Happy Holidays everyone!!!

We are in full swing here in the city of Chicago! The city is blizted out in twinkling lights, fast paced energy & all of the delights that come with the holidays!

I am personally lying in bed today. I am taking a self care day to rest my mind and body - so needed.I encourage you (especially all of you with chronic illness) that if you just feel completely depleted, take a step back to replenish your mind, body, spirit and then try again.

Let's get to this Friday's 'Holiday Bits & Bites'!! We will be covering a lot - quickly - so, prepare to move quickly along with me:

The holidays can bring a wide variety of internal emotions for numerous people. While we hope every interaction to be merry, there are time we experience conflict as well. And I think conflict is to be expected in extremely close relationships. But it is how we handle conflict that matters. Conflict can be the BEST opportunity for two to grow closer together and build even more intimacy in relationships. 

I've even read from the likes from Don Miller, Henry Cloud, Bob Goff, Priscilla Shrier, etc. that if you never experience relational challenges, you might not be experiencing the intimacy that comes with going through obstacles together.

Matter of fact, this article by Don Miller's wife is fantastic. And this particular article by Don Miller himself is great too.

I received the article below from a leader at my church. And it does not matter what your faith is (so please do not be scared off by the biblical references), this conflict guide below is  - hands down - the most brilliant I have seen for marriage, singles, friendships, co-workers, etc.. I cannot say I've always used it but, that's where grace comes in.

Check it out:
http://cms-cloud.watermark.org/legacy-blog/2013/11/conflict_field_guide_web.pdf

If you want to attend an incredibly festive event this holiday season, Holi-Dose is a MUST!!!! You can get tickets & check out the details of this sparkly Dose Market event here.

I must say that Holi-Dose is one of my favorite events of the month. It's a great way to spend the day and purchasing holiday gifts locally for those you love.

Other events are ChristkindleMarket, The Nutcracker, Millienium Park Ice Skating, A Christmas Carol at The Goodman Theatre....and this list can be endless. There is no better city to be in during the holidays than Chicago!

This is definitely time to place our hearts on Jesus who was born. And the true meaning of Christmas. This means it's a season of giving back to those who are in need, passing along kindness in a phlethora of creative routes (smile), forgiving one another, extending grace, sitting by a cozy fire to spend quality time and joining together in prayer.

It is a season not to be clouded by materialism, spending money on gifts for those who are already living in abundance. This season is not to be clouded by stress, hidden resentments or flustered spirits.

I encourage all of us to ask God to fill us with The Fruit of the Spirit and then go do our very best to put those into action. The Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, FORBEARANCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS. How are you doing with those? I have some work to do myself.

If you are looking for some absolutely phenomenal organizations to donate to this holiday season, my heart just leaps for the following! But, read this article before you donate anywhere or to anyone!

• Animal Hope & Wellness who helped 'severely' abused animals and save animals from the Asian Dog Meat Trade.
• Sama Group helps lift people out of poverty by providing digital work. It's an incredible organization.
• Beagle Freedom Project
• Potters House Guatemala
• Animals of Asia

Enjoy this weekend everyone! And thank you for stopping by Snapshots of Wellness!! I am grateful!

"This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!"     - D.M. Dellinger

The month of December is an absolute sugar -tsunami. It's easy to get swept up in all of the toxic foods and yet, they leave you feeling completely ill or at least lethargic.

Once you begin eating unprocessed organic foods from the earth, your entire body changes on a cellular level. You begin to crave healthy organic whole foods. You also quickly 'feel' the difference when you indulge in say, cookies, donuts or a processed meal.

I recall the last time I ate a donut, I felt this film inside my mouth after eating it. It was an actual film along the roof of my mouth and gums. And I felt sick to my stomach within 15 minutes afterwards. I mean, sick.

So I wanted to share a super easy idea for 'Edamame Pasta'! It's a simple, clean (protein packed) and detoxifying dish for lunch or dinner! And you can make your own variaion in approximately 10 minutes!

Edamame Pasta
Gluten Free Noodles of your choice (bring to a boil and set aside once softened).
A large varity of chopped organic veggies of your choice.
Organic steamed spinach
Steam Edamame and remove the shells.
Combine all of the above
Add seasonings of your choice w/ a sprinkle of sea salt.
Drizzle lemon, olive oil and apple cidar vinegar

This dish is always a crowd pleaser in my home. And it can be served with a large variety of options. I tend to serve with a crispy gluten free rye bread.

Bon Appetit!!