| Health Storey Notes | Soups |

The Surprising Benefits of Eating Soup—Anytime, Any Meal!

Soup is often thought of as a comforting meal during colder months, but did you know it can be a nutritious, delicious, and versatile option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Whether you’re aiming for a light, easy-on-the-digestive-system meal or looking to stay full and satisfied, soup fits the bill perfectly.

Why Choose Soup?

1. Gentle on Your Digestion
Soup is easy to digest, making it a great meal choice if you want to give your digestive system a bit of a rest. A cup of creamy mushroom soup, for example, with mild flavor and a few croutons, can be filling without overwhelming your stomach.

2. Hunger Control
Soup helps keep hunger at bay, with many people feeling fuller for up to four hours after eating a serving. This makes it an excellent option to prevent overeating between meals.

3. Budget-Friendly and Nutritious
Soup is inexpensive to make and can be packed with nutritious ingredients. For instance, a vegetable soup can be made with simple, affordable items like chicken bullion, celery, onions, mushrooms, and bok choy. Here’s a glance at approximate costs:

  • Chicken bullion: $0.10 per cube
  • Celery: $0.50 per stalk
  • Onions: $0.30 each
  • Mushrooms: $1.00 per cup
  • Bok Choy: $1.20 per bunch

These ingredients combined will create several servings of soup, costing roughly $0.75 to $1.00 per cup per person, depending on portion size and ingredient prices. If you do a Soup detox for the month, your grocery bill will be for one person $30.00 for soup and around $30 for breakfast coffee, milk and eggs. Your protein in the soup may be in the mushrooms if you purchase shiitake or oyster or portobello.

How Long Does Soup Last?

Properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, most homemade soups last up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze soup for longer storage—up to 2-3 months—making it easy to prepare meals ahead of time.


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Top 10 Goals People Set in the New Year |Pick One|

  • 1. Lose weight
  • 2. Increase physical activity during the week
  • 3. Eat more fruits and vegetables
  • 4. Drink more water
  • 5. Cut down on sugar intake

Don’t elminate sugar from your diet, your brain needs glucose which is sugar.
  • 6. Improve sleep quality
  • 7. Practice mindfulness or meditation regularly
  • 8. Reduce stress levels
  • 9. Strengthen relationships and social connections
  • 10. Quit smoking or using tobacco product

Advent Day 21 | Finish One Goal before 2026

Eleven Days to Crush a 2025 Goal: How to Finish One Big Thing Before the Year Ends

As 2025 rolls in, many of us come armed with lists of goals, aspirations, and dreams we hope to realize by year’s end. But what if you find yourself with just eleven days left to accomplish a significant goal you set earlier this year? It might sound daunting, but it’s absolutely possible with the right mindset and strategy.

That’s why today, we’re diving into how to make those final eleven days count. Plus, we’re sharing the top 10 goals people often modify to fit into a short, focused sprint — perfect to finish strong before the calendar flips to 2026.


Why Eleven Days Matter

Eleven days might seem like a race against time, but it’s also a powerful opportunity. It forces clarity, sharp focus, and decisive action. Rather than letting your goals fade into the “someday” drawer, this compressed timeline encourages you to break down what’s truly essential and minimize distractions.


Top 10 Goals People Modify for an Eleven-Day Finish

  1. Declutter and Organize Your Space
    Instead of overhauling your entire home or office, focus on one room or area. Eleven days is perfect for a methodical yet manageable tidying sprint.
  2. Start a Daily Habit
    Whether it’s meditation, journaling, or exercise, committing to just eleven days can kickstart a habit you’ll carry into the new year.
  3. Complete a Mini Creative Project
    Write a short story, finish a painting, or complete a photography series. Small creative bursts can provide big wins.
  4. Read a Book or Complete a Reading Challenge
    Pick a book that inspires or educates you and commit to finishing it within the eleven days.
  5. Health Boost: Nutrition or Fitness Challenge
    Try an eleven-day clean-eating plan or a focused workout regimen to jump-start better health habits.
  6. Repair or Build a Relationship
    Use this time to reconnect with a friend or family member through calls, letters, or meet-ups — small, meaningful actions matter.
  7. Financial Check-Up
    Review budgets, renegotiate bills, or set up a savings plan. Eleven days is enough to prepare a healthier financial foundation.
  8. Skill Burst
    Take an online course or tutorial designed to teach a specific skill in a condensed timeframe.
  9. Volunteer or Give Back Locally
    Eleven days volunteering or helping out in your community can make a significant impact both for others and yourself.
  10. Plan Your Next Year
    Use this time to reflect on 2025 goals, adjust your path, and set a clear, actionable plan for 2026.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Eleven Days

  • Prioritize ruthlessly: Narrow your focus to one clear goal or outcome.
  • Break it down: Divide your goal into daily mini-tasks or milestones.
  • Eliminate distractions: Create a workspace and schedule favorable to productivity.
  • Track Progress: Use a journal, app, or checklist to celebrate small wins.
  • Stay accountable: Share your goal with a friend or join a group with similar aims.
  • Be flexible: Adjust your approach if needed but keep the end goal in sight.

Final Thought

Eleven days may seem tight, but it’s more than enough time to create meaningful momentum. Whether your goal is big or small, personal or professional, finishing strong will set a powerful tone for the year ahead. Pick your one goal, commit to the next eleven days, and watch how much progress you can make.


What goal will you crush before the year ends?

Advent Day 20 | DIY Art | Free Artwork on Christmas Day

DIY Holiday Joy: Create Free Artwork as a Thoughtful Christmas Present

The holiday season is all about giving, but gifts don’t always have to come with a price tag. This year, why not spread joy and festive cheer by creating free artwork to gift as a Christmas present? It’s a creative, heartfelt way to connect with others, brighten someone’s day, and celebrate the spirit of giving without spending a dime.

What is Free Art Friday?

Inspired by the global movement known as Free Art Friday, where artists leave small pieces of art in public places for strangers to find, you can embrace this idea during the holidays. The concept is simple: create art, then leave it somewhere for someone to discover — no strings attached. It’s a wonderful way to share beauty and kindness in your community.

How to Make Your Own Free Artwork Gift

1. Choose Your Medium
You don’t need to be a professional artist. Your artwork can be anything from a colorful drawing, a hand-painted card, a decorated postcard, or even a festive collage made from recycled materials. Use supplies you already have at home – markers, crayons, paints, or digital art printed on paper.

2. Add a Personal Touch
Include a warm message, a holiday greeting, or an inspiring quote on your artwork. It adds meaning and makes the gift truly special.

3. Prepare Your Artwork for Giving
To protect your art, especially if it will be left outside, consider placing it inside a clear plastic sleeve or a simple homemade envelope. You want the art to stay safe until it’s found or received.

4. How to Gift Your Artwork

  • Free Art Friday Style: Leave your artwork somewhere public for anyone to find — on a park bench, a library table, or a community bulletin board. It’s a surprise gift that anyone might stumble upon.
  • For a More Personal Touch: If you want to ensure someone specific receives your gift, place the artwork inside a neighbor’s mailbox or slip it under their door with a note saying, “Free Art for the Holiday! From your Neighbor”

In a world where commercialism can often overshadow the holiday spirit, gifting free artwork is a refreshing reminder that kindness, creativity, and thoughtfulness are the greatest presents of all. It is also a beautiful way to build community connection, share smiles, and spread light during the festive season.


Bonus Tips for Your Free Art Christmas Present:

  • Include a hashtag like #FreeArtFriday or #HolidayArtGift to encourage others to join in spreading kindness.
  • Encourage recipients to “pay it forward” by creating their own free art gifts.

This holiday, let your creativity shine and surprise someone with a gift from the heart — a free piece of art. It’s simple, meaningful, and sure to make the season brighter for both you and your community. Ready to create and give? The joy of free art is just a brushstroke away!

Get Ready for the New Year: The Power of a Friday-Start Weekend Cleaning Routine

As the New Year approaches, many of us are thinking about fresh starts, new goals, and healthier habits. But before diving into resolutions and detox plans, there’s a simple yet powerful mini goal you can set right now: establishing a weekend cleaning schedule that begins on Friday. This small step can make your transition into the New Year smoother, clearer, and more energized. Here’s why starting your weekend cleaning on Friday is the perfect preparation for starting January with a fresh mindset.

Why Focus on a Friday-Start Cleaning Routine?

When you think about getting ready for the New Year, it’s often about mental resets and goal setting. But what if your environment could help amplify that? Cleaning your space not only declutters your home but also clears mental space, reducing stress and setting the tone for a calm, focused new beginning.

Goal: Start on Fridays

Instead of waiting for January 1st to overhaul your life, try committing to a manageable two weekend goal: dedicate time each Friday, Saturday and Sunday to cleaning and organizing your home. This two week goal is achievable, begins a positive habit for the weekends and gives you a head start on entering the New Year organized and practicing a healthy weekend habit.

Benefits Tailored for New Year Preparation

  1. Clear Out the Old, Welcome the New
    Begin your New Year by cleaning and clearing your environment. Toss out clutter, expired food, and unnecessary items. This act of decluttering supports the symbolic shedding of old habits and creates space for new intentions.
  2. Reduce Procrastination and Overwhelm
    Start on Friday and break down the idea of “cleaning everything before the New Year” into manageable chunks. This way, you avoid last-minute New Year’s chaos and can greet 2026 with confidence and calm.
  3. Set Up a Detox-Friendly Environment
    A weekend that starts with cleaning ensures your home supports any health and detox goals you plan to take on in the New Year.
  4. Boost Mental Clarity and Motivation
    Entering January 2026 with a tidy home helps clear mental clutter. A serene space enhances focus, motivation, and wellbeing — all crucial for sticking to New Year’s health resolutions.

How to Implement Your Cleaning Goal:

  • Schedule It: Block a specific times on your Friday, Saturday and Sundays to cleaning.
  • Start on Friday: Set a timer and clean each day for that amount of time. If you need a detailed list, you can find one on FlyLady.
  • Use Natural Cleaners: Opt for products that clean and smell good.
  • Celebrate Progress: Each day that you complete your cleaning tasks, take a moment and celebrate.

Final Thought

A New Year’s recharge doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By setting the goal of cleaning on the weekends starting on Friday, you’re laying the groundwork for a healthier, more organized, and motivated year ahead.

Start this Friday. Welcome the New Year with clarity and calm. Your future self will thank you. Ready to begin? Clean, clear, and celebrate!