Sicilian broccoli · Брокколи по-сицилийски

Amazing dish! Pleasantly flavory and sweet. I modified original recipe by using clarified cow milk butter instead of olive oil, adding fresh garlic, onion, italian herbs and dill. Served with cottage cheese. Bon appetite!

Чудесное блюдо! Приятно ароматное и подслащённое. Я изменила оригинальный рецепт, использовав топлёное масло вместо оливкового, добавив свежий чеснок, лук, итальянские травы и укроп. Подаётся с белым несолёным сыром. Приятного аппетита!

Spicy cabbage · Пряная капуста

Cabbage + tomatoes + red chili (raw or flakes) + bell pepper + herbs + black pepper + salt - all to one's liking. Sauted in clarified cow milk butter. Served with sour cream to balance the taste. Bon appetite!

Капуста + помидоры + красный чили (свежий или хлопья) + болгарский перец + травы + чёрный перец + соль - всё по вкусу. Тушится на топлёном масле. Подаётся со сметаной, которая балансирует вкус. Приятного аппетита!

French bean pasta · Паста с зелёной стручковой фасолью

Yesterday I had 30 minutes and few ingredients to cook my lunch. Based on the Mediterranean recipe i created my sole version of French bean pasta by using clarified cow milk butter in place of olive oil, substituting garlic with ginger-garlic paste, giving basil a company of few italian herbs, spicing it with black pepper and putting parmigiano instead of ricotta cheese. I think all this combined gave a bright taste to this dish and made it more pleasant and nourishing.

Journey to love · Путь к любви

Am i ready to sacrifice most essential things for the sake of love? This is the question one who follows the way of spiritual development has to ask him-/herself every day. If i am not ready then love has not yet developed in my heart, then i am just in the beginning of my journey. That is why love is challenging: everybody can please his/her feelings but actual denying his/her affections lies on a different level - level of sacrifice and selfless devotion. That is why real love is being built on the spiritual ground. The rest is related to desire or lust. Lust takes place if one is ready to satisfy his/her feelings but is not ready to renounce his/her affections.
V.Ruzov

I am Early Bird. How I begin my day · Я - Ранняя Пташка. Как я начинаю свой день

I love mornings! Since i started my experiment of exploring Ayurvedic approach to the regime of the day morning has turned into time when lot's of good things happen to me. I'd like to share what makes it so joyful.
I wake up by 6 am SST. Although it is approximately 8.30 am this time of the year i do not stay in bed till so late, i am up by 6 am actual time of the place i am in. 
I fold the bed linen. 
I purify my mouth with few gargles and then have 2 cups of water. 
I make the room neat by putting everything in it's place, clean the floor and sprinkle a little bit of water on the bed. Ayurveda advises this as the first step of purification of one's consciousness after sleep. 
I brush my teeth, take care of my nails, visit toilet and after all that perform morning ablution which is both religious purification and Ayurvedic swill using cool water (cold water is not advised to women). I learned that just by performing morning ablution along with early awakenings one can become a 60-70% happier person. My experience proves it's true.
I return to the room and say prayers. This is time for conversation with God when i hear my inner self better and feel the love in and around me... 
No morning happens without special breakfast consisting of:

• milk blended with cardamom, cinnamon and honey
• sweet fruits like bananas, dates, raisins etc.
• home-made cream cheese mixed with sweetened condensed milk
• listening to the fascinating birds' singing.

Yes, my breakfast is very sweet but consumed before 7-8 am SST sugar not only does not affect your health but benefits it by giving good energy and positive mood - something that women must have a sufficient "stock" of =)
All this gives me incredible start and makes me feel like hugging the world!
It is said that happiness must be shared in order bring you a well-being. The simplest way to do it is to selflessly wish happiness to other people. I realized it is not so easy. I am so happy to have recently discovered that i can learn it from the person who knows the art of it every morning by tuning in Ayurveda radio channel on the internet. So at 8 am (6 am Moscow time) i meditate and spread the wish of happiness to all people.
Good beautiful morning, great blessed day, all happiness, well-being, virtuous things to you!

Princess of the night · Принцесса ночи

Diamond in the Rough

Quick & nourishing · Быстрый и питательный

Red kidney beans, red bell pepper, tomatoes, green olives, hard pressed cheese, croutons, olive oil, herbs - all to your liking.
UPD: try adding whole grain mustard and dill to enjoy the salad even more =)

Assurances by Max Ehrmann · Гарантии (Уверенность), автор Макс Эрманн

Situ Gutung, Indonesia (By Hardi Budi, Your Shot, National Geographic)
Thank you Save trees save earth!

Out of the silent moon, Out of the midst of the Milky Way, Out of the gleams of the sentry stars, Out of the after-day - Out of the wonderful songs of birds, Out of the storm-wind's whistling throes, Out of the living green fields, Out of the bloom of the rose - Out of the music laughter holds, Out of the lips of kisses curled - Boundless assurances everywhere, Out of the joy of the world. -- Max Ehrmann

Из тихой луны, Из середины Млечного Пути, Из проблесков сторожевых звёзд, Из дня последующего, Из чудесных песен птиц, Из свестящей муки штормовых ветров, Из живых зелёных полей, Из цветка розы - Из музыки, что излучает смех, Из губ свернувшихся в поцелуе - Проистекает уверенность отовсюду, Из радости этого мира. -- Макс Эрманн

I am Early Bird. Week 2 · Я - Ранняя Пташка. Неделя 2-ая

Analyzing the 1st week of my Early Bird experiment i realized that excess of energy that had suddenly came to me thanks to the new regime of the day, has to be given the right application. Imagine activities of a daughter invited to help her hyper-responsible mother, and you'll know what i am talking about =) Back then i decided to focus on what makes a girl happy. Could i imagine how the week would turn out to be? 
Two car accidents (do not worry "all is well") and postponed arrival of my sister added stress and changed my initial plan for which i am really grateful as i had a good opportunity to "practice" womanhood =)
There were no visits to SPA salon, no manicure, no long telephone girly talks... Of all others it was handling car accident with a missing guilty party that commenced the week-long lesson on how being a girl and acting as one helps solve the problem in the best way. You accept the situation as it is, relax, speak confidently but softly, listen carefully, do not argue, do not expect but develop strong faith in a good outcome and by sincerely sharing a kind smile, expressing gratitude inspire people who are here to help you... and magic happens. 
Getting the guilty driver identified and found within 1 day, making a "win-win" case out of the accident for both of us - no doubt i couldn't do it by myself. Professional management skills i was taught in the school of management alone wouldn't help either. It is the school of  relationships where Girls learn that they only then contribute the world when they increase amount of love in it. So regardless what i was doing after that incident: cooking, singing, sewing, emailing, conversing, washing clothes, making phone calls, getting work done, beautifying the house, playing with cat, sms-ing,... - i added extra kindness and care to my thoughts, words and actions. I do not have big results to share. Just peace it has been filling my heart with. It will take time and effort to see whether my inner change contributes my well-being as well as well-being of the world around me. But i hope that with time, energy, optimism, inspiration, inner motivation, confidence and insight resulted from following regime of the day i have been blessed with so much of what it takes to make it happen.

New angle on the King's Speech · Новый взгляд на "Говорящего Короля"

I watched The King's Speech again the other day. I use to highlight the brilliant cast, screen play, direction... so many "professional" attributes of the film that are no doubt praise-worthy. To me from now on it is also one of those rare movies which could be taken as a guide to true relationships - how one should serve his/her friend, spouse, country...

На днях вновь посмотрела "Король говорит". Для меня это всегда был фильм искусный, профессиональный, с блестящим актёрским составом, сценарием, режиссёрской работой... Но теперь я также считаю его одной из тех редких картин, которые действительно учат настоящим отношениям - тому, как следует служить другу, супругу, стране...

When a Girl is a true life companion · Истинная спутница жизни

1. She who deeply understands the purpose of life of her husband as well as opportunities of his destiny is his true life companion.

When a woman marries a man she has to get truly inspired but what a man considers his life purpose. She has to completely support his goals and inspire him to do whatever he considers needful. She has to be very excited about his purpose and look forward to it. By doing this she kindles his enthusiasm, actually nourishes his sense. As a result he self-develops very quickly. He matures. But there is a condition: if a woman does not accept living circumstances which her man is able to provide in the very beginning, she will destroy her life as well as life of her husband.

Woman has to bless her destiny for the life she was given, she has to be absolutely satisfied by what her destiny brings her. When she is satisfied she does not demand anything from her husbandю When she is at peace her husband himself starts developing quality of responsibility, he blooms as a man and this is what grows her love for him.

2. There cannot be expected happy family life if wife is not able to inspire her man to fulfill his responsibilities. If she fails to do it her family loses wealth and all other things.

Woman's main quality is ability to inspire her man to fulfill his responsibilities. To inspire means respect him and take care of him, support him in what he intends to do the right thing and do not support his unwillingness to do it. woman has to be very strict with her husband when he does not want to fulfill his duty, she has to be like a stone and her behavior has to be firm.

3. If a woman possesses all qualities of a true life companion her husband has nothing more to wish, he has everything. But if she does not have those qualities he has nothing.

4. Could there be bigger treasure in life than such a just wife.

5. A good wife upon rising worships not God but expresses her respect for her husband and Vedas consider it to be sufficient. Even clouds will obey such a woman and rains will fall at her command.

She who takes up ascesis to see her husband as dignified person and respect him becomes puissant personality. It is very difficult for a woman to do so due to the special thing she has about her psychу - she cannot not see the truth. She can see through one and knows all his qualities at once. If a woman is pure with regards to her husband she knows all his twists and turns and despite this she has to obey him. When a woman is determined to respect her husband unconditionally she gradually observes him changing as well. 

6. Is there any use in woman's selflessness and ascesis if she develops herself but not relationships with her husband. Что проку в отречении и аскетизме женщины, которая работает над собой и не работает над отноешниями с мужем.
Indeed only those women who invest all their energy into their husbands reach perfection in their lives. Else their family breaks due to the fact that difference in mental position between a wife and a husband becomes fatal.
Tirukkural narrated by doctor O.G.Torsunov

Fight for destiny · Битва за судьбу

"One must fight for his/her destiny every second of his/her life. The only way to do it is Prayers and positive determination."

"Каждую секунду своей жизни человек должен сражаться за свою судьбу. Единственный способ сражаться – это Молитвы и позитивные настрои."

О.Г.Торсунов "Законы счастливой жизни"

Vegetable "quiche" · Овощной "киш"

Let me introduce result of an hour and a half baking activity. I am not a gifted cook but the quiche turned out to be nice =) I call it "quiche" but to be precise it is not a real quiche as it does not contain eggs. I am glad that 6% milk-30% sour cream-Holland cheese mixture has worked well =) 

Balanced, tasty and nourishing - perfect for the Early Bird lunch!

Diamonds are like Girls - both are born beautiful · Бриллианты как Девушки - и те, и другие рождаются красивыми

Diamond in the Rough

4 kinds of love · 4 вида любви

1. Virtuous love means desire to selflessly do good to your loved one or care. Love for work also belongs to the virtuous kind.
2. Passionate love is marked by egoistic mindset: everybody who loves me has to take care of me, only then i will love them back.
3. Benighted love results from alcohol. One has a drink, feels good. Another kind of benighted love is distorted love which brings only suffering. Addiction to alcohol leads to this kind of love.
4. There is love that stands above all these 3 ones - love for God. Person that has this rear gift automatically develops all good attributes of character.
(c) 2000-2004, Doctor O.G.Torsunov, WWW.TORSUNOV.RU

1.Любовь в благости означает желание бескорыстно сделать что-то хорошее для близкого человека или забота. Любовь к труду также находится в благости.
2.Любовь в страсти характеризуется эгоистической установкой, все кто меня любит должны заботиться обо мне, тогда и я буду их любить.
3.Любовь в невежестве бывает от спирта. Подвыпил, и стало хорошо. Также в невежестве находится извращенная любовь, которая приносит одни страдания. Постоянное употребление спиртного как раз приводит к такой любви.
4.Существует любовь, которая стоит выше этих трех видов - это любовь к Богу. У человека, который обладает этим редким даром, автоматически развиваются все хорошие качества характера.
(c) 2000-2004, Доктор О.Г.Торсунов, WWW.TORSUNOV.RU

Guess what this is · Отгадайте, что это ;)

I am Early Bird. Week 1 · Я - Ранняя Пташка. Неделя 1-ая

Few of my veg creations i cooked last week

Hello Guys!

First of all sorry to keep a little silent about my experiment. I have to say new routine has given me so much energy so there was no time to post about but so much of it to do things =D

I have got a little time and the right mood so let's not loose it to numerous words and focus on facts!

Here are discoveries of the 1st week:

• I do not get lazy when i get up before 6 am. 
• It is pure, proved by practice true that you get the biggest portion of optimism and energy as a reward for early awakenings! Moreover, ...
• ... combined with timely breakfast they make your head light, thoughts clear. You get insights and slowly progress in understanding the essence of things which bothered you for long time.
• It appeared to be surprisingly easy to have been practicing new nutrition routine (no meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs or whatever is a result of taking life). At a first glance it seemed to had significantly limited variety of what i cook and eat. But in point of fact when "the door got closed, i discovered the window" - inspiration to adapt my favorite recipes and look for new ones. Herbs and spices are indeed my best helpers! It is important to add that unlike many people changing their food habits i do not crave for food. The only time i get hungry is lunch time which excites me a little. But the magic exercise i described in the next point calms me down and makes me achieve the right state of mind for having my meal and activities thereafter.
• I noticed that different approaches to cooking and having your meal affects your efficiency and the way you feel and even the way you are. Believe it or not but while reflecting on this topic the other day i acknowledged it really benefits me if i wish everyone happiness, think of my loved ones while cooking and begin all meals (especially lunch) with dedicating the food to God. It is a magic exercise that squeezes ego element from your activities and things you may be attached to, here - food. 
• My digestion has significantly improved!
• What was and is really difficult is to develop good relationships with my family. Particularly not to get upset when it comes to dealing with mom. I have accepted the fact that we are very different but i lack ability to remain unaffected by her words and behavior and react with love and kindness in return instead of getting upset. What helps me in developing this quality is reminding myself that she is my mom and creation of God and so even if i think she is not right it is my responsibility to be loving and caring because this is what God wants. I breath out and find right words that help us first listen, then hear each other. I am not always patient but when i am it works: it changes her behavior which reinforces my love for her - it is inspiring =)

Being perfectionist in everything i have completely soaked myself in to the new routine. If it was for "old" me i'd be happy about my numerous accomplishments of the week. But having decided to actualize my potential of being a girl i am sad to say that i did not spent much time on activities that contribute my female energy and womanhood in general. So the focus of this week is to combine both challenges trying not to overplay with neither of them.

=D

Thank you, Дыхание жизни!

А child smiles averagely 300 times a day, adult - 17 times. Ok, now  let's smile all together and muddle this statistics! =D

В среднем в день ребёнок улыбается 300 раз, взрослый - 17. А теперь все дружно улыбнулись и испортили статистику! =D

This morning song...· Песня этого утра

Never stop loving · Любите не переставая

Thank you, Life Vest Inside!

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." ~ Mother Teresa

"Нам не под силу делать великие дела, лишь маленькие, но подкреплённые большой любовью" ~ Мать Тереза