Wave No. 3
Our Intention
The Wave is a step away from the constant flow of content we take in on a daily basis, where things are often saved and rarely returned to. This journal is designed to be absorbed slowly and returned to throughout the month. We hope to offer a handful of reflections and actions to implement to create your vibrant life.
“Embrace the seasons and cycles of your life.There is magic in change ”
Monthly Mantra
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Unfortunately, what traditionally follows this energetic wave is the overwhelming sense that I do not know how to implement the changes I wish to make. In the past, my approach to change has not been a sustainable path. I believed the only way to bring change into my life was crafting a strict plan of action with hard deadlines and goals. If I wanted to start reading more, I would tell myself I needed to read for one hour every day or read x amount of books a month. I put myself on a tightrope, setting wildly high expectations paired with a rigid and impractical schedule to intimidate myself out of it entirely.
A few months ago, I felt I had three big shifts I wanted to bring into my life. One in creativity, the others in career and health. I knew if I continued with my usual antics, I would burn out and not create lasting effects in any of these spaces. I needed a new approach. It was time to invite change in, and forge a new relationship with it. So, I threw out the plans, the deadlines, the rigidity, and simply started walking in the direction that felt right. I decided that change would be based on how I felt, rather than what it looked like to the outside world. With that, magic transpired. I finally was able to bring changes in my life that I had been putting off for months.
It turns out, my kind of change wants to unfold at a slow and steady pace on a not-so-direct path. It has taken a great deal of patience to accept this about myself and to let go of the results-driven mindset I have grown accustomed to. This is especially hard when the world around us values overnight transformations and holds narrow views of success. While it is difficult at times to sit in its slowness, I know this is the sustainable path. I no longer feel that I am either failing or succeeding with change. Now, I feel that I am building up my life, and for the first time in a while, I feel secure that I am guiding my life well.
As this fall unfolds, I am welcoming in its energetic pull towards change, knowing I can cultivate it rather than let it pass. Transformations do not always happen as quickly or seamlessly as the seasons shift. Some things simply take time, even many seasons, and we can look to the natural world to keep us going on that journey.
Find Your Magic,
CateCo-Founder, Food + Drink Director // Coventina and Co.
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What is your current relationship to change? Do you fear it, love it, or do not even think about it and just let it naturally occur?
Follow @coventinco on Instagram where we’ll be posting additional journal prompts for the next few Mondays, reflecting on change.
~Bonnie Ware
Sunshine Quinoa Bowls
A warm, flavorful coconut quinoa base topped with fresh fruit and notes of orange to start your day on a delightful note. The quinoa base is easy to prepare ahead of time and to riff off of each morning with different toppings.
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Serves 2
• ½ cup dry white quinoa (rinsed)
• ½ tsp coconut oil
• 1 cup canned coconut milk
• Pink Himalayan salt
• 1 orange (for zest)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
Recommended toppings: Big coconut flakes (unsweetened), sliced almonds, kiwi, mango, raspberries, blueberries
1.In a small saucepan, heat 1 tsp of coconut oil over medium heat.
2. Add quinoa and let toast until slightly golden, stirring often (About 3 mins).
3. Pour in coconut milk and a dash of pink Himalayan salt, mix, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and let cook until milk is evaporated and quinoa is tender, 20-25 mins.
4.Once quinoa is cooked, turn off the heat, and zest 1 orange into quinoa, followed by the vanilla. Mix well, and let it sit covered while you prepare your toppings.
5. Wash and prep kiwi, mango, raspberries, blueberries, or any desired toppings.
6. Place ½ cup of coconut quinoa in each bowl, and arrange toppings. Finish with a big squeeze of juice from your zested orange and enjoy!
*For a sweetener note, feel free to drizzle some honey into quinoa base.
The Sunflower Wrap
Inspired by the wraps from Delisheeyo, a quaint vegetarian restaurant in Hilton Head Island, this is a go-to lunch.
Full of fresh crunchy veggies and simple + easy to prep, this meal creates a bright spot during a busy work day.
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• 1 large wrap (whole wheat or spinach)
• ¼ avocado
• ¼ cup shredded carrot
• ¼ cup sliced cucumber
• ¼ cup shredded jack cheese (or vegan cheese)
• ½ cup-1 cup Watercress (sub any green or sprouts)
• 1 Tbsp. Goji Berries
• 1 Tbsp.Sunflower Seeds (roasted & shelled)
• 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Dressing *Recipe Below*
1. Layer all ingredients into a wrap, and roll burrito style! This meal can also be made as a salad.
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Quick Apple Cider Dressing To Complete Your Wrap
• ¼ cup apple cider Vinegar
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 small shallot minced
*or sub 1/4 tsp each of onion and garlic powder
• 2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp tsp honey
• Sea salt (at least ¼ tsp)
• Fresh cracked black pepper
1.Place all ingredients in a mason jar, seal with top, and shake, shake, shake, until smooth. Taste adding more salt, honey, or vinegar if necessary.
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Mindful Movement: Workday Break
A handful of moves to step away from the desk or screen during the week. This 5-min practice is led by Carly to open your chest and reawaken the lower body. It requires no mat or equipment. Bring your coworkers along or do it solo.
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Sounds of Coventina: Sea Change
Sounds to inspire, incite, and keep us going through the shifting tides of our lives. Each song is full of energy, both quiet and loud, and channels magic through every sound. Tune in, dance along, and feel the magic of change.
Featuring music by Maggie Rogers, Goth Babe, Sheryl Crow and more.
What We’re Loving
Daily Living: Detergent Sheets
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I was introduced to detergent sheets from Sheets Laundry Club by my mom. I continue to use them because they are incredibly convenient, compact, clean, and say goodbye to plastic bottles or pods for laundry. I can often use half a sheet per load if it is on the smaller side. The linen scent is not overwhelming, but the no-scent option is great for those particular about fragrance, like me!
In The Kitchen: Honey Mama’s
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A dense treat that truly satisfies my sweet tooth in a couple bites. In addition to being refined sugar, dairy, and gluten free, I’m a fan of the flavor combinations and happy packaging of Honey Mama’s truffle bars. My favorite is Lavender Rose followed by Ginger Cardamom and Oregon Mint. If you are not on the Honey Mama’s train yet, hop on.
Beach Read: American Detox
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I had been ruminating about the culture of the wellness industry versus true wellbeing, and when I heard about American Detox by Kerri Kelly, I knew it was a non-negotiable read. Kelly discusses the toxic and excluding tendencies of the wellness industry in the States. It’s an industry that convinces us that we are broken and need to be fixed, and too often neglects collective wellbeing. I couldn’t stop marking pages and quotes to revisit.
Beach Read: Big Magic
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This is one of the few books I return to time and time again for inspiration and guidance. It completely shifted the way I look at my own creativity and has helped me in letting go of fears that surround living a creative life. You are going to need a notepad when reading, because I could not stop writing down lines that struck me! Listening to the audiobook is a real treat; Elizabeth Gilbert is such an engaging speaker and you can hear the passion she has for this way of life.
At the beginning of each month, healers, wellness enthusiasts, and local businesses and vendors gather in a park off the intracoastal in Delray, FL for Coco Market. The market was started by Corey Heyman “Cocoyogi”, a yoga teacher with the mission “to bring local businesses together to support one another and the larger wellness community.”
While strolling around the vendor’s tents we came across the Rescue Collection: a collection of unique clothing items from dresses to shorts that are all thoughtfully made by the hands of Taylor Bloom from “rescued fabric.” Whether it be from existing clothes or even things like pillowcases, Taylor is saving the textiles that would mostly likely be ending up in a landfill. Her best seller is the “Fuck Plastic” t-shirt. Taylor says wearing the shirt really holds her accountable to live up to the non-plastic lifestyle she preaches about. How can you be wearing that shirt and walk around with a plastic coffee cup or plastic grocery bag in hand?
This interaction got me thinking of other interesting ways of reusing items that go beyond reusing a bag or jar for example. I thought about the day before when I dropped by a surf swap hosted by the Surfrider Foundation at Grandview Public Market in West Palm. Rows of boards of all sizes and styles were laid out to shop and swap. Instead of buying a brand new board, locals were still finding the excitement of a board new to them.
There is a beauty in breathing new life and continuing the story of existing elements in the world. The Rescue Collection made a completely new item unrecognizable from the original form: a chic dress from a pillowcase that can now be worn around town. The surfboard from the swap with all its marks from the previous owner gets to be carried onward to ride hundreds of more waves and in waters it may have never reached with its original rider. The more we can reuse and repurpose, we charge the materials that surround us with a charm and history, we reframe how we value materials, and we help declutter the planet.
Natural Connections
Rescue, Reuse,Write
Taylor Bloom From The Rescue Collection
Your Natural Connection
I recently moved into an apartment and most of the furnishings and kitchenware I’ve collected are formerly used by friends and family. These items did not serve them much anymore, but added high value to my life and prevented ordering all new everything. The reclaimed wood table in my kitchen is used daily to share meals, conversations, and even write this article. I’m still on the hunt for a coffee table and media cabinet to reuse or refinish. The choice to buy used has always been economical, but we now recognize it to be a large part of sustainable living.
How will you reuse and continue writing the story of an object? Instead of impulsively buying a new product, buy a pre-loved item and give new life to it. You may simply reuse it or maybe you’ll completely transform it.
Keep us in the loop + receive a gift. Subscribe to Coventina’s newsletter (below), follow @coventinaco on Instagram and DM us sharing how you took action with the Natural Connection this month - whether it’s through fashion, furnishing, swapping, or beyond. Let us know by Nov. 5th and you’ll be entered into a giveaway of our favorite laundry detergent sheets to try.
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