Sharing some of my favorite healthy products from Trader Joe’s!

Hi friends! How are ya? I hope you’re having an amazing day! I have some calls this morning, and then am getting a massage… can’t.wait.

For today’s post, I wanted to share some of my favorite healthy finds from Trader Joe’s! During the time-that-shall-not-be-named, the Pilot did all of our grocery shopping because he was “out in the world” and the girls and I were at home. We also got a lot of grocery delivery from Whole Foods and Thrive Market. It kind of stuck around for years after that, until I realized that I actually love grocery shopping and had missed it. So now, we alternate, since we both like going to the store in person — you find so many more fun things that way!

Trader Joe’s has some amazing things, and here are some of my favorite healthier finds. While I believe that ALL foods should fit into your lifestyle, this is a list of things that have less ingredients and offer more on the nutritional front (with a few of the soul-hugging must-haves in here, too).

Here’s the list!

Healthy Trader Joe’s Shopping List

PRODUCE/COLD:

– Organic fruit: we go for berries, bananas, grapes, apples, and anything seasonal and exciting, like cherries, melon, stone fruits, or rambutan

– Organic veggies: sweet potatoes, zucchini, celery, carrots, bell peppers, squash

– Edamame

– Root vegetable hash

– Cold-pressed green juice

– Mirepoix (makes soups and casseroles SO easy)

– Onions, garlic, and ginger

– Medjool dates

– Organic guacamole

– Salsa! We love their pico and their Salsa Especial

BEANS, SPICES, PANTRY STAPLES:

– ALL organic beans: each week, I get white beans, kidney beans, black beans, and garbanzo beans

– Organic chicken broth

– Organic jasmine rice

– Organic pasta from Italy

– ALL the spices! We love their oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and Everything But the Bagel seasoning

– Canned tuna, sardines, anchovies

– Almond butter

– Organic peanut butter

– Organic raspberry or strawberry preserves

Sharing the books I read in February and if I’d recommend adding them to your list. 

Hi hi! How are you doing? I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We spent a lot of it ripping out baseboards and moving furniture downstairs, but I caught a yoga class at Session and we had a lovely family dinner. Today, I have a couple of calls and am going to sneak away to work since the house is under construction.

For today’s post, I wanted to share the books I read in February! I made it through four books last month, and there was a mix of finance-related fare, in addition to SPICINESS. Here are the details if you’re looking for some new options to add to your TBR (to be read) list.

February Reads

Rich AF

I definitely recommend listening to the audio version of this, especially if you don’t mind a little sass and crass language. Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF, has such a fun way of explaining basic finance priciples (investment types, budgeting, tips for saving) and is extremely motivating and encouraging along the way. It included a lot of necessary nudges to focus more on our investment and saving strategy; it’s one of my goals for the next year, especially as the Pilot transitions back to the airlines. One of my favorite quotes is that you can buy anything, but you don’t need to buy everything. It’s about making your purchases worth your while. 9/10 recommend.

From Amazon:

When Vivian Tu started working on Wall Street fresh from undergrad, all she knew was that she was making more money than she had ever seen in her life. But it wasn’t until she found a mentor of her own on the trading floor that she began to understand what wealthy people knew intuitively—the secrets to beating the proverbial financial game that has, for too long, been male, pale, and stale.

Building on the lessons she learned on Wall Street about money and the markets, Vivian now offers her best personal finance tips and tricks to readers of all ages and demographics, so that anyone can get rich, whether you grew up knowing the rules to the game or not. Vivian will be your mentor, dispensing fresh, no-BS advice o

Hi friends! Happy Friday! What are you up to this weekend? I’m looking forward to a yoga class, dinner with the fam, and having a *nothing* weekend after 4 weeks in a row of trips to Phoenix, Vegas, San Diego, and then back to Phoenix last weekend. Even though we had a blast, it will be nice to have a low-key weekend at home.

Last week’s adventure: taking Liv to see Olivia Rodrigo! This was one of her Christmas presents, and she’d been looking forward to it. (I felt bad that the four of us couldn’t go, but it was a fight for my life to get the two tickets when presale went live!) P had a daddy-daughter adventures to the bowling alley and arcade with friends.

Olivia Rodrigo was amaaaaaazing. I really like her voice – Liv is a HUGE fan- and I was blown away by the talent, production quality, and dancers. I liked it even more than Taylor Swift (don’t throw anything at me!)

We went with friends, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The rest of the week has been filled with house stuff – I can’t wait to show ya the final result – and the school/dance/work/chore/life usual craziness.

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.

Read, watch, listen:

Listening to this podcast episode while I write this post.

Don’t forget to check out this week’s HRL episode with Udo Erasmus’ 8-step process for whole health. 

On a mission to help Mazer live foreverrrrrr.

How one small habit can change your life. 

Health + Fitness:

I put on a new CGM and it’s been fun

Hi friends! I’m so excited to welcome Udo Erasmus back to the show today! He’s someone who genuinely inspires me, and has so much wisdom to share, and I’m thrilled he agreed to come back to another episode. You can check out the previous episode, #152, here. 

His 8-step process that takes into consideration all of the elements of whole health, including mental health, presence and awareness, life energy, and being in harmony with nature and humanity.

The legendary Udo Erasmus is the co-founder of Udo’s Choice line, which can be found in Whole Foods and other health food stores worldwide. Udo designed the machinery for making oils with health in mind and pioneered flax oil, a billion dollar industry. However, Udo walked a difficult path tobecome the man he is today. Being a child of war, Udo’s life began with intense struggle. As an adult, he got pesticide poisoning in 1980, leaving doctors at a loss regarding treatment. Deciding to take his health into his own hands, Udo began researching, and his discoveries led him to a passion for finding the answers to life’s big questions which would hopefully one day bring him and the world peace.

Today, Udo is an acclaimed speaker and author of many books, including the best-selling Fats That Heal Fats That Kill, which has sold over 250,000 copies. He teaches at events hosted by Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra, has keynoted an international brain health conference, and has traveled to over 30 countries to conduct thousands of live presentations, media interviews, and staff trainings impacting more than 25,000,000 lives with his message on oils, health, peace, nature, and human nature. Udo has an extensive education in biochemistry, genetics, biology, and nutrition, including a master’s degree in counseling psychology.

You can connect with him on his website and Read more

Sharing tips on how to get side crow pose!  

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re enjoying the morning so far! I’m getting in a quick workout and then getting to work here.. our floors are being replaced and that means we have to move everything downstairs. It’s a mess, but will be amazing when it’s done!

For today, let’s talk about yoga things. Yoga has been something that has felt consistently good to me for many years. I can’t believe I started practicing 20 years ago!! I’ve loved my yoga journey, especially yoga teacher training. It’s taught me a lot about patience, presence, and grace. Sometimes a yoga practice feels amazing, and other times, it feels incredibly difficult and challenging.

One of my favorite arm balances: side crow! In today’s post, I thought I’d do a lil how-to for this post if it’s something you’re working on.

Exploring different yoga poses not only diversifies your practice but also builds physical strength in various parts of your body. The Side Crow Pose, also known as Parsva Bakasana or the ‘twisted crow pose’, is a powerful arm-balancing posture that not only strengthens your upper arms, core, and wrists but also engages your lower body in a deep twist.

*Note: it’s helpful to go over this pose with a certified yoga instructor, so they can check your form and give you tips!

Side Crow Pose In Yoga

The Side Crow Pose is an advanced arm balance that involves lifting your feet off the floor and bending your elbows deeply while maintaining a deep twist.

It’s a variation of the Crow Pose, but with a more challenging twist, literally. While it can be intimidating at first, mastering the Side Crow Pose is deeply satisfying and rewarding.

Here are some tips on getting started! As always, move within a range that works for your body. Talk with a doctor before making any fitness changes.

Benefits Of Side Crow Pose

Builds upper body strength

Engages core muscles

Enhances balance and coordination

Improves focus and concentration

Stimulates digestion

How To Do Side Crow Pose: Step by Step

Step 1: Chair Pose to Twisting Torso

Start in a Chair Pose, bringing your palms together at heart center. Begin to twist your torso to the side, hooking one elbow outside the opposite knee.

Step 2: Deep Squat and Palms Placement

Sit your hips down lower into a deep squat, bringing the hands down to the floor. Place the palms shoulder-width apart, fingers spread wide. Create a deep bend in the elbows, making a “shelf” for your legs.

Read more