Shared by Petra Roesner 
http://focusedsolutionsconsulting.com/
Photo credit: Petra Roesner


Good food is everywhere!

Yes, we all need to eat!  Here, we love to cook and create new recipes or explore cuisines from different parts of the world by just following recipes that are out there.  Please sit back and enjoy as we add on to our culinary creations!

The other day, we made a fish ragout here.  It was a total hit with everyone!

Ingredients:

• white fish (we used Hake and Basa)
  
• shrimp
  
• butter
  
• flour
  
• heavy cream
  
• dijon mustard
  
• salt
  
• pepper
  
• dill
  
• water
  
• white wine (Riesling)
  

For preparation & directions for this recipe click here...

Most people will agree that the American workplace has changed more in the last five years than it has in the previous 25. Seismic shifts in technology, social media and management have drastically changed how we work. Corporate downsizing has led to many employees doing more with less. It’s no surprise that these changes have led to an overwhelming level of disengagement in the workplace. According to Gallup, over 23 million U.S. workers feel disconnected or dissatisfied with their careers.

Dealing with alterations to your normal work procedures can be frustrating, unwanted, and even scary. Learning to accept change at work is critical for your success. The key is to understand the change and to position yourself to receive the benefits so that you can excel despite the challenges. Implement these strategies to guide you towards embracing workplace changes with optimism for greater success at work.

(1) UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE CHANGE. Ask yourself what scares you or makes you angry about a recent change at work. Once you know you’re concerns you will be able to deal with them to better succeed in the work environment. Maybe you think your job or paycheck is threatened. Perhaps you think the company might close because of the change. Explore all the possibilities. If you find that your concerns are legitimate, create a Plan B that you can implement in your worst-case scenarios. Once you make an action plan, resolve to let go of your uneasiness about situations you can't control and optimistically expect the best results that could happen from the change.

(2) TRUST THE CHANGE. Be assured that the people running the company are making the choice to change for a reason that will benefit the company. Recognize that people in power have a picture of the entire situation. When I exited my career at a Fortune 100 company, the organization was at the beginning stages of implementing a new commercial strategy. I was part of the “Change” team so I had insight that others did not have. I understood the importance of the changes as they were necessary to maintain a healthy position in the industry. However, co-workers with less information were not as optimistic in embracing the changes. The changes didn't limit me. They empowered me! Be committed to the goals of the organization to lessen your anxieties about the change to perform at your optimal level. If it’s best the company ultimately it’s best for you.

(3) LIMIT “CHANGE” CONVERSATIONS. Avoid lengthy discussions with co-workers about changes, especially if your peers are focusing on negativity related to the changes. Some co-workers might be antagonistic due to their own fears and insecurities. Negative talk spreads like a cancer. Stay immunized by declining to share thoughts that might be interpreted as negative when engaging with others. Instead make an effort to be understanding and communicate thoughts about the positive results the change should bring.

Read the remainder of this blog entry by clicking here.

Meet Adrean Turner, MBA, MM, CPC

Adrean Turner is the “Career Fulfillment Expert”. Adrean is certified as a Life, Life Purpose and Career Coach. She is a Professional Development Trainer, Speaker and Marketing Expert. With more than 20 years of experience in business and mentoring, Adrean uses her skills, passion and talents to motivate and empower clients to MOVE FORWARD to pursue their goals to have an AMAZINGLY SUCCESSFUL LIFE and CAREER. Adrean assists clients to UNCOVER their gifts, DISCOVER their passion and develop INCREDIBLE plans that enable them to EXCEL. Coach Adrean partners with individuals, entrepreneurs and organizations to KEEP GOING to ACHIEVE their maximum potential!

Read more about Adrean Turner by clicking here.

The Ahr Valley – A Place to Wine in Germany
By Petra Roesner
 

The region where I grew up, the Ahr Valley, is named for and after the tranquil and small Ahr river, that runs from the small village of Blankenheim in the Eifel into the famous Rhine River by Remagen.
 
Locals and travelers alike enjoy walking along and with that exploring the beautiful Ahr Valley along the Rotweinwanderweg (Red Wine Walking Trail), with many points to start and end or to stop for a quick snack in some of the little family-run restaurants that also offer a great view of the valley.   If one does not feel like walking, a drive through the valley right along the Ahr river with the wineyards alongside, it also extremely beautiful!
 
The Ahr Valley is well known for being on of the most northern regions in Europe where red wine is produced, thanks to the abundance of red grapes that are being grown alongside steep small mountains ranges facing the south for maximum exposure to the sun when the grapes grow.  It is believed that even the Romans of the ancient empire of the same name liked the area so much that they started to grow grapes and make their own wine up there, hundreds of years ago (1).
 
In the many small towns and villages in the Ahr Valley are many family owned and operated wineries, where the traditions of making wine has been passed on and on for years spanning many generations.  Most of those wineries also offer wine tastings and most families will be more than happy to have locals and travelers alike try some of their wonderfully crafted adult beverages, many of which can be found right alongside the beautiful Rotweinwanderweg.

 
Wine and wine making are big traditions in the Ahr Valley (as they are in many other wine regions of Germany), and so is celebrating everything associated with wine:  wine harvest, crowning wine queens (who have to know pretty much everything there is to know about wine and the region),  wine parades, but mostly, the great variety of wine festivals and markets that start sometime in March and end in October – yes, people there take there wine seriously for a majority of the year (2).  During the wine-related festivities, locals and countless tourists flock to the streets in towns and villages along the Ahr Valley, to sample some great wines in their little glasses and also to enjoy listening to some local traditional bands while sampling some great food along the way!
 
The time of wine harvest is particularly fun, as most of the local wineries will sell or serve Federweisser (weiss) or Federroter, (red) which is basically grape juice in some state of fermentation, before it becomes “real wine,” and the color of either the white or red version is somewhat “whited” because of the yeast being in the early stages of processing.  Traditionally, restaurants, Weinstuben (Wine Houses) or wineries, serve a dish called Zwiebelkuchen (Onion cake) during this time, which can be described as a pizza topped with just onions and sometimes also with cheese; although that might sound a bit strange, it is actually very tasty.   One should exercise caution when consuming the combination of Feder-wine-creations along with Zwiebelkuchen though:  first, Federweisser is very refreshing and thus easy to drink , thus the fact that one is consuming alcohol can be easily “missed” and second, when consumed with Zwiebelkuchen, it can definitely be a digestive in many ways …
 

In the winter, during times of local Christmas markets, many vendors will offer a drink called Gluehwein, which is basically a wine served warm and that is spiced with ingredients such as orange and lemon slices, gloves, cinnamon and whatever else one choses to add to this delicious and warming delicacy that is best enjoyed with a slice of warm apple pie with vanilla sauce, while standing outside on the street with friends or strangers just watching children getting excited for the festive season.  Or you can buy a bottle already spiced to warm up at home, just like this one, available in some stores in the US.
 
Overall, the Ahr Valley is a great place to visit to sample local wines and food and to enjoy a beautiful scenery along one of the many little rivers in Germany.  When thinking about traveling and staying there, I would recommend to make arrangements ahead of times, as hotels and bed and

breakfast establishments tend to be pretty booked during the assorted wine-related festivities.  One alternative would be to stay in a hotel in a larger city nearby and then drive by rental or taxi to the location in the valley that have those festivals or to inquire if a visit to such festivities are included in travel packages to Germany in general or the region in particular.
 
All photos by Petra Roesner
 
http://www.germany.travel/en/towns-cities-culture/gemuetlichkeit/wine-country/ahr.html
(2) http://www.ahrtal.de/veranstaltungen/weinfeste/

Travel to Bahrain
Written by Petra Roesner, PHD
 
Never in my previous life would I have thought to visit this small island alongside the Eastern coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - it just happened that my husband was stationed there and we decided to visit him. So myself and sons set out to fly there.  Although I was traveling by myself with two children, immigration at Manama International Airport was really easy to navigate and the officers were super friendly welcoming us.
 
The capital of Bahrain is Manama, where really old meets really new, traditional buildings and mosques alongside a splendid modern skyline.  Bahrain also has a number of old forts, notably the Arad Fort, the Qal’at al Bahrain Fort and the Riffa Fort, which are “left over” from when Portugal was in charge there a few hundred years ago!
 
Getting around in Manama can be challenging, traffic can get very bad and the drivers there can be a bit wild, and it is not unheard of or unseen that some drivers will use what passes at a side walk at time to get “ahead” of the line at red lines or to simply pass cars in line to make that right-turn just a minute or so faster.  If you decide to drive over there, caution needs to be exercised.  If you don’t have access to a car or decide not to rent one, tThere are lots of taxis, which will take you anywhere for a cheap fare.  Walking can be challenging as well, especially in areas of town where there are simply no sidewalks, so one should always look out or listen for approaching cars, and watch out for construction of building all over the place as well.  Taking about “odd” things one finds when walking in Manama:  they are filling up the island with sand, from the ocean, so many parking areas are not paved yet, but the great news is, you can find sea shells in the middle of a growing city!
 
The souk in Manama is small, when compared to souks in Tunis or Cairo, but they have a variety of nice shops there to buy souvenirs, scarfs, and rugs.  If you have a desire to have your next outfit tailor-made, the souk is the place to go, and it is cheaper than buying an off-the-shelf one in the US or Europe. The souk also has cute little places that sell spices, and it is a great place to just sit down in one of the little coffee/tea shops to enjoy a hot cup of something and watch people passing by while indulging in some of the great pastries they sell as well.  
 
Manama has many mosques, most notably the Al Fateh Grand Mosque across from the Royal Palace in center town.  The ladies and gentlemen who work there are more than happy to give tours, one just needs to stick the head in the door to feel welcomed.  Men are expected to have their arms and legs covered, women will be given a hijab and head dress to wear.  If you are not comfortable with wearing a headdress worn by many,  I would recommend always having a little scarf in the purse just in case the situation arises that one should be worn.
 
Food and drink:  one word, awesome Middle Eastern cuisine from all kinds of countries in the region.  And the food is cheap, and the portions tend to be huge, one meal is enough to share.  There are also a lot of shawarma places alongside busy streets, most notably the road leading the Royal Palace, generally referred to as Sharwama Alley among the ex-pats who life there.  Another great thing to try is some of the fruit juices in any of the restaurants, they juice them right in front of you and are awesome and refreshing!  And yes, there are those lovely honey-drenched pastries again …  
 
Alcohol is available in Bahrain, in hotels and specialized stores.  Talking about hotels, most of the bigger ones (the “K-Hotel, The Moevenpick etc.) all offer brunch on Fridays, where for a set price you can indulge for pretty much the whole day in eating and drinking if you desire!  
 
The people in Bahrain are very friendly and very welcome towards visitors, and we have not experienced any problems whatsoever there.  However, as Bahrain at the time of our visit was still going through their version of the Arab Spring, we tended to avoid certain areas after dark, which during daytime however were fine to be in. 
 
Other sights too see:  the causeway bridge which connects Bahrain with Saudi Arabia, the Tree of Life, the Formula 1 Racetrack, the First Well, the Bahrain National Museum, the Ahmed Alfateh Islamic Center and Grand Mosque, and the Royal Camel Farm.  There are also plenty of opportunities to dive and snorkel in the Gulf of Bahrain and the Persian Gulf. 

Reflections on my Taekwondo Journey 
The Best Roller Coaster Ride Ever
Written by Petra Roesner
 
 
The unexamined life is not worth living. - Socrates
 
 
As a black belt, I often think about how I got to where I am right now and about what all happened in between starting to practice Taekwondo to lose weight to now actually passing on the what I have learned thus far to others.  
 
When I started to practice Taekwondo I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  If someone a few years ago had told me that I would be a black belt at one point, I would have asked them what they are having and if I could have some as well. 
 
Belt promotions were not even on my bucket list when I started, they seem to just happen every time my instructor told me I was ready to progress to the next higher rank.  Yet, despite his confidence in me, I was generally nervous and anxious and doubted myself more than anything.  Yet, despite my feelings, I think the whole process of earning higher rank(s) has also motivated me in many ways and it has certainly helped me to completely step out of my own comfort zone and to truly start to learn what I am not good at: sparring (and I am still a work in progress).
 
Everything seemed to move along just fine until I was a blue belt.  Things changed.  Slowly.  I started to be in almost constant pain, every kick to my body hurt beyond belief, I had odd rashes, and every practice became an exercise in overcoming something.  After a few months of all this, I finally went to see my doctor and after what seemed a gazillion tests and months later, I was diagnosed with some form of Lupus, which required me to change many things in my life to be able to not have my life controlled by some odd autoimmune issue.  In this case giving up was not an option that I have chosen, I have chosen to persevere and show indomitable spirit to overcome and to continue my roller coaster ride, that was actually a bit more mellowed until I earned my red belt.
 
The red belt for me was always a transition phase into something completely new and different.  The process from moving on from there however was yet another memorable roller-coaster ride.  There were many extraneous circumstances that at times prevented me from being as focused as I could and wanted to be.  I was in the process of entering the research process of my dissertation (which, of course, was focused on Taekwondo), learned that my better half would deploy for at least six months (with the possibility of the deployment being one year) with only three weeks notice to get ready to be a temporary single mom of two boys. During that time, it seemed, I felt that was really tested as an athlete having to cope with multiple injuries that didn’t allow me to test for a year combined with the relentless self-questioning of what on earth I was doing to my body. 
 
During that period, there were many times that I thought about just throwing in the towel and to quit.  There were many talks with my wonderful instructor, who was, fully aware of what was going on in my life outside the dojang, and who encouraged me to get my indomitable spirit back at those moments and to not quit.  So I kept on moving along, learned more patterns and found my niche in Taekwondo, helping other learn.  So, looking back, in many ways, despite many set-backs, that was probably the period in my development as a martial artist that shaped me in so many ways:  realizing that I want to give back what I know and realizing that I can do it, maybe not necessarily on a planned schedule of testing dates, but on a schedule that was mine to control and work with.  
 
Once I “recovered” from broken bones in my foot and a knee injury, I found myself in the dojang almost every day, training harder than ever to get ready for the big day.  Even though I felt pretty confident in my ability to test, the closer the testing date got, the more doubts I had about everything:  my ability to do well, whether I was ready or not.  When the day arrived, despite my nervousness, I did well, actually, according to my instructor, it was the best he has ever seen me during a test.  I think that was because I simply remember the mantra passed on to all of us by him since day one, when testing, “have fun” and “enjoy the moment.” 
 
Looking back, I could have never gotten to where I am now just by myself.  Had it not been for the constant and consistent encouragement from my instructor, I would most likely have given up.  The same holds true for the constant encouragement from my senior ranking Taekwondo sisters and brothers, who have also pushed me along and who will forever be my great role models in so many ways.  And most of all, it could not have been possible without the belief that my husband and sons had in me, that I could do it.  I also believe that my healthy dose of self-doubt also made me focus harder, particularly on those skills that I have a harder time with.  Finally, I believe that it was also the incredible sense of friendship inside our dojang and the feeling that all students regardless of rank are in so many ways my brothers and sisters in the sport – a community of like-minded individuals who share and try their best every day to live Taekwondo in their lives. 
 
Petra Roesner, PhD
petramroesner@aol.com
 
 
About Petra Roesner, PHD
 
Petra, a Black Belt in Taekwondo, has two publications that allowed her combine two of her passions, Taekwondo and moral and character development: Beyond the Dojang:  A phenomenological Study on Transferring the Virtues of Taekwondo into daily life and Taekwondo, more than a martial art.  A journey for life. 
 
Petra is the owner of Focused Solutions Consulting LLC located in Lithia, Florida, and offers educational coaching and mentoring as well as life coaching for individuals of all ages and families.  

Petra can be contacted at 808 729 2701 or via email, petramroesner@gmail.com.
 
Please make sure to check out her website for Focused Solutions Consulting LLC at focusedsolutionsconsulting.com or follow her on twitter @Petra Roesner
 
 
Petra Roesner, PHD Introduces Her Book

Please, allow me introduce my book, Taekwondo, more than a martial art, a journey for life:
 
Many books have been written about Taekwondo—mostly about learning the technical aspects of this sport. If you want to learn how to kick and punch or how to do your patterns better, this book is not for you, as I don’t even want to begin to attempt to fill the shoes of the great masters who know so much more about that than I do and who have written excellent books about those topics. 
 
This book is about how Taekwondo can help develop good character. It is about learning to be courteous, about living up to one’s word, how to control oneself, and how to not give up by persevering and showing indomitable spirit to reach goals in life, even when things get difficult. It is about living the tenets of Taekwondo—courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit—inside and outside the dojang. 
 
This book is also about how living the tenets of Taekwondo can help to have good relationships with others by being courteous, mindful, respectful, and fair. It is also about learning about values and trying to make a positive difference not only in one’s own life but also in the lives of others by helping them in a kind, understanding, caring, and compassionate manner. Finally, this book outlines that students of Taekwondo do not just learn physical skills, but that Taekwondo can also become both a philosophy of life and a lifestyle, and that the journey is ongoing; and while it can be difficult, it can be fun at the same time. 

Reflections on my Taekwondo Journey 
The Best Roller Coaster Ride Ever
Written by Petra Roesner

The unexamined life is not worth living. - Socrates

As a black belt, I often think about how I got to where I am right now and about what all happened in between starting to practice Taekwondo to lose weight to now actually passing on the what I have learned thus far to others.  

When I started to practice Taekwondo I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  If someone a few years ago had told me that I would be a black belt at one point, I would have asked them what they are having and if I could have some as well. 

Belt promotions were not even on my bucket list when I started, they seem to just happen every time my instructor told me I was ready to progress to the next higher rank.  Yet, despite his confidence in me, I was generally nervous and anxious and doubted myself more than anything.  Yet, despite my feelings, I think the whole process of earning higher rank(s) has also motivated me in many ways and it has certainly helped me to completely step out of my own comfort zone and to truly start to learn what I am not good at: sparring (and I am still a work in progress).

Everything seemed to move along just fine until I was a blue belt.  Things changed.  Slowly.  I started to be in almost constant pain, every kick to my body hurt beyond belief, I had odd rashes, and every practice became an exercise in overcoming something.  After a few months of all this, I finally went to see my doctor and after what seemed a gazillion tests and months later, I was diagnosed with some form of Lupus, which required me to change many things in my life to be able to not have my life controlled by some odd autoimmune issue.  In this case giving up was not an option that I have chosen, I have chosen to persevere and show indomitable spirit to overcome and to continue my roller coaster ride, that was actually a bit more mellowed until I earned my red belt.

The red belt for me was always a transition phase into something completely new and different.  The process from moving on from there however was yet another memorable roller-coaster ride.  There were many extraneous circumstances that at times prevented me from being as focused as I could and wanted to be.  I was in the process of entering the research process of my dissertation (which, of course, was focused on Taekwondo), learned that my better half would deploy for at least six months (with the possibility of the deployment being one year) with only three weeks notice to get ready to be a temporary single mom of two boys. During that time, it seemed, I felt that was really tested as an athlete having to cope with multiple injuries that didn’t allow me to test for a year combined with the relentless self-questioning of what on earth I was doing to my body. 

During that period, there were many times that I thought about just throwing in the towel and to quit.  There were many talks with my wonderful instructor, who was, fully aware of what was going on in my life outside the dojang, and who encouraged me to get my indomitable spirit back at those moments and to not quit.  So I kept on moving along, learned more patterns and found my niche in Taekwondo, helping other learn.  So, looking back, in many ways, despite many set-backs, that was probably the period in my development as a martial artist that shaped me in so many ways:  realizing that I want to give back what I know and realizing that I can do it, maybe not necessarily on a planned schedule of testing dates, but on a schedule that was mine to control and work with.  

Once I “recovered” from broken bones in my foot and a knee injury, I found myself in the dojang almost every day, training harder than ever to get ready for the big day.  Even though I felt pretty confident in my ability to test, the closer the testing date got, the more doubts I had about everything:  my ability to do well, whether I was ready or not.  When the day arrived, despite my nervousness, I did well, actually, according to my instructor, it was the best he has ever seen me during a test.  I think that was because I simply remember the mantra passed on to all of us by him since day one, when testing, “have fun” and “enjoy the moment.” 

Looking back, I could have never gotten to where I am now just by myself.  Had it not been for the constant and consistent encouragement from my instructor, I would most likely have given up.  The same holds true for the constant encouragement from my senior ranking Taekwondo sisters and brothers, who have also pushed me along and who will forever be my great role models in so many ways.  And most of all, it could not have been possible without the belief that my husband and sons had in me, that I could do it.  I also believe that my healthy dose of self-doubt also made me focus harder, particularly on those skills that I have a harder time with.  Finally, I believe that it was also the incredible sense of friendship inside our dojang and the feeling that all students regardless of rank are in so many ways my brothers and sisters in the sport – a community of like-minded individuals who share and try their best every day to live Taekwondo in their lives. 

Petra Roesner, PhD
petramroesner@aol.com

About Petra Roesner, PHD


Petra, a Black Belt in Taekwondo, has two publications that allowed her combine two of her passions, Taekwondo and moral and character development: Beyond the Dojang:  A phenomenological Study on Transferring the Virtues of Taekwondo into daily life and Taekwondo, more than a martial art.  A journey for life. 

Petra is the owner of Focused Solutions Consulting LLC located in Lithia, Florida, and offers educational coaching and mentoring as well as life coaching for individuals of all ages and families.  

Petra can be contacted at 808 729 2701 or via email, petramroesner@gmail.com.

Please make sure to check out her website for Focused Solutions Consulting LLC at focusedsolutionsconsulting.com or follow her on twitter @Petra Roesner

Petra Roesner, PHD Introduces Her Book
 
Please, allow me introduce my book, Taekwondo, more than a martial art, a journey for life:

Many books have been written about Taekwondo—mostly about learning the technical aspects of this sport. If you want to learn how to kick and punch or how to do your patterns better, this book is not for you, as I don’t even want to begin to attempt to fill the shoes of the great masters who know so much more about that than I do and who have written excellent books about those topics. 

This book is about how Taekwondo can help develop good character. It is about learning to be courteous, about living up to one’s word, how to control oneself, and how to not give up by persevering and showing indomitable spirit to reach goals in life, even when things get difficult. It is about living the tenets of Taekwondo—courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit—inside and outside the dojang. 

This book is also about how living the tenets of Taekwondo can help to have good relationships with others by being courteous, mindful, respectful, and fair. It is also about learning about values and trying to make a positive difference not only in one’s own life but also in the lives of others by helping them in a kind, understanding, caring, and compassionate manner. Finally, this book outlines that students of Taekwondo do not just learn physical skills, but that Taekwondo can also become both a philosophy of life and a lifestyle, and that the journey is ongoing; and while it can be difficult, it can be fun at the same time.