Gratitude for Odd Family & Dealing With the Crazy

I hope I don't insult my family by stating this - WE HAVE SOME ODDBALLS.  My grandparents have a house full of taxidermy.  A cousin greats you by patting your booty while saying, "Bless your heart."  An uncle has a special "square dancing name" and wears it on his belt buckle.  A 90 year old aunt declared to all at our last gathering that she wants to have sex one more time.  That's the norm at my family gatherings so you can imagine what a holiday does to the cra-cra factor.  Thanksgiving makes people go nuts.

Disaster and comedy are often part of our holiday meal. When I was a little girl, we were in Tennessee visiting my dad's side of the family near the Smoky Mountains in a little, bitty town called Spring City, next to Soddy Daisy, around the corner from Stump Hollow.  Everyone was chowing on the spread of turkey, fried fish, chicken-n-dumplings and all sorts of non-Pilgrim dishes.  They do a side of jello, cream cheese, with pretzels and throw in some strawberries to call it a "salad." 

My Aunt Patsy was enjoying her dinner when all of a sudden, she started the "I'm choking" pantomime, only she wasn't playing a game.  Uncle Hayward grabbed her from behind, pulled her pants down, and put his tongue all over her bottom.  The food went flying through the air and Aunt Patsy started breathing again.  Grandpa proudly hugged me while whispering, "The Cecil's call that The Hind Lick Maneuver."  

So as we gather with our families this holiday to give thanks, keep in mind that gratitude releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that makes us feel great.  Regular gratitude helps create a "virtuous cycle" in that the brain starts looking for more things to be grateful for, hoping to get that next rush.  I am super grateful for the odd things my family does.  I only hope I can live up to their legacy.

Tips on how to deal with the "crazy":
•  Avoid topics that will get you into trouble.  If you know Uncle Bobby always talks politics, make a joke out of it when he baits you.  Say, "Let's not talk about that, and give the rest of the family something to be thankful for."
•  Don't gobble till you wobble.  Tough order for Thanksgiving but think of it as a 2 day feast and know you can have leftovers.  Or, wear yoga pants. They are on my gratitude list.
•   Bite your tongue.  It's one day and better to leave feeling proud of how you showed up instead of dealing with the aftermath.
•  If someone offends you, ask them, "That really hurt my feelings. Think you could rephrase what you said in a way that shows you love me?"  Corny but it works.
•  Make your own fun to bring up the mood!

• Play a raucous family game Pit.
• Put people's faces in Jib Jab videos http://www.jibjab.com/holidays
• Test your Thanksgiving knowledge on this quiz http://www.lifescript.com/quizzes/holiday/test_your_thanksgiving_iq.aspx, 
• Get outside and play flag football, or run a turkey trot before your stuff your face.
• Watch the Thanksgiving Day parade and re-voice it with your running commentary.
• Pull out the karaoke machine and sing these songs about thanks - http://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/the-20-best-thanksgiving-songs. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

4 Tips So You Don't Lose It This Thanksgiving!

I have an uncle I see during the holidays who always picks me up and squeezes me so tight that I often feel bad for my panties.  Oh, the joys of family.  Because the holidays make people go nuts, here are 4 tips to put in your unbuckled tool belt which should keep you from losing it at turkey time.

1.  Take the Road Less Traveled.  Sheeeeez, while you're at it, take the easy road, it will make all the difference!  For instance, this year, I am NOT buying a turkey that I have to pluck. I shot my first bird just yesterday...scared everyone in the frozen food section.  Ok, for real, I will do things so that I am not a hot mess prepping all day, full of resentment.  I will buy pies from the bakery.   Slicing and dicing will go down 1-2 days before national-stuff-your-face day.  This year, crock pot stuffing recipe makes it debut (at the bottom of this post). 

2.  Make "The List." - “The List” has been a marriage saver.  When we have a party or holiday meal with lots to do, we “put it on the list.”   It is neutral and indicates what needs to be done without me "barking" orders.  Include it all:  pull out the card table, put in new candles, set the table, menu plan, grocery shop, brine turkey, prep veggies, string party lights, vacuum, and even the assignment for the errand person who will go out and find those cloves you forgot.  Go over it and divide up the duties with your partner. 

3.  Create a New Tradition.  This one is super easy - GRATITUDE ROLLS.  Have your guests write on parchment paper what they are grateful for and roll the paper in crescent rolls.  It's a poppin' fresh show at dinner. 

4.   Add Some Fun. 

• Have pie first in that hour and half when things are supposed to be ready but they're not.  "Desserts" is "stressed" spelled backwards. A little, sneaky slice makes for a sweet time.
• Tell a turkey tale around the table.  This is a variation on an improv game.  Someone starts with,"Jerry didn’t want to go to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving this year."  The next person adds to the story and so on and so on. OR The bird fell on the floor and...

• Have a stuffing-mix tape that includes thank you songs from a diverse group of artists:  Alanis Morissette, Earth Wind & Fire, Sam & Dave, Bob Marley, Abba and lots more.  Cook thing is that they play from Spotify on this link- http://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/the-20-best-thanksgiving-songs.

• Take pictures and put people into Thanksgiving Jib Jab videos. 

 

 Happy Thanksgiving from The Cecil-Braggs!  Party like it's 1621!

Bonus:
Slow Cooker Stuffing video 

Stress Less or Be a Hot Mess - Your Choice

It is Stress Awareness Day (in the UK).  In today's hectic world, it's hard to find someone who ISN'T stressed out.   Ever have so much stress it effects your health?  A few years ago I let some mean-girl mom behavior put me in a tizzy and developed stress-induced vertigo.  We had moved from NYC to DC, I'd left my six-figure job, had a newborn and three year old, and didn't have a support system.  I dropped a Target shopping cart down the escalator (not drunk) and knew I needed help.  The only thing the doctors could offer was a voyage to the valley of the dolls. Finally, my 7th doctor figured out that caffeine was triggering inner ear fluid and making me spin out of control. I opted to become friends with decaf and exercise my way to being grounded.   Now armed with positive psychology tools, I have other ways to whoop POW life to stress less so that I'm not a hot mess! 

SECOND-HAND STRESS.  Don't feed off other people's stress. We notice someones breath rates or that they're talking really quickly and we pick that up and mirror that.  Create a mantra when you are around people who are creating crazy.  I use - "This is not my circus and those are not my monkeys."

UNPLUG.  Over-checking social media and emails causes stress.  There will always be more to do.  Social media sites have even been linked to digital distress -- such as inducing feelings of loneliness among users. And staying plugged in to our devices can lead to work burnout and more. If you're looking to ditch the stress, disconnect from your device every once in a while. Take a break and actually talk to a human.

DEAL WITH IT.  Nothing makes those uneasy feelings stick around like avoiding what's worrying you. By not letting yourself react, you could be hurting your physical and mental health.  CONNECT TO YOUR FRIENDS REGULARLY, HIT THE WALL WITH A TOWEL, SEE A THERAPIST, OR A COACH.

GET OFF YOUR BUTT.  Sitting is the new smoking.  Sitting for hours on end is as bad for the heart as smoking, a recent study found.  GET UP EVERY 50 MINUTES AND STRETCH.  USE AN APP WITH AN ALARM FOR 50 MINUTES. Garmin Vivofit is a great fit band.

 

GET MORE SLEEP.  When you're tired, you feel alone. You compare and thing everyone has it better. You despair. You feel helpless. Studies show that people are more paranoid and sad when they don't get a good night's sleep. When you're tired, you're like a crazy person. Negative thoughts take over and life feels overwhelming. GET MORE SLEEP!


LAUGH - If you  can turn a tough time into a good story, you change the narrative in your head from victim to hero.  Now, I use the buggy for a workout, doing bicep curls while I lift the cart against the barriers.  This experience is how I got a personal shopper status at Target; when a security guard greets me, I give him my shopping list.

Whoopierific Ways to Enjoy Halloween in DC and beyond

I'm all about sharing ways to whoop it up and have more joy in life, and with a holiday approaching, there are lots of opportunities!  Create something fun every day to whoop POW life with joy.  Whether you’re celebrating at home, going out on a date, or wanting to enjoy all the Halloween fun DC has to offer, I’ve got ya covered…

* Enjoy the build up to the holiday.  Decorate your home.  Cut out bats with construction paper and tape them to your windows for a spooktacular glow at night when you're lights illuminate the silhouettes. We make mummy sausages and other creepy food to get into the spirit of things.

                                    

  

*Take part in some great family events.  There’s always Boo at the Zoo and wonderful pumpkin patch visits.  Here are a few unique outings for the family.  

Halloween Whodunit at The Kennedy Center.  www.kennedy-center.org  Date: Oct. 26, 2014  The National Symphony Orchestra musicians dress up in costume as they create a Halloween mystery that the audience will help solve. Throughout the concert, you will use the clues to figure out who stole Stephen Dumaine’s tuba. Along with the fantastic musical mystery, kids can trick-or-treat before the show and visit the instrument “petting zoo.” 

Fall Harvest Family Days  Mount Vernon www.mountvernon.org  Date: Oct. 25-26, 2014  Mount Vernon is one of the many tourist attractions in the DC area for a number of reasons, including that it was George Washington’s estate and it has a beautiful landscape and design. The historic estate and gardens is a look back at a simpler time, without the internet and smart phones. With the cost of your admission into the site, you will have a special day of fun. Fall Harvest Family Days includes fun fall things like apple-roasting, a straw bale maze, wagon rides, games, music and more. Spend Halloween with a simple day of family fun.

* Get wicked in Washington

Nightmare on M Street  October 25, 2014, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets sold in advance (sometimes sell out). Costume bar crawl to 30 of Washington, DC's hottest bars in Dupont Circle to Gallery Place.  Use the coupon code "whoopie" for a special discount. 

DC Drag Queen Race  October 28, 2014. A crowd gathers in Dupont Circle for an informal street parade and race of costumed drag queens. This is one of the most popular DC Halloween events. 

Here's to makin' whoopie and a happy Halloween all month long!

These boots were made for walking on Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

I'm all about sharing ways to whoop it up so that people can have more joy in life.  With a holiday, there are lots of opportunities. Here is what I've cooked up so far -- Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Fluff.  If you want the recipe, leave a note in the comments section.

The witch boots are from this template. 
http://amusestudio.typepad.com/files/witchboottemplate.pdf

Thank you a•muse studio!  Print on black paper and cut them out.  Cut two slits in straws and insert your boots through the slits.  I cut my boot heels a bit wider than the template so they would stay in the straw slits a bit better.

Enjoy, every day!
Mwah!

WANDER FULL - Why travel makes us happy

Shouldn't I be annoying happy if travel brings joy?  Just this year, I've been to Greece, New Orleans, the Hamptons, New York City, Disney, Idaho and have plans for an upcoming journey to off the grid in West Virginia.  The hotel rooms do not have televisions.  (We are taking the kids so wish us luck on that adventure.)  However, lately The Whoopie Queen has had to practice her own advice to up the happy factor in her life. It probably sounds silly that I'm feeling blue because my son is now a middle schooler and is throwing teenage shade my way.  Being a good parent is the hardest job I've every had!  I'm also embarrassed that I find building a company a lot tougher than I thought it would be.  I long for city life even though I'm in the burbs.  I desire more girlfriend time.  Several of my work programs haven't taken off like I thought they would.  I feel out of control. In the past, when this feeling occurred, I would either rearrange the furniture, clean the house, or chop off my hair.  I have lots of tools now but I'm pulling a crazy one out of the hat.

This time, I choose to plan a trip and there is scientific research to back up the truth that it will put a swing in my step.  A study published in the journal of Applied Research in Quality of Life showed that a vacation affects happiness.  The largest boost comes from the simple act of planning a vacation.  The happy factor lasts for approximately 8 weeks.  Plan a trip and reap the benefits.  The New York Times article is on the link at the bottom of this post. 

The volcano in Santorini is still smokin'!

My love for travel attracted a friend named Megan King who is an adventure queen, using travel as a metaphor to create a great journey in life. She interviewed me on her radio show this morning and it occurred to me that my take on travel is like my take on life - if you are in the moment, you will discover something special.  We talked about some unexpected findings on my trips:  I thought I was eating tofu in Morocco, the volcano in Santorini had steam billowing out of the holes, The Footpath of the Gods in Positano, and what I saw when I broke my legs on a mountain in Vancouver.  All were revelations that ended up being out of the ordinary: sheep brains, sulfur, 1000 steps, and a man not wearing underwear.  More on the interview... http://www.blogtalkradio.com/findyouradventure/2014/10/01/whats-your-adventure-tales-from-the-road

Money spent on experience has been shown to induce happiness more than material goods.  It is about making memories, learning something new, and having surprises in life.  That's what I call makin' whoopie!

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/how-vacations-affect-your-happiness/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1

DANCE WITH ENDORPHINS - What exercise does for the brain

Why DANCE WITH ENDORPHINS?  Because exercise has a profound effect on our happiness.  It helps ease anxiety and depression, improves sleep, boost energy, increases creativity, sharpens the memory, reduces cognitive decline and more. 

I know this for certain -I ALWAYS FEEL BETTER AFTER I EXERCISE.  The other day I was feeling blue, dealing with the loneliness of working from home.  I need to be around people and yet I work alone. It's easy to spiral downward.   I had a meeting with myself and decided to do the very last thing I wanted to do -  shake, shake it off.  A class of body pump pushes the nasty out of my head, although I need to find a hot tub because my massive muscles get sore!

 

What triggers happiness in our brain when we exercise?

There's a connection to our brain with our mood, and exercising stimulates feeling better. Bufferapp says when you start exercising, your brain recognizes this as a moment of stress. So as your heart pressure increases, the brain thinks you are either fighting the enemy or fleeing from it. To protect you, your brain releases a protein called BDNF  (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). This boosts your memory neurons and acts as a reset switch. 

That's why we often feel so at ease and things seem more clear after exercising.  At the same time, endorphins are released, which block the feeling and pain in exchange for euphoria -- making you feel happy! 

So there you have it.  Get your happy on by shaking your groove thing!

Cyndy, The Whoopie Queen  

Hugs,

Cyndy, The Whoopie Queen