Author: MS

this too shall pass – holiday depression

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As I read the article here (in a nutshell) about holiday depression, I couldn’t help but wonder if these types of feelings exist throughout the world or simply in the U.S?   My guess is, mostly in the U.S.  and forgive me if I am going out on a limb about this. But, having raised a family of my own and of course experiencing most anything you can think of under the stars, I could very well become say, depressed or even bitter during the holiday season, but I choose not to. I always wonder if that has anything to do with my upbringing of expecting the worst and coping with it rather than planning for the best.  Either way, I am tolerant and accepting therefore I am able to cope.  What I am basically trying to say is, I understand everyone has problems and issues to deal with, and while some can handle them easily and methodologically,  others allow their fears to dictate their emotions. We pride ourselves, here in America, about being a strong …

comfort food: french toast bread pudding

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Technically we are only a few days away from the official start of winter.  Which means much more colder weather and less of a desire to eat healthy. I don’t know about you, but I currently am always looking for comfort food, in moderation of course, to fuel me up during the day . In light of that fact, I found this amazing recipe here for bread pudding, one  of my favorite winter comfort foods and thought of making it over the weekend with a few alteration.   I will use Almond Milk (Original flavor) and add pecans and sliced banana and I will let you know how it turns out. Meanwhile let me know if you have other suggestions. French Toast Bread Pudding  1 challah loaf, sliced ¾ inch thick 8 extra-large eggs 5 cups half-and-half or milk 3 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon kosher salt Confectioners’ sugar and pure maple syrup, for serving Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the bread in two …

christmas time in paris – healing process

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Everyone has a different way of coping and healing. While some go into major depression and withdraw, others, yell and shout to release anger and frustration. This entire weekend,  being devastated by the events which occurred in Newtown Connecticut, I somewhat shut down. Naturally of course, otherwise I couldn’t consider myself human. I couldn’t find inspiration anywhere. Not the malls, not at home, not watching old classics. But  then I realized, after watching the memorial service on Sunday night, I needed to find a way to heal myself, not because I was being selfish, but because I needed to be okay for my family. I started weeding through what made me happy and decided that every time I felt anguish to list a few things that made me feel enlightened and even focused to start the healing process.  I reached out to loved ones and shared a few laughs, I discussed the final draft of my book with my dear mother, I held my dog for comfort and finally I searched for photographs of Christmas time in Paris. …

safeguarding our children in light of sandy hook

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Not since 911 have I stayed glued to the television set for hours on end, while I try to work through mostly the why’s of what has happened in Newtown, Connecticut. Could this have been prevented is one question that  kept me up most of the night and what can we do to ease the pain of the families and the community of Newton, Connecticut was another. I suppose it’s too soon to fathom the reasons behind why any human being would want to hurt another, let alone children, but I guess no matter what their reasonings are, it isn’t good enough for me. I tossed around the idea of  not voicing my thoughts about this traumatic event which occurred  11 days before Christmas, but the fact, I am at the moment consumed with pain and anger, I felt I needed to let it out. There is no doubt the nation will not heal from all this, slowly and eventually, but for now, we have to stop what we are doing and  unite so we …