Take a look at this month's edition of the Robinette Reporter!
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obinette Reporter
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November 2020
FROM THE DESK OF Jeffery L .Robinette
WHY THANKFULNESS IS GOOD FOR YOU As we slide into that time of year when we’re encouraged to give thanks and be grateful, it’s a good idea to take that advice to heart. While developing an “attitude of gratitude”might seem like just another platitude, science indicates it’s actually good for us. Scientists have found that people who feel grateful more often are happier, get better grades, and are more satisfied with life. They also sleep better, have less pain, recover more quickly, and do not get sick as often. Experts say it’s possible to train yourself to become more grateful so it’s not just an occasional state but a regular habit. Many times people are so focused on what they don’t have that they lose sight of the many reasons they have to be grateful. Instead, shift your focus and be mindful of the everyday things you would miss if you didn’t have them. There’s always something for which to be grateful, even during difficult times. Try to think about gratitude at the same time every day. It might be when you first wake up or before you go to bed. Think of it like working out, she says. When you do it at the same time every day, it’s going to become part of your routine. The experts recommended keeping a gratitude journal. By writing down the things for which you’re grateful on a regular basis, you begin to focus more on them. Thank-you notes are also a good opportunity to express your gratitude. We have more control over our mind-set than many of us believe. Even when times are difficult, we can practice being more positive and grateful by actively seeking out and focusing on things for which we can be grateful. I think people need to understand that we have a choice; a thankful spirit is something we can choose. We all experience difficult times in life, but there is incredible benefit to adopting a practice of gratitude.
TURN YOUR FALL WALKS INTO ART! A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Leaf Skeletons
Some people thrive in the summer heat, while others can’t wait for the first flurries of snow to arrive every year. For me, though, no season will ever beat fall. There’s something invigorating about the morning chill in the air during these months, and I always look forward to watching the leaves change color. One of my favorite ways to enjoy the season is by taking long walks through my neighborhood — something I’d definitely recommend if you haven’t tried it yet! This year, a friend of mine let me in on a secret that helped me take my walks to the next level. She suggested that when I’m strolling along, I should take the time to gather some of the most unique, interesting leaves I see. Then, she told me, I could turn those discards into an art project! That conversation was the first time I’d heard about “leaf skeletons,”which are a trendy type of wall art. They sound like Halloween decorations, but leaf skeletons are actually beautiful, delicate arrangements of stripped- down leaves that end up as thin and translucent as dragonfly wings. The method originated in China way back during the Ming Dynasty (1368 to
-Jeff
Best wishes for a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 118:1
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STEP 4: RINSE, BLEACH, AND DRY THEM. Once your leaves are translucent, carefully dip them in water to rinse them. Then, if you’d like white leaf skeletons, soak the leaves in bleach for 20 minutes. If you’d rather have colorful leaves, mix your food coloring with water and soak the leaves in that mixture instead. After 20 minutes, place the leaves onto the napkins to dry. STEP 5: CREATE YOUR ART! This is the fun part! Once your leaf skeletons are finished, you can use them however you’d like. Try arranging them against black paper, adding them to a painting, or creating a shadow box. Odds are you’ll make something beautiful to hang on your wall or give away this Christmas. To watch Jenn Savedge’s video of the process, go to Treehugger.com/how-make-leaf- skeletons-4868589.
1644 A.D.), but it’s just recently caught on in the U.S. as a fun DIY project. Since making leaf skeletons is fun for everyone from kids to grandparents, I thought I’d share a how-to guide in case you’d like to try it.
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Bleach (or food coloring for colorful leaves)
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Paper napkins
STEP 2: BOIL YOUR LEAVES. In your pot, combine washing soda, leaves, and enough water to cover the leaves completely. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer 1 1/2–2 hours, adding water as needed to keep the leaves covered. If you have a fan over your stove, make sure to turn it on and avoid breathing the steam from the pot. STEP 3: REVEAL THE LEAF SKELETONS. Put on your gloves. Then, using your tongs, remove the leaves from the water. At this point, it’s time to start stripping down the leaves. Use your tweezers to hold a leaf by its stem, then brush away the leaf pulp with your paint brush. Make sure to do both sides of each leaf, revealing the delicate skeletons as you go.
STEP 1: COLLECT YOUR INGREDIENTS. To make your leaf skeletons, you’ll need:
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Metal pot or saucepan
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1/2 cup of washing soda
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Leaves (shiny ones work best)
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Water
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Rubber gloves
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Tongs
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Tweezers
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Soft paint brush
According to one study from 2018, over half of all parents surveyed were experiencing some form of burnout (i.e., exhaustion, cynicism, lack of professional satisfaction, etc.) — and that was before the pandemic. Now, as the world enters the eighth month of the coronavirus pandemic, many parents are working from home or dealing with unemployment, and many children are doing school online. Families are spending a lot of time together at home, balancing new routines — and that’s led to family burnout. When you experience “family burnout,” the kind of exhaustion that comes from spending too much time with family, it manifests itself as physical and emotional exhaustion, an inability to handle usual tasks, and increased irritability. The more demanding your work and home responsibilities are, the more susceptible you are to family burnout. Single parents are especially susceptible, but burnout can drastically affect romantic relationships and even children. Most people are not used to spending so much time together at home. With all that in mind, don’t worry — family burnout is preventable. It starts with creating a balance between work and rest. While it might feel like you don’t have a moment to spare between work and taking care of the kiddos in the house, identifying those spare moments in your day is absolutely necessary for your health. What Is Family Burnout And How Do I Prevent It From Affecting My Family?
Establish a routine that defines time for work, sleep, studying, and other tasks. You’ll then move from task to task easier, leaving less room for conflict between others in the household. You’ll also see more clearly when you can rest! Those breaks don’t have to be anything special — a 15-minute walk by yourself outside or a 30-minute stretch with a good book in a comfy chair. Find time to let your kids have a break, too, like playing their favorite games, reading their favorite books, or playing outside. You’ll all feel more refreshed to tackle the remaining tasks of the day. Even though you can prevent or minimize burnout through a more balanced routine, sometimes that’s not enough. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Family therapy can be immensely helpful for maintaining your mental health when your own attempts need a boost. These are unique times, so be patient with yourself and your family as you cope with new challenges and routines. Burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable.
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To Have an Awesome Morning TOP 5 HEALTHY LIFE HACKS
Getting your day started with coffee isn’t always enough. Sometimes, you need to give yourself an extra boost, especially when you have little energy or trouble focusing. For an awesome start to your day, here are five tips to get you going right off the bat. WAKE UP 5 MINUTES EARLY. What’s the power of five minutes? It can be more than you think. Spend this time doing simple breathing exercises or a quick meditation so you can get focused for the rest of the day. If that’s not your style, you can prepare a quick to-do list for your day ahead. Either way, it’s always nice to have a little extra time for yourself without losing too much sleep. START WITH GREEN TEA, THEN COFFEE. A cup of coffee at 7 a.m. can leave you burned out by 10 a.m. Try swapping it with green tea for a more gentle wake-up call. After that,
you can brew your favorite coffee to keep you going strong. This practice also might help you consume less caffeine overall! TAKE A QUICK MORNING WALK — AND HAVE YOUR MEETINGS ON THE GO. Morning meetings can make us want to fall asleep again. Don’t spend all of them sitting down if you don’t have to! Not only will morning walks help you wake up, but they can also add some extra physical activity to your day. WRITE IN YOUR JOURNAL. Who says you have to journal at the end of the day when you’re tired and ready to sleep? You can journal in the morning about what happened yesterday and the things you’re looking forward to that day. Journaling can remind you of your daily goals and motivate you to stick to your commitments.
PACK YOUR LUNCH (OR SNACKS!). Staying on track with your goals starts with having the energy to do them. Plan a healthy balance of fats, vegetables, carbohydrates, and proteins. This can be as simple as assembling dips, carrots, wraps, and salads each morning.
It’s time to try these tactics to superboost your day!
Take a Break!
Skip the can-shaped cranberry sauce this year and bring a jar of homemade sauce to Thanksgiving instead. This easy recipe can be made ahead of the big event and keeps for 10 days in the fridge. ZESTY ORANGE CRANBERRY SAUCE Inspired by OnceUponAChef.com
Ingredients
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1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
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12 oz fresh cranberries
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2 tsp orange zest
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1/2 cup water
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Salt to taste
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3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar
Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, heat the orange juice, water, and sugar to a boil. Add other ingredients, then bring mixture back to boiling. 2. Reduce the heat to medium and cook gently for 10–12 minutes, until the cranberries burst.
3. Transfer the sauce to a bowl or jar, cover, and refrigerate until serving.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of Jeffery L. Robinette PAGE 1 Turn Your Fall Walks Into Art! PAGE 1 What Is Family Burnout, and How Do I Prevent It? PAGE 2 Top 5 Healthy Life Hacks to Have an Awesome Morning PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Zesty Orange Cranberry Sauce PAGE 3 5 Thanksgiving Movies for the Whole Family PAGE 4
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Bored on Thanksgiving? Plan a Movie Marathon!
5 Thanksgiving Flicks for the Whole Family
2. ‘A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING’ —This old-school television special from 1973 is a Thanksgiving classic. In it, Charlie Brown and Snoopy navigate football, an ever-growing Thanksgiving guest list, and a backyard feast of junk food. 3. ‘GARFIELD’S THANKSGIVING’ — Everyone loves Garfield, and this 1989 television special starring Jon, Odie, and the fat cat himself is another Thanksgiving mainstay. The vet puts Garfield on a diet at the worst possible time: right before Thanksgiving. 4. ‘AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING’ —This 2008 period drama is based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott and tells the tale of an estranged family who find themselves back together just in time for the holidays. It’s historical, heartwarming, and fit for all ages. 5. ‘A FAMILY THANKSGIVING’ —This Hallmark comedy is a funny combination of “A Christmas Carol” and“17 Again.”A high-powered lawyer is transported to an alternate universe and gets a look at what her holiday life could have been like if she’d made different choices.
After a giant Thanksgiving meal, it can be tempting to sink down onto the couch and never get up — so embrace it! This Thanksgiving, try planning a family movie night to enjoy while the turkey settles.
Movie nights are about as low maintenance as family hangouts can get. According to Elle magazine, actress Angelina Jolie credits family flick marathons for helping her survive quarantine with six kids at home. Her secrets to success are comfortable clothes like pajamas and robes, along with plenty of movie snacks. This Thanksgiving, plan your marathon around these holiday-themed films.
1. ‘FREE BIRDS’ —This hilarious 2013 animated film stars OwenWilson andWoody Harrelson as turkeys who have escaped the Thanksgiving table. Together, they go on a mission back in time to break up the first Thanksgiving and get turkey off the menu for good.
With these five films on your watch list, you won’t need any other Thanksgiving entertainment!
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