Arizona Dream Lifestyle - December 2020

Lifestyle ARIZONA DREAM

DECEMBER 2020

Train Your Brain

Knitty Gritty

The Craft Making a Comeback

Jackson Hole Wyoming

Cookies N’ Cream Fudge GoodNes

TRAVEL TIME Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The New KNITTING H

ave you noticed the growing popularity of knitted goods? It seems like you can find a knit accessory wherever you look, from college kids on campus to home design shows to your social media feed. Businesses saw a huge spike in yarn and wool sales as people spent more time indoors this year, and it seems that knitting has become a winning pastime spanning age groups and genders.

Nestled among the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Jackson Hole is a stunning valley perfect for outdoor adventure. There are activities for all age ranges, including dog sledding and sleigh rides through scenic winter landscapes. A major destination for winter sports, visitors flock to the famous slopes for snowboarding and skiing.

Winter months are the ideal time for snowshoeing and wildlife viewing in this pristine town.

Source: JacksonHoleTraveler.com

Like most trends, knitting can thank social media for helping it reach an expansive audience. Celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Sarah Jessica Parker use their online platform to share their love for knitting, and major fashion designers such as Sonia Rykiel have showcased high fashion knit pieces at events like Paris Fashion Week. Giving the style new life and a new medium to be seen has helped subvert the idea that knitting is synonymous with stuffiness, and the trend has found a niche market with younger generations of both men and women.

It may have been stardom and style that inspired a new wave of knitting enthusiasts, but the hobby has additional benefits that give it staying power.

Knitting, crocheting and similar crafts require focus and patience while also utilizing repetition, creating an almost meditative state when working. Unlike other fidget fixes that simply offer distraction, knitting produces tangible results that provide a sense of accomplishment.

While knitting certainly works as a solo activity, it’s also a wonderful hobby to share. Newcomers to the crafting world can learn a lot from the devoted followers who have been hip to knitting all along. It’s an opportunity for people to bridge the age gap and connect on something that’s classic, practical and wholesome. Because it eases tension, it may help bring down barriers and make it easier to talk about other topics.

If you’re looking to get into the knitting scene, experts suggest starting with chunky wool, big needles and simple, small projects.

Many crafting stores and businesses sell kits that come with all the basic materials necessary to get started. Websites such as YouTube offer tutorial videos, but you can also follow knitting blogs and online groups that will share tips, lend support and give you design inspiration. If you prefer a nondigital option, there are a plethora of books and magazines that provide step-by-step instructions.

LIFEWISE

requires continued time and effort. Our brains do better with shorter study sessions over continued periods of time versus fewer study sessions that last longer. Once you’ve taken in new information, wait a day or so before reviewing. Making this a habit lets your brain know the information is important to retain long term.

SWITCH IT UP – If you’re learning something that requires memorization, change the way you practice. Shuffle your flash cards or flip them over so you’re recalling information differently.

If you’re learning a motor skill, try it with a few variations. This keeps your brain from getting complacent and can help you master new things more precisely. Plus, it’s more fun than rigid repetition!

W

hether it’s for fun or necessity, there is always something new to challenge our minds and test our capabilities, and when we master it: ultimate satisfaction. If you’re excited to expand your knowledge but feeling a little overwhelmed with where to start, explore these five mind hacks to learn a skill, concept or even a foreign language faster.

WRITE IT OUT – It may be more tedious than typing but writing notes by hand helps you comprehend information on a deeper level. If you’re listening to a lecture, writing notes promotes active listening and helps you identify important concepts as you process material and rewrite it in your own words. Write out study materials, rewrite vocab lists or recap essential elements of your lesson.

BITE-SIZE STUDY SESSIONS – Block out time for focused study, aiming for 30 minutes to an hour. This is adequate time to process new information without hitting a wall of mental fatigue. Once you’ve put in your time, give yourself a break! Take at least 10 minutes to let your mind rest before starting another session. You can even take a nap to allow your subconscious to absorb what you’ve been learning before moving forward.

MENTAL COMMITMENT – While there are ways to boost your brain power, it’s important to be realistic about learning something new. Lasting knowledge and mastery of anything

SHOW-AND-TELL – Share what you’re learning with friends and family. Explaining a concept or performing a demonstration allows you to test your knowledge by recalling information accurately, explaining it in detail and offering clarification where needed. Not only do you get extra practice, but you get to process the information differently; rather than learning as a student, you’re teaching it to someone else. Don’t worry if you stumble a little – this just means you’ve identified areas you need to spend more time on.

Try to approach learning with confidence. Nerves and doubts can hinder anyone, but these simple tips can help you level up. Think of all the progress you’ll have made by this time next year!

FLAVORFUL

Cookies N’ Cream Fudge INGREDIENTS ½ cup

Crumbled Oreos

2 tbs

Butter or margarine

½ cup

Finely crushed Oreos

2/3 cup

Evaporated Milk (5 oz)

2 cups

Miniature marshmallows

1 ½ cup

Granulated sugar

2 cups

White Morsels

1 tsp

Vanilla Extract

DIRECTIONS Combine sugar, evaporated milk and butter in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, still stirring, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Stir in morsels, marshmallows, crushed cookies and vanilla extract. Pour mixture into foil-lined 8- or 9-inch-square baking pan. Sprinkle crumbled cookies on top. Gently swirl cookies into fudge using a knife without touching bottom of pan.

GoodNes.com

Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Some people look for a beautiful place.

Others make a place

beautiful.

HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN

Lori Anna Harrison 602.524.5674 Info@AZDreamLifestyle.com License #SA648800000

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