21 December

Happy Winter to you!

As the bones of the land around us are exposed by the changing of the seasons and the return of colder weather, we return to the rituals that have been celebrated and practiced for many thousands of years. These rituals, like the trimming of the Christmas tree, the hanging of the greens, and the exchanging of gifts, bind us as families and communities.

 

In addition to these big, macro-rituals, we all have rituals that exist within our own household. For Weldon and me, one of those is our Christmas morning breakfast. Before we open our gifts to each other and move on to the bigger celebration with family, we share a small meal together, just the two of us. One of our favorites is my quick and easy Christmas Morning Oatmeal. We’re happy to share it with you here.

 

Have a beautiful, restful, and peaceful holiday season. May it be filled with friends, family, and love.

 

This tasty oatmeal is also full of good nutrients:

 

  • Dates are full of potassium, iron, and antioxidants.
  • Flax is full of omega-3s and fiber.
  • Almonds are full of vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium.
1/2 C GF rolled oats
1/4 C milk of your choice (almond, rice, soy, or cow)
2 T flax meal (optional)
1 t cinnamon
2 T chopped dates
1 T agave syrup or honey
2 T sliced almonds
  1. Place oatmeal into your favorite bowl.
  2. Pour milk over oatmeal and stir until thoroughly mixed.
  3. Let sit 15 minutes.
  4. Add remainder of ingredients and mix well with a spoon.
  5. You can pop into microwave for 15 second or so if you prefer to have it a little warm.
Enjoy with someone you love and your favorite hot beverage.
xmas-oatmeal
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13 December

Happy Holidays, good friends!

 Isn’t it lovely how our hearts just seem to get bigger and warmer, even with the longest night of the year approaching? We light our ovens, open our homes, and partake in the joys of giving.

 

As you plan your holiday season this year, remember that giving and receiving are both part of the same cycle. And that it’s OK–actually, it’s necessary–for you to take care of yourself, even before you take care of others. It only makes sense. If you’re not well, you can’t serve others.

 

Here are three simple ways to take care of yourself during this busy time of year:

 

1. Eat breakfast. Start your day by replenishing your energy with a nice balance of protein and carbohydrate. Have an apple with peanut butter, a fruit smoothie with your choice of milk, or a piece of toast and a slice of ham.

 

2.  Get enough sleep as often as you can. Most adults need 5 90-minute sleep cycles to feel refreshed. Life happens, though, and we can’t always do that. Pay attention to your sleep habits and adjust your bedtime or waketime a few days a week if needed.

 

3. Breathe. It sounds silly simple, but how many of us pay attention to our breath during the day? Try it now. Breathe deeply into your belly, then completely empty your lungs. You can do this any time, anywhere: at a stoplight, in a meeting, in front of the microwave, in line at the mall. And remember, even one conscious breath is a meditation.

 

What do YOU do to take care of yourself during busy times? Share your wisdom in the comments below! 

 

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