In Memory of Sylvia Caplan (1935 – 2010), who watched over, loved and protected her family and friends during her lifetime and continues to do so as the following poem suggests:

I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still – I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning’s hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still – in each new dawn.

Resource: A Native American Prayer adapted from original poem by Mary Frye.

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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Whether you celebrate Passover, Easter, or Life’s renewals this time of year, take a day this weekend to “power down” and “stop and smell the roses”.

Reboot, a non-profit group of Jewish artists in search of a modern way to observe a weekly day of rest, provide us with a guide to do so. The guide is inherent in Reboot’s creative project The Sabbath Manifesto , which is designed to slow down lives in an increasingly hectic world.

Following are some of the core prinicples from the Sabbath Manifesto’s Provisional Guide for Observing a Weekly Day of Rest.

Reboot also, this year, initiated a National Day of Unplugging. Thousands unplugged from cell phones, ipods, computers, etc. from Sundown, Friday, March 19 to Sundown, Saturday, March 20. The people in this YouTube video tell us how and why they unplug, or. . . not.

Source: Sabbath Manifesto: Slowing Down Lives Since 2010.

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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National Women’s History Week was first celebrated in March, 1980. This was made possible by The National Women’s History Project (NWHP). NWHP lead the efforts of thousands of individuals and hundreds of educational and women’s organizations to make sure it happened then and for each and every year thereafter. In 1987, after national recognition, multi-state declarations of National Women’s History Month, and further NWHP lobbying efforts, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women.

This year to mark their 30th year, NWHP’s theme is Writing Women Back into History. To honor this theme, NWHP has highlighted pivotal themes from previous years. Each of these past themes recognizes a different aspect of women’s achievements, from ecology to art, and from sports to politics.

Take a few minutes this weekend to remember and honor the contribution of the women in your life in general. You may also be inspired by the list of more than 230 NWHP’s honorees which you can access here.

Additionally, the NWHP is holding an on-line auction through March 31 to raise money for its cause. If you are a history buff, or if you would like to support NWHP continue its educational mission to ensure a place for women in our history, you can check out the auction here.

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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Turn your thoughts ‘round…the first intentional step toward the first day of the rest of a  positively lived   life!

The Power of Positive Thinking
by Remez Sasson
Source: SuccessConsciousness.com

Practical Instructions

The other articles at this website, about the power of concentration, will power, self-discipline and peace of mind also contribute to the development of a positive mind, and are recommended for reading and practicing.

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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Share our Strength is a national organization dedicated to ensuring that no child in America grows up hungry. Share our Strength’s Operation Frontline program is nationally sponsored by the ConAgra Foods Foundation and is celebrating 15 years of groundbreaking nutrition education. This cooking-based program provides a strong foundation in nutrition, cooking, and household budgeting through specialized courses for adults, kids, and teens. Professional chefs and nutritionists volunteer their time and expertise to lead hands-on courses that teach adults, teens and children how to get the most nutrition out of a limited budget. Operation Frontline has reached more than 51,500 families across the country since 1993.

Volunteer to teach others how to eat healthfully and how to make good nutrition decisions … get involved with Operation Frontline.

Other Sources: Vicki Steine and Georgia Spice Company.

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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Kindness: How Good Deeds Can Be Good for You!
Source: Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
Entire article here

People who perform Random Acts of Kindness generally agree that doing a kind deed for someone else makes them “feel good.” But apart from sheer niceness, why should people be encouraged to commit Acts of Kindness? Are there any other concrete benefits that would motivate more people to become kinder?

Selye’s findings on stress are cited by Luks because many of his study volunteers had stress-related health problems that improved after performing kind acts.

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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SOMETHING TO CONTEMPLATE THIS WEEKEND AND CONSIDER DOING IN THE NEAR FUTURE

Consider participating in a volunteer activity at your child’s school in any way you can…the smallest gesture can make the biggest impact with your child. Talk to neighbors and friends, contact the school or a PTSA representative, or go to the school’s website to find out ways in which you can help. Try and volunteer for something that gives you visibility … whether they show it or not, the kids love to see parents working on their behalf. Be There provides us with reasons why your involvement in your child’s education is a good idea and research to back it up:

Parent involvement research can now document:

These benefits for parents:
1. More confidence in school
2. Teachers have higher opinions of parents and higher expectations of their children, too
3. Greater confidence in themselves as parents and in their ability to help their children learn at home
4. Greater likelihood that the parents will enroll in continuing education to advance their own schooling.

Read the research, and find out more about Be There here

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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Feed Your Good Dog nutritionally this weekend with a yummy pureed soup made with fresh vegetables. This Squash and Ginger Soup from the Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates with Linda Schatz is easy to make. It tastes great and has a wonderful “creamy” consistency. You’ll feel just as good making it yourself as you do eating it!

1-2 Tbsp organic butter or unrefined coconut oil
1 acorn squash, skinned and chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
2 celery sticks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Large piece of ginger root (3-4 inches long), grated
Water to cover
Sea Salt or Herbamare to taste
Minced parsley as a garnish

1. Saute carrots, onions, celery and garlic in butter or unrefined coconut oil.
2. Add squash and ginger.
3. Cover with water.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Puree and add water to desired creaminess.
6. Add sea salt or Herbamare, and simmer at least 10 minutes more.
7. Serve garnished with parsley.

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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TEN WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE AND FEED YOUR OWN SPIRIT AT THE SAME TIME (continued from TGIFYGDF dated November 6, November 27, December 4, and December 18, 2009).

Acts of kindness and altruism can reduce stress in our lives according to a recent WebMD Feature article entitled The Science of Good Deeds, The ‘helper’s high’ could help you live a longer, healthier life., written by Jeanie Lerche Davis and reviewed by Louise Chang, MD.

Following are good deed ideas (41 through 50) that make performing acts of kindness and “feeding your good dog” in the new year easy as pie. Check out number 49…an easy and fun way to raise money for your favorite non-profit. Source: 50 good deeds for 50 days, By Daniela Payne

41. A few days before a family member’s birthday, head over to your parents’ or grandparents’ home to wrap their gifts for them. They’ll appreciate your help and the company.

42. On a random weekend, surprise your unsuspecting spouse with breakfast in bed. It will make their day.

43. When you come across a two for one deal (which are popular at book and movie stores), donate your free product to a local shelter or youth group.

44. Allot yourself a set amount of compliments to dole out a day. Your co-workers will love hearing something good about what they are doing.

45. Getting out and about isn’t so easy for some. Volunteer to do your grandparents’ grocery shopping for them every two weeks.

46. Next time you’re at your favourite local pub or breakfast diner, leave your server a very generous tip.

47. Everyone knows how annoying it is to rush back to your car only to find a parking ticket sitting on your windshield. To make sure someone else doesn’t suffer the same fate, feed parking metres that you notice are about to expire.

48. Next time you do your grocery shopping, pick up a large bag of cat or dog food to donate to a local animal shelter.

49. Host a movie night for 10 of your closet friends. Charge $10 admission, provide the popcorn, candy and drinks, and donate the $100 to a charity you all decide on. It’s a perfect way to feel good about having fun.

50. After you complete your 49 days worth of good deeds, treat yourself to a mani-pedi, dinner at your favorite restaurant or those fabulous shoes you’ve been eyeing.  After all your selfless acts, you deserve a little treat.

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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TEN WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE AND FEED YOUR OWN SPIRIT AT THE SAME TIME (continued from TGIFYGDF dated November 6, November 27, and December 4).

Acts of kindness and altruism can reduce stress in our lives according to a recent WebMD Feature article entitled The Science of Good Deeds, The ‘helper’s high’ could help you live a longer, healthier life., written by Jeanie Lerche Davis and reviewed by Louise Chang, MD.

Following are good deed ideas (31 through 40) that make performing acts of kindness and “feeding your good dog” easy as pie. Check out number 36…it doesn’t get much easier than that with the potential of huge positive impact on another person’s life. Source: 50 good deeds for 50 days, By Daniela Payne

31. Volunteer yourself to walk an elderly neighbour’s dog once a week. Getting out for a walk isn’t overly easy for many elderly folk, so they’d most likely appreciate this gesture.

32. Instead of dropping your head and pretending you don’t notice (like the rest of the rush-hour crowd) someone struggling to get a stroller down the stairs, take a second and offer to help.

33. Offer an elderly person, a pregnant woman, a physically disabled person – or just someone who looks tired – your seat on the bus.

34. Help keep your city clean. Pick up plastic bottles and other trash you see around your neighbourhood and deposit it in its appropriate place. Click here to read CanadianLiving.com’s Green Living blog.

35. Visit a nursing home just to chat with some of the residents, as many of them don’t get regular visitors.

36. They say that smiling is contagious. Pick a day to smile at everyone you pass on the street.

37. Pass on your books after you’ve read them for someone else to enjoy. Take them to a local shelter or give them to friends.

38. Next time you read an article about an author you know your book-loving friend would enjoy, pass it on to them. It will make them feel good that you think about them.

39. If you’ve discovered a great little restaurant or store, spread the word. The business and whoever you tell will both benefit.

40. Being angry at someone requires a lot of energy from both people involved, so go ahead and let go of an old grudge. Forgiving someone who hurt you will open the door for a friendship to be rekindled.

And, remember…Feed Your Good Dog, so your good dog always wins!
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