Fried Rice and other musings

Scramble your eggs in this easy vegetarian (ovo-lacto veg) fried rice, don't scramble your brain trying to figure out whats for dinner!

Recipe:
1 egg
1 to 1-1/2 c cooked rice (leftovers work wonders)
1/3 c mixed veggies, fresh or frozen
2 Tbsp soy sauce
hot sauce (optional)
Add rice to frying pan with a bit of oil. Add soy sauce, and break up the rice pieces (if using leftover rice and it is dry, add a little bit of water to re-steam, and to help break up any chunks). Add veggies, cook for 1-2 mins. Move the rice mixture to the edges of the pan, leaving a volcano like hole in the middle. Add 1 egg (I break the egg up a bit in a bowl before adding, to make the scramble part easier) and scramble in the pan. When the egg is fully cooked, mix in with the rest of the rice. (Don't mix uncooked egg with the rice.. it will become stringy and wont cook well).

I've been tossing this idea around my head: The everyday vacation. I think I like it. Here's the gist of it: Have you ever been on a vacation and been very energized to run and do yoga, etc? What about a vacation in which you didn't reach for the coffee pot in the morning? Ok, so maybe those are the extreme examples-- but what about that feeling of relaxation and calm that comes with vacation?

What if we could reclaim that feeling in every day life? What is it about vacations that are so wonderful anyways? I think part of it is the fact that you are doing exactly what YOU want to do. A vacation, if done properly, is a very ego fulfilling thing-- no boss, no pressure, no "to-do" list (unless its full of fun things you really want to do). Of course we can't live in vacation mode forever, reality is full of things that must be done, fun or not.. but wouldn't it be nice to have little "vacations" midday? Like a personal re-boot, to bring that sense of "aaaahhhh" to your life.

Today's everyday vacation: a long tea time. Midday is really a stressful time for me, because I usually finish one big task in the morning, and then struggle the rest of the day to pick up another thing (or even decide what other thing I am going to do!). I respond by taking an extended break, and chatting with co-workers, with the usual result of me wasting time until the end of the day... and only accomplishing one real task that day.

Today, instead of the total avoidance path (me in normal life) I decided to take an "everyday vacation" with some calming tea (ok I fess up, it was called sweet dreams tea). This did exactly the opposite! It calmed my nerves and allowed me to focus on my intention for the day (accomplish 2 big things).. and made me alert and ready to work. I was even interrupted by co-workers, but I had the will power to let em know I had things to do and couldn't chat today!

I bought mine at the grocery store-- but you can order it here: http://www.bigelowtea.com/herbal-teas.htm

Have fun and find peace with your personal everyday vacation!