Five Simple Things (December 29)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These stockings.

Hung by the "chimney" with care.

2. These enchiladas.

We like to mix it up around the end of the year and instead of having the same foods for holidays back to back, we have a Mexican entrée on December 25. If Hanukkah falls closer to December 25, we try to definitely mix it up with some different options that what we have on Thanksgiving. We make a lot of chicken and beef enchiladas, or tacos, and freeze the leftovers. Sometimes we eat on them for several days until New Years when we then have homemade pizzas. It's been a good change of pace and we love it.

3. These gifts.

Skylar is always fun to buy for. We got him a selection of horror-themed socks this year and some new gloves he can use while he goes to college. Hopefully, on chilly nights, he will grab these cozy gifts to warm up.

4. This helper.

Skylar helped me get all the food ready this year and I loved his help. Last year he was working and wasn't able to help as much. I love that he still sits on the kitchen counter while I cook. I will definitely miss these days when he moves out.

5. This moment.

Such a good time.☺

One last thing:

We have been trying to get better when our stocking and gift-giving each year, and this year I feel we found some good choices. Giving with intention is important. And healthy candy options with sugar are a top priority. We reach for organic over conventional and doing that we are casting a vote on what we want to see on the store shelves. I wish more people would put thought into what they purchase, not to mention, what they put in their bodies. Small changes do make a big difference. You are welcome to copy these items pictured for your next holiday gift buying, or any time throughout the year.

Positive affirmations this week:

Eating more wholesome, whole, nutritious foods can have great benefits for your mental health and overall physical health. Your wellbeing is your responsibility and taking control of what you put in your body and how you treat your body can help you stay on the right path with your mental state, too. Here are some foods to help get you started on the right path.

1. Apples: Fiber, Vitamin C, Gut Health, Brain Health.

2. Beets: Folate, Fiber, Digestive Health.

3. Broccoli: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Immunity.

4. Brussels Sprouts: Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Heart Health, Bone Health, Immunity.

5. Cabbage: Vitamin B6, Folate, Fiber.

6. Carrots: Vitamin A, Eye Health, Potassium, Blood Pressure Regulation.

7. Cauliflower: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Fiber.

8. Kale: Beta-Carotene, Antioxidant, Vitamin A, Vitamin K.

9. Onions: Potassium, Vitamin C, Immunity.

10. Parsnips: Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate.

11. Pears: Anthocyanin, Chlorogenic Acid, Certain Cancer Protections.

12. Potatoes: Vitamin C, Potassium, Heart Health.

13. Quince: Vitamin C, Fiber, Immunity.

14. Rutabaga: Vitamin C, Antioxidant, Potassium, Fiber.

15. Swiss Chard: Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Magnesium.

16. Turnips: Vitamin C, Glucosinolates, Antioxidant.

17. Winter Squash (Acorn, Butternut, Spaghetti, etc.): Fiber, Vitamin A.

Happy holidays from our family to yours!

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (December 22)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This tree.

Our light "tree" we make every year around the holidays. We are looking for ways to create a star on top, but for now, we love it the way it is.

2. This fog.

It has been such a foggy week this week and I am loving it. I created an Instagram page for all of the fog pictures I have taken each year. This one was over one of the local city bridges and it was too good not to share.

3. This menorah.

It was nice to see a lighted menorah in Salem this week to represent Hanukkah. It's nice to be seen.

4. This view.

More fog rolled in as the week came to a close. This was at a local park here in the city near a train trellis. I am loving the vibe that Mother Nature is putting out right now.

5. This cleaner.

We did a bit of shopping for holiday gifts and Hanukkah presents this week in Salem and in Portland. There was some guys from MGK selling their shoe cleaning kits. We got our shoes cleaned for free and were offered a two for one price on their MVP kits. This brand is one of the best shoe cleaning brands on the market and we love it. Any time we see any of their brand marketers out in the real world, we scoop them up. You can get one of their kits here. They run from $11.95 to $69.95 depending on your budget.

One last thing:

The shadows that are cast on our walls in the evenings are so different from season to season. The winter season has ones that dance across the walls in an orange or yellow pattern. I love how different they are.

Positive affirmations this week:

Love yourself this week. You are worthy of the love you give others.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (December 15)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These plates.

We found these two plates at our local co-op this week. They are part of the Chad Barrett collection.

2. This lighting.

We finished the lighting of the Menorah this week and ended Hanukkah. We love being able to share this little light of mine with everyone that sees the Menorah in our window.

3. This daytrip.

We took a daytrip to Green Peter Dam. The dam was built in 1967 and generates hydroelectricity, as well as helps regulate water to prevent flooding. The Santiam River that it regulates has been rising due to all of the rain that's been falling lately, so seeing it firsthand it was no surprise how muddy the waters were.

4. This building.

I love walking through the Oregon State University campus and exploring all of the history and historic buildings. This one pictured is one of my favorites and it has such a rich history and OSU has taken great care of her. It was build in 1902 and designed by architect Charles Burggraf, who passed away in 1942. A lot of his building designs are registered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This building is named after Joyce Collin Furman who was an education advocate.

5. This park.

 

Hardy is getting older, but still has his puppy spunk. We took him to one of the local dog parks to get out some of his pent-up energy. Skylar ran around with him and did some tricks. A lot of times I don't like to take my phone out and just enjoy the moment. Hardy had a great time and he ended up sleeping on the way home. Him's a good boy!☺

One last thing:

Oh, my!

Positive affirmations this week:

Several years ago I was called, "a shitty person" by someone that wasn't even related to me, but was currently dating a member of the family. At the time it was said to me I mulled it over for days wondering why she would have said that. But at the time, I didn't realize that what she said wasn't even about me at all. It came from her own insecurities and misguided images of herself. After years of therapy over other mental health issues, I can now say that I feel sorry for her. I've had other things said to me that have hurt and each time I think, how sad of them to feel that way about themselves enough to say things like that. Of course, as we grow up we all say things that we shouldn't, but as we become adults, sadly a lot of people never grow as people and come out of that mental place. A lot of people speak ill of others out of their own hurt. I feel things have gotten worse for these people mentally because they can't seem to find a happy balance with their own pain, hurt, or trauma. And unfortunately, they are miserable. The next time someone says something that hurts, remember, it's coming from a place of hurt within them and is projection. Although, I don't see this person that called me "a shitty person," as one herself, but I do see why it was easy for her to say such hurtful things to someone else. I do wish her the best, because living a life where you are always chasing your own happiness in others, has to be a hard life to live. Remember this the next time someone projects their own pain onto you through words. You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (December 8)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These Danishes.

I experimented this week with making homemade cheese Danishes. I used ready-made croissant dough and worked with cream cheese and powdered sugar to our taste and baked them from the time on the dough packaging. The top drizzle I used a simple white icing recipe of powdered sugar and milk. They were good and definitely will be something I repeat again soon.

2. This light.

We lit the first candle for Hanukkah this week (December 7). We always let Skylar light the candles and spend the first night celebrating as a family without screens, or phones.

3. This bus.

No Rain the Bus goals!

4. This growth.

After the 2020 wildfires here in the Willamette Valley I was worried about a lot of my plants not making it. We lost some longtime plants and trees that we are still upset about to this day. One being our beloved Crabapple Tree that we tried to move during the fires and one of the main roots got damaged and it ultimately died. That one still hurts, because the spring before it bloomed beautiful pink and white blooms and was showing us all its colors. I will mourn that tree until the end of my days. But, our ornamental grasses have slowly been making a comeback. This one already has shown it's green and white blades and I was so happy to see it this week making a slow, but strong comeback. This is 'Cabaret' Miscanthus, for the curious.

5. This lighting..

The second candle lighting happened on December 8 this week.

One last thing:

Would you pass or fail the shopping cart test. I will always pass this test no matter where or what store I'm at. It's a habit to always do the right things, even when no one is watching. What you do when no one is around to see you, is a taste of your own character. I have seen even family members fail this test. Having and taking pride in yourself is the most important step in being a good person. Kindness and humility are free, you just have to want to change and be a good person.

Positive affirmations this week:

Foods that help with the "blues."

•Berries (frozen): polyphenols, fiber; Improves digestion and gut health, boosts mental health, reduced inflammation.

•Fermented Foods: high in probiotics and beneficial bacteria; Immune support, improvement of gut microbiota.

•Dark, Leafy Greens (kale, collards, etc.): fiber, vitamin K1, calcium; Cognitive health, immune support, reduced risk of osteoporosis, and heart disease.

•Fatty Cold-Water Fish (salmon, sardines, herring, etc.): healthy fats (EFA), protein, vitamin D; Immune support.

•Pumpkin Seeds, Dark Chocolate, Avocados: magnesium, healthy fats; Nervous system regulation, could improve sleep.

•Vitamin D-fortified foods, UV-treated Mushrooms: vitamin D; Improved calcium absorption, immune support.

Have a nice weekend.