All posts filed under: Healthy minds

Let’s Leave 2020 Behind

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Normally I tell everyone who’s stuck in the past to let it go in order to move forward in the most positive way possible. I did believe that up until the middle of January, when all I aimed to do was look forward to 2020. A year of many positive changes was what the Chinese horoscope predicted, which often times do come with a price. In the year of the metal rat, I was destined to succeed in my career but was in line for a dozen failures – in relationship, health and my social life. I tucked these predictions in the back of my mind, and took a trip to England in January seeing nothing but good in 2020. Until one afternoon, someone dear to me called from the U.S. to warn me about a deadly virus making its way from the east and to be very careful when travelling back to the states at the end of January. I took note, bought a hospital grade mask, surgical gloves-when the items were hardly a …

Travel: Three Day Weekends

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In the states, we have Labor Day weekend coming up – first weekend in September, which represents the end to summer and even marks the formal beginning of a school year. This year as we know it, is a bit off (scratch that) a lot off and planning a three-day getaway is probably on the back of everyone’s mind, considering the fires in the west, the hurricanes in the south, and rain in between. But for the sake of mental health, we should make an effort to be outdoors, safely of course, abiding by all the rules – masks, six feet apart, and everything else asked of us to stay healthy. Featured image offers up ten best places to spend the labor day weekend

What Are Your Plans This Weekend

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Not a week goes by where I am simply existing. There is lots to do, and plan and think about and since I do most of it over the week, the weekend, is where I want to let loose. This week is one of my favorite co-worker’s last week and that’s made me sad. Since she lives across the country,  it’s not like we can maintain a girls night out type of relationship. We spoke for an hour on the phone this morning, and promised we would Zoom with cocktails sometime in the near future. Like so many of us do, but somehow life gets in the way and then, we end up only wishing one another a happy birthday on Facebook. The other tidbit – since I live in San Francisco, in a home built on not so solid ground, I’ve seen a shift in the structure for a year or so now, and it got me reaching out to get a quote from an engineering firm or two. I discovered, it would be …

Lifestyle: Self Reflection and Some Form of Exercise

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In my efforts to remain positive, I find myself veering towards topics about lifestyle changes or if not for changes, then to learn to cope with all the things life has thrown in our direction. Do you believe self-reflection gives you a happier and a more successful life? If so, then here’s how you proceed. Consider tapping into your creative side, when feeling anxious during a period of isolation to effort a speedy recovery of any sort. How to recognize that you need a lifestyle change? Some helpful tips to consider while out and about during these worrying times – to completely adapt – even beyond today’s concerns. How to deal with anxiety in a nutshell – sheds some light on topics you may otherwise feel you cannot discuss with loved ones or friends for fear of being dismissed.

Food: Dinner Tonight – White Bean and Kale Soup

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I took a tumble, and landed on my right hand, while walking through Golden Gate Park the other day and I must say, typing is a b****. Hence the minimal in posts. But since cooking is one of my favorite topics, and dinner is around the corner, I had to share what it is we are – as a unit – aiming to prep for dinner tonight – wish me luck and wish my fam luck for putting up with my demands across the kitchen. At least it’s an easy recipe, but I still won’t use a crockpot 😉 INGREDIENTS 6 cups low-sodium chicken or veggie stock 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa 1 small sweet onion, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 1/4 cup basil pesto 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 4 sage leaves kosher salt and pepper 1 parmesan rind 3 tablespoons lemons juice + 1 tablespoon lemon zest 2 cups roughly torn Tuscan kale 2 cans (14 ounces) cans cannelloni beans, drained grated parmesan, for serving {more} On another note – you know what’s the coolest? When you stumble upon your toddler grankid’s Netflix account and want to watch everything. Cause you miss …

Lifestyle: I Answered A Few Questions Just Because

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I’ve been binge watching Grace and Frankie on Netflix for a week now, and have made it to season 2 episode 8. I have to say, it is one of the best shows for those worried about getting old-er or worried so much about being alone while older. This is of course, past the grown-up kids, and grand kids who stay in touch or visit often. The show resonated with me on so many levels and I just can’t stop myself from watching one episode after another. Kind of like the Golden Girls – except its not  four women struggling to get through old age, it’s unisex and the topics are a more modern take on what was shunned upon during the Golden Girls reign. Disclaimer – As you may know, I am doing much questioning about my landmark birthday coming up, so these days, veering towards topics about aging has become part of the norm  – like this one about a very sexy 74 year old fashion designer and her attitude towards a healthy …

Lifestyle: Do You Ever Ask Yourself?

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I bought a book a while ago at a small boutique store in Burlingame, California titled Celebrating You, by M.H. Clark – which by the way is now on sale on Amazon. The book was published in 2012, with the most lovable illustrations by Jill Labieniec .   At the time I really needed someone to tell me that I was okay, that I was appreciated for all the things that I do, and that I am. But I didn’t know that I needed to hear it. It was when I found the book in the store, and thumbed through the witty reminders  on each page, when I recognized the importance of being appreciated.  The book, which helped me through the darkest of days and nights, now sits on the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf,  I use as my headboard, in my studio apartment. It is the closest to my reach, and each night I glance at the cover before turning in. Call me a funny-girl, but this little book is my beacon of hope. This year, I will …

No Plans But To Ponder This Saturday Morning

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It’s the year of the rat, I discovered while ‘still jet-lagged’ laying in bed at 2:30 in the morning in England, with my eyes wide-open, thumbing through Instagram, searching for inspiration. I was born in the year of the rat, so naturally I had to revisit understanding the characteristics of this creature, not for any particular reason but for mere curiosity.  The below are the exurbs from here and here  Rats are clever, quick thinkers; successful, but content with living a quiet and peaceful life – was a lead to the description here, which of course resonated with me 😉 Optimistic and energetic, people born in the Rat year are likable by all. They are sensitive to other’s emotions but are stubborn with your opinion. Their personality is kind, but due to weak communication skills, their words may seem impolite and rude. – naturally I need to tweak ‘weak’ and insert ‘straight-forwardness’  Women born in the Rat year are the traditional women. They love keeping things organized and place great value on the family. Everything is …

What Are You Reading Lately?

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I strive to better myself in every way possible, but on occasion feel as though I am failing. This is a blessing and a curse – because I am very hard on myself and always push the envelope in achieving much more than expected, which is a curse. And yet, I feel my best when I am able to achieve the goals I have set for myself and flourish in the best way possible – blessing? Recently though I’ve been questioning every ounce of who I am, which I think most of us do, at the end to each year, and then assess what we need to work on. In my case, much more than I though of at first, and I am not talking about losing weight, or changing up my wardrobe, I am talking about inner self, personality, character, and everything else that define me as a being. It’s weird how that works – because without any prior research, I picked up two books which I am reading simultaneously solely based on the …

All The Questions In The World

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Yes, it is happening again, where on a gloomy rainy day, I start to questions too many things. I think mostly on day two of a work week, while still trying to get adjusted to  sitting in the basement of a building not so retrofitted for a city built on sand and destined for earthquakes. I do cringe with every step I descent to the underground, and sometimes even hold my breath until I leave work. There are worst things in the world and I’m sure someone reading this is saying, how selfish of her to be thinking otherwise.  But in talking to the group of employees, who got the shorter end of the stick, about our placement, I realize that although no one is happy in the basement, they are not willing to complain about it. Which got me thinking about the topic of complaining. Is complaining really that bad?  Or is complaining a waste of your valuable time and something that should be avoided at all cost?   How to Complain Less is the …