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December 5, 2024

Post-Thanksgiving Mini Reset

Thanksgiving may have left you feeling a little too much like the stuffed turkey centerpiece. If you’re ready to shake off the sluggishness before m

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Christmas, Food, Fun, Health
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Savor, Stroll, and Stay Thankful

Thanksgiving. A time to enjoy the company of loved ones, share stories, and of course, indulge in delicious food. Here’s a tip to help you savor

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Family, Food, Fun, Health
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Gobble Up These Thanksgiving Preparation Tips

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, gathering, and indulging in an amazing feast. However, hosting can sometimes feel more like a marathon than a ce

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Food
November 14, 2024

Mediterranean Feel-Good Soups for Fall

As we transition from fall into the holidays, staying mindful of our health goals can help us enjoy the season without feeling run down or overwhelmed

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Food, Health
November 7, 2024

Healthy Eating FAQs and Answers

Before I get into this week’s topic, I must first retract a statement that I made last week about Mr. Non-Compliant. I stand corrected, as he did NO

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Food, Health
October 31, 2024

Mr. Non-Compliant’s Birthday Fest

This week Mr. Non-Compliant (aka my dear hubby) celebrated a birthday. He flaunted his morning non-compliance by leaving the EMPTY cinnamon roll box o

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Family, Food, Fun, Health
October 24, 2024

Not a Vegetable Fan? Read This

It’s not just kids that wrinkle their nose at a plate of green stuff. Lots of fully-grown adults feel the same—inclined to hide their Brussels spr

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Food, Health
October 17, 2024

How Safe is Your Cinnamon?

I’m a huge cinnamon fan. I shake it in my coffee, smoothies, muffins, stewed apples, and of course, pumpkin pie. Years ago I mixed it with a little

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Food, Health
October 10, 2024

10 Simple Tips to Ease into Fall

Fall is officially here. I know this not only from the calendar and fewer hours of daylight, but by the temperature of my house when I wake up in the

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Food, Health
October 10, 2024

Cumin, Coriander, Fennel (CCF) Tea

To make a cup of CCF tea (Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel tea) using seeds, follow this simple recipe: Ingredients: 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon

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Everything Else, Recipes

A Day with Hunter

December 30, 2011
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Family, Forgiveness

 

My family and I spent a wonderful day with my nephew, Hunter, and his parents.  He is two and one-half.  He is very busy.  We gifted him with a couple of very educational toys that were sure to please….him, not his parents.  The gifts?  Band in a Box, and tools with a battery operated (and noisy) screwdriver.  I am certain we are his new best friends and my sister-in-law’s worst nightmare.  Hee hee!

We shared meals together, relaxed until Hunter took a nap to recharge, hiked through the woods, and enjoyed the day.  It was a simple day of just being together.  As I spent time with this little guy, I was reminded of the days long gone of looking after my boys.  Yes, Hunter is a busy kid, but it was refreshing for me to spend some time experiencing his simple joy.  He loves to be with his parents and learn more stuff.  He has great manners and is warm and loving to others.  He starts each day fresh and is not hung up on the past.  Perhaps he is a great example to all of us as we approach a new year. 

Of course, it makes sense to think about the past year and look at those things that we could improve upon.  It makes even more sense to then let those things go by forgiving ourselves and moving on.  Life is about progression, not perfection.  If we look at the growth we experience year to year, hopefully we will see changes in a positive direction.  Whether it is physically, spiritually, in our relationships, or any aspect of life, it is about getting better at finding the balance, the harmony. 

So, at the end of the day and the year, I am grateful for my blessed life and my family.  I am grateful for lessons that find me each day.  I am grateful for another opportunity to try to figure out this journey of life.

“To understand is to forgive, even oneself.”  Alexander Chase    

It’s All in Your Perspective

December 24, 2011
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Christmas, Love

 

I was in a grocery store line this past week, waiting to check out.  As usual, I followed my list and remembered a few other items along the way, ending up with a fairly full buggy.  Why does it seem as though we always need more food in the house?

Behind me in line was a woman and her husband.  They had a very full buggy.  She commented to me that it looked as though we would both be doing the same thing—feeding our families for Christmas.  I smiled and nodded.  She then proceeded to tell me that she had been doing this for 50 or so years, and that it should be someone else’s turn!  With three grown children and lots of grandkids, she had done her time with the Christmas dinner.  Oh, and why would they even want to come to her house, since they all have much bigger homes with lots of  room?  Her home is tiny in comparison. 

Perspective.  I suddenly recalled wonderful memories of returning to the home where I had spent lots of my growing-up years.  It was a spacious farm-house in the middle of corn and bean fields.  My favorite thing to do when I went “home,” besides eating my mom’s wonderful meals, was sleep.  It was so quiet and peaceful there in the country.  I could totally relax.  As my family grew to include a husband, children and dog, they felt the same sentiments.

So, I felt compelled to let my new acquaintance know this.  The reason her children liked to come home for Christmas was because it was comforting and safe.  How wonderful to have that relationship, when many families are at odds and may not even be speaking to one another.  Yes, it is lots of work to cook for a house full of people who probably need a nap after dinner.  My suggestion to her:  Let them know how happy she is that they can be together, and ask early on for help in the cleanup.  How many times would there be less misunderstanding and feelings of resentment, if we would only ask for what it is we need?

When a situation gets on your nerves, try turning it around to a positive.  Maybe it’s not possible, but maybe it is.  Decide to enjoy the people you love, because it is a choice we make every day.  God Bless~

“We all have the power to give away love, to love other people.  And if we do so, we change the kind of person we are, and we change the kind of world we live in.”   Harold Kushner

Are You Ready for Christmas?

December 22, 2011
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Christmas

 

It is December 22.  Have you been asked that question recently?  How did you respond?  Did the question evoke any specific emotion, or some anxiety perhaps?  I have been asked this numerous times in the past few days.  Well, am I?

In the traditional sense, no.  I still have shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, cards…yes, the whole Christmas routine… to complete pretty darn quick.  So, here I sit, listening to Josh Groban sing Christmas songs to me.  Sweet!  The traffic is nuts, so I decided I should take some time away from the outer world.  Can you relate? 

Things eventually seem to get done when you need them to.  Have you noticed that?  Whether you are having guests for dinner or planning a huge party, things just seem to fall together, right on time.  Being ready for Christmas falls into this same category.

However, my thinking is a bit different when I hear this question.  I believe Christmas is something we need to be ready for everyday.  To quote my poem, “Choices,” we would be wise to “carry the spirit of Christmas throughout the year.”  Think what a different world it would be if we did!  What if we prepared for each day by deciding to be kinder and more compassionate to everyone that crosses our path?  How would we behave if we truly believe that what goes around comes around?  Would we do anything differently if we knew that Jesus had it in His day planner to show up tomorrow?  Well, would we?

A nice winter’s nap sounds quite appealing right about now, but I must put forth a bit of effort to bring about some Christmas cheer.  Guess I had better finish those cards….

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”   Isaiah 9:6  NIV

Healthy Ideas from December 12, 2011

December 13, 2011
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Health

Here are some highlights from last evening’s Healthy Living Exchange that focus on a topic that is huge this time of year (and all year!):  FOOD

Decide now what your health will look like as you enter 2012.  We have several weeks to make a plan that will serve us toward better health, rather than simply allowing the holiday season to have its way with us.

1.  Decide on the weight you would like to be the first week of January.  Be a realist.  If you are on a course to shed some pounds, continue on your set plan with that picture in your mind.  To maintain the weight you currently own, set a course to keep you there.  Make the decision now to eat balanced meals and healthy snacks, keeping an attack on the Christmas cookies to a minimum.  This does not mean you have to avoid every delicious treat that passes your way.  This does mean that you must make the choice now on how you plan to handle those special times. 

2.  Exercise.  Make an appointment in your day planner like you would any other appointment.  Have scheduled times to walk with a friend or meet at the gym for a workout.  Accountability is huge here.  What a great gift for someone you care about and yourself! 

3.  Be nice to you.  Set aside a bit of time, perhaps 15 minutes or so, each day to do something that makes you happy.  Read a great book, take a nap, soak in the tub, write Christmas cards, you get the idea.  Drink plenty of water (add lemon/lime if it is not your favorite) and get plenty of rest.  How can you be the light if your candle is about to be extinguished?  Answer:  You can’t.

Our protein shake of the month is chocolate mint.  To make it, I took some original almond milk, a few ice cubes, Arbonne chocolate protein, Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream (small scoop), and a handful of fresh spinach.  (No, you do not taste the spinach unless you use over 2 cups.  Lots of healthy benefits by adding spinach to any smoothie or shake.)  Swirl in the blender.  Delicious!  To cut calories, you could substitute a bit of peppermint extract for the ice cream.  If you prefer to avoid protein powder, try a bit of cocoa powder, keeping in mind that it is not sweet.

We also tried raspberry Kefir.  Kefir is like yogurt that is liquid.  There are several flavors or plain to choose from.  This product adds the good bacteria we need to keep our digestive health happy.  Perhaps you are familiar with the term probiotics.  Lots of those in Kefir!  This may be added to any smoothie, or simply enjoyed as is.  Kefir is located near the yogurt section of most grocery stores.

In combination, these ideas could help us all enjoy a more balanced entry into a new and exciting year, if we choose to implement them into our daily life today.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”  3 John 2  NIV

 

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