I really hate this time of year. It gets chilly (or downright cold) and overcast. These two things tend to take their toll on me. I suffer from Bi-Polar disorder along with Seasonal Affective Disorder. To top it off, it is the "Holiday Season" where everyone is supposed to be merry. I rarely see this.
First there is the fight about Christmas and stores saying "Merry Christmas". Christmas is just one of the many holidays that take place during the time between Thanksgiving and the New Year so "Happy Holidays" is more inclusive. It's not a matter of keeping "Christ" in Christmas so much as trying to have people see there are other holidays. No one wants to remove anything, but they may not want their holiday bullied away.
Second, people (same ones screaming for "Merry Christmas") are rude and inconsiderate as they jostle for all of those gifts under the tree. A tree is part of Yule, and is thus, Pagan. All of the lights that people oooh and aaah over represent the light which is symbolic of both Hannukah and Yule. What you see and hear is anger and frustration when people put these symbols up.
Third, there is dealing with family - some you want to deal with and some you may not. You may be estranged from some family members with little chance for reconciliation since they do not want to talk. It can feel like there is an emptiness you carry around (here, too!!).
So, no, I don't smile as much during this dark time of the year. I don't feel like it. I fake it as best I can. Fake it til you make it, right?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Yummy cake for the daughter's big 13!
My daughter is turning 13 on Saturday. She was born on Thanksgiving. That was really nice since I did not have to cook that year!! Anyway, it's also kind of a curse since I have to cook for Thanksgiving and I usually have a party of some sort for her around the same time.
Since we are a gluten free family (and she needs to avoid nuts and dairy), I always bake some sort of goodie to sing Happy Birthday with and serve. It's been brownies the last few years. This year, thanks to an Adopt a GF Blogger that happens every month thanks to Seamaiden at the Book of Yum, I found Thomas from The GFCF Experience. He has a fabulous Jewish Apple Cake recipe that is super easy and beyond good!!! My non-celiac husband said it did not taste gluten-free.
It was extremely moist! It has beautiful layers that show very well if made in a bundt cake pan.
I made my cake tonight, planning to put it in the refrigerator for Friday. Well, there isn't any left. It was THAT good. So, if you are gluten-free and casein-free, I recommend you check out what Thomas shares.
Since we are a gluten free family (and she needs to avoid nuts and dairy), I always bake some sort of goodie to sing Happy Birthday with and serve. It's been brownies the last few years. This year, thanks to an Adopt a GF Blogger that happens every month thanks to Seamaiden at the Book of Yum, I found Thomas from The GFCF Experience. He has a fabulous Jewish Apple Cake recipe that is super easy and beyond good!!! My non-celiac husband said it did not taste gluten-free.
It was extremely moist! It has beautiful layers that show very well if made in a bundt cake pan.
I made my cake tonight, planning to put it in the refrigerator for Friday. Well, there isn't any left. It was THAT good. So, if you are gluten-free and casein-free, I recommend you check out what Thomas shares.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Supporting Small Businesses
I have noticed on Facebook, over the last week, a "Small Business Saturday" page that is supposed to take place on Saturday, November 27th, this year. Almost 750,000 people have clicked the "like" button for this page. I think it is great that people want to support small businesses, especially since I am one. However, I do not think people have looked very closely at the page. It is basically an ad for American Express.
If you want to support your small businesses, you need to know that most can not afford the costs involved in credit card sales, let alone American Express which is more expensive than Visa or Mastercard. Definitely support the small businesses in your area. Help them even more by using cash, if you can, and checks, if accepted. Do not use an American Express card. Support your small businesses consistently, not just for one day or by clicking a "like" button.
I sell handmade aprons made from re-purposed materials. I have some friends who run a yoga studio called Evolve Yoga. I have another friend who makes gorgeous, funky jewelry and apparel from re-purposed items. And, I am friends with another company that sells handmade, organic teas, Yera de Herbal Teas. Lastly, there is a struggling small business in our area that is crucial to those with food allergies. None of us accept American Express. We are small businesses that would appreciate your support, however.
Please realize this is a ploy for American Express to obtain information from you. All it is is an ad. To help small businesses, tell them to waive fees the companies have to pay them to "honor" their cards at their establishments. That is what would help small businesses, not a "like".
If you want to support your small businesses, you need to know that most can not afford the costs involved in credit card sales, let alone American Express which is more expensive than Visa or Mastercard. Definitely support the small businesses in your area. Help them even more by using cash, if you can, and checks, if accepted. Do not use an American Express card. Support your small businesses consistently, not just for one day or by clicking a "like" button.
I sell handmade aprons made from re-purposed materials. I have some friends who run a yoga studio called Evolve Yoga. I have another friend who makes gorgeous, funky jewelry and apparel from re-purposed items. And, I am friends with another company that sells handmade, organic teas, Yera de Herbal Teas. Lastly, there is a struggling small business in our area that is crucial to those with food allergies. None of us accept American Express. We are small businesses that would appreciate your support, however.
Please realize this is a ploy for American Express to obtain information from you. All it is is an ad. To help small businesses, tell them to waive fees the companies have to pay them to "honor" their cards at their establishments. That is what would help small businesses, not a "like".
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