Halloween-Themed Wellness Comes to San Antonio

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa announces Hot Witch Pilates & Brunch event. Photo: Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.

 🧘‍♀️Hot Witch Pilates & Brunch at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa

Get ready for a day of wellness, whimsy, and wicked fun!
Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection is teaming up with Hot Girl Fitness Club to host Hot Witch Pilates & Brunch — a Halloween-inspired Sunday experience filled with fitness, fabulous eats, and mystical moments. (Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2025)

📅 Sunday, October 12
🕘 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 The Spa Plaza San Antonio
555 S. Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205


What to Expect

Start your morning with a choice of:

  • Outdoor Mat Pilates or Mat Barre on the hotel’s beautiful Oasis Lawn
    Then, indulge in a Halloween-themed brunch at Anaqua Garden Bar, complete with:
  • A magical tea ritual
  • A curated witchy market
  • Mini post-brunch spa treatments (for VIP ticket holders)
  • All-day pool access for a relaxed “Witch Hour” lounge session

🎁 Giveaway Prizes

Every guest will be entered into a magical giveaway for a chance to win:

  • A 50-minute spa treatment at The Spa Plaza San Antonio
  • An event pass from Hot Girl Fitness Club
  • A one-night stay at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa
  • A $100 dining card to Anaqua Garden Bar or Corinne San Antonio

💖 Event Details

  • Tickets: Starting at $45 — Purchase here
  • Fitness Gear: Pink mats provided
  • Parking: Valet available for $15 (three-hour duration)

Slip on your favorite costume, grab your coven, and join us for a spellbinding Sunday of fitness, food, and fun. 🪄✨


Photo: Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.

September Vibes at Plaza San Antonio: Yoga, Jazz, Cocktails & More

Plaza San Antonio announces new First Friday Market, Happy Hour Deals, and more. Anaqua Garden Bar photo: Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.

September Happenings at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa is excited to present a vibrant lineup of September events—ranging from happy hour specials and live music to yoga classes and unique wellness experiences. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, relaxing spa time, or unforgettable entertainment, there’s something for everyone this month. (Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2025)


🌿 Anaqua Garden Bar

First Friday’s Under the Trees

📅 Friday, September 5 | 5–8 p.m.
Celebrate the start of each month with $10 cocktails, live acoustic sets by Leon Sanchez, and local vendor pop-ups on the garden lawn. Perfect for sipping, strolling, and soaking in the First Friday energy.
👉 Reserve on OpenTable

Beats and Bubbles

📅 Every Saturday in September | 5–9 p.m.
Turn up the sparkle with a bubble party featuring a live vinyl DJ. Enjoy a $39 Disco Ball Cocktail to share, or sip champagne for just $9 a glass.
👉 Reserve on OpenTable

5•5•5 Sundays

📅 Every Sunday | All Day
$5 pool passes, $5 cocktails, $5 bites—plus $55 cabanas and shareable cocktails. A DJ keeps the vibes going in the lush downtown garden.
👉 Use code SUNDAY555 on Resort Pass for pool passes.
👉 Reserve on OpenTable

Tropic Like It’s Hot

📅 Friday, September 26 | 4–7 p.m.
Tropical cocktails, island-inspired bites, lei giveaways, and live music under the torches. A perfect tiki-inspired evening.
👉 Reserve on OpenTable


🧘 The Spa at Plaza San Antonio

Soul Flow Saturdays

📅 Every Saturday in September | 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Outdoor yoga led by Kristel Perry on the Oasis Lawn. Includes all-day pool, Zen Lounge, and fitness center access, plus 25% off same-day spa services.
💲 $17.85 via Eventbrite

Poses at The Plaza

📅 Sunday, September 28 | 10 a.m.
A 60-minute yoga flow with EnergyXFitness, followed by the Anaqua Tea Ceremony at 11 a.m. Includes pool and spa access, plus a reservation at Corinne San Antonio.
💲 $15 via Eventbrite

Moonlit Wellness: Floating Sound Bath Under the First Quarter Moon

📅 Friday, September 19 | 8:30–9:30 p.m.
Float in the spa pool while immersed in a 60-minute sound bath with crystal bowls and gongs by Caitlyn Garrison. Includes spa amenities, valet, and 25% off spa services.
👉 Reserve via Eventbrite


🍴 Corinne San Antonio

Corinne’s Sunset Sessions

📅 Friday, September 12 & 19 | 4–7 p.m.
Unwind with chef-driven bites, craft cocktails, and smooth live Latin jazz during golden hour.
👉 Reserve Sept. 12 | Reserve Sept. 19

4-5-6-7 Happy Hour

📅 Monday–Thursday | 4–8 p.m.
Enjoy $7 food and drinks, including Lobster Queso, Loaded Cauliflower Nachos, local Texas beers, and La Villita Margaritas.
👉 Reserve on OpenTable


📍 Venue Details

Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa
555 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
🚗 Valet Parking: $15 for up to 3 hours

What Psychoanalysis Really Feels Like: A Review of Joan Peters’ ‘Untangling’

‘Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis’ by Joan K. Peters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Book Review: ‘Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis’ by Joan Peters
What It’s Really Like to Be in Psychoanalysis—From the Patient’s Chair

If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens during psychoanalysis—or what it feels like to unravel years of emotional knots on a therapist’s couch—Joan Peters‘ “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” offers a rare, intimate glimpse into that world.

Unlike most writing on psychoanalysis, which often comes from the perspective of clinicians, “Untangling” is told from the inside out. Peters chronicles her decades-long analytic journey with striking vulnerability, courage, and clarity. This journey consisted of two different analysts: Lane when she was 28 and Kristi when she was 67. While Lane was helpful, she remained impersonal and impartial. Kristi actually got to know her because she used relational psychoanalysis, a psychoanalytic approach that emphasizes the importance of the relationship between the therapist and patient in the therapeutic process. Peters brings readers into the room with her, detailing the subtle shifts, long silences, and emotionally charged breakthroughs that define the therapeutic process.

Highlights:
Chapter 7 – Schizoid
– Peters admits to Lane that from ages 14 to 19, she had lived an alternate existence because when she was 14, she started hearing voices. These voices guided her every action.
Chapter 4 – Lane Explains Me to Me – Focuses on her family background, memories of her as a two year old seeing her mother preparing the morphine syringes for her dad who was dying of cancer. This explained her nightmares about syringes and being given injections with poisons. Two months after talking about this, her needle nightmares ended. That’s when Joan discovered the complicated issue of subconsciousness and how it affects our lives.

At its core, honesty is what makes this memoir so powerful. Peters doesn’t offer easy answers or dramatic resolutions—instead, she shows how transformation unfolds slowly, often painfully, through the act of being deeply seen and heard. It reveals how analysts’ methodology differ and how patients respond differently with age and life experience. Her writing is vivid and lyrical, making even the most abstract aspects of psychoanalysis feel grounded and human. “Sitting back in her chair, patient as a fisherman in a placid lake, she listened, questioned, interjected while I mostly avoided the story, as if its invisible tentacles might entangle (or strangle) me.”

Overall, “Untangling” is a courageous and necessary contribution to the literature on mental health. It demystifies a process often veiled in secrecy and offers an authentic voice to the patient experience. For readers curious about psychoanalysis—or the complexities of healing—this memoir is both enlightening and deeply moving.

“My question back in Vermont had loosened a scab; now the wound bled, unstoppable. She had offered me silence, and I had refused her gift. Now, at times, I felt I might drown in her words.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book and received a copy. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Related post: Inside the Analyst’s Chair: Joan Peters’ Raw and Riveting Journey in ‘Untangling’

Healing Through Sound: Dr. Stephen Porges’ Revolutionary Safe and Sound Protocol

‘Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing’ is the transformative new book by Dr. Stephen Porges. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Mental health awareness is crucial in today’s fast-paced world, where stress, anxiety, and depression are increasingly common. Recognizing the importance of mental well-being helps reduce stigma and encourages people to seek help. Various therapy methods are available, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns; dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), used for emotional regulation; and art therapy, which provides creative outlets for expression. Mindfulness-based therapies and medication management also play vital roles. Addressing mental health is essential now more than ever, as it promotes resilience, healthier relationships, and improved quality of life in an increasingly complex society.

In today’s book news, “Safe and Sound” is the new book by Dr. Stephen Porges where he addresses Safe and Sound Protocol as another means of therapy.

Safe and Sound Protocol is a groundbreaking therapy based on the Polyvagal Theory developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. Now, together with researcher Karen Onderko, they have written “Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change and Healing.” (Sounds True, 2025)

In this new book,Porges and Onderko offer a glimpse into this innovative approach, highlighting not only the origin of SSP and its best practices, but also real-life stories of transformation and healing. SSP is backed by neuroscience and this technique aids in stress reduction and mental wellness. It’s gaining traction for its effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions.

Stephen W. Porges, PhD, is author of “The Polyvagal Theory” and creator of the Safe and Sound Protocol. He’s a professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he’s founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium.

Karen Onderko, a cofounder of Polyvagal Institute, helped bring the Safe and Sound Protocol from the research lab to clinicians, who then enabled people to experience the benefits of improved nervous system regulation.

From Polyvagal Theory pioneer Dr. Stephen Porges comes a new resource sharing the origin and best practices of his groundbreaking new protocol, and highlighting real-life stories of transformation and healing.

“Safe and Sound” – We all want to live and share our truth, but when we don’t feel safe, it can be impossible to fully express or even know who we really are. The nervous system impacts daily well-being, to our benefit or detriment. Understanding how may be key to truly knowing yourself and better supporting the challenges holding you back.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a groundbreaking therapy based in Polyvagal Theory, which looks at the role the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve play in regulating health and behavior. SSP involves listening to music that’s been filtered to prioritize frequencies of human speech, providing auditory input that enables the nervous system to reset to its homeostatic state.

Porges and Onderko offer a glimpse into this innovative approach, highlighting not only the origin of SSP and its best practices but also real-life stories of transformation. They showcase clinical evidence demonstrating SSP’s impact on emotional dysregulation, social interaction difficulty, and auditory sensitivity, providing a comprehensive understanding of its therapeutic potential.

Some features and conditions addressed include:

• Depression
• Perfectionism
• Addiction
• Suicidal ideation
• COVID recovery
• Navigating gender identity
• Living with Parkinson’s disease
• Hypermobility
• Autism
• ADHD
• Dyslexia

Whether patient, family member, friend, or clinician, you’ll find a deeper understanding of the nervous system and tools for a more resilient experience. Illustrating the incredible range of application and how autonomic regulation can lead to significant improvements—from stress and anxiety to grief and trauma—”Safe and Sound” demonstrates how SSP can promote a state of safety and calm, facilitating the foundation for long-awaited healing.

Inside the Analyst’s Chair: Joan Peters’ Raw and Riveting Journey in ‘Untangling’

‘Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis’ is the new book by Joan K. Peters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Psychoanalysis, a deep exploration of the unconscious mind, offers a powerful path toward mental health and self-awareness. Rooted in the belief that unspoken thoughts and early experiences shape our behaviors, it invites individuals to uncover, confront, and integrate hidden parts of themselves. In a time when mental health is gaining long-overdue attention, talking openly about therapy and inner struggles is vital. It reduces stigma, encourages others to seek help, and reminds us that healing often begins with honest conversation. Embracing psychoanalysis and mental wellness isn’t just personal—it’s a collective step toward a more compassionate, self-aware society.

The new memoir “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” dares to tell the patient’s side of psychoanalysis. It’s available now wherever books are sold.

Joan K. Peters was born in New York City and got her Ph. D in comparative literature from The University of Chicago. She’s published a novel and two books about women and work and is a professor emeritus of literature and writing at California State University at Channel Islands. She lives in Ojai with her husband, her dogs, and her chickens. In her much-anticipated new book “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis,” she focuses on her experience in psychoanalysis at two different points in her life, comparing two different theoretical and technical analytic views, from the vantage point of her experience as a patient. (CS Lewis Publicity, 2025)

“Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” – With the drama of a novel it tells the story of a turbulent and transformative psychoanalysis in this first ever in-depth patient’s account. Joan K. Peters’ story lays bare the inner workings of this complex treatment, which takes place behind closed doors, is rarely spoken about, and is largely unknown outside of professional circles.

A polished, poetic, and often funny writer, her willingness to expose her own demons brings psychoanalysis to life, from the intense strife to the fierce love that can develop between patient and analyst. Joan’s first analyst, Lane, helped Joan alleviate tormenting and recurring nightmares and to find herself by discovering her family’s secret past. Her second analyst, Kristi, guided her through the frightening depths of that past to a yearned-for freedom.

In another first, Kristi writes an afterword about the challenge of analyzing Peters. Unique in its reach, “Untangling”reveals the mysteries that lurk beneath the surface of our psyches.

Psychoanalysis is full of mysteries — it taps into the subconscious more than any other form of therapy and sets up a unique relationship between analyst and patient. No one really knows exactly how or why it works, just that it does. But one patient, in candidly revealing her own journey, invites readers into that very private patient experience as she grapples with hidden and haunting demons.

Whether due to taboo, fear, shame, or reluctance, very few patients have shared their journey of psychoanalysis with others, let alone written about the experience. Too many people are unaware of the transformative powers that this penetrating, multi-layered therapy has.

In her unique memoir, written in the narrative style of Mary Karr, the author recounts her two analyses — one when she is in her twenties and another in her sixties — that form one continuous story of immense discovery and healing. She dramatizes firsthand accounts of how she and her two very different analysts unlocked the traumas, losses and terrors of her past – enabling her to confront and understand them, and finally feel free to fully enjoy her life. 

Author Joan K. Peters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Psychedelics Reimagined: What ‘Your Extraordinary Mind’ Reveals About 21st Century Healing

‘Your Extraordinary Mind’ is the debut book by Zach Leary, a longtime psychedelic advocate and cultural figure. Photo: Sounds True

Psychedelics have gained increasing appeal for therapeutic use due to their potential to catalyze profound psychological healing. Substances like psilocybin and MDMA are being studied for their ability to treat depression, PTSD, and anxiety by promoting emotional breakthroughs and deep introspection. Unlike traditional medications that often suppress symptoms, psychedelics help users confront and process difficult experiences with enhanced clarity and compassion, especially when guided by trained therapists. The allure lies in their promise of transformation—unlocking new perspectives, relieving long-held emotional burdens, and fostering a sense of connection, meaning, and renewal that many find missing in conventional mental health treatments.

Zach Leary has been at the center of the psychedelic movement for more than 30 years, with a front-row seat for the modern renaissance while having firsthand knowledge of the historical legacy. As a session facilitator, integration coach, and seeker of all things mystical, Zach also teaches psychedelic studies. Zach formerly hosted the MAPS Podcast with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies and is a facilitator at Illuminating Heroes, serving veterans and first responders. His debut book “Your Extraordinary Mind: Psychedelics in the 21st Century and How to Use Them” is a dynamic deep dive into the revolutionary, mystical, and sometimes unpredictable world of psychedelics. It will be released on April 29 and is available now for pre-order. (Sounds True, 2025)

“Your Extraordinary Mind: Psychedelics in the 21st Century and How to Use Them” – More than 30 million people in the United States have used psychedelics―and the number is rapidly rising as practices like psychedelic-assisted therapy grow in popularity and an increasing number of places legalize or decriminalize these substances. But even as interest skyrockets, most people have little idea how to use psychedelics safely, let alone integrate these profound experiences into their everyday lives. Psychedelic researcher and advocate Zach Leary offers a necessary overview of psychedelics today―particularly LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and ayahuasca―including what they are, how to use them safely, and crucially, how to integrate mind- and spirit-altering experiences into the rest of our lives.

Leary, the son of psychedelic pioneer Timothy Leary, has a unique perspective on not only where psychedelics have been but also where they’re going. He offers context on both the cultural history and present interest, while acknowledging and honoring the Indigenous roots of many of these traditions.

The book discusses:

• Instructions for intention, use, and integration
• How psychedelics can support trauma healing
• An overview of the current legal landscape and future questions
• How psychedelics can support addiction recovery
• How to work with psychedelics for spiritual growth

 “Some say the psychedelic experience is too vast and unconventional to be reduced into language that can affect its daily relationship with consciousness. I subscribe to the idea that the psychedelic experience can be weaved into one’s heart, soul, healing, and thus, daily living practice. I believe we can distill the mind-blowing, previously indescribable psychedelic experience into a focused spiritual method that can help people in their daily lives.” – Zach Leary

Part autobiography, part how-to guide, and part commentary on the recent rise in popularity of psychedelics, Your Extraordinary Mind” has a unique perspective on not only where psychedelics have been but also where they’re going. In addition to instructions for intention, use, and integration, Leary addresses topics like healing trauma, psychological and spiritual experiences, questions of legalization, and how psychedelics relate to and can help people heal from addiction. It offers wisdom that is both practical and profound.

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Radiant Skin Starts Here: Don’t Miss Vitamin C Week at Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa

Get ready for summer skin at Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa with Vitamin C Week. Photo: Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa, used with permission.

Your skin is your body’s first line of defense against the sun and environmental pollutants, making protection essential for long-term health. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause premature aging, sunburn, and increase the risk of skin cancer. Environmental factors like pollution and harsh weather conditions can accelerate skin damage, leading to dryness, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and maintaining a skincare routine with antioxidants can help shield your skin from harm. Hydration and a healthy diet also support skin resilience. Prioritizing skin protection today ensures healthier, more youthful skin in the future.

As sunny days are finally approaching, Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa is celebrating with Vitamin C Week, running April 1st to 7th. Protecting against sun and environmental damage is always important, especially as the UV increases with the Texas heat. (Hiatus Day Spa • Med Spa, 2025)

Vitamin C helps protect, brighten, and rejuvenate while boosting collagen and defending against environmental damage. Guests can enjoy Vitamin C week with 15% off best-selling SkinCeuticals antioxidant products, including C E Ferulic, Phloretin CF & Gel, Silymarin CF, AOX+ Eye Gel, and Resveratrol B E. Additionally, purchase three full-sized bottles and receive a large travel-size (15ML) PTIOX serum as a complimentary gift (while supplies last).

Appointments with skin care specialists who can help select the right Vitamin C serum for each skin type can be booked here.

The Spiritual Path to Personal Growth: ‘Transforming the Legacy’ by Cyndi Dale

‘Transforming the Legacy’ by Cyndi Dale. Photo: Amazon

Books on New Age and spiritual healing offer readers a path to self-discovery, emotional well-being, and inner peace. By exploring themes like energy healing, meditation, mindfulness, and the power of positive thinking, they offer tools to help individuals navigate life’s challenges. Their appeal lies in their promise of personal transformation, empowerment, and deeper connection to the universe. In a world of increasing stress and uncertainty, these books provide a sense of comfort and hope, inviting readers to explore alternative ways of thinking and being. They encourage growth, balance, and healing, appealing to those seeking spiritual and emotional fulfillment.

“Transforming the Legacy: The Subtle Body Approach to Honor and Heal Your Inherited Lineage” by Cyndi Dale presents a unique and powerful subtle body approach to heal issues caused by ancestral lineage and inherited patterns. It will be released on February 11 and is available for pre-order. (Sounds True, 2024)

Cyndi Dale is an internationally renowned author, speaker, and intuitive healer. She offers private sessions and workshops through her company, which she has led worldwide. She has written several groundbreaking books on the chakras and subtle energy anatomy, including The Subtle Body series, “Energy Healing for Stress, Trauma & Chronic Illness,” and “Advanced Chakra Healing.” Her work has been published in twenty languages.

“Transforming the Legacy” – Many people feel stuck in the past from time to time, but what if your past is impacting your present in significant ways? In reality, the past has created your present. Your inherited traits—those acquired through biological means and your soul—determine much of who you are. Some of those patterns and programs might be supportive of your true self. But others? Not so much! The good news is that you can change your inheritance through an easy-to-access mechanism: the subtle body.

Cyndi Dale presents a unique and powerful approach for transforming soul-based and lineage-ancestry issues through the main structures of energetic anatomy—your chakras, meridians/nadis, and auric fields. Using accessible practices, you’ll learn to address your genealogical and soul history through these structures, shifting from stuck-ness to the freedom of “becoming your own best ancestor”—the self who can sort through history and establish future pathways of love and good health.

Here you’ll explore:

• How your personal and ancestral legacy can impede or help you
• Reasons the cacophony of inherited traits and attitudes makes it difficult to be your true self in everyday life
• Science and psychological research showing that you can assess and even change your inheritance
• Various roles the subtle body’s structures play in working through legacy issues
• Ways you can immediately empower yourself to alter complicated inheritances
• Tools for meeting—and even conversing with—your own ancestors
• Journeys into your own past, concurrent, and possible future lives

Sometimes, to move forward, we must first move back. Discover the underlying energy that’s inherent in you. Get grounded in your lineage, connect to your experiences across time, and access and heal your history. It’s time to alter what has been in order to stand entirely in the present, reconnect with your true self, and create your best path forward.

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Savor the Flavor: Twang’s Perfect Dry January Cocktail Recipe

Enjoy Dry January with Twang’s Miche-Nada Recipe. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Dry January has gained popularity as a way for individuals to reduce their alcohol consumption, often for health reasons. By committing to a month of sobriety, participants can experience immediate benefits, such as improved sleep, increased energy, and better hydration. It provides an opportunity to reset habits, assess personal drinking patterns, and evaluate how alcohol affects overall well-being. Many people find the challenge empowering, with the support of a growing community engaging in the same commitment. Dry January also offers a break from the pressures of social drinking, promoting mindfulness and a healthier approach to alcohol consumption in the long term.

With the Dry January movement gaining popularity on social media, I want to share a refreshing, non-alcoholic recipe from Twang, a sensational Tex-Mex-inspired, family-driven company infamous for its bold blends of flavored salts, sugars, and spices since 1986. (Twang, 2025)

To celebrate Dry January, Twang offers a twist on the classic Michelada —the Miche-Nada. Made with Twang’s Reserve Michelada Mix in flavors like classic, spicy, or pickle; this drink packs a punch with all-natural ingredients, including real lime juice, ancho chiles, and organic Worcestershire sauce. For the ultimate experience, top it off with Twang’s zesty Drink Rimmers in varieties like chile lime, grapefruit, dill pickle, and more.

The 16oz Michelada Mix is just $7, conveniently packaged for easy shipping, while Drink Rimmers are $5 for 4oz of unbeatable flavor. Twang is available in-store in all 50 states and ships nationwide, ensuring every abstemious friend or family member can easily enjoy.

Twang Miche-Nada

Ingredients:
• Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix (classic, spicy, or pickle flavors)
• Twang Rimming Salt (chile lime, grapefruit, dill pickle & more flavors)
• Ice
• Sparkling water
• Lime wedge

Directions:

  1. Rim your glass with your choice of Twang’s Rimming Salt
  2. Add some ice to your glass
  3. Add your choice of Twang Reserve Michelada Mix
  4. Add sparkling water
  5. Garnish with a lime wedge

‘The Serviceberry Way’: Lessons in Self-Discovery and Connection

Learn how the serviceberry can guide you towards growth and gratitude in the new book by Kim Lewitt. Photo: Amazon.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) is a small deciduous tree or shrub known for its sweet, edible berries. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K, it supports immune health and skin repair. The berries have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, serviceberries are a good source of dietary fiber, aiding digestion and promoting gut health. Native to North America, serviceberry also provides various ecological benefits, attracting pollinators like bees and birds. Its leaves, bark, and roots have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes by indigenous peoples.

“The Serviceberry Way: Gratitude, Growth, and DIY Practices for Everyday Living” is the new book by Kim Lewitt where she writes all about its uses for health and better living.

It is a comprehensive and enlightening guide to the often-overlooked serviceberry plant. Through this book, Lewitt introduces readers to the rich history, versatility, and numerous benefits of the serviceberry, making a compelling case for its place in gardens and landscapes.

It is divided into sections that explore the plant’s history, from its use by Indigenous peoples for food and medicine, to its growing popularity in modern gardening. Lewitt provides an in-depth look at how to cultivate serviceberries, offering practical advice on planting, caring for, and harvesting this hardy shrub. The author emphasizes the plant’s adaptability to various climates and its ability to thrive in a wide range of conditions, making it a sustainable choice for gardeners.

There are two major parts:

Part One: Lessons from Nature
Includes sections such as The Hidden Life of Plants, The Wisdom of Animals, and The Indigenous Perspective: Connection and Community.

Part Two: DIY Practices
Includes sections such as Preparing Your Garden for Serviceberries, Pest and Disease Management, and Cooking with Serviceberries: Recipes and Ideas.

Highlights include:

Part One: Lessons from Nature
Lessons from the Serviceberry: Adaptability and Resilience – it explains the characteristics of the serviceberry and the lessons it teaches us, like Thriving in Diverse Environments and Rapid Recovery and Renewal.

Part Two: DIY Practices
Crafting with Serviceberries and Other Uses – it shares uses for serviceberries beyond the usual jams and pies, such as making natural dyes and other craft ideas.

A big plus for me is the celebration of the many uses of the plant. Lewitt covers everything from incorporating the berries into delicious jams and pies to using the tree’s wood for crafting. The book serves as both a practical gardening resource and a celebration of the serviceberry’s cultural significance.

Overall, for plant enthusiasts, gardeners, and anyone interested in sustainable living, “The Serviceberry Way” is an invaluable resource that highlights the enduring charm and utility of this underrated plant.

“Adaptability is about finding ways to thrive in less-than-ideal circumstances. Just as the serviceberry makes the most of the resources it has, we can learn to be flexible, assess our surroundings, and use what’s available to us creatively and efficiently.”

*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 5 out of 5.