Wednesday, May 2, 2007 · Page 10 From: Her Desk Drawer Wild Rice Risotto With Almonds & Spring Vegetables 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth Salt to taste 1/2 teaspoon pepper 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 leek (white and light green part only), trimmed and diced 1 cup brown rice 1/2 cup wild rice 1 package baby carrots, diced (about 2/3 cup) 8 stalks asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 3/4 cup fresh or thawed frozen peas 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted Heat broth, salt and pepper in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a low simmer. Reduce heat to low. Heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add garlic and leek and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in rice and carrots, coating them with butter or oil. Turn heat to medium-low. Stir in hot broth, 1 cup at a time, waiting for rice to absorb liquid before adding more this will take 30-35 minutes. Add asparagus and peas when about 1 cup of broth is left. Stir in almonds just before serving, so they stay crunchy. - News Canada Taking Care of Our Emotional Health Keeping the Peace Two weeks ago, the peaceful setting of a college campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia was shattered by the deadliest shooting in modern North American history, leaving 33 people dead, dozens injured, and an entire community traumatized. The horrific tragedy at Virginia Tech sent shock-waves through our own schools and communities, as we struggled with the grim reality of how fragile our safety really can be. A felt sense of peace and security is essential to our emotional health. We grow and develop as healthy people in an environment that is safe, predictable, affirming, and consistent. Deprived of such influences, we easily become frightened, anxious, and insecure. All too often, we tend to define peace as the absence of violence, war, conflict, and squabbling... the so-called `peace and quiet' that I remember my mother ruefully longing for in a young household with me and my siblings close together in age! A broader vision of peace is the Jewish concept of "shalom" ...a persistent vision of all creation in harmony with one another, all are included and feel connected, and the well-being of all is the goal. This lack of well-being and connectedness (true peace) is evident in the high rates of emotional disorder, stress, and physical `disease' we experience in our lives. Estrangement, bitterness, resentment, and divisiveness are the unpleasant and unfortunate by-products. Surely, we need peace-making strategies others are exclusive, discouraging, and dismissive. We need to reframe the `sign' we may inadvertently give others in our homes, workplaces, and social lives. · Recognize and celebrate diversity and differences...in religion, race, ethnicity, and opinion. Peace doesn't mean we all have to be the same. We are stronger in our complementarity and uniqueness! · Live with `invisible armbands'. The safe return of students to the Virginia Tech campus was aided by foot patrols of students with coloured armbands, designated to provide emotional comfort and a safe person to be with. Imagine being that person to people around you and in your community. · Set clear and safe boundaries. Don't let your conflicts and disagreements leak into other relationships or parts of your life. · Take responsibility... when you have offended, hurt, or created conflict. Work to make things right when and where they have gone wrong. I recently heard a noted local judicial official comment that "all of us are required to keep the peace". Peace-making is not the exclusive domain of police officers or security firms, military personnel or divorce mediators, social activists or Rotarian peace conference organizers. All of us have an obligation and the opportunity to both `make peace' and `keep peace'. The dividend is that it's good for our emotional health! Further Reading: Peacemaking: Day By Day (Pax Christi, 1989). john postons M.S.W. and remedies more than ever. Here are a few: · Have `peace-full' conversations....with your family, friends, co-workers, and the person in line with you at the store. Take the time to talk and connect with one another. Look for and name the best in the person you're with. Our world is longing for affirmation and uplifting. Peace begins with a smile and an encouraging word. · Move from spectator to participant. Be active in supporting those who are hurting, isolated, or oppressed in any way. Encourage people to seek professional help who might benefit. Intervene in situations that require your help. This involves leaving our `comfortable pew' and taking a stand for issues and situations we believe to be right, and risking the cost it might involve. · Practise safe conflict resolution strategies. Learn to name issues clearly and deal with conflicts as they arise, in a safe and controlled manner. All of us can be better `conflict managers'. · Be inclusive, welcoming, and inviting. The messages we often receive from CARPENTRY SERVICES Specializing in Kitchens & Bathrooms and all your interior & exterior needs. STEVE WOJTALA 6 Lines 6 Dollars 519-776-4268 +GST Classifieds 519-687-3955 · Comber, Ontario Performance Machine Inc. "Quality Guaranteed" WE EMPLOY Register online at cancer.ca/relay 35 Victoria Avenue, Essex, ON. 776-6761 www.siefker.com TECHNICIANS let us show you their credentials