Come on a Sketching Adventure! An illustrated reminder to keep doing life your way. You’ll also be the first to know when a new blog lands at veggiesandvodka.com.
Get your quick fix
Emily Blunt.
Ryan Gosling.
Shenanigans ensue.
You gotta see this trailer, Reader.
After watching those 3 minutes and 21 seconds I was grinning like a kid on a snow day.
And who couldn’t use a quick smile break?
Because sometimes life feels like a lot.
Or the world feels like a lot.
And we need an immediate dose of happiness.
I get my quick fix through various things –
Meditating. Exercising. Nature walks. Hugging my favorite people. (To name a few.)
But my most random smile source?
Movie trailers.
2-3 minutes of pure escapism.
It’s like a mini movie (and brain) break.
Sometimes I wish I had more time to make popcorn and snuggle on the couch.
But I'll take any breaks from work and life for laughter I can get.
Lately, my YouTube history has been extra packed with trailers.
Yes, I’ve let myself get influenced by that sneaky YouTube algorithm.
“A new Meg Ryan movie?! What! I’m watching that trailer next.”
Because these last couple months have had their share of tough times.
(Part of why I’ve been writing less frequently.)
But this one, I’m telling ya – it’s a solid smile break.
I mean, who can’t relate to that dang hotel key situation?
Get your smile break on.
Maura
ps – What's your go to quick pick me up, Reader? I’d love to hear because who couldn’t use more smile break options!?
pps – Or, another way to pick yourself and others up – spread joy. Flutter away.
Something I learned this week*
Peanut butter
Peanuts are tasty little legumes (they're legumes like beans or peas, not actually nuts – tricky). When purchasing peanut butter it's best to check the labels and look for ones without added oils and sugar. The ingredients should just be “peanuts, salt."
They also have a tendency to grow mold in their shells. Some folks prefer almond butter or other nut or seed butters to avoid the chance of mold. (Sunflower butter in particular has a similar flavor to peanut butter.) Or, buy Valencia peanut butter. Apparently it's grown in a drier climate where mold is less likely to thrive. Who knew?
*I’m currently doing MindBodyGreen’s Functional Nutrition Course, and I'm starting their Health Coaching certification in 2024. So I’m taking you along for the journey by sharing some goodness I learn along the way!
Maura Kelpy
Come on a Sketching Adventure! An illustrated reminder to keep doing life your way. You’ll also be the first to know when a new blog lands at veggiesandvodka.com.
What if you did the brave thing… And chose growth over comfort. Would it feel: Wise? Empowering? Inspiring? Or… Exhausting? Vulnerable? Facepalming? (It’s an adjective now.) What if it was all of the above? That’s how it’s felt for me the past year: Soaring highs and recharge-on-the-couch lows. One day I’m the bird cruising a floaty breeze. The next? I’m the bird huddled in the nest going “nah, that’s too windy.” Maybe that’s just the flight path of growth. Updrafts, sunshine — and wind...
It felt like I triggered a private earthquake. My ‘97 Jeep Cherokee had started VIOLENTLY shaking. The steering wheel jackhammered against my palms. Not ideal while descending a steep hill on a two-lane highway—at 65 mph.(For my Colorado folks—that final hill of Hwy 36 into Boulder.) I side-eyed the emergency brake. It was held together with duct tape. Dare I? After what felt like minutes of terrifying chaos (probably 60 seconds)I managed to pull to the shoulder. Holy deep breaths....
Keep going. You read that right. I know you’re on the brink of something. Whether it’s just for you, your loved ones, or the world… I know it’s awesome. Because you are. If you’re thinking: “Lady, you crazy – you don’t even know me!” I know this – humans as a species are awesome. We're capable of so much more goodness than we think. And this planet could really use any smidge of positivity you feel like sharing. (Understatement.) So if you think for a second that it’s not worth...