10 ways to deal with autumn anxiety

I’m on edge lately.  Even when things are going well, I feel a little off.

Recently I was trying to figure out why I was irritated and out of sorts.  Nothing had changed with the general messiness of the house(working on that)  Our schedule is still crazy and I’m feeling overwhelmed but we are dealing with it. 

This morning when I got up I had to slip on my sweats so I wouldn’t be too cold.  I pick up my jacket each time I head out the door.  Our yard has fallen leaves on top of the browning grass.  Our 2015 garden is finished and I need to put it to bed soon.  Steve mentioned closing down the pool this week before it gets too cold. These are all proof that fall has arrived.

Autumn Anxiety is Real

Daily until December 21st, the days will continually get shorter and the nights longer.  I looked back at my journal and realized I always feel this way this time of the year. 

After some searching on-line, I found that I’m not the only person who experiences Autumn Anxiety.  My symptoms increase as the sunshine decreases.

As I researched and read more, it was encouraging to find that others deal with this issue and that there are actions I can do to help myself.

How I deal with Autumn Anxiety

1. Tell my family how I’m feeling & not let it come across as anger or depression
2. Getting enough sleep
3. Delegate so we keep up with cleaning tasks
4. Remind myself that being a mom is enough
5. Having security blankets--cozy hoodies, comfortable chair, time in the sunshine
6. Blocking out time so I feel less aimless—school, blogging, cleaning, cooking, errands
7. Crockpot Meals--seriously reduce my anxiety each day
8. Menu planning--again a way to reduce stress and anxiety each day--free printable available!
9. Tracking my goals & using a to-do list to see what is getting accomplished.
10. Get outside and enjoy the limited sunshine EVERY day!

I like autumn.  Really.  Beautiful leaves, pumpkins, cozy clothes and all.

But I admit, I miss spring and summer and long for them to return and bring the energizing sunshine.

Is this something that you experience as well? 

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Blessings from the week vol 10

Life is good even when you are having a yucky day.  That is how I started today.  But I started looking at my pictures from this week and was reminded of how blessed I am.  Truly.  Count it all joy!

1.  Friends for life

We had company over the weekend.  It was a blast to see them and have house guests. 

2. Peanut butter cups

In between the visiting I was able put 10 foods in the freezer to prep for "those" busy crazy days. 

• Chicken & beef precooked
• Egg cups
• Muffins
• No bake cookies
• PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

I LOVE peanut butter cups. 

Seriously my favorite snack and dessert. 

No sugar involved, just creamy peanut goodness!

3.  Baby snuggles & road trips

I couldn't stand it any more!  Three weeks had passed since we saw my grand daughter.  So we headed to St. Louis for a quick visit.  It was quick but we still had a blast babysitting for Michael while they went to their small group.  Cecily is just starting to laugh and it was precious to see her

4.  Fall Color

It's like liquid gold.  Not all the trees are turning at once here.  I'm catching photos here and there all over town.  I'm enjoying it this year.  I can see it so much more clearly than last year!

What is blessing you this week?  I'd love to hear!  Comment on this post or over at the Day to Day Adventures Facebook page!  Have a great weekend!

10 make ahead time saving freezer foods

Life is on fast forward here.  But being busy is not an excuse to stop eating healthy meals & snacks!

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Health Journey

For 2+ years I’ve been on a journey to health while eating on the THM Plan.

It has shown me that if I can keep good fats, healthy protein, plenty of fruits and vegetables, plus unprocessed, low glycemic foods in my diet, then I can FEEL better AND have energy again. (affiliate link).

That makes this busy life doable.

Juggling school, blogging, errands, activities, cleaning, hobbies, gardening, & classes can make this momma feel overwhelmed!

The to-dos truly NEVER end.  

Food Decision Fatigue

At the end of crazy, busy days, okay every day, I do NOT want to cook, make decisions, or clean up.  I just want to sit and stare at the wall for a few hours.  I realized that if I wanted to keep my sanity, then I needed to put some food in the freezer for those days when I can’t face another decision.

I have made a list of 10 meals for THOSE days.  You know those days when you are standing at the freezer at 5 p.m. wishing someone would just decide what to make for supper?  Some one besides you?  A few weeks ago I made a list of 10 go-to meals to battle Food Decision Fatigue.  Check it out!

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Smart make ahead foods

Getting foods prepared for the freezer has been my priority each week of September and I'm continuing in October. If I do a few each week then I'm not overwhelmed.

I keep it smart and simple. 

• Making French Toast? Do a triple batch and freeze what isn't eaten. 
• Make a meatloaf?  It doesn't take much extra time to make 3 or 4. 
• Making muffins?  Scoop batter into tins.  Frozen then pop out easily to be baked another day. 

It doesn't have to be complicated.

The following prepared frozen foods have kept me from loosing my mind.  The meat, that is either precooked or prepped for easy meals, makes getting a wide variety of meals on the table a little easier.  When I bring the meat home I process it up and get it in the freezer so its ready for another day.

Freezer foods for busy days

1.  Chicken

• raw diced or cut into tenderloins
• Lemon Chicken--one of our favorite freezer to crockpot meals
• chicken breasts cooked, diced or shredded

2.  Hamburger

• cooked ahead with spices for tacos or spaghetti
• sloppy joe’s
• meat loaf

Part of changing my morning's to be AWESOME has been turning breakfast over to my kids to fix on their own.  Having some premade options makes this a breeze.

4.  Egg cups--sausage, cheese & eggs baked in muffin cups for 15-20 minutes on 350 degrees

5.  Muffin in a Mug Mix

6.  Baked oatmeal--Blueberry, Apple Cinnamon

7.  Chia Porridge

These are my favorite sweet ending to a meal!  Gotta have them on hand.

8. Homemade peanut butter cups

9.  Luscious Lemon Pudding actually it's yogurt but I eat it like pudding!

10. No bake cookies

All of the linked recipes are on my Food Decision Fatigue board on Pinterest. 

• If you would be so kind, you can click on my THM affiliate link to purchase your THM goodies! It gives me a little kick-back and doesn’t cost you a penny. You can always find a THM button on the right side of my blog.

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Blessings from the week volume 9

It's been a hard week.  Monday's & Tuesday are FULL.  Like to the brim, cup over flowing, soaking you when it spills FULL.  We are so busy that my head hurts.  That is not good.  It makes me snap at everyone and doubt myself.

I'm working on changing that situation but for the next month there isn't a lot I can do about it.  Thankfully the garden work is ending as I have run out of jars for canning.

Counting Joys was a choice this week.  I wanted to be cranky(and was a lot) and wallow in my self pity. 

Yeah it was fun around here.

1.  Physical Therapy

It is helping. 

My hip is not as ouchy. 

Going is not fun as it puts a crimp in my already tight schedule.  When I'm done it leaves me with shaky legs and sore muscles. 

But it is working. 

I'm stronger and have much less pain.

2.  Elizabeth

Of course I'm thankful for my daughter. 

She really rescued me on Tuesday though and I'm grateful.  I declared I HAD to stay home and get some stuff done.  Since she was home on fall break she became my chauffeur for the afternoon.  Feeling overwhelmed can be paralyzing and keep you from moving forward. 

Sometimes all it takes is someone saying "I can help" to bring a sense of peace.

3. Sleeping in

I'm still marveling in the fact that I have changed to a morning person and actually like it! 

Going through the Make Over Your Morning course has really helped me to focus on using my time when the kids are still sleeping. I crave the quiet still time before the day gets going (affiliate link).

But Wednesday I was VERY tired.  I went to bed late and knew I needed to get some extra sleep.  I shut off my alarm knowing that I'd gotten up early all the other days of the week and had accomplished many of my goals. 

The sleep was wonderful. 

Until I heard the cat puking on my carpet at 7 a.m.  Wonderful way to wake up.  NOT.

4. Best Friends

Some days I feel really isolated.  I interact with my family but not very many others. 

But in the last week I've gotten to spend time with two dear friends.  Megan and I went to K's house & watch a fun old movie.  We laughed, talked and ate popcorn.  Good times.

This weekend we have guests from out of town.  It is so fun to reconnect with L & her family.  We stayed up late talking and now I'm wishing for another morning of sleeping in. 

But it was worth it. 

I don't have tons of close friends but I really cherish the ones I do have.  It is such a blessing to walk through life with women who GET you and still want to hang around.

What were your blessings this week? 

Who did you love hanging out with? 

Comment here or on Day to Day Adventures Facebook page! I'd love to hear what you are celebrating.

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