I'm Drained+Health+Giveaway
Hi friend!
I hope the start of the year has been good to you. There’s so much going on in our world & I find it hard to look at positivity without shutting socials off but I also don’t want to miss anything. I recently read an author’s Substack about the power of taking a social media break and I keep going back and forth on this. I have a lot on my plate and social media is a lot. Maybe that’s a story for another day. Today I’ll touch on things that help me with *trying* to be healthy, a funny 2024 wrap up, life in Puerto Rico, and a giveaway with a 2025 release!
Health Tips:
My favorite protein: Wellious. I’ve tried so many protein powders and my stomach can’t take the ones with chemicals (esp with IBS) that can ruin your gut health. Wellious (not sponsored—just love their protein) only has 4 real food ingredients and is a small business.
If you find it hard to exercise or don’t have the motivation, try a walking video (example here).
I’ve posted about the Yuka app before but it’s a game changer to scan food & beauty products to see what chemicals are in the things you use. It’s free and you’ll be surprised how many chemicals are disrupters in your everyday life
NEW APP (I haven’t tried but heard good reviews) Sizzle (only available on IOS right now). It’s an on the go cookbook and shopping cart. You scroll across a video you like, save the recipe or check out by linking all the ingredients onto a cart, & check out with Instacart (or other grocery providers).
Accountability! This year my best friend and I are sending each other photos/ updates of things that help our health. We alternate every other day but it helps me be accountable since I have to verbally express my healthy (and not so healthy) decisions in a safe space.
❓What are some health apps that you love? (Leave me a comment below).
2024 Wrap Up
I kept seeing these cool videos of everyone’s accomplishments for 2024. I thought about making one but couldn’t think of stuff to say (Although, I did raise a baby through his first year which is my biggest accomplishment) so instead I made a funny video, enjoy (hit play):
AVENTURAS EN ESL is a reader-supported publication for all. If you’d like to support me, please forward it to a friend, buy me a coffee, or shop my book lists below. Your support is so greatly appreciated!
Hi from Puerto Rico
It’s been my first month here and I love it. I recently got my new license so I feel official-official. I’m still unpacking and organizing and trying to decorate the house (I find it hard to focus if my home is disorganized). What I did finish is the baby’s room. I never got to decorate a nursery since we all lived in one room in LA but here I added a little bookshelf, reading sofa, feelings poster, car wallpaper, chalkboard on his door, and soft mats to crawl. As you can tell, he’s enjoying his new room.
Author Interview + Giveaway!
Welcome Jolene Gutiérrez! Let’s jump in with all things books & a fun giveaway!
Jolene Gutiérrez is an award-winning teacher-librarian who recently published her latest book with her son, Dakota. Mamiachi & Me: My Mami’s Mariachi Band touches on Mexican traditions and love through generations and offers a unique perspective in a male dominated band. Check out our interview below:
Follow the author at @writerjolene & request her titles from your local library! Mamiachi & Me is available in English and Spanish, shop here(Bookshop) and here for Amazon.
⭐️G I V E A W A Y⭐️
Special giveaway for newsletter subscribers! Jolene is giving away a copy of her book!
How to enter:
Stay subscribed to my newsletter & fill out this giveaway form ️
Giveaway closes on Feb 21, 2025. Winner will be announced on on the next newsletter, you have time to enter!
*Winner of the Dec newsletter is Andrea librarymusthaves for Steena’s book and Romy Natalia for Alyssa’s book. Congrats!
❓Closing questions (let me know in the comments or respond to this email) :
What is your word for 2025
Are you also feeling overwhelmed with social media?
How are you feeling about the state of the U.S. /world?
Do you have a must have 2025 release on your TBR?
Looking for diverse books? Check out my AMAZON or BOOKSHOP store front. Using my affiliate links helps support my work at no extra cost to you. Looking for a specific book? Send me a message for the book link.
💛All social media and newsletter content is FREE but if you’d like to help out, I could also use book reviews for my books on Amazon (linked) or Goodreads (porfis)
Did you know I do educator guides & other work? Check out more of my work (here).
Until next time!
P.S. Excuse the typos, I promise there’s a human behind the screen and not a 🤖.
-Delia Ruiz @Aventuras.En.ESL