Wellness reminders

I don't know about you, but I can often get a little frazzled.

Shocking, I know.

I decided to do a little post-a-loo on a few things that help me stay grounded when life gets cray cray. There is no real method to my madness, and often times I'm too far down path de crazy to utilize my own advice, but I thought I'd write it down to remind myself for when things are tough. (And to hopefully help you too.)

Find home base.

Where ever your starting line, your home base, your reset button lies - find it and utilize it. For me, that means straightening up my home and my personal space, decluttering, and cleaning. This helps me in two ways - my mind clears when I declutter and I can rest in my home base and reset myself. Find your own home base. For some that may be a quiet room, for others, it is a refreshing shower. Just find your space - in the literal and figurative sense - to rest and reset. 

Know when to turn it off.

I have been really focusing on this one lately. Sometimes the TORRENT of information is quite literally, too much to handle. Between news stories, links on Facebook, and Twitter feeds - there is never a moment of peace. For me, I turn off my notifications, lay down my phone and say enough is enough. I listen to the hum of life around me and it clears my head. Plus, staying focused on being physically and mentally present for your loved ones is crucial for wellness at home.

Be easy on yourself.

This is probably one I struggle with most. I tend to spiral when things are stressful. At first it's about a singular event, then I focus on a string of events, and before I know it I am questioning every life choice I've ever made and wondering how I am even functioning. Forgive yourself. Trust your gut. And be kind to yourself. Write it down on those stickies and paste them everywhere (I mean they do come in packs of a zillion.) 

Hydrate.

Guzzle those fluids yo. And I don't mean sugary juices, energy drinks, or soda. Grab that good old H TWO OH. Dehydration just drains your energy. And speaking of energy, keep healthy snacks nearby with healthy fats and proteins. I am never one to say no to a doughnut, but I also keep nuts and cheese close at hand for those afternoon slumps. I have a liter-sized water bottle in my purse and keep filling it up. DRINK ALL THE WATER. 

Stay fresh.

Keep it fresh, princes and princesses. Go outside and soak in that Vit D. Open the windows and let the breeze flow in. Listen to new music, open a fresh bottle of bubbly, buy yourself a new snazzy top. Just keep things interesting and changing. I know I get stuck in ruts of routine and the familiar, but keeping things fresh and moving challenge the mundane and hopefully, destress your life. New cheese selection at Trader Joe's? Don't mind if I do. New documentary on PBS? Why I would love to learn about architecture of wind-resistant buildings in China! Keep learning. Keep reading. Keep discovering.

What are your reminders for wellness in your life? 

Blessed Is She Devotion

Today, I have written a devotion over at Blessed Is She.

Spend some time with the Word today. 

What did I used to talk about?

Emma and I were taking some selfies this morning and I was overcome with an urge to write this little blurb that follows. I was just so happy in this moment that I wanted to share some thoughts with you. 

When I first started writing on this little blog of mine (or this space as some call it) I did not really understand what it meant. I started off on good old Tumblr and just reblogged pictures I enjoyed, talked about this and that, linked up my Instagram and voila, blog.

In the beginning, I talked about dental school, A LOT, and occasionally I received some questions about life as a dental student and newlywed. Voila, dental student slash wife blog. 

Later I started posting food and drink recipes, my random thoughts, advice about dental school, and this and that. Voila, dentistry slash lifestyle slash married blog.

When I found out I was baking a bun named Emma, I posted pregnancy updates, forays into pregnant dentistry life, and complaints about heartburn. Once she was born, I posted monthly updates, (almost) daily photos, and conversations with myself about motherhood, occasionally throwing in some dental stuffs now and again. Voila, lifestyle slash mom blog.

(Okay, I'll stop saying voila.)

But at the end of the day, I just write what I know. Since those early days, I have since moved on to Squarespace, invested in my own domain name, and annoy the stuffing out of my friends and family with my blog post updates on Facebook. 

I am continually inspired by the multitude of greater and more talented bloggers out there (especially the multiple children mom bloggers, you ladies ROCK). I love the dentist turned foodie blogs. I love the creative designers with a flare for the feminine. I love the hilarious women with their daily updates. I love the crafters, the fashionistas, the poets, the sarcastic, all of 'em.

Sap alert.

That is what has been so wonderful about my blogging experience. Substance and Soul has evolved with me. It reflects what is going on in my life right now, in this moment. It allows me to connect with people in similar and also not so similar circumstances. I get to chronicle my life and the adventures with my family whether it be for you, an audience of sorts, or for myself, years down the line when I want to remember what it was like in those earlier days. I have become more comfortable with my own blogging voice and I attempt to show true glimpses into my real life and my authentic self.

The sappiest.

What I do know is that Substance and Soul will always be my special place to share with you. I wish to keep this blog as an accurate reflection of my current state. I don't see myself narrowing or broadening my niche, because I truly believe this is a good old fashioned life blog. It reflects my life - whatever phase its in and wherever I end up.

And I hope you continue to share this place with me.

And her too, apparently.

VOILA.

My favorite movies

I know, this post is NOT about Emma.

GASP! Children crying in the distance. Glass shattering.

(If you are all about Emma these days, then I will see you later. If you need a little mom blog palate cleansing, then this post is for you.)

Calm down, we will be back to our regularly scheduled Emma spam tomorrow I'm sure. Or will we...?

J to the K.

The other night, Paul and I had a rare evening where Emma (oh, we are back to Emma? that was quick) was fast asleep and we could sit down and watch a movie together. A rarity!

We turned on the netflix and put on Forrest Gump. I laughed, I cried, it made me remember how much I loved that movie. Which got me to thinking about my favorite movies, which got me to thinking, hey blog post, because mom's gotta blog.

So here are five of my favorite movies and a little bit on why they are my favorites.

Show tunes are my life's blood, my friends. I have my parents to thank for that one. I cannot a remember a period of my life where I was NOT watching some sort of musical (video, theater, etc). I even auditioned for a musical at a local theater when I was a youth but I realized that it was not my calling and I will stick to dentistry.

This is an absolute classic. I know all the songs and dialogue by heart. If you have not seen it, you need to. Howard Keel is a hunk.

Dorcas: Which of the boys slept in this bed, do you suppose? 
Liza: Dorcas Galen!
Dorcas: What's the matter? Haven't you ever thought about that? That you're sleeping in one of their beds?

Scandalous.

I cry every time. But it also makes me happier than many other movies. Tom Hanks is a treasure and I think of Bubba every time I eat shrimp. My heart absolutely aches when Forrest meets his son for the first time and wonders if he is smart or... 

WAHHHH. Forrest, right in the feels.

Forrest: Some people don't think miracles happen, well, they do.

You said it Forrest.

Oh another musical? Well, duh. This one has a very special place in my heart. My dad and I share a love of this movie. We have home videos (on actual VHS tapes) of us singing songs from this movie. This was also one of the first movies I shared with Emma. She watched about 5 minutes of it, so only 3 more hours to go and she'll be hooked, I'm sure.

I am always inspired by this story. Yes, I do not have to worry about World War II regimes right now in my life, but the themes are universal. Struggling to find one's calling, not knowing where you fit in, maintaining your principles in the face of adversity, putting love and family above all else, disappointed young love, but triumphant second chances, the list goes on and on.

Captain von Trapp: It's the dress. You'll have to put on another one before you meet the children.
Maria: But I don't have another one. When we entered the abbey our worldly clothes were given to the poor. 
Captain von Trapp: What about this one?
Maria: The poor didn't want this one.

Girl, you sassy.

I unapologetically adore this movie. I always get a little defensive when people say snarky things like, "they could have both fit on the raft". THAT WAS NOT THE POINT. </end rant> There are so many reasons to love this movie. Again, all about those universal themes. She was suffocating and he came on the scene. It was not even about him saving her. She saved herself. Her heart will go on. 

Cheese is my name. 

Rose: I believe you are blushing, Mr. Big Artiste. I can't imagine Monsieur Monet blushing. 
Jack: He does landscapes.

I was not allowed to watch that part until I was much older.

Juliette and Johnny have some of the best on-screen chemistry I have ever seen. I don't remember where or when I first came across this film, but it has stuck in my head ever since. I re-watch it at least once a month. Plus, it always makes me want a hot coco. The score for this movie is still one of the best scores I have ever heard, by far. I am always fascinated at the colors of the film and the contrast of the drab town and Vianne's vibrancy. If you have never seen it, it is now on Netflix. OH YEAH. 

Roux: I should probably warn ya: you make friends with us, you make enemies with everyone else.
Vianne Rocher: Is that a promise? 
Roux: It's a guarantee.

And now I'm hungry. 

Well if you managed to get through this novella, I am proud of you.

What are your favorite movies? Did any of yours make this list?

(images and quotes via)

Blessed Is She - Blessed Brunch

As you may know, I am involved with the Blessed Is She ministry. This incredible ministry of women is celebrating a year of devotions and a year of truly blessing my life celebrating the Word and connecting with remarkable women all over the country and world. 

I have had the honor of writing devotions for BIS since its inception. I am also a part of the Instagram team and am an admin for the BIS Southwest Regional Facebook group. Ultimately this ministry has blessed me far beyond my expectations. It has filled a gap in my life and heart that I did not know was missing.

We have been connecting over the e-world for the past year and I have become friends with truly amazing women. Their stories inspire me. They are beautiful women inside and out. As much as I love forming these relationships in the digital world, I have wished and hoped to meet some of these women in real life and embrace them. 

(via)

Enter Blessed Brunch. And I COULD NOT be more excited.

Women all over the country are opening their homes to host their sisters in Christ. I am personally attending the Blessed Brunch in Berkeley, CA on August 8th. I am skipping with joy. I will probably cry, like the ugly, happy cry haha. 

Words cannot describe how grateful I am that this ministry exists. God is good. SO good.