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Welcome back to *Cheese & Burritos*, our exclusive SUBSTACK series just for our valued subscribers! The first few episodes have been unlocked as a little taste—enjoy!

This is our second full episode. Today, I’m thrilled to kick off our journey with an exploration of the delightful fusion between French and Californian cultures.  In this new episode, we dive into a classic French recipe that is one of my regular go-to's.

Today, we’ll explore how to make a roasted chicken. What better way to start than with a timeless classic?

Included are two recipes:  

• Roasted Chicken Recipe: A simple yet flavorful dish that embodies the essence of French cooking and brings warmth to any family gathering.  

Our roasted chicken recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a tradition that brings everyone together. The recipe is straightforward, with a focus on fresh, simple ingredients that let the flavors shine. It’s a perfect way to experience the French approach to cooking—where every meal is an event and every bite is savored.

Thank you for supporting me and my small business. Your support means the world, and I’m excited to share this culinary journey with you. Tune in and let’s embrace the beauty of French and Californian fusion, one delicious bite at a time. Bon appétit!

Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...

Send a text

Bienvenue à L'HEURE DU CONTE!

Sur ma chaîne YouTube BookNook, je lis des livres à voix haute en anglais et en français, mais ici à L'HEURE DU CONTE, je raconte des histoires que j'ai écrites en utilisant des mots spéciaux de nos auditeurs, toujours dans les deux langues.

L'histoire d'aujourd'hui est le Chapitre 4 ! Veuillez consulter le Chapitre 1 dans l'épisode 7.4, le Chapitre 2 dans l'épisode 8.4 et le Chapitre 3 dans l'épisode 9.3 pour les premières parties de ce conte.

Ce chapitre est inspiré par Teo et utilise les mots : éclair, scintillement, mouton, argenté, et minuit.

Si tu souhaites contribuer des mots pour une future histoire, envoie-moi un message.

Le thème de ce mois-ci est l'Amitié, et l'exercice de respiration est la Respiration de la Montagne.

Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...

Send a text

Voici une MÉDITATION GUIDÉE créée exclusivement pour nos abonnés adolescents et adultes. Après tout, pourquoi les plus jeunes devraient-ils être les seuls à profiter des méditations, n'est-ce pas?

Ce mois-ci, notre voyage nous emmène à travers le quartier de Richmond à San Francisco, de Lands End aux Sutro Baths, en passant par le Golden Gate Park et jusqu'à l'angle spécial de Balboa Street et la 19e Avenue avec The Coffee Movement, le restaurant coréen Han Il Kwan et la boutique Wood Goods and Hot Sauce.

Profitez de cette visualisation guidée en explorant l'un des quartiers emblématiques de la ville. Découvrez de nouveaux lieux ou savourez la joie d'écouter des endroits familiers.

Dans cette expérience apaisante, les auditeurs sont doucement guidés vers un moment de sérénité, dirigeant leur attention vers le rythme de leur respiration tout en s'immergeant dans les tons apaisants de la méditation guidée. Parfait pour ces moments où vous avez besoin de vous détendre, de vous ressourcer et de redémarrer. Alors, trouvez un espace confortable, prenez une profonde inspiration et laissez cette méditation guidée être votre compagnon vers la tranquillité.

Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...

Send a text

Voici une MÉDITATION AVANT LE COUCHER centrée sur le thème de l'Amitié, se déroulant à Paris. Les enfants sont guidés dans un moment très relaxant à la maison, dans leur lit douillet, où ils se concentrent sur leur respiration tout en écoutant une activité audio de temps calme.

Cette méditation peut être utilisée comme routine nocturne avant le coucher pour les aider à s'endormir paisiblement, ou également avant la sieste.

La pratique de respiration pour ce mois est la Respiration de la Montagne.

Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...

Send a text

Voici une VISUALISATION GUIDÉE centrée sur le thème de l'Amitié, se déroulant en Islande.

Les enfants sont guidés à vivre un moment de détente, que ce soit en classe ou à la maison, où ils se concentrent sur leur respiration tout en écoutant une activité audio de calme.

Ils se lancent dans un voyage et découvrent des caractéristiques uniques de cet endroit.

La Pratique de Respiration pour ce mois-ci est la Respiration de la Montagne.

Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...

Send a text

Welcome to STORY TIME!

On my YouTube channel BookNook, I read books aloud in English and French but here at STORY TIME, I say stories that I wrote using special words from our listeners, and always in both languages.

Today’s story is Chapter 4! Please see Chapter 1 in episode 7.4, Chapter 2 in episode 8.4 and Chapter 3 in episode 9.3 for the first parts of this tale.

This chapter is inspired by Teo and uses the words:  lightning bolt, shimmer, sheep, silver, and midnight.

If you’d like to contribute some words to a future story, please send me a message.

The theme for this month is Friendship, and the breathing practice is Mountain Breathing.

Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...

Send a text

This is a GUIDED MEDITATION created exclusively for our teen and adult subscribers. Because why should younger kids have all the fun with meditations, right?

This month's journey takes us through San Francisco's Richmond neighborhood, from Lands End, to Sutro Baths, to Golden Gate Park to the special corner on Balboa Street and 19th Ave with The Coffee Movement, Han Il Kwan Korean restaurant and Wood Goods and Hot Sauce shop.

Enjoy this guided visualization as you travel through one of the city's iconic areas. Discover new places or relish in the joy of listening to your familiar haunts.

In this calming experience, listeners are gently guided into a serene moment, directing their attention to the rhythm of their breath as they immerse themselves in the soothing tones of the guided meditation. Perfect for those moments when you need to unwind, restore, and hit the reset button. So, find a comfortable space, take a deep breath, and let this guided meditation be your companion to tranquility.

Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...

Send a text

This is a BEDTIME MEDITATION focusing on the theme of Friendship, and set in Paris. 

Kids are guided into a very relaxing moment at home in their cozy beds, where they focus on their breathing while listening to an audio quiet time activity. 

This meditation can be used as a nighttime routine before bed is to help them ease into slumber land, or also before nap.

The Breathing Practice for this month is Mountain breathing.

Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...

Send a text

This is a GUIDED VISUALIZATION focusing on the theme of Friendship, and set in Iceland.

Kids are guided into a relaxing moment either in the classroom or at home, where they focus on their breathing while listening to an audio quiet time activity.

They embark on a voyage and discover some unique features of this location.

The Breathing Practice for this month is Mountain breathing.

Intro/Outro music by Jef Shadoan

 

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...

Send a text

Episode 1: French Food Rituals

Welcome back to *Cheese & Burritos*, our exclusive SUBSTACK series just for our valued subscribers! The first few episodes have been unlocked as a little taste—enjoy!

I’m thrilled to kick off our journey with an exploration of the delightful fusion between French and Californian cultures.  In this inaugural episode, we dive into “French Food Rituals,” where we delve into the enchanting customs and culinary traditions that have shaped my life as a French California mom. 

Today, we’ll explore the French way of eating, emphasizing the importance of savoring meals, the joy of simple ingredients, and the art of creating unforgettable dining experiences. 

Included are two recipes:  

• my favorite molten chocolate cake—a decadent dessert that has been a fan favorite for over 20 years.  
• my classic dijon vinaigrette recipe, a simple yet transformative addition to your salads.

Join me as we discuss how these French food rituals can bring mindfulness, pleasure, and a touch of elegance to your everyday meals. We’ll talk about the flow of French life, where food is not just sustenance but a celebration of culture, family, and tradition.

Thank you for supporting me and my small business. Your support means the world, and I’m excited to share this culinary journey with you. Tune in and let’s embrace the beauty of French and Californian fusion, one delicious bite at a time. Bon appétit!

Support the show

Big Belly Breathing (BBB) is a bilingual audio program for kids (and the grownups who love them), founded by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely. Featuring episodes in English and French, BBB focuses on mindfulness, health, and wellness—inviting young listeners into joyful, imaginative, and restorative practices.

As a Physical Education and meditation teacher, parent of bilingual kids, yoga instructor, social-emotional learning facilitator, and holistic health & wellness coach, Vanessa created Big Belly Breathing to help children establish daily habits that nurture both body and mind.

Healthy Habits = Happy Kids

Through each episode, children are gently guided to:

• Breathe mindfully
• Stretch their creativity
• Build emotional awareness
• Practice gratitude
• And enjoy mini-moments of deep rest that help them reset, restore, and recalibrate.

In today’s busy, screen-heavy world, BBB offers kids a chance to feel centered, grounded, and good—helping them create their own self-care rituals, routines, and wellness habits that can last a lifetime.

These tools support mental clarity, physical health, and emotional resilience, setting kids up for more joy today and as they grow into adulthood.

But it’s not just for kids!

BBB also includes special episodes designed for ...