Sharing my strategy and how I’ve decreased inflammation and resolved some health issues over the past year.

***Warning: this post contains red eyeball pictures. If that freaks you out, please feel free to skip this post! 

Hi friends! I hope that you’re having a great week. Ours has been spent slowly putting the house back together – I’ll share some pics of the new floors soon!- and getting ready for spring travel and adventures.

For today’s post, I wanted to share a bit more about my health journey over the past year and my plan.

Please keep in mind that I’m not a doctor, and this is not medical advice. If you’re struggling with your health, please reach out to your doctor and get the support you need. Also, please don’t take, “you’re going to have to live with this” for an answer. There have been a handful of times in our family where I was told that was the case and it was not true. Sometimes you need a third or fourth opinion, but someone is out there who can help you. You can heal, and you deserve to feel amazing.

This time last year, things went wacky with my eyes. It was a pretty stressful time – the Pilot was traveling a lot, it was dance competition season, and I had to do a few of the dance competitions, and the big Disney trip for the parade solo parenting. It was all fun stuff, but it was a lot. We were getting ready for our end-of-the-year party, planning for Liv’s first communtion, and I was pushing myself the hardest I’d ever pushed with strength training and intervals.

I don’t want to recap the entire story with my eyes – I have a post here, and a podcast episode here – but the nutshell version is that they were neon red for many weeks, and the multiple eye doctors had differing opinions on what caused it. At first they thought it was pink eye – I did antibiotics and it didn’t resolve, and kept coming back – and something had triggered it. The only thing that kept the inflammation down was very intense steriod drops. One doctor wanted me to take them for three to four months!

I kept getting different answers, and after seeing multiple eye doctors, and my PCP, who helped me do some digging, we learned a few things:

– I had blepharitis, which was inflammation of my eyelids, MGD (meibmoian gland dysfunction) and dry eye

– Two markers for Lupus came back positive (ANA and DS-DNA)

– Something was causing inflamamtion in my body

The Lupus thing kind of made sense to me. I’d had random stress rashes over the years, and sometimes my hands would ache. I figured it was because I spent so much time on my phone and typing. I felt low-energy, like all the sleep in the world wouldn’t make me feel rested, and had a hard time recovering from my workouts. I would do one really hard workout, and not be able to work out again for 3-4 days afterwards. I started to get sick more frequently… and when I had the flu, I was in bed for 9 days. I knew something was causing my immune system to be on high alert.

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Sharing 12 delicious sweet and savory yogurt bowl combos!

Hi friends! How are you? I hope the week is going well! I’m going for a hike this morning – the weather is a dreeeeaaaaaam – and also have a dentist appointment.

For today’s post, I wanted to share some breakfast and snack ideas: yogurt bowls!!

Are you a fan of yogurt bowls? If not, you’re missing out on a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack option. Yogurt bowls are not only easy to make but also packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them a great choice for fueling your day.

If you can digest whole fat Greek yogurt, go for it! It’s packed with protein and nutrients. Since I can’t do a ton of dairy, I like to use Kite Hill yogurt or Cocoyo and mix it with protein powder 🙂

Today, I’m excited to share a roundup of 12 yogurt bowl ideas that you’ll love to try.

12 Yogurt Bowl Ideas

1. Berry Bliss Yogurt Bowl

Ingredients:

Greek yogurt

Mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

Granola

Chia seeds

Instructions:

Step 1: In a bowl, layer Greek yogurt.

Step 2: Top with mixed berries, granola, and chia seeds.

Step 3: Enjoy this burst of fruity goodness!

2. Tropical Paradise Yogurt Bowl

Ingredients:

Greek yogurt

Pineapple chunks

Mango slices

Toasted coconut flakes

Honey drizzle

Instructions:

Step 1: Start with a base of Greek yogurt in a bowl.

Step 2: Add pineapple chunks and mango slices.

Step 3: Sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes and drizzle with honey.

Step 4: Close your eyes and transport yourself to a tropical paradise with every spoonful!

3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Yogurt Bowl

Ingredients:

Greek yogurt

Chocolate chips

Peanut butter

Homemade granola

Chopped nuts

Instructions:

Step 1: Spoon Greek yogurt into a bowl.

Step 2: Sprinkle with chocolate chips and drizzle with peanut butter.

Step 3: Top with homemade granola and chopped nuts for added crunch.

Step 4: Indulge in this decadent yet healthy treat!

4. Green Goddess Yogurt Bowl

Ingredients:

Plain Greek yogurt

Avocado slices

Cucumber slices

Cherry tomatoes

Hemp seeds

Instructions:

Step 1: Spread plain Greek yogurt in a bowl.

Step 2: Arrange avocado slices, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes on top.

Step 3: Sprinkle with hemp seeds for an extra boost of protein and healthy fats.

Step 4: Enjoy this refreshing and nutrient-packed bowl!

5. Peach Pie Yogurt Bowl

Ingredients:

Greek yogurt

Sliced peaches

Cinnamon

Almond butter

Crushed graham crackers

Instructions:

Step 1: Layer Greek yogurt in a bowl.

Step 2: Top with sliced peaches and a sprinkle of cinnam

Sharing my thoughts on Shilajit and how I use it in my routine.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that your week is off to a great start. I’m looking forward to barre this morning, and client calls this afternoon.

For today’s post, I wanted to chat about a hot topic in the supplement world: shilajit! If you’ve been curious about trying it, I’m excited to chat about what shilajit is, its incredible benefits, how it’s sourced, and take a closer look at Organifi’s shilajit gummies, weighing their pros and cons. (Just a lil note that you can use FITNESSISTA for 20% off at Organifi!)

Friendly reminder that I’m not a doctor and this post is not medical advice. I’m simply sharing my thoughts and experience.

What is the best Shilajit?

Shilajit, often referred to as “the destroyer of weakness,” is a potent substance that has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Derived from the rocks of the Himalayas and other mountain ranges, shilajit is known for its numerous health benefits and unique composition.

What is Shilajit?

Shilajit is a sticky, tar-like substance that oozes from rocks in mountainous regions, particularly in the Himalayas. It is formed over centuries by the decomposition of plant matter and minerals, resulting in a rich, bioactive compound. Shilajit is composed of a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds, including fulvic acid, humic acid, minerals, and trace elements.

Benefits of Shilajit

Shilajit is revered for its wide range of health benefits, which have been documented in both traditional medicine and modern research.

Some of the key benefits of shilajit include:

Increased Energy and Stamina: Shilajit is known for its ability to enhance energy levels and combat fatigue, making it a popular choice among athletes and individuals with demanding lifestyles.

Improved Cognitive Function: Studies suggest that shilajit may support cognitive function, including memory, focus, and mental clarity.

Enhanced Physical Performance: Shilajit has been shown to improve physical performance and endurance, making it a valuable supplement for athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Anti-inflammatory Properties: Shilajit exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects, which may help alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and joint pain.

Antioxidant Support: Shilajit is rich in antioxidants, which help protect cells from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. By reducing oxidative stress on the scalp, shilajit may help prevent hair loss and maintain overall hair health.

Collagen Synthesis: Shilajit contains minerals like copper and zinc, which play essential roles in collagen synthesi

Hi friends! Happy Friday! I hope you’ve had a wonderful week. We are 100% in chaos and construction mode over here, but I’m so excited for the finished product. I’ve been wanting to replace our upstairs carpet for YEARS and am so pumped that the time is finally here! We kept waiting for the “best time” to do it regarding travel, work, dance, and school schedules, and finally realized there will never be an ideal time. So, here we go! We’ve slept on air mattresses downstairs all week; like a big family slumber party 🙂

I’m looking forward to girls’ night tonight and farmers market this weekend, in between putting the house back together. I hope you’ve had a lovely week.

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

This week I took an amazing class at Session Yoga foothills. I practiced at the central location for years – especially the last time we lived here – but it’s been too long of a trek to make it out there. I’m so excited to have a studio close by! Tucson friends: use the code FIT to get a free class at Session!

Friday Faves 3.7

Read, watch, listen:

5 things no one tells you about postpartum fitness.

Don’t forget to check out this week’s podcast episode about Ozempic here.

Do TV jobs seem real?

Can’t wait to listen to this!

Fashion + beauty:

Here’s the exciting Beautycounter news: we’re launching PERFUME! This product is 10 years in the making and it was one of the firs

Talking about a huge topic today – is Ozempic worth the risk? I’m sharing my thoughts as an Integrative Health Practitioner and Women’s Fitness Specialist. Would I take Ozempic? Would I recommend it to clients?

Here’s what we discuss in today’s episode:

What is Ozempic and how does it work?

Would I take Ozempic, or what would I use instead?

Pros and cons

and so much more!

Partners:

I’ve been using Nutrisense on and off for a couple of years now. I love being able to see how my blood sugar responds to my diet and habits, and run experiments. You can try out Nutrisense here and use GINA50 for $50 off.

Join us for Fit Team! This is my online fitness community and you can try it free for 7 days.

I love love love the meals from Sakara Life! Use this link and the code XOGINAH for 20% off their meal delivery and clean boutique items. This is something I do once a month as a lil treat to myself and the meals are always showstoppers.

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission. You can absolutely join if you don’t currently work in the health or fitness industry; many IHPs don’t begin on this path. They’re friends who are passionate to learn more about health and wellness, and want to share this information with those they love. You can do this as a passion, or start an entirely new career.

You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. I highly recommend it! You can check out my review IHP Level 1 here and Read more