My May Obsessions

fermented hibiscus soda, creamy jamaica iced tea, papaya avocado bowls, cherry mesquite lattes, and green goddess pasta salads

Oh boyyyy strap in because this month was full of joy and wonder (mostly in the form of yummy beverages, but also other things!!!). If you haven’t seen one of these posts, it’s part a new tradition I started this year:

at the end of every month, I reflect on everything (beverages, meals, activities, ingredients, colors, people, thoughts) that brought me joy. It’s a practice rooted in pure joy and gratitude. As someone who is wired and always feels like they’re rushing everywhere, I have been trying really hard to work on my nervous system regulation and slow down.

If you’re like me and tend to find yourself looking at the calendar and exclaiming, “I can’t believe the month is over!!!,” this is a really nice practice to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the little things. It really grounds you in seasonal living and is a great way to mark the passing of time in a joyful and positive light, rather than letting it feel overwhelming.

Someone DM'd me recently saying “why does being healthy have to be so hard”. Which I totally understand. It’s hard to find the time and energy (and money!!) to cook healthy meals, exercise regularly, meditate, dry brush, journal, eat protein…

But what if the healthy parts of our day were also the most fun, pleasurable, and joyful parts. I love optimizing my diet and lifestyle to feel my best, but sometimes you just have to focus on the moments that connect you back to yourself.

All the supplements, protein-rich meals, and biohacks in the world can’t replace the power of joy. If we aren’t enjoying our meals, sipping fun beverages, noticing pretty flowers on our walks, and having deep belly laughs, what are we really doing? I love reading about what things bring other people joy, so I hope you enjoy this list and take the time to make your own <3

popcorn bowls & tea

When I get into a cozy chair with a fully charged kindle (see my book recommendations below), a warm cup of tea, and a lil snack… anxiety-be-gone. Prepare to not hear from me for 1-2 hours. This month I spent some time in the mountains and sipped on Ceylon cinnamon. My snack of choice was a popcorn medley — I love the salty sweet combo of popcorn and chocolate. Plus… fiber!! If buying premade, always look for organic corn popped in avocado or coconut oil. For me, an air popper at home is ideal but I also like to make it in a pot with coconut oil. Let me know if you need a tutorial! Skip the microwavable bags of popcorn that are lined with PFAS aka forever chemicals.

fermented jamaica (hibiscus) soda

I finally got my ginger bug back in action after moving to Mexico so I have been experimenting with different homemade fermented sodas (should I make a whole post on ginger bug recipes?) My favorite so far is this bubbly, tart and lightly sweet jamaica soda. There is something about fermentation — especially sodas and carbonated beverages — that makes you feel like the coolest person on Earth. Like, I just look down at my drink and think to myself “you mixed ginger and sugar and then turned tea into a bubbly soda… you are literally so cool!”

creamy pink tea

Speaking of hibiscus tea (guys, I told you this was mainly a list of really fun beverages!!) I have been having this creamy jamaica tea in the afternoons when I need a caffeine-free pick me up. It is as good as it is beautiful. Jamaica is naturally really tart, so you have to add a ton of sugar which is why a lot of hibiscus drinks are so sweet. To avoid a ton of added sugar I found that a splash of maple syrup and a dash of coconut or cashew milk really cuts the tartness. It is creamy, bright, and zingy. Sometimes I mix it with green tea for a little caffeine and lots of antioxidant benefits. Bonus points if it matches your shirt perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup jamaica flowers

• 1 cup hot water (just before boiling)

• 2 cups cold water

• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey (or more to taste)

• Pinch sea salt

• 3-4 cubes ice

• 2-4 tbsp milk of choice (I like coconut milk or homemade cashew milk)

Directions:

1. Steep the jamaica in the hot water covered for 8-10 minutes. Stir in the cold water, the maple syrup or honey, and the salt. Add the ice.

2. Stir in the milk. Taste and add more sweetener or milk to taste.

lemon, ginger, olive oil elixir

I have been trying to show my liver some extra love for better digestion and to support detox and hormone health. This creamy, lemon, ginger & olive oil beverage is so fun. It definitely helped get things moving if you know what I mean… full recipe is here.

carrot protein muffins

Baking with protein powder can be really hit or miss and these were a hit. They are super moist and flavorful. The texture is almost rich and fudgy without being dense. They are 100% gluten-free and each serving has 25g of protein and 6g of fiber which is kinda insane. Having these in the fridge for a yummy afternoon snack or to replace your typical sugary muffin in the morning is a game changer. Recipe can be found here!

this espresso cup

A fried egg cup with legs??? Gimme 14 of ‘em right now! Peep my to-go mug so I can enjoy a delicious latte at the cafe with the best creamy, sheep’s milk :)

pasta sundays (with a veggie starter)

White Lotus Nacho Sundays turned into Bolognese The Last of Us Sundays. I love having a weekly show that we can tune into — so much more enjoyable than binging bad TV. And of course we need a quick, easy, nourishing and satisfying meal for a Sunday night. I loved having a protein packed meat sauce with pasta and using up all of the veggies that we didn’t eat during the week with fiber-rich dips for an appetizer to blunt the blood sugar impact of pasta. Less food waste AND fewer blood sugar spikes!

my books

I was gonna post a picture of me and my new kindle holder that holds my book while I read in bed but it is too embarrassing (highly recommend a kindle holder though and I won’t judge you!!). This month I read The God of the Woods and started the Children of Time series. Love them both!

papaya avocado bowls

My favorite combo is avocado, banana, papaya and tons of lime juice with a pinch of sea salt. If you have papayas near you, highly recommend this combo. Papaya is also known for its digestion benefits - the papain enzyme helps break down proteins and it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps to regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. I like to munch on some seeds for their digestion and liver support and anti-parasitic benefits.

face massage and matcha in the morning

Some of my favorite beneficial habits don’t get done if I leave them until the afternoon, so this month I packed my morning with the most impactful routines, including my face massage. After my morning workout and dog walk I sit down with my matcha of the day (MOTD) and complete the face massage. I use this app because it has a weekly schedule so that I can just click on the massage of the day and not have to think about what I am doing.

seasonal farm hauls

One of my favorite ways to mark the passing of time and the changing seasons are my local farm hauls. I highly recommend finding a farmers’ market or CSA near you to take advantage of local & seasonal produce. It helps you stay inspired in the kitchen, adds more variety of plants to your diet, and gets you the highest quality fresh produce! Check out this website to find local farms.

cherry mesquite lattes

I saw so many people drinking fruity lattes and I needed to try it but caffeine-free option because 🌟 anxiety!!! 🌟 I blended some cherries into my milk and added a shot of mesquite that I brewed as an espresso. So delicious and it really satisfied that craving for an afternoon coffee without keeping me awake all night.

pasta salad season!!

Pasta salad szn is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited. I have been obsessed with blend leafy greens like kale and spinach into a pesto-like sauce for a veggie-packed pasta salad. This recipe was in a weekly meal prep this month.

coconut egg custard

I actually shocked myself that this recipe worked out. I was craving a creamy, custardy flan-like dessert and just mixed up some eggs with coconut milk and some maple syrup and spices and baked it up and it turned out perfectly. The perfect nutrient-packed dessert with all of the micronutrients from the eggs and the healthy fats. Recipe is here!

homemade fermented curtido

I had two heads of cabbage in the fridge that were staring me down for weeks as I ignored them. Shoutout cabbage for being so resilient. I wanted something a little different from my typical kraut so I made curtido, a Salvadoran slaw typically served with pupusas. Maybe I will whip up a batch of homemade pupusas for when this is ready in a couple weeks. Working on the recipe so it will be up ASAP!

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Let me know in the comments some of your favorite things from May so we can revel in the seasonal pleasures together :) Okay byee - can’t wait for next month’s joy dump!