Hi loves, I am trying something new! I had an idea for a series called, "That Thursday Feeling." These posts will be going live every Thursday and will discuss a variety of topics not necessarily limited to food. The first installation will be a favorites post and the others will likely examine topics related to things like lifestyle and creativity. It has been my long-held thought that Thursday has a noticeable, lovely feeling: that feeling of possibility and wonder you get at the eve of the weekend. So, that's the name. I have loved using this platform to talk about food and life so far and I can't wait to see the direction it moves me. Without further ado, check out my favorites for the month of May. It wasn't intentional, but they are all media-centric. Check them out and let me know if you decide to try out any of my recommendations!
On Screen
This is going to sound strange, but one of my absolute favorite shows at the moment is The Dick Van Dyke Show. Hear me out. I had seen it as a kid but didn't fully appreciate it then. I know I’m sincerely late to this game, but having revisited The Dick Van Dyke Show, I'm now declaring that it is a timeless, dare I say, impeccable example of sitcom. Starting up right at the onset of the 1960s, its approach to gender roles and family structure are a breath of fresh air. Mary Tyler Moore’s Laura is spectacular and I would venture to say that every character, major or otherwise, is sheer perfection. It makes me laugh and it offers something that is at once wholesome, progressive and clever. It’s definitely TV: Lite for when The Handmaid’s Tale may be a little too much, but that is the beauty, of course.
Another show I’m loving is Splitting Up Together with Jenna Fischer and Oliver Hudson. I love the idea of conscious uncoupling and living together post-divorce instead of displacing the children. I just wrapped up the season finale and have to say I really enjoyed it and am officially a devoted fan. I also really love that Ellen Degeneres is producing it. Extra cool points there for sure.
My latest obsession is Queer Eye on Netflix! I didn’t watch the original Queer Eye, but have fallen hard for this one. It is so uplifting and empowering. I am inspired to be myself fully in every episode. Not only do I have all of the feelz when I watch this show but i also desperately want to be best friends with the Fab 5, especially Jonathan. Yaaaasss, queen.
Do you like John Mulaney? If your answer is, “Who is John Mulaney?” I suggest checking out his work on Netflix. He has a slew of stand-up specials as well as his animated series, Big Mouth with Nick Kroll. His latest special is John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City and it delivered hard. I have been really into stand-up lately and Mulaney may be my current favorite. Give him a shot.
Books
I recently finished, Lunar Abundance: Cultivating Joy, Peace, and Purpose Using the Phases of the Moon by Ezzie Spencer. This book is about living your life in rhythm with the phases of the moon. You may pause here. What kind of book is this? Disclaimer: I like far out things. Just give it a whirl. A major part of the book involves directing our focus to our yin and yang (feminine or masculine) energy within the cycle. It's inspired me to study more about feminine and masculine energy. The moon is just cool. I definitely did my science project on the moon in high school, guys. I've got a thing for it. If you do, this is a fun read.
I’m currently reading Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi because I am fascinated by the idea of creative flow and heard this guy is basically the granddaddy of all things flow. If you want a scientific and psychology-based look at how our society conditions our behavior and responses to pleasure and punishment, this is the book. It focuses on moving away from the learned track of stimulus/response and shifting focus to increasing the quality of your inner life instead. Whoa.
Another book I'm loving is The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer. I watched I Feel Pretty and apparently gained a major Amy Schumer crush. Her written voice is engaging and hilarious obviously and it's more vulnerable than one might expect. I have lol-ed multiple times and I'm loving it. My only regret is wishing I had gotten the audio book for this one. I'm sure it's fire.
Podcasts
My new favorite podcast is Light Work with Danielle Laporte. If you haven’t heard of Danielle Laporte, she is the author behind The Desire Map (which I also highly recommend!) among several other great books. Her podcast is fabulous because it is so multi-layered and quirky. Every episode is chock full of things like breath work, poetry and new agey tribal music. Her voice is wonderful too and she approaches every episode with her own signature, sassy straight-talk. It feels a little like having wine and going to the spa with your girlfriends.
That's all I've got for our first Thursday post. I hope you like this mixing it up. Wishing you peace, love and a happy Thursday.