My days are non-stop from the moment my two boys wake up in the morning until my head hits the pillow at night, and for sometime thereafter as I process the day and plan for tomorrow. It is a whirlwind of meals, diapers, cleaning, playgroups, naps, games, laundry, baths, books and bedtime…and repeat. It is full of constant movement and leaves very little time for me to catch a moment for myself.

Maybe your days are filled with emails, meetings, conference calls and budget projections. Perhaps it’s students, homework, classes, and lesson plans. Whatever it is that engulfs our daily lives, we would all greatly benefit from creating a little inner space. Clear out the mental and emotional clutter, and find just a few minutes of peace.

Now, how do we do it? A quick online search on “meditation” is overwhelming and frankly terrifying. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I need is another book I should read, feelings of guilt about what I’m not doing, or another task on my already lengthy to-do list: Monday – learn to meditate. So for those of us who are overworked, overwrought, over-scheduled, and overcome, here are a few simple ideas for helping create some inner space.

In her book The One Minute Active Meditation Technique, Alannah Jantzen says, “we often forget how important breathing is, yet to breathe is to live…It is also in my opinion the easiest meditation technique of all and holds tremendous healing power.”

• Breathe in through your nose, hold the breath, and then breathe out through your nose.

• Count a rhythm that works for you. For example, inhale for 4 counts, hold the breath for 4 counts and exhale for 4 counts.

• As you inhale, fill your belly and lower back first, then the sides of your ribs and then your upper chest.

• One round of breathing equals 12 seconds. You can do four complete breath cycles in one minute. Feel what happens as you do this.

To help relieve a little tension, www.themeditationsite.com recommends the following exercise:

• Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and tense up your body for a moment. Now breathe deeply through your nose as you release the tension from each muscle one by one. If tension remains somewhere, tense up that part again, then let it relax.

• Let your breathing fall into a comfortable pattern, and pay attention to it. Though your mind will wander endlessly, all you have to do is continually bring attention back to your breath. Try naming the distractions as a way of setting them aside. For example, say in your mind, "itchy leg," "worried about work," or "anger," and then immediately return attention to your breathing.

• Do this meditation for five or ten minutes, or for 100 breaths. When you open your eyes, you’ll feel relaxed, and your mind will feel refreshed.

A writer for www.odemagazine.com shares this great pressure-free tip:

• Take meditation time where you find it. After a full day of work, heading to my three-hour evening class (and then to helping a friend with a late-night art project), I realized my best bet for meditation time was the train. Of course it wasn’t the best of surroundings, and I was distracted. But I sat down, meditated to the screech of the train instead of to music and left the train much more relaxed and energetic than I had entered it. Take what you can get!

We can’t always find 30 minutes to relax, turn off the distractions and re-focus our minds. Maybe all we have is five minutes while our kids are watching Dora the Explorer. But whatever time we can find to quiet our minds and hearts and relax our bodies will help bring a little peace to our chaos.

How do you create a little inner space?

photo istockphoto.com

Photo Walls
It may seem like an obvious suggestion, but photo walls are great for bringing some personalized family artwork into your home. Get creative with the framing, the arrangement and the photos to create a gallery-inspired creation that will add beauty and sentimentality to your space.

Take inspiration from this fantastic gallery wall by Shawni of 71 Toes, which features snapshots from locations the family has traveled. All are framed in antique window panes.

Silhouettes
I’ve seen silhouettes popping up all over in a big way, and I love ‘em! From jewelry to wall décor pieces, they’re a simple, beautiful expression of individual family members. Have silhouettes of each family member made or try your hand at crafting your own. Then frame them for display. The talented Emily of Jones Design Company has a great tutorial for making your own.

Family Trees
Display your family heritage and teach your kids about their ancestors with a family tree that deserves to be on display. Custom family trees by Legacy Design are gorgeous artistic representations of your family’s lineage.

Photo Display Books
Yes, they’ve been popular since digital SLR cameras became the tool of choice for many moms who wanted to chronicle the big (and not so big) moments of their little ones early years, but photo display books are still a great way to showcase your family’s collection of photos. Create a book at Blurb, set on the coffee table and enjoy reminiscing!

A Family Mission Statement
If you haven’t created a family mission statement, it’s a fantastic exercise that will help you and yours understand what your family stands for while communicating that message to others. A detailed tutorial can be found at Simple Mom, but in short, you want to whittle down your values as a family and then use those values as a guide for writing your mission statement. Once you’re drafted your mission statement (which will likely take some time), display it in a place that will remind you of your family’s convictions … paint it onto canvas, write it on a chalkboard or print it onto card stock and frame it.

In the culinary world, “space” can refer to quite a few different things. It could mean “negative” space, which is a garnishing term for the clean space around the edge of a plate with the food in the center. It could also mean “counter” space, or “storage” space, or even “fridge” space. I suppose it could mean freeze-dried food like they eat in “outer” space, but that might be a stretch.

When I think about space in my kitchen I am thinking about the all important “counter” space. I recently had a little “clear off the counters” party in my kitchen. It had gotten to a point where I was always crowded as I worked by objects and items that I needed but simply had no where else to put them except on the counter. So I thought today we could list a few space saving tips for those with crowded kitchens.

Ditch the big block of knives- I found great magnetic knife strips at Target that could be easily mounted on the wall above the counter.

Eliminate the coffee bar- I had a huge coffee maker that took up a whole corner on my counter. That would be okay if 10 people drank coffee at my house every morning, but that’s not the case. A small half-pot maker is much less space consuming.

Thin out your junk drawer- Every kitchen has that drawer that serves as a catch-all for junk. If you clean it out you might discover something you forgot you had. I found a twenty dollar bill, woo hoo!

Keep the kitchen clean- if you’re anything like me you walk into the house with your hands full and set everything down on the kitchen counter. By avoiding this,will help you have plenty of space when you start cooking.

There are countless other ways to increase space in your kitchen, and I hope you will all share with us how you make the most out of your space.

This week’s recipe is going to be short, but sweet. With football season approaching, the parties will start in full force and tailgating will be on everyone’s mind. This apple pie recipe should be a perfect bring along for the pregame festivities, and will even look good sitting on your clean countertops!

Deep Dish Apple Pie:
5 lbs apples, peeled and sliced thin
½ stick butter
2 tsp cinnamon, ground
2 tsp nutmeg, ground
2 Tbsp sugar
1 pre-made pie crust

1. Place some of the apples in a deep baking dish.
2. Sprinkle with a little of the Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Sugar.
3. Cut the butter into little pieces and place them throughout the apples evenly. This is called “dotting” with butter.
4. Repeat these layers till all the ingredients are used.
5. Cover with piecrust and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until brown and the apples are soft.

Of course, this will taste even better if you serve each slice with some homemade vanilla ice cream.

As always,
Stay hungry my friends.

photo istockphoto

Here are some of our top small space tips:

-Multi-tasking furniture increases usable space! If you can fill an ottoman with toys and remotes, you probably earned a few extra feet that would otherwise be filled with baskets or piles of clutter.

- Think vertically. You can house a book collection on shelves instead of a low-lying bookcase, earning enough room for additional seating or storage. Arranging collections such as books in a creative way also makes a big impact without spending additional moolah on art!

-Invest in built-ins. Sometimes it pays to gain extra space with built-in storage. Adding a window seat in an awkward alcove or perching a bed between built-in shelves can actually create the focal point in an otherwise bland room.

-Hide clutter! Using curtain panels or drapes to hide under-the-counter clutter creates less confusion for the eye.

-Use appropriately sized furniture. Some items look great in the show room but are designed for large-scale rooms. Be careful to avoid oversized furniture, which will make small rooms feel smaller. Many stores (like Ikea) offer condo-sized furnishings such as sofas and dining sets that don’t overwhelm small spaces.

And if you still need a little inspiration, here are some rooms we think maximize style with minimum space.

photos domino, besthomedesign.com, simplyseleta.typepad.com, rootedinstyle.com, elledecor.com, re-nest.com, vithouse.com, newhouseofart.com, highglossblue.com, nabuzz.com,

From the time that I was really little, I was raised to appreciate the great classics of American film. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were household names, and often my play time revolved around the theme of a Shirley Temple movie. The storylines of these movies would sweep me away to worlds of grand adventure, heroic gentlemen and strong starlets who, after overcoming some major challenge, all lived happily ever after by the end of the movie.

One of my all time favorite movies from this genre is Roman Holiday. The movie follows the young Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn), who sneaks out of the castle to explore Rome without the restrictions of being royal. While on her grand adventure, she meets Joe (Gregory Peck), a reporter who helps her experience the local lifestyle before returning to the palace. During their time together, Ann is able to visit the majestic aspects of Rome, such as the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Mouth of Truth. Vespa rides and sidewalk cafes help round out her spontaneous vacation, all from the vantage point of a normal citizen. Even though she must return to her responsibilities as a princess, Ann’s time in a different environment has a lasting impact, and both of the main characters return to their normal lives with different perspectives because of their time together.

I love this movie for two reasons. I love the fact that the audience gets to experience Rome and the Italian culture alongside Princess Ann, and even though it was filmed in black and white, Roman Holiday still captures the splendor of this wonderful European city. But the main reason behind my affinity for this film is the understanding that Princess Ann gains while on her adventure. She had spent her life wishing to be someone else, and believed that she would be happier if she could trade her crown in for a sidewalk café. Even though Ann had the choice to remain a “commoner,” her time in the city allowed the princess to discover a new aspect of her character, and the experience actually helped her embrace her royal role instead of resent it.

There are days when I wish that I could sneak out the back door and leave all the responsibilities and demands of life to someone else. At times, I catch myself wondering if the grass is greener somewhere else and if I missed the boat along the way. The truth of the matter is, I am right where I am supposed to be, and have an important role to play in the life that I have been given. While it is a good thing to take a “Roman Holiday” every once in a while, when I embrace who I am created to be, I am free to live my life to its fullest potential.

photo voneurope.com

Northeast Italy
The Northeast area is a perfect example of the variety of that is found all across Italy. The Dolomites, a section of the Alps, cover much of Trentino-Alto Adige, while the Veneto and Friuli are richly influenced by the Adriatic Sea. Dishes such as spaghetti alle vongole, spaghetti with fresh clams, and brodo de pesce, a Venetian fish soup often seasoned with saffron, typify the traditional use of fresh seafood as well as spices brought to Italy from Eastern trade routes. It is also easy to see the Eastern influence in the architecture of Venice. Commonly known as Venetian Gothic, it is a spectacular blend of Byzantine domes and Islamic minarets with the European Gothic-style pointed arches. The Basilica de San Marco in the heart of Venice is a perfect example of this marriage of east and west. And what better way to experience it than by cruising the watery canals in your own private gondola.

Northwest Italy
Much like the area to its east, Northwest Italy is made up of three very different geological characteristics. The northern border of these regions includes the ski resorts of the Alps, while to the south lies the vineyard-covered hills of Barolo. Finally, lining the Mediterranean coastline is Liguria, known best for cliff-perched cities of Portofino, Sorrento, and Cinque Terre. As the home of rice-growing in Italy, risotto figures prominently in the cuisine of the area and the lush Alpine meadows help produce some of the finest cheeses in Italy, including Gorgonzola and mascarpone. The region is also home to the Nebbiolo grape, which produces both Barolo and Barbaresco, two of the most prized wines in the world.

Central Italy
The Central regions include some of the most loved and most visited towns in all of Italy. In Tuscany you will find the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the art and architecture of Florence, and the medieval hill towns of Siena and San Gimignano. Lesser well-known are Umbria, Le Marche and Emilia-Romagna, Italy’s agricultural heartland, and the home of Parmigiano-Reggiano, balsamic vinegar from Modena and prosciutto de Parma. The food of the area is primarily based on peasant fare. Simple and hearty, the cuisine relies on olive oil, tomatoes, beans, hams and salami – think spaghetti Bolognese, ribollita, and bistecca alla Fiorentina, grilled steak seasoned with olive oil and herbs. Tuscany is one of the major wine-producing regions of the country, home to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello de Montalcino, and the ever-popular Chianti Classico. Looking for a true local experience? Skip the hotel, and rent a home or villa in the Tuscan countryside. We rented a villa with friends at the holidays one year, and spent a perfect Thanksgiving eating pasta and exploring the Chianti road.

Lazio
The region that includes Rome deserves an entire section unto itself. The Roman Forum, the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica – just the tip of the Roman iceberg that would take weeks to fully explore. Outside Rome, the fertile, volcanic soil produces grapes, olives, fruit and nut trees. The abundance of local seasonal produce is the foundation traditional cucina romanesca. Look for the familiar spaghetti alla carbonara, saltimbocca alla Romana – veal with ham and sage – and local artichokes prepared in dozens of different ways. Coffee is almost as important to the Romans as wine. Espresso is enjoyed at any time of day, but save your cappuccino for breakfast. To order it at any other time is to brand yourself a “typical American.”

Southern Italy
The regions of Southern Italy offer a vast array of fascinating archeological sites, including the ruins of Pompeii in Campania and the Valley of the Temples in Sicily. Each region has its own local culinary specialties, such as orcchiette pasta in Puglia, agnello arrosto, or roast lamb, of Sardinia, and the world-renowned pizza Margherita of Naples. But the staples that are common across the entire south are seafood, dry white wine, fruity green olive oil, rosemary, capers, sundried tomatoes and sardines. These together with local fresh vegetables and tomatoes help create one of the healthiest diets in Europe.

No matter what your interest is – from food to art to history to wine – each of the regions of Italy will offer you a unique and diverse experience. The hardest part will be deciding where to go first.

photos lowflyzone.org, destination360.com, summerfieldstuscanycountrysideitalytours.com, wallpapersforvista.com, forbesmedia.com

When I think of Italy, I can’t help but think of romance. The food, the wine, the language, the landscape … ah, that’s amore! But even if you can’t escape to the sun-drenched Italian countryside, you can bring a little bit of Italy home. Just incorporate a few of these ideas into an at-home date night with your hubby for a little Italian-inspired amore.

The Food
To begin, set a menu with well-loved Italian eats. A great start to any Italian meal is bruschetta. I could eat gallons of this stuff! It’s also super simple to prepare, and it makes great use of summer’s ripe tomatoes and basil. Use this recipe by Tiffany of the Cucina della Mamma cooking blog. For the main course, follow the bruschetta with our own Martin’s lasagna. A delight you’re sure to love. And once you and the hubby have had your fill of the good stuff, satisfy your sweet tooth with a serving of gelato. If you have a Paciugo nearby, pick up the good stuff from there or snag some from your local gourmet grocer. PaIr the gelato with a cup of Illy coffee.

The Libations
Any sommelier at a fine restaurant or wine connoisseur at a gourmet grocer or market can suggest an Italian wine to complement your menu. If you select a red, try to decant the wine to allow for full flavor and body before enjoying. If you prefer something a bit sweeter, try a bottle of Prosecco, a dry sparkling Italian wine. And if you’d prefer to avoid alcohol altogether, simply serve a bottle of San Pellegrino.

The Music
Set the mood with a little music by Italian-born singer Andrea Bocelli. Dean Martin also has a good rendition of That’s Amore, which can be downloaded at iTunes.

The Entertainment
After dinner, snuggle up on your couch with a film that celebrates Italy. Choose from one of these movies, as suggested by MadeMan.com: “Under the Tuscan Sun,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “Life is Beautiful,” “Il Postino,” “Only You,” “Where Angels Fear to Tread,” “A Room With a View,” “The Godfather,” “Three Coins in a Fountain” and “Roman Holiday.”

photo istockphoto.com

My favorite part of “The Sopranos” was when they would all sit down to dinner. The lavish spreads of homemade pastas and Italian meats always made me a little jealous of Tony as it seemed that being a mob boss did have it’s fare perks. The point is, nobody does big, family-style feasts better than the Italians. They spread out a smorgasbord of homemade goodness then take two hours to eat, talk, and genuinely enjoy their meal with their family. This week, we are trying an old-school Italian dish that should keep the whole family at the table and conversing.

Lasagna

12 oz ground Italian sausage, mild
1 cup onion, chopped medium
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed
6 dried lasagna noodles
1 egg, beaten
1 15 oz ricotta cheese
¼ cup Parmesan, grated
1 ½ cups mozzarella, shredded

1. To make the sauce cook sausage, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is brown. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
3. Cook noodles, drain them then rinse with cold water and set aside.
4. To make the filling combine egg, ricotta, and Parmesan. Set aside.
5. In a 2 qt rectangular baking dish, spread ½ cup sauce on the bottom then layer half the noodle on the sauce overlapping where necessary.
6. Next layer half the filling. Top with half of the remaining sauce and half of the mozzarella.
7. Repeat layers till finished.
8. Place baking dish on a baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes.
9. Lets stand for 10 minutes then serve.

Much like all my recipes, this is a base model that can be customized to fit your tastes. You could stack layers of veggies or add spicy sausage. If you have a big crowd to feed, double the recipe. However you choose to make it, enjoy it “Italian” style.

As always,
Stay hungry my friends.

photo jomaaspizza.ca

photos italianvillas.com