Brown sugar and soy sauce pork marinade

I had a weird cooking phase when I refused to use any more than three seasonings in any dish.  This is one of my favorite creations, because it's easy, it's tasty and cheap.

You will need:

soy sauce (about 1 1/2 cups)
brown sugar (1 cup)
red pepper flakes (to taste)
Pork chops

Put the soy sauce, brown sugar and red peeper flakes in a resealable plastic bag.  Seal and mix the ingredients together.  It will be grainy at first, don't worry.  Marinade the pork chops for 2-3 hours, turning occasionally. I like to broil or grill the chops, with the excess marinade added as glaze.  I usually serve it with rice and Asian style mixed veggies.

Connections

I am making connections.  To people, to ideas, to groups.  This desire to make connections has lead me to meet some incredible people, like Stacy Evans and Delphi, other bloggers who have been supportive, friendly and creative.  It has led me to start the monthly feature segment of this blog- there are so many wonderful artists and crafts people who make magic everyday. I have joined several networking sites, to increase exposure and to look for collaborators.

Look for the results of this connection making in the coming months.  I think you will be surprised and inspired, just like I was.

Weight loss spells

Weight loss is part diet, part exercise and part mental preparation.  Spells can't cause weight loss, but they can help you create the energy and mind set needed to reach for goals.  It doesn't happen without work or overnight.

Weight loss candle spell

You will need 

a needle

a figural candle

Scratch a crosshatch pattern in the areas of the candle that correspond to the places you want to lose weight from.  Light the candle and burn it each night for seven nights starting on the full moon.  Each night, concentrate on pulling energy into your body to fuel your weight loss.  As the moon shrinks, visualize yourself shrinking as well.

Another version of this spell is done with a potato.  Carve it into the shape you'd like to have during the waning moon and bury in the earth.

Another magical weight loss tool is an oil made of equal parts basil, grapefruit, lemon, lavender, and sage.  You can sniff it at intervals through the day to ease cravings or add it to you bath water.  I must warn you that this oil mixture is not the most palatable; I personally think it stinks, but it has worked well for me.