I've Got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

Sunday, January 02, 2011

Remember that old song by the Temptations? Also known as "My Girl"?

Well, my guy presented me with a light box beaming out a powerful 10,000 lux, which I've been using every morning. Sunshine bright!! I've positioned it over my lap top, so the middle of the screen is at eye level about 12 inches away from my face -- nice for illuminating my morning SP login while I sip my coffee and scan the newspaper, Charlie curled up at my feet!

There's a lot of interesting research on the use of light boxes for treating a wide range of full blown clinical issues including depression, seasonal affective disorder, jet lag, shift work disorientation, post partum, PMS and even senility. Here's a link if you'd like to read more: there are a couple of scholarly articles and the second one in paricular cites the literature quite thoroughly.

http:/day-lights.com/light-therapy-news/
downloads/light-therapy-wp.pdf

As for me, I'm pretty sure that I don't have any of these clinical conditions. But I am the original sunshine girl -- love sunshine, crave it, thrive on it. When other people want to be closing the blinds, I'm basking in it. Generally speaking, people tell me that I've got a pretty sunny disposition. (Dunno, but I've been spontaneously nicknamed "Sunny" in so many different contexts, from little girl days onwards, that maybe there's some truth to it.)

Anyhow, April through September mornings after the gym often find me and Charlie on our east-facing verandah with my coffee and newspaper. But no question even for sunny types it's harder to feel sunny when there isn't any . . . um . . . sunshine. For weeks. For months. Which had made me curious about use of a light box to help me keep my mood upbeat during our long cold dark winters, when day after day we head off to work in the dark and come home again in the dark.

But there's more. In addition, light box therapy may help with winter weight loss or weight maintenance. That's because sunlight deprivation seems to be associated with carb bingeing. Apparently there is some research evidence that the long dark days tend to trigger a craving for more comfort foods . . . and more sleepiness too (so less exercise). The big ol' bear hibernation effect, I suppose. We are circadian-sensitive mammals, so that makes some sense to me!

Added on to my multivitamin and extra vitamin D and calcium, I'm now experimenting with 20-30 minutes of 10,000 lux light box exposure early every morning . . . getting my days off to a bright start So far, it does seem to be waking me up, cheering me up, and helping with the excess carb control.

The light box was a total surprise from my guy. Truly, I've now got some sunshine on a cloudy day. In the words of another fine old song, it makes me happy when skies are grey -- which as I mentioned (yeah, I know I mentioned it, wasn't whining, just mentioned it) is in this part of the world at this time of the year, kinda constant.

So I do appreciate the thoughtfulness of this gift. I do appreciate the sunshine. And if in addition the light box can also help me control the carbs, emerging from hibernation without any extra winter weight would make me even happier!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MYOWNHERO 1/5/2011 5:06PM

What a lovely gift! Report Inappropriate Comment

DANCINGGARDENER 1/5/2011 4:59PM

What a great gift! The closest thing I have is a mirror over my sink with a grow light over that - that way every time we do dishes we are awash in full spectrum light. You've been the sunshine in more than one of my cloudy days... you deserve all the luminousness your boy can pour on! Report Inappropriate Comment

CMB2048 1/3/2011 10:50PM

You always sound "sunny"! LOL! I hate winter because it is so dark. Have not tried a light box. Let us know how it works out! Report Inappropriate Comment

PHEBESS 1/3/2011 9:24AM

What a brilliant gift! And I can certainly attest to cold weather/less sun equating to more carb ingestion - we certainly are doing that in Spain!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

IMAGINE_IT 1/3/2011 8:40AM

How thoughful of your guy..and how sweet!! I am the opposite of you..love the dark (that is one reason why i work nights) gloomy and rainy days..i do not like to sit out in the sun at all...and carry sunglasses everywhere i go...but i find this 'lightbox' and the research behind it very interesting..and if you say it helps with 'moods' and curbs carbs??!! WOW!! then i may have to start looking into this. Thank you for this info..now here is some of the plenty sunshine from Texas for you Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTIERACES 1/3/2011 1:37AM

I heard light boxes do wonders for people for various reasons! You're so lucky to have one...nice hubby! Thank you for the sweetest comments and compliments on my pix and blog! I'm a very happy woman these last couple days! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRYINGHARD1948 1/3/2011 1:28AM

And it helps to have such a thoughtful guy around the house. Report Inappropriate Comment

DBCLARINET 1/3/2011 1:17AM

Cool gift! I remember when I moved to Texas feeling like every day was awesome because there were big blue skies and plenty of sunshine. My husband hated the lack of seasons, but I thrived in the sun! When we were high-schoolers, my room was on the main floor and my brother's room was in the basement. He'd even board up the little window he had so that he could have perfect darkness and sleep as long as he wanted. Now, my husband and I are using the basement room until we get stationed, and I can't stand it! Where's my waking up to sunshine? Can't. Stand. It! I got a sunrise lamp sometime in my undergrad as a Christmas gift, and I love it. I'm not sure I'd ever wake up before the crack of dawn without it. Report Inappropriate Comment

PENNYAN45 1/2/2011 7:38PM

A light box! It sounds very interesting - and useful. What an enlightened gift from your husband! Happy New Year, Ellen. May 2011 bring blessings to you and your family. Report Inappropriate Comment

TBANMAN 1/2/2011 7:05PM

That is a great gift. And being on the lovely Wet Coast of Canada, I know what you're talking about with our dreary winters. Luckily Vancouver has been basking in sunshine for a few days now. Such a lovely treat! Report Inappropriate Comment

WALKINGANNIE 1/2/2011 6:13PM

What a great gift. Hope you and Charlie benefit from it throughout the year. Thanks for all your encouragement and inspiration Ellen and all best wishes for a happy healthy 2011. Report Inappropriate Comment

VALERIEMAHA 1/2/2011 3:08PM

Mmmmmmmm...you have less sunshine up there in those northern clime than I do here in the mid-south, though it doesn't take much time at all without El Sol for me to start feeling deprived. I LOVE that song, My Girl, such a great smooth beat! And Your Guy sounds purdy durned loveable as well, Ellen, coming up with such a useful and unique gift for His Girl! Maha Report Inappropriate Comment

FRACTALMYTH 1/2/2011 3:08PM

Woohooo :D Sounds fantastic... we've had plenty of lovely sun last few days at 37+ C, making up for lost time... today is back to clouds and rain though. Sunny suits you perfectly! I'll remember that :D Report Inappropriate Comment

JOPAPGH 1/2/2011 3:05PM

Sounds like a great way to start the day! Have a great 2011! Report Inappropriate Comment

This Will Be the Year That . . . .credit JGRIFF2712's blog

Friday, December 31, 2010

I will turn 60!! And how is that possible?? Gotta be delusional: almost-sixty still feels so so young, yes it really does!! Although if you'd told me that 60 could feel young when I was 25, I'd never have believed it. But given that I really am almost 60, I do have a substantial past and so I will reflect on what I've done and where I've been, keeping in mind: "The past was the best thing that could have happened to me". Even for those parts of my past where believing that to be so is a willed choice . . . I'm choosing to believe it.

I will actively seek out every opportunity every day to notice and to value all that is beautiful, all that is meaningful, and all that is zest-inducing in my life as I experience it: "The present is the best thing happening to me". Yeah!!

And: I will continue to maintain my weight loss and fitness levels: nothing new, but for me this will always be one of the toughest goals of all. It's not trivial, it's essential because I am a body and I cannot value my past or experience my present without cherishing the body that carries me forward into the future. Keeping on keeping on, keeping as healthy as it's possible for me to be. Exercising eternal vigilance to avoid the temptation that I know I can't resist. Exercising of the cardio and strength-training varieties too because (as I read in the Toronto Globe and Mail this morning), the unexercised life is not worth living. The unexercised life really is the unexamined life. Eternal vigilance and exercise so that "The future is the best thing that's going to happen to me".

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PHEBESS 1/3/2011 9:22AM

Isn't it amazing that we don't feel as old as our years seem???? Always blows me away that I'm approaching that same year (albeit a few years to go)...........when did 60 become NOT old????? Report Inappropriate Comment

IMAGINE_IT 1/3/2011 8:33AM

60?? No way!! You look beautiful..and as they say..60 is the new 40??? You wear it well!! I am fast approaching 60..and even though i am a little scared of getting old..er i will try to embrace it and live like there is no tomorrow!!(especially now!!)Thank you for this wonderful blog Ellen..Happy and healthy New Year 2011 to you Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTIERACES 1/3/2011 1:42AM

"actively seek out every opportunity every day to notice and to value all that is beautiful, all that is meaningful...." I love this. It really helps to just take those moments to stop and take in our surroundings, there is so much beauty everywhere. Have you ever watched the movie.."What the Bleep do you Know?".....I highly recommend it....it's amazing. Hubby and I are going to watch it again to absorb more of the messages the doctors were getting across. Hoping you have a Great Week ahead! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

VALERIEMAHA 1/2/2011 3:15PM

I'll stick with the Present, thank you! Ahhhh...it's all just play on words anyway. But seriously, I'll be SIXTY NINE in less than two months and I TOTALLY feel AT LEAST 25 years younger than that...in my energy, health, sense of adventure, etc. But I DEFINITELY don't look any younger than my actual age, and I've become MOST invisible in this youth-and-beauty obsessed culture. And that's no fun! But in any case here's to a great quality of life as long as we life because of loving and mindful self-care! Maha Report Inappropriate Comment

TRAVELGRRL 1/2/2011 2:15PM

The future IS the best thing that is going to happen to us! What a great reminder that losing weight isn't about looking good in the end, it's about taking care of the body that is going to carry us into the future. I love this. Thanks for your insight. Now I must get down to the treadmill! Report Inappropriate Comment

BRIGHTSPARK7 1/1/2011 10:47PM

It's going to be a wonderful year, Ellen. You are the present you've been expecting. Cheers! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRYINGHARD1948 1/1/2011 7:40PM

I so know how you feel. As I looked around at church this morning I saw all these elderly ladies and thought - "Surely I am no one of these lovely ladies!?!?!" But truth is I am fast approaching that stage and I still feel like a twenty year old. Long may we be young in spirit and work as hard as possible to have a flexible, healthy body. Go, girl, go! Report Inappropriate Comment

KALIGIRL 1/1/2011 1:17PM

Me too! "The unexercised life really is the unexamined life." Love it! The ancient Greeks believed motion meant soul. While they disagreed on where the soul went after this life, to move was to live. Here's to living 2011! Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBIETEC 1/1/2011 12:17PM

I loved what you said ""The past was the best thing that could have happened to me" BIG BIG BIG HUGES!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CMB2048 12/31/2010 6:09PM

And This Will Be the Year That.....I turn 50! And I can't believe that this year is here! I used to figure out when I was young what year it woudl be when I turned 50 and it was so far away I couldn't relate. Hard to believe it is upon me! Beautiful blog and thoughts I need to remember this year. Here's to a great New Year ahead! Report Inappropriate Comment

FRACTALMYTH 12/31/2010 6:08PM

Yay you! You are right - this will be an AWESOME year! Big HUGS :D Report Inappropriate Comment

JUNEBUG150 12/31/2010 5:18PM

Good for you! I am 60 and I agree with you that I still feel very young, too. Of course a few short months ago before I started changing my lifestyle I couldn't say that. I hurt a lot and would get short of breath if I had to walk up steps, etc. I'm very thankful for spark people and the great support that I get on this site. Have a wonderful, healthy and happy new year. Report Inappropriate Comment

Christmas Eve at the Dog Park!

Friday, December 24, 2010

My son and I took Charlie to the off-leash dog park this afternoon for a long romp this afternoon: he loved it! So did we.

The place was teeming with other similarly-beloved dogs: pugs, a beagle, a South African Babul (?? big sweetie, like a fawn Great Dane with jowls. . , never heard of it, can't find it on google, but that's what his peeps told us), an Australian shepherd, two other goldens, a chocolate lab, a Boston terrier-type (but beige rather than black and white) and lots of assorted "originals".

Our fenced dog park area is a generous size and an interesting terrain but quite a long hike away from the parking lot. We took the route through the woods to get there: up and down steep hills. The white pines were heaped with snow, the sun dappling through their trunks.

Charlie certainly knew where we were headed and wanted to zoom as quickly as possible: easier for him than us with his claw-equipped traction paws!! But he waited for us as necessary, smiling and wagging every step of the way.

We rewarded him for his patience with two complete circuits of the dog park path and lots of play time. Then took a different long route back, this time beside a gurgling brook with acrobatic chickadees on the overhanging branches.

The new happiness research tells us what we already knew: doing stuff creates more pleasure than acquiring stuff. I'm pretty sure that the hike through the sunny woods to the dog park with Charlie and Dave will be one of my best memories of this holiday season.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FROSTIERACES 1/3/2011 1:46AM

Charlie is a smart dog! I think he may kinda love you and your son a wee bit!! Thanks for sharing the story :) Report Inappropriate Comment

KALIGIRL 12/30/2010 4:53PM

What wonderful memories - we had a houseful and I will count it as one of the best Christmases ever. Here's to living life! Report Inappropriate Comment

STLRZGRRL 12/28/2010 10:30PM

Yep, yep, yep! Once again, Ellen, you hit the nail squarely on the head... Charlie and your son and you each got an incredible gift... a wonderful day with each other... And we know every day IS a gift... and that's why it's called... wait for it... THE PRESENT!!!! ah-HAHAHAhah aha... I love that one... it gets me every time!!! Happiest Holiday EVAR, Madam! I am honored to accompany you on this unfolding journey! MWAH! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEENY_BIKINI 12/28/2010 8:08PM

Dog parks sound so cool. Can you go without a dog? Report Inappropriate Comment

FRACTALMYTH 12/28/2010 4:33PM

How lovely! Yeti bought the boys a surprise Christmas present - a lifesize German Shorthaired Pointer dog-doll (Yeti used to breed them). The idea was to see if the boys really wanted a dog lol... it was a HUGE hit :D Report Inappropriate Comment

CMB2048 12/28/2010 1:17PM

Sounds like a wonderful time. Report Inappropriate Comment

GOING2LOSENOW 12/25/2010 11:58AM

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TKADEEPBREATH 12/25/2010 11:56AM

Oh I love this blog . . . . I'm so with you on that thought. Our dog Chloe has been in doggie "boarding school" since October. It was either get her trained or put us both out of our misery!! Sad to say, not kidding. She was uncontrollable and you can't have a big powerful animal like that. It's just too hard. We got to visit her yesterday for the first time to see about her progress and I'm very pleased. She's "off leash" and heels and will come when called. Pretty awesome. The last thing they are working on is some "house manners". Can't have enough of them I always say . . . Lol. Have a wonderful Christmas . . . talk soon friend . . . Toodles, Jan Report Inappropriate Comment

GROEDER 12/25/2010 6:36AM

That sounds like a great time for everyone!!!! Otto would live a place like that. I'm glad you had that quality time together. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Gregg Report Inappropriate Comment

VALERIEMAHA 12/24/2010 5:26PM

And I'm pretty sure you're spot on about that! Wonderful prose about a fabulous day! Maha Report Inappropriate Comment

Above the pines the moon was slowly drifting . . .

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

. . . . when I got out of bed at about 2:30 a.m. to check out the winter solstice lunar eclipse.

The moon was a moody dark orange with a bright penumbra of light. Brilliant stars spread across the cloudless night sky, our birch tree a white skeleton. Behind it the forest of tall red pines soughed in the wind, laden with snow. The air was so cold it sparkled and tingled in my nose.

I was not here the last time this happened. I'm not at all likely to be around the next time it occurs either.

And so yes, it was worth stumbling out of bed, sliding my feet into my sheepskin slippers, wrapping myself in my dark green dressing gown and stepping out onto the back deck.

Yes, it was.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LUNADRAGON 12/22/2010 9:36PM

Your words are picturesque. When I looked outside, it was happening, all was really dark - but it was too cold for me to venture out. My husband who works night shift saw it though and told me about it. Your words are lovely, thank you for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

TEENY_BIKINI 12/22/2010 7:54PM

That was so beautiful - I could "see" every detail as you described it. I can only imagine how amazing it was in person. Well done :) Report Inappropriate Comment

COLONELD1 12/22/2010 9:59AM

We had cloud cover, where I live(CO) I stumbled out of bed and it was dark...but at 0400 Mr Moon was shining brightly through the windows, illuminating the pines and just beautiful Report Inappropriate Comment

TRYINGHARD1948 12/22/2010 1:40AM

We had cloud cover but your description was so beautiful I could almost see it. Thank you. Report Inappropriate Comment

FRACTALMYTH 12/21/2010 8:36PM

The sun hadn't set here yet, and the crescent moon swam in and out of clouds. You could not see anything spectacular... but the rest of the night and into the early morning she swam serenely through the skies, full and brightly polished, every detail of her face lit up in high detail. It was like she was making up for lost time :P Report Inappropriate Comment

PHEBESS 12/21/2010 6:40PM

Now I really regret not having gotten up for this! Report Inappropriate Comment

HARISHABAD 12/21/2010 5:46PM

Ah, I was wondering if this was all happening at the same time, or if it depended on where you were...your blog answered my question. In the west, the event started at 10:30 and totality was at 12:07. I got out of bed, bundled up at 11:20 and was so grateful for the clear night. No fog, what a treat, in Oregon, in December yet! The moon was high in the sky and yes, not full but a beautiful curving crescent. I snuggled back into bed and and got back up right before midnight, waking the family. Everyone came out and looked but daughter Rachel, who crawled back into bed. By that time it was much darker, and the disk of the moon was almost obscured. What a treat! I mused that this event must have caused many witches to be burned in 1638, the last time around. How much, and so little, the world has changed. Peace, and Happy Solstice to you! Report Inappropriate Comment

VALERIEMAHA 12/21/2010 5:22PM

Oh my, like DG I got no views here. And your prose so beautifully describes a viewing of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing that. Maha Report Inappropriate Comment

DANCINGGARDENER 12/21/2010 5:19PM

Mmmm.... I just read this through several times. Every word was perfectly chosen and perfectly ordered. When I rose I could see nothing but the snow storm.... so I caught some of the flakes on my tough, said hello to all my friends around the world who were looking up at the same time, said a little prayer for peace and went back to bed. I am so happy you shared your better view with me. Report Inappropriate Comment

Golden Shortbread: the Short Story

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Those who check out my blogs regularly will know: I'm not very domesticated.

But: amazingly, this far before the 25th, I have already decorated the tree, set up my Victorian village in billows of cotton wool on our living room mantel, and this morning actually baked shortbread.

Shortbread are DH's faves. The recipe is simple. No rice flour, no white sugar, no icing sugar, no cornstarch: none of these. Just good ol' salted butter, brown sugar, white flour (almost never used in my kitchen any other time of the year) and a touch of pure vanilla. Just like my Scottish ancestors made them . . . yeah! No red and green sprinkles or maraschino cherry bits on top, no chocolate chips or pecans baked in. Basic buttery goodness with just enough flour to hold it together.

(And I know there will be many for whom the quintessential shortbread and all the memories are baked up differently, but these are the ones that do it for us).

Of course DH likes them rolled out and cut into little shapes: that's fussier. But, once a year and seeing as how it's him -- why not?

So here's the recipe:

5 cups all purpose flour
1 pound (2 cups) salted butter, room temperature
1 packed cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp real vanilla extract

Cream the butter and the brown sugar till fluffy; add the vanilla. Incorporate the flour gradually until the dough comes together. Roll out small portions on lightly floured board, about 1/4 inch thick, using as little extra flour as possible: cut out the shapes, bake at 325 for about 20 minutes (until very lightly golden). Reroll and repeat with the scraps (I chill the dough while I"m waiting for the first batch to bake). Cool on wire racks and then store in closed tin with layers separated with wax paper.

Makes about 60 small shortbread cookies. Calories/fat/carbs??? We don't wanna know.

Now, that lightly golden part? Charlie NEVER ever helps himself to anything off a counter or off the table -- not even a juicy rare steak (I don't eat these, but the resident carnivores certainly do . . . ). Charlie is a gentleman who waits to be offered anything special. With the occasional exception of . . . butter.

But: these ARE mostly butter. And if they are "lightly golden" that would have to mean that they were specially baked for the golden, right?

I could not believe my eyes when I came back to the kitchen to pack away the second batch only to discover a number of shortbreads missing from the cooling racks, the remaining cookies in disarray and tell tale crumbs on the counter and on the floor!! Looked over at Charlie who wagged at me forgivingly . . .

"Shoulda used the dog bone cookie cutter . . . but that was clearly just an oversight. Still quite acceptable, thank you."

Oh, Charlie. Guess they're your faves too!! And it was kind of you to take only a few!!

Since I had a couple myself -- gotta get to the gym for a little extra cardio burn! And after that, I should probably run Charlie around the block as well!!.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KMICHA 12/19/2010 8:49PM

Yummy! A good friend just gave me some shortbread cookies today with some hot fudge sauce to dip them in . . . Yours sound delisious . . . I have some from a box! Still yummy by not like home made!!! I have 3 "Charlies" at my house! LOL!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

DONNACFIT 12/19/2010 8:25PM

Your recipe sounds just like my late mom's shortbread recipe except for the vanilla. |She always shaped them into a square log, then made them look like bread shape and slice and bake :) Merry Christmas!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRYINGHARD1948 12/19/2010 5:11PM

, love how Charlie stole the show, and the shortbread. Report Inappropriate Comment

LUNADRAGON 12/19/2010 4:50PM

Thank you for the recipe! It may come in handy! I remember my sister-in-law's dog decided to eat the salt dough ornaments I had made - after I had painted them yet! Amazing what some pooches will munch! Report Inappropriate Comment

WALKINGANNIE 12/19/2010 4:01PM

Gotta love Charlie! The shortbead seems to be everyone's favourite. The recipe sounds yummy. Love the, "Calories/fat/carbs??? We don't wanna know. " Well it is Christmas! Report Inappropriate Comment

FRACTALMYTH 12/19/2010 3:33PM

ROFL Cheeky Charlie! Yay you for making Shortbread - they sound YUMMY! Report Inappropriate Comment

ETAGGEL 12/19/2010 2:36PM

As I am from Scotland, I am addicted to shortbread, The true butter shortbread! Every New Year it is one of the favorite goodies. I cannot eat just one piece so unfortunately, I have to leave it alone! Report Inappropriate Comment

JHADZHIA 12/19/2010 1:25PM

I don't cook anything except potatoes, but this sounds really neat. I do love shortbread on the occasions I have seen some available -usually at bridge tourneys when they trot out the home made cookies, fortunately I don't go to them anymore.. They are one long snack fest LOL. Enjoy your holiday spirit! I actually decorated a tree for the first time sincee I was a kid lol. Report Inappropriate Comment

LORTHOM2001 12/19/2010 12:36PM

cool post...thx. Report Inappropriate Comment