Who is ready to take on a New Year? Are you tired of 2020 and everything we have had to put up with this year? It can only get better, right? Time to flex those muscles, and get ready to take on a New Year! We can figure out ways to stay more active, especially when we have been confined at home quite a bit of this year. With what we have had for the weather this year, take advantage of it and get outside.
Sarah, Megan, and Hannah were out walking with the dogs with the sun setting while I was out taking pictures. We had eaten all day, and it was a great way to get out and burn off some of those calories, and enjoy the weather. While I took a picture of them, some of the next ones were scenes I was taking pictures of at the Lake as well.
Going out and checking the scenery is a great way to relax and unwind. The views lately have been incredible. There are no two days alike. Each time I think I have seen it all, the next day brings about even more views. It is never a dull moment. Of course, Sarah and I keep working out in our garage as well…in the Reiflex Center!
Then with Christmas, my kids were together for a short time. It may have been short, but it was much needed time. Other than eating, we kept our distance, and could at least talk in person. Everybody at least was healthy so we could meet. Then it was off to go do our own things again! We played some games, opened presents, and called it a night.
It was a different Christmas in that I did not get together with all of our brothers and sisters, and our parents, but we hope to make up for lost time soon. 2021 has to be better, right? Keep staying focused. Keep staying positive. Keep looking ahead. Christmas is always a time to look forward to the positives in life.
Our new ornament for the tree kind of sums it all up for the year. We get a new ornament for the tree every year.
Here is to 2021 coming! Make the most of out everyday. Look at the positives in things, and ignore the negatives. Keep moving everybody!
We all have our reasons for wanting to work on taking care of ourselves. For some, the list may be short, for others, long. But the bottom line, make it your list. Make that list be what is important to you. What do you want form your life? What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to be remembered for? Our lists can be as individual as we want it to be. My list always comes back to the basics: My family! I want to be around for them. I want to be a part of their lives. We have a lot of things to do yet, and I don’t want to miss out on anything. Now more than ever in this COVID pandemic, we need to take of ourselves. You need to take care of yourself!
This is easier said than done! The vaccine is now available, but limited. The Department of Health is following protocols and phases of distribution to get it out, but it will take time. We will all get a turn. But we need to be patient. What gets to me is listening to all of the anti-vaccine people just going off with all of their reasons to not take it. All I can say is: If you don’t want it, don’t take it! But then be quiet! I don’t need to hear you on Facebook or anywhere else 10 times a day ranting and raving about all the bad things about vaccines in general. If you don’t want it, don’t take it, and then shut up! Every one has a choice. Let those who want it, get it. I for one am taking it. I am at higher risk since my health problems a year ago, but am also at higher risk because I see it everyday! I see what COVID does. I see how people are when they come down with it. It is not just a “simple virus”. So when I hear people spewing out garbage about how it is not that big of a deal, or how the vaccine is worse than the virus itself, I just shut them out. You are free to make your own choice. Good luck with that, and good luck to everybody in your family as well.
Sarah and I work everyday trying to help take care of people. We are doing the best we can under the current circumstances. We certainly do not have all of the answers, but when solutions do come up, like the vaccine, then take it, or take your chances. I am definitely going to take it. If I don’t take it, how would I expect my patients to take it! I want to be around to see more of what life has to offer. I have a lot more pictures to take of sunsets and sunrises. I am in awe of the beauty that God truly has created. We just have to pay attention to what we see. Every one of them is different!
I pay attention more now than I every have. Whether I am out driving, walking, or running. I am seeing more than what I used to see. It was always there, I just did not have time for it! Make the time! Time really does go fast!
Spend time with those that are the closest to you. Make friends along the way. Every day is a new adventure. Appreciate the positives in your day. You never know what might happen, or what you might see!
Sarah and I were out running a week ago in the morning, and I had my phone with me. The sun was rising, and just like that, the colors in the sky opened up. I stopped to take some pictures. Later when I was looking at them closer, I realized I got the sun and the moon in this shot. I had them separate in several other pictures, but this was the one with both. Even then I missed it. Sometimes we have to keep looking at something to understand all of it, or better yet, to really see all of it! Pay attention! Many of the times it is right in front of us!
So control what you can to take care of yourself! Help you help yourself. Stay active, eat better, and do things that in general are going to help you be protected. Don’t make it more complicated than it is. Life is challenging enough! Enjoy the ride for as long as we can! Keep moving everybody!
Healthy Holidays! Wait that doesn’t sound right, does it? We all know that it’s hard to stay healthy during the holidays that fill the fall & winter months. Halloween sugar followed by carb and calorie dense Thanksgiving, then Christmas gatherings with family, friends, & festive foods. Here are some tips to help you through the festivities.
* Don’t skip meals: continue to have a balanced schedule, even though you want to save your appetite for the BIG meal, still eat a small breakfast or lunch that is rich in protein, low fat, and full of fiber.
* Reduce butter & other fats: fats add extra calories, so reducing them will help to reduce amount of calories in the holiday meal.
* Focus on Mindful Eating vs Mindless Eating: eat because you’re hungry, not because everyone else is—think about your hunger and fullness, try new foods being served, but enjoy what you are eating.
* Go for nutrient dense foods: sweet potatoes vs. regular potatoes, veggie tray vs. cheese/cracker tray, fruit vs. cookie/pies.
* Take a walk with the family or do an activity together between the meal and dessert.
*Most of all- enjoy your time with your loved ones! Merry Christmas! -Kelsey
Where can you make a difference? Who can you make a difference for? I know we make a difference at home with our retriever Dakota! She just wants to be with us. She does not care what time of day it is, or what is going on, she just wants to be with us. I have said many times we could all learn some things from a dog!
We are all struggling these days. COVID has truly brought out a lot of bad things in people, as well as a lot of sad things. We are all in this together. What can you do with what there is? Can you act better? Be kinder? Care about other people in your community?
I had some patients of mine, Mike and Paula, who dropped off a food tray on Friday this week to our care team. With it was a note of appreciation for all we are doing to help take care of people. I can’t tell you how much that meant to us! Instead of hearing about what we may not be doing, it was nice to hear something good once! It was appreciated more than you can know! And, there was enough food that we shared it with everybody who works at the clinic! Thank you!
I try to keep encouraging our clinic staff to keep going! We are there to help people, and we are making a difference. Maybe not everybody appreciates it, but we are making a difference!
A shout out to my son-in-law Tanner, as well as his Dad, Bob, and his brother Brad. Everybody pitched in to help build our new TV cabinet. I spent one weekend with them on the farm helping with this, and then we started installing in our living room Friday night, and got down by noon Saturday. It looks great! They do an incredible job with building. If any mistakes show, that was my part!
We could all learn a lot from this too. All those little things add up to something much bigger. Don’t lose sight of the future. This pandemic will be done some day. We just need to keep being as safe as we can, while living our lives, until this is over. We all need to keep making a difference. Pay attention to the world around us. I know I am definitely taking advantage of seeing things differently these days, no matter where I am. I definitely take the time to appreciate things more out on a run, or a walk.
The frost on the trees was so pretty to look at. Everything was highlighted. It made it once again to help forget about all of the turmoil going on in this world. Focus on now. One day at a time. Focus on what you can do to make a difference during this time. Our run group this AM took our picture out on the sleigh in town today!
Be safe. Spend time with those close to you. Take care of you, and others where you can. That goes for all of us, not just those in the medical field. We can all make a difference in this regards. This can all make us become better.
And remember, one person can make a difference. And, we should all try! Keep taking one day at a time. And, keep moving everybody!
Diabetes Support Group is Monday night and I will be your speaker!! Come join me to learn more about nutrition tips for the holidays! It is open to anyone–those with diabetes and support people! Please see the details below!
December 14 6-7 p.m.
Prairie Lakes Medical Office Building Conference Room: 401 9th Avenue NW Watertown, SD 57201
Participants must wear a mask to enter the facility.
Attendance is limited at these in-person events, so please RSVP here as these slots will fill up fast: https://www.prairielakes.com/…/diabetes-support-group.html
