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Celebrate Christmas in Focus 
with a Healthy & Happy Holiday Season

Discussion Questions

  1. Focus and Perspective:

    Millie’s photography becomes both her passion and her way of understanding herself. How does “seeing clearly” evolve for her throughout the story—both behind the lens and in her personal life?

  2. Truth and Secrets:

    Much of the novel revolves around what’s hidden—between families, within the town, and inside Millie herself. How does the act of uncovering truth change the characters and their relationships?

  3. The Vintage Camera:

    The camera is more than an artifact—it’s a symbol. What do you think it represents at different points in the story?

  4. Love and Legacy:

    Both timelines explore love constrained by history. What parallels did you notice between the forbidden romance of the past and Millie and Luke’s present-day connection?

  5. Small-Town Dynamics:

    The Vermont setting feels like a character in itself. How does the town’s history shape the choices of those who live there now?

  6. Forgiveness and Healing:

    Christmas in Focus explores the idea that healing often requires revisiting pain. Which moment felt like a turning point for Millie or Luke in finding that peace?

  7. Identity and Independence:

    Millie begins the story trying to prove herself. Do you think she ultimately succeeds—and if so, how?

  8. Final Reflection:

    The story ends with both clarity and questions about what comes next. What do you think “focus” means for Millie by the end of the novel?

Nourish & Nurture

Author Lindsay Gibson

Because comfort food and gentle reflection

heal in their own way.

Maple Sugar Snowflake Shortbread

Pairs perfectly with a mug of cinnamon hot cocoa or maple chai latte. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • ½ cup pure maple sugar (or light brown sugar)

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F 

  2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

  3. Add vanilla, then flour and salt; mix until dough forms.

  4. Roll out and cut into snowflake shapes.

  5. Bake for 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

  6. Dust with powdered sugar—or drizzle a maple glaze for extra Vermont flair.

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Focus. Fuel. Flourish

Mindful bites and small habits to keep your focus clear this season.

​

🫐 1. Fuel for Focus

When your mind feels scattered, feed your brain like you would your creativity.

  • Pair protein + fiber + healthy fat in every meal (like Greek yogurt with berries and nuts, or apple slices with almond butter).
    This combo stabilizes blood sugar — and your mood — helping your thoughts stay as steady as your lens. 

☕️ 2. The Caffeine Reset

Coffee is lovely… until it blurs your focus instead of sharpening it.
Try alternating your morning coffee with green tea or matcha, which contains L-theanine — a natural compound that improves concentration and calm energy without the crash.
(Bonus: it fits right into your cozy winter aesthetic.) 

🥬 3. Color for Clarity

Aim for a “spectrum plate.” The same pigments that make fruits and veggies bright — like anthocyanins, carotenoids, and polyphenols — protect your neurons from stress.
Think: roasted carrots, blueberries, spinach, or even a festive winter salad with pomegranate seeds.

🧠 4. Omega-3 for Memory

Just like a well-tuned camera needs balance, so does your brain.
Include sources of omega-3s (like salmon, chia seeds, or walnuts) several times a week to support focus, memory, and emotional resilience — perfect during busy creative seasons. 

💦 5. Hydration = Clarity

Even mild dehydration can cause brain fog.
Keep a glass of water beside your workspace and flavor it with citrus or cucumber slices for a sensory cue that feels as fresh as Vermont air. 

🍫 6. Sweet Focus Fix

Instead of reaching for heavy holiday sweets, go for dark chocolate (70%+) — rich in magnesium and flavonoids that boost blood flow to the brain.
A few squares mid-afternoon can do wonders for both mood and focus. 

🌿 7. Eat With Intention

Mindful eating is a focus practice.
Before your next meal, take a deep breath, put down your phone, and actually notice the color, scent, and warmth of your food.
It’s a mini reset that brings your mind — and body — back into the present moment. 

📷 8. The “Focus Plate” Mini Formula

If you want one simple takeaway:
Protein + Produce + Purpose.
Each meal should include something that fuels you, something that grounds you, and something that inspires you — even if it’s just a quiet moment of gratitude before the first bite.

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