Mr. Sandman doesn’t like me lately! :(
I STILL can’t sleep. I believe I had the worst sleep last night known to man!!! Maybe 3 hours?
Since I was lying awake last night, I narrowed down my sleep troubles to a couple things:
1) Increase in caffeine (loose leaf Sencha Green Tea)
2) Not unwinding before bed
Green Tea
I am suspecting that the caffeine issue has a lot to do with it! This week, I made the switch from bagged teas to my Sencha Loose Leaf Green Tea. For a couple reasons: 1) I have lots of loose leaf tea to use up, and 2) The amount of bagged teas I was going through was a bit crazy (and expensive). Loose leaf is not only more economical, but better on the environment. So I have switched it up for a while!
And I do LOVE my Sencha green tea. I have been drinking it for about 5 years now. But I make it strong…very, very strong!
I always steep it for a good 10-15 minutes and then I squeeze out the leaves so every last drop gets into my tea. It is a very strong drink, but it gives me SO much energy!!!
However, I have been drinking it until about 5pm lately, which for someone who is sensitive to caffeine, is NOT good! I think that is why I am stirring so much at night when I go to bed.
So I am going to cut off my green tea at 2pm and see if that makes a difference.
Not unwinding
As I mentioned, I have been doing work straight until I go to bed at night (around midnight). While this is good for the business, it is not good for 1) My sanity, or 2) My sleep. Last night, I went to bed and my mind was RACING with thoughts. I was getting so frustrated because I just couldn’t turn it off.
At 3am, I said to myself, ‘I can’t wait until it is sunny so I can just get up and get my work done!!!’
so as you can see, not a great mindset for sleep! lol. ;)
So my goal for this is to wind down and remove my batteries at least 30 minutes before bed. I’d like to start doing some yoga or reading before bed. I am going to try it tonight and see how it goes!
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This morning…
Needless to say I was very groggy when I got up around 6:30am this morning. I had to get up and finish off some orders, package, ship, and do my invoices. I have so much paperwork to get caught up on– that is really my least favourite part of owning a business!
So anyways, I had 4 orders shipped out by 9am so that felt pretty good! :)
Mandy from Reading Comfort has donated a Book Buddy for the Summer Glow Boot Camp!
What is a Book Buddy?
The Book Buddy™ holds both hardcover and softcover books in place with adjustable ribbons for hands-free reading. The special filling in the pillow makes any book feel practically weightless.
Each Book Buddy™ comes with a sparkling clear acrylic desktop that slips into place and converts your reading pillow into a writing desk. The durable desktop also serves as a handy platform for your laptop computer, keeping the warm surface off your legs and elevating the computer to a position that most people find perfect for both reading and typing. Simply slide your laptop under the diagonal ribbons to safely secure it the most comfortable position.
She sent me one to try out for myself and I must say it is really cool!
I ordered the ‘Sweet Charlotte’ design because it was SO me! :)
I used it indoors on the couch…
Outdoors…
And I even found a totally new use for it! As a cookbook holder!
Pretty darn cool! :)
The latest research is showing that having laptops directly on our laps is not good for us. The Book Buddy creates a barrier between the body and our laptops! Not to mention that the Book Buddy is super comfortable and cute!
Would you like a chance to win a Book Buddy?
1. Visit Reading Comfort’s blog!
2. Leave a comment on this post telling me a brief story about what brings YOU comfort and why! Is it a trip to your cottage, a pedicure at the salon, a nice bubble bath? Whatever it is that brings you a great deal of comfort tell us below! Mandy is collecting these comfort stories to use on her website, so yours just might be featured!
Contest closes Friday July 3rd at noon EST. One entry per person. Contest open only to US and Canadian residents please.
What brings me comfort?
Often a particular smell can bring me comfort. Sometimes I will smell something and it will remind me of various times in my life. I love the smell of Eric’s cologne and his clothes…sometimes I will wear one of his shirts just so I can feel comforted.
I also feel comfort when I am around my mom and my sisters. I feel so loved by them and so at ease with myself. Many times growing up, I would bury my head in my moms shoulder and cry when I was upset. There really was no greater feeling of comfort than having my mom hold me when I was sad.
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1. Don’t forget my delicious Blueberry Banana Walnut Streusel mini loaves are 25% off today only!!! Email [email protected] to place an order.
2. If HAYLEY is reading this, please check your junk mail filter! I keep getting your emails for an order, but I don’t think you are getting my emails! Please check your junk mail as I have emailed you back a few times now. ;)
3. See you later for a Summer Glow Post!!! This week’s topic- REFLECTION: How we think, feel, and perceive our current selves!!! It’s going to be good!
Ok, I am off to bake an order and then I have a BUNCH of paperwork to do! I am also working on my research for shipping to the STATES!!! Don’t worry it is coming soon my lovies! ;)
Wow, where do you find all these wonderful things? I’d love to have that as my laptop supporter. It looks very comfy and cute.
I’m definitely loving the design.
the book buddy is so glam looking. i currently have my laptop on my lap….eeek!
being home from college has definitely been a comforting experience. i enjoy baking bread + pita with my mom since i have always found the smell of fresh yeast bread extremely comforting. ever since i could stand by myself, my parents had me in the kitchen helping them cook + bake. there are a lot of good memories in the kitchen :D
To me there is nothing more comforting than laying on the beach on a windy day with my toes in the sand cuddled under a blanket and reading a fun book.
OR
Getting a nice, slow and long massage…. ahhhhhhhh!
I feel most comfortable at night right before I’m going to sleep. In my white clean sheets and most wonderful comforter ever. Just knowing that I’m going to not do anything for the next couple of hours is amazing.
Things that bring me comfort: a good book, really soft pajamas, my dog, my husband, the ocean.
Wow! I would love to win that book buddy – I was just this past week trying to think up some contraption that would work like it does and was so excited to see it already in existence when I read your blog!
For me, comfort comes in hugs and kisses from the kids. If I had to put it in a bowl- it would be my mom’s mac and cheese or some rice pudding. yum!
Wow… hope the unwinding helps… yoga always gets me back on track after a bought of insomnia, even if it takes a few days to do so… it’s worth it!
Comfort for me comes with my daily routine, after getting myself ready and out the door to work, I get on the bus, say Good Morning to the driver, find my regular seat, and hold down the “2” button on my phone. When I hear my mother’s cute accent on the other end, I’m immediately at peace, ready to face my day and my often not so pleasant co-workers, or mischievous students. Sometimes we only have time for a quick hello and “I love you” other times we gab until I get to the door of my school an hour later. It’s the highlight of my day!
Coming home from a long day of classes and studying nothing brings me more comfort than my mom’s homemade cooking. The processed and fried food on campus does not even come close to the joy of a homemade meal :)!
I find comfort in a rainy day… sounds weird but anymore my life is so busy and they only time I can actually relax and make some downtown is when it rains! I like to just be lazy and read a good book with my screen porch door open.
Ahh… makes me smile. :)
My favourite comfort moment is coming home from work and working in my garden… i feel like i am getting exercise and relaxation in at once! And obviously since I only do this in good weather, I can feel the cool evening breeze on my back… ahh it’s great! Thanks!
Sara
Besides being around my family, just curling up in bed in my PJs while watching Friends DVDs is pretty comforting for me.
What gives me comfort is cuddling up with my kids in front of the fireplace watching a movie or just catching up on life and how there day was. Makes all the stress of the day just go away.
My furry little kitty (who is actually a massive 15 lb cat) brings me so much comfort! I get an instant feeling of calm and happiness when he nuzzles his furry head against my bare legs in the summer. And the night is not complete until he settles in on my chest in bed and proceeds to knead my neck and face with his paws all while sweetly purring! Mmmmm and walking around on a perfectly still, beautiful freshly fallen snow evening is also quite the comforter!
I am so comforted by reading a wonderful can’t-put-it-down book outside preferrably by some water with my golden retriever, Toby, sleeping at my feet.
Any day I don’t have plans or a lot to do(which isn’t often) is comforting to me. I enjoy just lounging around and catching up on the “me” time that we all need.
Thanks so much for the opportunity.
Wow, I’m so happy you have had such an awesome turn over, this will be great for Andrea! I was at the site, because they’re sooo cool, and I love the one next to yours, the Chantilly Lace! http://www.readingcomfort.com/Book_Buddy_Dotts_p/bb-010.htm
:D I hope Randomizer has my name in the cards!
Comfort= my mom! When I’m upset she is always the first person I call and her hugs make everything better.
Snuggling with my puppy brings me comfort! :)
Comfort is laying in bed until noon on the weekend in my love’s arms! Nothing better than a good snuggle.
A mug of tea, my warm furry slippers, a blankie, a good book and a rain storm going on outside. Or any combination of the above. :)
I find that scents bring me comfort. Sometimes, it’s a perfume or shampoo that someone I know and love wears/uses, and when I smell it on a stranger I feel instantly happy and comfortable. Sometimes, it’s just a random perfume someone will have on and I’ll be walking behind them with a huge smile on my face :)
What gives me comfort is having some ‘me’ time where I am by myself and just lounge around.
singing. esp. in the shower
Nothing beats cuddling up under a blanket with a good book, and a dog on your lap!
I find comfort in getting away from it all by hiking or running on a beautiful trail or up a mountain!
Sitting in the sun listening to music on my ipod and just thinking about whatever…watching people walk by, looking at the pretty trees/flowers around me. Just tuning out.
What comfort means to me is a peaceful feeling. A feeling that comes over me and no matter what my troubles and worries are I know at that moment that life is going to work itself out and everything will be ok. I find the most comfort when I am in nature. A simple trip to the beach, toes in the sand, sun on my shoulders and looking out into the vast blue Gulf (of Mexico)will bring me comfort. Or being able to visit Utah and looking at those strong tall mountains that change with the seasons but have been a constant in my life. The mountains provide a stability that I have constantly searched for in my life and that brings me comfort. Thenn there is the red rock of Moab or St. George that provides an energy that is fun and contangeous yet peaceful. I am truly blessed to have all the beautiful places in the world to visit and I have so much more to discover.
Being with my daughter is the thing that brings me the most comfort. She is my only child and she is everything I wanted to be when I was her age. I love her so much.
I feel most comfortable when I am under my covers, with my kitties sleeping by me and my laptop on my lap. :)
how cool is that little pillow!?!?
for me, comfort = being all cozy and warm in my sweats, watching a movie (preferably during a rainstorm…), and having a cup of tea or REALLY amazing hot cocoa. yum.
… i’m smiling right now just thinking of that by the way…
I’m suppose I’m most comfortable when I’m completely lost in a book, especially when I’m reading outside and it’s a beautiful, warm summer day.
Spooning with my man when i’ve had a rough day! Maybe I especially feel that way because he’s in London for six weeks and I cant see him. That’s why the book buddy would get a lot of use – Im on my computer talking to him as much as I can!
Being at home with my family and pets brings me so much comfort and I am heading home tomorrow night! Hooray!
Peppermint tea brings me comfort. When I am sick or have anxiety, even just the smell of peppermint tea INSTANTLY makes me feel better!
Another thing that brings me comfort is the smell of Eucalyptus … reminds me of the spa!
Snuggling up on the couch with my boy and falling asleep on his lap while watching a movie brings me lots of comfort!
I find comfort in me time…be it a book, a massage, hanging at home watching tv/movie, or cooking, anytime that i spend on myself.
Hi Angela:
Just purchased your new book. I really like the containers used in the photos to store products. Where did you find these?
Hi Karen, If you mean the containers on pages 291–297 (-ish), those jars are actually Ashley’s (from the blog Edible Perspective), as she shot the photos. My guess is that they are from Crate and Barrel as they look like ones that I have, too. :) Hope this helps, and thanks so much for your support!
Hi Angela
I have a confession to make. I have had your cookbook, “Oh She Glows Everyday” since it came out but haven’t tried very many of the recipes until lately. Honestly, I was thinking that there is no way that your second cookbook could be as good as the first. But I was wrong! Tonight I made the “Best Marinated Lentils” and they are S U P E R delicious! My favorite vegan recipe of all-time is your “Broccoli and Cashew Cheese Quinoa Burrito” recipe, but I think this lentil recipe just topped it! THANK YOU for making healthy plant-based food so delicious and easy to make. :)
haha awww you’re sweet Rhonda. I’m so glad you loved the lentils!! There are a lot of hidden gems in that book. I can’t wait for you to explore it!