Hi friends! I have a new podcast episode up with my good friend Kate Ares. 

Here’s what we talk about:

– Her *many lives* and her amazing background and story

– Immune system tips as we head into the holidays and winter season

– Her experience navigating food allergies for her children and how they’ve improved their allergies

– Her tips for staying Healthy in Real Life

and so much more.

Here’s more about Kate and her background:

Hi! I am Kate Ares. I am a registered nurse, nurse coach, and mother. My husband, Nate, and I have two daughters, Elora and Olive, a son, Bowman, and our first baby, a German Shepard, Willow. Throughout my life and career, I have found that I am passionate about helping people build confidence through self-trust, discipline and curiosity. It is through my personal journey I discovered my path in becoming and creating The Wholesum Nurse.

You can check out her Instagram here and her website here.

More resources from this episode:

I love love love the meals from Sakara Life! Use this link and the code XOGINAH for 25% off their meal delivery and clean boutique items (early Black Friday deal). 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! Read more

Sharing a full Thanksgiving menu that’s entirely gluten-free! Check out the details below. 

Hi friends! How’s the week going? I hope you’re having a great one so far. I’m here cranking through work and really, really looking forward to Thanksgiving next week – my favorite holiday!

Thanksgiving is almost always celebrated with an elaborate spread of food, desserts, and drinks, and some traditional Thanksgiving dishes, such as gravy, stuffing, casserole, etc. may contain gluten. Some members of your family (or you!) may have gluten intolerances or may be gluten-free. Planning a gluten-free Thanksgiving menu may seem daunting, but how there are plenty of gluten-free dishes you can prepare that are just as good as any traditional Thanksgiving recipes. Today, I’m sharing a gluten-free Thanksgiving menu to help you create a spread everyone can enjoy!

*Note: if any family members are Celiac, please be extra mindful of cross-contamination. 

Here is a roundup of delicious meals that you can enjoy on Thanksgiving – all of these are gluten-free, and many of them are vegan, too!

Gluten-free Thanksgiving Menu

The Best Thanksgiving Turkey in all the land

The turkey is the star of the show, and while it can seem daunting, it’s really super easy with this foolproof brine recipe. It makes the turkey super moist and delicious!!

The easiest turkey gravy

This recipe is not designed to be gluten-free, but just swap out the flour for your favorite gluten-free flour. I love Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 baking blend.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Read more

Sharing a roundup of my favorite HigherDOSE products, just in time for their Black Friday deal. Starting now, you can use the code FITNESSISTA20 for 20% off sitewide (minus bundles and full-sized saunas).

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope you’re having a wonderful morning. I just took my first workout class in two weeks – I took 16 days off with being sick/recovering/blah – grabbed a smoothie, and had a wonderful chiropractor appointment. I’m back home getting some work done before it’s time to pick up the crew and start the evening routine.

Today, I have some exciting news: HigherDOSE started their Black Friday promo. You guys know that I’ve been a fan of their products for a few years. I bought the sauna blanket for a Black Friday gift for myself a few years ago, and it’s become a wellness staple in my routine.

Today, I’m sharing some of my top picks, and you can use FITNESSISTA20 for 20% off! This is the best promo they have all year, so if you have your eye on anything, now is the time. Please also remember that all of these things are just fun to have, and might be some extra joy, zen, and rejuvenation to your routine.

Sharing the goods here if you feel like treating yourself!

The best HigherDOSE products

The sauna blanket

The HigherDOSE sauna blanket is an at-home and portable version of an infrared sauna. It uses infrared heat (which heats your body from the inside out, not the other way around), along with healing tourmaline crystals, clay, and a charcoal layer (which all generate negative ions). It’s made of nontoxic materials and is extremely low EMF, so it’s not emitting radiation throughout your body while you’re relaxing and sweating.

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Hi friends! Happy Friday! The weekend is heeeeere. What do you have going on? The girls have birthday parties, and Sunday is my bday.

To be totally honest, I always get a little bit of the birthday blahs. I feel like another year is a reminder of all of the things I haven’t yet accomplished, and I’ve never been super into the birthday pomp and circumstance. This is why I usually like to go camping, but I canceled our Sedona trip since we’re all recovering from the flu.

I didn’t have the mojo to get us packed and ready to go. So instead, we’re doing brunch with the family, and taking it easy.

I wanted to do a little something special here to celebrate the ol’ 3-9, so from now until Monday at midnight, you can get 6 months of Fit Team for $197. (Note: this is a membership and can be canceled at any time.)

ALL of your fitness programming, done for you, plus bonuses to make meal planning easy, recipes, playlists, and community support, all for less than $33 per month.

You can sign up here!!

FAQs and more info can be found here. If you have questions, please let me know – I’d love to help! This is the lowest price Fit Team will be and after Monday, it will go up to regular price, which is $297.

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. Please shout out anything you’re loving in the comments section below.

Friday Faves 11.10

Read, watch, listen:

How do you parent a tween?

New Mean Girls musical trailer.

Loving this predictable yet sweet read.

My friend Brittany recommended this book on IG, so

Writing this post mostly for myself lol. 

Ah, the holiday season—a time of joy, celebration, and, let’s face it, a touch of chaos. The pressure to create the perfect festive experience can often overshadow the joy it’s meant to bring. This year, let’s embark on a journey to stress less, find grace, and truly relish the holiday season. <3

Here are some tips fo a calmer, more enjoyable November and December.

how to stress less this holiday season

1. Plan with Purpose:

The key to a stress-free holiday season often lies in thoughtful planning. Take a moment to outline your priorities. What truly matters to you? Is it quality time with loved ones, festive decorations, or perhaps delicious meals? Once you identify your priorities, plan accordingly. Simplify where you can and focus on what brings you the most joy.

2. Embrace the Art of Delegation:

You don’t have to be a holiday superhero. Delegate tasks and responsibilities to lighten your load. Whether it’s sharing cooking duties, asking for help with decorations, or assigning specific holiday errands, remember that it’s okay to lean on your support system. Embracing teamwork not only eases your burden but also strengthens connections with others.

3. Practice the Power of Saying No:

As invitations and requests pour in, remember that it’s okay to decline. Assess your commitments and prioritize self-care. Saying no isn’t a rejection of others; it’s a conscious choice to protect your well-being. By setting boundaries, you create space for the activities and people that matter most to you. You don’t have to do and attend all the things.

4. Create Buffer Time:

Building buffer time into your schedule is a game-changer. Allow room for unexpected delays, and avoid back-to-back commitments. This gives you the flexibility to navigate potential stressors with grace, ensuring you have the time and energy to enjoy each moment.

5. Show Yourself Grace:

Amidst the hustle and bustle, don’t forget the most important person—you. Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge that perfection is not the goal, and it’s okay if everything doesn’t go according to plan. Allow room for imperfections, and focus on the joy of the season rather than the pursuit of perfection.

6. Prioritize Self-Care:

Self-care is non-negotiable, especially during the holidays. Carve out time for activities that replenish your energy—whether it’s a quiet moment with a book, a walk in nature, or a cozy night in. Nourishing your well-being enables you to approach holiday festivities with a calmer, more centered mindset.

7. Create Meaningful Traditions:

Shift your focus from the material aspects of the holidays to creating meaningful traditions. Whether it’s a special family recipe, a movie night, or a heartfelt ritual, these traditions