Skating Uphill - December 2020
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
“Imagine the words Hunker Down and Rest. Got it?
Now imagine those words with a big red line
drawn through them!”
– The Uphill Skater –
As many of you know, I subscribe to a variety of magazines, and I’m not liking what I’m reading. Both this and last month almost all of them are advising what I call shutting down, even from my very special favorite people Joanna Gaines and Dr. Oz, for heaven’s sake! Be quiet, snuggle up, curl up by a fire, long winter’s nap and on and on. How absolutely depressing! If you think you are going to get that kind of advice from me, think again. I am advocating just the opposite.
I love December, Christmas and all that goes with it, and I intend to keep as much of it as I can. My Husband and I had planned a gathering for a group of us who all volunteer at a thrift shop, but it got canceled. We had two other parties—also canceled. Just so you know, I am putting up all of the decorations I had planned on anyway. We were the first people in the neighborhood to have our lights up, and the day after Thanksgiving we went out and got our tree. And, I am wearing my Santa hat instead of one of those grey knit things, too. I need to keep my ears warm and this works just fine. Bah and Humbug are not welcome this year!
Also, presents are way too special to skip, and speaking of presents, be sure to remember your local shop owners this year? One-of-a-kind is a great shopping motto and our local boutiques are a great way to go. Go out and have a look around. Meander down to Harbour Town, stroll old town Bluffton, bounce down Bay Street in historic Beaufort. You’re sure to find many delights and new favorites. (Wear your mask, of course.)
If you are home, try turning the television off! I love to cook and try new recipes. Try one of the delicious recipes in this issue or log onto my blog for (www.skatinguphill.com) a month of recipes, many with just four ingredients, and lots of good food tips. While you are at it, seek out other blogs that may interest you, or better yet, try doing a blog yourself.
If this doesn’t interest you, try keeping a journal. I find this gets me up and going just so I do not look boring to myself in my journal. Who wants a reminder of last Tuesday when I sat and did nothing all day? Some people food journal. I have tried this several times with limited success. However, others swear by it, and not only journal their food, but also include successful recipes. A friend of mine from California self-published her food/recipe journal and reuses it and gives copies as gifts. She had a ball doing this and her friends love it, too.
Another way to beat the holiday hunker down theory is to take up a new hobby or project. Learn to quilt (Island Quilt Shop can help!), knit, block print, buy a DIY magazine and build something, make a new wreath,—whatever your heart desires. Immersing yourself into a project can rejuvenate the good feelings we all get by accomplishing something.
Keep your chin up and enjoy the
holidays your way!
Reading a good book, or books series, is not lazy or mindless like watching TV. As a recommendation, try the Laura Child’s Tea Room mysteries. They are set in Charleston (SC) and there 21 of them. Just an afternoon at the bookstore, browsing the shelves, sipping your favorite coffee and allowing a little splurge of pastry or cookie makes me want to start reading right now! Plus, you can Christmas shop while you’re there. Make sure to go into the children’s section, even if you don’t have a child to buy for. It’s difficult not to be cheerful when surrounded by so much color and fun!
Something else I’m having a lot of fun with is coordinating correspondence between my daughter in California and my grandson (her nephew) here. He is in kindergarten and loves getting something in the mail. My daughter has no family out there, so she loves hearing from him, too. We send something twice a week and she sends about the same.
I have two final suggestions that really work for me: I am into HGTV and home decor, so I love to do and re-do my stuff. It’s easy to try new ways to show off old stuff. I enjoy doing this so much I surprise myself. I put cute settings on my kitchen table with different table cloths and dishes. I move vases of flowers, I put out different holiday stuff, I change pillows around—just a touch here and there. The other part of this is fresh flowers; they add instant beauty and vibrant energy to a room. Just be sure to get rid of them when they start to wither—dead flowers are a definite no!
Finally, Walk! It is free, healthy, social (if you want it to be), a way to get out of the house, good for your dog (who wags his whole body when you pick up the leash) and it offers a feel good rush and may lower your stress and blood sugar. The added bonus of walking now is seeing everyone’s beautiful holiday wreaths and decorations. Be sure to look for blooming Camellia’s and lemon trees, too. Or go beachcombing; the warmth of the sun on a nice crisp day feels like paradise with a big dose of healthy vitamin D.
Don’t give up. Wear your mask, keep your chin up and enjoy the holidays your way!
Love, Judith
Visit www.skatinguphill.com blog for new recipes, daily thoughts and décor ideas.
Also find reprints of Pink articles and shared comments. Blogging is fun and easy.
Look at my blog and maybe you will want to try it yourself!
Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and girls Club. Judith is also a long time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her BLOG www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.