Category: Health

Checklists – The Ultimate Self Care Hack

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#ChecklistDay #SelfCareTips

As the busiest season of the year approaches, there’s no shortage of things to do. Between Halloween costumes, candy, and makeup, Thanksgiving grocery runs and dinner prep, and Christmas gifts, cards, and decorations, it’s easy for even the best planner to feel overwhelmed.

That’s exactly why checklists are such powerful tools — and why Checklist Day (yes, it’s a real thing!) is officially celebrated every year on October 30th.

Sounds a bit surreal, doesn’t it? But the history is pretty fascinating — the concept of a checklist actually originated as a safety measure in aviation, designed to help pilots avoid overlooking critical steps before takeoff. Today, we may not be flying planes, but the same principle applies: checklists keep us grounded, focused, and on track — especially during the holiday rush.

Beyond practicality, checklists are also a form of self-care. Staying organized and efficient helps reduce stress, save time, and bring a little order to the chaos that often comes with the end of the year.

So, why not celebrate Checklist Day by creating a few of your own? Whether it’s for holiday shopping, meal prep, or simply managing your weekend chores, a good checklist can turn overwhelm into accomplishment.

Here are a few tips to make the end of the year a breeze and set the stage for a productive, peaceful season ahead:

Thinking of a Master Plan

Take some time to consider the task at hand. Start by clarifying what you need to accomplish. Is it decluttering your space, planning a holiday menu, or organizing your gift list? A clear focus makes your checklist more purposeful.

Seek and Find Results

Observe Yourself. What tasks do you usually miss or skip? Do you find yourself running back to the store for forgotten items or realizing you overlooked a spot while cleaning? Pay attention to these habits — they’ll show you where your checklists can help most.

In No Logical Order

Write a Random List — Then Sort and Categorize. Do a quick brain dump of everything on your mind, then group related tasks together (home, work, holiday, errands). This turns chaos into clarity.

Duly Noted

Create Notecards or Sticky Notes. If you’re visual, write tasks on sticky notes so you can rearrange and prioritize them easily. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to crumple or peel one off when you’re done.

Digitize the Day

Use Digital Devices. Apps like Google Keep, Notion, or Trello make it easy to track tasks and sync them across your phone or laptop. Perfect for busy days when you’re bouncing between errands.

Congrats to You

Reward Yourself for Completing Tasks. Celebrate your progress — big or small. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet coffee, watching your favorite show, or buying that seasonal candle, small rewards keep you motivated.

Final Thought:

Checklists aren’t just about marking off boxes — they’re about creating space for what really matters. This Checklist Day, take a few minutes to organize your thoughts, simplify your to-dos, and set yourself up for a calmer, more joyful end of the year. That’s what self care is all about. 

Leaves, Lattes, and Self-Care: Your Self-Care Toolkit for the Fall

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Recently, I’ve been looking at new ways to become more productive, organized, and efficient. There’s an app for time management, calendars, reminders, and sticky notes. Sometimes, having a career, a family, and other responsibilities can become quite overwhelming. It’s important to remember that making time for me is actually something that will help to improve my productivity and efficiency as opposed to taking away from it.


In a world of busy schedules and obligations, don’t be ashamed of putting yourself first. The best part is that there are tons of resources available to keep you mentally, physically, and spiritually well. Here are a few self care tips that I’ve gathered just for you:

  1. Prioritize Sleep – Ensure you’re getting enough restful sleep to recharge your body and mind.
  2. Healthy Nutrition – Nourish your body with balanced meals and stay hydrated for optimal energy and well-being.
  3. Regular Exercise – Engage in physical activities you enjoy to boost mood and overall health.
  4. Mindfulness and Meditation – Practice mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress and increase mental clarity.
  5. Set Boundaries – Learn to say no and establish healthy boundaries in relationships to prevent burnout.
  6. Positive Self-Talk – Replace negative self-talk with self-compassion and positivity.
  7. Social Connections – Cultivate strong relationships with friends and family for emotional support and connection.
  8. Have Fun – Engage in creative hobbies or activities that bring you joy and allow self-expression.
  9. Unplug and Disconnect – Take breaks from screens and social media to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
  10. Ask for Help – Reach out to professionals or trusted individuals if you’re struggling with mental health issues or challenges.

Remember, self-care is about making intentional choices that prioritize your well-being and create a foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life.

“Pretty Darn Good” Vegan Meals

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This blog is all about beauty, health, and wellness. We talk about a lot of makeup tips and beauty tips, but wellness and health are important too. One way to stay healthy is to eat healthy foods. And believe me I know it’s not easy. I get tons of cravings for things like cookies, honey buns, and chips, but lately I’ve been trying to please my palate with vegan meals.

I never imaged that I would really like vegan as much as I do. I can mix and match different foods and seasonings and get a healthy serving of ingredients that are good for me too!

Here’s what I’ve been adding to my plate:

Teriyaki tofu and Quinoa Stir Fry

Tofu spaghetti

Kale Beans and Butternut Squash

Air Fryer Baked potato with Kale and Cheese

These meals are just easy to make and “pretty darn good”. Eating well is a real beauty tip and I didn’t just make that up.

Photo via Unsplash

1️⃣ Boosted Energy: A well-balanced diet packed with nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provides the fuel your body needs. Feel energized throughout the day and say goodbye to those mid-afternoon slumps!

2️⃣ Enhanced Immunity: A healthy diet strengthens your immune system, making you better equipped to fight off illnesses and infections. Load up on vitamin C, zinc, and antioxidants to keep those pesky bugs at bay.

3️⃣ Improved Digestion: Fiber-rich foods like whole grains, legumes, and fresh produce promote a healthy digestive system. Bid farewell to bloating and discomfort and say hello to regularity and better gut health!

It’s been challenging to think outside of the box with my traditional ideas of cooking, but it’s also really exciting to try something new.

Treat yourself occasionally, but make nourishing choices that set the foundation of your everyday eating habits. I’ll be sure to share more of my health and wellness tips along the way!

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Who Else Wants a Simple Buddha Bowl Sauce?

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Photo by iMattSmart on Unsplash

We’ve all heard the saying the secret is in the sauce. This could never be more true when it comes to finding the right sauce for my homemade Buddha bowls. I’ve tried countless sauces, from herb and garlic to mango or just simple ranch. Finding the right tahini sauce is like gambling at a casino and I can never have enough salsa. But somehow all of my trial and error had left me pondering the very secret to making the most delicious Buddha bowl ever! Who else wants an easy buddha bowl sauce?

I’m not so sure I have the budget to invest but I’ve found a few that are pretty good for new cooks who aren’t experts at mixing up elixirs good enough to please the palate.

Photo by Anna Pelzer

Hellman garlic was one that I found to be really good. I could easily pair it with some kale, onions, beans, and chicken and feel satisfied. But I still yearned for the restaurant taste that leaves you wanting to eat the sauce and just forget about the food.

My next try was teriyaki sauce. This was great for Asian dishes and soups. I enjoyed slow-cooking stir-fried veggies and mixing in the sauce to get a sort of Asian-like taste. Eventually, I just went to the store and bought a plate. Am I the only one who gets tired of my own cooking?

My next try was just plain old buttermilk ranch dressing. For a few weeks, it seemed like it could go with everything – vegetables, chicken, and fish. And then it was salsa and cream cheese, but my burning desire for the perfect tahini or avocado sauce that everyone was bragging about still lingered.

Finally, I found a really good sriracha. It was absolutely perfect for my healthy little bowls. So I put it on hold and tried to minimize my intake so I wouldn’t get tired of it. Seems to fit my fancy, but I’m still looking for a comparable backup or two.

Any suggestions, let me know?

If you’re into creating unique, healthy recipes and trying new things you might like this cookbook on Amazon called Buddha Bowls: 100 Nourishing One-Bowl Meals.

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From Child’s Pose to Sun Salutations – My Yoga Experience

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Eat More Yoga

I’ve read countless articles and blogs on the benefits of yoga, but nothing speaks louder than actually giving it a try. From spin bicycling to Zumba and Pilates, I’ve tried many different exercise routines, but for some reason I never really gave yoga a go. I made a note on my calendar in May that said EAT MORE YOGA and finally decided to drop by my local gym and get some of the benefits that I’ve been reading about.

Photo by madison lavern on Unsplash

Yoga Benefits to Boast About

Healthline says yoga improves flexibility, reduces stress, boosts immunity, improves balance, and increases strength. I can surely use a little bit of all of that, but the thought of stretching and posing seemed much more appealing than actually being there and going through the motions. According to MindBodyGreen, doing yoga every day can even help to improve performance while doing other exercises.

Yoga Essentials

So, I showed up with my yoga mat that had been tucked away in my closet collecting dust for a while, landed there on the floor and tried to remember the last time that I had attended a yoga class. It had been at least a year, and it was just a one-time deal that was a little more advanced than I had expected. This time my experience was challenging, but I was able to make it through to speak first-hand on some of the benefits that I’ve read about.

Photo by Louise Vildmark on Unsplash

I found myself being a little self-critical and thinking about how inflexible I was. I felt some pain during certain poses, but it helped me to identify areas where I may be holding tension. I debated on if I should look in the mirror and was a slightly uncomfortable about certain movements.  I also felt more challenged than I had expected but left inspired to continue adding this into my workout routine. I experienced an immediate change in my range of motion and balance. Ultimately, I decided to give it another go, but to start again as beginner and take it slow. I would consider myself a dedicated member of the #fitclub but my yoga experience challenged me to look into other areas that I can improve upon.  

Loving this blog?

Support us by shopping with One Hope Wine, a Napa Valley based winery that raises money for important various causes. The company has donated over $7 million dollars to organizations like the Susan G Komen foundation, Why Hunger, and the Heart Foundation.

You can also shop on Amazon using our link. We do not receive commissions for recommending products but may receive a commission from purchases made using these links.