Garlicky Lamb Chops with Snap Peas (4 servings)

Ingredients

6 Garlic cloves, minced
1 Teaspoon dried herbes de Provence
1/4 Teaspoon black pepper
4 Teaspoons olive oil
1/2 Teaspoon salt
4 (1/4-pound) boneless loin lamb chops, trimmed
2 Cups sugar snap peas, trimmed
1-1/2 Teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Instructions

1. Combine the garlic, herbes de Provence, pepper, 2 teaspoons of the oil, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a small bowl. Rub the mixture over the lamb chops; refrigerate the chops, covered, 2 hours or up to 1 day.

2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the lamb chops and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the side of each chop registers 145 degrees Fahrenheit for medium 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer the chops to a plate and keep warm.

3. Meanwhile, put the peas in a steamer basket set over 1 inch of boiling water. Cover tightly and steam until the peas are bright green and tender about 4 minutes. Immediately transfer to a bowl and toss with the lemon zest, dill, and the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve with the lamb chops.

PER SERVING (1 lamb chop and 1/2 cup peas)

Pomegranate-Glazed Shish Kebabs (4 servings)

Ingredient

1/4 Cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 Tablespoons pomegranate molasses
1 Teaspoon salt
1 Pound boneless sirloin steak, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
4 Large mushrooms halved
1 Green bell pepper, cut into 8 pieces
1 Red onion, cut into 8 pieces
1 Zucchini, cut into 8 pieces
1/4 Cup pomegranate seeds for garnish (optional)

Instruction

1. Spray the broiler rack with nonstick spray; preheat the broiler.

2. Combine the broth, pomegranate molasses, and salt in a small bowl.

3. Thread the beef and vegetables on 4 (12-inches) metal skewers, alternating the beef and the vegetables. Brush with half the broth mixture. Place the skewers on the broiler rack and broil 5 inches from the heat for 4 minutes. Turn and brush with the remaining broth mixture. Broil until the meat vegetables are browned and cooked through, 5-6 minutes. Garnish with pomegranate seeds if using.

Learn the "BASICS" of insight meditation

THE PRACTICE OF INSIGHT MEDITATION, or vipassana, reveals what has created our present conditions and allows us to more fully live in the present moment. This is so valuable for our ability to make conscious choices to better our lives. It is why the Buddha said that living twenty hours with mindfulness is more worthwhile than living a hundred years without it.
We start our insight practice with the BASICS:

Begin with breath and body 
Take a seat and notice how your body breathes itself without extra effort. No need to force your breath or to breathe in a controlled fashion. Usually, we take our breath for granted. In insight meditation, we make visible in our lives what has previously been invisible.

Allow awareness into activities
Expand your awareness into walking, movement, and eating meditation practices. Experience the sensations of simply eating a salad or piece of bread, which you might usually consume while doing other activities. While walking to the restroom at work, do so mindfully. If you have a limited or different range of motion, allow that to guide where your mindfulness needs to be, without judging anything about your experience. Know that your mindfulness is not dependent on those conditions. It can include all of your experience.

Support the sacred in your life 
Whether you are secularly or spiritually minded, pay attention to how people treat each other in terms of kindness, compassion, ethics, and integrity. These values are not the monopoly of one lineage or one spiritual tradition. They are what make us human.

Invite all of yourself into awareness 
We are the products of different lives, backgrounds, families, occupations, roles, cultures, genders, orientations, physical abilities, and economic and education experiences. Invite all your aspects and identities into your insight practice.

Cultivate continuity and consistency 
Develop a daily sitting practice. Be realistic. If it feels difficult, try the Five-Five-Five method: meditate five minutes a day, for five days a week, for five weeks. If you feel its benefit, you will naturally increase your practice time. Continuity and consistency lead to concentration, clarity, and calmness. Bring your awareness practice into your workplace, your relationships, your creative endeavors- nothing is outside of mindfulness.

Support through community
I advise you also to practice with others. Gather with spiritual friends, meet in weekly sitting groups, and join daylong retreats. If you cannot find these group in your geography area-get like-minded and like-hearted friends to sit with you. We never walk our spiritual path alone, and the teachings show us that we actually awaken together.