After a celebratory Thanksgiving, I turned around and it was December with all its Christmas festivities. I am one of those people who likes to enjoy each holiday as they come. After Thanksgiving I can really embrace Christmas.
There is nothing more enjoyable for me than putting up the tree and having my three young granddaughters start hanging ornaments although they are placed at their reachable heights which makes the base of my tree very bright (endearing). I have a special box of their favorites, and it’s fun to watch them choose and comment on each ornament they place. The rest of the tree is left for me. Following their lead, I give the same attention and allow the memories of each ornament to embrace me, carefully keeping tree trimming from being just another task.
This time of year can be filled with a long to-do list, so I am careful not to let important daily self-care activities slip by. In reality, your daily care rituals are the ones that will help you “make it” through the season.
Here are four basic tips that help me:
1. Do Not Skip Meals. when you prepare food, always think ahead to make extra. Soups are the best! A big pot of soup goes a long way in nourishing your body. We all have our favorites! Reminder; add super macrobiotic foods such as miso, seaweed, burdock (gobo), lotus, and daikon. Meals prepared by you, will have a greater energy charge than foods eaten out, which, in turn, drain your energy.
2. Sleep. Set an alarm to go TO SLEEP. This little trick has helped me get my mind ready for shut down and ready for bed… otherwise I get a second wind and keep going, and… oh, then the munchies set in. Sound familiar?
3. Fresh Air and Movement. Preferably you would do both outside. This clears the brain fog and gets you in the present moment. It can be more effective if you can leave your phone behind. Studies have shown that 30 minutes of air and circulation can reset your nervous system to move into the parasympathetic state, where you feel most grounded.
4. Self-care Therapy. This requires planning and follow-through. Here are some example; reiki, acupuncture, chiropractic, or shiatsu massage. To be attended to while you are in a total state of receiving, will decrease cortisol levels and increase serotonin and dopamine. At least one treatment per month will help achieve positive results.
In this month’s cooking class on Saturday, December 13 (sign up here), I will be preparing a supercharged soup focused on the kidneys. Winter begins the energy transformation to the kidneys, adrenals, bladder, and reproductive organs. In TCM ( traditional Chinese medicine), we learn that energetically the kidney govern our stamina and physically influences our bone integrity. I will be preparing a gluten-free shepherd’s pie with dried tofu. Dried tofu is considered one of the best sources for strengthening the bones.
Come and join us for the cooking demonstration (sign up here) the lecture, which will focus on kidney health, and commune with like-minded people to share the meal. You can participate in person (limited seating) or follow the process via live streaming. Invite a friend. It’s always more enjoyable to have support, and, you never know, you might be blessing them with much-needed information.
My best,
Virginia
