Q: If your intrusive thoughts about death interrupt your normal functioning, try refocusing your mind. Do something you enjoy for 15 minutes or more, such as taking a walk, listening to music, reading, or playing a game. Find a distraction that helps you refocus your attention away from thoughts of death. Engaging in something you enjoy can help take your mind and body away from thoughts of death or any compulsions that accompany the thoughts. Don’t accept the thought at face value; recognize it as intrusive and as not having any inherent value or meaning. Say to yourself, “This is just my brain, and I do not need to pay attention to this thought.” By not allowing the thought to evoke a reaction, you limit the power the thought has on you. While it’s difficult to control your thoughts, you can control your reactions and responses. If you fear death, you can become overwhelmed with thoughts of the fear surrounding death. Keep in mind that you cannot control every outcome, especially death, but you can put your focus more onto things that are within your control, such as prevention. Even if you find yourself feeling out of control with ongoing diseases, focus on ways to cope with long-term symptoms, like diabetes or chronic illnesses.  If your family has a history of heart disease or cancer, it doesn’t mean that you will die of this disease. Instead of worrying about your outcome, focus on prevention. Live a healthy lifestyle, engage socially, eat nutritious foods, exercise, and put your attention on the things that are within your control and that decrease your overall stress.  If you are scared of dying in a car crash, drive cautiously and wear a seatbelt. You may be in perfect health or have a health condition that limits your life. Either way, you know that sooner or later the time will come for you to die. While death is never a comfortable topic to discuss, talk about it with people who care about you. If you know your time is coming, make arrangements with your friends and family to help alleviate any stress. Don’t be afraid to bring the topic of death up, as it can bring relief to acknowledge the inevitable and discuss it with those close to you.  Reflect on your relationships and ask yourself if there’s anything you can do to bring peace to those in your life. Set things straight so that you relieve yourself of guilt and can feel complete in your life. Even if you are in perfect health, it’s okay to accept your mortality and make plans for the future, for your family and your friends. It can shed some relief knowing that a plan is in order. Also, living your life in such a way that values every person and every moment can be rewarding and enjoyable. For some, the reality of death can help bring meaning to life. It helps bring forth the reality that life is finite and not to be taken for granted. While many people associated thoughts of death with fear, sadness, or guilt, find ways to approach death positively, like giving your current life meaning. Think about the things you want to accomplish or experience in your lifetime. When realizing your reality is finite, ask yourself, “What’s the wait in going after these things? Why not do them now?” You may find new ways to enjoy each moment.
A: Refocus your attention. Revalue the thoughts. Focus on what is within your control. Accept your mortality. Have positive thoughts of death.

Q: Use a sharp kitchen knife and a cutting board. Cut all of the meats—roughly 2 pounds (910 g) total—into small cubes, about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) on each side. If you're using the alternate meats and seafood, don't cut up the shrimp. You can cube the tilapia if you like, although it can also be served whole on top of the finished bowl of efo riro. Fill a large saucepan with about 4 cups (950 mL) of water and bring to a boil. Drop in your chopped meats. Keep the water at a rolling boil until the meat has become tender. Periodically stick a fork into a piece of meat to evaluate its tenderness. It should take about 10 minutes. As soon as the meat has begun cooking, add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) each of salt and black pepper to the boiling meat. Also crumble in 2 cubes of Maggi. Maggi is a popular meat and vegetable seasoning, sold in cubes. You can find Maggi in the International section of most large supermarkets. Once the meat has finished tenderizing in the boiling water, pour the leftover water—which is now meat stock—into a bowl. Set this aside for now. Be sure to choose a bowl that is heat-resistant or it may melt. Turn the burner up to medium heat (5 or 6) and let the vegetable oil heat up. Put a lid over the pan while the oil is heating to prevent splatters. If you don't have vegetable oil on hand, substitute butter. While butter is less healthy, it will add a rich flavor to the meat. Pour the boiled meats out of the saucepan where they've been cooling and into the skillet with the hot vegetable oil. Use a spoon or a wooden spatula to stir the meat, so the cubes don't burn. Let the meat fry in the oil until it's browned on all sides. This should take about 5 minutes, although times will vary. Remove the meat from the heat once it's cooked.
A:
Cut the lamb, tripe, and beef into bite-sized cubes. Boil the cubed meats in a large saucepan for 10 minutes. Add seasonings to the boiling meat. Pour the meat stock off into a bowl. Add 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of vegetable oil to a large skillet. Fry the cubed meats until they are brown.