To dream of three aubergines is a sign of happiness."

Now that’s it… a recipe for happiness; found in a plump purple fruit!

A Recipe for Sex- French Kiss

Follow my daily blog for great healthy food tips and recipes for health, sex, happiness and love.

Doctor Lynn

A Recipe for Sex- French Kiss


The French are known for many things among them the French kiss. It was the Greeks and Greek mythology that first invented the kiss of the tongues. Zeus became angry with Erato the muse of love and poetry and punished her by forcing her to kiss all men that she met with the tip of her tongue. This wa a punishment that she distasted. Eventually she met and fell in love with a man who she lovingly kissed with the tip of her tongue. When their tongues met their souls were kissed. The French perfected this kiss and called it the “soul” kiss. Leave it to the French to drop themselves of the puritanical burden and perfect the art of a sexy kiss.

Besides French kissing and Paris, the French have Provence located in Southeastern France. It is home to many herbs among them lavender, thyme, basil and fennel. These herbs were picked fresh from the garden and used in cooking stews and to season meats and fish.

In the 11th and 12th Century, known as the Golden Age in Provence the troubadours broke away from the Latin influence and began to compose love songs and poetry of their own. The most famous troubadour was Folquet de Marseille whose love songs were famous throughout Europe and who was praised by Danti in the Divine Comedy.

Provence has always attracted writers and artist such as Edith Wharton, Summerset Maugham, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse.

The cuisine of Provence is a result of the warm Mediterranean climate although the terrain is rugged making it difficult to grow produce. Hearty vegetables, goats, cheeses and fish are stables of the diet. Bouillabaisse and ratatouille come from Provence.

The native drink is Pastis, liquor that is flavored with anise. But what does this all have to do with sex and French kissing? Just smell the fragrant air with blossoming herbs of thyme, basil, fennel and lavender. Each scent relaxes, invites and excites the senses. That’s why the French created Herbs de Provence, a mixture of these aromatic herbs to tempt the body, the mind and the soul. They touch the body with nutrients such as the B-complex and vitamins A, C, and D all known to support a healthy sex system. Fennel has been used to increase the libido in both men and women. Basil was used as a dusting powder to attract lovers because of its erotic scent.

All of these herbs, basil, thyme, fennel and lavender belong to the Labiatae family Labiatae herbs are culinary which indicate their affinity for digestive processes. The scent of these wonderful herbs is invigorating, stimulating, fiery and reawakening; making them an excellent combination for stimulating the sexual urges.

Herbs and their essence touch the soul in the same way a French kiss excites the tip of the tongue with a subtle force that brings the art of cuisine and love making to perfection.

A Kiss is not just a Kiss

Beware of the energy you create. Unfortunately most of us unconsiously create intense, dramatic, negative energy that manifest into an intense, dramatic, negative life. Try to consciously soften your demeanor and flow with the energy of life and watch life unfold with a simplicity that creates balance.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com/

A Recipe for Sex- French Kiss


The French are known for many things among them the French kiss. It was the Greeks and Greek mythology that first invented the kiss of the tongues. Zeus became angry with Erato the muse of love and poetry and punished her by forcing her to kiss all men that she met with the tip of her tongue. This wa a punishment that she distasted. Eventually she met and fell in love with a man who she lovingly kissed with the tip of her tongue. When their tongues met their souls were kissed. The French perfected this kiss and called it the “soul” kiss. Leave it to the French to drop themselves of the puritanical burden and perfect the art of a sexy kiss.

Besides French kissing and Paris, the French have Provence located in Southeastern France. It is home to many herbs among them lavender, thyme, basil and fennel. These herbs were picked fresh from the garden and used in cooking stews and to season meats and fish.

In the 11th and 12th Century, known as the Golden Age in Provence the troubadours broke away from the Latin influence and began to compose love songs and poetry of their own. The most famous troubadour was Folquet de Marseille whose love songs were famous throughout Europe and who was praised by Danti in the Divine Comedy.

Provence has always attracted writers and artist such as Edith Wharton, Summerset Maugham, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse.

The cuisine of Provence is a result of the warm Mediterranean climate although the terrain is rugged making it difficult to grow produce. Hearty vegetables, goats, cheeses and fish are stables of the diet. Bouillabaisse and ratatouille come from Provence.

The native drink is Pastis, liquor that is flavored with anise. But what does this all have to do with sex and French kissing? Just smell the fragrant air with blossoming herbs of thyme, basil, fennel and lavender. Each scent relaxes, invites and excites the senses. That’s why the French created Herbs de Provence, a mixture of these aromatic herbs to tempt the body, the mind and the soul. They touch the body with nutrients such as the B-complex and vitamins A, C, and D all known to support a healthy sex system. Fennel has been used to increase the libido in both men and women. Basil was used as a dusting powder to attract lovers because of its erotic scent.

All of these herbs, basil, thyme, fennel and lavender belong to the Labiatae family Labiatae herbs are culinary which indicate their affinity for digestive processes. The scent of these wonderful herbs is invigorating, stimulating, fiery and reawakening; making them an excellent combination for stimulating the sexual urges.

Herbs and their essence touch the soul in the same way a French kiss excites the tip of the tongue with a subtle force that brings the art cuisine and love making to perfection.

Summer 2011

It's the first day of summer 2011. Here in Los Angeles it is overcast and grey. It's amazing the impact a little sun has on our state of mind. Light, both natural and artificial influence our moods, health and outlook. Living here for 20 years I know that the sun will make it's appearance about 10AM each day through the summer months. I'll watch the sky clear and the rays of light poke through the haze and my mood will lift. In the mean time it's off to teach yoga and cycle.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com/

A Recipe for Health- Dig Deep


If you want to stay healthy dig deep down into the roots of your being- circulation. A sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to our health. Everyone knows we need to move the body to insure proper circulation, maintain strength and stay flexible but did you know that many food s can also help insure proper circulation? What’s so important about circulation?

Blood circulates throughout the body carrying nutrients to the organs, muscles and bones. This fresh blood is needed by the body to maintain health. When circulation is compromised parts of the body suffer. That’s why it is good to dif deep into your body and keep the blood throughout the body moving. But this blood moving around the body also needs to be supplied with nutrients.

Some foods that we eat enhance circulation and some foods like heavy fatty foods inhibit circulation. One simple food that is good for circulation is full of nutrients and is very cheap to buy, is radishes. Yes, those little bunches of red roots (and sometimes black) you see in the grocery store or are so easy to grow in your garden, are packed full of nutrients.

I am one of those people, who love a fresh radish. Its peppery clean taste seems to excite the taste buds while cleansing the palette. Bite into a radish and you can feel the slight jolt of heat. That’s the radish going to work to create circulation throughout your body.

The radish is a root vegetable. It’s very low in calories; about 16 calories per 100g. However they are a great source of anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and dietary fiber. Radishes are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are an excellent source of fiber. Radishes are an excellent source of copper, manganese and potassium as well as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc and sodium.

They also provide a very good supply of vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Vitamin C is a water soluble antioxidant required by the body for the synthesis of collagen and collagen is needed for healthy glowing skin.

B6 is an essential vitamin that has been found to help with carpel tunnel, skin problems, nervous disorders and mucus membranes. It also has been shown to help improve depression.

Folate is another important nutrient is found in radishes. A 2010 opinion article in the New York Times states that folate may be helpful in treating Alzheimer’s disease

In one of the earliest of myths, the hero Gilgamesh goes out in search of a plant that promises to give him immortality. It is the radish that he finds. Buddhism also references the radish as a food that has deep roots. The roots of the radish are like the feeling you get when you are inspired from some deep place within to make a move within your life or to create an object of beauty.

Staying Focused

Probably one of the hardest things for us to do is stay focused espeically in a world of constant and instant change. Focus means staying with the constant flow of energy that exist in the moment. Remember if you are doing something - as Zen teaches- such as doing the dishes - do the dishes- be present with your task at hand and learn from the simple things in life. Cook, prepare, eat and enjoy.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com/

A Dinner for health, sex, happiness and love


Uncork the bubbly! If you don’t have champagne open a nice bottle of chardonnay. You’ll need 1 cup of white wine or champagne for the poached salmon.

Start with eh salad: chill a salad plate and then cover it with mixed greens. Slice a ripe avocado and place slices on top of greens. Toss on a few cherry tomatoes and then sprinkle with slivered almonds and dried cranberries. For the dressing; a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar mixed and shaken.

In a small bread bowl put slices of toasted bread or rolls and olive oil for dipping.

The Main Course: this is a simple dinner that can be made ahead of time.

Chilled lemon Poached Salmon in wine:

3 cups of water

1 cup of white wine or champagne

1 lemon sliced

½ c sliced scallions

2 inch thick salmon steaks

In a large skillet, combine water, wine, lemon slices and scallions. Heat to boiling, add salmon steaks and cover. Recue heat to low. Simmer for 7to 10 minutes. Remove fish from liquid onto a platter and chill for at least one hour.

Zucchini-Potatoe Salad:

2 red potatoes cut into ¼ inch strips

1 medium zucchini cut into 1 ½ inch chunks

1 scallion sliced

2 T of fresh tarragon – leaves sliced

1 teaspoon of mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon of non-fat plain Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar

Fresh ground Pepper

In a small sauce pan, over medium heat, bring 1 inch of water to boiling. Add potatoes and cook for 7, toss in zucchini and continue to cook for another 3 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Drain and toss into a bowl where you have mixed together the mayonnaise, yogurt and balsamic vinegar. Toss and then add the tarragon and toss a little more. Sprinkle the top with pepper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Dill Sauce:

Mix together 2 tablespoons of non-fat plain Greek yogurt and 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise. Toss in chopped fresh dill and mix together – Chill. Save two nice sprigs of dill for garnish.

Place a salmon steak on the plate and top with a sprig of dill. Add a serving of potatoes salad and place about a tablespoon of dill sauce next tot eh salmon. Pour a glass of champagne or a nice chardonnay.

Dessert: I made a little honey cake (see recipe at back of book) and froze several pieces which I use for a dessert. I add a little passion fruit sorbet but you could add any flavor sorbet or a vanilla ice cream would be good.

This is a healthy, sexy, happy, and loving meal that is luxurious, good for you and affordable. Enjoy!

Pining for Europe

I find myself pining for the simplicity of Europe. The quality of life is simpler, slower and yet vibrant with culture and art. Some how Los Angeles seems a bit dule and very crowded. But it's back to work...posting my book and keeping my focus on the end goal.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com/


A Recipe for Love


"There is no sight on earth more appealing than the sight of a woman making dinner for someone she loves."

Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

The table is set with yellow daffodils, colorful plates, candles and sparkling champagne glasses. The lights are dimmed. The room is alive with the smell of a home cooked meal. Could love be in the air?

We begin with a salad of fresh herbal greens topped with cherry tomatoes, slices of avocado and a sprinkling of dried cranberries and sliced almonds. The salad is carefully prepared with health and taste in mind. Love thinks about the little things that will make a meal an expression of appreciation and caring. The avocado is good for heart health and circulation. The cranberries are good for the bladder, the tomatoes and their lycopene are an antioxidant that is good for the heart and preventing cancer.

The champagne is popped and a toast is made to good health. As we begin to eat I explain the reason for each morsel on the salad. I especially mention the avocado and its sexual properties. Mention a little sex and watch a man’s expression change. He’ll put down his fork and give you a wink and then begin to search through the salad for all the chunks of avocado.

The main course is salmon poached in wine and potato and zucchini salad. On the side is a little dill sauce with a sprig of dill placed neatly over the salmon. I see the love in his eyes as he looks at the plate so neatly arranged. He knows this took thought and time. Isn’t this what love is really about?

Love at its deepest level understands, cares, appreciates and does for another thing that wouldn’t be done for anyone else. Love undersntads moods and preferences. Love cares about safety and welfare as well as happiness. Love appreciates the totality of humanness. Love doesn’t look for perfection. Love understands that we are all a little imperfect and vulnerable. Love protects and love makes sure health and welfare are the primary focus.

Cook a meal with thoughtfulness and you will have a recipe for love.

Staying Focused

It's difficult to stay focused in a world that is constantly moving and changing. The person who reaches their goal never gives up and looks for the opportunities that exist everywhere. Today I'm heading off to take a cycle class at a private studio with the goal of pitching the owner for a teaching slot. But the book... here it is the next post.

Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com/


A Recipe for Happiness- Go Fishing


Got the blues? Need a little happiness lift? Eat your omega -3 fatty acids or fish that is! When we think of eating fish we think of heart health but fish high in omega-3 fatty acids also appears to help with mild forms of depression. Studies indicate that omega-3 fatty acids may help alleviate some of the symptoms of mild depression. When subjects were given omega-3 supplements along with their anti depressants there was a slight improvement in mood. Furthermore omega-3 fatty acids appear to be helpful with attention deficit disorder.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for human health. The body does not produce omega-3 so we must get them from our diet. Salmon and other cold water fish are an excellent source as well as flax seed oil and bean oils. I preferred flax seed oil as the fish oil gives me an after taste.

But can that little pink salmon sliver of essential goodness really bring us happiness? Well just ask a bear during salmon season or river dwelling people who have depended upon the salmon’s return each year.

Salmon typically (depending upon the particular species) spend one to five years in the open ocean where they sexually mature. Then they make the great migration back to their birth place to spawn. The exact understanding of how they do this is not fully understood but scientist believes it has to do with their keen sense of smell. Seems the olfactory system (sense of smell) locks into the memory system the exact route back home.

Now that’s a happy thought for someone like me who has no sense of direction. If I could just smell my way home I wouldn’t need to learn how to use that navigation system. I could be anywhere, anytime and simply smell my way back. Now I wonder; if I eat lots of salmon will I improve my smell brain and thus my sense of direction?

So tonight I decide to make salmon for dinner and give it a test. Will the thought and the smell of fresh poached salmon send my husband running home with amorous thoughts? Would it make us spawn? No that’s another thought – let’s just stick with happiness.

Ancient mythology tells us that Salmon was associated with wisdom and venerability. In Celtic mythology fish and more specifically salmon were consulted for their wisdom and eaten so that the wisdom would be imparted upon the hero. It was believed that the Salmon ate the nine hazelnuts of wisdom, the primary source of wisdom in Celtic lore. The Salmon is associated with prophecy and inspiration because of its ability to find it distance spawning grounds.

The Salmon’s flesh is pink, although sometimes white. The Atlantic salmon tends to be farm raised where the Pacific salmon tends to be wild. I live on the Pacific Ocean which makes me only too happy to eat the salmon on the West Coast. Artificial chemicals do affect mood.

Pink is a color that has a soothing effect. It is said to reduce anxiety, calm frazzled nerves and relieve stress. Pink is emotionally comforting. It makes us feel happy. Eat Salmon and be happy!

Back To Reality

It's the beginning of a new week and I'm back in Los Angles time with Europe slowly waning away. So now it's time to get back to work- although met with a lttle resistance work is good for the body, the mind and the soul.

A Recipe for Health -Is Champagne good for your health?


Yes it is! You thought it was only red wine and now you know it’s also champagne. Wow we can now drink ourselves to health. Well not exactly. Studies show that those who drink a glass or may-be two of wine a day live longer, are healthier, have better cognition, improved sex life and are generally over all happier than those who either don’t drink or drink too much. There are many reasons for this conclusion.

Wine specifically helps you to relax. It is especially good when dining. It improves circulation and improved circulation is good for both the brain inside your head and the brain below the belt. Blood and good circulation bring nutrients to the organs of our body. So we do have the ability to both think and procreate at the same time; although few of us use both our brains when making “whoopee.”

Wine is high in antioxidants and phenols which are good for our health by helping the body to fight off free radicals. Free radicals bombard our being every day including pollution, poor diet, aging and stress. Wine and more specifically all alcohol may just in fact help to kill bacteria from food that could make us sick. After all alcohol is an antiseptic and as a drinkable substance it may in fact be true that a drink of wine with a meal keeps the gut free of bad bacteria. In Biblical times wine was drank instead of water because water was not sanitary and because both wine and beer provided sustenance.

Now champagne is also shown to be good for your health or more specifically good for the mind. Champagne according to a study in The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry is packed full of those wonderful polyphenols, chemical substances derived from plants that are antioxidants which help cells avoid destruction from free radicals. The study showed that a group of neuron cells penetrated with champagne extracts demonstrated significant protection against damage to the brain.

The reason for this they concluded was the caffeic acid and tyrosol antioxidants in champagne contain anti-inflammatory characteristics. This keeps the cells protected against damage. Furthermore, caffeic acid and tyrosol also have the ability to remove toxic chemicals from the body. So although we think of champagne as a celebratory drink it actually may truly be a toast to your health.

My $300.00 bottle of champ age (given as a gift) Dom Pe’rignon 1996 may well have been worth the price. (See blog archives for more on the $300.00 bottle) Perhaps that is the question. Is a $300.00 bottle better for brain health than a $50.00 bottle or are they virtually the same? Does it count if you open a bottle….and well you know….once you open the bottle it needs to be finished? I think not. I think it also means a glass or two to your health and beyond that you’ve had too much to drink. But it is so much fun to drink champagne.

When I think of champagne I remember back to a couple of weddings I attended where the primary drink was champagne. Those were very jovial celebrations. Can you remember your champagne celebrations? Most likely they were some of the times we remember the most; weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, engagements and so on. So bring them on; Dom Pe’rignons, The Venue Clicquots and the Louie Roederers with all their healthful antioxidants and joyous bliss for it is always a time to celebrate when we drink to our health.

A Recipe for Great Sex – You are what you eat

According to an array of commercials great sex can be had through the ingestion of pills, shampoos, make-up, clothes, cars, vacation…you name it…sex sells. But the real truth is that great sex begins with good health and good health begins with a healthy diet.

On the scene arrive the avocado; a sexy fruit. I know you thought it was a vegetable but actually it is a fruit that is related to the same family as cinnamon and bay laurel. It is high in essential fatty acids, potassium and B vitamins; all nutrients that are good for sexual health. Native to Mexico it was called the fertility fruit. The name avocado actually means testicle; named because it was believe to make a man virile. In some ancient cultures at harvest time women were not allowed to come out of their homes while the men were harvesting the fruit.

However it take a more than an avocado to create great sex. Just like great guacamole, where the avocado must be fresh and mixed with a good salsa; great sex needs to be ripe and spicy. An avocado is just an avocado until it ripens and blends into a smooth and tasty dish. So how do you ripen into the mood and spice things up?

Oh the mood…that’s the secret to great sex. Without the right mood sex is, well just sex. It’s becomes an act of obligation. Is it any wonder we lose the desire for sex once it becomes as plentiful as a new crop of avocados? I live in Los Angles where avocados are a major fruit. When the avocados season is here we are inundated with cheap and plentiful green looking testicles things that are hard and bitter. They come in bunches and seem to all ripen at the same time. So even though they are cheap and plentiful buying one at a time and letting it ripen to perfection is better than paying less and then rushing through a half dozen or more ripened fruit.

If we let sex ripen slowly until it is soft and sweet we might just find that sex like the avocado becomes a sexy fruit. Start with the idea of sex and then let it ripen with several hours of foreplay. Tease it like you tease an avocado; slowly let the skin get dark and flush. Give it time.

Then gently slice open the moment, revealing the inner seed of desire surrounded by soft creamy fleshy goodness. Peel away the outer protective skin, softly massage the inner meat and then revel in the sweet taste of passion.

I bet you didn’t know that an avocado could be so sexy? Great sex is all about the interplay. If an avocado is just another thing to eat it becomes common place. But when an avocado is appreciated for all its nuances it becomes a thing of passion. Want great sex? Take your time, let things ripen and appreciate the passion of the moment.


A Recipe for Happiness- Go Fishing


Got the blues? Need a little happiness lift? Eat your omega -3 fatty acids or fish that is! When we think of eating fish we think of heart health but fish high in omega-3 fatty acids also appears to help with mild forms of depression. Studies indicate that omega-3 fatty acids may help alleviate some of the symptoms of mild depression. When subjects were given omega-3 supplements along with their anti depressants there was a slight improvement in mood. Furthermore omega-3 fatty acids appear to be helpful with attention deficit disorder.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for human health. The body does not produce omega-3 so we must get them from our diet. Salmon and other cold water fish are an excellent source as well as flax seed oil and bean oils. I preferred flax seed oil as the fish oil gives me an after taste.

But can that little pink salmon sliver of essential goodness really bring us happiness? Well just ask a bear during salmon season or river dwelling people who have depended upon the salmon’s return each year.

Salmon typically (depending upon the particular species) spend one to five years in the open ocean where they sexually mature. Then they make the great migration back to their birth place to spawn. The exact understanding of how they do this is not fully understood but scientist believes it has to do with their keen sense of smell. Seems the olfactory system (sense of smell) locks into the memory system the exact route back home.

Now that’s a happy thought for someone like me who has no sense of direction. If I could just smell my way home I wouldn’t need to learn how to use that navigation system. I could be anywhere, anytime and simply smell my way back. Now I wonder; if I eat lots of salmon will I improve my smell brain and thus my sense of direction?

So tonight I decide to make salmon for dinner and give it a test. Will the thought and the smell of fresh poached salmon send my husband running home with amorous thoughts? Would it make us spawn? No that’s another thought – let’s just stick with happiness.

Ancient mythology tells us that Salmon was associated with wisdom and venerability. In Celtic mythology fish and more specifically salmon were consulted for their wisdom and eaten so that the wisdom would be imparted upon the hero. It was believed that the Salmon ate the nine hazelnuts of wisdom, the primary source of wisdom in Celtic lore. The Salmon is associated with prophecy and inspiration because of its ability to find it distance spawning grounds.

The Salmon’s flesh is pink, although sometimes white. The Atlantic salmon tends to be farm raised where the Pacific salmon tends to be wild. I live on the Pacific Ocean which makes me only too happy to eat the salmon on the West Coast. Artificial chemicals do affect mood.

Pink is a color that has a soothing effect. It is said to reduce anxiety, calm frazzled nerves and relieve stress. Pink is emotionally comforting. It makes us feel happy. Eat Salmon and be happy!

Doctorlynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com/

Chapter one

Chapter one – Getting around to it


I have my theme, I’ve gathered my recipes, my husband is on board, I’m motivated, I finally have the time, I have a computer ( so the work is easy) and being self disciplined I’m ready to get down to the hard work of writing this book.

Each day for five days a week I’ve posted a page of this book on my blog. I told myself that if I’m writing a daily blog I might as well multi task and make it into a book. Monday I write a recipe for health, Tuesday a recipe for sex, Wednesday a recipe for happiness and Thursday a recipe for love. On Friday I shared a recipe for a meal that incorporates health, sex, happiness and love into a set of directions with a list of ingredients for preparing and making a meal based upon health, sex, happiness and love. What else could there be?

If you follow the daily recipes you see how a well thought out meal can bring health, sex, happiness and love into your life. Breaking bread should be more than simply filling the tank. There is nothing more satisfying than enjoying a wonderful meal, carefully prepared for and with those you love.

You won’t need a gourmet kitchen or fancy cookware to make these meals. The ingredients are simple, the recipes are uncomplicated and directions are easy to follow. Anyone can cook a meal but not everyone takes the time to develop an awareness of the process by which we all derive life and that is through the sustenance of food, which supports out health, sex, love and happiness.

I’ve arranged some of the recipes to be complete meal. Others are a dessert or appetizer that also supports health, sex, happiness and love. You can rearrange them to fit your taste. And even if you never cook one of these recipes you’ll learn how to order food in a restaurant that will become more than simply a meal to be eaten. Food will become an expression. For example: you’ll eat salmon not because it’s supposed to be good for you but because it is both good for your heart health, circulation and for lifting your mood. It’s a healthy and happy food and you’ll know why.

I am a Naturopathic Doctor by education. A naturopath looks at the world through natural eyes and organic senses. That does not mean organic in the commercial sense. Today the media is full of organic praises for this and that. It means that we look at the natural aspect of things and how they affect our being. Food or diet is the essence of health. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine said “let food be thy medicine.” And why is good food essential to health? Because the body-mind derives life, health and continuation from the essential elements found in food. We need vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, sugars, fats, salts and water to sustain life and those elements can only be found in whole and natural foods. The human body-mind was design to operate efficiently based upon the right ratio of nutrients. We did not evolve under artificial light and on processed foods.

We need a healthy supportive diet to survive and to thrive. We need variety, as found in nature to insure we get all the essential nutrients we need. Nature provides all that we need to survive in a healthy and prosperous manner.

Take a little time and look around you, especially at the rich color of whole foods. Smell the freshness and marvel at the design. Lift your palette to a new height by trying different foods. Open yourself up to different cultures through the experience of cuisine.

There is a branch of yoga; Annamaya-Kosha that is the branch of yoga dedicated to conscious eating. The branch of yoga teaches us to consciously inspect and be aware of the foods and drinks we take into our being for the essence of our being is reflected in our health and our health is dependent upon what we eat and drink. Moderation is the key. All things in moderation bring about balance. When we think of yoga or spirituality and diet we often think of being vegetarian or a vegan. But even the Buddha believed that destroying a tree for commercial use was more harmful than eating a piece of meat. It’s not the meat but the choice that you make to bring vitality to your body. The simple question is; will this bring vitality to the body-mind. It is about promoting the ideals of a long and healthy life, which means to consciously promote health rather than a focus on the eradication of disease.

The ideals of a long and healthy life means that we experience radiant health which includes vitality and adaptability, sexual vigor and response, mental keenness, love, compassion, harmonious relationships, happiness and wisdom.

The joy in doing something that sparks passion and excitement while at the same time brings balance and health to one’s life is probably the ultimate in living a fulfill life. Fulfillment is different for each person. We all have our own unique talents and goals. Sharing with others the fruits of our labors, especially through food and drink touches the body, the mind and the soul. Therefore be conscious of the all that you think, say and do.



I mention this branch of yoga because I am dedicated to the practice of yoga. It has taught me many things among them the path of balance. Many spiritual people believe that we should always choose good over pleasure and that eating and drinking some foods and beverages is a pleasure. Good becomes defined as living a very austere life where one denies all pleasure in favor of choosing what is considered the “good” path. But if we choose good and there is no pleasure in choosing the good; just how long will we stay on the path of good?

By nature we are programmed to seek out pleasure. It is what gives essence to life. Our senses are wired to respond to pleasure. The secret is found in balance and moderation. The pleasure found in consuming food and drink can also be good for you and good food and good drink can also be pleasurable. It is best not to deny yourself all pleasure in pursuit of the “good”, because good at the expense of all pleasure usually leads to destruction. Therefore seek balance in all things and in all things find balance. This is the essence of good and pleasurable living.

All the recipes in this book are made from foods that are good for you and that will bring vitality to your being. After all, health, sexuality, happiness and love are the essence of living a full and vital life. What else could one want? More money? Many people with lots of money are not living a very vital life. When health, sexuality, happiness and love are missing life is dull. Enjoy the moments of pleasure and good balanced with thoughtfulness.

Each day, for four days, for one year, I have written a page with a recipe for health, sex, happiness, and love. On the fifth day of the week I have given you recipes for creating a meal that will bring health, sexuality, happiness and love into your life. Whether you cook these meals or not you will learn something about the foods you eat and how to bring vitality and balance into your life.

Within many texts there are hidden meanings. There are allegories that lead to a deep understanding of the essence of life. Often times these are missed in search of something more profound. Nature in all her wisdom provides everything we need to be healthy, sexy, happy and loving. We need look no farther than our pantry shelf to find the secret to the mysteries of life. Life after all is simply nature unfolding in all her grace and glory; enduring because of health, sex, happiness and love.

As you move through the pages in this book think about the yoga of eating. Think consciously about the foods you consume and the foods you prepare. Think consciously about the health of your body, mind and soul and how goodness and pleasure can co-exist in harmonious and fruitful ways. Although this is a cookbook of sorts it’s also a recipe for bringing health, happiness, sex, love and ultimately peace to the body, the mind and the soul.

Look for the hidden meanings and allegories tucked neatly with the text. Search to discover something more meaningful than simply cooking a meal. When you find it you will recognize it. It was given to me and I will pass it on to you. I have a gift for you. Don’t rush. Take your time and you will find it when the time is right tucked neatly within the pages ahead. Remember don’t miss the journey in a hurry to reach your destination.

There are no secrets only thoughts, words and deeds to be shared. Let me share this thought, these words and deed with you…

Attaining wisdom is the ultimate goal in life. But wisdom can only come about through knowledge and knowledge only comes about through experience and experience only comes about through doing. So just get up and do it!





Ten Things I learned about cooking



1. Every oven is different. Always adjust the recipe cooking time to the idiosyncrasies of your oven. Thanks Mom!

2. Always use the right size pans. Size matters.

3. Always be willing to experiment. How many times did it take Edison to get it right?

4. If at first you don’t succeed; try, try again. Don’t stop one foot from the gold.

5. Cooking is therapeutic. Sometimes it’s better than a stiff drink.

6. Cooking is an art that is colorful, pleasing and tasteful. Thank you Andy Warhol.

7. The energy you put into cooking will present itself in the meal. Cook with love.

8. Add your own special flair to what you cook. Too many cooks spoil the stew.

9. Not everyone is going to like everything you cook. Everyone has different taste.

10. Always thank the cook. You never know when you are going to need a meal. No matter what appreciate the time, energy and thoughtfulness of a home cooked meal.

Upon my return from Europe

How different the culture, the food, the mood, the attitudes and the value of the dollar when you visit Europe. The wine is superb but the food is hit or miss. The ingredients are most always fresh and nicely prepared but sometimes lack in flavor and flair. However there are the times you stumble upon wonderful bread, delicious cheese and something sweet and unique. In Amsterdam the bread is hearty. The “dutchies” love their bread and take great pride in it. But sadly their food is a bit bland and very heavy. Bruges is known for frites, mussels, stews, waffles, beer and chocolate. The frites were very good but I had better chips in London. The mussels in Maine fresh from the bay are far superior to Belgium. The waffles are good but not my favorite dish. But the white asparagus cooked in Belgium spices and a light sauce with a Carbonnade ( rich beef stew flavored with beer and onions) were divine. As for the beer – I don’t care for beer. I think the German’s do it better. The chocolate was rich and delicious but I don’t need to go all the way to Belgium for chocolates.

The food is rather plain in London but like I said the chips were delicious. We stumbled into a small craft fair with a stand selling homemade tarts. We bought a passion fruit tart that I am still savoring. The best tart I have ever had in my life. The French are known for good food but it is far too rich and heavy for me. The first night we had escargot and cassoulet. My arteries were clogged with duck fat for three days. We did have some French goat cheese that was the best I’ve ever had but that’s not saying much for the French. However I think if we had stayed a few more days we would have found those delightful little belongere and bistros that serve wonderful food.

So now I’m back to Los Angeles and ready to resume my work and my projects. It is good to get away but always good to get back to the United States. Even with all the scandals, issues, problems and concerns, things are pretty good here at home.

If you have any questoins about Europe - shoot me an email info@doctorlynn.com
http://www.doctorlynn.com/