Responsibility, Choice, and Freedom Your Role in Creating the Life You Want In this month’s cover article, Ashley and Chris wrote about the freedom a friend of theirs felt after he finally made the decision to divorce his spouse and end an unhappy marriage. They also mentioned that many individuals struggle to make these big life choices. For those who are in an abusive or controlling relationship, this choice may feel even more difficult to make. The good news is that you do have the power to change your life.While the divorce process has many parts, coming to this realization may be the most important! To have the best divorce, you first need to accept that you are in control of your destiny and then use that knowledge to create the life you deserve. While it’s common to feel afraid of the unknown future without your spouse, many people feel empowered by taking responsibility for their situation and trusting in the knowledge that they can create a better situation for themselves. This is especially true for those who’ve been with abusive or narcissistic spouses who have degraded their self-esteem over time. If you’re in an unhappy marriage, but you still feel hope for your future with your spouse. This knowledge can be just as empowering. Instead of continuing to remain stuck in a rut, you need to do something different. Often this means reaching out for support, including help from a marriage counselor.We have some great resources on our sister page StayMarriedFlorida.com for those looking to improve their relationship and address the recurring challenges making them feel constrained or unhappy. Regardless of what you decide to do, the important thing is to remember that you are free to choose and create the life you want. This freedom, however, comes with the responsibility to own your situation and your role in it, get clear on what the best choice is for you, and use that knowledge to act. We’re here to help. In addition to the resources on StayMarriedFlorida.com for couples seeking to mend their marriage, you can also find resources BrucePA.com to learn more about the divorce process.
Want to Save Money and Improve Your Diet? Grow Your Own Sprouts! You’ve probably crunched down on a mouthful of bean sprouts in a sandwich or stir-fry, but those delicate white stalks are just one part of the massive, super- healthy sprout family. Almost any seed, bean, nut, or grain can be sprouted, including black beans, broccoli, sunflower seeds, and quinoa! Sprouts offer tons of health benefits, including essential vitamins and minerals, digestion-easing fiber, and age-fighting antioxidants. Sprouts will level up your diet, but they can be expensive and come in non- recyclable plastic containers. To get the benefits without the hit to the wallet or the planet, grow your own with this handy five-step guide.
1. Decide how many types of sprouts you’d like to grow. Then buy your seeds at a local garden center or online at TrueLeafMarket.com or SproutPeople.org.
2. Purchase a seed-sprouting jar kit OR a corresponding number of quart-sized glass canning jars, wide-mouthed canning rings, and stainless-steel sprouting screens (these will replace the metal jar lids). If you have jars and rings at home, use those and save another buck. 3. Add 3 tablespoons of sprouting seeds and 2 cups of water to the bottom of each clean jar. Screw on the lids and sprouting screens, then swirl the seeds, pour out the water, and replace it another 2–4 cups of water. Leave the jars on the counter to soak overnight. (These measurements may vary from seed to seed. Check your seed packaging or ask your local gardening store for guidance.) 4. In the morning, dump out the water and repeat Step 3. Then, place each jar upside down or at an angle (in a bowl or on a stand) and leave it there to fully drain. Toss your sprouts and start over if they start to smell rancid or turn brown.
Is your friend or client married to a controlling, manipulative, narcissistic husband?
5. Repeat Step 4 several times a day for 3–5 days, until your seeds sprout. Then, dry the sprouts and store them in the fridge.
OUR BOOKS CAN HELP!
When it’s time to eat your homegrown sprouts, be careful! Seeds can be contaminated with bacteria, so The Cleveland Clinic recommends boiling, roasting, or steaming your sprouts, just in case. To learn more about growing your own sprouts, pick up “The Sprout Book,” “The Sprouting Book,” or “Homegrown Sprouts” at your local library.
The book can be downloaded for FREE at www.divorceinformationbooks.com.
2 • BrucePA.com
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software