It's all about ME time
The holidays have the tendency to make a lot of external demands on your time. Does it feel like you spend a lot of time rushing around in order to do things -- for other people?
If your last great escape was to the garage to just be alone where no one could find you, you're definitely showing signs of 'me time' deficiency. Next time you find yourself sneaking off to the grocery store just to shop in peace, try these 'me time' tips instead:
Buy yourself flowers. No, really. The cheaper and more colorful the better. The sight and smell will calm you and make you smile each time you see them.
Make a date. With yourself! If you take your work appointments seriously, why not start blocking out a date to do some things you love? Maybe it's hot yoga; maybe it's curling up with a book and a mug of steaming Oregon Chai.
Enjoy The Dishes. Slow down and take pleasure in your chores. Things like dishes, laundry and cooking can be Moments Of Peace.
Bring The Nap Back. Change into some comfy pajamas and lie down on a bed or couch. Even if you can't fall asleep, 20 minutes of resting and letting your mind wander can be wonderful. You may even think of the solution to whatever problem has been plaguing you all morning. Drink a cup of Oregon Chai to perk you up when you're done and it's time to get back to work Saving The World.
How do you spend your 'me time'? Running? Listening to music? Watching Mad Men?
Twitter contest
Tweet, tweet! We had an informal giveaway on Twitter today. It was good fun, and we got to see what some of our Twitter friends really look like. The entries were pretty brilliant. We even had a two-way tie for fifth place, with two entries coming in within 20 seconds of each other. Oh well, we had to give them both chai.
Damsels in DST (distress!)
You've already reset your watch, the clocks in the kitchen, alarm in the bedroom, kids' bedroom, etc. So why do you still feel out of sync?
Daylight Saving Time is often disorienting, much like travel across time zones. (Could it be that DST is actually code for distress? Hmm.) If you're feeling down because it's 3:30 and the sun's already setting, you can always get one of those nifty clocks designed specially for distressed DST victims.
Or just be thankful you don't live in China, a country as wide as the United States but with only one official time zone. It's pitch black at 10 AM in the western Chinese provinces -- imagine going to work in those conditions!
Besides a cup of Original Oregon Chai, of course, what's your favorite way to beat the DST blues?
Daily Zen
They say Oregon Chai is Nirvana, available by the cup. How about some Zen, available by tweet?
@dailyzen is a user on Twitter who posts daily Snippets Of Wisdom, such as: "Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes."
Or: "After enlightenment, the laundry."
And our favorite:
"The purpose of life is to love whoever is around to be loved."
Something to contemplate over your morning cup of Nirvana.
Trick Or Treat
Did you hear about the dentist who is buying Halloween candy back from kids? The plan is to send the candy to troops overseas. “I believe it promotes oral hygiene among the kids and at the same time teaches them about patriotism,” he says.
If you ever feel just a wee bit guilty for encouraging those cute kids in pumpkin costumes to eat unhealthy things, here are some possible alternatives (short of the dreaded apple) to the usual Snickers and Gummi Bears:
1. Stickers or temporary tattoos. You can stick them all over your arms and your stuff! What's not to love? These are also highly coveted items during post-Halloween trading.
2. Hershey's Sugar Free. Candy and chocolate that looks just like the real thing -- Kisses, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Jolly Ranchers.
3. Oregon Chai Tea Latte Mixes. Colorful, portable and sure to please the kids after a tough night of traipsing around in the dark, Oregon Chai dry mixes make a great Halloween treat. There is even a sugar-free variety. Explain that hot chai is like hot chocolate, and let the kids help you mix it up. You can even top it with sugar-free whipped cream.
Happy Halloween to all! Send us your pictures of kids in pumpkin costumes to cafe@oregonchai.com. We'd love to share them!