December Sanity Retreat 2012–Join us!

I tend to see the seasons through the lens of a gardener. Spring is where seeds sprout, and everything seems to awaken. All of a sudden, everyone wants to get out, have lunch and go for a walk outside. Summer has everything in full bloom, and it’s hard to resist the urge to explore, travel, BBQ, taste something ripe and luscious. Fall is harvest, change, transition, and we’re so aware of the beauty of the change of seasons. And winter is the silence—where the earth gets quiet and still, where the movement is subtle of leaves breaking down. We want to snuggle up with hot cocoa and a good book, maybe with a fireplace and a purring kitty.

Peace and calm. Time for silence and renewal. Just like the holiday season, right?

It’s ironic that the busiest season of bustling crowds, overspending, overeating, overdoing is perfectly lined up with when the earth takes a nap to recharge. When I even think about Black Friday sales, my only urge is to join G under his blankie.

And so…the December Sanity Challenge was born. It is so easy to get swept up in the tidal wave of doing that it is easy to forget about what is important to you for your health.

So here’s the scoop on the December Sanity Challenge.  It can be on whatever YOU need to work on to stay sane during the holiday season, or whatever you want to make sure to remember so that you are living life to the fullest:

  1. Balancing commitments to others with commitments to yourself
  2. Getting in physical activity
  3. Creating a happy balance around food
  4. Getting enough sleep!
  5. Making wise financial choices
  6. Focusing more on living beings than material “stuff”
  7. Whatever else speaks to you along these lines

The challenge–blog on on what you plan to do to make your holidays sane, happy and healthy.  (if you don’t have a blog and want to play, email  me and I’ll post your goals!) Make it specific!  Not just “I’ll get more sleep”, but “I’ll get at least 7 hours of sleep, 5 days a week”.  Not just “I won’t go crazy making desserts”, but “I’ll make a maximum of XX desserts, and space them out over XX time”.  You know what you need to do to keep this doable, and writing it down will help you get there!

As a little added incentive, for each post on your intentions and your progress you link back here or one of the other co-hosts, you’ll be entered to receive a $50 gift certificate to Nuts.com  (they are not sponsoring, I just wanted something with healthy gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free, etc. options). The delicious Ms. Carrie Forbes of Carrie of Ginger Lemon Girl has also generously donated 2 signed cookbooks for “The Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook”. I mean, what could be more sanity promoting than using a slow cooker?

I’ll also be joined by a wonderful group of co-hosts:

Last, but not least, we do have a FB group–if you’d like to join, you’re more than welcome. It’s a space to support and be supported, and it’s the same one we used during the last Self-Care Retreat.

To get a “flavor” of past retreats:
http://www.gfgoodness.com/2012/08/05/a-july-self-retreat-recap/
July Self-Care Retreat and the December Sanity Retreat.

And THANK YOU. Self-care is so primary to me, and I find that our retreats are such a great reminder to myself of the need to focus on what I value most. So whether you’re hosting, reading, posting or just stopping by, I appreciate that you’re joining us.

 

About Cheryl Harris

Life played a funny trick on me. I've studied nutrition for years, and much to my surprise, found out that I could manage many of my health issues via diet. I've been GF for years, and I've got a bunch of allergies and sensitivities. But it definitely doesn't keep me from cooking, baking and enjoying my food. Thanks for stopping by.
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19 Responses to December Sanity Retreat 2012–Join us!

  1. Jodi Chapman says:

    I absolutely LOVE this, Cheryl! Self care is often the first thing to go during the holiday season, and so this reminder is absolutely wonderful. My commitment to myself is to walk 2-3 times a week with Dan and our dog, Xena. I need to move – to get back into my body – and this seems completely doable without feeling completely overwhelming. Thank you for providing this space. Hugs and love!

  2. We are letting many things go this year to have a sane Christmas and, of course, as I mentioned on our FB page, we’re going on vacation to Key West for a week and leaving Christmas Day. Somehow knowing that we are getting away trumps everything else. 😉 But if we were staying home, I think just making the decision that “sanity” is one of the primary goals for Christmas can make all the difference. Maybe keep saying to one’s self “my mission this Christmas is to have a good time AND stay sane … does this contribute to my mission?” If not, let it go. Once one starts with the letting go of stuff, it becomes easier and easier.

    Thanks for hosting this always amazing series, Cheryl!
    Shirley

  3. So delighted to have you join! It sounds like dog walking will be a “win” for all involved.

  4. Shirley,
    Glad you’ll be so focused on taking care of what really matters this Christmas. “My mission this Christmas is to have a good time AND stay sane … does this contribute to my mission?” sounds like a perfect seasonal mantra!

  5. I love this event Cheryl! So delighted to be a part of it again! And Shirley’s vacation sounds just amazing!!

  6. Suzie Cheel says:

    Last Christmas was was first gluten free one and i made a special cake will see if I can find the recipe and share with you

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