Each month we share T.O.U.C.H. points with our members. These are opportunities for our community to tune-in and connect. Whether activities to do in your home town, or content we're loving right now, these five recs can create shared experiences no matter where you are.
October T.O.U.C.H. points include:
Test Kitchen recipe
On our nightstands
U have to hear this
Community engagement
Health-focused fav
What do you think about this month's picks? Let us know on social @syncandsavor
1.Goal Digger Podcast 2. Practicing Mindfulness 3. Meditation cushion 4. immersion blender 5. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
Test Kitchen
Homemade soup
While we still love Campbell’s stripped down chicken noodle, there is something so cool about making a creamy, delicious soup from scratch. And it truly is an easy thing to do. Check out this recipe from Love and Lemons and cozy up to a piping hot bowl of your own creation.
*instead of using a blender, we like to use an immersion blender to make the soup right in the dutch oven. Less cleanup and super easy to do!
On Our Nightstand
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane
This was Brittany’s favorite book of the year. An unexpected choice recommended by her local library, this book unlocked the rich and fascinating world of rural Chinese mountain villages and the history of the most valuable tea in the world. The complex storytelling transported us to a world far from our own and we couldn’t put it down.
U Have To Hear This
Goal Digger
Starting a side-hustle company with your sisters is no joke. We’ve been on a roller coaster this year of big wins, self doubt, and all the in between. At its core, Sync & Savor was created as a solution to a very personal problem, and we’ve loved to see it grow and take shape through the last six months. One of our favorite resources for marketing our small business has been Jenna Kutcher’s “Goal Digger” podcast. We love this midwesterner’s entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit, and it is through her Facebook group we connected with our friend Cassie at Wellness That Fits. As a registered dietician nutritionist, Cassie has crafted our Winter Synchronized Supper menu to be both nutritious and delicious, and you’ll have a chance to meet her during our January Pop Up Event.
If you’re looking for marketing tools, or just want to hear some amazing stories from small businesses around the country, check out the Goal Digger Podcast.
Community
Holiday Train show
Back to that holiday twinkle… is there anything that says Christmas magic more than a train show? Our favorite display at the New York Botanical Gardens is a treasured annual tradition, but check your local community for a train show in your corner of the world. We promise you’ll be transported back to childhood and feeling the cheer.
Health
Power of Meditation (especially when family tensions run high!)
While we are thrilled to be seeing each other for Christmas this year, we know that family gatherings come with their own special stresses and overwhelm. Try this mindful breathing exercise to help deal with all the good and bad this month.
Mindful Breathing: Your Portable Anchor
Mindful breathing is one of the simplest yet most powerful meditation practices you can employ, especially during stressful travel situations or family gatherings. This practice allows you to ground yourself in the present moment, calming your mind and body.
How to Practice Mindful Breathing:
Find a Comfortable Position: Whether you’re seated in an airport terminal or at a family dinner table, sit comfortably with your feet flat on the ground and your hands resting on your knees or in your lap.
Focus on Your Breath: Close your eyes if it feels comfortable. Begin to take deep, intentional breaths—inhaling slowly through your nose and exhaling gently through your mouth. Focus on the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your body.
Count Your Breaths: To help keep your mind from wandering, you can count each breath. Inhale for a count of four, hold for a count of four, and exhale for a count of six. This extended exhale activates your body’s relaxation response.
Notice Your Thoughts: As you breathe, thoughts and distractions may arise. Acknowledge them without judgment, and gently return your focus to your breath.
Practice for a Few Minutes: Even a few minutes of mindful breathing can create a sense of calm. If you’re in a particularly stressful situation, try to take a few moments to yourself to re-center.
Mindful breathing is a fantastic tool to help you manage immediate stressors, providing you with a moment of tranquility that can shift your perspective and improve your resilience.
