Hello beautiful souls! 🌲✨ Happy Fun Fact Friday! Today I'm bubbling with excitement to share something that feels like a warm hug from Mother Nature herself - forest bathing! Fun Fact: Did you know that just 15 minutes among trees can lower your cortisol levels by up to 16%? The Japanese have been onto something magical with their practice of "shinrin-yoku" (forest bathing) since the 1980s! Here's what makes my herbalist heart sing about this gentle practice: 🌿 Your nervous system gets a natural reset - Those lovely tree compounds called phytoncides actually boost your immune system while you breathe them in. It's like nature's own aromatherapy session! 🌿 Your mind finds its quiet space - I've noticed that when I'm feeling scattered (hello, busy mom life!), even a short walk among trees helps my thoughts settle like leaves finding their place on forest floor. 🌿 It's ridiculously simple - No special equipment, no complicated instructions. Just you, some trees, and your willingness to slow down and notice. The beautiful thing? You don't need a pristine wilderness. Your local park, a tree-lined street, or even sitting under that old oak in your backyard counts! I'm curious - have you ever noticed how differently you feel after spending time around trees? Sometimes the most profound medicine is the simplest, don't you think? What's your favorite spot to connect with nature? I'd love to hear! 💚

Happy Thursday, beautiful souls! If you've ever wanted to start a gratitude journal but didn't know where to begin, or if you've tried before but got stuck on what to write, this post is for you! Why Gratitude Journaling is So Powerful There's something magical about putting pen to paper when it comes to gratitude. Writing down what we're thankful for helps us slow down, really think about our blessings, and create a beautiful record of all the good in our lives. Plus, on tough days, you can flip back through your journal and remind yourself of all the wonderful things you've experienced. Getting Started: Keep It Simple You don't need a fancy journal or perfect handwriting—any notebook or even your phone will do! The key is consistency, not perfection. Even writing down one thing you're grateful for each day can make a huge difference in how you see the world. Gratitude Prompts to Spark Your Writing For Beginners: - What made you smile today? - Name three things you can see right now that you appreciate - What's something you often take for granted but are actually grateful for? - Who is someone you're thankful to have in your life, and why? - What's a simple pleasure that brought you joy recently? For Deeper Reflection: - What challenge from your past are you now grateful for because of how it helped you grow? - What about your body are you thankful for today? - What skill or ability do you have that you're grateful for? - What's something difficult that happened recently that you can find a silver lining in? - What tradition or memory from your childhood still brings you joy? For Tough Days: - What's one thing that went right today, even if everything else felt hard? - What's the most comfortable thing around you right now? - What's something you learned today, even if it was small? - Who could you reach out to if you needed support? - What's one thing about tomorrow that you can look forward to? For Abundance Mindset: - What resources do you have access to that many people don't? - What opportunities are available to you right now? - What progress have you made recently, no matter how small? - What aspects of your home make you feel safe and comfortable? - What freedoms do you enjoy that you might not think about often?

I had some technical difficulties recording the mediation, and unfortunately, I did not catch it in time so our meditation for today will be canceled. I will learn from my mistake and this won't happen again.

Happy Saturday, beautiful souls! Let's talk about something I hear all the time: "I want to practice self-care, but I'm just too busy!" I get it—between work, family, responsibilities, and everything else life throws our way, it can feel impossible to carve out time for ourselves. But here's the thing: self-care isn't selfish, and it doesn't have to take hours out of your day! Redefining Self-Care First, let's bust the myth that self-care has to look like long bubble baths and spa days (though those are lovely when you can manage them!). Real self-care is about small, intentional acts that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Sometimes it's as simple as taking three deep breaths or drinking a glass of water mindfully. Micro Self-Care Moments These tiny acts of kindness toward yourself can fit into even the busiest schedule: ~ 2-Minute Morning Ritual Before checking your phone, take two minutes to stretch, breathe deeply, or set an intention for your day. This small act can shift your entire mindset. ~ Mindful Transitions Use the time between activities as mini self-care moments. Take three deep breaths before entering a meeting, or pause to appreciate something beautiful on your way to the car. ~ Bathroom Breaks as Reset Buttons Yes, really! Use those few minutes to splash cool water on your face, do some shoulder rolls, or practice a quick breathing exercise. It's private time that's already built into your day. ~ Lunch Break Magic Even if you only have 15 minutes, step outside, eat without distractions, or listen to a favorite song. These moments of presence can be incredibly restorative. ~ Bedtime Wind-Down Spend just 5 minutes before sleep doing something nurturing—apply hand cream mindfully, write down three things you're grateful for, or do gentle stretches. Self-Care That Multitasks Look for ways to weave self-care into things you're already doing: ~ Commute Care Listen to uplifting music, practice gratitude, or use travel time for mindful breathing (if you're not driving!).

I tested out the three different 'cinnamons' from my favorite spice company. (Left) Korintje Cassia Cinnamon - Scientific name: Cinnamomum burmannii - Industry standard for bakers, chefs and home cooks - Similar to red hot cinnamon candies - from Indonesia (Center) Vietnamese Saigon Cassia Cinnamon - Scientific name: Cinnamomum loureiroi - This is the one I already had in my cupboard as you can tell my the use of the jar - Typical but better of the kind you buy in the grocery store - from Vietnam (Right) Ceylon Cinnamon - Scientific name: Cinnamomum verum - 'Real' cinnamon - This variety is used heavily in Mexican hot chocolate, rice pudding and atloe - from Ski Lanka First half bite of each and Ceylon was off the table right away, too strong of a flavor and I lost the apple in it. The other two were in the running together at this point however the center one won out just slightly. It let the sweetness of the apple from forward without overpowering. French toast test in the future!