Get More Energy!
This time of year do you start to feel run-down and short on energy? Do you feel like YOUR batteries need recharging? In the Dec. issue of Redbook magazine (www.redbookmag.com) top energy solutions are listed.
Go for a walk. Even a short walk will make you feel energized. For the best results, aim for 30 minutes of activity, 5 days a week.
Snack on nuts, not sweets. This sounds like a fairly easy thing to do. Sugary snacks cause blood sugar levels to spike, then crash leaving you feeling wiped out. The protein in nuts digests slowly giving you lasting energy.
Have a banana. Bananas provide potassium which helps convert blood sugar into energy.
Take a power nap. A 30-minute nap prevents energy from flagging further.
Do a mini-meditation. Sit in a quiet place, take deep, slow breaths and concentrate on a pleasing memory. Within three minutes you should feel more energized.
For more energy solutions, pick up the Dec. issue of Redbook.
You can also try using Gathered From The Garden's Bath Teas to help you relax in the tub and then try our Moisturing Mists in a delightful "pick-me-up" scent. Check out our website for other great products. www.gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com

Thoughts For Thanksgiving

I asked my students today to tell one thing they were thankful for. I was amazed at how many could not come up with anything! We live in a society that takes too much for granted. I found this article on 1stholistic.com. I think it is great" food for thought" for Thanksgiving!

Consider the following facts. Then count your blessings.

• If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of people in this world.

• If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

• If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

• If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

• If you can attend a church or other places of worship without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

• If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very rare (and your parents too!).

• If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

• If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder ... you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

• If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

Pass The Conversation
Since my husband and I have become empty nesters mealtime has changed for us. I don't cook big meals as often as I used to and we have lots more left-overs. Our mealtime is fairly quiet, a nice time for us to catch up with our day's events.
I do miss the spirited conversation that we used to have when our three children were gathered around the supper table with us. They'd share snippets of their day--often funny anecdotes about friends, teachers or how their particular sport practice went. We sometimes tried to help solve each other's problems. Sometimes we didn't all agree on issues and sometimes some of us were a little moody! But it was a time for us all to connect as family.
Now that we have grandchildren sharing meals with us some of the spirited conversation is returning. A three year-old's perspective on things can be very entertaining! We don't mind the spilled milk or crumbs on the floor! We are connecting with a new generation of family.
I read about a website that has something to help families that don't have much lively table talk. You can go to www.earthdinner.org. They have developed "creativity cards". They are printed with food-focused conversation starters like "What foods did your grandparents eat when they were your age?" (You can download free black-and-white versions).
Thankfully, our family will not have to resort to those conversation starters. We seem to have enough interesting conversations when we get together. I'm looking forward to the holidays when my children and grandchildren will all be together and we can connect once again.
Before you sit down to that meal use some of Gathered From The Garden's wonderful foaming hand soap or hand sanitizers. You can find these at gatheredfromthegardenll.4t.com