5 Tips to De-Stress Your Holidays

The holiday season can be a magical time full of fun and excitement- the music, lights and infectious excitement can all add up to a beautiful season that is truly the most wonderful time of the year! However, with all the events, food, parties and gift-giving, the winter holidays can also take their toll on your emotional and physical well-being. Here are some tips for taking the stress out of your festivities so you can be free to deck the halls and light the lights while hanging onto your own inner joy,

Take Time for Yourself- The holiday season is all about spending time with cherished friends and loved ones: family gatherings, big parties and outings with the kids all make the season bright. But in all the hustle and bustle, it can be hard to find time to connect with the most important person- yourself! Taking a little “me-time” out of each day can go a long way towards keeping you centered and free of stress or anxiety as the holidays hit a fever pitch. Whether you choose to unwind with a relaxing bubble bath, cozy up by the fire with a good book, or make it to your morning yoga class, make sure to do something just for you each day so you can combat the delightful chaos of the holidays.

Healthy Holidays- Fun and festive treats are a big part of what makes the holiday season so special. Homemade pumpkin pie, iced sugar cookies and gingerbread are everywhere during this time of year, and candy is literally hanging from the trees, so you can’t blame yourself for indulging in yummy baked goods and sweets a little more than usual. However, if too many visions of sugarplums are dancing in your head, it could be detrimental to your health. Try to space out the sweet treats and stick to a healthy diet in order to feel your best during the holidays. Heavy, sugar- and butter-filled holiday recipes can leave you feeling sluggish, tired and bloated if you overdo it. Try to even it out with fresh fruits and veggies and lean meats, and drink plenty of water- you’ll be amazed by how much more energetic you’ll feel!

Plan Ahead- We all have that one relative whose holiday shopping begins in August, and that other relative who starts buying gifts for loved ones at around 8 PM on Christmas Eve. You can save yourself a lot of stress and hassle by splitting the difference, planning ahead for what you need to do and pacing yourself in the weeks leading up to the big day. Try to begin checking items off of your holiday to-do list earlier than you normally do, so you aren’t overwhelmed by the mountain of tasks that await you as the season ramps up.

Say “No”- With the holidays comes a truckload of events, activities, parties and other commitments that you will be tempted to try to fit in, even if that means having to sacrifice all your free time. Just remember, it’s OK to say no to some of these events! In fact, turning down a party invite here and skipping a holiday craft fair there may end up being more rewarding by allowing you to truly enjoy yourself at the events you do attend. As long as you make sure to make it to the most important holiday events, like your kids’ Christmas program or your best friend’s annual bash, you’ll be able to find the balance that will give you the most cheer!

Stick to the Budget- When you’re in the middle of a beautifully-decorated department store at the mall, or when your favorite shopping site is offering 50% off of everything during their Black Friday sale, it’s hard not to whip out the credit card and start checking off your gift-giving list. However, you’ll feel a lot less merry when you get hit with that credit card bill in January! By creating a holiday shopping budget and sticking to it, you can make sure you don’t overspend and end up in debt, which will lessen your stress considerably!

What’s your favorite way to take the stress out of the holiday season? Please share with us in the comments section.

What the Heck is Hygge?

Quick: are you into hygge? Chances are, most of you are staring at your screen trying to figure out what we just asked you. Is it a style of yoga? A new yogurt-based diet trend? A hip new dance? The answer is far simpler than you think: hygge, pronounced “hoo-ga” is a Danish concept based on the principle of finding happiness and comfort in everyday life. Hygge can be roughly translated to “cozy contentment,” and those who are inspired by the Danes to embrace hygge in their lives report a sense of enjoyment, happiness and wellbeing in even the smallest things in life.

Perhaps the best thing about hygge is that it can literally be anywhere you look for it, as long as something brings you joy. Being mindful and appreciative of people and things that matter to you can help you find your sense of hygge and lead a stronger, more purposeful life. Here are some tips on how to achieve hygge within your everyday life:

Get comfy- In order to achieve the warm, fuzzy feeling associated with hygge, it is essential to make your home and surroundings as comfortable as possible. Cashmere socks, snuggly throw blankets and warm sweaters with plush textures can all contribute to your sense of hygge.

Keep it simple- Hygge is all about finding beauty in simplicity. Whether you choose to embrace the simple life by inviting a couple of friends over for a no-frills, home-cooked dinner or by spending a relaxing evening in an overstuffed armchair with a glass of red wine and one of your most beloved books is up to you. Find the joy in the simple things in life and you’ll have hygge locked down!

Love your friends and family- Of course you already do this, but to gain true hygge perspective, try spending more quality time with your loved ones. Simply chatting around a warm log fire or relaxing on a big comfy couch and telling stories of good times past can deepen your connection to one another and give all of your an immense sense of inner peace and well-being.

Bring nature in (or bring yourself out!)- Connecting with nature is one of the foundations of the concept of hygge. There’s nothing quite as uplifting for the soul as a walk through the great outdoors, breathing in the fresh air and feeling your heart pump in your chest while you think your thoughts. If you can’t get outdoors at the moment, do the next best thing and bring the best of nature inside the house with you: a well-placed bowl of pinecones, an antique vase filled with wildflowers, or a collection of pressed fall leaves will boost the hygge factor each time you look at them.

For more about hygge and what it can do for your life, read this interesting article from House Beautiful, and please let us know how hygge is going for you in the comments section.  

Recipe- Blueberry Pecan Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Be the star of brunch with this surprisingly easy, mind-blowingly delicious casserole.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1/2 c. chopped toasted pecans
• 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 1 c. milk
• 1/3 c. sour cream
• 5 large eggs, divided
• Unsalted butter, for griddle
• 1 6-oz. package fresh blueberries, divided
• 2 c. half-and-half
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Honey Sour Cream

• 1/3 c. sour cream
• 2 tbsp. half-and-half
• 2 tbsp. Honey
• 2 tsp. lemon zest
• Kosher salt

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine flour, pecans, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. Whip together milk, sour cream, and 1 egg in a second bowl. Stir milk mixture into flour mixture until just blended and smooth.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or a griddle over medium heat; butter. Pour ¼ cup of batter for each pancake onto griddle. Cook until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look dry, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and cook until plump and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.
• Slice each pancake in half and arrange, flat side down, in two snug rows in an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Scatter half of blueberries over pancakes, tucking a few between pancakes. Whisk together half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, remaining 4 eggs, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt in a bowl. Pour egg mixture over pancakes. Chill at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• Bake until puffed and set, 35 to 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle with remaining blueberries and drizzle with Honey Sour Cream. Serve warm.
• Honey Sour Cream: Whisk together sour cream, half-and-half, honey, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Makes 1/2 cup.
• Serves 6

Source: Country Living

Recipe- Potato Latkes

With Hanukkah just around the corner, here is a delicious recipe for a traditional favorite!

Ingredients:

• 2 large Russet potatoes (about 1 pound), scrubbed and cut lengthwise into quarters
• 1 large onion (8 ounces), peeled and cut into quarters
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons course kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon fine sea salt), plus more for sprinkling
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Safflower or other oil, for frying

 

Directions:

1. Using a food processor with a coarse grating disc, grate the potatoes and onion. Transfer the mixture to a clean dishtowel and squeeze and wring out as much of the liquid as possible.
2. Working quickly, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder and pepper, and mix until the flour is absorbed.
3. In a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, pour in about 1/4 inch of the oil. Once the oil is hot (a drop of batter placed in the pan should sizzle), use a heaping tablespoon to drop the batter into the hot pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about 5 minutes, flip. Cook until the second side is deeply browned, about another 5 minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with salt while still warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.
4. Enjoy with sour cream and applesauce for dipping. Happy Hanukkah!

Investing in a New Appliance

Look.  I don’t care what profession you’re in, how much money you make or how much disposable income your family has, purchasing a new appliance can be a major decision and on its surface; can be a huge financial investment.  First, if you take money out of the equation for a second, your household appliances are probably one of the most touched items in your home.  From opening the refrigerator to make your breakfast in the morning to cleaning your dirty laundry, most people are putting their hands on an appliance more than any other piece of equipment in their home.  Yes, including the TV remote.  Then, factor in some of the emotional aspects of your appliances………. your stove was used to cook the food for your son or daughter’s graduation party or your refrigerator was used to keep cool that perfect dessert you spent hours preparing for that special occasion that left a lasting memory for you and your family……your appliances could be considered priceless.

But enough of that.  How does the math really boil down when you buy an appliance?  Let’s take a refrigerator.  Depending on what you are considering buying, the average cost of a brand new refrigerator can range anywhere from $1,000 to upwards of $10,000.  Fancy taste….fancy price.  But for this, let’s look at what your average person puts in their house and use $2,000.  Granted, things aren’t built like they were 30 years ago but you can pretty much rest assured your refrigerator is going to serve you quite well for atleast 5 years.  Do the math and that translates to 43,800 hours of useful life.  Some simple division puts the cost per hour of your new refrigerator at 4.57 cents per hour.  How much did you spend on that name brand coffee indulgence this morning?  Or how much did that absolute must have football jersey you needed to wear on game day set you back?  When you distill it down, the cost of your refrigerator seems much more palatable and then factor in all the stuff mentioned earlier about the emotional and usefulness aspects of your appliance……this seems to be a very wise and worthwhile investment.  So, what’s the morale of all this?  Don’t sweat the pennies.

Make the Most of your Backyard

Summer is here again- time to get outdoors with friends and enjoy barbecues, watch your kids run through the sprinklers, or simply relax in a hammock and watch a lazy afternoon drift by. This time of year, your backyard turns into another room of the house, for as much time as you and your family are spending out there. But what can you do if your backyard could use a little design help? Here are some tips for maximizing space, upping the “wow” factor, and turning your backyard into a summer paradise!

Break it into “rooms”- Rather than view your backyard as a whole, separate it into a multi-functional group of “rooms.” Have separate zones for grilling, dining, gardening, playing- whatever you wish to use your backyard for. By creating the visual separation, you will give the illusion of a much bigger, more organized yard.

Let the exterior match the interior- To create a better sense of “flow” from your home’s interior space to the backyard, try to select the same colors and styles of furniture that are present inside your home. Affordable lounge-style seating homier and encourage relaxation and conversation.

Play with angles- For smaller backyard spaces, why not create more area by shifting the angle of the paving? Doing your stamped concrete or brick patio in a diamond rather than a square, for instance, gives you more room on each side for grass, trees, bushes and flowers for landscaping.

Cut down on clutter- Of course, the easiest and quickest way to get your backyard looking good is to clean it up and minimize the clutter and junk. Treat your backyard like any other room in the house, and pay attention to its cleanliness and style. By reducing the number of planters in your backyard and making them all one uniform style, for instance, you will make your backyard design seem much more purposeful and less chaotic.