Building Muscle and Building Bridges
Recommendations, reflections, and reviews from my world this week
Hello, fellow compassionistas! Here is this week’s note where I share a couple things I’m loving right now — books, movies, food, music, podcasts.
What I’m Watching: 1670
David and I watch more dark, depressing, and devastating films than anyone we know. War, political unrest, human suffering…mostly international, often older, but really running the gamut. But we also love a good comedy—we can quote every episode of Blackadder, Archer, and The Office (UK). And now we have another to add to our list: the incredibly silly yet absolutely delightful 1670. A satirical comedy set in a mock‑documentary style, 1670 follows Jan Paweł Adamczewski, a flamboyant 17th‑century Polish nobleman with outsized ambitions—he’s determined to become the Jan Paweł in history. Cue family feuds, peasant clashes, and one ridiculous scheme after another. Think “What We Do in the Shadows” meets Monty Python—or “The Office” meets “Norsemen,” which I also highly recommend. Watching with subtitles is always preferable to dubbed, so check it out on Netflix!
What I’m Improving: My Home Gym
I can’t believe I did it, but I just ordered an adjustable weight bench! I’m not one of those people that buys equipment on a whim only for them to collect dust. This was a very thoughtful decision! I’ve upped my strength training game so much that I decided it was time to add a bench to my little home “gym”—currently my spin bike and my adjustable weights (my favorite recommended here). I’m a home-gym person; while I belonged to the Y ages ago, I just prefer working out at home. And so I did my usual deep dive to find the best value and landed on the Super Bench PRO V2 from Ironmaster, which has stellar reviews. I don’t have a ton of space, so one of the things I love about it is that it’s solid and sturdy but also folds up so I can roll it away when I’m not using it. I’ll report back when it arrives and I start using it!
3. What I’m Cooking: Protein
I’m working on a podcast series all about protein (updated and information-packed, so be sure to follow Food for Thought), and in it you’ll hear how I’ve seriously upped my protein game. Most of my protein comes from whole plant sources, some from my favorite protein powder by Complement, and a smaller amount from protein-rich plant-based products. And for a quick, delicious store-bought option, you just can’t beat Abbot’s “plant-rich” ground ‘beef’—wholesome ingredients, high-quality pea protein, and 18 grams of protein in just a ½ cup for only 130 calories. Amazing in tacos, pasta sauce, stuffed peppers. Take a look at this delicious wholesome ingredients!
Ingredients: Filtered water, pea protein, tomato paste, extra virgin olive oil, porcini mushroom, sea salt, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, black pepper, mustard seed, vinegar, ginger root, coriander, thyme.
Have you tried it yet?
What I’m Loving: Family Connections
I’m continuing to build my relationship with my once-estranged sister and her children, including her youngest, Ania, whom Lori adopted two years ago. Ania is now 13 and needed a little extra help with reading before school starts. (Originally from Colombia, Spanish is her first language.) We’ve been having Zoom reading lessons three times a week, and while keeping her focused can be a beast, it’s been really lovely. She’s whip smart albeit super sassy. She starts 8th grade next week, and I hope to keep helping with her homework—even from 3,000 miles away—though I’ll be in Tampa, FL, next week for another visit with my sister and her brood.
New Podcast Series on Peri- and Post-Menopause: Your Questions Requested
As I mentioned, I’m about to release my podcast series on protein, but I’m also deep into work on an upcoming series all about perimenopause and menopause—how to thrive and flourish. And I’d love to hear from you. Have questions, curiosities, or topics you want me to cover? Drop them in the comments below or drop me a line. Your input will help shape this mini-series, and I’d love to hear from you.
And don’t forget…
THANK YOU!
Before you go, here are some more resources for you.
👉 Work with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance whatever you are looking for. (One one-on-one consultation is also a perk of the Founding Member/VIP level here on Substack.)
👉 Listen to Food for Thought – Inspiration for living compassionately, sustainably, and healthfully (18 years strong!)
👉 Travel with me! I host animal-friendly, luxury, all-inclusive vegan trips around the world, specifically curated to ensure high-quality, high-touch premium experiences. Check out our upcoming trips, and let me know if you have any questions.
👉PLEASE! If you’ve already picked up your copy of A Year of Compassion, would you write a positive review here? If you haven’t picked it up yet…now is your chance! (More purchasing options, including signed copies, are here.)