Meditation and a recipe

Something that was scribbled down on my resolution list earlier this year was to spend more time in meditation.

It seems to be one of those things that slips my mind until I reach over at night to turn off my lamp. By the time I lay my head down on the pillow, I'm too tired to get up and situate myself to meditate.

I know all the reasons why I should, but it seems to be something that is hardly an aspect of my life. But I want it to be-so for the next 21 days, I'm setting aside 5 minutes (5 minutes!!! barely any time at all) and then graduating to 10 and to 15 minutes to quiet my mind, and let the voice within speak.

One of my favorite meditations is called a monkey mind meditation. It's a basic meditation, but great to show how your mind hops around like a monkey. So here's how you can practice it:

Find a comfortable seated position-better if your hips are a little elevated with a meditation pillow, regular pillow, or block. This makes it much easier to sit for an extended period of time. (something else that makes it easier-YOGA! For real-ancient yogis practiced yoga so that they could sit for hours at a time in meditation so they would be able to reach enlightenment. Your body has to be in pretty good shape for it. Don't believe me? Try it :))

Close your eyes and breathe your normal everyday breath.

On an inhale, think rising.
On an exhale, think falling.

Continue this for a few breaths, and then begin to count backwards from 100 on the exhale.

Rising...100...rising...99...rising...98...etc.

As soon as your lose track of your number, start back at 100. I did this last night, and got down to 75, then skipped 74 and 73, and went straight to 72.

Give it a try the next time you meditate and see what you think.

Now for a delicious recipe.

Applesauce:

5-6 lbs. Paula red or macintosh apples
cinnamon
nutmeg
allspice
water

Peel the apples and cut the fruit away from the core and place into a pot.

Add in spices to your delight! Above are 3 of my favorites.

Add in a little water to the pot so the apples don't burn. Remember you can always add more, but you can't take any out. Start with 1/2 a cup and go from there.

Cook apples on stove top on Medium-Hi heat until the apples are broken down.

I like really chunky applesauce so I turn off the heat when there are still lumps in the sauce. If you like really smooth sauce, you can put it through the blender.

Here is a website that categorizes apples and if they are better for baking or eating. Not all apples are good baking apples. Good baking apples should have a mealy inside-it means the sugar content is high enough for baking, and that the apples will break down nicely in sauce or even a delish pie! (both apples named above are my favorites for baking)

This apple sauce is yummy and could even be eaten for a healthy dessert. Also great for breakfast!

Enjoy!