No, I am not sick or recovering from covid shot #2 in the photo above. But it's not lost on me that it appears something is 'wrong' in this picture.

This snapshot my husband took, captures perfectly something recently I learned something about myself.

I have a very masculine energy. This means I am a 'do-er' and thrive in times of aggressive productivity. Hustle culture got me hooked. 

But one of my greatest strengths has also proven to be a crippling weaknesses when practiced without making space for my feminine energy. Turns out I was so busy practicing abundance in all things food, fitness and business (there is always more to be had!) that I forgot to apply it to the less sexy need for stillness...long enough to 'actively receive' what the universe was trying to give me. 

I've never viewed my action-taking nature is bad - I value that part of myself so much. But in the absence of time spent in the (to me, less accessible) feminine mode of more passive receiving, I've lacked the necessary self-care habits required to show up at my best.

Like so many of us, I still struggle with balance.

So I have devoted this email to sharing some of my favorite ways to pay myself back, sometimes even first. Hopefully you'll find a few ideas that resonate for you, or even as a gift to a woman in your life whom you'd like to celebrate, and remind of her extraordinary value in this world.

If you haven't already caught her in my stories, meet Jill.

She is a chiweenie foster we have in our home for the foreseeable future. Or until my oldest daughter moves out and takes her, if she has anything to say about it.

She is a precious reminder who requires my patience, love and stillness - both for her and myself. Aren't animals magic like this?

Also magic...how our family fights over this blanket my sister gave me for my birthday last month - soft, gently weighted and just the right size - yet if Jill is content on it, all of our arguments cease until she moves.

Needless to say I'll need to order at last one or two more! Currently some colors on sale and free shipping! 

My mom requested a new phone case for Mothers Day.

I internally groaned at the inconvenience of digging through pictures to make a good one, but found the time reflecting on these memories made me feel so happy. I highly recommend a sharing gift like this not only for the joy of giving it, but for the grateful reflection time you'll spend by creating it. 

I think next time I am trying to 'will myself' (masculine energy) to do something in the name of self-care like an unwanted meditation, I'll instead pick up one of our old photo books, turn on some music and quietly page through that.

I made this one on Shutterfly where it is currently 50% off and there is a free shipping code if you spend $59. The customizable photo gifts are endless these days - mugs, calendars, blankets; even stainless steel tumblers...

Maybe while my cart is still open, I'll make a water bottle for myself that says: 'I Was Just Eating Vegetables' or 'There is Pre-Workout in Here' and maybe my kids will stop trying to find new and creative ways to drain mine every time they walk past it.

So I could not talk about self-care without sharing what I am loving in the kitchen right now.

At the top of my list is the Iced Oatmeal Cookie from Cocoa Bar in a Jar (code Katie10 saves 10%), which as I type this, is currently in stock. I can confidently say that this enjoying heavenly cookie dough/white chocolate/cinnamon combo plus my most recent oat bar creation is my favorite time of my day. And I happily make it my pre-workout/first meal 7 days a week. 

Talk about a reason to jump out of bed!

You can always find the recipe for the Cauli Oat Bars (like a sister to the Original ZPO) on my feed, but I'll drop it right here for you too: 

And if you’re using the right protein powder, 👉pescience 👈works.every.time!

So take a look at the easy lineup of ingredients and let me know what you think!

Combine in any order, any way you like - whisk, spatula, mixer or even just a fork:

• 1 small container egg whites (~ 460g)
• 1 15 oz can pumpkin (I have heard - not tried - applesauce works too)
• 8-10 oz bag of frozen riced cauliflower (you'll need to cook this before combining with the other ingredients, just pour it in hot!)
• 120g/1.5 cups QUICK oats
• 50-100g PeScience snickerdoodle protein (I used 50g, use whatever flavor YOU love, code Katie saves you 15%)
• 3-4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup water - use up to a cup if increasing protein powder
• 1-2 tsp sweet leaf stevia drops (optional - I use less because I prefer my sweetness shine from CBJ Iced Oatmeal Cookie!)

Use a spatula to pour thick batter into a 9x13 pan. I recommend lining with parchment paper for ease.

Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. It should be golden brown and not loose or eggy.

Let it cool, then divide into 6ths and store in the fridge (always, because no preservatives) for a week. You can always freeze and defrost one piece at a time overnight under refrigeration.

Macros for one slice ~250g:
178 calories
22C/2F/18P
7 Fiber

For the love of veggies, if you have not tried this one yet, please do it and let me know!

If you like this and want more, you can check out my recipe book that is currently available - I'm working on a new one I hope to have ready this summer!

I'll be real, it was not fun to shop for a new swimsuit for this trip, but it was essential. Part of the journey for me is letting go of smaller clothing and having bad body image days - while learning how to not only acknowledge these feelings of unease, but welcoming them to my table with kindness and appreciation. They have a purpose and pushing them away, will only cause them to return with furocity.

A few of the questions I like to reflect on when these moments arise are: 

• 'Could there be anything else going on that might be making me uncomfortable?' Thinking: life transitions, clothing shopping, scrolling on IG, feeling bloated (fyi we are human, this is normal), general stress or anxiety, lack of sleep, etc.
• 'Is this coming from a place of kindness?' ...Or is it coming from a place of punishment, resistance or simply more assertive masculine energy that may need balancing?
• 'What do I really need right now?' Is it rest, 3 deep breaths, affirmations, petting Redstone, taking a walk, standing barefoot in the sunshine?

There is a good chance that whatever is causing me unrest, is usually not rooted in truth. I've realized that I have many immediate thoughts that have been built from stories I've told myself for decades, and I need to rewrite that script, enforce it with repetition and reflect my truth.

A few of my favorite mantras these days are:

• I have the power to choose and create my happiness.
• I have everything I need to face and and all obstacles of the day.
• My worthiness is not linked to my body, my commitments or my productivity.

But with all that said, I have to admit, this suit and these sunglasses are so fun and made me feel great on vacation last month! I think they are both pretty complementary to most shapes and sizes, and come in a variety of colors. 

While I am on the subject of things that make me feel good, I have to share my experience with Babe Lash, because this small addition to my self-care routine has had really powerful results for me.

I thought I began using it in October of 2020 but looking back for an old picture, I can see I still had some extensions in at that time. The top picture above was taken December 2, 2020 and you can see there were just a few rogue lash extensions left - but you get the picture of how my natural lashes looked prior to using the serum and conditioner. 

The lower pic was taken April 1st; no mascara, just a lash tint to darken them since naturally I am pretty fine and fair skin/haired. I have heard from others with lighter features that serums like this can cause irritation, so something to be aware of if that is you and it's your first time trying a product like this.

I am pretty low maintenance when it comes to beauty so a swipe of mascara is usually all I'll ever use, but there is an entire collection of delicious products including lip plumping jellies, brow filler, liners, under-eye gel patches and soon a NEW volumizing mascara launching May 3rd. My code Katie saves 20% on everything - I love that there are gift sets available too: My fave.

It's no secret that I've struggled hard with rest. And beyond establishing a pretty consistent nighttime routine, I've tried a lot of supplementation that works for so many people (melatonin, ashwagandha, proprietary 'sleep blends' and more), which yielded little, if any success for me.

In this process of experimentation however, I came across something that IS different and HAS been a slam dunk for me in an area I didn't even realize was a deficit, and it actually came on the other side of sleep.   

Turns out I was hemorrhaging focus and productivity in the day. And despite a calorie surplus and lower intensity training, I was still feeling under fueled, anxious and inflamed. My content creation and overall vibe has been weaker in 2021 than it has since I began sharing with intent almost two years ago.

So I began experimenting with CBDa which much like CBD, is the non-psychoactive compound derived from the hemp plant; a 'cousin' to marijuana. While it still hasn't been a slam dunk for sleep (more on that), I find myself gliding through my days with ease.

Interesting, right?!

I have tried CBD oils, patches and edibles before and never felt anything more than a mild headache. #unimpressed So the profound effect this addition has had in my days has been staggering to me. Most notably I've had marked improvements in my daily focus, stress-management and recent joint pain (tracking biofeedback for the win!). 

Have you heard of CBDa? Before finding Pure Fin, I had not. This powerhouse (NON-psychoactive, so no high) cannabinoid is a raw, less processed form of CBD. Think raw cacao vs. a heat refined cocoa powder, or extra version olive oil vs. a multi-ingredient vegetable oil. It's simply closer to its natural state and thus more potent, potentially enhancing its effects - especially in treating pain, nausea and anxiety. Studies here and here explain more if you like read the science like I do.

Amazingly, these studies have found that CBDa inhibits COX-2, the same body chemical that is inhibited by NSAIDs. However, CBDa isn't just used to reduce inflammation. It can also be used to treat nausea and anxiety.

To that, the family who created this brand as a way to help offset the pain of chemotherapy, wanted to add a dose of high-quality, sustainably sourced wild-caught fish oil (each 1ml serving provides 250mg combined EPA+DHA) to boost its health benefits.

I am not quick to warm up to trends or flashy claims. Let me assure you, I connected with the owner and did my research before sharing. In fact, I haven't even disclosed this on my Instagram page yet because I wanted to share from a place of fluency beyond 'it works great for me' and I need to have the language for that. Writing helps especially when there are so many important things to say.

Plus everything is all about bioindividuality, so what I share is unique to ME. Here are a few of my notes:

• High in efficacy, low in taste - this baby is acidic so be ready to take a couple sips of water after letting it rest under your tongue for 30 seconds.
• I feel the effects within minutes of letting the tincture oil dissipate
• I started with the 1000mg size and transitioned to the 1500mg once I found my sweet spot dosing, which is 1ml / 50mg CBDa at a time.
• I like to take it post workout with food before I start the part of my day where I need the most mental clarity and focus.
• I am still experimenting at night to see if I can find the ideal dose there - it may be higher than I think.
• Currently I have been using the salve once a day on my elbow pain after a workout - this has not erased it entirely, but I can feel the tightness releasing throughout the day.
• Because of the addition of fish oil, I have cut my pill-form dose in half and keep my tincture bottle stored in the fridge (90 day supply).

Because I do believe in the efficacy of this item and have seen in person the integrity of the creators, I have agreed to share an affiliate code to save 10% (katie) and link with anyone who may want to try it for themselves or a loved one.

To me, this is the new spa gift card for mom, sister, lover, friend. If you have questions or have tried CBDa before, I'd love to hear from you!

In the interest of coming full circle here, I had to share a photo/quote above I saw months ago, but recently resurfaced, likely because I needed the reminder. 

It made me ponder this...

What if for all these years, I have been working so hard in the present (ostensibly to have a good life at some point down the road), that I am missing the good life that I have NOW?

What if I could find a way to strive a little less and enjoy a little more in my day-to-day?  Will it all come crashing down?

This prompts a mindset shift that changes EVERYTHING. And so far I have lost NOTHING.

I hope you found some encouragement, ideas or solace in this 'Currently' email. 

Did I miss touching on any burning questions you have for me? As always, I love hearing from you. 

Hit reply and let me know.

And Happy WOMAN'S Day to all of us on May 8th. Whether you identify as a mother to a human, a fur baby, an aunt, a friend or otherwise, you deserve to be celebrated!!

Warmly,

Katie

This email contains affiliate links as well as links to items I am not compensated for. All opinions are my own.

Current discounts/offers:

Pure Fin CBDa: Katie saves 10%

Organifi: KaticC saves 15%

Jojo's Chocolate: Katie saves 10%

Babe Lash: Katie saves 20%

PeScience: Katie saves 15% 

G2G Bars: KatieC saves 15% 

Cocoa Bar in a Jar: Katie10 saves 10%

Cut da Carb: Katie10 saves 10% off a 24 pack

HiiT Nutrition: Katie saves 10%

Simply Delish: Katie saves 10%

Seed Synbiotic: Katie15 saves 15%

Chomps Sticks: Katie15 saves 15%

Butcher Box: ethically sourced meat and seafood 

Did you know? 

You can always access all my discount codes and search my content by subject via the link in my Instagram bio or here!

I am free for facetime calls and consults if you'd like support with mindset, health or lifestyle goals. You can start by filling out a client intake form here.

Returning clients can always book an appointment to reconnect 1:1 with me anytime! I'd love to follow up with you and help any way I can.

Just for fun...

Have a beautiful weekend friends!