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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, December 13, 2013 | 12 `Tis the season of Stressmas (formerly Christmas) e feel it in the air, we hear it in the music and we see it in the red and green all around us. Yes, the holiday season is officially upon us. This is the season where we should feel jolly. Instead, we often find ourselves feeling panicked, anxiety ridden and exhausted from overeating and overspending. In spite of this ­­ I will admit it if you will -- I still look forward to the insanity every year. There is a magic that comes with the madness. It is the season to believe and hope for renewal. If it has been a year we wish to forget, we can stomp on it and toss it out. If we have had the good fortune of living a good year it is the time to remember it with joy. Nevertheless, the season is here, we can't stop it, so let's find new way to enjoy it. Simplifying our lives If the season leaves you feeling spent physically as well as financially, can suggest doing things differently this year by simplifying our lives? As time goes by, we need the holidays more and more. As we get busier and more global, it is the one time of year when we are given permission to stop, and be together with the people we care about. That is a very beautiful thing. However, there are a few negative factors that have led many to declare the season to Pre-K to Grade 12 Reading Writing W be named nothing other than Stressmas. My Nonna used to say, "If you are going to join the band they will make you march." It is a saying I believe holds much relevance in the craziness of the holiday season. Is that what we are doing, marching automatically to the tune of spend, spend, spend? That doesn't have to be the case. When you think about it, the customs and traditions associated with the holidays are not the most important part of them. It is the act of spending time with all of the people we love and showing our gratitude towards each other that makes Christmas so special. A simple holiday brunch If you are one of the people who want to take part in simplifying your life this season, how about a delicious holiday brunch? This could really freshen things up. It involves getting together at a time of day when we are not tired and guests can get home at a decent hour. Math French SAT/ACT Prep Julia's Breakfast Strata. | submitted photo I have a suggestion for a great meal for your brunch that consists of a mimosa, salad, strata and a yogurt parfait. The entire meal can be found on www. healthyfam.ca/recipes-2. The best part of this brunch is that you can prepare everything the day before and quickly put it together before your guests ar- rive. This delicous meal can be prepared easily by anyone, even the most novice of cooks. In fact, it is a meal that has been prepared by the children in the Kids Culinary Community through Healthyfam and can be seen in a video online at www.healthyfam.ca/prosee Make on p.14 Better grades begin at School doesn't always have to be a struggle. In fact, some kids love it--and not just because of friends or good grades. They love it because they're willing to try, and because they feel confident in their ability to learn. All kids can love school. It just takes Oxford Learning to show them how. Oxford Learning Better confidence. Better motivation. Better grades. Enroll Today! Christmas Wonders & Beyond For many, Christmas is filled with joy, extravagant gifts and food a plenty. Yet, for most of our clients who live below the poverty line, the season looms as a time of real despair and hopelessness. Where will the next meal come from and how will even the simplest of gifts be afforded to children? At Kerr Street Ministries you can help us come alongside some of our neediest neighbours to make this a real season of hope, joy and love. oxfordlearning.com Oakville South 511 Maple Grove Drive, Suite 2 For more information or to forward a tax deductible donation contact us today @ Oakville North East 380 Dundas St East Oakville North 1131 Nottinghill Gate 905-849-4027 oakvillesouth @oxfordlearning.com 905-616-9444 oakvillene @oxfordlearning.com 905-469-1929 Kerr Street Ministries, 485 Kerr Street, Oakville ON L6K 3C6 905-845-7485 ext. 208 oakville @oxfordlearning.com www.kerrstreet.com Help for the Present ~ Hope for the Future