We’ve made it halfway through winter. Is it just me or has this been a really rough one so far? Weather wise, especially. That said, I certainly wouldn’t trade for those winters I spent in Boston, where two feet of snow was just, “Rock and roll, deal with it.” I would say that Boston is probably how I became a whiskey-drinker, but honestly, college was mostly about seeing what was out there and learning my limits. Like, if I could go back in time, I would seriously edit that mojito summer and undo that brief phase where I drank straight gin. And all that dive bar white wine and white zin…I’m getting a headache just thinking about it.
Anyway.
It’s so funny to me how certain areas of your life can be going really well but then you have these huge challenges in other areas. Like, there are some things going on right now that I’m really excited about and wish I could shout from the freaking rooftops, but then there’s other stuff (mostly way beyond my control) that also has me scratching my head saying, “Are you f***ing kidding me? Seriously, Universe?” The bitter and sour certainly makes the sweetness in the lemonade stand out, though. I have a newfound appreciate for everyday magic and blessings in disguise.
On both ends of the spectrum, though, the question is the same, “What am I supposed to be learning right now?”
As I was talking about on my Facebook page the other day, one of the things I have learned is that I’m allergic to sulfa drugs. Good to know.
I’ve found myself needing a little (or a lot more) recharge time than I’m used to allowing myself to take, and it really has made a huge difference. Perhaps that’s one of the other valuable life lessons. Doing a daily gratitude check-in and also making a nightly list of what’s going well in my life has also been improving my mindset a lot.
Speaking of gratitude, here are some of my favorite things as of late.
Trader Joe’s Super Seed & Ancient Grain Blend
This has been on my list of favorites for a long time and then I forgot about it for a while, but it’s been back in my life in a big way this season. I’ve been eating them in yogurt with cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup or on top of smoothie bowls. I love the crunchy texture.
Soup
I’ve been making and eating a lot of soup this winter. It’s just so comforting and delicious (and budget-friendly). One of my favorites has been this turkey & cauliflower rice soup.
My new Instant Pot
I’ve been using it for mainly slow cooking and pressure cooking but can’t wait to play with the other functions. Like yogurt making? Hell yeah! Sounds like a good science experiment. This chicken has become a weekly meal prep must. I usually make a big batch: some to enjoy in the next few days, and I freeze a few portions to enjoy later.
Paleo Pro Bone Broth Collagen Powder
When the company sent me some free samples to play with, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I love it. I had been researching collagen for a writing project and was very curious to try some out. I also really like that addition of turmeric. I’ve tried all three flavors, and while I enjoy them all, my favorite is the Ancient Cacao. I’ve been enjoying it in the mornings mixed with hot water when I have an early morning yoga or Pilates class and don’t feel up to a full breakfast beforehand.
Restorative Yoga
I fell off the wagon for a bit but am happily back on it. I notice a big difference in my stress levels when restorative yoga is a regular part of my week. It’s easy to become desensitized to just how much our nervous system can become overloaded, and this helps me reset so much. I mean, it’s basically lying on the floor in the dark propped up on pillows. Freaking heavenly.
I first read about this app in Jenny Blake’s Pivot last year, and it’s been a total game-changer. I know that some people feel that guided meditations are “cheating,” somehow, but it’s been helpful for getting me to make the space in my day to make it a part of my regular day. The short guided meditations have been great for helping me regroup during a day where I start to veer off track, and it’s really upgraded my nighttime routine. I’ve struggled for years with powering down before bed, but listening to a guided meditation to help me drift off to sleep has been so helpful. I do feel like I’ve been enjoying a better quality of sleep overall and am also better able to fall asleep even on nights I don’t listen to anything.
Podcasts
Speaking of Jenny Blake, I have been loving her Pivot podcast. I don’t know why it’s taken me until the past few months to really find my podcast tribe, but better late than never. Most days when I’m working from home, I have one playing in the background. I especially love nerding out on business podcasts. Another awesome podcast you guys should check out: my girl Jill Oxovek’s Career Passport. I was actually on an episode last June talking about how being well nourished can fuel you for success.
What are you loving this month? Do you have any favorite podcasts I should check out?
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This has been another installment of the Running with Spoons Thinking Out Loud link party, where randomness is the name of the game. Thanks to Amanda for hosting.
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