Sage Against the Machine No. 24

Maycember is almost over!

What’s Maycember, you ask? Oh, just that magical time of year when your calendar looks like December. But instead of holiday parties and gift shopping, it’s school concerts, picnics, field trips, graduations, and awards ceremonies. And that’s without kids in spring sports. If you do have athletes? Buckle up. 

It’s all the chaos of the holidays with zero presents, but hey—at least the weather’s better.

This season always makes me a little misty-eyed (okay, full-on Kim K ugly cry) as I watch my kids grow and shift into their own versions of self. It’s overwhelming, but also deeply sweet and honestly one of the most rewarding parts of parenting.

A few weeks ago, I made an early trip to the beach at dusk. As I soaked in the beauty of the sun slowly kissing the horizon, I was joined by a group of college girls catching their last sunset together before heading home for the summer. It instantly took me back to 2005, my early days in Chicago, when my high school girlfriends came to visit. We took a picture on an actual 35mm camera (remember those?), and while I couldn’t find that old photo, I did take one for those girls. I told them about my friends, and they were so touched I thought of it. I hope they treasure that photo—and each other—for the next 20 years, just like I have.

With a full heart and a full tank of patience to navigate a teen, tween, and toddler this summer, I wish you the very best start to Minnesota’s finest season: SUMMER.

3 Things I am Excited About

>If Summer House taught us anything, it’s this: summer is supposed to be fun. (Even if this last season seriously missed the mark.) My personal measure of summer joy? Boat rides. I’m like a Labrador—say “boat” and I’m sprinting toward the nearest floating vessel. But boats can be tricky. Even at 80 degrees, speeding across the lake can leave you freezing. Add in the wind and what it does to your hair? Brutal. Luckily, I’m a poncho and wrap enthusiast. So when I spotted this oversized hoodie poncho at Athleta, I knew I’d end up owning multiples. Of course, I grabbed the black—perfect for campfires, pontoons, and thick enough to keep mosquitoes at bay. Eyeing the blue and red next. Will definitely get multiple colors!

>I just wrapped a whirlwind trip to NorCal. More on mouthfeel another time, but beyond the love and community, one highlight was visiting cannabis consumption spaces. Stops at both PlantShop and Compassionate Heart (in Ukiah) showed how California keeps innovating—especially in warmer areas where outdoor lounges thrive despite clean air laws. 

From a tiki-style lounge with a built-in dab bar to a stage filled with classical musicians, the tourist in me was delighted. But the business side kept asking: Can this work long-term? Will it be profitable? What will Minnesota do when licenses finally roll out? Time will tell. One thing is clear—people need to stay creative if we want spaces where consumption feels normal and education flows freely.

>My most middle-aged goal yet: get more fiber. I know, so chic. But once perimenopause hits, everything shifts. Many of us are trying to embrace what we can, fight what we have the energy to fight, and adapt as gracefully as possible. 

The one thing every expert agrees on? More protein and fiber. It’s basically a part-time job. I always struggled with fiber—until I found Olipop has 9 grams in a 12-ounce can. That’s a third of your daily recommended intake. It tastes amazing and got the seal of approval from my go-to nutrition guide, @whatthedamnhealth. 

Now the whole house is on a “fiber journey.” We’re burning through $12 a day in soda. Between that and my kids’ summer berry budget, the grocery bill is not okay.

2 Interesting Conversations

-I spent April diving into the voices of cannabis media, and here’s the universal truth: there aren’t nearly enough of them. Traditional publications either avoid cannabis like it’s the party crasher or only talk to the die-hard enthusiasts who already know the lingo.

That’s why it was refreshing to spotlight some folks and publications stepping up to fill the gap. One standout is The North Bloom, a Minnesota-based lifestyle mag all about People, Plants, and Purpose. You can grab it at local dispensaries, wellness spots, and more across the state.

The North Bloom isn’t just for the cannabis connoisseurs—it meets people where they are, helping them explore cannabis in all its forms without the jargon or judgment. Led by Angelique Zerillo and Lynn Wachtler, Minnesota is lucky to have a resource that’s making cannabis conversations feel normal—and stylish enough to leave on your coffee table without judgment.

-Great Lakes Bake Club hosted its first male guest in May, and I was extra excited to meet Chef David Yusefzadeh. He cooked an incredible seven-course private dinner a few weeks earlier back in Minnesota, and then joined us on Zoom to share his journey. David, who’s worked in restaurants across the globe, went from a casual cannabis user to someone dialing it in seriously to manage his Crohn’s disease and take his health way more seriously.

As one of the first license holders in Massachusetts’ market, he shared the tough, sometimes messy process of getting products into a brand-new market where regulators and operators are figuring things out together—often learning as they go.

Every time I hear stories like David’s, I’m reminded how personal cannabis is for so many people. Its versatility to help with so many different issues is what makes it truly special. If you’re lucky to have access, be thankful—and keep fighting for those who aren’t.

1 Piece of Sage Advice