Balance

Will we ever be able to find it??? Is it even possible in this topsy-turvy world we live in? Is complete balance something we can attain, or is it just enough to say that we are working toward it. There are so many areas in our lives where finding the balance can help us be so much more effective, and accomplish so much more in our days. Balance with work, balance with family, balance with friends, balance with exercise, balance with spirituality, balance with thought, balance with food, balance with self...Sounds a bit overwhelming?!?!

We can get pretty good at multitasking and trying to keep everything in check, not letting any one thing take too much importance or overpowering the others. This is not easy and we can get too focused on one or two areas in our lives and they seem to take over. Keeping the balance is like standing on a platform that it tipping and tilting on all sides and you have to try and remain on your feet the whole time you are on it. We need all these aspects of our lives to remain on equal ground, one not taking over the other, this is where the balance comes in. Being aware of this is half the battle, the other half is making it happen.

My personal opinion is that complete balance is nearly impossible to maintain, but we should never give up trying, putting out the effort to keep our lives steady and calm, being at peace with the challenges that come our way. Sometimes the harder you work at things the more difficult they become, the resistance can take over your focus. Try to stay in the middle of that platform, the place of calm, and when it starts to rock and roll, stay centered and present. Being aware of what is going on around you but not running to one side or the other, staying centered in an effort t keep the balance. Your life is important and all areas that keep you going and keep you happy and healthy need to be present every day, this is balance.

Spanish Paella

• 2 chicken breasts (medium)

• 1/4 onion (small)

• 10 grape tomatoes

• 1 Tbsp oil

• 2 cups rice (dry)

• saffron threads

• 2 tsp paprika

• 2 tsp dried parsley

• 1 tsp red chili powder

• 1/2 tsp crushed garlic

• 1/2 tsp turmeric

• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth

• 1 lb cooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

• salt/pepper

• 1 lemon

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into cubes.

2. Chop the onion and grape tomatoes.

3. Cook the onion and chicken in the oil over medium-high heat in a skillet for about 5 minutes.

4. Place a cover over the skillet for about 3 minutes to keep chicken from drying out.

5. Add in the dry rice, crushed saffron threads, paprika, parsley, red chili powder, garlic, and turmeric.

6. Stir for about 3 minutes.

7. Add in the broth and bring to a boil for 5 minutes.

8. Cover and allow to simmer for 15 minutes (or until rice is soft), sometimes the rice might take a little longer to cook.

9. Add in the shrimp and tomatoes.

10. Cook for another 3 minutes (or until the shrimp is cooked/opaque)

11. Serve with fresh lemon slices and a squeeze of lemon juice!

Spanish Paella