​Now that the Christmas festivities are done, it is time to prepare and focus on one of the most common causes of stress - MONEY - or the lack of.   We start each new year with a great plan to be financially independent by the next year, and what usually happens is that we have less money and more debt (most of which is gained in December).   Well, let's not wait until 2017 to begin building the ant hill.   Grain by grain -  starting today is the best way to reach those financial goals. Let's consider the facts.  Most of us have too many leftovers from that Christmas Meal/Dessert Spread or a stash of almost out-of-date can goods in the pantry to need to buy groceries this week.  What else could you possibly want to buy this week, since you are still descending from the pedestal of opening all those gifts or watching others do so.  My challenge for you is to have a spend-free week. Go fill your car up with gas and send in any final bills that need to be paid, then stop spending! Commit to not spending a single penny until 1/1/2017.  You can do it. This is my commitment to do so.  It will be hard to not do some after-Christmas shopping, but seriously, who has room to store that stuff anyways?  Are you on board with me?  NO MORE SPENDING UNTIL 2017 - 4 days to go and counting!  We got this!

OK! Yes, holiday stress can take a toll on anyone, but the holiday driver is a genetic cross between Mr. Anxious and Mrs. Bad Decision.  I'm sure the genes, impatient and unpredictable, are involved too.  When you are heading to the mall, please look out for those that drive recklessly.  The holiday driver could be just as dangerous a threat as someone that is committing a DUI.  Creating a mental to-do list often happens behind the wheel of a moving vehicle during this time of year.   A busy brain does not have a lot of energy to put into noticing that you are driving the wrong way on a one-way street or speeding in a neighborhood or even noticing a person in a crosswalk.  In the last few days, I have seen these and more. If you are feeling the pressure of holiday shopping, take a moment and breathe.  Online shopping or shopping outside of peak hours are some remedies to keep you safe and allow you to think through stressful holiday situations. Remember that your life is more important than any Christmas present. Being with your family at Christmas is a Gift!

Remember the PEACE plan!  One way to fight stress is to exercise.  Many people say they just do not have time.  Well, here is a quick workout that will help you balance exercise and your schedule.   Do several times a day to maximize your activity.
10 pushups
20 squats
30 lunges (15 per leg) 
40 jumping jacks
Do three sets if you have time. 

When was the last time you had a "me” moment?  Take time for yourself amidst the craziness of your week.  Glass of wine, Mani/Pedi appointment, bubble bath...Treat yourself to a favorite dessert or go see a movie. Walk on the beach with a friend or alone. You deserve it!  Make time for YOURSELF.  There are many ways to RECHARGE and we need it to prepare for being our best!

1 can of chicken
1 can of mixed vegetables
1 can of cream of chicken soup or 1/2 cream of chicken and 1/2 cream of mushroom
1 tsp of poultry seasoning (add to taste)
Pie Crust (2 pack - refrigerated)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Place all but pie crusts in a sauce pan on low heat.  Let simmer. Place pie crust in the bottom of a pie pan.  Fill. Place other crust on top like making a pie. Cut slits in top to vent. Bake 35 minutes and let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Thinking about what you have to do and how you will get it done takes a little time each week, but it saves you so much in the end.   If you walked into my high school English teacher's class without a pencil, she would always ask, "Would you go to a battlefield without a gun?"  This makes so much sense to me now. How can you expect not to be stressed during the week, but you start it without a plan.  If you "wing it", I'm sure you can fly for a little while, but will you ever learn to soar?