We've got the power, we've got the juice. We should do the job…Bill Clinton
This past weekend I was invited to speak at the Holiday Tea for the Professional Women’s Roundtable, a group that brings businesswomen together for networking and development. It was a lovely event, held at The Union League on Broad Street in Philadelphia…one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
The topic was, “Balance during the holiday season,” and as an expert on Holiday Imbalance, it was a welcome challenge.
Actually, I think of balance as a relative state of mind...and true balance as the ability to be centered in the face of chaos and distraction. What better time than the holidays to put this concept to the test?
So, during the presentation, while gorgeous three-tiered trays of petit-fours were being delivered to each table, I led an exercise in mindfulness where I played my favorite holiday song ( Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses ) and we all attempted to stay focused and centered as music played, tea was poured, and plates were cleared.
What I liked about this meditation (aside from the wonderfully irreverent opportunity to blast the Waitresses at The Union League!) was that it wasn’t about meditating at a Zen retreat in Northern California, or in a yoga class in Center City. It wasn’t even about a quiet moment with a cup of tea alone at home. It was about the reality of a busy, working woman’s life during the holiday season.
When we can be graceful—even peaceful—in the midst of the daily drama of life, then (and only then) will we find balance.So as we go merrily, merrily into the holiday season, I wish you all grace, peace and juice.
Yup. Juice.
As the holiday season gets into full swing, and your party card is literally hopping with opportunities (I think I have a full dozen soirees to enjoy this year!) a beautiful balance for holiday revelry (pate and champagne anyone?) is fresh juice.
I have had this hulking behemoth Champion Juicer for about 15 years and I find that this is the season where it is absolutely guaranteed to get a workout. Yesterday for breakfast I made a yummy elixir of 
pineapple, apples, carrots, fennel, and beets… a sweet way to kick-start the day. Tonight, I rang in the cocktail hour with a spicy blend of carrot, fennel, parsley, spinach, celery, garlic and ginger, mixed with some tomato juice and finished with a squeeze of lemon. Today I received a delivery of a case of tangelos and a case of oranges purchased for a local school fundraiser…that means that we will enjoy fresh-squeezed citrus tomorrow—and, who knows, maybe a shot of Amaretto in that orange juice for a real holiday cocktail
treat!
We've got the power, we've got the juice. We should do the job…Bill Clinton
This past weekend I was invited to speak at the Holiday Tea for the Professional Women’s Roundtable, a group that brings businesswomen together for networking and development. It was a lovely event, held at The Union League on Broad Street in Philadelphia…one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
The topic was, “Balance during the holiday season,” and as an expert on Holiday Imbalance, it was a welcome challenge.
Actually, I think of balance as a relative state of mind...and true balance as the ability to be centered in the face of chaos and distraction. What better time than the holidays to put this concept to the test?
So, during the presentation, while gorgeous three-tiered trays of petit-fours were being delivered to each table, I led an exercise in mindfulness where I played my favorite holiday song ( Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses ) and we all attempted to stay focused and centered as music played, tea was poured, and plates were cleared.
What I liked about this meditation (aside from the wonderfully irreverent opportunity to blast the Waitresses at The Union League!) was that it wasn’t about meditating at a Zen retreat in Northern California, or in a yoga class in Center City. It wasn’t even about a quiet moment with a cup of tea alone at home. It was about the reality of a busy, working woman’s life during the holiday season.
When we can be graceful—even peaceful—in the midst of the daily drama of life, then (and only then) will we find balance.So as we go merrily, merrily into the holiday season, I wish you all grace, peace and juice.
As the holiday season gets into full swing, and your party card is literally hopping with opportunities (I think I have a full dozen soirees to enjoy this year!) a beautiful balance for holiday revelry (pate and champagne anyone?) is fresh juice.
I have had this hulking behemoth Champion Juicer for about 15 years and I find that this is the season where it is absolutely guaranteed to get a workout. Yesterday for breakfast I made a yummy elixir of
pineapple, apples, carrots, fennel, and beets… a sweet way to kick-start the day. Tonight, I rang in the cocktail hour with a spicy blend of carrot, fennel, parsley, spinach, celery, garlic and ginger, mixed with some tomato juice and finished with a squeeze of lemon. Today I received a delivery of a case of tangelos and a case of oranges purchased for a local school fundraiser…that means that we will enjoy fresh-squeezed citrus tomorrow—and, who knows, maybe a shot of Amaretto in that orange juice for a real holiday cocktail
treat!
