*below is a summarized transcription of the podcast ep. *

I’m sending Sunday’s newsletter on a Wednesday as an act of self-love!!

Hi y'all 🥭,

Welcome to another episode of “Necessary Reminders,” the podcast/newsletter that's supposed to be weekly, but you know— life kind of laughed in my face when I tried to be good and make plans.

Since it's been a while… and I thankfully have new #StonersWhoCare that are listening, let me give us a necessary reminder on “Necessary Reminders.”

First, I'm Danielle Olivarez the founder of Highlites, and the sexy voice behind the mic In your inbox 🥰 supposedly every Sunday night, (we're gonna get back to that lol.) But this newsletter/Podcast is your weekly roundup on what's going on in our little online stoner oasis.

Most importantly though guys, this is a place for you to be reminded that there's nothing wrong with being a stoner and teach you how to create your own intentional relationship with cannabis and yourself 💖.

But what I've been thinking a lot about lately, and what essentially got me ready to jump back into recording this episode, was the term “Escaping Escapism.”

I love that term. And how remembering to begin now reminds me of the beauty and freedom in this human potential that we all have, and how all of that in itself is a meditation practice in loving kindness.

I'm the person who gets too depressed, to shower for like three days. And I'm also the person who knows exactly what to do when that same thing happens to my friends and helps in exactly how to help them get out of a rut. Now, does that make me any less me? No. It's the most me thing I could actually think of. When I think about how cannabis and meditation have helped me with this and helping me see this in myself, I think about how they both continue to reign supreme in my life as two of my biggest anchors and tools to excavate the depths of my many minds, especially in moments like these.

In an effort to center harnessing the power of now and create a more genuine experience within the Highlites community, you might notice a few shifts around here starting this month. '

You’ll see below some changes to our schedule, including Afternoon Boost co-working making a comeback on Tuesdays, Morning Meddy IG Live Mondays and Fridays, which will serve as a gentle reminder to breathe deeply or do something kind for yourself. I know we all have different access and relationships with self-kindness. So, maybe this week is just about getting curious as to what that looks like for you and maybe even exploring your own escape artistry.

Things happening this week/ That made me smile:

* IG LIVE Monday + Friday: Morning Meddy @ 9amPT / 12pm ET

* Sign up for the HL Calendar for weekly reminders & stay tuned for some new new coming Jan + Feb.

* This saved my achy body during COVID, so if you love baths as much as I do Use my code “highlites” for some extra savings $$$.

* My schedule is officially open for any and all your weed and mindfulness qs. Want a little direction in getting started? Let's chat.

* I love this girl’s (@urprettyenough) Tik Tok of journal prompts to answer when you catch yourself stuck in old behaviors. She inspired me to start my own series so go follow me on Tik Tok to check it out if you don’t already!

As always, thank you for being here. If you’re called to, please share this newsletter/podcast with a friend that might also be a fellow #StonerWhoCares.

Tata 4 now,

Danielle Olivarez

Press play to listen to the full episode or find the full transcipt here.

*below is a summarized transcription of the podcast ep. *

Hi y'all 🥭,

Welcome to another episode of Necessary Reminders. Your weekly roundup of all things Highlites, but really just a love letter from me, Danielle the founder of Highlites!

What IS Highlites? It's been a while so I'm just gonna give you a quick little rundown. Highlites is an online #StonerOasis helping you "Make the habitual ritual," through Mindfulness classes, Education, and Cannabis education. Today's Ep. #9 and I am titling today's episode “Grief is a meditation practice,” because it's been my meditation practice.

I have been back and forth from Florida, helping my family, helping my mother, be a caretaker to my grandparents who have also raised me since I was two years old. And it's been hard on my heart, it's been hard on my mind on my body. But you know what, I now have a new perspective, a way fresher perspective compared to before I went and really took my time to be with my family.

I've had to practice what I preach here on this platform, and be mindful of what I'm saying to people, and to myself. To remember my personal vow to never purposely hurt someone and practice compassion, and have that be my mantra.

…I've truly gained a fresh perspective, a perspective on how to treat my family that's also grieving in their own way, and how to hold enough space for all of our feelings, without mind getting buried through self-sacrificing behaviors.

So like any meditation practice, we dedicate right at the end. This practice, this podcast episode, I want to dedicate to the growth of all of us here in this community, and to our families, whatever you're going through. Sending you all compassion. I send you all compassion so that you feel capable always…

So that's my message for you guys. It's been a while since I've sent out an email, or podcast and that's why; I've just been with my family. I know you guys are great and understand that, but I'm here and I would love to talk to you all!

Here are some links that made me smile in the last few weeks and I hope you enjoy them. I will talk to you guys later. Have a great week. Love you!

Here are some examples of how I’ve been taking care of myself during this stressful ass time. Take what works for you 💞 :

* #1: Smoke breaks. This one is a given, and a lot harder to do when your family doesn’t approve ( mine doesn't, they just know I don’t care and it’s not meth.) I of course don’t rip a bong in the living room, but take nice longs walks or hide out under the mango tree in the backyard to take some 3-6 slow, delicious hits of a j :) 🥭

* #2: Calling up a friend that understands and can be supportive in the ways I need. This one is a big one because although my friends are empathetic baddies, they’re not all always ready to be there in the ways I necessarily need. Doesn’t make them bad friends, part of loving someone is understanding who they are, so I call my friends that I know can be there for me in the ways I need at that moment <3

* #3: Listening to music and dancing to 3 songs before I sit down to work. Shaking it off has always worked, and it definitely works to this J Balvin song.

Things happening this week/ Things that made me smile/ Things you oughta know:

* IG LIVE Wednesday: Morning Meddy @ 9amPT / 12pm ET It’s 10 minutes of focused self love, don’t miss it. Lmk if I should give y’all calendar reminders…

* My schedule is officially open for any and all your weed qs. Want to start meditating but need help? I got you. Need help figuring out how to include Cannabinoids into your life in a safe and stigma-free way? Lmk!

* One of our very own #StonersWhoCare based in Brooklyn, NY Lisha Duan’s page for “curated tchotchkes that live in your heart and home.”😍 Cute Wares! I want to buy everything she features…

* Double Blind Mag is a Psychedelics magazine that tells untold stories about the expansion of psychedelics around the globe. 🍄🌈 They’re a big inspiration to me and they’re hosting a live webinar trying to teach us something cool this week Sept.21st:

* In this webinar, Dr. Potter will discuss how novel psychedelics are made, as well as introduce us to some of the more obscure analogs that have long graced the underground.⁠ *Tap the link above for details!*

* THIS TIK TOK. THIS POOR GIRL BUT ALSO 🤣 *TW: Peeling*

Love you,

Danielle Olivarez 💚

Hi Friend 👀,

Welcome to another episode of Necessary Reminders. Your bi-weekly roundup of all things Highlites brought to you by me, Danielle Olivarez founder of your favorite #StonerOasis. Guys, it's been a few months and I just want to say thank you for being yourselves and understanding that I am human, but I'd also like to say thank you to me.

It was very hard to take that time to take care of myself. As you guys know, guilt is part of the human experience, and I naturally try not to feel it. Now I did start to feel a little guilty, but I quickly remembered my purpose, and that is to shift perspectives. So why not start with my own?

So I'm back and I'm more ready than ever to give you all of my self-study tips to help you go deeper and understand yourself more with or without help from weed, but also to feel shame-free, and have some self-authority when it comes to your relationship with cannabis.

Here we are…

Today's episode is titled: “I stopped letting my weed tell me what to do,” and that's because my weed was telling me what to do for a little bit. I was depressed and went back to some old habits. I'm not perfect, and I never pretend to be. These old habits helped me come back to myself and helped me realize that Hey! These old patterns are things that no longer actually work for me. So what is it that I need?

I want you all to maybe ask yourselves that this week, what is it that you want and need?

Here’s a little something I made to help you build awareness around the small steps you can take.

Tata 4 now,

Danielle Olivarez 💚

Press play to listen to the full episode.

This week’s roundup:

* #StonersWhoCare Meetup in LA! Come meditate and wake and bake with me this Saturday, 8/21 @ 10am at the Silverlake Reservoir Meadow! I really just want to connect with those of who you are here in LA and share some irl time <3 I’ll be sharing more info with you throughout the week! Hope you can make it!

* Monday Night Meddy @ 6pm PT/ 9pm ET : FREE99

* Morning Meddy @ 9amPT / 12pm ET : $10

* My schedule is officially open for any and all your weed qs. Want to start meditating but need help? I got you. I have 3 spots avail for August, so schedule a free 30 min chat with yours truly.

Hi Friend,

Here's the end of spring and early summer literally knocking down our doors like the Kool-Aid man. I mean, it came out of nowhere. June gives: "I don't know her..." vibes. It's the iconic everlasting sunshine, the beginning of mango season, (my favorite), and the feeling of solo joints while rollerblading at your local abandoned basketball court. If June was a smoothie out of boujee market, it would probably be called the renewal with a serotonin shot. It's just like peak "Take Care of Yourself Season".

Our monthly themes aim to be in conversation with our community and where we are being called to send our collective awareness. Rest is one that has been calling on me for a while now. I have been so inspired by how you all are finding ways to sustainably do this community work by honoring yourself and in turn, taking care of the people you care about most. That’s what I hope to remember moving forward.

At Highlites, we focus on the intersection between personal wellness and cannabis. So yes, that includes our mental wellness. I'd be lying to you if I didn't say I wasn't burnt the hell out right now. I need this break, and I believe that you do too.

Maybe you're like I was and use seshes right? You know, as a “cheap vacation” Frank Ocean once lovingly sang. We are out here navigating life during a pandemic, starting new jobs, and maybe even questioning our place in this world. It can be hard to put all of that pressure on ourselves, and especially our weed stash.

In an effort to center rest and create a more genuine experience within the Highlites community, you might notice a few shifts around here starting this month. You’ll see below some changes to our schedule, including a Tarot Flow on Sundays, Morning Meddy IG Live on Wednesdays, and Thursdays will serve as a gentle reminder to rest or do something kind for yourself. I know we all have different access and relationships with rest. So, maybe this month is just about getting curious as to what that looks like for you.

As always, thank you for being here. If you’re called to, please share this newsletter/podcast with a friend that might miss hearing from Highlites on the gram.

Tata 4 now,

Danielle Olivarez, founder of Highlites

Press play to listen to the full episode or find the full transcript here.

May’s Class Schedule in the Stoner Oasis

Weekly Round-Up of All Things Highlites

* Tarot Flow Sessions: Yoga + Tarot on Sundays 9am PT/ 12pm ET with Brown Girl's Smoke Cohost & Highlites Teacher Carmen Rodriguez! The weekend sesh we’ve all been dreaming about 💭

* I'M COMING TO NYC!!! The week of June 14th, reply to this email with where we should host a Highlites pop up ;)

* Turning back to my roots by hosting Morning Meddy via IG Live on Wednesdays. I know, I know I said I was taking a break from IG pero I love connecting with new peeps that are still learning about Highlites & it’s low pressure way to show up. No camera or log-in required, just vibes.

* June’s Community Theme is REST. So, you may notice us a little quieter on socials and taking a day off on Thursdays. A gentle nudge to encourage yourself to find rest, like for real, if and when you can.

Ummm, have you listend to this 🔥 Smoke Break Playlist yet?

Via: #SmkBrkPlaylist: A sing-a-long + shake-you-ass solo or with friends mix inspired by the electronica/dance club + basement house party culture that the LGBTQ+ community paved the way for! It’s time for a smoke break. —Curated by Samantha Martins (@lovemusicyoga) for Highlites Oasis 💚

ICYMI

Hi Friend!

It's a new week. I’d like to invite you to do a quick inventory of the old noggin and check in with what you need. Maybe this week will look like getting that ice cream cone, or maybe coming to class. Whatever it is that you really need. Just a gentle reminder that there's no mind without mindfulness.

In my Three Jewels Buddhist meditation teacher training, my teacher, Hector, says that:

“Meditation is a tool to move the mind in a particular way to have a particular result.”

To me, this makes so much sense, and I want you to see Highlites as an oasis for you to move your mind in different ways. By getting curious about the landscape of the mind, you may *especially* begin to feel differently about your cannabis consumption.

I also want to remind you that you do not have to do this alone. Come practice in community! At the Stoner Oasis, Highlites sessions offer you an abundance of possibilities and opportunities to move your mind in both new and familiar ways.

*Remember* the beginning of the week reminds us of new potential and at the very least, a soft nudge that we can begin again.

Tata 4 now,

Danielle Olivarez, founder of Highlites

Click Play to Listen Now or find the full transcript here.

May’s Class Schedule in the Stoner Oasis

Become a Member for Unlimited Sessions or Drop-in for a $10 sesh.

Weekly Round-Up of All Things Highlites

* My last yoga class in May is this Thursday 5/27 @ 11 am PT/2 pm ET. Consider me the antidote to your tight hips.

* Cannaware Society x TheCannaDiva are hosting an "immersive virtual experience" for mothers who shmoke weed this Sunday 5/23. I'll be guiding a 10 min. meddy. This event is a great opportunity for mothers to get together to release any stigma around their consumption. If you're not a momma, then I hope you recommend this to one you know.

* LA FRIENDS: Foria Wellness pop-up "The Quickie" in Venice is offering Highlites stoners a discount. Here are some of my Foria faves. Use code: "Highlites20" at the pop up for 20% off your order 😈

ICYMI: We reshared Highlites fave Hivi’s post on Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP). Click through to discover a few ways to introduce and explore pleasure with the help of Cannabinoids 💚

Curious about shifting your perspective around how and why you consume? Let’s talk about it. Click the button below to book a free 15-minute sesh with me 💚🤓

Hi Friend!

I am so happy to be back 💚

This week starts a whole new month. It's May, and at Highlites, we're *highlighting* the benefits and fun facts around exploring your sexual and mental wellness with cannabis. So, we're going to learn all about why smoking weed may or may not make you horny and talk openly about how cannabis is a tool that we can use in our mental health journeys.

During this month, Foria Wellness has a physical distance-friendly pop-up in Venice called The Quickie. To support your intentional stoner rituals, you’ll see below; I’ve linked some of my favorite products along with a special discount for the Highlites community out here in LA.

It's been so much fun being here and recording these voice memos for you guys and just connecting with you in a whole different way. I hope you enjoyed the meditation that Eden sent to you last week. Could you let me know if you’d be into more recorded guided meddys by replying to this email or sending me a DM?

Tata 4 now,

Danielle Olivarez, founder of Highlites

Press play to listen or click here to read the full transcript.

Weekly Round-Up

* FIRST AND FOREMOST IM TEACHING YOGA THIS MONTH!! Thursdays @ 4:20pm May 13th & May 27th in #TheStudio

* Calling the horny ones in the sesh: Say goodbye to "cotton pu$$y" & painful periods. Foria Wellness pop-up "The Quickie" in Venice, CA. Use code: "Highlites20" at the pop up for 20% off your order 😈

* New Class Alert! Humble Bloom co-founder Solonje Burnett will be teaching Breathwork twice this month, starting this Thursday! Breathwork is no joke when it comes to helping you move through stuck energy; come through Thursday, May 6 & 20th @ 4:20pm PT/ 7:20pm ET in #TheStudio.

Hey friends, it’s Eden!

We might have met during a flow session, yeah? If not, I hope to meet you soon! Throughout April, I’ve helped transcribe Necessary Reminders, and what a gift it’s been. This week looks a little different, and I promise I think you’ll like it just as much.

Danielle is dedicating the weekend to her Meditation Teacher Training and to spend a little time devoted to her rest. If you needed an extra nudge to take a break, I’d like to affirm that for you here. 💚

In the second limb of yoga, the Niyamas relate to our self-ethics and are composed of five parts: Śaucha, Santosa, Tapas, Svādhyāya, and īśvarapranidhāna

Svādhyāya or self-study invites deep introspection of one’s thoughts, speech, and actions. I bet you can think of a few ways you study YOU, maybe this looks like journaling or spending time in nature. Another really special way to connect to one’s self is through meditation.

Danielle’s love for you seriously is limitless! She asked me to send you a meddy as a self-study offering. Just because you’re sitting with yourself doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. So invite your cannabis 🌿, find your AirPods, and light a candle 🕯️. You know, set the mood.

Afterward, send your heart a little compassion for spending the next few minutes observing yourself without judgment.

Seriously, thank you for being here and for riding the wave with us.

In Community,

Eden 💚

Press play to listen to the self-study meddy or click here to read the full transcript.

Hi Friend,

This week is all about advocacy, it's 420 week (!!!)

So first and foremost, most thing that's important other than seeing how many joints you could smoke with your friends, is being grateful showing some gratitude to all of the Black and Brown folks out there who are in jail right now, in legal states, even for nonviolent cannabis offenses. This is really important to acknowledge, *especially* on this week of celebration for so many.

Especially if you're living in a legal state, there are so many people who have worked and continue to work tirelessly for us to be able to walk into a dispensary and legally purchase our medicine. It's just important for us to show love and appreciation for everyone right now in the cannabis space because we're working hard!

Every week during my Friday Morning Meddy, I share my personal weekly prompts. This week’s question is: what do I have to say today? This keeps me grounded. It keeps me focused on what is really, truly important to my heart in that moment in that day, you know, helps me move through the b******t, so I'm not overwhelmed, which is very easy for me.

So, I want to share this with you, and whoever needs to hear it. Consult with your heart, then consult with your mind. Because we're conditioned to be guarded and dishonor our intuition, our internal truths, but it's a radical act to believe in yourself. Be radical, choose to be daring!

That's what I want to leave you with. If it resonated with you, I would really love to know you can leave a comment in this newsletter or just send me an email or dm.

Tata 4 now,

Danielle Olivarez, founder of Highlites

To practice this meditation click play to hear the guided version of this prompt or click here to read this week’s full episode.

April’s Class Schedule in the Stoner Oasis

Weekly Round-Up of All Things Highlites

* On Monday, 4/19 at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET, I am doing an IG Live with Emperifollá, a platform run by Latina women that focus on Latinx culture, lifestyle, and community. I just feel really, really grateful to be asked to speak on cannabis and how and what it means to be a conscious consumer. So if you want to come hang and smoke with me, I'll be there.

* On Tuesday, 4/27, Please save-the-date for a Full Moon Meddy collab with Humble Bloom. So excited to share more details with you soon!

Floret Coaltion

For April, please join Highlites and the Floret Coalition in donating to @equitablegivingcircle. Equitable Giving Circle is a community of people committed to creating peer-led, community-funded, transformational change. Their work aims to build immediate and increased equity throughout Portland’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities through a combination of fund development and network building opportunities that center economic equity. Currently, EGCs main initiative is feeding BIPOC community members with fresh weekly CSA boxes purchased from local BIPOC Farmers.Want to join the Floret Coalition’s efforts to give back to Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities? Learn more by getting in touch with @broccoli_mag.  Thank you to the Floret board (@mennlay, @shop_shaw, @msgoodegg) for highlighting this month’s organization.

Hi Friend,

The moon wants me to tell you to clean your piece 🙃

This is your weekly roundup of all things Highlites, and this week at Highlites, it's about education. Check out my latest post on what it means to be an intentional cannabis consumer, and you'll see education is a very, very important part.

Now, this week starts off with a new moon in Aries. Perfect for taking action towards new goals, hobbies, projects, and perspectives on our relationship to weed, why not? Even if you don't subscribe to the powers of the moon, I encourage you to play a little. You can start somewhere small but important, like maybe cleaning your pieces because you don't want to be that friend.

Tata 4 now,

Danielle Olivarez, founder of Highlites

Press play to listen or click to read full transcript here.

April’s Class Schedule in the Stoner Oasis

Weekly Round-Up of All Things Highlites

* Call into Cannabis brand Union Electric’s 4/20 hotline before the big day, & share a funny story you have involving some weed & your friends. (1-833-4BOLT20)

* Wednesday night at 6:30pm Pacific, Come sesh with me on Clubhouse. I'm co-hosting a talk on self-care and cannabis with Tori Rerick and Heather Dagley. This is my first co-hosting. So, come hang out.

* Laura OG, founder of SMK BRK is leading this month's Friday Focus workshop and teaching us all about Human Design. She gave me a reading a few weeks ago and this girl knows her s**t. It is super fun and a great deep dive into yourself. So I highly recommend coming. $10 drop-in/free for members, tickets go LIVE this week!

Hey Friend,

Episode #1 is live! Here are a few takeaways from this week:

Building something when you're sad is hard.

Those of you who have signed up for the membership, my Stoner Oasis, and for those of you who just show love by spreading the word about my work through Highlites and how it's impacted you, you guys have kept me going, honestly.

I want Highlites to show you that you're not the only one out there that loves weed, maybe even smokes a little too much at times, but knows how to feel less guilty about it because you have compassion for yourself and an understanding of how to use cannabis in a way that makes *real sense* for you.

April's theme is about the importance of having community specifically in the ways cannabis has brought that sense of love and understanding into our lives. 

Tata 4 now,

Danielle Olivarez, founder of Highlites

Press play to listen or click to read the full transcript here.

April’s Class Schedule in the Stoner Oasis