So… you Want to Run a Bed and Breakfast

We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.”

~ Marian Wright Edelman

Just as many B & B’s go OUT of business as go INTO business. A recent study pinpointed the problem not to poor accommodations or bad food but poor “customer service”. You remember them, the C-U-S-T-O-M-E-R… the individual who pays for a service and expects to be treated in a decent manner.The concept of customer service is widely accepted as the lifeblood of any operation .

The Nitty Gritty…

1) Interest. If you can’t feign happiness 7 days a week, week after week – especially during holidays (when you might have wanted to spend time with your family) than running a Bed & Breakfast is the wrong job to pursue. Whether you have only one room or a suite of 10 or more rooms, you need to resign yourself to be outgoing and friendly whether or not you feel like it. Of course for some people that comes easy. Are you one of them?

2) When Dan and I first went from our corporate jobs to the software engineering business (due to outsourcing), our biggest challenge was stepping out of a large business is that you now have to do all those things they took for granted. These can include an HR function, a health plan, a payroll system, unjamming the copier and selecting a telephone provider. Fortunately our strengths complement one another so I was (and still am for the bed and breakfast) what I’ve titled “Logistics Supervisor”.

We ‘ve developed (and continue to refine) our standard operating procedure (SOP) when guests arrive including a welcome tour, welcome kit, and of course the grand tour showing them where everything is with Manker (aka the B&B dog”) always winning hearts and leading the tour. We tend to spend time with our guests making them feel at home and for the most part have become friends.

However when something does go awry, as it always will, our flow of conversation is already traveling in both directions. As a result, small problems and misunderstandings can be fixed to everyone’s satisfaction, with little fuss. The danger of the customer related problem exploding to major crisis stage is reduced dramatically, or even eliminated entirely. And actually, often times you learn more from what isnt working than what is… as I found here customer complaints are golden

Pleasing the customer is the main goal in hospitality service, right?

I’ve also found that hospitality service begins long before they enter our home.
One thing I love about our blog is the email and comments I get from folks all over the world how much they’ve always wanted to visit or live in Montana and they get a glimpse of it through our blog. I also get questions on recipes, what it has taken to open up, etc. First, I think most of them are plum amazed they even get a response and I really make it my business to share with them my experience. I know I found lots of helpful innkeepers and continue along my journey, so in the words of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, “Pass It On.

If something does go awry, (and it inevitably will at some point), we’ll respond with an intention to solve the problem or make up for it. If necessary,we’re prepared to add “and to make up to you for the inconvenience.”

Almost always, these two statements will diffuse a guests anger or frustration. You can then either propose a solution or ask what the guest would like as a remedy. For example, we offer a gift certificate although that has yet to happen.

Mistakes will always happen–they are part of life and business. What matters to your customers is how you handle them when they occur.

Finding their problem resolved to their satisfaction, often become your best evangelists. They let the world know that your business keeps the folks happy. Satisfied guests are the best advertising resource.

I Shoulda Been a Cowgirl

I was never a cowgirl. I grew up near New York City . I ididnt know much from horses except for one I rode at summer camp when I was thirteen and enjoyed the ride. And guns – forget about it!

But over the years, when I went to school in upstate New York, I knew that the farm and country life was in my heart. When I did my student teaching stint, I’d stop off at a students farms and watched their families manage their enterprises, keeping cattle under control and selling them off for extra money.

How we handle our tough times stays with us a long time

I shoulda’ been a cowgirl

As an innkeeper of many “cowgirl” hats, I am definitely fine tuning my DIY vs PAY theory. Okay, this may be the wishy-washiest rule ever. But I guess I think of my rules more as philosophical cattle-prods than actual strict instructions.

* Don’t pay someone else to do what you can easily do yourself

The thing that comes to mind first when I think of this rule is salad dressing. Who needs $5 more, Paul Newman or me? Why would I buy someone else’s bottled salad dressing when I can make my own delicious concoction in about 30 seconds with simple, inexpensive ingredients? (Recipe: one clove crushed garlic, big pinch salt, a few grinds of pepper, dash of balsamic vinegar, about 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, about 6 tbsp olive oil. Shake in a jar and then pour on.) Must be the innkeeper in me.

Here’s a few other things where this part of the rule applies:

• Do my own nails vs. going to a salon
• Get a great Wahls clipper and do my own hair, havent been to a hairdresser in ages.
• Paint my own walls instead of hiring a professional
• Buy unfinished furniture and stain & varnish it myself
• All of these are things I don’t mind doing and can do well.

But that brings up the flip side to this issue:

* Pay others to do anything that you will take from bad to worse.

When a fairly new water pressure tank went out which could have wreaked havoc on our private well system, instead of Dan taking out his myriad of tools to fix, we called the ever reliable Joe Davis who’d installed the original one. While that one was still under warranty… it would have been worth whatever money to get that one nipped in the bud. Obviously, different people have different skills. If you are good at household renovations, of course you’ll save lots of money doing them yourself. But if you’re not so good, you may end up incurring extra costs, not to mention the potential for personal injury or at the very least, a migraine in the making.

So there you have it. I shoulda’ been a cowgirl.

Soul Searching is Kosher

Okay folks, your intrepid innkeeper is gonna wax religious here. and preachy. bear with me., it’s time to celebrate Succot. Sukkot began on Wednesday evening of this week, and lasts for seven days. This Jewish harvest holiday is a celebration; in as opposed to the solemnity of Yom Kippur. The holiday, in addition to the harvest, commemorates the forty-year period during which Jews wandered in the desert, living in temporary shelters. It is a festival, also called “The Feast of Tabernacles”, “The, “The Feast of Booths” or just “The Feast”

While we dont keep strictly kosher, I see a lot of value in the dietary restrictions of kashrut.So, I there was alot of …food for thought as it were when I saw this article at FoxNews.com on how kosher foods increasingly being embraced by non-Jews.

Maybe it’s latent guilt from my New York Days, I’ve often thought about the secular benefits of a kosher diet. A lot of them have to do with meat. Judaism has strict laws and teachings forbidding cruelty to animals. There is an entire code of laws (“tsa’ar ba’alei hayim,” the requirement “to prevent the suffering of living creatures”) mandating that animals be treated with compassion and even about the slaughter of them. . Jews are not allowed to “pass by” an animal in distress or animals being mistreated, even on the Sabbath. The laws of kashrut also prevent you from eating dairy together with meat. There goes pepperoni pizza, and cheeseburgers. Depending on how strongly you adhere to the rules, you may wait several hours between meat and dairy consumption.

There are a few reasons I like this. First, because of both the requirement for all meat you consume to be kosher and the restrictions on eating dairy and meat together, you eat less meat, which to me, is always a good thing. For another, you are cognizant of what you’re eating and often have to wait hours before eating the next thing. Which is to say you eat less in general — something we can all use. Keeping kosher forces you to eat consciously. Jews who observe the dietary laws (kashrut) however, must make regular decisions about what they eat, when they eat it and how they prepare their food; so that for the observant Jew eating ceases to be a totally instinctive activity. The dietary laws force us to stop and think about daily activities and deter us from going through life in autopilot.

In many ways, going vegetarian makes it easier and cheaper to observe the laws of kashrut. As such, a few things you need not be concerned with using separate dishes and other utensils for meat and dairy foods, or the waiting 3 or 6 hours after eating meat before being permitted to eat dairy products, storing 4 sets of dishes, pots, and silverware .

Having said all that, I think a lot the the FoxNews article misses the mark.. Kosher chicken broth “seems healthier”? Come on. The author’s idea of “kosher foods” seems to consist of everything that Manischewitz might box up and sell. I don’t think that noodle kugel and coconut macaroons although absolutely yummy in their own right, are the path to health. In the “whoda’ thunk” category, even our Walmart now carries kosher organic chicken products, which is a good sign. Here’s to hoping this all means more awareness of what, and who, we’re eating. Could be another amen.

Food for thought. Apple Crisp… keepin’ it kosher courtesy of Recipezaar

Ingredients
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup oatmeal (quick or old fashioned)
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
8 medium apples, peeled & sliced (about 6 cups)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine brown sugar, oats, flour and cinnamon.
3. Cut in butter until crumbly.
4. Arrange 1/2 of the apple slices in a buttered 8 inch square baking dish.
5. Sprinkle apples with half of the sugar mixture.
6. Top with remaining apples, followed by the remaining sugar mixture.
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until apples are tender.
8. Serve warm.

Lessons from Horse Play

A horse gallops with his lung,
Perseveres with his heart,
and wins with his character
Tesio

Horses don’t run for “human reasons”, weight loss, or anything else but the love of moving Want to be more fit, fast and performing pain free… physically and mentally? Run. Those who exercise have a mental advantage over those who don’t.

“…exercisers showed significant improvements in the higher mental processes of memory and in “executive functions” that involve planning, organization, and the ability to mentally juggle different intellectual tasks at the same time.

The brain-boosting effects of physical exercise have been studied nearly to death (pardon the turn of phrase). Being an ultra runner and rider, I’m plum confused sometimes why so many humans do not exercise. And this is yet again where we can from our animals.

Take a healthy dog and put it in a confined area (house, kennel, etc.). Then take him out to a park or trail, and remove the leash. What happens? Take a horse out of a stall or small paddock and turn him loose in a larger enclosure or pasture. What happens? Could be a rendition of the Kentucky Derby.

Take a human out of his workspace or off the couch and turn him loose outside. What happens? Hmmm… for far too many of us, nothing happens.. The one thing that usually does not happen is the kind of physical exuberance–the sheer joy of being able to run and jump–that so many other animals do.

For me, I ‘m blessed with the natural instinct to move, and run. I think that’s why Picken’s my equine soulmate. Her former owners said .. “she has a big engine, she ‘d rather run up a hill than walk”. I can totally relate. I think we’ve found our niche a combination of long distance trail riding and a tad of eventing. . Brand new passion and discovery See its never too late to start. I started riding the horses two years ago… granted I come from an ultrarunning background and it’s hard for me to sit still. If you need a good kick in the butt here are some additional benefits outlined on WebMd. That’ll get you going.

I know I start the day with a morning walk or run with Manker aka the B&B dog, ending at the corral for always waiting horses.
Some days especially with “racehorse” Picken, it’s harder to get myself going since each day is new and one must always assess”what side of the corral she woke up on”. I’ve discovered I truly love nothing more than. letting go into a good gallop with her. Whether it’s on your horse or who you are in life… There’s nothing like galloping free as the wind.

Sometimes in life you need a little push to let you know you could do more than ever thought possible And hindsight being 20/20 as it tends to be, I can see(!) that real and new possibilities are often embedded within the fearful appearances all around me.

Always waiting for the proverbial “other shoe to drop” I sometimes see danger ahead, even where it does not exist. Thinking to protect myself, I can forget that the best lessons and goodness often approaches in curious, and unforseen events. Even when Picken ’s in “Kentucky Derby mode” and forgetting about the “human” on her back. It’s always an opportunity to let everything else go but it’s also a time of free floating ideas. But I come back invigorated, empowered, with a new sense of courage, and ideas. Some of my greatest life lessons, I learn from these magnificent animals.

Trot on friends, trot on.

Horse Sense

They are very conscious beings. I didnt think so to begin with. They are open and not judgemental. Calm adn really spiritual beings. It’s like being held in G-d’s arms somehow That’s how I feel with my two mares Picken and Alle

The other day I was plum worried enough about my thoroughbred mare Picken, who was so uncharacteristically calm and mellow, I even called Dr Layne the vet Here I’ve been doing all this work (playing?) to tone down the “racehorse” in her, and now she’s going through a calmer phase and I’m worried .. geez.

But today, I rode her out with Patrick and she was much more the thoughbred mare I’ve come to know and love. Way more energy, but real nice… We separated for a section where I took her through some sand in what we call the “wash” which has some great twists and turns . Just as we started, a flock of birds flew out right in front of her and most thankfully, she didnt miss a beat. When we came out of the “maze” , she was quite attentive; “mom, now which way?”

Much happier today since she was feeling way more herself. I even took my handy dandy Garmin Extrex GPS to start getting a read on mileage and pace.

All you need to know about life… thirteen lessons learned from my horses

 

1. Eat plenty of roughage.
2. Great legs and a nice rear will get you anywhere in life. Big, brown eyes help too.
3. In times of crises, take a poop.
4 Act dumb when faced with a task you don’t want to do.
5. Follow the herd, that way you can’t be singled out to take the blame.
6 Love those who love you back, especially if they have something good to eat.
7. When in doubt, run far, far away.
8. You can never have too many treats.
9. Passing gas in public is nothing to be ashamed of.
10.Ignore cues, they’re just another prompt to do more work.
11. Never run when you can jog.
12.Never jog when you can walk.
13.. And never walk when you can stand still.

Serving up the Buffet

My momma always said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.
Forrest Gump

Must be the innkeeper in me. While we serve up a full country breakfast organically grown and/or locally produced ingredients whenever possible. Life is like a buffet.

Imagine you pay a hundred dollars for the world’s most amazing buffet. (In mid town Manhattan, easy to do, by the way) There are appetizers, salads, soups, main courses and desserts. You can’t wait to eat it all to get your money worth. The dishes all look so good and amazing. You want to eat them all. But wait… There is a problem. Your stomach can only hold so much food. If you eat too much, it will make you sick. You need to be selective. You need to pick the best dishes in the house. Focus on the best dishes first so you can enjoy the experience (as will your stomach!)

You need a plan. You need to find a way that you can identify the best dishes that will work best for you. The issue is that the look of the dish doesn’t always guarantee the taste. Many dishes look great from the outside but when you actually bite into them they may not be so tasty. If you choose the wrong dish, you have a choice. You can either just down it or spit it out (politely of course!) It takes courage to spit it out. Forget what other people might think (they’re gonna think it anyway) You’re eating this buffet for you, not for anyone else.

The food won’t run away, but there are other people in the buffet line. If you don’t decide quickly some of the best dishes might be gone. But also don’t forget your plate is only so big and you need to finish one dish before you can come back for another one.

Life is like a buffet.

There are many things you want to achieve;y ou want to do it all. And while that’s all well and good, you only have so much time, and energy. So now, what do you do ? You need to take one bite at a time.

Focus on what you have in front of you now. To truly enjoy the food you can’t put too much in your mouth. Your stomach needs to slowly digest it. Focus on one dish at a time and get the most of each dish.

To truly enjoy the ever evolving journey we call life, you need to focus on and pay full attention to what you have in front of you right now. Allow your mind, body and soul to be here now… A great lesson with horses. If you ‘re thinking about what you’re going to do after the ride or that evening, rather than what that animal is feeling, doing… trust me, there might be an unforced dismount in your future. . Allow yourself to get the most out of it. Allow yourself to truly taste it.

When you finish the first dish no one will stop you from getting your second, third or fourth servings. Get one thing done and then come get your second serving as soon as you can.

And chocolate is as chocolate does to paraphrase Forrest Gump
Chocolate Coconut Cookies from allrecipes

Ingredients:
8 oz semisweet chocolate chips
3 oz flaked coconut
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1 egg, at room temperature
1 1/3 cup flour
1 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325. Grease or spray 2 cookie sheets. In a large bowl cream together the butter and both sugars. Add the egg and vanilla and beat well. Slowly add in the melted chocolate. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cocoa, salt and coconut. Slowly beat into the chocolate butter mixture. Mix until well combined then fold in chocolate chips. Drop in 1 tablespoon amounts 1 inch apart on the cookie sheets. Slightly flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon. Bake 13 minutes or until no longer shiny. Allow to cool about 3 minutes in the pan then remove to a wire rack. Incredible warm or at room temperature.

Should yield about 20 cookies.

And being a “full service innkeeper”,can’t forget our equine residents and guests. We all know what it feels like running up to your favorite horse with a yummy treat in your hand, and to see the horse joyfully nibble it up. But have you ever thought of making your own treats? Say goodbye to the classic carrots and apples — let’s get cooking!

HORSE COOKIES

* 1 cup of oatmeal

* 1 cup of flour
* 1/4 cup of molasses
* 1/4 of cup water
* 2 carrots or an apple
* 1 pinch of salt
* 1 tablespoon of sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Chop carrots or apple and mix with dry ingredients
3. Stir in all wet ingredients then fill a baking sheet.
4. Score into sections and spray with a bit of oil.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until brown.

GRAIN TREATS

Ingredients:

* 2 cups oats
* 1 cup molasses
* 1/2 finely chopped apple
* 1/4 cup water
* Carrot (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix everything together until slightly sticky.
2. Score into sections and bake in the oven at 425 degrees for about 10 min.
3. Leave the grain in the oven until cool.

I hope that you and your horses enjoy these treats! Picken gets one later after our ride… I’ll be focusing on her, trust me. Serve up the buffet.

Manker aka “The B&B Dog”

This week’s guests and how much they loved our flat coat retriever, Manker reminded me how much he is so bonded to us … “the family dog”, the “b&b dog”, the “watch dog” and of course the best running partner. He comes up each morning to get me out of bed for the run. A great partner, he ’s faithful, reliable and the perfect pacer in the heat of the summer and in the dead of winter.

Manker earned the latest nickname, the “B&B” dog, since our guests invariably want to take him with upon departure. He’s a great greeter at the door, without the jumping all over routine, will sleep outside whatever room the guests are in watching over. At the breakfast, he sits with them, but never begs, and just waits patiently for crumbs and other assorted goodies to fall his way.

We adopted him at a shelter when we still lived in California. We searched high and low for the “perfect” dog and at first considered German Shepards, greyhounds and hadnt even thought of the flat coat retriever. My history with dog ownership consisted of two attempts my parents made at adopting two dogs (in succession) claiming each time they were sick and returned them. In retrospect , they didnt want the hassle of dog ownership and that was the convenient way to handle it. So while we wanted a dog, (Dan more than me), I was still a little hesitant based on the track record.

When we first saw Manker, he came bounding out and they’d named him “Shadow” , a very affable sweet pooch. He jumped right in the car and off we went. When he first came in the house, he did an unceremonious pee in my home office. I think itwas more from nervousness, since he’s never done it again. it was We named him Manker after Manker Flats, a campground located at Mt. Baldy, in the Angeles National Forest where I did alot of training runs and races; one of my favorite places and near and dear to my heart.

In California, he was definitely more “Dan’s dog” as they spent alot more time together. I was always hesitant to take him running with me, lest he get nailed by some car. Here in Montana, where we have 40 acres; he loves he room, and likes taking up the chase of antelope, rabbits and such. He also loves Fish Creek and never misses an opportunity to take a swim. Unless of course it’s winter!

Manks is always ready to go for the morning run; and if he decides to “dog it”, will wait until I return and continue by my side.

He gets along quite well with the horses though when we first got the girls, he was running quite a bit under foot. A couple of ill -timed kicks when he’s gotten too in the way have taught him a healthy respect. However whenever I”m grooming Alle or Great Picken before or after we ride, he’s my watchful assistant making sure I do it right, and they get along famously.

I ‘m going to include him more in my journals, since he’s such a part of the life here at the Fish Creek House.

Seven Fruits of the Soul

The righteous person regards the life of his/her animal. Proverbs 12:10

Sunday food for the soul.
G-d is bringing you to a good land … A land of wheat, barley, grapes, figs and pomegranates; a land of oil-yielding olives and [date] honey” (Deuteronomy 8:
The Torah is a code. Or rather, the Torah is also a code: it very much means what it says, but also enfolds many levels of metaphor and allusion beneath its surface meaning.

So when the Torah talks about about a promised land that is distinguished by seven special fruits, it is also speaking about the human soul and its seven special qualities that drive it and enrich it. According on the symbolism in the teachings of Chassidism, the “seven kinds” with which the Land of Israel is blessed–wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates–represent the qualities of transcendence, vitality, joy, awareness, action, struggle and tranquility.

1) Transcendence (”wheat”): This is one of the great mysteries of the human condition: Why are we never content to simply be? We’re always seeking the “more”: to discover a new world, to rise above ourselves, to take it (”it” being whatever we happen to be involved in right now) to “the next level.” Not satisfied to know where we are, we want to know where we came from and where we are going.

2) Vitality (”barley”): The self has that “Yin and “Yan”our vital and , animal self. And while the animal self comes with no mean load of negative baggage (selfishness, greed, lust, vanity, cruelty…), selfhood has its positive points as well: a willpower, passion and energy that the more “spiritual” self could never muster. The trick, of course, is to channel it to the right places…

3) Joy (”grapes”): A happy person is an open book. Everything gushes forth; his personality flows free, without restraint and inhibition. Joy is the battering ram that breaks down barriers and constraints, whether they are internal or external, imagined or real…

4) Awareness (”fig”): Knowledge is more than power: it is the ability to involve oneself fully in one’s life and actions. A deed done in ignorance is a stab in the dark; a deed born out of knowledge is focused and effective. A deed born out of knowledge is an integral deed–an extension of, and enhancement to, the totality of the doer… Acts of gemutlich hasidim.

5) Action (”pomegranate”): And yet, there are times when to quote Nike : Just Do it! The ability to act because action is required, even if knowledge and understanding are lacking, even if it is “out of character” for us, is an all-important and redeemingfeature of the human soul. Trust me on this one… braving new territory to go from city girl to country girl.

6) Struggle (”olive”): There is another great mystery of the human state: the fact that we are at our most innovative and resourceful when faced by limits and the proverbial “wall”. . It may be as benign as the deadline for an office project or as momentous as a national crisis–we’re at our best when we’re pressed, and our creative juices are squeezed out of us in response to to the challenge This is the sixth soul-quality, the “olive”–the power to translate challenge and adversary into achange and achievement…

7) Tranquility (”date”): Like everything else, struggle has a flip-side: the blessings of tranquility. Even deeper than its “olive” lies the “date” of the soul: its core of tranquil perfection which nothing–neither the turmoils of the spirit, or those of society society–can disturb or even touch. And this well of harmony doesn’t just sit there in the inner recesses of our soul–we have the power to bore down into ourselves, to access it and tap it, to create for ourselves a space of immutable truth and perfect peace amidst the storms that batter our lives… Do I hear an “amen”?

Shalom

Simple Serenity

“For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G‑d” (Leviticus 16:30).

The ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were declared “The Ten Days of Repentance.” These are days of soul-searching and of individuals asking forgiveness of one another. Yom Kippur , The Day Of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year–the day on which we are closest to G‑d and to who really are. We get to reflect on what is truly important to us.

Choosing an Uncluttered, Focused Life
Adapted from “Simply Beautiful.” Prepared by Sam Quick, human development and family relations specialist, and Robert Flashman, family resource management specialist (1997), Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Letting go of nonessentials so that you can joyfully embrace what’s most important to you - that’s what it means to live simply. Choosing simplicity involves clearing away clutter that detracts from the true purpose and beauty of your life. It means taking a fresh look at what you really value and making sure you’re spending your time, energy, and money to support your cherished goals.

Voluntary simplicity doesn’t mean a bare-bones budget or shunning the wonders of modern technology. It may mean buying that new notebook computer so that you can spend time writing under the pine trees at your uncle’s cabin. It may mean splurging for the month-long overseas trip you’ve been dreaming about for decades.

Since we all have different values, gifts, and dreams, our ways of simplifying life will naturally represent a delightful range of choices. There is no one right way; we each must follow our passions, listen to our hearts, and create our own simple lifestyles. The intent is not to be more frugal than your neighbor.

Many of us, , are moving faster, doing more. With little time for reflection, we squeeze one activity after another into our frenzied lives. But are we really getting anywhere, or worse yet, will we end up in the wrong place?

Ah Balance, Grasshopper
According to national survey results, we are seeking balance. When asked to describe what would make their lives more satisfying, the answers usually do not focus on material goods. Instead of newer gadgets, more expensive cars, and bigger homes, most Americans say they want simpler lifestyles more in line with their core values.

In a 1995 study commissioned by the Merck Family Fund, 66 percent of Americans said they would be much more satisfied if they were able to spend more time with family and friends, while 56 percent called for a less hectic, more relaxed approach to life. Over 80 percent agreed that most of us buy and consume far more than we need.. Proving my “less is more” theory yet again The most common changes were working fewer hours, opting for a lower paying job, and withdrawing from the workforce to stay at home. According to the Trends Research Institute of Rhinebeck, NY, simplification is a leading trend of our times. We actually want more  balance and simplicity.

It’s easy, as individuals, to believe we can’t make a difference. We may feel we lack the knowledge, ability, or power to influence a problem. But nothing is further from the truth. The key to dealing with environmental challenges is recognizing that our actions can contribute directly to a solution.

In the course of everyday living, we can and do make a difference. Every time we conserve, recycle, reuse, share, or forego a marginally important purchase, we make a difference through our actions and by our example. Paul Hawken states, “Leave the world better than you found it, take no more than you need, try not to harm life or the environment, and make amends if you do.”

Gratitude is the Attitude
Every day, all the time, life surrounds us with countless wonders. Make it a point to tune in more frequently, to pause for a few seconds and enjoy what is. As they say ; the past is a memory, the future a dream. But right now - this moment - is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.

Heartfelt thankfulness - a simple practice that awakens us to the goodness of life and reminds us that we are awash in a sea of blessings. The more we count the many gifts of life, the deeper our appreciation and contentment grow. Gratitude helps us attract what we truly need and to paraphrase from my favorite movie, The Sound of Music, “Somewhere where the L-rd closes a door, He opens a Window”

For all of us who are not perfect, Yom Kippur is our day. Rather than be depressed by our failings, we celebrate them. Every sin, every slip up, every failed attempt at living up to our calling is another opportunity to grow and improve. Failing at our mission is itself a part of the journey.  I’ve found you can learn more from what doesnt/didnt work than what does

Yom Kippur is the day G-d thanks us for being human, and we thank G-d that we aren’t perfect. If we were, we’d have nothing to do.

The Celebration of Atonement

Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Teshuvah 3:4),
Although sounding the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is a Torah decree, it is also symbolic, as if to say, ‘Sleepers, awaken from your sleep! Slumberers, shake off your slumber! Scrutinize your deeds, return through repentance and remember your Creator. Those who ignore truth for the foolishness of the moment, who fritter away their years with meaningless folly, useless and ineffective, take a good look at yourselves and improve your ways.’

Yom Kippur is observed eight days after Rosh Hashanah. (The Jewish New Year). It began last night at sundown. It is believed that on Rosh HaShana G-d inscribes all of our names in the “books”, and on Yom Kippur the judgment entered in these books is sealed. The days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur are called the Days of Awe. Yom Kippur is, essentially, our last chance to demonstrate repentance and change G-d’s judgment. On Yom Kippur, our fate for the coming year is sealed.

Why do we celebrate Yom Kippur?

This is kind of a challenging “answer while standing on one foot” kind of question , as there are many different aspects to Yom Kippur and sources for its observance in the Torah and in stories and tradition. First, we are commanded by the Torah to “afflict ourselves” on Yom Kippur. This is interpreted as fasting, and Yom Kippur is one of the longest fasts in the year (Tisha B’Av is slightly longer) lasting from sunset on the day before to after sundown the night following Yom Kippur (over 25 hours). It is a time to confess our sins, and, more importantly, to renew our connection with G-d. This is why the day is called “Yom Kippur” (or Day of Atonement). It is interesting that in English, Atonement can be broken down into the words At one ment,, or becoming “at one,” united with G-d.

According to tradition, Yom Kippur is the day that Moses descended from Mount Sinai with a second set of tablets after he had destroyed the first set in the wake of the sin of the Golden Calf. It is said that these tablets radiated an even higher level of holiness than the first set, because they resulted from repentance. This demonstrates the power of atonement and the importance of personal improvement.  It is highest holy day in the Jewish calendar , and t even secular Jews often honor and set aside in some way. Much of the holiday is spent in the synagogue, in prayer.

Five days after Yom Kippur, is Sukkot. Sukkot is a harvest holiday, also known as the “Festival of Booths”. Sukkot is a joyous time.

So at one ment is actually a of celebration, We’re told, that G-d gives us the opportunity to get a new lease on life–the possibility of teshuva (return) . It reveals that Judaism is optimistic allowing us to renew our personal relationships and our relationship with G-d. Do i hear an “amen”?

Speaking of “amen”, a good pre-or post fast recipe from about.com

This Old-Fashioned Sweet Dairy Noodle Kugel is a great side dish to serve both before and after the Yom Kippur fast.

INGREDIENTS:

• 16 ounces (400 gm) broad egg noodles
• 4 Tbsp. (50 gm) butter, melted
• 1 pound (500 gm) cottage cheese
• 1 pound (500 gm) sour cream
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup crushed cornflakes
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4-1/2 cup sugar

PREPARATION:

1. Cook noodles in boiling water according to package direction. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a large bowl, mix the noodles with the melted butter, cheeses, eggs, sugar and vanilla.
3. Pour into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the cornflakes, cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle the cornflake mixture on top of the noodle mixture.
5. Bake for about 1 hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until the top is brown.