Hello and Welcome to the 5th Monthly Issue of HSSN Monthly News!
Homeschool is in session and has been going great. Lots of transitions and changes in this year, especially with our son who is currently in his junior year of high school. We can’t believe how this month has literally flown by. Right now, we are getting ready for Halloween and all that this upcoming holiday has to offer us as well as the welcome view of Autumn leaves and change in the air. The weather is the first thing that usually sets the scene with a little more nip in the air, falling of leaves and of course the rain. Unfortunately for others it is hurricane season as well. Please keep residents in Florida in your thoughts and prayers at this time. Our hope is that they pull though this awful time of uncertainty and fear and that those that are lost will be found. Most of all is that they heal from this natural disaster. Since we are transitioning to Fall and there has been so much change going on, this will definitely be a holiday inspired issue full of tips, recipes, inspiration and more.
For those of you who are here visiting and/or new to my newsletter, Welcome! I also wanted to thank my older subscribers that have been here from the beginning as well. I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter and keep coming back for more next month. So, without further ado let’s get started.
Rustic Fall Vegetable Soup Recipe (Life Skill)
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 medium winter squash, peeled and diced
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
1/2 cup orzo
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Directions
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat the butter or oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until fragrant and translucent. Add the garlic and saute until golden brown.
2. Add the winter squash, zucchini, sweet potato, orzo, canned tomatoes, thyme, rosemary, and broth. Simmer until the vegetables are soft and cooked through, about 30 minutes.
3. Season the soup with salt, and black pepper, to taste. Serve with sliced crusty bread.
Every month I post a monthly blog about raising my special needs son and what we are up to. It can be very interesting and sometimes I may post extra depending on what is going on personally or while homeschooling. Just Click on the picture below and it will take you directly to my blog.
Anyone Can Homeschool: Overcoming Obstacles to Home Education
Is Stress Keeping You Up at Night?
What keeps Americans awake at night? While for some it may have been too much pizza, for most business people today, especially entrepreneurs, managers, and executives, it’s stress. There’s just too much to do, and not enough time to do it. The result of the hyped-up business climate we live in today is a population that’s dependent on medication and drugs to sleep and get through the day. These only serve to increase the devastating effects of stress on our lives.
Mindful Awareness of Thoughts and Beliefs – Become aware of what you are thinking and feeling during the day. Are your thoughts negative, fearful or limiting? Do you worry about everything: money, health, and relationships? If you are thinking negative thoughts, you are attracting into your life negative people and unhelpful situations. You are doing the very thing you do not want to do. Try to “let go” of the thought and replace it with a positive belief or image.
Visualization – Clinical evidence shows that physical changes clearly happen when people practice imagery regularly. Creating a mental image in your mind is a very powerful practice to use in the morning when you get up and at night before you go to sleep. Start by relaxing with music or in silence and create an image of a peaceful place. Then envision in your mind what you want to happen. “I am totally relaxed, I will wake-up with the solution to my problem, I will sleep soundly all night.” If you practice this technique frequently, you can instill these messages into your subconscious mind and activate the relaxation response anytime you want.
Meditation – Mediating before bedtime for ten to twenty minutes can be very helpful for reducing stress and promoting sounder sleep. Sit quietly in a comfortable chair, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Focus on your breath; relax your chest and body. When your mind wanders and you find yourself lost in other thoughts, let the emotion or thoughts go and return your focus to your breathing. This practice works quickly to reduce stress and rebalance your body. Continue for at least ten minutes or until you feel drowsy.
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
It’s a great way to release tension and fortify us against the physical effects of stress. Engage in aerobic activity; take a walk, run or swim. Try a new, fun exercise such as NIA, belly-dancing or boxing. Exercising in the evening, however, can be counter-productive, particularly if the exercise is vigorous.
Laugher and Fun
Laughter is one of the healthiest antidotes to stress. Take yourself lightly and your work seriously. When we laugh or even smile, blood flow to the brain is increased, endorphins are released, and levels of stress hormones drop. Start to notice how often you smile. People who experience joy, fun and laughter sleep well.
Diaphragmatic Breathing – The following exercises make use of the breath and can enhance the ability to fall asleep due to their calming effect.
Put one hand on your abdomen and close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through your nose and expel it slowly and completely through your mouth. You will feel your belly flatten. Exhale fully, drawing in your abdomen. At the end of each third exhalation, hold your breath for as long as you can. Then repeat the process two or three times, or until you feel sleepy.
Take Action – Rather than worry, re-live the situation over and over or spend sleepless nights thinking about the consequences, take some action to move the issue forward. Talk to a friend, get a therapist, journal… just do something. Procrastination weakens productivity, compounds your anxiety and causes the stressful side-effects of guilt, anger and low self-esteem.
Get Serious– Hire a coach who specializes in stress reduction and mind-body coaching. Develop a blueprint for lifestyle change, set goals, have accountability and make the health lifestyle changes you have always wanted.
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