5 Easy Things To Prepare For A Healthy Year

I was visiting with a friend last year when she asked, "do you have any creative ideas for discarding your tree after Christmas?  I always hate to throw it out.  It feels so wasteful"

I kind of chuckled.... I hadn't told too many people what we do with our tree 'cause - to be honest, it kind of sounds a little strange at first.  But.... it's actually turned out to be one of the best things we've done to start getting ready for the new year AND it benefits us all winter long.

Our Christmas Tree

One year our girls and I were lamenting over throwing our tree out and thinking about what we could do.  

It was a time that I was reflecting on the year and the way I spent the last week heading into the fresh new year frustrated and stressed about all the work that needed done.  I felt it was time to change the way I spent that last week of the year and start a new habit that I would later learn, would change the whole atmosphere of my year and how I approached everything in it.

Now we spend the last week in anticipation, excitement and thankfulness for what the next, new year will bring.

Here are 5 things we do to prepare for the New Year and all of it's possibilities...

1. We Clean up our decorations from Christmas and CUT UP OUR TREE.

• Conifer trees (the broad name for cone bearing trees) and lots of species are edible., namely pines, spruce and fir...... and since we cut our tree from our property and we know that everything that goes into the ground we care for is healthy, we know that the trees are a healthy source of healing for us as well.
• I use hand pruners to cut the branches into small usable pieces, wash them,        allow them to dry, then we add them to hot water and steep for tea all winter long.  My family loves it and its full of antioxidants and vitamin C, so it boosts our immune system too.
• What's left of the tree , which isn't much dries and is used in my wood cook stove for heat and cooking

2. Douglas Fir and White Fir Essential Oils support your system in both addressing generational issues and letting go of harmful patterns...a great way to prepare for a new year.

• While I cut up the tree, I noticed the the smell of the oils were so calming, and found myself passing the time (it takes me about an hour), thinking and praying about the things and thought patterns from the past year that I would begin to let go of....things that weren't serving to benefit myself, my family or others.  So I did some research and wow! Fir essential oils have amazing supportive benefits in this area.

3. Pick at least one room to clean out clutter...

• Research shows that just seeing clutter distracts your brain enough to potentially reduce your working memory.  Clearing away clutter improves your focus.  It also increases productivity and makes it easier for the brain to process information.

​4. This one is a new one for me this year....

• I have been looking for a great planner because I usually add so many things to my daily 'to do' lists that I often don't complete them and have to roll remaining items over to the next day.  So, often this leads to frustration, overwhelm and feeling that there is no accomplishment.
• I took an online course along with Lori Jo from Three Acre Farm and she is someone who I knew uses a planner every year.  She has a U-Pick flower farm and does a beautiful job and is so organized.  I knew she would be a great person to find a good planner through. 
• She recommends the Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt and it's on it's way.  I'm looking forward to the layout which helps set achievable daily, quarterly and yearly goals, both in business and personal.  AND...it has sections that help you stop and look over your wins and accomplishments, so that you begin to develop a habit of looking for your wins in life.  SO GOOD!  I'm really looking forward to getting started with it.

5. Last thing we always do in winter with our kids...Books!

• Winter is a time that the plants go dormant and as our holistic doctor taught us, our blood vessels go deep.  We internalize and our bodies work and repair on deeper things.  It's also a great time to get quiet and read.
• So, the last week of the year, Seth and I select some books we will read, or reread and learn from to help us grow in the coming year.  This is when the kids select theirs too and we've all grown to love this.  It sparks new ideas for the ranch, new health practices and new ways of looking at and solving problems.  
• Below are some I have picked to read, or review this winter and I can't wait to start the discussions!   

So tell me.  I would love to learn from you.  What have you learned makes a great start to your year?  And...do you have any great book recommendations?

Happy New Year!

​~Raini