It’s that time of year again when many of us make new year's resolutions only to break them a couple of weeks later. I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes us reach our goals. I have a lot I want to accomplish this year, but honestly— I don’t believe in resolutions anymore. Those feelings of disappointment and guilt when you don’t reach a goal can be paralyzing and overwhelming. Rather than making a resolution, I’m setting a “focus” for my year instead.
Read moreJansson's Temptation
I can’t forget to give you the recipe to one of your favorite dishes on the holiday Smörgåsbord - Jansson’s Temptation, or as we say in Sweden ,Janssons Frestelse.
Read moreThe Swedish smörgåsbord and julbord dishes
Here is everything you need for the Swedish Christmas celebration and the smörgåsbord, or Julbord, as we call it. The Swedish Julbord (Christmas table) is a spread of many delicious meals that we enjoy on Christmas Eve and every day thereafter for as long as we have leftovers.
Read moreHow to make human connections
One thing you have to learn in both college and in your first job is how to make human connections. Why? Well, first off all it would be pretty boring and lonely if you didn’t connect with your co-workers. Feeling connected to the people around you and at your job provides an increased feeling of belonging, purpose, happiness, self-worth and confidence, and that is critical for our wellbeing.
Read moreSwedish Meatballs
Here is a great recipe for Swedish Meatballs. The same recipe our family has used for generations. The best there is!
Read moreSeaweed avocado salad
Here is the recipe for dad's seaweed salad. A must have. I’m not sure you remember, but this recipe was inspired by a dish in our favorite sushi restaurant.
Read moreCandied pecans
Here is the recipe for the Candid Pecans we always make for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Read moreSwedish holiday craft
As promised, I did a little holiday craft for some zen this weekend. I love doing the same crafts with my kids that I did with my grandmother as a child in Sweden. Keeping the traditions going. These are paper basket we used to fill with candy in my grandparents Christmas tree...
Read moreStopping to breath is also an important task on the To-Do-List
Being a person who thrives on cranking out work and crossing off every task on the to-do-list, I have a difficult time taking a break now and then. It’s too much fun to keep on going! But I’ve learned the hard way when it’s time for me to take a break.
Read moreIt's so quiet
I miss you like crazy. It’s been over a month since we dropped you off at college and it’s feels like months. And this is after having visited you almost every weekend…
Read moreSwedish waffles recipe
Swedish waffles! So good for breakfast or dinner. In Sweden you would never eat waffles for breakfast, but we are not in Sweden now, are we? Don’t forget to have some strawberry preserves and whipped cream at home. You don’t put maple syrup on Swedish waffles.
Read moreWhat is your why?
A “Why” statement is a sentence that describes your unique impact and contribution in life. Why do you the things you do, and what do you want to contribute with your actions? My Why statement is”I want to show my appreciation for the life I’ve been given by helping as many people as possible, including my family.”
Read moreDrop off zones for the trolls
The whole point of this blog is to share with you all my learnings I have so far in life, so it is only natural that I should include my best parenting tips here too.
Read moreHowever bad the news seems there is always something good in there
I’ve had many challenges in my life as you know. I lost grandma six years ago. Due to Visa applications challenges, II was separated from your dad for an entire year after we got married. I've had ongoing challenges in my career where I’ve had to work extra hard as a woman and immigrant, I’m dealing with different health issues etc. There have been many times when I’ve been close to giving up, and wanted to throw in the towel. But I didn’t. Why? Because I truly believe that there is a reason for everything that happens to us.
Read moreSwedish Mys
Dear Daughter,
You have grown up with Swedish Mys in our home, but I just realized that I’ve never explained the concept to you. I also just realized that it’s challenging to explain the concept. Mys is a feeling. I’m going to do my best to describe and document it here, so that you can practice it and know how to implement the same lifestyle at college and in your future home.
Read morePivot your negative thoughts to positive ones
One thing that I’ve noticed is that you (and me sometimes, I have to admit) sometimes spend too much time worrying about what other people are doing, saying and thinking of us. The only one you should be focused on is you.
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