One of my favorite authors for a fun read is Anne Rivers Siddons, and I finished a classic of hers, Peachtree Road, while in Steamboat for Thanksgiving.  A section in that book struck me so much I decided to share it:

Before I put the turkey in, I feel compelled to offer two of the biggest bonuses I find in feeling grateful.  One is that whenever I am feeling grateful about something, it's impossible for fear to reside in me at the same time.  In these days of economic uncertainty, that is a blessing indeed.  Focusing on the many things we have to be grateful for right now will instantly lessen our fears of the future.  It also makes us more content people, the type others enjoy being around.

The other bonus to counting our blessings is that it helps us see those around us in need of our help.  Getting involved with a non-profit that needs assistance that we can provide might just help those of us volunteering more than those we seek to help.  In fact, when I work with people who have depression, part of the recommended protocol is to reach out to help others.  There's nothing to help us minimize our own fears (of a future which always turns out differently than we anticipate anyway) like helping others.  If you're not 100% happy and not volunteering, give it a try.

Now before the quiet of this early morning gets busy with family members waking up to celebrate Thanksgiving in Steamboat, I want you to know how grateful I am to you for reading my blog and supporting my efforts to help others shift from Health Care to Self Care.  If you're not on the newsletter list yet, and would like to be, you can sign up for a more formal version of these thoughts at http://www.susanemead.com/component/content/article/27.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's 5 AM on Day Three of my annual Ski Patrol orientation to get geared up for ski season as a volunteer for the best job ever invented.  I just had to say something about the amazing pressure I got yesterday from 'the powers that be' to get a seasonal flu shot plus another vaccine against H1N1 since I will be around the public a lot.  No room for debate, and the sad part is, very little about prevention.

Yes, they did pretty well at emphasizing hand washing, but provided no info about what we can do with our diets (mostly reducing sugar and processed flour), regular exercise and reducing stress levels to prevent picking up any type of virus--not to mention using things like garlic, cod liver oil and gargling daily with warm/hot sea salt water.

I just want you to know I have compassion when you feel pressured by so many around you to do something, but some little voice inside you says "This decision just doesn't feel right".  Though I do not profess to know what's right for you in your situation, I am clear that for me, the increased risk of Alzheimer's, Guillaume Barr Syndrome, autism and more will keep my focus on prevention rather than being a guinea pig for a vaccine that has been brought out very quickly without much testing.

As always, you are your own best physician.  Do the research, talk to practitioners you trust and decide for yourself.

Gotta run now; I have to gear up to play the role of a 33-year old (woo-hoo!) single woman with asthma who needs medical attention on the mountain.  Have a peaceful Sunday.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I am taking off for Steamboat to spend time with family--after I have 3 intense and fun days of orientation with the Ski Patrol for the coming season.  Though there are many holiday traditions I treasure, I have also learned to cut them back to a manageable level--and ask for help.  In my home, whoever cooks doesn't do dishes, so no single person (i.e. Mom) is stuck with all the work.  Somehow, the image of the women slaving all day to prepare a meal, and then bust their buns to deal with leftovers and cleaning up while the guys sit around and watch football sounds like all work and no play for the women.  And often some of those same guys end up dragging themselves off the sofa to make a mess with leftovers just as the final kitchen counter has been wiped.  You don't have to be cranky about it; just ask for help and set limits.  For myself, I think I could do just fine with the turkey, garlic mashed potatoes and homemade gravy when I can keep the lumps out--plus something green, of course, to round it all out.  But my mom's apple crumb-top pie is to die for so I certainly won't say no to that, although just a sliver will be enough for the first round. If we keep the meal a little simpler--and offer guidance--most men are happy to do their part, if we just ask.  I know this may sound sexist; it's just my experience.

I've even been known to use paper plates on Thanksgiving to keep the mess down and the spirits up.  And after carving off the basics of your turkey, if you have one, be sure to freeze the carcas for some delicious and nutritious bone broth-based soup--the perfect remedy for someone who's picked up a cold and doesn't feel like eating.  But regardless of your plans and choices over this holiday, remember what it's all about--gratitude.  The more we practice gratitude, the less stress we experience, the less worry we have and the greater our immune function can support us regardless of which strain of flu is in the news.  One thing I'm grateful for is *you* for reading my blog and making the commitment to shift from Health Care to Self Care--one gentle step at a time.