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You guyyyyyyyzzzzz!!! (or chicks, actually ... I don't work with dudes)
Each month I think: "Sandra ... maybe you should send out shorter emails, but more often" and then I realize "WTF are you thinking, girl? The month goes by so quickly you barely have time to blink as it is". Plus ... let's face it ... i'm putting the finishing touches on this sucker at the LAST minute of the month ... so ... monthly lengthy random thoughts it is for now. :)
COFFEE TALK
Some of you already know that I'm a sucker for a good Netflix series. Truthfully ... it doesn't even have to be that GOOD it just needs a great cliffhanger at the end and I'm sold. I will watch till 3am and then get up at 6 for my workout and work that day.
(Ok full disclosure I'm likely not at the top of my game that next day ... but at 2am it SEEMS like a great idea).
This month I watched this series called The Baker and the Beauty.
Not Netflix's best, but it was cute and fun to watch on a weekend.
At one point in the show, the family was baking together, making this incredible custard-flan sort of a dessert. The father used no measurements, but yet it turned out perfectly.
The son (who had tried and tried to replicate this recipe for years but never could succeed) said:
"Pop. You don’t time anything, you didn’t measure anything ... how did you know it was gonna come out like that?"
The father said:
"I didn’t! Truth is half of the time it falls apart. But if we never try something because we are afraid it wouldn't turn out perfectly ... we wouldn’t live".
I sat with that, skipped back, listened again, skipped back, wrote it down. It was a simple response but so profound. HOW OFTEN do we hold ourselves back from trying something new because we are afraid that it will not be perfect? That we won't succeed? That we will fail?
What if we just allowed TRYING to be the measure of success and accomplishment? What would you be willing to try NOW ... if you knew that trying something new would lead to extraordinary?
FENG SHUI TIP OF THE MONTH
Spring is my favourite time of year. I love the snow melting, the birds chirping and the sound of my neighbours kids jumping on their new trampoline. I also love decluttering.
Sometimes decluttering can seem REALLY overwhelming though. We might consider tackling it ... but then think that the task will take so much time and energy that we decide to say "fuck it" and just close our Monica Geller closet and pretend it isn't there.
Here's the thing ... it literally takes 5 minutes to just declutter one drawer. When you do, you will feel SO much better each and every time you open it. Is FIVE minutes of discomfort worth months of feeling GREAT about that one drawer????
I feel like it is.
Now, let's just be clear ... just because I love decluttering does NOT mean that I jump right to it myself. I need some mental coaxing, but it always feels amazing when I'm done and I try to focus on the "after" feeling. The transformation.
Tips for making it suck less:
- start with items that you aren't attached to (like my example below)
- turn on some music
- turn on a timer for 5 minutes
- choose one small area
- commit
Questions to ask yourself:
- Do you love it?
- Do you use it?
- Is it broken?
- Does it represent the future you?
In the event that you were wondering ... ALL of this was previously in my drawer above. I'm not sure how old the crackers are (I sure as fuck don't recall GETTING them and I sure as shit am not the one who SAVED them), I feel like we don't need a zillion broccoli bands, I'm not sure what that plastic white thing is and I hate those knives.
I'm the girl who doesn't like clutter and YET ... I had a drawer with that stuff in it? Sometimes ... life gets busy and we toss things aside thinking we will use them one day ... and then we don't.
No judgement.
Just release and move on with your day, a little bit easier to breathe and a lot more room for miracles.
p.s. for more tips and tricks and a fun 27 day challenge ... you can sign up for my free email series here:
I wanna make room for miracles!!
COOL SHIT I LOVE:
I really try to love water. I really do. But I gotta say ... it seems a little boring to me, you know? I know its healthy for me, I know it's important and I know that we think, feel and are better when we're hydrated. That doesn't mean I love it.
HOWEVER ... I am obsessed with crystals and this water bottle is so danged pretty with one in it, you know??? Placing crystals in your water bottle infuse the water with the healing properties of that stone which is why these things are so popular!!!!
What I've found though is that the markup on them is ridiculously high while others are much more reasonable ... same distributor. This one is REALLY reasonable, I love the quality and there are various crystals you can choose from!!!
Check them out here on Pinterest (there's also a wide mouth water bottle that says "beautiful" on it which I think is pretty cool):
Pinterest - Sporty Guru
or direct on the website: Sporty Guru
Alternatively ... you can help me by providing me with feedback on my work!!! I would love your input and some of your comments might even be featured on my website!!! Send me a quick reply email and you could win your own amethyst water bottle!!!
WHAT (or who) INSPIRES ME:
Ok so you likely know by now that I like to cook. While I have my favourite recipe go-to's I am in LOVE with researching new recipes that are simple and easy but tasty as hell. My daughter Shea, scours tik-tok for the best recipes (most of which are SUPER tasty and really quick) but this time she stumbled upon "The Modern Proper" somehow.
I'm bored of Taco Tuesday ... take me to this magical site!
They promote "beautiful make-able recipes" with the tagline:
Cherish your loved ones and feed them well. We create and photograph delicious recipes for you to make and share with those you love.
We have found so many great recipes to try on this website and it's DEFINITELY inspiring us in the kitchen so I've chosen to share it this month with you!!!
But here is the BEST part ... I absolutely LOVE the backstory of how a business came to be. In this case, the two friends (Holly Erickson and Natalie Mortimer) were on a long walk talking about their common love for sharing recipes and hospitality ideas with others. They found a community of people loved the same things ... and The Modern Proper became their reality.
THIS ... is what I find so absolutely magical. I truly believe that each of us has a cross section of gifts that no one else has and when they realize it and take tiny steps TOWARD those gifts ... life just opens up in unbelievable ways, just like it has for Holly and Natalie.
Life is not meant to be an assembly line of tasks ... it's meant to be a masterpiece. (Stay tuned for more of my thoughts in "What's comin' up?"
CLIENT SHOWCASE:
You might have caught my live this month about a woman who had moved into a new home but was inundated with unexpected bills ... lawyer bills ... veterinarian bills ... random things that added up to thousands of dollars.
She had watched a live of mine which got her thinking about the wealth area of her home and what she had in that space.
A garbage can ... right out in the open.
She messaged me and asked my opinion. My thoughts: I personally love to keep garbage cans out of sight when at all possible. They are simply just not that freakin attractive and I don't know how much I can love the sight of one of them.
NOW ... if you CAN'T move it ... then I'd choose the prettiest garbage can you can, try as best as you can to find a very nice fitted bag (not one from Target like in this meme lol).
So what happened?
She moved the can.
The next morning, woke up to money in her account. A few days later, she had received more. A few more days later ... more.
She received MORE money than she had to pay out from the unexpected bills.
I know that when life's challenges (like unexpected bills) feel HUGE ... it can be tough to believe that just one small change can have that big impact but Janine's story proves it can.
WHAT'S COMIN UP?
The picture on the left was my “before".
I was exhausted by my day job, half-present for my family and running a full-time business in the remaining hours. There were moments on my 15 minute drive to work, that I contemplated pulling over to have a nap. It was 8:15 in the morning.
I had a zillion thoughts running through my mind at all times … at least one of them ran a program of guilt and another always ran a program of fear.
Guilt … that I wasn’t enough for all the people I thought were counting on me in various areas of my life.
Fear ... that if I kept this mental spin-cycle up and didn’t take time to take care of myself …my body would take over and FORCE me to take a break.
And then it happened … my body DID shut down … and for 9 months I worked my ass off to change the way I was functioning.
I decided:
I was willing too see things differently.
I was willing to let go of all of the beliefs that were holding me back and keeping me stuck.
I was willing to believe that maybe I was wrong up until now.
I was willing to invest in myself because I was NOT going to let this one life go to waste.
I was willing to redesign my thoughts in order to create my masterpiece.
And this program (and the picture on the right) … is what emerged.
A four week program that helps you find your zone of brilliance, your personal power, your emotional self-mastery.
The Power Of You is my signature course … the program that I believe will change your life if you let it … the program that will help you see your space, your thoughts, your business and your potential in a whole new way. The program that is designed to help you uncover your own zone of brilliance so that the peace and serenity of alignment with your souls path is possible.
We start May 3 and I believe it can change your life, if you allow it.
More details here: www.thefengshuichick.ca/power
Also:
FENG SHUI CHICK AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The Feng Shui Chick Ambassador program is a way for me, to thank those of you who recommend me to your friends and family who may need EXACTLY who I am.
HERE IS HOW IT WORKS: Sign up with THIS LINK
Enter your paypal account. KNOW about the program that I'm offering and send YOUR ambassador link to friends who need it. If they purchase (within 30 days of the first time that they click the link) you will receive an AMBASSADOR COMMISSION in your paypal account.
That's it.
My next offer is: THE POWER OF YOU. It's $1111 CAD and the Ambassador commission is 50%. That means ... if someone who signs up with YOUR ambassador link within 30 days of them first clicking on it ... you will receive $555 direct to your account.
It’s that easy. It’s that fun. It feels so aligned with who I am at the core. I hope you love it too.
TASTY SHIT!
As I type this out, I am reminded that a few months ago I think I posted a baked bruschetta recipe didn't I? Apparently I really miss restaurant Bruschetta???? Anyway ... this one is completely different and equally as tasty so tell me what you think!!!
p.s. I've heard this called "Bruh-SKEH-ta" and "bru-SHEH-ta". I say it in the latter way ... even though I think that might be incorrect. I don't really know and I'm not ENTIRELY sure I care???? I might one day ... but today's not that day.
Pesto Chicken Bruschetta
- 4 Boneless chicken breasts
- 4 slices fresh mozzarella
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups basil leaves
- 1 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered, if large
- 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
- 4 fresh basil, cut into thin strips
- extra basil leaves, balsamic reduction and pine nuts for garnish (optional)
Heat oven to 400°F with a rack in the middle position. Alternatively heat your outside charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat.
Place all ingredients for the pesto into a small food processor and pulse until combined. We like pesto a little bit "chunky" but tastes differ, so feel free to make it as smooth as you'd like. Also feel free to add more olive oil a little at a time if necessary. Set pesto aside*
In a small bowl, toss together all ingredients for the tomato bruschetta. Set aside to let the flavors mingle.
Pat the chicken dry and rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper.
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For baking the chicken in the oven: Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165° F. About 20-30 minutes depending on the size of your chicken breast. When the chicken is almost done baking, place a slice of fresh mozzarella on each breast. Remove from oven when it is slightly melted but not dripping down the sides of the chicken.
For grilled chicken: Place the chicken on the grill and cook until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165° F. When the chicken is almost done being grilled, place a slice of fresh mozzarella on each breast. Remove from the grill when it is slightly melted but not dripping down the sides of the chicken.
Top the mozzarella slices with a scoop of pesto and a scoop of bruschetta. Drizzle with balsamic reduction, sprinkle with pine nuts and garnish with basil leaves (optional). Serve immediately.
Our Tweaks n Tips:
Shea and I LOVED this bruschetta recipe though we made a few tweaks.
- we used store bought jarred pesto because we were a bit short on time
- we omitted the lemon juice because quite frankly, we loved it "as is" before the lemon juice
- we skipped the pine nuts cause I forgot them at the store oops!
- next time I would drizzle with balsamic reduction cause I think it adds a depth to dishes and it looks prettier
***
Well that's it for random stuff from April!! Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you SO much to all of you who regularly email me, recommend my group, my courses, my coaching or this newsletter to your friends and colleagues, your biz besties and your family. I appreciate every one of you and every message that I receive. Remember ...
Yes, actually you CAN do the damn thing!!!
Sandra
XO
If you've got a friend who might be interested, invite her to the UNSTUCK with the Feng Shui Chick group or direct her to my IG account: @sandrarpriestley. The link to this newsletter is in my bio and I LOVVVVVE seeing the number of subscribers go up!!!
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