Collard greens is an underrated vegetable. Known as the vegetable of the south, collard greens are versatile raw and cooked. Greens and lemon go together like peas and carrots. Together, the flavors balance one another and add a zesty taste that ignites freshness to the meal.
On top of being delicious, collard greens are chocked full of minerals and vitamins.
In just one cup of collard greens expect to consume: 77 mg of potassium 1.1 grams of protein 1.4 grams of dietary fiber Vitamin A - 36% Vitamin C - 21% Vitamin B6 - 5% Calcium - 8% Greens are important for overall health and assists in keeping the digestive track regulated. 
KEEP IT CLEAN & EAT YOUR GREENS
Pasta with Lemon + Collard Greens
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 8 oz pasta (half a regular bag) 1 bunch of collard greens 2 garlic cloves, chopped 2-3 tbsp olive oil 1 small lemon, juiced 1 tsp nutritional yeast (or more) 1/2 tsp salt Pepper to taste Optional toppings: pine nuts Directions: Cook pasta according to package directions. Wash the collard greens and remove the stems by cutting them with a knife. Fold the greens and slice to your desired width and length. In a pan, saute the garlic in two tablespoons of olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Next, add the greens, salt and pepper and sauté until tender, or around 3-5 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and place the noodles back into the pot. Add the additional tablespoon of olive oil and mix. Add the greens and all other remaining ingredients. Adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
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As humanity progresses into 2020, there are many people awakening to the fact that ego is what has ruined much of mankind. From war to violence, when an unchecked ego and uncontrolled emotions unite, abrasive, abrupt and unpredictbale behaviors occur.
As stated in the video below, the ego can be seen as "Edging God Out." When not controlled, we become our own gods and defies the law of nature and spiritual creations and laws from God, the Creator. The true essence of our spirit on planet earth to grow, evolve and learn how to give and receive love. Here are some thoughts to ponder on how to keep the ego in check. You Are Just "One Grain of Sand" on the Planet
Humans are like grains of sands. There are billions of us scattered around the world, and each of us are here for a mission. That mission may be to advance humanity, or to discover how to be a good parent in this life. In today's modern "me" culture, we have forgotten that we are in fact are dust or walking beings of chemistry. This has made us forget who we are and our fellow man. The world, other people and the planet's problems often times are much bigger than our own issues.
Appreciate Those Who Helped You
Bees are fascinating creatures because they all work together to create the honey comb. Human life is no different where many people who have entered our lives have helped us get where we are today. Maybe it was a teacher, or a friend, or a colleague, somewhere in life, (a) human(s) has navigated us to our own success. Even the negative experiences in life are somehow blessings in disguise because they've guided you to heal, mend, triggered or forced you to grow in some way.
No One is Better Than You
We live in a material world where people think that the rich and famous are "better" than the normal folk. Some people maybe more intelligent, be famous or have more money, but that by no means that anyone is better. The only way someone is "better" is in fact those who are blatantly evil, cruel, violent or abusive to other people. Those individuals are operating out of fear and in the insecurities of their ego. They require tons of soul development.
Understand the Underlying Lesson
Abrupt changes are difficult in life. Whether you get fired from a job or dumped by your partner, it is common for people to want to fulfill their ego in many ways. Some of the most drastic and unexpected endings are some of the biggest and greatest lessons of the soul. Maybe there is a lesson to learn. Maybe life is making space for something better. Maybe God has a better plan for you, or pushing you out of your comfort zone. The ego wants all the answers. It wants to cry, "Why me?" The ego gets irritated, angry, frustrated and sometimes violent.
Don't let your ego get the best of you. Self actualization during times of hardship is necessary to see the silver lining or the underlying message. Empathizing with Perceptions and Perspectives
The ego believes it is always right. This mindset lacks empathy and the ability to see, or perceive life from another person's shoes. We all have life experiences that shape our perceptions and perspectives. Just because you've never been through something doesn't give a person the ability to discredit another person's emotions, thoughts, feelings or experiences. You may not understand, but you can at least empathize with the person's life experiences.
Your way of doing things, or thinking, is not the only way. People don't know what they don't know. How do you keep your ego in check? 
Winter season is here, and what better way to eat fresh this chilly season than with a winter-harvest salad. In the world of holistic nutrition, everything happens for a reason and a season. There is a reason why we crave dense, hearty, comfort foods in the winter and cool, refreshing and lighter foods in the summer.
Although it is the season to consume more warm and cooked foods, it is still ideal to eat raw food to aide our digestive tract. I believe we need a combination of raw and cooked foods throughout every season. And this salad is ideal to consume raw foods that are harvested during the winter and cooler months. Enjoy! 
Kale, Beet + Blood Orange Dressing Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes Serves: 2 large, 4 smaller salads Salad Ingredients: 1 bunch kale, washed and chopped 1 bunch rainbow chard, washed and chopped 1 golden beet, grated 1 carrot (purple), grated 1/4 sunflower seeds Dressing Ingredients: ** See Note 1/3 cup blood orange juice (1-2 blood oranges depending on the size) 1-2 tbsp grape seed oil 1 tbsp maple syrup pinch of salt Directions: Wash and dry the chard and kale. Remove the ribs and stems and chop to your desired size. Place in a large bowl and rub some oil on your hands. Next, massage the chard and kale with your hands. This breaks down the roughness of the leaves. Grate the carrot and beet. Mix all of the remaining vegetables into the bowl. In a small bowl, mix the dressing ingredients together. **Note: If you'd like add apple cider (or another flavor of) vinegar to taste for more zip.**. Once the dressing is mixed, pour into the salad and mix until well combined. Let's Connect! Love oranges? Try my other orange-inspired recipes.
Some claim that finding happiness is not what we seek in life, but rather it is to find joy and to appreciate the small things in life.
It is easy in the material world to focus on the big things in life. We are fascinated by the largest creatures, but fail to realize the microscopic beings on this planet are some of the most important species alive. Whether its a simple act of kindness, or being awestruck by the beauty of nature, there is beauty in simplicity. For most people, the lack of joy in their life results from the discontent in life, or a disconnection from the spirit. Building a relationship with God is very necessary to seek the simple joys in life. Psalm 94:19 New International Version (NIV) "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." As always, inspired by the sun, Elizabeth Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration, or Sunspiration, where we analyze quotes and sweet nothings in 150 words or less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings. 
The New Year is here. In fact, this new decade welcomes the opportunity to start fresh on a good note. It is the perfect time to set an intention for the year. In the past, people have had good intentions of setting a resolution, but failed to achieve these goals. Many of the goals were superficial in nature. Lose weight. Look better. Get fit.
That sounds great, but what about the inner work? What if we aimed to change or enhance our character, personality, ego and spirit? Instead of setting a resolution, why not set an intention? Intentions are more achievable and do not cling onto specific results. Here are five intentions to set for the new year.
AIM FOR PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION
As mentioned in former Youtube Videos, it is important, when making changes, to focus on the small one-percent changes. We live in a world of perfection. People want the perfect body, the perfect photo, the perfect set of teeth. Our materialistic desires do not match we reality of life. Instead of making something, or finding someone perfect, focus on the small, one-percent improvements. Every step or effort you take leads to big results.
CHANGE PERSPECTIVES AND PERCEPTIONS
In a world where empathy is on the decline, trying to see things from another person's shoes not only increases empathy, but allows you to see situations and scenarios from other lenses. One way to personally grow is to "see" things from a holistic or spiritual lens. For example, instead of looking at food from a caloric perspective, look at food from a medicinal lens that food is medicine and is healing. Changing perspectives and understanding how other people perceive things improves conflict management and can resolve issues in a diplomatic manner.
CLEANSE YOUR PHYSICAL, MENTAL + EMOTIONAL BODY
The human body is an ecosystem. In today's marketing world, America has become obsessed with juice detoxes. Detoxes are healthy, when done properly. In some sense, this is also a form of a spiritual cleanse to rid of the toxins, emotions or things that no longer serve you. One doesn't have to do a juice detox in order to cleanse. Eating more raw foods and powerful herbs and spices contribute to the detoxification process without starving oneself. Meditation and yoga are additional tools to aide the cleansing process.
FINDING CONTENTMENT + GRATITUDE IN LIFE
Life is not easy. We all go through hardships and trials and tribulations. If you find that your basic needs are met, and are broke because of consumerism, this is a good time to reprioritize your budget and gratitude list. While some people worry about the perfect set of snow shoes, somewhere else in the world a person doesn't even own a pair of shoes. It is so easy to take our things, people and our very own life for granted in the western world. We are never satisfied. We always want more. We want more money. We want a better job title. We want a bigger car. We want so many things that most of us don't know how to appreciate what we already own. Gratitude lists, along with meditation, is a great way to enhance our appreciation in life.
BE OF SERVICE
We live in a selfish, egocentric society. One way to break the pattern or mold of "thyself" is through the act of giving and being of service. Science has shown that people who give or are of service are generally happier. Giving is part of our human nature and most people feel good about giving. Christmas is the season of giving, and that spirit should last throughout the entire year. What is your New Years intention? Good luck and don't beat yourself up if you get off track. That happens in life! Let's Connect! 
The holiday is a time for cheer, but for some it's a time of many tears. For some, the holidays is a season of loneliness as people don't have family, friends, or even a home. Today I was part of a 24-hour prayer circle, where I prayed from 11am-12pm, sending light, love and healing energy to many around the planet, and asking God to work through them.
I have come to believe that in this digital age, we need help from the spiritual realm. Our body is a temple and our minds can live in heaven or hell. Some can navigate life easily, but for most we need God's help. We need to stop worrying about the "how" and apply action, knowing that God will help us in this life. Faith and hope are necessary to aide us through the hardship. You have to believe and understand that things happen in divine timing. The first prayer starts with you. As always, inspired by the sun, Elizabeth Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration, or Sunspiration, where we analyze quotes and sweet nothings in 150 words or less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings. 
Charles Dickens was a smart man. Maybe I'm biased since we share the same birthdate and I continuously find our analytical skills on the same wave length of looking at society through a similar lens.
Dickens meandered throughout the poor parts of the city, and on Christmas recognized the aura of joy that flowed in the air in the poorer neighborhoods. He realized that the joy and happiness that Christmas brings shouldn't last for one day. But, it should be a spirit that lasts everyday. Harder said than done, what can you do to keep the Christmas spirit alive throughout the year?? As always, inspired by the sun, Elizabeth Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration, or Sunspiration, where we analyze quotes and sweet nothings in 150 words or less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings. 
Can you believe its almost 20 years into the new millennial?
2020. Yes wow 2020. And with that it's time to put down the excuses and wake up to the reality of change. So many people crave change on this planet, but most people are SO resistant to changing themselves. They want a revolution and the government to change, but the change starts with yourself. Everyone wants to blame the president as narcissist, but fail to realize that they are just as narcissistic, self-absorbed and many men are just as abusive and womanizers as the billionaire dogs at the top of the totem pole. He is a human being just like you. And you reading this have the choice and the wisdom to evolve or not. In this world of individuality, the revolution starts with you, and changing yourself. And facing your shadow. And NEVER stopping at improving yourself.
So many people want change to happen like the click of a button, but it doesn't work like that. Change takes time. It takes time to find the right therapist, or the right yoga teacher, or the right meditation track, or the right pastor. These things take time and experience. So many people try once, fail and then give up and cycle in negative belief systems.
As an Aquarian, trust me that the change starts with you. Society has sold you many many lies and it's time to STOP BLAMING society and other people and TAKE CHARGE of your life.
But only you can do it. I've written in other blogs and Youtube videos that being passive will get you no where. It takes a while to overcome shyness and passivity, but its 2020 people, it's time to walk forward and take care of your issues, life, personality, wounds, trauma etc.
All you need to do is focus on one-percent changes. Thought + Action = Results. Sometimes it takes various methods of action in order to get the "right" results.
Here are three ways to change this new year:
The great thing about change today is that you don't need an abundance of wealth. There are so many free community classes, sliding scale counseling, free advice on blogs and Youtube. There is a way to change without blowing your budget. Change is not easy. It's a journey, not a final destination. Just know that there are countless tools and resources to help you along the way. Let's Connect! 
I've mentioned this before, but it seems that social media has changed human behavior. It is common to see the "inner monster," or the ego, explode with their opinion, perspective and perception.
While analyzing society over the last few years, I believe that humans are not able to absorb information from mass exposure to people, news and the media. And as one notices, most do not communicate with grace and ease. Grace can be seen as the courteous goodwill or the simple elegance or refinement in attitude and behavior. If we want things to improve in life, we need to touch every human heart with grace to further enhance theripple effect in life. As always, inspired by the sun, Elizabeth Join Mind Body Soul Food Every Sunday for some inspiration, or Sunspiration, where we analyze quotes and sweet nothings in 150 words or less. Get inspired everyday with our Instagram account, sunspiration_everyday with inspirational quotes, motivational messages & sweet nothings. 
"Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet."
Being, staying and remaining grounded is of most importance in this Digital age. As someone who gets stuck or lost in her head quit frequently, I've learned to master the art of being grounded. Whether its an epsom salt bath, meditation or just a short nature walk, there are many spiritual and physical ways to ground oneself. 
Too often in the west we are concerned about diet from a caloric lens. We don't want to eat anything with too much salt, sugar, fat or carbohydrates. In the east, or other cultures, they are primarily concerned about food from a nutritional or medicinal lens. In some countries, like Eastern Europe, vegetables are only available during the summer season and live off pickled vegetables during the winter months.
Carrots, a root vegetable aides in the grounding process of our existence. 
Carrot salad is a common side dish in many European cultures. All have their own version, and I recreated a form of carrot salad with Daiya's vegan plain Greek yogurt since they sent me a product sample. They did not pay me for this post.
Food is medicine, and even during the winter months we crave a mix of raw and cooked produce. With something simple and something sweet, this is a "four-seasons" salad for everyone to enjoy. If you desire a sweeter flavor, either add more sugar or try the vanilla yogurt, but it will alter the flavor.
From me to you, have a Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you find whatever to be thankful for in life, God and in this world. 
Dairy Free Carrot Raisin Salad
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes Soaking Time: 30+ minutes Serves 4-6 Ingredients: 1 cup raisins, soaked in 1 cup of apple juice 7 large carrots, grated 1 5.3 ounce Daiya Plain Yogurt 1 tbsp lemon juice 1.5 tsp sugar Directions: In a bowl, soak the raisins in apple juice. Shred the carrots and mix all of the ingredients into a large bowl. Serve immediately or chilled after the refrigerator. Check out my other side dish recipes. Enjoy!
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AuthorElizabeth Rae Kovar M.A. is Author of her memoir, Finding Om and is a Fitness Trainer, Yogi, Reiki Master, Presenter and Lover of Life. To view her portfolio please visit www.elizabethkovar.com 
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