Life Among The Blooms Vol. 38 – Hello 2024

Life Among the Blooms Vol. 38 is a recap of the week about random things at White Lilac Farmhouse and a tip of the week.

It is a chance to get to know me a little better and see what I have been up to.

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We have rung in 2024 with some of our good friends and neighbors. The Marconis were a wonderful host of the evening. We had wonderful food and drinks, played games, and shared many laughs.

Especially when the googly eyes came out, and the guys placed them on photos and statues in the house.

It was hilarious. There are always some silly antics happening when we get together.

So many individuals we know have come down that nasty cold virus that is going around, including this house. We know households have been hit with the flu and a few with COVID.

The cold virus that hit our family has a cough that lasts for several weeks. My husband, Jim, came down with it on the second weekend in December. He was sick the week before Christmas with fever, chills, headache, sore throat, congestion, and bad cough. Jim was ill for two weeks with it.

His throat is what bothered him the most. Below are the items he used to help relieve the fever, chills, throat pains, and coughing. The Mucinex helped him. We tried something else at first and switched to the Mucinex.

The timing was terrible as we were approaching the holiday season. I was using Lysol on everything, praying that I would not get it for the holidays.

For years, I have heard the best supplements to take during flu and cold season are Vitamin D, C, and Zinc. During the winter months, I begin taking Zinc along with my daily doses of Vitamin D and C. I only take Zinc during the winter.

1. Vitamin D3 – These nutrients aid in the function of immune cells, including T-cells and macrophages, that protect our body against pathogens.
2. Liposomal Vitamin C Super Absorption—Vitamin C also acts as an antihistamine and helps to reduce the inflammatory symptoms associated with allergies, colds, and flu. 
3. Zinc—Studies have shown that zinc interferes with the process that certain cold viruses use to multiply. It is important to note that high doses of zinc can cause side effects like nausea and altered taste.

Although there is no cure for the common cold, certain supplements may help support the immune system and shorten the duration of symptoms.

Jim’s cold symptoms lasted for two weeks, and I suffered from a lingering cough for two weeks. I did not have a sore throat, fever, or chills. My cold symptoms, which included coughing, head congestion, body aches, and tiredness, lasted three days.

I attribute the ability to bounce back faster than my husband taking my daily doses of vitamins and minerals.

Hello, 2024! Today, I am not providing a “Tip For The Week”. I am sharing a “Tip For The Year”! It’s about Prioritizing You: Self-Care Tips for a Happier, Healthier You In 2024.

OK, sweet friends, it is confession time. How often do you put your own needs on hold?

Let us embrace self-care in 2024 this year. Why? I will tell you exactly why; it is essential for your well-being.

Life can be a constant juggle of work, family, friends, church, volunteering, and other obligations and responsibilities. We can quickly get caught in the whirlwind and pulled in many different directions. What happens next? You put yourself at the bottom of the to-do list.

Not good! Why? You become exhausted, burnt out, overwhelmed, and stressed. In the whirlwind of 2023, I realized: It was time to make myself a priority. It’s not selfish; it is essential for one’s well-being.

And as we step into 2024, let’s commit to forgetting the New Year’s resolutions. We are ditching resolutions that fall short. Instead, let us embrace self-care and make it a non-negotiable foundation for a happier, healthier us.

It is so important to take time for yourself and find clarity. The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. – Diane Von Furstenberg

You are worthy.

You are deserving.

Look for ways to make more time for yourself. It is time to prioritize your needs and begin cultivating inner peace that will radiate happiness from the inside out.

• Set realistic goals
• Identify your time wasters
• Say “No”
• Delegate tasks
• Schedule breaks
• Outsource tasks—Consider hiring someone to do chores like cleaning, laundry, or errands. Look for apps or services that can automate tasks like grocery shopping.
• Schedule short breaks: Incorporate short mini breaks throughout the day for stretching, breathing exercises, or meditation. These can help you reenergize and refocus.
• Plan activities you enjoy: Make sure to schedule activities you truly enjoy in your “me-time,” whether it’s reading, taking a walk, playing an instrument, crafting or spending time with loved ones.
• Learn to relax: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or mindfulness meditation to reduce stress and anxiety and create more space for inner peace and self-care.
• Pamper yourself—do a home spa treatment and relax with soothing music and candles, or schedule a trip to the spa for a massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure.
• Praise yourself
• Find Your Joy
• Set boundaries

Remember, making more time for yourself is a continuous process. Don’t be discouraged if you slip up sometimes. Just pick yourself up and keep trying the strategies that work best for you. You deserve to prioritize your well-being and create space for joy and relaxation in your life.

Planning a tubing adventure with the grandkids made me realize it was time for some new gear for Jim and me! Luckily, I stumbled upon some fantastic outwear—amazing quality and prices—that I can’t wait to share with you all.

My workout clothes have seen better days too. I have also dropped a size and am in need of some new pants. Here are some of my favorite items:

My new walking shoes arrived, and I love them! These shoes were on the top ten best walking shoes list. My Cardiologist wants me to walk 150 minutes a week, so I have been wearing them for PT and at the gym, too.

This week, I will be sharing some fun Valentine’s projects. Be sure to check back.

Let’s make 2024 amazing!