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The Power of Gratitude: How Giving Thanks Can Make Us Happier

The Power of Gratitude: How Giving Thanks Can Make Us Happier

As we settle into the season of Thanksgiving, it’s a good time to remind ourselves that giving gratitude throughout the year has enormous benefits for our overall well-being.

Being grateful doesn’t take much energy or time out of your day which makes it an accessible tool for everyone. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by giving it a try. Research shows the health benefits of being grateful include:

  • Better relationships – Expressing gratitude makes you less aggressive and enhances your empathy. This leads to more pro-social behaviour and more sensitivity towards others which improves all the relationships in your life (familial, romantic, friendship, etc.).
  • Physical and mental health – Grateful people tend to take better care of their health and are less prone to common aches and pains. Research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression. It also aids in recovery from substance misuse and coronary health events.
  • Improved sleep – According to research, spending just 15 minutes a night writing in a gratitude journal reduces blood pressure and enhances the duration and quality of sleep.
  • Increased self-esteem – Gratitude can help you feel better about your circumstances and less resentful of others which can lead to feeling better about yourself.

Now that the extraordinary benefits are clear, how can we get the best results from practicing gratitude? Follow these simple steps:

  1. Write it down – Don’t just say it in your head, the physical record is important so you can continue to reflect. It can be anything from something major that happened or even a small win (example: The colour of the sky during my morning nature walk!).
  2. Be specific – This is the key to gratitude! To be effective, it must be specific. Think of WHY you are grateful for a person, gesture or event that happened. Going into detail about one particular thing you are grateful for is more effective than mentioning a general list of many things.
  3. Make it a daily habit – Commit to a small amount of time spent on this practice every day, even when you are busy (that is when it is most important!). Habits are important to building a healthy routine and getting the most benefits of your time spent in gratitude.

Resources & Recommendations:
13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do by Amy Morin
PositivePsychology.com
5 Minute Journal

Photo credits: @davidsonphotography.inc

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How Nature Can Be a Form of Self Care

Back to Nature: How Nature Can Be a Form of Self-Care

Rebeckah Price is a community builder, yoga practitioner and advocate for promoting inclusion in the wellness industry. She is based in Toronto. To follow her journey, find her here.

I live for moments that take my breath away. I live for moments where I want to soak it all in. Moments for me, make memories. I want to gather as many of these moments and store them in my memory bank. I especially save them for those days when I may not be feeling my best. I can pull from this bank and bring myself back into a space and time where my inhale was longer than my exhale. Being in nature provides me with so many opportunities to have these kinds of moments.

You see, I’m a big chaser of sunrises and sunsets in nature. There is something calming and easeful in being able to be in nature and take in the moments.  As a wellness advocate who promotes more diversity and inclusion in the wellness industry, it is important to me to be in and experience the spaces where I may not traditionally be seen. Outdoor spaces are one such space. When you think of nature, I’m pretty sure a Black woman thriving in the forest is not what comes to the top of your mind. And I’m here to ask why not? 

Research shows that people of colour are far less likely to engage in nature-based outdoor recreation activities, with historic discrimination being a large underlying factor.  In addition to that, research also shows that people of colour were rarely considered to be major stakeholders in outdoor recreation or park-related activities.

I think it is time that we change the narrative of seeing people of colour in outdoor spaces. From a wellness perspective, there are many benefits to being outdoors and being in nature that are of great benefit to our mental, emotional and physical health. There is even a whole modality in therapy that espouses nature as a pathway to supporting our overall wellness called ecotherapy.

Ecotherapy is based on the idea that people are connected to and impacted by the natural environment. It is important to have pathways for communities of colour, communities who have traditionally been marginalized to be able to spend time outdoors in nature so that they can be supported by the mental, physical and emotional health benefits of spending time outdoors. It is also important for communities of colour to see themselves being connected to and a part of the outdoors and nature. 

Recently I gathered up a few of my girlfriends and drove 3.5 hours outside of the city so that we all could unwind. This trip was a beautiful form of self-care for us all. There is something magical about watching the people you care about relax and be at ease. Moments like this are essential to our well-being. Spending time in nature provided them with the space to pause, to slow down and just be. I saw them take in subtle moments like noticing the bees on the flowers, admiring the amazing views of the lake, and getting up and having their coffee outside. I saw them hiking and laughing to just simply enjoy the evening breeze. Each of them capturing moments that poured into their well-being, moments to nourish them.

Every night we went to sleep soothed by the natural soundscape of nature and every morning we welcomed the daily reminder that birds brought along with them with the rising sun. We fell into the natural reset that nature provides to our bodies. For a group of Black women, this was especially important, to be grounded, nourished and softened by nature. For this group of Black women, it was healing, healing on an emotional, physical and mental level. It was a gentle reminder that we collectively need more moments like these.

We all know that nature is healing and in a world that keeps us so disconnected, I’m hoping to see a shift towards seeing more people of colour adding soft living in nature to our self-care rituals. There is something very nourishing about being surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. It is grounding and soothing. Soft living is an intentional decision to make choices and decisions that support your well-being and reduce your stress levels. It highlights the basic human right of a life that is deserving of ease and pleasantness. And I personally believe that more people of colour deserve a life of pleasantness and ease. Our collective well-being is dependent on it. I hope to see more representation and inclusion of people of colour in outdoor spaces and nature by brands, and businesses because they see the value in supporting our collective wellbeing.

Why? Because we all need moments that take our breath away… the moments where we get to soak it all in. 

Our Calabogie Cabins

Blog & Photo Credits:
IG @rebeckahprice

Resources:
https://cnr.ncsu.edu/news/2020/12/nature-gap-why-outdoor-spaces-lack-diversity-and-inclusion/
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/econature-therapy

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Grilled Veggie Skewers Recipe

Grilled Veggie Skewers Recipe

Nothing is better than a tasty, healthy fireside meal! Try these Grilled Veggie Skewers on the campfire at your next Cabinscape adventure. Great compliment as a side dish or a whole vegetarian/vegan meal. Customize your skewers by trying your favourite veggies. You can also use the BBQ or stovetop if a campfire is not readily available. Cut the veggies before you go if you won’t have a cutting board handy.

Grilled Veggie Skewers

All you need (2 servings):

2 Bell peppers: red, yellow, orange [Qty 2 of each bell peppers]
2 Zucchini
2 Large red onion
Mushrooms [227 g of small mushrooms]
1 garlic – minced
Cilantro – minced
Ground black pepper
Salt
1/3 Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Soak at least 12 skewers in water for approximately 15 minutes. 

  • This will allow the moisture from the skewers to evaporate before the wood starts to burn
  • Please note that the total number of skewers will depend on the size of your vegetables


2. Chop all the vegetables so are approximately equal in size and shape.

  • Peel the red onion, slice it in half and chop each half into thirds
  • Chop each bell peppers into 1-inch by 1-inch
  • Slice the zucchini into rounds
  • Slice the mushrooms into 1-inch by 1-inch


3. Prepare the garlic herb sauce in a bowl.

  • Add 1/3 teaspoon of olive oil
  • Add ¼ of balsamic vinegar
  • Add the minced garlic
  • Add the minced cilantro
  • Add a pinch of salt 
  • Add the ground black pepper

4. Whisk together for about 1 to 2 minutes.

  • Depending on your preference, you can brush your veggie skewers with the garlic herb sauce before placing them on the grill OR brush the veggie skewers with the garlic herb sauce when they are on the grill.

5. Once your veggie skewers are prepared. Start your campfire.
Make sure the firewood is placed flat in the fire pit
so you can place the grill easily.

6. Add the veggie skewers on the grill for approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Since this is a campfire, the veggie skewers will soften and brown quicker. 

7. Remove the veggie skewers and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Enjoy!

Pictures and recipe by @foodtraveleisure on Instagram

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Shakshuka Recipe

Shakshuka Recipe

With main ingredients including eggs and tomato, this meal can be served at any time of the day. Easy to make on a campfire or stovetop. You can measure out the spices so you have the exact amount ready on the go. Enjoy Shakshuka at your next Cabinscape getaway!

Shakshuka Recipe

All you need:

1 medium-sized onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
Olive oil
1 large red bell pepper (chopped)
1 can of crushed tomatoes (About 800 g)
1 can of tomato paste
1 teaspoon chilli powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Chilli flakes (Spice is optional)
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt
Ground black pepper
6 eggs
Cilantro (chopped for garnish)
Feta cheese (crumbled)
Pita bread (Optional)

Directions:

1. Add olive oil to a pan. Wait about 2-3 minutes until heated and
add diced onions. Wait roughly 5 minutes until soft.

2. Add minced garlic and wait 2-3 minutes until brown,
then add chopped red bell pepper. Wait roughly
5 minutes until pepper softens.

3. Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste and 1 can
of crushed tomato to your mixture.

4. Stir continuously for about 10-15 minutes. Take a spoon and
create empty pockets of space. Place cracked open eggs
in the pockets.

5. Wait 10-15 minutes, add cilantro for garnish and crumbled feta cheese.

6. Serve with pita bread and ENJOY!

BONUS! Summer Spritz Recipe

All you need:

3 oz Aperol
3 oz Prosecco
1 oz club soda
Orange (sliced)
Ice

Directions:

1. Add ice to a wine glass. Pour approximately 3 oz of Aperol.
Fill about one-third of the wine glass. Then add 3 oz of Prosecco.

2. Add 1 oz of club soda or Sprite (this step is optional to make the drink less bitter – don’t skip if you like a sweeter taste)

3. Add a slice of orange. Enjoy!

Pictures and recipe by @foodtraveleisure on Instagram

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French Toast Recipe

French Toast Recipe

During your Cabinscape getaway, you’ll wake up in the wilderness with the sounds of nature. Compliment the peaceful morning wakeups with a delicious breakfast like this French Toast recipe! Can be made on the campfire or on our cabin stovetops. Pair it with coffee or your favourite morning beverage.

French Toast Recipe

All you need:

2 large eggs
2/3 Cup Milk
1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
¼ Teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Butter
6 slices of white bread
Vegetable oil
Maple Syrup
Blueberries (or your choice of preferred berries/fruit)

Directions:

1. Add the following ingredients to a bowl:

  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 2/3 Cup of Milk
  • 1 Teaspoon of Artificial Vanilla Extract
  • ¼ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon of butter
  • Pinch of Salt

2. Continuously mix the ingredients.

3. Heat up a frying pan (on medium heat) and
add oil and butter. Wait a few minutes for the butter
to melt.

4. Take one slice of bread at a time and soak it into your mix.

5. Add the soaked slice to the pan and flip accordingly until each side is brown.

6. Serve onto a plate and add Maple syrup, butter, and blueberries. Enjoy!

Pictures and recipe by @foodtraveleisure on Instagram