The Growing Good Newsletter

What I’ve been up to, into, and impressed with, these last couple of weeks…

February 3, 2025

Hi! It’s Gayle! Welcome to the 1st edition of The Growing Good Newsletter!

Thank you so much for being so supportive of me and my work. As most of you likely know, I have started my own business of getting these messages of how to maintain and grow our health, happiness and connectedness out through my writing, speaking and podcast, so I am incredibly grateful for all of you who have chosen to subscribe. I am honoured you are here!

I know not everyone is in place where they can afford to pay to read my posts, as times are tough, jobs are scarce, and inflation is really making its mark. So, paid or not, I am so glad to have readers and supporters!

If you are one of my Paid Subscribers, I wanted to have something special and extra to offer you, as you are helping me spread the word, grow the good — and reassure my very supportive husband that these pursuits of mine will not have us go too in debt as I pay for my Business Mentorship, speaking expenses, etc.!

I am loving creating every day (most days for several hours!) and I know that it will grow and flourish as time goes on. This. Is. My. Passion.

I hope you enjoy this first newsletter. It is just for you!

I will pull together what I have been up to, into and impressed with, in case you also want to try, or taste, or dance, or do!

Every two weeks, you will receive a new edition in your inbox about different activities, items and insights that have been enhancing my life.

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I’ve been listening:

This James Morrison Mix on Spotify is AMAZING.

I can’t stop listening. James Morrison’s mesmerizing “You Give Me Something” sarts it off. That song is never old to me. I never get too much of it. Then, there are tons of tunes you love like, “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol, Coldplay’s “The Scientist”, “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, and “Mercy” by Duffy!! Didn’t you love her? I had her CD! Remember those?

There are also treats like Savage Garden’s “Truly, Madly, Deeply”, Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You”, Dido, Natalie Imbruglia, John Mayer and maybe my favourite duet of all time: “Broken Strings” (Remember this awesome one with James Morrison and Nelly Furtado?). So good.

Perfect for when you are cooking, getting ready for having people over or just sitting and reflecting with a nice cup (or glass) of something that refuels you.

Have a listen:

James Morrison Mix

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I’ve been eating:

Bread! Why do you torture me so?

My eldest daughter, Maddie, is making it worse. She is an excellent baker and makes all kinds of things that are delicious and tempting and terrible. On Christmas Eve, she made homemade lasagna – like the noodles and everything!!! It was so creamy and fresh and tasty.

Another thing she likes to make is homemade focaccia bread. She is bringing some over tomorrow so I will let you know how it tastes. Pray for me.

This made me remember the delicious recipe my good friend Teresa introduced me to, a few years ago.

A few things to know about Teresa and our relationship with all things culinary: she has taught me many things about cooking and baking. Things she could not believe I didn’t already know, but nevertheless. Believe me, it was embarrassing to reveal my ignorance around this understated queen of the kitchen.

Examples of my ignorance:

1. Staying at her house years ago, I said I would help with dinner (of course), so she gave me something easy (lame) to do and asked me to “top and tail” the green beans. I said , “Sure!” and then just kind of fumbled around with the knife and beans and eventually I had to confess I had no idea what that meant. She deftly chopped off the little rough pointy tips, between exclamations of disbelief and laughter.

2. Another time, same situation, but this time she said I could “spin the salad”. Huh?

She said, “You know. Wash the lettuce.” I started to wash the leaves under the sink and she said incredulously: “I have a salad spinner”. We both started to laugh as she could tell by my face that I had no idea what to do with the thing.

I know. It’s embarrassing! (I have many more examples, but I will save some for your continued amusement in another post.)

So, my lack of knowledge and experience is probably why she shared this delicious bread recipe with me. She makes it, too! It is not just for baking beginners, BUT it is perfect for the beginner. It has only FOUR ingredients!! It is delicious! No kneading, either. You need a cast iron pot with a lid. A Dutch Oven, Teresa calls it! (eyeroll). It is honestly so good. Served warm with butter…of course.

And, if I can do it, you definitely can, too!

This one is originally by Elizabeth Lindeman.

Dutch Oven No Knead Bread (with perfect crusty crust!) - Bowl of Delicious

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I’ve been moving:

I’ve been doing Yoga with Kassandra for about 2 years now.

I have a lovely spot in my home for yoga – with a large window and some of my favourite items around me, such as a collection of river rocks, some quotes, some plants, some nice lighting, and my glass hummingbird protecting the space as it hangs from the lamp in the corner of the room.

This practice is one I go back to repeatedly. It is a 20-minute, intermediate full body flow with a few of my favourite poses: triangle, thread the needle, warrior three and gate pose.

She calls it a morning practice, but I do my yoga at the end of the “work day”, before moving into cooking and dinner. I like this energizing flow at that time because it peps me up if I have been sitting and writing for a long time, and energizes me so I can enjoy my evening with Paul.

20 min Morning Yoga - Full Body Morning Stretch

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I’ve been contemplating:

I am not even American, but I respect and admire this man so much.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, and the fact that his term of US Surgeon General has now ended. He has a podcast I often enjoy, called “House Calls”, and through his research, writings on the epidemic of loneliness, and his book (which I read twice!): “Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World”, he has brought to the forefront the many health benefits of community and the dangers of isolation. I highly recommend this book!