Holiday Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps make quick appetizers and a quick meal, especially during the holidays. Yet, you can make and eat these lettuce wraps anytime throughout the year. These lettuce wraps are made of Teriyaki chicken. However, you can make an apple tuna salad lettuce wrap. Here are the recipes for making these lettuce wraps. 

Ingredients:

One packet of chicken

Teriyaki sauce

One onion

One Bell pepper 

One can of mushrooms 

Ground black pepper, garlic powder, and rosemary

Lettuce wraps

Tuna

Celery

Apples

Dried Cranberries

Light mayonnaise 

Black ground pepper 

Garlic powder 

Lemon juice

Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation for Chicken Lettuce Wraps: 

Begin by adding garlic powder, rosemary, and ground pepper to the chicken. Cook the chicken in a skillet with water, sliced bell peppers, and sliced onions. Add the mushrooms after the chicken is cooked. However, you can also cook the chicken with extra virgin olive oil, sliced bell peppers, sliced onions, and mushrooms. Then add the Teriyaki sauce and lemon juice to the chicken. 

Shred the chicken when it has cooled down. In one plate, add lettuce wraps. Add the shredded chicken, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms inside the lettuce wraps. Serve the lettuce wraps with slices of cucumbers and olives. This serves four people. 

Preparation Tuna Lettuce Wraps:

Open and strain one can of tuna. Then add ground black pepper and garlic powder. The garlic powder is optional. Next, add light mayonnaise lemon juice and mix the tuna. Add slices of celery and slices of apples. 

After that add dried cranberries. Then in one plate add the lettuce wraps. Add the tuna inside the lettuce wraps. This serves four people. Last, consume your tuna lettuce wrap immediately. 

 

 

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Throning & Ghostlighting

Every relationship requires you to be cautious and to have satisfactory communication skills. However, some relationships give out warning signals when it is going to be detrimental to your emotional and physical health. Toxic relationships have expanded to Throning, Ghostlighting, and other controlling aspects. What is Throning and why is it considered toxic? What is ghostlighting?

 

Throning in a relationship is harmful because one person benefits more in the relationship. It is all about gaining a social status, social position, or just for appearances. Yet, throning in a relationship is also about having prestige. This type of relationship occurs frequently with celebrities. Nevertheless, this relationship can occur to anyone without recognizing it.

 

It makes someone get financial gains to level up in their position in society without wanting to connect emotionally with another person. Physical contact is usually avoided. There is no emotional support from the person that is in this type of relationship. You might feel there is nothing in common between you and this person. It feels like a one-sided relationship.

Whereas Ghostlighting is about ghosting and gaslighting combined. In this relationship, they will disappear for many months or many years. Then, they will reappear and ignore your questions. Also, they may not recollect why they disappeared from the relationship. Furthermore, they blame you for everything that happened to them during those months or years after leaving the relationship. 

 

These two unhealthy relationships create tension and too much stress. They take advantage of you financially and emotionally. As well as preventing you from meeting someone who can appreciate you and be in a healthy relationship. It is difficult to leave a harmful relationship, but it is necessary to establish your boundaries. You must not let anyone take advantage of you.

 

Avoiding these relationships helps you find and establish a healthy relationship with someone. Although every relationship is different and unique with struggles, it is recommended to find ways to connect emotionally. Finding ways to connect with someone in a relationship based on their attachment styles and their personality. Even if you do not know their attachment style or understand it; It is vital to connect with them emotionally and share things in common. Work on each other's insecurities with patience and kindness. 

 

Do not make your partner feel insecure, or jealous, or blame them for all your problems. Take responsibilities together in the relationship. Take a sidestep and let them know your boundaries ahead of the relationship. The more communication there is, the more they can think highly of you. Here are websites about throning and ghostlighting.

In the Digital Era Dating to Increase Your Social Capital has a Name Throning:

https://www.theswaddle.com/in-the-digital-era-dating-to-increase-your-social-capital-has-a-name-throning

Ghostlighting Dating Trend:

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/a29665703/ghostlighting-dating-trend/

Domestic Violence Support and National Domestic Violence Hotline:

Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org)

* Artwork and font made in Photo Collage Editor Maker 

DIY Joy Embroidered T-shirt

 

If you like to wear t-shirts with words or cannot find a t-shirt with a specific word; Then you might like this embroidery project. This t-shirt’s word design was made by using multi-color threads. Although it started with one single thread of multi-color threads; This project can be done with multiple separate color threads. In this example, the word "Joy" was embroidered onto an old t-shirt. All you will need is an old t-shirt, six color threads, and an embroidery needle along with other items to make a joy t-shirt. 

Embroidering multiple colors onto fabric does take a lot of time and patience. Yet, you can purchase multi-color threads using your favorite colors for this embroidery project. Additionally, you can purchase rainbow embroidery thread which has all the colors in one embroidery thread. Nonetheless, embroidering letters with multi-color thread makes a good embroidery project, especially on t-shirts. Here is the tutorial for making this joy t-shirt. 

Materials:

Joy stencil from Suncatcher Studio

Rainbow Thread 

Multi Color Threads

Embroidery needles

One old t-shirt

Scissors

Fabric marker or permanent marker

Sequins 

Regular Thread

Regular needle

Instructions:

Wash and dry an old T-shirt. Print out a stencil from the Suncatcher studio or write the word "Joy" onto the t-shirt with a marker. Next, insert the embroidery thread into an embroidery needle. Begin adding thread to the outline areas of the letter. Continue adding multiple colors one by one or with the rainbow-colored thread.

 

After you are done embroidering the letters. Use another color thread to fill in the letters. In this example, white thread was used to fill in the letter "J" and the letter "Y". Grey thread was used to fill in the letter "O". Continue filling in the letters with the embroidery thread. 

Once that is complete, add sequins inside the circular or oval spaces of the letters. In this example, silver sequins were sewn with regular grey thread. Embroidering with multi-color threads can be fun. This embroidery project takes two or three days to complete. Have an enjoyable day embroidering this joyful t-shirt. 

* Font and collage made in Photo Collage Editor Maker

Mindfulness and Yoga

Mindfulness can be incorporated while practicing Yoga. You can be aware of your breathing and aware of your comfort level. As well as doing Yoga poses that can help your body and mind relax such as the Corpse pose, Reclining Bound Angle, Child pose, Reclining Hero Pose, and Seated Forward Fold pose. These poses make you focus on how your body feels. If you feel pain, nervousness, and discomfort; Try to modify your Yoga pose or use bolsters to make you feel comfortable with your poses. 

Laying down and observing your body is one way to do Mindful Yoga. However, you can also do standing poses such as Mountain pose, Tree pose, Reverse pose, High Lunge, and Warrior poses. The standing poses help you observe your balance and how you are breathing. Focus on how your body feels without worrying if you are doing the poses correctly. Do not feel distracted. 

Observe your feelings and how your body feels. Ask yourself questions to help you observe your body. Does it feel tense? Does your body feel tired? Does your feet ache?

After you observe how your body feels, let go of any pessimistic thoughts. Connecting your body and mind does take patience, observance, and breathing deeply. Furthermore, concentrate on your emotions, accept your emotions, and add gratitude to your yoga routine. Another way to do Mindful Yoga is to practice acceptance and gratitude. Mindfulness in yoga is about listening and connecting with yourself peacefully. 

Use your senses by using aromatherapy while practicing your yoga poses. Do not be judgmental. Mindfulness in yoga helps you to rest, recognize, and not react towards your emotions. Moreover, Mindful Yoga makes you alert and be in the present moment. Letting go of the past and letting pessimistic thoughts pass by. 

Before you begin Mindful Yoga, carefully select your yoga clothes. It is recommended to use the colors blue, purple, white, pink, green, and yellow. All these colors help you to be serene. However, if you want to feel more energy before and after your Yoga session; You can use red, burgundy, orange, or violet. Clean your yoga mat and begin stretching your body. 

Mindfulness in yoga can also be done with sitting poses such as the Lotus pose, Thunderbolt pose, Seated Forward Bend, and Ankle to Knee pose. Trust yourself and trust your instincts. Make sure you feel comfortable with each pose. Slow down to notice, to be alert, and to be self-aware. Here are websites with more information about Mindfulness Yoga.

10 Ways to Bring Mindfulness to Your Yoga Practice:

https://www.doyou.com/10-ways-to-bring-mindfulness-to-your-yoga-practice/

5 Ways Mindfulness in Yoga: 

https://yogaed.com/resources/5-ways-mindfulness-yoga/

Is Yoga Mindfulness?:

https://yogarove.com/is-yoga-mindfulness/

*Font, artwork, and background created in Photo Collage Editor Maker 

Thank You Journal Coloring Pages

If you are starting a thank you journal for the first time, then you might want to use these thank you coloring journal pages. These journal coloring pages help you practice writing down the items that you are grateful for during the week. You can begin by listing five items during the beginning of the week. Also, you can list more items during the weekend. Nonetheless, these coloring journal pages can be useful for you to begin writing about all the things that you are grateful for.

Each coloring journal page has a different design. There is one coloring journal page with hearts. Additionally, there is one coloring page with mini flowers and another coloring page with bigger flowers to color with color pencils. These coloring journal pages have bullet points to write down on your list. You can use these thank you coloring journal pages during Thanksgiving week or anytime of the year.

These coloring journal pages are free and for your personal use. After you are done writing your list, you can display it on a cork board or have it on your desk to remind you about all the items that you were grateful for during that week. You can also put these gratitude lists in your binder. It is an excellent way to feel more gratitude during this month and anytime of the year. Happy Thanksgiving in advance! 

 

* Font and borders from Photo Collage Editor Maker

What is Movember?

Movember is all about growing, maintaining, and keeping a mustache to bring awareness of Men's health and to prevent suicide. Although, Movember is about Men's physical and mental health; Women can participate by encouraging their husband, boyfriend, or partner to grow a mustache. Mustaches are grown to begin a conversation about certain cancers such as breast cancer in men. Also, prostate cancer is a difficult subject to discuss with their wife, girlfriend, or partner. Nevertheless, growing a mustache is an easy way to start a conversation about preventing certain cancers and preventing suicide in men.

Furthermore, as a woman, you can encourage him to wear light blue and to grow a mustache. Do not make him feel embarrassed or pressured to discuss his health. Encourage him to get screened for Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer. As well as eating balanced meals together and encouraging exercise. Although National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is in September; You can motivate your husband, boyfriend, or partner to take care of their health and not neglect it. 

Also, the light blue color is the selected color that is used to promote awareness about Prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is curable when it is detected early. Additionally, getting screened for Prostate Cancer and speaking to the doctor about any bathroom issues. The symptoms of Prostate cancer are blood in the urine and having a hard time emptying the bladder. As well as going to the bathroom frequently and at night. 

Moreover, Movember Month is a campaign that began in 2003 to bring a better understanding of Men's health and prevent suicide in young men. Suicides have increased throughout the years and it occurs more before they reach fifty years old. The reasons can be financial loss, depression, bullying, gender identity, a failed marriage, a tough breakup, or being diagnosed with a chronic disease. Yet, suicides can occur for unknown reasons which is why it is crucial to have honest communication with your husband, boyfriend, male partner, or male friend. Therefore, Movember helps you be motivated and makes you pay attention to his health throughout November.

It may not be easy to discuss about certain cancers that are common in men. However, it is recommended to listen to his fears, and doubts, and to give your unconditional love to him. Listen attentively and show you care for him. Do not make him feel shame or get angry with you especially if he is feeling vulnerable. Movember is about having conversations with your special man in a comfortable and caring manner in November and throughout the year. 

Give and show support to them. Donate to the Movember charity. Join a walking or jogging marathon to support men's health and prevent suicide. Praise and love your partner's mustache. Purchase merchandise for Movember. Here are websites about Movember Month. 

Movember:

https://conversations.movember.com/en/?_ga=2.197843439.151341796.1700535362-1657258713.1700535362

Suicide Stats of Men:

https://headsupguys.org/suicide-stats-men/

* Background, font, and mustaches created in Photo Collage Editor Maker 

How to Make Sugar Scrubs with Essential Oils?

If you like to use sugar scrubs for your spa day at home, you might want to make sugar scrubs with essential oils. Essential oils have become a relaxing routine for me to use, especially for making my spa days at home. Sugar scrubs make your body and lips feel so soft, moisturized, and smooth. Yet, make sure you use your leftover sugar scrubs within that same month that you make it or use it within six months. Since carrier oils do expire sometimes your sugar scrubs can become too dry to use them. 

To make sugar scrubs, you will need a carrier oil such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or another oil. Also, you need to select your essential oil especially if you are using your sugar scrub for your lips. For example, you can use lavender essential oil for your dry lips. Another alternative selection is the orange essential oil for your dry lips. However, you can use rose essential oil for your lips and to make it feel smooth. 

The last ingredient is the type of sugar that you will use for your scrub. You can use brown sugar, raw sugar, and pure sugar cane sugar. In a bowl, pour the carrier oil. Then use an empty spice bottle for measuring the portion of the sugar. Fill the spice bottle with sugar. 

After that pour the sugar inside the bowl with the carrier oil. Next, pour two to three drops of the essential oil. Mix the sugar, carrier oil, and the essential oil inside the bowl. Apply the sugar scrub to your lips. Use an old toothbrush to gently scrub your lips. 

If you want to apply the sugar scrub to your face, avoid applying the scrub near your eyes. Wet your face with warm water and apply the sugar scrub to your face. Rub the sugar scrub gently for five minutes. Then rinse your face with chilly water. Dry your face with a soft hand towel. 

Additionally, you can apply the sugar scrub to your body. Make sure your body is damp before applying the sugar scrub to your legs, feet, arms, and hands. Use warm water before applying the scrub to your body. Rinse it off with chilly water. Dry your body with a soft towel.

If you have leftover sugar scrubs, save it in a Mason jar or empty spice bottles. Store your sugar scrubs in a dry area in your bathroom cabinet or where you will see them for your next bath. You can make clear labels to label your sugar scrub jars or bottles. This same process can also be done with Epsom salts. Yet, you will need baking soda and sea salt to mix with the Epsom salts so they can be saved in a Mason jar for future use.

If you use your homemade sugar scrubs on your lips, be sure not to get the scrub inside your mouth. Do not ingest your sugar scrub. If you do get the sugar scrub inside your mouth, spit it out. Use mouthwash and brush your teeth. Also, if you have allergies, consult with your doctor before using sugar scrubs or Epsom salts with essential oils. 

Nonetheless, sugar scrubs with essential oils have become my favorite item to use during my spa and self-care days. Always clean your bathtub and bathroom sink after using your sugar scrubs. Keep and store your scrubs in a safe area and away from toddlers and pets. Always consult with your doctor before using essential oils in sugar scrubs or Epsom salts. Here are websites with more ways to make your sugar scrubs.

 

8 Quick & Easy Essential Oil Sugar Scrub Recipes-Essential Oil Haven:

8 Quick + Easy Essential Oil Sugar Scrub Recipes (essentialoilhaven.com)

How to Make a Sugar Scrub Recipes-6 Homemade Sugar Scrubs to Try-Garden Therapy:

How to Make Sugar Scrub Recipes: 6 Homemade Sugar Scrubs to Try (gardentherapy.ca)

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How to Be Safe During the Holidays?

Courtesy Pexels Photo by Askar Abayev

The holidays can be a fun and stressful time, especially preparing at home. Yet, the holiday parties at work can also be stressful when there is not that much communication between coworkers. Also, the holiday rush to get everything prepared and ready before the guests arrive can be overwhelming for anyone. Therefore, it is important to take some precautions when attending or preparing holiday parties at home or work. Avoiding burnout and perfectionism are the most important aspects to keep in mind when preparing for the holidays.

When preparing a holiday meal at work, you might want to ask everyone if they have food allergies or food items that they do not like to eat. Additionally, if you are having a potluck meal at work, make sure the food items can be warmed up or eaten cold ahead of time. Always include a vegetarian side dish or a side dish that everyone can eat without worrying about food allergies. Make sure your office has a refrigerator to store the appetizers and an ice chest to store sodas, water, and mini juice bottles. Allow some time for the coworkers to mingle while they have appetizers and two people in charge of the entertainment at the office party.

If you or someone wants to bring a punch bowl to the office party, have them make a non-boozy mocktail punch or a mocktail spritzer drink. These drinks can be made with cold iced tea, citrus fruits, and herbs such as basil, mint, dill, or rosemary. Besides making non-alcoholic beverages, it is best to have a variety of teas and coffee to go with office meals. Always have someone to supervise the food and the drinks because spike drinks have become an issue when it comes to parties. Therefore, if you notice anything suspicious in your drink such as bubbles, or a color change, and if the drink smells off; Do not drink it.

Another way to be safe during office parties is by removing toothpicks from the appetizers before eating them. This can prevent choking. Avoid hard candy items, jellybeans, caramels, gum drops, marshmallows, or hard meats that are cut too big to bite while snacking. Other items to be careful with are chips, popcorn, thick cheese slices, peanut butter, cherry tomatoes, and other raw vegetables that are too hard to bite into, especially if you have a crown implant or dentures. Preventing choking is another thing to look for when supervising an office party or a party at home.

Before having an office party, make sure all your employees are trained in CPR, Heimlich maneuver, and first aid. Similarly, this is necessary for anyone who is having a party at home because these factors can arise anytime during a party. Besides knowing the warning signs of laced foods and drinks, it is crucial to know what a seizure, epilepsy, and a stroke look like. If you have pets at home and they can not stay calm due to the party noise; You might want to have a separate room for your pets so they can be less nervous, anxious, or stressed out. Also, if they tend to bite people that they do not socialize with; they should be in a quiet safe room with closed windows and closed doors.

If you do not like to leave your pet alone during a family party, you can have an assigned family member check on the pet especially if you have set a routine schedule for your pet’s eating and bathroom needs. Nonetheless, avoid pets from being in the kitchen because they might get sick as well as prevent them from licking your food. Do not neglect your pet during your family party or office party. Set rules before having the party and make sure you use a checklist for all your preparations. Keep the decorations simple and the meals simple to prevent holiday stress.

Parties can be fun, relaxing, and joyful if you have assigned people to coordinate the supervision, entertainment, and a schedule to follow for the party. Even if you do not have a schedule for beginning and ending the party, make sure all your guests feel comfortable and welcome. Do not force anyone to socialize during the party. Create a warm inviting party by making it peaceful, serene, and comfortable for your guests with the right lighting, seating, and selected music in advance. Here are websites for being safe during your holiday parties. 

17 Refreshing Non-Boozy Mocktails, Punches, & Spritzes-The Kitchn:

17 Refreshing Non-Boozy Mocktails, Punches & Spritzes | The Kitchn

What is Drink Spiking? How Can You Know if it's Happened to You, and How can it be Prevented-The Conversation:

What is drink spiking? How can you know if it's happened to you, and how can it be prevented? (theconversation.com)

How to Avoid Drug-Laced Food-Just Think Twice:

How to Avoid Drug-laced Food | Just Think Twice

Holiday Safety Tips in 2023-How to Stay Safe This Holiday Season-Safe Home:

Holiday Safety Tips in 2023 | How to Stay Safe this Holiday Season (safehome.org)

Holiday Safety Tips and Tricks for a Stress-Free Season-Porch:

Holiday Safety Tips and Tricks for a Stress-Free Season (porch.com)

* Courtesy Pexels Photo by Askar Abayev

Taking Care of Your Skin with Essential Oils

Taking care of your skin with essential oils can be a relaxing experience, especially in a bath. One essential oil diluted in a carrier oil awakens your senses and makes you feel calm for thirty minutes. Depending on the essential oil that you use will help you concentrate and feel comfortable with your thoughts. Nonetheless, knowing how to dilute your essential oils in carrier oils makes it easier to have a soothing bath with safety. For example, you can dilute lavender essential oil with avocado oil before you soak your feet in your bath. 

You can use Epsom salts with your favorite essential oil. However, it is recommended to put Epsom salts in a Mason jar with the essential oil and a carrier oil. If you have muscle aches, you can use Eucalyptus, Peppermint, or mint essential oil diluted in jojoba oil with the Epsom salts. Also, lavender, lemon, or orange essential oils are comforting essential oils for your bath and to lift your mood. The Epsom salts do dissolve quickly but the essential oils with the carrier oil do stay in the bath. 

Another way to use essential oils is by diluting them in your body wash or baby shampoo. Essential oils in the bath have multiple uses and therefore select essential oils that you like. As well as selecting the essential oil for your skin or hair. Use one or two essential oils at a time during your bath. Avoid using too many essential oils in your bath because it might become too slippery.

After taking your bath, clean your bathtub with vinegar and dish soap. Baking soda and vinegar also remove oils from the bathtub. If you do not want to use essential oils in your bath but still want to use them for calming down; You can use a medium size bucket, essential oils, carrier oils, and Epsom salts to wash your feet. You might need two medium buckets of water. One bucket with essential oils and another bucket with plain water to rinse off your feet. 

Similarly, you can use sugar scrubs with essential oils to soften your feet. Sugar scrubs can be used with essential oils and a carrier oil to exfoliate your skin. Always make sure your bathtub is not too slippery and you use your handlebars. Nevertheless, essential oils make a comforting and peaceful bath time. Consult with your primary doctor especially if you are pregnant before using essential oils for your bath. 

Before you use essential oils, make sure you have no cuts, scrapes, or open cuts. Evaluate a small area on your skin before applying the entire essential oil, carrier oil, and Epsom salts. If you get a rash, stop applying it and seek medical help. An aromatherapy bath can help with your allergies, sinuses, and your headaches. Yet is important to use essential oils with caution and safety.

Additionally, some essential oils can help alleviate some symptoms of PMS. Yet, discuss with your doctor about using essential oils as a supplementary treatment for your PMS. After your bath, apply lotion to your feet and wear socks to moisturize your feet. Keep essential oils away from your pets. Here are websites with more information about using essential oils for your bath. 

Winter Skin-The Best Essential Oils to Use & How to Use Them-Beauty Taming the Beast:

Winter Skin | The Best Essential Oils To Use & How To Use Them (beautytamingthebeast.com)

7 Ways to Take Care of Your Skin in Autumn-Step to Health:

7 ways to take care of your skin in autumn (steptohealth.com)

Skin Care Tips that Dermatologists Use:

Skin care tips dermatologists use (aad.org)

The Ultimate Guide to Applying Essential Oils on the Feet-Hello Glow:

The Ultimate Guide to Applying Essential Oils on the Feet | Hello Glow

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Know Your Risk & Know Your Response (World Diabetes Day)

Every November 14th is World Diabetes Day. This year's theme is "Know Your Risk, Know Your Response." It is good to know your risk factors so you can prevent or manage your diabetes. You can take an assessment tool at the World Diabetes Day website to know your risk factors. It is recommended to observe how many times you exercise and reduce your stress. 

Another factor to consider is how many times you eat and drink throughout the day. It is suggested to eat healthier whenever it is possible. As well as staying physically active with your daily exercise or exercise three times a week. Stay hydrated and limit your caffeine intake. Be careful with the quantity of salt and sugar.

Change your lifestyle if need to incorporate physical activities that make you exercise. However, if you do get diabetes, it is essential to manage your sugar levels. The more you find a balance with your blood pressure, sugar levels, and hormone balance; The better you will feel in controlling your diabetes. Controlling your diabetes can prevent any complications that diabetes causes. Therefore, you can understand your diabetes or your prediabetes. 

You can bring awareness of World Diabetes Day by wearing a blue circle pin, a blue ribbon, or a blue shirt. Take a selfie with a blue circle using an app as well as post infographics on social media. Get assessed for Diabetes. Understand your yearly or six-month A1C blood test. Ask your doctor about tips for preventing or controlling your diabetes. 

The more you know and understand diabetes, you can understand your health. Additionally reducing your stress helps a lot to control your sugar levels. Keep in mind that everyone's diabetes is different. However, only you can find the right balance between nutrition and exercise. Here are websites with more information about diabetes. 

American Diabetes Association-Research, Education, Advocacy:

American Diabetes Association | Research, Education, Advocacy

World Diabetes Day-Know Your Risk, Know Your Response:

World Diabetes Day | Know your risk, Know your response

* Artwork, font, and borders made in Photo Collage Editor Maker 

World Kindness Week

What is World Kindness Week? How do you make this week special for yourself and others? World Kindness Week began in 1997 and was founded by the World Kindness Movement. It is about taking your time to give positive feedback, compliments, donating, and doing random acts of kindness. You can dedicate some of your time to be kind to others by donating your time with volunteer work or by donating items to charity.

Practicing random acts of kindness any time of the year is beneficial for your emotional, physical, and overall health. It helps you practice empathy. Nevertheless, World Kindness Week is all about using your time to offer your help-to-help others without expecting anything in return. It is also necessary to be kind to yourself without internal criticism. Although World Kindness Week is an unofficial celebratory week, it is essential to practice kindness at work, school, college, hospitals, and at home. 

Make thank you cards or mini notes to feel gratitude and to show your kindness. Write a positive affirmation or a quote inside the card or in the brief note. If someone is having a negative day, offer to listen to them and make them feel optimistic. Do a fun group activity, make a scrapbook or a photo album with uplifting quotes. Practice random acts of kindness this week and once a week to feel optimistic. 

Also, you can be inspired during this week by watching movies that encourage kindness and random acts of kindness. This week can be extraordinary for you and for the people that you come across at work or home. You can purchase a hot or cold drink to share with your coworkers. Make your family’s favorite meal and watch their favorite movie at home. Similarly, your children can participate in World Kindness Week by being kind to their siblings, helping each other with their homework, or sharing their toys.

Watching television shows that show compassion and leave you with a positive message. You and your entire family can make handmade cards, mini cards, and gift baskets for their teachers. Additionally, they can join you in donating gently worn clothes that they have outgrown to give to charity. World Kindness Week is always on November 13^th through November 19^th every year. Here are websites with more ideas to celebrate World Kindness Week. 

10 Easy Ways to be Kind to Others-But First, Joy:

10 Easy Ways to be Kind To Others - But First, Joy (butfirstjoy.com)

What is Generosity? (And How to be a More Generous Person)-Psychology Today:

What Is Generosity? (And How to Be a More Generous Person) | Psychology Today

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation-Kindness Ideas:

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation | Kindness Ideas

* Font and borders from Photo Collage Editor Maker 

How to Make a Gratitude Journal?

A gratitude journal helps you to feel thankful, appreciative, and feel joy. However, the difficulty of making a thank you journal is where to begin and how to feel inspired in writing in it. You can begin by decorating the cover of your journal. Yet, decorating it is optional. The entire journal needs to reflect your personality and your thoughts. 

Begin the first pages with what you were thankful for in your childhood and your past. List them out or use bullet points to write your sentences. After that write down what you are thankful for now as an adult. If you want to add stickers, postcards, or pressed flowers; Make sure you write something about the items that you place in the journal. Nonetheless, write down why you are grateful.

Draw in your journal, write a thank you poem, thankful affirmations, or a thank you quote. Gratitude journals are a fantastic way to reduce your stress and help you feel more grateful. You can make your journal by using loose-leaf paper, a binder, and sheet protectors. Another way is by getting a notebook and decorating it with decorative paper. Also, by painting the cover of your notebook or your purchased hard-cover journal.

Nonetheless, use journal prompts to start writing. Do not be afraid to use journal prompts because they are a useful tool for the journaling process. It makes you reflect and makes you be motivated. You can use your gratitude journal in the morning or at night for twenty or thirty minutes per day. Here is a list of questions to start your gratitude journal. 

1. What was your favorite part of your day?

2. What did you like in your meal?

3. Where do you feel happier during the day?

4. Write a story that makes you feel thankful. How do you feel after writing the story? 

5. How do you feel after cleaning your home?

6. What makes you feel thankful?

7. What makes you smile?

8. Finish this sentence, I am thankful for ____________.

9. List eight items for which you are thankful. 

10. How do you say thank you to others?

Using journal prompts makes it easier to start writing in your journal. You and your children can write in separate journals as a family activity. Before Thanksgiving, your family can start journaling in a gratitude journal. The entire month of November is National Gratitude Month, but you can start a journal anytime throughout the year. Here are websites with more ideas to write in your journal.

 

Writing in a Gratitude Journal for Stress Relief:

https://www.verywellmind.com/writing-in-a-gratitude-journal-for-stress-relief-3144887

151 Gratitude Journal Prompts for Daily Thankfulness-Happier Human:

151 Gratitude Journal Prompts for Daily Thankfulness - Happier Human

Gratitude Journal-35 Prompts, Templates, and Ideas to Start-Science of People:

Gratitude Journal: 35 Prompts, Templates, and Ideas to Start (scienceofpeople.com)

How to Start a Gratitude Journal for Children-Mindful Little Minds Psychology:

How to start a gratitude journal for children - Mindful Little Minds Psychology

* Font, borders, and stickers from Photo Collage Editor Maker 

Free Thanksgiving Turkey Coloring Bookmarks

Today I created four bookmarks with a smaller Thanksgiving turkey design. Each bookmark has a blank area to write down your name, your quote, affirmations, or what you are thankful for this year. These coloring bookmarks are free and for your personal use. You can also color these bookmarks anytime in the autumn season. Happy Thanksgiving in advance! 

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Diabetic Friendly Desserts (National Diabetes Month)

As the holidays approach, it is difficult to resist a sweet dessert. However, having prediabetes or diabetes makes one more aware of the selected choices for holiday desserts. Many diabetic-friendly desserts can be made at home or purchased at your local market. Yet, it is necessary to read all the ingredients when purchasing desserts. Look for sodium, and sugar, and if other ingredients might spike your sugar levels. 

Avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial sugars. Sometimes purchasing sugar-free desserts and no sugar added might help you feel satisfied about eating holiday desserts. Be careful in eating cheesecake and chocolate-covered fruits. Instead, select graham crackers, angel bread cake, sugar-free Jello, yogurt with fruit, or sugar-free Jello with fruit. Also, some pies have no added sugar which will satisfy.

It is recommended to check your sugar after two hours of eating. This helps you see how much you need to eat if your sugar is low. Additionally, it can assist you with taking your insulin if your sugar is high. Nonetheless, taking a walk after dinner is a helpful recommendation. Check your sugar before going to sleep especially if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or you start sweating. 

Always eat holiday desserts in moderation. Do not stop yourself from enjoying your holiday desserts. Make sure it is sugar-free or a low-carb dessert. If your sugar is always high after eating rice pudding, tapioca, and chocolate cake; It is best to avoid those desserts. An alternative holiday dessert is to eat chia puddings, low-sugar mousse, trail mix with unsalted nuts, or a small portion of non-sugar-added desserts.

When hosting a party at home, it is always good to have two diverse types of holiday desserts that are diabetic-friendly. It is a clever idea to have a list of fruits that are high in sugar content and low in sugar content. This can help you in selecting your fruits for your fruit bowls or for making your holiday desserts. For example, you can use sugar-free Jello, melon slices, slices of figs, and pomegranate arils. Another example is making a fruit bowl with slices of melons and slices of figs.

After eating some holiday desserts, it might raise your sugar levels. Nevertheless, a little bit of exercise and eating early can help balance your sugar levels. As well as drinking water. Always consult with your primary doctor regarding holiday desserts. Here are websites about diabetic-friendly desserts. 

10 Easy Diabetic Desserts (Low-Carb)-Diabetes Strong:

10 Easy Diabetic Desserts (Low-Carb) - Diabetes Strong

20 Easy Diabetic Dessert Recipes-No Cooking Required-Very Well Health:

20 Easy Diabetic Dessert Recipes—No Cooking Required (verywellhealth.com)

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Free Thanksgiving Turkey Coloring Pages

Today, I have created three coloring pages for Thanksgiving. Each coloring page has a turkey. These coloring pages are free and for your personal use. Happy Thanksgiving in advance. Enjoy! 

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