The 3-Step “Peace of Mind” Checklist
Instead of worrying about upside-down glasses and spiking your blood pressure, let’s use a few minutes to do the things that actually protect your home and your peace of mind. Lowering your travel anxiety is the best thing you can do for your heart and your circulation!
1. The 30-Second Water Run
Right before you walk out the door, turn on every sink, shower, and bathtub in the house for about 30 seconds. This guarantees that every single P-trap in your house is filled to the brim with fresh water, creating a perfect, impenetrable seal against sewer gases and bugs.
2. Turn Off the Main Water Valve
This is the ultimate old-fashioned wisdom! If a hose bursts or a toilet runs while you’re gone, it can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Find your main water shut-off valve (usually in the basement, garage, or near the water heater) and turn it off. It takes ten seconds and saves you from a massive headache.
3. The Peppermint “Pest Shield”
If you are worried about bugs or mice while you’re gone, don’t use plastic bags on your drains. Instead, soak a few cotton balls in peppermint essential oil and tuck them under your sinks and near your exterior doors. Mice and insects absolutely despise the smell, and it keeps your home smelling fresh when you return!
The “Welcome Home” 3-Ingredient Avocado, Feta & Mint Whip
There is nothing quite like the feeling of walking back into your own home after a trip. The house is safe, the air is fresh, and the plumbing is working perfectly! But traveling can be exhausting, and the last thing you want to do is cook a massive meal.
Since I am always looking for ways to support my circulation and keep my blood vessels relaxed after the stress of travel, I always have the ingredients ready for my 3-Ingredient Avocado, Feta & Mint Whip.
It takes exactly five minutes, requires zero cooking, and is packed with the heart-healthy fats and antioxidants my body craves. And because my children absolutely do not share my love for avocados, I get to enjoy the whole bowl myself!
Ingredients You’ll Need
1 large, ripe avocado: The star of the show! The monounsaturated fats are fantastic for relaxing blood vessels and supporting healthy circulation.
½ cup crumbled feta cheese: Adds a bright, tangy, salty punch that makes it taste like a gourmet restaurant dip.
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice & 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves: The acid brightens the flavor, keeps the avocado beautifully green, and the mint is incredibly soothing for digestion after travel. (Plus, mint is packed with antioxidants that I love for cancer prevention and cellular defense!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. The “Rough” Mash:
Scoop the avocado into a medium bowl. Add the crumbled feta and fresh mint leaves. Using a fork, gently mash them together. Crucial tip: Leave it chunky! You want the creamy avocado to contrast with the salty bites of feta.
2. Season and Rest:
Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with a little black pepper (the feta is salty enough, so skip the added salt!). Fold it gently. Let it sit for 2 minutes so the flavors meld.
3. Serve with “Vessels”:
Since I love setting up interactive food bars, I turn this into a quick “Welcome Home Topping Station.” I set the bowl on the counter and surround it with crisp cucumber rounds, toasted pita chips, and sturdy crackers.
Because this dish is so rich, creamy, and bright, it pairs absolutely beautifully with a crisp, chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity of the wine cuts right through the richness of the avocado and feta, making it feel like a celebratory “I’m home!” dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
