March Newsletter

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Photo by Darren Nunis on Unsplash

Hello lovelies! Happy MARCH! I’m not the biggest fan of February so I’m happy to be moving along into the next month of the year. I will say I was pleasantly surprised by how non-meh this February has felt. It wasn’t until the last week or so that I felt the bored lethargy of the weather settle in and feel like I had little energy to do my normal escapades. I voluntarily woke up early on a Saturday and ran a 5k in the cold for a good cause last weekend. I did not, however, plunge in to the freezing Columbia river like some of my colleagues did.

The rest of this last week and weekend can be characterized as “slow”. My to do lists have been almost non-existent (that's a first), and I’ve been happily enjoying more stillness. Usually when I feel like this, I’m judgmental toward myself - why are you being so lazy? But it has been wonderful to stop those thoughts in their tracks and give myself grace. It won’t last, it never does. And yes, I would like another cupcake and watch another episode of Grand Designs.

Also, you’ll be pleased to know that I have owned a basil plant for 2.5 weeks and it is thriving. For those who don’t know, I have a horrible green thumb, which is a shame because I fantasize about having my own fruit and vegetable garden some day. So far so good on my basil plant.

We had a lot of firsts for our pup Baci this month. First time going to Java Hound for a “Yappy Hour” where dogs can come socialize and sip (read: messily devour) a puppuccino (goats milk with treats). First time going to a puppy social hour today - thanks for the recommendation Brooklynn! First weekend without Brian while he went skiing with his dad.

How are your new years resolutions? Are you slowing down or speeding up? Craving sunshine or feeling unphased?

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter!

TOP READS & LISTENS

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The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

I’m reading this right now for work, and I love it so far. “Unconscious leadership” can deliver short term results, but the costs of living and leading unconsciously are great. Fear drives most leaders to make choices that are at odds with healthy relationships, vitality and balance. This fear leaves a toxic residue that won’t be as easily tolerated in an increasingly complex business environment. Conscious leadership offers the antidote to fear. These pages contain a comprehensive road map to guide you to shift from fear-based to trust-based leadership.

#176: Arthur C. Brooks, Love Your Enemies

I loved this episode. Social scientist, author, and podcast host Arthur Brooks believes America has developed a "culture of contempt." He feels we increasingly view people who disagree with us not as merely incorrect or misguided, but as worthless, which is warping political discourse, tearing us apart as people, and even wrecking our health. In this week's episode, Brooks discusses his meditation practice, his relationship with the Dalai Lama and how we can bridge national divides and make progress as a society, all while becoming happier and more effective people. 

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Mindfulness on the Go


If you’ve heard about the many benefits of mindfulness practice but think you don’t have time for it in your busy life, prepare to be proven delightfully wrong. Mindfulness is available every moment, including right now, as Zen teacher Jan Chozen Bays shows with these twenty-five mindfulness exercises that can be done anywhere. Use them to cultivate the gratitude and insight that come from paying attention with body, heart, and mind to life’s many small moments.

Other Inspiration

The case against sponges.

I heard an interview with Jackie Carr on the slow home podcast and LOVED her energy and looked her up after the episode. She has her program called “Rock Your Bliss” and runs coaching and yoga retreats with her co-business owner. Needless to say, I loved everything she had to say.

I heard about the Potential Project recently and admired everything I heard about it. It’s corporate based mindfulness training that is a tailored development program with proven effects in companies like Microsoft. These programs enhance performance at an individual and organizational level. This shift of mindfulness into the corporate world is fascinating for me to learn about and see how it’s infiltrating in the companies I’ve worked for myself.

This fro-yo store that opened it’s third location 5 minutes from my apartment. They have delicious dairy free options and I’ll be there way too much over the coming months.

This chicken korma recipe - it is DELICIOUS (and dairy free). You don’t “need” the bells and whistles of the coconut flakes, cashews, and raisins, but they sure are delicious if you have them on hand.

This paleo banana bread. So easy. So good.

This 21 day yoga challenge starting tomorrow. It’s free.

I’ve mentioned brandless before for their high quality products and cheap prices. I love love love their gluten-free pancake/ waffle mix. And they sell cleaning products, pet products, baking mixes, delicious snacks, pantry staples, bathroom staples. So I thought I’d plug it one more time.

Quote I’m Loving

“Happiness is the joy you feel moving towards your potential.”

-Shawn Achor

Top Blog Posts from February

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Sat, Feb 02

Unsubscribe

Do you need a media purge? Learn more about the amount of media we’re consuming as average Americans, and why we should consider slowing down these inputs.

Read More

Sun, Feb 10

Failing Forward

Why failing is good, and how to fail forward.

Read More
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Mon, Feb 18

Mindfulness on the Go

Three strategies for being mindful on the go. No need to meditate 3 hours a day - try these simple acts throughout your day!

Read More

Art Licensing Highlight

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I found this flower in an old sketchbook recently and so I turned it into a digital print and had fun with it! Looks pretty cool as a phone case and a throw pillow. Check it out here.

PDX Highlight

New Cascadia Traditional

I’ve been experimenting with a gluten-free diet for the last couple months so I have been getting creative with my bread/ baked goods fix. I came across this cafe - New Cascadia Traditional - that has everything from pizza, to cinnamon rolls, to challah bread all gluten free. And DELICIOUS. Normally, you’ll hear something like, “It’s pretty good. For being gluten free.” Well their stuff doesn’t have a qualifier, it just is delicious! It’s nestled in SE Portland and has a small cafe if you want to go in and sit down for a quick bite or Sunday morning brunch.

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*BONUS*

This Spring Equinox dinner celebration on March 20th to welcome spring with seasonal farm-to-table food. I will be there!

See you next month!

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