Links + Thoughts
Another edition of things I've read and thoughts I've had that you might enjoy reading about, too
Join me for “Getting Full”!
The next Getting Full will be sent out on August 18th at 5:30 pm. I hope to someday be back on the Live game, but for now, it is much easier to schedule something pre-recorded. I’ll be walking through some ways to get more comfortable being in your body and noticing your body’s cues. It will be recorded and sent out for paid subscribers within the week.
August: Tuesday, August 18th at 5:30 pm CST, Getting Comfortable with Body Awareness
September: Tuesday, September 15th at 5:30 pm CST, Mindful Meal
October: Friday, October 23rd at 10 am CST, If Candy feels SpOoKy
Paid subscribers will receive the email link to the live event a couple of days before it happens. Remember that this is a perk for paid and comped subscribers, so if you haven’t made the plunge yet, there’s no time like the present. The overview is always free to all, but to watch it live or see the full recording, you do need to be a paid subscriber. Thank you for your support!
Links:
As a person who writes health and wellness advice on the internet, I would argue that a lot of the time, health and wellness advice on the internet is… not great. Misinformation is a huge problem, and it’s surprisingly easy to make it seem like you have the credentials to give good advice even when you aren’t actually qualified.
A really great deep dive about growing kids from Laura Thomas, an RD out of the UK. Part 2 can be found here. And there’s even a part 3! A super helpful breakdown of what to know about your kid’s growth by age. She writes an excellent newsletter if you’re a parent!
Sometimes it’s a good idea to remind ourselves that not all the faces you see are even genetically possible, and they had a little help to look like that.
A moment for feminism in your day. We love supporting women in achieving their goals and dreams in a world that doesn’t always do the same.
I love a love letter to food. This one is perfect for one of my favorite summer vegetables.
While there are people who are genuinely helped and supported by GLP-1 medications, there has to be an acknowledgement that many of the ways the drug functions are similar to eating disorder symptoms and behaviors… There has to be more oversight over the prescription and monitoring while people take them.
It is particularly hard to challenge beauty standards when certain life events are coming up. Read Jessica DeFino’s advice on how to navigate this when prepping for a wedding.
Drug marketing is icky. I hate that it’s everywhere and I hate that so many people find it triggering but can’t avoid it.
Don’t sleep on these helpful guides from FEAST if you are the family member of someone with an eating disorder!!
A brief intro to anorexia in sports for kids. Know what to look for! Not all coaches or sports or kids struggle with how to experience peaceful body image, neutral food behavior, and exercise at the same time, but sometimes it happens!
Thoughts:
I’ve been focused on meeting my mental health needs in the postpartum period while my nervous system adjusts to the biggest change thus far in my life! Here are some things that have made a difference:
Walks outside daily! It’s annoying, but the mental health walk isn’t just an internet trend. It does help.
Being proactive about having water near me at all times. Sometimes my body “feels anxious” when I really just need a snack or some water. I also keep snacks by the spots where I spend a lot of time during the day in case I get “nap trapped”.
Prioritizing sleep. These first couple of months, where I have had to wake up with the baby in the night, my husband takes the morning shift. I get an “extra” 1-2 hours of sleep while he hangs with the baby.
Staying connected (or reconnecting!). We talk a lot about holding boundaries, protecting your peace, and getting enough alone time in the mental health space. I’ve been noticing that what I need right now is people, conversation, and connection. It’s vulnerable to reach out and ask for friendship, hut it’s worth it!
I’d love to hear your advice in the comments— what helps your mental health when you’re going through a big change or a tough time?
The food that inspired me this month: Greek Bowls
I was the lucky recipient of some great frozen entrees and meals from my parents at the beginning of my postpartum journey. One option was frozen falafel patties. All they required was a quick pan fry to get them warm and a little crispy, and then I could serve them with any vegetables, carbs, and sauces available. While my mom visited at the end of July, we made really yummy (and really easy!) bowls. Here’s what we did along with some ways you could personalize them to your preferences!
Ingredients:
Falafel
You can find frozen falafel at many grocery stores
You can also find boxed falafel “mix” at various stores - especially specialty international grocery stores
You can also make your own falafel!
About a fistful of your preferred veggies - I love a raw veggie bowl, myself
Chopped tomatoes
Thinly sliced onion or shallot
Diced cucumbers
Diced peppers
Lettuce
Marinated mushrooms
Roasted red peppers
Sauces
Plain Greek yogurt with Greek seasoning
Hummus
Baba Ganoush
Greek salad dressing or olive oil//wine vinegar
Tangy flavors
Feta Cheese
Olives
Pepperoncini Peppers
Marinated artichokes
Carbohydrates
Pita bread
Orzo
Rice
Build your Bowl:
Cook your carbohydrate
Make any rice/orzo ahead of time and chill while making the rest of your food. I like to heat my pita a bit so they’re soft!
Cook your falafel or other protein while preparing the rest of your bowl.
Chop all of your veggies - smaller pieces mean more flavors in each bite. Aim for about a cup of veggies per portion.
Dollop any sauces and tangy items on top of your veggies.
Happy Monday, everyone! Take care of yourselves. Eat yummy food. You deserve all the good things.
Gretchen