Tag Archive for: traditions

Happy New Year 2022

The Best of 2021 – A New Year’s Tradition

A tradition my husband and I started years ago was to sit down either on New Year’s Eve or New Years Day and reflect on all the blessings we’ve experienced throughout the year. I document this all in my journal. Reliving these events is what fills our hearts and helps us to focus on what’s really important in life. We typically make a meal together on New Year’s Eve and then reflect on the blessings of the year. It’s quite easy to focus on the bad especially during the insanity of the past two years. It was and continues to be like watching a tennis match bouncing back and forth from open to close, mandates or not!

One thing the shutdown taught us was to value time with family and friends. We took so much for granted like travel, vacations, concerts, or spending quality time with loved ones. As you read my list, you’ll see only one of the bulleted lists is a material item.

  1. We found a great deal on a hybrid car in February. This was a blessing to help us save money on fuel for my husband’s daily commute.
  2. Also in February, I added a new clean product line with Modere and experienced the amazing benefits of liquid collagen, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate. I had tried powder collagen’s with no success so grateful that I gave this one a try. Not only did it transform our health, but it literally saved our Baylee’s (bulldog) life. In less than 60 days, she went from hips collapsing and not being able to use her back leg to being completely mobile and active. We are forever grateful.
  3. In March, our Governor lifted the mask mandates. It felt like freedom and pray we don’t go back.
  4. My husband and I started reading Revelations in Through the Word app. I highly recommend this app created by Kris Langham. He and his team explain every chapter and verse in everyday terms. He also has a great sense of humor which helps when trying to understand sometimes challenging information.
  5. In July, my mom felt comfortable enough to have me come home (Michigan)! It was a glorious time after almost 2 years apart.
  6. Our son Wes was married in October. The wedding took place on October 2 in a beautiful wooded area in rural Indiana.  His wife is a beautiful young woman who has a strong faith in God. We flew home from the wedding on my husband’s birthday so I surprised him with a first-class ticket!
  7. My best friend came to visit in September. Vicky has been a dear friend for years and was my rock when my husband left for South Carolina to start his new job. It was a stressful time and it was great to reconnect.
  8. My sister Carolyn came to visit in August and we experienced a culinary tour in downtown Charleston. Another reason I’ll be looking to drop a few pounds in 2022.
  9. My brother Dennis came to visit in November and we took a History of Charleston walking tour. Charleston is rich in its culture and beautiful architecture.
  10. Early December I flew to Michigan to spend time with my 98-year-old mother and siblings. It was an early Christmas gift to myself.

I truly believe 2022 will only be better. I pick a word each year to live by and this year it is Courageous.  Every day is a choice to live life the way God intended. We will not die one day sooner or later than what God planned for us so why live in fear.  God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love.  (2 Timothy 1:7) So promise me, you will continue to live your best life.

13 Self Care Gift Ideas

Curious about what tools would make your wellness journey easier? Here are 13 self care gift ideas just for you!  I’d like to share my most cherished wellness products and services that I love and use daily.  These tools have literally transformed my health and my clients plus make being healthy so easy.

Share this list with your loved ones for a subtle hint or ensure it is in your wellness regimen by purchasing one for yourself….you are worth it!

This shopping can be accomplished from the comfort of your home.  No fighting crowds, burning fossil fuels, or wasting precious hours of your time. Contact us if we can help at info@brenewed.com or by calling 812-461-8922.

1. Vitamix. Oh, how you have made my life in the kitchen simpler and much more fun.  I used to despise being in the kitchen, as I hated to cook.  Vitamix is an all-one tool that does it all from freezing “nice” cream to heating soup in one container.

It also acts as a food processor so you can cut the salad greens/cabbage and make the dressing in it as well.  If that wasn’t enough the beautiful, full-color, freestanding recipe books are worth the price alone.  Backed with a full 7-year warranty makes it my number one wellness gift.

2. Essential Oils. These gifts from God have supported our holistic options for emotional balance and a way to replace toxic air fresheners. They provide a fun and safe way to teach our children natural forms to support the body. We have essential oil products to place in the stockings or full kits. We can fit any budget with prices ranging from $10-$200.

3. Chi Machine.  Fifteen minutes equals 90 minutes of walking from an oxygenation standpoint.  Need I say more?  I use mine twice a day each morning and each evening.  I call it my “lazy woman” exercise machine.  It supports my spine (scoliosis), and discomfort and stimulates the lymphatic system to safely detox.  It is great for stress reduction, improved sleep, and weight loss. Contact us for wellness provider-only discounts.

4. Infrared Pad is a portable source of heat and healing that I don’t leave home without.  Regular heating pads heat the outside of the body, Far Infrared Ray heat penetrates 2-3 inches into the subcutaneous tissue.  I use this with my pets as well to relieve joint pain.

5. Infrared Dome.  The Far Infrared Dome is similar to the pad except it is about five times as powerful.  It emits about 9-11 microns which is so powerful it can help detox heavy metals from the body.  The dome provides improved circulation as well as pain relief.  I use all three modalities together which includes the Chi Machine, Infrared pad on the back and the Infrared Dome on the front of the body.  It feels like a slice of heaven on earth!

6. Inversion Table.  A few minutes a day is an easy way to relieve back pain and pressure. Contact your chiropractor to see if an inversion table is right for you.

7. Essential Oil Cold Air Diffusers.  Cold air diffusers use therapeutic-grade essential oils and release them into the air to be used by the body.  The cold air process helps maintain the therapeutic value of the essential oil, unlike heat diffusers that destroy it.  The diffuser creates a spa-like atmosphere with these wonderful aromas in your home that help heal without the toxic chemicals that synthetic air fresheners emit.

Modere Cellproof skincare

Award-winning skincare

8. CellProof Skincare. Finding skincare that is safe and effective is beyond challenging. However, Modere CellProof skincare has exceeded most people’s expectations for the highest quality products available. It’s a system where you can feel the difference and see it! If this is your first order, you can save money using the special discount code.

9. Q Link Pendant EMF Protection. Electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) are transmitted from wireless networks, phones, tablets, PCs, and all electronic devices.  Exposure to EMFs can impact sleep, energy, emotional balance, and productivity.  I’ve been using these for years and wouldn’t be around technology without them.  I used to feel drained at the end of the day after working at my computer and now I remain energized!

10. QLink Clear EMF Protection – These are great stocking stuffers and protection for your children and grandchildren that will last a lifetime. It is the same protection as the pendant but adheres to your electronic device. It supports your body’s natural defenses against EMFs.

11. Norwex Cleaning products. Oh, how you make my life easier! I love the enviro cloths, travel cloths, mops and just about everything they offer. Let me know what part of cleaning you dislike, and I’ll share how they make cleaning safer, easier, and save you money.

12. Massage Therapy. How do I love thee, let me count the ways!  Massage Therapy is not a once-a-year luxury.  It should be part of your regular health maintenance program to receive at least monthly. The benefits are endless from relieving aches and pain, detox, and building the immune system.  If you don’t have a favorite massage therapist, ask a friend who sees one regularly or contact us for a local referral.

13. Wellness Gift Certificates from B Renewed. Consider a comprehensive Wellness Review to determine where your body is out of balance. Improving energy, reducing stress, and dropping excess weight are easy once you know what’s out of balance.  Show yourself or someone some love by purchasing a gift certificate today. Call 812-461-8922.

A New Year’s Eve Tradition

A New Year’s Eve tradition is something my husband and I do together. We look forward to every year sitting down on New Year’s Eve and remembering the highlights of the past year.  I create a special page in my journal to note these precious memories so they are not lost.

It is so enjoyable to relive the memories we have made which are sometimes as a couple or as a family.  Funny, they never seem to be about things we’ve purchased or promotions at work.  They all have to do with special moments and quality time together with each other and family. Several years ago we took our three children on a cruise and they had a blast.  We relive that event over and over.

This year consisted of a few simple things that were our highlights.  One day my husband and I made shrimp etouffee together for the first time.    It may sound silly but it was quite a task for us.  We worked together so well (which doesn’t always happen with projects-lol) and the meal turned out incredible.  It was so exciting to create something together and enjoy the rewards at the end.

Another memorable event was our trip to Atlanta for Thanksgiving with his girls.  We found some incredible restaurants, hiked Stone Mountain and visited the Aquarium.  All great quality time together!

Another new experience that my husband created was our Pay it Forward challenge.  We put some cash in envelopes with Christmas cards and drove around until we found someone that looked like they may need it.  We each took turns walking up to complete strangers and handing them the envelope.  It was very uncomfortable and awkward but we felt really good after.   The people we gave the envelopes to looked at us like we were crazy!  We gave an envelope with money to each of our kids and have asked them to hold on to it until God leads them to share with someone in need.  It was so cool when our youngest called told us that she found someone to give it to that had broke down on the road.  This is definitely a tradition that we will continue through the years!

My most recent highlight  is going home to Michigan to see my mom and family with my son.  At 20 years old, I am not able to see him or spend much time with him so every moment is precious.  And with my mom being 87 years young, I treasure each day that I have with her on this earth.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on the highlights of 2010 as we all have so much to be thankful for.  As the saying goes, in our last days on earth we’ll never wish we had worked more or accomplished more in our career.  We’ll only wish we had spent more time with the ones we love.

Love and blessings to you in creating memorable moments in 2011.

Countdown to Christmas and Traditions

Well, we are officially 7 days away and the countdown begins. For those traveling, this typically means WE have far less time to complete our holiday shopping so the pressure is on!

I’ll be traveling to Michigan which is part of my tradition of going home. It’s a bittersweet trip as I’m excited to see my family but sad that my husband stays here as his daughters arrive from out of state. It was understood at the beginning of our relationship that this was the way it would be as there would be a time that our children would not be coming home.

My son, a chef, and a dedicated employee will stay in town with his dad’s family as to not miss work. I’m proud that he is so dedicated to his job but I find myself singing, “Cats in the Cradle” too many times these days. You know, “when you coming home son, I don’t when, but we’ll get together then..”

So, what I really wanted to share is some of our Christmas traditions. Our Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve with almost everyone (six siblings) coming home. Christmas food consists of a unique blend of old versus new traditions. My dad (now in heaven) was Polish and my mom was from the Czech Republic so our foods connect to these nationalities. The pinnacle of our meal is the Pierogi. This is a Polish specialty consisting of half-moon-shaped noodle dumplings filled with a mixture of potatoes, onion, garlic, and a bit of cheese. (BTW—this is NOT a health food for those that know me.) Fish and fish soup are both parts of the Czech Christmas food tradition. Big brother (one of three big bros) Dennis provides fresh catch which is appropriate as we live in the Land of Lakes! The fish is lightly fried and the soup is oyster stew.

Some newer food traditions that have popped up since our health movement are a variety of salads. My sister Sandy and my niece Chef Jen, personal chef and caterer always come through with something amazing. The amount of sweets has diminished and almost completely eliminated. Mom makes her fav molasses (hold the sugar) cookies and I’ll be starting a new tradition of peanut butter rice crispies squares with my secret ingredient (Modere Chocolate Sync) for the chocolate lovers.

Outside of food, mom and I have created our own new tradition. Since my siblings leave Christmas Day to spend with their extended families, it ends up just mom and me.  So we started the, “stay in your PJ’s all day, play Scrabble and read day”.  This is one of my new favorites. Need to mention, mom (at 87) can kick my butt in Scrabble.

Mom playing Scrabble