Open Dialogue Streets

Chinese New Year is here! And it is the best time of the year to celebrate the Year of the Snake! There are a lot of ways you can celebrate Chinese New Year. First off, it's still Chinese New Year because they last 16 days beginning of when the calendar starts, in this case, its January 29th. It's a long time, in fact, the longest ever in the year. I'll share four fun facts and links if you want to learn more about Chinese New Year. 1. Google Arts and Culture reports that '1/5 of the world's population celebrates this every year'. Which means that's 5% of the world. They celebrate in mostly Asian countries such as, China (of course), Vietnam ( Tết), Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and other Asian Countries.  It's also celebrated in other countries, Australia, United Kingdom, USA, and here in Canada. Where most of the Asian resides in these countries.  2. We give out Red Envelopes with new money  inside to relatives and loved ones. Traditionally, the red env...

Citrus Fruits are amazing fruits to eat, especially on a cold winter like this.  I love eating citrus fruits. They feel refreshing to your soul and adds so much energy to the day. Grapefruits are one of my favorites, I incorporate by eating it (when it becomes on sale), and use it if I need a boost of energy and focus.  Lemons are amazing when it comes to putting it in dishes. I use it to put it in Nuoc Nam (a type of Fish Sauce from Vietnam, used in many common dishes such as; Spring Rolls, Bun Xeo; a type of pancake with mung beans, Bun Cha; vermicelli with meat patties, etc.) or squeezing in with hot water in the morning to boost my immune system. Citrus fruits are packed with lots of antioxidants and vitamin C. It's a great way to refresh your home, by adding it to natural cleansers for dirty tables, for instance, or a great natural repellent for certain pests and bugs (because of how sour the smell is and the strong scent deters them from coming in).  I love having C...

Digital Detox is a great way to rewire your brain and to focus on what needs to get accomplished. It's also another great goal to set on your resolutions for life.  What I love about digital detoxing is that people put stories out there that you can't control. Scrolling through your phone to no end until happiness comes in short bursts, and your back on that loop again.  These days, a lot of people are trying to 'digital detox' because they decided that enough was enough. It doesn't all mean that social media, or usage of your phone is a bad idea, but sometimes, you can't take it anymore.  I met a server (who was so nice to us) and I asked them to check out this blog. They told me that they were in the middle of doing a digital detox as this person has been on their phones for a long time. What I did was write down my blog address to them and check it out on a later date.  There's a lot of pressure from social media, and it shows. Researchers have saw the ex...

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Image link:  https://www.horizonviewhealth.com/seasonal-affective-disorder/ How is everyone doing this year? We are in a brand-new year full of exciting opportunities and new memories. Usually around this time, I get into my head game and focus after a Holiday period where it was relaxing for some. For me, it's only taking Christmas Day and New Years Day, along with occasional weekends.  I got a feeling that after the post-holiday mood, with bills starting to creep up from spending gifts to loved ones, buying decorations for the house, food and drinks (especially the Champagne for New Years) for the parties we throw, and the Christmas mood (i.e. Last Christmas by Wham or Home Alone) no longer played in stores, radios or TV. Most people would feel very depressed.  It feels like nothing happens during the January period. It's a hallowed month with cold, bleak weather like snow creeping up people's driveways, walking looking like an abominab...