Gingerbread or Eggnog Smoothie
The struggle is real.. which will you choose?!
Gingerbread Smoothie
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 frozen banana
1 tablespoon molasses
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Or
Eggnog Smoothie
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup eggnog
1 ripe banana
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Community News
The Season for Gratitude
As parents, we naturally want our children to value giving and develop a sense of gratitude. We hope they’ll focus on simple joys over material things and appreciate the sentiment behind a gift rather than its price. Yet, when the holiday season arrives, we sometimes find ourselves frustrated, feeling our children aren’t “grateful enough.” But before we can encourage gratitude in them, it’s important to look within: are we actively cultivating that same mindset ourselves?
Our children learn best from what they see us do. If we want to inspire them to live with gratitude and kindness, we need to nurture these values in ourselves. Gratitude is a lifelong practice, a habit of seeing the positive and taking a few moments daily to recognize what’s good in our lives. As we become more mindful of our own gratitude, it naturally flows into the way we interact with our children.
The holiday season is an ideal time to deepen our own appreciation. By focusing on gratitude, we connect more deeply with what we truly value. Here are some ways to cultivate and model a spirit of gratefulness and generosity so that our children can see these values in action.
Practicing Gratitude and Giving Thanks in the Moment
Gratitude begins with an inward focus. Taking a few moments each day to reflect on the things we’re thankful for can gradually reshape our perspective. Start small by noting three things that bring you joy or comfort—a warm drink, a friendly smile, or time with loved ones. These reflections help us value experiences and relationships over things.
When we model this practice, our children witness a quiet, authentic gratitude—no lectures needed. They see us finding contentment in simple moments, understanding that gratitude is not a once-a-year event but a way of seeing the world.
Focusing on Our Own Giving
Engaging in thoughtful giving demonstrates the joy of generosity. Acts like volunteering or creating a homemade gift show children how giving can come from a place of thoughtfulness rather than obligation. Sharing why these acts are meaningful helps them understand the value of kindness.
Encouraging Simple Joys Over Material Gifts
The holidays often bring the temptation to buy and accumulate. Instead, we can choose to prioritize experiences and connection. Making gifts together, baking treats, or decorating as a family brings simplicity to the season and strengthens bonds. By celebrating small acts of togetherness, we remind ourselves—and our children—that it’s not the gifts under the tree that matter most.
Embracing Imperfection
While we aim to focus on gratitude, it’s also okay to get caught up in the holiday excitement now and then. The commercial side of Christmas is all around us, and it’s normal for kids—and us—to be swept up in it. Give yourself and your family some grace when things get hectic. The season is about kindness and joy, including being kind to ourselves.
Product Spotlight: BodyTite at OMNI
At OMNI Medical & Surgical Esthetics, we utilize the cutting-edge BodyTite device for radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL). This minimally invasive procedure combines thermal energy and traditional liposuction techniques to dissolve unwanted fat and stimulate collagen production for firmer skin. Ideal for those with stubborn fat deposits, RFAL offers precise body contouring with minimal scarring and a shorter recovery time. Dr. Sheikh performs this procedure under local anesthesia, ensuring patient comfort and safety. Benefits include reduced bruising and discomfort, quicker recovery, and long-lasting results. Experience the transformative effects of RFAL at OMNI Medical & Surgical Esthetics and achieve a more toned and sculpted appearance.
Positively FEEL Your Way Through Life!
Emotions play a powerful role in health. Strong feelings, both positive and negative, create lasting memories and affect your body’s physiology. Positive emotions like joy, confidence, and calm enhance your energy flow, fostering physical and mental harmony. In contrast, negative feelings—such as fear, guilt, or frustration—disrupt internal balance and create physical tension. When faced with challenges, your emotional response, not the event itself, dictates the impact on your health. Aim to nurture positivity, as it connects you to your body’s natural rhythm. And if you’re stuck in the cycle of negative emotions, consider a B.E.S.T. treatment to experience positive change.
Vibrant Retirement Living at Venvi Marian Chateau
Want to experience a lively community where seniors come to truly live life on their terms? Visit Venvi Marian Chateau retirement residence today! Here, you can indulge in delicious chef-prepared meals, explore a robust activity calendar, enjoy personalized support tailored to your lifestyle, or relax in a newly renovated studio suite featuring modern finishes – all within walking distance to Wascana Park. The options are endless, and yours to discover. Book a personal tour at Venvi Marian Chateau today. Call 306-584-3030 or visit venviliving.com/marianchateau
Holidays with Dementia
Many older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia enjoy and want to be included in holiday festivities. However, the added activities could cause increased agitation and confusion, unpredictable behavior, or mood swings. To create a stress-free, happy holiday season, try to scale things back and modify activities so they’ll feel calm and safe. Focus on a few of the most meaningful traditions. Ask which activities they value most. That could mean trimming the Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, singing songs, or baking special holiday treats. Even if your older adult might not remember these holiday activities later, the warm feelings they’ll have is a different kind of memory their body will carry for a while.
Spiritual Awakening & Negative Emotions
You can’t bypass negative emotions during a spiritual awakening, but you can create a healthy body, mind, and spirit to process them. Healing past traumas, whether from childhood, ancestry, or past lives, happens when you’re ready. It’s a gradual journey of self-awareness, acceptance, and release. The more you awaken, the more your body sheds chaotic energy tied to past pain. Though challenging, each step makes you stronger. Healing offers the ultimate freedom: creating a life free from the grip of past wounds. Embrace the journey and allow your heart to heal.
Soul-Filled Holiday Wishes
This holiday season, take time to nurture your inner and outer beauty. At Soul-Filled Beauty, we believe true radiance shines from within. Amidst the celebrations, remember to care for yourself: stay hydrated, nourish your body with wholesome foods, and find moments for peace and gratitude. Small self-care practices—whether a few deep breaths or a haircare ritual—can go a long way in grounding you during busy times. Wishing you a season filled with joy, wellness, and beauty that resonates from the soul. Happy holidays!
Ice or Heat?
One of the most frequently asked questions of physiotherapists is: ice or heat? Ice is for injuries — calming down damaged superficial tissues that are red, hot, and swollen. The inflammatory process is a healthy, normal, natural one that, unfortunately, also happens to be incredibly painful. Be careful not to ice too long, as frostbite can occur. Heat is for muscles, chronic pain, and stress — taking the edge off of symptoms like muscle aching and stiffness. Generally speaking, ice is for fresh injuries, and heat is for stiff, aching muscles. But it’s best to seek advice from your physiotherapist as to which is best for your condition.
The Gift of Inner Harmony
This holiday season, consider the gift of wellness with a BodyTalk session for YOU! It is so relaxing to lie on a massage table and have a BodyTalk practitioner talk with your inner wisdom. The practitioner will touch your arm or hand. Using neuromuscular feedback, the body / mind / subconscious part of you answers Yes / No to direct the BodyTalk Practitioner to highlight information often with a specific technique. BodyTalk can foster resilience and inner harmony. Include a BodyTalk session on your wish list.
Neora: Empowering Lives Every Day
Neora’s mission is simple yet profound: to uplift people in all aspects of their lives. Since its launch in 2011, Neora has embraced a bold mantra—Make People Better—by offering innovative, high-performance products with clean, plant-based ingredients. Committed to empowering individuals, Neora combines transformative skincare with a social selling model that allows Brand Partners to build their futures. But it’s more than just business. The Neora Ripple Foundation has raised over $6 million for charitable causes, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to kindness and community. Join Neora on its mission to help you look, feel, and live better—start your journey today!
