Moving Through May
Blog Feature: NEDA Walk - Burlington Experience
Trigger Warner: This section discusses eating disorders.
Towards the end of April, Sarah Townsend, the creator behind some of the marketing content for SustainableLife.Live, had the opportunity to speak about her experience in eating disorder recovery at the National Eating Disorder’s Association (NEDA) Walk in Burlington, VT. Speaking up about this difficult but important topic was definitely a challenge for Sarah, but nonetheless, the need for eating disorders to no longer be stigmatized is far greater than the silence this topic currently receives in society.
Sarah wrote about her experience speaking and the events that led her to choose recovery in the blog “NEDA Walk - Personal Story” (linked). If you have the time and space, please consider taking a moment reading and/or watching the YouTube video included that captures her speech shared the day of the event.
Thank you dearly for listening. The first step towards more education and awareness around eating disorders is simply listening and the acknowledgment that this is a deeper problem that needs the help of community to heal from!
Digital Minimalism: Making Your Decision About Technology Usage
Digital minimalism has become an important topic in the wellness community, so much so that I went back to school over a year ago to learn from a physical, mental, and yes, environmental perspective about what’s going on with our relationship to technology in those areas.
I am by no means perfect, but cell phones in the bedroom have been an absolute NEVER for me and my husband.
We get up using an old fashion alarm clock. We learned about the weather by looking out the window. Our kids have always known if they need us it better happen between the hours of 6 AM and 9 PM
I, like you, am on a journey to understand our relationship with technology… and a large part of this journey is figuring out the best ways to use technology as a tool, rather than have it “use us”. The moment our lives become tangled with tech, such that we can’t even “function” comfortably without it, that’s when I believe it has become a bigger problem.
Let’s start in the bedroom. Becoming more MINIMALISTIC improves sleep, brain health and relationships.
SLEEP!?
SLEEP (the most under rated supplement right behind water!)
Ideally, your sleep environment should be a space that is maximally conducive to sleep. The room should be cool, dark, and quiet. It should be a space reserved for sleep and intimacy.
In order to accomplish this, electronics need to go.
Benefits:
1. More, Quality Sleep - The more TV people watch before bedtime, the less sleep they get. Also, the blue light emitted by your cell phone screen restrains the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle (aka circadian rhythm). This makes it even more difficult to fall asleep and wake up the next day.
2. More Relationship within Family - At any age, removing technology from bedrooms fosters interaction. I, like you, use technology in our home everyday. But rather than going to separate bedrooms, keep tech in the living areas to create interaction. This also helps in monitoring online activities of kids.
3. More, Quality Intimacy - Couples who do not have tech in their bedroom are twice as intimate with each other.
4. Brain Health - leaving your phone on or near you creates a sense of hyper-vigilance, effects similar to PTSD.
Recipe: Lemon Vinaigrette
What better way to get excited for this warmer weather than to celebrate with the seasonal produce that’s popping up in the garden?! When I think of springtime, I think about grilling meats and vegetables outside on the weekends… or delighting in a refreshing salad on a picnic lunch! Check out this month’s seasonal recipe: Lemon Vinaigrette. This quick dressing is a perfect addition to any springtime dish! Enjoy!
Ingredients
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, or to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
Whisk red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly stream olive oil into vinegar mixture, whisking continuously, until well combined. Add lemon juice and whisk to combine.
Pour vinaigrette into a screw-top jar or bottle; seal. Shake before serving.
We greatly appreciate you all for taking the time to engage with this month’s content. Be well and take care!