Tags: Published On: Monday, November 29th, 2021 Comments: 15
Hi guys,
How are you?
I was up all night last night, worrying, planning, thinking…
I woke up from a strange dream, thought I heard an ad about hearing aids on Ben’s phone, complained that he snored too loud, then never fell back asleep.
My mind went to the contractor I had to text, and to the email I had not answered (I will email you, Abbey, if you are reading this). Then, it was obviously time to fear Ben’s age, and prepare a plan of action for me and Catherine if burglars were to break into our house in the middle of the night: where was the pepper spray? Did we have a safe way to the attic? Also, why wasn’t the last blurb to my book coming? Why haven’t I been verified and can’t reach 10,000 followers on Instagram? Did I have Catherine’s lunchbox ready? What would she have for snack? I had forgotten the teriyaki seaweed she loved…
These were just a few of the thoughts that crossed my mind between 2:30 and 6:00am, when I did manage to doze off, for half an hour.
“What am I going to talk about in the newsletter?” I kept asking myself in between the idea for a menu and the anxiety for a photoshoot I am doing on Wednesday.
But there was one theme that kept circling back: the ease with which negative thoughts and lack mentality come to me, compared to gratitude and abundance, or trust.
I always consider the things I am grateful for to be somewhat trivial, not deserving of mention because so obvious. But what’s so obvious about having a roof over your head, these days?
So for this newsletter, especially because we have entered a season that can easily make us feel lacking, rather than bountiful, I decided to tell you a few things I am grateful for, without even mentioning what, on the other hand, I miss, I want, what I aim to, what I wish I had instead, what I think I deserve.
We have entered a time in which most of what we see on the screen is something “we must have”, something that will make us feel better, from the slipper to the plush robe, the earrings and the new throw, a new set of plates, the purse or that fisherman sweater that, apparently, we can’t live without and that we can dress up or down and will want in every color.
But what if, on Cyber Monday of all days, we make a list of all that we have?
I am grateful for:
– a beautiful house
– trusted friends
– my very imperfect marriage, a loving husband, and a healthy, smart, beautiful daughter who is turning 4 in two weeks
– my parents and my brother are healthy
– I have financial blessing, and the ability to work on my dreams and my passion; I can pay for the publicity of my book, for example
– I am healthy
– healthy food at every meal
– I haven’t thrown up or starved myself for a long time now
– I am clean and sober and I have not cut myself in years
– I don’t miss cigarettes any more
– I have an amazing publisher who believes in my book
– my nerve pain has improved since changing my workout
– after “the Italian accident” my hair is healthy again
– a wonderful facialist who I trust blindly
– Catherine goes to an amazing pre-school
– I have a contractor I can trust, finally
– my therapist, and how much progress I am making in getting to know myself becoming a woman
– you who are reading this, you who have been following my journey on instagram since it started, almost 3 years ago
– Elis returned for a few hours one evening
I could go on and on.
Maybe, you can share with me a few things you are grateful for? I would love to know more about what gets you up in the morning. We know all too well the things that tempt us not to, and it’s about time we focus on those that do.
Love you guys,
Happy Holidays, whichever one you celebrate or dig.
Subscribe to my newsletter for new episodes, recipes, and updates, straight to your inbox.
*By signing up, you agree to this website's Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy
I love your phrase “we have entered a season that can easily make us feel lacking, rather than bountiful”, Alice, it so perfectly describes what I secretly hate about a time of year I so look forward to — focusing on gifts we feel obligated to shop for and give, the gadgets and gift sets that would complete us if only we splurged and treated ourselves … to hours of shopping and spending money. So much better to revel in and enjoy what we have (sometimes the things we bought last year we never used!)
I am thankful that I was able to retire at a relatively young age (57) after working for 39 years and am able to travel. I’m blessed that I’m healthy enough to ride horses (my passion). What get’s me up in the morning is not wanting to waste the day and the fact that I don’t want to waste my health laying around doing nothing like my mother did. I’m thankful my mother is finally getting the care she needs in a safe place (nursing facility). I’m thankful I have raised (mostly as a single mother) 3 brilliant, healthy, successful children (not patting myself on the back – just realizing how blessed I was that I didn’t have “problem” children. I learned 6 yrs. ago to truly be thankful and not dwell on the bad, after almost losing my best friend to Influenza, pneumonia & sepsis. She lost her fingers and most of both feet and her life is forever changed. I swore right then to quit complaining about my life.
Dear Alice,
The Christmas season is rather different when your children are parents of their own. I’m grateful to see life thru my grandchildren’s eyes.
I hope you are satisfied with your successes. More than that I hope your sadness is overcome thru counseling. I know mine was. 🙂
I’m 64. I was 50 before the real me emerged and the process was painful but worth it.
You are a beautiful soul.
Love 💘
I too struggle with anxiety, sleep, and a healthy relationship with food. These things are very personal so I appreciate you being so open about it. I am grateful for:
My two beautiful and talented children
My good friend David (platonic) who just ” gets me.”
Having amazing parents even though sadly they are deceased, they taught me the value of love and acceptance.
My therapist who keeps me grounded even when I truly feel I can’t deal with everything.
Music: my love for music is my main therapy. I like all types of music for the most part but I am not a musician myself however I am grateful for my son who is one. I love learning about music history and about specific musicians or groups. Listening to music gets me through the day or gets me through the hardest times or the happiest times. I grew up listening to everything from Ella Fitzgerald to The Beatles but my favorite radio station right now is Tom Petty radio. I’m also enjoying Norah Jones Christmas album that just came out it’s lovely and also Echo in the canyon soundtrack by Jakob Dylan.
Oh my goodness I wrote a long comment that disappeared for now I’ll say I love reading this and following your Instagram thank you for being you!
I love you, Alice. Your honesty is so genuine. It was a good day when I found your cooking show.
I love you, Alice. Your honesty is so genuine. It was a good day when I found your cooking show.
Nice holiday letter! I dig your writing it’s really down to earth and relatable. And you talk about my home state of California at times, which I really miss! Thank you, and Happy Holidays to your Familia! Xoxoxo Tess
Thanks Alice ❤️
Thanks Alice. Hope this works.
Oh Alice. I have only been receiving your monthly essays since the end of the summer but they provoke so many thoughts and run around my head for days. It seems so fitting that you write about sleeplessness and worry this month (although I worry 12 months a year) because it is December, the darkest month in North America. It is also the month in which the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah occurs, sometimes nicknamed “The Festival of Lights”. It’s not a major holiday and not in the least religious but celebrated by lighting candles for 8 days. One is supposed to display the blazing menorah (candelabra) in the window for all to see. I have always thought of it as a gesture both of affirmation and defiance (“We have a holiday, too!” and “We are still here!”) but as an adult I realize we are meant, at this dark time of year and in these dark times to bring light to those around us ). For that reason, I always light 2 menorahs…we can all use the light. All the best and happy Hanukkah! Laura
First of all, I (and I think all) can relate to those thoughts that run thru your head when we’re laying (lying?) in bed and cannot fall (back) asleep. I have had almost every single thought you shared here in that same circumstance! And I’ll admit, I’m the culprit when it comes to snoring (God bless my poor wife).
Second, you’re 100% right that we need to appreciate the little (and big) things that are good and right in our lives. It is so easy to lose sight, with everyone busy busy busy, coming and going every day. thats life isn’t it??? So thank you for that reminder today- and every time we see you on social media. I can’t believe you do not have “the blue check” on Instagram and 1,000,000+ followers! not that it is important in life, but we all know you will get those followers, and the “blue check” and your next cookbook will be a ginormous success and MORE!
Break a leg at the photo shoot, and as always, thank you for filling the universe (and the internet) with positive vibes.
stwtk421 on Instagram 🙂
P.S. – those lentil meatballs seriously looked REALLY good, even if they did have a ton of shrooms in them! LOL!
I am grateful for stumbling across your live over a year ago Alice.
Thank you for all you do! I became a vegetarian almost 7 years ago after a major health scare- I’m 51 with a 7 and 4 year old and want to be here for them!
One suggestion for book- I do for my marinara sauce is use dried Sicilian oregano-which I get at a local Italian market!
Also substitute almond or oat milk for cow milk on some baked goods
My grandparents were all from Italy and one grandmom from Latvia- so I grew up with so much great food!
Can’t wait for the book!
Thank you!
One more thing to add for eating healthy-
In 2010 the year I got married- I had a stroke- recovered-had my son- 5 years later had a tumor in my small intestines – 2?years after that had my daughter-
Bringing us to now I am a healthy vegetarian and soda free for almost 7 years now!
Enjoying life and your cooking demos!
Can’t wait for book!
Rich Gallo
Richthe freak on Instagram- my old DJ name!