Holidays

Almost everyone struggles with staying active during the holidays. There’s so much disruption, whether you have family staying, are going away or are just out of your normal routine. It can be a very special time, seeing family (especially grandchildren…

Giving and receiving gifts at Christmas is a great source of pleasure. I know I like offering gifts as much as I enjoy getting them. It’s never been easier to do purchases online and have them delivered to your door or directly shipped…

Don’t most of us love to receive books? How much fun is it to unwrap a cookbook we wouldn’t think of buying for ourselves? Or flip through the novel we’ve heard so much about? Or snuggle with a grandchild as we share a picture book?

I’m traveling with a friend. We stop at an artist’s cooperative in a university town on our way back home. We spot a dizzying array of Christmas tree ornaments. As always, we ignore them – they have no relevance in our Jewish lives. Abruptly, my friend…

I’ve always considered November to be the month of gratitude. This is not to say that gratitude shouldn’t be practiced every month of the year, but during this month, I believe it’s particularly important to make it a priority…

I love Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday of the entire year. I try to live a life filled with gratitude, and it’s special to have a day set aside for giving thanks – even though I practice it every day. This year, my estranged daughter will once again…

The holidays are coming. The falling snow, ringing of sleigh bells, and smells of turkey and pumpkin pie can conjure memories of family and togetherness. When we are divorced and over 50, these same images may trigger emotions, making us feel…

Let’s face it: it is hard to stick to healthy eating and an exercise plan during the holidays. Everywhere we turn, there are tempting foods and drinks – from treats at office parties to our own traditional family favorites. When you add in a busy schedule…

The holiday season is upon us. Of course, thoughts go to food, gatherings with family and friends, giving, and gratitude. But it is also a time when we share stories – holiday stories, family stories, and just plain good stories. However, we often share…

With the winter holidays just around the corner, many of us are wondering how we will handle getting together, in whatever form, with certain people, whether they are family or friends. We all have those people with whom we’ve had a falling out or a breakdown…