Understanding the "Yin" and "Yang" Energy

Understanding the “Yin” and “Yang” Energy is very essential with the start of a New Year, Chinese New Year starts today, February 3rd, 2011. The year of the rabbit promises to be a year of luck, charm, a time for self reflection and joy.

The “Yin” and “Yang” are complimentary natural forces that are basic to all existing things. Everything in the universe can be placed into a category of either “Yin” or “Yang.” The goal in life is the balance the energies of the elements of the “Yin” and “Yang” in the home as well as the office. The goal of the “Yin” and “Yang” is to is to be aware of the importance of maintaining balance in the face of change. The “Yin” and “Yang” represents and embodies the concept of “Perfect Balance”, or harmony”. Some people refer to the “Yin” and “Yang” as the “Path of life” or the “way or direction in life”. By understanding the dynamic of the “Yin” and “Yang”, you can become more aware and better equipped to quickly find balance in your environment.

Comparing and Contrasting “Yin” and “Yang” Qualities

“Yin” “Yang”
Female Male
Dark Bright
Soft Hard
Cold Hot
Meek Aggressive
Rain Sunshine
Round Sharp
Mother Father
Odd numbers Even number
Winter Summer
Moon Sun

Read more in Feng Shui To A Better You, Lucky In The Year OF The Rabbit, Life Lessons Learned, all inspirational books available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. By, Gina Meyers

Cook Like A Hot Italian Mom

My friend and fellow author, Liz Longo, and I are sharing Italian stories as we are both Italian. We are also celebrating my newest e book, Cook Like A Hot Italian Mom. Here is a story about Lasagna from Liz:
"My mother was non-Italian. She was apparently loved by her Italian
mother in-law, so much that she was given CORRECT instructions on how to cook
Italian food and the correct way to cook Lasagna. Why the fuss? Here comes
the drama. Well, there are felonies going on in kitchens out there and
Lasagna is the victim. How, you ask? Just yesterday a woman (non-Italian)
confessed to me THAT SHE provided a substitute for Ricotta - sit down and
have a shot of something; a woman used cream cheese. The same woman thought
she was getting more interesting and impressive - by talking to an Italian
woman about Lasagna (me, Liz), she said her girlfriend (non-Italian) - have another
shot of something before you either weep or scream in a pillow, tried sour
cream. If the woman was not naive, I would have been insulted though I am
wounded."
My story is about my handsome Swedish German husband David who a few months ago when I wasn't feeling well, attempted to feed our children Chef Boardi, aka FAKE Ravioli from a can. The children know I have a rule against purchasing or eating canned Ravioli, Spaghetti,etc. in my book it is sac religious. It is a big no no! It is pretty much against everything I stand for as an Italian mom. This is how my six and a half year old son Lucas reacted, he ran upstairs and fessed up, "Mommy, daddy tried to feed us raviolis from a can!" A few minutes later, my fourteen year old daughter Lauren stated, "Mom, you know I would never eat ravioli from a can, I fed mine to the cat!"