 Sometimes we save things, pretty or sentimental, and hold them close to our hearts. The average person probably calls this a collection. Let me tell you, I saw many collections when I did home health house calls many years ago. People collect salt and pepper shakers, ash trays, shot glasses and yes, even absolutely adorable Nun Dolls. The list of the items a person could collect is endless. Time is taken to display, dust and share the joy of collectables with friends and unexpected guests. It’s really not a bad thing. Well to my amazement while I was in an antique shop looking for a few more punch bowl cups, instead of seeing collections I saw stories of people’s lives. Holiday dinners were being served on these broken up collections of plates, smiles and stories about everyday lives were being exchanged. These dishes in piles brought up visions similar to a Norman Rockwell painting, a feeling of a family bond, a rare history that some get to hold dear to their hearts and experience in their lives. That vision created a sentimental feeling in my stomach. Then the feeling shifted and it kind felt like a glowing of energy. I felt the presence of these people, their history and their lives lived in joy and sadness. It was pretty heavy; I guess this is how my brain works, or maybe it was the energy trapped inside these stacks of plates, these well made antique items. Interestingly enough it was not long after this experience I was asked, “What do you collect?” To my surprise I responded to the warm person that asked me without hesitation or thought, “Smiles, Got one for me?” Of course her smile appeared so bright and brilliant it is ingrained in my memory for life. By asking for a smile I surprised myself as well as her. What really happened was I asked for and collected something. Just the thought of collecting happy smiles makes me sparkle inside. So yes, I collect something precious that I hold dear to my heart, pure joy and big bright beautiful smiles!
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 A friend, Lynda, and I were about 45 minutes early to a Reflexology appointment. We anxiously awaited this appointment, it was about two hours away from where we live. Lynda is one of those rare friends, you laugh at pretty much everything with, and then laugh some more. In the south we call that getting tickled. I have to say, “I wish everyone could experience a tickle, at least once a week.”
We were so early for our appointment we decided to stop in at a Goodwill Store and mosey around to see what we could find. She scored big, (that’s what we say long and loud when we find a treasure, or a meal that is really delicious, SCCCOOOORE!) finding a handheld massage tool, a space heater, and some brand new tights that had gold sparkles on them. We laughed at the many holiday decorations, and an over-sized hot pink lace brassiere! However, I was drawn to all these odd glass punch bowl cups. There were probably close to 50 cups sitting on the many shelves. I stared at them and they stared back at me. Most of the little glass punch bowl cups were different, but some did match. While looking at them I had an overwhelming feeling, “take these cups home with you,” my intuition said, (plus they were only 10 cents each). Some gloomy thoughts and questions came into my head… “you are downsizing, you don’t really need them, and what are you going to do with all those odd cups?” Well, I have learned to trust my intuition, and decided to compromise. So, I bought just three shining glass punch bowl cups to take home with me. When I got home I promptly put the three cups in the dishwasher. As I took the little jewels out of the dishwasher one at a time, they sparkled with a fairy-like magic. I stacked them up and left them near the sliding glass doors where I would see them every day thinking … “I will do something with these pretty little things.” A few weeks passed, and one sunny morning I was walking my little dog on a green mossy path, it glowed with the first hint of spring! The trees on our walk spoke to me saying, “why not decorate us year-round with sparkling things?” I immediately saw the cups in the trees sparkling. So there it was, a use for all those punch bowl cups… Unfortunately, I was to busy to drop everything and drive two hours away to get the many cups I previously saw. I hung the three sparkling little gems I had and went on with my routine. But those cups called to me, haunting me. This cup story became an on-going saga between Lynda and I, and among many friends. Interestingly enough, people began bringing me their old unused punch bowl cups. I had to order cup hanger hooks in bulk! Now I have hung over 75 cups. While hanging some cups it came to me to ask the trees, “why cups?” I could have used garland or Christmas lights. The trees responded quickly with, “to remind you, your cup runneth over.” So now I have no excuse not to be grateful, every time I look out my window and see the sparkling cups or drink a cup of tea, I am reminded, my cups run over with joy and gratitude! Ok SO . . . a week of spring time air has me thinking. But, it’s to early to plant outside. I know better than to plant to early and stress that things will get bit by a cold night and ruined. What does a healthy gardener do? SPROUT, SPROUT and Sprout some more! Get some lentils and dance around the kitchen. (sprouting instructions below)  Put lentils in a hand held strainer or colander inside a bowl.
Rinse the lentils and sort through for stones or debris (the water is always dusty and dirty). Set the strainer in the bowl and fill the bowl with water so the lentils are covered by an inch. Let soak overnight. In the morning, strain the lentils. Rinse well. If you have pets or a lot of dust, transfer your lentils to a quart canning jar. Rinse again in the evening. Cover with cloth and place in a quiet spot. Rinse the lentils two times a day until the lentil sprouts reach your desired length. The speed of the growth depends on the temperature of the room; I leave mine for 2-4 full days. Store in the refrigerator. Enjoy on top of salads, soups or or toss with salt, pepper and olive oil. Yes it's true, massage and laughter are great health tools!
Both tools help to decrease your anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve your digestion, burn calories and are considered passive forms of exercise. So YES! this is good stuff for your health!  Simple acts add up to lifestyle changes that are easy and affordable. Cut up zucchini slices, put them in a snack baggies with a splash of pink salt. When you choose eating a healthy low calorie snack like this, you have more energy and save time on the go!
Take a leap toward better health, sometimes you just have to jump!
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Hi, I'm Jude!I love to share healthy lifestyle tips and recipes. I teach cooking classes and help people all over the world to have more fun and live healthier. 
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