Hello there,
Is it just me, or does it feel like the last month went by too quickly?! If you live in the Northern Hemisphere like me, then I hope you're enjoying these longer summery days. In this month's issue of The Cozy Cottage, I've got lots to share including some seasonally-fitting reading recommendations as well as a refreshing plant-based recipe for you to try at home.
Ahhh, Summertime!
As a kid, I loved the summer months! The past few years though, I've found myself feeling extremely burned out both mentally and physically between June and August. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I dislike summer. There are so many things that I enjoy, like how the sunlight makes the days feel almost endless. Or spotting fireflies in the evening and listening to the chorus of crickets, as the stars illuminate the night sky. Summer is a magical and abundant time of year. One of the ways that I intend to slow down and really embrace this season is by reading books outside, just as I did in my childhood. If you are looking for some summer reading, then here are six books that I've thoroughly enjoyed. I've sprinkled in a mix of fiction and nonfiction:
As a reminder, this monthly newsletter also has a complementary blog by the same name, which is hosted on my website. Here are my most recent blog posts: "Journaling as a Creative Medium" and "How a 'Zombie' Film Inspired Me to Write a Novel".
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The Lovely & Cozy Book Club
This Summer we're reading American Mermaid by Julia Langbein. You can read along by joining us on the Fable app*. There are dedicated chapter discussion rooms, so you don't have to worry about stumbling across any spoilers.
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June in Review
As I mentioned earlier, last month felt like it went by in a blur. There were moments of celebration and joy, and there were also moments of stress and worry. As someone within the LGBTQIA+ community, I couldn't help but notice that this year's Pride Month felt different. For starters, I experienced my first internet troll after making a Pride post on Instagram, which was a strange milestone as a content creator. I saw a lot more anti-gay and anti-trans messaging, even where I live, which is an incredibly queer friendly city. And of course I've been following the news across the United States as marginalized groups are being threatened. I don't just mean people within the LGBTQIA+ community, but also immigrants, BIPOC, and humans with a uterus. There is so much injustice happening every single day in this country and around the world. Sometimes it feels really overwhelming and grim.
One of the things that I contemplated over the last month was how I can participate to enact social change within my local community and beyond. I came across a really helpful post on social media that described the Social Change Ecosystem Map by Deepa Iyer. In this framework there are 10 roles that individuals or organizations can show up in while making efforts for social change: Weavers, Experimenters, Frontline Responders, Visionaries, Builders, Caregivers, Disrupters, Healers, Storytellers, and Guides. As someone who is deeply passionate about justice and equity, I find this ecosystem map inspiring and grounding. It reminded me that I don't have to take on every single role to make a difference. Using my skills and talents as a storyteller is a powerful contribution. It will take the collective efforts of many people to affect change, and I intend to add my strengths to the cause.
I realize that this month in review is a bit more gritty than my typical content. However, the state of affairs in this country has been weighing heavily on my mind. With Independence Day later this week, I feel that it's important that I address the elephant in the room and share some of my personal reflections. I highly encourage you to check out some of the resources that I linked above, especially if you've been feeling disheartened by recent events. As always, I will continue to use my platform to create a safe and cozy space where joy and creativity thrive.
During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night, and it was the dance that kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for. – Dan Savage
Visual Storytelling
This year I've been experimenting with the types of videos that I create, and throughout June I created a lot of short-form content for my channel. Typically my YouTube Shorts will have higher views, but I was gobsmacked when I saw that my most recent one had surpassed 1.3K views!!! Clearly I made something that people were interested in watching. Even still, my mind is trying to make sense of it. In case you missed it, I've included it below. I also wanted to share a video that I made last year, which is a simple aesthetic and calming video. I hope you enjoy both of them!
Fresh Veggie Wraps
Servings 1
2 medium soft tortillas or wraps
2 Tbsp hummus per wrap
Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and/or bell peppers
Small handful of lettuce, arugula, or spinach
Microgreens, sprouts, and/or edible flowers (optional)
As someone who follows a plant-based diet, I eat a lot of vegetables. During the summer months, I especially love eating fresh veggies in wraps. It's one of the simplest lunches or snacks that I enjoy making (and eating). Depending upon which vegetables are in season, I'll change up what I include in my wrap. A special treat that I'll occasionally get from my farmers market is locally grown microgreens and edible flowers. For such a small ingredient, they really add beautiful flavor and color!
Until Next Time...
Thank you so much for reading this month's issue of The Cozy Cottage. You're one of the cool kids for making it all the way to the end! Don't forget to protect your gorgeous skin this summer and stay hydrated. If you have any requests for topics you'd like me to cover in a future newsletter, simply reply to this email. Or if you'd just like to share some feedback, I'd be happy to hear from you.
Warmly,
Erin
