monday moment of zen

"a year from now you will wish you had started today."

~ karen lamb 

monday moment of zen

"a woman is like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water."

~ eleanor roosevelt

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monday moment of zen

“i learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. the brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” 

~ nelson mandela 

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monday moment of zen

"education is the great engine of personal development.  it is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.  it is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another."

~ nelson mandela

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monday moment of zen

“getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. you have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” 

~ c.s. lewis 

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monday moment of zen

"open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values."

~ dalai lama

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monday moment of zen

“each one of us has lived through some devastation, some loneliness, some weather superstorm or spiritual superstorm, when we look at each other we must say, i understand. i understand how you feel because i have been there myself. we must support each other and empathize with each other because each of us is more alike than we are unalike.”
~ maya angelou

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hurricane sandy relief donation yoga & meditation class

for some, yoga is a way for us to take time for ourselves so that we can take care of others.  some of us see yoga as a sacred practice where we set our intention or dedication to offer the energy that we generate in our class to give it away to someone or something higher than ourselves.  the beautiful thing about yoga is that it can be both things simultaneously. 

if this is something that resonates with you, then i hope you can join the hurricane sandy relief donation yoga & meditation class on sunday, november 18^th from 11am-12:30pm.

i will be teaching a creative all-level flow based yoga class finishing out in a seated meditation sending our energy to all lives that were affected by hurricane sandy.

100% of your donations will go directly to the salvation army & the humane society.  the salvation army is serving food, providing cleanup kits and offering emotional & spiritual support to those affected in the northeast and mid-atlantic areas.  the humane society is coordinating animal rescue efforts, shelter care and reunions with pet owners in the new york and new jersey areas.

please show your support for all beings affected as well as benefitting your own body & mind.

i will be handling ALL donations.  suggested donation $20.  cash or check donations only please.  (make checks payable to melita mollohan. )

if you will be out of town or unable to attend the donation class you can be there in spirit by donate any amount directly to me.

if you have any questions, please email melita at melitamollohan@gmail.com or call 304-288-0996.

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monday moment of zen

"it is your prime responsibility to acquire useful knowledge from others and to apply it appropriately. you don't have to reinvent the wheel, but you do have to learn from those who did." 

~ gary ryan blair 

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monday moment of zen

“plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. this is the law of nature.” 

~ steve maraboli

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monday moment of zen

"home is not where you live, but where they understand you."

~ christian morganstern

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monday moment of zen

"if you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying?

if you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?"

~ shantideva

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monday moment of zen

"sometimes you have to go up really high to understand how small you are."

~ felix baumgartner

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monday moment of zen

i honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells.

i honor the place in you which is of love, 

of truth, 

of light, 

and of peace.

when you are in that place in you 

and i am in that place in me,

we are ONE.

namaste

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monday moment of zen

"you may think that the grass is greener on the other side, but if you take the time to water your own grass it would be just as green."

~ unknown

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monday moment of zen

"courage doesn't always roar.  sometimes courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says i'll try again tomorrow."

~ mary anne radmacher

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4th annual tea trade deadline extended

good tranquil tuesday morning to you!!  i have some fabulous news to share!!  i originally had the 4th annual tea trade deadline set to this past saturday the 15th due to my original plans of being out of town the latter half of the month.  but since my sweet little cat, dooty, had to go to the vet my entire month of september got switched around.  but i'm happy to say that dooty is doing much better. 

and in honor of the dooty doing much better and me being around for the latter half of september i'm extending that happiness to the rest of you who were interested in getting in this years tea trade but missed the deadline.

the deadline has been extended until THIS saturday, september 22nd at 11:59pm est.!!

please be sure to visit the blog post with all of the details before signing up. 

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monday moment of zen

“only when we deepen our appreciation of ourselves, and what we have to offer, can we begin to truly appreciate and truly support and love another. when you begin a relationship with someone it is the relationship with your self that continues to deepen as you learn to share your space with a partner.” 

~ ravi singh

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monday moment of zen

if you are cold, tea will warm you;

if you are heated, it will cool you;

 if you are depressed, it will cheer you;

if you are exhausted, it will calm you.

~ william gladstone

ps have you signed up for the 4th annual tea trade yet??  

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monday moment of zen

"in the beginning, god created man, but seeing him so feeble, he gave him the cat."

~ warren eckstein

sanjay (the kitteh on the left) just turned 7 years old & we just found out that dooty (my 13 year old black & white kitteh) has cancer.  please send your warm thoughts to surround my little family in this time of need. 

update:   dooty is home and doing well.  we found out that he did NOT have cancer!!  thank you so much for sending your love to my little man.  xo

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monday moment of zen

“our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. we ask ourselves, 'who am i to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' actually, who are you not to be? you are a child of god. your playing small does not serve the world. there is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. we were born to make manifest the glory of god that is within us. it's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. and when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. as we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~ maryanne williamson 

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monday moment of zen

"when what you have studied leaves your mind entirely, and practice also disappears, then, when you perform whatever art you are engaged in, you accomplish the techniques easily without being inhibited by concern over what you have learned, and yet without deviating from what you have learned.  this is spontaneously conforming to learning without being consciously aware of doing so."

~ yagyu munenori

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4th annual tea trade

it's that time again.  the weather is starting to get a little cooler and i'm starting to think about all of the delicious tea that i'm going to be sipping on this fall & winter.

i can't believe that this is the 4th annual tea trade....  we've come a long way baby!!!  :)

last year we had 40+ women from all over the world (us, canada and europe).  our biggest year yet!!

if you joined us in previous years you know just how fun the tea trade is.  if you are not sure and want to talk to someone about the tea trade, leave me a comment below.  i will get you in touch with a past tea trader so they can give you their experience.

curious?  want to know more?  ready for more details??

how it works: 

• tea traders will send a sampling of 3 - 4 ounces (85 - 113 grams) to another participating tea trader. (most boxes of pre-bagged tea is usually between 1.8 -2 oz or 51 - 57 grams).  you can send loose tea or bagged tea or a combination of both.

• packages are also to include a little extra surprise.  i will be sending out questionnaires to all of the tea traders so that you will get to know your tea trader a little bit better.  please don't spend more than $10 on a little something extra.  some examples of a little extra surprise include:  a small jar of local honey, a bar of some fancy chocolate, your favorite magazine, a paperback book, something you've handmade if you are crafty, a little trinket, etc.

• to participate you must be willing to ship your package internationally. (this typically costs a little extra but trust me, if you are one of the lucky ones who gets a tea package from the uk, france, slovenia, etc you will thank your lucky stars!!) 

•  to participate you must be willing have your information shared with your tea trader.  what i mean by this is that i will be connecting you with your tea trader via email.  that way you can find out if their package was received and if you wish make more of a personal connection (i.e.  friends on facebook, email pals, etc) you can.

• please note:  you are responsible for your package getting to your tea trader.  i recommend delivery confirmation.  if your tea trader doesn't get their package you must send them another one.

more details:

• if you agree to the above terms & wish to join the 4th annual tea trade, please send an email to melitamollohan@gmail.com with the subject line "tea trade." in the body of the email please share your address. i will then match up people round robin style and give you a name and address of where to send your teas packages. all of your personal information will be kept strictly confidential (i will only be sharing your mailing information with your tea trader and no one else!!)  if you feel more comfortable providing your work address rather than personal that is totally fine. also, if you do not wish to provide your name please make sure you let me know in the email and who ever will be sending your tea package will label the envelope "tea trade" and your address.

• special prize:  i will award a special prize to one lucky tea trader. winner will be chosen at random. special prize will be announced at a later date. 

due date: please email me your information by saturday, september 15th at 11:59pm est so that we can start tea trading at the beginning of october! 

i've extended the deadline to THIS SATURDAY, SEPT 22ND AT 11:59PM EST.  so tell your friends they can still join!!!

questions??  leave me a comment below.  i'm happy to answer any questions you have about the tea trade.

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monday moment of zen

"a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle."

~ erin majors

 

image credit:  me from my candlelight yin yoga class last night

basil syrup

basil syrup

basil is a summer time favorite.  pesto for pastas, tomato sauces, salad mixes, caprese salads, lovely additions to the flower or herb beds are just a few examples as to why we love basil.

but did you know that basil is a natural anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antiviral, and antispasmodic, medicinally speaking. 

basil has an amazingly long list of ways it can help heal the body including:  

• keeps digestion running smoothly
• keeps the immune system healthy
• kidney strengthener 
• anti-stress agent
• insect bites
• mouth infections
• asthma
• bronchitis
• the common cold & the flu
• headache relief
• children's complaints such as colds, coughs, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting
• reduces cholesterol
• calms your nerves
•  plus many, many more things

 and if i haven't sung basil's praises enough, it also includes has vitamins A, C, and K as well as folate, calcium, choline, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, and sodium.

so eat some basil already will ya?!?!  :)

here's the basil syrup recipe i made today that can be used drizzled over ice cream, fresh fruits, berries, or just give your kids a tablespoon when that sore throat hits or that cough won't go away.

gather these ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh basil or 1/4 cup dried basil
1 cup water
1 cup raw sugar

step 1:

put the basil and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and let steep for 10 minutes (or longer if you want it a bit stronger)

step 2:

strain off the liquid (keep this) and discard (aka compost) the basil. 

step 3:

put the basil liquid (basil tea at this point :) ) back in the saucepan and add the sugar, stir together until the sugar melts.  bring back to a boil and boil for 5-7 minutes (be sure to stir often during this process).  turn off the heat and let the basil syrup cool.

step 4:

after the basil syrup has cooled, put it in the sealed container of your choice.  label it with the date as it will keep in the fridge for about 2 months.


easy peasy and soooo delicious!!  enjoy!!

 

monday moment of zen

"when you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others."

~ peace pilgrim

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monday moment of zen

“when you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all of your thoughts break their bonds, your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction and you find yourself in a new great and wonderful world. dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” 

~ patanjali

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monday moment of zen

"here is my secret.  it is very simple:  it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

~ antoine de saint exupery

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get juiced manual

for those of you who missed out on my "get juiced" workshop but still want to purchase the manual, here you go.  :)

the manual is 31 pages with 41 recipes for only $10.  click below to purchase the manual. 

in good health!!

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monday moment of zen

"between stimulus and response there is a space. in that space is our power to choose our response. in our response lies our growth and our freedom."

~ viktor frankl

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monday moment of zen

in the spirit of staying healthy...

"if you are interested, you'll do what's convenient.  if you are committed, you'll do whatever it takes."

~ john asaraf

if you are committed to your health, join me for the upcoming "get juiced" workshop sunday, july 15th 1-3pm.  not in morgantown or can't be there in person?  no problem!  we've got an option for you!

let's get healthy and stay healthy together!!  namaste!!

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"get juiced" workshop

juicing is one of the fastest and best ways to hydrate your body, help build a healthy immune system, reduce inflammation, and add a wider variety of veggies & fruits to your diet.

in this workshop you will:

• learn the benefits of juicing
• find the perfect ratio of veggies to fruits to keep your blood sugar from spiking sky high
• learn the difference between juicing versus blending
• get information on the best juicers on the market today for every budget
• understand how to keep your pH balanced
• what ingredients to add to make a "green" juice
• using extra ingredients to give your juice an extra zing
• taste test a difference between organic and non-organic
• figure out what to do with your left over pulp
• receive "get juiced" the manual with ton of juice recipes guaranteed to make your taste buds dance + all the above mentioned information

if you make it to the actual workshop you will get to watch juices being made & enjoy a taste test of different juices (almost all organic).

what:  "get juiced" workshop
when:  sunday, july 15th 1-3pm
where:  811 fenwick avenue, morgantown, wv 26505

there are two options for those of you in town:

$35 for you to attend the workshop  

OR 

$50  for you and a friend to attend the workshop

(organic produce will be purchased for this workshop)

there is an online option for those who are unable to attend the workshop due to being out of town or in another part of the world.  for $20 you will receive the pdf of the manual just before the workshop and join us via live-stream on the internet on the day of the workshop.

fuel your desire to live a healthier, happier life by joining me on the road to juicing.  hope to see you there!!

monday moment of zen

 

"do what makes you happy. be with who makes you smile. laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live." 

~ anon. 

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monday moment of zen

"your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. and most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. they somehow already know what you truly want to become. everything else is secondary."
~ steve jobs

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monday moment of zen

"the happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts; therefore guard accordingly."
~ marcus aurelius

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monday moment of zen

"ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it."

~ russel baker

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yoga & creativity workshop

Join me on Sunday, July 1st 12-3:30pm for an exploration of creativity as an extension of your yoga practice. Spend time indulging in creative play by making a vision board, meditating, practicing yoga, discussing ways to live more creatively, and engaging in svadyaya (self-study) while communing with like-minded friends.

Creative visualization is a mental technique that uses the imagination to make dreams become realities. We start by flipping through magazines, pulling out any images that make you smile. Creating a vision board out of the images that make you smile and by returning to them again & again reinforces your dreams & goals in a positive way.

All you need to bring is your journal, your favorite tea mug, old magazines that you don’t mind cutting up and an open heart & mind.

Workshop is 3 ½ hours. Cost is $49 and includes a FREE goodie bag. Tea and light snacks will be provided. No yoga experience needed, this is open to all!

This event has sold out in the past and space is extremely limited so pre-registration is a must! You can pay in advance one of two ways: while you are at BlissBlissBliss taking a class or enjoying a session OR by mail a check made payable to: BlissBlissBliss 3101 About Town Place, Morgantown, WV 26508 (please be sure to indicate that it is for the Yoga & Creativity Workshop).


Registration by June 24 is a must.
 
Cancellation policy: No refunds will be issued unless your space can be filled with someone from the waiting list. If your space is not filled, a credit will be issued ONLY if the cancellation is received one full week prior to the event minus a $25 administrative fee. NO credits or refunds will be issued if cancellation is received within one week of the event. If we must cancel due to insufficient enrollment, your deposit and paid balance will be refunded fully. For any questions, please e-mailing Melita: melitamollohan@gmail.com.

"The yoga & creativity workshop was amazing! It started me journaling again and the vision boards we made are beside my bed each night for me to remember and review. I had never participated in something like this, but it was the spark that has led me to make changes in my life that allows me to be a priority. To find the time for ME that I need to be a better Mom, a better spouse and a better person. I plan to put the next Yoga & Creativity Workshop at the top of my TO DO list." — Angela C.

monday moment of zen

"the real prayers are not the words, but the attention that comes first."

~ mary oliver

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monday moment of zen

"the first drawback of anger is that it destroys your inner peace; the second is that it distorts your view of reality. if you think about this and come to understand that anger is really unhelpful, that it is only destructive, you can begin to distance yourself from anger."
~ dalai lama

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monday moment of zen

"become a possibilitarian. no matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities - always see them, for they are always there." 

~ norman vincent peale

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great blue inspiration

if you love great blue herons like i do and haven't seen this website yet, get yourself over there and enjoy the cuteness!!

herons are such majestic and graceful creatures.  according to north american native tradition, the blue heron brings the message of self-reliance and self-determination.  they represent a an ability to progress and evolve. the long thin legs of the heron reflect that an individual doesn't need great massive pillars to remain stable, but must be able to stand on one's own.

blue herons have the innate wisdom of being able to maneuver through life and co-create their own circumstances. blue herons reflect a need for those with this totem to follow their on unique wisdom and path of self-determination. these individuals know what is best for themselves and need to follow their hearts rather than the promptings of others. those with the medicine of the great blue heron may sit until the rest of us loose patience. and, when they follow the promptings of the heart, they are one of the most magnificent when they choose to soar.

if you know anything about me, this makes perfect sense why i love them soooo much!! ;)

~ info by blueheronenv.com & image credit

monday moment of zen

 

"for things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them."
~ thich nhat hanh

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monday moment of zen

“if you have learnt something really well, then the way you express it will not be the same way you learned it.” 

~ krishnamacharya

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monday moment of zen

"keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great. when you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. similarly be that kind of a friend to your friends."
~ mark twain

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