With warmth and wonder,
Latosha & Matthew
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Finding Flavor and Community in Central Texas: My Day at Coleman Olive Oil Co. San Angelo
A simple library trip in San Angelo turned into a sensory adventure at Coleman Olive Oil Co.—a local gem filled with warmth, flavor, and genuine connection. In this reflective blog, I share how mindful curiosity, delicious tastings, and a single welcoming conversation helped weave a new thread of belonging in our military family’s journey.
Rewilding in Small Ways: Finding Nature in Military Life
Military life doesn’t always come with sweeping mountain views or endless beaches—but rewilding is still possible. In this Day 19 mindfulness reflection, I share how small, portable nature rituals—like watching the sunrise, looking up at the night sky, and collecting tiny tokens from each duty station—help me feel grounded, calm, and connected to the wildness around me, no matter where we live.
Small Moments, Big Connections: Mindfulness and Community at Goodfellow AFB’s Santa Market
At Goodfellow AFB’s 43rd Annual Santa Market, mindfulness shows up in the simplest ways—warm cider, shared smiles, handmade crafts, and quiet conversations that remind us we’re not alone. This reflection explores how small moments at a base holiday event can create big connections, resilience, and a deeper sense of belonging in military life.
Turning Snacks Into Sacred Pauses: A Gentle Mindful Eating Ritual for Busy Days
In the chaos of military life, even the smallest mindful moments can bring peace. Discover how turning simple snacks into sacred pauses helps reclaim calm and presence during hectic PCS days and beyond.
Savoring the Moment: How Intentional Meals Bring Joy and Balance to Busy Days
In this post, I share how mindful meal planning and presence have transformed my relationship with food amid the chaos of military family life. From practical strategies like the half-portion pause to the joy of distraction-free meals, discover gentle ways to bring balance and nourishment to your busy days.
Simple Green Onion & Potato Soup: A Military Spouse’s Comfort Food
This simple green onion and potato soup has become a go-to comfort food for me during deployments, PCS chaos, and sick days. It’s easy, flexible, and perfect for using what’s in your kitchen—even if it’s only a half-unpacked one.
Joy in the In-Between: Milo Memories, Buffalo Chicken Dip, and Soft Life Rituals
Discover how small, intentional moments—like revisiting a childhood school, sharing a beloved buffalo chicken dip recipe, and embracing cozy rituals—can anchor joy and gratitude in military life’s in-between seasons. This heartfelt post offers practical insights and gentle encouragement to find joy amid transitions.
How Buffalo Chicken Dip Became a Go-To Recipe for Our Navy & Marine Spouse Gatherings
A heartfelt story of how a simple, ultra-creamy buffalo chicken dip became a beloved staple at military spouse gatherings—from a Marine Corps food swap to a cozy Navy game night. Discover a recipe that’s easy, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for building community and comfort wherever military life takes you.
From Roses to Star Wars: Embracing the Small Joys That Light Our Way
A heartfelt reflection on rediscovering joy through simple moments—from the roses at Milo Academy to shared Star Wars movies—and learning to choose presence and self-care every day.
Discovering the Quiet Stories I Tell Myself: A Mindful Journey Through Limiting Beliefs
A mindful, honest look at the quiet stories we tell ourselves—the limiting beliefs shaped by childhood, military life, and old patterns of not belonging. Discover how journaling, self-awareness, and small mindset shifts help gently rewrite these stories with self-compassion and patience.
Embracing Self-Love on the Journey to Joy
Discover the transformative power of self-love on your journey to joy. In this mindful reflection, Latosha shares personal stories and gentle practices to help you value yourself, embrace small moments of care, and nurture your spirit amidst life’s challenges.
Finding Your Well of Joy: Mindful Moments for Military Spouses and Makers
Discover how to tap into your well of joy through mindful moments, simple rituals, and connection. Join me, a military spouse and creator, as I share my ongoing journey toward embracing joy in everyday life—from peaceful mornings under the Texas sky to cozy family traditions and community ties.
A Taste of Home at Señor Chang’s: Big Flavors in a Bold Space
Discover the hidden comfort and bold flavors of Señor Chang’s—a local gem where generous portions, spicy steak with caramelized pineapple, and mindful family moments turn a simple meal into a story of connection and joy. Join me as I share our journey from community service to comfort food, and why this spot has become a cherished part of our family’s story.
The Joy Journey: Finding and Keeping Your Inner Spark
Joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling—it’s a powerful energy within us all, waiting to be rediscovered. This post explores how to recognize subtle moments of joy, overcome barriers, and cultivate lasting happiness through simple, mindful practices.
Talk to Yourself Like Someone You Love: Mindful Self-Compassion in Real Life
This weekend, I learned firsthand how powerful it can be to talk to yourself like someone you love. From meeting new family through an unexpected DNA connection to savoring mindful moments on the San Antonio Riverwalk, this post explores how gentle self-talk, presence, and compassion can transform both our inner world and our relationships. Join me as I reflect on lessons in self-kindness, offer a practical exercise for reframing the inner critic, and invite you to carry this warmth into your own life.
Choose Your Words Wisely: Turning Obligation Into Choice
The words we use—like “have to,” “should,” and “need to”—quietly shape our days and our sense of agency. In this mindful reflection, Latosha explores how shifting her language from obligation to choice brings more intention, warmth, and joy to daily routines and relationships.
No Name Calling: How to Speak Kindly to Yourself
The words we hear growing up—like “Be careful!” and “Be nice!”—echo in our self-talk for years. In today’s reflection, Latosha explores how to shift from name-calling to gentle, accurate language, building a kinder inner world and stronger leadership.
Your Inner Critic: Learning to Listen With Compassion
When your inner critic gets loud, it’s easy to believe its harsh words. In today’s mindful reflection, Latosha explores the strange logic of the inner critic, how it tries to protect us, and the gentle power of replacing criticism with encouragement and compassion.
Mindful Self-Talk: Learning to Be Kinder to Myself
Learning to be kinder to myself is an ongoing journey. In this honest reflection, I share how old stories and inner critics shape my self-talk, and how mindful journaling, gentle routines, and encouragement—both for myself and others—help me soften those harsh voices. If you’ve ever struggled with self-criticism, you’re not alone. Here’s how I’m learning to offer myself the same compassion I give to others, one mindful moment at a time.
Schedule in Spontaneity: Mindful Breaks from Routine
Inviting a little adventure into the everyday, I set out to “schedule in spontaneity” and break free from my usual routines. From mindful lunches outdoors to saying yes to small surprises, this week’s journey is all about finding joy, creativity, and comfort in the unexpected moments that color our lives.