Stuff You Might Want to Know
Finding Answers As We Age
Sometimes we need a little help to make changes or to see things in a different light.
Below are a few prompts to use as you help yourself to find new ways of seeing and doing things each day...creating more balance and ease.
Be kind with yourself. Be gentle with yourself. Be a friend with yourself.
Prompts...

Making Time For Gratitude
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Set an intention each morning for the day ahead
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Schedule a time for breath-work each day
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Select one thing or person and say 'Thank you' in words; written or spoken. Call, text or even mail your thank you to the person selected.
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Treat yourself each day to something you really enjoy. Great coffee, bubble gum, chips with your meal or whatever makes you smile.
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At the end of each day, take 5-10 minutes to say out-loud, write down or think about all that brought you feelings of Gratitude. A smile. Someone's words. A bird flying high. Or a song you heard. Keep it simple.
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Smile. Rest well. xo
In the end, we want to have lived not only the length of our life
but the width as well.
Take chances!!!





Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Pumpkin Soup
Produce
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1 Onion, medium, finely cut
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1 1/2 lb Fresh, cubed, then pureed, Pumpkin or butternut squash (canned pumpkin only works well too!
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1 1/4 pints chicken Stock
Baking & Spices
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1 Salt and freshly milled black pepper
Dairy
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1 oz Butter
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10 fl oz Whole milk
Other
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1 lb sweetcorn (off the cob weight, from 5-6 cobs) or one whole bag of frozen corn
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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds for topping
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Tablespoon of sour cream for topping
Combine all ingredients except for roasted pumpkin seeds in saucepan. Allow to come to a boil; then simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
Roast Pumpkin seeds on baking sheet at 400 degrees
Drizzle olive oil over seeds and add kosher salt. Place in oven for approximately 5-20 minutes (checking and turning once)
Add seeds to soup once in bowl ready for serving.
Fall Diffuser Recipes
Start with a sturdy diffuser. Here are a few to consider:
Autumn Air Blend
4 Drops of Peppermint
4 Drops of Eucalyptus
6 Drops of Cassia
(Affiliate Links)
Peppermint Oil: https://amzn.to/3E2Ysg1
Eucalyptus Oil: https://amzn.to/3vAl5Wn
Cassia Oil: https://amzn.to/3Ga8eyH
Hayride Blend
8 Drops of Frankincense
6 Drops of Lavender
8 Drops of Cedarwood
(Affiliate Links)
Frankincense Oil: https://amzn.to/3ny0iPF
Lavender Oil: https://amzn.to/3nkbW0j
Cedarwood Oil: https://amzn.to/3m2zKGD
Mix oils and water within diffuser (use the line inside diffuser to fill water first). Enjoy!


Not Sleeping?
COVID plus anything might equal 'No Sleep!'
There are so many reasons you may be experiencing problematic sleep. As we age there are changes in our wake and rest cycles. If we do not exercise both mind and body, we can begin to change our brain's understanding of when we need to sleep vs. when we attempt to sleep. This throws off our natural pattern of sleep cycles.
Stress, changes in health, hormones, worries, changes in eating and drinking habits, loss of loved ones, changes in surroundings, no routines, different routines...and throw in a pandemic...well...all bets are off for many of us getting a good night's sleep every night!
A few things to consider:
Get out of bed. Yep. Just do it. Don't lay there when you can't sleep. Get out of the bed. It may seem counterintuitive, but many researchers lots smarter then us will say: Get out of bed when you can't sleep. They will also tell us: Get out of bed in the morning around the same time each day. No loitering. Get dressed. Begin the day.
Jennifer Martin, a psychologist and professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, recommends an app called Insomnia Coach
(click link)
This is free and offers evidence-based, self-guided help through tools like sleep diary and trackers.
When all else fails, please do not be afraid to seek help. We all know someone, or are the someone who struggles with sleeping. Your Dr. will be a great resource for you. You might be surprised what is there to help you!

It's All About Gratitude
Gratitude offers the opportunity to be lifted;
To see the greatness around you, and to hold even the smallest of things with the greatest of wonder!
To live in Gratitude:
1. Begin each day giving thanks for what is to come.
2. During each day take three breaks a day to notice and give thanks for something meaningful to you.
3. When someone does something, no matter how big or small, which brings you joy, thank them.
4. Participate in a daily ritual. Consider saying a prayer before meals, taking 5 minutes for silence, or focus on your breathing.
5. At the end of each day, give thanks for all you experienced. Understand that each experience helps move you closer to who you want to be and how you want to live!
Gratitude is powerful. It can change everything!

