David Holzer

Sunday, April 26, 2020, 12:31

Aspiring vegan David Holzer talks with one of the leading Hungarian plant-based foodies, blogger and YouTuber Kristf Steiner, about the spread of the movement here.

Kristf Steiner, the vegan foodie whose cooking I had been looking forward to tasting at Budapest gastro space Borganika, described it as the last normal day of the universe back then.

I was keen to experience Steiners cooking because, even before the news that the coronavirus might have come from an undercooked bat or a snake, Id been trying to go vegan. But this was the weekend when the government ordered the universities to close. So travelling up to Budapest from Szeged by train didnt seem to be a smart move.

My partner, a vegetarian since her early 20s, was also looking forward to meeting 38 year old Hungarian Steiner, who describes himself as a passionate foodie and vegan YouTuber travelling the world with his husband Nimrod Dagan, holding cooking classes, pop-up dinners, foodie workshops, visiting festivals and markets.

Steiner has published three vegan cookbooks, gives lectures, participates in roundtable talks and helps hotels, cafs, bars and restaurants to veganize their menus, or come up with new vegan dishes that fit with their profile. Hes also a social media expert helping other vegan, LGBTQ and travel influencers to succeed.

Born in Budapest, Steiner recently moved to Greece, to a tiny village of 12 people, where his lifestyle embraces zero waste, seasonal, locally sourced shopping and cooking with whole, unprocessed food ingredients. As we couldnt meet, Steiner kindly corresponded by email. BBJ: How did you get into veganism?

Kristf Steiner: For many years I was hoping Id get to a place where I wouldnt be able to make excuses for eating meat. In our age of freely flowing information, ignorance is a matter of choice, so I got into researching and reading. One day I was sitting with my dog on my lap, munching on a huge piece of meat and it hit me: my pet gets everything he needs from me to be healthy and happy but Ive just ordered a leg of a goose thats been slaughtered simply so I can eat. Right then I decided to stop contributing to the meat, dairy and egg production industries. This was 11 years ago, and Ive never, ever felt like I was missing animal products.

BBJ: Why did you become a vegan chef?

KS: Im such a food freak that I couldnt turn vegan and give up on my favorite dishes, so I started experimenting. After uploading my food creations online some editors from magazines and TV programs I used to work for asked me to do a column sharing vegan recipes. Not long after this, famous Hungarian food blogger Zsfia Mautner visited me in Tel Aviv, where I was living, tasted my food, and said: Youre insane for not doing this professionally. You simply must write a cookbook. Its important to state that Im not a trained chef. I learn from chefs, just as they learn from me when we cook together. But I dont believe in hierarchy in the kitchen.

BBJ: What do you offer people?

KS: Creative plant-based cooking ideas for whoever asks me. I was recently invited to put together the perfect vegan sandwich that included a Beyond Meat Patty for Burger Market Budapest. Sometimes Ill do a cooking-free workshop featuring dishes that can be created inside 30 minutes. Other times, well start from scratch and create a four-course themed dinner where we dont use meat or dairy substitutes or any packaged products. We ferment vegan cheese and make our own mock meat. Whatever I do, I put my own stamp on it.

BBJ: Why do you think veganism is becoming more popular in Hungary?

KS: The same reason its becoming popular everywhere. We now clearly understand that the system weve built and participated in is not sustainable. A plant-based diet as radical it sounds is still a relatively easy way of taking a huge step towards a more conscious lifestyle.

BBJ: Do you think veganism will grow in Hungary?

KS: I have no doubt veganism will grow all over the world, including Hungary. Major companies are going plant-based. Governments and global organizations support the shift. As human beings become more and more sensitive and intelligent, as we learn more and embrace compassion, the concept of eating animals will cease to exist.

BBJ: How is coronavirus impacting what you do?

KS: Im having to rethink everything Im doing. I was making my living from travelling the world and sharing food experiences with people. Several of our cooking holidays have been cancelled, as has the night of the museums in Budapest and a big food festival I was going to be part of. Several publications that used to publish my articles and recipes have closed down for the time being. I could panic but Im rethinking how I want to contribute to building a society that can live on.

BBJ: How are you trying to mitigate that?

KS: Im continuing to share recipes and ideas to help people connect to the joy of cooking and plant-based living. Im focusing on what made me love cooking in the first place, creating food at home for Nimi, my loved one, and me.

BBJ: What are you doing for your community and society?

KS: I recently published an article asking people to join me raising money for a Hungarian doctors organization. My cooking videos and recipes, which I used to be paid for, are now being shared for free. Im trying to help people survive and be well. Were helping our village in Greece in every way we can; taking care of other peoples animals and doing their shopping. This is ultimately a time when we need to do things from a place of compassion and empathy.

If youd like to experiment with plant-based cooking, Kristfs YouTube channel is Kristfs Kitchen. You can follow him on Instagram @kristofsteiner. His blog is http://www.proudhippieboy.com. His cookbook is here: http://kulcslyukkiado.hu/kristofskitchen

More:

Veganism Finding its Path Even in Meat-loving Hungary - Budapest Business Journal

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As with meat dishes, think about matching the weight and intensity of a food with the wine

Finding a wine to match vegetarian food should be no more difficult than finding one to drink with meat or fish. It is true that the acids and tannins in wine provide a great foil for flesh and fowl, but frequently it is the sauce or accompaniments that dominate the flavours, so it is always worth considering the vegetables, even with non-vegetarian dishes.

First, a few broad pointers. Give Chardonnay a chance. Even if you think you dont like it, Chardonnay is a wonderful food wine, and comes into its own with so many vegetarian dishes, as do wines made from Viognier, and Marsanne/Roussanne blends.

Remember that ros is a great food wine, going well with all sorts of dishes, light or spicy. When choosing a red wine, if in doubt, lighter reds such as Beaujolais go well with pretty much any food, as would the delicious Coteaux Bourguignons in this weeks tasting notes.

As with meat dishes, think about matching the weight and intensity of a food with the wine. So for lighter salads and dishes with mild cheese, think of crisp whites, ross or light red wines. Albario, Verdejo and Sauvignon blanc are great salad partners, as are dry Provence-style ross. Full-bodied casseroles tend to go better with red wines; the more robust the dish, the bigger the wine.

Wines of a region will often match the cuisine, and this is true of vegetarian dishes too. With a quiche or flammkuchen try an Alsace Pinot blanc or Pinot gris. Pasta with tomato sauce goes nicely with lighter Italian reds such as Montepulciano dAbruzzo, a Rosso Conero or a lighter Nero dAvola from Sicily. Pasta with pesto, herb or cheese sauces are best with lighter crisp white wines, such as Soave or Vermentino.

All of those recipes with tomato sauce, peppers and aubergines vegetarian lasagne, shakshuka and huevos rancheros call out for richer, more robust red wines. With substantial bean dishes try out a Chianti Classico, a Malbec from Cahors or Argentina, or maybe a full-bodied Zinfandel.

Mushrooms in most forms, including mushroom risotto, love Pinot noir. Risotto primavera, however, is better with crisp, dry whites including Sauvignon blanc. Whole baked portobello mushrooms go really well with more substantial red wines, while a creamy mushroom pasta dish is best with a rich white wine.

Rich cheese dishes such as cauliflower cheese or macaroni cheese are probably best with a rich white wine such as a Chardonnay or Viognier. With roast sweet potato or butternut squash, you could drink either red or white a Pinot noir or once again a nice rich Chardonnay.

If this all seems a little complicated, dont worry. Most wine tastes better with most food, vegetarian included. You can have a lot of fun trying out different matches to see which you prefer.

Cuc Verdejo 2018, Barco del Corneta VdT de Castilla (organic, vegan) 13% 17.95-19 An exuberant, aromatic wine with racy green fruits, zesty citrus and a crisp, dry finish. Perfect with all sorts of salads, mild cheese dishes and herby pasta dishes. Stockists:Jus de Vine, Portmarnock, jusdevine.ie; 64wine, Glasthule, 64wine.com; Baggot Street Wines, Dublin 4, baggotstreetwines.com; Blackrock Cellar, Blackrock, blackrockcellar.com; Green Man Wines, Dublin 6, greenmanwines.ie; Clontarf Wines, Dublin 3, clontarfwines.ie; The Corkscrew, Dublin 2, thecorkscrew.ie; Lilliput Stores, Dublin 7, lilliputstores.com; Martins Off Licence, Dublin 3, martinsofflicence.ie.

Bourgogne Chardonnay 2018 Domaine Latour-Giroud (vegan) 13%, 30 A very impressive richer Chardonnay, with subtle toasted almonds to complement the stylish broad green fruits and refreshing citrus acidity. Perfect with a variety of foods, including a luxurious cauliflower cheese with toasted nuts, or roast root vegetables. Stockists:Whelehans Wines, Loughlinstown, whelehanswines.ie.

Dedicace 2017, Lirac, Domaine Coudoulis (vegetarian) 13.5%, 17.95 Smooth, powerful and mouth-filling with masses of rich, ripe, slightly baked red cherries and dark fruits. Try it with Mediterranean roast vegetables and bean casseroles. Stockists:OBriens, obrienswine.ie

Cuve No1 Les Chanterelles 2015 Domaine Huber-Verdereau, Coteaux Bourguignons (vegan) 12.5%, 24.40 This is absolutely delicious; smooth, ripe, soft rounded red cherry and cassis fruits. Nicely concentrated yet fresh. A blend of 80% Gamay and 20% Pinot noir. A great all-rounder with food; try it with roast beetroot or mushroom risotto. Stockists: Wines Direct, Mullingar, winesdirect.ie

Read the original here:

The best wines to drink with vegetarian or vegan food - The Irish Times

Theres an old joke that goes How can you tell if someone is vegan? Dont worry, theyll tell you. Ive never heard anything more true in my entire life. Sometimes stereotypes are true and one of the ones that is true is that vegans wont shut up about it. The Vegan Police gag from Scott Pilgrim was making fun of how vegans talk about being vegan like it gives you superpowers.

So Taika Waititi mentioned recently that he wasnt sure if Thor would still be fat in the forthcoming Thor: Love and Thunder (he wont be, Thor being hot is a big selling point for those movies). Cue PETA with an open letter on why Thor should go vegan.

Via IndieWire:

Dear Taika,

We understand that you have a bit of a weight problem on your hands, and PETA is here to help. As we all remember, Thor packed on a few pounds in Avengers: Endgame, so the question consuming Marvel fans across the Nine Realms is how our favorite thunder god will return to his Ragnarockin bod in your upcoming film, Thor: Love and Thunder. We suggest taking a page from Chris Hemsworths own playbook and exploring what would happen if Thor tried going vegan.

According to his personal trainer, Hemsworth went vegan while filming the original Thor and Avengers films, developing a particular taste for beans and veggie burgers. Perhaps if Thor took the Bifrost Bridge to our world, he might get inspired by plant-based Avengers, Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange) and Natalie Portman (Jane Foster) and that battle armor would start fitting a little more comfortably.

If Thor is serious about protecting the Earth, going vegan makes a lot of senseaxing animal products from his diet could save more than 1,000 gallons of water, 20 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, and 30 square feet of forest each day as well as the lives of nearly 200 animals a year! By having Thor go vegan, you could easily explain his restored physique while hammering home the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Just some food for thought

Best regards, Lewis Crary Assistant Manager, Animals in Film & Television PETA

Yeah, thats what we need, a protein-deficient god of thunder chewing on his hammer in the hopes of getting some iron in his system.

Some people believe that PETA is an operation designed to discredit the animal rights movement because its hard to believe someone being that annoying and terrible sincerely. But let me tell you, no one corny enough to use the phrase Ragnarockin bod is running that deep a game.

Link:

PETA Wants Fat Thor to Slim Down by Going Vegan - The Blemish

Vegan leather bags are becoming more and more popular, thanks to the hard work of designer and indie brands that are ditching traditional leather and suede for materials that don't require the use of any animal skins. Whether you're on the hunt for a great faux leather crossbody bag, shoulder bag, or a backpack that can fit your laptop, there are plenty out there to choose from.

As far as construction goes, vegan leather can be crafted out of a variety of different materials, including some that are sustainable (like pineapple leaves and fruit waste) and some that aren't (like the synthetic polymer, polyurethane). But the one thing they all have in common is that no animals were harmed to make them, and that's something you can definitely feel great about.

Below are 10 stylish faux leather bags that will take your closet from animal product-central to vegan paradise, including a handful of options that are under $100. Each are just as cute as "the real thing" and only a fraction of the price. Our list includes a buttery-soft tote that can double as a gym bag, a chic croc-embossed top handle crossbody that will easily become your new everyday bag, and a tasseled clutch that's perfect for date night.

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1 Best Backpack

$180.00

Matt & Nat makes vegan leather bags in a ton of different styles, including backpacks, diaper bags, luggageeven dog bags. This backpack has plenty of room to fit all your essentials, including your laptop.

2 Best For A Night Out With The Girls

$69.00

Melie Bianco's vegan leather bags are on-trend and fashionable. The Adele bag pictured here can be worn as a crossbody or a wristlet, and it's available in red, black, brown, light pink, and mint.

3 Best Bang For Your Buck

$69.95

The croc-embossed finish, top handle, and structured silhouette of this Sole Society bag all make it look much more expensive than it is. You can pair it with just about anything in your closet, and you'll never run the risk of it going out of style.

4 Best Tote

$50.00

Canvas totes are great, but sometimes you need something a little more stylish. This faux leather tote is just the right combination of practical and cute. And since it's reversiblethe interior is a fun leopard printyou're basically getting two bags in one.

5 Best Pop Of Color

$64.00

How cute is this red vegan leather bag? A chic (and hands-free) alternative to a clutch, this camera style has plenty of room for whatever you might need to bring along to a formal event. Phone? Wallet? Keys? Check, check, and check.

6 Best Crossbody

$205.00

All of the handbags from the accessories brand Angela Roi are made from premium, non-animal materials, and they're all produced in clean factories that offer fair wages to artisans and workers.

This simple crossbody is the perfect size for everyday: not too big, and not too small. (Yes, it's the Goldilocks of purses.) Plus, you can totally humble brag about that fact that it's completely cruelty free.

7 Best For Staying On-Trend

Trust us: The baguette is back in business. This vegan leather rendition from JW PEI also includes a lining made from 100 percent recycled plastic.

8 Best Shape

$80.98

Another from our fave, Matt & Nat, this circle crossbody bag is incredibly elegant and uniqueif you're looking for an everyday bag that doesn't look like everything else, this is the purse for you.

9 Best For Date Night

Anyone who's big on accessories knows that having a good clutch is essential. But there's no need to stick to blackinstead, get a little playful with this red tassel vegan leather clutch. It'll go with everything from jeans and a tank to your fave LBD.

10 Best Multi-Purpose Bag

$98.00

Crocodile is having a major moment, and this croc-embossed vegan leather tote is a great way to get the look without harming any actual crocs. (And it's also just a small fraction of the price.)

Wear it as a crossbody to run errands hands-free, or sling it on your arm before a night out.

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Read more from the original source:

10 Best Vegan Leather Bags 2020 - Top Faux Leather Bags - Women's Health

As we navigate the new normal of staying home, working from home and parenting from home, the state of constant uncertainty and transition can take a toll on our mental and emotional health.

Adjusting to the times is something that we all have had to do, and I am happy to share tools to help you combat the mental and emotional stress you might be feeling. Ive been guiding my patients on how to do acupressure on themselves through virtual Traditional Chinese Medicine Sessions and supplementary YouTube videos.

Acupressure is a similar technique to acupuncture, but instead of needles, you use your hands to manipulate acupuncture points on the body. A systematic review of studies found it can be just as effective as acupuncture: various outcomes included managing nausea and vomiting, reducing pain, and decreasing insomnia and fatigue.

During these times, I developed a COVID-19 survival kit to help those that are sick and unable to leave home. This kit has been critical in preventing and treating symptoms related to the disease. I also recommend using acupressure for anyone who is looking to de-stress and relieve the tension that can build up in your body after long hours in front of the computer.

Acupressure works by firmly pressing trigger points on the body so that you feel a slight tenderness. This creates clear pathways in which energy can flow throughout the organs of the body, helping to contribute to boosting the bodys own natural ability to metabolize, boost immunity, and relieve stress. Combined with meditative breathing techniques, its a sure-fire way to relax.

You can work on specific acupressure points yourself by using your thumb and pressing each point for a minimum of 30 seconds with a clockwise circular pressure and doing 5-10 deep breaths for each point you press.

These are my top five acupressure points that I recommend to my patients:

Location: Top of the Wrist

Meridian: Outer Gate Point

Benefits: Boosts immunity and energy levels

Location: In Between Eyebrows

Meridian: Hall of Impression Point

Benefits: Relieves stress and anxiety

Location: The Upper Shell of your Ear

Meridian: Heavenly Gate Point

Benefits: Relieves anxiety and stress, reduces incidences of insomnia

Location: The Crease of Your Wrist Between Pinky and Ring Finger

Meridian: Heart 7

Benefits:Reduces anxiety, depression and insomnia

Location: Outside of your Hand Below Pinky Finger

Meridian: Small Intestine 3

Benefits: Relieves neck pain, earaches and headaches

In addition to acupressure, there are other ways you can incorporate self help into your routine. Its key to manage your routinewake up and get dressed even though you are working from home and only have video meetings. Make sure to maintain a schedule, as our body has its own natural circadian rhythm, and when there is too much transition it can be very hard for the body to self-regulate.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart and mind are one, known as Shen. Eat foods that look like hearts such as raspberries, tomatoes and strawberries are nourishing. Foods high in magnesium can help to contribute to calming the mind and alleviating stress.

When our bodies organs and energy pathways are working in harmony, our body has the ability to fight off disease and sickness. It is imperative that we have tools to combat mental and emotional stress, otherwise, they can become physical symptoms.

Read the original:
Video: A Guide To Self-Care Acupressure At Home - Long Island Weekly News

Oregon State Fire Marshal Jim Walker today extended the temporary lifting of the prohibition on self-service gas until May 9.

As WW reported earlier, owners of independent gas stations represented by the Oregon Fuels Association asked Gov. Kate Brown for a temporary suspension of the ban on self-service because they said they faced a shortage of pump attendants, many of whom were ill or disinclined to work face to face with the public.

Oregon and New Jersey are the only two states that don't normally allow self-service gas. (A 2017 Oregon law allows self-service in counties with fewer than 40,000 residents.)

The temporary rule allowing self-service does not require station owners topermit the practice and it does require them to have staff on hand to assist motorists if they need help.

Walker today decided to stick with that practice for another couple of weeks.

"We want to thank Oregonians and Oregon businesses for being flexible during these challenging times," he said in a statement. "As we continue to monitor this ongoing situation, we feel it is best to extend this option for an additional two weeks."

Danelle Romain, a lobbyist for the Oregon Fuels Association, applauded the move.

"Like many small businesses, Oregon's locally owned fuel stations are facing incredible challenges," Romain said in a statement. "Helping them keep fuel attendants safe by giving customers the option of pumping their own fuel is significant. The self-service option is allowing employees to shift their focus from close, face-to-face interaction with customers to keeping pumps and payment mechanisms clean and sanitized for the next customer."

See the original post:
Oregon Fire Marshal Extends Self-Service Gas Throughout the State Until May 9 - Willamette Week

Bluffton Self Help handed out hundreds of meals Thursday to families who need them but because of an increase in demand due to COVID-19 they are now asking for community support. This is part of WJCL's Project Community: Giving Thursdays.For more than 33 years, Bluffton Self Help has served the Bluffton community and now they are seeing more people in need of food. We are seeing folks come in that have never needed help before that are really finding themselves in a situation that they never thought they would," said Kimberly Hall, executive director of Bluffton Self Help.People in the Bluffton community said they are very thankful for all the donations and community support during the pandemic."There is a need and anything they can donate is much appreciated," said Carol Hurst, who lives in Bluffton.Organizers said the need for supplies is even greater now."Right now we are serving around 320 families a week, which equates to over a thousand neighbors in Bluffton. That is about 12,000 pounds of food a week," said Hall.Organizers said the pandemic isn't going to stop them from making a difference. A lot of moderate income families are really struggling to make ends meet and putting that extra bowl of cereal and peanut butter on the table really makes a difference for them, said Hall.The coronavirus has caused big food drives to be canceled which is a major income of supplies for Bluffton Self Help. Now organizers are encouraging local neighborhoods to get involved. We would love if they would hold community food drives and have a central drop of point and deliver it here or we can come pick it up," said Hall. Organizers say your donations, whether financial or through a food drive, are making all the difference. It means a great deal to me because this will be whether I eat or starve. Because I am on disability and I dont have enough income to support going to the grocery store," said Hurst.Hall said for every $250 they can help feed a family of four for a year.Bluffton Self Help is offering free meals on Mondays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They have a drive through style pickup at their location in Bluffton. For more information on how you can donate items or moneyyou can go to Bluffton Self Help's website.

Bluffton Self Help handed out hundreds of meals Thursday to families who need them but because of an increase in demand due to COVID-19 they are now asking for community support.

This is part of WJCL's Project Community: Giving Thursdays.

For more than 33 years, Bluffton Self Help has served the Bluffton community and now they are seeing more people in need of food.

We are seeing folks come in that have never needed help before that are really finding themselves in a situation that they never thought they would," said Kimberly Hall, executive director of Bluffton Self Help.

People in the Bluffton community said they are very thankful for all the donations and community support during the pandemic.

"There is a need and anything they can donate is much appreciated," said Carol Hurst, who lives in Bluffton.

Organizers said the need for supplies is even greater now.

"Right now we are serving around 320 families a week, which equates to over a thousand neighbors in Bluffton. That is about 12,000 pounds of food a week," said Hall.

Organizers said the pandemic isn't going to stop them from making a difference.

A lot of moderate income families are really struggling to make ends meet and putting that extra bowl of cereal and peanut butter on the table really makes a difference for them, said Hall.

The coronavirus has caused big food drives to be canceled which is a major income of supplies for Bluffton Self Help. Now organizers are encouraging local neighborhoods to get involved.

We would love if they would hold community food drives and have a central drop of point and deliver it here or we can come pick it up," said Hall.

Organizers say your donations, whether financial or through a food drive, are making all the difference.

It means a great deal to me because this will be whether I eat or starve. Because I am on disability and I dont have enough income to support going to the grocery store," said Hurst.

Hall said for every $250 they can help feed a family of four for a year.

Bluffton Self Help is offering free meals on Mondays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They have a drive through style pickup at their location in Bluffton.

For more information on how you can donate items or moneyyou can go to Bluffton Self Help's website.

More:
Giving Thursday: Bluffton Self Help is asking for community donations as demand increases - WJCL News

Self-care is my jam.

You can find me doing it multiple times a day with yoga classes, self-help books, and the good old fashion bubble bath.

I consider it a hobby finding ways to treat myself, love myself more, and fill my days focusing inward instead of outward.

When I think back to when I first got into self-care though, it did not always come naturally to me.

When I first discovered it, I was in a toxic relationship, filled to the brim with anxiety, and I was seeking something to help me process the turmoil inside of me.

Self-care was a tool that helped me change my entire life, but I had to master it.

It started as a simple bath. I would fill it up with bubbles, read a poetry book on love, and listen to overly emotional music to melt the night away.

I would sit in that bath and feel, letting go of all the walls of strength I was holding up with the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Over time, self-care taught me how to nurture and love myself. And it has become a necessary part of my daily routine.

The answer, simply stated, is my attitude towards it.

When my attitude changes to one of scarcity instead of abundance, self-care becomes challenging to stick my mind to.

When I am tired, worn out, and lack motivation in general, taking that extra step to show myself love and affection becomes overwhelming.

Instead, it is easier to have an attitude of apathy. So, I turn my back on myself.

When youre mad at someone, do you jump at showing up for them? Probably not. Likewise, it is harder to show up for yourself when you are down in the dumps.

Foolishly, we get upset with ourselves for feeling feelings other than happiness. We become bummed at ourselves for not having a good day.

So when we feel anxious, depressed, tired, and in pain, it is easier to pull away, kick some dirt at ourselves, and scoff off into a world of shame and emptiness.

And that is why we must pull through and do the opposite.

Love ourselves harder when we feel our lowest. Give ourselves care, compassion, and grace when we feel like we dont deserve it. Force love on ourselves, as we would someone whom we believe in but who doesnt believe in themselves.

There is healing in that, power we do not fully understand. So take a bath and read sappy poetry. Put on a face mask and give yourself a manicure. Force yourself through a yoga class or go on the run.

Whatever self-care means for you, do it every single day including the days where you do not feel like doing it at all.

Show up for yourself when you need it most because that is where the power of self-care truly lies.

That is how self-care becomes the greatest act of unconditional love.

This post was previously published on Change Becomes You and is republished here with permission from the author.

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Aspiring writer of all things codependency, relationship, and healing related plus all the life that happens around it. Instagram: @ali_ringer

See the original post:
Why Self-Care Is Harder When You Need It Most - The Good Men Project

Editor's Note: This is a preview of USA TODAY's newsletter Staying Apart, Together, a guide to helpus all cope with a world changed by coronavirus. If you would like it in your inbox on Tuesdays and Saturdays, subscribe here.

We got it this week. We're ready.

It's USA TODAY TV Critic Kelly Lawler, and Iam back after a few refreshing days off. Mostly I baked things, with the help of this amazing bread cookbook. I know flour and yeast are scarce right now, but I've never felt more prepared to make artisan bread loaves, the shortest recipe of which takes, oh, eight hours.

"Flour Water Salt Yeast" by Ken Forkish(Photo: Kelly Lawler/USA TODAY)

I might never have attempted it pre-coronavirus.It's not for everyone, but man did I love doing it. When the finished product starts to look better, maybe I'll share some pictures with you guys. (Some less-involved bread recipes here.)

Getting unplugged, spending some time outside (six feet apart from anyone else) and enjoying my fresh-baked breadhas been incredibly restorative for me. I'm not saying that I was as rested and raring to go on Monday as I would have been on a normal day in the office, but I felt pretty close. I will ride this wave of energy and determination as long as it lasts. Maybe through, oh, I don't know, Wednesday? Hey, in a pandemic, I'll take what I can get.

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Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in CBS's 'Elementary.'(Photo: Michael Parmelee, CBS)

In addition to continuing my questto watch all of the James Bond movies (we just got through "Live and Let Die," and the Paul McCartney theme song is still stuck in my head, I'm not mad) I spent some of my time off revisiting "Elementary" (streaming on Hulu right now). The CBS cop show take on Sherlock Holmes offers simple escapist fare. In this Holmes story,Sherlock (Johnny Lee Miller) moves to New York for rehab, Dr. JoanWatson (Lucy Liu)is a surgeon-turned-sobriety-counselor-turned-investigator,and the deductive genius of Holmes catches killers and saves lives. There isa beautiful simplicity to it, and it has more levity and downright humor than other cop shows like "Law & Order: SVU." Plus, it has more than 150 episodes, so you'll go for awhile without needing to find a new series.

Last week we published a story I wrote in which I talked to psychologists and other experts about the fact that we don't have to be super productive during this time. It's sort of an official OK to just take it easy, focus on your health and your family. We couldn't publish everything the experts told me, so I wanted to share some tidbits from myinterview withneuroscientist Richard J. Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.He had more great thoughts on staying calm and centered in quarantine than could fit in my story.

Q: Why do you think there is increased pressure to be productive in quarantine?

Davidson: I think we can be so focused on the immediate needs at work that we fail to adequately consider the context in which the work is occurring.

Q: What is your response to people feeling stress from this pressure?

Davidson: I think we need to pay attention to what they are saying! They are naming something real and important that we must recognize.

Q: If people do find themselves with extra times, how can they practice relaxation and take care of their mental health?

Davidson: It actually does not require any extra time. It simply requires some intentional focus. We can practice relaxing as we are walking, cleaning our house, doing the laundry etc. We can also practice a little self compassion at these times, recognizing that no one is perfect and not being too hard on ourselves for failing to accomplish something in the time we had originally planned, for example. We can also practice appreciation. So much of our lives, particularly in this challenging time, depend upon others. We need others to help us get our food, to pick up the garbage, and of course, to care for our health if that should be needed. Intentionally cultivating appreciation for these many people who are serving others in this challenging time can be enormously helpful in promoting our own well-being.

If you are struggling to explain our new reality to your kids (or grandkids or nieces and nephews), here's a free, downloadablecoloring book fromTender Press Books and Zero to Thrive at the University of Michigan that makes it all a little easier.

Do you like choir music? This will completely blow you away.

We received so many pictures of adorable pets (dogs, cats and even a bunny!), so thank you all for sending them. It makes me so happy to have a little fluffy joy in my inbox. Putting two pets in today's newsletter so you can see as much cuteness as possible.

First up, Mac. His owner says, "Hes a therapy dog and is missing his buddies at the hospital. He cant wait to see them all again and wants them to know they are amazingly awesome!"

"Max"(Photo: Courtesy of Paula Zechman)

Next is three-year-old Boo, who understands the value of shelf-stable foods right now.

"Boo was rescued from a terrible hoarding situation in Northern Iowa and brought into the Northern Illinois Samoyed Assistance rescue (NISA)," says her owner."She was skittish of most people and terrified by loud noises. She stayed with her foster family for over a year before she was finally ready for adoption. We were fortunate to become her Forever Family in August 2019 and love her very much!"

"Boo"(Photo: Courtesy Leslie Allison Seei)

Thank you Mac and Boo. You are very good dogs.

Thats it for this Tuesday. Stay safe, stay well, and I'll be back with more tips and furry friends on Saturday.

All my very best,

Kelly Lawler

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2020/04/21/staying-apart-together-newsletter-elementary-bread-self-care-coping-coronavirus/2999090001/

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Staying Apart, Together: A cop show, bread and self-care to help you cope with the pandemic - USA TODAY