The Christmas Season is in full swing. For many of us our tree is up and our shopping is—at least started. This year, for me, I feel like my goal is to be present in each moment and not let it fly by like it has so many times before. For today’s Love Learn Lead, I share a few reflections about Christmas, as well as my favorite Cookie recipe. Enjoy and may peace find you this season!
Love
As I have shared before, baking is one of my favorite things to do. But since going gluten free and mostly paleo in my eating, it hasn’t been the same. Sure, I can still make a great batch of cookies or a loaf of bread, but I don’t get to enjoy it afterwards. And though there are many gluten free and paleo baking recipes on Pinterest, it can be challenging to get a texture and flavor that compares to their gluten counterparts.
That is why, I have to share with you this gluten free Christmas cookie recipe that I LOVE. It is by Karen Grieve on Larder Love. It uses honey instead of sugar, and yet has that classic shortbread texture. It also uses an unexpected blend of spices giving you that perfect flavor of Christmas in each bite.
What are your favorite—gluten full or gluten free—Christmas baking recipes?
Learn
A while back, I began to realize that the Christmas Season should be thought of as a marathon, not a sprint. So many of us come off a day of eating too much turkey, and hit the ground running. Shopping, decorating, filling out Christmas cards, baking, and going to parties quickly fill in the few cracks we have in our already busy schedules. Add in traveling for the holidays, and we’re done. I know, because I have begun quite a few New Years sick and exhausted.
What I am learning though, is that slowing down and taking care of ourselves in the midst of the Christmas craziness, needs to be mandatory—not optional. We need to learn the importance of saying no, even to good things, so that we can rest up and prepare for the most important things. Slowing down makes the season last a little longer and feel a lot more enjoyable. It also makes us better people to be around. Sometimes, it looks like making a cup of tea and chilling out for an hour. Other times, it is meeting a friend for coffee. It means prioritizing and making time for the things and people that matter the most to us.
Are you taking the time to slow down this Season?
Lead
“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things—not the great occasions—give off the greatest glow of happiness.”
― Bob Hope
It can be so tempting to dive right into ALL of THINGS of Christmas, when what we really want the most, is time with our people and to give where it matters.
Often in all of the hype, we forget that we are leaders. We have the ability to say, “No,” and to give others permission to do the same. We also have the ability to lead those around us towards the joy of the season, rather than towards the stress. But we have to remember, that it begins with us.
Where are you feeling stressed this season?
Where can you say, “No?”
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