Shannon Ables's Blog, page 259
May 1, 2017
24 Ways to Live Beyond Labels
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“. . . for those of you who are tired of trying to squeeze into constrained categories, who long for integration and wholeness in everything you do, without limits on who you are or who you will become . . . it’s time to move beyond labels.” —Maureen Chiquet, author of Beyond the Label
Labels by definition provide a boundary, an end, a predetermined area of where something does and does not exist. And while a label on our wine bottle that we have chosen to serve with dinner may reveal the year in which the grapes were harvested or where a particular item of clothing or an accessory was made ensuring us of what we choose to support regarding labor, these aforementioned labels are helpful, reassuring and welcoming, but contrarily, labels placed on people, individuals, women, men, different ethnicities, generations, are limiting.
In many cases, labels for people have and do lead into stereotypes, all of which are reductive, oversimplified and purposely (by the one placing the stereotype on another) limiting on the group of focus. In all cases, as Maureen Chiquet, the former CEO of Chanel shares in her new book Beyond the Label, “The labels themselves make life more difficult.”
As a child when grand family-gathering food holidays would arrive on the calendar, it was always the women who were in the kitchen cooking the extravagant meal and after dinner, it was always the women who were in the kitchen cleaning up. I hated the assumption of these roles which nobody conferred with me about. Granted I was a young girl, and I did what I was told, and as a young girl, I didn’t know why I felt this way, but as I grew up and still saw this pattern in some instances, I then knew why I had just grave reservations: I didn’t want to be in either group, especially not the clean-up group as so much work and effort had gone into the meal. Was it the women’s job to cater to the men who sat in the living room, laughing, chatting and sipping their coffee or evening drinks? There was no part of this assumption or label that appeared fair. Now some of the women may have sincerely wanted to be doing the cooking as well as the cleaning, but I know I was not the anomaly. Who wouldn’t want to be fed and relax after the meal?
I share this experience with you not to complain, I am adamant that while I love cooking, the clean-up task should at least be shared, especially if it is a dinner for two as a way of thanking the cook or providing more time to chat and unwind together, but to offer up the conversation about the roles we inhabit and why we do so.
Often we step into roles not because we have an earnest desire to clean the kitchen, per say, but because we’ve seen others do it before us and that is “just the way it is done”. If we constantly adhered to this way of living life, women would still be domestic property of their husbands with no means to be independent. Needless to say, roles should be questioned to determine who is benefiting and why such a role is being perpetuated.
The labels and roles we embody throughout our lives should be in accordance with the individual, regardless of sex, regardless of social standing, regardless of . . . well, pretty much anything. It may seem safe to do what has been done before, but it is limiting, it is squashing of the incredible gifts each of us has to offer not only to the world and those we choose to share our lives with, but to our spirit and true contentment as we experience the life we have been given.
Whether it’s the assumption that the teaching profession is best suited for women because they are born nurturers (a false assumption, and a limiting label by the way for all the men who are innately nurturing as well) or the assumption that tall men with deep voices are better leaders (why? Because . . . they can sing bass and have to duck to get through the door? The last I checked, neither abilities were needed to lead successfully.), we reduce the potential to flourish and find the best fit for every individual when we place labels based on exterior appearances.
As Maureen Chiquet points out immediately in her new memoir and life guide, she “hates labels and boxes”. And it was her fondness for the French culture that drew me further into her book as she shares in her introduction, “It wasn’t just beauty that the French seemed to live for and breathe in, but a kind of freedom that emboldened me to radically extend the border of my more conservative Midwest childhood in the 1970s.” Her curiosity is what opened the door to recognizing that the labels that were being placed on her, or she felt being placed on those around her were inaccurate and soul-depleting. And it was her curiosity that led her to achieve the life and professional success which she leads us through as readers. She listened to the voice within, she was fortunate to have parents who encouraged her curiosity and didn’t limit her dreams, and she was courageous enough to do even when she didn’t know what the outcome would be.
Today I’d like to share with you 24 sage words of advice from Maureen Chiquet’s new book, released last month as a means of encouraging us all to examine the labels we accept to be placed upon us and come to understand why so that we might let go of those that are limiting and remove all together labels or at least help to redefine or change the world’s understanding of the possibilities of said labels that we may fall under at different periods of our lives.
1. Listen to your curiosities and follow where they lead you
“It’s often a matter of following the whispering intuitions and inkling that defy standard categories such as college major or job title . . . I do know the kinds of attitudes and sensibilities, the questions and the curiosities, that will lead you on paths to self-discovery, beyond recognized borders and conventions, and well beyond the labels that others want to use to define you.”
2. Reclaim femininity on your own terms
“Being a woman [is] not a handicap but an advantage, a source of strength.”
Simply by reading the word “femininity” we may have an idea of what the word entails, but we immediately limit in our minds what a woman is capable of being if we provide a definition beyond the actual definition “the quality of being female; womanliness”, we limit what is acceptable for someone who is a female to do. In other words, there is no one way to be a woman. With every woman in the world, there is a different way to be, just as there are more than seven billion people in the world, there are seven billion different ways to be.
Take a moment today, tomorrow or sometime soon to examine how you live your life that assumes behaviors and roles you partake in merely because you are female. Who set those rules? Why do you follow? Does it sit well with your being? Some women, no matter society’s expectations will revel in wearing make-up and pearls, while others will be out on the lacrosse field at six in the morning training with their teammates forgetting entirely about wearing any sort of make-up. A woman is simply a woman for the sake of biology, that is all. Beyond that, reclaim your own definition.
3. Redefine how a leader leads
“I started to understand that if women weren’t rising to the top more often, it wasn’t only because they weren’t ‘leaning in’ or weren’t just as ambitious as their male counterparts. It wasn’t just because corporate policies didn’t allow enough time for maternity leave or the flextime needed to raise families. These things were, and still are, crucial and must be addressed. But the underlying issue, the nut no one had cracked, was what kind of leadership we value and how we teach, assess, and promote ‘good’ leaders in all organizations —whether women or men.”
4. If you feel something is missing, trust the observation of the void and look beyond “the world’s obstacles, rigid structure and set definitions.”
To be able to look beyond, we must first look within. We must become so well in tune with ourselves that we know when something is not present and needs to be, even if we cannot put our finger on it at the moment. From my own experience, even at an early age, there were many instances, people, situations and ways of living that just didn’t make sense, and so as I began to build my own life, I explored, I asked, I became more informed and I stepped out of what I had been introduced to by others and began introducing myself to ideas that were new to me until eventually I found what made far more sense disregarding whether others approved or not.
5. Follow Coco Chanel’s approach to life: learn the rules, then step outside of them
“Chanel seemed to break every rule by combining seemingly opposite elements and by elegantly subverting convention to create something breathtakingly timeless and fresh . . . a woman who refused to blindly accept the aesthetics of her time in order to invent her own.”
In the rhetorical writing class I teach, one of the first lessons I share is while there are many rhetorical tools an artist/writer/speaker/architect/musician can use, in order to use any one of them, they must first know the standard rules of grammar they are breaking. Therefore, when they choose to use the rhetorical tool, they know why they are breaking it and what effect they hope to provoke.
6. Savor life’s beauty
When we follow our curiosity, it is a striving toward creating a life that we want to dance with each and every day. And if we are lucky enough, when we are lucky enough, to cultivate this life, we don’t want to rush, we don’t want tomorrow to come today. We want to savor each and every day. In other words, “slow it down, relish it, take it in fully”.
7. Become comfortable with a little discomfort
Uncertainty or unhappiness. The two concepts were juxtaposed recently in an article I read, and the point was quickly absorbed. Are we willing to give up a little discomfort in not knowing how or when something we hope for, but deeply want, will occur in order that we may no longer be unhappy?
Often we stay in circumstances, or remain under labels that do not fit us because it is what we know. And knowing is, for more than a few, far more comfortable than uncertainty. In the long run however, we only do ourselves a disservice and miss out on the beautiful life we could have led.
8. Let go of external definitions and lenses through which you have been defined and start from scratch. Ask why?
“The Artist is no other than he who unlearns what he has learned, in order to know himself.” —E.E. Cummings
9. Search until you are broken open similar to the relinquishing of a protective shell
In coordination with #7 and #4, many times we do not know what we are missing or what we will find when we step into the unknown. However, the protective shell we are under, that we think is offering us the best possible life, is actually the limitation, the barrier we need to step out from underneath if we are going to realize our own unique potential.
It is easy to know and accept this life concept, but I sincerely recognize far harder to put into practice. But, if you are feeling squashed, and keep bumping into a wall that time and time again has demonstrated it is not going to move, try a different path, even if you don’t know where it will lead. So long as you head out into the direction that speaks to your curiosities, trust that you are doing yourself a grand favor.
10. Refrain from following prescribed expectations and instead simply “be” and express yourself authentically (and allow others to do the same).
Find your tribe. Search out people who sing the same song or at least applaud you for staying true to yourself. Along the way, you may have to let go of those who want you to stay in the lane they became accustomed to you traveling, but model by example and support everyone’s mode of travel and path chosen to travel down. When we all become more accepting of different ways of living life, we free each other to step into a lane (or off into the open field) to be what comes most naturally and applaud the unique contributions we all can give.
11. Knowledge allows the magic to happen
“Every discipline in the humanities —literature, history, art history, philosophy, or religious studies —teaches us how to question how we see and interpret the world and who we are as human beings.”
As someone with a bachelor of arts degree, I took classes in art history, communications, history, literature, dance, sociology and a few other arenas in the humanities family that each contributed in their own way to the journey I am on now. I may not have pursued a specific career in most of these fields, but as I examine the careers I am pursuing, all of these classes have offered skills, knowledge and aha moments that helped me connect the dots and have given me a deeper understanding of the world, and thus my journey within it.
“[S]he who has the most information wins.” —John D. Rockefeller
Ultimately, knowledge can only open doors and the beauty is, it can never be taken away from you. Knowledge of the “why”s in the world, how certain religions came to be, why this war was fought and this right denied, etc. are all bits and pieces of a grand puzzle that will help you understand why the labels that may be given to you don’t actually fit at all. Allow all that you know and wish to know, as you pursue it fervently to be the key to opening up doors that curiosity leads you to.
12. Focus more on how it will work out and what could go right, rather than getting caught up in the reasons why it cannot be fulfilled (life has a funny way of adhering to what we consume our minds with – self-fulfilling prophecies)
“It a little bit like when you are skiing. If you begin to stare at all of the rocks, crevices, and obstacles, you’re sure to hit one.”
13. Take the first step even if the plan isn’t complete
“Sometimes, you have to take that first step without a fully formulated plan, follow your intuition, and be ready to go with the flow, just like plunging into oncoming traffic at L’Etoile.”
14. Improvise regularly
“Indeed, if you only memorize the score, you can be sure to hit the right notes, but will anyone remember your bland tune? The creative spark depends on patience, persistence, and practice, but you have to be willing to take risks, too. To improve requires having a sense of where you want to go, then letting that resonance emanate from deep within yourself, the place where love for your sole expression resides. “
15. Let go of fixed expectations
“Letting go of fixed expectations, or at least being willing to upend them for a time, allows the possibility for an act of creation to surprise us, to leave us dizzy with the excitement of discovering something new that, somehow, feels just right, as if we were waiting for it all along.”
16. Seek out respect coupled with love
“I had never felt love like that from any guy I had dated. It went beyond love; it was the purest form of respect.”
17. Find a path that allows your “beauty”, your real assets to be be utilized
“. . . ‘beauty’ — my real assets (intelligence, character, judgment, and taste)”
18. Embrace challenging circumstances as they unearth the pearl of a life you truly wish to cultivate
“Challenging circumstances and discomfort are often excellent teachers inasmuch as they require us to get closest to what we fundamentally care about.”
19. Raw learning experiences exist everywhere in every stage of your journey
“No opportunity is ever too small to show you what you can accomplish, and no boss is ever so mean that you can’t learn something, even if it’s only to show you how not to lead.”
20. Empower people and you empower progress
“People work harder and ultimately deliver better results when they feel empowered.”
21. Be calm, confident, self-aware and clear about where you want to go in order to have success
“Horses react to humans in a pure, intuitive way. ‘They mirror how we show up. More than eighty percent of our communication is nonverbal, so these nonverbal creatures can reflect back exactly what’s going on with us and whether they trust our presence and will follow our lead.’ Once you found yourself interacting with, leading, or heading a horse, you learned ‘in your body’ how to show up differently, how to be attuned to others without losing touch with yourself or your goals.”
22. Be the leader of your individual life, manage yourself well to be able to lead others well.
“In order to lead — and to get anyone else to follow you — yes, you do need to listen to others . . . a lot. But you also need to be attuned to yourself —your hungers, your drives, and your trigger points. In other words, you have to manage yourself in order to lead others.”
23. Understand how to regain your footing and balance
“I have found that taking a moment to move away from circumstances where you might feel pressure or triggered —to ask yourself what’s most important to you underneath the surface —helps restore your equilibrium.”
24. Examine and then release assumptions of how life should be that do not align with your newly defined self
“There is no one right way. There is not one label you can slap over your family and call it perfect . . . It is the labels themselves that can make these choices even more difficult. If we don’t unpack these assumptions [women should bear more of the parenting responsibility than men even when we wholeheartedly pursue our careers], if we don’t stop and ask why it is so, we just end up exhausted and discouraged . . . by letting go of definitions others might set for us as well as the idealized images we have created ourselves . . . we get what we most want . . . the trick is knowing what it is you do actually want and being clear with yourself and your partner on how you both want to lead and prioritize your lives.”
One of the most perplexing answers I struggle to give is when somebody asks me what I do for a living. I fluctuate between “Which should I say first: a teacher or a writer, or better, a blogger?”. It will depend upon the person I am speaking with, but most often, when I state that I am a teacher, there is a handful of assumptions that come along with it, most of which are untrue in my case, but you don’t want to dive into a deep philosophical discussion necessarily. As well when I open with “I am a blogger”, some become even more curious and others dismiss the title entirely. But the truth is, I feel limited by each, and perhaps you do as well, which is why Beyond the Label resonated with me. People ask such questions: what do you do for a living? are you married? where did you grow up? as a means to better get to know the person they are speaking with. The motivation is largely friendly and benign, but as most of us know, the answers, especially upon a first meeting, immediately build assumptions in the listeners mind – for better or worse. And so perhaps the fault is on us all, but that means all of us can play a role in moving beyond the label. “By moving beyond the label, we can all make our workplaces and our lives more effective and more equitable.”
“By releasing ourselves from these restrictions, we have a shot at creating success on our own terms.”
~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
Petit Plaisir
~Diana Krall’s new album Turn Up The Quiet (to be released May 5, 2017), her 13th album, 5-time Grammy winner
~view her tour schedule here
~The list of 11 songs on the album:
1. Like Someone In Love
2. Isn’t It Romantic
3. LOVE
4. Night and Day
5. I’m Confessin’
6. Moonglow
7. Blue Skies
8. Sway
9. No Moon At All
10. Dream
11. I’ll See You In My Dreams
April 30, 2017
A Simple Spring Side: Prosciutto & Pea Salad
The farmers markets are beginning to open up, and my cravings for fresh, green produce has intensified. So with my muse being a particular food craving of my love for fresh green salad as he is currently working abroad and doesn’t have as many of the favorite foods readily available, when I came across this recipe in Bon Appétit magazine last month, I ripped it out to try at home. And I am happy that I did.
One of my favorite sections of Bon Appétit is r.s.v.p. in the front of the magazine in which readers write in requesting a particular recipe from a favorite restaurant. Inspired by Houston’s Coltivare restaurant, the contrast of brilliant colors, as well as the mere mention of prosciutto, had me nodding my head as a wonderful new spin on a fresh green spring-time salad. After all, what doesn’t go well with prosciutto?
As luck would have it, Maille had just sent me one of their new gourmet mustards to try: Chardonnay white wine and white truffle from alba, and let me just say, that extra something special adds a luxurious finish to this spring salad. Now don’t worry, if you do not have this particular Dijon mustard, their original is my go-to for everything that calls for a teaspoon of Dijon, and it can be found in just about any grocery market. As I shared in this recipe last year, Maille’s mustards provide a subtle, silk finishing flavor that isn’t found in any other mustards I’ve tried, and since being introduced to the brand via Susan Hermann Loomis, it is my go-to brand.
And now, welcome to spring! I do hope you enjoy.
Prosciutto & Pea Salad
A simple fresh spring salad that will taste as delicious as it looks.
Servings6
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Ingredients
1Tbsp
lemon juicefresh
1/2tsp
Dijon mustardMaille is my favorite
3Tbsp
olive oilextra virgin
1 1/4cups
peasfresh English (thawed frozen in a pinch)
12ounces
sugar snap peastrimmed (about 3 cups)
4ounces
arugulaabout 6 cups
4ounces
prosciuttothinly sliced
Instructions
The vinaigrette
In a large bowl, whisk with a fork lemon juice and mustard. Gradually add the olive oil, whisking until emulsified
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
The greens
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
Blanch the peas: Working in batches if necessary depending upon the size of your pot (one layer of peas per blanch), cook green peas and sugar snap peas until crisp, but tender - about 2 minutes a batch.
Upon taking the peas out with a wire mesh, place them in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and maintain the brilliant green color.
Drain and pat dry the peas.
In a large mixing bowl, place the vinaigrette on the bottom.
Add the arugula, sugar snap peas and English peas on top of the vinaigrette.
Toss until coated well with the vinaigrette.
Season as needed with salt and pepper.
Salad Presentation
Arrange the salad on a platter.
Top with small narrow slices of prosciutto.
Pair with your favorite main dish, a loaf of fresh, crusty artisanal bread, a glass of crisp white wine or rosé and bon appétit!
~View more TSLL recipes here
~View more TSLL Salad recipes here.
April 28, 2017
This & That: April 28, 2017
Books
—How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip by Hitha Palepu
Readers have already scooped this book up when it was first mentioned on this Outfit of the Week and for good reason. So many of us love to travel, but making sure we have the proper clothing and necessities without bringing items we just don’t want, along with the desire to make it seamless and simple, on top of the primary desire of just having a lovely getaway, often we get in our own way. Not any more. How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip is here to offer its assistance. Bon voyage!
—Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes by Cristina Carrillo de Albornoz
Lovers of fashion and all artists will enjoy the new book chronicling iconic English shoemaker Manolo Blahnik. Discover where he derives inspiration and also learn of his careful and attentive shoemaking process.
Cookbook
—La Vie Rustic: Cooking and Living in the French Style by Georgeanne Brennan
A James Beard award winner, author Georgeanne Brennan’s new cookbook goes into the forest, back to the sea and out into the fields to deliver delicious, casual meals organized by the seasons in which food, full of flavor, is readily available.
—Simple Nature Cookbook: 150 New Recipes for Fresh, Healthy Dishes by Alain Ducasse and Paule Neyrat
If you are looking for a French cookbook that dispels the myth that all delicious food must be rich and decadent, look no further than Alain Ducasse’s new cookbook Simple Nature. Full of recipes inspired by classic French recipes, discover how to keep the flavor and the nutrition (with the help of nutritionist Paule Neyrat) and eat in season as well as sustainable food.
Decor
—Perch & Parrow
While I am always dreaming about my dream cottage home that will someday become a reality, I am regularly scouting out destinations that sell furniture that speaks to my predilection for simple, but classic, beautiful as well as subtly unique aesthetic. Perch & Parrrow, described as offering “beautiful furniture for unique homes” is one such destination. Located in London, they offer furniture and accessories that are reasonably affordable for beautiful quality. Be sure to take a look at the entire selection.
Francophile Find
—2018 Parisian Chic Weekly Desk Planner
While not being released until July, Ines de la Fressange is offering another weekly planner similar to her first a handful of years ago. Inspired by her über successful first book Parisian Chic (and released to coincide with the release of her second book which was discussed in detail here on the blog and podcast), discover style tips and ideas throughout the planner as well as a stylish all-in-one location to keep your simply luxurious life organized.
Magazine
—Tea Time
As I was editing and reevaluating my magazine subscriptions recently, a reader introduced me to The Cottage Journal (of which I am now subscribed) which unveiled to me another magazine I am toying with: Tea Time magazine. For fewer than $20, receive six issues each year full of beautiful tearoom profiles, food features offering recipes and gourmet tea to welcome the daily ritual into your way of life. I don’t know about you, but it looks like the ideal simple pleasure read. Have a look at one post that caught my interest about how to coordinate a quintessential English cottage tea experience.
Podcast
—Up First
As I mentioned in this post, I have been become to appreciate less time spent tuning into the news; however, I am most certainly want to stay informed. And with the recent release of NPR’s new podcast “Up First”, I found exactly what I needed. No longer do I need to tune in for two hours in the morning if time or interest doesn’t allow. Instead I can upload the latest episode (available each day) and in less than 10 minutes be caught up on the most recent politic to pop culture news from around the globe. Perfect! Non?
~as it is lilac season, discover a handful of delicious lilac recipes here~
I do believe spring is here. With my sprinklers turned on, my lawn acquiescing to the needed first mow of the season, birds waking me up each morning rather than my alarm clock, and the buds on my trees slowly revealing the protected foliage, I am quite excited for May’s arrival.
As such, spring recipes have been dancing around in my mind, so look for a spring capsule menu to be shared soon (view the all-season and fall menu here – scroll to the bottom of the post). After taking care of some spring cleaning last weekend (the garage has more square-footage – I swear!), this weekend I will be tending to some grading, creative projects involving flowers and food and of course whatever leisurely pursuits catch my eye. Be sure to follow on Instagram for the weekly #tsllsundaymornings as most Sunday early hours find me reading my newspapers and nibbling on a croissant paired with my favorite black tea after a walk with my boys (see a few of the past Sundays below). And if you’re looking for intriguing articles to dive into this weekend, I have a few below: travel, Francophile, health topics are covered as well as an upcoming film for you to discover and put on your calendar. It is always lovely to know you’ve stopped by TSLL Friday post which continues to be one of readers’ weekly favorites. Thank you for your time and interest. Until Monday, bonne journée!
~the abounding, buttery croissants are all from one of my favorite local bakeries~
~A healthy and worthwhile suggestion to living well and being more productive: Take Time Off
~Thinking about Italy for your next travel adventure? Why not head to Genoa instead of Florence, Venice or Rome?
~But maybe France is calling your name – Discover what to do in Provence in the spring
~Want to live in France? Discover how good your French should be to do so
~Never forget your health and try to reduce the sugar drinks in order to reduce aging of your brain.
~Back to food and France, a new documentary will be debuting on PBS in May. James Beard is the focus and Frank Bruni’s op-ed, Food, Sex and Silence is worth a read to prime you for its content.
~Looking for calm. Read these 52 Good Morning Meditations from Marc and Angel.
~Saving the best for last — Paris Can Wait, starring Diane Lane, directed by Eleanor Coppola (her narrative feature debut and wife of esteemed director Francis Ford Coppola) and most likely the next much-beloved Francophile travel film to top your list, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival this week. Needless to say, I cannot, absolutely cannot, wait for it to hit theaters next month (May 12th). Have a look at the trailer below, make a date with a good friend and put it on your calendar now.
April 27, 2017
Mindful Eating = A Life of Pleasure without Punishment
~Panko encrusted King Salmon with French lentils, paired with a French viognier, find the recipe for both here~
As talked about at the beginning of the year, the focus of 2017 is how to welcome more quality into our everyday lives, thereby eliminating or reducing the habits that do not serve us well.
The past three months have been focused on reducing one food or food group that does not serve you well (January), letting go or limiting the use of a one social media app (February), and letting go of the busy mentality (March). And now we are on to April. Yes, April is almost over, but nonetheless, I did not want to forget to talk about something that can truly enhance the quality of our everyday lives in an abundance of ways. From our mood, our energy levels, thereby feeding into our relationships, productivity and overall happiness (and don’t forget our longevity!), the reduction (and better yet, the elimination) of mindless eating is the focus of April. And while we do focus on one improvement to our lives each month, it is the hope that the habits will be formed after careful attention is paid so that the good habit continues throughout the year.
I chose April especially for the focus of eating well because as farm stands and farmers markets begin to open back up for the warmer months as fresh and local produce becomes available, the opportunity to eat well, eat food that satiates and satisfies at budget-friendly prices becomes more readily available.
I am impatiently waiting for Bend’s markets to open up which will not be until June, but even so, I know they will be opening soon and my tastebuds and excitement to enjoy the perusing, socializing and good food will be ready to partake.
What is mindless eating? I have a feeling many, if not all of us have deviated into the lane of mindless eating. This bad habit begins to take place when our schedules become excessively full, our body needs fuel and we reach for whatever is available or stop by the most convenient food shop (bakery, restaurant, take-out, grocery, etc.). Mindless eating can also occur out of an immediate need for comfort when life offers uncertainty. We reach for the extra slice of [name your vice] even when you are not hungry because you want to be present, you want to feel pleasure and you want to not worry if only for a moment. However, as we all know, that moment passes and then we feel and know immediately we’ve overate or ate something that we truly didn’t need and feel uncomfortable in our body and thus our clothing.
The quote is often shared “nothing feels as good as skinny feels”, and while I understand the sentiment, I want to amend it slightly. Feeling good goes much deeper than being skinny. I also, and I suppose you do as well, want to feel strong, energetic and my best self. I want my skin to glow, I want my inner-most person to shine through, and in order for this to occur regularly, eating well and thoughtfully is mandatory.
Bien dans sa peau (comfortable in one’s skin) has been talked about before on TSLL. And while all in total, feeling comfortable in one’s own skin is multi-faceted, a significant component is treating your body with respect which involves not only the physical activity and attention you give, as well as the pampering it deserves, but the food and nourishment it needs to perform at its best.
So let’s get into how to eat, as well as enjoy the food we choose to give our bodies, in such a way that is mindful:
1. Understand how to feed your body well
Be sure to click on the link above as I go into great detail about the science behind the food and why and what our bodies need. The simple understanding of the fact that our bodies do ask for what they need, we just need to become fluent in its language will revamp your entire approach to eating and improve the overall quality of your life.
2. Focus on eating when you choose to eat
Instead of nibbling on food (even if it’s healthy) while you type away at the computer or watch television, choose to mono-task rather than multi-task. For many of us, myself included, this is a hard habit to break, but if we examine more closely how much we tend to eat when we’re doing something else, we’ll find that we eat more than we need when we are focused on a second task.
3. Satiate and savor delicious food
“Fat gives things flavor.” —Julia Child
Food is meant to not only nourish, but satiate our bodies and tastebuds, and part of satiating is enjoying what we are eating and understanding and appreciating the flavors. The misconception of salt in the 80s and 90s led many people in America to forego the amplifying the flavor of delicious food as it was being cooked and eat bland, tasteless dishes, thereby encouraging them to seek out more food as they were not satisfied or were led to believe a particular dish (in this case a dish that was not seasoned properly) was tasteless.
Now this is not to say salt is the only way to flavor food, absolument pas! Herbs and spices and aromatics (garlic, shallots and onions) are also simple ways to maximize the flavor in a simple protein or vegetable based dish. Because when food tastes delicious, we need less as our appetites are satiated.
4. Learn and come to enjoy cooking at home
“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” —Julia Child
I know not everyone will want to adapt this suggestion, but cooking can be simple, and for me it is truly a pleasure. I continue to learn how to create this and craft that, but here are two resources to get your started – this post (scroll to #3) includes a list of basic techniques as well as basic supplies; and this post lists the basic items to have on hand in your kitchen so you can make simple and flavorful meals any day of the week.
With these four simple approaches to eating mindfully, your mind will become more alert, your waistline more trim, your energy level will soar (pair it with a luxurious, deep night’s sleep), and you will heighten the overall quality in your everyday life. Why? Because you will be stepping into the best version of yourself, you will begin to feel more fully yourself and not be plagued by a bloated stomach, unnecessary headaches, dry skin, and the list goes on. Most of the seemingly small but irritating and frustrating health and beauty alignments can be eliminated (not all, and for those, certainly a medical opinion and advice should be sought) by simply tending to what and how we eat.
Much like investing in our 401K, the renovations to our home, or the career path we are working on, one of the most profound and life-changing investments we can make without oodles of money is the investment in our health which begins with how we feed and nourish our bodies.
And the beauty of feeding our bodies well is that we need not deprive ourselves. Enjoy that slice of apple pie with locally made salted vanilla gelato, but then find the balance throughout the rest of the day. Quality over quantity in all arenas and in this case in the food arena will certainly be a worthwhile life pursuit you won’t regret.
Stop by next month (which isn’t far away!) when we dive into mastering our use of credit. And to see the entire year’s list of what will be each month’s focus, take a look here.
~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHVIES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
~Why Not . . . Eat in Courses?
~15 Things to Do to Not “Feel Fat”
~Love Food, Love Your Body – 10 Simple Tips (podcast episode)
~A Capsule Menu: What It Is and How to Create Your Own
~View all of the Health and Food posts from TSLL Archives here.
A Unique Cornwall Vacation Sanctuary
What initially intrigued me about this 19th century Cornwall repurposed engine house was the stand-alone claw-foot tub, the beautifully juxtaposed large ornate mirror both nestled next to a grand window offering an abundance of natural light. Let me soak here each night and the days, no matter what they involved, will be punctuated with perfection.
But then I began to explore the home in which the claw-foot tub was situated, and I became even more fascinated.
Available as a vacation rental through Unique Home Stays, “The Castle” as it became known in the village beginning in the 20th century is available to be enjoyed by up to six people and two family dogs. Only a short 20 minute drive from the nearest town, Truro, enjoy a country getaway while living in true luxury. Whether you want to cook or not (a private chef is available), the grounds have available fresh herbs and the nearby markets and farm stands offer fresh produce to enjoy on the outdoor decks or inside around a roaring fire. From the soaking hot tub, to the plush outdoor furniture and a kitchen that begs you to stay in and nosh, relax and unwind, if you are looking for a dream of a English country getaway, you may have just found your home away from home. Learn more here.
~View more Decor Inspiration here
A New Item in TSLL Boutique: An Affordable Classic Trench
Classic effortless style, patterned after the French women who blazed the trail and demonstrate that simple is sophisticated, more often than not entails a classic trench coat. And as I mentioned in this podcast episode when discussing the style tips of the French woman, as much as I want to purchase a Burberry trench, my budget has told me to wait. However, there are many quality mid-range designs that embody that classic silhouette and structure, and one worth checking out is London Fog.
Currently I have had in my closet for over five years and worn regularly J.Crew’s Icon trench (currently 30% off with promo code BIGSALE) which is mid-thigh length – perfect to wear over jeans but not ideally worn over a dress or a skirt as the coat’s length is far shorter. And so, I have been on the lookout for a trench that hit at or preferably just barely below the knee. Why? I need a versatile trench that can be worn with jeans but also with any of my pencil skirt ensembles or dresses. And as luck would have it, I came across London Fog’s Gillian long-trench in stone or black.
I was over the moon, and even more so when I paid less than $140. If you too are in the market for a classic trench, stop by Macy’s (save 30% with FRIEND promo code) or the London Fog website and discover a label that offers classic quality styles at affordable prices.
As it is a classic item for a capsule wardrobe, this coat can be found in TSLL’s Capsule Wardrobe Boutique in All-Season. Just in case you aren’t ready to buy right now, rest-assured, you will know where to find it when you are.
April 26, 2017
Why Not . . . Celebrate the Ordinary?
To be ordinary, to applaud ordinary, to accept the ordinary is not always viewed as a worthwhile pursuit. After all, the definition of ordinary is “routine” or “of a kind to be expected in the normal order of events”. And as someone who has been accused of loving her routines all too much, it was never with adoration that such a statement was shared. However, to be able to appreciate the ordinary is a skill that I have found enables us to lead extraordinary lives. Let me share today with you what I mean.
“Often in life those seemingly ordinary moments hold the most extraordinary meaning.” ― Ken Poirot
The entire premise of living a simply luxurious life is understanding and then putting into action how to live an extraordinary life in the everyday ordinary moments. The moments that we have to tend to each day: make breakfast, do the job that pays the bills, spend time with those we love in the same house we call home, balance the monthly budget, make sure we allow 7-8 hours of sleep each night and the list could go on forever. With each opportunity I have had in my lifetime to spend with different people, families and friends as they go about their lives, I have observed that some know how to turn the ordinary into truly extraordinary circumstances and experiences while others just make it through the day. It truly is a skill, a choice, a way of living, and it doesn’t require a certain amount of money, a particular amount of square footage, a particular wardrobe or any lifestyle descriptor that from the outside many assume we need. What it requires is something we each can find within ourselves if we choose to look. What is it we’re looking for? The beauty and the opportunity in each moment, and then choosing to make the most of it.
“You can find something truly important in an ordinary minute.”
― Mitch Albom, For One More Day
Since the birth of TSLL blog, ideas and ways of living our everyday lives in such a way to bring more beauty, pleasure, appreciation, comfort and awe have been shared. From how to build a great week to understanding how art can improve the happiness factor in our everyday life. How we choose to go about and how we choose to perceive the world we reside in each day determines whether our seemingly ordinary days can rise to the sensation of extraordinary.
Why not . . .
. . . savor the everyday routines such as grocery shopping, your daily walk, making breakfast or even cleaning the house? As shared here in 2012, Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds it is a miraculous mark of wisdom to see the miraculous in the common.
. . . revel in the rest you ensure you give yourself each day. Learn how to do so and do so well here.
. . . create your own simple rituals, events you look forward to, enjoy and lose all track of time when partaking?
. . . simplify, but at the same time elevate your work week style quotient in order to look and feel your best?
. . . eradicate the negativity so that you can experience and luxuriate in all the goodness that surrounds you each and everyday?
. . . spend time in nature regularly?
. . . discover how to design a happy life that truly brings you joy, rather than attempting to emulate what society tells you your life should look like in order to be content?
. . . be inspired by cultures that fascinate you? In my case, be inspired by the French and discover how to create a luxurious everyday life.
. . . recognize that whether you are able to getaway on a vacation or not, life can still be quite grand? Discover how to make the most of a stay-cation.
. . . understand and master the basics and build a solid foundation in your everyday life so that you can springboard into the extraordinary, no matter where your curiosities take you?
The funny thing about the word ordinary is that it requires that the majority of populous with similar characteristics is doing the same thing. And so this is what I find thought-provoking: We may have similar external attributes – a partner, a job, a car, a home, bills, some of us children, etc. – but what separates the ordinary from the extraordinary is how we dance with each of these details. Instead of begrudgingly making dinner, why not make it a fun affair? Why not have a theme night, or perhaps make it an experience in which the music is on, the television is off and fun aprons are worn by anyone who steps foot into the kitchen? Or when it comes to relaxing after a long day, put on soothing tunes rather than the drone of the television, pour yourself a crisp glass of water with a squeeze of lemon and allow yourself to close your eyes or talk about your day with a loved one.
When we choose to celebrate the ordinary moments in our lives, we, by how we choose to engage with them, have the ability to make them extraordinary. And in so doing, we elevate not only our life but the lives that we touch or are intertwined with.
Some of us will have more routines throughout their days than others depending upon their job, expectations and responsibilities, but we will also have the opportunity to be spontaneous and seize upon opportunities that are not routine. And when we do, the practice we have had in our everyday routines of looking for the beauty, of choosing to be present, will lend itself quite well to making the most of the extraordinary, unique opportunities when they come our way.
Because you see, each of us has a choice. It’s easy to be ordinary, to do what everyone else approves of and accepts, but if that doesn’t sit well, even if the outline of your life looks ordinary to the outside world, you can elevate it. How you do that is by celebrating the seemingly ordinary moments – the chirp in the spring of the morning mating birds, the gentle fall of the rain that offers the sweetest smell, the desire for your pup or child to snuggle with you as you sit in your favorite chair, the playful whisper of sweet words from your love upon the curve of your neck, savoring a well-written opinion piece in the morning newspaper while sipping your coffee – and doing what you can to enliven the everyday at every turn.
How can you make the everyday of someone you love more lovely? How can you shift gears from humdrum to happy-dance city? Ask yourself, what pulls you down? Do you pull yourself down? Are you focusing on what frustrates you, slows you down or seems to get in your way? Why not focus on what is working? Why not focus on the gift that you have a job you love or good health that keeps your heart and mind at their optimum performance? Why not focus on the lovely night’s sleep you had last night or the sensual perfume you wear each day? Why not focus on the gift you have to live today better than you did yesterday?
Getting into the habit of celebrating the ordinary is a skill that provides the foundation for an overall well-lived life. For when you can find the beauty in events, things, people, that others pass by, the experience of the extraordinary is all the more powerful and life-changing. I often ponder if we didn’t have the ordinary would we know how to fully appreciate the unique and extraordinary when it enters our lives? And speaking from experience, having witnessed moments in the everyday that were lovely, but common and frequent, when the hoped for but unexpected did enter my life, I found I was all the more stunned, dumbstruck and appreciative, bathing myself in each and every moment so as not to forget its magical presence, not sure if such events were a dream or a dream come true, but making sure I would never forget they occurred.
Perhaps life doesn’t know if we as individuals appreciate the everyday or not, but I think the gift to those who do celebrate the ordinary moments are those moments I spoke of that take our breath away. Perhaps our breath can only be taken away if we understand how rare and unique and special they are, and perhaps it is through the lens of being able to see all the little details of awesomeness that leave us dumbstruck and feeling utterly blessed and appreciative.
And with the combination of ordinary and extraordinary moments making up our lives, what amazing lives we have the opportunity to live each and every day, non?
So today and every day, why not revel in the everyday routines you have established, honed and polished (and if necessary, toss those that aren’t working) so that the everyday can be a day you look forward to waking up to each morning?
Have a lovely remainder of the week everyone and thank you for stopping by.
April 25, 2017
Casual, Relaxed Style
When I imagine a relaxed, casual outfit, the style is not dismissed. Quite possibly it is even more catered to, as with loose clothing, comfortable clothing, the proportions must be well-balanced, the tailoring just as effortless and the colors classic and somewhat neutral. From the loose trench coat with a straw bag worn over the shoulder for spring and summer or the white tunic worn over cropped boyfriend jeans and under an oversized blazer, proportions matter, what works well together matter, and when it all comes together, the smile and ease with which you go about your day comes naturally. Have a look at inspiration below, and remember to click on any of the images to be redirected to the original source.
~View more Style Inspiration posts here.
April 24, 2017
Dream First, Then Plan
~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” —Henry David Thoreau
To dream big. To dream beyond others’ imagination is a risk. However, to dream so vastly is to reveal one’s capacity for hope of what could possibly become reality.
Do you remember what you dreamt about as a child, in particular your daydreams when the sky truly was the limit? Do you remember why you dreamt what you did? More often than not what we dreamt about had more to do with what we thought we would feel, how we presumed our way of life would be and thus the contentment or fulfillment we would reach.
And the exciting news I want to share with you today is that the sky still is the limit. Even as we step into adulthood, our dreams are a roadmap of where we want to go, of what we are passionate about. The important part that we must consciously engage ourselves in is the dissecting of the dreams that refuse to be forgotten.
In other words, look closely at your dreams from childhood. In some form, which ones are you still dreaming about? Maybe as a child you dreamed of traveling the world, partaking in safaris and scaling Mt. Rushmore. Examine now what is dancing through your daydreams. Is it the same thing or is it adventures, perhaps more tame? Look less at the specific destination itself and instead at how you conjectured it would make you feel when you had the opportunity to travel to parts unknown. Perhaps it was the freedom you wanted to always have in your life. Or maybe it was the comfort of nature surrounding you.
If you have the courage to investigate why you dream about what you dream, what you dare to dream in other words, you will find a roadmap to your truest contentment. Along the way as you unearth the truth, you may discover a need to become better skilled in certain arenas, and so you do just that. As you continue to proceed, you are aware of what, while being low on your priority list, is impeding your progress, so you understand why you must let some things go that no longer align with your truest path.
The gift of dreaming big and having the courage to pursue what you’ve imagined is that what we focus on, in which pursuits we deposit our energy, we help to manifest and eventually nurture into reality.
“The future you see is the future you get.” – Robert G Allen
While it may seem impossible as you gaze at your dream from afar having only just begun or having so much further to travel, the good news is so long as you stay focused, journal regularly, check your subgoals weekly or monthly, you will gradually come closer to what you wish for. Why? Because you are no longer wishing, you are doing. And with each step, with each task completed and each exercise of willpower to say no to what might jeopardize or get in the way, you are inching closer toward making it your reality.
“At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable.” – Christopher Reeve
Upon moving to Bend, an amazing dream became a reality, calling Bend my hometown. Something I honestly had doubts along the way would ever come true, living, calling home this beautiful mountain, nature-loving, small-town feel with a big city undercurrent. But I never gave up doing what I could to put myself in the best position to give it the potential it needed to materialize.
Now that I have lived here almost two years, a few of my other dreams have seemingly been stalled while others have blossomed beyond my expectation. And as I consider the latter of those two realities, I am reminded that never giving up completely is always the best idea. Sometimes we have to put dreams on the back burner or at least keep working towards them habitually, but what is needed is letting go of the expectation of when they may come to be what we hope they might be. As we do this, we’re still making progress, but we’re letting go of the pressure, we’re recognizing that maybe we really don’t have all of the control, but so long as we control what we are able, when the right opportunity presents itself, we will be able to seize the moment.
In moments of doubt, when I am not sure if my dream is even a possibility anymore, I find myself shaking my head. When a step back or a regression of progress appears to be taking place, I want to kick myself and then more doubt is piled on. But then I wonder, what would life be if we didn’t have dreams to pursue? Dreams are a form of curiosity, of wondering, can I do this? Am I up to the task? Am I capable? The reassuring answer is, you are absolutely capable, and along the way some pretty amazing moments could happen as well that might open even more unexpectedly splendid doors. And those temporary setbacks, they are going to happen. First, look at why they occurred, and often what you will find is that you were living life, and balancing as you moved forward to navigate what you had to navigate. Simply because you had to take a step back, doesn’t mean your progress toward your dream is dashed. It simply means, you may have to reroute, or refuel earlier than expected. But you can do that, no? Because if it is a dream you are ardently passionate about, you will refuel, you will reboot and you will figure out a way to reach your goal.
“Capture your dreams and your life becomes full.” – Nikita Koloff
Imagine the story your life is writing right now. Imagine the anecdotes you are collecting along the way to be appreciated once again upon reflection. View your life as a story, make the choices that will make the reader smile, and since it is a story, accept that there will be moments you do not want or expect, but if you are the savvy writer that I know you are capable of being, you will figure out a way to write a happy ending.
Dream big and let your dreams guide you along your magnificent journey of life.
~SIMILAR POSTS FROM THE ARCHIVES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
~Dare to Turn Your Dreams Into Reality
~11 Things You Must Do to Create the Life of Your Dreams
~Why Not . . . Achieve Your Dreams? (3 part series)
~Petit Plaisir
~My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’homme
~Mastering the Art of French Cooking
April 21, 2017
This & That: April 21, 2017
Books
—Beyond the Label: Women, Leadership and Success on Our Own Terms by Maureen Chiquet
I have just begun to read former Chanel CEO’s memoir/life guide upon its release this past Tuesday, but already I am absolutely fascinated. I found myself picking up Maureen Chiquet’s Beyond the Label during my lunch hour this week and not wanting class to begin so that I might continue to read and be intrigued by the honest revelation of her discovery of most true self beginning with her first trip as an exchange student from St. Louis to the south of France when she was 16. I look forward to further sharing my discoveries on the blog and podcast in coming weeks, but in the meantime, I do think you will enjoy if you are looking to figure out how to define success on your own terms and listen to that voice inside that refuses to be ignored no matter what society says you must do with your life. Read the article that introduced me to the book here as shared in The New York Times last Sunday.
—Goodbye Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki
Just last week, I stopped into a local bookstore for coffee with a good friend and found Fumio Sasaki’s book on the counter by the register. Curious, I picked it up and flipped through a few pages. Organized by simple approaches you can incorporate in your life to let go of items and objects you may have thought you truly needed in your life, if you are looking for a book to inspire you to declutter and reasons to be reassured you will be okay without one more [fill in the blank], you may just find yourself devouring his book which released earlier this month.
—My Mother’s Kitchen: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and the Meaning of Life by Peter Gethers
Earlier this week the Why Not . . . ? post suggested reading cookbooks for pleasure reading, and Peter Gether’s book while not foremost a cookbook is a book I would without hesitation place in the category of a cookbook as well as memoir. His mother Judy Gethers is a woman who befriended and mentored well-known culinary figures such as Wolfgang Puck, Nancy Silverton and Jonathan Waxman, upon falling in love with cooking in her 50s. In fact, she even taught alongside Julia Child. As his mother ages, following a debilitating stroke, he wants to offer her a most memorable feast to include all of her favorite dishes. However, there is one minor obstacle: Peter doesn’t know how to cook.
With humor and exploration, My Mother’s Kitchen is a memoir of a son and his adored mother who journey through her memories to learn how to cook. Along the way an unforgettable story and experience takes place.
—Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandburg
On Tuesday April 25, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandburg’s second book will be released. After suffering an unexpected sudden loss of her 40-year old husband Dave Goldberg in 2015, Sandburg’s life, as one would imagine, was completed upended leaving her feeling, for lack of a better word, joyless.
Co-written by Adam Grant, a psychologist at Wharton, Option B is a combination of Sandburg’s personal experience and newfound approach to reclaiming the joy along with Grant’s research on found strength during adversity that will help anyone dealing with large or small everyday struggles , losses or setbacks.
Film
—A Quiet Passion
The New Yorker raved about Terrence Davies independent film starring Cynthia Nixon A Quiet Passion, calling it an absolute drop-dead masterwork”, and after previewing the trailer below, you will see quickly why this film, especially if you are an English major, but even more so if you have read Dickinson’s poetry in high school or elsewhere and perhaps been curious about what we don’t know, is worth your time to see. Depicting the life of American poet Emily Dickinson who spent her life in Amherst, Massachusetts, Nixon’s performance is brilliant, deeply emotive and full of quiet strength. Having had the opportunity years ago after just graduating from college (yes, I am one of the aforementioned English majors), I had the opportunity to tour Dickinson’s museum which is situated in the home she lived in the college town which shares the town’s name. Released last year, put this film on your watch list.
Television
—Genius
Similar to the film above, Genius, National Geographic Channel’s first scripted series, goes beyond the history we were introduced to in school and dives deeper into the figures that are familiar but perhaps not truly accurately known.
Based on Walter Isaacson’s book Einstein: His Life and Universe, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer team up again to produce the 10 episode series which premieres Tuesday April 25th at 9pm.
Reintroducing the renowned physicist Albert Einstein on a more personal level, Geoffrey Rush stars as an older Einstein by Johnny Flynn portrays him in his youth. Discover his struggles in his marriage and with his children and the wrenching dilemmas provoked by the tumultuous time in history. I am quiet excited to tune in and already have the series scheduled to be taped. Have a look at the trailer below.
—Giada in Italy, Season 3, Food Network
In Giada de Laurentiis’ second venture to Florence, Italy, to film her third season of Giada in Italy, all six episodes are in homage to her grandfather. I am a little late in sharing its premiere with you as it debuted on April 9th, but there are still four more episodes to devour. Taped at the same location as season two, the open-air kitchen set aloft the Renaissance mecca in Italy, the food looks scrumptious and the sites will have your clamoring to book your next flight soon.
~recipe/list of ingredients for Greek-inspired antipasto platter~
A beautiful week has unfolded and it all began with a wonderful weekend. And so as we step into another two day respite, I look forward to savoring the leisure and rest that the 48 hours provides and exploring, creating when the moment strikes and simply enjoying spring. Nope, nothing grand, over-the-top or uproarious this weekend. For me, such a calm scenario will be just perfect as the ability to do as I please, appreciate the ordinary moments that often are overlooked when our schedules become too busy is truly something I savor more and more.
I do hope you are looking ahead to a wonderful weekend, no matter how you enjoy most relishing these days of your own. Thank you for taking time to stop by today and below are a few articles and one podcast episode I think you just might enjoy. Until Monday, bonne journée!
~The French language! So many beautiful words to hear, and here is a list of one person’s favorite 24.
~I will be listening to this podcast episode on my walk today with the boys! Ina Garten was Katie Couric’s most recent guest on her eponymously named podcast, and along with much to enjoy, Ina’s response to why she and her husband Jeffrey didn’t have kids is absolutely refreshing! Thank you Ina!
~In the market for a French Riveria villa? Either way, take the tour here.
~Go behind the scenes: With the support of former Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, her speech writer (co-owner of Washington D.C.’s beloved indie bookstore Politics & Prose), Lissa Muscatine will be publishing her insider’s account soon.
~It’s all about sleep, and the graphics make it simple and clear what we all need to do and why.
