Tag Archives: Gretchen Rubin

10 Things I Loved In February 2014

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For the last few months I have been doing these reflection posts after being inspired by Rosie’s. Taking time each month to reflect on the good things that happen each day/week/month has done wonders for my ability to actually stop and notice the good stuff. 

uc davis arboretum

Ten Things I Loved In February

Things I/We Did

1.     Rainy Day Book Club Hike to celebrate reading Cheryl Strayed’s WILD.  Super excited to finally be part of a book club again. I only know one woman, but each time we meet I meet more cool, interesting, smart, funny women. Plus I’m reading books I wouldn’t necessarily ever pick up on my own.

There are few things I find more satisfying than reading a good book and then getting to talk about it.

Are you in a book club? What have you read that you’d recommend?

2.     Showed up. This has been so helpful for me to build my relationship with my family and it sure has helped during my mom’s illness. I’m also reaching out more which can be really difficult in times of need. Progress! 

3.      Rainy day play dates and nature walks. I am still deciding if I am a complete nutter butter or a genius for taking my preschooler out in the rain and to play in the puddles and mud afterward. It is totally gross and a pain in the butt to clean up, but she’s super happy and being outside regardless of weather helps regulate my moods. I guess I’m a genius!

Any other ideas for keeping a super energetic toddler busy? I am seriously open to new ideas. Share your parenting gems.

4.      Prescribed rest. Twice. Permission slip to rest. I napped a lot with the kid in February, and I regularly go to bed in the 9 o’clock hour and this month I slept in as late as possible. And I do feel better when I get more rest.

5.     Connected with our ridiculously awesome neighbors. I had no idea what a great neighborhood I live in until we had a kid and suddenly we were enveloped into this community of like-minded generous and lovely families. It is so comforting to know someone right outside your front door can help if you need it or make you laugh. U Street Gang, you are allright!

Products and Services I Dug:

6.  Sprouts Farmer’s Market. Is now a good time to tell you I’ve been finding a weirdly huge amount of comfort in the produce aisle? Like for real. If you follow my Instagram feed you can watch up close and personal just how I’m eating my life’s savings away in fruits and vegetables.

7.  Amazon Prime. Just keeping up with my status as the last to jump on every band wagon. Free Kindle books, my favorite vegan protein powder, free movies – what is there not to like?

Books I Can Highly Recommend:

8.   Let’s Explore Owls with Diabetes by David Sedaris. Do I need to go into how much I love David Sedaris? Good. This one was not my favorite, but still comforting like my favorite sweater, bowl of soup, cup of tea. He just cracks me up even when he’s not being funny.

My favorite of his is Naked. Then Barrel Fever. If you haven’t read those yet, stop what you are doing right now and get yourself to the bookstore.

9.    Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jen Corace. One of those random recommendations in the picture book section of the library. The magic words spoken? “My kindergarten class loved this one!” Thanks, Teacher I Wish I Would Have Introduced Myself To.

Do you read picture books? What are your favorites?

10.   Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I read the first Hunger Games a year ago and then the two sequels in a week. I am so fancy. Also I like reading young adult fiction when I’m sick. It’s really all I can keep up with.

Videos I Fell For: .Pretty much all of the videos from Hilary Rushford of Dean Street Society. So adorable AND helpful.

 

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If you enjoyed this post, get email updates (it’s FREE).

So what are you loving lately? I’m always on the lookout for what is delicious in food, drink, fashion, and life. Leave me your favorites in the comments or write a post of your own and link back here.

Image Source: My Instagram!

In Case You Missed It Edition! Volume 45

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I’ve found some links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

best of blogs vol 45

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My Best Of…

 What the Heck Is Restorative Yoga and Why Should I Be Doing It? <—Holy hell, YES! Just read the whole thing. It is brilliantly spot on.

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There are a million reasons why people choose to make any big decision, but I’ve started to come back to the idea that the best decisions happen when you take some time off and cut yourself some slack. from What We’re Talking About: The Luxury of Time Off – Design Sponge {via yes and yes}

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33 Potluck Perfect Vegan Dishes. Why? Because I can’t eat dairy, my hubs is pretty much a vegetarian and my kid isn’t really into meat either. Oh and rumor has it, vegetables are good for you!

Related: Vegan Guide to San Francisco.

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Why I Consult My “Manager” and Why She Always Takes My Calls. The struggle between the want me and the should me is solved with the executive manager. For example: My manager reminds me to follow my good habits. My manager stays compassionate.My manager stands up for me when other people are too demanding.

Just another reason why I love Gretchen Rubin.

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Easy dinner inspiration from Shutterbean: Burrito Bowls.

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Solo vacations from Oh Happy Day! – not what you expect and yet the actual best kind.

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And last, but not least, Responding to Negative Nellies at Work.

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives -click it to see them all.

Image Source: reading by murphyeppoon on Flickr (cc)

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Do you wish you could end the school year feeling as energized as you started it?

Is recovering from the school year going to take most of your summer?

Are you ready to press reset but have no idea where that button is?

The Healthy, Happy, Sane Teacher is the reset button.

HHST

Class starts in September – just in time for the new school year. Click here to register

In Case You Missed It Edition! Volume 40

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{photo credit: Etsy – click image for source – PS I would not be sad to have this in my classroom if anyone is feeling gifty}

I’ve found some links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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My Best Of…

Over the last year I’ve become a walker. Partly because I need to get the girl outside and partly because I find life is more manageable once I’ve taken myself on a walk.

Andrew from A Peaceful Resolution posted about The 10-Minute Worry Walk and I decided to share with all my freshly back a school teacher friends. I believe walking with your worries works better than sweet or savory carby snacks. Plus 10 minutes is shorter than recess, so you can still hit the bathroom before picking up your class.

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Vegan frosty and fudgesicles? Yes, please! Being dairy-free just got a lot more delicious thanks to Amy at Coffee and Sunshine. These may be the only reasons to celebrate the still hot as blazes temperatures.

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How To Be Unhappy – from Chris at The Art of Non-Conformity. The comments are as brilliant as the post itself. Read it and add to it.

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Have you ever been physically and emotionally exhausted from your job as a teacher? Or a mother? Or a daughter? Me too. Jen Louden has some very brilliant tips on How To Stop the Cycle of Over Providing.

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Have you read the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin? The book? I did and found it to be super helpful. I also read the blog and am very much looking forward to her new book Happier At Home coming out in September.

Anyway, I find her writing style simple and compelling and this post about getting up earlier to find time for yourself to be brilliant. Easy for me to say because I’m a morning lark, but I thought it was worth sharing. The more I talk to other moms and teachers, the more I realize how hard it is for women to take time for themselves.

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives -click it to see them all.

Attitude of Gratitude

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On Tuesday It’s All Yoga posted on Facebook:

For the month of November, we’re launching an Attitude of Gratitude campaign. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, you’re invited to dedicate one Facebook update per week to write what you’re thankful for.

We’ll go first: “We’re thankful for the beautiful ginkgo trees in front of the studio whose butterfly leaves will turn their signature golden yellow in just a couple of weeks. (It’s All Yoga Attitude of Gratitude)”

What do you say, will you join us in cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude? Be sure to tag It’s All Yoga in your posts so we can “hear” you. :)

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Well, I misread that as sharing what you are thankful for EVERY DAY. I guess the Twitter #30DaysofThankfulness hashtag seeped into my brain and now I’m in.

Ever since reading Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project {3 times!} I’ve kept a one sentence journal. While I don’t write in it every day, when I do go back and reread it I am once again filled with gratitude.

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At the end of the month I think I’ll compile my list and publish as one post. For now, I’m posting daily on Twitter and on Facebook.

Want to join me? Just post to Facebook or Twitter and be sure to tag me.

Happy November!

In Case You Missed It Edition, Volume 21

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Each week I’ll give you links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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My Best Of…

8 Ways to Feel Happier During An Unhappy Time – is Gretchen Rubin some sort of psychic? After the week I’ve had, I do believe it’s true.

If you haven’t yet read The Happiness Project, please stop what you are doing and go get yourself a copy. I’m reading it a second time because it is full of super valuable reminders about how to take care of your own happiness.  It just came out in paperback this week. I bought a copy for a friend and I’m getting one for my birthday. Book club, anyone?

Do you treat yourself as well as you treat your friends and family? New research shows that self-compassion can lead to a healthier, happier you.

Have you met Sally at Already Pretty?  Her tagline: Helping You Recognize Your Own Beauty, One Post At A Time. Brilliant! Plus there is a new scarf tying tutorial – the pretzel.

Do you live in the Sacramento region? Are you needing a little quiet time for yourself and aren’t sure when, where and how to take it?

Well, I’ve got the answer!

First Sundays (that’s today, friends) I am teaching a fully restorative yoga class at It’s All Yoga. It’s called Sunday Snooze: 90 minutes of laying on the floor with blankets, bolsters, and blocks. It’s like a slumber party where I host and you actually get to rest. No undergarments in the freezer or awkward games of Truth or Dare. Just rest.

No experience or special clothes or even flexibility necessary. The ability to get down on the floor and up again is super helpful, however I’ll help if you need it.

If you’d like more information – check out my yoga classes page – or send me a message at TGBTSblog at gmail (dot) com.

Last little bit on rest… Do you know I have a Rest Manifesto? I don’t fool around when it comes to down time.

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition for this week, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives -click it to see them all.


In Case You Missed It Edition – Volume 11

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{via}

Each week I’ll give you links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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My Best Of…

Is it just me or does anyone else suffer from the if-it-can’t-be-perfect let’s call the whole thing off?     Perfect is the enemy of the good from the Simple Dollar.

Keeping with the perfection is not the goal club – another awesome interview over at the Happiness Project.

I’ve been in a scarf tying rut. I’m a European and Simple Neck Loop junkie. No longer! From now on, I’ll be mixing it up more. Learn how to tie a scarf here.

Ever since I declared my 11 Things for 2011 – I’ve been a decluttering machine. Although I’ll admit at one point I was walking around in circles muttering to myself wondering where to start. These 3 Questions helped get me started.

Stop. The. Presses. I know these are meant to help your “parents” with their computer issues, but I think I might be old enough to BE the parent. In any case, if you’ve got questions about using your computer to make phone calls, or upgrading your browser or video chatting (!) or well anything else click here for easy to-to videos.

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition for this week, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives: Volume 10,  Volume 9, Volume 8, Volume 7,  Volume 6,  Volume 5,  Volume 4,  Volume 3,  Volume 2,  Volume 1

In Case You Missed It Edition – Volume 10

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{via}

Each week I’ll give you links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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My Best Of…

One of my 11 for 2011 is to get more consistent cardio in my life, apparently I’ll be doing it in the morning via Becky and Hollee’s (Good Enough Is) The New Perfect.

Are you looking for some last-minute crafty gift ideas you can use to keep your kids busy? Check out Molly’s ideas on Charlotte’s Fancy.

What are you working on? Are you excited about it? Excitement is key.

In my quest to dump cable tv, I’ve run into some problems. Our internet connection is inconsistent, so watching TV and movies is remarkably maddening. In researching our options for new internet, I’m more confused than ever. Just how many monthly bills will I have to commit to? – If you have any advice for a solid connection in Midtown Sacramento, I’d appreciate it.

Give yourself the ultimate gift: You – via Rowdy Kittens

Just to further cement my giant crush on Gretchen Rubin, there’s this: Treat Yourself Like A Toddler.

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition for this week, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives: Volume 9, Volume 8, Volume 7,  Volume 6,  Volume 5,  Volume 4,  Volume 3,  Volume 2,  Volume 1

In Case You Missed It Edition! Volume 5

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{as always, click on the image for source}

Happy Fall Dear Readers!

Lately I’ve been thinking about adding a new regular feature to Teacher Goes Back to School. Today is the début of the regular In Case You Missed It Edition!

Each week I’ll give you links to posts and articles that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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My Best Of…

Be Yourself, But Keep Your Inner Jerk in Check – Gretchen Rubin’s interview with Bob Sutton who wrote a book called The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t.

Catchy title, huh? I think he should have stopped at The No Asshole part.

Just so we’re clear, I would not be against someone passing that book along to me to read.

I love Gretchen’s interviews. They remind me of the Inside the Actor’s Studio interviews with James Lipton because the questions are the same each time. All the answers are completely different because of the diversity of the subjects, but it gives the reader a familiar framework. LOVE!

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Speaking of Inside The Actor’s Studio 10 questions… have you ever wanted to answer them yourself? If so, head on over to The Pondering Yogini’s place to do it. 

I did it. I had a hard time picking a favorite curse word. Sort of.

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Beware of the next link. You may laugh so hard spit your coffee on your computer screen. This just in from Just a Titch.

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Confession time: I am a minimalist blog  junkie. I adore hearing about people living with less stuff, not buying anything new and making do with what they’ve got. 

Since my mid-twenties I’ve been obsessed with frugality. I’ve read book after book and now I follow many frugality and minimalist blogs.

I can’t get enough of minimalist and frugality blogs.

Oh, the irony.

Recently, I described myself as “minimalist lite” – someone who does all those things above, but hasn’t  made the commitment to downsizing completely.

Yet.

So here’s a question for you –

Would you ever get rid of your diamond engagement ring?  Even if it put you into debt and caused ongoing conflict in your relationship? Tammy over at Rowdy Kittens is deciding what to do. Click over to weigh in.

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That is this week’s In Case You Missed It Edition, folks. Next week we talk fashion, local scene happenings and more.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

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In Case You Missed Edition Archives: Volume 4,  Volume 3,  Volume 2,  Volume 1

A Peek Behind the Computer Screen

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Lucky me got to spend Friday evening with Just A Titch and Blogasana – two of my favorite Sacramento bloggers.

After teaching YogaNap at It’s All Yoga and then falling into a post-teaching-blissed-out-Yin-state facilitated by the lovely Michelle, we hopped into my trusty blue Prius and made our way over to Amy’s newish Sacramento digs {it really is that cute}.

We drank wine from Michelle’s Wine of the Month Club {who knew?}, ate tasty snacks and the laughing began.

First up, reminiscing about Double Rainbows and their ah-maz-ing-ness.

Then we talked about our favorite blogs:

Havi Brooks – Fluent Self

My favorite post from the week – Let’s Try Something Different Today

Gwen Bell – Big Love In A Small World

Kyla Roma – Daydreams from a Handmade Prairie Life

Danielle LaPorte White Hot Truth

Gretchen Rubin – Happiness Project

 

I borrowed this book from Amy and tried not to peek at it while we were talking.

Dear readers, please know you’ll never have to read about what I ate for lunch. Unless of course, it’s sharing a recipe.

We discovered our mutual love for the images on We Heart It and joked about how I could get my readers to click the links in my posts.

Look forward to an upcoming photo of a gun pointed to a lovely 20-something half-dressed woman’s head. Please note she will have an exposed breast and bloody nose, holding a lit cigarette.

At least it will if we find it on We Heart It.

I kid, of course.

But FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE CLICK THE LINKS ALREADY PEOPLE!

{thank you in advance}.

Twitter talk ensued.

I confessed to learning about Twitter from Rhett Miller.

They both laughed at my superfandom.

We talked about how we love Twitter because we like to know what people are actually doing during their day, how there is a fine line between witty and too witty, and all the people we love to follow {personal faves: @naomidunford, @yisforyogini, @sophieandlili, @bowsandsparrows, @4thgrdteach and of course @rhettmiller }

Did I mention the laughing?

And there it is… a peek behind the computer screen.