Cornucopia of Thanks

Cornucopia of Thanks
By Imran Nasir

Thanksgiving is the last Thursday of November. It is a time for families to come together, give thanks for their good fortune, and enjoy home cooked treats all day. The tradition of Thanksgiving started with the Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621, this was the day of harvest before the frost took the crops. In modern times, however, there have been many changes to the menu and the idea of "family".

How It Has Changed

Today, families are still gathering to feast on a delicious, hearty, artery clogging meal. However, the way we are doing it has changed entirely. Instead of being gathered around a table, we sit on couches. Instead of taking time to enjoy a meal, we watch football or have to worry about getting rest for Black Friday shopping. Anymore, it is coming a completion about who can have the biggest, prettiest meal on the table, when that is not at all how it is supposed to be. Corporations are opening earlier and earlier for Black Friday shoppers. While that is not bad, it is cutting the time the employees have with their family. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, anymore; it is becoming a commercialized holiday. We focus too much on material gain; it is time to go back to having family time.

What You Can Do

No matter who you are, or how old you are, you have some say in the way holidays are at your home. Set an example by sitting at the kitchen table. Your family will not want you to sit alone; they may come to be with you, hence getting everyone to sit around the table. Perhaps the TV can be turned off until after the meal has been completed. Watch during dessert, but try to bond with your family beforehand. You can also start a conversation, during the meal, about what you are thankful for. Try not to bring material objects into that conversation, you are trying to go a bit deeper. Family, friends, health, and prosperity are all good things to be thankful for.

With a bit of conscious effort, you can a very fulfilling holiday with your family. While you can still enjoy the material things in your life, always take time to appreciate the world around you. There is so much that can be learned from your elders, if you were to only as them about their life. Thanksgiving is the perfect time for families to reconnect. Do whatever you can to spend time with your family before the magic of holidays are lost.

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3 Ways to Stick to Your Holiday Budget

3 Ways to Stick to Your Holiday Budget
By Elaine F Bayless

Ah, money. It's just a tool, just a random item that we all agree represents value, and yet it carries HUGE emotional weight. What do married couples fight over the most? Sex and money. Why is Black Friday such a huge event? Money. What can ruin the holidays faster than your bigoted Aunt Hates-Everyone? Looming credit card debt!

We all know the key to managing our money is a budget. But how can we stick to it? I make budgets all the time, but even when I don't face an emergency or other crisis, I still manage to break my budget regularly. (Hey, nobody's perfect!) So here are three ways to stick to your holiday budget no matter what!

1. Use nothing but cold hard cash.

That's right. Pull out the cash required for your entire holiday budget, and spend until there is nothing left. At that point, stop spending! It may sound impossible, but you will actually spend less money if you are using cash. You will also plan more carefully and think more about each purchase. If you don't want to carry around a whole bunch of money, then take out a pro-rated amount each week, or keep the cash at home and take only what you need with you.

2. Use just one credit card.

OK, so you're laughing at my cash suggestion. That's fine - use a single credit card instead. But follow these guidelines: use ONLY that card and use it ONLY for holiday purchases. Every evening, go online and check your balance against your budget. Once you've spent your budget, put the card away in a desk drawer. By tracking your spending daily you'll be much more likely to avoid surprises or impulse buys.

3. Use a shopping list.

We all have fallen into the Target pit at some point: you go in to buy some Kleenex and walk out with a cart full of stuff and a $200 hole in your wallet. This is where your list comes in. Every time you enter a store, make sure you have a list. Seriously, don't even enter the store without a list. Every company out there has spent millions of dollars in research and advertising designed with the sole purpose of separating you from your money! So make a list before you go into the mall, or before you open the Amazon browser window. If you see an item that wasn't on the list, walk away. If you didn't know you needed it before you walked in the store, you didn't need it at all!

Want to learn more practical life tips? Or do you need help just getting started with something like a budget? Let's talk! I would love to help you address whatever area of life is causing you stress. http://soulcourse.com/a-breath-of-fresh-air/

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Calming the Thanksgiving Blues

Calming the Thanksgiving Blues
By Bonnie Knutiand Allidah Hicks

Many of us look forward to Thanksgiving with cheery visions of friends and family gathering around for a mouthwatering meal. However, some people, especially those who are going through a bad time, may actually dread the holiday, and see it as a lonely and disappointing time. For them, Thanksgiving may be just the start of a long string of "holiday blues." So, try some of these ideas to shed a different light on the holiday.

• Write a card or note of thanks. We all would love to hear words of thanks, so, let's tell them! Write a quick note, send an email, or make that phone call. It can be as simple as saying "Thanks for being you!" or "Glad you're in my life!" Thanksgiving is the perfect time to let them know!


• Share your Thanksgiving meal. Add an extra chair or two to your Thanksgiving table and ask them to join you. Check to see if they have food preferences or restrictions, and look online if you need any special recipes.


• Deliver a Thanksgiving meal. If they're too sick or too sad to join you, deliver the celebration to them. Ask a group of folks (from work, church, neighborhood, etc.) to contribute to a Thanksgiving dinner by making extra portions of their tastiest holiday dish to share. Don't forget to provide disposable and colorful plates and cups, plasticware, napkins, a plastic or paper tablecloth, and a trash bag to make clean up a snap! Then, deliver the meal with a card, heating instructions, and a hug. If the idea of a whole meal seems daunting, just bring a piece of your favorite pie.


• Plan something fun to do over the Thanksgiving weekend. Take some of the loneliness out of the weekend by going on a shopping spree, seeing a holiday blockbuster movie, skiing or ice skating, or watching a football game. Each town has its own fun activities for the Thanksgiving holiday. Check online or in the paper for some fun ideas.


• Involve the kids. Children add a special glow to the holiday season. Help them create a Thanksgiving Day greeting card for someone shut in. Pull together the paper, markers, and decorating supplies and let the kids create! Then, send them out to deliver their homemade card.


• Help with holiday decorations. Make someone's home a bit cheerier by helping to hang some holiday lights or other decorations. Don't forget to help take those decorations down at the end of the season.


• Make a visit to the hospital or home. Illness doesn't take a break just because it's the holiday. If appropriate, come with something fun to do, or just watch a game, movie, or the parade together.

We all love to know that we have something fun to look forward to over the holidays. So, start your planning now and extend the invitation to your friend ASAP. Sometimes, just anticipating the fun is as enjoyable as the real event.

By giving a bit of your extra time and effort, you can bring a smile to someone going through a rough time. You just might help to ease their "Thanksgiving blues."

Allidah Poole Hicks and Bonnie Knuti are the experts in simple, practical, and fun answers to the question, "What can I do to help?" when a crisis strikes. Learn how to make a difference when an illness, accident, or death hits someone you know. Download a free chapter of their award-winning book, When Crisis Strikes... What To Do, What To Say, How to Help: 
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Keeping Boundaries at the Holidays

Keeping Boundaries at the Holidays
By Jaime Kulaga

The Holidays are approaching as fast as a child opening a present from Santa. But just because the Season is approaching us quickly, doesn't mean that your decision making needs to follow the same pace. One of the worst decisions we can make over the Holiday Season is to blur the boundaries that took us all year long to set.

Sometimes, the Holiday Cheer makes us all warm and fuzzy inside. And, soon after the "Cheer" and Egg Nog seeps into our veins we realize that Aunt Mary, Negative Nancy and our Ex-Boyfriend were not as bad as we made them out to be. We worked all year to set boundaries, take a step back, and say "No" to their endless commands, but now, the Holiday Cheer has somehow changed our perceptions about them.

Reality check, the reason that these people don't seem so bad anymore is because you used your hard earned energy to set boundaries with them for the past 10 months. Life is better when you set boundaries with the takers or the people who suck you dry.

By setting boundaries with people who are toxic for you, you have freed up time. This extra time and energy allows you to give more to your priorities and passions, like your spouse, children, work, leisure activities, and, oh yeah, you, too.

Below are some common choices we make over the Holiday Season to blur boundaries:

1. Throw Unnecessary Parties

Throwing parties just because you're "supposed to" wastes time, money and can quickly turn you into the family "doormat." With the limited time you already have, you may find yourself pulled in all directions as you become stressed out planning, shopping and cooking.

The Fix

Throwing a party always sounds fun in the beginning. But slow your Holiday Pace down and really take the time to review what will go into throwing this event. This year, go to Holiday Parties. You don't have to host a party. You don't have to plan. You don't have to shop or cook. Plus, you can leave whenever you want and there is no clean up. Keep your priorities straight and your boundaries in line.

Guilt Alert: If you really feel guilty about not hosting a party or cooking, go to an event and bring something. And remember, it doesn't have to be home cooked. Pick up a nice dish from your local supermarket.

2. Throwing A Holiday Party and Inviting the Wrong People

So, maybe you have decided that you want to throw a Holiday Party this year. You have the time and the money, and you are excited about the process. Your excitement may quickly spiral if you invite the wrong people. Inviting toxic people like the Ex-Boyfriend, Negative Nancy and Aunt Mary might end up dropping your mood, sucking your energy reservoir dry, and may skew boundaries that last for days or months beyond the party.

The Fix

If you are throwing a party, hold the invite! This is YOUR party. And, sure you can cry if you want to, but why cry? This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Instead of dreading this Holiday Season, make it a truly Cheerful one. If you have set boundaries with certain people and think that inviting them to your party would skew those boundaries, don't invite them. These people use you or treat you like a doormat 10 months per year, step away from feeling guilty about not inviting them to one party.

Guilt Alert: If you feel really bad for not inviting a certain someone, send them a Holiday Card or even leave them a small present on their desk.

3. Going Overboard with Gifts

Society has a great way of pressuring us to make the Holidays bigger and bigger each year. Society is also great at making us feel guilty if we don't conform to this gift giving craze. Everyone is throwing out the words "the season of giving" but sometimes this feels like the season of everyone "taking."

The Fix

There is nothing "Cheerful" about starting out 2015 in debt all because you bought gifts for long lost Uncles and the boss you can't stand. This year, list out your priorities in life. Then, note the people that come up on that list. These are the people that deserve something special from you. And, if you can't afford to get these people a gift, take your time to create something for them. Check out online sites to help you get some inspiration for fun and practical holiday gifts you can make. Last, this Holiday Season, realize that you don't have to participate in all the Secret Santas.

Guilt Alert: If you really feel the need to give this season but don't want to give to people who are undeserving, create a list of charities or Universities that you would like to give to, and donate your time or money to them. Also, take a moment to reflect back on the year and who really helped you, encouraged you or mentored you. Send over some Cheer to these people. These are the people you want in your life today, and in 2015.

4. Stop Exercising

We often find ourselves with a ton of excuses to stop working out during the Holidays. Have you ever said "it's too cold out," "I'm too busy shopping, planning or cooking," "I 'll get back in the routine in January" or "I won't eat seconds at Thanksgiving?" Whatever the reasons is, we find an opportunity to not go exercise.

The Fix

Don't stop exercising. Now, more than anytime during the year, your body needs you. Chances are, your eating is about to change. Your body isn't going to be used to the extra sugars, carbs and fat. Plus, there is added stress for a variety of reasons. Your body needs a release. This Holiday Season don't forget about you and your body in the midst of providing for others. If it's too cold outside, exercise in your home (you can download an app on your phone or pop in a DVD) or, just get gym. Find a way to make exercise happen. Exercise will help release your stress, keep you fit, and boost your mood.

Guilt Alert: If you feel guilty exercising because you "have" so many other things to do, acknowledge the reality that staying healthy and positive makes the people who you spend most of your time with, and who you care most about, happier and more fulfilled.

Dr. Jaime Kulaga is a Certified Life Coach, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Motivational Speaker. She is the author of the upcoming book "The SuperWoman's Guide to Super Fulfillment: Step-by-Step Strategies to Create Work-Life Balance," to be published in March 2015. She is the inspirational founder of the nationally known SuperWoman Workshops. Dr. Kulaga has been featured internationally for her expertise in Work-Life Balance. http://www.mindfulrehab.com

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Tips for Hosting an Outdoor Thanksgiving Dinner

Tips for Hosting an Outdoor Thanksgiving Dinner
By Tara Lawson

If you live in a climate that allows for dining outdoors in late fall, you can plan an outdoor Thanksgiving dinner that will immerse your guests in the beautiful autumn season. In traditional paintings of the first Thanksgiving, the event is always showcased outdoors amidst the abundant harvest and spectacular autumn foliage. If you're considering celebrating Thanksgiving outdoors this year, the following tips can help you create a memorable holiday for all.

The Dining Table

Naturally, if you're eating outdoors, you'll need a table for your feast. In fact, depending on the amount of company you'll be inviting, you may need several outdoor tables. If you plan to purchase a new patio table, "contemporary teak" is always a good idea because of its ability to withstand the elements and look great while doing it. A long banquet-style table will certainly come in handy for Thanksgiving, but also other for other seasonal holidays and parties that you host in your backyard.

Keep It Hot

The main problem when it comes to serving food outdoors is keeping it all hot. However, if you plan ahead, you can ensure that you have hotplates for those items that need to be kept warm like your gravy boat or casseroles. Moreover, "when the turkey comes out of the oven it needs time to rest, which is the perfect opportunity for the vegetables to be gently reheated." (1) You can also use chafing dishes to ensure that your food remains hot throughout the meal. Serve your hot foods in one area of the table so that you can more easily keep your eye on them through dinner.

Plan Your D�cor in Advance

The meal, no matter how much planning goes into it, is necessarily going to take up your time on Thanksgiving. For this reason, you should have all your decorations ready to be placed by Thanksgiving. If your tablescape is pre-planned, you won't have to waste precious cooking time fiddling around with tablecloths and napkins. Choose a centerpiece that is heavy enough so that it won't be affected by wind.

Ask for Help

Whether you host Thanksgiving indoors or out, you should always ask for help. Many of your guests will be happy to provide any assistance you need. In fact, if you provide the turkey and dressing, don't hesitate to ask others guests to bring along items like dinner sides, fresh rolls, appetizers, wine, and dessert. If you do plan to do it all, ask a few relatives to help you cook and serve the food.

Have a Back-Up Plan

If the wind kicks up and the clouds begin to threaten with November rain, you need to be prepared to move your meal indoors. Be sure that your dining room table is clear in case you need to switch gears quickly.

Hosting Thanksgiving outdoors is ideal if the weather cooperates. Your guests will have plenty of room to move about while enjoying the beauty of the fall atmosphere. You can also provide some outdoor games and music to complement your setting.

Sources:

1. Simple Bites, "8 Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Outdoors," http://www.simplebites.net/8-tips-for-hosting-thanksgiving-outdoors/

Tara has worked in the outdoor landscaping industry for a number of years. Sources for this article can also be found at http://www.terrapatio.com/diningtables.html.

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True Peace

True Peace
By Linda Hancock

Every year I write an article for Canada's Remembrance Day which is on November 11th. This time I thought I would write a poem instead:

Remembrance Day: a time when we
Recall how others fought.
Gave up their homes, their health, their lives
So freedom could be bought.
(Because we all want peace.)

We send our troops to foreign lands
And hope they'll stop new fights
Or overthrow dictatorships
Securing people's rights.
(Because we all want peace.)

Disasters come and people need
Support in many ways.
We send the solders, food and meds
To help them through this phase.
(Because we all want peace.)

We volunteer for charity
And give our money too
With hopes that others' lives are touched
By selfless things we do.

We plan the holidays with care
Buy gifts to celebrate
We even stop in at a church
Our lives to consecrate.

We shake with fear to hear the news
Of terror and of threats
But trust that measures are in place
To save us from regrets.

We hear the news that screams of crime
Don't want to be affected.
Just trust police who risk their lives
To make sure we're protected.

Let soldiers fight, police protect
"They really don't need me."
We think we should be uninvolved
And freedom should be free.

But all the while we play a part.
Our choices cause a mess!
We hate the in-laws, fight with mom
And cause our kids duress.
(What happened to the peace?)

We go to work and make a fuss
Or ruin someone's day
And then we sue the neighbor
Cause their fence is in our way.

We criticize our partners
And trash the government
Make fun of politicians
Though it's us who raised the debt.

We complain about the weather,
Our income and healthcare
Think laws are really stupid
And that life is never fair.

We take pills for depression
Talk all about our stress
If we only had more money
Had more time or could do less...
(What happened to the peace?)

We're mixed up in our thinking
Place the blame externally
But unless we find a peace within
We never will be free,

We can't just accept the sacrifice
That other people give
If we want to know true peace in life
We must change the way we live.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker.

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Evoking Good Conversation This Holiday Season

Evoking Good Conversation This Holiday Season
By Jeanne M. Miller

It's that time of year again! The droves of family members and friends you haven't seen since last year will soon occupy your home once again. You want everything to be perfect - warm and inviting. In order to accomplish that, you need good conversation. Here are our tips in helping people chat it up this holiday season:

Scents of the Season: Conversation follows when all of the senses are satisfied. When the scent of cinnamon, apple and cloves permeate your home, an instant feeling of warmth and comfort wraps around the body. Whether you've positioned a pot of hot cider on the stove or candles and wax melts in the room, familiar scents will conjure up fond memories and the wanting to talk about them.

Furniture Arrangement: Here are some tips in arranging your furniture to create an area that evokes conversation:

� Don't push all of the furniture against the walls to "create more space" - it doesn't.

� Think about the last time you were at a get-together. Where did you converse?

� Always have a coffee table or end tables near sofas, love seats and chairs. It's hard to keep a good conversation going if you're worried about spilling your food or drink.

� Establish that focal point like a fireplace (see below).

� Don't encourage traffic through a sitting area. There's nothing more distracting in a conversation than someone walking through it!

Light the Fireplace: It's important to have a focal point in the room. A fireplace is ideal. The flicker of the flame and comfort that comes along with a fireplace makes people relax. If you don't have a fireplace, that's not a problem either. Freestanding Bio Ethanol Fireplaces can be taken out of the box, filled with fuel and used immediately. They don't need a special vent, hook-ups and don't require installation.

Warm Beverages: Whether it be coffee, tea, cider or a hot toddy, a hot drink goes hand-in-hand with a chitchat. Of course, be sure to follow the recommendations above and have a table, tray or ottoman within reach so that a beverage is part of the experience and not a hassle!

When you follow these simple guidelines, those at your function will enjoy themselves and each other. And of course, the next time they talk, your holiday get-together will be the subject of their conversation! So, give everyone a break from their computer, tablet or telephone screen and promote good conversation between real, live people this year!

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The Simple Things In Life: Thoughts for Thanksgiving

The Simple Things In Life: Thoughts for Thanksgiving
By Lynn Lavanga

In the spirit of Thanksgiving we should all be thinking of the wonderful gifts we have been given and express our gratitude in thoughts and actions. We are all aware of the traditional areas of thanks like; giving to those less fortunate, volunteering to help those in need, spreading words of kindness, supporting our troops, and expressing thanks for our good fortune. All of these are so very important in the realm of humanity. But there are other areas that many seem to take for granted and never give a passing thought: pure clean rushing waters of our oceans and rivers, fresh air free from pollution, changing colors of leaves in a forest full of healthy trees, acres upon acres of chemical free soil growing chemical free crops, an abundance of natural resources. We also need to give thanks to those whose efforts go to making the everyday products we use, while considering our health and while never bringing harm to Mother Earth.

Consider giving thanks to the many farmers, manufacturers, and artisans, who produce organic and eco-friendly products that are kind to the environment and better for your health:

Organic Cotton Farmers

Using organic growing methods that prohibit the use of genetically enhanced seeds, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers, organic cotton farmers offer a purer product that is free of residual chemicals on fibers and one that provides benefit to the environment by eliminating water and soil contaminants.

Green Manufacturers Using Sustainable Resources

Production practices and use of sustainable resources by green manufacturers provide great benefit to the environment. By using renewable resources - such as hemp and bamboo - that are quick to self-replenish, green manufacturers actually promote ecological balance. Along with sustainably farmed hardwood trees - for lyocell and modal fabric, hemp and bamboo use no chemical fertilizers or pesticides to grow. This eliminates contaminants introduced to soil and ground waters thereby reducing human exposure to toxic chemicals.

Artisans Creating from Natural, Recycled, and Upcycled Ingredients

Earth savvy artisans use natural ingredients or recycled materials to creatively create products that reduce the negative impact on the environment. Recycled glass that would have taken a million years to breakdown in a landfill is used to make beautiful jewelry, kitchen ware, and home decor items. Natural ingredients, minus the preservatives and chemical additives, create safe cosmetics and natural skin care products that eliminate contaminants from being absorbed through our skin or entering natural waterways. Recycled paper pulp saves a tree and creates new paper items, some embedded with flower seed to really enhance the environment. Damaging plastic bottles prevented from finding their way into the environment are upcycled and made into eco-friendly green toys.

During this season that we are reminded to give thanks to all we have, let us remember to express thanks to those who have taken action to produce organic and eco-friendly products that allow us to continue taking that deep breath of fresh air, to look upon beautiful scenes of chemical free lands, to watch the changing color of leaves in a thick forest, to swim in a crystal clear lake, to use products that are safe for our health.

"We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives." ~ John F. Kennedy

Lynn Lavanga is owner of Stylish Organics, an e-commerce boutique combining fashionable styling with environmentally friendly thinking. Stylish Organics offers a refreshing collection of earth savvy products selected for their organic, natural, sustainable, or eco-friendly properties. Their one-stop-shopping venue and collection of products for every member of your family make it easy to live a green lifestyle.

For additional information visit stylishorganics.com, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or subscribe to their newsletter. All can be reached from their website home page.

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Holiday Camping Game Ideas

Holiday Camping Game Ideas
By M K Khan

Summer is wonderful season because it's sunny, warm and brings families together. The holidays are a fun time for families to spend quality time together, especially on a camping trip. Camping can be even more fun when you have some camping games and entertainment prepared.

You've decided to take your family on camping trip so you've packed your tent, sleeping bags, picnic backpack, gas lamp, braai stand and camping gas stove. You have all the camping equipment you need and your family are all ready, but have you prepared some entertainment?

Here are a few camping games that you could play.

Frogger. Everyone sits down and closes their eyes for this game. A detective is chosen and will leave the circle. Next you will tap each person the head and that tapped person would be the frogger. Then the detective can come back after the frogger is chosen. The frogger has to stick their tongue out at a person and that person must freeze. The detective has to figure out who is the frogger and is given 3 guesses. If one of the campers sees that the frogger has stuck their tongue out at them they should wait ten seconds before they freeze. Once frozen, the camper should make a funny face and hold it.

Ha Ha Ha! Everyone lies in a circle placing their head on the next person's stomach. Then the first person shout 'Ha' without laughing, then the next person does the same. The next round, they shout 'Ha ha' and you continue to add a 'Ha' with each round. See how long you can keep it going without everyone cracking up with laughter.

Dead Fish. The point of this game is to be as still as possible as that is what dead fish do. Give everyone a chance to first get all the giggles out of the way. Start walking around and when you see someone moving or laughing, tag them and tell them that they're out. The ones that are out can help you to get the others to laugh or move.

Earthball. The aim is to keep a ball or balloon in the air for a specified number of hits without it falling. Plus no single person can hit it twice in a row. Decide on a number of hits for each group or person. Then you can set rules such as a certain number of hits equals a 'world record' or when you reach a target, you are the designated winner of the game.

Camping is a lot of fun. So next time you pack all your camping equipment be sure to prepare some games to pass the time in a fun way.

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Visit our website and contact us on 0861 1TOTAI or email mk@totai.co.za.

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Caregiving: Five Ways to Survive the Holidays

Caregiving: Five Ways to Survive the Holidays
By Harriet Hodgson

"Will I survive the holidays?" you may ask. I asked myself this question last year when my husband was in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, and asked it again when I became his caregiver. Extensive caregiving experience (I was my mother's family caregiver for nine years, my twin grandchildren's guardian and caregiver for seven years) helped me answer this question.

I started with an attitude adjustment. If I don't get everything done, life will continue as usual. The world will still be spinning and the holidays will still happen. So there is no need to pressure myself. Instead, I can choose to practice self-compassion and take some proactive steps. My steps may help you glide through the holidays with ease.

Choose your thoughts. Amit Sood, MD, MSc, author of The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living, says choosing our thoughts helps us de-stress. Early in the morning, when we first awaken, instead of worrying about all we need to do, he asks us to think of five people we are grateful for, people who have helped and guided us. Doing this each morning helps you focus your mind, according to Sood, and "wake up with gratitude."

Limit your decorating. You don't have to climb a ladder and put lights on a tree or decorate your lawn with pricey ornaments to get into the holiday spirit. My husband and I have "downsized" and live in a wheelchair-accessible town home. Since we don't have much extra space, we are not putting up a large tree this year. However, I will put a wreath on the front door and get out our table and fireplace mantle decorations.

Simplify shopping. This year we are giving books to all of our family members. Ordering books online has eliminated the stress of driving on ice-covered roads, through blinding snow storms, and bucking holiday crowds. Some of our gifts will include extras -- a welcome check, a cooking gadget, or live plants. Each book has been specially chosen for the recipient, something I know they will appreciate.

Get some help. We live in Minnesota, land of more than 10,000 lakes and more home bakers than you can count. Long before the holidays Minnesotans start baking and participating in cookie exchanges. Much as I love to bake cookies, I will make only one batch, and the rest of my desserts will be store-bought. We are hosting Thanksgiving this year and I am roasting the turkey and making salad. Family members are bringing the rest of the meal.

Focus on the joy of the season. Be with family members if you can and, if you can't, link up with a religious/spiritual community. Attend holiday concerts and plays. Go to a mall and watch children talking to Santa. Helping others will help you get into the holiday spirit. "The more smiles you can bring to others, the happier you are," Dr. Amit Sood writes in his book. Santa Claus brings gifts to children, he continues, and "we are each other's Santa Claus."

Caregiving is a job, but it is also a gift of love. Thanks to all caregivers -- family and paid -- who give this gift each day.

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelancer for 36+ years and is the author of 33 books. Her latest releases are "Happy Again! Your New and Meaningful Life After Loss," "Seed Time: Growing from Life's Disappointments, Losses, and Sorrows," and "Help! I'm Raising My Grandkids." Visit her website and learn more about this busy author and grandmother.

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Boxing Day and Tradition

Boxing Day and Tradition
By Linda Hancock

There isn't any consensus about the origins of the secular holiday that occurs on December 26th.

As far back as the Middle Ages, people have been concerned about caring for the poor and the practice then was to place an Alms box inside the church to collect donations for them. Some believe that the name Boxing Day was tied to the idea of the Alms box.

In Roman times and at the beginning of the Christian era, metal boxes were placed outside of churches to collect special offerings for the Feast of St. Steven which is also recognized on December 26th.

Records back to 1663 mention the tradition of bosses and employers preparing Christmas boxes for their servants and for tradesmen who were required to work on Christmas Day. Because of this, they were given time off on December 26 so they could be with their families. The Christmas boxes were filled by the wealthy with money, presents and sometimes leftover food as a way of giving thanks for services received throughout the year.

Boxing Day is recognized in several countries in the world. For some it is a bank or public holiday. Some countries look forward to sporting events such as rugby, hunting, hockey, football, or basketball that are scheduled to be played on Boxing Day.

For years Boxing Day has been a time for retail stores to experience record sales because of their discounted pricing. Shoppers often spend hours waiting for doors to open in order to take advantage of drastically marked-down items. I remember as a child that my aunt and uncle would wait until December 26th to do their Christmas shopping because they thought it was silly to pay full price for the same items that would cost a great deal less the following day.

Over the years, many of the things associated with Boxing Day have changed. Those who are in the retail business usually need to hire extra staff to help them serve the crowds that show up looking for bargains. No time off for them.

Legislation also has been inconsistent regarding whether or not December 26 is a bank or statutory holiday. In some areas it is recognized. In others it is not and in still others it is optional.

In modern times, we do not usually associate the day after Christmas with putting out an Alms Box for the poor or a metal box for special offerings. Most of us do not have servants or employees to whom we would give our left overs. Not everyone will sleep on the street outside of a big box store in order to purchase a discounted item and many of us do not consider December 26th as a day for sports.

Tradition is a personal thing that we choose and then honour over and over again.

What will you do on Boxing Day? Will you go to work, spend time doing a clean up from the mess of Christmas Day, have a nap or read a book?

Perhaps this year you will be creative and start a new tradition for Boxing Day!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker.

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Sometimes You Just Have to Face Facts: You Just Need More Cash!

Sometimes You Just Have to Face Facts: You Just Need More Cash!
By Anne O'Dwyer

The fact is another year is coming to a close, the festive season will soon be upon us with all the trimmings and fun of Christmas: the tinsel, the lights, the excited children and general making merry.

But are there undertones of fear, which will spoil the festive season? The expenses you will be paying back on your card most of the next twelve months...

You did promise yourself this wouldn't happen again, but where are the planned savings?

Did they get blown on a great holiday or just not materialise at all? Where does your money go? On paper there should be money at the end of the month, but there seldom is.

Next Year it will be different! You say this every year but - until you change,nothing else will change, "if you keep doing what you're doing you will keep getting what you have got"! So now is the time to prepare a plan!

First you will reduce the cost of "Christmas", you will warn everyone not to expect expensive gadgets this year. Anyway they still have stuff from last Christmas that wasn't appreciated anyway. This year every gift will be something you really choose carefully. There will be quality in the choice, not quantity. Christmas has become too commercial anyway!

This year you will have Christmas dinner at home with family and friends, you won't book a restaurant meal. Grocery shopping can be managed carefully in a budget store. You have seen the advertisements on TV of the sumptuous things on offer. You don't need that hand reared turkey you had planned or the six-foot Christmas tree, a smaller one will be fine. There are plenty of ornaments for the tree in the loft you don't need more even if they are in tempting piles in the stores.

That pretty dress / (smart shirt) from last year will be perfect for parties.

Now for the New Year Resolutions, perhaps you should start to plan them now... You really need to find a way to supplement your income. What could you fit into your spare-time? What could you do to earn some extra cash?

Time to consider a hobby business, that will grow over the year and make for a better Christmas next year. It might even boost the holiday fund for a lovely sunny holiday.

So now is the time to consider what you would love to do. It needs to be something you will enjoy if you are to invest your spare-time / evenings working it. Something at home, because of the children, and you really don't want to turn out on cold winter evenings to work in a bar or stock shelves...

Is there something you could do with your old laptop?

Yes there is -

A choice of 3 tried and tested guaranteed Business Plans! Take a look and see which would suit you - you have nothing to loose by looking

Do it NOW...

Visit http://developonlinesuccess.com

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Stop by our website and read many motivational articles, interesting stories, hints and tips.

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7 Ways to Ease the Melancholy of the Holiday Season

7 Ways to Ease the Melancholy of the Holiday Season
By Lisa Zaccagnini

"Your heart's strength is measured by how hard it holds on. Your self-worth and faith is measured by finally letting go. However, your peace is measured by how long you don't look back." - Shannon L. Alder

It's hard to not look back on your life or certain memories especially during the holiday season. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and it always gets me to thinking about the past even if I think only about the year that is almost ending. I think about family, the people I can still share the holiday with and the people that are no longer part of that tradition. I'm grateful for the memories of past family gatherings during the holiday season and I get a bit emotional when I dwell too long there but I find that as I get older I long for the new experiences to start so that I can add them to the list of things I'm grateful for.

A few times in my life I've been the host for Thanksgiving dinner, the most I've entertained at one time was for 23 people. Our family really isn't that big but I never believed in putting a limit on how many were welcome to our table. We lived in a condo at the time and although it was a 3 bedroom unit the living space was small and so it was quite a feat to figure out how to seat 23 people for such a huge dinner. Funny that I was more concerned with how to seat everyone comfortably and not worried about what to serve and how to serve. My children were all under the age of 10 at the time so it took probably close to 2 weeks to prepare not only the menu and the seating plan but to prepare the house comfortably for those guests that were staying for an overnight.

The anticipation building in those 2 weeks was volatile. The kids were excited every day to count down to family coming over to their house. The smells in the kitchen radiated throughout the entire house for days on end. To this day my daughter associates certain foods that I cook throughout the year with Thanksgiving such as caramelized onions, saut�ed apples, homemade bread, anything made with nutmeg, etc. Mmmmm... my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

"Hunger of the heart is much stronger than hunger for food." - Amanda Comer

I can't help but think back to the craziness of preparing for Thanksgiving because the celebration is so different now. I definitely have a hunger in my heart to relive those crazy holiday times. I was busy, I felt purposeful and I felt needed and important. That is the magic and the power of family.

I have to admit right here that although it was a lot of work and I enjoyed the anticipation as much as the kids did not every ounce of it went smoothly or happily. I felt stress and I'm sure at one time I murmured to myself how I would like it if just one year we could be the guests and just show up to eat and schmooze.

"Family isn't something that's supposed to be static, or set. People marry in, divorce out. They're born, they die. It's always evolving, turning into something else." - Sarah Dessen, Lock and Key

Many years later, kids mostly grown, family moved away and/or defected I find myself melancholy about the holiday season for different reasons entirely. My soul feels alone. On the one hand I'm not alone because I am blessed to have my husband and almost all of my children still living at home to share in the celebrations of the season but the enthusiasm and anticipation is tempered to an extreme and I feel the emptiness of that. I don't know, there is just something magical in cooking for more than just my immediate family; listening to different kinds of conversation; getting lost in someone else's life for a while; listening to the children get involved around the table and really noticing them blossom into adulthood. It's just the 4 of us now, no friends, no family and oh how I wish I could cook and bake and fuss over a house full of family now that I actually have the living space for them all to come over and spread out. Even with all the family members and their issues it would still be nice to fuss.

"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city." - George Burns

Life is funny that way. It is my "life is backwards" theory. The theory is that things that should be obvious and make sense, don't. When we had hardly any space to entertain, people came over in droves to spend time. Now that we moved up a bit I hear crickets. When I felt overwhelmed at entertaining I wished it would not be so stressful and now I'd give almost anything to have just one stressed out, manic, family crazy, I-hate-you-but-I-love-you Thanksgiving. I'm sure you can think of a few examples of life being backwards for you as well.

But what I'm realizing as time goes by is that we are in a transition phase. I will have family to cook and fuss for again someday because the children will bring new people to my table and one day I might even become a grandma and then not only will I have someone to fuss over but I'll have someone to teach and play with and pass on a part of me to. I can look forward with anticipation to that.

In the years since the "great big Thanksgiving" we have enjoyed a few Thanksgiving meals away from home like the time we spent Thanksgiving in Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. It was cold and it was a beautiful grayish day with the smell of snow in the air. If you have never been there in any season, please try to go around Thanksgiving time. The village encases you in the past and helps you feel what it was like to live around the time when the pilgrims came to America. During our day long tour, before our dinner reservations, it did indeed start to snow. It was probably the most beautiful snowfall I have ever experienced. The snow blanketed the outdoor sounds and made me feel more intimate and connected to my surroundings. As the snow was falling it seemed like it was just for effect. The roads home stayed clear but the village was awash in seasonal holiday cheer made ever more magical by the snowfall. I let myself get so caught up in the holiday lights and spirit, the smells in the air and the historic feeling of it all and the snow just brought more coziness to the village and the warmth of a good meal waiting for us by the open fire.

We have created new traditions within our little clan. I have enjoyed experiencing Thanksgiving in many different ways with our children. I try to find new ways to anticipate the holiday season and to try to hold on to the magic of it all. For example we started watching the movie Scrooge and also the movie Elf as after dinner family time entertainment; and while cleaning up from our large holiday meal we get ready for the winter holidays by playing seasonal music and singing out loud. That's always fun because not all of us have a singing voice. I'm happy for having had the experiences of holidays of the past but I consciously now choose to look forward to what could be. I try not to let my heart get too heavy for what is missing.

If this holiday season finds you with a melancholy heart or a yearning for what used to be, here are some tricks that might help ease the pain:

Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep at least 2 weeks before the holiday. Sleep keeps your body regulated not only in its basic functioning but also emotionally.

"Also, I could finally sleep. And this was the real gift, because when you cannot sleep, you cannot get yourself out of the ditch-there's not a chance." - Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Follow a healthy eating plan. While this is something you need to do all year long, at least one month before the holiday reset your stomach and hormones by eating better before the emotional stress sets in.

"We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie." - David Mamet, Boston Marriage

As best as you can, try to do some physical exercise even if you go for a walk for 30 minutes every day before the holiday. Physical activity just for yourself is soothing, refreshing and empowering. It naturally reduces stress and sets your brain to a more positive way of thinking. Exercise increases creativity.

"My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the heck she is." - Ellen DeGeneres

At least one month before the holiday purposefully allow yourself to enjoy activities that make you happy. Enlist some friends if you can but it is okay if you go alone. Having happy experiences to bring to the conversation at dinner time will be a big boost for you and the people around the table.

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." - Anne Frank

If, like me, your table will be short a few more people than you would like perhaps setting their pictures around the table as decoration would help. Include photos from holidays past and let the reminiscing begin. Before you know it laughter will take over and the trip down memory lane will feel like you traveled somewhere for a little while.

"You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, and the people you have loved." - Ansel Adams

Reach out to a trusted friend, mentor, coach, clergy or family member and talk through the melancholy you are feeling. Maybe ideas will pop up and help ease the pain and infuse hope. If talking to someone is not comfortable for you then consider writing out your thoughts just for yourself. Twenty minutes for 4 consecutive days does wonders for the soul.

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend." - Albert Camus

Take time to force yourself to do relaxing things leading up to the holiday. Go to a spa for a massage, sit in a steam room or Jacuzzi, play soothing music while falling asleep, light candles around your space instead of turning on lights, burn some incense, meditate, anything to help create an air of relaxation and peace.

"A massage is just like a movie, really relaxing and a total escape, except in a massage you're the star. And you don't miss anything by falling asleep!" - Elizabeth Jane Howard, Mr. Wrong

perspective change

I know it can be a tough situation at holiday time for many reasons but in the whole of each person's situation is the truth that our own attitude and perspective can make or break the moments we experience. The undisputable truth is that when things get really dark in my life I always have the choice to be afraid and sad or I can choose to see the stars more clearly. I am trying to train my perception of what appears to be a negative and find the hope that lives in the positive.

I wish you all peace, happiness, renewal, and an abundance of reasons to be filled with gratitude this year. Thank you all for your support and friendship. Happy Holiday Season!!!

Call to Action

What are your Thanksgiving traditions?

How do you bring newness to the holiday?

Where can you try to see the good in the perception of bad?

If you are disconnected as a family this year, why and what does the disconnect mean for you?

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Funding a Frugal Holiday Season

Funding a Frugal Holiday Season
By Deborah Taylor-Hough

With the holidays right around the corner, we often hear the familiar refrains of our favorite Christmas carols and seasonal music. But too many of us tend to sing different words to the familiar tune of Jingle Bells:

Dashing to the mall,

In a light blue mini-van,

Stashing all our loot,

Behind the garbage can.

We think the kids need more,

'Tho their closest's full of junk,

Then someone sends unneeded things

We'll just stow into a trunk!

Ohhhhhhhhhhh...

Christmas bills! Christmas bills!

For Christmas we must pay!

See all of our Christmas bills

Still here on New Year's Day!... Hey??!!!

Christmas bills! Christmas bills!

We can't pay today...
We have so many Christmas bills,

There's got to be a better way... !

Do the phrases "frugal living" and "holiday giving" seem to be at opposite ends of the spending spectrum? Is it possible to spend no more in December than during other months? Will your family still love you if they don't find "the latest and the greatest" under the tree?

Our families deserve the best we can give. But if we're paying our Christmas debts for the next five years, complete with all the stresses that usually accompany outstanding bills, what good is it? No matter what our personal financial situation, we all could use a few simple money-saving ideas for the holidays.

1) Try checking out books from the library on holiday customs and crafts from other lands. These books can provide a wealth of innovative ideas, often for minimal expense. Last year, in a book on Swedish customs, we found instructions for making an evergreen Advent wreath. Old newspapers soaked in water and wrapped around a wire coat hanger were decorated with pine boughs from a backyard tree. Four large nails stuck through the paper wreath held the candles, and we added finishing touches of small pine cones and red bows. The Advent wreath was beautiful, incredibly simple, and made from items found around the house. It also added a meaningful centerpiece to our holiday celebrations.

2) Do you have solid-colored glass ornaments that you're tired of? Let your children decorate them with glitter glue, holiday stickers or craft paints. This tip serves a dual purpose: new decorations for very little money, and an inexpensive, fun holiday activity for the whole family!

3) How about giving a homemade "Dessert-of-the-Month" gift certificate to someone special on your gift list? Or maybe a "Cookie-of-the-Month," or "Dinner-of- the-Month?" Each month you would deliver a different home-baked goody to the recipient. This gift is especially enjoyed by people who might not eat a lot of home cooking, i.e., college students, singles, elderly shut-ins. These are also appreciated greatly by moms with multiple children (a treat they didn't have to prepare! They'll be so thankful for you and your thoughtfulness!)

4) Learn to do calligraphy. (It's much easier than it looks!) You can make personalized gifts by writing the person's name and framing it in a simple mat with a pressed flower or two glued to the picture or mat.

5) Do you enjoy sending Christmas cards, but find that the price of store-bought cards is making this tradition almost impossible? Make your own cards by decorating card stock with rubber stamps, pressed flowers, or calligraphy. Better yet, make your own personalized Christmas postcards and save on postage, as well!

6) For beautiful, inexpensive gift wrap with a country look, sponge-paint the plain side of flattened brown grocery bags with green, red or white tempera paint. Use holiday shapes (trees, stars, candy canes, etc.). Tie the wrapped gifts with raffia or twine. The finished product is rustic, yet very elegant! This is another dual purpose tip: a money-saver and a fun (but messy!) activity for the whole family.

7) Do you take lots of photographs and never know what to do with all those extra prints? Small photo albums with nice snapshots of your children taken throughout the year make great gifts for the grandparents. Also, an album with current photos of various extended family members is a welcome gift for out-of-town relatives who can't make it home for the holidays. Small photo albums can often be found at variety stores for less than $2.

Careful stewardship of our resources during the holidays doesn't have to mean deprivation and joylessness. Spend time this year thoughtfully identifying your personal priorities for your family during the holiday season.

When your children have grown and moved on to start traditions of their own, will they remember the gripe sessions their parents had over the stack of past-due Christmas bills? Or will they treasure the memories of quiet times of family togetherness and joy throughout the Advent season?

Will they look back with reverence to a time spent in reflection and thankfulness, understanding the true meaning of the season? Or will they focus on the crazy times each year when Mom flew through the house, cleaning wildly and snapping at everyone in sight because the house had to be "perfect" before the guests arrived?

Deborah Taylor-Hough is the author of the bestselling Frozen Assets cookbook series and several other popular titles. Visit Debi online, browse her books, and read more articles dealing with simple living, frugality, parenting, and much more: http://www.thesimplemom.com/

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Thanksgiving at Grandma's House

Thanksgiving at Grandma's House
By Ronald D Ross

Back in the 1950s my brother and I loved going to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving Day. When I was ten years old we took one of those memorable trips from Norfolk, Nebraska to Julesburg, Colorado where Grandma and Grandpa lived in a small white house just catty-corner from City Park.

On Thanksgiving Day Grandma spent most of her time in the kitchen cooking up a wonderful meal. A big brown turkey had been carefully chosen, and it was artistically basted a dozen or so times as it baked in the oven.

Aunt Bea, (yes, I really did have an Aunt Bea), brought over some beautiful sweet potatoes, and a couple of pumpkin pies. Mom set the table and served as Grandma's back-up cook.

The men, Grandpa, Uncle Chuck, and my dad sat in the living room discussing business and the big issues of the day. They were all certain that the country was going to hell in a hand-basket, the world was near crisis, and the end times were near.

Though hungry and ever aware of the sweet aromas that wafted into the living room, those men knew better than to venture into the already over-crowded kitchen.

My brother Dick and our cousins, Ray and Darlene, played in the basement interrupting our games from time to time to run upstairs and ask, "Is dinner ready yet?"

When it was finally time to eat we all crowded around Grandma's dinning room table that had been extended with a couple of rickety card tables, but all covered with Grandma's finest linens and set with her best china.

Two things told all present that this was a very special day and a very special meal: One was that there was a butter knife in the butter dish, and the second was that even the children seated at the card-tables had cloth napkins.

Getting seated was always a challenge. Who was to sit where, and with whom. Only two seats were reserved: Grandpa sat at the head of the table in the only chair that had arms on it; and Grandma sat in the chair closest to the kitchen so she could dash in and get the bread rolls warming in the oven just as soon as we were done with the prayer. Cousin Ray and I, the two youngest at the meal, always had to share the piano bench because there weren't enough chairs.

While being seated it always seemed that someone would bump the table and it shook and the water spilled all over Grandma's linen tablecloth. But for this day, it was only a minor mishap because today was a holiday. But more than that, for our family, it was a holy day. It was Thanksgiving Day.

Once we were all seated and the spilt water wiped up, Grandpa took out his well-worn King James Bible and respectfully opened it to Psalm 100. To the three generations gathered around his table he read, "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Then he bowed his head and prayed and thanked God for his provision, for his love for us, and for the wonderful family God had blessed him with.

Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving.

For more by Dr. Ross please visit http://www.RonRossToday.com

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I Wish You a Happy, Stress Free Holiday

I Wish You a Happy, Stress Free Holiday
By Tanja M Shaw

Christmas is less than a month away: are you excited? Or, are you a wee bit stressed?

With the exception of those who still believe in Santa Claus, most people seem to err on the side of 'feeling stressed' around the holidays. Small talk about the weather (we like talking about the weather in Chilliwack) is replaced with "Are you ready for Christmas?"

So what does 'being ready' really mean? Does it mean preparing brilliant Christmas entertaining platters, getting that perfect gift for the 'hard to buy' people on your list, celebrating the season with a new glittery outfit, baking all 12 family favourite Christmas cookies, preparing the perfect, plump turkey (on one or more occasion) and yes, sticking to your workout and diet regime?

I think this time of year is wonderful, but if you fall into the holiday trap of trying to do everything for everyone, it can also be incredibly stressful. If you love doing all the Christmas-y activities, and feel like it's very manageable, then go ahead and enjoy it. However, if you feel overwhelmed with all that needs to be done, know that you don't have to do it all. Do this simple exercise to make your holiday to-do list more manageable and give yourself permission to relax a little.

The exercise is called a brain dump. This version is geared toward the holidays, but you can do it anytime of the year. I do, and it's wonderful! Here's how it goes:

1. Write a list of all the tasks and activities you need to do around the holidays. Separate the tasks into a 'daily list' (things you do daily such as preparing meals, work, spending time with family, commuting, workouts, etc.). Create a weekly list (things you do 1-2 times per week) and a 'one-off' list (things you will likely only need to do only a few times, such as holiday shopping, writing Christmas cards, preparing holiday meals, decorating, holiday parties, baking, etc.).

2. Allot an amount of time to each activity.

3. Now you're ready for the fun part. Place a star beside all the tasks that are important to you, that you enjoy doing. Be honest- do you really have to do everything on your list? Do you really need to bake 12 different kinds of cookies? Will your family really suffer? If you really want to attend all the Christmas parties you've been invited to, then great! But if you really don't want to go to a few, it's not 'star-worthy.'

4. Now ask, can you 'simplify any of the starred activities? If you need to spend an entire day preparing a holiday meal (and don't truly enjoy it), are there ways to simplify the task? Can you get help? Block time in your calendar to do the star-worthy activities. Maybe you'll decide to go Christmas shopping next weekend, or go grocery shopping for the big day on the 23rd.

5. For everything that is not starred, you get to delegate or dump the task. Again, be honest. If you don't need to do something (for example, someone else is capable of doing the task), delegate it. No one to delegate it to? Then dump it.

This holiday season, I hope you can enjoy the time spent with loved ones rather than worrying about how you are going to tackle your 'to-do' list. Focus on the things you like to do, and have a relaxing, stress-free holiday season.

Tanja Shaw is the owner of Ascend Fitness Inc., a private training studio. Tanja and her team of expert professionals work to inspire and educate Chilliwack residents to make positive and power changes in their lives through physical fitness and sound nutrition. For more fitness tips go to http://www.ascendfitnesscoaching.com.

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Shortcuts for Holiday Party Cleanup

Shortcuts for Holiday Party Cleanup
By Nicole Rodriguez

Planning on entertaining guests at your home for a holiday party? The best part of entertaining is spending time with family and friends, nibbling on tasty treats, and sipping eggnog. The worst part of entertaining? Cleaning up after it's all over. The piles of dishes, glasses, and scraps of food left all over the place makes it seem like a small army fought a battle in your home. Take a deep breath and follow our tips to help you get your home back in order-as quickly as possible.

Table clearing

If you haven't done so already, empty out your dishwasher. Head into the dining room next to clear the table. But before you start clearing, grab a few large bins or laundry baskets. Collect as many dishes, glasses and utensils as you can and place them in each of the bins. This will help cut down on making all those endless trips back and forth between the dining room and kitchen. Bring the trash can with you as well so you can toss paper napkins and food scraps as you clear.

Spilled wine

It's inevitable - that filled glass of red wine will somehow topple over leaving behind a frightful red mess on your rug. There are a couple of tried-and-true ways to handle this common dilemma:

1. Readersdigest.com suggests tackling the problem as soon as possible. Pour white wine over the red wine spill to dilute the color. Blot with a dry sponge to absorb most of the liquid. Cover the area completely with table salt and let it sit for 10-15 minutes and vacuum.


2. The pros at Goodhousekeeping.com advise blotting up as much wine possible. Next, mix a solution of one tablespoon each of white vinegar and dish soap with 2 cups of warm water. Using a clean sponge, blot the area with the solution, rinsing with cold water.

To remove a spill from a tablecloth, BetterHomesAndGardens.com says to soak the stain using cold water to dilute the stain as much as possible. Pre-treat the area with a stain-lifter detergent and launder as directed. If it's safe, add bleach to the cycle.

Candle wax

Candles add a warm glow to any table, yet the wax that drips onto wood and tablecloths can be a real nuisance. To safely remove wax from fabric, BetterHomesAndGardens.com suggests using a dull knife to scrape as much wax from the fabric. For any leftover wax, place the waxy area between paper towels and press with a warm iron. The paper towels will absorb the wax.

Water rings

You forgot to put out coasters or your guest didn't use them, now you have water marks on your wood furniture. While your first reaction may be to panic, don't. Realsimple.com has an easy fix for this problem. Rub non-gel toothpaste onto the stain using a soft cloth. Gently rub the toothpaste using a circular motion. Buff clean using a dry cloth.

Stained tablecloth

You pulled out your favorite holiday tablecloth to add some festive d�cor to the party, but after hours of cheer, it's covered by a bunch of stains. Save your favorite tablecloth from complete ruin by following these stain-removing steps from BetterHomesAndGardens.com:

Coffee: Pretreat the stained areas with a stain remover or liquid laundry detergent. If you don't have stain remover available, try rubbing the stains with a bar of soap. Wash as per the directions on the label; rewash if needed.

Olive oil: Pretreat the stain with a stain remover or liquid laundry detergent. Wash using the hottest water that's safe for the fabric. Before placing in the dryer, make sure the stain is completely out. If you don't, the heat from the dryer will likely permanently set the stain.

Tomato sauce: Pretreat using the same method above and launder as directed. Use fabric safe bleach if possible.

Reference:

http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/stain-removal/treating-tablecloth-stains/

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Three Things You May Not Know About Valentine's Day

Three Things You May Not Know About Valentine's Day
By Graciela Sholander

1. The Real Saint Valentine Is Shrouded In Mystery

Even though he lived in the third century AD, almost nothing is known about this saint or the life he led. It's not even clear how many holy men named Valentine there were, or which one is honored on Valentine's Day.

Regardless, bits and pieces about the saint have made it into the realm of legends. The consensus is that he was a priest who broke the law doing what he believed in. Some stories say he conducted marriages between soldiers and their beloveds. In Rome during that time, this was against the law. Soldiers were not allowed to marry. When Valentine was caught, he was imprisoned and put to death for defying Roman rules.

Another story also involves his imprisonment, but this time for practicing his faith and refusing to worship the emperor. While in prison, he became friends with the jailer's daughter. He prayed for her, and she was healed of her maladies. On the night of his execution, Valentine gave his friend a note to comfort her. It read, quite simply, "From Your Valentine."

2. Matchmaking Was An Ancient Roman Tradition That Preceded Valentine's Day

Lupercalia was a festival that took place each year in ancient Rome between the 13th and 15th of February. Its purpose was to cleanse and protect the community. Some of the festival traditions were meant to get rid of evil spirits and bless crops.

There was also a matchmaking component to the festivities. Women put their names in an urn. Men picked names from the urn. The couples formed by this lottery system were expected to stay together for a year. Surprisingly, many of these random matches resulted in marriages.

Centuries later, this ancient celebration merged with the newer tradition of honoring Saint Valentine on February 14. The newer holiday was much more subdued, but some of the festival's romantic aspects carried forward.

3. Valentine Cards Became All The Rage In Victorian England

In the Middle Ages, noblemen wrote (or hired others to write for them) impassioned love notes to their dear ones. But it wasn't until the Victorian Era in the mid-1800s that sending valentine cards became a popular custom.

First it was handmade cards embellished with lace and ribbon. These were fancy cards with intricate designs that included cutouts and pop-ups. The tradition was popularized in England and made its way to the U.S. several decades later.

With advances in printing technology, cards began to be mass-produced. Today 180 million valentine cards are exchanged each year in the U.S. alone. Designs continue to evolve, but heart and floral themes remain as popular as they were in Victorian times.

Graciela Sholander is a researcher, writer and editor who has ghostwritten two dozen books and now writes eBooks designed to inform and entertain. Learn more about Valentine's Day through her most recent eBook, Valentine's Day: How We Celebrate Love And Friendship Around The World, http://www.amazon.com/Valentines-Day-Celebrate-Friendship-Around-ebook/dp/B00TFCG3L4.

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Silk Flower Arrangments for the Holidays: Traditional to Modern

Silk Flower Arrangments for the Holidays: Traditional to Modern
By Rikki Lee

Silk flower arrangements offer a wide variety of decorating options. From traditional to ultra-modern, country home to city loft, the wide variety of lovely almost real looking silk flower arrangements can add instant pop, instant decoration, instant elegance for the holidays.

Traditional colors of red, green, and white can be blended for the perfect holiday look. Let's start with red.

Classic red potted poinsettia silk flower arrangements come to mind instantly. Choices from small to giant are appropriate for all spaces and are readily available. For a tall enthusiastic statement and still traditional look consider amaryllis from single to multi-blooming plants. Special pop with the still classic look, is created with red berries.

Branching out to other reds for individualizing your space, look closely at the variety of red roses, hydrangea, ranunculus, hibiscus, and peony silk flower arrangements. To draw the eye and just for fun, try a display of red apples.

A more modern look can be achieved with red orchids, bromeliads, calla lilies, oriental ginger, and even bursting hibiscus. Many of these unusual but lovely silk flower arrangements can be found online and delivered to your door.

To add green color to your dominant reds, classic d�cor brings in pine, spruce, and cedar in the form of boughs, wreaths, and candelabrums. These make great center pieces or highlights around the edges.

For variety and individuality, take a look at the lovely green silk orchids, succulents, berry balls, and grasses with an added splash of green limes. These will burst your d�cor into holiday charm.

To top it off, bring in the whites! From small dots here and there to central bursts of bloom, the whites will snow a subtle but huge accent onto your holiday decorations. Start with the classic white poinsettias and amaryllis if your theme is traditional.

For variety, but still well within the classic traditional range add white rose, gladiola, peony, or hydrangea silk flower arrangements.

Modern lift can be added with one of the gorgeous white calla lily or orchid arrangements. With subtle single stem, multi stems, or huge bursts of blooms, these whites generate pop.

Mix it up with different shapes such as wreaths, garlands, and balls, along with different sizes from tall floor displays to mantle, shelf, table and corner highlights. This will surround your home or office with festive holiday feeling while bringing in the unique you.

Silk flower arrangements are your holiday decorating friend. If you don't have time to water, fuss and muss, and you would like your holiday decorating investment to last for years, then silk flower arrangements are just the thing. Stick with tradition, branch out a bit, or go totally modern; terrific variety is available today.

Enjoy the joy! of silk flower arrangements.

For fabulous red, green, white and other wonderful silk flower arrangements, go to http://silkflowerarrangementsonline.com. While you're there, check out our great artificial Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands and more! And have Happy Holidays with our GREAT PRICES! Wishing you all the best; ENJOY THE JOY!

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A Small Familly Thanksgiving?

A Small Familly Thanksgiving?
By Jean Steiger

This year we actually had a small family Thanksgiving. This is unusual because I have a tendency to invite everyone I meet to our family's holiday celebrations. In part, it's because I grew up in an extended family of great aunts and uncles and their families who all got together for the holidays. To a child, these were great affairs, with piles of food and people milling all over.

Most of the time we ate smorgasbord style; circling the dining room table, plate in hand, and picking out the delicacies that came from many kitchens and many cooks. Once our plates were heaped with food, the trick was to find a decent place to sit before the delicacies ended up on the floor. This was especially tricky for a child who usually ended up sitting on the floor because the chairs were reserved for the grown-ups. For me, they were wonderful times - listening to my uncles' stories about fishing and the old country (Lithuania) and inhaling my Uncle Carl's pungent cigar, a smell that I still consider perfume.

I'm not so certain these were wonderful occasions for the women who had spent days cooking and now were busy in the kitchen cleaning up the mess the rest of us were making. Once in a while, loud voices, filled with strain, could be heard coming from the kitchen as the women grew irritated over a mild alteration on a recipe, a child running underfoot or a clash of personalities. My mother, who had a volatile temper, was often involved in the clashes. But for me, they were long days of feasting, family and togetherness.

Because large family holiday celebrations are important to me, I assume they are to everyone and I hate to think of anyone celebrating alone. So I extend invitations to anyone I think might be alone for the holiday. This includes good friends who usually share my need for large celebrations, acquaintances who happen to mention their family won't be able to join them and sometimes even people I meet in the grocery store who, in casual conversation, tell me they are alone for the holiday. My husband is used to this and when I come home from the store or an exercise class just before a holiday and say, "I hope you won't mind but -------", he immediately cuts me off and says, "How many more?"

One year for Passover, we had to move all the furniture out of the living room and fill it with rented tables. Another year, we made room for three extra people within hours of the festive meal. I use all the dishes in the house and usually have to add a few that are borrowed or are paper. I cook for days before and always say afterwards, "Never again. This was too much work." But then I forget and the next year I do the same thing. I have "Holiday Amnesia," an untreatable disease that, I believe, affects many women.

My children are also used to this but every year for every holiday, they try to stop me, "Please, can't we just this once have only our family?" Or - "Wouldn't it be nice to celebrate with just our family?" I listen and agree that that would be nice but then I forget and do the same think again, year after year.

But this Thanksgiving was different. Good friends were either invited elsewhere or leaving town and no poor souls who had no place to go on the holiday appeared while I was waiting in line at the grocery store. Our son and daughter-in-law are living down the street and our oldest daughter flew in from Syracuse, NY late Tuesday night. Our middle daughter, her husband and our granddaughter couldn't make it so this left a big hole but it was still just family at our Thanksgiving dinner.
Because it was just us, I was very relaxed about the food. I made the cranberry sauce and green beans a day ahead but that was all. I was so relaxed that my daughter and I went shopping at the new Sarasota mall on Wednesday afternoon.

On Thursday morning, the turkey, which had been defrosting in the garage refrigerator, came in to finish the process in the kitchen sink. But - horror of horrors - it was still frozen solid! I was so relaxed I found this funny! So the turkey was still frozen; so what! We'll find an open grocery store and have chicken (which I prefer anyway).

But my husband, who is the turkey cooker, wouldn't have this. He took off to find an open grocery store. Our daughter did the smart thing; she got on the phone and started calling different places. Success! Walmart had ten defrosted turkeys left. The frozen turkey went back in the outside refrigerator for cooking on another day and the new turkey went on the grill.

Our son and daughter-in-law wandered over around 11:00 am and asked what they could do. Setting the table was a natural for our daughter-in-law, a talented artist, and our son and daughter tackled the pumpkin pie. I worked on the stuffing and sweet potatoes and then we all went out to the lanai to drink wine and snack on starters. And guess what! I had been so relaxed I had forgotten to buy starters.

So out came the olives, a half-eaten carton of hummus, a lumpy cheese and some chips. My son found a package of shrimp in the freezer which we defrosted in the microwave and shared with a hungry white egret who was begging at our back door. (Note to my readers: This is a bad idea. You shouldn't ever feed the egrets and blue herons but this was a holiday, after all, and shrimp was a natural food, so please forgive me!)

Around 3:00 pm, the turkey was done and we all sat down around a beautiful table to eat. We ate and chatted and ate and chatted some more. The dirty dishes piled up and no-one cared. We finished the meal with the pumpkin pie and then sat around the table some more. Later on, I sent home large packages of turkey and all the trimmings with my son. My oldest daughter, husband and I filled our plates for the second Thanksgiving meal of the day and settled on the couch to eat and watch a movie! What a lovely Thanksgiving!

And so, after all these years, it finally happened; we had a (partial) family Thanksgiving. I must admit that I did enjoy the day and I wasn't exhausted by the end of it. So the question is - will I remember this and keep the guest list down to our family for holidays in the future? Can I resist inviting all those poor souls who have no family to join them for the holiday? Well, maybe. What do you think?

I invite you to visit my blog http://www.stayingyounginflorida.com and read more of my essays on life, living, and anything else that strikes my fancy!
jean@steigers.us

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Top 10 Holiday Activities To Do With The Family

Top 10 Holiday Activities To Do With The Family
By Dr. Michael H. Popkin

No matter how old your kids are, everyone enjoys getting into the holiday spirit. Starting and keeping traditions alive are a great way to promote a healthy, happy lifestyle that keeps your kids free from smoking. Check out our top 10 holiday activities:

1. Bake and Decorate Cookies

Holiday cookies are one of the easiest ways to get the whole family to participate in the kitchen. Give each family member designated jobs to keep things moving smoothly.

2. Go Ice-Skating (Indoor or Outdoor)

Keep your family active without losing your festive spirit. Find a local ice-skating rink, indoor or outdoor depending on where you live. Finish off the chilly day with mugs of hot chocolate.

3. Donate Coats and Clothes To Those In Need

Go online to find a local coat drive, like One Warm Coat and have your family participate in donating their old or gently used coats to kids in need. It gives kids an opportunity to give back and know they are making a difference.

4. Watch A Holiday Special

Start a tradition of finding a favorite family Holiday movie or TV special to watch together. Find one that has a holiday message that resonates with your family values.

5. Buy Gifts For The Needy

Find a local toy drive, like Toys For Tots, and have your kids pick out toys for other kids in need. Another great option is to find a family in need and help them buy their presents. Look online for organizations in your area.

6. Attend A Local Pageant

Introduce a bit of culture and take your family to a local pageant, play, ballet or art event.

7. Plan A Family Photo Shoot

Have your kids help plan a family photo shoot. Take a variety of pictures together and choose as a family which ones to send out to your friends and family.

8. Send Out Thank You Cards-Before Gifts Are Received

Get into the reason for the season. Have kids pick people who mean a lot to them, like relatives, teachers or coaches and send them a handwritten note.

9. Local Christmas Light Drive

Go online to find a local Christmas light drive in your area. There are gorgeous Christmas lights decorating parks and neighborhoods. Share the magical moments with your family.

10. Wrap Presents Together

Having kids help wrap gifts will give them that extra feeling of excitement when they see someone opening a present, knowing they helped cause that happiness.

Try out any or all of these ideas to help get your family into the holiday spirit and make this season one they won't forget. Holiday traditions promote quality family time, bringing your family closer together. By promoting a strong family, you also promote a healthy lifestyle away from smoking and alcohol. Happy Holidays!

Pioneer educator Dr. Michael Popkin, the longtime spokesman for Lorillard's Youth Smoking Prevention Program, Real Parents, Real Answers, is the founder of Active Parenting Publishers and is the author of many award winning video-based parenting education programs.

An expert in his field, Dr. Popkin earned a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University and has served as Director of Child and Family Services at an Atlanta hospital.

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