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Recipe for recharging During Thanksgiving

Stress. It is killing you, right? The paperwork is due, the children have a cold (Is it H1N1? Oh!); His co-worker is lord the devil is a student who can not seem to get ... I could write an entire column about of different situations that cause us stress, but it would take all day, and I would have to double the Prozac for that one.

The question is ... How can reduce stress and find a way to relax during the Thanksgiving holiday?

(Some more notes on stress here, I recognize some of us cook for 27 and others go to the Chinese, and some packing the minivan and children and travel over the river and through the woods to spend a nice weekend with in-laws, while others feel at home in front of the fireplace with a good book, some go the day after Thanksgiving and fight the crowds and old ladies with bags as brick-for a few dollars of the best gifts, while others are almost in a coma turkey too.)

Independently of their holiday routine, here's my recipe for recharging your batteries during this blessed holiday weekend. As in my almost all recipes, first you have to go to the store and buy some supplies.

Step 1: Purchase of the following ingredients:

1 bottle of bubble bath liquid and / or glasses Vaseline makes clear blue water.

1 bottle of red wine, please do not buy Merlot. A simple Cabernet or Pinot Noir due.

(If you do not approve of wine, you can skip this step, but seriously recommend it.)

Note: The white wine is not a substitute.

3 size boxes of movie- his favorite candy. They sell them at Walmart for $ 1.

Some chocolate. I prefer truffles.

A review of mind unless

Step 2: Gather the following items from around your home:

A warm, snuggly blanket.

1 pair of comfortable pajamas

Wood (recommended only if has a fireplace.)

1 pair walking shoes.

The most nice glass of wine you have.

A cardigan with pockets

Step 3: The Process.

First, and this is very important, NOT having to do laundry during the Thanksgiving holiday. I do not care if you really love junior, and is only home once a year ... that can make your own clothes. I should be grateful that he did not have to go to a laundromat to do so. The reason behind this is that laundry, my dear friend, is a journey not a destination. Never will. Do not. I'm serious. No matter if you like. Do not wash the clothes this order week.

The first thing to do before the weekend starts even hop in your own bathtub for a bubble bath well. This is the cleaning process recharge, and it is very important to do this in your own bathtub. (Nobody likes to bathe in a tub of another person uncomfortable. Yuk.) So if you go this weekend, this should be done before leaving. You should plan to be in the tub for at least an hour. Yes, I'm serious. One hour.

Before entering the bath, you will want to magazine-get your mind less, open the forbidden chocolates, uncorking that bottle of red wine and pour a generous amount in the most beautiful glass with. Yes, use of her husband's great-grandmother handmade hand-engraved glasses. She would like. (If you do not have a glass of wine, then get yourself to the dollar store, and get the largest they have.)

Make the water as hot as you can bear, because in one hour it will be much cooler over. In fact, if you're like me, add more hot water anyway.

Then relax. Drink wine and eat chocolate and soak and breathe for a while before taking the magazine. If your journal has a lot of skinny people in it, please have a Sharpie, because you will want to draw some whiskers on these beauties. They are all retouched anyway, so have another piece of chocolate and love yourself.

Okay, so now you're calm and relaxed. The next thing to do is that cork bottle of red wine, because we will need later. Put on your sweater with pockets and open one of the boxes of their favorite treats. For my sister would be Hot Tamales. I choose Lemonheads. My mom is a miniature Reese's Cup type of a lady, while my son probably choose Hershey's kisses. Place the box of candy in his cardigan. As you'll be using this sweater all weekend. Every time I think of your co-worker or the stack of papers or without completing the period ahead or stress in your life going to pop a piece of candy in his mouth and let it melt in your mouth. You will taste sweet goodness and push to your problem in your mind.

The next part needed the program is a walk outdoors. Leave your cell phone at home. (I realize that my treatment so far has included a lot of sweets, but this route not intended as a punishment.) Wear your walking shoes and find a path through the forest. Breathe deeply. Make sure your path has a lot of fallen leaves. There is something satisfying in kicking through leaves and listen to crisis under your feet. As an added bonus, they smell a lot, too. (Perhaps this is not as satisfying as pulling plates through a courtroom and crushed to pieces, but there is virtually no clean crunch of the leaves, while the plate-smashing required work on your part.) Every time I think about their efforts in the peaceful stroll, pop a sweet and let it melt. Find a stone or a pedestrian bridge to sit and just sit silent. All religions (I am a Christian, indeed.) Encourage the silence. Listen. Pray. Meditate. Whatever. Just sit there and not think about anything.

So now you are wondering about .... What I can do with that bottle of red wine with cork. I know, I call you, right? Well, this is what you do, you drink a glass while cooking. It feels glamorous. Seriously. Try it. You can be the hiney dressing oyster stuffing a turkey, but is doing holding a glass of wine elegance. Play your music ... or better yet, play the Partridge Family Christmas Album ... with joy. Burn scented candles around, cinnamon and pumpkin variety.

DO NOT clean your home while food is cooking. I do not really care if her husband's boss is coming. Their children or, God forbid, your spouse can take over cleaning, and if cleaning not done, who cares? Is not your house will be trashed at the end of the weekend with everyone getting home and no clothes are made? Just let go. His guests did not get to see his house located to be surrounded by perfect people. They came to spend time with you and continue to take low paying and leaving his socks them in the living room floor. You will be a better host if they are relaxed and not worried about the disorder. A better use of your time would be to create a game, such as Apples to Apples or Pictionary to play after dinner.

And for God's sake, do not wash the dishes immediately after eating. Have not you been cooking all day? Give yourself a break.

The day after Thanksgiving, you need to build a fire, put on your pajamas and get out of his blanket. Better Moreover, do not you have a child who enjoys setting things on fire? Let's build a fire. (We all have one, honey. Do not mean you have parenting issues. We are being REAL.) Turn on the couch. Do not go to Black Friday sales. Just take the day for you. You can get the same line refers, without costs shipment. I promise. Christmas Vacation Watch TV while you finish the bottle of Red wine by the fireplace and remember to breathe deeply. If you have a dog, this is a good time to snuggle with him. He loves you more than anyone.

Upon return to work Monday, new ideas will germinate in its relaxed brain of yours. He rested and ready to return to the routine, just do not seem like a routine, as they have been responsible for the tension yourself, you and pampered guests.

And like all good shampoo ads, my suggestion for next weekend: Rinse and Repeat as necessary.

Calhoun Mary Brown, author

There are no words

www.marycalhounbrown.com About the Author

Mary Calhoun Brown is the award-winning author of There Are No Words, due out Feb. 2010. Brown is an educator and autism advocate. She is available to speak to conferences, small groups and classrooms. More information about Brown is available on her web site www.marycalhounbrown.com.

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