{[15]} Minute Monday

If you only have 15 minutes today to make your day a little smoother and happier...

 ... Make this fun, delicious, and easy Christmas snack! 
These chocolate-dipped pretzels are not just a delicious tradition, but are also an easy and pretty gift.  These are great to have on hand for when guests come over or to hand out to as quick Christmas gifts. (I made a bunch with my family on our first annual Christmas cookie baking day! More on this later...)

... Do something special for your spouse.
Little surprises or a thoughtful gesture goes a long way.  If you know how good it makes you feel to receive a thoughtful gesture, pass it along! This doesn't need to be purchased or to be big: if your husband likes your cooking, make his favorite dessert or meal; if your wife likes chai tea, stop on your way home and bring her one.  One of my favorite things to do is to leave notes by Ben's pillow when I'm away, one of my favorite things to receive is when he makes dinner or suggests an after-dinner Frosty (my favorite!).

... Take advantage of {Cyber Monday} deals to support artisans from around the world.
I'm not normally a promoter of shopping (more than we already do!), but this site/store is one of my favorite organizations.  Ten Thousand Villages find artisans from around the world who are struggling to support themselves but make beautiful handmade products, and sells their items in stores around the world.  There are quite a few in the U.S., but you can also check them out online.  Today, all their items are marked down as much as 75% off! (The nativity pictured is a gift from their store! We have a number of their beautiful items around our home.)

... Find a minute (just one!) to make a list of all the things that you're thankful for today. 
After Thanksgiving the thankfulness doesn't have to stop.  Devote one minute to writing down all the things you're thankful for today.  At moments throughout the day, look at the list to remind you what you really have to be grateful for.

{[15]} Minute Monday

If you only have 15 minutes today to make your day a little smoother and happier...

http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com

... Make this delicious, easy snack.
I borrowed this recipe from the Smashed Peas and Carrots blog.  As soon as I saw the name of the recipe, No Bake Energy Bites, I knew I had to try them.  No baking involved? Check.  Energy-providing?  Oh yes! Peanut butter?  You bet.  They are easy and taste great.  Perfect for a pick-me-up snack that you don't have to feel bad about having.  Check out the recipe here. (I didn't have flaxseed, so I didn't include it.  I hope to get some soon so I can include it next time!)

... Write a note to your sister. (or brother)
I might be channeling just a little of my sadness into this suggestion, but really, there's no way you can ever tell your sibling too often how much you appreciate them.  Most of us don't do it enough! So sit down and take a few minutes to tell your sis (or bro, if you don't have one) how great she (he) is.

... Journal.
If you're like me, busy seasons mean my journaling is the first thing to go.  Since it is a great stress-reliever, a way to express yourself, and a creative brain exercise, it should actually be something we make time for in our daily schedule when we're at our busiest.  Studies suggest that it is a helpful way to process your thoughts at the end of the day and can help you sleep better if done before bedtime.  Try it!

... Laugh!
If you need help with this one, check out this little guy who's afraid of his mom blowing her nose!

{[15]} Minute Monday

If you only have 15 minutes today to make your day a little smoother and happier...

... Read a news article about something uplifting.
There are so many news articles about violence, conflict, and war.  Find a positive article to boost your confidence again in the good in all of us! Check out this positive news site: http://amazingnews.org/

... Organize a cluttered space.
I've talked before about the happiness-boost that comes from organizing even a small space.  Something about control and feeling an easy sense of accomplishment, I think... Pick a space (mine was my desk), and actually organize it - and throw as much as possible away! If you haven't used it in awhile, chuck it, because it probably means you don't really need it on your desk.  If you can't get rid of it, at least put it away somewhere in storage so that it's not cluttering visible spaces.  I'm trying hard to do this and really simplify my space!

... Make a list of what you like the most about yourself, and then one "work on". 
As a teacher I used to do this for my students to help them see their progress at least 4 times throughout the year.  Then one day, I realized that it would be helpful for me to do too.  Make a list of all the things you like about yourself and things you think you do well.  Think about what those things say about you - are you a great encourager? A good multi-tasker?  A perfect gift-giver?  Try to focus on that, and find a way to play off of it today.  Then give yourself one "work on" (goal) to develop - it could be to put away your clothes before you go to bed (I might be naming a personal goal), praying during the day for those you need help loving, or leaving notes for your husband in the morning.

... Make a quick and easy fall dessert (and it's healthy!). 
In the fall, I love apples in any form.  This is one of my favorite recipes to whip up for an easy, warm fall snack.  Cut an apple into slices or dice it into squares.  If baking, lay on a baking pan; for microwaving, place in a bowl or plate.  Sprinkle with a little milk, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and a little vanilla.  Microwave for 2-3 minutes on high, or bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  If you're a whipped cream lover like me, let yourself splurge and top off your apple dessert :)

{[15]} Minute Monday

If you only have 15 minutes today to make your day a little smoother and happier...

... Find a way to make someone's day a little brighter.
Research shows that generosity not only makes us feel better about ourselves and improves others' lives, it also makes us feel physically healthier and improves our mood.  Generosity is also one way to show gratitude for all the blessings in your own life.  So if you see someone homeless, tired, worn down, maybe offering a cup of coffee is one little thing to add a little brightness to their day.

... Read about the increasing income gap in the United States.
You've likely heard of Occupy Wall Street (or an offshoot of it in a city nearby to you).  Although they are not completely organized around just this issue, it is at the heart of inequality in our country.  Read more about the changing American dream as it gets more difficult to work hard and have enough in a really interesting article in the Economist here.

... Make your kitchen a little cleaner (the natural way).
To naturally clean your kitchen in just a few minutes, cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with baking soda, and scrub down your counter tops and the outside of your frig.  Let sit for just a few minutes, then wipe down with a wet sponge or cloth.  To clear out your sink drain and remove residue from within the sink bowl, pour vinegar down the drain and stopped in the sink, and let sit for 10-30 minutes.  Rinse with cold water.  Finally, if you have a range oven, take off the metal burners and place in a basin of warm water mixed with baking soda.  Let sit for 5-10 minutes and then wipe down with wet sponge.  Easy as that!

... Drink a glass of water.
Water is shown to be the easiest way to get an energy boost (turns out that many of us are dehydrated), purify your skin, and cleanse your body's systems.  For more on natural cleaning, read my earlier posts here and here.

{[15]} Minute Monday

If you only have 15 minutes today to make your day a little smoother and happier...

Source

...Cook for the week.  Throw a few things in a crockpot, let it go for a few hours, and voila! (Crockpot = meals for 2 for a week!)

...Write a thank you note to someone - even if it's just to say thanks for being a friend.

...Take a walk.  Even a few minutes of walking is like drinking a cup of coffee, singing your favorite song, or doing whatever makes you happiest.  The endorphins and energy that walking brings make it too good to pass up for your next stretch of down time in between the rest of your crazy life! (I don't really recommend walking down a road like this - aim for not in-the-middle-of-nowhere, especially in the desert...)

...Find an inspirational or encouraging quote or two, and write them down.  Look at throughout the day - read it, think about it, be encouraged by it.  Quickest therapy I know!

inspired by julianna at http://juliannamorlet.blogspot.com - thanks!