The Good Life Report - Happy December! Tips For Mastering This Holiday Season
"The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer."
- Ken Kesey
Green Goddess Sandwich
*2 sandwiches
Ingredients:
For the Dressing
- ¼ cup finely chopped chives
- ¼ cup mayo
- ¼ cup tarragon
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 lemon, halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Sandwich
- ½ head butter lettuce
- ¼ of a cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 4 slices whole grain bread
- 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 2 cups of fresh alfalfa sprouts
Directions:
- Combine the chives, mayo, tarragon, Greek yogurt, juice and zest from half the lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper to a blender and puree until smooth.
- Squeeze the juice from the other half of the lemon over the lettuce and cucumbers in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Smash the avocado slices between two slices of bread, season with salt and pepper, and arrange the lettuce and cucumber. Top with the mozzarella and sprouts.
- Spread the Green Goddess dressing on the bread and serve! Adjust the amount of dressing preferred depending on preference.
Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit[1]
Stay Safe While Shopping
- Make sure the site you are shopping from is secure. You can tell by looking for "https" in the URL. If there isn't an "s", be weary of providing your credit card information. You can also look for a lock icon in the URL bar.
- Make sure you are using a secure internet connection. Avoid shopping online if you're using unprotected WiFi, including WiFi networks at the library, work, the mall, or other public places.
- Look out for phishing emails, which are emails that come from spam accounts pretending to be from a legitimate business.
- Use unique passwords for each of your accounts and make sure your passwords are strong (at least 12 characters, contain upper and lowercase letters, contain numbers, and contain special characters). Don't use any personal information in your password, such as your name or family's names.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional. Tip adapted from IRS[2]
Do You Still Need Your 3-Iron?
The 3-iron is known for its low loft, but it's also known as one of the hardest clubs to master. In today's game, more and more golf clubs have entered the market to try to eliminate the need for these low-lofted irons. So this begs the question: do you still need your 3-iron?
The answer depends on your game and preferences, so it might depend. But more golf pros are recommending choosing a hybrid, driving iron, or fairway wood because they are easier to hit and can provide supreme distance and accuracy. These alternatives make it possible to leave your 3-iron at home if you want! Enjoy improved distance and trajectory with today's modern clubs.
Tip adapted from Daily Birdie[3]
Give a Homemade Gift This Holiday Season
With all the buzz surrounding online shopping, it may seem like Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are the only option for holiday gifts. But, if you want to avoid the crazes at the mall and online and want to give a unique, meaningful gift, look no further than a homemade craft.
Even if you aren't particularly crafty, some of these options are easy to make and will be a special gift for a loved one:
- Homemade candles
- Embroidered gift card holders (a perfect personal touch for a gift card)
- Bath bombs
- Arm-knitted blanket
- Clay ring holder using oven-baked clay (no kiln required!)
Tip adapted from The Spruce Crafts[4]
Eco-Friendly Shopping Tips
If you're starting your holiday shopping already, you might be wondering how you can make your shopping trips a little greener. Here are some eco-friendly shopping tips!
- When possible, shop secondhand. Some people might view secondhand gifts as taboo, but they're just as thoughtful, if not more so, than new items because they are unique in their own way.
- Shop local and shop small. Small businesses that are conscious of their environmental footprint are helping to do their part to create a more sustainable shopping landscape.
- When shopping for clothes, look for items that are made from sustainable materials, such as cotton. Polyester is made from plastic and is non-biodegradable.
- If you're going out shopping, consolidate your trips so you don't have to waste gas going to multiple stores.
- Bring your own shopping bags to limit the use of paper and plastic bags.
