"In order to find your own clarity, close your eyes to focus on the truth of your own intentions. When you have clarity of your own intentions everything else seems to fall into place."

 MIND

5 Books We Recommend to Take Your Mind Off Things

1. The Choice: Edith Eger 
A great reminder that we, as humans, are stronger than we sometimes think.
Learn more here...

2. The Man's Search for Meaning: Viktor E. Frenkle
The power of changing your perspective in challenging times.
Learn more here...

3. Outer Order | Inner Calm: Gretchen Rubin
A helpful guide to get you organized.
Learn more here...

4. You are a Badass: Jen Sincero 
A nice little reminder that you are a badass.
Learn more here...

5. Mating in Captivity: Esther Perel
Exploring the paradox of domesticity and sexual desire.
Learn more here...

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BODY

Nostalgic Comfort Food: 
Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal Bars

Our in-house foodie Randi Watkins has taken her childhood favorite snack to a whole(some) new level! Rich and creamy peanut butter and jelly are swirled into an oatmeal cookie base. Whether eaten alone or topped with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, it will surely make you feel like a kid again.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 
• 2/3 cup coconut sugar (or packed light brown sugar) 
• 1/3 cup sugar (granulated sugar substitute) 
• 1 large egg 
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 1/2 cup cornstarch OR 1 1/3 cup oat flour 
• 3 cups rolled oats 
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or slightly less of fine salt) 
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 

• 1⁄2 cup peanut butter 
• 1⁄2 cup fruit preserves (I used strawberry) 

Recipe:

• STEP 1: Heat the oven to 350°f. 
• STEP 2: With a mixer or by hand, combine the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl. Add in egg and vanilla, and mix to combine. 
• STEP 3: Add the oats and cornstarch (or oat flour), baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl while mixing. 
• STEP 4: Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking pan. Spread 2/3 of your dough into your pan and push lightly to fill the pan. 
• STEP 5: Spread your peanut butter evenly over the oatmeal base. Then spread your jam on top of the peanut butter. Drop the rest of your dough by the spoonful, and spread to cover the filling. 
• STEP 6: Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown and slightly caramelized on top. The middle will still be slightly soft. Let cool completely before slicing into squares. 

Wrap well!  These bars will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week.

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SOUL

10 Sustainable Activities You Can Do At Home 

We've found 5 repurposing ideas for you to try at home and 5 crafts for any parents looking for some fun with their little ones!

For You:

1. Create a Simple Living Wall:  With a few jars, a branch, and some string, you can create a beautiful live wall hanging.  Fill the jars with flower buds, plant clippings, or herbs.
2. Design a Vision Board: Grab some old magazines, scissors, and tape and start to envision what you want for the year ahead. 
3. Turn Wine Bottles Into Watering Bottles: If you have a few empty wine bottles and aren't the best about watering or are going out of town for a few days, fill them with water and stick them upside-down in your garden or pots. 
4. Make Your Own Macrame Plant Hanger: Try your hand in macrame.  With some rope, you can make hanging baskets for your plants or just create a fun pattern to hang on the wall.
5. Make Your Own Masks: Make a face mask for yourself, your family, or someone in need.

For You and the Little Ones:

1. Turn Old Crayons Into New Ones: You can finally encourage your kids to break their crayons with this fun project.  Fill silicone baking molds with your own color combinations and give old crayons a new life.
2. Homemade Instruments: Have a family jam session and try making some of these instruments out of recycled items around the house.
3. Make Your Own Play Dough: Who doesn't love to play with play dough?  Try a "sculpt and guess what it is" game with the family.
4. Puff Paint Art: Let your kids inner artist shine with this easy puff paint art project.
5. Can Phones: We all need to practice social distancing so if the kids what to talk to their neighborhood friends, they can make a can-phone.

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We know right now is a really challenging time for everyone.  We are all navigating different ways of being and our only hope is to provide some solace for your mind, body, and soul during these trying times.  We’ve all started to create new daily routines, while keeping the fridge stocked, compulsively washing our hands, and staying up to date on the latest news briefs.  It can be exhausting, but sometimes getting through the darkest days is the only way to gain clarity on what matters the most to us.

We encourage you to set aside at least one moment each day for some reflection and self-care.  Whether it's picking up a book you’ve been longing to read, taking a short walk around the block, or finally committing to a meditation practice; it’s important now more than ever to take care of ourselves so we can continue to care for the ones we love.

Keep doing your best!  We are all in this together, and together we will come out stronger than before.