This week PSC Community member Elle Osborne fills us in on trusting your instincts to approach wellness creatively, caviar pairing, and experimentation in the kitchen:

What is “creative wellness”?

• For me, creative wellness means freely choosing the products and practices that work best for my lifestyle. I love eating plant-based, but I’m not vegan. I love weightlifting, rock climbing, and yoga. I follow my gut and do what sounds most fun to me on any given day.
• I also love finding out what minerals and vitamins are in foods I LOVE so I can take better care of myself. Did you know caviar is high in Vitamin D? I tend to be low in the winter, so it’s a perfect fit for me. I don’t like adhering too strictly to rules. I like doing what feels easy, natural, and good for my body. I like approaching wellness as a creative act.

What makes arts-based imagination central to the equation of why creativity is a wellness practice?

• I think expression is key to creativity in any form. Try things out non-traditionally. Whether it’s a color combination on canvas, a workout routine, or a mix of ingredients... Try new things! Use your imagination to make it fun. The benefits follow when you enjoy the process.

What non-traditional drink do you pair caviar with?

• I have to say I’m partial to champagne and vodka, both a far cry from non-traditional. Try a little St. Germain and soda with your champagne & garnish either with a twist for an extra-special treat!

Think of experimentation with art. Do you find the act of cooking to be a similar process?

• My favorite thing about cooking is experimentation. I don’t love dill, so I’m likely to substitute basil. If I don’t have rice, I’ll use orzo or farro. I almost always double the garlic a recipe asks for. And I absolutely love caviar with a soft boiled egg... so why not try it with an omelet or a soft-scrambled egg on toast? Trust me... it’ll be delicious.