Month: November 2025

Posted in Uplifting

The Beauty of Letting Go

Posted on by junebugphx

As I’ve said so many times before, I absolutely love this season of autumn. I’m not a fan of winter’s cold, so knowing this season is so fleeting makes me appreciate it even more. Life feels like that sometimes, doesn’t it? The best moments always seem to fly by, and when we know something good is ending, we try to hold on a little tighter.

Letting go can be tough, but autumn reminds us how beautiful it can be. Nature shows us how amazing it is to release what no longer serves us and welcome the next season — even if it’s one of stillness and rest. We all need that pause so we can grow and thrive in the seasons ahead.

Maybe that’s why I love autumn so much — it’s a reminder that endings can be breathtaking too. The golden light, the quiet afternoons, the soft hum of change in the air… all whisper that there’s grace in transition. So here’s to savoring the fleeting moments, trusting the process, and finding beauty in every stage of the journey.

This season, let it be your gentle invitation to slow down and realign with what truly nourishes you. 🍁

🌿 Simple Ways to Embrace Autumn’s Energy

1. Create quiet rituals. Start your mornings slowly — light a non-toxic candle, or my favorite is to diffuse a grounding blend like Young Living Grounding or Frankincense, and let that warm, earthy aroma anchor your intentions for the day.

2. Nourish from the inside out. As the air turns crisp, support your body with warm foods, herbal teas, and restorative self-care. A drop of Orange in your diffuser can lift your mood and energize your space, while Cedarwood or Young Living’s Clarity can help you unwind in the evenings.

3. Get outside. Take a walk under the changing leaves. Breathe deeply. Let nature’s rhythm remind you that slowing down is part of thriving.

4. Reflect and release. Journal about what you’re ready to let go of — old habits, expectations, or patterns. Then, diffuse Young Living’s Peace & Calming or Lavendar as you write to create a calm, clear headspace.

5. Rest without guilt. Autumn teaches us that rest isn’t laziness; it’s preparation for renewal. Let your body and spirit recharge. Try adding a few drops of Roman Chamomile or Young Living’s Stress Away blend to your evening routine for deeper, more restorative sleep.

🧘‍♀️ Autumn Yoga + Essential Oil Pairings

Bring your mind and body into harmony with these gentle yoga poses and oil blends that align perfectly with autumn’s grounding energy:

🌾 Child’s Pose (Balasana)
A pose of surrender and rest.
Add a drop of Frankincense to the palms of your hands, inhale deeply, and let the scent guide you inward. Allow your breath to melt tension and invite stillness.

🍂 Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)
A stretch for reflection and release.
Diffuse Lavendar to calm the mind. As you fold forward, imagine letting go of what no longer serves you — exhaling old energy with each breath.

🌕 Supported Heart Opener (Reclined Bound Angle Pose, Supta Baddha Konasana)
A heart-centered pose for acceptance and gratitude.
Apply Young Living Grounding or Cedarwood to your chest or wrists. Let the earthy aroma help you open your heart, grounding you in the present moment.

🔥 Gentle Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)
A detoxifying pose for renewal.
Diffuse Orange or Lemon to refresh the senses and support emotional clarity as you twist and release stagnant energy.

Allow your practice to be slow, mindful, and nurturing — a moving meditation that reminds you that transformation can be gentle.

✨ A Gentle Reminder

Just as the trees shed their leaves to make room for new growth, we too can release what’s heavy and trust that something beautiful is on its way. This season, nourish your mind, body, and spirit — not through rushing, but through rituals that bring you back to balance.

If you’re looking for a natural way to ground your energy and support your wellness, I can help you explore Young Living’s essential oils that help you move through autumn with ease and grace — warm, woody notes for grounding, citrus for joy, and florals for calm. Also, if you are looking for a yoga practice I am beginning to teach online, and I would love for you to join my practice.

Let this be your season to soften, release, and begin again. 🍃

“The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go.”
— Anonymous

Posted in Recipes

Old Bread, New Life: My Favorite Bread Pudding Recipe

Posted on by junebugphx

A Classic Dessert That Never Gets Old

Because bread pudding is one of my all-time favorite desserts, I thought I’d bring back one of my older recipe posts. There’s just something comforting about it — maybe it’s the simplicity, or maybe it’s that it reminds me a little of French toast (which I don’t make often, but always enjoy when I do).

Whatever the reason, I love how this humble dessert feels both nostalgic and endlessly adaptable. You can keep it simple and traditional or dress it up with a drizzle of caramel or a splash of something fancy.

A Bit of History

According to Google, bread pudding originated in England in the 1600s as a way to use up day-old bread. I love that idea — taking something stale or leftover and turning it into something warm, comforting, and delicious.

Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but there’s a little life lesson baked in there somewhere, don’t you think?

A Perfect Thanksgiving Dessert

With Thanksgiving just around the corner (for those of us in the U.S.), you might want to bookmark this recipe. It’s perfect for using up leftover bread or rolls — or for when you’ve had your fill of pie (though honestly, who’s ever tired of pie?).

My Favorite Bread Combination

I used a mix of stale wheat bread and cinnamon bread for a bit of extra flavor, but truly, any bread works beautifully.

🍞 Classic Bread Pudding Recipe

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45–60 minutes
Temperature: 350°F

Ingredients

  • 6–8 pieces of bread, cut into cubes (adjust if using rolls)
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon each of vanilla and almond extract
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ cup raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Butter a 9×13-inch glass baking dish.
  3. Place the bread cubes in the dish and sprinkle the raisins evenly over the top.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, almond extract, and sugar.
  5. Pour the mixture over the bread. Press the bread down gently so it absorbs the liquid.
  6. Bake for 45–60 minutes, or until lightly browned and it springs back when pressed.

🍯 Mock Caramel Sauce

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ¼ cup cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup brown sugar

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. Add water, cream, vanilla, and sugar.
  3. Bring to a light boil, then reduce heat to medium.
  4. Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
  5. Pour over the warm bread pudding and let it soak in just a little.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re baking this for Thanksgiving, a cozy weekend brunch, or simply to bring comfort on a chilly day, this bread pudding never disappoints. It’s proof that sometimes the best things come from using what we already have — and turning the simple into something special.

Bread Pudding with Mock
Caramel Sauce

Posted in Uplifting

We All “Bleed The Same”

Posted on by junebugphx

Finding Compassion and Unity in a Divided Word

I’ve always enjoyed all types of music — from classic rock (although I still can’t believe the 80’s is classic but maybe that’s for another post) to soulful gospel, and everything in between. Music has a way of speaking to the heart when words fall short. Lately, though, I’ve found myself turning to songs that bring comfort and hope, especially in a world that often feels like it’s coming apart at the seams.

Every time I turn on the news or scroll through social media, it feels like the world has gone mad. There’s anger, pain, and division everywhere you look. Of course, conflict and suffering have always existed, but something about the current moment feels heavier — as if compassion has been drowned out by noise.

That’s what led me back to the song “Bleed the Same” by Mandisa. Mandisa, a contemporary American gospel artist, was not only an incredible singer but also a powerful example of resilience. Her journey through depression and near despair — and her decision to keep going, to keep shining — makes her story just as inspiring as her music.

In “Bleed the Same,” Mandisa reminds us that underneath our differences, we share something profoundly human. The lyrics challenge us to look beyond the surface — beyond color, politics, religion, or circumstance — and remember that we are all connected. It’s a call to unity and empathy, something the world desperately needs right now.

When we pause and really reflect on that truth — that we all bleed the same — everything else fades into perspective. We may look different, speak differently, or come from opposite sides of the world, but the essence of who we are is the same. We all hurt. We all love. We all long to belong and to be seen.

Maybe what we’re missing most in this moment isn’t more opinions or louder voices — it’s compassion, it’s Jesus. The simple act of listening, helping, forgiving, or offering a smile to a stranger might seem small, but it’s those very things that begin to mend the brokenness around us.

Music like Mandisa’s reminds us that healing begins with Him. We can’t control the entire world, but we can control how we show up in it. We can choose to lead with love, to extend grace, and to see the humanity in each person we meet.

So perhaps the next time the world feels too divided or too heavy, we can take a deep breath, turn up the volume, and remember: we all bleed the same. And maybe, just maybe, that awareness can be the first step toward a more compassionate world.

Posted in Recipes

Healthy Baked Flautas Recipe for a Mexican Dinner

Posted on by junebugphx

Over the weekend I decided to have a Mexican-themed dinner. Yes, we had the usual beans, rice, and shredded beef tacos (street-style, of course), but I wanted to add a vegetarian flair — and what’s more interesting and easier than a flauta?

In case you don’t know what a flauta is, it’s a small flour tortilla filled with savory goodness and then deep-fried. Think of it as a cousin to the taquito but made with a flour tortilla and rolled slightly tighter on one end — resembling a flute.

To keep things on the lighter side, I decided to bake mine instead of deep-frying. Depending on how many people you’re cooking for, you can adjust the following amounts accordingly. This recipe makes about 10 flautas.

Ingredients

  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

  • 4 cloves garlic, diced

  • 1 medium green chili, diced

  • 1 medium tomatillo, chopped

  • 4 green onions, sliced

  • ¼ cup cooked corn

  • 2 small avocados

  • 1 small lime

  • Olive oil

  • Seasonings to taste: smoky paprika powder, cumin powder, red pepper powder, black pepper, and salt

  • 1 cup grated cheese (any kind you love)

  • 10 small flour tortillas

Instructions

  1. In a frying pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat.

  2. Add the onions, garlic, and chili pepper, and sauté until fragrant.

  3. Add the tomatillo, corn, black beans, and seasonings. Stir well and cook for a few minutes.

  4. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice over the mixture, stirring it in.

  5. Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly.

  6. Mash the avocados in a small bowl and fold them into the bean mixture — this gives a creamy, rich texture without needing extra oil.

  7. Spoon a small amount of filling onto each tortilla, sprinkle with cheese, and roll tightly. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

  8. Lightly brush or spray the tops with olive oil.

  9. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

To Serve

Serve warm with fresh salsa, a side of guacamole, or a drizzle of Greek yogurt mixed with lime and cilantro for a refreshing dip.

These baked flautas are perfect for a casual weekend dinner, game night, or even meal prep. Crispy, flavorful, and satisfying — they’re proof that comfort food can still be good for you.

So next time you’re craving Mexican, skip the takeout and make these instead. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and your taste buds will thank you!

Nutrition Information (Per Flauta)

(Approximate values based on 10 servings)

  • Calories: 185

  • Protein: 6g

  • Fat: 9g

  • Carbohydrates: 20g

  • Fiber: 4g

  • Sugar: 1g

  • Sodium: 230mg

These baked flautas are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber thanks to the black beans and avocado, while baking instead of frying keeps them light and heart-healthy.

Final Thoughts

Not sure how to put all this together? Check out the pictures of the step-by-step on how to assemble these fantastic flautas below.

IMG_20171028_161741622

With your ingredients cooking, mash the avocado, using the other half of your lime squeeze over avocado season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Assemble:

Take warm tortilla spread smashed avocado on the tortilla add cheese the bean mixture.

IMG_20171028_163331857

Roll, leaving both ends open. (No need to fold like a burrito here.)

IMG_20171028_163346922

Place onto oiled baking sheet (I lined mine with foil for easy clean up, but you can use parchment paper if you prefer.)

IMG_20171028_164201419

Using olive oil brush oil on to the tops and side of flautas, bake at 425 for about 12 minutes, I turned them after 8. Cook until light brown. Remove them from baking sheet and serve with salsa or guacamole then enjoy!

IMG_20171028_171723855