Snapshots from Sundance

Its been almost a week since I have returned from my trip out west and I am still basking in the post mountain glow. There is something about the crisp mountain air in the fall...or maybe the fact that I slept 8 hours for a few days in a row, or the fact that I was surrounded by such amazing energy. Regardless, its something I will truly never forget!

Do you ever get that feeling in your gut when you are about to do something amazing but you are scared...in a good way of what will happen when  you do it? That is how I felt a year and a half ago when I signed up to be a coach. I knew it was an amazing opportunity. Something that was going to push me to be a better wife, mom, co-worker and friend.  After a lot of focus, and dedication. We took a weekend to celebrate our success and plan our year for next year! I was eligible to travel on this amazing trip with my fellow coaches. (aka, it was all expenses paid!) 

I feel like it was destiny that led me to this amazing group. We are moms, wives, doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers and overall hard workers. We stay up late some nights and get up super early most mornings to make this work, but let me tell you. If I could bottle this weekend up and share it would the world I could. It was one of the most surreal, self-developing trips I have experienced in a long time. I cannot wait to take my family back. 

We kicked off the weekend in an amazing house. As when I say amazing, I mean it was for sale for a cool $7 million. There was over 3,000 square feet of deck around the house alone. 

Oh and this was our backyard!

We hiked, cooked along side a private chef and even had the opportunity to meet with a leadership coach and travel to the Beachbody headquarters. On top of that we had professional pictures taken to use for our business. Pretty awesome right? I feel so blessed to have these women in my life. We support one another, pick each other up with times get tough, and oh yeah, have a lot of fun! Work hard, play hard right? 

Until next year! 

10 Minute Pumpkin Spice Cookies! 🍁

Its October first which means pumpkins, chili and all things fall! This pumpkin cookie recipe is super easy and yummy. Its very light and not super sweet!

{adapted from a Saucy Kitchen}

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

1/2 cup sugar

6 tablespoons of pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (can also substitute cinnamon chips)

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large sized bowl mix together your coconut oil, sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree until smooth. Set aside while you mix your flour.

In a different bowl mix together your flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients a little bit at a time until everything is combine. Fold in the chocolate chips. 

Roll out the dough into little balls about the size of a tablespoon and place on your baking sheet. Flatten them a bit with your palm after placing them on the sheet as they will not rise much. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let them cool for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!

Let me know what you think!

Hello Fall! September Favs! 🍁

I can't believe its mid-September already, but I'm doing a little happy dance that fall is FINALLY here. Here are a few of my September favorites!

All things pumpkin!!! This SMOOTHIE is amazing.  Here is how I make it:
- 1 cup coconut or almond milk
- 2 ounces of water
- 1/2 cup of pumpkin (I use organic)
- 1 serving vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon PB (or 2 tablespoons of PB2 or peanut butter powder)
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 banana
- handful of ice
- Pumpkin pie spice to taste

Mix in blender and serve immediately! The perfect breakfast!

Fall Boots! These are really not practical but so cute! AND on sale! I have a few goals to hit before these get purchased but they are on my wish list!

(Source)

New motivation...I started reading this this month after a few REALLY long work weeks made me take a closer look at everything I was doing. I am still a perfectionist, but making progress at what REALLY needs to be done. 

(Source)

Balance. Ok, so this sort of goes with the book above but...the girls turn 3 in the fall which makes me sit back and reflect a bit. Am I doing the right things? Am I working hard enough? Am I setting a good example? It's also the time of year where our social calendar's pick-up with all the outdoor activities, halloween etc. There really isn't such a thing of balance in my mind, just learning to prioritize....but this video celebrates all women who work and I could not say it better. I'm looking forward to following along this month!

Adventure! Fall is my favorite season and in Ohio, we are blessed with some amazing foliage. Scott and I decided to take the girls on a "metro park a week" adventure so that we could maximize the season. We have done 3 so far and working on our 4th this weekend. The girls take "treasure" bags and pick up their favorite rocks, leaves etc and then we sort and talk about them when we get home. We need to work on our hiking skills but its been far my favorite adventure of the month. 

Happy fall!