2020 is OVER: Happy Holidays from Jonathan Isbill at ZigZagNutrition

A December to Remember! 2020 is OVER. Now Wahht?

Dec 26, 2020

Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash

I hope you’ve had a blessed season of remembering 2020 with as many silver linings as you can find. I know that many people have experienced great suffering this year and this has sparked many of us to practice more gratitude. I think we can forever continue to grow to become a little more grateful. #Grateful #AttitudeofGratitude

Mind and Spirit: Gratitude

This season I’m grateful for the stability of my family.

I’m grateful for the health of my family and my friends.

I’m grateful for the chance to be writing to a community of followers who want to learn and grow in areas of health and wellness. I’m grateful for the wonderful opportunities I have to talk to friends and strangers on the internet, Zoomed or otherwise.

I’m grateful for the simple joys of listening to Christmas music from each decade appropriate to the varied ages of my family – to see their kindled inspiration and sweet smirks of remembering their “golden years.”

Holiday Happenings

Thank goodness that my new Amazon Echo knows more about music history than me! A personal favorite for me is Jingle Bell Rock, it always gets the good feelings rolling around in me, haha. I grabbed mine at a decent price during some of those Thanksgiving Black Friday weekend deals or Cyber Monday. If you’re still guessing at if it makes sense for oyu to get one yourself, I’ve included some links here (affiliate links, yes at no price difference to you)  Just sharing the info!

In all honesty, I’m actually super grateful for Alexa… because thanks to Alexa’s ability to stream music from my Amazon account, I’ve been CRANKING holiday classics!

You can also check out other versions, but mine works pretty superb at the lower priced option. Did you get anything connected to Alexa this year? I had no idea you could sync appliances, lights, security systems and more.

The only other thing I decided to gift out with Alexa this year was a new Fire Stick for my mom to watch all her old-time favorites, which are now decorated on my own home screen. Who knew generational pop-culture from TV and Radio and Music could be so interesting?

I’m actually super grateful for Alexa… because thanks to Alexa’s ability to stream music from my Amazon account, I’ve been CRANKING holiday classics!

What’s one of your favorite holiday songs?

Next Up: 2021

I’m also striving to remain hopeful for a 2021 that I can learn to love and enjoy. 2020 rocked my world, and I’m sure it rocked yours too. My job opportunities and client base fluctuated like an angry dragon roller coaster. 2021 will be a new chapter for many of us and for me…. It looks like a whole new fantasy novel compared to the book I’ve been writing before.

I have a few new contracts I’m juggling, a few beautiful opportunities to lead health programs online and I’m always looking for more and better ways to share this education I care so much about with people like yourselves. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the road ahead. I’ll be excited to keep sharing as we transition into the new year! More on that to come!

Healthful Hints: Hemp Seeds

One additional super simple health hint I’ll drop here is “choosing nutrient dense foods.” I’m talking about blueberries, currants, pomegranates, avocados, and yes… HEMP SEEDS. I have a subscribe and save discount running on a monthly rotation from my Amazon account, which sends me these incredibly nutritious pack of Organic Hemp Seeds to my doorstep each month. Why do I have it set up as a Subscribe and Save?

Well, for one, I save money.. but also because it’s an easy reminder for me to keep these nutritional powerhouse plant seeds in my diet. I go for the Organic option by Manitoba Harvest. If you’re unfamiliar with Hemp Seeds aka Hemp Hearts, then I want to encourage you to seriously look into getting some.

Packed densely with strong minerals that most of us are deficient in (like manganese, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, and more). They also have a wonderful healthy fats profile of Omega-3s with only 1g of Carbohydrates per serving. Concerned about your specific dietary needs? Well, they are friendly for Vegan and Organic diets, Keto and Paleo diets, and anywhere in-between.

You can typically find me throwing a couple spoonfuls of Hemp Seeds in smoothies, on top of homemade ice creams, smoothie bowls and other desserts. Hemp seeds have a really novel nutty-like flavor compared to what you’re used to probably. You can also sprinkle them on top of soups and salads like sunflower seeds to give yourself a bold boost of nutrition in a shockingly small amount of food. Oh, and did I mention they have 10g Protein.

Okay, okay, I’ll stop cheering on about Hemp Seeds for now, but seriously I love these little guys! Haha – OH and not to be worried, they don’t have any significant trace of any of the chemicals or substances you might be thinking about when I say “hemp!” They are just a new superfood to introduce you to!

Let’s Stay Hopeful For the Road Ahead

I’ve always been a person to be hopeful but ya know, at times 2020 sure took the wind out of my sails. Whatever 2021 looks like for you I encourage you to keep your head up, stay hopeful and stay warm-hearted during these next couple cold months (here in the US). Remember, you are never alone, and you truly do a have a beautiful life to live.

You were crafted by a masterful creator, designed with beauty inherently from your first breath. Take each day with stride, in learning and love. Be kind, be generous, be gracious, be healthy.

With Love, Warmth

Wishing You a Very Berryful Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday,

Ps.

If you didn’t get a chance to take action on last week’s tip.. here’s your reminder to prioritize your health, your happiness, and take a little time today and each day for yourself!

TIP THIS WEEK is to use our outline above to track how well you LIVE YOUR HEALTH this week.

Use a sheet of paper or a note folder on your phone. Track what steps you’ve taken to improve how well you do with each of these areas of your health and wellness this week!

· Eat (fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds, more colors, more whole foods than processed)

· Move (regular activity)

· Sleep (quantity and quality)

· Stress (Management; de-stressing and coping techniques)

· Rest (calm, relaxation, mediation, etc.)

· Connect (spending time with others, smiles, laughter, love, making memories, calling an ond frined)

· + BONUS: Finding purpose and meaning
(What’s your MTP: “massively transformative purpose?)

If you can do all of these things well then you’re doing better than 95% of Americans… not kidding!