yuletide greetings! goodies to enjoy while you rest

We’ve been through the solstice and — hallelujah! — the days are growing longer.
 
I’m wishing you a wonderful Yuletide, which is a period of time between 21 Dec – 1 Jan, originally a pagan tradition in celebration of the wild hunt, that was later Christianised.

I like Yule because it begins with solstice and ends when the first day of the new year – a reflective time and a time of rest.
 

I hope you get some rest between now and the new year.


I hope you have managed to use the garbage situation of 2020, or as my friend Teddy calls it ‘The Great Cancel’, to your advantage and have slithered out of any holiday traditions you don’t actually enjoy. A possible silver lining? 

In the spirit of spreading joy and encouraging rest, below is your annual virtual stocking stuffed with Christmassy and secular goodies handpicked BY MEI hope you enjoy!

✨ Your Virtual Stocking 2020 ✨

Please enjoy these Christmas-free & Christmassy treats handpicked by yours truly!

If you crave documentaries, these 3 make me weak in the knees:

  • Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story - a sweet and illuminating piece of an incredible couple who had a huge influence on so many of the most iconic films.

  • Dick Johnson is Dead - doc filmmaker Kirsten Johnson grapples with her father's dementia by making a film with him about his imminent death and memory loss. So warm, funny and moving.

  • Honeyland - filmed in Macedonia and featuring a beekeeper working in a traditional mode whose life is thrown into chaos when new neighbours unexpectedly arrive.

I have 1 movie for you:

  • If you like me, devoured 'The Crown' and now wanna see a completely other side of the Thatcher Era, watch this stunning film, Brassed Off, that tells the story of a miner's band in the north of England. Gorgeous music and an amazing depiction of that time in history from the miner's POV.


Podcasts - I listen ALL THE TIME

  • Big fan of the comedy advice podcast, Ask Ronna. Great advice and VERY funny.

  • So late to the Jon Ronson party. But! If you have not listened to his podcasts Last Days of August & So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed get ready for some incredible, sensitive, eye-opening journalism on the porn industry and people's whose lives were ruined from twitter pile-ons.

  • REQUIRED LISTENING for anyone wanting to understand emotional literacy better, shift out of victim mentality and improve their communication in personal and work relationships, Jim Dethmer on Tim Ferriss' podcast & Jim's book. His work has transformed my relationship.

  • Fresh Air Archives are a treasure trove. Go there and type in any name and listen to a terrific interview.

  • If you're into learning about boosting immunity, improving sleep, getting toxins out of your home Today is the Day is a fantastic podcast to learn more from a culinary nutritionist and naturopathic doctor in an accessible way.

  • Curious about how a series of young freelance writers were drawn into a cocaine smuggling scheme by Vice Magazine editor?? Cool Mules unravels this tricky and fascinating tale.

  • If you're also into Esther Perel's podcasts 'How's Work' and 'Where Should We Begin', check out the convos Esther had with her producer via Instagram, in which they debrief on Where Should We Begin and Esther speaks in more depth about what exactly she was trying to do with the couple in therapy.

  • If you’re open to the idea of manifesting and looking for an audio book to help reset your relationship with money, I discovered Merrilyn Jenett’s Feel Free to Prosper and saw big changes in my life.

  • If you wanna dig into creative process in a really practical way, I highly rec Tim Ferriss' conversations with Jerry Seinfeld & Liz Gilbert. In both instances you'll get practical tips on how to get down to and finish your work.

If you missed any of the following hit TV series get binging immediately:

  • Normal People - based on Sally Rooney's gorgeous book, this series is ridiculously good. So sensitive, nuanced with incredible performances -- a case study in how lack of communication can destroy our love lives. I sobbed and sobbed and loved it so.

  • Feel Good - comedian Mae Martin's series that explores sobriety, comedy and queerness with deftness and piecing humour. And my friend Jack's in it along with Lisa Kudrow!

  • I May Destroy You - Michaela Coel's arresting series based on her own sexual assault is expansive and propulsive and just so unlike anything else you've seen. And listen to Michaela talk to Louis Theroux about it.

  • Pen15 (Season 2) - I am obsessed with this show set in Y2K starring two women in their 30s playing themselves at 13, surrounded by other actors who are actually 13. A metaphor about how even though we grow up, we forever feel like the awkward kid on the cusp of puberty. I laugh out loud every time.

  • Ted Lasso - An American in the UK story about football. Uber funny and heart warming. A great lesson in how to not take everything so damn personally.


Now some Christmassy delights!

  • I just booked my FREE tickets to stream this experimental opera company, Against The Grain's Messiah/Complex an adaption of Handel's piece sung in 6 languages and shot across Canada.

  • My traditions include watching Home Alone 1 & 2. And listening to This is That's hilarious Christmas Letter.

  • I make these sophisticated cookies every year. Candied ginger, dark chocolate -- chef's kiss! 💋

  • I've really dialled back on the booze in the last several years, but oh I look forward to this mulled wine. So easy to make and it smells terrific.

  • Sober or vegan Christmas? Enjoy my friend Marla's delicious Vegan Egg Nog: 2 cups dairy-free milk, one ripe banana, dash of cardamom, dash of cinnamon (optional maple syrup to sweeten more, but I prefer it without). Blend ingredients and serve on ice topped with grated nutmeg in a fancy glass!