The Circle of Wellness Newsletter 2/24
Monthly Reflections
February is the month of love so it’s important to review your relationship and its quality. It's easy to fall into a relationship rut, especially if you don't take time to carve out time to spend together. Looking for things to do as a couple to bring romance to your relationship and to spend quality time together can strengthen your bond.
Here are some ideas for fun activities to help you connect as a couple, share quality time, and create new memories.
Go On a Date
The typical dinner-and-a-movie date night is always great, but think outside the box too: brunch, karaoke, or a lazy day at the park count as dates, too. Date nights don't have to be expensive to be fun, either.
Travel Together
Get away for the night, a weekend, or a week. A romantic getaway recharges you both and gives you some time together away from your normal routine. If your budget is tight, opt for a one-night excursion that's close to home.
Dine Off the Beaten Path
Plan a trip to explore an acclaimed restaurant you've never tried before. Pick a city that's not terribly far from home or splurge and stay one night at a nearby hotel. Dining off the beaten path can provide a new romantic experience.
Exercise
Exercising together will not only get you to spend more time together, but you'll also improve your overall health, get in better shape, and even enhance sexual intimacy. Taking a walk together, going to a yoga class, using an exercise app at home, playing a fitness game on a video game console, gardening or cleaning your home - all can count as exercise.
Dance
Play some old records or put on your favorite playlist. Ask your partner for a dance in the kitchen. Or, take your moves out on the town and take a dance class together or hit a dance club.
Start a New Hobby
Look for hobbies you would enjoy together. You can also choose to do separate hobbies in the same room or on the same couch. For instance, if one person likes to scrapbook, they can do that while their partner plays video games.
Cook Together
Consider to spice things up in the kitchen. If you have children, take at least one night a month to eat dinner after the kids go to bed. Cook together and enjoy a nice quiet meal for just the two of you. Taking a cooking class together is a great way to learn some new recipes and cooking techniques.
Share a Book
Curl up in bed and read a book together. Read out loud or read together quietly. Start your own private book club for the two of you. Discuss the books you're reading over coffee or your favorite meal.
Play Games
Whether you're hitting the Xbox together or sitting down with a good card game, board game, or puzzle, games can be a great stress reliever. Playing games with your partner will present you with plenty of moments to laugh and test your partner.
Try a Couples Massage
Turn on some relaxing music, dim the lights, and take turns giving each other a massage. If you don't want to commit to a full-body massage, you can try a hand or foot massage and see where it takes you.
Take a Walk Down Memory Lane
You've spent a lot of years together and there are many more to come. Take some time to review your life together. Scroll through your smartphone camera roll, Facebook photos, or Instagram shots, and take a look at your first pictures together.
Reminisce about all of the things you've done and places you've been together over the years.
News and Announcements
I’m currently accepting new clients for Psychotherapy and Personal Development remote sessions. All current clients receive a 20% discount for Personal Development or MARI services, and newsletter subscribers receive 10% discount as new clients.
No matter what you go through in life, be a true team and partnership and have fun together!
Research and Information
The million-dollar question is: What qualities separate an ephemeral partnership from one that can stand the test of time? And is there any way to cultivate those qualities in your own relationship? Research conducted on lifelong, happy relationships reveals five traits in those who commit to the long haul and stick with it. This article breaks down those qualities so you can look for—and foster them—in your marriage.
The longest, happiest marriages have these 6 defining traits... find them here.
Suggested Readings
“How to Be the Love You Seek” offers a new path to healing our relationships. The author teaches us to recognize how unmet needs from our earliest relationships create our current, dysfunctional relationship patterns, and leave us in a state of constant internal threat, even with those closest to us. You will learn how to create safety in your own body and mind; identify your unmet needs; develop emotional resilience; and cultivate heart coherence to build deep emotional connections with others.
Useful Links and Resources
Full Leaf Tea Company strives to provide the highest quality cup of tea while focusing on building lasting relationships with customers. Along with high quality products and services, Full Leaf Tea Co. specializes in designing wellness blends to improve health and help everyone feel their best.
Relax and de-stress with this Organic Relieve Stress tea. Potent ingredients, such as holy basil, lavender, rooibos, passion flower, and lemon balm, give this tea the ability to help relieve mental and physical stress.
Recipe of the Month
We have a simple buttermilk loaf recipe today that you can dress up with dried fruits or make it plain. I personally love candied ginger as it has a perfect mixture of sweetness and spice, but you can use any dried fruit you have or bake the loaf plain. I decided to glaze it with hot honey instead of the usual sugar glaze, and it added a definite caramel-like flavor that I encourage you to try.
Buttermilk Loaf with Candied Ginger and Raisins
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups flour (regular or gluten free)
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup avocado oil
1/2 cup coconut sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup candied ginger, finely chopped
1 Tbsp hot honey (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
In another bowl, beat eggs with oil, buttermilk and vanilla.
Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet ones and mix well.
Add ginger pieces and raisins and mix to combine.
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and pour batter in.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 50-55 minutes.
Optional: brush the top with hot honey.
Homework Corner
Your homework for this month is to engage in self care routines and small acts of self love: rest, meditate, take a relaxing bath, go for a leisurely walk, have a meal at a nice restaurant, buy yourself flowers or a new book - find your own ways to nourish your body, mind and soul.
Pet Therapy
Afina wants to remind you that it’s important to get at least 20-30 minutes of direct sunlight in winter so dress warmly and head outside during your lunch break.
