Spanista » Self Care Rituals, Reflections & Resources for Joyful Living by Ginny Shiverdecker

  • Spa Style & Self Care Reflections, Rituals and Resources for Joyful Living

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  • About Spanista

    Ginny Shiverdecker, Creator of Spanista is Spa Wellness Enthusiast, Adventurer Seeker and Brand Builder.
    Ginny is……Read more

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Poetry Jam at Jimmy John’s Gourmet Eatery set Spanista’s mind right. Who would have expected it? Here is the story about this pleasant surprise.

My husband and I set out for brunch at our favorite spot in North Kansas City. A delightful new First Watch opened where the omelettes are to die for. But the waiting line was beyond tolerable this Sunday – the city is hosting a few big events including the infamous Plaza Arts Festival which brings in the best artists from across the country attracting a first class crowd. It is one of our a gorgeous autumn days – the kind Kansas City boasts about this time of year. So everyone is out and about to enjoy the best of the day. After a just a few minutes of waiting my husband gave in to his hunger and said let’s take a walk. Well this usually means one of two things: 1. We are simply taking a stroll to kill the time, or 2. We are on the hunt for an easier alternative!

Just after a few steps down the street we came upon a Jimmy John’s GourmetPoetry-Jam-At-Jimmy-JohnPINIMAGE Sandwich Eatery. Spanista’s filters kick in – is this just another sub shop? Not exactly where I would expect to get that omelette I was craving but it looked bright and fresh when we walked in. Better yet my husband was first in line for which he smiled back at me broadly.  Unexpectedly, I found I could get my sandwich choice wrapped in lettuce – no bread! Great idea!

While he ordered for us I took a seat at a high top table by the window to enjoy the view – watching happy families pass by today is heart warming. Turning back, something on the wall caught my eye – so I walked up to it  – the type graphic said IF …a historic treasure of thoughtful prose worth the read!

Here is IF by Rudyard Kipling:

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son!

Source: Family Friend Poems

Spanista then looked around to notice several other wall graphics with great inspiringPoetry-Jam-At-Jimmy-JohnPINIMAGE quotes and prose – now this was not your average fast sandwich shop. Here are words of wisdom from Sir Richard Branson too.

We found ourselves not only enjoying our gourmet sandwiches 9 Love the lettuce wrapped tuna salad, we also find ourselves uplifted by the atmosphere too. Wise words empower, raise your spirits and help you be the best you can be as the day unfolds gets a thumbs up from Spanista! Give Jimmy John’s a try and let us know what you like

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Toast Perfect Wine Pairing: Manos Red Wine In Artistic Bottles is a unique take on the traditional wine lovers experience. It is the time of year when autumnal gatherings move into full swing. Spanista loves the casual nature of it all especially when it is triggered by sports.

It is easy to see why professional sports are so loved, they offer the perfect escape from the rigors of daily life. It is fun to hang out with fellow fansToast-Perfect-Wine-Pairing:-Manos-Red-Wine-2.jpegPINIMAGEwearing ‘what ever’ gets you in the mood for the battlefield.  I grew up in football town USA – Green Bay Wisconsin. My Father attended the famous ice Bowl and lived for Sunday when Vince Lombardi was in his prime, coaching this first Super Bowl winner. Now I call Kansas City home part of the time. As I write this I am watching the Kansas City Chiefs play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Watching the game makes for an interesting few hours in our household!

Today I trade green and gold for royal blue to show support for my favoriteToast-Perfect-Wine-Pairing:-Manos-Red-Wine-5.jpegPINIMAGEbaseball team Kansas City Royals who won the American League Central Division. These great teams really add so much excitement to the season. And we are really looking forward to it as playoff parties begin soon.

Spanista loves to bring something unique to these gathering. We all love a great glass of California Red but what might make the opening and pouring even more special? What makes a great home sports party with out a great glass of wine from Manos Wine.

Toast Perfect Wine Pairing: Manos Red Wine In Artistic Bottles offers these artisanal bottles with custom etched labels by Manos Wine. I discovered themToast-Perfect-Wine-Pairing:-Manos-Red-Wine-4.jpegPINIMAGEat my favorite fresh market and they looked so special. It is thoughtful to express your passion for someplace special you share with friends. And it is easy to see how giving one could turn into a personal collection – toasting your favorite team and enjoying the beauty of the bottle as art is really fun.

Manos Wine is perfect for game day gatherings and  an other fall celebration. Hand crafted and beautifully designed adds value to your conversations.

Check out there website – you can order a design in their collection or they will customize one for you.  With the holidays coming this could make a wonderful gift specially in the attractive wood crate packing. Enjoy!

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Passion Persists Printed Books vs E Books is welcome news to keep this conversation alive. Alexander Alter authored a story in the NY Times ‘The Plot Twist: E Books Sales Slip, and Print Is Far From Dead’, on the state of affairs in the book world business. It seems the growth of E books has leveled off and printed books have stopped declining or actually have started growing again. Better still, he states The American Book Association reports that independent book stores this year are totally 1712 owners with 2227 stores in 2015 compared to 1416 owners with 1660 stores five years earlier. The resurgence of local boutiques is great news for everyone – a rich cultural neighborhood destination like this is be the heartbeat of local culture.

Spanista believes stimulating the senses releases a powerful inner alchemy. One of the personal gifts we all share and should be endlessly grateful for is the ability to read. It gives us moments that elevate the everyday. Reading not only is the gateway to knowledge, it is also the gateway to creativity and imaginative joy. To Spanista, books are the ultimate stimulant especially because it has zero negative effects.

Spanista views books as works of art – treasures of mind and spirit that deserve to be honored as do the writers who created them. Books in my world are treated with the reverence of great paintings – yes even the paper backs!  Can you step back a moment to imagine what the emergence of digital innovations have on those of us who love books as a sensual stimulant: a magical means of inspiring sites, sounds, tastes, smells with the touch of the book jacket, touch of the pages, reading the text on the page, feeling the words with the tips of ones fingers and the amazing feeling you have when the story has concluded with one gesture you close the back cover – snap. Such a sense of satisfaction from having been stretched to a new place one cannot repeat.

The article cited Penguin Book Publishers is adding $100 million in new warehouse space for improved distribution because they believe print will be a mainstay of publishing for many years to come. Amen to that. I love this leadership to secure a future for printed books for all to enjoy.Good-News-Monday:-Passion-Persists-Printed-Books-vs-E-Books-2.jpegPINIMAGE

When the E book emerged of course I wanted to be part of the movement. Many avid readers especially were keen to try the new devices. Curious souls we are, perhaps we would be able to experience the writers intent in a whole new dimension? When my husband gave me one as a Christmas present I was excited to experience its special benefits. The power for immediate gratification was top on the list. I could buy a book at 11 pm in my Asian robe after a long Spa bath, and have it in my hand in one minute of down loading and read until dawn if I felt like it – never leaving home. An additive plus – at first. Then my i pad arrives and Spanista is spending much more time with it during my work day and beyond. When I was traveling I soon found myself packing 4 devices, phone, laptop to do complex presentations, iPad AND my E reader – it became too much so something had to go. My E reader began to lose its appeal.

Perhaps you have this happen to you too? But honestly I would find myself drawn to the book shelves in airports and when traveling seeking out local independent bookstores where I can have a coffee, read, work, relax and people watch. There is so much to learn about a city and its people by sitting in an urban neighborhood book haunt. I missed these experiences amidst real books that kept calling out to me.

Good News Monday: Passion Persists Printed Books vs E Books encourages us to stay true to what we love no matter the trends toward pervasive digital solutions permeating all corners of our lives. If you have a moment and can read the article link at the intro it is worth you time. I also found the comments even more interesting. Many kindred spirits amongst those of us who see the wellness benefits in being an avid reader.

Now I am back to spending most of my time with my beloved printed books. I select and buy them with a new sense of reverence. There are advantages to reading E books for many – but to me they do not outweigh the advantages of  real printed books. What do you feel?

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Friday Wellness Tip: Plan Your Autumn Getaway to your favorite hideaway. Yes the time is now. When Spanista saw The First Autumn Leaf while out walking this week I was a bit taken back. I know the Fall Equinox arrived Wednesday but seeing my first fall orange infused leaf on the side walk made my head snap back to see where it came from. Now this was an odd moment. Why? Because when I looked around to find the tree of its origin not one had an inch of similar color on it! Every tree and bush around me was still fully green!

Suddenly I felt flushed, full of wonder with the origins of this beautiful lonely leaf. Spanista immediately took it as a sign that this season would we one of wonderment and joy.  And that Spanista’s purpose was to share this message with you. The colorful leaf was saying – Time is right to stop and breathe in the fresh air and all this unique season has to offer us. Grab a expresso drink and your ipad to explore local events and a destination where Autumn can be experienced in its fullest glory to take in the colorful beauty – the delicious tastes, scents, sounds, auromas. Try checking out Fall Travel Channel Getaway Ideas.

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Friday Wellness Tip: Plan Your Autumn Getaway will allow you the feel the fall breezes blow through you clearing your mind and soul. This beautiful scene above is the promise of what is to come. This Season of Spanista message is everyone deserves to take this special yet fleeting time absorb the season’s gifts before the long winter sets in. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy it with your loved one. Fall 2016 will pass and never come back again  – what will be your lasting memory? Perhaps it is quality self reflection moments as your sip a deep burgundy wine with apricot brie while your sit by an outdoor patio fireplace and look up to see the stars in the indigo sky while in the cool crisp air? Why not?

Why not take this weekend to explore the possibilities? Enjoy!

Fall Travel Channel Getaway Ideas www.travelchannel.com/interests/fall/…/15-relaxing-fallgetaways Fall Travel Channel Getaway Ideas

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Welcome Fall: Six Orange Crush Indulgences gives Spanista permission to dream of the rich happy shades autumn even if they have not arrived. Welcoming Fall’s wonderous arrival is a celebration of Seasons of Spanista in its fullest sense. as autumn’s arrival teases us with touches of change by way of cooler mornings and hints of the colors to come in nature we open our hearts to change in our lives. Today Spansita celebrates the rich emotional beauty of ORANGE. Orange Crush Indulgences can bring joy by enhancing any mood and bringing warmth to any soul.

Do you love the orange colors of fall too? Let’s enjoy a moment of fun sparks for the Orange Way of Life:

Welcome-Fall:-6-Orange-Crush-Indulgences-2.jpegPINIMAGE1. Take  a sip or two of Private Reserve Pumpkin Woodchuck Hard Cider discovered at Target.

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2. Beautiful vines of orange berries, Firethorn Busch can be found in the south and can be found in replication at finer home design stores like Nell Hills in Briar Cliff Village in Kansas City.

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3. Two joys in one – A Great Book of Inspiration ‘How to Live Like A Lady’  by Sarah Tomczak to brush up on your personal style is a home decor accent where ever you leave it.

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4. Count these Brown Eyed Daisies on an outdoor stroll through the park while you hear the leaves crunch under your new booties.

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5. Enjoy Adult Style Halloween Chocolate for your weekend long party as Mast Brothers can be found in many organic markets.

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6. Dynamic wall art can bring excitement and modern flare to your favorite room or office. Look for something that sparks your imagination in colors you love with a dash of orange.

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Welcome Fall: 6 Orange Crush Indulgences is the heart of Seasons of Spanista. It is a celebration of this seasons ability to effect our emotional wellbeing through the senses: Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste, Touch.  If we take the time to stop our fast paced activity and step back to see the bigger picture we can begin to reconnect with natures gifts. Spanista suggests these experiences will lift our spirits and enrich our days to another level. Autumn is truly a celebration of joyful living.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

 

 

 

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