3 Ways to Help During This Holiday Season

I hope you are all staying safe and well during these trying times. My condolences for those of you who have lost anyone to COVID-19.

How are you doing?

I think we are all grieving in our own way. Whether you think it is big or small, it is valid. The pandemic (and everything in between) has shattered lives across the globe, and to not be ok is OK. Reach out for help if you need it and remember to take care of yourself first.

This upcoming holiday season will be especially difficult for so many around the world. I am constantly reminding myself for how grateful I am for everything I have. When in doubt, gratitude. Because the holiday season can be challenging as is, you might be thinking how the heck can I help others right now, let alone myself? Well, that’s why self-care is important AND only if you have the energy reserves to help. If you don’t, that is more than understandable. There are also many ways to help without spending money.

I wanted to provide a very short list of ways to help out during this holiday season. They say helping others (in any way you are able to) can provide a sense of self joy. I believe it! So, only if you have the capacity to and want to, below are some ways to contribute. These are primarily food-insecure programs. Note: these are NYC-based organizations. For local organizations around your community, please search for similar programs.

City Harvest

• New York City’s largest food rescue organization

• Rescues (safe/untouched) food and delivers to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens and other community partners across the five boroughs

• Donate, fundraise and/or volunteer

Invisible Hands

• Non-profit organization delivering groceries (food, medicine, and other essentials)

• Free deliveries throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, and Philadelphia

• Donate, volunteer and/or partner

Food Bank NYC

• New York City’s largest hunger-relief organization

• Food distribution, income support, nutrition education, and so much more

• Donate, volunteer and/or partner

There are so many more ways to help support this holiday season and throughout. If and whatever way you choose to help, is more than enough. Just by spreading the word goes a long way :)

This post was not sponsored or affiliated with any of the above organizations.

How To Have an Intentional Holiday Season

Hello, hi there! It’s the unofficial winter season (yikes!) and I wanted to check in with you all to see how you are feeling. December is upon us and that means one thing…the holidays are HERE. Regardless of where your mindset is currently at, I am writing to help us all out on how to cultivate an intentional holiday season.

The holiday season means something different for everyone. It may be a time of endless joy for some, yet it could bring a lot of sadness to others. It may leave you feeling excited, or feelings of overwhelm with anxiety. And you know what? Any and all of those feelings are valid. Remember that feelings and emotions are fleeting. What you choose to do with them is the crucial part.

Living your best holiday season life? Continue to show it and spread that holiday cheer! Feeling more like the Grinch and/or stressed out? Try doing something that you enjoy that brings some inner peace. The last thing we need is to take our inner aggression out on others. Everyone is going through something so try to practice self awareness and hit the pause button if needed.

Ok now that we have set the tone, here are some ways to navigate the holiday season and be intentional in how we spend the next several weeks.

Self care

Although the term self care can seem trendy these days, I still like to use it because it has a different meaning for everyone. The holiday season can be stressful, am I right? How about we take some “me” time to help feel our best. There will be situations that are unavoidable, dreadful or unfulfilling, but if we practice self care, it can make any stressful situation a little less daunting. If you take care of yourself, you can show up for others.

What does self care look like for you? It can be the simplest/smallest of things, but if it helps keep you centered, be consistent.

Hitting Pause

One of the best things I have learned over the years is to hit pause and take a step back when needed. Some of us need more down time than others (or some of us intentionally busy ourselves and leave too little down time). The holiday season can feel like there are a million things going on at once.

It is OK to say no to holiday parties to relax and chill out, it is OK to spend some alone time, and it is OK to not be in the holiday spirit at all times.

Give Without Expectation

Serving others and giving without receiving has some major feel-good power. Have you ever done something for someone without expecting something in return? Yeah, that is called intentional living. Where you genuinely want to help or give in some way and not feel like the other person(s) has to give anything back to you. It is definitely a mood booster!

But this is not to say that you should give to others just because it looks good externally, it has to come from within.

I hope this helps keeps you calm and sane this holiday season! Again, there will be things that are out of our control, but if we can focus more on the good in any situation, you are well on your way. Be intentional, have fun, and you WILL survive the in-laws ;) Hehe just kidding.

3 Helpful Ways to Start Meditation

I am not a certified meditation teacher. These tips are helpful for my personal mediation practice and have helped me get started. 

Hi guys! I can't believe it is August already - where is summer going? To be honest, I won't be too horribly sad, seeing how hot and humid it has been this year. Or maybe the winters are so long I forget just HOW hot it gets in NYC. Maybe we could all use some meditation to get through it :)

If you guys have been following me for a while now, you know how much I love meditation and how important my practice has become. It is part of my wellness ritual that you can read more about here! Whether you are simply curious, have tried it out before or trying to become more consistent in your own practice, I wanted to share helpful tips that have helped me ease into meditation.

Before I moved to NYC almost 4 years ago this month(!), I was dedicated to meditating almost every day for several months. I had my quick 20-minute yoga sequence and then sat on my mat to meditate for only a few minutes in the morning. I want to reiterate: a few minutes. I don't believe you need to meditate for an hour or longer to reap the benefits. The practice and routine are what make it worthwhile. Although I do know from personal experience that the more consistent you are, the more willingness there will be to sit longer and feel more comfortable doing it. You will know why.

Meditation

Sometimes life gets in the way and we minimize the space for such habits/routines, and that is ok. I think remembering the why is super important. Why did you start in the first place? How did it make you feel? Are you benefitting from it? I know when I go through periods of time without meditating, I feel imbalanced. If you have those positive habits that help, stick to them.

Again, I am no meditation professional. There are so many unique ways to ease into it and everyone is different.

3 Helpful Ways to Start Meditation 

1. Find a comfortable space - Ideally you want to meditate in a quiet, peaceful place. There will be many distractions in the form of "thoughts" that run through your brain so the less environmental distractions to deal with, the better. You don't have to sit in a formal meditation space or center. I do both at home and in a guided class. Both beneficial.

2. Focus on your breath - Let's be honest, you might dwell on certain thoughts or get lost in your to-do list, thinking about everything possible other than meditating. Try to return your focus on your breath, breathing in and out. Sometimes what helps me is to literally tell myself (in my head) to breathe in and out, while doing it.

3. Set your own time - Let go of the pressure to sit for a given amount of time. It can be intimidating or uncomfortable to feel forced to sit in complete silence. When I first started, I didn't even set a time or look at my clock, I simply just sat for as long as I could.

I didn't start going to guided meditation classes until I moved to NYC. A previous yoga teacher (when I first started) would lead a short mediation at the end of class, so that is how I was first introduced. Isn't it funny to look back and notice how certain habits were influenced by someone or something? I am forever grateful for her and that class!

I would love to hear if you have tried traditional meditation or not. What do you think?

My Visit With Edible Schoolyard NYC

I made a voluntary visit to Edible Schoolyard and was not compensated for my time. 

I couldn't have asked for a better day to visit Edible Schoolyard NYC on Friday. The sun was finally shining and it was actually really warm but it felt SO good to be outside and what better way to soak up some vitamin D than hanging out in a large, edible garden?

Edible Schoolyard

If you are unfamiliar with Edible Schoolyards, let me fill you in. They are a non-profit organization on a mission to educate children and to transform their relationship with food. ESYNYC partners with New York City public schools to provide gardening education and hands-on cooking classes.

Alice Waters brought her vision to life in Berkley, California in 1995, founding the Edible Schoolyard Project. The goal was to implant the edible program into school's everyday curriculum to increase awareness and teach children about the connections between food, health and the environment.

Edible Schoolyard

How awesome is that? I think it is a privilege to have a garden, let alone in NYC where many of us do not have the land to grow one. Knowing where your food is coming from and watching it grow is so special and I personally don't think it should be taken for granted. I have previously counseled adults who have never tasted a fresh vegetable before. I know what some of you may be thinking - how is that possible??

Edible Schoolyard

Well, two things come to mind: lack of fresh produce accessibility and education separation. I understand that fresh produce can be more expensive vs say canned or frozen. Not to say that eating canned or frozen vegetables is "bad", if that's the only way to consume your daily intake, I fully support that. Whatever you need to do to make it work.

The other piece is the education gap. If you did not grow up eating fresh vegetables and were not informed on the positive impact it can have on your health, how would you know to eat them? You wouldn't really know the importance. This is where educators come in to help spread the word. Places like Edible Schoolyards are changing that everyday. Lets continue educating while they are young.

Edible Schoolyard

They also have a composting section in the garden where nothing goes to waste. The students learn about sustainable practices like how we can help our environment thrive.

Edible Schoolyard

Edible Schoolyard

The garden is also filled with fruit trees, including Bing cherry and Asian pear! I love the variety of produce being grown here. It is never a bad idea to branch out and try new flavors and unfamiliar foods.

Edible Schoolyard

I picked off and tried out some fresh mustard greens and they were honestly so tasty! You can really taste the difference in flavor and the quality of fresh lettuces. And don't worry, I was told I could pick and sample ;)

"94% of NYC children don't eat enough vegetables" - Edible Schoolyard NYC.

Edible Schoolyard

Cooking classes are held inside of the classroom using seasonal produce and ingredients. Students learn how to cook and incorporate produce from the garden. These students come from over 50 cultural backgrounds and I was so happy to hear that they make a different ethnic dish from each and every one of these cultures.

Some areas of the garden that I didn't capture included the greenhouse and chickens (and baby chicks). During colder months, garden classes are held inside but now that the weather is finally nice, they have classes outdoors in the garden.

Edible Schoolyard

 The Edible Schoolyard NOLA was one of my favorite rotations during internship at Tulane and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I witnessed students' eyes opening up to the reality surrounding the positive impact the garden had on their environment, health and relationships with food. I'd like to personally thank the team of Edible Schoolyard NYC for hosting my visit and allowing me to share this experience with all of you!

I hope you have a great week and happy Monday!

xoxo

Short Food and Beverage Guide: Los Angeles

This post is not sponsored.

Hi guys! Before we get to my Short Food and Beverage Guide in Los Angeles, I want to share some thoughts and say hello after a little hiatus.

What can I say...the past few months have been interesting. There is a time and place for everything and I truly believe everything happens for a reason. You may have heard me say this repeatedly but it's what helps get me through and maybe for you as well. There are some seemingly negative experiences that exist to teach us a huge life lesson and I am currently going through one, but with all of this comes major growth. So with a shift in perspective, the perceived negative is actually a positive. I am excited.

Manhattan Beach guide

And because you don't hear from me as often on this space, you can always follow along on my Insta journey!

Now back to the juicy stuff - FOOD. I spent one week back in LA for a friend's wedding and to catch up on some quality friend and nature time (don't get enough nature in NYC.) I went back to old favorites which I didn't capture but I really enjoyed these new-to-me spots that are now up there as some of my favorites! Majority of breakfasts were kept simple and eaten at home so I am sharing a couple of lunches, dinners and delicious beverages in various areas of the wildly spread out city that is Los Angeles ;)

Short Food and Beverage Guide: Los Angeles 

Coffee and tea

Coffee Commissary in Burbank. This is a local coffee and food chain throughout LA. This location is beautiful, with a bustling indoor space or chill outdoor patio. LA's #1 coffee.

latte guide

Alana's Coffee Roasters in Culver City. I immediately loved this cafe due to the name of course! The coffee is great and has an abundance of outdoor seating with a large backyard area (and puppies).

Iced coffee guide

TeaPop in NoHo (North Hollywood). This tea & art shop is legit and something special. A fun selection of homemade teas and tasty snacks/baked goods - I got the kale & chickpea salad.

TeaPop guide

Tom's in Venice. The infamous shoe designer now has several cafes spread across the country, serving up their own roasted beans and teas. The outdoor patio had a lax vibe including blankets and pillows.

Iced tea guide

Brunch/Lunch

The Butcher's Daughter in Venice. This earthy, plant-based restaurant is filled with as much plants and Bohemian-chic home decor as it is food.

Avocado toast guide

Coffee Commissary for both the coffee and veggie breakfast burrito/smoked salmon toast.

Burrito guide

Little Ruby's in Santa Monica. This Aussie cafe serves both food and alcohol in a cozy indoor and outdoor space one block away from the ocean and pier.

Salad guide

Dinner

Beauty and Essex in Hollywood. Want to scope out some vintage jewelry and have a fantastic meal? This is the place. I suggest also sipping on a cocktail at the bar if you can.

Scallops guide

Beauty and Essex guide

Doughnuts

Sidecar Doughnuts in Santa Monica. This one deserved a category all on its own. So many original and classic flavors, along with coffee. Also, do you spell it doughnut or donut? I'm curious :)

Doughnut guide

This rounds up my short eating guide in LA! There were so many more eats that were had during the week but I chose not to capture and 'gram everything. I hope you get the chance to check these places out if you haven't already. Be sure to let me know if you do!

Have a great Monday and start to another fresh week!

San Miguel de Allende: What to Eat

Happy October! I welcomed my favorite season in Mexico and it was the best decision. I am sharing with you my travel guide for all things to eat in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato.

The beauty that is Guanajuato was simply unforgettable. I knew San Miguel was going to be a looker but little did I know just how gorgeous it is. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to get there but it's worth it. I flew into Mexico City then from there, had another hour-long flight to Leon and then a 1.5 hour shuttle drive from Leon airport to San Miguel.

Mexico

I stayed at a reputable bed and breakfast, Casa de la Noche and I highly recommend it! The owners and management were very hospitable and made me feel at home. Not to mention, the building itself is an oasis and the epitome of Mexican beauty. Like most buildings here, you would never know just how big and far back they go from the outside but don't be fooled because you will be pleasantly surprised.

Mexico

Mexico

I ate a home-cooked desayuno (breakfast) every morning outside in the patio (sometimes moved inside because mornings were chilly!). There was always fresh fruit, yogurt and homemade granola, fresh juice and a daily hot option. From huevos rancheros, chilaquiles to scrambled eggs - all delicious.

Chilaquiles

Mexican eggs

Picking up a pastry every morning from local panaderias became routine and it made me the happiest. Not going to lie, I ended up at Panio most days because they are the BEST. Not sure what could be better than enjoying a pan dulce with coffee in the garden, especially the concha vanilla. I love and miss it.

Concha vanilla

Although my bed and breakfast had good coffee, I ventured out to enjoy the best coffee in SMA, Lavanda Cafe. They are known for their lavanda cafes and lattes - pour overs and lattes infused with real, fresh lavender. I tried one of each and they are magical. This place was hoppin' everyday and I now know why.

Lavanda latte

Lunches and dinners were a mix of planned bigger meals to random findings and street food. Here is a list of the must-eats:

1. Luna Rooftop Bar at Rosewood Hotel for tapas and cocktails

2. Moxi at Hotel Matilda for full plates

3. Don Taco Tequila for vegan Mexican

Tapas

Sea bass

Don Taco Tequila

I ate some amazing Mexican street food, including chicken gorditas, tacos and burritos. Heads up - the burritos are half the size of American burritos (not a bad thing) and are crazy cheap. I had a burrito for $0.50 one day. Granted, that was a snack but still, food prices in Mexico are very reasonable.

Gordita

You know I got my fill of desserts too. Churros weren't even a question but I really dug this helado de coco (coconut ice cream) at Dolphy's.

Helado de coco

There were so many more places to eat and explore but I had a short 3 days so until next time, Mexico. I hope this guide is helpful and that you get the opportunity to check out San Miguel de Allende some day. The scenic views were incredible and people were friendly and accommodating. I left with a full heart and tummy.

This post is not sponsored.