Happy New Year! Here are some of my alphabetical thoughts about ways we can choose to take care of ourselves in the year ahead. What are your thoughts for wellness in 2021? Email them to me at jpelkki@ascension.org and we’ll include them in this column.
P-Practice patience. Learning new computer skills, understanding tax and/or medical forms-these are some recent experiences I’ve had where others showed me patience. As Matthew 7:12 says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Show yourself patience, too. Any kind of behavior change requires persistence; change doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself the gift of patience as you make healthy plans for 2021.
Q-Quirky. Unusual hobbies help create happiness by helping us unwind and lose ourselves in enjoyable activities. Pinterest has a whole section dedicated to unusual hobbies. My most recent hobby? This fall, while on walks, I found a persimmon tree. The ripeness of the persimmons became a regular topic of conversation at our house. A friend helped me find persimmon recipes to try when the berries were ripe enough to harvest.
R-Refreshment. Are you staying hydrated? In wintertime, it can be difficult to recognize thirst. Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, digestion, mood and memory problems. Keep a water bottle handy to sip on during your day. If you are looking for a healthy wintertime drink, see the recipe below for an easy warm-up.
S-Sing! Singing makes people happier by reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and loneliness, many of the emotions a lot of us are experiencing during the pandemic. Singing is even used to help people with dementia and Alzheimers maintain their memories. Best of all, it’s fun! How about trying a verse from “I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Has Gone?”
T-Team. Who is on your team? I’m not talking about football or softball teams. I’m referring to supportive people. To whom do you turn when you need help? Your family, a spouse, friends, fellow church members-any and all of these are terrific. Staying in touch with others helps give our lives meaning. Now, when gathering together is tough, being connected-virtually, on the phone or in person and socially distant- helps us stay hopeful and healthy.
Hot Apple Orange Cider
4 cups 100% apple juice
2 cups water
1 orange
6 whole cloves
1 whole allspice berry
3 cinnamon sticks
In a 4 quart stock pot, add apple juice, water, oranges (cut in half) and all the spices. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 hours.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Nutrition information: Recipe provides 6 servings. Each serving has 90 calories, 0 grams fat, 15 mg sodium, 21 grams carbohydrate, 0 grams protein.
Recipe from foodhero.org.
