Cook, Make, Think

10 ways to slow ageing naturally according to Paleo Hacks.Mostly common sense but we all need a reminder now and then.

I messed up the next few steps so it doesn't look the way it should.The Next step is to make the frame around the basic block. Below is what it is supposed to look like. Rather than walk you through the rest I'm going to send you to the pattern so you can follow instructions better than I did. The base is not the most important part of this block for me what comes next is.The next step for me is to add snowflake embroidery and beads to truly convey what January means to me but that is a topic for another day.I hope you enjoyed this little exercise I know for all the frustration I did.

Healthline says these 12 foods are powerhouse breakfasts. Mix & match for delicious and filling meals. You know what the best part of them is? Most of them require little or no fancy prep.Cottage cheese is high in protein, which promotes feelings of fullness and increases your metabolic rate.Flaxseeds are high in viscous fibre, which helps you feel full. They may also improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.Fruit is a good source of vitamins, potassium and fibre. It also contains antioxidants that can help reduce disease risk.A protein shake or smoothie is a great high-protein breakfast choice that promotes fullness and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.Green tea has many health benefits. It contains an antioxidant called EGCG, which benefits your brain and nervous system.Nuts are a filling, nutrient-dense food that may help reduce heart disease risk and improve blood sugar control.Berries are high in fibre and low in calories. They’re also rich in antioxidants …

WHAT IS SELF-CARE?Self-Care is much bigger than we think.To describe Self-Care in a single sentence – Self-Care is really just about becoming an advocate for yourself.Here are a few things that Self-Care encompasses.• Self-Care is about paying attention to you, your body and your emotions.
• Self-Care is about checking in with yourself in each moment
• Self-Care is setting healthy boundaries
• Self-Care is learning and practicing clear and direct communication
• Self-Care is about learning to appreciate and love yourself
• Self-Care is about living your life with joy… guilt free!I am aware that this isn't easy ... it requires that we be a bit selfish, something a lot of people have trouble with especially women. Even in the newest generation, I've seen a trend towards care-taking ... of everyone else.Though less often than in my generation so I guess that is a good thing. Next month I'm going to be working on some self-revelation stuff and finding a healthy balance in life.BTW …

So much power in such a small thing! Imagine a bowl of Oatmeal in the morning can do more for you than any other breakfast food you can think of and it is easy as oatmeal, hot water, stir, enjoy. You can dress it up of course with some of those superfoods to make it even more powerful! Enjoy a bowl of oatmeal any time!

Smoothies are by far the easiest way to take your fruits and vegetables but did you know that certain combinations are also good for certain health issues. Take a look at this chart:
And some quick healthy dinner options:

From Cookateria the most basic recipe for Chicken & Rice 4.74 from 52 votes CHICKEN RICE CASSEROLE This simple and easy Chicken Rice Casserole makes an elegant and tasty dinner. Made with onions, carrots, basmati rice, and chicken, you won’t believe how delicious this meal is! Prep Time10mins Cook Time50mins Total Time1hr

Challenge your brain. Some cognitive decline, such as in memory and thinking skills, is a normal part of ageing. Studies have shown that a lifestyle that includes cognitive stimulation through active learning slows this cognitive decline. Do something good and stimulating for your brain like assembling a puzzle, learning a foreign language or learning to play a musical instrument.Jigsaw puzzles are fun in a slow and easy way, crosswords & find-a-words are challenging. Building blocks can also help your memory and your hand-eye co-ordination.Now I know that money is an issue for many people, myself included so I decided to see what I could find cheap or free online.Jigsaw PuzzlesThe Jigsaw Puzzles.comJigsaw ExplorerJigsaw PlanetCrosswordsBoatload PuzzlesArkadiumDo a search for crosswords online and you will find a whole bunch of crosswords from Newspaper sites, some are free some are not. I avoid newspapers as much as possible so you will need to check them out for yourself.Find-A-…

Ok so now you have all these pieces what are you supposed to do with them. I am going to assume some basic knowledge of sewing by hand but if you are truly a beginner check out this site.
Got thread and a needle? Got your pieces handy?
Today you will begin sewing them together. If you are good with a sewing machine you can use it as well, I just prefer to sew little pieces by hand.
Take two of the two inch triangles and sew them to the top & bottom of the square. Iron the seams open to flatten it a little.
Once you have the first two triangles sewn on and ironed, sew on the left & right pieces. Iron and put aside. Trust me if you sewed all four sides in one day you will need the rest.
Once you have completed those two steps rotate the square 90 degrees and repeat the process with the larger triangles. Iron it flat. You are done for this week.

A video from youtube on how to thread a needle

Here's the thing ... Breakfast can be anything from leftovers to Scramble Eggs & toast. There are things you can make ahead of time and freeze or go to a grocery store and pick something up. Most of the time I prefer not to buy food but to make it. I have a limited income so must make everything count.One of my favourite breakfast foods is egg muffins, like a quiche but smaller they are easy to make and you can add meat  & vegetables to them if you want to.Best of all they are fully freezable so though you make a dozen you don't need to eat them all in a couple of days. How to Make Egg MuffinsChop and sauté the veggies.Stir in the spices.Add the spinach and cook until all the juices have been released.Whisk eggs and cottage cheese.Mix the veggies into the egg cheese mixture and add cheese.Transfer to muffin tins or baking dish.Bake and enjoy!Check out the link above for more information & the directions.

Equal day & night before the nights begin to darken at 4 PM. A Pagan celebration to thank the sun and prepare for the cold to come.This year it is on the 22 of September. I am not sure how I will be celebrating it but I suspect it will be low key like always as I rest and prepare for the 2nd week of October and all the birthdays during that week plus a dinner party to celebrate my 60th year.The first thing I will be doing is changing the hanger on my door to the autumn one. Beyond that, I have no clue.
There are many crafts that you can do to bring autumn into your home but the celebration itself ... SomeWiccan rituals for Maboninclude building an altar with harvest fruits and vegetables, meditating on balance, gathering and feasting on apples, offering apples to the goddess, sharing food, and counting one’s blessings. SourceFor a more in-depth explanation of Equinox celebrations can be found on Learn Religions. That web site contains a wealth of information on Pagan rituals and man…

Healthline

OK so Yoga isn't real easy. That said there are sites like this one who show you ways you CAN do it if you really want to. The Sun Salutation is the most well know of the pose sets and this article shows you how to do it without having to get down on the floor. Important when you have issues that make getting back up difficult.It is not a secure site but I assure you it is safe.


I like this article because she shows you what to do but she also has suggestions on how to modify it for beginners

Or Indian Chicken & RiceIf you like Indian food you will love this! It is not simple or easy but it is delicious.

By now you have figured out that I Write things out to help me sort them out. Today I am inviting you to do the same. Enjoy the writing prompts and share your answers if you would like.
I have been having difficulty with the new picture holder blogger is using so I'm sorry if the text is difficult to read. I have linked you back to the source in case it is too difficult to read.Knowing what you want your healthy old age to look like is the first step to getting there!

So I am going to assume you have fabric and scissors at least.The first thing you need to do is choose two or three colours that go well together. For the January block I chose two blues: a navy and a light blue. This is simple to sew by hand if you wish to start with a simple patternThe size of the centre block will depend on how big you want your block. I started with three squares 3 inches by 3 inches. One in the dark fabric and two in the light fabric.
Cut the two light coloured squares in half and set aside for now.
You will need two more squares in the dark colour, these should be around 4.5 inches in size. You need to cut these in half as well.
Once you have the blocks listed you are done for this week: 1x 3" square in the dark material 2x 3" squares in the light material 2x 4.5" squares in the dark material
Cut the 2 x light colour in half Cut the 2 x dark colour in half
Put aside. Next week you will need a needle and some thread.

Power Up with BreakfastReviewed by Esther Ellis, MS, RDN, LDNPublished December 12, 2019 Reviewed November 2019 Digital Vision/Thinkstock Kids who fuel up in the morning focus and concentrate better in the classroom and perform better on math, reading and standardized tests. They also have fewer behavior problems and are less likely to be tardy. Eating breakfast also can help children maintain a healthy weight. Unfortunately, studies show many children don’t eat breakfast every day.A high-octane carbohydrate source energizes the body and brain for a busy day with fiber and nutrients. Think whole-grain cereal (hot or cold), bread, tortillas, muffins, waffles or even leftover rice or pasta. Protein often is a missing link in morning meals and it’s needed to go strong until lunch. Think a slice of Canadian bacon, an egg, a slice of lean deli meat or low-fat cheese, a container of low-fat yogurt, a scoop of low-fat cottage cheese, a cup of milk or a handful of nuts.Breakfast is a perfect tim…

National Courtesy Month Observed the month of September There are small things that we can do every day to show politeness and respect to our fellow man, and most won’t even require much effort. Here are my top tips for extending courtesy to others: 1.Be clear and considerate in your communication.In all things, think about being on the receiving end of your actions – or lack of as it may be. How would you feel if your call wasn’t returned or text wasn’t responded to, you received a curt and seemingly demanding email, you set aside your valuable time only for your companion to leaving you hanging and show an hour late? Communication is an exchange of information between two or more individuals – take care in how your communications could be perceived by others. Be sure to communicate in a clear and honest manner. 2.Hold the door for a stranger. Isn’t it nice when someone holds a door for you? A stranger takes the time to acknowledge and wait for you – how nice is that? This kind of though…