Books by Modern Female Authors
The dictionary definition of the word "modern" states: relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past; it's present-day, contemporary, present-time, present, current, twenty-first-century, recent.
If you want to read something career, business, or success related...
Kate White is a bestselling author, professional speaker, & former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan. She's magazine royalty! This modern female author is your go-to for career advice. The Gutsy Girl Handbook: Your Manifesto for Success has knowledge nuggets, strategies, & tips for women who want to make their own rules, advance their careers, & get the opportunities they deserve. It's a modern take on White's book from 1995, Why Good Girls Don't Get Ahead but Gutsy Girls Do.If you're struggling with your identity or world view...
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an award-winning author of Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, & Americanah. Half of a Yellow Sun is inspired by experiences of her parents during the Nigeria-Biafra war, while Americanah revolves around the realities of balancing the delicate mixture of a Nigerian & American life - the perfect read for anyone struggling with their identity, no matter where you live. As a Persian-American, this topic always resonates with me!If you want to read something funny, satirical, or light-hearted...
If your mom died...
Read The Dead Moms Club: A Memoir about Death, Grief, and Surviving the Mother of All Losses by Kate Spencer. Someone asked me, "Is it sad? Or like supportive??" Of course, it isn't the most cheery of topics, but Spencer writes in a quippy, sassy, frank, & overall empowering way! Someone somewhere might benefit from this modern female author; I know it helped me.One of my friends said, "Last time you talked about this book, I bought it. Not very far through it yet, but this year will be 10 years since my mom passed. I thought that it was an appropriate read this year! Thank you."
There are many modern female authors to choose from. Just take a moment to stop scrolling or watch someone's story to read, to live, to think for yourself. We absorb technology all day; when was the last time you absorbed the words of a book?
* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click &/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or my social media platforms, I may make a commission from that click &/or purchase. It's at no additional cost to you. Learn more about my disclosure. :]
Content and Blog Post Ideas
Sometimes you feel stuck or overwhelmed with how much you need to do. You ask yourself: "How can get there? How can I get unstuck when I feel stuck?"
Take 30 minutes to go through this exercise & by the end of it, you'll identify some creative blog topics you can start writing immediately. As a social media / blog coach, I go over this topic a lot with my clients. Let's get those blogging content inspiration juices flowing. Are you ready? My clients have successful blogs, brands, & social media channels.
Read my yearly freelancing anniversary updates from Years 1, 2, & 3!
Step 1. Ask yourself: What excites & inspires me?
1. Food
2. Travel
3. Nature
4. Craft beer
5. Netflix
6. Friends
7. Hot sauce
8. Blogging
9. Photography
10. Dogs
11. Poetry
12. Journaling
13. Writing
14. Reading magazines
15. Learning
16. Earl Grey tea
17. Thrift shopping
18. Kombucha
19. Farmers markets
20. Meditating
Step 2. Expand!
1. Food ---> Vegetarian food. Persian food. Trying food from different cultures. Dark chocolate. Pickle chips.
2. Travel ---> Seeing new places. Learning about other cultures. Trying new food! Challenging myself (like that time I spent the night on a couch at London Gatwick Airport).
3. Nature ---> Botanical gardens. Nature walks. State parks or nature reserves. Seeing animals like butterflies, birds, rabbits, deer. Finding peace outside.
4. Craft beer ---> San Diego craft beer breweries. Happy hour craft beer. Hazy IPAs. Tijuana tasting rooms
Step 3. Circle the words or phrases that you're especially interested in
Take a look at your list & circle words or phrases you're especially interested in. What calls to you? What are you truly inspired by? As a human being, what are your current interests? This exercise is an excellent way to get to know yourself (again) & find blogging inspiration content ideas.
Step 4. Ask yourself: How can I incorporate these topics on my blog? How can I incorporate these things into my daily life or even my work?
1. Persian food.
How can I incorporate this topic on my creative blog? --->
- Write about my childhood & growing up Persian
- Experiment with classic Persian Iranian recipes
- Storytell about the Persian parts of my life: evening Farsi classes, celebrating Nowruz
- Talk about the joys of rose water
How can I incorporate this topic into my daily life or even my work? --->
- Eat at local Persian restaurants in the San Diego area.
- Buy an Iranian cookbook to try new-to-me recipes.
- Practice Farsi on DuoLingo
- Check out a book on Persian poetry from the library
Complete this exercise in its entirety & you'll find blogging inspiration to give you creative blog topics & blog ideas for months to come. Never forget that success is a series of small wins, sometimes it's almost unnoticeable. Use your time wisely; read time management tips for bloggers for my best tips. As a blog coach, my clients with successful blogs ask for inspiration tips quite often.
Things to Do in Encinitas, California: Don't Miss This North County San Diego Gem
Things to Do in Encinitas CA - North County, San Diego
Whether you like coffee drinks or walks by the beach, there are plenty of things to do in Encinitas, California. Read this guide for Encinitas points of interest whether you're a North County San Diego local or an out-of-town visitor!
Hanging out at the Moonlight Beach overlook with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean |
Head to Encinitas Beaches
Encinitas is a beachside town with miles of trails, there are a lot of beaches in this part of North County San Diego! Moonlight State Beach is one of my favorite places to relax, it even has a snack bar. Play volleyball with your friends or dip your toes in the water. Moonlight Beach is beautiful & I've seen some of the best sunsets of my life there. Want other beach options? Check out Cardiff State Beach, San Elijo State Beach, or Swami's State Beach. Again, heaps of beaches & best things to do in Encinitas. Moonlight Beach is a personal favorite of mine, snack bar is cool, but bathrooms can get messy. You can surf or just stare at the ocean! You'll find one of the best views in Encinitas!What is Encinitas famous for? How much does it cost to live in Encinitas?
Go Downtown
Grab a cup of coffee
In awe of the view from the Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple |
Spend Time in a Garden
The Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple is one of my favorite spots in North County San Diego because it has some remarkable views. Relax in the peaceful Self Realization Fellowship meditation gardens. Stare at the majestic koi swimming in their ponds. Look out at the vast Pacific Ocean. It's free to enter but donations are welcome. If you want to spend some time in nature with over 4,000 types of plants, visit the San Diego Botanic Garden. The Self Realization Fellowship meditation gardens are certainly worth a visit if you're in Encinitas CA, Southern California!Support Local & Buy Souvenirs
Stroll Downtown Encinitas Main Street for all the cool retail stores & businesses. Caravan West is a bohemian paradise with baskets, blankets, books, & more. Check out Moon Shadow Boutique for bohemian fashion & vintage home accessories. Crystals, hair salons, home decor, kids boutiques, men's clothing, stationery, swimwear, women's clothing, there are local Encinitas, Southern California options for any gift or souvenir need. Downtown Encinitas has a lot of spunky shops!A coffee & giant muffin from Pannikin Coffee & Tea is one of my favorite things to do in Encinitas |
Drive Historic Highway 101
Spend the day along Highway 101 driving along the beach. Go on a drive after spending time at the San Diego Botanic Garden or at the meditation gardens. Drive North County. U.S. Highway 101 runs through the states of California, Oregon, & Washington. Highway 101 is the longest highway in California. Drive down a piece of history in Encinitas. Downtown Encinitas Main Street is conveniently located on Highway 101; park your car then shop some of the local boutiques & stores.Eat Delicious Food at Encinitas Restaurants
Spend a day at the beach savoring the waves then head to a place to eat. Get a burrito or tacos or anything - you're in a beach city after all. Surf by day then visit a taco shop for a great meal. Go to the nature center or Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas.Drink Craft Beer at Encinitas Breweries
San Diego County has over 150+ breweries; it's one of the best place to find beer, so it's no surprise that the city of Encinitas has a few craft beer options. Saint Archer Brewing Co. has happy hour from 4-6 pm Monday through Friday - get $2 off a pint. Enjoy plant-based food & a full food menu (in addition to a full craft beer list, obviously). Sip on Thorn Brewing Co. at Home & Away Encinitas. Modern Times Far West Lounge. Culture Brewing Co. always features artists on their walls, so they're kind of like an art gallery with beer. North County has dozens of beer options.How About Cocktails?
Sip on a sexy cocktail at any number of cool Downtown Encinitas CA spots. In addition to a full food & craft beer menu, Bread & Barley has a number of signature cocktails (like the Leucadia Sunrise made with vodka, lemon, lavender, elderflower, cucumber), brunch cocktails, & classics. The Roxy is another classic go-to on Encinitas Main Street. Home & Away Encinitas has some tasty cocktails. Solterra Winery and Kitchen for wine!Prosource Acupressure Mat and Pillow: Do Acupressure Mats Actually Work?
This magical invention is called an acupressure mat & acupressure pillow. The acupressure mat and pillow set only cost $20. It's spectacular! You can buy it from Amazon & you totally need a mat in your life. Keep reading to find out all about what it does, how to use it, & where to buy one. I bought the ProSource acupressure mat.
What Does an Acupressure Mat Do? Do acupressure mats really work?
Choose a surface to put it on, whether it's the floor or your chair, couch, against the wall. The harder the surface, the more pressure you'll feel. Acupressure mats are basically a bed of nails. At its core, an acupressure mat is a self-applied acupuncture device. You can lay on it, roll on it, sit on it, stand on it, stretch on it. The spiky bits on the mat hit your acupressure points to assist in any back or neck and shoulders pain. You can use it for your feet, legs, arms, & various areas of the body. You use your own weight of your body to heal your body. I've been using the acupressure mat and pillow for over a year, so I developed an understanding of how to use the spike mat & how it benefits me. I use it frequently, especially when my back acts up. Acupressure mats are pretty cool.What are the acupressure mat benefits? Do acupressure mats actually work?
Do acupressure mats do anything? I roll out my spike mat, lie down on it, then roll gently side to side to help release tension in my upper back pain. Essentially, you relax on this “bed of needles” to massage various pressure points on your body. The little spikes can potentially help you self-massage, relieve stress, tension, or pain. It might even help you fall asleep.It helps relieve pain in my right shoulder blade from an injury I got in college. It relaxes my muscles in a way nothing else has (other than the equipment my physical therapist used during my semester of rehabilitation. The acupressure mat & pillow set turned out to be one of my favorite Amazon purchases of all time. So worth it. Use it again & again for only $19.99. Worth it for lower back pain. Don't forget that this also comes with an acupressure neck pillow, not only the mat. Your neck could get some relief also.
How long should you lay on acupressure mat?
You can place them out on the floor, on the chair, against a wall. You can use it every day or you may never use it if you keep it hidden away in your garage or closet. Minutes are up to you. On average, I use my mat once per week but you could easily utilize it more frequently, if not every day. You can do 10 Minutes or lay on it for 30 minutes.Using It For Your Feet: How do you acupressure your feet?
ProSource Acupressure Mat
When my shoulder acts out, I use the acupressure mat because of its benefits relieve some tension. I messed up my shoulder in college & had to do physical therapy for a semester to curb the pain. It truly makes the area feel better, relaxed, relieved. Buy an acupressure mat & pillow set only $19.99, available on Amazon. Grab one for a friend; it makes a great gift!! It may be plastic but it is effective. Your health is important.
What is a Blog Coach & Consultant? What is a Blogging Coach?
Blogging is hard. Whether you're trying to figure out how to make money, how to build an email list, how to create blog topics, or simply take your blog to the next level, it is a difficult road.
My Blogging Journey
I have been blogging since 2011. I've had so many failures along the way, but I also have plenty of successes. I've worked with brands, gone on press trips, written high-ranking blog posts. I started coaching sessions when some of my friends asked about blogging & I needed to dedicate some one-on-one time with them. Since then, I've worked with over 100 bloggers and people looking to start a blog or web presence.
Need blogging help? I'm here to help bloggers make strides & improvements to their blog. I've been a blogger coach since 2017. I also work with clients for social media services. Bloggers don't have to struggle. I spent many years unable to monetize my blog & yet there so many ways to be making money as a blogger. There are many blogging coaches out there & I guarantee you'll find someone who fits exactly what you're looking for. If you made it to my page maybe you're interested in working with me.
Read my yearly freelancing anniversary updates from Years 1, 2, & 3!
A blog consultant & blog coach offers feedback, guidance, & direction.
A blog coach helps you prioritize your business & blog goals.
A blog coach helps you find your blog voice & establish your social media presence.
A blog business coach challenges you.
With time & effort, a blog coach can get you results that matter (page views, event invites, income, etc!)
How much is a blogging coach?
This ultimately depends if you're looking for a one-time coaching session, coaching sessions with regularity, or are looking for a longer-term commitment. All clients should develop a money budget for a 30-day period one month period. Is it $200 dollars? Is it $500? Is it $1,000? This budget determines the amount of time I can dedicate to coaching while staying within your budget. I do accept smaller budgets but it would likely only be a 30-minute session or a 60-minute session as opposed to consistent help for the month. If someone comes to me & is serious about getting help, I try to do what I can no matter the budget. Bloggers deserve help!
What Is Huitlacoche? What Does Corn Smut Taste Like?
Mexico has a vast range of positively scrumptious food. Authentic Mexican food is next level. A bean & cheese burrito or store-bought taco doesn't quite articulate the multitude of flavor & variety Mexican food has. And then we also have drinks, which is a subject of its own. Don't get me started on horchatas.
What is huitlacoche in English?
What is huitlacoche (corn smut / ustilago maydis)?
Is Huitlacoche Safe to Eat?
Can You Eat It While Pregnant?
How Is Huitlacoche Pronounced?
Huitlacoche Taste - What does fresh huitlacoche smell like, taste like, look like?
How do you eat huitlacoche?
You can use this smut delicacy many ways. There are plenty of recipes. It's a versatile ingredient. You don't eat it off the cob as you would regular ears of corn. I loooove quesadillas de huitlacoche. The ingredients you'll are need organic corn tortilla, cheese, huitlacoche, that's it. You can use flour or corn tortillas. Delicious. If quesadillas aren't your thing, you can use huitlacoche Mexican truffle in your soup or burrito. You can make a huitlacoche taco or sopes. Basically, you can add huitlacoche as a filler or side, the same way you'd integrate something like black beans or mushrooms. Just check some recipes online. You can eat it with a tortilla or as a side dish on its own. You can add it to various types of dishes such as soups, tamales, huitlacoche tacos, whatever your heart desires.What's the nutritional value of huitlacoche?
As cuitlacoche grows, fresh huitlacoche is higher in protein than most maize or regular corn, & could be considered as an alternative protein source for vegetarians (or anyone), according to a research study published in Food Science and Technology (Sociedade Brasileira de Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos).
High in Minerals like Magnesium & Phosphorus
The study also shows that huitlacoche is high in minerals magnesium & phosphorus. Higher magnesium intake may reduce the risk of stroke, diabetes, & osteoporosis (National Institutes of Health). So load up on that huitlacoche!
High in Fatty Acids like Oleic Acid & Linoleic Acid
Huitlacoche is high in fatty acids like oleic acid & linoleic acid. Due to the plant fungus & how it alters the corn, huitlacoche is loaded with nutrients corn doesn't normally have, such as lysine, an essential amino acid.
High Carbohydrate
At the end of the day, huitlacoche is still corn, so it has a high carbohydrate content. The great news is that huitlacoche has a high cellulose content (a type of carbohydrate), which can be beneficial for digestion. Sounds like a win to me!
Low Fat
Huitlacoche is low in fat, which makes it a great choice for anyone looking for lower calorie & lower fat foods.