Life hacks to combat the blues
I wasn't expecting to light a fire in July, but I had to find a way to ward off these blues that were slowly seeping in, and an afternoon by the fire with a cup of coffee was a great and mindful way to find my zen. Seeing the spatter of raindrops on the window, and the trees blowing in the wind, makes the heat from the hot flames feel like moments in heaven.
Today I was craving a strong coffee, a rich, thick brew, so I opted for my Moka pot which is quick and perfect for a rainy day coffee treat by the fire.
I particularly like this multi-fuel burner, for its dual function of keeping my kettle hot for longer without reheating the water, which is a good energy-saving hack.
On days when I have tea, it's also great for me to make a pot of tea which stays hot and it helps me to use my tea bags sparingly without waste.
Avocados smoked sausage and poached egg; Perfect with my coffee.
Nothing over the top, but tasty and healthy enough.
Being conscious of our daily habits, whether it's financially, environmentally, or our emotional well-being, pays off in the long run and helps to reduce manic stress. So creating a pleasant atmosphere, sourcing good quality coffee, at a reasonable price, and in my case, using wood that has been dried for over a year in the wood burner makes me feel like I'm living responsibly and conscientiously.
I find the smell of the fire enhances the ambience and has a soothing effect on my mind, and I remain mindful in the moment observing the mixture of natural elements which seem to be unfolding in harmony. There's water (raindrops), fire, and wood which I keep topping up to keep the flames ablaze.
It's a funny old world; As a child growing up in Jamaica, I would see fireplaces on TV and think oh that's so cosy and atmospheric, and thought I'd like to experience that one day. Well, I guess I'm living that dream.
Still, I watch the time on my watch as the natural light can be misleading, and I make sure not to go overboard with my coffee intake. So besides drinking coffee and watching the rain, I'm enjoying browsing and curating some wonderful content that keeps me in a positive frame of mind.
I don't take cream with my coffee and lately, I've realised that I do not drink milk or have many dairy products in my diet. However, a small portion of natural or Greek yoghurt with strawberries is a lovely round-off for my afternoon coffee breaks. The strawberries are noticeably sweet though, but it's summer after all. It might be psychological, but the vibrant red helps to lift my mood and I think the probiotics from the yoghurt is a great way to balance the acidity of coffee on my stomach, which prevents any form of discomfort.
These are just some fun pleasant efforts that I make to enhance dull days, as I'm not one to wallow in misery:)
I hope that you're having glorious weather and a lovely weekend, wherever in the world you are.
Thanks for stopping by Peeps.
All images were captured by me:)))
Thank you so much ackhoo and the @qurator team. This is highly appreciated:)))
I love that you make a conscious effort at relaxing and enjoying the calm! More people should learn that...
You're most welcome! Cheers!! :))
Thank you!😊 It does wonders for my mind.
Have a lovely weekend:)))
You too! 🌼🌼🌼🥰
😊😍
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I'm pleased to have made it this far to my 300th post, and I hope to continue producing much more valuable content on the Blockchain:)))
Wow, two badges in a row, that's awesome @millycf1976! 🎉
Thank you 😊
hello milly, i also make my coffee in my crca while reading i identified myself a little, here it rains and i just had black and strong coffee, but from my kitchen someday i would also like to fulfill the dream of having a fireplace, although in my city it is very hot and it is not used, on the other hand i like that it is calm and you maintain a good healthy diet. greetings
Haha! Yeah, I guess you don't need a fireplace in Venezuela at all. 😆
I am referring at least to my city, which has a hot climate, but here there are other states with very cold weather, for example Caripe and others. someday I would like to be in a house where there is a fireplace and live that experience.
Ah, yes! I forget that you experience contrasting weather in different sections of Venezuela. It's not like Jamaica where it's hot and humid all year round.
Hmm, I hope that you can get a fireplace one day then. They are super handy and add to the aesthetics of any house. 🤗
I want be there honestly. By fire side and drink coffee with favorite colored mug 🙂 Avocado poaced egg ❤️ perfect
Thank you! Oh, it's just the best feeling ever 🥰❤️
❤️
You’ve got a perfect combination there. Damn, I couldn’t think of anything more uplifting 🦅 than strawberries and coffee next to a roaring hearth. Enjoy ☺️☕️
Thanks, the life felt like a lifesaver 🤗
We have a wonderful day here, but we aren't in a good mood to enjoy it. The whole family is sick including me, and if only we have a fireplace, I would burn a sage to cleanse this house and our bodies...it's annoying to be sick...can't even engage well online..
Happy weekend to you..
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. My husband has had a lurgy for the past two weeks. I got a mild version that I'm still fighting off.
I've been making fresh rosemary, ginger, and lemon tea which helps.
I hope that you and your family will get better soon and that you'll be able to keep your engagement game strong 💐
Hehe I had avocado and eggs earlier and thought of you 🤗
There is something about the ritual of building and tending a fire that is soul healing in my opinion. I'm so glad that you followed that urge despite the season. And everything is better with a great meal and warm mug!
I do wonder though, what is the significance of letting the wood dry for a full year?
Yum and the strawberries, yes. Eating anything red always brightens my mood too (I added some roasted tomatoes to my avo/egg earlier). Thanks for the cozy read 💚
Ah, the wood burns better when it's completely dry, which is more economical, and it smokes less, which is better for the environment and considerate of neighbours.
Hehe, I would eat avocados with all my meals. The funny thing is that the avocados that we get in Jamaica are huge, with a strong nutty kind of flavour, and a (firm) smooth buttery texture.
I'm glad that you enjoyed this 💚
Bless you for that, lovely <3 This looks like a very cozy Saturday. Both indulgent, and staying on track (health-wise, in honoring your body). Love that.
Yogurt with coffee. Hmm. Would not have thought of that combo. Interesting. :) Hope your Sunday is sunny. :)
I like weird combinations 😁
No, it's not at all. My cat hates this weather too because she's very much a summer cat.
Happy Sunday 🤗
I'm sorry to hear that. Honestly, at this point, I'd trade you some sun for some rain if I could :D
I love sitting by the fire of a cold (or gloomy) day. It gives that cozy warm feeling - we call it hygge (pronounced hue-glee) in our household because my wife family is part Danish.
Good thinking to use the fires heat to warm water as well. Smart!
So you're quite a mix there. I wonder who you all support in the World Cup?
Netherlands, Denmark or Canada?
Haha I don't watch the world cup 😅
I'm not too surprised.
Are you into Hockey or tennis? I can picture you on a tennis court 😅
I used to play hockey when I was young but I don't even watch sports anymore. Sometimes I get into basketball
Hehe! I get that. You have the built for basketball, but I'm not sure how much you'd like being on a court surrounded by spectators 😆
Everyone seems to love avocados, but here I am, I've never even seen an avocado in real life, and having a little taste is like a long-awaited dream. 😬
Oh, wow! That's interesting. I learn something every day. You have the right climate, but I guess the tree is just not native to your region.
The types of avocado that we get in places like the Philippines and Jamaica are tasty. Way better than what we get here in Europe, which is way over-priced.
Yep, but people are importing them these days, but it's expensive though. 3 to 4 pieces cost around $20 USD I guess, so I don't know about the other countries, but that's a lot for just 3 to 4 pieces of fruit.
One day maybe I'll finally find some and be able to try it then, whether it's here or abroad. I really wanna know why people love it so much haha.
$20 for 3 or 4 avocados is a whole lot of money. Even if it's they are big avocados. As strong as my love is for it, I wouldn't pay that kind of money for avocados.
Yep, exactly what I was thinking. Heck, even with the rising costs, for $20 we can get a week's worth of groceries here for family of 4.
Fire is the best mood booster. We don't have a fireplace here nor a wood burner (only in my dad's place), but we have a small ethanol burner that keep us entertained I'd say (and a bit warmer). We dealed with a storm from wednesday 'till Friday morning; three days without electricity, internet, nothing... totally back to the 1800's /o/ Everything is back to normal now and the sun is out, though the temperatures dropped quite a lot.
I'm happy that things are back to normal for you. I adapt well in those situations of no electricity or internet, but I'd much prefer if they never happen.
Yes, the temperatures have dropped and it's a long spell of stormy bad weather, which feels like an early autumn.
We'll see.
AN ethanol burner is better than none at all.
I trust that you'll get back on track soon.
Have a lovely Sunday:)))
It's been raining here as well but it's not too much to handle, I love the weather since it keeps me cool. I find it hard to be productive when the weather is hot so I choose rain more.
I haven't experienced the fireplace thing at home, it doesn't snow here so there is really no need for that.
Good to know you are having a good time with the coffee and fire. Cheers to a beautiful week.
I get you on appreciating the rain because it's the most pleasant thing in a hot climate.
Yes, a fireplace is awesome in this part of the world.
Have a lovely weekend:)))
Greetings dear @millycf1976, these rainy times are all over the place and you are really looking for the peace and tranquility that many of us long for by making use of the elements of the earth, (water,fire, wood and air) the latter is always present and if we add to it a cup of hot coffee and a nutritious and very provocative breakfast by the way, you will undoubtedly find what you are looking for within yourself.
Hello @sidalim88,
Thanks for your thoughtful message.
Yes, you're right about the unpredictability and unusual weather across the globe. I'm thankful indeed that I'm able to turn it into a rather pleasant experience.
Have a lovely Sunday:)))
Four of my favorite things! Yum! 😋
Yeah, a brilliant combo indeed.
Have a lovely Sunday:)))
A good ole fireplace is so relaxing. I remember having one in my house growing up. It got cold here in the winter so that means filling up the porch with firewood in the fall from our grove where my father cut and split wood. Good times many wheel barrow trips but I didn't mind it.
I bet you did 😁
My husband enjoyed collecting lumber when we lived on the narrowboat. Sometimes tree surgeons offered boaters free wood. It was a big part of the experience:)))
So, I assume it must be rainy days there too @millycf1976. Right now here we are starting to experience rainy days as well but living in this City with too much rain is a problem because flooding is everywhere.😩
Anyway, I love seeing those snacks perfectly paired with your coffee. Here it's also avocado season and I was just wondering if the price is cheap there?
Ah, I know how bad flooding can be. It's never pleasant to walk through flooded water.
The avocados here are small and of a different texture. You wouldn't like them as much as those back home because they are not very tasty here, and yes they are expensive here.
I miss the avocados in the Philippines :)))
Of course you're living responsibly and conscientiously. I'd give anything to live this life.
There's just something soothing about sitting by the fire place, hearing those cracks from it while it's pouring rain outside is the best healing method I'd recommend for anyone going through a lot to be honest. I've never had a fireplace inside my house like this but I've sat by the fireplace which my Grammy made to heat up water when she was alive. It was one of those cold days so I sat by the fire, watching it do it's thing as it sent warmth to my body. The color of the flames is mesmerizing.
The same way you were dreaming of this life as a kid and is living the dream now, I've started dreaming as well and one day I'll also tell that I'm living my dreams<3
Wow! Thanks for your touching comment. Yes, You are right. Hearing the wood pop and the colour of the flames has an effect on the mind.
An outdoor firepit is awesome too, and that was the first fire that I ever sat next to on a camping site.
I do hope that one day you'll get to experience sitting by your own fireplace. 🙏🤗
Indeed<3
I've seen this in movies lots and it's always a beautiful moment for the campers.
Thanks for hoping too🥰. I really appreciate 💜
@millycf1976 great way to turn a rainy day into a nice way to be at home. I love fireplaces that wood fire and the ambiance it creates is relaxing, I enjoyed it when I visited my sister in canada as I live in a very warm country.Ahhh I also remembered the Greek Yogurth how yummy !!!!
Thanks for your lovely comment. Fireplaces are awesome indeed.
The yoghurt and strawberries are my guilty pleasure right now 😋
All this cannot be on the long boat? The Beaver was it? Or Badger?
It looks delightful, other than the fire.
We've been in the mid to upper 90's°F for the last couple of weeks now, but I do love me a fire.