Tradition

Greetings and happy holidays everyone from the Sailor's Omen studio!  With everyone's gifts mailed, I get to sit back and have some time to reflect on the changing season, the lingering sunlight, and preparing my own holiday festivities.  

These are the days are ripe with tradition- shopping, trees, decorations, shopping, and of course, cooking all those sugary treats.  

I was talking with my mom earlier today, and we landed on the topic of the perils that can come with tradition- especially those diet-related.  She mentioned she was feeling not as stressed out this year-compared to other years where it is a wonder she hadn't pull out every last hair on her head.  With the stress of buying presents that are personal but reasonable for EVERYONE you care about, dealing with the emotions and confusion with the lack of daylight, the winter chill setting in and the increase of the craving for carbs, decorating the tree, sending out cards, etc.  And only having 30 days to put on this whole show that is supposed to be memorable and better than years before... ??? There's a lot of pressure.  

Delving into my mother's 'why am I so relaxed?' we came to the source of this welcome change- she gave up a major tradition that had kept her so anxious and tense: she left out the baking.  The cookies, the cakes, the sweets are no more.  While my mom is a great baker- using recipes that have been passed down generations in our family- she had realized that she needn't bake because so many other people have the same tradition.  She could enjoy the sweets others bring to the office, but not have them at home so she is tempted 24/7.  With less of the ups-and-downs that result from simple sugars, it is easy to stay focused and feel a little more balanced (unless you go all crazy with others' goods).  

Her advice- try to start a new holiday tradition: encourage whole, healthy snacks like organic red and green peppers with hummus, avocado, pesto-stuffed tomatoes, or just a clever display of fruits and veggies.  They will not only manage your hunger cravings for sweets but help boost your immune system!

We tend to put so much effort and energy into keeping with traditions that we forget to enjoy the moments as they come.  Be mindful of how things affect you and constantly question how you feel and dedicate your time to finding the true source.  A healthy elf is a happy elf!  

What traditions have you given up for peace of mind?

What are your favorite traditions?


Live simply, love deeply,
-Ashley