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Starting new holiday traditions
Published
8 years agoon
By Jackie Rainford Corcoran EBS Health Columnist
Social gatherings, gift giving and an abundance of decadent foods during the holiday season can be comforting, but also overwhelming.
At a time when we’re supposed to be cheerful and full of generosity, December celebrations can cause stress and burnout, generating unwanted feelings of exhaustion and frustration.
So this year, I’m bringing new self-awareness to the holidays and making some radical changes.
First and foremost, I’m skipping a long family tradition of holding a cookie bake-off. While I used to devour Christmas cookies without a second thought, I’m now sensitive to the bloat and weight gain they cause. Sugar disrupts my digestive system, and I experience a severe crash after eating it. Why would I give this same experience as a gift?
This year, in lieu of giving homemade cookies to my clients, friends and family, I’m giving them ripe, beautiful oranges and pomegranates. These foods have powerful anti-inflammatory agents, cancer-reducing properties and are beneficial to the immune system during prime flu season.
I’m also not cutting down a tree because I struggle with feelings of guilt. Traditionally, my husband would find just the right evergreen and bring it home for me to decorate. While I love the look and smell of a Christmas tree in the house, in a time when global warming can no longer be ignored I want living trees to stay standing and absorbing carbon dioxide, in return for the oxygen they provide.
There are many wonderful do-it-yourself ideas on the Internet that explain how to display your favorite Christmas ornaments on a colorful and cool makeshift tree. We plan on stringing lights to the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree and place presents under there. Buying a potted tree is another alternative – if you have a green thumb and the tree is native to your area, you can plant and nurture your tree after the ground thaws.
With short, cold days and many social gatherings, this season can be tiring, so I’m going to politely decline invitations that cause me to stretch myself too thin. Saying “no thank you” is ultimately kinder to you and loved ones than saying “yes,” if it means getting sick as a result of wearing ourselves down.
I love holiday shopping, but somehow it’s easier for me to be financially irresponsible in the name of gift giving. Unfortunately, money is the No. 1 cause of stress among Americans and this is exacerbated during the holidays.
Unmanaged stress of any kind can cause inflammation, the root of most illness. In an attempt to ward this off, I’m creating a “gift budget” and sticking to it. Origami ornaments will be lovingly made for all my friends and family this year.
What are your triggers this time of year? What new traditions can you create to ring in the New Year more happily, healthfully and energetically? Encourage your friends and family as well, so you can assist each other to bring deeper meaning to the holidays.
Jackie Rainford Corcoran is an IIN Certified Holistic Health Coach, a public speaker and health activist. Contact her at rainfordcorcoran@gmail.com.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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april, 2024
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
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14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
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Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m.
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Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m. on April 24.
Jacob Rountree is an alternative/indie songwriter living in the stunning alpine of Montana. Contemplative yet playful, his lyric forward style is reflective of his love for philosophy, poetry and quantum physics.
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(Wednesday) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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The Wilson Hotel
145 Town Center Ave
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd