With every dark cloud, there is a silver lining. But in times of crisis you really need to look for it. Lately, I have found that when I pay attention to the small things I have missed in the past, I am in a state of rediscovery. Before I was always running to meetings or on conference calls and as a result, overlooked so much. Come to find out, these little gifts have been there all the time.

Gifts of Nature

When is the last time you really looked inside an iris? See the beards? Isn’t the color amazing?

Now with more time at home, and needing just the basics (good health, food and family), beauty seems to be emerging in nature everywhere. Not to be cliche, but I am experiencing “stop and smell the roses” moments ALL the time. Is anyone else finding this to be true? Naturally it helps to have roses blooming right now!

Yesterday I stopped to face the sun and listen to the birds. Such a simple act but with tremendous benefits. Breathing more is a necessity lately but filling my lungs with the sweet spring air is so restorative.

I’ve never noticed how beautiful the delicate flowers are on my scented geranium plant. And those curly filaments on the stigma! Take time to notice the changes Spring brings. The earth is coming back to life after winter and doesn’t it feel like we are on that same path? Bloom wherever you are!

Necessity is the mother of invention

This is also a time to get creative! With regular all-purpose and bread flour on shortages, I am using the almond and coconut flours that have been in my freezer. Dusting off old recipes and rediscovering them all over again is inspiring. In 2018, I posted this recipe for Paleo Lemon Blueberry bread and I hadn’t made it in a long time. Plus it’s healthy! Click here to read the post.

Even milk has been challenging to find in some places. But consider the alternatives and ones you can make, nut or grain milk. I don’t think there is a pressing need for almonds and it is SO easy to make your own. Click here for my previous post and the simple recipe.

Click here for the link for oat milk.

Keep Moving

I really miss exercising at the gym. For some reason, while I’m there I push myself harder and work up a good sweat. Taking brisk afternoon walks isn’t quite the same, but there is joy in seeing so many people out walking and children biking. Right across the street from our home is the historic Murphy Bridle Path. It is the only linear public park in Arizona and such an important recreational resource for our City.

Another positive to walking is checking out all the houses in the area. Who doesn’t like house snooping?!

If I don’t exercise I’ll be auditioning for My 600-lb. life after all this is over. Tomorrow I am going to try online work outs to see if I can kick things up a notch. We have a stationery bike and a rowing machine ~ I only hope I can motivate myself to get on them and work hard. What are you doing to move?

Be proactive on managing your stress

There are times I can feel the fingers of fear creeping into my optimism. I suppose that is natural but it’s not my personality to allow it. My first line of defense is to BREATHE. There are so many meditation tools available to us, but my two favorite are Headspace and Calm. Headspace recently created a free support section called Weathering the Storm. It includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however you’re feeling. This is Headspace’s small way of helping you find some space and kindness for yourself and those around you.

Every night I listen to Sleep Stories on the Calm app. I’ve yet to hear the end of a story because I am lulled to sleep by the wonderful soothing voice of the narrator. I do pay an annual fee, but I truly use it every night. There are other meditation exercises and resources on the app as well.

There is something soothing about an afternoon cup of tea. The chamomile is just starting to bloom in the garden. This herb also helps to calm things down. I’ve also read that valerian tea, green tea and if you aren’t a tea drinker, cherry juice works too. To see the chamomile growing in the garden, click here.

Start a new project!

It feels SO good to cross things off the To Do list. There’s a sense of forward movement when you accomplish goals and finish projects. I am in the middle of washing all the windows in the house. My husband is doing a deep clean on the outside barbecue area. Touch-up painting comes next. Not only is it good to move, but at the end of all of this, your home may look its best ever. If you missed my last post, here is a project update.

Try something new

Who remembers Paint by Numbers? We did this as children (many moons ago) but have you seen some of the paintings they now offer? Not only is this a fun family project, but a chance to focus your energies in an artistic way.

You can even create your own painting from a photo or start on a holiday painting now. Check out their website to see all the possibilities.

There are other creative outlets~~all available online. Want to tour the White House or The Louvre from the comfort of your own home? Or hear a concert? All of these are now at your fingertips online by just searching the internet.

Being Strong for Others

So many people have had to make significant adjustments in their lives. Many are on the front line while we are safe at home. Some are physically compromised.

As parents, we need to be good role models and create teachable moments so our children understand how to deal with inconvenience or hardship. Be the voice that lifts, not scares. Be informative but optimistic.

When Certainty is Lost only Faith Remains

Whatever faith means to you, it is important to have it now. I find solace in watching our church’s online services on Sunday. I am surrounded by the dogs and cats and I can have my coffee too. But sometimes just turning life’s challenges over to a higher being gives us strength to move forward. Whether your “church” is nature, a friend, a pet or a religion, be connected. Reach out to someone you have not spoken to in a while. Write a letter. Watch a sunset and know you’ve made it through another day.

Please let me know how you are doing. Now more than ever, we need each other. Whatever you have planned for today, I am sending virtual hugs and wishing you happiness.

Orange “Gingersnap” roses recently purchased from Whitfill Nursery

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” —Thich Nhat Hanh

Twice a week I take an hour long Pilates class at Maximum Pilates. Not only is Pilates physically good for me, but there is a sense of community with my classmates. During Monday’s class, I realized how often we all laugh, mostly at ourselves And between crunches we started talking about the benefits of smiling. Which of course prompted me to do some research and write this blog post.

I believe that you wear your life on your face after 40. Those with happy dispositions have happy wrinkles. And we all know people who are perpetually grumpy. It shows on their face. Granted, life can be difficult, and some people have more angst than others. But often we have choices on how we respond to those life’s challenges.

Research shows that there are physical and psychological benefits to smiling. You know the song…Smile and the whole world smiles with you. There is truth to that.

None of us want the RBF (resting bitch face), do we? I had never heard of RBF until my last Pilates class. Cracks me up that RBF is a thing.

How Smiling Affects Your Brain

According to behavior psychologist Sarah Stevenson, “Each time you smile you throw a little feel-good party in your brain.” Dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin increase when you smile. Those endorphins serve as natural pain relievers and act as the body’s own opiates. Hence, reducing blood pressure, increasing endurance and reducing pain. Sounds good to me!

According to Ron Gutman, the author of Smile: The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act, “British researchers found that one smile can generate the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 bars of chocolate.” Think of all the calories you can save by just smiling!

Even a forced smile can boost your mood. Usually we think that a positive experience is what makes us smile. While this is true, it’s also true that merely deciding to smile can provide a positive experience. 

Smiling Can Make You Look Younger

In a small study, college students perceived older people who had happy smiles on their faces as looking younger than their age. The people with frowns on their faces were categorized as looking older.

A smile provides you with a mini-facelift. Turning up the corners of your mouth raises your entire face, including cheeks, jowls, and neck. Try it now! Instead of spending $15,000 or more on a facelift, just smile.

Smiling can make you look thinner. In a recent study by a young psychology student at University of Missouri, sad faces randomized and flashed on a computer screen were judged to be heftier. A mouth turned down in a frown might give the impression that a person is weighed down by unhappiness. 

In her book, Forever Chic, the author, Tish Jett compares the differences in aging between American and French women. A famous French model recommends that the world’s most important ageless beauty secret is a smile.

Smiling could add years to your life, according to researchers. The wider you grin and the deeper your laughter lines, the more likely you are to have a long existence.

The impact of smiling on others

Smiles can predict fulfillment in marriage . In a study cited by Gutman, the Smile author, the smiles of students were measured, and these ultimately predicted how long-lasting and satisfying the person’s marriage would be. Right! Who wants to live with a grouch?

Smiling makes you seem courteous, likable, and competent. If you look sad or anxious, perhaps others wonder if you know what you are doing. So perhaps a simple smile might be a shortcut to business success.When you smile, people treat you differently. You’re viewed as attractive, reliable, relaxed, and sincere.

Smiling is contagious. If you like to help others and lift the spirits of everyone you see, just smile. 

So what can we do to smile more? Are you ready to up your smiling game for a week? Don’t you think we need less fear and more smiles in this world right now?

Remind yourself to smile throughout your day and even force a smile onto your face periodically. That set of muscles is closely connected to your happiness and joy emotions. By smiling, you are signaling the emotional centers of your brain to tell them that everything is good. So even if it’s not, it will be soon.

I am boarding a plane today so I will need lots of sanitizer and smiles. Not sure if I will be posting on the blog while traveling this next week. But I will check in with you to see if you are smiling!

Have a fabulous Saturday!

My very first blog post in September 2016 was about a charitable English tea we had here at Bella Terra with New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author, Rhys Bowen.

Not only was the event a wonderful fundraiser for Family to Family, (they provides scholarships to students in rural El Salvador) but it wasn’t your typical tedious fundraising event. Everyone got into the spirit of the English tea by wearing fabulous hats and dresses. The caterer, Julie Greder, outdid herself by providing beautiful sandwiches and scones.

As a result, we had a subsequent English tea fundraiser in April 2018. See blog post here. What made both events extra special was the main speaker. Rhys Bowen, with her lovely British accent recounted her hilarious stories about her characters, the details of her extensive research and her book writing experience. Surprisingly, Rhys writes two books a year!

During the event, there are charitable items you can bid on……one being the ability to be a character in one of author’s next books. My sweet husband purchased that item two years ago and quite frankly, I completely forgot about it.

A few weeks ago, I received a call from Rhys asking if I would like to attend a book event at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, where she would be discussing her new book. It was at that time she told me that I was a character in her latest novel, Above the Bay of Angels. What? Wait? Weren’t we supposed to discuss this beforehand?

Since the book hadn’t been released yet, I didn’t know if I was a villain, a tramp, or a pathetic historical character. I don’t know where I got the idea that this famous author would consult with me on what role I would play in her book. Delusions of grandeur?

We drove to the book event which was very well attended. I was excited to hear about the book, while discovering what character was I going to be.

Known for her historical research and her attention to those details in her novels, Above the Bay of Angels is based in London and Nice in 1896, during Queen Victoria’s reign.

Naturally, I was anxious to get my hands on one of her “not yet released” books. I surprisingly found this lovely dedication in the front.

Rhys made me a delightful character! I am in my 40s, married to a Marquis and live in a villa in Nice, France. What I love about Rhys’ books is not only are they a joyful read, but there’s a history lesson in each. Above the Bay of Angels has it all~~oppression, opportunity, crime, adventure and romance.

They say that everyone has their 5 minutes of fame….I’m guessing this is mine! I haven’t finished the book yet, but am in the last few chapters and truly enjoying it. Rhys has a gift of keeping the answer to “whodunnit?” to the very end.

That’s my exciting news for the day! If you love to read and want an author to follow, I highly recommend Rhys Bowen. Her series include the Molly Murphy Mysteries, Constable Evans Mysteries, Royal Spyness Mysteries and currently she has 5 stand alone books. Click here for her Amazon link.

It’s hard to believe it is already Wednesday! Enjoy your day!

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.  ~~Benjamin Franklin

Holiday decorations started coming down yesterday. It is tradition to leave them up until the Epiphany (January 6th). Technically, my “new” year starts this week. It feels good to get back into a schedule!

Here are my top priorities for 2020!

Being more organized and efficient.

Perhaps my most productive time in life was when I was working in corporate America and the senior management team had to go through the Covey Leadership 3-day seminar. Who remembers the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People? For years I used this system and it was brilliant.

I decided to implement this again. The action of writing it down seems to keep me on task. Doing it on a computer or phone doesn’t give me the same sense of commitment. If I can stick to this for 2020, it will be a highly productive year.

Upping my exercise routine.

My family genetics tends to favor plump vs. lean and as a result, I have exercised most of my life. Currently, I do Pilates twice per week and go to the gym 2-3 days a week. I am reading the book, Younger Next Year (which I highly recommend for anyone over 50) which provides compelling information on how to live brilliantly for the next 3 decades or more. If you are interested in turning back the biological clock, this is for you!

Just remember….The human body is the ONLY machine that breaks down if you don’t use it. Sitting is the new smoking. Move. Get up and get active. Become engaged. Let’s encourage each other!

Tackling a few BIG house projects is a must in 2020.

The barn, guest cottage and well tower need exterior maintenance~~painting, staining, etc. The garage is going to be my January/February project~~what a mess that is. The back staircase that I wrote about months ago, still hasn’t been completed. The front fountain needs significant repair. The priority to-do list is currently being created. However, I don’t want to feel overwhelmed or financially drained so I am spreading out the projects over the course of the year.

Act like a tourist locally.

When my son is in town, we do more local, fun things that we didn’t know existed. Benjamin has an ongoing list of places he wants to visit. But when he is not here, we tend to get stuck in our comfort zone~~same restaurants, same destinations, same, same, same. I would like to, at least monthly or quarterly, try something/someplace/some destination that is NEW to us.

Appreciation, Gratitude and Kindness.

The world has become such an ugly place, hasn’t it? I feel we need to do our part to seek the beauty and loveliness of life. There seems to be so much hatred out there. I don’t know of anyone who has made a good decision based on hateful emotions.

So please join me in being the force that makes a difference. When someone is rude to you, don’t be rude back. If someone is frowning, smile at them. If someone is spewing political abhorrence, don’t give them an audience. Kind and loving gestures are FREE and have rewarding results for all!

Updating My Blog and Website

I have so enjoyed writing this blog and for the last few years. It’s been personally rewarding and worthwhile. I can’t even begin to tell you how much your comments and feedback mean to me. I read each and every email or remark from you. However, like with most things in life, I want to get better. Be better. I will be seeking new ways to improve my site and hopefully you will be happy with the results.

I don’t advertise on the blog, nor am I getting money from sponsors. What I write is meant to be shared with you, in hopes that it will brighten your day, inspire or encourage you to try something new.

Spreading a positive, genuine, and informative message is my goal. Now, more than ever, we need to support each other….to find the true meaning in what makes us happy and fulfilled. That’s the goal, right? Let’s share with others who are seeking the same sense of satisfaction and quality of life.

Since I have started the blog, I have improved my photography skills, learned about technology in ways I wouldn’t have, but there is still so much more to learn. In 2020, I am committed to improving upon the foundation that has already been laid. Up to this point, I’ve been a hobby blogger. I am hoping, with more focus and hard work, that I can expand my reach to many more.

My success comes from you. I appreciate all your support and hopefully you have told your friends to check out Life at Bella Terra. I am on Instagram @lifeatbellaterra and do some (rather little) on Facebook, mostly because it’s just me. No staff. No paid managers. No assistants. If you like what I am doing, please spread the word.

Of course, I have other smaller resolutions in 2020~~drink more water, learn to cure olives, and improve my hands/nails (notice how you rarely see my hands in any photos?).

What are your goals and aspirations for 2020. It’s a new decade and time marches on, doesn’t it? All the more reason to set forth in a positive and uplifting manner. Let’s do this!

Fortunately I am not a person who gets common winter illnesses. In the last 24 years, I can only recall being very sick with a cold or flu only twice. Living a healthy life should be an important focus as we age. Here are my top 10 tips for staying healthy!

I DO pay attention to how my body feels. When I’m stressed, tired, cranky and run down, I stop and take note. Then I apply all my remedies that so I can get back on track. There are several challenges we all have to keeping healthy~~lack of sleep, not eating properly, traveling, being around sick people and the list goes on and on.

Have a Strong Immune System

First and foremost, BUILD your immune system. There are so many germs and viruses out there and a weakened immunity system is a magnet to the nasty things in our environment. Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Here is the link to some immune boosters you may want to investigate.

A Healthy Gut is a Must

2. Have a healthy gut. A healthy gut = a strong immune system. Keep away from high sugar, processed foods. With the holidays it’s easy to consume lots of sweets and alcohol. It is okay to do that occasionally but make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet in between.

3. Do you take a probiotic? If not, you may want to do your research on probiotics as they may affect you differently. Here is the probiotic (Metagenics UltraFlora Control) I take daily (click here). Other selections of probiotics are available on Amazon as well. Research which one may be the best for you.

Part of having a healthy gut and a strong immune system is getting enough Vitamin C and E and eating a high fiber diet. I take Emergen-C Vitamin C supplement in a glass of water when I’m under the weather and always when I travel (link here).

Wash Your Hands

4. Wash your hands. I have trained myself that the minute I get home, the first thing I do is head for the kitchen sink and wash my hands.

Nearby is a tube of hand cream and Thayer’s Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent, which means it can help tighten skin and slow down signs of aging such as discoloration, redness, and dryness. So I wash my hands, apply some witch hazel and then hand cream….and repeat often.

Use a Hankie or Elbow

If you have to sneeze, do so into a hankie, Kleenex or your elbow. Do not sneeze into your hands. I remember going into a business meeting and the client sneezed into his hand and then wanted to shake mine. I was so grossed out and just wanted to bathe myself in hand sanitizer. To see my attempt on bringing back hankies, click here. Do carry hand sanitizer. I order mine from Grove Collaborative and love the Blood Orange scent (click here) or get a similar one from Amazon here.

Do Not Touch Your Face

5. Don’t touch your face! My mother would always reprimand us if we touched our faces. “Use the back of your hand!”, she would say. If you nose itches, use the back of your hand. Has your hair fallen in your face? Push it away with the back of your hand. The front of your hands are receptacles for bacteria.

Wipe Frequently Used Surfaces

6. Wipe down your frequently touched items. How often do you sanitize the steering wheel to your car? Your front door knob? Your computer keyboard? The surface of your cell phone?

Think of all the things you touch during the course of the day. If someone in our house is sick or has been sick, I wipe everything down with Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. I even take a small bag of them when I travel and wipe off the airplane seatbelt clasp and tray table.

My Personal Remedies

7. This works for me. The MINUTE I feel stuffy, off, or run down, I take Oil of Oregano. Oil of oregano is an antioxidant, it kills bacteria and has many other remedies. Not all Oil of Oregano is the same. It is extremely important that you make sure you take oil of oregano and not essential oil of oregano. Read the dosage carefully and get a high quality one.

Gaia was rated one of the best on the market (click here) and I am also trying Mortar and Pestle (lesser dosage and cheaper). Oil of oregano does comes in both capsules or a liquid with a dropper. I prefer the capsules because taking the liquid version straight (under the tongue and hold it there for as long as possible) is a bit brutal, but highly effective.

Stay Hydrated

8. Stay hydrated. I am never very far away from a bottle or glass of water. It is a bit harder to keep hydrated during the winter vs. the summer, but make sure you get your fair share of H2O in daily. It really helps to flush things along. I start each day with a big glass of water. It helps to fill a pitcher of water and add cucumber, lemons or strawberries to make it a little more exciting. At the end of the day, the pitcher should be empty.

Keep Moving

9. Exercise. You don’t have to be a gym rat but keep moving. The human body is the only machine, that if not used, will break down. Even if you aren’t feeling well, attempt some stretches and walks. Being sedentary is the new smoking. Personally, I take Pilates 2x a week and try to get to the gym 3 days a week. Weekends are for walks or bike rides. I put it on my calendar like a very important appointment that I try never to cancel.

Get Your Zzzzs

10. Get a good night’s sleep. I have a reminder on my phone when it is time for me to go to bed. Generally it goes off about an hour before I want to be asleep. Having a night time ritual helps me a great deal. Listening to a Calm bedtime story before bed puts me to sleep immediately. I also take Dr. Pierpaoli’s MZS melatonin (click here) just before I go to bed (generally between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.). This melatonin doesn’t make me feel groggy at all and has helped with my sleep cycles.

Lastly, these recommendations are just that…..recommendations. You should always do your own research and/or consult with your physician. I do not have any underlying medical issues that interfere with any of the products mentioned above. But we are all different so please proceed carefully in taking any kind of supplement, herb or medication.

And of course there is always the debate on flu shot or no flu shot. Personally I have never had a flu shot because I work so hard to keep my immune system strong.

What do you do to keep healthy during the change of seasons? If everyone sends me their suggestions and remedies, then perhaps I can compile a list that we can all share.

Stay healthy, my friends! Happy Saturday!

If you click on some of the product links, I may get a small stipend for those at no cost to you. Thank you!

Hello, my friends! It feels so good to be back and writing to you. My friend, Lisa, recently sent me this.

This summer I have made a concerted effort to reduce my use of technology and screen time. I can honestly say that it is so joyful not to be tethered to a device, plus I have so much more time to get things done. Unfortunately a side effect is that I haven’t been blogging as much.

It’s hard to believe that August is upon us.

Unlike most parts of the country in the summer, Phoenix is the last place you want to be in July and August. Not only is it hot, but it is often the beginning of monsoon season so we get to enjoy high heat AND humidity. The upside is that there is no traffic, no lines, no congestion, but escaping to cooler locations is what most people do.

We just returned from our annual 2 week summer vacation in Newport Beach, California.

Staring at the Pacific Ocean allowed me time to contemplate the possible next steps in life. We’ve been vacationing in Newport and going to the same places for YEARS but now the children are heading off in their own directions. It is bittersweet but re-inventing travel destinations will provide new opportunities and flexibility that we really haven’t had being previously tied to school holidays or vacations.

While in Newport, I was able to paint and got a good start on two new projects. One Sunday morning I had the luxury of painting outside, in my pajamas overlooking the Pacific. The only thing missing was a mimosa!

This painting was inspired by a photo my husband loved of Texas blue bonnets.

I follow Cecilia Rosslee, a painter on Etsy and love her use of color. Her style is fun and loose, which is a very difficult technique for me. Her painting is SO much better but here is my interpretation. Neither paintings are done yet, but I feel like I’m getting closer.

I still haven’t found my over the top fabulous book of the summer yet, but I have had some good reads. I would rate these 4 out of 5 mostly because they were a bit predictable, but pleasant nonetheless.

The Unbreakables by Lisa Barr is “a delicious, sharp novel about a woman who jets off to France after her perfect marriage collapses, putting the broken pieces of herself back together while rediscovering her own joie de vivre”.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware is a suspenseful novel set at sea on a luxury cruise ship.

Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner is set in a postcard perfect suburban Connecticut town and then there’s a murder. I do enjoy the way Jennifer Weiner writes~~she does have a way with words!

I connected with Riley Costello as she was teaching outdoor exercises classes at our hotel in Newport. She, in addition to being fit, is also an author. This is her first book, Waiting at Hayden’s. When I finished it, I pictured it being made into a Hallmark movie. Riley has trademarked an interesting concept called ShopFiction. In the book, when she describes a character’s outfit, for example, you can click on the link, see the dress and then purchase it. Obviously you need a Kindle or other electronic format, but it’s rather clever to see the characters come to life.

Do you have any good books to share? Hoping you are having a fabulous summer! Stay cool! I become an official empty nester in a few weeks and I’m trying to embrace the new life stage with grace……yikes.