5 Good Things – January 21st, 2017

Hi! Here’s what’s new, exciting, and thought provoking from our Life is NOYOKE world.

This is the online version of our weekly email newsletter, 5 Good Things. To get it delivered to your inbox on Saturdays, you can subscribe right here.

1. New recipe posts we’re drooling over

In the spirit of the coldest month of the year (or is it February?) for those north of the equator, here’s the most tropical drink around: A Pina Colada. Crank the heat and spin one up today!

2. Classic recipe we’re re-showcasing

Instead of hand-picking recipes from our archives, let’s highlight ones actually being made by you.

Here are his and her glasses of The Pinkman (from Nick via his Snapchat).

+ Here’s a bowl of Balsamic Butternut Squash Soup (from Edie via her Instagram).

+ Here’s a bowl of Creamy Wild Rice Soup (from George via his Instagram).

Share your noyoke food and drinks with us by using #lifeisnoyoke or emailing the LINY Email Operator: hello@lifeisnoyoke.com.

3. New blog posts, site updates, and other things we’re proud to be sharing

Recapping our travels

I’m going to let a few pictures tell the story of our honeymoon to Israel and Spain.

Israel

In Israel, we spent a lot of time with family.

If you ever visit Israel (you should!), go to the outdoor markets. They’re everywhere, just google the nearest and the hours.

Once there, seek out falafel pita sandwiches.

Fresh pomegranate.

(Also generally available in spoonable snack packs).

And, of course, olives.

Spain

Spain was just the two of us.

If you ever visit (you should!), know the food culture there is mostly meat. Meat of all kinds, often paired with cheese.

So we ate a lot of noodles.

Some fresh juices.

And, actually, some wonderful specialty vegan food. Here are some croquettes from Hicuri in Granada.

Our temporary office (on the hill)

It happened. We packed our bags…

…and set up shop in Honolulu, HI. Here’s the view from my new desk.

Now, regarding our stay in Hawaii, I feel the need to clear up a few things. (Mostly for my own insecurites and class anxiety.)

1) We are here to work.

Our schedule is pushed back a few hours. And we probably aren’t wearing socks.

But we’re certainly not on vacation.

2) We are not “pre-tired.”

A friend of ours joked that we are here in pretirement. A cute phrase for someone acting as if they’re retired before they’re of age to do so.

But no. Not pretired.

We are definitely taking advantage of our flexibility as an entrepreneurial family of two (plus a dog).

But our goal is still to put a positive dent in the universe.

And that, my friends, takes hard work.

3) We are not “wintering” in Hawaii.

If this were a “build an online business” business, maybe paying double rent is something we’d do and use as a marketing tool for the products we were selling. But this isn’t, and we’re not.

In fact, we are renting our place in Chicago to a family needing temporary housing because theirs was ruined by a neighbor’s fire.

No, our life definitely does not suck here. We are living in paradise.

And we are grateful for the opportunity.

But the core ethos of Life is NOYOKE has not changed.

We’re simply doing the work without distractions or socks.

4. Vitamix news and updates we’re enjoying

I was a guest on a podcast! It’s from Learn True Health and is titled: The Magical Vitamix Experience with Lenny Gale and Ashley James. (We geek out about Vitamix and have a lot of fun.) Do listen.

5. Articles, posts, and products from around the web we’re thinking about

Vid

Who doesn’t love In-n-Out burger? Watch this quick vid where Carrot and Flowers use Beyond Meat (shockingly “meaty” looking and tasting) to make a vegan Double Double she called Vegan-n-Out.

Twitter

If you’ve ever said to yourself, I’d like to give up meat, but just can’t,” I think I have the solution. Expose yourself to the devastating reality of factory farming. Mercy for Animals’ Twitter is a good place to start. But stay away if you would prefer to stay blissfully ignorant (and wrapped in bacon).

Challenge

“I’m going to start really enjoying my food. Like actually savoring every bite.” Ever said that? Well, here’s a challenge around mindful eating. (Related: Chewing everything 20x before swallowing is how the guy behind a third of the internet, Matt Mullenweg, Founder of WordPress, lost 18 pounds).

Product

Apparently this viral hit, without any traditional advertising is the #1 product on Amazon. It’s users say they’re addicted. Here’s the Instant Pot.

Okay, all for now and thanks for reading.

Good things,
Lenny