Last Christmas, a client/student/friend was the kind giver of a recipe book on herbal teas.

I love natural remedies, so that book was right up my alley. Frequent readers of this blog know that I grow my own favorite herbs, although the majority of the herbs in my collection still come from my local herbalist shop here in Italy or imported from the US.

I have used the book already many times. That gift brought my  repertoire of self-healing teas up a few notches….

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By now you must be thinking ‘which book???’

This book. It is called Herbal Teas: 101 Nourishing Blends for Daily Health & Vitality and is written by Kathleen Brown and Jeanine Pollak.

It starts of with information about how to work with herbs, and how to create healing teas in general.

Then the book goes on to share recipes from a range of medical and other herbalists to help with a whole range of common health problems, ranging from stress, fatigue, mood swings, PSM, to common colds and respiratory problems.  There are also some recipes for lotions and tinctures.

The last part of the book describes the healing benefits of a long list of herbs from A to Z.
Highly recommended.

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Now , in the depth of winter when many people are a tat bluesy, I thought to share just one recipe from this book, and I am anticipating you will love it.

This herbal blend is called ‘HAPPY SPIRITS tea’. This tea will perk you up no matter how bleak your outlook. Start sipping this gentle, nourishing herbal blend and your mood will soon improve.

Try it. Here is the recipe.

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HAPPY SPIRITS TEA

2 parts lemon balm leaves

2 parts lemon verbena leaves

1 part catnip leaves

1 part oatstraw

1 part passiflora leaves

1/4 part tangerine slices (organic)

1/10 part cinnamon chips

To Brew Your Tea:

Combine all ingredients in a pot with boiling water. Stir well, cover and let it steep for 15 –20 minutes, while covered.

If you find you made more than one serving, keep the rest. Cooled and covered, herbal teas can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

This tea works for me. Let me know if it works for you too.

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Preparing Your Blend:

To simplify life, pre-mix these dry herbs and store them in a glass jar. Then, when you want some ‘happiness tea’, simply take out the herbs for just one cuppa.I find that if I have premixed blends, I will use them a lot more often. There is no waste in the process, as you can just measure and make. Our happiness tea will last a long time this way.

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Where to Buy:

If you have a local herbalist nearby, I’d start there and ask him/her to make the blend for you in a small trial amount. That way you get to try the taste and see if you like it and if this herbal tea works for you.

Ask for a really small amount because tea is very light. It is easy to end up with two years’ worth of supply. Take it from someone in the know.

Once you start making your own teas, there is way back. It’s so much fun, and a lot more economical and healthier than commercial teas.

Then, if/when you love it, consider buying your herbs online from a place like Kalyx.com, which sells Herbs, Foods, Supplements, Aromatherapy oils, Bach Flowers, and Bath & Body products. They carry organics, and a really wide range of health products. They feature good prices, and sometimes even excellent prices for larger quantity packs. Check them out.

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Reference:

This particular recipe was provided by Lynda Lewit, from Soquel, California. Lynda is a public health nurse for Children’s Protective Services. She works in combination with allopathic doctors before suggesting herbal remedies.

The authors of this book:

Kathleen Brown is an herbal teacher, writer, and gardener. She has served as president of the Rocky Mountain Unit of the Herb Society of America and currently lives in California.

Jeanine Pollak has been a herbalist, nutritionist and consultant to businesses and individuals for 20 years. She is the founder of Botanic Adventures and has written several books on herbs.

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Disclaimer: this article does not constitute medical advice. It is meant for people who are overall healthy. In this context, those with ‘minor’ or natural mood disorders such as caused by life’s events, the seasons, PMS or menopause, and the likes,  consider Reiki treatment to help you obtain balance.

For serious mood disorders, please consult a qualified medical doctor. I prefer to work alongside medical practitioners for clients who are mentally unstable.

Copyright , We Are One World Healing – All Rights Reserved. Therapeutic Reiki can promote wellness and improve health. Book your distance healing reiki session today.

70% of women approaching menopause are affected by menopausal symptoms caused by changing hormonal levels in the female reproductive system. The most common symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods, loss of libido and vaginal dryness.

Most women notice early symptoms and signs while still having periods. Typically, in her early 40s, a woman experiences perimenopause: a gradually falling and fluctuating hormone levels. The menopausal transition usually lasts until her mid 50s, and menopause symptoms may last for this entire period, or, sometimes for the rest of a woman’s life.

Crystals as Natural Remedy for Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of life and natural remedies for some of its symptoms are abundant. For example, beyond regular Reiki treatment tune-ups, you can also surround yourself with healing crystals, which each have play a different healing role. 

Not every woman experiences menopause in the same way, and suffer some symptoms with more severity than others.  Therefore, while some crystals are likely to be good for all, you should really intuitively pick the ones that suit you from the collection of stones recommended below. Menopause is meant to be a celebration of a new phase of life, and with the help of some crystals, you might be able to focus more on that aspect of the transition.

Use the crystals as is most befitting to your lifestyle. Either make a Menopause Crystals set-up for your altar, keep selected ones under your pillow, carry some in your purse or pocket, or create a few necklaces and bracelets that help you heal and stop suffering from specific or general unwanted menopause conditions, such as insomnia, depression, forgetfulness, or other hormonal imbalance.

Specifically Helpful Crystal Stones in Menopause

CORE SET OF CRYSTALS FOR MENOPAUSE

For a core set of crystals for menopause*, consider including the following stones:

AMETHYST 

For Insomnia and stress relief.   **

If you can find a crystal made of the combination of Citrine and Amethyst (i.e. an Ametrine), this crystal can both help balance your body as well as cool and sooth you. 

CARNELIAN

Energizing and depression.  Carnelian helps to balance the Sacral chakra, cleanse, clear and emit healing energy to the reproductive system as it goes through this transition.

CITRINE

Aids digestion. Citrine can help to control hot flashes and balance the yin and yang. Working with the Sacral, Solar-Plexus, and Third-Eye Chakras, Citrine can enhance the energy flow between these chakras, ameliorating symptoms of menopause.

Tip: keep a piece of Citrine in your pocket or under your pillow at night.

QUARTZ

CLEAR QUARTZ  helps with concentration and decision making.  It would be wonderful if you can find a double terminated clear quartz crystal: This crystal simultaneously absorbs and emits energy in both directions, which can help you to flow with the transition/change.

SMOKY QUARTZ helps ground with Earth energies and the Root Chakra. Use Smokey Quartz to absorb and transmute the hot flash energy, which will help to cool the body.

LAPIS LAZULI

For Insomnia.  More generally, Lapis Lazuli smoothens mentally and physically transitions.

Lapis Jewelry allows you to always have your healing crystal with you.

MOONSTONE

Balances hormones. Actually, moonstone is a very soothing crystal stone that helps to relieve stress.   Many women like Moonstone for its ability to balance hormonal and menstrual cycles.

ADDITIONAL CRYSTAL STONES FOR MENOPAUSE

Depending on your particular symptoms of menopause, also consider the following other helpful crystals:

• CHRYSOPRASE  : Restless legs **
• FLUORITE  : Helps with concentration
• LEPIDOLITE / LITHIUM: can help to cool  and balance the body
• COPPER:  for balance
• SNOWFLAKE OBSIDIAN: brings about a balance to body, mind and spirit. 

* Note: consider that these crystals might also be suitable if you are approaching menopausal age or have gynecological problems.

** Note: while just one characteristic has been described for each healing crystal, most crystals have a list of healing properties.

Sources: Sapphire Portrush & Healing Crystals

FURTHER READING

Recommended books on Healing with Crystals can be found here in my online healing books list. 

One of the most highly recommended books to be found there is this one, The Crystal Bible.

Further Wellness Ideas for Women in Menopause

How to combat weight gain during menopause:  …. drinking more water, doing more exercise and pumping up on the potassium & calcium …  ~ the full article soon to be released.

Copyright , We Are One World Healing – All Rights Reserved. Therapeutic Reiki can promote wellness and improve health. Book your distance healing reiki session today.

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“The Right Choice”

Copyright , We Are One World Healing – All Rights Reserved. Therapeutic Reiki can promote wellness and improve health. Book your distance healing reiki session today.

An aid to beauty from the outside in and inside out: as this may benefit the circulatory system as well as offer cosmetic benefits.  Despite its sophistication, this beauty treatment  only uses peppermint and other common garden herbs. You can whip up this fragrant homemade body scrub in a flash.

 

Lemon Eucalyptus Scrub

… tingles with fragrance. As an Invigorating body exfoliator  it polishes skin’s surface, removing cellular debris.

Why Scrub?

1. It removes dead skin cells.
2. It helps moisturizer penetrate the skin.
3. It’s an anti-ager for the skin, can diminish fine lines.
4. Help give skin a glow .

Materials Needed

50 g fresh mint leaves, finely chopped  (note: you can use spearmint/peppermint

50 g fresh eucalyptus leaves, finely chopped
50 g fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
Peel of 2 lemons

300 ml olive oil
400 g fine-grained sea salt
4 tsp vitamin C powder

+ Extra eucalyptus leaves and slices of lemon peel, to decorate

Health Benefits of Ingredients

Mints are revitalizing, and the sea salt crystals cleanse and polish the skin. Eucalyptus has the health benefit of being antiseptic, purifying &  invigorating, while rosemary is traditionally used as an antiseptic, muscle relaxant, soothing agent and skin conditioner.  Black pepper’s traditional uses are to energize, for increasing circulation, to warm and relieve muscle aches and stiffness, for fighting colds, flu and infections.    Lemon is often used in aromatherapy for its uplifting, refreshing, and cheering health & healing benefits.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the chopped herbs, black pepper and lemon peel in a pan, then add the olive oil. Place on a medium heat and stir, then leave for 2 minutes with the lid on.

2. Place the paste in a piece of muslin over a sieve and squeeze out all the oil into a bowl below.

3. Mix the sea salt and vitamin C powder in a bowl. Add most of the oil (reserving a little to seal the jar) and stir well.

4. Place the mixture in a sterilized Kilner jar and press down well.

5. Decorate the top with a few eucalyptus leaves and slices of lemon rind. Pour a layer of the remaining oil on top of the salt scrub to keep it airtight.

USE: Apply to wet skin in the bath or shower, when needed. Scrub, then rinse off well with warm water.

STORAGE: Keeps for 6 months, or 1 year in the refrigerator.

The Source

This Scrub Recipe is based on: Grow Your Own Drugs: Easy Recipes for Natural Remedies and Beauty Fixes by ethno-botanist James Wong.

In this book, James uses his top-class academic knowledge to reveal how many plants contain the same active ingredients as over-the counter drugs, and offers recipes to relieve a whole range of common conditions.

Mother’s Day Gift- Set

How about pairing your homemade herbal beauty salt scrub with a copy of this book, Grow Your Own Drugs: Easy Recipes for Natural Remedies and Beauty Fixes, which contains this recipe plus many other inexpensive & easy healing and health recipes that you and mom can easily  make at home with ingredients grown in a window box or from the local market, for a range of health issues, including:

1. Digestive disorders: bad breath, heartburn and indigestion, digestion, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, flatulence, diarrhea
2. Skin complaints: athlete’s foot, eczema, insect bites and stings, acne, sunburn, age spots, fungal conditions, burn scars, poor foot circulation, chapped hands and sores, insect deterrent
3. Kids’ remedies: vitamin booster, head lice, eczema, ear wax build-up, colic
4. Aches and pains: water retention, varicose veins, aching muscles, arthritis
5. Female-specific problems: hot flashes and night sweats, morning and travel sickness, PMS, cystitis
6. Under the weather: colds and flu, coughs and sore throats, cholesterol reducer, hangover, cold sores, immune system booster, mouth ulcers, restorative
7. Mind: memory enhancer, insomnia, migraine prevention, anxiety, memory booster
8. Face and body: hair strengthener, body scrub, bath and massage oil, deodorant, face mask, hand care, bath bomb, exfoliator, face toner/hair rinse, sore eyes, tired/red eyes, glycerine soap, plague remover and gum soother, chapped lips

 Learn More […] 

Other Health Resources:

*  Bach Flower Remedies

*  Aromatherapy Treatment

In these hundred years, we’ve gained many things in the Western world, such as the right for women to receive a university degree, the right for women to vote, the rights for African American women to sit in the front of an American bus, and many more rights, victories and achievement.

2011-2111

Now, after 100 of being change agents improving our lives and the lives of others immediately around us, what are we to do next? What do we wish to see in the world? What are the issues to focus on? What are the jobs to do? …. and just how significantly do we want to take on the challenges that lie ahead?

Or phrased differently: … What do we, Western women 2011, want to be known for, in a century from now? Abandoning Coca Cola in exchange for Yogi Tea??!! Or, something more fundamental than this? Let’s look at the challenges first, and then we decide.

Let’s look at things through the lens of health, or put starkly, through the lens of human survival.

Women 2011, Agents of Change In the Field of Health

“Over the past 100 years, many advances have improved the health of women and girls. Examples include: social and legal reforms regarding the minimum age of marriage and sexual consent; access to safe abortion services (where legal), contraception, mammograms and other health technologies; and progress towards ending harmful practices such as sexual and gender-based violence, including female genital mutilation. “ writes the World Health Organization (WHO).

Where Action for Change is Needed, Today

On top of the WHO 2011 Global Women’s Health agenda*:
• Too high maternal mortality rates
• Too high HIV rates among young women
• Increasing tobacco consumption among women
• Continued widespread sexual and other forms of gender-based violence
• An increasingly heavy burden of non-communicable (i.e. non-contagious) diseases on women.

Collectively we must reduce/reverse and eliminate these conditions that we are faced with in the world today. However, these issues are not equally distributed throughout the world, and the issues facing women in developed countries differ from those living in developing countries. East and West: Yin and Yang.

Health Challenges for Us to Tackle in North America & Europe

Non-communicable diseases in women are in focus in today’s health care for the Western world, i.e. North America and Europe.

How to Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases 5 medication-free strategies to help prevent heart disease 1. Don’t smoke or use tobacco 2. Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week 3. Eat a heart-healthy diet: foods that are low in fat, cholesterol & salt; a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products; a diet containing beans, other low-fat sources of protein & certain types of fish; avoidance of saturated and trans fat. Alcohol in moderation (women: 1 glass/day. 4. Maintain a healthy weight. (Women are overweight if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (88.9 cm)). 5. Get regular health screenings: Blood pressure: Optimal is <120/80 millimeters of mercury . Check at least every 2 yrs. Cholesterol levels: Check at least every 5 yrs, after age 20. Diabetes screening: Starting between age 30-45, depending on risk factors, test every 3-5 yrs. Source: Mayo Clinic, 2011.

E.g. The European Region is the most affected by noncommunicable diseases (NCD), and their growth is startling. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the number-one killer, causing more than half of all deaths across the European Region. **

As we know, cardiovascular health can greatly be improved by lifestyle changes. Less stress and more Reiki for relaxation and balance are two things that come to mind instantly. However, I’m not a doctor, but a Reiki Master.

The reputable Mayo Clinic has 5 so simple ways to improve heart health and reduce risks, that are of the same category of simple life style changes.

Health Challenges for Us to Tackle in Other Parts of the World

In developing countries the health/survival challenges are quite different. High maternal mortality rates, high HIV rates amongst young women, sexual and other violence against women are the main causes of death amongst women. 

If we look a step behind these challenges, it’s quite clear that extreme poverty, lack of education, and in-existence of health care for women are major handicaps that we in Western countries may find hard to imagine, but can actually do something about.

We could choose to offer women around the world improved education, improved access to higher quality health care, support for social change to end domestic and social violence and other discrimination against women and we could choose to give them the tools for change they need to improve their lives and so of their families overall.

Are WE Really Meant to Take Care of the Health Care Challenges facing Other Parts of the World??

As the Western world is a holder of the majority of the world’s financial resources, and of the resources required for instigating the changes required, yes, our support and care is paramount.

I’d argue that once we can feel part of a global community, our society is to pay equal attention to offering solutions for the issues underlying to the common causes of death of women in all parts of the world.

Can We Decide?

Now that we understand these Challenges that are facing women in the World, it is up to us, individually as well as collectively, to support directly and indirectly the various initiatives to resolve these issues.

If we want to heal as a world society, we have so see humanity as a global community and treat all parts as equal. Global cooperation & support, and an attitude of oneness, I believe, are worthwhile values that I would like to see our society to be remembered for in the century ahead. Not just lip-service, but genuine reaching out, sharing and caring.

The World Health Organization has a clear set of strategic objectives that underlie  its various initiatives.

WHO Strategic Objectives

• Prevent premature death and disability from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory diseases, blindness and deafness, mental disorders, injuries and violence.
• Prevent their key risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, drugs and other psychoactive substances, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity).
• Improve nutrition in support of public health and sustainable development.

Likewise, we can make a personal plan of what our personal objectives are, of what the changes in society are that we want to have contributed to, and just begin.

* source: world health organization

** source: world health organization, Europe

*** source: GlobalIssues.org’s article on Causes of Poverty

Today, I want to share with you the submissions for this carnival of healing. There were a lot of new blogs represented. But rather than rejecting these and asking some of my veteran bloggers to submit high quality works, I thought to actually look at what’s there. And actually I could love what I found.

Granted, not everyone gave me their crown jewels to look at, and some are better writers than others, however, what’s special, what’s uplifting in all of these, is genuineness. Authenticity.

For those who know me a bit, one of my most commonly used phrased to clients, students, my family, my neighbors,… yes.. everyone, is: to be the best you can be is … TO BE TRUE TO WHO YOU REALLY ARE ON THE INSIDE. Authentic.

Being authentic is one of the Reiki principles. Often loosely translated from Japanese as ‘Do your work honestly’, this principle fundamentally makes you work from the honest, or authentic, you.

So, below you’ll find a collection of rather genuine writers, of real people who write their story.  Yes, I read all articles and provided commentary for your use. I welcome to discuss any article with you, through the comments below.

Featured Blogs

Note to article-submitters: if you are featured in my Best "Healing Holiday Articles" line-up, go ahead and show it off… Here is your badge, just for you, to post on your website. It will link back to this blog here.

The Healing Holiday Stories

LIFE CHALLENGES

• Melissa Greene presents Resignation Tendered posted at Get to the Inside.

A Lee: This is a ‘WOW’-article on spirituality.  I have to confess I nearly cried as I could so relate to it!  You see, living in Italy is not easy, even though it may sound like a wonderful romantic dream to you. It is that too. But there are indeed so many sacrifices and frustrations to go through for the sheer honor of living in this slice of paradise, following my dream of realizing a healing center of sorts.  Sigh… 

Thank you, Melissa, for your great biblical, spiritual and human perspectives offered in your article. The street I live in is called ‘The Martyrs of …’, which is about BEING the sacrificial lamb… I never liked this idea, so I have been studying what throughout time, it has meant to be a martyr… (not referring to nagging moms who give the best bits to the kids and then complain about it ).

EMPOWERMENT

• Laura Grace Weldon presents an article on empowerment, entitled Fostering the Flip Side of Gratitude .

A Lee: I want Laura on my team.   Great gal!  You can tell from the way she writes, and what she writes.  She speaks with conviction and kind heart. She takes random acts of kindness a step further and then goes on expressing gratitude-letters whenever she spots some goodness. And then, as a women on a mission, she take the next step … Read up what she does when services provided are ‘not ok’.

• Erin Pavlina presents How to Handle Public Criticism.

A Lee: An article from someone in our trenches. It makes me reflect that it really is not always easy for us clairvoyants, or any other person in the healing profession, for that matter. Erin gives us an honest account of how she has come to terms with prejudice & criticism for her work, even though she has just been giving from the bottom of her heart.

MEDITATION

• WP Ho presents a  Body, Mind, Spirit – article  How Do You Know You’re Meditating? over at The Conscious Life.

A Lee:   I like this article, or this thought rather. It ponders the difference between meditating and daydreaming… Long time ago, one of the ‘We Are One World Healing’-participants who has already passed to the other side of the veil, wrote an article on Meditation. Him being an elder from India, the article was quite advanced, I felt, and talked about ‘choiceless awareness’ and other such concepts.

Given that at that time, I had little on the topic of meditation, I felt the need to offer a complementary article ‘How to Meditate: Meditation is Simple’ oriented to a more beginning meditation audience. I think you will enjoy reading it, particularly after reading WP’s.  

 

• Axel presents Meditating In Japan posted at axel g.

A Lee:  Feels like a genuine journal entry by Axel about him going on a working/meditating retreat in Japan, complete with the aces and pains and joys. (This is an experienced blogger, btw, and you can tell by the quality of the work there.) I think he learned and contemplated a lot more than he is mentioning in this article, and I’m sure that’s elsewhere on his blog, which is all about meditation.

I lived in Japan for several years, so I know what it’s like, although I never worked in rice fields. What an experience! Japan is gorgeous and it’s a challenge. Seems like Axel witnessed both. Like him, I cherish the special Japanese moments one can spent in tatami-mat covered temples of peace and beauty. Now go check out what he has to say. You might like his blog.

• Charles Chua C K presents Be Mindful Every Moment posted at All About Living with Life.

A Lee: An short and sweet article on how to be mindful every  morning.  List of great tips. Will use.

• Charlotte presents Teaching Life Skills To Yourself posted at Inspired Being.

A Lee: Charlotte submitted several stories, and I am showcasing her best. It’s on self development, and presents six new helpful friends: 3 ‘what’ and 3 ‘how’ life skills.  She says: “The mental awareness state you get in using those skills is an integration of emotional and rational mind and goes beyond them. By adding intuitive knowing to emotional experiencing and logical analysis. The feeling can be described as “going with the flow”. Or we can call it a wise mind. “

I dig the title of this article, because it is about self-responsibility, i.e. we are response-able.

• Carole Gold presents SPF: Making Suffering, Pain and Fear Work for You posted at Carole Gold.

A Lee: A body mind spirit-article on how to be in the present moment to avoid suffering, pain and fear.“

AROMATHERAPY

• Liani presents Essential Oils for Christmas posted at Aromatherapy Blog.

A Lee: It’s an article on aromatherapy, or rather holiday smells.  Beyond the article, Liani actually has goodies on her blog, such as this wonderful recipe to make your own scented bath  salts . “Peace of Mind” it’s called: Love it.

 

 Actually, I LOOVEEE aromatherapy and work with it all the time.

If this is your interest also, here are some other Essential oil blend, recipes & tips: 

_ Aromatherapy for chakra healing

_ Romantic Rose Oil Recipe

_ Myrtle for bronchitis, coughs & other respiratory ailments

_ Mood-enhancing Blend Recipe  (no more winter blues)

_ Idaho balsam fir – what to do with that?

_ Lemon essential oil: GOOD for your health (and weight loss)

_ Fun article on how to use aromatherapy oils safely.

 

For the holidays, I recommend the mood enhancing & stress reducing aromatherapy suggestions above.

• Jennifer Mannion presents a very long Interview with Robin Easton, Author of “Naked in Eden; My Adventure and Awakening in the Australian Rainforest” posted at Heal Pain Naturally.

A Lee: I had never heard of Robin Easton, and I visited her blog as well.  I like it!

FOOD & HEALTH

• Sean Burrows presents Vegetarian Complete Protein Guide posted at Personal Growth, Development, and Health.

A Lee: OK. After reading this article, you may wish to rethink your Turkey dinner for Christmas… In this article Sean shares his favorite plant-based complete proteins. There are many other great sources of protein for vegetarians/vegans, but this article will only outline the specific ones that contain all the essential amino-acids.
Furthermore, I want to let you know that this is a new blog by one young gutsy writer to watch! He writes passionately from the heart. And he seems to have a good brain too. Besides this ‘veggies are good’ article, he submitted another article for an adult-only audience. I think this article is very useful and I think also that it’s great that it’s written by a male. I can not post here as this is a family-friendly blog. However, consider reading his thoughts on root-chakra related issues.

• Susan Liddy presents an article on healthy living, This is what Grocery Shopping should look like  at her Secrets to Ultimate Living! Blog.

A Lee: Susan says that healthy eating is critical to feeling confident and empowered. As eating mostly veggies is what she basically suggests, I think I’ll stick going to my organic farmer. “Bruno” is his name. 15 km (say 10 mile) drive round trip, but my car is full, and so is my wallet, still, after shopping.  Yes, lucky me. 

On another note, this article is a reminder  to plan ahead and make a list for holiday lunches & dinners.  Include all you need.

This avoids you, at the last minute, rushing out and buying food for all the possible dinner ideas you had in your mind at one point or another, plus some extras… I know… happened to me before. 

Actually, I have a funny story about Christmas dinner that supports Susan’s case:

When we were still living in Canada, a month or so before Christmas, we were out of power for a long time while it was freezing cold.  We curled together around the fire place and all slept in the living room, one night, two nights,….   I cooked what would fit in 1 pot in the fire place…. Yes, quite a challenge when unprepared.  Fortunately not the entire town was out of power, just our neighborhood, so we went to warmer pastures after those first few nights.  However the drama of the event gave me the BEST CHRISTMAS DINNER TIP ever, and that is: MAKE IT AHEAD OF TIME, and just freeze it. It’s a complete avoidance of Christmas stress. I love it, and yes, I’m going to do it again this year, even though the weather is not as harsh as in Canada…. still, it’s nice to have ‘no stress’ for the holidays.  Prepping ahead also makes for slightly healthier choices and I’m sure you approve, Susan!

Al right.