If you have ever had a hard time putting down a bad book after chapter 4, or stepping away from an ongoing obligation, even when you knew you were wasting time, you will find value in the following recommendations.

Many of us grew up with the message that winners never quit and quitters never win or that an unachieved goal equals failure. But if we really understand that letting go is not the same as giving up, or quitting, we can move forward and experience a more genuine life.

Instead of holding onto guilt, things you don’t care about, and projects that exhaust you, grab on to intuition, love and gratitude. Really think about how you want to invest your time and energy. Looking at the big picture, you only get one chance to have a great life. By choosing to live life on purpose, you can calm down, open yourself up to new opportunities and create more time and space to discover what you love.

Click here to see 10 things to let go of today...

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August flew by in a whirlwind. I spent the first half in Pasadena taking an intensive course on Christian ethics for my graduate degree. (An “intensive” is Fuller’s ten-week quarter squished into two weeks.) Once back I was focused on writing school papers and catching up on work. Suddenly it was the end of the month and I hadn’t written an August newsletter.

Call it a small victory over perfectionism—I decided to let it go and move onto September, no guilt and no grief. I’m actually listening to my own advice.

The challenge in letting go is assessing the consequences versus blindly holding to self-imposed rules. Skipping one newsletter isn’t a deal-breaker and in fact you likely wouldn’t have noticed had I not mentioned it. But I suspect there are some who can appreciate a small story about letting go. Are you one of them

In health,
Heather Moreno

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Peaches and blueberries are two powerhouse fruits, loaded with antioxidants, fiber and important vitamins like A, C and K. This recipe is the perfect way to enjoy seasonal stone fruits with the last of summer’s berries. The warm filling and flavorful topping will fill you up when you get the craving for something sweet, without ruining your whole day.

Peach Crumble with Blueberries

Filling:
nonstick cooking spray
1 pound fresh peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced, (about 2 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup blueberries
1 Tbsp. pure cane sugar
1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Topping:
1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 Tbsp. butter, cut into small pieces at room temperature
1 1/2 Tbsp. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
Nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt (optional)

Preheat oven to 375. Coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

To make the filling: in large bowl lightly toss peaches, blueberries, sugar and lemon juice. Place filling in prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make topping. In medium bowl, use fork to mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add butter and blend with fingertips. Add orange juice concentrate and blend with fingertips until dry ingredients are moistened.

Remove filling from oven and stir it a little. Sprinkle topping evenly over the surface. Top with walnuts. Bake, uncovered, until topping is lightly golden brown, about 20-25 minutes more.

Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature with nonfat frozen yogurt if desired. This recipe can be easily doubled.

Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 220 calories, 5 g total fat (2 g saturated fat), 43 g carbohydrate, 4 g protein, 4 g dietary fiber, 80 mg sodium.

From the Test Kitchen at www.aicr.com

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