Thanksgiving kicks off weeks of eating, shopping, parties, and family gatherings. Most people feel a mix of joy and anxiety right before and during the holidays. Statistics show that up to 69 percent of people are stressed by lack of time, 69 percent are stressed by a lack of money, and 51 percent are stressed out about the pressure to give or get gifts. A British study examined people’s stress levels and other behavior during the holiday season. For anyone feeling less than on top of things, the turning point from mild to severe stress comes on December 18 and peaks on Christmas Day. According... Read More

Humans are social beings. There are hundreds of scientific studies that prove this to be true.  I believe that that our desire for social acceptance along with a desire to be loved, are the core intrinsic motivators for most of our behavior.  I love socializing which is one of the reasons I enjoy the holiday season so much.  At a holiday party this weekend I met a woman who told me about a study that was done at the University of Kansas to determine how long it takes for friendships to develop. The article states: “In a new report published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships,... Read More

The Holiday 2020 season is upon us. We’ve made it through Thanksgiving, and, having given adequate thanks for the families that we alternately want to hug and garrotte, we now await the horrors of Hanukwanzmas. Yes, the agony of coerced celebration is well upon us. Perhaps for those who have great jobs, loving partners, beautiful children, and supportive parents, the holidays are wonderful times of joyful celebration. For the rest of us, I offer this account of the internal life of a holiday celebrant. It documents Thanksgiving, but the principles can be applied to any upcoming holiday. 07:05am... Read More

The holiday season is here and there are plenty of great gift choices for the active cannabis consumer! In fact, there are so many options to choose from, we’ve compiled a short list of some of the best cannabis products and accessories for the active cannabis consumer in your life. All of these have been tested and hand-picked by cannabis athletes to ensure the best possible gifts for those who enjoy cannabis and being active. Every item below can also be purchased online, and legally shipped anywhere in the US! Stigma Activewear Stigma is on a mission to shatter the lazy stoner stereotype... Read More

As the New Year quickly approaches, so does the opportunity to reflect on the previous year and make resolutions for yourself in 2018! Setting and engaging in your goals for improvement throughout the year can have significant impacts on your personal growth and happiness. If you’re a cannabis enthusiast, or new to the plant, there are many resolutions you can make to get you excited for change! Education Whether you’re new to cannabis, or are interested in learning more about the plant’s benefits, there are several ways to educate yourself and others. If you want to consume more, less,... Read More

With the holidays quickly approaching, I’m sure there are still those who have gifts to buy.  Giving the gift of hemp this holiday season is sure to excite any Cannabis lover and any environmentally or health conscious person!  If you’re already a hemp supporter like me, asking for gifts made from hemp could promote conversations for those that may not be aware of the many items made from the plant! If you’re already finished with your holiday shopping and would still like to include hemp for the season, you could make a food dish that introduces hemp for your next holiday get together!... Read More

Coffee is a deliciously warm and energizing gift to give to your loved ones this holiday season. It’s also a great way to help you get through the often stressful work weeks and sometimes hectic festivities during December. Whether you’re rewarding yourself or giving coffee to others, there are many caffeine-related present options. There’s the classic gift card or a bag of beans from a local roaster (if you’re a lazy shopper like me), as well as snazzy brewing devices and handy travel mugs (if you’re feeling a bit more thoughtful). You can also purchase a coffee gift... Read More

This time of year tends to breed reflection. Sometimes it takes the form of thinking about the meaning of holidays, friendship, and family. Sometimes it’s less specific, as if the season is a point against which measurements of the past, present, and future are made. And all of this, of course, comes with a backdrop of work shuffling and travel schedules, jumbles together in a rush of logistics. Then, inevitably, there’s a shift. Maybe it’s seeing someone you haven’t for too long. Maybe a loved one waits to share news until you’re face to face. Arguments come about over mashed potatoes;... Read More

It seems that for many of us, the holidays just go better with alcohol. Whether you’ll be celebrating with loved ones, stressing out over the end of year frenzy, or relaxing on your own, it’s likely that you’ll be drinking this holiday season. This Winter, try adding a little kick of coffee to your seasonal booziness! These two locally brewed coffee-alcohol infusions are sure to be good companions for your holiday fun or blues:       Hiatus Novo cold-brewed coffee is combined with oatmeal ale to create Hiatus—a malty beer from Denver’s own Renegade Brewing Company. Enjoy... Read More

Last week’s coffee-centered gift guide will hopefully come in handy while you do your holiday shopping. But if you’re looking for more affordable gifts, I recommend buying something that every coffee lover really wants: coffee beans! A bag of beans from a third wave or local roaster is an excellent and relatively inexpensive gift—it makes for a great stocking stuffer too. Give the gift of delicious coffee this Winter and support roasters who strive to do right by their coffee farmers/suppliers. Here’s my list of this season’s best coffee to gift:   Boxcar Coffee – the Kenya Gatomboya... Read More

You don’t need a reason to celebrate with coffee but the holiday season is a great time to give the gift of coffee. Whether you’re shopping for the backpacker or the urban dweller in your life, my coffee gift guide has got you covered.   Camper’s Coffee Gift Guide: Stumptown’s Voyager Brew Kit is the perfect present for the coffee enthusiast who is also an outdoor adventurer. While pricey, it does come with a ton of supplies—a manual grinder, coffee dripper, mug, and a bag of Stumptown’s Hair Bender blend are all included in this excellent kit.   AeroPress Coffee Maker is... Read More

As you’re getting ready for Turkey day, preparations for Christmas are already in full swing. It seems like everyone starts getting ready earlier and earlier each year. But can you blame them, Christmas and all the festivities it brings are a lot of fun! So here’s a couple of events coming up in Boulder County to get you in the Christmas spirit. Boulder –Switch on the Holidays, November 23, Sunday 5pm, Downtown Boulder Join Santa and the City of Boulder for a free holiday music performance and the lighting of the Boulder County Courthouse –Winter Sidewalk Sale, Friday... Read More