Welcome to Day 1 of Wellness Wednesdays! I’ve started this weekly news letter as a way to share tips, advice and wisdom on “Living Deliciously Well”. If you haven’t noticed, I LOVE an alliteration. So clearly, Wednesday must be the day to share Wellness Wisdom
Why “wellness” as opposed to “recipe” or “health”? Because wellness incorporates ALL aspects of living a whole, healthy, happy and mindful life! And yes, “wisdom” sounds a little hippie dippie or self-salvant of me {I made up that term}, just don’t over think it…it works well with my alliteration obsession
Day 1 on Living Deliciously Well… drum roll please…
Happiness!
I truly believe happiness is the foundation for overall wellbeing, health and success (in relationships, career, finances, etc). If you are living a life of resentment, substances and greed, it won’t mater the number of yoga classes you attend and green smoothies you down, you will never reach a level of contentment and true happiness.
And how coincidental that this was my YOGI tea mantra this morning. So true:
“Inspiring others towards happiness brings you happiness”
Ben sent me an article today published in the Elite Daily titled, “15 things that emotionally strong people do not do” And number 15 nailed my happiness philosophy to a T! Here it is verbatim… I wont even paraphrase, that’s how spot on this is:
“They don’t forget that happiness is a decision: Most importantly, the emotionally strong have learned to understand the power their brains have over both the mind and body. They understand that emotions are reactions, not reactions to direct physical causes, but to the way we perceive those causes. In other words, our emotions don’t reflect reality; rather, our emotions reflect the way we interpret reality. Understanding this gives us near-full control of our emotions and, therefore, our lives.”
I read this quote in Oprha on the plane yesterday, and though Iyanla is speaking of LOVE, I believe it applies to happiness as well.
“Don’t expect to get all you need from someone else. Whether we are talking about romantic relationships, deep friendships, or close bonds with family members, love is never codependency, validation, self-worth, self-value, or self-esteem. It’s an experience that should fill us with joy – not serve as a replacement for loving ourselves.”
Happiness and love begin from within. You must be happy and content in your life, in your body, and with yourself FIRST and not seek it through external sources (relationships, materialism, food, etc). Your GLASS must already be FULL before moving into a deep authentic relationship with someone.
I’m writing to you from Baja. On Halloween, I packed up my entire life, left SF and drove to the very most southern tip of highway 1….you can read about the journey HERE. Anyway, point being, I thought a life of beach, sun, tacos, organic farming and yoga would be the happiest place on earth. And as it turns out, even though I accomplished and learned a lot while living here, a slow-paced Mexican beach town, away from my friends and family, is not for me.
Ernest Hemingway, “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast”
Getting lost in a city… walking alone for hours, discovering neighborhoods, temples, churches, markets, cafes.
Just Do It, video: When you need motivation to sweat HERE
Her Future: Change Yourself, Change the World HERE as I ask myself, “should I hop on a plan to Baja and help feed the hungry?’
Happy Mothers Day Weekend! I swear we do more than eat and drink…
Picnic at China Camp with Comforts Chinese Chicken Salad. Mom’s favorite dessert from the 60’s: Pineapple and marshmallow Whip (went to 4 stores before finding it…people really still eat this?). Mindee (my cousin/best friend) and I take our moms (sister) to the Lyon Street Steps for Champagne and A16 for dinner.
Life is too short to not love what you do… and everything in your life.
Love the people in your life. Love your authentic self. Love the food that nurtures your soul. Love your body. Love your higher being. Love your freedom to choose. Love your capabilities. Love your imperfections. Love your hobbies. Love the little things that make you happy.
What I love? I live for travel, adventure, being the foreigner, getting lost and making memories with the people I love. Plus food & wine, of course.
These next 2 weeks will be full of my loves.
Let’s be real though. Leaving SF for 2 weeks and “stepping away” (at a very exciting time in S&S’s life) has not been easy for me. Allowing myself to “clock-out” is something I’ve always struggled with. I mean, I can’t even enjoy a movie at home without painting my nails, organizing the living room bookshelf, puttering and responding to a few emails (who wants a movie date with me? ha).
Relaxing has never been a forte of mine.
I think this is calling for another mantra…
Balance
Allowing work and play to live together, happily and without resentment and anxiety for one another.
These next couple of weeks will be a challenge for sure..
I see this as a perfect opportunity to practice balance.
Countless times I’ve chosen to stay home on a Saturday to create seasonal menus rather than join my friends for a night out. Or write content, proposals and plan events on a Sunday instead of watching the Super Bowl. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I’m passionate about S&S and I’m so grateful to have found a career that brings me so much enjoyment and pleasure.
What’s more important in life? Creating memories with friends on a Saturday night? Or creating menus for an event on a Saturday night?
Itinerary: Guest Chef at Gastro Vino Wine Festival. Pt on by my dear friend (since middle school) Mac.
and up at 5am to teach 4 spin/trx classes at Cardio-Tone
Today’s Living Deliciously Tip:
balance late night dancing and boozing with early morning exercising and veg-ing!
check list:
big salad with local eggs – SPF 45 – Anthropologie blanket – bowl dad made 50 years ago in wood shop class- basket I picked up in the South of France – getting inspirations for next week’s veg menu – lemon water – sun hat
“Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life” – Confucious
I gotta tell ya, I feel so lucky to have such a great group of entrepreneurial girlfriends! They have not only found their passion but have developed their passion and dream into their career.
We often get together, like we did today, to bounce ideas off each other and most importantly, laugh and have a good time!
Today was an ordinary get-together, but for some reason it felt extra special and worth sharing…
while balancing my au laite on a ledge I snuck a pic
What a great afternoon; the sun is out and I’ve decided to stroll around my neighborhood and pop into one of my favorite SF clothing shops, Picnic.
Picnic has recently opened up shop next door too- selling more things for the home and garden.
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