Spinach is rich in iron, vitamin C and E, potassium, and magnesium which helps support immune function and aids the digestive system. To help you increase your intake of spinach, I am sharing a few of my favourite recipes.
Spinach Smoothie
Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Spinach Soup
Easy Spinach Salad
Spanakopita for Beginners
After a hectic couple months; we took an impromptu trip to the mountains. We stayed at The Rimrock Resort Hotel on Sulphur Mountain. The view from our room was incredible, we sipped coffee while watching the sunrise and read our books.
We also took full advantage of the spa! I had my first ever mud-wrap, relaxation massage and facial. The pool facility was also lovely completed with hot tub, steam room and sauna.
We enjoyed lunch at Larkspur and breakfast at Primrose and a four course culinary experience at Eden.
Banff offers a lot to see and do. No trip to Banff is complete without…
1. A leisurely drive up Tunnel Mountain with a stop to see the Hoodoos
2. Soaking in Upper Banff Hot Springs
3. Meandering through The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
4. Marvelling at the extensive taxidermy collection at The Banff Park Museum National Historic Site
5. Walking down “the main drag,” and stopping in all the shops. The Spirit of Christmas store and The Fudgery are particular favourites of mine.
6. Touring Cave and Basin
7. Hiking along Bow Falls
8. Sipping on a flight of beer at Banff Ave. Brewing Company
*I highly recommend the: Mojo Dojo Casa House Sour, Cherry Eclipse Dark Cherry Sour Ale, Hazy Glades Pale Ale, White Wit, Black Pil and Head Smashed IPA
9. Dinner at The Bison Restaurant
*I highly recommend the Bison Caesar (both the drink and the salad) and the Crispy Duck
What do you believe happens after we die?
I am not sure I have a definite answer. I would love to believed that those who are deserving enjoy a comfortable afterlife -whether or not that is “Heaven” is another thing. I would love to believe that truly horrible people are made to feel the pain they have inflicted. I also think the ability to be reincarnated and continue living, albeit in a different form and in different circumstances would be remarkable –although you don’t actually know that is what is happening. I don’t want to believe that once you die that is just it; blackness, nothingness. It makes time here are Earth seem so much more finite which is really sad. Although it would make everyone more appreciative of our lives though.
Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts
What about you?
Does religion play a role in your life? Why or why not?
Religion does not play a role in my life. It never has. I never grew up with religion and we never went to church as a family. I do have to admit that my religious knowledge is pretty slim. I thought I knew what religion my mother’s family is/was, however, the more I think about it, there are things that don’t add up but there is no one to confirm it but I do believe there is some ‘closeted faith’ aspect to the story. I think my father’s family is Baptist or Lutheran, but again I am not so sure. I took a religion class in university but I never practiced a religion. I have nothing against religion and I wouldn’t call myself an atheist. And I would never begrudge anyone their religious beliefs! Perhaps I am more ambivalent than anything else. Most people are shocked to find out that I really have zero religious affiliation; they are always like, “You have never been to church?” (Never for worship, but I have been in churches for travel/trips or weddings and funerals but never for like a Sunday service).
Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts
What about you?
On Monday I took a “social media sabbatical” because it was one of the mini challenges on my 20 Day Mental Wellness Challenge, but I am back today. My husband has planned a surprise trip for us this weekend and told me that I need a “fancy dinner outfit.” I spent last weekend scouring the mall for the perfect outfit. And, here it is…
Betty Bootcut Jeans (Rickis)
Sequin V-Neck Tank (Rickis)
Hampton Ponte 3/4 Sleeve Blazer (Rickis)
Lifestride I-Loyal Flat (The Show Company)
Normally every month I set three small goals for myself, but my coworkers and I are participating in a 20 Day Mental Health Challenge –so I think 20 small goals trump 3 small ones.
| 1 | Go to bed 1 hour earlier than usual. | 11 | Enjoy the sun. Eat lunch outside. |
| 2 | Journal 10 things you’re grateful for. | 12 | Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails. |
| 3 | Take a walk outdoors. | 13 | Send an encouraging text to 5 people. |
| 4 | Call someone you love today. | 14 | Wake up 30 minutes earlier to reflect. |
| 5 | De-clutter your room or desk. | 15 | Plan a tea/smoothie date with a friend. |
| 6 | Take a social media sabbatical. | 16 | Go the entire day without complaining. |
| 7 | Make a list of short term goals. | 17 | Buy yourself flowers. |
| 8 | Make the most epic, creative salad you can think of. | 18 | Make time for a wholesome breakfast. |
| 9 | Slow down; sit and watch the sunset. | 19 | Do one thing you have been putting off. |
| 10 | Get rid of 5 things you never use. | 20 | Don’t overthink; practice being present. |
I spent this month “Fighting Fatigue” with my three goals.
1. I lightened my load by reducing the number of posts I had to prepare and that definitely made a difference because I had a lot of extra responsibilities this month. I was able to do all of them, and do them well. I can’t wait to get back to posting three times a week; especially because I start a lot of my Christmas prep/planning in November.
2. I changed the supplements that I was taking by signing up for personalized vitamin packs. I felt so amazing for the first two weeks of the month and then I got really sick. I decided to stop taking them because I wasn’t sure if I was experiencing side effects from the vitamins or whether it was a nasty flu coupled with stress. I did maintain my multi-vitamin. I am going to resume the vitamins to see what other changes I need to make for next month. The vitamin packs included…
AM PM
-Magnesium -Magnesium
-Vitamin D -Probiotic
-Vitamin B6 -L-Theanine
-Probiotic
-Zinc
3. I took in some art therapy and lunch with a best friend. It was so nice to just take a break from everything. We viewed Second Skin, Boreal Barometer, Between Things (AB Ceramics), and A Link With Nature.
If you could live to see any event in the future, what would that event be?
Wow, this is a tricky prompt for sure! There are quite a few future events I’d like to see -for no other significant reason than it would simply be “neat,” or humbling…
Ad·dic·tion
/əˈdikSH(ə)n/
noun
the fact or condition of being dependent or “hooked” to a particular substance, thing or activity.
Music: Warren Zeiders (Spotify)
TV Show: Hell’s Kitchen (Fox)
Book: Marion Lane and the Raven’s Revenge (T.A. Willberg)
Food: Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzels (Snyder’s of Hanover)
Drink: Soulboost (PepsiCo)
Clothing: Tommy Hilfiger Woman’s Sherpa Lined Parka
Cosmetic: Take the Espresso nail polish (Essie)
Accessory: All Night Festival Bag 2L (Lululemon)
Which is stronger: love or hate?
They have equal strength in my opinion, however, I believe that love always wins. Love can accomplish the most incredible things. Hate can cause and equal amount of destruction. People throughout history have been celebrated for their love — all the help and goodness they put out into the world. People have been vilified (rightly so) for their hate — all the pain they have inflicted on the world. It begs the question of whether these two can exist without the other. So far it appears not. These concepts equate to “good and evil;” two halves of the same coin. One is what we should feel, give, and be. The other is what we should not feel, give and be. So I guess, since I believe love and goodness always wins, I guess by default it is stronger…
Prompt from Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts
What do you think?