Tag: healthy

Loss During Corona Virus

kswemba

We are all experiencing some kind of loss because of the Corona virus. Whether it’s the loss of freedom, normal daily routine, free time, jobs, income, or a loved one, this is a challenging time. Never did I expect that I would be isolating myself and my family in our home to protect us and others.

When change happens, it’s usually difficult to adjust. If the change is expected, at least you can prepare for it mentally and emotionally. This change, however, came without warning…drastically altering our lives in every aspect. It leaves us asking, “How do we cope? What do we do? How long will it be like this?”

Lets look at the first question, how do we cope. The easy answer is the best you can. But how? To be honest, it will be different for everybody. What I can say is that panicking, taking pictures of empty shelves, or fighting in the store for items is not going to help anyone. These actions only increase negativity. Let’s try to join together as a community (in theory because we need to be social distancing) and remember we are all in this together.

If you are like me, I’m ordered to stay at home. I’ve been teaching my two young children and explaining things to them in a non threatening manner. I am a stay at home mom and do not have to juggle work. I can’t imagine trying to work full time and teach my children. My husband is working from home and adjusting to his new “office”.

To cope, we make time for ourselves. We read the news, which I don’t recommend doing all day. Try to do other things to distract yourself because too much focus on Corona virus isn’t going to be healthy. Stay informed, but try not to make it your main focus. Life needs balance to be healthy. Try other things like baking, reading, writing, painting, coloring with your kids, playing cards, board games, cleaning your home, or if you can…go outside. If you have a backyard, you can have your children find examples of spring (blooming flowers, grass, buds on trees.) If you have snow, try making a snow angel, foot prints, look for animal tracks, let them write in the snow with food coloring. (Pinterest is wonderful for crafts and ideas for children.) I don’t know what your situations are, but I did want to at least reach out to you know we are in this together.

Feel free to write me. I’m here to listen….and wish you well.

Taking Care of You: All About Self Love

kswemba

Hi everyone and happy new year! I can’t believe this year brings us a new decade! WOW! It makes it feel more special than other new years. What will we do in this bright new decade?!

I am taking part of Julie Hedlund’s 12 Days of Christmas for writers, and today’s focus was about taking time for yourself. This is such a wonderful concept, but somehow gets pushed to the back of our busy days, schedules, and family responsibilities. She stated that taking time for yourself isn’t selfish…..it’s self LOVE! Yes, I completely forgot about this somewhere along the way. Just because you stop to do something for yourself for more than a moment or two, does NOT make you selfish. How can we be expected to run 24/7 without ever taking care of ourselves? And, more importantly…..should we be ignoring our own needs? The answer to that is no.

We as individuals are people too….with needs, wants, and desires. Whether that desire is to take time to write, to read a book, to build something, to go outside in nature, or to pamper ourselves…it’s ok! And in fact, it’s necessary. Self love preserves who we are. I catch myself telling my kids (in-between their requests for more milk and lunch #2, don’t ask) that I’m a person too!!! They just look at me like I’m silly….like, come on Mom! Oh well, at least I’m voicing it! But now I need to put that into action.

Putting self time into action isn’t always easy. If it is for your, that’s wonderful and do please share your secret! If you find it harder, than take a serious look at your schedule. When does time work for you? Are days of the week better than others, or specific times of the day? For me, I struggle with getting up before my kids. But if I did, that would be a nice amount of quiet time for me to enjoy my coffee WHILE sitting down and relaxing. Another option is when the kids are in bed, but by that time, I would like to maybe somedays workout, spend time with my husband and watch an adult show that doesn’t consist of kid creature rescues or dinosaurs on trains.

So as this journey of self love starts, I wish you luck. And please, write me with your thoughts, struggles, suggestions or just to say hi. Let’s make this a great new decade!

Kelly

Meatless Monday…..Easy and delicious Chinese

kswemba

Looking for an easy dish that will definitely please the crowds!? Then this is the dish for you. I’ve made it numerous times, and am continually surprised but how impressed everyone one is with it! My secret weapon….it’s all about the sauce. Wait, don’t go yet, it’s STORE BOUGHT! (Annie Chun’s Thai-Style Peanut Sauce) Yes, I know! I literally tell everyone that but they completely over look it and congratulate me on my cooking, like I’m a culinary master…ha, which I’m not, at all. Another wow factors is that I top it with roasted sea salt cashews. Also seems to add to the fancy of this dish. The other thing about this recipe is you can add whatever veggies you want! Do have something or don’t like it, sub it! No big deal! That’s how I roll.

Okay, so let’s begin. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook time 20 minutes . Towards the end of cooking, microwave 2 bags of brown rice.

Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
1. Asparagus – break off bottoms, lightly drizzle with extra virgin olive oil (EEVO) and sprinkle with sea salt
2. Dice 4 Roma Tomatoes – drizzle with EEVO and 1/2 tsp garlic salt
3. Chop 2 Bell Peppers (any will do, but to make it colorful spring for yellow, orange or red) drizzle with EEVO and 1/2 tsp garlic salt and onion powder . Place in the oven. Now, you can add chopped broccoli, onions, celery or whatever else sounds good. You can’t do wrong in this dish!

Pour 1 tsp of EEVO into a large frying pan and heat on low. This is just to mix everything together and coat in sauce. Take your rice, all of your veggies (make sure to cut the asparagus into small pieces) and place them in the pan. Add cashews and drizzle with Peanut sauce. Start with a small amount, and add more if desired. That’s it!