5SOS_011 〰️ SOUL & SWEAT EDITION
When you've disappeared for a while -gone totally radio silent- do you waltz back into the room like no time has past?
Or do you apologize immensely?
I'm going with the latter…
I AM SO SO SO SORRY. I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN! I'VE BEEN UP TO SOME PRETTY COOL SH*T THAT I'M EXCITED TO SHARE, IN TIME. I BET YOU'VE BEEN MARCHING FORWARD WITH GLORIOUS PROJECTS AND EXPERIENCES, TOO. AS A MODERN WOMAN WITH EASY ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, "WINTER" ISN'T AN EXCUSE TO CYBER-HIBERNATE...BUT I GUESS THAT'S WHAT I'VE DONE. I LOVE THIS SITE AND I LOVE WRITING TO/FOR WHOMEVER IS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO ENJOY WHAT I'M SHELLING OUT. SO, I THANK YOU 1,000 TIMES OVER FOR YOUR GRACE.
And with that, we are back! Let's get on with the show!
HERE ARE 5 THINGS TO INSPIRE YOUR INSIDES & OUTSIDES (AKA SOUL & SWEAT) IN THE WEEK AHEAD:
1. SIGHT
Sometimes we don't jive with our surroundings. It's April -literally spring time- and New England just got another hit of snow. I'm not complaining, per se, just observing that nature is nonstop, and it's how we roll with the punches (of precipitation) that showcases our character.
Many would say, "Well, why don't you move somewhere warmer? Sunnier? Close to the ocean?" Goodness knows I'm working on it.
Until I actualize my move to California, I'll continue to cope with the realities of this current climate by relying on my imagination. Self-guided imagery has long been my strong suit, so if you're also in need of escapism, I invite you to scroll down. Let me transport you to my top 5 favorite beaches. They're listed in no particular order, and keep in mind I haven't yet been to SE Asia, Brazil, Africa, or Australia...but again, I'm working on it. :)
Mermaid's Chair, St. Thomas
100% worth the 30 minute steep downhill trek to the most secluded tiny stretch of sand leading to a rock outcropping at the farthest western point of the island...then wade carefully through shallow pools filled with spiny sea urchins to reach Mermaid's Chair, the 20-ft tall monolith that you'll scale barefoot in only your bikini (rationally, you'll have left your clothes, bag, shoes, and phone behind on that little sliver of sand) to the tippy top ledge where you'll sit, without a soul in sight, levitating over the Caribbean's steady beat of wild water...and you will feel unstoppable.
Magen's Bay, St. Thomas
Arrive an hour before sunset, walk along the 1/2 mile crescent of sandy shore, then wade into the supremely salty, waveless water to watch the sun descend beyond the mountain-framed horizon.
Playa Guiones, Nosara, Costa Rica
This place is made of MAGIC. It was there -running on the sand and looking up at the surrounding mountains- that I decided to leave architecture, to leave my home in New York City, and change my life.
East Hampton, New York
That winding, often thorny path at the end of Drew Lane knew the happiest footsteps of my youth.
Santa Barbara, California
Venture to the bottom of the Mesa Lane Steps and you'll find the raddest hidden gem in all of Cali.
2. SOUND
Whereas in most areas of life I prefer shades of gray/customization/lots of options, with my Spotify playlists I'm binary. Every song I save goes into one of two playlists: SOUL and SWEAT.
SOUL is where I stick everything that's groovy but not quite up to the task of blasting on runs.
SWEAT is the soundtrack for the treadmill/pounding pavement/dancefloor.
I also like that I can scroll to the beginning and see what I was into a year -or five- ago. Oh, and please note that my username is benzy306. This was my first AIM name (jesus...) and my 2012 self had the horrible judgement to reuse it. (Whatever, maybe it's endearing?)
For the babes who need some SOUL:
For the babes who need to SWEAT:
3. SCENT
Took me a while to get an essential oil diffuser. Between that and the fresh tulips and the Himalayan salt lamp and the book about Cleopatra and the other book titled something like Wisdom of the Enneagram...I'd file my current nightstand situation under "IMPRESSIVE YET OBNOXIOUS."
This one is my favorite because it's GOLD. Gwyneth likes this one. But alas, I have this one because DoTERRA essential oils are the highest quality, I use them in A STAND OUT Skincare, and the company sent it to me for free. FREEEEE!
4. TASTE
Photo cred Bon Appetit
🥊
Can't stop making SMASHED CUCUMBERS! I mean, it involves SMASHING cucumbers with a g'damn ROLLING PIN (or boxing glove?).
Thanks, Bon Appetit, for helping me approach/destroy vegetables in a whole new way!
I did what you said to do (the smashing, the breaking up into 2"-ish pieces, the salting, the draining) then I tossed those juicy battered gems in a tornado of chopped cilantro, tons of lime juice, the tiniest bit of fish sauce, and lofty sprinkles of both Za'atar and Berbere spices.
Thai / Ethiopian / Middle-Eastern / Wacky / Tasty.
5. TOUCH
Just one very reasonable request in life:
Hold/pet/snuggle/love a baby cheetah.
