Build A Positive Life

We all spend so much time and effort to bring off the holidays that it is no surprise how many people experience post-holiday letdown.  All the guests have gone home, the pretty glow of the lights and decorations have been packed away, the bills have come rolling in, and perhaps the pounds have also crept up.

How To Prevent Post-Holiday Letdown

There are any number of ways to keep the normal post-holiday letdown from catching a firm hold on you.  Below are some of them, and hopefully these will trigger even more ideas you can add to the list.

1. Leave a few of your clear lights up, say to decorate a large plant or wrapped around a lamp pole the rest of the winter to keep part of that warm soft-light glow alive.  Baby your poinsettias along for as long as possible, too.  Keep a few red and green pillows and throws on the sofa and chairs, too, throughout the cold months of the years.  These simple moves prevent an abrupt interruption in the warm, cheerful atmosphere.
2. If you need to make returns, wait a week or so until the rush immediately following the holidays dies down a bit.  It can prevent your exhausted self from experiencing the frustration of standing in long lines.  Do return them, though, and if you’re totally bummed out by the post-holiday bills you know will be coming in, consider a refund as opposed to an exchange, and put it towards those bills.
3. And speaking of the bills, pay them promptly to avoid the additional expense of late fees or rising interest rates.  Pay more than the minimum on any credit cards, and if you have a tax refund coming, put part of all of it toward your holiday debt.
4. The hoopla was great, but exhausting, so for a couple of weeks, keep your family activities quiet and low-key.  Enjoy some feel-good movies or board games.
5. Enlist the help of the whole family to put the house back in shape in the matter of a few hours.
6. Keep family meals lightweight and simple, and go for walks together out in the fresh air.  This will help melt away any extra pounds, relax you all, and rejuvenate you.
7. Sneak some quiet time alone for reading or napping, either alone or with your sweetie.  It’s a good time to unwind alone, or reconnect together, whichever you most need.

Enjoy the holidays, and with these simple tips, enjoy the days and weeks afterward, as well

Karen

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New Year’s resolutions … many of us make them; most of us who do tend to break them.  This year, why not try something different than the resolutions the usually make the Top 10 lists and make some that are geared toward making your life easier, rather than struggling to keep the ones that always seem out of reach?

New Year’s Resolutions To Make Your Life Easier

  1. Set the alarm for 15 minutes earlier than usual and steal some quiet time to start the day.  After a week or so, you’ll be going to bed that much earlier, too.

  2. To ward off next years holiday debt worries and last minute rushes, buy one gift a month when you’re out and about anyway.  Or set aside some money in a Christmas club toward the bigger gifts and purchase several smaller ones outright each month.

  3. Trade favors with one or more friends and spend a day a month helping de-clutter each others homes.  Toss the trash things, and donate the better things you no longer need to charity.  If you need the money, sell those things on Ebay or on consignment at a local second-hand store.

  4. One weekend a month, shop in bulk for those things you use frequently like paper products, canned goods, and toiletries.  That means during the week, you’ll only have to shop for fresh produce, etc.

  5. Keep colorful containers near those places that tend to acquire clutter:  near entry ways, on the kitchen counter, in the playroom or family room, and on your desk.  Size them according to need and once a week, put things in their rightful places.  It’ll prevent you and your friends from having to de-clutter again next year.

  6. Each time you cook, make double or triple.  Freeze the extras for easy reheatable meals on your busiest evenings.

  7. Free up money and energy by going out less often.  Watch more DVD’s at home.  Play board games as a family.  Exchange get-togethers to play cards or enjoy a potluck style meal or finger foods with friends.

  8. Trade baby-sitting favors with friends.  They and you will each trade one extra busy afternoon for one that is totally freed up to do as you wish.

  9. This year, sign your kids up for one extra curricular activity apiece rather than 3 or 4 each.

 10. Consolidate your errands to save on gas money, vehicle wear and tear, and personal energy.

 11. If you can afford it, hire a someone to do the deepest house cleaning once a month, or again, trade off with neighbors, friends, or family and help each other get the work done faster and more easily.

 12. Eliminate things you do merely out of a sense of obligation rather than necessity or enjoyment.

Going through this list of New Year’s resolutions to make your life easier will trigger even more ideas to do so.  Tailor it to suit your specific needs and enjoy the benefits.

Karen

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photo credit: r.s.m.b. Sees
photo credit: valphotographyThe Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

Let Your Light Shine In Unity

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Wear Your Colors With Pride In He Who Created You

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A Feast To Celebrate The African American Kwanzaa Holiday — First Fruits of the Harvest

Kwanzaa Recipes

–Ambrosia

Ingredients:

1 large can fruit cocktail, drained
1 cup grated coconut
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup coarsely chopped English walnuts
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 large container Cool Whip, thawed

Mix drained fruits and nuts together in large salad bowl.   Fold in Cool Whip.  Refrigerate several hours or overnight. 

–Stuffed Acorn Squash

Ingredients:

1 acorn squash for each two servings desired, halved and seeded
1 cored, peeled and chopped apple for each squash half
Brown sugar
Butter or heart-healthy spread
Olive oil

Directions:

Brush inside of each squash half lightly with olive oil.  Fill each squash half with chopped apple, 1 teas. brown sugar, and 2 teas. butter or spread.

Wrap squash halves loosely in tin foil.  Bake at 450 deg. F until fork tender when pierced.  Check after 35-40 minutes, as cooking time may vary.

Each squash half serves one person, so bake a few or as many as you need.

–Pepper Corn Bread 

• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1  cup cornmeal
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 1  tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1/2  cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 TBS water
• 1/4  cup olive oil
• 3/4  cup finely chopped red and green sweet peppers

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