GET IN THE RIGHT HEADSPACE
How is this possible? The secret is stress relief. Stress produces cortisol, a hormone that can affect the function of your brain and other organs, contributing to headaches, heart disease, and even early death. Mindful meditation puts your body in a state of relaxation, reducing stress and cortisol levels. Why Headspace? Like the muscles of your body, you need to exercise your mind if you want to see improvement. Meditation can help strengthen your mind. Headspace is an app that acts as a teacher, providing guided meditation courses to help you learn this new skill. Though not the only meditation app on the market, Headspace is one of the most in-depth and easy to use. Studies examining the effectiveness of Headspace found that individuals who used the app reported better focus, less stress, improved mood, and feeling less aggressive and reactive to negative feedback. Going through a disability claim can be a struggle. Headspace might be able to help you find a moment to relax and strengthen your mind for the next challenge. Learn more about Headspace at Headspace.com or download the app on your smartphone today.
This month, we want to talk about Headspace, a mindful meditation app that might be the tool you need to find peace of mind.
What Is Meditation? First, put away the images of beads, healing crystals, special rugs, chanting, and other stereotypes about meditation inspired by the hippie movement and consumer culture. Meditation isn’t about transforming who you are or becoming one with nature. It’s about building a greater awareness of yourself and your surroundings so you’re more prepared to deal with everyday challenges, whether those challenges are related to stress, sleep, focus, pain, or anger. How Can Meditation Help? The idea that sitting still and breathing for five minutes can help you deal with pain sounds like something from a snake oil salesman, but there’s research to back it up. Multiple studies and reviews published in the JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness meditation helps fight insomnia, improves sleep, and helps relieve pain, anxiety, and depression.
SOUTHERN CLASSIC: BOURBON BALLS
DAD
JOKE
Recipe from Rhonda Ruckman, executive pastry chef of Herbsaint , Cochon Butcher , Calcasieu , and Pêche in New Orleans, Louisiana
Ingredients
• 2 cups pecan halves • 2 cups shortbread cookies, crushed into crumbs (about 10 ounces) • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream • 4 tablespoons light corn syrup • 2 tablespoons honey • 1/4 cup sugar
• 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (Ruckman prefers Valrhona Equatoriale 55%) • 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon bourbon (Ruckman uses Evan Williams Single Barrel or Buffalo Trace) • 1 vanilla bean
Q: Why don’t penguins play football? A: Snowballs!
Directions
1. Place pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 F until fragrant. Set aside and allow to cool. 2. Chop 1 cup of the pecans into small pieces and add to shortbread crumbs in a large bowl. Set aside. 3. In a small sauce pot, heat together cream, light corn syrup, and honey. Bring to a boil and pour over chopped chocolate in a bowl. Let stand for 1 minute and mix to combine. Pour mixture over shortbread and pecans, and add bourbon. Mix thoroughly. 4. Chill mixture for 1 hour in the refrigerator. 5. While mixture chills, slice vanilla bean in half and scrape out the vanilla inside. Add vanilla to sugar and mix together. Chop remaining pecans finely and add to vanilla-sugar mixture. Set aside. 6. Form chilled crumb mixture into small balls with a teaspoon and roll them through pecan-vanilla-sugar mixture. Enjoy immediately or store in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
757-220-4529 | 3
Made with FlippingBook Online document