For me, raising my family like my grandmother raised hers isn't just about saving money; it’s about an overall balanced, healthy home. For many of us, this time of year can be dreary, even sending many into depression. If you’re feeling down, rest assured you’re not alone. Many of us are affected. If you are one of the heads of the household there are things you can do for yourself and your family to combat these dark moods. Most of these things are simple things you can do around the home. Small changes can make a big difference. Think of what you love best about the Spring and Summer months and try to add them to your Winter lifestyle.
ADD LIGHT!!! Open your curtains, pull up the blinds & let your home fill with natural light where possible. Otherwise, add bright artificial lights. Studies conducted by Alfred Lewy, MD, a psychiatrist in Portland, Oregon show that a lack of natural light during the winter months is a major factor of depression. SO… It seems simple enough, turn on more lights! But it’s actually a little more complicated. The lack of light in the early morning messes up your circadian rhythm. (When your body thinks it should be awake or asleep) Adding bright lights early in the morning resets your internal clock and lets your body know its time to be up and active. Studies using dim lights had no effect on countering depression. So…Add Light During Morning Hours!!
You can see Dr. Lewy’s full article here: http://www.sadlight.com/em-articles-lewy.htm
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| However, with some people, not even the most well-lit waking conditions can put them in a good mood... |
DECLUTTER Don’t wait for May to do your Spring cleaning! A stuffy, cluttered home makes us feel down. It’s almost as if the weight of the dirt and junk is suffocating us. You may not even see the stuff anymore because you’re used to it. Pick a room and go through EVERYTHING in it. If you haven’t used it in the last 2 years, get rid of it. With each decorative item in your hand, ask yourself if you’re willing to dust that item once a week. If the answer is no, then pitch it. I know it sounds unreasonable, and it may not be something you can do. But if you can do it, your home will become bigger and brighter. Walls that are sparingly decorated, floors that are open and clean, tables and counter-tops that are empty and shelves that are organized create an open, airy feeling to a room. Decorative items, lights and ceiling fans that are covered in dust & cobwebs feel dreary. Why do you think haunted houses in every great horror film are covered in dust and cobwebs!?! Make the cleaner in my article “Is it Safe?” and wash down the walls and fixtures. You’ll be amazed at how shiny everything is and how much “lighter” the room feels when it has been decluttered and cleaned. I recently did this to the large back room in our house that had become a “catch all”. I removed 5 garbage bags of junk, organized everything and scrubbed it from top to bottom. The room everyone typically avoided is now where I find Aiden playing almost daily. So, it does work!
AIR IT OUT During the winter, our homes are closed up and the air can become stale quickly. Of course, you cannot open all the windows to air it out without freezing out the family. But there are a few little things you can do. Grab all of your curtains, throw rugs and bedspreads and have them cleaned. Most of these items can be washed in your washing machine. Air-dry the rugs by hanging them over the backs of your kitchen chairs. For these items, I like to add a cup of vinegar to the washing cycle and use a double-shot of fabric softener on the rinse cycle.
Shampoo the carpets. Wash the walls and windows. You may not realize how much dust and grime can accumulate here. Giving them a quick wash instantly brightens the room…especially the windows, you may not realize how much light is being blocked out just from dust.
I know it’s cold, but crack open a couple windows an inch or two for about 15 minutes once a week. The amount of fresh air coming into your home will have an impact. Kick on your freshly cleaned ceiling fans to help circulate the air. (Don’t forget to wear a sweater while doing this!) Also, don’t forget to clean or change your furnace’s air filter once a month to help keep your air quality as clean as possible.
STAY ACTIVE Laying on the couch all day under a warm blanket can be so cozy, but it can have long-term negative effects. Get out of your computer chair, your recliner, wherever it is you’re relaxing and move. (Not right now though…finish my article first!) Yes…I know it’s cold and none of us really “like” being in the cold, but do it anyway. If you’re not overly ambitious with exercise, at least take a walk around the block; let the chilly wind hit your face. Play with your kids! Wrestle around on the floor. It's good for both of you. You get a little exercise combined with bonding! Not to mention there WILL BE laughing, which we all know promotes good feelings. Spend an afternoon at a roller skating rink, bowling alley, children's museum or even just a McDonald's Play Land. I can enjoy a good book & a cup of coffee while he burns pent-up energy!
Another indoor exercise that’s really easy is “Commercial Jacks”. They’re not life changing but they are great for getting your heart pumping without much effort. Sit down to watch your favorite 1 hour-long program. Instead of skipping the commercials, let them play. Just do jumping jacks during the commercial break. This is a win-win. You get exercise AND you get to watch your favorite show guilt-free!!
BRIGHTEN YOUR PALETTE Think of your favorite summer time meals and bring them to your winter table. Bring out the red-checked picnic tablecloth and set the stage. I don’t recommend a meal of chilidogs and fries all the time, but they are a quick and easy summer meal. Chef Salads or Taco Salads are nice, bright meal options. Have chicken salad sandwiches on buns with raw veggies and dip. Try a supper of deviled eggs, hamburgers and popper-tots…instant summer fare! Add a pitcher of lemonade or sweet-tea to compliment your summer-supper. Finish the meal with a bright, summer dessert such as a Lemon Fruit Freeze. Hit your local super-market and pick up a cheap bouquet of daisies or other summer flowers to brighten the dinner table even more!
Not familiar with Popper-Tots or a Lemon Fruit Freeze? You can find the recipes below! FYI: The Lemon Fruit Freeze is a vintage recipe that I found in a Better Homes & Gardens magazine from the late 1960's. It is so light & refreshing. It compliments virtually any meal flawlessly. The unique crust is an awesome alternative to any dessert that is traditionally made with a graham-cracker crust. ENJOY!
Popper Tots
Ingredients:
- Bacon (raw)
- Tator Tots
- Jar of sliced jalapenos
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Lemon Fruit Freeze
Ingredients:
- 2/3 C butter or margarine
- 1/3 C sugar
- 7 C of Rice or Corn Chex cereal, crushed to 3 Cups
- 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 (21 oz) can of lemon pie filling
- 1 (17 oz) can of fruit cocktail, well drained
- 2 cups of cool-whip
Melt the butter, stir in the sugar and crumbs. (reserve 1/3 c of crumbs) Press this mix into the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 300 for 12 minutes. Cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, mix condensed milk and lemon juice. Stir in pie filling and fruit cocktail; pour over the crust. Top with cool-whip and reserved crumbs. Freeze at least 4 hours. Remove from freezer 20 minutes before serving.
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