Well we made it home (not without issues). My computer is in the shop, the travel trailer slide broke, we had to take it slow getting home, but we are home safe and sound! We did have a wonderfully relaxing “working” vacation and I feel rejuvenated! I was having this conversation with a client this week: We need at least - 1 hour daily of rest/recreation activity (out with friends, rest, intimacy, etc). 1 day each week of actual rest from work pressures (can include spiritual activity, games, fun). 1 weekend each month (get away from it all, can be just going each day to the lake or park). 1 week every 6 months (again, similar to the weekend - just go!) When we implement this in our lives we find that we create a safety pattern for ourselves. This isn’t a luxury, it is a necessity. Our minds and bodies are build for this rest and without it, we burn out early, become unhealthy (both mentally and physically), and succumb to dis-ease. Take time to rest and recharge!

Well, I should be writing a Monday post for body reflection, but my cute little graphics are on my computer and it is dead. Actually the battery needs to be replaced. But that means everything I have is not accessible. And I won’t be home until the 23rd to get it fixed. This is life, ups and downs. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that make us stressed or anxious, even angry, but rather than dwelling on what goes wrong, pivot and do things differently. So, I chose to do things differently! Today, and the rest of the week while traveling, I will post about other things and we can still have lively conversations here in Skool. What do you want to talk about? Comment below and I’ll write a post about it.

There are so many chemicals called food in our lives here in the US. So, I suggest that we cook more often, with real ingredients, and no short cuts (except maybe an instant pot). We have lots of convenient ways to cook in our world compared to building a fire and cooking over it in a cast iron pot (although that is a skill that is lost today). Even many foods are convenient at the grocery: chopped, diced, frozen. So, prep and process is no longer as time consuming and even cooking can be quick. Share your favorite quick recipe below and I'll share one here: Italian Chicken and Rice Use slow cooker or instant pot Ingredients: 1-2 lbs organic or free range chicken (we use boneless skinless thighs) 32 oz of organic Italian dressing 1-2 cups of wild or black rice Instructions: Cook rice until done (sometimes we use left over rice) Put chicken pieces and dressing into the slow cooker or instant pot and cook until chicken is done (we like it falling apart) You can serve the chicken over the rice and serve with a salad Sometimes we add the rice to the chicken and dressing in the instant pot for a quick one pot meal - cook for chicken to be done on pressure. This does make the rice very mushy, but is more like a casserole than anything. Bon Appetite!

To help me remember to take all my vitamins and supplements, first thing in the morning I line them all up on the side of my stove. The Penny is a reminder for the Probiotic which is stored in the refrigerator. The nickels are to remind me to take my GI Replenishment Powder. To get in all 4 scoops, instead I take a heaping scoop before each meal. Then I move the coins to the bottom of the mat so I know i took them. Hope this helps someone!

My Fitbit tracks my sleep and finally this week, I have been getting more sleep with fewer times waking up at night. Instead of waking up 36 times, I am down to 12. My goal is 6. I have been very consistent in my bed times and routine even on the weekends. I have been trying to manage my high cortisol with supplements. And probably my treatments with Dr. Berry are helping as well.