Habits are usually associated with being bad because it’s the bad ones that we are always thinking about and trying to break. But instead of breaking habits this new year I think we should be making them. It is said that it takes 28 days to make or break a habit, so if you do something consistently for 28 days you have made it and it will be 2^nd nature to you!

One habit that is worthy of making is saving energy. When you save energy you not only help keeping the earth healthy you also save money! It is a win winJ Here are a couple ways you can begin saving energy in your home.

1. Turn off the lights- this sounds so simple but it is one of the most common ways that people waste energy. If you aren’t in a room it doesn’t have to be lit. Turn lights on and off as you go in and out of them. If you use only what you need you will be amazed how much your electricity bill will drop.

1. Run the dishwasher only when full- this is the same with laundry. You don’t need to be running and using so much energy for only one pair of pants or 3 cups. It is a huge waste to run these machines when they are not entirely full!

1. Short showers- running water costs money and wastes energy. Try cutting back on the obvious like with showers but also with the little things like brushing your teeth. The water doesn’t need to be running the entire time, turn it off and on as you need it, just like with lights!

Good luck and I promise these simple things will make a huge difference in your home and our earth:)

Photo from: news.dn

Holidays are the most fun because of traditions and spending time with the people you love. Every holiday has unique traditions in and of themselves but as do the families celebrating them. Being in such a huge family it is pretty difficult for us to stick to traditions because we are rarely ever all together anymore. This Christmas was just like any other from my childhood though.

Christmas at the Jacobs’ home usually entails waking up close to 6:00am, ripping open our presents, and watching movies together all day long. A quiche is normally baking and at least 2 of the 7 siblings have a fight. What is a family reunion without the inevitable drama? Regardless of our silly tantrums, we look forward to the precious time we are able to spend together.

Christmas is Christian holiday that is celebrated on the 25th of December. It the day that Jesus Christ was born and people from all over the world come together annually to remember this event. It is also recognized as a civil holiday and is happily celebrated by non-christians and people from all walks of life.

One of the most common symbols and traditions of Christmas is the Christmas tree. Families will cut down or buy a pine tree a couple weeks before December 25th and decorate it with ornaments and lights. On the night of Christmas Eve, a jolly loving man called Santa Clause will leave presents for the children under the tree to be opened on Christmas morning.

No matter what your traditions are for the holidays we can all agree that they bring joy and allow us to look around at what we are thankful for. That is an extraordinary thing. Happy Holidays:)

Holidays are packed with traditions, whether it is seeing your Great Aunt Jane or making your favorite meal you always do that one thing that puts you into the holiday mood. Well, most Americans are the same way! Thanksgiving calls for a turkey at every table but what are the other common foods that come around this time of year? Each holiday has there own traditional foods that correspond with them! There are few things in life better than good traditional food during the holidays:)

Hanukkah:

Potato Latkes- “are hallow-fried pancakes of grated or ground potato, flour and egg, often flavored with grated onion orgarlic and seasoning.”

Sufganiyah- “is a ball-shaped doughnut that is first deep-fried, then pierced and injected with jelly or custard, and then topped with powdered sugar. It is usually eaten warm.”

Kugel-“is a baked Ashkenazi Jewish pudding or casserole, similar to a pie, most commonly made from egg noodles (Lokshen kugel) or potatoes, though at times made of zucchini, apples, spinach, broccoli, cranberry, orsweet potato. It is usually served as a side dish on Shabbat and Yom Tov.”

Hanukkah Information from: Wikipedia.com

Christmas

Christmas Cookies- “are traditionally sugar biscuits and cookies (though other flavors may be used based on family traditions and individual preferences) cut into various shapes related to Christmas.”

Egg Nog – “is a sweetened dairy-based beverage traditionally made with milk and/or cream, sugar, and whipped eggs (which gives it a frothy texture). Brandy, rum, whiskey, bourbon, vodka, or a combination of liquors are often added. The finished serving is often garnished with a sprinkling of ground cinnamon or nutmeg.”

Christmas Turkey- similar to Thanksgiving, a lot of families in the U.S. have a Christmas dinner that is centered around a roasted turkey. They stuff it and have almost identical sides as a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Christmas Infomation from: wikipedia.com

Kwanzaa

Peanut Soup- “Many parts of Africa incorporate peanut soup into their diets, and many celebrants eat this nut soup during Kwanzaa. These soups can be fancy or simple, and people usually eat them with rice or another side dish.”

Roasted Chicken- “Roasted chicken is a traditional southern food, popularly known as the “gospel bird” because people often ate it for Sunday dinner. Add a mango glaze to this dish, and it will remind the Kwanzaa participants not only of southern African-American culture but also of Caribbean-African culture. ”
Kwanzaa Information from: ehow.com

With all of these fun holidays happening, it is so cool that we are able to all have different and delicious meals!

Photo from : Lifecompassblog.com