Vegetable soup

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‎Donita Brannon‎

 to The Happy Vegetarian

2 hrs · 

It's been cold and wet the last few days so last night I whipped up this soup. It is so easy and really delicious! Just saute an onion until translucent, add three or four cups of Veggie broth, one can of diced tomatoes( I like fire roasted) , one can of cannellini or Great Northern beans, salt, pepper, garlic & some Italian seasoning. I usually add a couple of handfuls of fresh spinach if I have it on hand. Last night I used about half a box of Frozen spinach...

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New Study: People Who Swear, Stay Up Late, and Are Messy are More Intelligent

If you have a dirty room, dirtier mouth, and can never seem to get to bed in “good time” despite your best intentions, you’ve probably been badgered by your parents or spouse for years to change those aspects of yourself. You’re in luck, however, because those three seemingly undesirable qualities might actually be signs of superior intelligence.

Profanity Correlates with Higher IQ Scores

“People who swear all the time are just too dumb to think of a better word to use!”

Chances are, whether you swear like a sailor or save cursing for when you stub your toe or get cut off on the highway, you’ve heard a version of that statement before. Science shows, however, that this is entirely not the case.

Turns out swear word fluency is correlated to general word fluency, and those who can sputter out a greater number of profanities in one minute tend to have higher IQ scores. There is a similar correlation with those who enjoy some good old-fashioned vulgar humor along with their curse words, with the exception of female-sex-related slurs. (1, 3, 4)

So the next time someone tells you your use of undesirable language shows a lack of intelligence, you can drop some well-worded science on them.

Staying Up Late is an Evolutionary Sign of Intelligence

Humans are a unique species of mammals for many reasons, one of which is the ability to completely ignore traditional circadian rhythms and get up and go to bed whenever we want. This was not the case with our ancient ancestors, who lived before fire was invented and therefore could not see in the dark. (2)

or them, staying up late was not only useless, but dangerous. As animals who rely almost entirely on sight to be able to do most things, nothing productive could be done once the sun had gone down. Add to that the fact that our lack of night vision makes us extremely vulnerable to predators, and you can see why staying up late just didn’t make sense. (2)

The invention of fire and subsequent light sources was a total game changer for the human race, making nocturnal tendencies an evolutionary novel. Scientists hypothesized that more intelligent people were more likely to stay up long after dark than their less intelligent counterparts.  In essence, smart people sleep less.(2)

This hypothesis was confirmed by the analysis of a large group of young Americans and their sleep habits. Turns out, those with a childhood IQ of less than 75 typically went to bed much earlier than those with a childhood IQ of at least 125. This doesn’t mean, however, that staying up until 3am getting in Internet fights means you are the next Albert Einstein, more likely you are staying up reading a great book or other more engaging activities. That being said, having a regular sleep pattern and still getting 6-8 hours of quality sleep each night are crucial to your health and brain function. (2, 3, 4)

Geniuses Have Messier Desks

It seems that more intelligent people spend less time cleaning and organizing their space because their minds are preoccupied with other thoughts and ideas. Messy environments are typically a sign of a more creative (and somewhat chaotic) work environment. They inspire the breaking away from tradition and encourage new, innovative solutions, as opposed to a more organized work space which seems to encourage convention and playing it safe. (3, 4)

What’s more, research shows intelligent people typically get bored more easily and prefer to spend more time thinking and are therefore less active and inherently lazy. (We apologize to any parent’s whose teenagers may have stumbled across this article and now refuse to clean their rooms.) (3, 4)

To conclude, if you’re feeling like you laugh a little too hard at crude jokes, swear like a trucker and your room looks like a tornado blew through it, keep doing what you do, you’re probably a genius.

https://theheartysoul.com/signs-of-intelligence-swearing-staying-up-late-messy/?utm_source=VIRALSLOT

Monte Verità The Swiss hilltop housed an early 20th-century vegetarian nudist colony

In 1900, a man named Henri Oedenkoven bought Monte Verità, which translates to “Hill of Truth.” He, along with feminist pianist Ida Hofmann, soon established a vegetarian nudist colony on the Swiss hilltop.

Vegetable-loving, clothes-eschewing individuals swarmed to Monte Verità, creating their own little utopia that attracted a fair share of anarchists and early socialists.

Its individualistic residents were “tolerantly intolerant.” They were against private property, marriage, party politics, and, obviously, conventional dress. The colonists also opened a sunbathing establishment called the Monte Verità Sanatorium.

After the utopia’s founders emigrated in the 1920s, Monte Verità was transformed into a Modernist hotel that still stands today. The hilltop continued to attract an assortment of creative people and unconventional thinkers from all walks of life. It’s been a welcome haven for philosophers, free thinkers, and artists.

Now, the site also houses a conference facility and a museum about the hill’s history. The museum is spread across three different buildings: the wooden building that once housed the nudist vegetarian colony’s headquarters, the small building once used by the sunbathers, and another building that holds a painting called The Clear World of the Blessed. 

Know Before You Go

Visitors are welcome to wander about the manicured grounds, and can book an organized tour.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/monte-verita?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=141f651be3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_12_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f36db9c480-141f651be3-65897069&ct=t()&mc_cid=141f651be3&mc_eid=2cd79a4b6a

52 Fun Things: Try a New One Each Week of the Year! Via Alex Myles

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“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.” ~ Neil Gaiman

Rather than the traditional resolution list of fad diets, breaking habits and promises that usually gets broken, I decided to create a list of new things to try—things that can be crossed off (or added to) as the year goes on. There’s one for each week of the year—most are free and all are easily achievable!

1. Write a handwritten note and post it to someone you haven’t been in touch with for a while.
2. Make someone a Birthday or celebration cake.
3. Volunteer for the day, a local dog shelter, home for the elderly or at a soup kitchen for the homeless.
4. Take a bus or train to a town, village or city that you’ve never visited. Just go to the station and get on the next one that comes in.
5. Learn meditation, yoga, Pilates or something new that you’ve never tried.
6. Make a scrapbook, print out photographs, emails and attach keepsakes.
7. Go to an outdoor weekend music festival. And sleep under the stars.
8. Learn to play a musical instrument.
9. Spend a whole day in bed watching movies, reading books and snuggling with a loved one.
10. Look up your family tree and find out what you can learn about your ancestors.
11. Sign up for a local community class, learn something new and meet other people who live in your area at the same time.

12. Forgive someone who has hurt you. And maybe let them know.

13. Plant seeds and grow something in a window box or the garden. If possible start a small vegetable garden.
14. Compliment a stranger, it will possibly make their day.
15. Read an old classic. Choose one that’s always caught your attention and be patient if you don’t get into it straight away.
16. Start your own or join a book club.
17. Go to a museum, the cinema or a restaurant alone. Enjoy your own company.
18. Bake cookies and share them at work, when visiting friends or give them to a neighbour that may be on their own.
19. Make your own birthday, anniversary, valentines or celebration cards.
20. Go mountain climbing, hiking, or a long forest walk.
21. Eat lunch outdoors, pack a picnic in a hamper, sit by a lake, the sea, go to a local park or lay out a blanket in the garden.
22. Roller skate. Hire or buy a pair and have fun while toning up.
23. Let someone else order for you in a restaurant. Or cook something you would never normally try.
24. Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while and make plans to visit.
25. For a period of time, a week, a month or all year, only shop locally. Purchase free-range, ethical and fair-trade goods, buy from independent retailers, at farmer’s markets and give handcrafted creations as presents.
26. Invent your own cocktail, purchase your favourite ingredients and try out something new. Adorn it with umbrellas, fancy stirrers and edible glitter.
27. Play a board game with friends or family. Scrabble, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit sadly get forgotten due to technology. They are timeless classics and a great way to spend quality time together.
28. Swap the car for a bike for the day. So much more can be absorbed when cycling, plus it’s great exercise.
29. Attend an open mic night. Great entertainment and can be the perfect way to meet new people too.
30. Donate to charity, whether it’s clothes you no longer wear, blankets to the local dog shelter or a sack of carrots to donkeys in India. There are charities everywhere grateful for anything. Even if it’s a $1 donation—it all helps.
31. Make homemade bread. It’s very simple and completely delicious.
32. Switch off all phones, laptops and technology devices. Find different ways to communicate with those close to us and spend quality time with yourself or with others.
33. Have a major clear out. De-clutter, if it’s not pretty, useful or it hasn’t been used in the last 6 months, be ruthless, let it go.
34. Write out a will, a little morbid to think about but it will give you great peace of mind.
35. Take all old books and magazines to a local waiting room, for others to read. Write a note in the front of a book and leave in a public place for others to take on and enjoy and then they can do the same when they’ve finished.
36. Take your camera with you for a whole day and capture everything and anything that takes your interest.
37. Attend a food or wine tasting festival. Most cities hold these events and they are usually free to attend and a great way to try new tastes.
38. Hold a mini movie festival at home. Invite your best friends, tell them to bring a movie they love and spend a whole afternoon and evening together curled up chatting, eating and drinking and sharing old favourites.
39. Organise a clean up with neighbours. Choose a particular hot spot that has turned into an eyesore and get a few people involved to help out. It won’t take long, will be enjoyable working together and you’ll be amazed at the difference a few hours teamwork can make.
40. Get a few friends together and take a ball to the park. Play soccer, rounders, cricket or basketball and ask everyone to bring something to add to a small outdoor snack/picnic afterwards.
41. Make your own soup—nothing tastes better. Especially if you add your homemade bread.
42. Learn a new language, especially if it’s of a country you plan to visit.
43. Go for a swim (if you don’t already.) Or try a brand new water-based activity, water/jet skiing, surfing, canoeing, sailing, kayaking.
44. Skip! It’s free, burns a heap of calories and can be done anywhere.
45. Take a road trip—pack a few necessities, take a map and set out on adventure with no set destination. Explore and investigate different places along the way.
46. Camp out—choose a time when the weather is good, take a barbeque set and sleeping bags and a portable radio. Relax with nature and leave all technology behind.
47. Read the community newsletter or noticeboards. Find out what’s going on locally and get involved in a new activity.
48. Try a new look—choose a new hairstyle or try wearing clothes that you like but wouldn’t normally wear.

49. Write a list of everything we appreciate. Sometimes things can go unnoticed and it’s a great way of becoming more aware and then passing on the gratitude.

50. Watch a sunset, sunrise or both. Find a spot with a good view and settle down with a friend or loved one and enjoy.
51. Write down your life plan. It doesn’t have to be specific, or even achievable. Just a guide for all the things you would like to do and then you can tick and cross off the ones that you want to work towards.
52. Take time out to let those around you know they are loved. Call up, write letters, visit and send the message out strong and clear to those that are most important to you.

My smile is not an open door

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My smile is not an open door,

Ready to walk on through.
My laugh is not an invitation,
Please don’t misconstrue.

The light in my eyes
When I walk around town
The glow that you see
That I wear like a crown
It comes from my heart
Given freely, exposed
A heart open wide
Until prompted to close.

My smile is not a free pass inside,
Your ticket in, to one hell of a ride.
My laughter is not a call to action,
Requiring your aggressive desire for satisfaction.

The love that I have
It’s pure and it’s gentle
A Truth deep inside
Seeking out the sentimental
You can’t take it from me
Trust me, many have tried
All the poking and prodding
All the tears that I’ve cried.

My smile is concrete proof
That a delicate heart can be strong.
My laughter is a fervent melody,
So please, just appreciate the song.

Slow Cooker Beef

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 2-3 lbs sirloin steak, cut into 1/2 inch strips
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• pita bread
• lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber for topping
Tzatziki sauce:
• 32 ounces plain yogurt
• 2 cucumbers, peeled and seeded
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
• salt and pepper, to taste
• olive oil, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Pour beef broth in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Place steak in the slow cooker and top with onion slices.
3. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Pour on top of meat and place lid on top of slow cooker. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
4. When finished cooking, place meat on a pita and top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers. You can drizzle homemade tzatziki (see instructions below) or cucumber ranch dressing.
Tzatziki instructions:
5. Strain yogurt using a cheesecloth over a bowl (if you don?t have that, a strainer lined with a coffee filter will work) for a couple of hours (I let mine strain for about 6 hours) or overnight to get out as much moisture as possible (I know that this step sounds funny, but I promise that if you don't do it, your sauce will be runny and not as delicious).
6. Shred or grate the cucumbers and blot them with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to get rid of as much moisture as possible.
7. Mix together the strained yogurt, shredded cucumbers, garlic, vinegar and lemon juice. Add dill and salt and pepper to taste. Keep in the fridge until serving (let the flavors come together for about 30 minutes before serving).
8. If you want, drizzle a little olive oil over the top before serving.

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/2015/10/slow-cooker-beef-gyros/

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT RAINBOW BRIDGE

'Twas the night before Christmas, at Rainbow Bridge too.
We Bridgekids were thinking as always of you.
We'd seen how the holidays weren't bright this year,
Heard you whisper so often, "I wish you were here!"

We know how you wish you could just stay in bed
And sleep through the holiday lying ahead,
When all celebrate with their loved ones so near...
Unless they have loved ones on this side this year.

But we're no less alive here, on the other side.
If you could just see us, you'd've laughed and not cried.
The dogs all in harness, pulling the sleigh.
The cats all in Santa hats pointing the way.

The pet birds all flying back over the rainbow,
Bound homeward in spite of Earth's darkness and snow.
All the pets that you've lost, pets for whom you've cried,
Flying home on this Christmas to be by your side.

If you feel warm fur brush you when no pet's around,
Hear a soft bark or purr, just a ghost of a sound,
We're trying to tell you we're visiting this way,
And our visits, even rainbows, can be on any day.

But for Christmas we have something special to do,
A sleighful of happy dream visits for you.
On doggy, on kitty, on winged friend and ferret!
The love that you lavished, we mean now to share it!

We're fetching that love home, the way we once played,
With the closeness we shared and the memories we made.
Our Earth lives with you were too short for us, too,
And on this Christmas Eve we have so much to do.

So all through this night as you sleep in your beds,
Sweet visions of furbabies dance in your heads.
This one special night we can bring you Home for a while,
Your true home in Heaven, where again you will smile.

Over the rainbow you'll fly, for a short while this night,
Hours that you'll be happy, hours that will feel right,
Hours to cuddle and hug us, to run and to play,
Before the return to Earth in our magic way.

And when you awaken and face Christmas Day,
We pray you'll remember your trip on our sleigh,
But in case you forget, just remember our love.
Remember us watching you, your angels above.

Sending love wrapped in rainbows, shining and bright,
Love that will guide you through the darkest night,
Love found in each memory unwrapped through the year,
Replacing dark sorrows with Christmas cheer.

Leave the toys to St. Nick, we Bridgekids bring dreams,
Sweet visits to remind you all is not as it seems
When you look all around you with tired Earthly eyes.
If you saw as we do, there'd be joy and surprise.

There are furangels waiting by those Christmas trees,
Always there for you and hearing your pleas.
We're never more than a thought away from your home,
You're never forgotten, you're never alone.

Nor are we alone here, with our Rainbow Bridge friends.
We know only joy here, the celebrating never ends,
And after our reunions with you Christmas Eve,
We Bridgekids will party like you'd never believe.

But we'll slip away often to be by your side.
Sitting there watching you, eyes open wide,
Praying you'll be able to catch a glimpse of us, too.
But whether or not you see us - Merry Christmas to you!

- Cindy Morgan