June 21, 2025

“Today you are. That is truer than true!
There is no one alive who is more youer than you.”

— Dr. Seuss

Coffee Talk

I want to take a quick moment to thank you all for subscribing to cynthiagraceLIVING.

It’s been 10 months since I started this newsletter—often called more of a mini mag than a newsletter (which, I can’t lie, sounds better… and I totally agree). 💖

I’m proud of this little side hustle.

Check this out: a successful email open rate is typically between 15–25%, and a solid click-through rate (that’s when you click on links) falls between 2–5%.

Now here’s the cool part: here are cynthiagraceLIVING's stats:

⬆️ That makes me super happy. 😀

I created this during a time in my life when everything felt heavy. I was definitely walking around with a low-grade depression—just drifting in and out of my days, weeks, months… stuck in the meh, blah feels.

All I wanted was some good news, good vibes, solid life advice, simple hacks, a women’s tribe who gets it—and a little escape, just for me.

Hence, cynthiagraceLIVING.

Why that name?

CYNTHIA , the greek moon goddess glows with quiet strength. Like her, we don’t need to burn brightly to be powerful—we can reflect love, hope, and wisdom in a world that needs gentleness. (and Mom’s name is Cynthia and this fits her to a tee! ❤️)

GRACE is the quiet power that softens our edges and steadies our hearts. It reminds us to respond, not react—to offer kindness when it’s hardest, and compassion when it’s needed most.

LIVING —really living—is noticing the moment you’re in. It’s laughing louder, breathing deeper, and showing up fully, even when it’s messy. This is it. Don’t miss it.

Now maybe you’ll have a better understanding of cynthiagraceLIVING 💖

But the best part? It’s FREE!

The other best part? I seriously love creating each issue—it brings me so much joy. And along the way, I’ve met so many incredible people. How grateful am I? 💖

Now, the not-so-great part (besides being insanely time-consuming) is that it’s not free for me to run. The platform I use to host this newsle… I mean, mini mag… costs me 💲 each month. Because of this, I want to make it the best it can be, and get this into as many inbox’s as possible.

So, I do have an ask. 🙏🏻 Actually, I have two asks, ok I have three asks!

1. If you’ve enjoyed any part of this, would you take a minute to send me a quick email? Let me know what you enjoy, what you’d like to see more of (or less of), topics you’d love covered, general subject areas for each issue—are you into the podcast and music links?

   Thanks so much. [email protected]

2. Follow cynthiagraceLIVING on Instagram: @cynthiagraceliving — it’s where I will share extras and inspiration. I’ll be putting my energies into instagram this summer. ✅ 

3. Can you tell some of your gal pals about cynthiagraceLIVING. Just copy and paste link, or forward them this email! cynthiagraceLIVING

Thanks beautiful ladies, have a fantastic summer everyone! 😎 ☀️ 🏖 🌈 🌱

Spin Time

Pod Time

Mulch Maintenance 101

• Break up mulch clumps – They can trap heat and, in rare cases, spark fires. Keep it loose.

• Water the mulch – Especially during dry spells; it helps regulate soil temperature and prevents ignition.

• Rake it regularly – Keep it even and spread out for a neat look and better coverage.

• Check depth – Aim for 2–3 inches; too much can suffocate roots, too little won’t suppress weeds.

• Keep it away from trunks/stems – Leave a gap to prevent rot and pest issues.

• Top up as needed – Refresh faded or thinned-out spots to maintain moisture and weed control.

• Choose the right mulch – Organic types (like bark or straw) improve soil over time.

Are You Breathing Wrong?

The answer is probably yes – and you're not alone.

Most of us have become shallow, chest-only breathers, especially when stressed or hunched over screens. We've trained ourselves out of the deep, belly-expanding breaths that babies do naturally.

Here's the thing: deep breathing is like a reset button for your nervous system. It shifts you from fight-or-flight mode into calm-and-restore mode. Yet we take thousands of shallow breaths daily instead of dozens of deep, nourishing ones.

The irony? Proper breathing is free, always available, and more effective than most expensive wellness trends. Even three deep breaths can change your entire state of mind.

Try this right now: Place one hand on your chest, one on your belly. Breathe so only your bottom hand moves. Feel that? That's your body saying "thank you."

It's like we're living on the breathing equivalent of fast food when we could be having a satisfying meal with every breath.

Classic Burger Sauce

Morning Fuel In A Jar

Rewind & Remind!

Now that summer is officially here, reader, Sue Chaisson’s gems are worth revisiting!

The Buzz Stops Here

The Plant That Keeps Mosquitos Off Your Guest List.

Pinch off leaves to rub on your skin for extra protection when gardening or enjoying the sun. It's like having a bouncer for your deck, except this one smells amazing.

Acidic vs Alkaline? It Matters!

Your body should be slightly alkaline because that's what keeps you healthy and energized. Your body performs its absolute best when it maintains a slightly alkaline state.

When your body maintains this natural balance, you'll have better energy levels, stronger bones, less inflammation, and a more effective immune system. An alkaline body also helps your cells work properly, improves oxygen flow, and supports your body's natural ability to fight off illness and recover from physical stress.

DID YOU KNOW that cancer cells actually thrive in acidic environments?

When your body becomes too acidic, it creates the perfect conditions for cancer cells to grow and spread more aggressively. An overly acidic body weakens your immune system's ability to fight off these harmful cells, while also providing the acidic environment that tumors prefer. This is why maintaining a slightly alkaline body through healthy eating and lifestyle choices can be an important part of cancer prevention.

One gardener had a sense of humour or perhaps neighbour revenge?