An Achievable New Year’s Resolution: Mattering Elton John’s Dodger Stadium Concert Rachel Ray’s Recipe for Broccolini, Meatball and Tomato Soup
Mused after watching Elton John’s Dodger Stadium concert on Disneyplus. It’s interesting to watch concerts close up as only television can do. His vocals aren’t quite what they used to be (I first saw him almost 50 years ago) but he can still play a wicked piano and get the crowd moving. He plays more than his usual hits. This morning the radio said he was going to Europe and play for another seven months. That’s a lot of energy for a 75 year old.
Mattering
“Mattering” is the belief that you are valued and important to others. The power of believing in mattering is that YOU can make others believe they are valued and matter whether you are a boss, friend, or family. This gives us the feeling that we add value to the lives of others.
Feeling “mattered” results in lower levels of loneliness and fewer health risks. Studies show there is less anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse.
(Did You Know? Studies show that it’s not the number of relationships one has but rather the quality of any relationship.)
Appreciation is the number one trait that successful relationships have and is a key to “mattering”. For a couple, the expression of appreciation for the “little” things that are done of each other elevates the positives in the relationship. Also, praising someone for what they have done both personally and publicly helps improve mattering. When people find out how their efforts help a broader plan, it energizes them.
The spillover effect of mattering is that it is infectious. Others start to adopt it to either their work, family or friends. Make complimenting and appreciation two of your New Year’s resolutions.
-Jennifer Breheny Wallace, WSJ
LA DOLCE VITA, JOIE DE VIVRE:
Rachel Ray’s recipe for tomato soup is great for these cold winter evenings.
Take one bunch of broccolini (Kroger has it in bags near the mushrooms) and cook it in salted water at a low boil for 2-3 minutes then run cold water over it, drain and chop into bite size pieces.
Heat a pot with 2 Tbls each of butter and olive oil then add one chopped large onion. Add a bay leaf and cook onions until translucent, about 10 minutes. Add four crushed cloves of garlic and stir for a minute. Then add one 28-ounce can of Italian tomatoes, 1 quart of beef stock, and 3 cups of passata (it’s like pureed tomatoes, at Kroger on tomato isle for $4.99). Simmer 10-15 minutes. Add about 11/2 lbs of meatballs (Rachael makes her own in the recipe, I bought a pound of Kroger’s for simplicity). Simmer 25 minutes until cooked through. Add broccolini for 5 minutes. Serve in bowls with basil and Parmesan over the top.
Healthy Living,
Peter McKenna, M.D.
513.793.5772
www.mckennamd.com
McKenna Cosmetic Surgery Center . 10577 Montgomery Road . Cincinnati . OH . 45242
30 Years of Improving Lives
A Cincinnati Magazine “Top Doc” since 1998
Allergan Top 500 Physician
Skinceuticals “Flagship” Practice
(I do write all the emails and have done so since 2007. -PJM)