06Jul 2013 by CJ

More and more retailers and restaurants are open on holidays

Life & Living
The 4th of July seemed to come and go this year with little fanfare. This celebration, which has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, has become more about firework displays and retail sales than anything else. For those of us who haven’t opened a history book in a while I provide the following from the History Channel’s website: “In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth…
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03Jul 2013 by CJ

Remembering what grandma used to cook

Love & Relationships
A coworker recently told me of a dessert she was making over the weekend. As she began describing her recipe I recognized it immediately – Pistachio Cake. [caption id="attachment_1794" align="alignright" width="300"] Thanks for the picture Lindsay![/caption] Cool whip, cake mix and pistachio pudding all conspire together to make a truly delectable dessert – as you can tell by the picture. I hadn’t heard of many people making this cake before, though my grandmother used to make it religiously growing up.Seeing this “green” dessert again brought back memories of grams and her many culinary fares I often enjoyed and indulged in. Famed chef Mario Batali once said, “The tradition of Italian cooking is that of the matriarch. This is the cooking of grandma. She didn’t waste time thinking too much about…
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01Jul 2013 by CJ

Many times you really need to choose your battles wisely

Life & Living
We live in a world that understands the word “respect” by its very definition, but few seem to apply it with any sincerity or regularity. This disrespectful nature often leads more considerate individuals to establish and harbor battles that wind up festering inside of them – causing endless frustration and even anxiety. Seeking retaliation is a natural reaction that typically creeps up at one point or another. But reducing yourself down to that level does little to alleviate the problem or end the battle lines you’ve already drawn in your head. Sometimes the best thing you can do is put everything in priority and free yourself of the burden you’ve placed on yourself - sometimes unnecessarily. While we can’t change those around us, we can change ourselves and our circumstances…
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29Jun 2013 by CJ

Is your comfort zone keeping you from a meaningful life?

Life & Living
What were your hopes and dreams when you were age 10, 20, 30? Chances are they’ve changed greatly from one decade to the next. After all, as we grow and mature into new stages of our lives, our desires for the future are altered by previous experiences and the realities we face along the way. I’m reminded of a quote from the cartoon strip Calvin and Hobbes: “Day by day, nothing seems to change, but pretty soon...everything's different.” And that’s where I find myself today – everything is different. My hopes and dreams from age 10, 20, 30 and now almost 40 have evolved over time, and much of what I thought I wanted for the future is no longer true. I suspect this is from many of the unforeseen…
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27Jun 2013 by CJ

Same-sex marriage – a victory worth celebrating

Love & Relationships
On Wednesday, a divided Supreme Court voted 5-4 in each of two decisions – throwing out part of the law that denied hundreds of federal benefits to same-sex couples, and once again clearing the way for gays and lesbians to marry in the state of California. While issues still remain, it seems Americans are finally understanding that everyone has the right to fall in love with whomever they choose and have that love ultimately recognized legally through marriage. Congratulations to all those who fight the battle for equality and are finally making strides – I hope your journey will soon come to a fair conclusion.   Read my previous post - The Ban on Gay Marriage - What are we so afraid of?
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