September began as it does each year for the Rothschilds-in Athens, Georgia
at the Georgia Bulldogs opening game. We
reunited with some of our dearest friends and had a blast! As my friend Lori put it, "[When we gather
for the game] we are leaving our stress behind." But she quickly followed that
statement with, "Actually, my stress is my behind!"
Well, this month, I found two things to help with stress--no
matter the source! The first is my
favorite...dark chocolate caramels and toffee from The Candy House here in Springfield. These hand-dipped chocolates are
luxurious-the caramels have a hint of amaretto, and the toffee melts in your
mouth! I have a personal theory that
eating chocolate slows down the aging process.
I may not be right, but do I dare take the chance?
The second surprising item I've found for stress management
is niacinamide. Never heard of it? It's one of the water-soluble B-complex
vitamins. Niacin, or nicotinic acid, is also known as vitamin B-3. It was
originally recommended to me to help with acne, but I have found it really
seems to offer a little more energy and makes me just feel a sense of
wellness. Besides, I'm feeling so good,
if it doesn't help the acne, I'm still happy!
See how well it works?
Of course, I really needed the chocolate and the niacinamide
because I was in "stress mode" for the filming of the new Lifeway "Me, Myself and
Lies" Bible study. Thank you for
praying! It went so well, and I can't
wait for the final product in February.
Lisa Welchel and Kathy Trocolli joined me and filmed some fun and
insightful conversations. They did such
a great job, and you will love the energy and openness they give--very
cool. Of course, I brought them
chocolate, too-chocolate covered niacinamide! Ha!
Phil surprised me by flying in Clayton on Thursday
night of the filming. Both Connor and I were shocked
and thrilled! It was so special having
him with us since it's just been the three of us at home since he's been at
college.
The book I brought on the trip was The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I am
not quite finished with it yet, but am almost done and I really don't want it
to end. It's that good. I just love the
complicated and subtly strong character, Hepzibah Pyncheon. She's an unmarried older woman, a descendant
of the Pyncheon who built the house of the title. She is from a high-society
class, but destitute. At the beginning
of the novel, she has opened a cent-shop to care for herself and her
brother. Hawthorne's ability to peer right inside the
intricately knit human spirit and psyche astounds me. I highly recommend this book.
Highlights of this month included seeing Connor's art
displayed at our local art gallery--The Bellewether Gallery of the Arts. He made a squirmy, colorful octopus out of
clay. The three of us (me, Phil and Connor) also enjoyed eating pizza on the
roof of the San Francisco Oven restaurant on several unseasonably cool
evenings, and I even rearranged our living room on a whim! (That will either reduce your stress or
create stress for your husband!)
So, no matter what you choose to do this month, put "eat
chocolate" at the top of your
to-do list. If you
do, you will get at least one thing on your to-do list done for sure!
Give these things a taste test:
1. Dark chocolate from The Candy House.
2. Niacinamide (Girls, I AM NOT a doctor! You
should always check with your doctor before starting something new like this.)
3. The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
4. Rearrange a room in your home. It will give you that extra little "zing" and
freshen up your perspective.
Comments