Fresh off of a 30-day gratitude challenge, Emily shares with Betsy a few nuggets about what she's learned along the way, including expressing gratitude for things that aren't always positive.
Have you ever wondered if a regular yoga practice could make a difference in your life? Or if all of the hype around this form of movement is for real? We did, too. Until we began to implement the practice in our own lives and saw what was taking shape for ourselves. Whether you're looking to move your body more and get stronger, or you're looking for a more gentle, grounding practice, yoga can give you what you need. From the physical to the emotional to the spiritual, a regular yoga practice has the potential to be and do all of that (and more. In typical N+F fashion, our journeys with yoga have been vastly different but the outcome — both intended and actual — are the same: more balance, more grounding, and a more full and loving relationship with our bodies.
What role does yoga play in your life? Do you have a regular yoga practice? If so, what are your favorite styles and/or resources? Looking to embark on your own yoga journey? What's holding you back?
The topic of divine feminine energy has been showing up in our lives time and time again, whether it's in the form of intuition, creativity, or operating from a place of flow. It's the impetus behind Emily's deep dive into yoga. And it's the place that Betsy lives her life from on a daily basis. So when we came across Shannon Ledford, host and creatrix of the Honor The Feminine Podcast, we knew we needed to sit down with her and explore this topic more.
Our conversation with Shannon is filled with insights about the divine feminine and sacred masculine energies we all possess, what happens when those energies get out of balance (i.e.—doing versus being, pushing versus trusting, rational thinking versus intuition and creativity), as well as simple things we can all do to embrace more feminine energy in our lives.
We hope you enjoy learning more about Shannon and her perspective around divine feminine (and masculine) energies. Wanting to take a deep dive on all things feminine? Head on over to honorthefeminine.com and the Honor The Feminine Daily Facebook Group.
During our conversation around Self-Care (Ep 14), the idea of sensory deprivation tanks or floating was brought up. Betsy was totally into it, while Emily was completely uncomfortable with the idea. As the conversation proceeded, the two agreed to try it out and scheduled their first float session a day or two later.
Today's bonus episode is all about the float experience — from the sheer panic it induced all the way through to the blissful relaxation that resulted.
If you want to see our initial reaction to floating (Epsom crusted and all), check out our Facebook Live video: https://www.facebook.com/nourishandflourishpodcast/videos/1901449103425230/
To learn more about what floating or sensory deprivation is, or to schedule an appointment in the Pittsburgh area, check out Levity (https://www.floatlevity.com).
We've spent a fair amount of time on the podcast talking about food — our personal food philosophies, how our health has been transformed through food, the pros and cons of local food, and even our favorite guilty pleasures. One area we hadn't focused on until today, is where we find and maintain inspiration in the kitchen.
We start the conversation with stories around when we first got comfortable with cooking and being in the kitchen. We then touch on our current habits, from menu planning to food prep in order to get delicious meals on our respective tables. And because no one is immune to food ruts, we also spend a fair amount of time talking about where we find our mojo again.
In typical N+F fashion, we come from completely different backgrounds and eating styles, and yet, we have similar tools and techniques that we draw upon when it comes to food.
What are your favorite resources? Where do you find inspiration around food? What gets you excited about being in the kitchen or eating in general? And if you're not super into cooking, what have you been wanting to sample and what gets you excited to try something new?
Have you ever used the following words to describe something?
Congratulations! You've accessed your intuition.
Whether you believe it or not, we all have access to this deep sense of knowing. Sometimes it shows up as a curious event (took a different route to work), other times it shows up as a strongly held belief (I will be successful) or seemingly inappropriate feeling (unshakeable worry or anxiety). It can even show up as a repeat message (I've been seeing/hearing that everywhere!).
The key is learning how that deep sense of knowing shows up so we can listen. Which brings us to today's episode. We explore the ins and outs of intuition — how it shows up in our lives, how we define it for ourselves, and even what happens when we straight up ignore it.
So grab a hot cup of something and settle in for an intimate conversation between friends.
What does that innate knowing look like for you and how does it show up in your life?
When Emily and her daughter caught a nasty virus, her regular self-care practices fell to the wayside. Yoga and meditation were seen as expendable, and healthy eating was just too exhausting to even contemplate. Problem is, those were the very practices that were keeping her feeling more balanced and healthy.
Once the dust settled and the sickness lifted, Betsy began to ask questions around what Emily was doing to take care of herself and her daughter, and what, if anything, she was doing to get better.
Of course, those questions prompted further discussions and a whole lot of self-reflection. AND, it prompted us to want to talk more about the in's and out's of self-care, particularly when something like an illness or surgery comes in and throws everything off track.
What do you have in place in your own life to support you and help you feel better? How does being sick (or tired, or in recovery mode) change how you take care of yourself? Also, are there things you've wanted to try but have either been afraid of it or pushed it off to the side?
Inspired by their interview with Simon Huntley of Small Farm Central (Episode #13), Betsy + Emily talk about small things you can do right now to add more locally grown foods into your life.
How do you feel about the food you put into your mouth? Does it conjure up images of the farmers who grew it or the region in which it came from, or are you more interested in the convenience factor of eating something as quickly as you can? Neither choice is inherently right or wrong, nor are they mutually exclusive.
Community Support Agriculture, or CSA's, can help change your relationship with the food you consume. It can be cost-effective and also help save time when it comes to the dreaded question of "what do we have to eat?!" CSA's can also help the people growing it by giving them more stability and security in a time when small and medium-sized farms are facing extreme difficulty in sustaining themselves.
In today's episode, we talk with Small Farm Central's Simon Huntley about his involvement in the local farming scene, how he marries his passion for local farming and technology, as well as the benefits of participating in CSA programs for the farmers and the eaters.
Are you a fan of CSA's? If not, is sourcing foods from local farms, butchers, and growers an important part of your meal plan?
Podcasting has been an amazing tool for self-discovery and growth. It's also been a surprising source of accountability and reflection. We've deepened our friendship — taking it from a surface level knowing of each other to a deep and nurturing relationship. And we've created a safe space to explore the topics that we're interested in.
But, most surprisingly, podcasting has also been a huge catalyst for creating change in our lives. It's created a mirror for us to witness how far we've come and how far we still have to go. It has shined a light on areas of our lives that need a bit more work. And it has given us the ability to take pause and really embrace the journey.
In today's episode, we talk about what that journey has been like for us, how public accountability has motivated us to take sustained action, and the things we've changed up in our lives as a result.
Has this podcast been a catalyst for change in your life? What aspects of your life have you felt compelled to take a closer look at?
Heather Crosby, the creative mind behind Yum Universe, came to a major crossroads in her twenties. She was diagnosed with a chronic health condition that would require medication for the rest of her life. She could follow her doctor's orders and take a medication that had a 4-8% chance of fixing the problem, or she could listen to a voice deep inside that was screaming at her to make a change.
Heather decided to listen to that voice deep within and take her health into her own hands. She began to change what she was putting into her body and focused on getting more vegetables into her diet. Slowly but surely, she began to feel better and, after consulting with doctors again, saw that the changes she was making had a direct impact on her health. She learned how to tune in and decipher the clues that her body was giving her.
Somewhere along the way, she decided to share what she was learning and started a blog. Her mission was simple: to prove that healthy, plant-powered eating could be delicious and comforting. Intrigued?
Tune in to today's episode where we dive deep into Heather's transformative health journey, the impetus for starting Yum Universe, what she's cooking up next, and how she continues to take care of herself now that she's got her diet under control.
Today, we're talking about guilty pleasures. You know, the things that we indulge in that may or may not raise an eyebrow from our friends and family. Or, worse still, be deemed UNhealthy.
Why are we talking about this? Because we believe there needs to be some built-in wiggle room for indulgences to reward ourselves in order to remain sane in a life that is centered around health and wellness. Whether it’s a guilty pleasure in the form of a television show, a snack, or merely an act of creativity, they are sources of comfort that we all can turn to when we need to relax.
And while they may not be healthy when consumed in large quantities (ahem french fries, chocolate, and wine slushies), they are the stuff balanced lives are made of when enjoyed in moderation. (Unless we're talking about music, movies, television, and books. In which case, binge to your heart's content.)
How do you allow yourself to have some wiggle room on your journey to health and wellness? AND. What are your guilty pleasures — from televisions shows and movies to food and clothing? We want to know them all.
Emily:
Betsy:
Emily:
Betsy:
Emily:
Betsy:
Emily:
Betsy:
Emily:
Betsy:
Meditation can be an incredibly powerful tool. Whether you're looking to reduce stress, feel more focused, or become more in tune with yourself, meditation can support you along the way. The only hitch? You have to create the space for it in your life. In today's episode, we talk about how meditation came into our lives, when we began to take it seriously, and how it has helped to transform our lives (and health). We also talk about the styles we gravitate towards and touch on the ever-present question of "how do you know if you're doing it right?!"
Do you meditate? If so, what shape does it take in your life? If not, what would need to happen for you to try it on?
Our body is with us wherever we go. And yet, we don't always feel comfortable living inside of them.
When we're young, we view our bodies through the lens of exploration. Our bodies allow us to do the things we want to do — moving, playing, jumping, and chasing. As we get older, we begin to notice how our bodies function in relation to the world around us. We also begin to care about how others perceive us.
Somewhere along the way, we begin to hate our bodies and/or feel constrained by them. We abuse our bodies. We nurture our bodies. We put on weight. We lose weight. We change our appearances. We struggle with our health. We heal. We get pregnant. Or we don't (or can't).
Throughout it all, our body stays with us; a constant companion in our lives.
Today, we're talking about it all. From our very first memories of our bodies, through the ups and downs, and, ultimately, finding peace, acceptance, and even appreciation for this vessel in which we live.
In today's episode, we ask the question "Can a book really change your life?"
For us, the answer is a resounding yes. Books have played a huge role in our lives and our health. They have helped to shape us and open our minds. And they provide us with a constant source of inspiration and growth.
The episode starts with the role books have played throughout the course of our lives, the connection between reading and writing, as well as the power books have held over our life and health. We end the episode by sharing about the 10 books that collectively changed our lives for the better and why.
What books have transformed you in some way? Perhaps a book has helped you to see the world differently, think bigger, change up your diet or other habits, or even move in a totally different direction in your career. Whatever the transformation has been, we want to know what those books are and why!
Betsy’s 5 Books:
Emily’s 5 Books:
Other books mentioned:
When we first came up with the idea for the Nourish + Flourish Podcast, food was top of mind.
The way we eat has been a major catalyst in our own health journeys and is something we are both interested in speaking with others about. In order to lay the groundwork for those future conversations, we thought it was important to share about our own evolution with food.
We start from the beginning with the context of food in our family of origin and then work our way through stepping out on our own, how diet transformed our health for better or worse, and the kinds of foods we eat today.
While our experiences with food were (and are) vastly different, we have both come to a place of understanding that food is a powerful tool on our journey towards better health and happiness.
What has your journey with food been like? How has your eating evolved as you've taken charge of what goes onto your plate and into your mouth? Are you in the process of making any big changes in the way you eat?
You can hit is us up Twitter (@nandfpodcast) or send us an email.
Have you ever wanted to learn more about tarot? We certainly did! So we enlisted the help of local card slinger and high-vibe boutique owner, Leslie McAllister of Juju to dive deeper into the topic. Leslie shared the basics of tarot, how she got into it, and how tarot helps people see what they need most.
Have you ever dabbled in tarot? If so, what are your favorite decks and resources? And if not, what's stopping you? You can hit is us up Twitter (@nandfpodcast) or send us an email.
Photo credit: Michael Fornataro for WHIRL Magazine
Optimal sleep, while necessary to thrive, isn’t always easy to achieve. Sometimes it can feel like that elusive unicorn when insomnia, anxiety, or any of the many variables in life get in the way.
In today’s episode, Emily and Betsy talk about their individual challenges and solutions in the endless pursuit of a good night’s rest. From meditation to digital detoxes, ideal bedroom environments and nutrition influences - it’s all a big puzzle.
We’d love to hear what helps or hinders you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Hit is us up Twitter (@nandfpodcast) or send us an email.
Find the show notes with links to all resources shared and some quotable nuggets at nourishandflourish.us.
Welcome to our inaugural episode of the Nourish + Flourish Podcast! We’re excited to be embarking on this journey together and wanted to share a bit more about who we are, why we started this podcast and the kind of content we want to focus on.