Balance got the best of me...

Last year at this time I was falling over the finishing line of 2016 and jumping into 2017 head first. I was 2 years into my coaching business and with December / January rush was pushing hard on some goals. I share this because while I did reach some of my business goals this year, balance got the best of me.

Balance to me was getting up at 4am, working 12 hour days, telling myself I was fitting everything in like a super mom and falling asleep while putting my kids to bed a 9pm. While I loved everything I was doing, "balance" is not doing it all.  So most of 2017 was spent trying to figure out what that meant. I did not want to give up anything, but I knew I needed to change something. It was a year of ups and downs and while there were some things worth celebrating, I am actually pretty excited to be putting this year in the books. Because balance got the best of me.

Too much wine. Oh that is balance. I needed a break.
Working too late. Yep. Gotta keep it balanced and work hard.
Skip that workout. Oh balance. I need to rest.
Not enough rest. Balance. I need to get up early.

Can you see the cycle? Balance was making me crazy. And doing all the wrong things.

Half way through the year I noticed how trying to do it all was wearing on me. My clients were doing amazing but I was failing. I was up at 4am checking in on them, but not myself and my family because that is the only time I could "fit it in".   I was up at 10pm making dinner for the girls when really the perfect dinner was not what they needed. I was leaning on wine and chocolate to soothe my discomfort and searching daily for that "quick fix" to feel more balanced. I had fallen backwards to my old self-sabotaging habits.

What I learned was I needed to stop the balance. And truly balance doesn't really exist. What does exist is the ability to prioritize and do a few things REALLY well. I needed to stop scheduling every second and take a second to breathe. Because I am super type A and somewhat of a perfectionist, this is REALLY hard. I pulled back on my business. Switched jobs (which after 12 years with my previous company was a big change) to give myself and my family more flexibility and just existed for a while...which to me meant slowing down. I honestly felt like I was failing and walking through mud for about half the year because I don't do slow well. The trick was trying to figure out how to do a few things right. I said no to a lot and started making a point to turn my phone off, sleep a little more and disconnect. This created a little clarity and space to think.  The girls and I now have a play date every night after dinner. I don't get on any electronics after 9pm and I have re-done my entire morning routine to focus on me first. I can take care of a lot more people when I am at my best. At the end of 2017 I am happy to say that life slowly has become more like a life instead of a to-do list.

To be honest, it doesn't feel just right yet, but we are getting there. Slowly but surely I have been re-vamping schedule and learning to find time to share my passion for coaching and have a career, be a mom and wife all at the same time. It is in no way easy or balanced, but in the long run, 2017 has taught me, you absolutely cannot do it all and I am done trying.

Going into 2018 I have one mantra. Simplify. And here is how...at least for now!

1) Focus on myself. Eat to nourish my body.

My dependency for food for stress relief has always been a struggle and the only way I will get back to where I need to be is to put myself first. As I mentioned I have re-vamped my morning routine to work for me and my family. I'll be sharing these changes along the way! I am sure I will need the support! Remember, you are better to everyone else when you are at your best.

2) Don't try to be everything to everyone.

As I mentioned above, I have been trying to figure out how to keep my passion for coaching alive with all the other items on my plate. I have worked to launch a brand new coaching package the last quarter of the year, with the goal to spend more focused time with my clients who want the help and not trying to reach the masses. I am focused on helping those of you that want the help.  More time one on one time with you which leads to a better use of time for me. And talking one on one is truly my favorite part of the coaching process. So it is a win for everyone. ❤️

This also applies to continuing to say no. I always try to remember the rule. Saying yes to something means saying no to something else. So choose wisely.

3) Take more vacations.

We love to travel. And since having the girls traveling has well let's just say been challenging.  Sometimes getting away for a weekend means going to Costco for a few hours (not kidding!) lol. The girls are getting older and mom and dad are getting braver (or just stir crazy). So this year I want to experience new things as a family but also as a wife and a mom and a friend who is a lover of adventure. Travel inpsires me SO much.

4) Less is more.

I have a habit of following fashion bloggers on Instagram. It is my guilty pleasure. So is strolling through Nordstrom and Athleta. I love all the outfits and Pinterest boards and boots and leggings. I then move onto the food bloggers. Who have the perfect snacks and dinners. And all those amazing kitchens and cute household decor. But what I have found is I don't need a ton of things. It might be that I am just getting older, but I keep finding that I would rather have a few really nice things than a closet full of stuff I don't use. And that goes for everything. Kitchen / household gear. Clothes. Shoes. House Etc.

My end goal is to create a capsule wardrobe and a pretty minimal household. (Let's be clear I still have pillows for every season and that won't change, but I will make sure I use them!)  I have been slowly working on this over time, but this year I am going to finish it!

5) Read more. Soak it in.

Last year one of the wins of the year was spending 10 minutes a day reading an actual book and listening to podcast or Audible every morning. I can count over 20 books I have finished this year and I can truly say it has changed me to the core. If you do one thing this year, try this. It is a tiny habit that is life-changing. I have a book list in the works to check back later this week for a preview! This goal I want to continue!

6) Have fun.

I think 2017 lost its fun for me and became a long list. So while my type A personality has a lot of lists and schedules to keep me sane, I actually need to schedule some downtime and am working to schedule more, disconnect and just want to have some fun....laugh, giggle, smile. It might be as simple as making snowmen with the girls later this afternoon, a hockey game date night or going on a new adventure with family or friends. Whatever it is, I hope to laugh and smile a lot more in 2018.

I hope this inpsires you to think a little bit this year about what you really want. And remember that taking time for yourself is not selfish. It only makes you that much better to others.

Wishing you a magical New Year's Eve, a fresh start and an amazing 2018! Thanks for being on this adventure with me!

Shine Bright! A personal note from me!

As with any holiday season, the new year brings on new goals, a fresh start and for me a few changes. In particular, changes that I have been working on for a few months and am very excited to share. I'll be honest I have been bursting at the seems to announce this because I truly believe that I can help so many more people this way...And YOU are the first to know! Drumroll please....

INTRODUCING....I am very excited to announce that I will be branching off into one on one personal coaching. A little program I call "Shine Brightly" which was inspired earlier this year by what can happen when you find the right support system for building your dreams and achieving your goals.

What does this mean? Well, I consider myself a "productivity" coach because, if you know me, I LOVE routine. I love checklists. And I love what daily accountability can do for you. It has truly changed my life. Since embarking on this journey myself I have launched my own business, switched careers and joined a non-profit community board from a career perspective. I have also transformed our families eating habits, established healthy routines and finally have found a sense of balance. Not that it doesn't get crazy, but I have the tools to slow down when I need too. The further along I have gotten on this journey, the more I kept thinking...I have to SHARE this! Let me help you be your most productive self. Because you can accomplish SO much more! 

You can review my personal coaching packages here. 

Let me ask you this...

--> Do you feel like you can accomplish so much more but don't have the time to do it?

--> Are you so busy that you have lost your sense of self?

If you want the kind of routine that makes you feel accomplished, gives you time to think about your goals, find some pockets of time for yourself AND feel excited about life, then keep reading. And YES, it is all possible with a few tweaks. It is all about the mindset and a few small steps we are going to take together. I have taken my passion for helping women leaders and turned it into a full-time business all while working my 9-5 gig and raising twin toddlers! You got this! This is just a sample of what my coaching program entails.

--> Custom productivity system, templates and tools designed for you

--> Private coaching sessions on your schedule

--> Personalized goals / intentions to focus on between sessions

--> BONUS membership to workshops and all resources

--> Curated welcome package (You know I love gifts!) 

Finding a community of support and enthusiasm along with the flexibility to fit into an ever-changing way of life for me was the game changer. I am like the peanut butter to your jelly. This plan sticks for the long term. Why? Because it is a lifestyle. Not a 30-day change. You get me one on one and the community and tools for the long haul. And this time is all tailored to YOU!

Check out my personal coaching packages here. Personal coaching spots are limited each month to ensure flexibility so make sure to check out the options!

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IF YOU ARE ALREADY A CLIENT? 
What does this mean for Beachbody and my current clients? Nothing. It stays the same. It is just another tool in my toolkit of offerings. At home workouts and meal planning has forever changed my life and I will still be passionate about it. I will continue to support all my Beachbody clients as I do today. I'm also super excited about our January 80 Day Obsession challenge starting soon!

WHAT WILL CHANGE?You may have noticed my social media has shifted to more about what I am passionate about. Planning. Schedule makeovers. Awesome recipes. Tips and tricks to rock your to-do list. That new morning routine. The things I would share over coffee or lunch if we are meeting in person. (And I hope we do meet in person soon!) The stuff I love. I will still share a few workouts and fitness tips, but that will become much more customized to you.

And because you have been with me from the beginning. I am sending you a little thank-you for the support. Kick-start your New Year with this Motivational Jumpstart Guide.

I am very much looking forward to the new year and new opportunities. I can't wait to connect in the future!

Workout Brownies with SUPERFOOD frosting!

Yes, these are actually good for you!

I have shared a few recipes on social media that I love but here are few workout brownies that I have been raving about! (They are great for after dinner to curb or sugar cravings or after a workout!)

--> Chocolate Brownies

--> Mint Brownies

I make these on Sunday and then freeze them for the week(s) ahead. The recipe makes a HUGE batch so you can honestly go 5-10 days with one recipe! And they are filling so you won't want to eat the entire pan (which is the case with more sugary recipes!)

But wait, there is more goodness!  Take these recipes above and add on a SUPERFOOD frosting!

SUPERFOOD ICING  INGREDIENTS:
- Coconut Oil
- Chocolate Shakeology (or another brand of protein powder)
- Toppings as desired (nuts, sprinkles, coconut)

INSTRUCTIONS:

- Prepare workout brownies based on above recipe

- Melt 4 tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave. Make sure it is 100% melted.

- Slowly add in 4 tablespoons of protein powder

- Mix until clumps have dissolved and ice brownies

- Add in nuts, sprinkles, coconut or any topping as desired

Once the brownies are iced I place them in the fridge for 24 hours or the freezer for 12. Remove and then cut them individual servings. I keep them on a plate as they are "fudgy" and "gooey", but AMAZING! The perfect 8pm treat after a LONG day or to celebrate an awesome workout!

Try them and let me know what you think!

Trader Joe's Holiday Gift Guide (My top 10!)

Yes, I just dedicated an entire blog post to Trader Joe's. Mainly because I LOVE shopping there so much AND because some of my clients asked me to! (I talk about their store ALOT!) And as an added bonus if you have toddlers, they will love it just as much!

Sooo, with that said, here are my top 9 holiday finds from Trader Joe's.

--> Make a gift basket with their holiday tea! The Winter Wake-up is my new favorite! (They also have a great peppermint hot chocolate and coffee selection!

--> Decorate your house with their amazing flowers and greenery! We did our entire outside and some of the inside with their selection. I filled my outdoor planters with greenery (just $4.99 a bundle) and hung wreaths all over our house.

--> Candy Candy Joe's. These are NOT good for you, but my kids LOVE them and they are a fun treat. If you look in the frozen section they also have chocolate dipped versions which are great for last minute holiday parties!

--> Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls. These have become a holiday tradition at our house. Better than the homemade! And they take about 5 minutes to make. Perfect for a cold winter morning by the fire.

--> Everything bagel seasoning. A great stocking stuffer and better yet a great dinner saver. Put this on anything with some olive oil and bake in the oven. It is SOOOO good!

--> Pre-cut veggies. These are dinner savers too. Everything from fresh cut squash crinkle fries (not frozen) to riced cauliflower to pomegranate seeds to pre-chopped stir-fry. These finds make life easier!

--> Wine. My favorite wine is the Dark Horse variety but there are so many awesome TJ's originals to choose from! Here is a list of 27 that won't' break the bank!

--> Pantry and snacks. Pair these amazing SNACKS with your wine and you have an instant party!

--> Advent calendar and gifts. If you have a friend who loves chocolate, their pre-packaged "foodie" gifts are perfect stocking stuffers and great to keep around the house or office. (Try the organic honey sampler, or the holiday coffee sampler for your foodie friends!)

--> Cutest terrarium ever. I got these on sale and hung them all over my house. Perfect gifts, but awesome for the winter when you just want a little greenery around (even after the holidays). 

Happy shopping! And make to share what you found on your Trader Joe's adventure!

p.s. Fun fact. I wrote a paper about Trader Joe's which is owned by Aldi in Grad School. They design their store to be like a treasure hunt. And they deliberately add new products and keep products seasonal every week to make it more fun!

Crock it like its hot...3 Recipes to make THIS WEEK!

The temperature dropped to 35 today and I became a recipe searching fool. For some reason when it is cold outside, I just like to cook. And Pinterest. :) But in all seriousness, the crock pot is a LIFESAVER for us, even in the summer. I have learned to do SO much with it to save us time both on the weekends and during the week.

And I kind of want this print for our kitchen too! Ok, back to the goods. Here are 3 recipes that we are making this week and that you can make today to make your week a little easier!

1) Chicken Enchilada Soup (I used enchilada sauce instead of tomato and rotel tomatoes instead of plain diced!) YUM!

2) Quinoa Vegetable Soup (Great for lunches!)

3) Overnight cherry almond oatmeal (Again, perfect for meal prepping and breakfast on the go! Make one pot tonight for the whole week!)

Want more? I am hosting a 5-day workshop with 10 more recipes and my best weekday meal planning tips this week. It's free. Just RSVP here for all the details! Can't wait!

JOIN HERE!

3 Productivity Hacks for the busy Holiday Season!

What is the biggest struggle you're facing today? I ask that to my clients and the #1 answer I get (and that I give to my coach) is time.

--> I don't have enough time.

--> I need more time.

--> How are their only 24 hours in the day?

Sound familiar?

While I can't create more time in the day, I can give you some the productivity hacks I have been implementing lately to get ahead of the holiday hustle and bustle. (And yes, Halloween was about two days today and we are already using the word "holiday" ALOT!)

SCHEDULE TIME FOR SELF-CARE
My coach has told me this ALOT this week. And it really does sound silly, but self-care can me as simple as setting the alarm an hour later, going to see a movie with friends, finding time to paint your nails or watching that favorite Netflix show. (The trick is is moderation right!?!?)

CHOOSE WISELY
This is hard. But choose what you are going to do with the rule to not over book yourself. My general rule is one weeknight activity as week. And then I work on one family activity a weekend and one "date night" activity as weekend. A few questions to ask....

--> Will it be fun?
--> Do I feel obligated to go?
--> Are their people I want to be around?
--> If I went last year, how did I feel?

OUTSOURCE!
I have worked in IT all my life so this might be a little easier for me, but there are so many great apps and subscription services these day that make life a little more plannable.

--> Stitchfix. I swear by this service. It has changed my wardrobe since the girls were born and is affordable. If you have a holiday party or event coming up, ask for a specific outfit. They will include everything from the shoes to the jewelry.  Another one that I have seen pop-up lately is Front Door Fashion. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks super cute!

--> Google Keep. This is like post-it notes on steriods. You can access it online or on your phone. I tend to use the app the most. You can share post-its with friends, categorize them, color-code them and even add pictures and links to them super easy. I store recipes here, my to-do list, motivational quotes to keep me going and more!

--> Voxer.  No time to call friends? Need to describe a grocery item to your husband? Try Voxer. I use this when I am in the car to leave messages to friends and clients. You get the personal touch of hearing each others voices and one without having to schedule a phone call.

--> Meal Delivery Services. There are a lot of ways to think of this and it isn't just your Hello Fresh or Blue Apron option.  (Check out a review of dinner delivery services here).  Other options include schedule take-out with Amazon Restaurant delivery (there is a coupon in the link!) from your favorite new healthy trendy restaurant that your kids might not love (ok maybe that is me!). We also schedule our grocery pickup for Friday afternoon so that our family can use the weekend to get ready for the week without having to run a ton of errands.

FOCUS ON GRATITUDE
You may have seen this in some of my posts this week, but every day I write in a journal and write down 3 things I am thankful for. Sometimes it is as simple as it is Friday, or I got an extra hour of sleep. Other times, it is more. But in this time of busyness, remember you are lucky. You are worth it. And others are thankful for you too.

I hope these help you as we turn the corner into the busy season as I call it! I would love to know what works for you!

5 EASY Halloween Treats to make RIGHT now!

Ohhhhh, it is almost my favorite holiday! (Even though I am a total scaredy cat and hate scary movies and haunted houses!) I LOVE fall, and cute costumes and all the creative treats nd decorations that come with it!

With that said, I rounded up some of my Pinterest favorites and some treats that will be a hit over the weekend! And yeah, I may have tested some of these out with my favorite superheroes at their 4th birthday!!

SCARECROW CRUNCH!
This is not super healthy, but it isn't awful. Plus it has all those fun ingredients that you loved as a kid!
- Pretzels
- Chex Mix (I used cinnamon)
- Teddy Grahams
- Candy eyes (these were in the cake aisle at our grocery)
- Pumpkin M&Ms
- Candy Corn and Candy Pumpkins
- Whatever else you LOVE!

HAY BALES
Just your ordinary rice crispy treats with a fun name and cute display card (which is actually just construction paper and a Halloween glitter sticker from Amazon!) You can definitely add some flare this. Here is a fun recipe to try!

CHILI BAR
For the girls birthday party we had a chili bar. I made the following chili recipes in the crockpot and then had homemade cornbread and toppings! (Sour cream, avocado, cheese of course and Fritos!) It was super easy and we had enough left over to freeze for later in the week!

- No bean sweet potato chili
- Traditional turkey chili
- BBQ chicken chili

No one knew they were healthy! :)

CHEESY PUMPKINS GHOSTS!
This might be the easiest treat of all. Just take your favorite cookie cutter and cut out your best Halloween shapes! These are super cute!

HAUNTED HOUSE
This kit was courtesy of Trader Joes. It was SO fun for the girls and me to make this and held up really well. (You can find one similar here)

The cupcakes were a fun twist too. I ordered these awesome superhero toppers and then just got plain cupcakes with "high frosting" and sprinkles at our bakery. (oh and p.s. the top cake plate is a normal plate sitting on top of a glass! It creates a fun layered look!)

PINTEREST FAVORITES
Just in case you want an extra does of Halloween inspiration. This is what I used to plan the girls' 4th birthday / Halloween party!
--> Pinterest Fun!

AND just in case you need some inspiration to not go overboard with the candy. Here is how you can burn it off!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I quit.

Um, yeah. did you guys catch it? I subtly announced it on FB earlier this week, but you had to look REALLY closely to catch it.

Productivity Consultant. My new favorite word.

I recently have done a little soul searching on what I want to do with coaching and what I have done over the last few years and have decided to take a little bit of a different path. So I am not quitting my health and fitness coaching, but changing. Because change is good right? And you have to change to get better.

I have decided that overall productivity, mastering routines and helping implement change is my thing. I have been doing it for over 15 years with big corporations so why not take what I am passionate about and do it with you? Let's master that to-list, get over that anxiety, finally start something and finish it and do it all with some awesome energy! (That is where the workouts and clean nutrition comes in).

You might ask, well what does all this mean? I have found a love for taking my 9-5 organizational business skills and diving into my passion of helping women transform their lives by finding time for themselves, living a healthy sustainable lifestyle and finding time to dream. Shine a little brighter.

I will take your daily chaos and personal goals, navigate through and help you get your glow back!

Some things will stay the same. Some things will change. Look for more focused content on mastering to-do lists, quick wins and how to crush the rush of daily life. (Tested by yours truly and a certain set of unruly toddlers!)  I'll be sharing my favorite time hacks, recipes and how I have been staying on track through the busy day to day life. One thing I know for sure is this adventure is just getting started. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements in the next few weeks!

In the meantime, here is some inspiration for your weekend. Don't ever quit. Just change your path and write your own story. And if you are looking for a good read, check this out!

Love a little Louder. 33 ways to Amplify Your Life - by Preston Smiles

Pumpkin Lovers Recipe Roundup

Are you totally loving all the pumpkin stuff right now? I thought I would round up some of my pumpkin favorites including this cute little number.  I have the tank top version. And the mug. And I kind of want this! Totally appropriate for fall weekends right?

(Check it out here!) 

Fall is the season where I used to fall off the wagon, specifically because I want to eat everything. Pumpkin pie. Carmel apples. Lattes. Pumpkin bread. I could go on and on. I recently started spicing up my protein bites with this recipe so that when I need an afternoon sweet or a late night treat, I have a healthier version that won't derail my progress.

• INGREDIENTS:
  
  1 cups dry, uncooked oatmeal (I used gluten-free thick cut oats)1 cup all-natural pumpkin puree
  1 cup all-natural Peanut butter, or almond butter
  2/3 cup pure maple syrup or raw honey1/2 tsp cinnamon
  1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract
  4-6 Tbsp ground flax seeds (if ‘dough’ seems too wet, then I add more ground flax, if it’s too dry, add less…start with a smaller quantity)1 cup mini chocolate chips
  1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips. You could use dark chocolate/cacao pieces, or just skip them altogether.
  2 1/2 scoops vanilla protein powder. (I use Shakeology)
  
  DIRECTIONS:
  
  Mix together in a large bowl. Spoon in 1 tablespoon serving sizes. If the mix doesn't stick at a drop or two of water and it will form a dough like texture.
  
  Enjoy immediately or freeze for 24 hours if you like a more cookie like texture. 
• WANT MORE PUMPKIN?
  
  Try these for some healthy inspiration:
  - Pecan Pumpkin Pancakes
  - Honey Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread
  - Simple Pumpkin Soup
  - 10 Minute Pumpkin Spice Cookies
  - Pumpkin and Sage Stuffed Shells
  
  And because I LOVE pumpkin SO much, join me for a FREE 5 DAY WORKSHOP! Focused on all things pumpkin, health, and wellness.
  - Daily challenges
  - Weekly Accountability
  - Pumpkin recipes to use all season
  - Free pumpkin latte and cookbook giveaway
  - Core tightening moves to make room for that pumpkin pie!
• RSVP HERE!
• I hope this inspires you for a healthy and fun pumpkin season!

Easy Weekday Cookbooks that I LOVE!

Hi friends! It is a nice crisp fall day here today which gets me all excited about new fall flavors and recipes! 

According to Women's Health, we eat 222 more calories a day in the fall than any other season. (Can we say pumpkin latte?!?!) And sorry, cardio fans...it's 80% nutrition that solves the problem, not long hours of cardio.

The #1 activity I do to stay on track during this season is looking for NEW inspiration. Because new things are exciting and it keeps me going through the week. Most of the time this is through recipes! These are my latest favorite go to sources! Some new, some old, but they keep popping up on my meal plan! And yeah, I am that gal that loves looking at the pictures of a cookbook. Please tell me I am not the only one! 

(Check it out here! Here blog is awesome too!)

(Check it out here! It is great for crockpot recipes and busy week nights. Plus the recipes typically make enough for 2 nights!!)

(Check it out here! She had me a sheetpan! So easy!)

(Check it out here! Even if you don't follow Paleo it is a great read about how your body processes food that you can customize to your family with some easy and super healthy recipes! She even has tear out meal plans! Yes!)

(Check it out here! This one is on my wishlist and for all you vegetarians! How gorgeous is the cover? I want it just to start at that guacamole!)

(Check it out here! Last but not least, this satisfies all my farmhouse loves and is also on my wish list. I need anotherp blogpost about that! Lol. I love the title. "Recipes from my barn, in the mountains" Hello comfort food.)

I hope this inspires you to have a healthy week!

What I stopped doing --> Can you by Monday?

Yep, I finally convinced myself that weekends were not for derailing all of your progress but instead a time for a "wellness retreat" as I like to call. So what did I stop doing? Telling myself I would fix it on Monday and changing my mindset to make the weekend a place of self-care, fun and rest! Why wait? Plus feeling better about yourself gives you the inspiration to plan for the week ahead.

You are probably asking, Hey Holly. How do I create a "wellness retreat" over 2 days when I am exhausted from the week and our schedule is packed?  Check out these tips. The theory. Glow by Monday. You can do it!

1) STICK TO A CLEAN MEAL PLAN
- I have lots of meal plans on the blog but I start each day with a nutrient-packed smoothie, followed by a super salad with lots of crunch, protein-packed snacks and then limit my treats to one a day. This typically means wine or dessert on Friday and Saturday, but not both.

2) HYDRATE + CAFFEINE CUTBACK
- Have some fun with those cool new juices from Whole Foods, add lemon and cucumber to your water and stock up on LaCroix! (Ok, I have a semi-obsession with LaCroix, but it counts as a serving!) I love the Whole Foods fresh pressed juices. They are too expensive to drink every day, but 1-2 days a week is totally doable for a treat!

- Take a minute to monitor your caffeine. I try to aim for 1 serving a day on the weekends. Give your body a chance to regulate.

3) SLEEP
- Take a minute to think about your sleep habits. Are you getting enough sleep? Do you need more sleep? What is your bedroom environment like? We recently re-did ours and the goal was to make it relaxing (with new gray paint), clean (i.e. no clutter to stress me out) and quiet and dark.

- Wake up with intention. I recently finished the Miracle Morning book which I probably have told every single person I run into about. The routine is amazing. Try it!

4) SWEAT IT OUT
- Every Saturday I do a fun cardio workout with my favorite playlist. Every Sunday I do 30 minutes of yoga before everyone is up. It is my time to have some fun, dance and then take a minute to appreciate the quiet.
- Get outside. Take a walk. Involve the family. This is a great time of year for family hikes and hitting the metro parks!

5) COMMIT TO A DAY OF FUN
- Get your work done early. Have a plan for what you need to accomplish and then disconnect! Get out and have fun.
- On Saturday nights as an example, I set my phone upstairs at 8pm. And I don't touch it again until after my Sunday yoga. Disconnect. Be present.
- Sometimes just mixing your routine can be fun. What can you do different this weekend?

6) PLAN FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
- Batch cook (you can read my tips on this here!)
- Review your calendar for the week ahead
- Schedule your workouts, activities etc. for the week (and set some goals too!)

Happy weekend! And happy planning! (The templates below are on the blog to help with your wellness weekend!)

3 PM Pick-Me-Up (NEW RECIPES!)

Oh hey! yeah, it has been a LONG time since I have posted some recipes, but I am slowly trying to get back into blogging more now that we are back to school and on a schedule!

So does anyone else feel like they need a nap at 3pm? Or start to become overwhelmed at all things when they think about their day not ending for a few more hours? 

I have recently been switching my caffeine around (I try to only have 2 servings a day of about 50 mg) and have been on a green tea match kick. (I am one of those weirdos that don't like coffee!)

What Exactly Is Matcha?

Matcha is the powdered form of green tea leaves. Pretty simple, huh?

Matcha and green tea differ in the way the tea leaves are processed. Green tea is made by harvesting, heating, and drying leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. When the dried leaves are steeped in water, ta-da, you have tea. To make matcha, the leaves are kept in the shade for 10 to 20 days before they’re harvested. This can help boost their level of chlorophyll, a plant pigment that gives matcha a vibrant jade green color. After the leaves are harvested, they’re milled into a fine powder, which can then be whisked with hot water to make a frothy drink.

Because you’re consuming the entire leaf, the beneficial phytonutrients from matcha may be more potent than those of green tea — which could help to explain why matcha is totally having its moment right now. (Also, it’s gorgeous. And delicious.)

(Source)

Want to try it?
I highly suggest if you are just drinking it as tea mixing it with something...almond milk, milk, or put it in a smoothie. (I love the toasted coconut unsweetened almond milk flavor!) I get my Matcha from Amazon. (of course). The tea bags are super easy, but this Matcha powder makes it super simple to make some fun recipes. 

If you want to try something other than hot tea, try this super smoothie!

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 handful of ice
• 1 scoop Vanilla Vegan Shakeology
• 1 tsp. unsweetened matcha powder

Instructions

• Place almond milk, ice, Shakeology, and matcha powder in blender; cover.
• Blend until smooth. 

They key is to make sure the matcha powder is unsweetened so it's not overly sugary. 

You can also find these fun match drinks from Tea Pigs! I LOVE their tea!

(source)

Try this for your afternoon pick-me-up and let me know what you think!

Late Summer EASY Meal Plan!

Hello! Wow, it has been a while since I posted a new meal plan! Honestly, I have been using all the ones I already had, but with back to school I thought it was time to try create a new one!

I tend to still use the 3/2 method which is where I eat the same breakfasts and lunches 2 days and then another set of breakfasts and lunches the next 3 days. It is easier to prep and then I don't get bored with eating the same thing every day!

You can download the entire meal plan with the recipes HERE. 

My latest time-saving tip is to use chicken sausage and rotisserie chicken for lunches. It doesn't take a ton of time to prep and I just layer it on top of a salad mix. (Lately, I have been using the Asian Salad mix from Costco). Before work, I just add a little dressing, pack it up and go!

I also included a brand-new dinner recipe that is SUPER easy (Morrocan chicken) and will serve a family of 4 for 1-2 nights. It has a ton of flavor without a lot of work!

I have been trying to drink more water and recently purchased a new glass water pitcher from Amazon. Every few days I have been using cucumbers, basil, lemon, limes, etc. to infuse the water with some flavor. It kind of reminds me of a spa, well not quite, but it has been a good way to stay hydrated and super easy!

--> My meal prep containers can be found here. 

--> The water pitcher can be found here. 

Finally, my last new tip is that I have been freezing my almond milk for smoothies. I put the almond milk in ice cube trays and then throw a few in with my smoothie ingredients. SO easy!

You can download my smoothie recipes here. 

I hope this inspires you for a week of healthy eating! My additional tips and guide to meal plan fast is below!

The Busy Mom's Guide to Master Meal Prep!

Crush the Rush!

Did someone say back to school?!?!? Ok, not yet, but I don't know about you, but my summer mornings have gotten a little "off". With vacations and camps and late nights, they need a little makeover. 

Introducing my "Crush the Rush" workshop. Something I have been super passionate about for a long time, finally in a 5-day format I can share with all of you! And it is FREE!!!

RSVP HERE!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/326493831141853/

✨✨Join the movement to Crush the Rush!✨✨

Ever feel like your mornings are overwhelming? And you just can't get out the door in time? Or you don't have the energy to focus on those TOP priority items and end up doing them late at night or not at all?

JOIN me for a 5 day FREE "Crush the Rush" workshop, featuring the book the "Miracle Morning".

We will take it step by step with tips to help you get your mornings and your plan back on track!
--> Tips to wake up earlier (and be more efficient with your time)
--> Easy breakfast recipes for on the go!
--> Ways to prioritize your top to-do's
--> Tips to find a few minutes to focus on YOU!
--> PLUS prizes and giveaways for those that "crush it" 💁

RSVP HERE!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/326493831141853/

Can't wait! We kick off July 31st!