Hi friends! How are you? I hope you had an amazing weekend! I’m sorry I disappeared on ya for Friday Faves. We got our stair railing replaced (it looks amazing!) but they had to spray the clear coat as the final step. We left the house because I didn’t want everyone to breathe in the fumes. I had Maisey with me all day and we went to juice with a friend, picked up the girls at school, and spent the rest of the afternoon at madre’s house. Thankfully by dinnertime, the smell was gone, and the stair upgrade has made a huge difference in our entryway.

What were you up to this weekend? Any fun fall activities?

Thoughts on a Monday

I’m feeling a little all over the place today, so just thought I’d share some random thoughts on a Monday.

– Fall candle season is officially here!

This is one I picked up recently and it smells like a dream:

– Halloween Decor

We also decorated for Halloween and have this 13-ft Jack Skellington to greet delivery drivers and eventually trick-or-treaters. 😉

– Hot Yoga Class

I took a hot yoga class the other day and was thinking about the Bikram yoga days of yore, which was my original intro to hot yoga. When we lived in Valdosta, I’d occasionally drive two hours with a friend to take Bikram classes in Jacksonville, and loved taking them when we would visit Orlando or Atlanta.

While Bikram the person has a pretty icky backstory – the Netflix documentary is wild, and unfortunately not super surprising – the Bikram yoga method also has me raising my eyebrows two decades later.

It makes me cringe to think that the rooms were CARPETED (hi mold and germ city), and during one of my first classes, I was publicly shamed for drinking water before Eagle pose. Also, an instructor once told me that if I breathed through my mouth during class, it would turn my teeth yellow. And I believed her lol.

–

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Sharing a fashion post with some things I’m loving this week! 

Hi friends! How’s the week going? I hope you’re enjoying the afternoon! I’m here putting the finishing touches on Octobers Fit Team workouts (they go out today!) and meeting up with a friend later.

For today’s post, let’s talk fashion-y things. I used to share fashion picks more often on the blog, and have been wanting to get back into it! (Along with posting more recipes.) If you guys enjoy this type of post, please let me know! Personally, I always love getting new shopping ideas 😉

Here are some of the things I’m loving this week:

This week’s fashion faves

This jumpsuit

(with these shoes)

It’s a little long on me, but I’m going to get it tailored. Usually I’d send it back, but I really love the fabric and color, and I’m a huge fan of outfits that are one piece and done! Link is here.

This vegan leather skirt

(with this bodysuit

Sharing a total body TRX workout plan for beginners. As always, talk with a doctor before making any fitness changes and modify as needed!

Hi friends! How’s the day going? I hope you’re enjoying the morning so far! Resharing this updated post for my friends who may have missed it. <3

For today’s post, I’m sharing a TRX workout plan for beginners! As you guys know, I’m a huge fan of the TRX suspension trainer and it’s been a staple in my workout routine for years. What is the TRX? TRX stands for Total Body Resistance Exercise and was developed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick. He was deployed and wanted to create something that he could easily use for resistance training. He created the first prototype for the TRX using a jiu-jitsu belt! You can read more about his fascinating story and journey here.

TRX suspension training uses gravity for resistance, which means that you’re using your own body weight. However, your distance from the anchor point of the TRX can make an exercise easier or exponentially more challenging. You also may find that the TRX enables you to find more range of motion, support, or resistance for your workout; depending on your fitness level and body position.

The TRX is also super lightweight and portable, so it’s an awesome home workout tool or travel workout companion. 🙂 Many gyms have them, but they’re an inexpensive home gym option, too. 

Use can use the TRX system to train your entire body, and it’s easy to modify or advance, depending on your personal level. This style of training helps to improve strength and endurance, and is generally a safe and effective tool to use. Today, I’m sharing a TRX workout plan that’s designed for beginners, but keep in mind that a simple shift if your position can make this harder for my advanced friends out there.

TRX Workout Plan for Beginners

This workout is a circuit-based workout, meaning that you’ll go down the list of exercises. You’ll complete 12-15 reps of the first exercise, move onto the second, then the third, etc. until you reach the end of the circuit. You’ll rest for 60-90 seconds and complete the circuit 1-2 more times through.

What makes this a beginner workout?

Typically for beginners, I’ll start with lower weights and higher rep exercises

Sharing tips on how to balance weight lifting and cardio.

Hi friends! How’s the week going so far? We’ve had a good one over here. Lots of exciting house updates are happening — it’s been fun to see some fresh changes around here.

Today, let’s talk about fitness-y things and how to combine strength training and cardio.

If you’re on a fitness journey, you’ve likely encountered the age-old debate: weight lifting vs. cardio. Each of these exercises has its unique benefits, and combining them can enhance your overall fitness. But how do you strike the right balance between these two essential components of a well-rounded fitness routine? That’s what I’m chatting about today! remember that these are just general tips. Always talk with a doctor before making any fitness changes.

How to Balance Weight Lifting and Cardio

Weight lifting and cardio are like the dynamic duo of fitness. They complement each other, working together to provide you with a holistic approach to health. Weight lifting helps build muscle, while cardio elevates your heart rate, burning calories and improving cardiovascular health.

Recommended Balance

The recommended balance between cardio and strength training can vary based on your fitness goals and personal preferences. However, a general guideline is to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity cardio each week, combined with two or more days of strength training.

Here are some practical tips for striking the right balance:

Benefits of Combining Cardio and Strength Training

Improved General Fitness: Combining both types of exercise enhances your overall fitness. You’ll have the strength and endurance to tackle various activities in your daily life.

Better Sleep: Regular exercise, especially a combination of cardio and strength training, can improve sleep quality, helping you feel more rested and energized.

More Efficient Muscles: Cardio workouts help improve the efficiency of your cardiovascular system, while strength training increases muscle mass and strength. This synergy allows your body to work more effectively.

Reduced Risk of Injury: A balanced workout routine promotes flexibility, strength, and proper muscle engagement, reducing the risk of injuries during workouts and daily activities.

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Sharing my favorite finds from Trader Joe’s! 

Hellooooo! How are ya? I hope you’re enjoying the day so far. I have a couple of meetings this morning and looking forward to a massage later today. I hope you have a lovely day ahead!

For today’s post, I wanted to share my favorite Trader Joe’s finds! I LOVE learning about new Trader Joe’s products — they have so much good stuff. Since 2020, the Pilot had been doing most of the grocery shopping. Since he was “out in the world” more during that one time that shall not be named, it was something we did for safety. He would get most of our groceries at Trader Joe’s, and we would order everything else for pickup from Whole Foods.

Over time as things changed, the grocery routine remained the same. He would get most of the groceries at TJ’s, I would pick up the extra stuff at Whole Foods or Natural Grocers. While I loved the fact that he took this major chore off my plate, I definitely missed browsing Trader Joe’s and finding new fun things. When I finally went back… I went a little wild lol. The guy at checkout was like, “I’m going to grab you a second cart” lol.

For today’s post, I wanted to share some of my all-time faves. Please try to keep in mind that I tried to only include more *fun* stuff on this list. Yes, Everything but the Bagel seasoning is life-changing, and Trader Joe’s has lovely medjool dates, salad greens, flowers, and candles, but I wanted to include products that are exclusive to Trader Joe’s. Please let me know if you have any favorites, especially for fall!

My 15 favorite Trader Joe’s products

1. The gluten-free brownie mix

I’ve tried so many gf brownies mixes over the years and this one is hands down the best. It’s fudgy, soft, super rich, and let’s just ignore the fact that the #1 ingredient is sugar.

2. “Everything but the Elote” chips

These chips are LIFE and there’s nothing that tastes as good as the first chip. They’re extremely savory, a little spicy, and have the perfect Frito-esque shape and crunch. 10/10

3. Chili and Lime Flavored Rolled Tortilla Chips aka TJ’s Takis

We all agree that these taste even better than Taki’s and have way better ingredients. The flavor is much more bold and lime-y, and no red food dye. Wins all a