Does Your Brand Choice Matter 🤔

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Hello, lovely people!

This week’s episode is a great one! Holly, the co-founder of Utokia, joins us to share her story and the heart behind her brand. Growing up with parents who secretly grew cannabis (yes, there’s a chicken coop involved!), Holly's journey is pretty far from ordinary.

Through Utokia, she brings together her passions for wellness, creativity, and a little fantasy, offering cannabis-based products that help folks unwind – no alcohol required.

What I really love about Holly’s approach is how she turns wellness into something exciting and joyful.

A lot of self-care messaging can revolve around restriction and strictness, but the truth is that it doesn’t need to be that way! Instead, it can be about fun, discovery, and building little rituals that light us up.

That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today—how to add wellness routines into your life without those practices feeling restrictive or based on guilt. (There’s a zero-shame policy around here!)

If that sounds like something you’re excited about, then let’s strap in and get started!

-Monica

A Quick Thought on This Week's Headlines

Before diving in, I wanted to share something that’s been on my mind after publishing this blog post. It’s no secret that the brands we support hold real power—not just in shaping markets, but in defining the values we prioritize as consumers.

This past week really highlighted how important it is for us, as women, to intentionally choose brands that align with what we care about. Whether it’s where they donate, what they sponsor, or the communities they uplift, these decisions matter.

So, here’s my question to you: Does what a brand supports and how they operate influence your decision to buy from them? Let’s spark a conversation—because the more we share, the more we empower each other to make informed choices.

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“How can I build a relaxing, enjoyable evening routine without alcohol?”

The truth is that once you associate a habit (like drinking) with a feeling (like being relaxed), it can be hard to mentally separate the two.

The good news? Hard doesn’t mean impossible.

In the episode this week, we talked to Holly about setting meaningful routines that don’t surround alcohol use.

These routines don’t need to be boring, either! They can become extremely fun and enjoyable. To help you get started, here are a few great ways to wind down with intention:

Mindful Sipping

It’s time to realize that enjoying a yummy beverage before bed is a universal experience that you don’t need to get rid of.

Instead, you can replace that alcoholic beverage with an equally delicious, less harmful substitute! This can be a canna beverage, or even just a nice cup of tea.

Utokia’s products, for example, are crafted to bring a calming effect to your evening without the downsides of alcohol.

Create A “Wind Down” Zone

Dedicate a cozy corner of your home to relaxation. Add soft lighting, comfy blankets, and calming scents like lavender to remind you that it’s time to unwind. This space can act as your personal “off-switch” at the end of a long day!

Start Practicing Meditation

If you’ve never meditated before, it’s understandable to be a little apprehensive. But I promise, once you get a hang of it, you’ll see how powerful it actually is!

Techniques like box breathing or guided meditations can make a world of difference in bringing calm and clarity to your evening. Start in small increments of 5-10 minutes, and build from there.

Reflect or Journal

Spend a few quiet moments jotting down thoughts, highlights, or points of gratitude from your day. It can be structured, using prompts or some format, or it can just as easily be a random brain dump.

It’s an easy way to unwind and clear your mind, and the ritual of it all can signal to your body that it’s time to relax and get ready for bed.

(P.S. Do you have a question you’d like answered here? Reply to this email, and we’ll include it in a future edition!)

Education Spotlight: The Mind-Body Wellness Connection

This week, Holly from Utokia got us thinking about wellness in a whole new way! Fun fact: the way we care for our minds has a massive impact on our bodies.

Studies show that routines like mindfulness and relaxation can seriously lower cortisol levels (aka the stress hormone). Chronic stress can actually increase your risk of things like heart disease by 20-30%!

By taking even a few moments each day to slow down—whether that’s with a non-alcoholic drink, a bit of deep breathing, or a quick moment of calm—we’re helping our bodies stay balanced and healthy.

Why Mindfulness & Relaxation Matter

When life gets busy, our bodies react by releasing cortisol, a stress hormone that’s useful in short bursts but harmful when it sticks around too long. High cortisol levels can lead to poor sleep, digestive issues, and even heart disease.

Practices like meditation and deep breathing help reduce cortisol and create a calming ripple effect in the body.

Even brief mindfulness exercises, like taking 5 minutes to focus on your breath or doing a guided relaxation, can lower cortisol levels and increase serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone).

The Power of Simple Rituals

Little rituals are anchors for our nervous system. When we set aside time each day to unwind, we teach our bodies to enter a “rest and restore” state.

Creating a dedicated “wind-down” time, whether that’s savoring a calming drink, stretching, or taking a short walk, tells your body it’s safe to relax.

Studies show that consistent routines help improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and even lower blood pressure.

Using Cannabis As A Wellness Tool

You didn’t think we’d forget to talk about cannabis, did you?

Recent research into cannabinoids—the active compounds in cannabis—suggests they may help reduce anxiety, improve focus, and restore balance to the body.

Cannabinoids like CBD and CBN (cannabinol) don’t produce a “high” but offer gentle relaxation that supports the mind and body’s natural rhythm.

For example, CBN is used as a natural sleep aid, as it can promote deeper, more restful sleep without the grogginess that comes with some over-the-counter meds.

Healing Out Loud - So Others Don’t Have To:

Learning to Emotionally Regulate Alongside My Kids

When I stopped drinking, I had no idea just how much I'd be unearthing, not only about myself but also about how I show up for my kids.

It's like my brain hit a reset button—I feel like a sponge, wide open to every feeling, every little moment, just like my kids. They’re learning how to process big emotions for the first time, and so am I!

Lately, when one of them has a meltdown or gets frustrated, I’ve started pausing with them and asking, “What’s going on under the surface here?”

We talk about what might be making them feel angry or sad or restless. And as I guide them, I'm realizing that I’m learning right alongside them—figuring out what each of these emotions feels like and how to handle them without shutting down or running away.

One of the biggest shifts for me has been this lightbulb realization: most people’s reactions and behaviors aren’t really about me at all.

Kids, adults, everyone—we’re often acting from some need or feeling inside us. And it’s rarely a conscious choice to annoy or upset anyone. Understanding this has been huge.

When I approach situations from this angle, I feel like I’m finally able to meet them with genuine empathy, not defensiveness.

I’m breaking cycles by creating a space where feelings are allowed to exist—no more shoving them under the rug. Instead, we’re all learning to understand, name, and manage our emotions, building something that feels supportive and real.

It’s a journey, and some days are definitely messier than others, but I can already see how much it's worth it.

And I hope my kids will remember that their feelings are safe here, that they’re truly seen and heard!

(P.S. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Reply to this email, and we’ll include it in a future edition!)

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