​The Eyes of Darkness is a thriller novel by American writer Dean Koontz, released in 1981. The book focuses on a mother who sets out on a quest to find out if her son truly did die one year ago, or if he is still alive.

If you join Fitbit, the default goal we set for each member is the magical number of 10,000 steps a day (you can also choose to customize your goal). And while this may not be the first time you’ve heard that goal, it might be more meaningful, and motivating, to understand its origins.

The Japanese first started using the 10,000 steps a day number, as part of a marketing campaign (!) to help sell pedometers. Since that initial campaign however, medical experts around the world have agreed that 10,000 is a healthy number for which to aim.

10,000 steps a day is a rough equivalent to the Surgeon General’s recommendation to accumulate 30 minutes of activity most days of the week. It should be enough to reduce your risk for disease and help you lead a longer, healthier life. The benefits are many: lower BMI, reduced waist size, increased energy, and less risk for Type II diabetes and heart disease. In fact, a study of the 10,000 steps a day method conducted in 2010 reported conclusive health benefits.

10,000 steps daily is approximately 5 miles. Unless you have a very active lifestyle or profession, you probably don’t reach 10,000 steps on a given day without putting some effort into your activity. This could be a lifestyle change such as walking to work, or the addition of an exercise routine to your day.

Another reason to do it? For most people, it’s convenient, free and simple to reach with just a little change to your daily routine. Working towards a 10,000 step a day goal? Good for you! 

​Under-appreciated and overburdened moms Amy, Kiki and Carla rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas. As if creating the perfect holiday for their families isn't hard enough, they'll have to do it while hosting and entertaining their own respective mothers when they come to visit.

​A whirlwind Christmas romance builds as cynical Dash and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations around New York City.

​A widow and her children move to her estranged aunt's farm in Texas after the sudden death of her husband, and begin to fall in love with country life.

​Adam and Marklin's 5-year relationship has gone from a passionate flame to a simmer, forcing them to reconcile with each other's shortcomings while their friends endlessly search for love in New York City.

​After one too many drinks, two parents come up with an elaborate plan to hide their ever increasing financial difficulties from their daughter and judgmental social circle.

​An ageing California pig farmer whose property is on the brink of foreclosure makes a last-ditch trip across the border to sell his prized hog.

​Mary (Sara Lazzaro), Joseph (Vincent Walsh) and 7-year-old Jesus (Adam Greaves-Neal) embark on a journey from Egypt to Nazareth after the young boy miraculously brings someone back to life. When King Herod (Jonathan Bailey) orders the death of the child, Roman centurion Severus (Sean Bean) starts to pursue the family across the desert. As Mary and Joseph worry about his safety, Jesus' natural curiosity allows him to understand more about the world and his remarkable powers.

​Tami Oldham and Richard Sharp couldn't anticipate that they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope of rescue, Tami must now find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved.

​A teenage escapee (Vanessa Hudgens) provides a critical break in the case, as an Alaskan detective (Nicolas Cage) hunts a serial killer who has been preying on women for 13 years.

Well for those of you unfamiliar with this one, chicken and sweet corn soup is basically egg drop soup made with extra chicken, and corn.  And when made with my favorite broth, which is seasoned lightly with ginger, garlic and sesame oil, this simple soup is incredibly flavorful and delicious.  And when thickened with those beautiful egg ribbons and loaded up with classic chicken soup ingredients?  Well, I’m convinced that this soup is about as comforting as it gets.

6 cups good-quality chicken stock 
1 chicken breast
2 large tomatoes
2 tab. sesame oil
1 tab. soy sauce
1/2 sesame oil
3 tab. Sherry or Chinese cooking wine
1/4 tsp. pepper
​1/2 tsp. salt 
3/4 cup green peas 
1 tsp. cornstarch
1  egg white, beaten

Mince or grind the chicken and mix it with the salt and cornflour.  Whisk the egg until lightly frothy, then add ground chicken mixture and combine well.  

Plunge the tomatoes into boiling water for 30 seconds, then refresh in cold water.  Peel away the skins, remove the seeds and chop the flesh into small dices.  

Bring water to a boil and add in the sesame oil, wine, soy sauce, tomatoes, peas, seasonings, and stir to combine.  Then drop use two teaspoons to make chicken nugget balls and drop in. Taste the soup, and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Last year I took the plunge and downloaded the Headspace app.  Does it work?  I can say an outstanding, "Yes!"  Originally, I paid for the promotional yearly rate after trying the app for several weeks free.  

It only took a few weeks to attain better, more thorough nightly sleep, calmed jittery nerves, and a more focused daily outlook on life.  In fact, it worked so well that I gladly paid the usual yearly fee when it was up.  I just couldn't be without it!  My daily sessions after coming home from work were gladly anticipated and rigidly fit into my schedule so that I can maintain that balance.  

The history of meditation is deep, stretching back to before the beginning of the Current Era. Without going too far into the weeds, it's important to understand the difference between meditation as part of Hindu and Buddhist traditions on the one hand and secular mindfulness meditation on the other.

Headspace doesn't purport to offer enlightenment or to explain the concept of Samsara — the endless cycle of suffering, death and rebirth that is at the center of those Indian religions. Instead, the app aims to teach "the essentials of living a healthier, happier life." 

Though the principle of the practice is very similar — watching your breath — the underpinnings of each are drastically different. Headspace is based in modern science, while Buddhist and Hindu meditation is based on the writings and teachings of various spiritual leaders.

In many ways, Headspace feels like Buddhism-lite. It's got all the flavor of spiritual meditation with none of the religious underpinnings. That's not a huge surprise, as one of the app's founders is an ordained Buddhist monk. His goal with the app is to bring meditation to people who might not have tried it otherwise.

Headspace boasts, "Any time, any place, anywhere. On your mobile and tablet, you can listen to Headspace on the go and download sessions to use offline. On your computer, you can play any session, any time."