Lifestyle and home tips plus weekly recipes.
The holiday season is a perfect time to unwind, reconnect with family and friends, and take a break from our digital devices. While smartphones, tablets, and screens have become an integral part of our lives, constant connectivity can also leave us feeling even more overwhelmed, distracted and anxious during a time when it can feel even more overwhelming.
This holiday season let’s make a commitment to spend less time online and more time enjoying real-life moments. Whether it's a cozy day at home or an adventure outdoors, these unplugged activities will help you recharge, create lasting memories, and feel fully present with your loved ones.
How many of these activities will you try?
Make homemade donuts using apple cider
Go for a nature walk and gather leaves to identify on the walk or later. Use the leaves in a craft.
Do a corn maze
Visit a pumpkin patch and take photos
World Kindness Day is November 13th - volunteer locally
Have a scavenger hunt with friends. There are some Scavenger hunt apps for some cities that we have used and made a fun day out of.
Visit and apple orchard
Visit local wineries or cideries
Go to a local concert
Reading and Nature. Visit the library and pick out a book, then take it to a park and read outside
Create a holiday movie must-see list and work through with scheduled movie nights
November 15th is America Recycles Day. Gather your recyclables and take to a recycling center and participate in any events put on by your city
November 19th is Play Monopoly Day. Get some friends together and plan a Monopoly night
Local Sites. Make a list of places to visit for the holiday and see the sites. We have a tradition of going to Old Salem in Winston-Salem
Date night in. Our favorite thing to use for ideas is from Crated with Love - boxed day activities
Storytelling Party. Have everyone share a favorite holiday memory or tell stories from the past. It’s a meaningful way to connect across generations and remember cherished traditions
DIY Holiday Craft Night. Host a craft night and create holiday decorations or ornaments together. It’s a fun way to get creative, make gifts, and add a personal touch to your decor
Caroling. Grab a group of friends and go caroling in your neighborhood or bet yet see if you can visit a nursing home and go caroling.
Have a Progressive dinner/lunch with friends. Go to one home for appetizers, another for the main meal, another for dessert etc. You can add on as many courses as you'd like.
Neighborhood block party. Many of us never meet our neighbors. Host a block part and invite them over for the holidays. Ask people to bring an appetizer to share.
Tag me with pics of your adventures and have a great time being unplugged!
Weekly Menu: Grocery Store Recipes
30 Minutes
Salad meals can be quick and easy meals and still be packed with flavor and nutrition. I like this Tortellini salad which leaves you feeling nice and satisfied!
Tips: The recipe calls for salami, but you can omit it if you would like to go meatless. You may also use pepperoni as a nice addition or swap. We have ring baloney from Michigan as an addition.
25 Minutes
Parchment paper creates a nice environment to easily steam foods and makes for an easy cleanup!
40 Minutes
We are all about Alfredo in our house! While this dish is rich from the bacon and Alfredo sauce (plus we always add extra cheese) it is easy to choose a bacon alternative and reduced fat alfredo to cut back on the fat and calories. But if you choose to go whole hog- pun happily works, we won't judge.
20 Minutes
Fajitas are always a yummy option for a quick meal. The recipe calls for beef, but you may use any protein you like.
Tips: The recipe calls for a simmer sauce and honestly that is the quick and easy way to go if you don't have a Fresh Market near you use a Fajita sauce or packet from your local grocery store.
Tips: If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of making your own empanada batter that's OK. But I encourage you to give it a try. If you decide to try next time cook the filling and put it on top of corn tortillas. You can use them taco style (folded) or crisp them flat and top with the filling.
Enjoy!
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