#46 Pick a Picture

Me on my boogie board in Hawaii!
 

Pick a picture and display it. Better yet, pick several and display them in various rooms.   Display your chosen photo(s) the old fashioned way, hard copy, on your window sill, wall, book shelf etc.  These will be photos of good times (a family vacation), a serene setting (mountains with stream), or anything else that just puts you in a relaxed frame of mind.

 I once made a huge collage of all of my favourite pictures (people, places, pets, anything that made me feel good) and hung it in my office.  Research has shown that personalizing your office space will enhance productivity.  Now that I am at home, my "office" has expanded.  I also ask my wee ones what photo they would like this week in their space. It is a great way to fondly chat with them, and them with you, about memories and favourite things. Changing it up and rotating photos is a great way to keep the Zen.  Now go to it - pic a picture!



Today's Quote:

“Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

#25 Saving up $$ the Ouchless Way

 

Putting a few dollars aside for your family spending can be challenging these days.

Speaking of "challenging" have you heard of the "52 Week Money Challenge?" If you haven't - read on.

The Challenge is a painless concept which literally makes every penny count. For each week in the year you tuck away the corresponding amount of money. For instance, for Week One you put away $1, Week Two = $2, Week Three = $3 and when you reach Week 52, you put in $52. By the end of the year you will have created a nice little fund worth $1, 378.00.

The fun thing is you can mix it up a bit. Perhaps you wish to double your contributions, or maybe you prefer to halve them. Some folks even prefer to do it "backwards" so that the biggest contributions are at the beginning. No matter what, by the end you will saved a significant amount of money without missing it.

The Challenge is also a great way to teach your children about saving and not taking money for granted. You know those empty bottles that were being tossed in the biweekly recycle bins because no-one ever found the time to turn them in for a refund - POOF! - way more room in your recycling bins now! POOF! Finally you can fit your travel mugs in your vehicle cup holders, no more coins clogging them up. And how about your coat pockets? Notice there is no jingling sounds anymore?

Designate your "piggy bank" and start now! Sure, Week One is long gone, but the Challenge is such that it is very easy to catch-up.   Happy Savings!

 

 

 

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Piggy Bank Image courtesy of nokhoog_buchachon / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

#24 Remember Your Pot of Gold

While you may not be of Irish descent, you do have a "pot of gold" - we all do.

Take a few minutes today to really take stock of all that you have. Perhaps jot down a gratitude list for one minute. You will be surprised how long that list is. Make this day an opportunity to teach your children about gratitude as well.  Have them draw a big pot with a rainbow extending to one end of it.  On the pot have them write down or draw pictures of things that are meaningful. A collage is a great way to express this too.

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, begin or close your day with a prayer. Here is a traditional Irish Prayer you may wish to use:

An Irish Prayer
 

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

 

For each petal on the shamrock this brings a wish your way – Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day.


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#22 Embrace the Rain Day Blues



 

If you can't beat 'em join them!  In this case the rain. 

The scenario is set:  You and your kids are all cooped up and are quickly getting cabin fever, but you are also tired of the outings to in search of dry, indoor places.  Simply put, you just want to stick around home but not IN home, you want to be outside.

For this reason - get out!  Get out in the rain!  But first make sure you are well equipped.

Living where the rain is "liquid sunshine" means investing in the proper equipment.

Here are a few must haves:

• Rain hat
• Umbrella
• Mudders (waterproof pants or suits)
• Rain jacket that breathes
• At least two layers of clothes
• Gum boots

Watch your kids as they joyfully splash in the puddles, kicking their feet in order to make tiny waves, and testing carefully where the water is deepest.  Notice how they tilt their little heads up to the sky, squinting eyes, smiling as rain washes over their faces. 

When your little ones, reach for your hand to guide you along in their rainy day games -  join in.  Toss out all adult practicality about laundry, mud and dirty faces. 

Get wet, be free, and be a child again!

 

 

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Image courtesy of Clare Bloomfield / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

#21 Beachcombing - A Walking Meditation

Beachcombing at the "Sea Glass" Beach at
 the bottom of Beacon Avenue in Sidney BC

If you are lucky enough like us to live by a body of water, in our case the ocean, then here is a walking meditation that is often overlooked as child's play. Beachcombing.

Whether "your" water is a lake, river or the sea, beachcombing is always a possibility.  Once you begin combing the beach for small treasures, you will be hooked! 

Where we live we have an abundance of beaches just a stone's throw away.  The "glass beach" is a favourite where one can find pretty, colourful,  smoothed sea glass.  And then there is the "shell beach", where shells, including crab shells are all fun to collect (except I highly recommend leaving the crabs behind, unless of course they are completely "crab free").

It is amazing how your senses are heightend while combing.  You notice everything; the soft sound of the waves lapping upon the shore, the sea gulls crying overhead, the distant glitter of sun twinkling on the islands and mountains, and the glistening green sea kelp edgeing towards the shore.  And if you and your little ones are lucky, you might just be able to find a big bulb of kelp to stomp on and make it "pop, squish and squirt"!  Giggles guaranteed.

No matter what the season, plan a beachcombing outing, even for a short time.  It will soothe your soul. 



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#18 Green Tea for You!

 Tired of drinking the same old tea or cup of coffee?  Well Green Tea may be just the "hot cuppa" that you are looking for.  Add it to your daily regimine, even just once a day.

 

Research has shown the benefits to be outstanding.   The powerful antioxidants in this tea have been found to:  lower your chance of heart disease and cancer, bring down blood pressure, facilitate weight loss faster, prevent arthritus, and keep allergies away. 

 

Sip it slowly and savour.  Need a healthy, cool summer drink? Serve it cold over ice with a twist of lemon.

 

I have found a local (Greater Victoria) tea source that is excellent.  They also ship their teas as well, so their teas know no boundaries.  Check out www.stillwatertea.com

 

The Founder of Still Water Tea, Angela Graye, is a mother of five children.  "She is fully committed to promoting peace, tranquility, relaxation, and rejuvenation within oneself.  healized that going non-stop for what felt like 24 hours in a day was very unhealthy.  This is what motivated her to promote tea.   Notonly for it's health benefits but also for its natural, calming effects." (excerpt from Still Water Tea's  web site"about us")

 

Image courtesy of zirconicusso/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#17 Sunshine

 

Let the Sun Shine In

 

It is that time of year where we are seeing the sun more and more.  Take advantage of this brilliant source of warmth and rejuvination.

Inside  Draw the curtains open, make sure the sun has every opportunity to come into your home.  Take a cat-nap on the floor.  That's right, take a bit of wisdom from our feline friends and find a ray of sun, then lie down in it even if just for a couple of minutes.  Feel the warmth of the natural light envelope you.  If your wee ones are with you, have them lie down as well and to keep them occupied tell them how kitties love basking in the sun, then ask them to pretend they are kitty cats - get them purring.

Outside  Even as little as ten minutes of sunshine a day will boost your vitamin D levels and make you feel good. 

• Go for a stroll. 
• Parking somewhere?  Park a little further away and walk that much longer. 
• At work?  Take your coffee break outside. 
• If you are at home with your little ones make sure you invest in some solid backyard toys and give everyone a backyard break. 
• If your little ones are napping, open your front door and sit on the steps, close your eyes, breathe, listen, and enjoy.

Image courtesy of Tanatat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

#16 Stuck at Home Sick Tips

When You are all Sickies and stuck at home!

When you and your young children are all sick and stuck at home it can feel like each hour stretches on endlessly - you wiped out and yearning to "sneak" even a two minute lie down, and they, cranky, coughing and getting bored with being inside.  So......what is a Mom to do and not to do?

Here are a few ideas: 

• Do not get out the play dough recipe.  Making Play dough and runny, snotty noses are not a good match, while this might be a no-brainer, I was tempted by the "time factor" to get out the play dough recipe and give it a go.  That is until I saw my son take his hand and swipe it across his runny nose then wipe it all over his sleeve!
• Make smoothies - great for nutrition and fun for the kids to pick out the fruit (wash well).  Our favourite smoothie is made of frozen strawberries, frozen spinach, bananas, yogurt and milk.  The fun part for my kids is taking turns pressing the button to make it WHRRRRRRR.
• My all time standby is taking a whiff of my Vicks Vapour stick - useful and comforting with no sticky mess.
• Bath play time for your little one, no matter what time of day.  My favourite "sickie" bath scent is Life Brand's Hypoallergneic Vapour Bath with eucalptus, menthol, and rosemary.  Run bath, toss in a bunch of bath toys (Infantion Bath Tub Pals are great!) and a bath book, then sit back and watch your little one play away while getting clean and loosening their congestion (and yours too!).  While you are immersed in that steamy bath air imagine that you are really in a tropical paradise.
• Sleep.  Pretty basic tip, isn't it?  But one we Moms have trouble following!  When you finally get your little one(s) in bed, be it nap time or night time, do not, and I repeat - do not, feel compelled to use this time as "me time", or time for any other tasks.  The greatest task at hand for you is getting healthy again, and this means SLEEP!
• Your little one's attention span is going to be even shorter when he or she is not feeling well, so make sure you have some creative ideas on hand and interchange them frequently.  A few ideas:  Simon Says, playing "School" complete with paper and crayons, a favourite cartoon, building towers with cardboard boxes and then knocking them down, reading a book, practicing animal sounds, building a fort with a blanket or chair, or erecting an indoor popup tent and tunnel, have a summer picnic on the living room floor complete with picnic blanket and snacks.   The bottom line: just remember to go with the flow, mix it up, and make sure to include some physical activity (while monitoring your young one's sickieness)!
• Drag yourself to the shower soon after waking up.  I know, this can be so hard when you are so terribly tired and feel out of sorts.  It is easy to put it off, but don't - a shower will get all the bacteria off, and the hot water will refresh you.  Make it a short one if you must (with wee ones we don't often have a choice!). Here is a tip:  Alternate four times of approx. 30 seconds each between hot and cold water - it is very reviving and gets your circulation going.  This is the same premis behind the cold dunk pools at many hot springs resorts.
• Keep warm.  Allow yourself to cozy up in your PJs or favourite sweatpants and puffy sweater - all day!  Often when we are sick we are chilled easily.  The key here is to keep yourself comfortable.
• Nourish yourself. Have lots of soup on hand if your appetite is diminshed or your throat is simply too soar to eat.  DO NOT eat tomato soup if the latter, its acidity may irrate your throat.  I especially love butternut squash, chicken noodle, cream of mushroom, or sweet potatoe soup when I'm not feeling well, and the kids love these soups too especially if I throw in a few "wormies" (egg noodles).

Do you have any suggestions for when you and your little ones are sick? 



Image courtesy of  David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

#15 Remember

My Mom in-law recently passed away.  Everyone grieves in their own way, on their own terms.  How do you deal with loss?  Is there anything you can do for yourself? 

A "memory plant" may be something you want to consider, especially if you have young children as it gives them something tangible, a connection to the person they lost. It also offers them the opportunity to help create a special piece, a special place, thus a way to express their grief.

This weekend we are going to choose one of Ma's favourite blossoming plants and put it in a special place in our garden along with a plaque, a notation, or a poem for her.... for us. In Memory.

Photo courtesy of Tom Curtis
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=178