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CynthiagraceLIVING 3
A newsletter packed with tips and inspiration to help you find
joy in the little things and make positive changes in your life.

In these ever-shifting times, it’s more important than ever to have a
community where we can lean on each other and grow together.
That’s exactly what cynthiagraceLIVING is all about,
and I’m so grateful you’re here to be a part of it.
In this issue::
✨Jenene Wooldridge: Self awareness is the key
✨Brittany Boothroyd: Nourishing body & soul
✨Dr. Mary Clarie Haver: 10 tips for perimenopause (but really all stages)
✨Protein, the building block: viral recipe
✨1 confession. 1 challenge
BUT FIRST coffee ❤️

While not everyone may be a coffee enthusiast, we can all relate to the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whatever your personal ritual may be, I hope it helps set a positive tone for your day. If you're new here, you'll quickly discover that I have a must-have pairing: a good podcast with my coffee.
I discovered Esther and Abraham Hicks years ago and have remained a devoted listener ever since. If you're new to their content, you might find yourself either deeply immersed or utterly puzzled—perhaps even experiencing a mix of both, as I did.
“Today I will look for reasons to feel good, and I will find them.” Abraham Hicks
Start your day on a positive note by tuning into Abraham Hicks Morning Rampage. It’s a fantastic way to cultivate a mindset that sets the stage for a wonderful day ahead!

WHAT DID I LEARN this month?
In 2006, I bought a tiny book—one of those little editions that costs less than $10. Despite its small size, the wisdom it offers has proven priceless. I recently revisited it and found its lessons just as impactful.
You might say: “Kim, I’m sure you remember the year you bought a stupid little book.”
To that I’d say: “I remember the year, the day, the store and the very moment. I was standing in a book store in Charlottetown, I very very sad. It was the time in my life when I became a single mom to 4 and 6 year olds.”
Sometimes life presents unexpected challenges and blows to the heart. It is during these times we need to stay focussed on the blessings in our lives, and not laser focus on the negative. This is the secret to surviving the challenging seasons of life.
Despite the thoughts If Only I Knew… it didn’t immerse me in negativity or despair. Instead, it highlighted the importance of gratitude and enjoying life’s meaningful moments. It served (and still does) as a gentle reminder to slow down, appreciate the essentials, and cherish the people who truly matter.
Imagine if we cherished our relationships more? What a wonderful world it would be. 🎶
These short verses aren't meant to dwell on what you may have lost. Instead, when you turn them upside down, they offer gentle reminders to help you cherish and appreciate the people in your life.
(a few excerpts from the book If Only I Knew by Lance Wubbels)
If Only I Knew I would never hear your voice again, I would cherish your every word…every inflection of your voice.. with all my heart.
If Only I Knew that tomorrow was not coming, I would ask you to please forgive any wrong I may have done to you.
If Only I Knew I could never share another day with you, I would make every second count.
If Only I Knew I was caught up in the trap of living for tomorrow, I would slow my pace and take time for the people I love.
If Only I Knew that I was about to lose your smile, I would thank you for all the joy you’ve brought to my life.
If Only I Knew that happiness was a state of mind, I would have been more thankful for what I had.
If I Only Knew my days were coming to an end, I would number them carefully one by one and make the best use of my time.
I assure you that if you start to see the extraordinary blessings in the ordinary day, you might begin to reassess what’s been weighing you down. You possess blessings at this very moment that others can only dream of, even for a brief, magical moment. Look around—there’s so much to be grateful for, even amidst the storm.
So today, use your imagination, finish this sentence and have a wonderful grateful day: "If Only I Knew..."
JENENE WOOLDRIGE, ICD.D
Executive Director of L’nuey.
Jenene is passionate about protecting Indigenous rights, amplifying marginalized voices, supporting women, promoting inclusion and improving governance structures. She was named one of the top 25 most powerful women in business by
Atlantic Business Magazine in 2021.
Jenene is also a Mainstreet CBC Columnist, Living Full Circle Author and Speaker. She resides in Kuntal Kwesawe’kl (Rocky Point, PEI) with her husband and two children.

Jenene comes from a long line of hereditary and elected Chiefs. She is a proud Mi’kmaq and member of Abegweit First Nation. She currently serves as Executive Director of L’nuey - the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative which works to protect and implement Mi’kmaq rights and has specific focus on consultations, negotiations and government development.
Self-awareness is the key to growth and success
I have a not-so-secret secret for you that I’d like you to think about.
If you want to go further and grow - in your business, in school, or whatever you may be involved in-you need to listen to yourself just as much as you listen to others.
Self-awareness might sound like just a cheesy buzzword…but it’s far from a cliche. When done consistently, practicing self-awareness if truly life-changing.
Being self-aware involves being aware of your own feelings, thoughts, traits, and behaviours as you go about your day. Through self-awareness we can understand:
1. Where we were before
2. Where we are now
3. Where we want to be in the future.
We can apply these concept to our friendships, relationships, in business, and in many other aspects of our life that allow us to constantly improve.
When we understand who we are, where we are, and where we want to be…we find ourselves more confident, more consistent, and making wiser decisions as we rely on our instincts. We feel more purposeful and more able to make a meaningful difference. We are happier with our decisions because we do what we do intentionally, in a way that makes us feel proud and fulfilled.
If you’re careful to listen to your instincts and question conventional wisdom, set priorities, and make thoughtful choices, eventually you will figure out how to design a lifestyle that suits you.
If you still aren’t sold on the many benefits of self-awareness…consider this.
You’ll probably take the time to listen to others and let them inform your decisions, whether it’s your friends, family, coworkers, or boss, because you trust them to look at the big picture and help you make a wise choice.
But how often do you carefully listen to your own voice, trusting your instincts to make the right decisions? How much more fulfilled would you feel if you took the time to be aware of your own thoughts, feelings, and opinions on the situation?
Trusting yourself unconditionally and being aware of your true feelings can be hard to practice, but it will come naturally with time. Self-awareness will change the way you work, play, and interact with yourself and others for the better. To start your self-awareness journey, get your copy of Living Full Circle to guide you.
Living Full Circle Planner
Plan your year with the Living Full Circle Planner. In this planner, author Jenene Wooldridge shares her insights and personal experience on how she incorporates teachings of the medicine wheel around balance and living with purpose to live her life and achieve success. She shares the importance of contemplation, preparation, goals and how they connect to Living Full Circle.
Discover what works for your life, develop healthy habits and create goals with intention to live your best. With twelve themed months and 52 weeks of guided reflection, this planner provides a foundation for your ideal life. Track your progress and learn from its useful tips and inspiration as you grow.

Available: Indigenous PEI, BookMark Charlottetown, Oh Hey!PEI, Indigenous Box, Nimbus Publishing, Acorn Press, Amazon Canada, Indigo
BRITTANY BOOTHROYD
Wild Kitchen, Nourishing Body and Soul

Hi there, I’m Brittany, a Red Seal Chef and Culinary Institute graduate. After over a decade in the restaurant world, I’ve shifted my focus to something more personal—helping busy multitaskers like you reclaim your time, energy, and health through real food.
I’m all about using whole, local-when-possible ingredients and keeping things simple and practical. We’ve all felt the pull of ultra-processed snacks and meals, but nothings beats the way real food makes us feel. Eating nutrient-dense meals gives us the energy we need to thrive - especially as we age.
Good food fuels clear thinking, smooth digestion, and a balanced mood.
I believe in using local ingredients whenever possible and embracing the power of fresh produce, healthy fats, and quality proteins. I also love sharing the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years to help people understand and enjoy cooking more!
I’m here to make nourishing yourself easier, so you can focus on everything else life throws your way. I offer both weekly and biweekly meal prep, ensuring your fridge is stocked with nutrient-dense, home-cooked meals that are gourmet in flavour, yet familiar-comfort food that leaves your body feeling GOOD.
I also offer cooking classes in the privacy of your own home, either one-on-one or with your group of friends, finishing off with an opportunity to connect over a meal you’ve all prepared together.
Whether you’re looking for support in your own kitchen, help feeding your family, or just want to feel more confident in preparing meals that truly nourish, I’m here to help.
Taking the Guesswork Out of Charcuterie Platters
(aka Grazing Platters)
Gracing platters are a great way to feed a group if it’s outside the mealtime. Here are my guidelines to building a well-balanced, attractive grazing platter everyone will enjoy.
Cheese and meat: Choose 2-3 types of cheese, with one being soft and mild, and 2-3 types of cured meats. I recommend avoiding blue cheese and spicy meat unless you know most people you’re hosting enjoy those.
Something Sweet: Chutneys or jams, candied nuts, chocolate, dried fruit, or dates.
Something Pickled: Add acidity to cut through the heavier items like cheese and meat. Dill pickles, olives, or spicy beans work well, but pickled beets are my favourite 💜
Something Crunchy: Nuts (salty or candied) and 1-2 types of crunchy crackers that won’t get soggy quickly.
Something Fresh: Sliced cucumbers or carrots, grapes, or berries.
Dips: Cheesy dips, grainy mustard, or hummus work well but the possibilities here are endless.
Dippers: Crackers and/or bread.
As long as you have at least one item from each category, you’ll be set up for success-but variety is always a bonus! I suggest picking your favourites from each category and starting there.
For arranging, you want different heights and a sense of movement to create an aesthetically appealing board. Grab a platter and place something ‘tall’ just off-center on one side to build around (like pretzel sticks, a bunch of grapes, or veggie slices). Spread out the different elements from the list above fairly evenly, and fill in any gaps with small things like nuts or grapes.
Enjoy!
DR. MARY CLAIRE HAVER
Board-certified OB/GYN
Founder of Mary Claire Wellness
Although these are 10 tips for perimenopause,
they are extremely important tips for any stage of life.
51 seconds of unreal value!!
DID YOU KNOW…
I am OBSESSED with Black Jamaican Castor Oil right now! Completely obsessed.
Castor Oil is a buzz word right now but seriously, this was buzzing long before you and I graced the earth.
Castor oil has been used for thousands of years, originating in ancient Egypt and valued for its medicinal and cosmetic benefits.
I have been using this on my hair ends, also mixing it with rosemary oil and rubbing it into my scalp, I use it every second night on my face & every morning (mixed with my moisturizer), and now using it to detox my liver (in the form of a castor oil pack compress). Yes, it is very thick and sticky but whoopie-ding-dong, my hair feels better, my skin looks better and pretty soon my liver is going to be squeeky clean..if I can stay away from the wine that is 🤔!!
Want gorgeous skin and hair? https://amzn.to/4doP1ZT
A happy liver? https://amzn.to/3XJ5OSy
CAUTION: Be very careful not to mat your hair with this oil, use sparingly and pay close attention to application advice.
TRUE STORY: I was using this product (*and one other, see below) for a week and did not tell my husband. One random day a week or so later we were sitting on the couch and he said, “Honestly honey your hair and skin look really good, like…really”
Winning!!

ULTIMATE SKINCARE PRODUCT for an Ageless Glow
1 confession - 1 challenge
Do I want a facelift? Heck yeah.
Do I want enough botox to sink the titanic? Double heck yeah.
Will I do either?
CONFESSION: So, ummmmmmm I tried a smidge of Botox for my sinking cheeks—it was definitely an experience, one I didn’t anticipate! 😬 . When the injection happened, I felt a wave of, I guess paranoia? uncertainty?…not sure what to call it. I tend to vibrate on the side of anxious anyway so I should have expected that.
I actually booked the consult for my upper lip and forehead but decided to try a smidge on my cheeks before going all in. I couldn’t go through with it, maybe some day I will, who knows.
Let’s be honest: there’s nothing wrong with getting botox or not getting botox, no judgement here as we all have the right and choice to do what we want.
I just want to feel confident about it. But when it came down to it, I just got a little weirded out once it was injected.
So now what was I going to do with my wrinkly lip?
I’ve discovered an AMAZING secret that, along with castor oil, has made a visible difference! 🎉 I’m thrilled someone shared it with me, and it really works. No, like really.
It’s affordable, easy to find, and a total game-changer—It’s not magic, but it’s definitely made a difference for my upper lip 💖 and glowing skin.
CHALLENGE: Share this newsletter with two friends to discover my secret. Once you do you’ll receive an email right away unlocking the secret that you’ll never find in any article of cynthiagraceLIVING.
Alternate between it and castor oil each night, following the application instructions closely. It’s been working for me, but I recommend chatting with a pharmacist or healthcare professional to ensure you're comfortable with the products. 🌟
PROTEIN: THE BUILDING BLOCK of life
Protein is vital for preserving muscle mass, supporting bone health, and managing weight. It helps counteract muscle loss and supports overall health during this life stage.
💜 I love this quick recipe
💜 Unbelievably scrumptious when you add fresh fruit.

Just made me chuckle is all…😂
FINAL THOUGHTS
Protect yourself
from people who are
not happy with themselves,
they will never be happy with you.
classifieds
➡️ Mike Ross and his team of local PEI artist will interpret the canon of Anne Murray at Harmony House in Hunter River on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm from October 18-November 2. There will be a matinee performance on November 2 at 2 pm. The Lounge will be open for food and beverage service before the show. To reserve, call 902.964.2255. For tickets, visit harmonyhousepei.com
➡️ Interested in showcasing your company here? Feel free to reach out to me at the email below for advertising opportunities!
CASTING CALL 🎤
✨Do YOU have some valuable life advice/hacks you’d like to share? Please contact me via email below.
✨Are YOU an entrepreneur who would love to be featured in a future edition of cynthiagrace LIVING? We would love to hear from you on topics regarding anything woman talk about, or maybe even topics we are too shy to talk about:)
✨This is a space for woman by woman so please reach out as it takes a community to make a community. This is a space for all things wonderful.
✨Contact email [email protected]
✨If you enjoyed reading cynthiagraceLIVING, we’d love for you to share it with your friends and family. The more people who get to experience the newsletter, the better! Let’s spread the joy and inspiration together. Invite friends, copy & paste ⬇️
✨as an amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Shine with kindness, act with purpose, and remember:
your journey is unique, and your presence makes a difference.
Let your spirit light the way.
Cherish Today.

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