Friday Favorite 12.30.22

Books: I just finished a book from one of my favorite authors— Rachel Griffin. I didn't realize her books were technically young adult fantasy but I honestly, don't care. I loved her first book The Nature of Witches and her second book Wild is the Witch is a close second. Love, conflict, moral questions and magic that lives in the land— so good.

Beverages:

I don't drink a ton anymore but when I do drink, i love a good margarita. I have always been a strict traditional marg gal but this Fall I had a Harvest Margarita at a local bar and just LOVED it. So, for Christmas, i was on the hunt for a Winter Margarita. I tried the Whoville’s Spiced Up Christmas Margarita from Half Baked Harvest but with cranberry juice instead of pomegrante— it was okay, the vanilla was a little overpowering for me. I also found this super simple Cranberry Margarita (which I loved)

• cranberry concentrate ice cubes

• 1 oz tequila blanco

• 1 oz triple sec

• lime Bubly

• garnish with fresh cranberries & rosemary

• rim with white sugar & lime

Herbs:

I don't have a favorite herb at the moment (other than my OG fav Calendula) but I am totally obsessing over planning my new herb garden. I have started designing it and picking out some of the herbs that will go into it. It's going to be an addition to last year's garden as we did a really small one last year upon first moving. Here is a little sketch:

Movement:

My Movement Schedule as been all over the place lately. I'm not following a real plan, more moving based on how I feel. I do have some strength and health goals that I am slowly starting to tackle so those are in the back of my mind. one thing I have done for the past 2-3 week is 15 minutes on the stationary bike (or elliptical while at my parents) each morning before my cold shower. I take it easy and make it light— it feels really good to start my day with a little blood flow and warmth.

Mother Nature:

The sun is slowly creeping back into our lives (and did you know in 39 days the sun will set at 7pm?!) and while I am truly embracing winter, I am loving a bit more sunlight. An amazing secondary benefit is some of the most epic sunsets we have seen in our new home. Between the way the sun has shifted, the lack of leaves on the tree and the wintery snowy wonderland—- mind blowing beautiful. You can't look at a sunset and not be truly present to it's beauty.

Mindfulness:

One thing my therapist said to me lately that really struck home was:

"The way people perceive has more to do with their history, their experiences, their thoughts and themselves than how you put yourself out into the world."

It really struck home with me on multiple fronts. One, it helped me release (slowly) the idea that I have to prove myself to someone or worry what someone else thinks. To a certain point, it's not about what I do or who I am, it's about how they see me and I have no control over that. It also made me super mindful of how I view others. Recognizing that some of the things that bother me or trigger me about other people are probably more of a reflection on me, than on them. It was freeing and grounding at the same time.

Reminders:

You deserve to rest. you don't need any permission from me, your boss, your partner, your family ,society, anyone. So often, we can confusing working hard with working more. I am all for working hard, being passionate and success. But I am also for well rested humans, regulated nervous system, good sleep and plenty of time outdoors. This winter, remember a day to rest fully is what the doctor truly ordered (and what our ancestors knew deeply

Roll Outs:

MY hips have been SO so tight lately— I have been loving doin this Outer Hip Roll out at the wall with Yoga Tune up Balls.