The holidays should be a time of light and joy, but they can also be a time where our shadow self takes over. Grief can come upon us in both expected and unexpected ways. This season, instead of stuffing our losses deep down, perhaps we can explore our feelings of sadness by exposing them to the light.  As we take this journey through the rain, allow the tears to flow while you connect with what weighs on your spirit. By seeing our grief clearly, we can begin to untangle its hold on our hearts. From this place, we can step into the holidays with a lighter spirit and a clearer mind. Illuminate your grief and find your joy this season!

What I’m reading?

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

Remarkably Bright creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 

Cooking by Moonlight: A Witch’s Guide to Culinary Magic by Karri Ann Allrich 

What I’m playing on repeat?

How we Living by Michael Franti & Spearhead 

What’s for dinner? 

Turkey or Beyond Beef Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1-2 pounds “meat” ground turkey, beyond beef, or cooked lentils 
1 Onion
3-4 cloves Garlic 
1 cup diced mushrooms, celery, carrots
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
1 cup breadcrumbs 
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Dash of curry powder

Glaze:

1/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon mustard
Dash nutmeg

Directions: Preheat 350 degrees. Mix together (everything but glaze) ingredients, put in a loaf pan, bake 30 minutes. Mix glaze, remove loaf from oven and pierce the top with a fork, pour glaze on top, bake another 30 minutes. 

Cider Roasted Veggies 

Carrots, parsnips, onion, cauliflower, bunch garlic 
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup apple cider
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Salt and pepper

Directions: Preheat 375 degrees. Place veggies in roasting dish, whisk together other ingredients, pour over, stir. Roast veggies about 35 minutes until tender. 

Or Dill Smashed Potatoes

1 lb Yukon gold potatoes
2-4 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup buttermilk 
1 tablespoon fresh dill
Salt and pepper 

Directions: Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender. Smash, add other ingredients. Mix gently, so they don’t get gluey.

Immune Boosting Apple Cider Vinegar Tea

Hot water
Bragg’s 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
I tablespoon Local Honey to taste

Crisis Support Resources

In the US: https://www.crisistextline.org/

In Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

International Support: https://samaritanshope.org/resources/international-help/ 

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