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Ahhhhhh it's 2021. I remember so vividly "back in the old days" ... when it was 2000 and we had all weathered the potential technological apocalypse of Y2K. WHO KNEW that 20 years later a virus would bring us to our knees and technology would be our saving grace?
COFFEE TALK
This month ... I realized that I was wrong.
(shhhhhhh don't tell anybody!!!)
I used to KNOW the power of journalling. I used to recommend journalling to people and even give the odd journalling prompts. I used to journal myself once in a blue moon. I found it really cathartic and eye-opening even ... but I didn't love it and as a result, I believed I wasn't a journaller. (I think that's not a word ???)
I used to have to force myself to journal and since I really believe that we should do things that come naturally to us ... I believed that journalling just wasn't my "thing" and that meditation was for me.
(Oh wait ... I used to hate meditating too and now I'm obsessed with it. Fuckin HELL ... I was wrong x2!!!)
For the month of January, I decided to switch things up. I decided to set aside at least 10 minutes a day to write. I bought a new journal. I got a pen I like that writes smoothly. I started out using journal prompts but I realized that they don't necessarily inspire me to write my little heart out. So ... I leaned into the notion that journalling was like self-coaching and just wrote about things that I was "stuck" on and problems I wanted to work through. Things like:
- why have I not been able to be as consistent as I would like to be?
- what are the gifts I have, that I have not yet shared with the world?
- what is holding me back from the success that I believe I can achieve?
- what is holding me back from quantum leaping into the next level version of me?
And then I committed to doing this every single day for the month of January. What happened? I actually started to like it. Now, don't get too carried away here Linda ... I don't LOVE it every single day. I didn't go from resisting it to jumping out of bed at 6am to grab my new purple journal. SOME days I would start writing and it would end up being a list of my ideas and tasks and projects (NOT where I intended it to go at ALL). But here's the thing ...
SOME days ... the most amazing things flow out onto that paper. SOME days ... it's truly transformative. That's worth it, don't you think???
FENG SHUI TIP OF THE MONTH
For the past week or so I've been getting a lot of questions about increasing money flow for entrepreneurs. I could literally talk about this for hours and hours because there is truly SO MUCH when it comes to using feng shui to increase your wealth or business success!!!
If you're in my facebook group you'll know that I have talked about wealth a number of times with tips and tricks but THIS one is something I haven't talked about yet:
LIGHTING
In order to allow wealth into our lives, its essential that we activate good chi (energy) flow through our homes. To do that, we need to ensure that we have adequate lighting. Natural light is best when possible so open up those curtains or blinds and let the sun shine in!! If natural light is a little sparse in your home, you can use mirrors strategically placed to reflect the windows (it's amazing how this works actually).
If your home doesn't have a ton of natural light (we have some fairly significant overhangs on our roof so we don't get a TON of bright light in our house, you can use artificial light. When I was taking interior design they really talked about having a variety of lights: ambient (general) lighting, accent lighting and task lighting.
Without going into a ton of detail ... think ceiling lighting, recessed/wall/track lighting and then lamps or pendant lights. Having a variety gives you a really inviting ambience to the room but ALSO ... it lights up the corners and allows the chi to flow to all areas!
Now this is just one tiny tip for you, there are a LOT of feng shui tips for money that I have to share so ... watch out for something EXCITING coming in February!!!!
COOL SHIT I LOVE:
Holy hell man, I've come across a lot of cool things this month (and I'll share them in upcoming newsletters) but this month I wanna showcase something that both of my kids (and I) love:
WEIGHTED FREAKING BLANKETS!
Have you heard about them???
I read about weighted blankets and their ability to help with anxiety and stress, but let's face it ... there is a LOT of things people say in order to sell products. When I got to the store, this brand was showcased. uhhhhhhh LOOKS pretty enticing huh???
Now full disclosure, I texted my husband these pictures along with the price and he thought I had lost it. These "Embrace" blankets ranged from $175-$279 CAD which ... to spend that much on something that may NOT work, seems ridiculous. However, a mom who wants her kids to have reduced anxiety will find a way to make it rational or a way to make it work!
I found a chick at Bed, Bath and Beyond to talk to and there was a kick-ass sale on another brand!!! I got one for $60. The next day I went back for a second blanket and it was $90. POOP!! Still a steal considering they are $150 regular price.
Here's the best thing: the kids love them and I swear they work.
My 18yr old immediately sat under it for hours that day and took it to bed with him as well that night. It is heavy and DOES feel like a hug when you are under it!! My daughter loves hers too (and I steal it from her from time to time) but she uses it every night and even to lay on the couch with. This is what theirs look like!
Seriously doesn't that look cozy? PLUS, when I get mad at them I can throw it at them ... or I can tie it up and use it as a medicine ball. LOL
Tips when purchasing:
- you want to purchase ones that are approximately 10% of the weight of the person who will be using it. So my 195 lb son should have had a 20 lb blanket.
- the chick at Bed, Bath and Beyond told me that she has had a few people bring back their blankets but only to exchange them for the appropriate weights!! All customers loved them - no complaints about the blankets themselves
- you want to make sure you get one that has a removable cover that you can wash. Some don't have them and you don't wanna put 20lbs of sand in your washer. lol
- I have seen some pretty swanky ones with stitching in them so that the beads don't slide to the bottom. I think that would be nice, but most of the blankets I saw didn't have that. The ones I bought don't (neither do the Embrace ones in this picture that were quite expensive). I wouldn't pay extra for the feature I don't think.
WHAT (or who) INSPIRES ME:
For the past few months I've been really inspired by an Alberta Initiative called "Be the Voice". As a University of Alberta Student-Athlete, my son is able to participate, learn and grow from this incredible group. They are encouraged, coached and supported to identify, interrupt and intervene within cultures and systems fostering gender-based violence and discrimination.
Their Mission: to eradicate gender-based violence and create an empowered society where all people are treated equal.
Their Vision: to reduce incidents of gender-based violence and sexual violence on the university campuses and in the communities we serve.
Colleen Pirie (below) is a Leadership Coach for the Golden Bears Football team and someone who my son SO admires. He says that she is super approachable and makes it very safe to speak openly about how they are doing. In doing so, it is hoped that they will be empowered to pass-it-on to others, eventually down to the school aged kids as well. Really when you think about it ... shouldn't we ALL aspire to be the person who is SAFE for someone to come to???
Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to support the program!! Another great initiative that I love is called "TACKLE it"!! It's a coalition of players and coaches supporting 🇨🇦 high school & university aged football athletes with mental health challenges #tackleit (tackleit.org). Colleen was recently interviewed by TACKLE it on a podcast. You can listen to her story here!
CLIENT SHOWCASE:
This month, I want to showcase my biz bestie Ashley Chandler. She and I talk almost every day, we share our wins, our challenges and our ideas. We piss our pants laughing at the crazy stuff each of us say and we push each other to own our brilliance. I promise, you'll get to know her more ...
Last year, I had this thought pop out of nowhere as it often does for me ... for her to run bootcamps. BUSINESS bootcamps. She was a beachbody coach, she KNOWS how to run a kick ass challenge group ... and she helps women in business do things simply, in less time, to make more money. As soon as I channeled this I knew it was right. She was instantly excited about it, followed by overthinking the fuck out of it. (A common affliction that I'm sure EVERYONE can relate to. I know I can). At the end of December, it became so crystal clear to her though and she created the most amazing freakin bootcamp ever (lucky for me cause it is EXACTLY the thing I needed).
The girls in the test group in January KILLED it. We signed more clients, we created new business, we changed business names, had inspired ideas, took action and showed up more than ever. It was a totally different energy than she ever had before but it was more HER than I've ever seen. I am so freakin excited for her, for the girls in the bootcamp and ... for me too ... cause EVERY FLIPPIN TIME a client sees huge success using an idea that popped into my head, I trust my intuition just a little bit more. I believe it gets stronger each and every time.
For those of you who are wanting a little push in their business, you can still sign up to begin with me in February! I'm pretty fun in a challenge group and just as sweary ... ;)
JOIN ME HERE
WHAT'S COMIN UP?
Ok so you know that in January I focused on one-on-one breakthrough calls. I really REALLY hate to see women stay stuck in their heads, overthink the magic out of things and not be able to see their gifts clearly enough to create a profitable business.
Truthfully ... anyone who has had a call with me knows that they are magical and within 60 minutes you feel SO much more excited and inspired and on fire with ideas. I use my intuition to guide me and together we come up with the most amazing plans. This month I did one that was three hours though and HOLY MOLY that was a new level of awesome!! She was thrilled with the zoom call and I am going to be offering THREE of these in February!
Interested in hearing more? Just hit REPLY to this email with BREAKTHROUGH COACHING in the message, girl and I'll give you all the details!!
OK now what else is coming up??? (I told you I'm on fire since the January Bootcamp). In February I'm going to be running a FREE masterclass where I talk about all things $$$$ and Feng Shui. I've got too many of you asking for it, for me not to come through!!! It will be held right in the UNSTUCK facebook group so if you're not in by now ... get your ass in there!!! Invite your friends to join as well ... the more the merrier!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thefengshuichick
I've also got something super hush hush that I'm peeing my pants excited over but oooooooooohhhhhhhhh it will be amazing. I've been asked to do this many times already. Can you guess what it is???
TASTY SHIT!
My family and I love shawarma - beef or chicken it doesn't matter - SO DANG GOOD. We like a small little place in our local mall called Mr. Pesen's BUT this recipe is seriously a close second.
We use this marinade for the chicken, then wrap it up in a pita with a buffet of our faves: tzatziki sauce, toum (a Lebanese garlic sauce), hummus, chopped pickled beets, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, pickles, feta cheese, chopped olives, chopped onions ... whatever you like!! (seriously the beet pickles make it though!!)
Shawarma Chicken:
- 1 pound 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
- 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Juice from 1 medium lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the chicken breasts, 1 at a time, in a Ziploc bag. Pound each breast to an even thickness, about ½-inch thick, being careful not to puncture the bag. Place pounded chicken breasts back into bag and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine olive oil and lemon juice. Whisk until combined. Add the garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, curry powder, cinnamon, red pepper, salt and black pepper and whisk again.
- Pour the marinade into the bag with the chicken, massaging it to evenly coat. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
- Over medium-high heat, grill the chicken for 3 minutes or until it no longer sticks to the grill. Turn the chicken and grill an additional 3-4 minutes. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes then slice it thinly, across the grain.
Toum sauce:
- 1 cup garlic cloves peeled
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3 cups neutral oil such as canola or safflower
- ½ cup lemon juice
Instructions
- Slice the garlic cloves in half lengthwise and remove any green sprouts.
- Transfer the sliced garlic cloves into a food processor and add the kosher salt to the garlic cloves. Process for a minute until the garlic becomes finely minced. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the food processor afterwards.
- With the food processor is running, slowly pour one to two tablespoons of oil, then stop and scrape down the bowl. Continue adding another tablespoon or two until the garlic starts looking creamy.Once the garlic looks emulsified by the few tablespoons of oil, increase the speed of pouring the oil and alternate with the 1/2 cup of lemon juice until all the oil and lemon juice is incorporated. This will take about 15 minutes to complete.
- Transfer the sauce into a glass container and cover with a paper towel in the fridge overnight. Makes about 4 cups.
- The next day, replace the paper towel with an airtight lid and keep the garlic sauce in the fridge for up to 3 months.
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Well that's it for random stuff from January!! Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you SO much to all of you who regularly email me, recommend my group, my courses, my coaching or this newsletter to your friends and colleagues, your biz besties and your family. I appreciate every one of you and every message that I receive and remember ...
Yes, you CAN do the damn thing!!!
Sandra
XO
If you've got a friend who might be interested, invite her to the UNSTUCK with the Feng Shui Chick group or direct her to my IG account: @sandrarpriestley. The link to this newsletter is in my bio and I LOVVVVVE seeing the number of subscribers go up!!!
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