A Little Sun, A Little Stillness
The feel of summer, the comfort of home, and something sweet to sip
Somehow too much, somehow not enough.
Still in Brazil. It’s that funny part of vacation where it starts to feel long—you miss your routines, your space—but at the same time, it’s not nearly enough time to do all the things. There are still people we haven’t seen, places we wanted to go, things we thought we’d have time for.
It’s a strange rhythm, trying to stretch time and slow it down all at once. Some days feel full and fast, others slow and grounding.
Through it all, one thing keeps catching my eye with quiet awe: the fruit. So fresh, so vibrant, so easy to love for the smells and variety.
I saved one of my favorites for today’s edition.
Mango
Juicy, bright, and just the right amount of messy. Mango is one of those fruits that reminds me of summer. And that’s not just a vibe thing, mango season really does peak in the warmer months, especially from May through August if you're in the Northern hemisphere. Growing up in Brazil, December and January were a mango paradise.
Mangoes come in over 500 varieties worldwide (yep, 500!). I personally only know about 5, but in the U.S., the most common type you’ll spot at grocery stores is Tommy Atkins, fibrous, sweet, firm, and typically shipped in from Mexico.
Globally, though, India leads the way in mango production, by a long shot. They grow more than half the world’s mangoes! And you can taste that pride in so many of their regional recipes (which we’ll get to later).
What mangoes bring to the table
Mangoes are full of natural goodness, offering a nice mix of nutrients that can support our overall health in small, everyday ways:
Vitamin C to help with immunity, skin health, and iron absorption
Vitamin A for your eyes and skin
Antioxidants like mangiferin, which may have anti-inflammatory effects
Digestive support from enzymes and fiber
A moderate glycemic load—still sweet, but manageable when eaten mindfully
In smoothies, it’s great for adding texture and sweetness, but you have to like the taste, because it tends to overpower most other ingredients. Which is perfect when you’re using dark green leaves like spinach or collard greens.
Just be careful not to add other sweet fruits like ripe bananas, so you don’t end up with a high-sugar drink.
This is my take on the classic Indian Mango Lassi. Apologies in advance if I’m straying too far from the real one, but years ago, my daughter had a travel-themed kids’ book that featured a super simple version of it, and that’s where this all started. Over time, I’ve tweaked it here and there, and this is now my favorite way to make it.
🥭 Mango Lassi (Easy & Breezy style)
Ingredients
1 cup frozen mango chunks
½ cup plain yogurt
½ cup almond milk (or any milk you like)
1 Tbsp flaxseed meal (optional, for added fiber and omega-3s)
½ tsp ground cardamom
pinch of cinnamon
½ tsp agave (optional)
Instructions
Add all ingredients to your blender cup, starting with the liquid first to help it blend smoothly.
Blend until creamy and thick. With a NutriBullet, 30–60 seconds usually does the trick.
If it’s too thick for your taste, add a splash more milk and give it a quick pulse.
Pour into a glass and enjoy right away.
You can skip the flaxseed if you’re just here for the vibe. I like adding something with good fat or extra fiber, hoping to control the sugar spike. 😉
Stay In
Last week, we talked about traveling more, getting out to see new places, trying new foods, and hearing different accents. But this week? We’re flipping that.
The invitation now is to stay in. Not out of laziness or guilt, but out of choice. Let yourself enjoy the comfort of your home, your routine, or even just your favorite chair. If it’s too hot outside (hello, Arizona summer) or too cold where you are (hi from Brazil 👋), that’s reason enough.
Even when we’re somewhere new (visiting family or taking a vacation), it’s easy to feel like we should be doing everything. But sometimes the best moments come from pressing pause.
Yesterday, we stayed in. No plans, no outings. Just company, quiet, and comfort. It felt so good.
So this week’s recommendation is simple: enjoy staying in. Let stillness be enough. Let home be the destination.
That’s all for today. Thanks for being here! Share with a friend if you think they would enjoy it too.
Until next time,
