Seattle Chocolate truly is my favorite chocolatier. The flavors are creative, super approachable and delicious. They are women owned and a local Seattle company and they give back (they have donated over 4 MILLION servings of food via foodbanks).
I’m giving Seattle Chocolate away to two winners. Enter on Facebook by watching my quick video & commenting on the video here.
For those of you without Facebook accounts (or if you are taking a social media break), you can enter by commenting on this blog post.
Your post should include a flavor you love or want to try.
Hey there, it’s been a bit. Turns out some hobbies are harder during this stage of pandemic. You finding that too? Oof.
Let’s jump in. Here’s what I’ve been up to lately:
My friend and colleague Lori Hammond recently introduced me to Stanford professor and neuroscientist Andrew Huberman. I’m now going down a youtube rabbit hole, finding videos from podcasts he’s appeared on this summer. He makes neuroscience approachable and is right up my alley, in connection to my work as a Hypnotherapist. He posts on Instagram at instagram.com/hubermanlab (you can view IG posts online even if you don’t sign up for instagram). For more from him, search his name on your podcast app and of course youtube.
Andrew Huberman, (approachable and charismatic Neuroscientist and Standford Professor)
I would love Andrew to be a guest on Brene Brown’s podcast, Unlocking Us (my favorite podcast right now).
Unlocking Us is recently back with more episodes, as is another podcast favorite, the funny and interesting pod By the Book with hosts Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer. Funny enough, pre-pandemic they planned this season to have many home-self-help books. AND they just released an episode on one of my favorite books, So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo (follow her on FB and IG). Everyone in the United States should read this book.
Ijeoma Oluo, bestselling author and rad thought leader
I’m in the middle of reading Kindred (a book written in the 1970s about a black woman who travels back in time to the 1800s during slavery in the United States). It’s good, powerful, interesting writing. You can listen to the audiobook on Scribd, which is like netflix for audiobooks/ebooks/sheet music – use my link HERE to get 2 months free. You can cancel before your trial is up if you don’t love it and you won’t be charged but I personally LOVE this app and use it a bunch. When you get 2 months free, I get a month free, and that makes me really giddy, so thanks!
I’ve also enjoyed the YA books/audiobooks from Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give and On the Come Up. Highly recommended. Check out links to all the books I’ve read this year so far, here. I love Goodreads and following friends on there is a great way to find new-to-you books to love. My most recent online bookclubs were for the books The Power and Circe and I recommend both of those books (though if your nervous system is on overload right now, you may want to skip The Power for now.)
Another thing that’s brought me joy lately, that I think you might like knowing about is: chickpea toast. Out of avocados? Open a can of garbanzo beans, rinse them, add a splash of water, some mayo and mustard, za’atar spice and a dash of salt. You can mix up some chopped bell pepper or add tomato or arugula on top, and put it on toast. Done! My favorite snack.
Some movies I’ve enjoyed lately include:
Eurovision (super goofy, I’m not always a fan of comedies like this but I imagined my dear friend with an infectious laugh next to me and thoroughly enjoyed it)
Moana (rewatch – one of Disney’s best movies ever)
The King of Staten Island (not sure if I would have watched this if I hadn’t heard Judd Apatow’s interview on Unlocking Us, glad I did. It’s heavy but carthartic and also has good laughs)
The King of Staten Island
Hamilton (of course)
Shows I’ve enjoyed lately:
(besides Youtube podcast videos featuring Andrew Huberman)
Love on the Spectrum (I’d love to hear what you thought of this if you are on the autism spectrum or are close with someone who is)
Padma Lakshmi Taste the Nation
There are a few shows I recommend if you are ok with humor that goes way past the line (not for the easily offended or younger watchers). If that interests you, message me on FB or my contact form and I’ll fill you in. 🙂
To find where a show or movie is streaming, visit the terrific website or app, Just Watch. Cool cool cool. Thanks to the folks who created this, you make my life easier.
Oh, and a great website in case you’re curious if a show or movie is appropriate for a younger watcher or a squeamish or easily offended watcher: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Games:
I’ve enjoyed revisiting Scattergories recently. Great for the whole family or a group of friends and works well via zoom (Send a text of the list you’re using to everyone before you start the timer. If you don’t have a letter dice you can use a site like random.org with the numbers 1 to 26. Or just pick a letter. FYI, the original game’s dice doesn’t include the letters Q, U, V, X, Y, and Z.
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So, friend, reader, what have you been reading, watching, playing, listening to, making (simple recipes only, please), supporting?
My niece Nara (who is heading into her senior year of high school) is organizing a two-week virtual blood drive this summer to help recruit blood donors for Bloodworks Northwest and is looking for people to commit to donating. Donating blood is one of the quickest and easiest ways to save lives. With just an hour of your time, you could save three lives.
She will have a designated two week period (likely sometime in late August) when you can donate at ANY Bloodworks donor center or pop-up location (using her specific 4-digit code). She needs at least 25 committed donors before she can schedule the donation period. Message me (Keridwyn) via private message at fb.com/keridwyn or keridwyn.com/contact if you are interested in donating blood.
If you would like more information on donating blood visit https://www.bloodworksnw.org/ or I can connect you to Nara to answer questions. There is an urgent need for blood donations this summer and donating blood is essential for the health of our community. Go to https://www.bloodworksnw.org/about/news/coronavirus to learn how Bloodworks is working to keep blood donors safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donating blood is a direct way to help patients in need and have a positive impact in your community. Your single donation could help three people. Let’s see how many donations we can get!
(Note: I used most of the copy she wrote, with her permission, to help her get the word out to more people. Feel free to share this post to help us spread the word. Thank you!)
Hey there! I’ve created a short poll to help guide me in my next video offering. Will you take a quick minute and fill it out? You’ll be entered to win $50 to spend at ANY small business or non-profit of your choice. And it will be a great help to me!
Half-way through July! I’m finding ways to keep myself active, learning, and content during this stage of the pandemic. I had a bit of a pause on the blog but I’m back now!
Today, I share some ways I’ve been spending my down time, in case you want to join me:
Yoga: you gotta start somewhere
After decades of declaring I wanted to “get into yoga,” the time is finally here. Thanks to the “Yoga & Movement Encouragement Group” I started on Facebook, I can finally say I have a personal yoga practice. I’ve been enjoying Sarah Beth Yoga on Youtube (she’s got a nice list of Beginner yoga videos that are just 10-15 minutes, which is right for me at this time).
I did 21 days in a row then thought I would go to 2-3 days a week and increase the time I spent on my mat on those days. Well, unfortunately that plan didn’t work out: I ended up doing ZERO yoga for nine days in a row. So, now I am back to the mat with a “daily yoga routine.” Even in just nine days without yoga after 21 days with yoga, I noticed my body was a bit more achy and tight, so I’m excited to be back to the mat. This time around, I’m using the mindset of “I do yoga every day” rather than counting days.
Arm Workout: 5 minutes a day
My pal Samantha Lamb, who is part of my movement encouragement group, shared the daily arm workout program she liked . . . now I’m hooked! I’m already noticing a difference. While I’m not a fan of the title of the course (and guessing the site named it, not the teacher, as Sarah Rector has zero body-shaming in her program), the DailyOm 14 day arm challenge offers arm workouts using small weights at just 5 minutes a day. I did the 14 days and the restarted the program and plan on continuing this for the days to come. Being just 5 minutes a day makes it easy to do it and get through it.
What I’ve been watching
Thank you to the creators of Netflix Party! I’ve enjoyed watching shows with friends while staying home and staying safe during the pandemic (connecting via the chat feature while we watch the show together). Some of the shows I’ve enjoyed watching via NP include
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – travel to Italy, Japan, Mexico, and California with the charming and approachable chef and author Samin Nosrat.
Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker “The inspiring story of trailblazing African American entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker who built a haircare empire that made her America’s first female self-made millionaire.” – IMDB
Hollywood Not for the faint of heart. A wild ride with delightful casting.
Dead To Me (Season 2) Dark, twisty, funny.
When They See Us Intense and based on a true story. This mini-series was recommended to me by multiple antiracist mvoies/shows to watch lists.
Other shows I’m watching or recently have watched that I recommend include:
Dear White People (the series) “At a predominantly white Ivy League college, a group of black students navigate various forms of racial and other types of discrimination.” – IMBD
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas (if you haven’t seen Hannah Gadsby: Nanette yet, watch that first). One of the best solo performers of our time, maybe ever.
The Morning Show. Great casting. An inside look at a morning tv show, centering around #MeToo plot lines.
Upload Goofy sci-fi with a fun concept. “A man is able to choose his own afterlife after his untimely death by having his consciousness uploaded into a virtual world.” -IMBD
Palm Springs It’s not often I laugh out loud at movies and shows but this comedy is so good!
Um, who has a pool I can socially distance hang in soon? I’ll bring my own floaties!
Curling up with some good books
I discovered Scribd this year (basically the “netflix” of books/audiobooks/magazines/sheetmusic). I’m hooked! They normally just give 2 weeks for free but if you sign up with my link you get TWO MONTHS free (and if you’re on a budget you can cancel before your two months runs out and you won’t be charged). I love being able to read and listen to my hearts content, rather than subscription plans that allow just one audiobook a month or charge you if you want more. Sign up with my link here: https://www.scribd.com/g/8gjtsr (You get two months free of Scribd and I get one month free!)
I just finished The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (WOW so good!) on Scribd and am now enjoying Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. My mom (Seattle Pockets blogger Jeanne Deller) and dad recently listened to The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia and The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (narrated by national treasure Tom Hanks). They recommend both of these books.
Seattleite I’m inspired by
Journalist Omari Salisbury has been doing an incredible job covering the protests in Seattle, including the experiences at CHOP. His livestreams and replays are an excellent source of news of what is truly happening in Seattle. Check out his links, here.
I’ll be back to blog again soon. Sending love to you, reader! Drop me a line or send me a message if you have suggestions of (safe) entertainment in the coming weeks and months. More about me: linktr.ee/keridwyn – Keridwyn
What’s that? You say it’s been too long since I hosted a giveaway? I agree, friend. Here’s your chance to enter to win a prize that will add more laughter to your life in the coming weeks. We all need that!
Today, I’m giving away an All-Access Pass to the online “Coast to Coast Roast” presented by Helium Comedy Club. I’ll pick the winner tonight!
Helium Comedy Club has partnered with 24 cities and 48 local comedians to bring more laughter to folks – watch from the comfort of your own home The roast began May 7 and continues until May 22. You can purchase tickets for an individual roast or get an All-Access Pass to see all of the shows.
The roast will be hosted by Joe List (Season 2 of Netflix’s The Stand Ups) and Mark Normand (Inside Amy Schumer).
If you are easily offended, please read up before watching shows, as not all of these are appropriate for kids or easily-offended adults. I use commonsensemedia.com to see if a show is going to be too violent/gory for me and this is a good source for folks who want to keep it PG/PG13 too.
HERE WE GO – TV SHOWS AND MOVIES I RECOMMEND
I LOVED:
Hannah Gadsby – Nanette (stand up show / one person show but deals with heavy subjects also funny and incredible) and Douglas. (Watch Nanette first)
The Good Place (Give it a few episodes)
Neal Brennan – 3 mics (stand up show/one person show but deals with depression. Excellent)
Fleabag (not for the easily offended)
Orphan Black (especially the first season)
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Funny:
Marvelous Mrs Maisel
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
Upload (a cute guy gets uploaded to the afterlife)
The Kominski Method
Mike Birbiglia – The New One (stand up – his other stand up is good too)
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
Grace & Frankie
I’m Sorry (not for the easily offended – love her)
The comedy central yotube channel is also great and they offer some full standup specials at cc.com
Dry bar standup on YouTube
Onward (Pixar – on Disney+)
Muppet Moments (very short clips – on disney+ and youtube)
Teenage Bounty Hunters (not for the easily offended)
Middleditch and Schwartz
Dead to Me
Community
Sweet:
Kindness Diaries
Great British Bake Off
Making It (crafting competition show)
Glee
Queer Eye
Zoey’s Infinite Playlist (dance numbers – yay!)
Some Good News (youtube)
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
Love on the Spectrum
Padma Lakshmi Taste the Nation (Tour the United States with Padma as she experiences food culture of different immigrant groups)
Salt Fat Acid Heat (the host is so delightful – I wish there were more than 4 episodes but every one is a delicious treat.)
Historical/Historical Fiction:
The Crown
Downton Abbey
Self Made
Hollywood (not super accurate, but a fun watch)
Guilty Pleasures:
Grey’s Anatomy
Million Little Things (a bit soap operay at times – deals with suicide)
Law and Order SVU
Drama:
This is Us
Law and Order SVU
Black Mirror (not for the easily offended)
Broadchurch
Criminal U.K.
When They See Us (based on The Exonerated Five – formerly known as the Central Park Five)
Mindhunter (FBI in the 1970s studying serial killers)
Dramedy
This Way Up
Russian Doll
Orange is the New Black
Jenny Slate : Stage Fright
Hollywood
Master of None
Living with Yourself
Action / Suspense/Intense – I usually can’t do violence and gore but the quality of these shows made it worth it for me:
The Boys (gory but I love the characters and plot)
Sherlock
Killing Eve (not for the easily offended)
Hunters (Takes place in 1977 of people hunting Nazis living in disguise in America)
Watchmen
Orphan Black
Movies:
(movies I’ve seen from March 2020 on that I recommend)
The King of Staten Island
Palm Springs
Moana (pretty sure this is my favorite Disney movie)
The Lovebirds (movie – funny/goofy/cute movie with silly action movie plot line)
Hamilton
Eurovision (super goofy but made me laugh)
Bill & Ted Face the Music (does justice to the first movie vibe – light and goofy if you liked the first one)
Have been out for a while but I enjoyed when I watched them:
Rome
Parenthood
Six Feet Under
The Sopranos
Deadwood
West World (season 1 and 3)
United States of Tara (Toni Collette as a mom with DID/multiple personalities and Brie Larson plays her daughter)
Mad Men
BONUS! Podcasts I like:
Unlocking Us (Brene Brown)
Sawbones
By the Book
The Hilarious World of Depression
Good Job Brain (they don’t release new episodes but their old ones are fun – trivia show)
NPR Life Kit
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Based on what you see here, let me know if there are shows you recommend I check out!
“In solidarity, we distance,” my friend Angelica Kushi shared in her Facebook Live video today. While we’re physically distancing, this is an opportunity for us to socially connect – online. We’re staying in (unless we are one of the heroes working a front line job to keep the community alive). We’re keeping ourselves 6 feet or more away from others in the necessary times we do go out. We’re discovering new ways to experience life from indoors. We are voicing and naming our feelings, mitigating our stress and anxiety, and finding the “bright spots” where we can.
It is imperative for our wellbeing, for our own self-care and for our ability to show up for others, that we do things to relax and recharge when we can. Reach out to others and offer support. Be a helper. And prioritize your own self-care too. Take time to breathe deep throughout the day. And find ways to play, explore, and experience delight. Your brain needs you to keep these healthy, play-seeking, gratitude-seeking neuropathways going now more than ever.
I wanted to share a few free virtual events and experiences with you today:
Ebooks and Audiobooks from the Library
Got a library card? Download the Libby app and sign up with your card – you’ll be able to check out ebooks and audiobooks for free. If you need help with the technology, reach out to a friend to walk you through it over the phone (or message me if you don’t have someone to turn to and I’ll pair you with a helper).
The Stranger has collected an awesome list of virtual events for us – check out their full list. This page shares virtual events for tonight/Friday/Saturday/Sunday and ongoing dates. You’ll want to subscribe to get future updates from them.
Free Hypnosis Session
Join me Sunday as I host a free hypnosis session online “Mindful Hands: keep your hands comfortably away from your face.” If you can’t make it Sunday, you’ll be able to watch the replay. Join my free Reframe Your Brain Facebook group here for details. (If you aren’t on FB and want access to this recording, drop me a message at keridwyn.com/contact)
Dance it out
Dance Church is offering their next fab-energy dance workout event on March 22 at 10am. Free (donations welcome). Live stream will be here. Learn more about Dance Church here. (I’m going to be in an online class at that time but hope to make the next one – not sure what the dates are yet.) If you attend, I want to hear about it!
Reach out to others
Reach out to friends and even acquaintances that may need more connection. Think about which friends who are “distancing in solidarity” and living solo (or with a roommate situation that is tricky for them). Consider what folks of older ages you know and see how they’re doing (maybe ask if they need any support with learning how to video chat or other tech needs you can walk them through on the phone). Seeing each other’s faces gives us more feelings of connection than just texts or even phone calls. This is the time to connect, as we distance in solidarity.
Angelica Kushi’s Online Yoga Class
My lovely friend Angelica (who I quoted at the top of this post) is hosting a yoga class ($9 suggested or pay what you can) on 3/20 and 3/23 at 9am Pacific Time on Zoom. She’s also offering great rates if you prefer a one-on-one session with her. Details here.
As we protect ourselves and our community, the next few Seattle Pockets blog posts will focus on a “Staying In” theme.
Got a favorite show, movie, book, game, podcast, craft project, local artist, a local restaurant or shop that offers delivery, fun idea for connecting with friends virtually, or other “Staying In” experience you want to be featured on Seattle Pockets?
Share your ideas or short reviews with me by either:
I’m also looking for a few guest bloggers – if you want to write short review (a paragraph or a few sentences), let me know. I’m going to be creating a few round-ups with suggestions from fellow Seattleites. I’ve got a lot of ideas for this and would love you to share yours as well!
