Jessica's Friday Five: Chicken recipe, bone marrow registry, new Google feature
Published 24 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader,
I'm excited to share this week's Friday Five with you!
In the last handful of days, I've chatted via phone and Zoom with some of you for the first time (folks considering joining Joyfully Managed Worklife), and it's been so great connecting with you! I told Keisha yesterday (hi Keisha!) that writing these emails feels like sharing my favorite things in a big group text and getting to know folks as individuals is a joy. Let's get to your five tips/resources this week!
Chicken Orzo: We made this last week in the slow cooker (well, the Instant Pot using the slow cooker feature), which was really good. Definitely "fall comfort food" kind of vibes. If you like chicken and pasta and creamy goodness, I think you'll like this recipe.
Register as a Willing Bone Marrow Donor: As some of you know, my mom passed away earlier this year of a blood cancer. One way we can all help is to register as a bone marrow donor. You just swipe your cheek with a q-tip-kinda thing and then send it in. If you ever end up matching with someone who needs a bone marrow transplant, you'll have the chance to decide if you can help. I've never donated bone marrow personally (though I've been on the registration for many years!) but from what I've heard it's like donating blood plasma (takes a few hours), and you can save a life! You have to be between 18 and 40, and you can get a kit mailed to you for free here. You can also host an event (at your workplace, at church, online, etc.) to collect lots of registrations - info on that here.
Joyfully Managed Worklife: I anticipate the spots for this will sell out based on how it's gone in the past, so don't delay in getting signed up if you'd like to join! Many workplaces pay for their staff to attend, so let me know if you have questions on how we can get that set up. We can chat later today or next week (grab time here) if you've got questions about the program. Details are all here as well. If you aren't interested in Joyfully Managed Worklife, you can click here, and I won't send you any more info on it (but you can keep getting Friday Five!).
What social media could be: Social media is a great way to stay connected, but lately, it’s changed... a lot. What if there was a new platform built on wholesome values, designed for families by families, and intentionally focused on connection? That’s TUVU—the new, wholesome social media platform connecting families and communities. Free 30 Day TrialJess note: TUVU is a Christian social media platform. I was honest with them when they reached out to me to sponsor this newsletter that, while I did grow up in the church, I am very pro-gay and pro-choice. I don't believe those beliefs are at odds with Christian beliefs but many do, so it was important to me that we were aligned. They told me, "We welcome people from all denominational, doctrinal, and faith beliefs. We believe God is love, and loves everyone. We're a 'come as you are' type of platform hoping to unite Christians who don't go to a physical church." I know many of you are practicing Christians who might be interested in this platform, so I wanted to share! Thank you to TUVU for helping keep this newsletter free for readers as a sponsor! Let me know if you try it!
Free Signatures in Google Docs: I started using Google Docs to get contract signatures last week, and it's both easy to use and free. This is a game-changer for anyone paying for signature software - this might reduce or eliminate your need to pay for something like Docusign in some cases. You've got to be using Google Workspace for this (not an individual Gmail account, but one tied to a company/organization) - here's how to use it.
Bonus Democracy Deed: Knock on Doors (plus what to do if that idea gives you hives): The most important thing we can all do to help in an election is to talk to voters. There's no shortcut for it. Seed the Vote can set you up to knock on doors as a volunteer in swing states - and can support you with funding for travel if you need it, places to stay, training, and everything you need to have a memorable and impactful experience. TurnoutPAC has paid door-knocking experiences too if you have more time available right now and would like to treat that vital work more like a job (or know someone who would!).
I get it if knocking on doors makes you want to hide under the covers. I'm an introvert, too. If you can get over that and try it, I promise you'll like it more than you think. BUT - there are other ways to help. One idea: offer to provide childcare to those in your community who do want to phone bank or knock on doors. Tell your friends: “There’s a door knocking event on Saturday - if you want to go but need a safe place for your kids, bring them to me and we’ll do x activity and have snacks while you talk to voters”. Maybe the kids could even make some posters about voting with you as one of their activities and hang them up in the neighborhood.
If you’re wondering what these “democracy deeds” are all about, they’re around for the next 10 issues of Friday Five and here’s why I am including them.
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