Fall Vibes & Fresh Content: We're Just Getting Started! 🍁

Grab your cozy sweater and your favorite drink—we’ve got new tips, recipes, and canna-chats waiting for you!

In partnership with

In partnership with

Summer is finally over, and I’m HERE FOR IT!

I’ve got to be honest—I’m not a summer person, and I never will be.

Maybe it’s because I don’t live in the frigid cold of Iowa anymore and don’t appreciate the heat, but Louisiana summers are brutal. It’s like we’re stuck inside, just trying to survive the day.

And, while I love my kids, the lack of routine was a total curveball that threw me off my entrepreneurial groove.

But the good news? I’M BACK, and Cali Sober Mom is kicking into high gear!

Expect more content, more community, and more conversations you’ve been asking for.

Season 2 of the podcast just dropped and I’m thrilled to introduce my amazing co-host and business partner, Britney Brown from Imperfect Inspiration.

We’re focusing on what you’ve told us you want—real talk that feels like chatting with your best friend over a (canna)beverage.

So, make sure you’re subscribed on Spotify, Apple Podcast, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, or wherever you like to keep up.

We’ve got some exciting things coming up, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!

For now, let’s dive into this week’s edition: From social advocacy to your new favorite mocktail, we’re here to make the world of cannabis accessible.

-Monica

Take the guesswork out of your health with Lumen

What if understanding your body's needs were as simple as taking a breath? With Lumen, this becomes reality. With this innovative device, you gain comprehensive insights into your metabolism that enable you to reach your full potential.

Everything from your appearance to your performance is affected by your metabolism. With Lumen, you get personalized guidance designed to enhance your dietary choices, optimize your sleep patterns, and boost your metabolic flexibility, or the ability to switch between fuel sources like carbs and fats. All of which play a crucial role in preventing diseases and fostering long-term health.

It’s time to stop settling for guesswork when it comes to your health. Get personalized nutrition plans, track metabolic health, and effortlessly improve overall wellness with Lumen, the world's first metabolic coach.

“How often do you ‘garden’? Should I feel guilty for enjoying two garden drinks daily?”

The short answer? It’s none of anyone’s business! But let’s dive deeper.

The key word here is “guilty.” It’s not about the garden drinks themselves, but your feelings around them.

Replacing wine with cannabis beverages won’t instantly solve everything—it’s important to understand why you feel guilty. Are you using these drinks to escape something? Do you feel they’re preventing you from doing things you want to do?

Guilt often comes from unmet expectations or a sense of doing something “wrong.” If your garden drinks help you unwind and don’t interfere with your life or loved ones, you shouldn’t feel guilty.

Fun fact: studies have shown that cannabis, unlike alcohol, doesn’t harm your liver. So, at the very least, you’ve already made a healthier choice by swapping wine for canna-beverages!

If you find these drinks keep you from things that matter to you, that’s worth thinking about a bit more deeply.

But otherwise, celebrate the fact that you’re no longer consuming ethanol—a substance linked to countless health issues.

It’s all about balance and understanding what works best for you!

(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!)

What We’re Drinking: Alcohol-Free French 75s

From Our Wedding! (This is a great representation of my husband and I, LOL!)

French 75s have been my signature drink for as long as I can remember. I have so many incredible memories of nights out in my 20s, celebrating special occasions, and sipping on them at my wedding!

If there’s one thing we want to emphasize here at Cali Sober Mom, it’s that quitting alcohol doesn’t mean giving up the drinks you love.

That’s why, today, we’ll be making an alcohol-free version of this classic cocktail:

Ingredients:

First, combine your alcohol free gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Shake that bad boy up, strain it into a chilled glass, and top it off with some non-alcoholic sparkling wine! (Go ahead and add that lemon twist if you’re feeling fancy!)

For this recipe, I’ve partnered with The Zero Proof to make this mocktail even more accessible for you. With the code CALISOBERMOM15, you can get 15% off of your entire order!

Cheers to enjoying a classy sip, minus the hangover! đŸ„‚

Source: Truelieve

Education Spotlight: Understanding THC

Now that we’ve covered the basics of Hemp vs. Marijuana, let’s dive into THC—the compound that makes the “magic” happen. If you’re new to cannabis, this is the perfect place to start.

What Is THC?

THC is the much easier-to-say acronym for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. This is, effectively, the thing that gets you “high.” It’s like the caffeine in coffee—it’s what gives cannabis its kick.

What Should I Expect?

The effects of THC range based on a number of factors: The amount you consume and the strain (a topic for another day) of cannabis you’re using can both make an impact. But, in general, THC will produce a feeling that ranges anywhere from mild relaxation to full-on giggles.

THC can also help people become more in tune with their senses. For example, things like eating a snack or watching a nature documentary could become more exciting. (This is why you might see medical marijuana being prescribed to those with appetite problems.)

But it’s not all fun and games—too much can also lead to anxiety or paranoia, especially for beginners. Start low and go slow!

Wait—How Slow, Exactly?

For beginners, start with a low dose, like 2.5 to 5 mg if you’re using beverages or edibles or 1-2 puffs if you’re smoking or vaping. See how you feel after an hour or so, and then decide if you want more. It’s always better to take it slow than to overdo it!

This cannabis startup pioneered “rapid onset” gummies

Most people prefer to smoke cannabis but that isn’t an option if you’re at work or in public.

That’s why we were so excited when we found out about Mood’s new Rapid Onset THC Gummies. They can take effect in as little as 5 minutes without the need for a lighter, lingering smells or any coughing.

Nobody will ever know you’re enjoying some THC.

We recommend you try them out because they offer a 100% money-back guarantee. And for a limited time, you can receive 20% off with code FIRST20.

Products with a Purpose: Last Prisoner Project

While hemp products and cannabis dispensaries are becoming much more accessible, a fact remains: There are tens of thousands of people in jail for partaking in the same activity we are.

And, while the big-wigs of the industry rake in BILLIONS of dollars every year (with no signs of slowing down, either), marginalized communities are still subject to decades of incarceration for non-violent crimes.

This week, we want to highlight the essential work that the Last Prisoner Project has done in supporting these communities, uplifting them, and fighting for what’s right.

The Last Prisoner Project, founded in 2019, believes no one should be jailed for cannabis offenses that are now legal. They’re a team of justice-impacted individuals, policy experts, and advocates working to end the injustice of cannabis prohibition and the War on Drugs. Their mission is simple: Free those still unfairly imprisoned and push for systemic reform in the criminal justice system.

If you want to support their incredible mission, you can do so by purchasing their merchandise on Shopify. (Personally, I’m a huge fan of their “Change is Coming” hoodie!)

If you want to get more involved - send me a message or follow my soon to launch advocacy corner on Youtube!

❝

All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.

Healing Out Loud - so others don’t have to

It was the 2009 football season, and there was never a better time to be in New Orleans. The Saints were on fire, and the whole city felt it.

We were still rebuilding post-Katrina, and football brought us together in a way I’ll never forget.

It was magical—being 23, “in love” (with the wrong person), and soaking up the energy of a city finding its strength again.

Needless to say, Super Bowl weekend was a blur of non-stop partying.

After a little too much fun (and Adderall, courtesy of my doctor boyfriend), I broke up with him at halftime, only to brush it off and keep celebrating. I lost my purse, ID, and iPod, and ended up texting my boss at 8 AM, “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

Why I didn’t get fired, I’ll never know! I reached out to that boss later and apologized.

She was my New Orleans mom for six years, and I’m so grateful she saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself back then.

Looking back, I’m amazed at the wildness of it all.

I could totally relive the fun, but now I can show up to “work” (aka mom duties) on Monday morning with no problem.

And with the Saints off to a good start and the Super Bowl in New Orleans this year
 who knows? I might get a chance to make some new, slightly more responsible, memories.

Oh, and my friend, who I road-tripped to DC with for the inauguration? He worked for the Saints and got a Super Bowl ring. I even have a photo with it! ↮

The ring in question!

(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!)

Don’t Miss Out On EVEN MORE Cali Sober Content:

Aside from my usual content, I’ve had the pleasure of appearing on some incredible blogs and podcasts! Check them out for a more in-depth look at my journey: