The science of the soulmate

Have you ever come across a person in your life who just instantly got you? Someone who you have that instant click with, don't have to hide anything from and who you can be instantly yourself with? 

Another soul who understands what you feel and think without you having to explain it, who seems to read your mind. Finishes your sentences, always seems to be on the same page. It's like you have a connection with them that goes far beyond any regular relationship. As if your souls are so in tune, you are one the same wavelength. 

Your soulmate. 

Pumpkin Pancakes

A fall family favorite

Tis the season... For pumpkin spice flavored everything! The first day of fall was upon us last week so not only did I kick it off by decorating the house with fall worthy decor. I also decided to share one of my favorite fall staples with you to welcome the season in appropriate fashion! 

Five stages of Loss

First written down by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book "On Death and Dying" these five stages were solely focused on the processing of grief after a death. 

Speaking as someone who has gone through losing a loved one, I have passed through every single one of these stages. I know what they all feel like. 

Over the course of years though I've come to realize that it's not just after the death of a loved one that we humans process loss. I've also seen (and personally experienced) these feelings in other types of loss. For example a loss can also occur with a personal terminal illness, the end of a slowly disintegrating friendship, an ended relationship, estrangement in relationships, getting fired, loss of money, the death of a pet or animal, and some might even argue waking up on a work day! 

Broccoli Soup

A skinnier Panera copycat recipe.

I don't know if you've ever tried it, but I love Panera's Broccoli Cheddar soup. Introduced to me by my sister in law, it's become one of my favorite comfort foods to indulge on when I don't feel like making lunch myself. Or when I am out shopping somewhere and I'm starved for something and there just so happens to be a Panera near by.

Mourning death vs. Celebrating life

People all over the world process loss differently. Every culture all over the world has a different way to approach death and its aftermath. 

In some cultures there is a designated mourning time. Like in Hinduist, Islamic, Catholic and Jewish traditions. Elsewhere in the world people have traditions that center around celebrating life. Consider a fairly new development in South Africa: an 'after tears party' which is held after the funeral, when friends and family get together to drink, joke, focus on comforting each other and remembering the deceased with fondness. A similar tradition is found in Irish culture. 

I do not think that the way mourning happens in the Netherlands, where I am from, is necessarily based on a religion or specific tradition. It is just something that is rooted in the attitude of the Dutch and in my family also based on mere practicality. But recently someone I care about made me question the way loss is approached.