Typically, by mid-year (by the summer solstice for those of us in the northern hemisphere), new year’s resolutions are a thing of the past. Months after setting resolutions, it’s easy to have forgotten or moved through them—with seasons shifting our embodied needs, creating the conditions for new intentions to be named. The summer solstice, then, provides the occasion for setting new resolutions, for looking backward to previous ones and forward to daily practices that ... Read more ...
environmental justice
A Minimalist Guide to Essential Oils
Recently, a friend asked what essential oils might best help with managing back pain, and I realized through answering the question that I take a minimalist (less is more) approach. Most folks I know either invest in a wide variety of essential oils or don’t use essential oils at all. In contrast, I’ve found a few favorite oils—ones that I know reliably help me with recurring issues—and I don’t expand my collection because, well, essential oils take a lot of investment: ... Read more ...
Roasted Red Cabbage: A Simple and Delicious Veggie
Ingredients: Red cabbage (I use a head of cabbage or less: what’s left over from other meals) Avocado oil or other high-heat oil (up to 1 tablespoon, rubbed into cabbage) Sprinkle of salt and pepper, seasoning salt, or other desired seasonings Instructions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Slice cabbage into strips (roughly ½ to ¾ inch each). Rub oil into the cabbage strips, covering both sides. Sprinkle salt or other seasonings onto the top of cabbage ... Read more ...
Lentil Not-Soup (Or Lentil Soup in Solid Form)
This week I’m sharing a simple recipe combining lentils with chopped carrots, celery, and onions for a quick and tasty meal. It’s essentially lentil soup in solid form: a stir-fry of the basic ingredients that make lentil soup. This creation (perhaps like many) arose from necessity—from facing hunger during and after hiking and needing high-protein food to take on the trail or to prepare in minutes afterwards. Now this dish is also a reliable option when I’m too busy or ... Read more ...
Lessons from a Poinsettia: Growing Resilience in 40 Days and Beyond
This poinsettia is amazing me—still blooming in these last days of February and reminding me that resilience (emotional elasticity, stamina, and strength) is something we don't often recognize until it’s already present and in place. When I googled how long poinsettias bloom, I was (and wasn’t) surprised to see that 40 days are a common period. The information not only confirms this poinsettia’s resilience (blooming for 3+ months), but it also feels like the ... Read more ...
Living in Shutdown USA
In recent weeks, friends have been asking about my experience with the government shutdown. I’m feeling and experiencing a lot, living in DC, or “America’s lightning rod” (thanks to Katharine Weinmann for this language from a recent comment). Certainly, the city feels on edge and reminds me of the urgent need for resistance, for visioning, and for choosing alternative paths, if we are ever to stop the perpetuation of injustice. I look to everyday life for direction, ... Read more ...
Sweet Peanut-Butter Spread for Snacks, Parties, Lunches, and More
Years ago, I had a college cookbook with super easy recipes: each with roughly 5 ingredients, taking about 5 minutes, and costing only $5. That cookbook taught me that “cooking” can be easy and still delicious. Recipes can be simple enough to be remembered and reproduced through rough estimations. That cookbook had a sandwich that I enjoyed for years while vegetarian, and it was one of the first recipes I “veganized” by making a few substitutions. The idea is to create ... Read more ...
Inside the Chrysalis, or Experiencing Mess, Mess, and More Mess
It’s not uncommon for me to ride emotional roller-coasters with swings from sweet to sour as I go about my days. More and more, I’ve noticed these swings as I’ve tuned in with my emotions and embodied self through Reiki, yoga, and other contemplative practices. The more I do inner work and the more I embrace mess, the more the messiness of being an always-incomplete, imperfect human inevitability shows up. Still, if I’m being honest with myself, the past few weeks have ... Read more ...
Adaptable Pesto Sauce (Vegan + Gluten-Free)
This summer, as I’ve been working to change my relationship with sugar, I’ve also been trying to eat more greens. I’m preparing lots of green smoothies; growing basil and mint indoors; and learning to make sauces from spinach, kale, and chard. Many of these sauces are adaptations of pesto, thinned with water to make more of a dressing or dip than the typically thick and oily spread. I call this “adaptable pesto sauce,” because there are many ways to prepare it and ... Read more ...
Beyond Self-Care: How Hiking Invites Self-Work
Time outdoors and along hiking trails is especially important time to me. As I’ve written previously, it’s time to consider the steps involved in making change, including learning to tread alternative paths. It’s time to slow down, notice beauty, and appreciate life, even in the roughest of conditions. It’s also time to do important intrapersonal work toward disrupting biases and internalized inferiority + superiority. It’s possible to consider activities like hiking ... Read more ...
![This week’s question—“How do I make the most of summer?”—has been leading up to Answer #7: Register for 40 questions for 40 walks.
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In addition to other answers shared this week and the urgent need for political action (see posts about ICE raids and detention centers), consider registering for this self-paced e-course, which involves deep-diving into conditioned ways of living, being, and intervening in the world.
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There are multiple registration options, including to share this self-work practice with a friend and to add a coaching session: https://heart-head-hands.com/product/40-questions-for-40-walks-toward-everyday-living-for-justice/ (link in bio) … I’m happy to answer any questions, and I appreciate referrals to others who may be interested. Many thanks! <3
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[This e-course announcement shows a red-brown trail winding through green ferns and hardwood forest. It shares the following information: “self-paced e-course, 40 QUESTIONS FOR 40 WALKS: Toward Everyday Living for Justice.”]
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#Ecourse #Summer #SelfWork #SelfInquiry #OngoingEducation #CommunityEducation #Walking #Questions #Reflection #Contemplation #Outdoors #Learning #LearningFromNature #SocialJusticeEducation #AntiOppression #Everyday #SmallBusinessSaturday #SmallBiz #WomanOwned #SupportSmallBusinesses #Registration #SelfPaced #SocialJustice #RacialJustice #EnvironmentalJustice #Walk #Hike #Trek #Trails](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/b3f0c34bb7f5c48dc69c97b4fcf38090/5DA49913/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/65312651_444696943020725_930980455483817536_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com "This week’s question—“How do I make the most of summer?”—has been leading up to Answer #7: Register for 40 questions for 40 walks.
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In addition to other answers shared this week and the urgent need for political action (see posts about ICE raids and detention centers), consider registering for this self-paced e-course, which involves deep-diving into conditioned ways of living, being, and intervening in the world.
.
There are multiple registration options, including to share this self-work practice with a friend and to add a coaching session: https://heart-head-hands.com/product/40-questions-for-40-walks-toward-everyday-living-for-justice/ (link in bio) … I’m happy to answer any questions, and I appreciate referrals to others who may be interested. Many thanks! <3
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[This e-course announcement shows a red-brown trail winding through green ferns and hardwood forest. It shares the following information: “self-paced e-course, 40 QUESTIONS FOR 40 WALKS: Toward Everyday Living for Justice.”]
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#Ecourse #Summer #SelfWork #SelfInquiry #OngoingEducation #CommunityEducation #Walking #Questions #Reflection #Contemplation #Outdoors #Learning #LearningFromNature #SocialJusticeEducation #AntiOppression #Everyday #SmallBusinessSaturday #SmallBiz #WomanOwned #SupportSmallBusinesses #Registration #SelfPaced #SocialJustice #RacialJustice #EnvironmentalJustice #Walk #Hike #Trek #Trails")
![Happy summer solstice (for those of us in the northern hemisphere :-)). Today, of all days, it feels especially important to ask: “How do I make the most of summer?”
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And today’s answer highlights the potential of summer to bridge joyful activities like hiking with serious self-inquiry to unlearn internalized inferiority and superiority.
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So, answer #6: Move beyond self-care to self-work.
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To learn more, check out this past blog post -- https://heart-head-hands.com/beyond-self-care-how-hiking-invites-self-work/, which is now in audio if you prefer to listen. Also, check back for tomorrow’s announcement of the “40 questions for 40 walks” self-paced e-course.
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[Image description: This photo from a recent hike shows a hole in a tall and narrow tree, reminding me of the importance of looking within.]
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#Summer #Solstice #SummerSolstice #Walking #Hiking #Walk #Hike #Trees #Course #Blog #OngoingEducation #SelfWork #SelfInquiry #MoreThanSelfCare #SelfCare #Learning #Questions #FridayFunDay #Unlearning #SocialJustice #AntiOppression #Everyday #CommittedtoJustice](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/4447636855c564fadcbbeb0f663c7f07/5DB718F0/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.23.1440.1440a/s640x640/61860730_167173597648848_6110505991409765835_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com "Happy summer solstice (for those of us in the northern hemisphere :-)). Today, of all days, it feels especially important to ask: “How do I make the most of summer?”
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And today’s answer highlights the potential of summer to bridge joyful activities like hiking with serious self-inquiry to unlearn internalized inferiority and superiority.
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So, answer #6: Move beyond self-care to self-work.
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To learn more, check out this past blog post -- https://heart-head-hands.com/beyond-self-care-how-hiking-invites-self-work/, which is now in audio if you prefer to listen. Also, check back for tomorrow’s announcement of the “40 questions for 40 walks” self-paced e-course.
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[Image description: This photo from a recent hike shows a hole in a tall and narrow tree, reminding me of the importance of looking within.]
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#Summer #Solstice #SummerSolstice #Walking #Hiking #Walk #Hike #Trees #Course #Blog #OngoingEducation #SelfWork #SelfInquiry #MoreThanSelfCare #SelfCare #Learning #Questions #FridayFunDay #Unlearning #SocialJustice #AntiOppression #Everyday #CommittedtoJustice")
![I’m excited to share “40 questions for 40 walks” with you in just two days. This project responds to this week’s question “How do I make the most of summer?” by suggesting ways to prioritize critical self-work when walking or otherwise enjoying the season of summer.
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This project also connects with today’s answer:
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Answer #5: Find the courage to “do it scared” -- https://heart-head-hands.com/do-it-scared/ … Times when I push beyond my usual routines and courageously try new things—like speaking up while my voice shakes—I discover more about myself and my ability to stand TALL.
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What are you hoping to speak up about and stand for with this summer? How might you push through fears to “do it scared”?
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[Image description: I took this photo on a hike that stretched past sunset and challenged me to find courage to walk on my own in the dark. It shows the shape of a mountain (darker than the sky) and the glowing moon (sphere of light).]
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#DoItScared #Walking #Hiking #Outdoors #Learning #LearningAlongTrails #LearningFromNature #Nature #Outdoors #FullMoon #AfterDark #Courage #Fear #InTheDark #Forward #CommittedToJustice #SpeakEvenWhenTheVoiceShakes #SpeakUp #WriteUp #StandUp #ActUp #SelfWork #SelfInquiry #EmotionalLiteracies #Emotions #Emotional #ThursdayThoughts #TBT #ThursdayNight](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/651c540a8f0d85525d0819ce36cefcd3/5DAFE501/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c186.0.1067.1067a/s640x640/62460534_140969840309198_7036133161468169591_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com "I’m excited to share “40 questions for 40 walks” with you in just two days. This project responds to this week’s question “How do I make the most of summer?” by suggesting ways to prioritize critical self-work when walking or otherwise enjoying the season of summer.
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This project also connects with today’s answer:
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Answer #5: Find the courage to “do it scared” -- https://heart-head-hands.com/do-it-scared/ … Times when I push beyond my usual routines and courageously try new things—like speaking up while my voice shakes—I discover more about myself and my ability to stand TALL.
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What are you hoping to speak up about and stand for with this summer? How might you push through fears to “do it scared”?
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[Image description: I took this photo on a hike that stretched past sunset and challenged me to find courage to walk on my own in the dark. It shows the shape of a mountain (darker than the sky) and the glowing moon (sphere of light).]
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#DoItScared #Walking #Hiking #Outdoors #Learning #LearningAlongTrails #LearningFromNature #Nature #Outdoors #FullMoon #AfterDark #Courage #Fear #InTheDark #Forward #CommittedToJustice #SpeakEvenWhenTheVoiceShakes #SpeakUp #WriteUp #StandUp #ActUp #SelfWork #SelfInquiry #EmotionalLiteracies #Emotions #Emotional #ThursdayThoughts #TBT #ThursdayNight")
![To answer this week’s question -- “How do I make the most of summer?” -- today I share a new blog post with answer #4: set resolutions, and turn those resolutions into daily habits.
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To read about why small and sustained actions matter and to see some of my summer plans (3 actions I’m taking now): https://heart-head-hands.com/how-small-and-sustained-actions-turn-resolutions-into-habits/ … Link in bio.
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[This image (mostly white and green) shares the text “This summer, what are you being called to create or put into practice or do differently? For inspiration, see Heart-Head-Hands.com.” Text appears against a background of vibrant succulents.]
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#Summer #Resolutions #Actions #Habits #Activism #SelfCare #CommunityCare #Vegan #Veggie #VegetableBroth #StreetSense #EndHomelessness #HousingSecurity #MakeAChange #Compost #Composting #Gardening #EnvironmentalJustice #SocialJustice #Blog #BlogPost #Educator #Writer #Blogger #WisdomWednesday #WellnessWednesday #DoingThingsDifferently #Everyday](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/f1f6c11d698a964b5f437ad9bdb1b124/5DC6B27D/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/62136809_426237891554436_33807748928227006_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com "To answer this week’s question -- “How do I make the most of summer?” -- today I share a new blog post with answer #4: set resolutions, and turn those resolutions into daily habits.
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To read about why small and sustained actions matter and to see some of my summer plans (3 actions I’m taking now): https://heart-head-hands.com/how-small-and-sustained-actions-turn-resolutions-into-habits/ … Link in bio.
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[This image (mostly white and green) shares the text “This summer, what are you being called to create or put into practice or do differently? For inspiration, see Heart-Head-Hands.com.” Text appears against a background of vibrant succulents.]
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#Summer #Resolutions #Actions #Habits #Activism #SelfCare #CommunityCare #Vegan #Veggie #VegetableBroth #StreetSense #EndHomelessness #HousingSecurity #MakeAChange #Compost #Composting #Gardening #EnvironmentalJustice #SocialJustice #Blog #BlogPost #Educator #Writer #Blogger #WisdomWednesday #WellnessWednesday #DoingThingsDifferently #Everyday")
![Continuing with this week’s question: “How do I make the most of summer?”
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Answer #3: Find ways to play. I describe in “Playing Through Pain” how play (like swimming and climbing) not only helps me release physical pain but also helps with processing and planning for daily life. Play can facilitate breaks from the routines that get us stuck and help us create in wildly imaginative ways. And, truly, creativity and imagination are needed toward visioning a more humane, more just world.
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Link for this post on play: https://heart-head-hands.com/2017/08/06/playing-through-the-pain/…
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[Image: This photo shows an indoor swimming pool with the YMCA logo against the back wall, a blue water slide to the right, and a sign with “Pool Rules” posted in the front.]
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#play #summer #unlearning #learning #relearning #swimming #movement #NewHabits #visioning #DoingThingsDifferently #AdultsCanPlayToo #SummerAdventures #SummerFun #SummerIdeas #TuesdayTips #TuesdayThoughts #Swim #Pool #habits #ShakeUpEverydayLife #everyday #mindfulness #CommittedToJustice](http://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/981b4d37d2f24d31c22c781602c41dc0/5DAFBDC9/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c209.0.1021.1021a/s640x640/64512076_128242271715685_1727807375457432735_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com "Continuing with this week’s question: “How do I make the most of summer?”
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Answer #3: Find ways to play. I describe in “Playing Through Pain” how play (like swimming and climbing) not only helps me release physical pain but also helps with processing and planning for daily life. Play can facilitate breaks from the routines that get us stuck and help us create in wildly imaginative ways. And, truly, creativity and imagination are needed toward visioning a more humane, more just world.
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Link for this post on play: https://heart-head-hands.com/2017/08/06/playing-through-the-pain/…
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[Image: This photo shows an indoor swimming pool with the YMCA logo against the back wall, a blue water slide to the right, and a sign with “Pool Rules” posted in the front.]
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#play #summer #unlearning #learning #relearning #swimming #movement #NewHabits #visioning #DoingThingsDifferently #AdultsCanPlayToo #SummerAdventures #SummerFun #SummerIdeas #TuesdayTips #TuesdayThoughts #Swim #Pool #habits #ShakeUpEverydayLife #everyday #mindfulness #CommittedToJustice")
