5 Life Lessons From Downtown Abbey, cont’d

March 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Did you catch last weeks article about Downton Abbey?

If not, you can read about it here.

As you may already know, this hit TV series centers on the Crawley family, their elegant home Downton Abbey, and their fictitious lives.

Yet, despite its’ size, it is still home to a single family – who lives there much as any family would, along with the usual joys and times of sadness that we all endure.

In which respect, they are really no different from you and me – despite their vast wealth.

How does this relate to your own life?

Keep reading to learn more.

 

PAMPER YOURSELF

Unlike the women of Downton Abbey, chances are you don’t have a ladies maid at your disposal.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t pamper yourself.

You see – it doesn’t matter whether your home is a two-bedroom cottage, or a chateau high up on a hill.

Find time to enjoy more of what you love – whether it’s the things you do for fun, the occasional splurge, or the things you buy on a regular basis.

It’s another form of pampering, for sure!

How you spend your money or your time, matters.

Period.

So let the pampering begin!

No ladies maid required.

 

LOOK TO THE PAST

A show like Downton Abbey is, of course, steeped in history.

We see it in the historic portraits gracing the walls, the antique furnishings – mixed with a bit of 1920’s modern, I might add – and the cultural mores of the times.

In the same way, your home reflects all the different stages of your life.

It’s what made you who you are today.

Whether or not you’re aware of it, memories of your immediate past follow you wherever you go.

The secret is to delve into those memories and recapture moments from your past that complement how you live today.

Savor the best ones, for sure!

And if something no longer serves you – remove it.

That includes your furnishings, yes – but don’t stop there.

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5 Life Lessons From Downton Abbey

February 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Did you catch the last episode of Downton Abbey?

There have been a lot of comments circulating this week, as another of our favorite characters met his demise.

(Some of us are still hoping for a miracle – an extend hospital stay, perhaps, or waking up to realize it was all a dream).

Others have dubbed the show “Downer Abbey”.

Which side are you on?

Recently, I  mentioned to my husband that it would be a great thing indeed, if Highclere Castle – the British mansion made famous on this hit television series – had public tours for viewing the premises.

So, imagine my surprise to read in our local paper, that the mansion IS in fact open for tours – for 70 days each year!

Yup – time to plan our next trip

All kidding aside, here’s what I really enjoy about the show:

  • I love seeing history unfold in the moment & learning what life was like “back then”.
  • I love the interior décor of this mansion – what this family calls home – studded as it is with antiques and old master paintings gracing the walls.
  • And, of course, I’m immersed in the characters themselves, and their privileged, fictitious lives.

 

So, what can the average person like you or I glean from a TV series like Downton Abbey – as it relates to our own lives?

Quite a lot, as it turns out!

Keep reading, as I share how you can bring a bit of Downton Abbey into your own home.

 

CELEBRATE YOUR KITCHEN

At Downton Abbey, the kitchen is the hub of the home.

In fact, most of the ‘downstairs’ scenes take place in the kitchen – not too surprising since Mrs. Pattmore  and Daisy are hard at work from the crack of dawn preparing meals for the entire household.

You may have a similar responsibility in your own home – with the added bonus of many modern conveniences!

Yet, how much time do you spend in your kitchen?

If you’ve just learned you suffer from food sensitivities – the kitchen is even more important – it’s truly the foundation for a healthy lifestyle and the key to making smart, informed decisions for designing a life you can embrace and love!

Why not make your kitchen the star of your home?

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Happy Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I’m adding another recipe to the files – in case you’re still scrambling to come up with some gluten-free sweets for your sweetie.

Or, you didn’t see the Chocolate Truffles recipe I shared earlier this week.

My good friend Janelle Holden, posted this recipe during the recent holidays, in her blog Mind Body Love – and it’s a perfect cut-out cookie, regardless of the occasion.

In fact, I think that’s the best part about this recipe!

The dough lends itself well to rolling out, and cutting into decorative shapes with your choice of cookie cutter.

I also like that the recipe uses garbanzo bean flour  –  a common ingredient in Middle Eastern baking.

(Ethnic cuisines are often a fabulous source for new ideas).

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Can It Be Valentine’s Day Without Chocolate?

February 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I can’t help but think that Valentine’s Day is synonymous with chocolate.

Wouldn’t you agree?

Of course, there ARE others ways to show people you love and appreciate them, without involving chocolate, or treats of any kind.

Just doing something nice for another person, or spending time together are a couple of things that come to mind.

And of course – it’s just as important to love and appreciate yourself!

In fact, if you’re someone who’s resolved to be kinder to themselves this year by eating less sugar – period – chances are you’re scrambling to find a scrumptious special occasion treat that is still good for you.

Is that even possible?

Of course!

At my house, I’m planning to make this fabulous Chocolate Mousse Pie – courtesy of my good friend Janelle Holden, owner of Body Mind Love.

(I’ve actually had the recipe for several months, and STILL haven’t gotten around to making it).

I may also have on hand some of my favorite Chocolate Truffles – just in case.

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What Are You Craving?

February 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

“Sugar is a food fraught with layers of emotional meaning, inextricably linked with your sense of comfort and well-being”.  Andrea Nakayama

 

Do you sometimes crave a certain food?

Or is “often” a more accurate description?

Whether ‘sometimes”, or  “often”, cravings are usually a sign that something is out of balance in your body.

It could be due to hormones, a nutritional imbalance, low blood sugar or even stress.

Of course, any food can become a substitute for what we’re really craving in the moment.

However, for many of us, our go-to comfort food is Sugar.

If your downfall seems to be Sugar, you’re not alone.

In fact, the more you crave a certain food, it’s often your Body’s way of telling you in an oh-so-subtle-way to cut back.

And while you may not be able to ditch those sugar cravings completely – after all, we’re biologically programmed to love anything sweet – it is possible to get your sugar cravings under control by ditching soda and processed foods.

In lieu of refined sugar, consider alternate ways to satisfy your sweet tooth.

At the same time, keep in mind that alternate sweeteners such as agave, honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar and sucanat – to name a few – are still Sugar.

They may seem to be easier on your blood sugar levels – but the bottom line is still this:

Sugar is Sugar.

That’s a tough one to swallow, I know.

Consider too, that the very foods we often crave are often the very foods we’re highly sensitive, or allergic to!

(Yet another reason to avoid them).

A strange anomaly, yes, but also fascinating, if you take the time to think about it.

Then again, perhaps salty – rather than sweet – foods are your downfall?

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The Noise In The Room

January 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

“Every part of your body & every cell in your body communicates with every other part of your body & every other cell. Everybody’s talking at the same time.”

Mark Hyman, M.D.

 

Have you ever found yourself in a crowded room full of people?

Did you happen to notice the cacophony of voices as you found yourself speaking as loud as possible to the person seated right next to you – trying to be heard above the din?

Well, that’s the kind of noise that’s going on in our bodies all the time.

Of course, we’re not aware of this noise in our bodies.

It’s more like a low hum in the background, so faint we really can’t hear it at all.

In fact, the only way our body really “talks” to us – to let us know when something is wrong – is to signal pain or discomfort.

Our energy levels might be low, or we feel tired, depressed or hungry.

We might be running a fever, or experience what’s referred to as “brain fog” (i.e fuzzy thinking).

Truth is, there are any number of ways our bodies can let us know when things are out of whack.

And yet, we don’t always listen.

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How To Massage Your Greens

January 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Did you know you can massage your food?

Yes, it’s true!

I learned about this a little over a year ago, after tasting a raw kale salad that was definitely more tender than the kale salads I typically made at home.

I wasn’t sure what the restaurant had done to make the greens so tasty.

Before too long, I read about a technique that involved “massaging” your greens. I realized this was the exact process the restaurant had used to perfect their kale salad.

The sky’s the limit here, by the way – you’re not limited to kale.

Just about any greens can be massaged – chard, spinach, collards, arugula, lettuce – you name it.

Why the focus on Greens?

Kale, spinach, swiss chard and the like are the basis for a healthy, well-rounded diet.

Not only do leafy greens add necessary fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants – they are also considered essential to reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and other age-related illnesses.

Add the fact that they’re naturally gluten-free, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to include some of these leafy greens on a daily basis.

I’m still fairly new, myself, to introducing some of these nutritional powerhouses into my diet.

For the longest time I was strictly a lettuce and spinach kind of gal, until I decided to expand my horizons.

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Who Will You Be In 2013?

December 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We’re at the tail end of the holidays, here, with just a few more days until the calendar changes to 2013.

I don’t know about you, but between the on-going holiday celebrations, visiting relatives and late night hours, my schedule’s been completely thrown off.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’ve enjoyed the warmth, camaraderie and excess of good food – yes all of it!

Yet every year at this time, I reach a point where I’m ready for things to get back to normal.

That means fewer holiday goodies to indulge in, and healthier choices overall.

How about you?

What are your goals for 2013?

With the New Year in mind, here are three simple suggestions for getting your life back on track.

 

Be Prepared

No matter how organized you are, realize that stuff is going to happen.

Sometimes it means being stuck in traffic for hours – leaving you hungry, tired and frustrated with not a bite to eat.

Not to mention your schedule completely thrown off.

Other times, it could be an Act of God.

Of course, Acts of God are not an excuse to eat whatever you want.

Whether planning a shopping trip or a visit to a local museum, it doesn’t matter – you want to look ahead to possible scenarios that might come up.

Are you going to be home in time for lunch?

If not, where will you likely eat?

What will you eat?

If you’re not sure, bring something with you.

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Are Your Holidays “Green” ?

December 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

‘Green’ has become quite the buzz-word of late.

First and foremost, it’s the color we associate with Nature. 

It’s soothing and reliable like the dark green of a forest, or the brilliant green of summer grasses.

More and more, we also associate the color Green with a safe,  eco-friendly lifestyle.

And “greening” your holidaysoffers one more opportunity to up the ante, so to speak – and update your decor with eco-safe options.

Of course, along with the mantra to  “Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle” there’s also the recommendation to eat your Greens.

For some of us, this might be the most challenging of all!

However, relying on lots of leafy greens and vegetables as a mainstay of your diet, is a sure fire way to boost your health.

There are lots of ways to sneak extra greens into your daily meals, whether adding a handful to a smoothie (it really doesn’t affect the taste, I promise) – or relying on oversized leaves as a wrap, in lieu of bread.

So – just in time for the holidays – here’s another idea for incorporating greens into your diet.

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How To Be Your Best Advocate

December 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Does this ever happen to you?

You’re at the home of a friend, or well meaning relative, and as you sit down to enjoy a cup of tea – you’re presented with some cookies, or other savory treats – that have been purchased especially for you.

(I just love it when people are so thoughtful, don’t you?)

As you glance at the list of ingredients (yes, I’m always reading labels), you notice that:

  • The product is not gluten-free, OR
  • While it’s gluten-free, there may be one or two other ingredients that are not in compliance with your special diet.

What to do?

This is one of those tricky moments when you want to honor yourself and how you choose to nourish your body – yet you don’t want to offend.

Well, here’s the deal.

Regardless of our individual food allergies, dietary preferences or concerns – we are always going to come up against this sort of thing.

It’s simply part of life and can’t be avoided.

Still, there are always choices, right?

So, in these situations, my rule of thumb is this:

If you’ve been medically diagnosed, and have been instructed by your doctor not to eat gluten – then please don’t.

It’s really important that you honor that, regardless of the circumstances.

(Seriously – you’ll be shooting yourself in the foot.)

[Read more…]

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