MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023 SELF-CARE

 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023 SELF CARE

Taking care of yourself is important.  From a Biblical (and rational) perspective “Love your neighbor as yourself” says that love begins inside yourself.  Love yourself

I found these gift suggestions for YOURSELF

A SELF-HEATING COFFEE CUP

I like my coffee.  I like my coffee hot, but not too hot.  I don’t like to burn my tongue, but I don't like cold or iced coffee.  The burnout coffee cup was designed by literal rocket scientists to keep your brew at the perfect temperature (so it both cools too-hot drinks down and warms up too-cold drinks) without batteries, plugs, or apps.  What a concept!!!

Now, let’s think about that.  People who drink a hot cup of coffee or tea have a 32 percent lower risk of stroke and a 28 percent lower risk of dementia.

So, as I write my blog entries, sitting in my favorite chair, and I want a sip of something while I can reach for this Burnout cup and my coffee will be hot.  I have been using Yeti (and Yeti-type) coffee cups and putting my hot coffee out of my coffee maker into the cups.  And, the coffee can be TOO Hot for hours.  But as I understand this mug, it lowers coffee from a pot to about 140 degrees quickly - but keeps the coffee at 120 to 140 degrees for hours.  (The Yeti mug keeps the coffee at much higher (burn the tongue) temperatures but gradually sinks below the 120 range).  

Now, I’m not a fan of Keurig single coffee makers.  I like to have a pot made every morning and then I can drink it all day.  After pouring my first cup, I’ve been putting the rest of the pot into a thermos bottle or a Yeti-like mug.  But, by afternoon, if I want a cup, I pour an amount into a cup and microwave it for 40 seconds.  But, if I get busy, the coffee cools off and I either drink it cold or microwave it again.  

My taste buds must be off (c'mon - who likes to drink stale microwaved twice coffee?)

*****

A House Plant

What a great self-care gift - a house plant

Plants give off oxygen (which humans need), and use carbon dioxide (which humans exhale) 

But, plants are like simple children.  They don’t need much care, some occasional watering (and some have suggested that plants like it when people talk to them.

They look good.  Depending on the actual houseplant, there may be variegated leaves, blossoms, flowers, or even new offspring (like helicopter plants).  I have vegetable plants but also have succulents and two ivy plants.

*****

A JOURNAL

Journals are nice gifts.  My mother and grandmother kept journals of the events of the day.  It can be a very thoughtful gift to have a nice bound journal to record your activities.  (My blog is not quite like a journal, but writing every day is part of me after ten-plus years of blogging).  

Actually, my daily activities “journal” is my bathroom calendar.  I write down my appointments and keep track of events.  At the end of the year, I can tuck this away (in a box in my closet.  If I want to see what I bought BL for her birthday two years ago, it is on the calendar from two years ago!!!

*****

BUT

Whatever the gift, reward yourself.  Keep your attitude positive 

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, MARCH 27, 2023