Imagine a Woman

A friend shared this poem with me. As soon as I read it, I knew I had to share it. I wrote to the author and received permission to do so. I hope it inspires you as it inspires me. I will post more about what it means to me at a later date. Imagine a Woman Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman. A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories. Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life. Imagine a woman who trusts and respects herself. A woman who listens to her needs and desires. Who meets them with tenderness and grace. Imagine a woman who acknowledges the past’s influence on the present. A woman who has walked through her past. Who has healed into the present. Imagine a woman who authors her own life. A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf. Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and wisest voice. Imagine a woman who names her own gods. A woman who imagines the divine in her image and likeness. Who designs a personal spirituality to inform her daily life. Imagine a woman in love with her own body. A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is. Who celebrates its rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource. Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in her changing body. A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom. Who refuses to use her life-energy disguising the changes in her body and life. Imagine a woman who values the women in her life. A woman who sits in circles of women. Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets. Imagine yourself as this woman. “Imagine a Woman” © Patricia Lynn Reilly, 1995 www.imagineAwoman.com The poem is copyrighted and may not be used without permission. http://www.imagineawoman.com/home/iaw-peom-i/imagine-a-woman-i

Torani Syrups are delicious!

I'm a member of the She Speaks Blogger Society. Occasionally they send products for the members to test and then let others know what they think of the products. I recently signed up for a Torani Syrup trial from She Speaks. I expected to get a small trial bottle or two of the syrups, but I was amazed to open the package and find two of the large bottles. The flavors I received were Peppermint and Salted Caramel. I've had a couple of the flavors over the years. I like to flavor my coffee sometimes and my husband doesn't, so the syrups are a great way to do that. Just a tablespoon or so in a cup is perfect, just the right amount of flavor and sweetness. But I've never tried these two flavors. The Salted Caramel was perfect in my coffee. I've had the regular caramel before and that was good, but the salted caramel was so rich and full. I enjoyed it so very much. We used the Peppermint as an addition to hot cocoa and tea, both hot and iced. It was absolutely delicious! You can also add the syrups to carbonated water and make your own sodas. If you add a bit of half-and-half, you get what's called an Italian Cream Soda, also very delicious. You can find these in some stores, but they aren't common in my area. Luckily, Torani has an online store, shop.torani.com. They have 81 regular flavors, from Almond to White Chocolate, including some you wouldn't expect, like bacon! I've had their sugar free syrups in the past. They have 34 sugar free flavors, although for you bacon fanatics, that one isn't on the list. They're sweetened with sucralose (Splenda), which isn't too bad, flavor-wise. I liked the sugar free varieties much better than any other brand I've tried. All in all, I really like Torani Syrups. At $7.95 for a 750 ml bottle, they aren't even an extravagance. I do recommend buying a pump for these. It just makes it easier to dispense and you can just move it from bottle to bottls.