Friends,
I, just like the rest of the population who celebrate, am staring down the beginning of the holiday season with both a sense of wonder and dread. It had been in equal parts earlier in the week, but today I’ve found it leaning toward one side- and it’s not the one that makes me want to sing, “Joy to the World,” if you know what I mean. So as I wait for the bus to drop off my cherubs who will be full of winter wonderland excitement and school-issued sugary treats, I thought I might take the moment to share what’s been keeping me afloat right now before the marathon begins. I present to you my list of pre-holiday consumption: what I’m reading, what I’m listening to, what affirmations I’m repeating to stay afloat, and of course, what I’m eating right now- among other things that have kept me afloat while staring blankly at the long road ahead, coffee cup in hand.
Pre-Holiday Consumption
Jane Goodall’s, “Book of Hope” on Audible has been a shared delight between my eldest born and I on the way to and from school. While the messages of conservation and preservation coupled with science and keen observations on the human condition have been informative and inspiring, the unifying thread we’ve taken away is this : If Jane can have hope for humanity after all of her years of research and activism we can, too. And that’s exactly what we’ve needed to be reminded of right now.
Onbeing is one of my favorite podcasts of all time, but the most recent episode with Jane Hirshfield is a must-listen if you are one to consider the fullness of things- or, the Both/And I so often talk about.
I’ve been in the throes of the middling ground of employment; and have had the unique opportunity to take some time away from full-time positions to really consider how I want and need my life to be in order to attain my healthiest and happiest self. Sounds pretty wishy-washy, I know- but it’s funny how often I’ve shut down opportunities or even the pursuit of opportunities simply because it was a desire of mine- and my former narrative of the word DESIRE meant, “selfish and sinful”. Re-shaping that narrative has been difficult, but worth it, as eating one’s words often is. My newest affirmation in the morning is, “ It’s OK to be a beginner. It’s good to learn.”
I bought good skincare and made it a ritual. I’m not even joking. I would have laughed at anyone who said that not even a year ago but here I am, staring the last year of my thirties in the face and finding that all of a sudden these things matter a great deal. This has been my indulgent purchase and I haven’t regretted it for one second in these weeks leading up to holiday joy. Let me have my bougie skincare, ok?
I’ve made Alison Roman’s Brothy Beans for years now and it would be a shame if you didn’t add it to your repertoire for something deliciously simple during the week of all things chocolate and peppermint. Add a jammy egg- or don’t. Add parmesan, a drizzle of balsamic reduction or be like me and make a huge pot and freeze it in quarts. Completely forget about it again until you’re out of luck for dinner and pull them out to defrost while you: roast a chicken, grill some lamb chops, or sautee some spinach to accompany the magic meal. You’re welcome.
May the end of this year bring you peace, and that you find that eating your words can sometimes be delicious.