Season: Autumn
Element: Metal
Moon: New
Zodiac: Libra
Happy Friday the 13th!
Tomorrow a solar eclipse will enchant the sky for the first time since June 2021, but sadly for those of us in Michigan it will not be visible. If you live in Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Mexico, Central America, and South America you may be lucky enough to see it. Even though I will not be able to see the eclipse, I still have an enchanting weekend in store since the next Rest Event is on Sunday. I am so looking forward to seeing all of you that RSVPed. At the event, we will focus on the Libra energy of balance and harmony, especially since many parts and institutions of our world are in chaos.
In these chaotic times, it is important to value our mental health and coincidentally World Mental Health Day was on Tuesday, October 10th. My family and friends have been talking a lot about mental health and the importance of taking physical and mental breaks to rest. My husband and I decided over the summer that our entire family, including our daughter, would instigate mental health days from work and school periodically during the year. Not when we were at our breaking point, but thoughtfully and consciously when there were no deadlines, tests, or urgent work to be done. Our daughter is actually taking a mental health day off of school as I write. Nothing triggered this day, other than her also having a dentist appointment, but it coincided with a natural break in the flow of school days.
Taking a mental health day may seem like a luxury to many of you, but if the above resonates with you and if you understand your paid time off (PTO) requirements at work you can endeavor to integrate them into your calendar. I believe taking a day off for a mental health day is just as important as a sick day, especially when improving your mental wellness can boost your immune system. How many of us have run ourselves into exhaustion until we finally get too sick to keep going? If taking a full mental health day is too stressful, try taking a half day or even an hour or two. As I work to deprogram the mindset that I always have to be busy, working on projects, and/or generating business, I notice that when I take even an hour to rest, meditate, or take a walk in natural I become more in flow.
Note: Rest curations, products, and recordings are still in the works, but I am leaving the paid subscriber Rest Readings, Rest Recipes, and Rest Rituals on the newsletter for a month or so. If you want to contribute, consider becoming a paid subscriber through Substack:
REST READING
Anne of Green Gables* by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve by Stanley Rosenberg
The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hahn
Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Saving Time by Jenny Odell
The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer by Dan Buettner
The Moon Book by Sarah Faith Gottesdiener
Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body by Jodi Cohen
In Praise of Wasting Time by Alan Lightman
The Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
*All of my book recommendations thus far have been non-fiction, but I’ve decided to also include some of my favorite fiction novels which fill me with calm, joy, and spark my imagination. Anne of Green Gables is one of these and if you have never read the series, I highly recommend it. The stories take place on Prince Edward Island, off the coast of my beloved Nova Scotia. The island has recreated Green Gables for tourists to explore and it is absolutely magical.
REST RECIPE
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” -Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables. I could not be happier that autumn is here and like Anne I am truly glad to live in a world where there are Octobers. When I lived in Hong Kong, I desperately missed the Octobers of Michigan with the crisp air and colorful forests. Nothing says October more to me than pumpkins. In university, my friend Jodi gave me this pumpkin soup recipe and it is still a favorite. So, here is the recipe for Curried Pumpkin Soup:
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon curry powder
3 cups bone broth
2 cups canned pumpkin*
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 ounce can evaporated milk
Melt butter in a large saucepan and add the onions. Cook until tender, stirring often. Stir in the flour and the curry powder. Gradually add the broth and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened. Stir in the pumpkin, honey, salt, nutmeg, and pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until thoroughly heated. Garnish with sour cream or plain yogurt, fresh chives or microgreens, and toasted pepitas.
*Pumpkins have beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and folate -- all of which strengthen your immune system. Additionally, pumpkin seeds (pepitas) have tryptophan, an amino acid that helps make serotonin -- a key player in promoting good sleep.
REST RITUAL
Five-finger breathing is a simple but effective breathing exercise to bring calm and deep relaxation. My cousin Beth introduced this exercise to me, which she uses in her work at an elementary school, and it is a revelation. I use it now when my mind is racing and I can’t get to sleep. It helps to relieve stress and anxiety, relaxes the body, and promotes healing and sleep.
Hold one hand out. With your other hand, trace each finger up as you breathe in and trace each finger down as you breathe out— finishing with five deep breaths. When you’re done, use your other hand and repeat the exercise. For a video on the steps of five-finger breathing click on this link.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope this has been enjoyable. May your week wrap up with ease and may your weekend be relaxing.
One more reminder on the upcoming events:
What: Rest Event
Where: Liebestraum Chalet, 5505 Bancroft, Alto, Michigan 49302
When: Sunday, October 15th, 2023 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Why: Give yourself permission and come join me to REST
Who: Presented by Cascade Rest Curation in partnership with Cascade Feng Shui
How Many: Only 10 spots available, so please RSVP asap to abby@cascadefengshui.com if you would like to attend.
How Much: FREE!
If you cannot make the above date, again no worries. I will be holding Rest Events also on the following Sundays:
November 12th, 2023 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
December 10th, 2023 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Mark them in your calendar and feel free to RSVP me for any of the dates above.
And if you are interested in my feng shui services, please see my website at www.cascadefengshui.com and contact me at abby@cascadefengshui.com. I’m also on Instagram at cascade.feng.shui.