Sharing a roundup of my favorite healthy Costco foods!

Hiiiii! How are you? I hope you’re having a wonderful day! I have an exciting Zoom call this am, and then we’re taking Liv for her first contact lenses lesson. She’s been wanting them for a quite a while, so I hope she loves them.

For today’s post, let’s talk about the club.

The only clubbin’ I really do lately lol.

I freaking love Costco, which is one of the adult-iest things about me. I can roll in there for five things and spend a thousand dollars though, so I don’t go super often. When we do go, we stock up on our beloved faves, and it’s so fun to see what new products and brands they have. They’ve really upped their game on organic and minimally-processed options over the past few years, so I wanted to shout out some of my faves.

I’d love to hear about your Costco staples, too!

20 Healthy Costco Foods:

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

(I’ll also get the Chosen Avocado oil and a container of coconut oil!)

Key Ingredients: 100% organic extra virgin olive oil.

What Makes It Healthy: Packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.

Where to Find It: Look for it in the cooking oils section.

Kerrygold butter:

Key Ingredients: Grass-fed cow’s milk.

What Makes It Healthy: Rich in healthy fats, fat-soluble vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids due to the grass-fed diet of the cows.

Where to Find It: In the dairy or refrigerated section.

Sizes Available: Sold in blocks.

Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers:

Key Ingredients: Nut and seed flour blend (almonds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds), tapioca starch, cassava flour.

What Makes It Healthy: Gluten-free, grain-free, and made with wholesome ingredients.

Where to Find It: Check the snack aisle.

Sizes Available: Typically sold in large boxes.

Wild Planet Wild Albacore Tuna:

Key Ingredients: Pole and line-caught wild albacore tuna, sea salt.

What Makes It Healthy: A rich source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients.

Where to Find It: Look for it in the canned goods section.

Sizes Available: Available in individual cans or multipacks.

Kirkland Signature Organic Quinoa:

Key Ingredients: Organic white quinoa.

What Makes It Healthy: High in protein, fiber, and essential amino acids.

Where to Find It: In the grains and legumes aisle.

Sizes Available: Sold in large bags for convenient bulk purchasing.

Nut Butter:

Key Ingredients: Various nut varieties (e.g., almond, peanut, cashew).

What Makes It Healthy: A good source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamins.

Where to Find It: Check the spreads and condiments section.

Sizes Available: Available in jars or large containers.

Organic Frozen Berries:

Key Ingredients: Organic mixed berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, raspberries).

What Makes It Healthy: Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.

Where to Find It: In the frozen foods aisle.

Sizes Available: Sold in large bags for convenience.

Kirkland Signature Organic Salsa:

Key Ingredients: Organic tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, garlic.

What Makes It Healthy: Low in calories and fat, wit

Motivation Tips For Group Fitness Instructors

For today’s post, I wanted to talk about motivation tips for group fitness instructors: what I’ve found to work in my years of teaching, what only works for some people, and what falls flat, no matter what. I would love to hear your thoughts and experience as group fitness participants or fellow instructors!! Whether you’re leading through a screen, like many instructors are after Rona, or in person, motivation strategies are super important. You want to transmit energy and inspire individuals and group exercise participants both effectively and authentically.

What works (almost) every time:

Use great music with a diverse playlist.

This is one of my favorite things to do! Include a mix of music in your playlists, because someone in class will love the *weird song* you picked. For example, I’ll throw in a random oldies or country song just to keep things fun, and will also try to mix up top 40s music with more alternative and instrumental styles. If you make an entire playlist based on one genre (like EDM or top 40s) one person in class will love every song, but one person will hate every song and possibly never come back.

Call out participants by their names.

I think it’s so much more meaningful this way and shows participants that you care about them.

Acknowledge their hard work and push them to take it up within a safe level.

I talk more about this here! It’s SO important to encourage participants to listen to their body, modify as needed, and be proud of them for showing up!!!

Demonstrate proper form and ways to modify or progress an exercise.

When participants have confidence in the moves and know they’re not setting themselves up for injury, it’s more motivating. 😉

Emphasizing the muscle group they’re working.

Explain why it’s important (“a strong core helps protect our low back and support everyday movements”), and helping them put their mind to muscle.

Just be quiet.

Sometimes it motivating and powerful to be quiet for a bit and let the energy and music do the talking for you.

What works sometimes, depending on the vibe and your personality:

The more “woo” side of things, like visualizations.

During a spin class, sometimes I’ll say something like, “Imagine the people you love standing on the side of the road right now holding a sign to inspire you. What does the sign say?” Or “For our sprint, we’re riding against your biggest competition. Maybe it’s someone from work, or maybe it’s someone who doesn’t even know who you are.”

Hands-on adjustments.

Some people love these and some people hate them, so it’s good to ask at the beginning of class if there are injuries or if anyone is uncomforta

Shainrg some ideas on how to use breathwork for stress reduction. 

Hi friends! How are ya? I hope you’re enjoying the week so far. I have client calls all day today and am looking forward to choir later tonight 🙂 This is one of the busiest seasons of the year for so many of us. I feel like from now until the end of school is a sprint to the finish line. So, for today’s post, I wanted to chat a little bit about stress and one of my favorite stress reduction techniques.

Stress has become a common part of our daily lives. From work deadlines to family responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious. However, one powerful tool that we often overlook is our breath.

Breath work, also known as controlled breathing or pranayama, is a simple yet effective technique that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Today, I wanted to talk about the benefits of breath work and share some practical tips to incorporate it into your daily routine. Please let me know if you give them a whirl!

Breathwork for stress reduction

The Benefits of Breath Work:

Stress Reduction: One of the most significant benefits of breath work is its ability to reduce stress levels. Deep, slow breathing activates the body’s relaxation response, calming the nervous system and lowering cortisol levels.

Improved Mental Clarity: Breath work can help clear the mind and improve focus and concentration. By bringing awareness to the breath, you can quiet racing thoughts and achieve a sense of mental clarity.

Enhanced Emotional Well-being: Conscious breathing can help regulate emotions and promote a sense of calm and balance. It can be particularly beneficial for managing anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.

Better Sleep Quality: Practicing breath work before bedtime can help calm the mind and promote better sleep quality. Deep breathing techniques can induce a state of relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

Increased Energy Levels: Deep breathing delivers oxygen to the brain and muscles, increasing energy levels and improving overall vitality. By practicing breath work regularly, you can boost your energy levels and combat feelings of fatigue.

How to Practice Breath Work for Stress Reduction:

Diaphragmatic Breathing: Start by sitting or lying down in a comfortable position. Place one hand on your abdomen and the other on your chest. Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your abdomen to rise as you fill your lungs with air. Exhale slowly through your mouth, allowing your abdomen to fall. Repeat for several breaths, focusing on the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your body.

Box Breathing: This technique involves breathing in for a count of four, holding for a count of four, exhaling for a count of four, and holding for a count of four. Visualize drawing a square with your breath, inhaling as you ascend, holding at the top, exhaling as you descend, and holding at the bottom.

Alternate Nostril Breathing: Sit in a comfortable position and close your right nostril with your right thumb. Inhale deeply through your left nostril for a count of four. Close your left nostril with your ring finger, and exhale through your right nostril for a count of four. Continue alternating nostrils for several rounds, focusing on the rhythm of your breath.

Mindful Breathing: Take a few moments throughout the day to pause and bring awareness to your breath. Notice the sensation of air entering and leav

Sharing some sleep hygeine hacks to help you get a better night’s sleep. 

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope that you had an amazing weekend. We’re back from a whirlwind trip to Vegas! It was such a blast to spend the weekend with friends in one of my favorite places. I’ll share some pics of the shenanigans in Friday Faves!

Today, let’s talk about sleep!

In today’s fast-paced world, quality sleep has become a luxury rather than a necessity. Yet, it’s essential for our overall health and well-being. Sleep hygiene, the habits and practices that promote healthy sleep, plays a crucial role in achieving restorative rest each night.

10 Sleep Hygiene Hacks

In this blog post, I wanted to share 10 effective sleep hygiene hacks to help you optimize your sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. (Little note: this is not medical advaice and I’m not a doctor. If you’re having trouble with sleep, please reach out to your health care provider.)

Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule:
Maintaining a regular sleep-wake cycle helps regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to synchronize your circadian rhythm.

Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Develop a calming pre-sleep ritual to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. This could include activities like reading a book, practicing gentle yoga or meditation, taking a warm bath, or listening to soothing music. Avoid stimulating activities or screens, which can disrupt melatonin production and hinder sleep.

Optimize Your Sleep Environment:
Transform your bedroom into a sleep-friendly sanctuary by optimizing your sleep environment. Keep the room cool, dark, and quiet, and invest in comfortable bedding and a supportive mattress. Consider using blackout curtains, white noise machines, or earplugs to block out external disturbances and promote deep sleep.

Limit Exposure to Blue Light:
Exposure to blue light from screens (phones, tablets, computers) in the evening can suppress melatonin production and interfere with sleep. Minimize screen time at least an hour before bedtime, or use blue light-blocking glasses or apps to reduce the impact of artificial light on your sleep cycle.

Watch Your Caffeine Intake: While caffeine can provide a temporary energy boost, consuming it too close to bedtime can disrupt sleep. Limit your intake of caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and soda in the afternoon and evening, and opt for decaffeinated options or herbal teas instead.

Practice Relaxation Techniques:
Incorporate relaxation techniques into your bedtime routine to calm your mind and body before sleep. Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxatio

Sharing my review of the Canopy shower filter. You can check it out here and use the code FITNESSISTA15 for 15% off site wide!

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re having an amazing week so far. We had to drag our mattress downstairs to sleep on the living room floor while they work upstairs, so sleep has been a little interesting lol, but other than that all is well here.

We’re making some huge improvements around the house for aesthetic and health purposes. When I found out our sofa and carpet both had mold, it was time for them to go. Water filtration is something that you can easily do for your health – I can do a post about my favorite filters for drinking! – but it’s easy to forget about the water you and your family use to bathe.

For today’s post, I wanted to talk about why you might want to filter your shower and bath water, and the best home shower filter that I’ve found: Canopy!

Why should you filter your shower and bath water?

When we shower, the water we use is absorbed into our skin, and we’re also breathing in the vapors of this water, often in an enclosed space. You can check out the quality of your local tap water here. (Tucson’s is horrible.)

Filtering bath and shower water offers several benefits for skin, hair, and overall health, including:

Skin Irritation Reduction: Chlorine and chloramines, commonly used in municipal water supplies, can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, itchiness, and irritation. Filtering these chemicals can reduce the risk of these issues, leaving the skin feeling softer and more comfortable.

Mineral Deposits Reduction: Hard water, containing high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium, can leave deposits on the skin, causing it to feel dry and rough. Hard water also contains various dissolved metals, like aluminum, barium, strontium, iron, zinc, and manganese. Filtering hard water can prevent these mineral deposits, resulting in smoother, more hydrated skin.

Hair Health Improvement: Hard water can also leave mineral deposits on the hair, making it appear dull and lifeless. Filtering the water can help maintain the hair’s natural shine and vitality.

Eczema and Psoriasis Relief: For those with eczema or psoriasis, which can be exacerbated by exposure to certain chemicals and minerals in water, filtering the water can help alleviate symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

Reduced Risk of Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may be sensitive to chemical