Welcome to our final newsletter of 2011. In this issue we look at the Food and Soul Vegetarian Cookbook and share one of our authors Nayna Dattani's delicious recipes.

As we look forward to the start of 2012 we share a New Year's message by the most renowned spiritual leader of our time Dadi Janki from the book Dear Friends - Messages For The Call Of Our Time.

To launch the reprint of the popular Food and Soul Vegetarian Cookbook we held a special event on 4 December. Over 200 people attended 'Come Dine with Us' where the two authors demonstrated a mouth-watering variety of dishes from around the world, many taken from the book, including tasty vegetable couscous, samosas, Christmas cake and a delicious hot punch. The book is available to order now and we're sharing one of the recipes here

£ 13.00

Set the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Melt the butter or margarine for 2 minutes in the microwave and pour into a large mixing bowl. Add condensed milk, vanilla essence and half the

milk and beat together. Add the cocoa powder and the sponge flour or self-raising flour and baking powder slowly, using a spatula to fold in the mixture with the other half of the milk. The texture should be smooth and of dropping consistency. Cover a 20-25cm (8-10 in) baking tin with greaseproof paper and spread the mixture evenly 2cm (1 in) deep equally over the tin. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the knife inserted in the centre comes out clean. When it comes out of the oven, place another tray over it, turn it over and peel off the greaseproof paper. When the cake has cooled, cover with cling film to keep it moist.

The top can be iced with Chocolate Icing (for the recipe see page 158 in the book). For a coffee and chocolate flavoured cake, add 2 teaspoons of diluted coffee. Makes two cakes.

"Today we stand at the confluence of the old and the new. Transitional moments such as these are very auspicious. The beginning of a new year is like a dawn. It is a time of new possibilities. If we use this time for reflection, we can bring to the highest level of awareness and create real newness.

Ask what is the most elevated vision I have for myself in this new year? What are the gifts I have within me that I can use to bring light to the world? How can I bring new meaning to my relationships with others and a new feeling of respect to the way I connect with the natural world?

Let me make this a year in which I realise the greatness that is latent within me and witness the brilliance of those around me. I may be only one person, but my elevated thoughts and pure feelings can radiate out and touch 100,000 others with light and might."

Extract taken from Dear Friends - Messages For The Call Of Our Time

Dadi Janki
Administrative Head
Brahma Kumaris

52 such messages in the book for you to use for 52 weeks of the Year 2012

£ 10.00

With 26 years of experience teaching Kindergarten and first grade in New York, author Susan Kauderer knows that stories are the best way to introduce children to meditation. Now working with children at Peace Village, a Brahma Kumaris learning and retreat centre, she's written this charming story about a loving boy called Taylor that older children can read alone or parents can share with younger children. As they enjoy the tale, children will learn how to meditate and understand its benefits.

"This left me with the urge to 'become very quiet' and listen. A wonderful invitation for the children and parents of the world to converse with Bright Light and make their day brighter and lighter."

Kala Iyengar MD, Pediatrician, and meditation instructor

£ 10.00

Value: Giving
"To recognise others' needs and to give unconditionally is to be truly happy."

Contemplation
We expect a great deal from others and often forget what we have to offer them in return. We find it difficult to give of ourselves unconditionally, and instead tend to think about what we are going to get out of giving. By focusing on what we hope to gain, we lose the joy of giving, and when we don't get what we expected experience negative feelings.

Application
There is true joy in giving. When I realize I am able to help someone, I will give them what they need without expecting anything in return. I will learn the pleasure of giving unconditionally, using my gifts to benefit others. This will put me get in touch with my inner self and help me experience true happiness.

Dadi Janki's book of thoughts will enrich your life every day of the year with 365 short but profound spiritual thoughts: one to inspire each day. The quotations of the day have been specially chosen to provoke thought and encourage inner development, but they are far from esoteric or difficult to understand.