5 Minute Magic

 

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I don't know about you guys- but I have not had the best of days today. The January blaghs have rendered me into being a mindless zombie that craves carbs and communicates in grunts and shuffles. I have all too recently learned that this is, unfortunately, pretty normal. Both Sarah Von and Gala Darling have helped save countless lives (a slight exaggeration?), with their wonderful words of wisdom.

As it so happens, it is also Thursday- and what I have tried to make a habit of doing is to make a list every Thursday of the things that have made me happy in the past week. All the little bits and pebbles of gratitude in one place! Somehow, it just helps to put me in a much better mood mentally, that the I actually forget why I was ever mopey in the first place! (Well, at least temporarily!)

I've taken to calling these lists Sure Happy It's Thursday Lists. Or, S.H.I.T lists for short. (And also to satisfy my inner snark!)

What I recommend this week is taking five minutes to sit down and compile a list of your own. It doesn't matter how silly or trite something is, so long as it makes you happy just to think about it! It's hard to get started, I'll admit. But once you do, I promise it'll be hard to stop! At the very minimum, try coming up with at least ten things that get you going.

Here's my list for starters!

<3 Good friends & Family.

<3 I job that I actually enjoy!

<3 And having people that I actually enjoy working with! (Drama Llamas not included!)

<3 My really swanky apartment

<3 Learning to cook more healthy things

<3 Belly dancing every Thursday night! (Hip shimmies just thinking about it!)

<3 Shag dancing on Tuesday. (Went for the first time by myself and had a blast!)

<3 Geeks that make life worth living- you know who you are!

<3 The promise of impending apocolyptic snowstorms! (A predicted 19in snowfall by Saturday! *bounces*)

<3 Random happy dances around the apartment!

<3 Grocery shopping with Mah Mama!

<3 Geeking out with my Pops

See? Not a bad way to end the week! So, what are you grateful for me lovelies? ;)

5 Minute Magic

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Hello friends & Fiends! Welcome to the 3rd installation of "5 Minute Magic"!
(The first two may be found here & here!)



This week is all about getting your laugh on.


We've all heard how "laughter is the best medicine", and have felt the effects of a good chuckle hopefully more than once in our lives. Multiple studies have shown the positive effects that laughing has on our body. Affecting our hearts, blood flow, cortisol and endorphin levels, immune systems, and blood sugar! Proof? Try looking here, here, here, & here!


Now while I would recommend spending more than five minutes with a friend or three, cracking jokes and weaving tales, sometimes all we have time for is a quick pick-me-up to get us to the end of the workday.  Often while on my lunch break, I'll plunk myself down in front of my computer and pull up a never-fails comedic clip on ye olde youtube. My personal faves are: Robin Williams, Top Gear, Tim Minchin, anything from Monty Python, and Louis C.K. (for the more raunchy comedic moments!).


Here are some of my favorites!:

Because the Boys from Top Gear are nothing short of awesomesauce.

Christopher Walken meets Pokerface? I dare you to try to keep a straight face!

And of course... how can one go wrong with "Who's Line is it Anyway?" :)

So me Dears, what makes you giggle with sheer delight? :D

5 Minute Magic

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(Note*: Part two of a series, the first part may be found here.)

Let's face it, there's nothing that says fun magical happiness like jumping on the bed. We've all known a toddler or two that has mastered the art of bed-hopping.

These days, we seem to be more concerned, and even consumed, by thoughts of progress that doing anything else seems childish and immature that we wouldn't be caught dead being foot loose and fancy free on our freshly made mattresses.

Well enough of that!

This week's 5-Minute Magic is all about reconnecting with your inner child, (wouldn't our therapists be proud?). For at least five minutes, feel free- you have my expressed permission- to let inhibitions take a hike. To forget about being progressive and productive. To be unafraid to look silly in front of the mirror, (or your lover-the more the merrier!), and jump to your heart's content! Bonus points will be awarded for the use of props such as pillows and for blaring 80's dance music.

So what'dya waiting for? Hop to it! ;)

5 Minute Magic

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Dear Ladies & Gentle Nouns,


I've decided to kick off a short series of articles I've dubbed, "5 Minute Magic". Each article chop full of things that can enhance, thrill, encourage, and otherwise magicate, (Is that even a word? It is now!), our lives.


And what better way to start off then five minutes of sweet indulgence? For those of us who are in the throws of Winter, (20 degrees = heatwave), nothing is more awesome than a piping cup of hot chocolate.


Now, I'm all about just dumping a packet of chocolate dust into a cup of boiling water and calling it a day. However, I went trolling about the internet and found a delightful little recipe that I think is a shoe-in for being classified as "Magical".

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons instant hot chocolate mix
• 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch chili powder
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup boiling water

Directions

1. In a large mug, mix the hot chocolate mix, chocolate syrup, cinnamon, and chili powder. Pour in the milk. Add the boiling water and stir.

Recipe courtesy of: allrecipes.com

The Best thing about this recipe? It makes 2 servings. After all, magic is only Magic when it's shared. ;)