November Holidays, Fun Events, and Customs

November is a month packed full of holidays, enjoyable activities, and interesting traditions and customs. This post features those events, fun facts, and happenings that appeal to me. See how many resonate with you.

Post Updated 10/27/2025

November is a unique month, in that it has two birthstones, topaz and citrine. These gemstones are admired for their colors and stunning beauty.

 

Topaz is usually made into jewelry that's yellow to amber color. However, it can be found in a variety of shades such as blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and brown. 

Blue happens to be one of the most popular topaz colors, and many times, the desired shade is achieved by heat-treating colorless topaz.

The ancient Greeks believed that topaz could make a wearer invisible. A symbol of honor and strength, topaz was also believed to bring calm, longevity, and wisdom.

 

yellow and blue topaz

Citrine on the other hand, ranges from a transparent pale yellow to a bold brownish variety of quartz. 

yellow/0range/ to brown citrine

Citrine has been a popular gemstone since ancient times and has shared a history of mistaken identities with the other November birthstone, topaz. 

One result is people thought citrine had the same powers as topaz. They believed both birthstones could soothe tempers and calm the wearer.

Now on to those things I'd like to

 Highlight during November

November 1. World Vegan Day is a holiday that was created to raise awareness of the vegan lifestyle and its benefits for people, living creatures, and the planet.

It marks the beginning of World Vegan Month, a 30-day celebration of the vegan movement. It’s a luscious month for me, because World Vegan Month falls within the prime growing season for many fall veggies and fruits. Winter squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, leeks, broccoli, cranberries, and pears and apples are perfect additions to a vegan meal or feast.

To reap optimal health benefits, eat vegan food that is whole food plant-based (WFPB) and includes a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables alongside plant-based proteins. 

steamed greens, black-eyed peas, and grilled carrots

Be mindful about your prep and cooking methods and understand not all vegan foods are equal.

In-season organic produce is vibrant and loaded with antioxidants and nutrients. To get details see "Benefits of Eating In-Season Fruit and Veggies." 

November 2. 🕑 Daylight savings time ends in many states of our nation. The practice of moving clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall to make better use of daylight hours has always struck me as quirky. 

Daylight Savings Time (DST) was formally adopted during World War I as a way to conserve energy. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 made DST a legal requirement in the United States.

DST is observed in most of the United States, but not in Hawaii, Arizona, or the U.S. territories. State governments can request to change their time zone, but the Department of Transportation (DOT) must approve the change.

DST is also known as "spring forward, fall back" because of the timing of the clock changes. In the United States, clocks are moved forward one hour at 2 AM on the second Sunday in March, and back one hour at 2 AM on the first Sunday in November.

Hopefully you are registered to vote, but may feel apathetic. Just remember EVERY vote matters.

November 11 . Veterans Day is a national holiday that falls on November 11^th each year. Veterans Day is set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime.

 

November 13. World Kindness Day is celebrated around the world on November 13^th. It was first introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement.

 

World Kindness Day gives us an opportunity to devote time and attention to the good deeds we do, notice kindness in the community, and remind us to share a common thread of kindness with others and ourselves all year long.

 #worldkindnessday

November 5. November’s Full Beaver Moon occurs on wednesday, November 5. Read the Farmer's Almanac page about the November Moon for more information.

November 27. Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving is a U.S. national holiday. 

How do you celebrate? My family and friends enjoy gathering round the dinner table, sharing food and conversation, and giving thanks and expressing gratitude for our lives, health, community and nation, friendships, love, and prosperity.

November is the last month of fall in the Northern Hemisphere. With me, it's a month primarily focused on celebrating my freedom, both in my country and myself. I don't take it lightly, and feel thankful for my blessings.  

No matter which holidays or special events you take part in, enjoy what you do (it's good for your health and sense of well-being). 

Please comment below to share about your favorite days in November and how you honor them.

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If you like what you see, please share on social media.Thanks for visiting and please come back again.

Wishing family, friends, and readers of Colors 4 Health a happy healthy November.

Sending special November wishes for love, peace, health, and abundance to you, your loved ones, and for our planet.

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Exciting Desert Spring Flowers for Wordless Wednesday

I'm so excited, because whatever shape, size, color, or variety I see, desert plants near Tucson, AZ come alive with gorgeous blooms in the springtime. 

Many desert plants have thorns or spines to shade them, regulate plant temperature, store water, and protect them from hungry animals. 

See information about plant and animal colors in relation to survival at Unique Ways Colors are Key to Survival.

Orange Flowers Adorn an Ocotillo in the Sonoran Desert

This Gopher Plant blooms in the spring, with greenish yellow flowers

Golden Yellow is a cheery color of Many Desert Spring Flowering Plants

Hope you enjoyed seeing my photo essay. 

Did it pique your interest to learn more about the desert or inspire you to visit my neck of the woods?

Have you visited the U.S. southwest before and are tempted to visit again?

What color flower is your favorite?

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Wishing you a beautiful spring and

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16 One Minute Health Boosters

 

Do you want to boost health, but lack motivation? Perhaps you feel off-kilter, and want to regain balance and enthusiasm for daily living. 

Post Updated 2/12/2023

Try out these 16 one minute health boosters to see how little time, money, and effort it takes to enhance self-care, feel happier, and increase your sense of well-being.

 

1.  Drink a tall one, an 8 oz. glass of water several times during the day. This will keep you hydrated, helps digestion and elimination, and makes you feel dewy fresh.

 

2.  Eat a half cup of beans several times during the week. Beans are an excellent low cost, fat free source of protein and fiber. Beans including pintos, black beans, kidney beans, and navy beans rev up energy and help maintain regularity.

 

3.   Set daily goals for exercise. It takes less than a minute to connect with YouTube. Reserve time for a video workout by selecting a yoga, aerobic exercise, or circuit training video. Exercise pays off by reducing stress, helps keep you fit, and elevates mood.

 

4.  Practice one of these methods that helps you breathe deeply from Web MD. Deep breathing curbs anxiety and tension and sends nourishing oxygen to all parts of your body.

 

5.    Snack on a serving (1/2 cup) of fresh sweet peas for a healthy treat. This green veggie has more vitamin C than 2 large apples and more protein than a tablespoon of peanut butter.

 

6.    Splash your face with cool water to revive yourself. Nix drinking an alcoholic beverage to numb pain or as a pick me up.  

7.  Take a 20 second break to disengage from electronic devices and screens by standing up. Move 20 feet away from equipment, desk, or work area. Use another 20 seconds to blink, sigh, or yawn. Down time conserves eyesight and prevents body aches and pain.

 

8.    Focus on composing and reciting a meaningful affirmation. When you say positive statements aloud it helps shift thinking, creates "feel good vibes," and inspires you to make progress in creating  positive energy and health with affirmations.

 

9.    Say “no” when you need to. Bowing out of tasks you really don't want or need to do, helps you keep check on your energy and resources. Setting this boundary allows you to meet your own needs first, and use extra time to help those you can. 

 

10.    Surround yourself with colors you love in home and office, and take in the health boosting effects of color energy. Read Color Ideas to Cultivate Happiness for additional color tips.

 

11.   Work or play outdoors early in the day to soak up Vitamin D from sunlight. Before you step outside,  apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen, one that contains non-nano zinc-oxide (SPF 30 or above). Prevent sun damage, and reduce chances of getting skin cancer by wearing UV protected sunglasses too. 

 

12.  Shed shoes at your front door. Then, see how much easier it is to keep floors clean and reduce environmental pollutants you track into your home.

13.  Hug a family member or friend to get those good feelings flowing. Kiss your significant other, and praise your kids to spread the love and encourage each other. 💗

14. Laugh often. Even a broad smile can reduce stress and prevents “dis-ease.” See Budget Friendly Activities to Inspire Joy for additional self-care tips.

15. Stretch by reaching up to the sky, and bend over with soft knees to reach for your toes. Next, stand tall and roll your shoulders back, up, forward, and down. Stretching relieves sore muscles, reduces tension, and relaxes shoulders, neck, and body.

 

16. Create a mental or written gratitude list. Give thanks for blessings and observe how fast your outlook improves.

These one minute health boosters have worked really well for me, and can help you.

Have my ideas motivated you to amp up self-care? There’s nothing like the present to start. 

Add a few at a time into your wellness routine. Before you know it, you’ll feel better, look better, and smile a lot more. 

Please share which health boosters you use. Put details in the comments section below. 

Are there other self-care practices that are part of your routine, but not mentioned? Please let me know.

Which health booster are you reluctant to try? Share about that too. 

This post is intended for entertainment and information purposes only. If you seek medical advice, consult with your health care provider.

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