Ricky’s Raw Recipes #1

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Having heard so much about the benefits of eating raw food I finally got around to investing in a blender. It took me months to spark into life, but about four weeks ago I finally took the plunge. Before I go into the first of my recipes I will give you a bit of information with regard to choosing your blender.

Strictly speaking you can use any blender, but you will be better off being just a little bit selective. Most blenders have three blades, but there are some that have five or six; and there are also various speed settings. Prices range from very cheap (less than a tenner) to very expensive, but it really depends on what you want it for. As I will very rarely want to use mine for anything other than raw juicing, I went for the Tefal Blendforce at £29.99 from Argos. It only has two-speed settings plus a pulse setting, but it has six blades that really get to grips with your ingredients. There is also a Philips five blade blender for a similar price that I have heard very good reports about. So here is the first raw food recipe of this new series.

Your first ingredient is always water and there are no specific amounts when adding your fruit and vegetables; simply throw in whatever you want.

Broccoli, Courgette, celery, and Spinach

If you are thinking, that judging by the photo, the juice probably tastes as disgusting as it looks, you would be exactly right. However, there are a couple of “secret” ingredients that I add to all my juices that don’t only make them more palatable, they make them taste delicious. Added to the above recipe is a good-sized chunk of fresh root ginger, an apple and a squeeze of lemon juice. You can also add a pear or two if you want. It makes the finished product sweet, spicy and very palatable.

There is nothing complicated about the process either, you just throw the ingredients in the blender with water (adjust the amount as you go along), whiz them to death and enjoy the experience of drinking raw food juice!

Watch out for my next raw food recipe!

Introducing The Wonderful Jacqueline Rainey – Author And Survivor

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Well, the kettle is on and the chocolate digestives are on the table; all I need now is my guest. Wait a minute, there’s a knock at the door; this must be her. Yes, all the way from Augusta, Georgia to my living room here in Tetbury, it’s inspirational author Jacqueline Rainey. Thank God for the bus service!! Whilst Jacqueline is helping herself to tea and digestives here is a bit about her…

Jacqueline Rainey’s life has been filled with adversity and battles to survive. After overcoming child abuse, sexual assault, being a foster child, domestic violence, and drug addiction, she became in her own words “a walking miracle of God” who is joyful, medication free, and spending her time writing and speaking to others to provide inspiration and healing. She regularly shares her stories with women’s and church groups, veteran’s hospitals, and anyone who feels lost and in need of a little guidance.

Rainey is not your typical author. She has stated that book sales are important to her “for a different reason; the more books sold the more opportunities to change lives.” She writes to help those in situations like hers to experience the same freedom and healing she has known. In “I Used to Be,” she writes closely of her own difficulties with addiction. She has stated about this story, “Addiction has a way of stripping us not only of our self-respect, but of our families and faith. Being a spiritual person and a woman of faith is what I believe intensified the battle and my struggle to break free not only from the substance, but also from the people whom I saw as destructive to me and to themselves. These stories are reflections of my personal struggles and my victories.”

Good morning Jacqueline and welcome to my humble abode. Thanks so much for coming to talk to us today.

Ok I need music “Flaws and All” Beyoncé. Now I’m ready. Hello Richard thank you for inviting me to lovely Tetbury, England; is the Monastery still nearby? (Yes, it’s about four miles away in Malmesbury. Ed.) If so I’m in the right place because being an inspirational writer I’m sure to find lots of inspiration there.(smile) By the way I couldn’t help but notice the Snooty Fox Hotel which sounds like the perfect place for me, lol. (From experience I wouldn’t wish The Snooty Fox on anyone Jacqueline! Ed.)

You have had such an eventful life that it’s difficult knowing where to kick this interview off. But I suppose the burning question for me is this. Having experienced in your life, and overcome, child abuse, sexual assault, being a foster child, domestic violence, and drug addiction, when did you first realise that none of these things were bigger than Jacqueline Rainey? When did you first realise that there is a power within you that can literally move mountains?

The truth is that all of them are bigger than me, but they are no match for God. I was fortunate enough to be in a veteran’s hospital rehab program and I know you must be thinking what is so fortunate about being in rehab. Well keeping with being honest I was in a drug rehab and once a week a veteran’s Chaplin would come by to give a class and one day I asked him if I could speak with him. Long story short he gave me the name and phone number of a Pastor that he was close to and once I was out of that program I called her and she took me under her wings and so did the rest of the church. That was the beginning of the life changing events, but I have to admit that things did not get easier after that, they got even harder and I had to fight.

Everyone I have ever met who has an understanding of spirituality realised at some point that the key to overcoming life’s demons is forgiveness, and to take that a step further, being able to forgive and love ourselves. Was it the same for you?

I wish that you could see the look on my face right now, but yes that is true, but it is not easy to forgive because when you have been so hurt and repeatedly it takes work; sometimes daily. I also had to realize that I would never forget the things that were done to me, but over time the pain and power that those things have over you dissipates; the stronger I became spiritually the weaker they became. I had to learn to self-love because of the things that I have experienced and been through they made me feel like something was wrong with me. I love me today and can also love others and I realize that there are many different types of love and that you can love someone, but not like them.

So many people who experience and overcome great trials and tribulations in their lives realise that they can turn adversity into advantage and use their experiences to help others. Was it the same for you? Is this what inspired you to become an author?

I have been writing poetry since I was elven years old. My first two books are all about helping others as a matter of fact I did not expect to profit from my first book “Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” because I believe that if I could get it into the hands of as many women as possible and in turn make a personal appearance it would change their lives. The places I am referring to are where women are incarcerated, domestic violence organizations, drug rehabilitation centres and Psychiatric wards; yes I have been there too. But I did struggle with the fear of knowing that everyone would know so much about me, so many personal things. There are people in this world who like to use your past against you and try to break you. I have since walked through that fear and took control of it by putting as much as possible about me out there in public to take their power away.

Onto your work now Jacqueline; tell us about your book Through Whose Eyes: Rise Child of God. What is the book about?

“Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” is my first published book and “Toni’s Blues” is my second work of love and hope. “Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” is a book of short-stories and poems. The opening poems set the tone for the story to come. I didn’t really use any character names in the stories because I felt it was a way for the readers to insert the names of those who they felt the stories related to, including themselves. The most important thing to know about these two current books is that all the short-stories in “Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” contain actual pieces of me and my life experiences in them as a writer I embellished but the realism comes through loud and clear and it is the same with “Toni’s Blues”. Yes I write about things like Child Abuse, Rape and Addiction to name just a few, but the emotions are all real; as a matter of fact I acknowledge and give thanks to my Psychiatrist and my Therapist in “Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child of God” they were very proud of me and one of them has known me for many years. My Psychiatrist has seen all of me and I can only imagine the fear she must have felt for my life during those times of utter despair.

Moving on to Toni’s Blues; what is the book about?

In “Toni’s Blues” there’s a whole lot of me in there, more than I really care to admit, but I did dress it up and romanticised it a bit, I think I did that for me, even those who have been victimised like to somehow try and protect themselves. I’m sure that all of us would like to rewrite some part of our lives and Toni literally writes Bible passages on her living room wall in the hopes of wiping out all the horrific memories of her bad choices in men. I worried before it came out about how men would feel about my story, but the truth is that men are also victims of domestic violence and they share the same shame as women. Who should read it? If I had to choose it would be to start with teenage girls because we tend to think it is so cute that he is so jealous “Oh he must really care about me, he really loves me if he is acting so jealous”. Sometimes those are warning signs, but not always.

Changing the mood slightly Jacqueline, I know music plays a big part in your life. Do you play any instruments and to what level?

Richard I wish I could lol, I bought an Acoustic Guitar and now I need an instructor because I believe once I learn to play that guitar I can then start to write songs because I can sing. I was once signed with Maurice Starr’s brother Michael Johnson as part of a group known as the J-Girls and was in the studio with the New Edition back in Roxbury Massachusetts, yes I stood in the actual room with Bobby Brown and all of them, lol. Hey I said I have a very interesting life and I meant it, lol.

What is your favourite album/song of all time and why?

I am going to have to say the album “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. It’s hard to choose just one song but it’s got to be “Human Nature” because it reminds me of my last foster parent Ms. Helen Greene.

Who is you favourite singer/band of all time and why?

Man Richard you are really bringing on the flashbacks, lol lol, Minnie Ripperton, I swear to you I had never heard opera before, but her voice on “Loving You”(Minnie Ripperton was fantastic. I’ve still got the original 45 vinyl version of “Loving You” that I bought when it first came out, but unfortunately, I no longer have anything to play it on. Ed.) My so-called step-father at the time used to wake me up from sleep because he had made a bet with some of his friends that he brought home that I could hit those notes. And Richard if you are wondering if I could, the answer is YES, each and every time, back then my voice was perfection, but my talent was not nurtured.

Tell us about any projects you are currently working on?

My stories are a place where I can lay down the emotions within me in written word because I may not be able to find the right words to speak them out loud. Yes I’m an author telling stories in ways that no one else can because I add the broken pieces of me to all that I write; and that includes the books in my upcoming double release project.

“Dark Harmonie” a character who is special because the hand of God is on her, but she has become the object of desire by those using dark supernatural forces and black magic to steal what is within in her.

“30”, a little girl who was fascinated with boys, but curious wondering why they never noticed her, wanting to know what made her different from the other girls; she becomes a woman who loses herself to another part of herself that she names “The Dragonfly Catcher”.

“30” is the second book in my ambitious double-book release project to accompany “Dark Harmonie”. “Dark Harmonie”, which is in the editing phase, still carries the spiritual messages that I so love to incorporate in my stories that is evident in my first two published books. But I have taken it further and added a supernatural aspect as well as the evils of dark and black magic. Yes all my main characters are females and I love showing that women are both strong and survivors. Even in the piece I am working on now “30”, although the woman is struggling with some issues I have painted her as a multilayer seductress which called for the story line to border on soft erotica.

You are a very inspirational lady Jacqueline. So, as time has once again beaten us, can you leave us with a pearl of wisdom; a piece of inspiration that will help any of our readers who may be struggling at this moment in time?

I believe in gentle guidance I don’t believe in forcing my beliefs on anyone so I just ask them to try it for themselves and just ask God for something simple like peace of mind, patience or to cover all the bases; just ask to be blessed and then have faith. For all those who know that I love music and music loves me because it is what I do, I enjoyed every minute of this interview while listening to the true Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin: “I Never Loved a Man” Aint No Way”, Baby, Baby, Baby” and “Giving Him Something He Can Feel”. So now it’s time for me to return to my posh suite at “The Snooty Fox Hotel” (Don’t do it Jacqueline, you WILL be disappointed! Ed.), just kidding, I’m still in Arizona and it is HOT! (She’s not readers, she’s here in my living room drinking my tea and eating all my digestives!! Ed.)

Smooches.

Thanks for that wonderful wisdom Jacqueline and thanks once again for being my guest today; it’s been a pleasure.

To find out more about my lovely guest and her books please check out the links below.

Jacqueline’s website: http://sbpra.com/jacquelinerainey/

Connect with Jacqueline on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJacquelineRainey

Follow Jacqueline on twitter: https://twitter.com/BlueHarmonie

Buy Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child Of God on Amazon US: http://ow.ly/pCUNK

Buy Toni’s Blues on Amazon US: http://ow.ly/pCVeR

Buy Through Whose Eyes: Rise, Child Of God on Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/pCVo3

Buy Toni’s Blues on Amazon UK: http://ow.ly/pCVEt

“I Was Almost Euphoric For A Week Or Two”

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

“I was almost euphoric for a week or two” and “it just makes you feel very, very, very alive” are statements that would make you believe that something wonderful and amazing is being described. Well, I suppose it is, but actually those two statements came from the mouth of the incredible Wilko Johnson during a BBC interview when describing how he received the news that he had terminal cancer. Yes, just before Christmas 2012, Wilko was told that he had untreatable pancreatic cancer and that he probably had only nine months to live. He was also told that if he had chemotherapy it may stretch to a year. He was not impressed and declined the chemo; deciding to simply get as much as possible out of the time he has left.

For the uninitiated, Wilko Johnson was the manic guitarist and one of the founder members of those great stalwarts of British Pub Rock/R’n’B, Dr Feelgood. Wilko left the band in 1977 due to “musical differences” but has continued to perform in various guises ever since. Because of his typically colourful rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, you would not expect Wilko to describe his experience in such a spiritual way. So I was quite amazed when I came across these interviews on you tube recently. Many of us who walk a spiritual pathway talk of “living in the now” and being in “the present moment”, but it is not always easy to walk the talk. So, it is for this reason that I am sharing both interviews here; I find it quite inspiring to hear someone like Wilko speaking in this way.

If you are interested in Wilko’s music and his unusual guitar playing technique you will enjoy the radio interview. For just under eight minutes it’s his music and guitar style that is discussed. The rest of the 14 minute interview is dedicated to his battle against cancer (although you would not think it a battle when you hear him speak) and how he is dealing with it. The second interview posted below went out on the BBC TV breakfast programme back in January 2013 and is equally inspiring. At the time of writing it is ten months since this interview and Wilko is still going strong; he is still playing gigs on his “farewell” tour and is in the process of recording a new album. Please check out both interviews and be inspired. What a man!!!

For news of Wilko’s up and coming gigs please see website http://www.wilkojohnson.org/

Update

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Due to a combination of feeling under the weather and having a very busy schedule, the best-selling author I was due to showcase has not featured. However, I still hope to run the interview at some stage in the future.

I know I have been very quiet of late, but If all goes to plan there will be two posts for the coming week, one of which will be an interview with an inspirational author.

So watch this space and thanks for your patience and continued support!

Thought For The Day #186

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Contain your experience with the divine so that it does not escape you but rather shapes you. Be silent. Silence will help you avoid engaging in the games of competition and illusion that regularly seduce us in the outside world. Silence also helps you avoid distraction. It helps focus the busy mind – the mind that always has to be doing something, thinking something, the mind that always has to be otherwise engaged lest it become introspective and allow the soul’s voice to override its own. The silence I am describing is a silence that you use to contain the grace you receive when you enter the Castle of your soul. This quality of silence allows you to engage in discernment. You carry this silence within you, even when you are with others. It allows you to hold your center amid the chaos of your life; it keeps you clear so that you do not do or say things you will regret or make decisions out of fear – Caroline Myss

What’s Bubbling Under?

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Watch this space, I have a best-selling author guesting here; probably on Monday the 22nd next week. You won’t be disappointed!

It’s Official! There Is A Link Between Footie And Dream Premonitions!

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Chelsea celebrate after beating Bayern Munich on penalties in their own stadium to win the 2012 Champion’s League

Yes, it really is official; dream premonitions ARE linked to the beautiful game! As the new footie season has recently begun I thought it would be appropriate to write a related article, which of course will be based on my actual experiences, so here goes.

I recently had a dream that my beloved Chelsea FC had reached The Champion’s League final again and were pitted against the old enemy Manchester United. No Chelsea fan will ever forget how our hearts were broken in Moscow, when Manchester United beat us by way of a penalty shoot-out, in the 2008 final. In my dream it was thought that Chelsea had won, but somehow there had been another penalty shoot-out and the Super-Blues were beaten once again. I woke up feeling rather disappointed but soon forgot all about what I thought was “just another dream”. However, little did I realise at the time that I had actually had a premonition of The European Super Cup final that took place a few weeks later. For the benefit of the uninitiated I shall explain.

The European Super Cup is an early season (some say pointless) match between the winners of the previous season’s Champion’s League and The Europa League. They can be played out as quite tame friendlies but this season it was slightly different. Chelsea had entered The Eoropa League by default, having been eliminated from The Champion’s League after performing miserably during the group stages. However, they ended up winning the trophy. Chelsea’s opponents were Bayern Munich, currently considered to be the best club side in the world, who were last season’s Champion’s League winners. Bayern were desperate for revenge, having been beaten by Chelsea on penalties in their own stadium, in the 2012 Champion’s League final. So, it ended up being quite a feisty encounter and a wonderful game of football.

Chelsea hero Didier Drogba who stroked home the winning penalty in the 2012 Champion’s League final against Bayern Munich

Chelsea took the lead with a fantastic strike from Fernando Torres and led until the 53rd minute when Frank Ribery scored with a rocket from outside the penalty area to equalise. A few minutes before the end of normal time Ramires was sent off for a bad tackle so Chelsea were down to 10 men and facing a battering from Bayern. Miraculously, Eden Hazard put Chelsea ahead after a few minutes of extra-time, and there then followed a backs-to-the-wall performance of gargantuan magnitude in an effort to hold onto the lead. But with about 20 seconds of the game remaining a cross came over into the Chelsea box, the ball ended up at the feet of Martinez who poked it past Peter Cech. When the ball went in the net there was probably 10 seconds remaining at the most, so there was no time to kick-off again and the game went to penalties. Poor Romelu Lukaku shot tamely at the keeper with Chelsea’s fifth penalty and Bayern were the winners. Now back to this business of premonitions…

Because the opposition team in my dream were wearing red shirts I’d just assumed it was Manchester United. However, Bayern Munich also play in red. Then “it was thought that Chelsea had won, but they lost on penalties“. Exactly that, with literally seconds to go it seemed impossible that Bayern could snatch victory from the jaws of defeat; but unbelievably that is again exactly what happened. It wasn’t until a few days ago that the realisation hit me that my dream had been a premonition of The European Super Cup final. But this is not the first time I’ve had a footie dream premonition.

Didier Drogba scores for Chelsea against Everton

Drogba again (now of Galatasaray) I just love that bloke!

Back in February 2000 Chelsea were away to arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League match. At the time I was living in Swindon and during the early hours of Saturday morning, February 5th, I had what seemed like a very short, but really weird dream. It was just a screen with white lettering on a blue background. The text said “Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea”. I didn’t read too much into this but thought possibly that I had been given a sneak-peek at what the final score was to be. As was the norm back then on a Saturday afternoon I went to the gym, where I could also keep up to date with all the football via the TV screens that always showed Sky Sports News. When I’d finished in the gym I stopped in the bar on my way out just so I could check the half-time scores on the TV. On a blue screen with white lettering it said “Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea”. The penny dropped that this was exactly what I’d seen in my dream.

If only I’d had the presence of mind back then to nip into a bookies and place a bet on what the half-time score would be, because ironically, Bernard Lambourde scored for Chelsea in the second half to give the Mighty Blues a 1-0 victory. I say “ironically” because Lambourde’s goal was not only extremely lucky in that he bundled the ball over the line with his shoulder, but in his entire Chelsea career he only scored two goals and that was one of them.

Anyone else ever had any sporting premonitions?

Thought For The Day #185

Quote

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Operation Caravan

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

Little did I know when I embarked on my working trip to West Wales recently that I would have one of the most incredible out-of-body experiences I’ve ever had. Keeping in line with my recent astral adventures this one was very short, but extremely significant.

I had been staying with my great friends, The Dunn Family, in the village of Oakford, Llanarth. The Dunns have a Bed and Breakfast establishment and a holiday cottage. I know them from my time living in the area, when Kath, the lady of the house, saw one of my ads and called me to arrange a private reading for her daughter. We have maintained contact since I moved back to England, and they very kindly let me stay with them when I’m working in the area, treating me like one of the family in the process. I stayed in one of the rooms in the house, but on the Friday they had a full quota of guests arriving for a local wedding, so other arrangements had to be made. I was moving on to a new location on the Saturday so I only needed to stay for one more night. Andrew, the son, has a caravan on the grounds and he very kindly let me sleep in it.

During the early hours of Saturday morning I found myself dreaming, but I have no idea what the dream was about. At some stage I felt a hand on me; it was either on my stomach or holding my right hand, which was resting on my stomach. I cannot remember exactly but I just know it was one or the other. At this stage I was still half asleep but I decided to grab the hand and hold onto it; It was as solid as you dear reader! I sent out thoughts of gratitude to the soul who was with me. As I was thanking this soul for its presence, I suddenly realised that there was in fact several souls around me, although I could not see them. Then the most incredible thing happened.

Just as I realised I was out of my body, one of the other souls performed a spiritual operation on me. A surgical instrument was inserted into the left-hand side of my lower abdomen; I felt no pain, just momentary discomfort. Immediately the instrument was removed I felt myself return to my body. As I did so my third eye was illuminated and I was able to see several celestial beings in female form leaving the scene. It was as if they deliberately flew over me and away so that I could see them, as opposed to simply flying away.

The whole incident lasted for no more than a few seconds. These experiences are commonplace for me now, but I’ve never been operated on before whilst out-of-body.

Anyone else had anything similar???

Back On The Scene

Gallery

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Author Richard F Holmes

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Hello dear friends! Am back from my trip and just letting you know that over the weekend I will be writing an account of yet another amazing out-of-body experience I had whilst away in Wales; so watch this space! Here … Continue reading →