Emy Minzel

Herby Shrimp Stir Fry Recipe

February 3, 2019March 22, 2026 Emy Minzel

I am not much of a recipe person. I can follow them fine, but I really prefer cooking with what I have on hand, throwing it into a pan and using my creativity. What follows is one of the recipes that I make quite often; it’s fast, easy and tasty. So, I wanted to share it with friends. Plus, it’s a one-pan dinner and doing fewer dishes always makes me smile!

My first recommendation, when cooking freehand like this, is to use seasoning! I love trying out new seasoning combinations and I often recommend them to friends when I find ones I enjoy. If you have any recommendations, please share them with me!

My new favorite seasonings are Grind to a Salt & Garlic Herb from Simply Organic. There is always regular garlic salt, which is great on almost everything. Feel free to change out the cayenne pepper to regular black pepper, if you’d like also. I like things spicy, but I know not everyone does, so it’s okay to keep that out.

First, I prepared rice according to directions in my rice cooker this morning. I rinse the rice twice before adding water, then a tablespoon of butter and salt while it cooks. Feel free to leave the butter and salt out if you prefer. I just like the extra flavor and it seems to give the rice better texture. I have used day old rice from the fridge for this recipe and that works just fine also.

Next, I defrost and take the tails off the shrimp. I then dry them a bit on a paper towel before I fry them with two tablespoons of butter, garlic salt, and garlic herb seasoning to taste. I am going say use about a teaspoon of each seasoning with your shrimp. If you have more shrimp use more seasoning. Cook until pink or about 5 -7 minutes, stirring occasionally, on medium heat.

When the shrimp is done, remove it from the pan and place in a bowl. Don’t bother cleaning the pan; just add another two tablespoons of butter and frozen veggies. I use peas, beans, and corn because that’s what is in the freezer. Feel free to substitute with your preferred vegetable combinations. Asparagus or broccoli are some of my other favorites to add when I have them handy.

Cook frozen veggies on medium heat until they lose their frost, then add a cup of cooked rice and season with Garlic Herb, Grind to a Salt, and pepper. Be sure to keep stirring so that everything in the pan gets evenly seasoned.

As I said, I don’t use recipes, so the exact amount of seasoning will be up to your preferences. I say start with about a tablespoon of Garlic Herb and a teaspoon and a half of Grind to a Salt. (You can use regular salt or garlic salt instead if preferred.)

I call it a stir fry because I like to cook it so that the buttery rice gets a little crispy but not burnt. Keep the mixture moving until its evenly coated with seasoning and warm all the way through. You can then add the cooked shrimp back into the pan and give it a quick stir or you can do what I did and layer it on top!

Easy one pan dinners are my favorite, because they only take about 15-20 minutes to make. This recipe makes two smaller portions or one large meal depending just how hungry you are! I like this recipe because I eat alone a lot and it can be customized to just how much you want and it’s great for leftovers.

Herby Shrimp Stir Fry Ingredients

1 cup frozen shrimp (defrosted and tail removed)

1 cup peas

1 cup corn

1 cup green beans

1 cup cooked rice

4 table spoons of butter (salted or unsalted is okay)

Simply Organic Seasoning – Garlic Herb and Grind to a Salt

Garlic Salt

Black Pepper or Cayenne – to taste

If you are feeding three or more people just double the recipe

If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear from you and see your pictures too! I hope you enjoy this quick and easy dinner as much as I do!

Wishing you an abundance of blessings and joy!

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ I am love.

Oh no! Your flights canceled…

January 30, 2019March 22, 2026 Emy Minzel

On my way home from a Retreat in Florida. I had some delays getting to my destination when it was time to go home. My connecting flight home was canceled which left me stranded in Chicago at the airport. The airline I was using said they couldn’t get me home until the next day or maybe not until Friday! It was Monday morning and I want to get home.

What was funny is that I had been thinking on the way to Florida, instead of complaining about the length of my travel, I need to focus on saying to God/The Universe “What a blessing that I get to travel all day!”

As the Universe/God does, it gave me more of just what I had asking for. Silly me. I guess I need to be much more specific when manifesting thoughts. I really did want to get home to my fabulous husband and my wonderful life. But as life does, sometimes your plans get changed for you.

I had spent the whole weekend practicing to raise our vibrations and vowing to hold myself accountable for the energy I bring into the world. Vowing to trust in divine timing and bringing my “best self” to circumstances that may not be so happy. So, I figured, this was my test from the Universe to see how I would handle this exact situation and change of plans.

Sure, I could be mad, plenty of other travelers were! I could even complain to everyone I saw or make a ruckus. Yet it would not change the fact that the flight was canceled due to the weather and the workers at the airport are not responsible for that.

My husband decided to purchase me another ticket from a different airline, that was based in Minnesota; so, we were fairly certain they would get me home. Yet it wasn’t scheduled to leave until later that night and it was still morning. The weather cleared up, but I had another 7 hours to wait before I could check back in for my 6:00 flight. I worked to do my best to keep my thoughts positive and my hopes high. I was not happy about having to purchase another ticket though, not cool. Yet, I knew I had to keep my thoughts positive.

I was working on trusting that this delay was for my greatest good. I decided I was going to just embrace the fate of my long wait and hunkered down to write. I now had the whole day to work from the airport! Time to take deep breathes and bring peace to my spirit. After all, I love having time to write uninterrupted! Although, I would prefer more comfortable seating. I decided to write for a couple hours and had to take a bathroom break. As I walked past the ticketing counter, I thought to myself…

“Maybe I should just try and ask if this new airline happens to have a flight going back to Minneapolis any earlier? The worst they could say is no.” I told myself.

Guess what?! The ticketing agent was not only very kind and helpful but got me on a flight that was leaving in just an hour! “OH JOY!” I was so happy I almost cried. It felt like such a weight was lifted off my shoulders; that I was going to get home soon. After all, there is no place like home and I really wanted to get there.

This event just confirmed what I already knew. It is my job to take responsibility for my attitude and my words; even in times of stress and confusion. I can choose to work myself up in anger, or better, I can choose to just work! I decided to seize the day and write about all I had learned about myself this weekend. While the Universe gave me the opportunity to practice my new/refreshed knowledge. So, I figured, I would share my synchronistic Monday morning lesson from the Universe with you too.

I have learned to trust what happens on my journey through life.

I have learned that I am okay in my own skin; even when my experience isn’t matching my expectations.

I have learned the energy I bring makes all the difference to myself and my situation.

I have learned to be more specific when manifesting travel!

I have even learned I will now take direct flights because they are worth it to me and I am worth it!

There are a lot of things that go through your mind when derailed from your path, but it’s up to us to rise above any negative thoughts.

I mean really…. The Universe/God just has a sense of humor in the way it sends it messages sometimes, doesn’t it? Today, I did do my best to keep a smile in my heart while I trusted the wait. I held onto hope that the Universe/God would get me home to see my husband very soon.

And it did. All I had to do was ask!

Wishing safe and timely travels adventurers!!! Keep your chin up and you let your light shine while you trust divine timing!

With love,

Emy Minzel ~ I am love.

*Photo taken in Orlando, Florida

Five great reasons to get a Massage!

January 28, 2019March 22, 2026 Emy Minzel

Over a decade ago, I had an accident that caused me to sprain my neck. I was sitting on a tall stool, in my fathers-in-law garage. When he came in for a big bear hug and knocked the stool I was sitting over. It was a fluke accident and I thought I was fine at the time. The next morning though, I woke up in so much pain, I could barely lift my head off the pillow. It was so painful I went to the doctor who prescribed pain meds and muscle relaxers. They helped but muscle relaxers put me to sleep and the lingering pain and stiffness of the whiplash, I incurred, stayed with me even with medication.

I decided to go to the chiropractor and get some adjustments, physical therapy and massage to help me heal. I felt some relief from the adjustments, but the PT seemed to just annoy my problem instead of helping. The one thing that did offer immediate and lasting relief was the massages I received. I was so stunned by how much they helped, that I decided to go back to school to become a Massage Therapist. I was so relieved I wanted to help others in this same way!

Now I am a Certified Massage Therapist because of my personal massage experiences!

Massage Therapy is good for you in so many ways. I know a lot of people think of massage as ‘pampering or indulgent’ and honestly, I used too also! The truth is… giving your muscles, the relief they need to function at their best is taking care of yourself! If your car has a bad tire, you just don’t ignore it, you fix it so that your car performs at its best. Massage is no different than giving your body the maintenance it requires to be the best it can be.

Massage therapy not only feels good, it is good for you!

Increases circulation – releasing tight muscles lets the blood flow freely, increases healing in the area of your body that is injured or just sore from regular use. When you increase circulation, you decrease the time it takes to heal. Clients who work out regularly, benefit from massage to keep their muscles from forming knots, therefore keeping them in top form and to prevent injury.

Loosens restricted areas from overuse or scar tissue – lots of people suffer from repetitive injury pain: in their neck, shoulders and back areas from their work. Manipulating and loosening the tissue in these areas gives the body great relief.

Increases range of motion – people who work on computers or drive all day, sit in the same positions for extended periods of time. This can lead to so much tension in their neck and shoulders, that they have a lowered range of motion. If it is difficult to look behind you when backing the car out of the driveway, you have restricted range of motion. Massage can help get loosen those tight muscles, so they perform the way they are supposed to.

Relieves stress – This is a side effect of the physical relief of massage therapy. When the body feels better, so does the mind. Allowing yourself an hour to check out of the real world and give your mind a break; does wonders for your stress levels and attitude. I know lots of moms whose only time out that they get, is the time they have on my table. It is not pampering, it is taking care of yourself and you are worth it!

Lowers blood pressure – Studies have shown that a consistent massage routine can lower blood pressure by lowering your stress hormones. When you lower the flow of these hormones you also lower your temper, anxiety and stress reactions. Doesn’t that sound lovely?!

There are so many kinds of massage to choose from; so make sure you talk to your massage therapist to get the one that is best for you. Some folks like to have light pressure with the sole reason of relaxing. While others feel like it is not a good massage unless you feel it the next day.

Pro Tip – Do not be shy about your preferences! Your Massage Therapist wants you to enjoy your session so speak up and let them know what you are thinking. Most of us are not mind readers. If you need more pressure or less, it is okay to say so! I tell my clients: “Don’t be afraid to speak up. You will not hurt my feelings because I want you to enjoy your massage!”

There are so many reasons why you should get a therapeutic massage. So, with all these reasons… “Why are you NOT getting regular massages?!” I am here to tell you, “You are worth the investment of keeping your mind, body and spirit in working order!”

I love you. I want you to know that you are worth taking the time for yourself and spending the money on your needs.

Thank you for reading my blog today! I hope it encourages you to take some time for yourself. You deserve it.

Wishing you an abundance of magical blessings!

With love,

Emy Minzel

Are you scared to be happy?

January 26, 2019March 22, 2026 Emy Minzel

No, it’s not a trick question. I am honestly wondering if I am the only one with this fear or not? I was standing in the kitchen this afternoon. I just had a couple of clients. I blew off the snow in the driveway and now I am jamming out in the kitchen to Bruno Mars and cooking dinner. I have had a most lovely regular Tuesday that I have had in a while.

As I stand, stirring dinner on the stove top, singing to the dogs and dancing a bit. I realized just how genuinely happy I was feeling! Isn’t that wonderful?

Except, just as quickly as I recognized this feeling of joy, I was like “Oh this is scary. I better not get to happy, I might jinx myself.” Then as I began to recognize this joy sabotaging behavior, I had just put myself through, I stopped. Thinking to myself some more. “What the heck am I doing?! No. I choose to take this joy back, right this minute.” So, I did. I allowed myself to be really gosh darn happy as I cooked and danced.

Then I thought to myself. “Am I the only person who does this? How many of us sabotage our own joy out of fear of being let down? What IF bad news comes later? That’s life. For this exact moment in time, it is okay to enjoy your life!” I am thankful that I noticed this behavior as I could have easily slipped into wondering thoughts of ‘what ifs’ instead of appreciating the moment of joy I had been blessed with.

It’s not like I don’t have any problems, but at this moment, I don’t have anything ‘bad enough’ to derail my well-deserved peace. It was almost as if this feeling of joy was uncomfortable! I never have thought of myself as an unhappy person. I like to stay positive. Yet I have not been allowing myself to truly feel free of worry or concern for some reason or other!

It’s as if I had been so stressed out that I just accepted this thinking as my way of life and “this is just how I feel now.” When my moment of happiness came out, my inner worry wart was quick to smashed it like a mosquito that had just disturbed my summer hammock nap.

I want to know, does this happen to you too?

Now that I have seen this peculiar behavior, I fully intend to change it for the better. This is what they mean by living in the now. Now just happens to be a perfectly lovely ordinary day in which all is okay in my world. I am so thankful for this blessing and the relief that I feel when I allow this joy to flood into my soul.

This big ol’ full moon must have allowed me to release the block/barrier I didn’t see that I had. I can see now that it was preventing me from truly allowing joy into my life. I am thankful for the opportunity to see so clearly and now this should allow me to grow in a positive way. As an energy worker I know that if you are scared to allow joy in, why would it show up for you?

I must not allow myself to associate happiness and joy with and uncomfortable feeling of panic! (Insert high five to my face… Duh.) But like they say, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. I am hoping to allow my happiness to flow so large that it becomes contagious to everyone I encounter.

Let’s try an experiment together, shall we? Just how long can you and I hold on to the feeling of joy and happiness? How many hours will we allow ourselves the indulgence? Do me a favor and do not be scared that your joy may shine in some one’s eyes. If they are your friends and love you; they will be happy for your happiness. Also, they may just be scared to be happy too?!

I love it when life sends me lessons through joy!

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings and love to you all.

Emy Minzel ~ I am love.