This is the new weekly review of what I’m eating, reading, trying & loving to take better care of myself.
Eating: Green juices! I drink them year-round but in the Spring I go heavy on the green juices daily. I have been starting the day with a what I call a "green lemonade" which is usually celery, romaine, cucumber, spinach, green apple and lots of lemon juice. Even my girls like green lemonade; the lemon hides the veggie taste well and the apple gives it a hint of sweetness. Historically I buy my green juices from a juice bar, but a friend recently passed her Omega juicer on to me (thank you Courtney!) and I'm having fun making my own green juices a few times per week. I make a big batch at night that lasts 2-3 days. I do think that it tastes best fresh-pressed; I'm just not enough of a morning person to make a fresh green juice each morning.
Trying:
Headspace. I downloaded the free app for guided meditations and mindfulness reminders. I have been aiming for 5 minutes of meditation each morning. I have given up on the idea of an ideal meditation setting and just do it no matter what else is going on. Yes, I can usually hear the girls in the background, but I am still able to get in a few minutes of mindfulness. I'm on day 10 and feel just a tad more calm starting the day after my mini meditations.
Reading:
An American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones. A story about injustice, a complicated love triangle and the power of family. The main character, Roy, had everything going for him until he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and found guilty of a crime he did not commit. While the stage for the story is about race - a modern-day black man in the south - it’s about so much more. A fascinating but sad story about relationships, loyalty and human nature. The characters were so well-written they feel real days after I’ve finished the book.
Loving:
Harlem Coffee Co. It's a fantastic coffee shop right near my kitchen in Harlem, and my new favorite meeting spot for coffee dates and meetings. Great coffee (they brew Joe's coffee), great herbal tea options (the 333 blend is my go-to), and I love their turmeric lattes. Also their plant-based milk options are on point: Almond milk, coconut milk and oat milk. HCC also has awesome Paleo and vegan baked goods, made by Stylish Spoon! Go for a coffee and get an OatMEAL Cup or Paleo cookie to go with it!!!
