Since we found out that I was pregnant, we have been overjoyed sharing our news, preparing for our little one’s arrival and trying our best to enjoy every moment of this special time. Between all of the doctor’s appointments, tests, emotions and preparation, as cliche as it sounds, it really does “fly by”. It is hard to believe that we are more than halfway through our pregnancy!

I wanted to share with you some of the essential items that I have been using throughout this pregnancy, so far. These items have helped in so many ways and I hope that they can do the same for you, if you find your self expecting a baby! I ordered most of them on Amazon.

Nutrition

NatureMade Prenatal Vitamins with DHA

Upspring Stomach Settle Nausea Relief Drops

Motion Sickness Wrist Bands

Orgain Organic Protein + Superfoods Powder

Gallon Water Bottle with Straw & Time Marker

Comfort

Pregnancy Pillow

SI Joint Support Hip Belt

Aquaphor

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Complete Stretch Mark and Pregnancy Skin Care Kit

Etc.

Pregnancy Journal

We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook

Those are some of my must-have products

that I have been using throughout the first half of my pregnancy!

Another one that must be mentioned is my cell phone!

…To keep track of appointments, call Doctors and Nurses with (never ending) questions,

and to document the journey with videos and (bump) photos!

Dan and I are so incredible grateful to have a little one on the way.

We also understand that this can be a sensitive topic for many people and we send along our love to everyone on their own journey.

Self Care is for Everyone highlights independent artists featuring their logos on sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, and stickers. These logos serve as reminders about the significance for self care and mental health.

“Love Yourself” sweatshirt in “Stonewash Green” by Self Care is for Everyone

“Own your magic” sweatshirt in “Lavender” by Self Care is for Everyone

“Beauty definition” t-shirt in by Self Care is for Everyone

Support Self Care is for Everyone by visiting their social media pages below!

https://www.instagram.com/selfcareisforeveryone/

https://www.pinterest.ca/selfcareisforeveryone/

https://www.facebook.com/selfcareisforeveryone/

Continue on despite insecurities

We must understand that even the people that we think are the MOST self assured, experience insecurities. They might be acting confident, but could be feeling incredibly doubtful. It happens to the best of us. We are all human. Every single person has felt insecure at some point in their life. The difference is that a confident person continues on despite insecurities. They understand that feeling insecure is something that they can overcome. When you are feeling this way, recall that it is natural to feel doubt but dig deep to replace that doubt with belief.

RELATED: https://www.aliciazitka.com/20-affirmations-for-self-love-and-confidence/

Sets boundaries

Setting and respecting boundaries is essential for mental health and well-being. What does that mean and how do you do it? Healthy boundaries allow someone to form their identity by establishing what they will or will not allow. This includes setting emotional and physical boundaries and saying “no” when necessary. When someone doesn’t have boundaries, they can stretch themselves too thin. Trying to do “everything” takes time away from their own mental and physical self-care and can lead to resentment.

Doesn’t compare

The most confident people that I know stay in your own lane. Rather than comparing themselves to what they see on social media, tv or magazines, they focus on bettering themselves, their goals for the future and the good things that are in their life in the present. It is imperative to acknowledge what we all know to be true – that social media is a highlight reel of someone’s life. No one is going to post about the time when they felt terrible or hopeless… but they’re going to post loads of photos of their Hawaiian vacation or details about their new job promotion. That is all white noise. You do YOU! Focus on the goals that you set for yourself and becoming the person that you want to be.

Listens to and Learns from others

When you are confident, you know that what you think of yourself, matters more than what other people think about you. With that in mind, assured people will take constructive criticism with ease and use it to become better. Important lessons can be learned from listening to teachers, mentors and people who have accomplished what you are hoping to. Listen to what people have to say, don’t take it personally, decide if it is in your best interest, use it to your advantage, become better. Boom.

Knows Their Strengths and Weaknesses

Everyone has certain things in which they excel and others where they fall short. This is normal and it is okay! Acknowledge and accept this. Once you recognize the areas of “weakness” you can focus on learning more about them and improving these areas of your life. You can use your strengths to kick a$$ and build the life of your dreams.

Open to New Experiences and Lessons

Confident people aren’t afraid to try to new things. They especially aren’t afraid of trying new things and being bad at them. Failure isn’t the end all for people with a healthy self esteem. Rather, failure allows people to persevere! Perseverance, determination, and an open mind will eventually lead to success. Confident people find peace in this and view a “failure” as a way to learn, grow, and persist. Try, “fail”, learn, try again, “fail”, learn more, try again… (eventually) succeed and gain confidence.

RELATED: https://www.aliciazitka.com/how-to-deal-with-rejection/

Supports and Encourages Others

Remember that there is enough of the good stuff for everyone! There is not a set amount of happiness or success in the world. There is no reason why we can’t all “make it”. So, celebrate when someone accomplishes something awesome! There is enough happiness, success, and joy for everyone! Confidence allows us to encourage and empower, rather than compare and compete.

Has Goals and Works Towards Them

When you set goals for yourself and put effort in to achieving those goals, you gain confidence. Set big and small goals, establish a plan, the take action. Don’t limit yourself when you are setting goals! Set big, butterflies in belly goals! Those goals light a fire in you that give your life purpose. The smaller goals will be stepping stone goals to your bigger, butterfly goals. Setting, working towards and achieving goals will help you gain faith in yourself and your abilities. If you can dream it, you can do it – don’t give up!

Doesn’t Take Things Personally

People who are confident don’t take things personally. They understand that they can’t control or influence how others think and respond to our actions. People take things personally because they care about what others think of them. Confident individuals don’t constantly seek approval and acceptance from others. They know that it is safe to be themselves, they accept themselves and in doing so, find people who respect and love them exactly as they are.

Takes Care of Themselves

Confident individuals value themselves and recognize that when they take care of themselves, they are able to give their best to the people around them. Self care comes in many forms – mental, physical, emotional and can be defined as, “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness.” Meditation, journaling, reading, exercising, healthy eating, therapy, and getting enjoy Zzzs are all forms of self care. When you take care of yourself, you feel your best and you can give your best to those who matter the most to you.

RELATED: https://www.aliciazitka.com/summer-self-care-ideas/

Try incorporating these habits in to your everyday routine.

With practice and patience your confidence will grow.

It is possible to become a confident person!

I had the opportunity to host an Instagram Live with Jessenia where we discussed numerous topics including energy health and maintenance and how to find inner peace when life gets hectic. Knowing how to manage and control your energy and find peace at any time is essential to living a full, happy, and productive life that contains valuable relationships.

Energy Health and Maintenance

When we are feeling overwhelmed or uneasy, our energy could be to blame. If we neglect the health of our energy, all of the “stuff” can accumulate and we can start to feel the weight of other’s emotions. Jessenia recommends a daily check-in for energy maintenance. The most effective way to clean your energy is through meditation.

Meditation can sound intimidating if you are new to the game, but it is actually something that is easy to learn. One of the best ways to begin a meditation practice is to participate in guided meditation. You can find examples of guided meditation on Youtube, Spotify or on the Calm app.

If following a guided meditation isn’t your cup of tea, fear not, there are other options. Jessenia and I bonded over our love of nature walks as a form of meditation. This is really easy to do. When you are outside, simply focus on the environment and breathing. Inhale, exhale, observe the beauty of nature, inhale, exhale. By doing this, you, my friend, are meditating! Try to do this daily, if possible, to keep your energy healthy and clear. Cultivating a peaceful, clear energy allows you to respond to life in a logical and controlled way.

Finding Peace in Chaos

There are times when life throws a lot in our direction. How can we find composure when we feel like we are being pulled in a million different directions or when we feel like so much is happening that is out of our control? The only thing that you can control is yourself and your actions.

We need to protect the energy that we are trying so hard to clear daily and maintain. Jessenia claims that the best way to find peace during chaotic times is to set boundaries. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, learning to say “no” and to give to yourself first. This is especially important if you are a “giver” by nature. Givers like to help people… they enjoy making other people happy, sometimes at their own expense.

According to Jessenia, it is important to find that healthy balance between giving and taking. Of course, you can help others when necessary (especially if you find joy in it) but you must find time to give to yourself. Don’t promise to others what you don’t provide for yourself.

Jessenia Nozzolillo also believes that facing your issues and healing from them ultimately leads to optimal peace. We all suffer from trauma from past situations and the remnants can cause obstacles in our present life. Facing and resolving these issues leads to growth.

Special thank you to the gifted – Jessenia Nozzolillo and to ChikMedia!

To find out more about Jessenia or her work, visit her website at: https://www.jessenianozzolillo.com

How do we fill our own cup so much

that it spills out and covers our whole world with light?

We take care of ourselves so that we can show up as our finest for those that we love. We fill our cups so much that the goodness overflows and fills the cup of those who need it. We do simple things to become a more happy, healthy, loving, and productive person.

Here are 21 Things to do for you in 2021!

Notice what needs to change, but focus on the good

Take a hard, honest look at yourself and your life and note what you would want to improve moving forward. Set goals and make a plan on how you are going to achieve them. When setting your goals, find inspiration in the person that you are and how far you have come.

Make yourself a priority

A great way to do this is to start saying “no”. If something doesn’t fit in with the goals in your life or the vision that you have for yourself, say “no.” You don’t need to give any explanation. By saying “no” to things you will free up time and energy to fill your life with more things that are a definite “yes”!

Have grace with yourself

There will be setbacks when you try to conquer the goals you have set for yourself. It is grace and perseverance that will set you up for success. Forgive yourself for a misstep, learn from it and continue on your journey.

Appreciate what you have

“Appreciate what you have, while working for what you want.” Set lofty goals for yourself, but be thankful for your life now the lessons that you are learning. It is all making you the person that you are meant to be.

Be yourself

Learn to love the imperfect human being that looks back at you from the mirror. Being unique is beautiful and being yourself is the greatest gift that you can give to this world. Your thoughts, goals, and challenges, are all planted in your heart for a reason. There is only one of you, so you need to celebrate the quirks that make you, you.

Believe in yourself

Living a confident life is an art. It takes some practice, but everyone is capable of believing in themselves. It is so, so important that we have faith in our abilities so that we can live a life that we are proud of.

Learn a new skill

Challenge yourself to learn something new… take up a new hobby, learn a new language, create a do-it-yourself project or try a new sport.

Stop delaying, start acting

It is important to plan and set goals, but it is essential to act on those ideas. Even if the steps are small, they are in the right direction is you take action towards accomplishment.

Declutter your life – Simplify

Go through old clothes, get rid of food that isn’t good for your body or mind, delete old emails, shred unnecessary documents, delete accounts from your social media feeds that don’t inspire you. Clean out the clutter to free up space and time in your life. Too many options, elements, and complications can cause unnecessary stress. Clarify what is important to you and eliminate everything that doesn’t contribute to your well-being.

Eat to fuel your body

Nosh on yummy, nutritious, food that are good for your mind and body. Try to cook most of your meals so that you are in control of the ingredients that you ingest. YES it is okay to splurge occasionally. Deprivation is not the answer to a healthy diet… moderation is.

Follow a Routine

Establishing a Morning Routine and a Night Routine will help you begin and end your day with ease. Take a few moments to stretch, breathe, and set intentions for your day in the morning. In the evening, relax with a hot cup of herbal tea, a journal, and breathe work.

Get rest

Winding down with a nighttime routine will aid in a restful night. It is imperative that you get enough rest to feel your best. Sometimes this isn’t always easy, but your health, mood, and productivity will be better when you get enough shut eye.

Stress relief

Find something that you enjoy doing that will relieve stress. Meditation, exercise, journaling, a vent session with a friend, or therapy are all proven to lower stress.

Slow down, breathe

Take time to slow down your day. Breathe. Relax. There is no need to rush. There is time. You will get everything done that you need to get done.

Forget regret

The past is passed. The things that you did in the past that you wish you could’ve done differently are there to serve as a learning tool for you to use going forward. Take those thoughts and lessons and learn from them to be the best that you can be.

Let go of what you can’t control

Disengage with whatever isn’t in your power. Regardless of the situation, be or do your best, then let go of the outcome. Have faith that whatever the result, you will be okay.

Be present

Wherever you are, be all there. Cherish each and every moment with your loved ones. Stop scrolling and put your phone down (unless you’re using it to take photos). Fully enjoy the moments and create memories.

Choose positive self talk

The most important relationship that you have is with yourself. How you treat yourself and talk to yourself sets the standard for other relationships in your life. Choose to speak kindly to yourself. Talk to yourself as you would a close friend. Be encouraging, be loving, be accepting, be optimistic.

Help others

Whether this means aiding a friend or family member with a chore or volunteering at a charity event, the best way to help yourself is by helping others.

Express Love to yourself and others

Tell those that you love just how much you care about them and how important they are to you. Thank them for their presence in your life. It is easy to take these feelings for granted by they should be expressed. Spread love!

Enjoy the journey

This too shall pass. Enjoy every chapter of your life’s story.

Doing these simple things for yourself, will help you to show up as your best self for those around you. Take the time to fill your cup and let it overflow.

So how can we set ourselves up for success to achieve our goals and actually live life to its fullest?

We can prepare, by refreshing our lives – mentally, emotionally, physically.

When I say “refresh”, I don’t mean wipe our slate clean and begin again… No, no… not “out with the old and in with the new” but essentially building on what we have learned and experienced during the last 365 days.

Here is how we can hit the refresh button and start the New Year feeling our best!

• Reflect on the past year

Take time to look back over the past year and contemplate the key moments. I find that scrolling through my phone’s camera roll helps with this. Think of the various events, activities, people and lessons that you’ve encountered. When did you feel happiest? Who were you with during that time? What moments made you proud? Take note and try to recreate similiar experiences in the future.

• Set new goals

Setting goals help us accomplish what we want. Big or small, these goals keep us on track heading towards our best selves. It is important to have a vision of what you want to achieve so that you can work towards it with conscious effort. Do a brain dump of goals on a sheet of paper or create a vision board by pasting photos of what you want on a poster board for you to view every day. When you know what you’re aiming for, it is easier to hit your target.

• Choose “power words”

Pick a word to use as a mantra. It should be a core idea of what you want to focus on this year to help you be your best self. It should evoke an emotion and response. Examples of “power words” are joy, love, passion, strength, presence, patience, growth, faith or trust. Feel free to incorporate a couple of these words in to your daily self talk.

• Clean clutter

A tidy space helps your mind focus on the bigger picture, so take the time to do a clean out. Go through your clothes, beauty products, food and decor. Trash what isn’t good for you, donate what you can. Try to list and sell your clothes on Poshmark or Mercari to make some extra cash.

• Reorganize your space

Sometimes a new environment can bring on a positive change of perspective. Switch your living space around or create a new, inspiring home office space where you can get to work checking off your goal list. Add new colors or decor pieces to a space to revitalize your spirit.

• Start using a planner

“Failure to plan is planning to fail.” I am a planner, always have been. I like to feel prepared. I need to write down a to-do list in a physical, page turn, notebook. I feel like by brain and life are organized when I fill up my planner with things that I need to do in the short and long term. My thoughts are more organized and I can pinpoint my focus with intention.

• Stretch, meditate, breathe

Take the time to be gentle with your body. Stretch your muscles, meditate to clear your mind and take deep breaths to relax away stressful thoughts. I try to do this as often as I can… and I swear that then I do, my mind is more clear and that I am more patient and present in my everyday life.

• Start an exercise routine

Go ahead and move that body! Set small physical goals for yourself and crush them! Start a walking or running route. Practice yoga or pilates. Dance around your house to your favorite music. Lift weights. Bonus points if you get outside and work up a sweat! I love hiking and running in the warm months and snowshoeing in the snowy months. The combo of fresh air, open space and warm muscles is exhilarating.

• Do what you enjoy

You can’t pour from an empty cup, so take time to fill yours. Find an activity that you really enjoy and do it. Read a book. Practice self care. Take up a new hobby like cooking, sewing, knitting, web design. Enjoy your time.

• Technology backup and Documents

Backup all of your important documents and photos. Also, organize paper documents and contracts in a file for safe keeping. The new year is a good reminder to do that.

• Digital detox

Delete or unfollow any account that doesn’t inspire you or make you feel good. We have all spent far too much time mindlessly scrolling the internet looking at curated feeds of perfect looking photos that are unattainable, over-edited or fake. Delete those and instead follow accounts that inspire and empower you.

• Let go

You know all of those things that you have been hanging on to? The ones that make you feel like your dragging a weight? The regrets, the could haves and should haves, the if onlys? Take a deep breath and release those! The past is the past. You are learning from your missteps. You are doing the best that you can do with the knowledge that you have. Let go and grow.

• Try something new

A great way to stretch ourselves is to try something out of our comfort zone. This could be trying a new restaurant or food, learning to speak a different language or to play an instrument, traveling somewhere that you’ve never been or taking a class to learn a new skill. Get uncomfortable. Step out of your comfort zone and stretch your idea of what is possible for you.

• Connect to family and friends

Call, text, or write to family and friends to let them know how much they mean to you. Life gets busy and sometimes people lose contact with one and other. It is so important to maintain a connection with the ones that you care about and to let them know how they enrich your life. On that note, if you’re holding on to a grudge, l e t i t g o. Clear the air or move on. You will be happier and your mind will be free of the negativity.

• Express gratitude

We’ve all had different experiences over the past year. Let’s begin the next year with grateful hearts. Let’s be thankful for the good times, the wonderful people in our lives, and the lessons that we have learned that we carry with us as we head in to the future.

We can look back and reminisce & we can plan for the future, but…

In this new year, wherever you are, be there.

Be present.

Be patient. Give yourself grace.

Appreciate what you have, while working towards what you want.

Be kind and love those around you. This moment matters the most.

Wishing you a healthy and Happy New Year! Cheers!

It is a good thing that we can harness our inner voice and (usually) control what it is telling us. It is crucial that our inner chatter remains positive and loving.

The most powerful way to control our inner dialogue is to retrain our brain. One way to take control of your inner chatter is by meditation. Meditation calms the mind and allows us to quiet our thoughts. The easiest way to begin meditating is by sitting in silence, clearing your mind and focusing on your breath. Whenever you feel your thoughts stirring, bring your focus back to your breath. Learning to meditate does take practice and iPhone apps for “guided meditation” can help.

When we notice our mind trailing to a negative or dark place (while meditating or during our day to day life), tell your brain to STOP and replace the bad thought with a positive affirmation. What is an affirmation? An affirmation is a positive word or phrase that helps you to overcome self-sabotage and doubt. When you feel your inner voice getting bleak, flip the script and recite your positive affirmation. Turn your “can’t” into “can”, anxiety into patience, and “not enough” into “plenty”.

Here is a list of 20 powerful affirmations that can increase self-love and confidence. Recite these out loud or in your mind, often, to remind yourself that you are strong, loved, and powerful!

Keep that inner voice optimistic, grateful and happy and watch your entire world transform for the better. Repeat these positive affirmations to practice self-love and to gain confidence! Feel free to pin and share the images or print them out to place in your daily planner or by your mirror to help you remember just how wonderful and significant you are!

Here are the BEST things about Thanksgiving!

Quality Time with Family & Friends – My number one reason why I love Thanksgiving (and the holiday season) is because of the quality time that is spent with loved ones! Everyone leads a busy life. While juggling responsibilities and hobbies, it can be challenging to have quality time with those that we care about most. Thanksgiving allows us to slow down and enjoy a lovely meal with family and friends, while reflecting on how lucky we are for all of the blessings in our lives.

Gratitude – Thanksgiving is based on acknowledging and appreciating all of the wonderful things in our lives. When we practice gratitude, we live with a positive outlook, are more compassionate & helpful towards others, have more self worth and take better care of ourselves. We live life with a positive and hopeful (therefore more productive) mindset. If you feel like being optimistic is a challenge for you, I encourage you to practice gratitude… and the Thanksgiving season is the perfect time to begin! For some gratitude inspiration visit these websites:

• Things that we can ALL be grateful for…
• Gratitude quotes that will inspire you to be more thankful
• 5 easy ways to be more grateful

It’s Autumn – That is an easy reason for me to love Thanksgiving, it is in November and I just love fall! The beautiful foliage, the chill in the air, the fall fashion… I love it all! Click here for some fun things to do in the fall!

Kickoff of Christmas Season – Many people consider Thanksgiving (or the day AFTER Thanksgiving) the official beginning of the Christmas season. While some people begin their prep earlier (*raises hand*) you can completely deck the halls right after Thanksgiving without people thinking that you’re in to rushing things. So after dinner cleanup and dessert, go for it… Hang the mistletoe! Decorate the tree! String the lights! It is time!

Try new recipes – Thanksgiving dinner is a great time to try out new recipes. Sure the turkey is important, but the side dishes and desserts are the main event! Search Pinterest for a yummy new recipe and get cookin’!

THE Meal – I would be amiss if I didn’t mention that one of the reasons that I love Thanksgiving is because of Thanksgiving dinner! It is the meal of the year that everyone anticipates! The roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and pies… need I go on? Eating your fill, surrounded by loved ones is a win-win in my book.

Tablescape – I am someone who loves to decorate for holidays, events, dinner parties… everything! The decor and tablescape is definitely one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving. You can use small sugar pumpkins, colorful faux leaves, beautifully colored linens, chalkboard signs, elements from nature and more to transform your space in to an autumnal atmosphere.

Coziness – After dinner, nothing is better than wrapping yourself in a soft blanket and getting cozy. The food coma should pass before dessert, so snuggle up and share some memories & laughs with your loved ones while you wait for dessert.

Scents – To be honest, I am not sure if I can describe the official scent of Thanksgiving, but I love it! Is it the crisp autumn air? The roasting turkey and stuffing? Or the perfectly sweet apple pie? Or the smell of your favorite blanket? Maybe it is a combination of all of those wonderful things. *shrugs* I am all about the comforting smells of Thanksgiving and would bottle it up, if I could.

Leftovers – The perk of that unbutton-the-top-button-of-your-pants full feeling is that there is usually more where that came from! Click here for creative ways to eat Thanksgiving leftovers.

The traditions, season’s magic, food, and time with family and friends are some of my favorite things about Thanksgiving!

Please comment below on what you enjoy most about Turkey Day!

Two of my absolute favorite things about the holiday season are time with Family and the traditions that we practice together. Some families have numerous traditions that have been passed down for years, while others are looking to create some new traditions of their own. In my opinion, you can never have too many traditions! As long as they are enjoyable and there isn’t a “have to” attitude, as far as I am concerned – the more the merrier!

Here are 10 Thanksgiving Traditions to try with your Family and Friends this year!

• Create a Gratitude Tree – Make your own Gratitude Tree that doubles as a Thanksgiving decoration and a visual reminder of what you’re grateful for. You can either draw a tree trunk with branches on a piece of paper, purchase a small fake tree, or grab some branches from outdoors to create your own! Once you have your tree, cut out “leaves” from colorful paper. Pass the leaves out to family members and have everyone write down things that they are most thankful for. Pin or tie the leaves to your tree to complete your Thanksgiving Gratitude tree!

• Bake Pies – Growing up, my Mema (grandmother) started a special tradition for her grandchildren. She would pick all of us up from school on the day before Thanksgiving (we would have a half day) and bring us to her house. Our entire afternoon would consist of baking pies, from scratch, to bring to Thanksgiving dinner! As time has passed and we have all grown, we continue to bake pies for the holiday, even if we are not all together. My heart warms every time that I think about those sweet Wednesday’s before Thanksgiving.

• Give Back – While we reflect on the things that we are thankful for in our own lives, it is important to also think about how we can improve the lives of those who are less fortunate than us. Some ways that we can do that are by dedicating our time and energy to organizations or by collecting monetary donations for charities.

• Write out Thanksgiving Cards – A Thanksgiving card or note is the perfect way to let people know that you are thinking of them and how grateful you are that they are a part of your life. In a world of email, texts and immediate response, sometimes it is nice to open a thoughtful message delivered in an envelope.
• Run a Turkey Trot – Running a Turkey Trot is the perfect way to get your blood pumping and work up a hunger before the holiday feast! Grab some friends, lace up your sneakers and hit the trail before the temps get too chilly for outdoor exercise.

1. Take an after-dinner stroll – If running a race on Thanksgiving Day isn’t particularly your style, try a swift stroll between dinner and dessert.
2. Speak Thankfulness – Before Thanksgiving dinner, have a family member or friend say “grace” then go around the table and have everyone name at least three things that they are most grateful for this year.

1. Watch TV and Chill – Put on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or a Football game (GO NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS!) and relax with a cozy blanket while dinner is cooking.
2. Game Night – After dessert and clean up, unwind before Black Friday Shopping by playing some fun games! Try some oldies but goodies like Scrabble, Monopoly, Charades or Pictionary.
3. Decorate for Christmas – Many people consider the day after Thanksgiving to be the “official” start of the Christmas/Holiday season, so why not make it a tradition to put up the Christmas tree and holiday decorations following Thanksgiving dinner? Family and friends will be around to help deck the halls and create cherished memories! A+!

Enjoy together time with family and friends, savor delicious food, be grateful, laugh, make memories, and this Thanksgiving, create some new traditions that you can enjoy for years to come! Happy Thanksgiving!

Please comment below about some of your Thanksgiving traditions!

As Winter melts away, Spring brings its own unique combination of comfort and renewal. The days become longer and warmer persuading us to get outside or to be more active. Flowers bloom again and animals emerge encouraging growth in all of us. It is a time of restoration, hope, and light! Let us welcome the season with open arms…

Here are some of my favorite things about SPRING!

Flowers – One of my absolute favorite things about the springtime is when you first take notice of the flowers budding. It is a sure sign that nature is awakening from its winter’s nap. First you spy a tiny bit of green emerging from the soil, then you watch it grow each day until it blooms. During this process, we are taught renewal and patience… such a beautiful thing!

More Daylight – You know those days when you wake up, head to work when it is dark, work a full day , only to realize that it is dark outside when you leave? You could ask yourself, “Did today even exist”? All that darkness really puts a damper on everyone’s mood. In the spring, the days are lingers which means there is more sunlight! Yay! This totally brightens your mood and makes you feel more productive, rather than wanting to dive in to your pjs at 3pm on a Saturday. More daylight means you can spend more time doing what you love to do! Cheers to that!

Eating Healthier – I definitely think that I eat healthier in the spring and summer. Maybe it is because when it is cold in the winter, I prefer to nosh on warm comfort foods like mashed potatoes and chicken pot pie… Or could it be because fresh fruit and vegetables can be picked straight from my garden in the warmer months? Either way I am grateful for fresh, healthy, delicious food that is readily available during the spring and summer!

Outdoor activities – There is more sunlight and the temperatures are more moderate in the spring than in the winter months, which means most of us will be spending time outdoors! My favorite things to do outside in the springtime include exercising, gardening, reading, and meditating. Some things just feel better in the sunlight and fresh air, right?!

Animals – Most animals hide away during the harsh winter’s of New England. When springtime arrives, it brings with it wildlife. Chirping birds, scurrying squirrels and chipmunks, along with others. I love to hang a hummingbird feeder from my deck and watch the tiny wonderful creatures stop for a visit on sugar water!

Happiness – It might be my imagination but I think that everyone welcomes spring with a giant smile on their faces! People’s happiness will always be one of my favorite things, regardless of the season!

What are some of your favorite things about springtime? What do you enjoy most about this season? Comment below! Warm wishes to you all!