Hey Friends! I am kicking off a new post where I can share my favorite and fun things that I am into these days. I've been so grateful when I have come across great things that people share be it resources, articles, books or just great things! That said, below are some of my favorite things right now. 

​"Feelings are for Feeling." That' right, that is what they are meant for--to be heard, spoken, felt, and explored. If you don't allow all the feelings to be felt (even the icky ones), then they just comes back to find us, and often get that much stronger. 

If you've been taking any of my online classes lately, you know I have been citing this quote lately and singing Glennon Doyles' praises. I've been reading her book, Untamed. This is such a lovely tale what it means to lead with your heart and truly embrace the life that you fully deserve. Other great quotes that I love:

I am absolutely obsessed with these motivation cards from Kris Karr. These Crazy Sexy Love Notes are perfect motivation resources and I literally use all the time. There are many motivation cards or affirmation resources our there, but I've found these to be one of the best. Primarily because I think they are legit "magic!" LOL

I am not sure if they are, but it seems that whenever I do pick a card from this deck, it reflects that I really need  to hear in that very moment--its kind of creepy to be honest! It's like my inner self is talking to me and guiding me to that very affirmation.  At any rate, they are a great pick me up.

​I pull one whenever I feel like I need something to cheer me up during the day, or guide me in the morning or even after I meditate. I thought I would resurface and share, as I think we would all use some love and positivity right now. Check it out enjoy some healing! 

Let's face it... This week was really insanely rough. On top of the novel corona virus taking over 100,000 lives last week (and disproportional taking the lives in communities of color)-- this week, we were greeted with a series of events that reminded us of all of the hate, violence, in justice, and inequities that exist in our country. It's just NOT OK and is so infuriating. And more than anything, it makes me just so sad.  I know, personally I hit my breaking point this weekend--it all felt like too much... because it is. 

I woke up on Saturday in a huge funk and could barely get myself out of bed. But I forced myself to get up, I rolled out my mat and just laid outside in my back yard, searching for something to anchor on. For once, I finally said, 'just let it out. let it be messy' ... 'feelings are for feeling. let it out, don't deny what's there.'
And trust, I really did just need to let it out. From there, I was able to just sort things out better. 

My morning rant and outburst actually led to a very healing space, in which I was able to lean into a meditation. I wanted to share with you in case it might be helpful. 

Be well, and take care of YOU. Honor however that the looks like for yourself. #justshowup  

We cannot deny that this ever-evolving pandemic has changed the course of our lives. I know I find myself constantly  in a state of flux and shifting how I respond or react the the various ebb and flows of my day to day.

Most days, I feel stuck, confused, or uncertain of what's next--so much that I can barely figure out what to do each day, much less, muster up the strength and clarity to take action. It's all just so busy, complex... and too much! Sound familiar? Know that you are NOT ALONE. We are all in this together, and the only way we can get through this, is one moment,  one day at a time,  and by supporting each other. 

While I am still processing my own journey through it all and still finding the right words to articulate it--the one thing I do know for sure, is that we cannot get through this alone.  And, the more we can resource our community, the better off we all are. 

All that to say, while each day is so different, there are two things in particular that have been so helpful in navigating this crisis so I wanted to share.

1. Slow it down and pause when you can. 
2. Give yourself some grace. 

#1- Slow it down and pause when you can. One of my favorite meditation teachers, Tara Brach, talks about how the sacred pause is the best tool to unlock our freedom or awakening and, ultimately, our pathway for healing. She sees pausing "as the gateway to Radical Acceptance. In the midst of a pause, we are giving room and attention to the life that is always streaming through us, the life that is habitually overlooked."

Often times when you are in a state of 'fight, flight or freeze' or panic,  you're so full that you don't even know you are in a state of mental hijack, much less, able to entertain the question, "what do I need right now in this moment?" When we pause, we invite in stillness. And in those moments--albeit foreign, awkward, uncomfortable, or scary--we open up the space for what's there, or what needs to be attended to.  

To be clear, being still and remembering to pause is freaking HARD!  It takes practice, and at first, it may not feel like it's doing much. But over time, you'll be surprised what a breath, or pause (if even for a second) can do to help you create a shift. 

Pauses are powerful and deep breathing and meditation is a good place to start. Below you will find some new short 2-5 meditations that I posted to help you get started. Remember, you don't need much time, every little breath counts and helps create that moment of release. 
 
#2 - Give yourself some grace. As a recovering perfectionist and my #1 critic, I am constantly doubting and/or beating myself up for all the things I do, and or don't do.  Early on as all the COVID19 fray was happening and the ripple effect of shelter-in place orders took hold, I came across this article in the Washingtonian on 7 Mindfulness Tips during COVID19. Tip #4, suggested picking a mantra and reciting it each day, which has been invaluable. My mantra has been "do what you can, give yourself some grace."

For once in my life, I have told myself that it is OK.  It's ok to not know right now and it's ok to feel whatever it is that I'm feeling. And it's been so FREEING. Reciting this mantra daily (and throughout the day) helps me when I feel like can't press on or just don't want to, and especially when I start to revert to my negative habits of beating myself up or playing my never-ending blame/shame or comparative suffering games with myself.  Extending grace and self-compassion is so important, especially now.  So 'do what you can, give yourself some grace'  and pick a mantra that works for you. 

Lastly, you'll notice I also created a new COPING WITH COVID Resource page on my site. This includes some new service offerings to support communities and our people in a time of need as well as some free resources. Check it out!

Why I made this smoothie:
I was looking for sometime to spice up my daily green smoothie and thought dragon fruit was the perfect addition. Dragonfruit is full of fiber and magnesium and goes well  with citrus flavors, hence the pineapple, lemon, and lime additions. 

As a kid, I absolutely loved getting a mango lassi every time my family went out to eat indian food. My grandmother never made this a home, so we only got it when we went out. It was always so refreshing. I remember thinking, 'they must sit there juicing and pureeing the mangos with great care' (it always took so long to get after I ordered it - I guess everything always seems long as a kid).

It was always well worth the wait.  Each time it was my turn to order I couldn't wait to tell the waiter, "one mango lassi, please!"... that was until I learned many Indian restaurants pour it from a processed bottle (at least in Tucson, AZ they do). It totally broke my heart and took the nostalgia out of it, but I still love the drink!

This is a my healthy take on one of my favorite childhood drinks,  Indian Mango Lassi. A Mango Lassi is typically made with mango, milk, sugar, and yogurt. I've substituted with yogurt with greek yogurt for more protein and added turmeric, not just because it's orange too, but because  1) we know, I am obsessed with Turmeric and it's health benefits, and 2) I put it in every smoothie or recipe any chance I get. This smoothie makes for a great breakfast  or dessert shake.