Annette Pieper Your Harmonic Life Specialist

Tomorrow is leap day in this leap year. I invite you on this less common day of the year to consider taking a leap of faith in a direction that you have been feeling the call to go. Whether that is with your career, starting your own business, in a relationship, with your health, etc.

Call on the metaphor of the “Fool” card in the tarot, stepping off the ledge into the unknown.

“In your life’s defining moments there are two choices — you either step forward in faith and power or you step backward into fear.” –James Arthur Ray

Read the full article here

Namaste,

Annette

Find your heart or your soul’s desire; that seems like such a nice comment but what does it really mean? Does it mean to abandon where we are in our lives and head a different direction? Does it mean leaving a frustrating situation to find peace? Does it mean quiting our job to do our dream job.

I think the better comment would be to put your heart and soul into your life and your bliss will follow.

When you are present in your life, and look at your life and at even your challenges with heart and soul, you will begin to naturally find the desires of your heart and soul and begin to gravitate towards them.

Your heart’s desire is not out there somewhere, it is now; in the present moment, right inside of you.

“Your vision will become clear
only when you look into your heart …
Who looks outside, dreams.
Who looks inside, awakens.”

~ Carl Jung (1875-1961), Psychologist ~

We have talked about the heart in terms of nutrition and of course we know the effects of exercise on the heart. Yet the heart is so much more than just a pump or a set of arteries through which blood flows. The heart is the most powerful organ in the body.

Your heart produces 5000 times more energy than your brain. The heart is the first thing that develops upon conception, before any other organ. We hold an incredible amount of power in our heart.

According to The Heart Math Institute, the heart has a language all of its own. Part of keeping the heart healthy is to understand the language of the heart.

The heart is affected by more than just nutrition and exercise. Feelings and emotions also contribute to the health of the heart. Some of the feelings that have a negative impact on the heart are extended grief, sadness, depression, anger, stress, frustration, vengence, jealousy, fear and anxiety.

Feelings and emotions that have a positive impact on the heart are joy, compassion, gratitude, unconditional love, empathy, a feeling of harmony, optimism, a sense of purpose, light hearteness and laughter.

Even though the negative feelings are part of the human experience, it is important that we learn how to shift to the positive as quickly as we can. One way to make the shift is to honor yourself for experiencing the emotion and feeling and ask yourself what the gift or opportunity is that is being presented to you at the moment. Look for the joy and understanding in that gift.

Namaste,

Annette

Beans, beans, are good for the heart, the more you eat the more you…well you know the rest. Beans may reduce the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer. They are packed with fiber, protein, antioxidants and iron. Beans are the ultimate fiber-packed food so add them gradually to your diet and ease their transition in your gut. Studies have shown that eating high fiber foods like beans helps to prevent heart disease.

Here is my Heart Healthy 2 Bean Chili Recipe, ©2005:

1 lb. Ground Turkey breast or Extra Lean Ground Beef
2 cans (14.5 oz.) Crushed or Diced Tomatoes
2 cans (14.5 oz.) Tomato Sauce
1 can (4 oz.) Green chiles, chopped
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2-1 jalepeno, minced (optional)
1 small sweet potato, cooked and pureed (sweetens and thickens or 3 tbsp. raw sugar)
5 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
2 beef bullion cubes
1/4-1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cans (14.5 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans (14.5 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
3 tbsp. red wine or apple cider vinegar
Grated cheddar cheese and fresh chopped cilantro to garnish

1. In 6 qt. stock pot or dutch oven, brown ground meat and drain off fat.

2. Add all ingredients except beans, vinegar, cheese and cilantro. Stir well, bring to a bowl over high heat stirring frequently then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until onions and peppers are cooked and onions are soft.

3. Add the beans to chili mixture, stir to mix well. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.

4. Stir in vinegar and serve, topping with grated cheese and cilantro.

You can also make this vegetarian. It makes a big batch so you can freeze some or feed a small army. It is very thick and chunky so if you want less chunk, cut down to 2 cans of beans. I also recommend using organic ingredients in this recipe.

What you get: Heart healthy beans. Antioxident and phytonutrient rich tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, sweet potato, cocoa, oregano and cilantro. Metabolism boosting chili powders, and apple cider vinegar.

Absolutely delicious! Enjoy!!!

Namaste,

Annette

February is American Heart Month, a month set aside to bring awareness to the nation’s number one killer which is heart disease. This month I will be writing some posts about heart health.

“Go red” or “wear red” have become national mantras to help promote heart-health during February. We are encouraged to eat red to protect our hearts. Americans are encouraged to discover the power of eating heart-healthy, antioxidant rich red foods (does not include red meat) during the first-ever National Eat Red Week, Feb. 4-10.

Why red? Science and studies suggests the pigments that make up the red color in many fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, cherries, gogi berries, and rasberries are powerful disease-fighting, heart healthy antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation associated with atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries and may reduce certain risk factors for heart disease.

This week, eat red and wear red to show support and awareness towards your own heart. Click here to find an easy strategy for going RED in your diet.

Namaste,

Annette