Living Well Etc.

  Stay Healthy During Season Changes Every autumn my immune system goes into hyperdrive as if it is trying to fight off some fierce monster virus.  After two decades of multiple sclerosis – or what I like to call it: what will it do to me today? – I've come to expect the flu symptoms, severe fatigue, and achy muscles my immune response to the change of weather brings.  It is an all-out assault against my body and mind.  Why is Season Change an Immune-System Trigger? With temperatures dropping from warm to cold, the change of season affects everyone at some level.  After all, this change adds stress to the body, thus triggering an immune system response.  Fold in the increased chances of contracting a cold or virus and this is a challenging time for all of us—autoimmune disease or no.  Through the years, though, I have found ways to combat this assault.  Plus, the pandemic taught us many general health lessons.  I’ve found wearing ...

After many years of visiting our great state of California’s countless wineries, I've found the key to creating the perfect wine tasting experience.   Furthermore, I'm sharing it with you.   Shhhh...we don't want everyone learning about this.   It's our little secret. Create a Moment with the Pourer Just about everyone loves attention and the pourer at the winery is no different.   This person usually knows quite a bit about the wines and most often wants to share it.   So, inquire about the wines, how the grapes are grown, and where.   Ask questions, even if you consider the questions to be too simple.   The plus side is that you just may learn more as well.   My favorite question is, "What am I smelling in this wine?   I can't seem to identify it." Now if the tasting room is empty besides you and the pourer, usually, the more you engage this person, the more he/she will share.   For example, during a visit to Silverado Vineya...

  Celebrate With a Mother and Daughter Tea Party! May is all about Mother's Day and what better way to celebrate than to have a tea party with just the girls.  So, let's get ready for the big day by learning what to do for our special party!  Plan the Party Together!  Mom , it's best to involve your daughters in the planning of your party.  If you wish to invite other mothers and daughters, you will need to consider how many you can afford to host and accommodate.  Once this is decided, decide on what type of invitations to send.  Creating your invitations is so easy these days and will help to create the desired mood. Moreover, it is a fun activity to share with your daughters.  Note : E-invitations are acceptable as well.  Just make them special!  You may wish to include attire choice on your invitations.  Dressing up is part of the tea party experience.  Encourage your guests to wear d...

Look out baby, Memorial Day is nearing so barbecue season has officially begun        I bet this sounds familiar.    You are standing in the middle of your backyard, drooling on the bucket of just pulled weeds, because an enticing aroma of yummy barbecue wafts through the air.    Sadly, it is not coming from your grill.    The bad and good news of this tasty temptation is that I'm that neighbor torturing you with mouthwatering BBQ aromas, but I'm letting you in on some of my secrets!   Good BBQ begins in the kitchen Although not a food snob, I am particular.  I believe that the best 'cue begins in the kitchen.   Fresh food is a must, and it has to be cooked just right.  Moreover, whatever goes on the grill must be bursting with flavor.  Luckily, I have a prolific herb garden.  This won't rub you the wrong way Since I tend to lean toward Mediterranean dish...

As a small business owner, I often entertain for business and for fun during the holidays.  Since watching my budget can be a challenge, I'm always searching for ways to cut costs, especially for non-essentials like decorating .  Over the years, I've found great ways to do just that and I'm sharing all with you today.  Dollar stores offer great deals. Shopping for deals at the Dollar Store is easy if it is done wisely.  Everything is a dollar but beware not all items are worth a dollar.  I look for packages of red bows, floral, garland, and ornaments to string on a ribbon.  Floral-filled baskets are perfect for table decoration.  Many times, I find coupons on the Family Dollar Store's website, like one last year: $5 off $25 or more. Get crafty at craft stores. Luckily the craft store – Michael's – nearest us not only has sales each week but discount coupons.  Here I can find everything I need to create my own work of art or one that i...

  Eat Well, Spend Less, and Engage Children This Holiday Season As a young mother, many years later a small business owner, now retired, I've always found ways to save money.   The holidays often bring budget-busting challenges, especially when hosting the extended-family Thanksgiving dinner.  However, after 30+ years of hosting, I've come up with some great money-saving tips.  Follow along as I share mine with you.    Decorate with found objects or real fruit and vegetables. Feeding a large group of people doesn't leave much room in the budget for decorations.  This doesn't have to be an issue as most of us have just the right table centerpiece in our own homes.   I often dress a large oval plate with leaves, pine needles, or herbs from my garden.  On top of this, I arrange fruit, vegetables, nuts, pinecones...whatever I can find that looks appealing.  One year, I filled the plate with bright orange persimmon...

  Holiday dinners with the Italian side of my family are some of my best memories.  With Thanksgiving coming up very soon, those memories are playing with my sense of reality, as fond memories tend to do.  I just want to jump into those visions and be that little girl watching my grandpa, as head of the family, command everyone to "mangiare" (eat).  These events were full of playful banter and the occasional heated discussion that always ended in laughter and wine.  Nevertheless, for the most part, they were centered around dining—cooking, drinking good wine, sharing, and eating.  One really can't just sit at the table and chow down though.  This is especially true at the Italian table.  I noticed this on our latest trip to Italy as well.  Our interactions with one another are very important.  And we weave our interactions around the meal.  It's like an intricate dance of interaction and precise utensil usage, all the wh...

  All Treats and No Tricks for Those Who Go Green As an avid recycler, composter, and green gardener, I use every opportunity to be green .  Halloween can be a bit tricky but offers us a chance to be inventive with our eco-friendly efforts.  Let's explore some of my favorite green and eco-friendly ways to celebrate this ghoulish holiday. Trick or Treat Goodies Treats don't always have to be food .   In fact, most candy packaging is excessive with a tiny treat packaged inside paper, packaged inside plastic, making most a non-green option.      As a retired teacher and gardener, my favorite choices are recycled bookmarks, stickers, and seed packets.   Ghostly Parties Halloween parties are a much better green option for serving organic, home-baked goodies in a safe environment.   Involving children in the planning, baking and hosting makes this an even more memorable event.   Compostable Invitations Begin by hand-deliveri...

A party is a perfect time to teach children the importance of hosting.   After all, a host is attending to the needs of others.   This type of selfless giving may assist in the child learning empathy, which is difficult to teach at times.   However, a child is not hired help and shouldn’t be treated as such.   So, she/he as an assistant host should be elective.   Plus, consider what type of party you are hosting.  A loud drink-fest is not an appropriate setting for children.   Teachable Moment  Pro-Tip Parent and plan your party well.   Set expectations and practice with your child well ahead of the party. Suggestions for the Child As a door monitor, smile, maintain good eye contact, and introduce yourself to the arriving guest. When answering the door, you would initiate the introduction and handshake.  Offer to take the guest’s coat and purse and put them away. Lead guests into the home to greet the parents or to...

  The Hostess Gift An invitation to another’s home is a privilege and honor, so the good guest would behave as such.   Guests should bring some type of gift such as a bottle of wine, flowers, or even a single rose as a token of appreciation.   Note : It’s much easier for the host if flowers are already in a vase.   Dollar stores usually have nice ones in stock.   One dollar and done! Must-Follow Rules Guests should avoid picking up or reading notes laying around, entering rooms uninvited, putting feet up on the furniture, or indulging in anything unoffered.   After the gathering, guests should also write a thank-you note thanking the host for including him/her. More by Rebecca How to Avoid the Biggest Party Planning Mistakes How to Create a Great Guest List Party Hosting Reluctance: Why and How to Overcome it?

  Dear Rebecca, What are the biggest party mistakes people typically make?   Is there a magic formula to planning correctly? Just Asking Dear Just Asking , No one wants to sit next to a bore or attend a party and not know anyone but the host.   These two mistakes are preventable.   Always create a guest list with ultimate care.   And don’t sit two shy, quiet people next to each other; neither will initiate a conversation.   I also find it especially offensive when a host expects his guests to cater his party or if it is to be held in a restaurant , expecting the guests to pay for their owns meals.   Very poor manners. Always consider who your guests are, what they prefer, and provide it.  This is your magic formula.   Most sincerely, Rebecca More by Rebecca The ABCs of Party Planning How to Create a Great Guest List Party Hosting Reluctance: Why and How to Overcome it?