Have you ever had a time where you are not motivated to do what you know you could do to make things a whole lot better? Have you ever felt like your world that you are in is closing in on you and you cannot see a happy ending? Have you been hoping that something would happen, and then you get so disappointed that you just feel like nothing worse could happen? Have you ever loved someone so much and lost them? Have you been hoping to be healed, but it seems it will never happen? Have you ever tried as hard as you can over and over again, and you are out of energy, disappointed, and discouraged?

Well, that is how it is supposed to be sometimes, because without pain you would be weak. If you did not have hard times, if you don’t get knocked down, then you would not get stronger. A wise person told me, “In life the test comes first and then the lesson.” The MOST important thing to remember is to BE PATIENT!

Most of us think we can set our own times, follow some great plan, and everything will become great. Then, we get upset, lose hope, make ourselves sick, become ugly because we think we control the universe and we cannot create a piece of dirt! We must keep trying and be PATIENT, take a break sometimes, and help someone too. PATIENCE is a ‘key’ that unlocks doors to impossible feats. PATIENCE is moving steadily ahead, no matter the obstacle.

PATIENCE means taking a break and then finding a way. PATIENCE is cooking from scratch, instead of eating out. You may think small tasks that you can make time for (you have time, just make it) are not important. Small things, like cooking a healthy meal, or spending time with someone teach you PATIENCE for bigger things that life throws at you. It takes PATIENCE to get healthier without taking drugs. PATIENCE is taking the pain and searching for a cure. PATIENCE is practicing difficult tasks that you think you cannot do. Just know that with patience you will get what you want; that’s just how the universe works. You just don’t know when, so work at it, and be PATIENT!

Here are some helpful quotes: Just believe!

There is only one thing you will ever really know; there is only one of everything.

Move with faith, not with sight. Don’t limit yourself to waves of light.

You may not be what you think you are, but what you think, you are. -anonymous

In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside you. -Deepok Chopra

You are just a piece of a big jigsaw puzzle in the universe…Deepok Chopra

Believe, trust, accept everything is working directly for your benefit.

Unlearn everything you knew a second ago, and learn something new.

Copy something in nature, like a tree or a leaf, and change your perspective for that piece of nature, and then change again.

You can’t truly love until you have the discipline and perseverance to let go of what you love; let go of your desire.

Nothing is ever bad, you just missed the mark this time; try again.

If you take 2 steps backwards, only take one step forward to get back on track.- Sparkpeople.com

There is no ‘coincidence’, you just co- in- cided with your destiny; absorb it and learn from it.

The cure is the sickness; look within. -Ibn Sina

If you cannot fix it, then leave it alone, it will fix itself. -Ibn Sina

You are not becoming successful; you ARE successful, so just be!

Do you ever contemplate who you are and what your destiny is? Do you know what kind of person you are inside and what you imagine you could be? Do you wonder if you could be wealthy and living with everything you need and want? Well, I do! It is called meditating and connecting with your inner self. Yes, it is safe to talk to yourself or you can call it “meditation.” It means you are realizing who you really are and what you want to accomplish. Asking yourself questions like these or any that you can think of, allows your mind to create connections with nature and harness the power of the universe. This may sound supernatural, but it will work if you just meditate. Your words don’t have to be loud, but you can use your inside voice. You’re probably wondering how this relates to food.

When you start realizing who you are within you will start planning to get there. One of the first things you need to get there is power! You need a powerful mind, body, and spirit or a powerful self to accomplish a stellar life that you become content, happy, and you have the ability to overcome life’s challenges. You need to have resilience, energy, and the right attitude to attract wonderful relationships, lifestyle, and anything you want. The power of healthy, nutritious food is the most important thing you need to start. Why? Because food is our basic source of energy that makes us who we are. Food is not just for us to enjoy; it is a way for us to connect with ourselves and others. Consider that even if you starve yourself, your body will eat away at itself; it will eat to survive. So why not do more than survive on food? Why not eat food that is nutritious, filled with cells that are alive and energized, and communicate; just like cells in your body?

Here is a recipe to start for breakfast, on the go, or dessert.

Power Granola Bars                                   20-30 bars

1 cup Panella, or raw sugar

1 cup water

Boil until sugar is dissolved. Then,

mix in a separate bowl,

4 cups whole oats

1 cup dry roasted, unsalted sunflower seeds

2 cups dates, chopped

1  cup whole wheat flower

1 cup coconut

1 cup frozen or fresh cranberries

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup honey

Add sugar/water mixture and mix well. Press into greased sheet pan to about 1/2 to 1 inch thick. Press firmly and bake  @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Apples, cinnamon, and sugar are delicious and healthy for you too. Apples have tons of natures healing compounds; like fiber, flavonoids, antioxidants, polyphenols (steroids), vitamins and minerals.

Cinnamon is a hot food that will boost your metabolism and is full of antioxidants. It is an excellent detoxifier and contains vitamin A, which is good for your skin and hair.

Honey (sugar) is excellent for energy building and is contains steroids from its aromatic compounds; you can detect these from the smell and taste. This is the body’s preferred source of carbs vs white sugar. Honey’s antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial compounds make it a food that rivals any other sugar found in nature.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil has amazing health benefits. Taking 2 tablespoons a day is known to help with anti aging, diabetes, heart disease, and skin and hair growth. It contains tons of antioxidants and is an excellent source of plant fat which helps with immune function; it contains oleic acid as part of its monounsaturated fats. You will have to eat sunflower oil and seeds if you want omega-3, because olive oil is higher in a different compound that will also help prevent dementia.

A healthy suggestion: Apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, honey, and olive oil on your salad everyday or whenever you eat salad. Throw away anything else. Here is the recipe for ​Mary’s Apple Cider Vinaigrette.

Berries and greens, like spinach, are great for your health because one complement the other. Both contain high amounts of vitamin B for energy. Your body needs the vitamin C from berries to help break down the minerals in greens, nuts, and seeds. Always eat greens, nut, and seeds with vitamin C rich foods, or with acids; you can also cook them.

Red berries contain high amounts of vitamin C and tons of antioxidants, fiber, and acids that heal.
Greens, nuts, and seeds are high in calcium, iron, and other minerals that will boost your immune function, oxygenate your blood, protect your heart, and help rebuild strong cells.
Here is a recipe for ​Mary’s Strawberry, Spinach, and Almond Milkshake.