Sunny With A Chance of Happiness

 It's a chilly but a beautiful day in my neck of the woods. It's only 15 degrees outside and no breeze, I was able to walk outside comfortably without a coat to take a few photos.

Did you know sunshine is very important to your health in winter? 

According to an article in Good Housekeeping, a little bit of sun exposure is a good thing.

* Provides Vitamin D - protects against disease & slows the aging process. “Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin with strategic sun exposure, enabling the body to build bones, tame inflammation, and boost immunity,” writes Frank Lipman, MD. for Well + Good. Just 10-15 minutes a day is enough.

Vitamin D does a lot for us.

* Improves mood Half a million people in the United States have seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—which is just as serious as other forms of depression—and 10 to 20 percent of people deal with a less severe case of the winter blues. Sunlight has been shown to help improve your mood, helping keep those feel-good vibes going.

* Improves sleep

* Lowers blood pressure

Today's view from my office.
I have a large window facing the north.

Sunlight energizes also you. “When your eyes detect light, that tells your brain to wake up and release the cortisol you need to increase your metabolism and get through your day,” hormone expert Anna Cabeca, DO. Maybe lack of sunlight is why I get so sleepy some days in my office.

The paths at our local park are clear.

Get outside today! Step onto your porch & take a few deep breaths.

Let the sun touch your face.

Grab your honey for a little winter stroll and catch a few rays.

Allergy Sufferer Finds Romance

 There is nothing romantic about suffering allergies but that doesn't mean something romantic can happen.

I raised my boys to share and like a good son, #3 shared his sore throat with me. Oh, joy!As I lay on the couch suffering in silence, hubby brought me a steaming cup of tea. Awww......and it gets better. It was a cup of herbal tea designed to ease a flaming throat! AWWWWW! He's such a romantic guy. *sigh*

The primary ingredient in this herbal tea is Slippery Elm. Native Americans especially the Eastern Woodland Peoples have been using Slippery Elm for ages to treat a variety of ailments. The inner bark when combined with water, created a gummy substance that could be used as a soothing ointment. Gram said the Chippewa peoples of our state cut small flat dolls from the bark. Because of the calming attributes, the dolls were often chewed upon by fussy, teething toddlers.

I've used Slippery Elm in tea for years due to suffering sore throat issues regularly since childhood. Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat is one of my go-to teas. I like the silky licorice flavor, reminding me of Gram's homemade tea, thus adding an extra layer of comfort. Keep in mind there are several variations of Throat Coat depending on which flavor you prefer or what you are trying to achieve. Some blends are good for overall health, while others add in improving respiratory health or the immune system. Check out Amazon for a list of all the teas for a side-by-side comparison.

In the name of romance, I will sit and enjoy every cup of herbal tea hubby brings to me.

Go On Vacation for a Longer Life

You will not believe what I learned today!

 According to an analysis of the Framingham Heart Study, researchers found women who take the fewest vacations (once every six years or less) are nearly eight times more likely to have a heart attache or die of heart disease than those who enjoy two or more getaways annually.

A little getaway... it doesn't have to be fancy. 

Well... I'll take fancy but it doesn't always have to be fancy.

That's it!

I'm going on vacation!