By Lisa Kivirist
Winter is a time of year wrapped in contradictions .
After the chaotic rush of the fall harvest home , we crave slowing down and hibernate around the woodstove . But by the clip we tamp the tinsel after the holidays , the groundhog reminds us we still have a retentive stretch of wintertime to go and cabin fever hit big sentence .
Do n’t despair . A flair of glow can thaw winter blahs .
Here are some tips for dumbfound the winter blues and enjoying those dumb hebdomad leading up to the flurry of spring natural process :
1 . PurgeUndoubtedly , there ’s something in your sign right now that could apply an ambuscade purge .
make some needed breathing space by decluttering , donating or freecycling your honest-to-goodness stuff . You ’ll experience like you lost ten pound instantaneously . The top areas that could probably apply a purge : kitchen shorts , bathroom cabinets , clothing closet .
2 . RekindleNow is the time to revive and finish projects that have been be adrift half - mast for a while , thing you started with good aim and never had clip to polish off .
To keep from engender overwhelmed , just pick one thing to complete .
Revisit back issue ofHobby FarmsorHobby Farm Homemagazine and rekindle article estimation that intrigue you but got stuck on the back - burner , such as making homemade yogurt and kefir ( “ Create Your Own Culture,”Hobby Farm Home , Spring 2007 ) .
3 . ConnectUse the husbandry off - season to draw inspiration and learning from other farmers . regenerate the Countryside presents century of engaging profiles of small , diversified farm operations nationwide ; search the site geographically or by your area of interest .
Now is the sentence of the year to research whether , for example , add goats to your operations is a good approximation . Learn how other farmers have done it and garner resource that might help your plans .
4 . ExposeDepending on where you live , you may want to bury under layers of clothing this fourth dimension of year , but you’re able to still think of ways to expose your mind to new perspectives .
Websites such as www.dailyyonder.com contribute together an array of rural news and www.alternet.org compiles perspectives from sovereign metier worldwide .
Rent a documentary film videodisc that highlights different perspective on our food system , such as “ King Corn , ” a new documentary that interrogative sentence industrialized farming by following the prevalence of corn in litigate foods .
5 . PamperGift your body with a little exfoliation TLC before the horticulture time of year engraft soil back under your nails . essay a homemade sugar bush and relish the softness , a frugal alternative to pricey health spa treatment .
mingle the following ingredient until they resemble a spread :
While in the shower bath , massage the entire scrub in gentle round motions from your shoulder joint to your foot , focusing on ironic expanse such as hands and heels . Rinse with warm water , using a little Georgia home boy to wash off the oil . dry out off and humidify .
6 . PlaySprinkle some silly into your day with an unexpected surprise .
Garner giggles from your kids by :
Or … play with your food with an evening of made - from - scraping , homemade pasta making .
7 . DreamA dose of fresh idea lead a long way during the dead of winter . throw off off the rant with an afternoon at the library perusing periodical .
Your challenge : Leave with three unexampled melodic theme in whatever categories you choose – novel formula , travel ideas , gardening technique . What icon spark your pastime ?
