Podcasts > Pursuit of Wellness > Optimize Your Morning Routine + Taking Mushrooms & Vacation Adventures

Optimize Your Morning Routine + Taking Mushrooms & Vacation Adventures

By Mari Llewellyn

On the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, Mari shares updates about her surprise vacation adventures, including a heartwarming encounter with a wild dolphin named Dreamer. She also recounts a humorous mishap involving edible mushrooms.

The episode then offers insights into Mari's detailed morning routine, highlighting her tips for quality sleep, hydration, exercise, mindful practices like light therapy, and nutrient-dense meals. Mari also recommends several of her favorite wellness products, including clean skincare lines, protein-packed snacks, and eco-friendly cleaning essentials.

Optimize Your Morning Routine + Taking Mushrooms & Vacation Adventures

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Optimize Your Morning Routine + Taking Mushrooms & Vacation Adventures

1-Page Summary

Mari's Personal Updates

Mari shares about her surprise vacation to Turks and Caicos for her husband Greg's birthday and facing her fears while conducting solo podcast interviews in Nashville beforehand. She recounts an extraordinary encounter with a friendly wild dolphin named Dreamer during the relaxing getaway. Mari also describes a mishap where her house manager accidentally consumed edible mushroom chocolates in their absence, highlighting the need for clear labeling.

Mari's Detailed Morning Routine

Mari's productive mornings start the night before with an evening routine to prepare for quality sleep. In the morning, she hydrates, takes medication, walks her dog Arnold, and exercises. Mari enjoys a nutrient-rich breakfast and supplements tailored to her needs. She incorporates mindfulness practices like light therapy and positive podcast listening before her skincare routine to start her day feeling positive and focused.

Mari's Product Recommendations

  • Mari praises ClearStem Skincare for their clean, anti-aging, and anti-acne formulas, highlighting the Gentle Cleanser, sunscreen, serum, and body lotion she uses daily.
  • She endorses Chomps high-protein snacks made from natural ingredients and sustainable farming practices.
  • Mari recommends Branch Basics' non-toxic, refillable cleaning products as eco-friendly, cost-effective home essentials.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Turks and Caicos is a British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic Ocean known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant coral reefs, making it a popular destination for luxury vacations and water activities like snorkeling and diving. The islands offer a serene and upscale atmosphere, attracting visitors seeking relaxation and exclusivity in a tropical setting. With its pristine natural beauty and upscale resorts, Turks and Caicos is often chosen by travelers looking for a luxurious and tranquil escape from everyday life.
  • Mari faced fears while conducting solo podcast interviews in Nashville, which could imply concerns about managing the interviews without a co-host or support, handling technical aspects alone, or feeling anxious about the process of engaging with guests without a familiar team present. Conducting solo interviews can be daunting for some due to the responsibility of leading the conversation, maintaining listener engagement, and ensuring a smooth recording process without the usual backup or assistance. This experience may have pushed Mari out of her comfort zone, requiring her to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of solo podcasting in a new environment like Nashville.
  • ClearStem Skincare offers clean, anti-aging, and anti-acne formulas. Their products, like the Gentle Cleanser, sunscreen, serum, and body lotion, are designed to be gentle yet effective for daily use. The brand focuses on using high-quality ingredients to promote healthy skin without harsh chemicals. ClearStem's products aim to address various skin concerns while maintaining a focus on skin health and overall well-being.
  • Chomps high-protein snacks are natural snacks made from sustainably sourced ingredients. They are known for their high protein content, making them a popular choice for those looking for a healthy and convenient snack option. Chomps snacks are free from artificial ingredients, gluten, soy, and sugar alcohols, catering to various dietary preferences. The brand focuses on providing a clean and nutritious snacking option for on-the-go individuals.
  • Branch Basics offers non-toxic, refillable cleaning products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. Their products are designed to be safe for both people and the planet, free from harmful chemicals commonly found in traditional cleaning supplies. The refillable aspect reduces waste by allowing customers to reuse the same bottles, promoting a more eco-conscious approach to cleaning. Branch Basics' focus on non-toxic ingredients and refillable packaging aligns with a growing trend towards green living and reducing exposure to potentially harmful substances in everyday products.

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Optimize Your Morning Routine + Taking Mushrooms & Vacation Adventures

Mari's Personal Life Updates and Experiences

Mari shares her recent escapades, including a surprise vacation to Turks and Caicos and a personal challenge she overcame in Nashville while handling podcast interviews. Additionally, she recounts an unexpected situation involving her house manager and edible mushrooms.

Mari's vacation to Turks and Caicos and trip to Nashville for podcast interviews

Vacation Surprise and Nashville Challenge

Mari recently went on a well-deserved vacation to Turks and Caicos the night before and managed to carry her morning routine with her, maintaining a semblance of her daily structure during the relaxing getaway. Before the leisure part of the trip, she surprised her partner Greg with this birthday trip because he had been craving a break. However, the journey started with a professional detour—to Nashville, where she faced her fears of being alone.

Despite feeling anxious about solo traveling and conducting interviews, Mari turned this into an opportunity for personal growth. She managed to eat alone in a restaurant for the first time, adhered to her workout routine, and stayed calm throughout her business obligations, interviewing a nutritionist, a sleep specialist, and social media influencer Daisy Keach. Adopting a business mindset, she focused on her professional responsibilities and accomplished the interviews successfully.

Unforgettable Experiences in Turks and Caicos

Following the productive stint in Nashville, Mari continued on to Turks and Caicos for relaxation. Overcoming initial difficulties disconnecting from work, she and Greg finally embraced the vacation spirit, shared many laughs, and made memorable experiences. A highlight for Mari was an extraordinary encounter with Dreamer, a wild dolphin. Known to the locals, Dreamer interacted with Mari, playfully rubbed against her flippers, and showcased friendly behavior. Mari respected the dolphin's space and humorously notes that ...

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Mari's Personal Life Updates and Experiences

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Mari faced her fear of solo traveling and conducting interviews in Nashville by challenging herself to handle professional responsibilities independently, including interviewing various professionals for her podcast. This experience allowed her to grow personally and professionally by stepping out of her comfort zone and successfully managing the tasks at hand.
  • Mari conducted interviews with a nutritionist, a sleep specialist, and Daisy Keach. These interviews were part of her professional responsibilities during her trip to Nashville. Daisy Keach is known as a social media influencer.
  • Mari had a memorable encounter with a wild dolphin named Dreamer in Turks and Caicos. Dreamer interacted playfully with Mari, showcasing friendly behavior during their interaction. This unexpected experience left a lasting impression on Mari during her vacation.
  • Nicole, the house manager, accidentally consumed mushroom chocolates, which contained hallucinogenic properties. She ingested three squares of these chocolates, leading to a situation where she had to induce vomiting to prevent any potential psychedelic effects. This incident highlighted the importance of clear labeling and communication regarding edible products to avo ...

Counterarguments

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Optimize Your Morning Routine + Taking Mushrooms & Vacation Adventures

Mari's Detailed Morning Routine

Mari's productive mornings are the result of a structured evening routine, sleep habits, and a set of morning rituals that nurture her body and mind.

Evening routine and sleep habits set the stage for a productive morning

Mari's successful mornings begin the night before. She ends her workday at 5:00 pm, allowing ample time to wind down. She ensures that her body has time to digest by eating dinner by 6:00 pm. After dinner, her skincare routine and the use of blue light glasses by 8:30 pm help her prepare for sleep.

Mari's bedroom environment is optimized for quality sleep with temperature control, lighting, and relaxing content

In her bedroom, red bulbs in the lamps provide soothing lighting, and Mari avoids stressful television content, opting for genres like food, travel, or home-related shows. The bedroom temperature is kept at 68 degrees or cooler, with a fan and a sleep pad to maintain a comfortable environment. Mari and her husband Greg watch shows like "The Gentleman" before sleeping, and she uses a Hatch sound machine for calming rain noises.

Mari's morning starts with hydration, medication, and getting her dog Arnold started

After waking up, Mari promptly takes her thyroid medication and prepares a lemon-aloe water drink for liver cleansing. She then focuses on her energetic puppy Arnold, taking him out of his crate for a morning walk and fetch, which she finds enjoyable and a refreshing start to the day.

Mari's workout and supplement routine fuel her body and mind

Upon returning from the walk, Mari transitions to her workout, donning the clothes laid out the night before. Later, she enjoys a nourishing breakfast of filet mignon, berries, and potentially bacon, carefully avoiding eggs due to an allergy. After eating, she ...

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Mari's Detailed Morning Routine

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Blue light glasses are specialized eyewear designed to filter out or block blue light emitted from screens like phones, computers, and TVs. They are believed to reduce eye strain, improve sleep quality by limiting exposure to blue light before bedtime, and potentially protect eye health from the effects of prolonged screen time. These glasses have gained popularity as more people spend extended periods in front of digital devices.
  • Red bulbs in lamps are used for lighting in the evening and night to create a calming atmosphere. The warm red light is believed to help promote relaxation and better sleep by minimizing exposure to blue light. This type of lighting is often recommended for bedtime routines to signal the body that it's time to wind down and prepare for rest.
  • A Hatch sound machine is a device designed to create a soothing environment by playing various sounds like white noise, nature sounds, or calming melodies. These machines are commonly used to mask disruptive noises, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality. The specific model mentioned in the text is used by Mari to play calming rain noises in her bedroom to help her unwind and prepare for sleep.
  • Lemon-aloe water is a drink made by combining aloe vera juice or gel with freshly squeezed lemon juice and water. Some people believe that this combination can help with liver cleansing due to the potential detoxifying properties of aloe vera and the vitamin C content in lemon juice. However, scientific evidence supporting the specific claim of liver cleansing is limited.
  • Filet mignon is a high-quality cut of beef that is known for its tenderness and flavor. It is typically associated with being served as a dinner entree rather than a breakfast item. Eating filet mignon for breakfast may be considered unconventional compared to traditional breakfast foods like eggs or cereal. The choice to have filet mignon for breakfast cou ...

Counterarguments

  • While a structured routine can be beneficial, it's important to note that flexibility is also key for many people. Rigid schedules may not accommodate unexpected events or individual differences in energy levels and productivity patterns.
  • Ending the workday at 5:00 pm might not be feasible for everyone, especially those with different work schedules or commitments.
  • Eating dinner by 6:00 pm assumes a traditional work schedule and may not suit those who work late or have social or family commitments in the evening.
  • The use of blue light glasses is based on the premise that blue light affects sleep quality, but some research suggests that the impact of blue light on sleep may be overstated.
  • The bedroom environment described is very specific and may not be ideal or practical for everyone. For instance, some people may find red bulbs unsettling or prefer different types of background noise.
  • Watching shows before bed, even if they are soothing, can be stimulating for some people and may interfere with their ability to fall asleep.
  • The morning routine described is quite time-consuming and may not be realistic for individuals with time constraints, such as parents with young children or people with long commutes.
  • The specific health practices mentioned, like taking thyroid medication, drinking lemon-aloe water, and taking various supplements, should be personalized based on individual health needs and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
  • The breakfast described is quite specific and may not meet the nutritional needs or preferences of ev ...

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Optimize Your Morning Routine + Taking Mushrooms & Vacation Adventures

Mari's Product Recommendations and Endorsements

Mari shares her personal experiences with various brands that cater to her lifestyle, prioritizing clean ingredients, sustainability, and health.

Mari discusses her favorite clean skincare brand, ClearStem

ClearStem Skincare has won over Mari with their unique combination of anti-aging, anti-acne, and clean formulations. She praises the brand for understanding the complexities of acne, as the founders, Danielle and Kaylee, have personal experience dealing with the condition.

ClearStem combines anti-aging, anti-acne, and clean formulations to address Mari's unique skin needs

Mari notes that ClearStem is the first skincare line that resonates with her particular concerns, as it's designed to be free of hormone disruptors and pore-clogging ingredients. She trusts the brand for addressing her need to manage acne-prone and sensitive skin while also focusing on anti-aging.

Mari highlights several of her favorite ClearStem products that she uses daily

She has incorporated several ClearStem products into her daily regimen, including the Gentle Cleanser and the "You Are Sunshine" sunscreen, which she used every day on her trip to Turks and Caicos. She's also a fan of the Cell Renew serum and body lotion, which don't cause breakouts. Mari is eager to try their newly launched hair care products that maintain the brand’s standards of being free from pore-clogging components.

Additionally, she appreciates the brand’s innovative approach to tackling acne, such as offering lab tests that provide insights into the root causes of acne through analysis and tailored lifestyle recommendations.

Mari promotes the protein-rich snack brand Chomps

Chomps has become a go-to snack choice for Mari due to its high protein content and dedication to using natural and high-quality ingredients.

Chomps provides a convenient, nutritious on-the-go option with up to 12g of protein per serving

She describes Chomps snacks as perfect for her active lifestyle, giving her up to 12 grams of protein per serving without any sugar—a keto-friendly and allergy-friendly option with no unhealthy additives or fillers.

Chomps uses only natural, high-quality ingredients and sustainable farming practices

Mari is also conscious about the sourcing of her food and appreciates that Chomps collaborates with farmers who embrace humane and responsible farming practices to produce ingredients for their snacks.

Mari endorses the multi-purpose cleaning products from Branch Basics

In her quest for home products that align with her skincare nee ...

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Mari's Product Recommendations and Endorsements

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • ClearStem Skincare products are known for their unique combination of anti-aging and anti-acne properties. They are formulated to be free of hormone disruptors and pore-clogging ingredients, making them suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin. The brand offers products like Gentle Cleanser, "You Are Sunshine" sunscreen, Cell Renew serum, and body lotion, all designed to address specific skin concerns. ClearStem also provides innovative solutions for acne, including lab tests for personalized insights and tailored lifestyle recommendations.
  • Chomps snacks stand out for their high protein content, offering up to 12 grams per serving. They are described as keto-friendly and allergy-friendly, with no unhealthy additives or fillers. Chomps uses natural, high-quality ingredients sourced from farmers who prioritize sustainable and responsible farming practices.
  • Branch Basics offers non-t ...

Counterarguments

  • While ClearStem may offer clean formulations, the term "clean" is not regulated and can be subjective; what is considered clean by one standard may not be by another.
  • The effectiveness of skincare products is highly individual, and what works for Mari may not work for others due to different skin types and conditions.
  • Personal experiences of founders with acne do not necessarily translate to expertise in skincare formulation or effectiveness for all users.
  • The claim that products are free of hormone disruptors may need scientific backing, as the research on many ingredients is still inconclusive or ongoing.
  • Lab tests offered by skincare companies may not be as comprehensive or diagnostic as those conducted by medical professionals.
  • Chomps' high protein content is beneficial, but some consumers may require or prefer a different nutritional profile in their snacks, such as higher fiber or different types of protein.
  • The term "keto-friendly" can be misleading as it implies a health benefit, whereas the ketogenic diet may not be suitable or sustainable for everyone.
  • Sustainable farming practices are important, but the term can be vague, and the actual practices and their environmental impact can vary widely.
  • Non-toxic is a term that can be misleading, as all chemicals can be toxic at certain levels; more specific information about the ingredients and their safety profiles would be more informative.
  • Hypoallergenic products can still cause reac ...

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