3 + 3 Reasons to be Happy

I just came back from a much needed vacation and I must say it was also my best birthday yet; no big birthday bash, cake or anything like that but it was peaceful. I had peace in my heart, resolved issues, decisions made, bigger dreams and goals to be achieved and oh, I became an auntie (my nephew was born on March 5th, four days after my birthday) and my mother arrived from Cameroon on my birthday itself.

Picking up Mom from the airport

What more could I ask for? Added bonus: I left the kids at home, yup, mommies need time away every now and then, Daddy did a good job filling in for me.

My Happy 33rd Birthday ...

Lounging

What about you all? what have you been doing in my absence? been eating good? exercising enough, sleeping well? breaking old habits? making new friends? what? I hope all good though. I started reading more again, great books always get me going...my anchor has always been God, Great circle of people and Great reads, what about you? What is your anchor? what gets you revamped? My Mother says her secret is staying JOYFUL but then she goes on to explain to me the difference between Joy and Happiness....well, I am so proud of her and impressed with her keeping up with FYR even in Cameroon. She actually fits in jeans my sister and I wear...trust me I almost fell to the ground when she zipped and buttoned this pair of size 8 Jeans.

53 year old mother of 5 adults

Mama

"Staying JOYful is my rejuvenator."

I enjoyed some Cameroonian dishes while I was on vacation, boy oh boy! my mother brought some cooked eru from Cameroon! Impossible? yes! but did she do it? YES! hahahahahahaha she is a NINJA. Eru is our traditional meal, consists mainly of a green leafy vegetable called 'eru', some palm oil, crayfish, maggi and any meat of choice. It is eaten with fufu or gari or in my case some rice or plantain.

My traditional meal: Eru (with gari)

Anyway, that's what I've been up to just in case anyone missed me :) I have been dreaming of some pesto and some cheesecake (raw-vegan) and some...oh well, I'm back to my juicing and RAW feast, care to join? Come back soon, you never know what I'll be un-COOKING next time. Have a swell day everyone and ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE HAPPY xoxo

"I'm living my life like it's GOLDEN."

Remember to  EAT & DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

A VERY FISHY AFFAIR

Click on each picture to get an 'EYE-FULL' yummmmmy...

The only reason why I will not be considered 100% vegan is because every now and then I love to eat my fish, I guess you can call me the TWISTED VEGAN :) It seems like it is the only food out of the Vegan food list that 'sits well' in my stomach after I eat it. I love Tilapia, Salmon and Cod fish. My portion is literally like a deck of cards and I always eat it with a side of veggies. I'd say I eat fish at least once a month or once every other month and it is more than enough for me. As for meats and cheese (and all other forms of dairy), they really are my enemies, even though sometimes I 'tease' around with them. My body reacts negatively to these foods and I guess that's why I stay away...Meats and dairy (yes including fish too) are acid-forming foods and live foods (organic fruits, veggies, etc) are alkaline-forming. We ALWAYS want our bodies to be slightly more alkaline. An acidic body is a breeding ground for Dis-ease. If you'll like to know more read  THE CHINA STUDY.

A Very FLAKY-FISHY Affair:

I usually use Salmon for this recipe but I didn't have any at home. Works well with either.

Ingredients for Fish:

4 cod fillets
1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Lightly rub olive oil on both sides of each cod fillet. Next, coat each side of the fillets with Italian bread crumbs. Place each piece of fish in a baking dish. Set oven to 350 degrees and bake fish for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Ingredients for 'CHEEZY' Veggies

1 cup mixed carrots and peas
13 oz can garbanzo beans (cheakpeas)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp olive oil
Sprinkle of salt (Optional)
2-3 Tbsp nutritional yeast

Directions:

First, lightly steam carrots and peas mix and chick peas, set aside. Next, in a separate pan saute onions until translucent. Add garlic powder, black pepper and mix. Then  add carrots and peas and stir. Lastly add  nutritional yeast mix and let cook uncovered for about 2 minutes. Serve with fish and enjoy.

Anyway, hope you enjoy it. My favorite part of this meal is the Cheezy veggies, the nutritional yeast gives it that creamy-cheezy flavor and it is also very nutritious for you. Here are some great benefits of nutritional yeas, which you  can buy at your local farmer's market or whole foods store.

NUTRITIONAL YEAST FACTS:

-Great source of  B-complex vitamins especially B-12
-It is a complete protein
-It is low in sodium, fat and is gluten-free and dairy-free
-It is NOT YEAST(because it has been deactivated)

ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE HAPPY

Another blurry picture gone ARTSY! 

Remember to  EAT & DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY XOXO

George & Camilla (One of my favorite pictures of these two)

How will you spend your Valentine's day? Are you one of those people who show their love everyday and don't feel that one day should be solely dedicated to 'Lovers' or are you going to jump into the band wagon of those willing to pour enormous sums of money into this capitalist frenzy known as Valentine's day? Whichever one you are, do what feels right for you and follow your beliefs, it is one more day in which you are alive so be HAPPY in it! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to all the lovers out there.....

Colleen & Dan (What woman wouldn't love to be kissed on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris?)

For Those of You with Significant Others:

1. Go out on a date or better yet set up date night at home  if money is tight.
2. Do something fun together, what do you enjoy doing together? hiking, pottery painting, etc do something out of the ordinary.
3. Write each other a love letter, a poem, a note, a massage, a foot rub, do the dishes, take out trash: love is in the details, it's usually the very small things that count the most (check out some of my mushy-lovey-dovey poetry at www.authorsden.com/berniceangoh or better yet get a copy of my book 'When a Woman Loves a Man' )
Click Here: BUY 'WHEN A WOMAN LOVES A MAN'

Irene & David (Such infectious smiles too)

For Those Who are Single:

1. Love yourself, pamper yourself, go to a spa or give yourself some TLC treatment at home

Maureen Lermer Photography "Bubble Bath"

2. Talk to an old friend, go out for tea with a friend or go by yourself, enjoy being single!
3. Be your own best valentine, write a love letter to yourself and spoil yourself rotten like no one else can
4. Do some work around the house, paint, read, dance...

What a man can do a woman too can do, EVEN BETTER!

5. If you have children it gets even better, who says your children can't be your little Valentines?

Had to steal this picture of my friend, Maureen and one of her 3 children, Malaika

Maureen &  her daughter, Malaika: "GIRL TIME"

Here is a poem I wrote for my daughter several years ago (well, now I have revised it and included my son):

My little Valentines, Nina & Ricky: I was so happy to have captured this cute moment :)

LITTLE CUPID

She/He came neither with a bow nor an arrow

yet she/he cut right through me

with her/his very first cry.

Copyright © 2008-2012 by Bernice Angoh

For Those Who are Broken-Hearted:

1. Cry, it always works. The end of a relationship is like a death, you have to go through all the stages, don't fight it. But remember that you will be happy again, oh YES! even if you don't believe it this moment.

2. Get a copy of 'Lemonade Street', a collection of bitter-sweet love poems. You will thank me later for this. Click Here: BUY 'LEMONADE STREET'

 3. Be your best Valentine ever, spoil yourself rotten!

Maureen Lermer Photography "CANDLELIGHT"

 Thank you to all my friends who let me use their beautiful photography to CAPTURE this wonderful season and BRIGHTEN up my blog entry, love, B

XOXO