July 2019 - Cindy Goes Beyond

July 23, 2019July 23, 2019

Seeds for the Soul Vegan Restaurant

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.

Thank you to Seeds for the Soul Vegan Restaurant for providing complimentary lunches. All opinions are my own.

On this fine summer day in Edinburgh, my sister Debbie and I hopped in a cab, excited to experience lunch at Seeds for the Soul Vegan Restaurant. Living in a city in the Midwest, USA, my vegan restaurant options are limited. It is a real treat to enjoy all that Edinburgh has to offer for plant based dining.

Seeds for the Soul

After a short cab ride, we arrived at our destination in a part of Edinburgh we’ve not visited before.

Seeds for the Soul, located at 167 Bruntsfield Place, delighted me the moment we walked through the door.

Before I even spoke to Katie, the manager, I spied a table with a little chalkboard sign on it.

“Reserved from 12PM Cindy”

How’s that for a sweet welcome?

This 100% vegan restaurant provides intimate seating in a cozy area at the front of the restaurant and a larger room at the back. We enjoyed a table in the front, with views out the large window.

Changing the World, One Plate at a Time

Seeds for the Soul offers an impressive menu. From full vegan breakfasts to an assortment of hearty and healthy lunches and specialty drinks, this cafe believes in changing the world one plate, one meal at a time.

They make most of their food from scratch using organic and locally sourced produce. And they take to heart the words, “be the change you want to see in the world”, offering cruelty free meals, always.

We ordered Soul Bowls for lunch…the Middle Eastern one for me and the Asian one for Debbie. And of course, we requested a pot of tea to accompany our meal, Breakfast Tea this time.

Soul Bowls

How beautiful our meals were, when they arrived, visually pleasing as well as delicious.

The Asian Soul Bowl (top of photo) features seasoned tofu, rice noodles, avocado, lettuce, carrot, coriander and black sesame seeds with a ginger-garlic tamare dressing.

The Middle Eastern Soul Bowl (bottom of photo) is filled with falafel, hummus, roasted curried chick peas, spinach, cucumber, carrot, red cabbage and sesame seeds with a mango chutney.

We savored our incredible lunches. This is soul food indeed, real ingredients thoughtfully prepared and lovingly presented. Each bowl came topped with a perfect pansy, which is not just a lovely garnish. These pretty flowers are edible.

As we dined, Debbie and I enjoyed people watching out the window. We also appreciated the artwork on the wall, by local artist Samantha Fung. Her art is whimsical with important messages about treating all living creatures with kindness. Samantha happened to come into the restaurant while we were there, accompanied by her adorable dog.

Casting a Vision

I so appreciate the lunches provided by Seeds for the Soul. And even more importantly, I appreciate the mission and the vision the owners have.

They recognize that wholesome, clean food creates health and happiness. Therefore, they make it a priority to use the best ingredients available, free from preservatives, chemicals, refined sugar and all sorts of other nasties. Seeds for the Soul serves food that nurtures the body and the soul, that’s why it’s made with great love and care.

And I LOVE that this company has the mission of reducing waste and pollution. All takeaway boxes, bags, cups, cutlery, and napkins are 100% biodegradable. And all the waste that’s produced when preparing food is composted or recycled daily.

The owners’ vision is to plant ‘Seeds for the Soul’ in every city in Scotland. Doing so would support and promote natural food and local organic producers. And they can educate people about the benefits of a vegan diet while keeping the planet healthy for future generations.

Seeds for the Soul intends to spread love and health to as many people as they possibly can.

I can wholeheartedly agree with that intention. Please visit this restaurant in Edinburgh and be fed, on many levels. And watch for great and mighty things from this company.

Cindy Goes Beyond is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a way for sites to earn fees, at no extra cost to you.

July 20, 2019July 20, 2019

Afternoon Tea at Beetroot Sauvage Cafe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see Disclosure Policy for details.

Our afternoon tea at Beetroot Sauvage Cafe was provided for us by the restaurant. All opinions however are my own.

My sister Debbie and I arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland yesterday, after 22 hours of travel. Originally scheduled to land in Edinburgh at 9:10 am, we actually arrived at 2:30 in the afternoon due to a five hour delay in New York City.

Tired but excited to be back in Edinburgh, we unpacked at the Braid Apartments by Mansley and headed out into the misty rain.

It was tea time. And we had an afternoon tea at Beetroot Sauvage Cafe waiting for us.

Being Vegan in Edinburgh

Maintaining a vegan or plant based lifestyle is easy in this busy city. There are many, many vegan restaurants to choose from. And, most regular restaurants have vegan options.

I researched many of the all-vegan cafes before the trip and reached out to several. In exchange for an afternoon tea or lunch, I offered a blog post feature and social media shares. There were two cafes in particular that caught my interest. Both responded positively.

Beetroot Sauvage Cafe & Wellness Centre

Beetroot Sauvage offers a vegan cafe plus wellness activities including yoga and meditation, holistic therapies and events for the community.

The cafe’s menu features plant based meals for breakfast, brunch and lunch. They also provide sweet treats that are vegan, with some desserts that are gluten free as well.

And, they offer a vegan afternoon tea.

During my first visit to Scotland in 2014, I adopted the practice of afternoon tea. I love that refreshing pause mid-afternoon. At home I enjoy an herbal tea and a simple treat such as a piece of fruit.

How exciting to experience my first vegan afternoon tea, in my favorite city in the world!

Outdoor seating in the back gardens at Beetroot Sauvage Cafe. Live music is offered on Sundays.

Exploring the Cafe

Upon arrival cafe manager Diana greeted us kindly and directed us to a table. We selected an herbal tea called Strawberries and Cream. While our treat was prepared, Diana gave me permission to wander around and take photos.

The cafe is attractive, homey and pet friendly. Tired as we were, we felt the peace and joy that permeates the entire space.

The pretty back gardens provide outdoor seating in a natural environment. In fact, Sauvage is a French word meaning “wild” in a natural way. Beetroot Sauvage Cafe perfectly fits its name.

Upstairs I slipped into the empty yoga studio to snap a couple of photos. Natural light fills that large room due to an abundance of windows. Marie-Anne had graciously invited us to attend a 10:00 am yoga class that morning, however our plane did not arrive in time.

Yoga studio upstairs

Cafe interior

Vegan Afternoon Tea

Shortly after I rejoined Debbie at our table, a pot of tea arrived along with china cups and saucers.

As we exclaimed over the pretty teapot and cups, Diana carried out a three tiered serving stand, filled with treats both sweet and savory…and all vegan.

Sampling each delicious offering, one wouldn’t know they are plant based.

In the previous 30 hours, Debbie and I had only eaten airport or airline food. We limited our meals to simple vegetarian options as we flew. This magnificent afternoon tea completely wowed us and revived us.

More than a snack, the tea time meal satisfied our hunger, physically and soulfully. We didn’t eat again until this morning.

A Special Beginning to Our Time in Edinburgh

I deeply appreciate Marie-Anne, Diana and the staff at Beetroot Sauvage Cafe for their warm welcome and for the amazing vegan afternoon tea. The cafe and wellness centre is located at 33 – 41 Ratcliffe Terrace, Edinburgh.

I highly recommend Beetroot Sauvage Cafe for the food and for their dedication and commitment to feeding others in a way that nourishes the body and warms the heart while promoting healing for people and for the earth.

They kicked off our visit to Edinburgh in the most phenomenal way by showing that it’s possible to explore a city and eat in a healthy way at the same time. We are grateful.

Cindy Goes Beyond is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a way for sites to earn advertising fees, at no extra cost to you.

July 18, 2019August 12, 2019

Tips for Traveling with a Carry On

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

On the eve of my trip to Scotland, it seems a great time to share tips for traveling with a carry on. This is my third international trip in which I’ll live out of a carry on for 10 or more days. I learned on my first trip to Scotland in 2014 that lugging a large suitcase around was not the best idea. Vowing to do better, I discovered the benefits of traveling light.

If 10 days with a carry on seems impossible, read on!

Plan, Practice, Pack

These are some of my favorite tips for traveling with a carry on, when preparing for an extended trip. I’ll be in Scotland for 11 days. I’m traveling with a carry on and a purse.

Plan

Planning for this trip began a year ago. I can’t speak highly enough of my travel agent, Ken, with GalaxSea Cruises & Tours. Ken and I sat down together last year and put together a phenomenal package that saved my sister Debbie and me money.

We are staying in an apartment in the center of Edinburgh, close to everything that we want to experience. The location is important as it is near the hotel where Debbie and I will meet with other members of Clan Maitland a few days after we arrive. An apartment is preferred over a hotel room because of its full kitchen. I can cook part of the time and prepare my own plant based meals.

Tips:

Whether planning your own trip or working with a travel agent, know what your needs are and prioritize them. High on my list…an apartment with a kitchen in a specified area.

Be aware of any events going on that might impact travel. We learned that an international rugby competition is going on in Edinburgh while we are there. The Fringe Festival begins August 1. These events draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Edinburgh, limiting accommodations in July and raising rates. That info prompted us to create travel plans much earlier than we normally would, ensuring a place to stay at a great rate.

Using a weather app, add your destination and begin watching the weather. This helps with packing appropriate clothing. Scotland is cool and rainy, even in summer. Today’s high was 65 degrees with a low of 52. Long sleeves and a jacket are essentials.

Create a list of all the items to pack in your carry on.

I’m excited to try out these travel supplements, from Voke.

Practice

I find it helpful to do a practice run…or two…packing my carry on. I had to toss my last carry on, after an incident on an escalator. My daughter Elissa loaned me a hard-sided carry on to try out. I’m glad I practiced packing several days ago, because this carry on is very different from the soft-sided piece I owned before.

My first thought was “I can’t make this work!” This carry on seems much smaller due to the suitcase being divided into a clothing compartment and a laptop one. However, after a practice packing session, I found I could fill the computer side with clothes and other items, since I’m not traveling with my laptop.

Tips:

I’ve tried rolling clothes, and that worked well with my last carry on. With less depth in this carry on, I used Marie Kondo’s folding technique to create small, flat rectangles with my clothing. Success! Try both methods and see which works best for your carry on.

Eliminate clothes that you don’t need. Most people pack too many clothes. Practicing makes it real. You can see what’s most important to take and what’s nonessential. My practice pack helped me to cut down on the number of shirts, socks and underwear and settle on one jacket. Since we have a washer and dryer in the apartment, we can wash clothes while in Edinburgh. That helps greatly.

And try on ALL the clothes you intend to take. Make sure they still fit and that they are in good repair. If you don’t like an outfit for any reason, don’t waste space taking it. Create multiple outfits from a small capsule wardrobe to maximize space.

Pack

Tonight I completed packing, for real. I only need to add a couple of toiletries in the morning, after getting ready. After my practice pack, tonight went smoothly and I feel confident about the clothes I’m taking.

Tips:

Fold or roll each article of clothing to make it as small as possible.

Don’t waste any space. I tuck underwear into shoes and fill in empty spots with socks and supplements. Fill pockets in the carry on with toiletries, small items such as jewelry and thin documents or books.

Speaking of supplements, I travel with vitamin B12, to keep my energy up. And I take along MSM and Cat’s Claw to keep inflammation at bay in my left knee. Be mindful of your health while you travel. Carry prescriptions in their bottles with your name and doctor’s name on them.

All containers of liquids and gels MUST be 3.4 ounces or smaller and MUST be in a clear quart size zip lock bag. Keep this bag in an easily accessed part of your carry on, as it is placed outside luggage as you go through security. You are allowed one zip lock bag. (See TSA rules for carry ons.)

Keep travel docs handy as well. I placed mine in a pocket in the laptop compartment. I used the airlines app to precheck and have an online boarding pass ready to go, on my phone.

Be sure to pack phone chargers, earbuds, sunglasses and a journal. I’m including a rechargeable battery pack so I can charge up my phone while out for the day.

Wear your bulkiest articles of clothing on the flight. Tomorrow I’ll be wearing jeans, a short sleeved shirt and boots. Smaller, easier to pack shoes and slacks are in the carry on. I save space by carrying a jacket over my arm and toting a large plaid wrap as well. The wrap will double as a blanket on the flight.

Extra Tips for Traveling with a Carry On

If souvenirs are important, leave space for them in your carry on.

It’s okay to take an empty metal water bottle through security. Carry it rather than pack it. After passing through security you can fill the bottle for use on the plane.

Make sure family members have your travel itinerary. Keep your copy in your carry on.

Arrive at the airport approximately two hours before your flight boards.

Never leave your carry on unattended.

Keep your passport handy. I have mine in my purse, rather than in my carry on.

Make sure you’ve added an international phone plan and contact your bank prior to leaving, if you will be using a bank debit or credit card.

Most importantly, have fun! Travel is a wonderful way to expand the mind, heart and soul. Create memories. Try something new. Get lost at least once. Talk to people on the plane, the bus, the train, and at the café. Follow curiosity.

Do you have favorite tips for traveling with a carry on? I’d love to see them in the comments.

My next post will be from Edinburgh, Scotland! I can’t wait to share my trip with you.

Travel Essentials from Amazon

Cindy Goes Beyond is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.

Linked on Senior Salon. Come join the party!

July 14, 2019July 15, 2019

Amazon Prime Day 2019 Specials

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

It’s time for Amazon Prime Day!

This huge online sale, which is now a two day event, allows shoppers to purchase top rated products and services at discounted prices. Thousands of items will be marked down, with lightning rounds and specials changing frequently throughout the event.

Here’s what you need to know, to participate in the Black Friday type sale.

When is Amazon Prime Day?

Prime Day begins July 15, at midnight Pacific Time, and ends July 16 at 11:59. This gives you 48 hours to find bargains on everything from diapers to electronics to craft supplies.

How Do I Get These Great Deals?

You have to be a Prime Member, to participate in Amazon Prime Day. Fortunately, Amazon offers a 30 day free trial so you can experience the benefits of being a Prime member. You can opt out within the 30 day trial period or continue with Prime for $119/year.

College students can apply for six free months of Prime and take advantage of the Prime Day specials. They just need a edu-based email.

You can even gift someone a 3 or 12 month membership plan.

What Are the Advantages of Being a Prime Member?

Advantages include:

fast free shipping for eligible purchases…and there are millions of eligible purchases
streaming of movies, tv shows and music
exclusive shopping deals, like Prime Day and holiday specials
unlimited reading

Amazon Special Services

Other memberships you might be interested in:

Amazon Family 30 day free trial

This membership program offers special benefits including
*Save 20% on diapers subscriptions
*Exclusive Coupons and Deals from Amazon Family
*Exclusive Baby Registry benefits
*FREE Two-Day Shipping on millions of items
*Unlimited instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows
*Unlimited, ad-free streaming of over a million songs and more Prime benefits

Audible 30 day free trial plus two free audio books

Kindle Unlimited Membership for 6, 12 or 24 months

AmazonFresh free trial for unlimited grocery delivery

Amazon Business Account

It is the Amazon everyone loves, for work. Make workplace procurement easier with convenient delivery options, simplified purchasing workflows, multiple payment options, and a competitive marketplace with business-only pricing and quantity discounts. Anyone who makes purchases for work (eg. procurement specialists, office administration, IT departments, etc.) can create a free account for their business. Customer must be from a verified business in order to successfully create their Amazon Business account.

Amazon Prime Day Specials

Echo Dot Kids Edition Regularly $69.99 now $49.99

I’ll be updating this post throughout the day tomorrow and Tuesday, with special deals, so check back often. You can also go to a page on Amazon, like THIS ONE, and click on the Lightning Deals as Prime Day gets underway, for amazing bargains. Scroll down a bit and look for the box to check on the left hand side of the page.

Have fun shopping!

July 8, 2019July 9, 2019

Wreck this Journal

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

Have you heard of the Wreck this Journal book?

Me either, until my granddaughter Aubrey introduced me to it. This creative kid ordered the book for herself and couldn’t wait to show me this unique twist on journaling.

Not only did Aubrey want to share her journal-in-progress with me, she felt sure I’d enjoy owning such a book myself. I loved the idea of working through our journals together. To encourage our Yaya/grandchild adventure, Greg purchased the book for me!

Aubrey is right. This is not your typical journal. It breaks the rules and pushes us beyond our comfort zones in the process. And, it is extraordinarily fun!

About Wreck this Journal

Created by conceptual artist and author Keri Smith, this paperback book is part journal, part sketch pad and part scrapbook. On each page a suggestion offers ideas on how to use the book.

“Document your dinner. Rub, smear, splatter your food. Use this page as a napkin.”

“Poke holes in this page, using a pencil.”

“Write or draw with your left hand.”

“Hide this page in your neighbor’s yard.”

“Tear this page out. Put it in your pocket. Put it through the wash. Stick it back in.”

The idea is to free up creativity by doing things that may at first induce a bit of discomfort, especially for adults. As children, we are not taught to wreck books, and of course this journal is not teaching disrespect. Instead, it encourages free thinking, expressiveness and outside the box activities.

Wreck This Journal, Express Creativity

There are pages in the Wreck This Journal book for doodling and drawing. Colored pencils, markers, crayons and watercolor paints are perfect for completing these pages. One page encourages the use of lots of tape. Many pages come with instructions to tear out the page or rip or poke or cut through the paper. Others urge the owner to get messy….with food, liquids or dirt.

Beyond the simple instructions on each page, the book owner is free to carry out the mission in any way that she or he chooses. Part of the fun of this journal is letting the imagination run wild and being clever in completing the activities.

If you need inspiration there are a ton of YouTube videos and photos online in which journal owners share their own creative ideas. Aubrey and I enjoy doing some pages together and having FaceTime chats on our phones where we show each other what pages we’ve completed that day. We discuss ideas too or come up with some outrageous way to accomplish a wacky activity.

Wreck This Journal and Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone

I love that Wreck This Journal teaches the idea of going beyond, on several levels.

It encourages creativity, trying new experiences and getting out of our comfort zones. I know, from personal experience, that doing those three things opens up perspectives and broadens the mind. Expressing creativity is an invitation for inspiration to show up, with a continual stream of fresh ideas.

This journal delights me because as one who has always treated books with the upmost care, it’s very freeing to toss this one around and deliberately mess it up. I welcome activities that shake up old beliefs and ways of doing things. I’m enjoying the process of messy creation.

My intention is to carry Wreck This Journal to Scotland with me next week…and see what adventures I can have with it there.

My favorite thing about the journal, however, is that my granddaughter knows me so well that she knew I’d be intrigued with this book. Although I’m sure the author had kids and pre-teens in mind when she created the book, the journal is actually suitable for all creatives of all ages. I love the cleverness of it, and Aubrey knew that I would.

Pick Up a Copy of Wreck This Journal

I’m grateful for my granddaughter’s recommendation and for the fun we’ve already had, sharing this experience of wrecking a journal, together. Looking for a unique gift for a creative child, teen or adult? Or are you feeling the urge to express creativity in fresh new ways? Aubrey and I highly recommend Wreck This Journal.

Order your copy of Wreck This Journal by clicking on photo above. And enjoy!

Looking for a great inspirational read for this summer? Check out We Carry Kevan.

More fun books by Keri Smith:

July 5, 2019

Movie Review: Yesterday

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

My attraction toward films with musical overtones continues. The movie Yesterday, which released last weekend, is not a music biopic. Unlike Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, Yesterday features music from a particular genre and time period, without focusing on the stories behind the artists.

After seeing several previews, I was intrigued by the film’s premise. What if everyone in the world forgot who the Beatles were, except for one man? I deliberately avoided reading anything about the storyline. Instead, I got myself to the theater as soon as I could, to see how this fantastical story turned out.

Yesterday Cast

This film dips into multiple genres including comedy, musical, romance and fantasy. It stars Himesh Patel, Lily James, Joel Fry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Ed Sheeran, Meera Syal and Kate McKinnon. Yesterday, directed by Danny Boyle, carries a PG-13 rating for mild suggestive content and language, and has a run time of 1 hour and 56 minutes.

What If No One Knew Who the Beatles Were?

Jack Malik (Patel) is following his passion. Since junior high school, when he won a talent contest, Jack has pursued his dream of making it in the music industry. His childhood friend, Ellie (James), manages his would be career. She sets up gigs and encourages Jack to keep going, even when he feels like giving up.

However, to Jack it seems that his dreams are nothing but wisps of smoke that are rapidly fading away.

The night that he calls it quits, after a poor turnout for a performance, something magical happens. On the way home, Jack is hit by a bus during a brief but bizarre power outage that affects the entire planet.

He quickly realizes, after leaving the hospital, that no one knows who the Beatles are. Strumming his new guitar, and singing a few lines of Yesterday, Jack is astonished when his friends enthuse over the new piece he’s written. When he tries to give credit for the song to its rightful owners, his friends look confused.

Google searches come up empty when he looks for info about John, Paul, George and Ringo. Somehow the band and its legendary collection of songs have not just disappeared, they’ve never existed.

Capitalizing on a Golden Opportunity

The Beatles may not exist, however the lyrics and melodies to the songs remain in Jack’s head. He begins to perform songs that are familiar only to him. The once struggling musician suddenly finds himself receiving the appreciation and attention he long sought.

From his own parents (Syal and Bhaskar) to singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran (Sheeran) to his pushy new manager from the US, Debra Hammer (McKinnon), Jack becomes a big deal. As he frantically jots down all the Beatles’ lyrics that he can recall, recording contracts are offered and performances booked.

Jack pulls together enough Beatles songs for his first album. He upgrades his appearance, at Debra’s insistence. His parents express surprise and pride over his new found popularity. And after a heart wrenching talk with Ellie, Jack leaves her and heads out with his friend Rocky (Fry) on a whirlwind world tour to promote the upcoming musical release.

It’s everything Jack dreamed about and hoped for in his career….or is it?

My Thoughts on Yesterday

I loved this sweet and funny film. This is a movie to sit back and simply enjoy. There aren’t any stories about how the Beatles’ songs came to be or glimpses into the Fab Four’s personal lives. No, this is a story that explores a world where the Beatles never formed as a band and where no one knows the songs “Let it Be” or “Yesterday”. No one, that is, except Jack.

Himesh Patel portrays Jack beautifully. A newcomer to films, Himesh brings a fresh sound to familiar tunes in an earnest and somewhat understated way. He sings beautifully and really does play the guitar and piano during the movie.

I can feel Jack’s discouragement as gig after gig produces less than satisfactory results. Anyone who has ever worked hard to manifest dreams can identify with Jack’s angst and feelings of inadequacy as his way to fame seems blocked.

And, it is understandable how such an enormous opportunity to realize those dreams cannot be ignored.

The question during the movie shifts from Is it wrong to take credit for someone else’s work? to Should such an incredible collection of music disappear forever? Those are great questions to grapple with.

What is the Cost of a Dream?

Ultimately, Jack must decide what his responsibilities are, to himself, to his friends, to the world…and to a group of musicians that no one is aware of.

With 17 songs from the Beatles and some surprising twists in the film, Yesterday is fun to watch…and listen to. Humor and tenderness are sprinkled liberally throughout the story and several great lines of script appeared to be directed at me.

I took to heart Ellie’s words to Jack, when he threatened to quit music and get a teaching job. She reminded him that any energy he devoted to teaching took away from the energy he had to create songs and music. I love that reminder that what we focus on matters, and energy flows where our attention goes.

Beatles fan, romantic comedy fan or fantasy fan…Yesterday delivers.

Pick up the amazing Yesterday movie soundtrack by clicking on the photo below:

July 1, 2019July 7, 2019

Level Up Podcast: Leading an Extraordinary Life

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

How fun it is, to continue to experience new things as I journey. My practice is to say “yes” to fresh opportunities as often as I can. Often it’s the experiences that challenge me or push me even further from my comfort zone that provide the most amazing opportunities for growth.

When Dan Chiodo, of Impact Training & Development, contacted me about being a guest on his Level Up Podcast program, I immediately said yes. However, as the morning for the podcast approached, I confess to feeling a bit nervous. Dan’s podcasts are not just audio. They are visual as well. It’s one thing to hear myself speak, since our voices always sound differently to our own ears. It’s another matter entirely to be recorded while speaking!

I’m so grateful that I’ve learned to go beyond fears and comfort zones. Chatting with Dan, I learned a great deal about the process of creating podcasts and I even learned some new things about myself and what I’m capable of doing.

Level Up Podcast Leading an Extraordinary Life, With Host Dan Chiodo

I’ve know Dan for about 10 years. He’s an amazing life coach and executive business coach, based in Naples, Florida. Dan travels around the US, meeting with clients and leading training sessions for corporations. And he offers skyping and phone calls for remote coaching.

I coached with Dan when he lived in Joplin, and we stayed in touch after his move to Florida. Dan is familiar with my story and my current journey. I appreciated the opportunity to share about my new adventures and the dramatic shift in my health and overall wellbeing.

The wonders of technology meant Dan could chat with me from Florida, in his well set up office, while I met with Dustin at Storm Cloud Marketing, in Joplin, and did my part of the podcast from his studio.

Truthfully, knowing Dan as well as I do made this wild new experience easier. I didn’t know exactly how the conversation would go. And Dan hinted at a BIG question at the halfway point of the podcast. However, I trust Dan. I knew whatever direction our session headed would be just right. And I was curious to discover what the big question was!

At the Studio

Dustin has a sweet set up at Storm Cloud Marketing, located at 526 Virginia in Joplin. In moments he had run sound checks and perfected the lighting. Dan signed in on his computer and it was time to do my first podcast. The headphones were comfortable to wear and not at all distracting. And I quickly got used to the microphone.

Dan made the whole experience a true pleasure. This man is extremely easy to communicate with, and as we all know, great communication takes skill. Dan listens well and he has a gift for asking insightful questions.

Our time together flew by and I found any residual nervousness evaporating as we chatted. I had fun and I deeply appreciate Dan for offering this opportunity and Dustin, for taking care of all of the technology.

Level Up Podcast Leading an Extraordinary Life

And now, I present episode 28 of the Level Up Podcast Leading an Extraordinary Life, with host Dan Chiodo.

You can listen to the podcast, audio only, by clicking the following links:

ImpactbyDan.com

Soundcloud

Or you can watch the podcast by clicking on the YouTube link below:

And please check out Storm Cloud Marketing, for all your technology, marketing and photography needs.

Leading an Extraordinary Life

What a fun experience my first podcast turned out to be! I’m far from a podcast pro, however I look forward to more opportunities to share and encourage others that life is, indeed, enchanting and magical. We truly can live beyond fears, comfort zones and limiting beliefs. Health and vitality and healing can be embraced at any age.

And new opportunities present themselves, when we open to possibilities and say yes to adventures.

Shall we journey together?