The 20/80 Rules for Yule

12 Tips for Creating the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Healing made easy over the holidays.

 

Read the whole article and glean wisdom and grace as you

enjoy every bit of the holiday season.

#1 Smile

#2 Make the call, Healing made easy over the holidays

#3 Do these 3 things every day and be healthy and alkaline all season long

#4 Soul Nourishing Anti-inflammatory Hot Cacao,
       for today and every frosty day

#5 I’ve made a list and checked it twice, so why does it suck to have a fresh pot of homemade soup on my stove?  Procrastination and Overwhelm

NOW is the time to break the code, bust open the myths that the holidays leave you broke and broken.

I am writing this because it’s time to add some spirit and healing to the season.

It’s time to create new rituals and traditions that bring you joy, happiness and love for the holidays.

I know that it is the season of lights because already the cards, the party invites and the shopping lists have begun.

I know it is the season because already I have had to make some difficult choices, I have had to roll the dice.

 

I have had to prioritize.

Cause you can’t do it all!

There really is only so much time and you can only spread yourself so thin and all of the other clichés you have heard and maybe not practiced may leave you burned out, when you could be feeling fulfilled, depleted when you could feel rejuvenated, and maybe kind of green around the gills when you could be dancing in the streets.

 

So that my friend is why I am here sharing this story with you today cause my purpose is to create joy and happiness and even healing over the holidays and make it easy to attain that, and so much more, not just over the holidays, but each and everyday.

 

 

I am sharing this with you because I know that you too will  have to make difficult choices. When? Every time you receive an invitation, choose a gift or write a card. And in the next few weeks there will plenty of choices to make.  You will be conflicted let me help. You can create and enjoy a season of joy and healing, it’s easy and these tips will teach you how.

My holiday season has started. I was away for a few days and I spent some overdue quality time with some of my family. It was fun, we laughed and we cried (well maybe not this time, no, there were no tears…)

I had to make choices, one of them was really difficult and I was feeling conflicted, there was a tempting option to spend time doing something wonderful that I would have loved; but I had to go with my intuition, my heart.  It’s moments like these when you have to do the right thing.

Do you have an awesome family member?

I chose family, that was my priority; my brother gifted me a plane ticket—that is love my friend, that is why I was there, and I am touched and grateful to him for this gesture. I chose family all weekend long and I know it was the only way to go—thanks Phillip!

I hope you have an awesome relative too!

Can I add that this was a big deal for me, usually I would have taken the easy route, maybe copped out a bit, flipped and flopped with my decision, had some regrets, but nope, no more. My siblings and I are creating some traditions and they deserve to be honoured. I don’t do regrets anymore.

Here’s what this is all about.

You too can create new rituals and traditions.

You can change and grow and love the new version of you. I can tell you that it feels great. I have created these tips to help you tune in, to listen and to honour your Truth.

These are simple tips, a sacred guidebook, and each one really only requires a bit of focus, not even 20 percent of everything else you’ve got going on this month, in fact it takes way less then 20 percent and you will reap at least 120 percent! Guaranteed!

I know this is the best and worst month of the year. You and I we could use some help navigating the parties, the shopping, the visiting, the food, oh yes the food, and the alcohol and your time and energy. There are so many choices.

Not to mention the expectations, let downs, the memories and all the rest of it. It is supposed to be joyful, whatever your spiritual beliefs, it is supposed to be joyful.

 

Anyone who knows me well is keenly aware that I am not a big fan of travelling; I am indeed a happy homebody. I love my space. I live in my version of paradise, I have created a haven for myself, and I love simplicity. It’s so easy to be grounded and connected and to live in the joy of the moment when I am at home.

But absence makes the heart grow fonder and I am happily back home and regaining equilibrium. I am going away again though, for more than a few days and I REALLY NEED TO BE PREPARED.

 

This is why I began my very own personal guide for navigating the season of joy and light. I wanted to share just a few secrets with you—I like the numbers 6 or 7, they are good numbers, but I couldn’t help it, we all need help, it is a very important time of the year, and so the list is up to 12.

It’s seriously time to create some new traditions and rituals that create joy and happiness through this next few weeks.

 

Since this is all about balance, joy and peace throughout the season I would love to share my version of 12 Days of Joy and Peace with you.

I will send out a very short and simple tip each day for the next 12 days and that way you can intentionally incorporate each one each day. Then you will have made it through nearly half the month and ideally you will still be smiling and your heart will be full of love and joy.

You too can create new rituals and traditions.

You can change and grow and love the new version of you.

I can tell you that it feels great. I have created these 12 tips to help you tune in, to listen and to honour your Truth.

Secret # 1

Smile

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,
but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
― Thich Nhat Hanh

It only takes a Smile.
It is the most wonderful time of the year after all.
Love is really all you need. The simple act of smiling opens hearts, yours and others.

Smile at strangers in the line up at the grocery store or the post office, your neighbours, the mailman, the people you see every day at the coffee shop, people you pass on the street.

 

Smile, the more you do it the happier you will be, and others too.

When you smile you connect to your heart and the unlimited healing energy and love of the universe, and love is the most healing energy in the world.  So by just sharing a smile you are helping others to heal and you are healing yourself too.  What a joyful practice!

This is the key tip of the season and the others all compliment it very well.

Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow.  There are 12 Sacred Tips coming your way.

You too can create new rituals and traditions. You can change and grow and love the new version of you.

Secret #2

Make the Call, Healing Made Easy Over the Holidays

When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.
Dalai Lama

A phone call, 1+1 makes 2 on the line.

Do you have a dear friend?
I do have a very dear friend, I have known her for nearly ever.  We live in different cities but yet we are very close even after so long and so much has happened.
We have a tradition and it’s a phone call. Late at night one of us picks up the phone and we connnect immediately.  We have laugh till we cry, or cry till we laugh, we listen, we share, and we accept and love and appreciate each other. We cover a lot of ground in 5 mins or often 4 hours.  We pour a cup of tea, or a glass of wine and settle in for this special time, honouring this special relationship we both love and appreciate.

The sound of our voices, the rhythm of our conversation and the deep understanding we have for each other has developed into a sweet sweet ritual.  We have developed this by taking, or I will say giving, the time to make the call.

Make the call, create the time and talk to someone you care about, or who you think about from time to time. A phone call will rekindle or deepen the connection.  You never know whose life you are brightening up with a friendly hello.

Ditch the ‘Season’s Greetings’ text message.  A text message lacks heart.  It is a handy way to communicate but it doesn’t create a soul connection.

Make that call.

Hearing the voice of someone you love is a beautiful way of connecting. Listen to their voice and feel the warmth. It also shows you value your relationship, you’re gifting your time, enjoy it. Refer to section on smiling.

A phone call, 1 +1 makes 2 on the line.

Secret #3

Do these 3 things every day and be healthy and alkaline all season long

Your health during the holidays and all year round depends
on the acidity of your body.
Simply put, a healthy body is slightly alkaline, an unhealthy body is acidic.

 

The holidays do a number on our immune systems and being around lots of people, getting tired and run down, and eating holiday goodies create an acidic pH environment in your body.

Disease thrives in acidity.

When your body’s defenses are weakened a host of diseases can pop up and turn your holidays into a hellish few weeks.

Making some very smart choices can keep you alkalized, healthy and happy all holiday long—a healthy 2018 lies ahead!

I have a crazy sensitive system and one wrong bite can turn my world upside down. I have learned how I can be forearmed and much more resilient.  The 1st thing I do each and every day is drink a glass of Yin Yang Water.  This is a qigong secret. Boiled water mixed with room temperature water is healing and balancing.

2nd, I follow up with lemon in warm water, and a high quality probiotic* to give my digestive system, liver and blood a mini cleanse, build a healthy flora (a great immune booster) and kick the alkalinity levels up.

The 3rd thing I do is take a bioavailable pharmaceutical grade supplement* loaded with anti-oxidants to kick acidity to the curb and build and protect my immune system.

I have to sneak in a 4th secret–meditation lowers stress and increases alkalinity. ;))

You know people who are sick a lot and seem to catch every bug that passes through, they may even miss out on all the holiday fun.

Alkalizing their systems would really give them a boost.

The next few weeks take can take a toll on your health. Let’s get you ready and feeling great all the way through, so you can singAuld Lang Syne with the best of them.

*If you would like to gift your body with my nutritional supplement recommendations, contact me and I will help you get my favorites, the very best.

Soul Nourishing Anti-inflammatory Hot Cacao,
for today and every frosty day
Day 4

It is fresh and foggy outside today and it is the morning of our annual holiday market which I have been waiting for. Today I will to buy many of my gifts.
I love to support local makers and it’s also the perfect day to settle in with a soul nourishing cup of hot cacao.

It is refreshing to walk to the market as it is in my neighbourhood.  My tradition is that when I return home I spread out my purchases, and prepare my favourite winter warm up, a steamy mug of hot cacao.

This is the recipe for a beautiful December day.  Sip, write holiday cards and wrap the gifts to be mailed. Isn’t it delightful to receive love in the mail?

December is a frosty month and this anti-inflammatory drink is the perfect antidote to any outdoor activity. Skating, sledding, walking or skiing or simply walking to the market.
I hope you enjoy this recipe for 1 cup of steamy and healing cacao. Raw cacao is loaded with anti-oxidants and the spices are very anti-inflammatory, the perfect choice for a treat!
I am a guess-timator and everyone’s tastes are different, so please adjust and add as you wish.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup milk ~ almond, cow, coconut, soy, its your choice
• ¼ cup cold water
• 1½ large tablespoons raw cacao, or cocoa
• Dribble of honey, or to taste
• Dash of sea salt and pepper
• ¾ teaspoon mixture of ginger or turmeric or cinnamon, or all of  them.  They are very anti-inflammatory, healing, warming and very delicious.

Directions

Add raw cacao powder and dried spices to mug.  Whisk in some cold water or milk until smooth, get all the lumps out.  This may take a few minutes.
Pour this mixture, along with the rest of the milk, into a pot and warmover medium heat. Stir or whisk until frothy.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick if you have one.
Enjoy!

I have to dash, time to head to the market, it opens at 10!

 

I’ve made a list and checked it twice, so why does it suck to have a fresh pot of homemade soup on my stove?  Procrastination and Overwhelm

Day 5

wanna know why this fresh pot of home made soup sucks big time?

I’ll tell you why.

I get up early and am super productive, in fact if it’s not done by 10:30 it probably ain’t gonna happen.

At least not on that day—it’ll have to wait until 5 am the following day, cause by 11 I am heading to the water for a walk.

Today I do have a few things on my ‘to do’ list. I enjoy them all. Really, that ‘s why they are on the list. Writing this is one of them.

My table is delightfully full of gifts from the holiday market, all ready to be wrapped and mailed.  I was going to do that yesterday right?

Well I am in the vortex, deep in the vortex of overwhelm and procrastination.  This morning my place smells amazing, a gorgeous pot of homemade turkey soup was simmering by 5:30, all of the vegetables in the fridge have been cleaned and chopped and added.  I have done a workout, and a few other things that, although they are important were not on the holiday list.

Why is the holiday list so important? How can it happen with love and joy?

The clock is ticking, the pages are flying off the calendar.  If things don’t get done well they don’t get done and that, is not serious.

But what are your goals for the season?  Can you check the list again and cross off the things that aren’t joyful and put a date beside each item that is?

Then get grounded, breathe, meditate if you have time, and really slow it down. Get perspective and move into the energy of love, of giving and of joy.

The good news is that I am in front of my computer and it is 6:30, and I will have plenty of time to prepare my holiday packages.  I did catch myself in a pattern though and it is a scary one.  I chose to make a pot of soup at 5 am rather than get busy with my holiday stuff. I was procrastinating. If your sinks and floors are glistening and your sheets are ironed (?!?!?),  you may well be in the vortex of procrastination.

So make a list, and check it.  Can you feel the clarity and optimism, and maybe even glee?  There it is!

Things will get done and I will enjoy them I really will. I hope you will too.

Here’s the thing.

When it isn’t written down. It tends to swirl around in your head creating a feeling of overwhelm and chaos.  This makes it tough to get to things and before you know it, BINGO time’s up, the lights are packaged up till next year,  the bells have rung and it’s January.

So the simple tip for today is make a list, check it twice and then make it happen.

All You Need is Love, and I have a Gift of Love for you!

Day 6

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.
~Rumi

These words are a cornerstone of the season.

 

Love is there. all you need to do is connect.
Take some time to be quiet, to be still, to commune with the universe,
with God, with the Divine.

Feeling the love in my heart and replenishing it in stillness,
in communion, is my religion.

When you begin to live your life from a place of compassion and peace everything changes.

I had a beautiful conversation with a dear friend recently.  I was sharing a concern about a difficult situation in my life. This situation was very foreign to me and I was unsure as to how to proceed.  She asked me if I had any bit of brute in me and after reflecting I realized that I didn’t.

This was quite a revelation as I realized how my practice has transformed me on a deep deep level. I am so much closer to living my Truth and living in integrity to this Truth.

You yourself as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.

~Ghandi

I would like to help you. When your heart is full of love you realize that love is unlimited. the more you give the more you have.

I would like to offer you a gift this season. A gift from my heart to yours. A gift to help you step into love, to open your heart.
All you have to do is like my Facebook Page. It’s all about the love.

Click here to connect with me on Facebook and tomorrow I will tell you about your gift.

You will love it!

Love is the most powerful healing energy in the universe and you were born a healer. As you connect with your love, with your heart you will find you smile more, you are more generous in spirit and your presence is a gift.

By connecting to the universal healing energy you can be transformed, you can live in love.
Get your gift now

Feed Your Head

Day 7

Every day is a special day.  During the season of celebrations it’s especially important to take time each day to and take some time for you.

In my case I find a lay down with a book is just what I need late in the afternoon.  A little pause as I escape into the world created by an author.

Books are the best! I have a strong attraction to books, and after giving away about 50 boxes of them when I moved to Victoria, I now am a big fan of the library and buy a book for a treat from time to time.  But it as to be really special.

Here are some of my current faves.  I love a good novel and since I am an avid reader, I tend to plow through authors like crazy.  I am always looking for a good author.

Share your favourite author with me, I would really love that!

Scroll waaaay down, there you’ll find the comments section.
Thank you!

The Season of Abundant Blessings

Day 8

You are so blessed to live in such a benevolent and generous universe.

T’is the season of giving and of receiving.  Receiving is often difficult.  When someone offers you a compliment do you say ‘thank you’? Or do you deflect it, and make yourself less, ‘Oh this thing, it was on sale and it really doesn’t fit me properly’

When you defect the compliment you have rejected the giver’s offering, You have denied them the pleasure of making their offering.

“An attitude of gratitude creates blessings.”

At this time in history, in these tumultuous times it is important in this season and every season to know that the universe truly is conspiring on your behalf, so open your heart and let it in, let it shine.

Gratitude is a very high vibration emotion. Gratitude will raise your vibration, your community’s and that of our planet.

Be generous and choose to smile and spread loving kindness everywhere you go.  Simply say thank you, and add your smile to the sea of blessings.

Gratitude is a doorway into your heart.

Today’s post has been repurposed from from my spiritual alphabet series of posts, March /13.

Gratitude is a doorway into your heart.

It allows you to experience more love in your life and takes you out of a reasoning intellect with judgments of good and bad and right and wrong and puts you into your heart.

Holiday Traditions and a recipe for the holidays

Day 10

Traditional Oatmeal Cookies with a Twist.

One of my favourite childhood memories is based on the smell of oatmeal cookies baking at my grandmother’s house, her lovely blue cookie tin, the deliciousness of the cookies, my gramma’s house and of course my gramma.

Family traditions can trigger memories and emotions that may be pleasant or unsettling. Either way you have an opportunity to create new traditions that bring meaning and joy to your life.

Christmas cookies are one of my favourite traditions. I have always done the holiday baking with my kids or my sister, we have special aprons and ways of doing it that make it ours. And we have the cookie tin. It is a cherished memory that I re-created for my family and myself.

I have taken the gluten free cookie recipe from my dear friend Dianne Young and adapted it to capture the taste and texture of my grandmother’s cookies and added an element of protein to help balance the sugar.

I usually don’t use sugar in my baking however sugar seems to be called for at Christmastime—in small doses of course!  I recommend using all gluten free organic ingredients.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients
2 cups almond flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons Celtic Sea salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup cane sugar
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups dark chocolate chips
1 ½ cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
Dribble of milk

Directions
Melt and cool butter.
Beat sugar into butter, add egg and milk and beat until creamy.
Mix dry ingredients together and beat into butter mixture.
Roll 1 teaspoon of batter into ball and place on cookie sheet.
Bake for 10- 15 minutes until lightly browned.

These cookies are the best, and can be enjoyed all year long!  I will share another recipe with you in the new year which uses a bit of honey as a sweetener and is a yummy nutritious breakfast treat.

 Love to you and Happy Baking!

Everyone deserves a great gift.
Save now till Dec 25th.
Learn about my holiday special savings, click here.
Want more connection to spirit and purpose?
Spend some time with me!  

Contact me.  I work with people from all over, and I would love to work with you.

Giving and Receiving It’s your Turn!

Day # 11

In the season of gifting, please share a gift with me. In the comment section pleae add a tradition or recipe or any other contribution to help make the season brighter. Many thanks!

 

Gratitude and Thankfulness in the spirit of the season.

Day #12!

We are in the darkest time of the year. On December 21, Our Spring Forest QiGong community will celebrate Winter Solstice with our annual Celebration of Light. This is a time to reflect on the gifts and blessings of the past year and set some loving intentions for the coming year. I love winter and the past few days I have felt the energy of winter embrace me.

On the coast our winter is perfect combination of sunny skies and rainy days, and with that come ferns and green grass and lush fields of beauty. And we are heading to the darkest day of the year we know the beautiful light of renewal will follow.

In winter we have shifted from the vibrant active yang energy of summer, to the inner contemplative yin energy of winter. It is a time to get still, to cozy up with a book and candlelight, and to celebrate the calm, quiet energy that is emerging allaround us.

There is change occurring within you as well.Take time to sit in stillness and focus on your breath as you observe the shifts within yourself.

It is important to maintain balance through the seasonal changes

When you focus on the positive emotion for a specific element you can literally transform the energy in that associated system. Kidneys are the organ associated with winter. The emotion for winter is gratitude and thankfulness. The negative emotion is fear.

By focussing on Gratitude you will raise your vibration and support your bodys health and vitality. Feel gratitude and thankfulness in every breath every thought, and in your soul.
Feel gratitude flowing in every cell of your body, direct this energy to where you feel you need it to support your healing.

Let this beautiful energy take you through the holiday season and into the new year.

Wishing you joy, peace, health and abundance now and always.
xo N