Sharing tips and strategies on how to overcome challenges that get in the way of maintaining a regular fitness routine.

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a great morning so far. I have an in-person meeting and a podcast interview. Counting down to the weekend and the Pilot’s bday celebration!

For today’s post, I wanted to talk about some common fitness hurdles and share some strategies for overcoming them. 

We’ve all been there—the excitement of setting fitness goals, the burst of energy during the first few weeks, and then life happens. Suddenly, those well-intentioned plans are upended, and the road to consistent fitness feels like an uphill climb.

Overcoming challenges to consistent fitness routines

Here are some of the things that can get in the way of the best fitness plans and squash that initial excitement. The good news is that you can shift your mindset, show yourself grace, and make fitness a consistent part of your routine, even with obstacles along the way.

1. Life’s Unexpected Twists:

Life is beautifully unpredictable, and that unpredictability can throw a wrench into our workout routines. Whether it’s unexpected work demands, family emergencies, or just the general chaos of daily life, it’s crucial to acknowledge that flexibility is a cornerstone of consistency. Embrace the ebb and flow, and remember that a missed workout doesn’t define your fitness journey. Go for a “grand scheme of things” approach. What are you doing MOST of the time? Look at the forest, not the tree, when you’re confronted with an extraordinary situation.

2. The All-or-Nothing Mentality:

Hands in the air if you’ve ever thought, “Well, I missed one workout, might as well start fresh next week.” The all-or-nothing mentality can be a major stumbling block. Fitness is not an all-or-nothing game; it’s a journey of small, sustainable steps. If you miss a workout or indulge in a treat, it’s not a reason to give up. Every positive choice counts. Also, sometimes you need to miss a workout, and sometimes your soul needs the treat. Live in the happy grey area; it’s much more sustainable than black and white thinking.

3. Mental and Emotional Hurdles:

Sometimes, the biggest challenges are the ones we can’t see. Stress, anxiety, and low motivation can be formidable opponents. Acknowledging and addressing these mental and emotional hurdles is an essential part of consistent fitness. Consider incorporating mindfulness practices, seeking support from friends or a therapist, and reminding yourself that taking care of your mental health is just as important as physical health. Do things that bring you joy, and make sure your fitness routine gives you space for a hobby you love, time to connect with loved ones, and rest/recovery time.

4. Monotony and Boredom:

Doing the same workout day in and day out can quickly become monotonous. If your fitness routine feels like a chore, it’s time for a change. Mix things up

Sharing a roundup of 10 delicious vegan Halloween recipes.

Hi hi! How are ya? I hope you’re having a lovely morning! It’s officially feeling like fall around here and I’m so excited for upcoming Halloween and holiday events.

Halloween, with its spooky decorations and playful costumes, is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. Amidst the sugary treats and snacks that typically dominate the scene, it’s fun to include vegan options for friends who are dairy-free or avoid animal products. While yesterday’s post was filled with non-vegan things, today is for my veggie friends. (Also, I’m the non-vegan who loves vegan foods and treats!)

Today, I’m excited to share a roundup of ten delightful vegan recipes to add to your Halloween festivities.

10 Vegan Halloween Recipes

Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

These vibrant bell peppers carved into Jack-O-Lantern faces not only make a festive centerpiece but are also filled with a delicious and nutritious quinoa and vegetable stuffing.

Ingredients:

Orange bell peppers

Quinoa

Mixed vegetables (carrots, onions, zucchini)

Vegetable broth

Spices (cumin, paprika, garlic powder)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven. Carve Jack-O-Lantern faces into the bell peppers.

Cook quinoa in vegetable broth. Sauté mixed vegetables and spices.

Combine quinoa and vegetables, stuff peppers, and bake.

Witch’s Brew Green Smoothie

Create a bewitching green smoothie that’s not only spooky but also packed with nutrients. Perfect for starting your Halloween morning on a healthy note.

Ingredients:

Handful of spinach

1 banana

1 scoop vanilla protein powder of choice

Sprinkle of cinnamon

1 tablespoon peanut butter

1 cup almond milk

1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

Pour into a cauldron-shaped glass. Sprinkle chia seeds on top.

Mini Vegan Halloween pizzas

This would be a cute appetizer to make with the kids! SO easy, too. Recipe is here.

Graveyard Guacamole Dip

Transform your guacamole into a spooky graveyard scene with tombstone-shaped tortilla chips.

A creative and healthy dip for your Halloween party- check out this post for an awesome tutorial.

Peanut Butter Banana Ghosts

These adorable banana ghosts dipped in peanut butter and coated with shredded coconut make for a healthy and ghostly sweet treat.

Sharing some of the details on why I decided to add red meat back into my diet.

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re having a wonderful week! This morning, I have some 1:1 calls and then am going to take a short hike before getting the crew from school. Hope you have a wonderful day!

For today’s post, I wanted to do a reader’s request. After some of the DMs I’ve received on IG about the benefits of red meat, I got a couple of questions about when/why I decided to add it back into my life. OG readers (YAY thank you!) will probably remember that for a while I was a pescatarian, the vegetarian,  I also toyed with veganism for a while, and I didn’t eat red meat for many years. I actually stopped eating red meat when I was seven or eight years old, started having it very occasionally during college, and then stopped again for quite a while.

After a hiatus from red meat, I found myself being drawn back for a multitude of reasons. Our bodies are wonderfully unique, and what suits one might not fit another. Red meat, often vilified, is a nutrient-rich powerhouse that, when approached mindfully, can offer remarkable advantages, particularly for women.

how and why I started eating red meat again

When I was pregnant with P, I found myself constantly craving red meat. I told me acupuncturist about it, and he said I needed the nutrients. He recommends ALL of his female patients to eat red meat. So, I went home and asked the Pilot to grill me a steak. You should have seen the joy on his face haha. He went to Whole Foods, got some amazing quality steaks, and I devoured the entire thing. It was kind of a short decision process for me: I knew I was craving it for a reason, so I decided to listen to my body. I haven’t looked back, and it’s now a consistent part of our routine. (Just a little note here: I don’t eat pork or lamb and have zero desire to have either of these things. Just not for me.)

Why Red Meat?

Red meat has numerous nutritional benefits, and I think it’s so tasty. Also, for a while, I was eating Beyond Burgers with a thousand ingredients that hurt my stomach (and gallbladder), and now, I eat burgers with three ingredients: grass-fed beef, salt, and pepper… maybe a little Worcestershire sauce.

Nutrient Benefits:

Iron: Red meat contains heme iron, the form of iron most readily absorbed by the body. This is critical for maintaining robust energy levels, supporting cognitive function, and preventing iron-deficiency anemia, which disproportionately affects women. During menstruation, women lose blood, and with it, they lose iron. The iron lost through menstrual blood needs to be replenished to maintain healthy iron levels in the body. If this iron is not replaced through dietary intake, it can lead to iron deficiency, and in more severe cases, iron-deficiency anemia.

Protein Powers: As active women, protein is our ally for muscle health and repair. Red meat delivers high-quality protein, complete w

Hi friends! How are ya? I hope you’re enjoying the day so far! We’re back to the routine after fall break. It was filled with fun friend time, adventures, hiking, and we also had our family photos taken. Today, I’m looking forward to a hot yoga class in between client calls. Hope you have a lovely day, too!

For today’s post, I wanted to share some more fashion faves from lately. There’s so much great stuff right now, and while I’m not *fully* embracing all of the 90s trends that are back, I’m leaning into a couple of them. It makes me laugh because when I was little, I told my stepmom I was going to save my clothes for my future children. She said by now, kids would be wearing spacesuits. Turns out they’re all wearing the exact same things I was wearing when I was a kid, down to the Nirvana shirt and spaghetti strap dress over a T-shirt. It’s funny to see trends come back around!

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

This week’s fashion faves 10.16

Cutwork Somerset Dress

My love for Somerset dresses continues. I’ve had so many over the years, including short, vegan leather, maxi velvet, and floral, and they’re all perfect. The cut and fit is super flattering and they have so many print and color options.

This white bodysuit – I also have it in black

Bodysuits are easy to wear with jeans and skirts, pop a blazer on with it or a sweater tied over your shoulders, and boom. Perfect outfit. I like the mock neck cut of this one and the fabric is light and stretchy. 

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I can’t publish this post without saying that my heart has been extremely heavy for the past week. I get a lot of emails and DMs when horrible things happen, demanding that I take “a side.” You guys know I’m not an expert on world events, and that’s not why you’re here. At the same time, it feels inauthentic for me to post as if nothing has happened, even though it is complex and I know I’ll never know the *right* thing to say at times like this. I tend to internalize and pray; it’s how I am and always have been. For what it’s worth, I stand on the side of humanity. For children and families. For innocent lives lost. I’m praying for peace.

Hi friends! Happy Friday! I’m writing to ya from the weirdest blog setup I’ve had in a while. Half of the keys on my keyboard stopped working, so I bought this plug-in keyboard. The keys are huge and make a loud sound, but it’s working until I can get to the Apple store for a new Mac. I can’t believe I’ve had this one for 8 years!

What are you up to this weekend? We have a birthday party and family photos. I still haven’t planned out anyone’s outfits but it should come together on the fly 😉 I’d love to hear what you’re up to!

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.

Friday Faves 10.13

Read, watch, listen:

What has made you laugh lately?

This is one of my favorite songs to wind down to at the end of the night. I listen to it on my headphones as I do my pm eye mask 🙂

I’m not sure if I’ve shared this book yet, but I should be finishing it up this weekend. I LOVE it. The writing is quick and witty, the story is intriguing and fun, and it makes a perfect early fall fluffy book. Highly recommend.

This book arrived yesterday and I’m so excited about it! Can’t wait to add some new recipes to the rotation.

Fashion + beauty:

Love these posts for classic outfit combos. 

This blazer is still one of my faves!

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