Hi friends! How’s the day going? Thank you so much for the beautiful birthday wishes for Miss P. I read them all to her and she loved them. (She also LOVED having everyone sing “Happy Birthday!”) I’ll be sure to recap the birthday festivities in one post after her party. 🙂 For today, I have a brand-new workout for you, combining two of my very favorite tools: the kettlebell and the TRX suspension trainer.

(Wearing Nikes, lulu crops, and this Zella tank which I later realized was inside-out for all of these pics. Derp. haha)

TRX Kettlebell Circuit Workout

Kettlebells and the TRX add an entirely different dimension to training, as they target our deep internal core stabilizers. You have to work harder to maintain balance or center of gravity with the kettlebell, and the TRX encourages a plank position for the exercises. You’re in a moving plank the entire time. These are excellent tools to to challenge yourself and keep your muscles guessing!

The workout is meant to be completed circuit-style, moving quickly from one set of exercises to the next. After you finish one round of the entire circuit, you have the option to move through it again 1-2 times for 3 total times.

What Is Power Circuit Workout

Here are a couple of interesting things about this circuit, which increase its *excitement*:

-It’s a longer circuit (11 exercises). This use uses quite a few unilateral movements, focusing on one side at a time. If you’re in a time pinch, you can do a couple of bilateral movements instead. (For the burpees, do regular, non-TRX burpees, and for the kettlebell squat and press, hold two kettlebells instead of one. Ditch one of the squat exercises if you’re trying to bring down the time.)

-Speaking of unilateral movements, this is SUCH a great way to train. If we’re always training both sides at the same time, it’s easy to depend on your stronger side, or ignore how each side is feeling. You may find that you can make simple tweaks to improve form because you’re really paying attention to the working muscles.

-It’s a leg crusher. These are challenging movements to work your entire body, with a lower body and glute emphasis. You’re welcome. Mauaha.

As always, talk with a doctor before making any fitness changes. Honor your body and modify as needed. This workout assumes that you’re comfortable working with the TRX and kettlebell, and know how to execute these moves safely. If you have any questions, please let me know, or ask a personal trainer at your local gym to help you. We are happy (and stoked!) for the opportunity to help others work out more safely.

Now, let’s move onto the workout!

(Pin for the next time you need some gym inspiration!)

Form cues and tips:

1. Squat and reach: step away from the TRX base point, holding onto the strap with one hand. Sink down into a squat (chest listed, and weight in your heels), as you tap your free hand to the floor. As you exhale to rise, squeeze your glutes, and “c

Hi friends! I have a new podcast episode live today chatting about a topic that has directly affected me: breast implant illness and explanting. I share all about my journey in this post and this post.

I’ve followed Dr. Whitfield for years and was thrilled when he was booked as a guest on the podcast.

He’s a sought-after provider who specializes in explant and breast implant illness, and also supports his patients in the preoperative and post-op healing journey.

Here’s what we talk about in today’s show:

What are the symptoms of breast implant illness?

How to support your body before and after explant?

Advice for those considering explant

and so.much more

Breast implant illness and explanting with Dr. Robert Whitfield, MD

Here’s more about Dr. Whitfield and his background:

Dr. Robert Whitfield has been a plastic surgeon for 26 years and board-certified for over 16 years. He specializes in Breast Implant Illness (BII), breast implant removal surgery and advanced cosmetic procedures such as his “No-Cut” Facelift. In addition to his exceptional work as a surgeon, Dr. Rob is a sought-after provider for his Holistic Accelerated Recovery Program (HARP). The protocols of HARP help to reduce systemic inflammation and assist patients who are both preparing or recovering from surgical procedures. Dr. Rob’s skills dovetail into a perfect balance of art and science and provides hope to scores of women looking to age gracefully or restore their health after BII.

You can check out his website here and follow him on Instagram here. 

More resources from this episode:

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.

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Sharing my experience with Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and my results.

Hi friends! How are ya? I hope you’re enjoying the day so far. Today is admin stuff, plus a home strength training workout and breakfast for dinner tonight.

For today’s post, I wanted to share my experience with HTMA as one of the testing tools I’ve been using. I shared more about my food sensivity test here, and will do another post on my Candida, Metabolic, and Vitamins test. It’s been really incredible to get insights about imbalances, especially with the eye and autoimmune stuff I’ve experienced in the past year.

At first glance, HTMA seems like a *simple* test, but there’s so much that goes into it, and SO much that it can tell you. It’s a snapshot of how your body is responding to stress. When we’re stressed, we burn through our minerals more quickly, which can leave us depleted and exhausted. This can also be a very helpful postpartum tool, as babies use nutrients from the mom. The minerals work in pairs, so it’s important to examine the relationships between the minerals, and try to find balance. There will never be a *perfect* HTMA test result; it’s more about seeing improvements in your body over time.

Embarking on a journey to understand your body’s unique needs and intricacies is a powerful step towards holistic well-being. Today I’m going to share what this test entails, its benefits, the process, and my personal experience.

Note: This information is based on personal experience and education. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. This test does not dianose, prevent, treat, or cure illness or disease. It’s simply an informational tool for your unique body. 

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) Test review

What is HTMA and What Can It Tell You?

HTMA is a diagnostic tool that analyzes mineral content in your hair tissue. As our hair reflects the mineral composition of our body, this non-invasive test offers a window into the past 90 days of mineral imbalances, heavy metal exposure, and potential nutritional deficiencies. It goes beyond surface-level symptoms, and can help uncover root causes of various health issues. Minerals are essential for our entire body and are the “spark plugs.”

Pros and Benefits:

HTMA provides a holistic perspective on your mineral status, aiding in the identification of imbalances that may contribute to health challenges. It can also give insight into your nervous system, adrenal function, thyroid function, and absorption.

Early Detection: Detecting mineral imbalances early allows for proactive adjustments to prevent potential health issues

Tailored Nutrition: With insights from HTMA, personalized nutrition plans can be crafted to address spe

Sharing a quick and delicious recipe for a healthy salad dressing: honey balsamic!

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I hope you’re enjoying the day so far and that you had a great weekend! We had an amazing dinner at our friends’ house and spent the rest of the weekend doing chores and relaxing. I took a three-hour nap on Saturday which was everyyyytthing. After a couple of weeks of travel and the Pilot’s work weekend, it was our first *normal* weekend at home in a month, so it was very appreciated.

Today, I wanted to share my go-to salad dressing with ya. I can’t believe that I’ve been blogging this long and haven’t dedicated an entire post to this dressing. This is my go-to. I use it for dinner parties, make it in advance to enjoy throughout the week, and it’s always so easy and delicious. I don’t typically love the dressings that come with salad kits, so this is what I’ll often use to replace it. I like the taste and ingredients so much more!

If you don’t already make your own salad dressing, definitely give this one a try. You’ll see how simple and delightful it can be 🙂 Let me know if you decide to add it to your rotation!

Honey Balsamic Dressing Recipe

Crafting your dressing ensures transparency about the ingredients, helping you make informed choices about what you consume. The Honey Balsamic Dressing is a prime example of a flavorful yet health-conscious option. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a dressing that’s sweet, tangy, and incredibly versatile.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 minced garlic clove

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Step 1: The Foundation

Begin by combining the balsamic vinegar with extra virgin olive oil in a bowl. This dynamic duo forms the foundation of your dressing, delivering a perfect balance of acidity and richness.

Step 2: Add the sweetness

Introduce 2 tablespoons of honey into the mix, providing a natural sweetness that harmonizes with the balsamic’s acidity. Adjust the quantity based on your desired level of sweetness.

Hi friends! Happy Friday! How was the week? I hope you had a great one! We’re still going strong with 21 days of Healthy Habits, I’m finishing up the EquiLife detox, and am looking forward to starting the CBO protocol. (At least looking forward to finishing it?) What are you up to this weekend? P has a birthday party and horse lessons, Liv has dance, and we have a New Years’ dinner party with friends.

This past weekend, we met up with some friends at Great Wolf Lodge. It’s one of our favorite weekend getaways, buuuuut I think we booked it a little too close to our Disney trip. It was still a lot of fun, but I could tell the kids were tired. I tried to unplug and took zero pictures, but I did get one of the yoga studio. I try to take a class at Just Be yoga whenever I’m in Scottsdale. It’s a beautiful space and the classes are amazing – super hot with a mix of flows and stationary poses.

This is random, but I’ve been having a little bit of a struggle on Maisey’s walks lately, and maybe some of my fellow desert dwellers can help. The coyotes are OUT right now. We see at least one every day! Usually it’s at sunset, so I’ve been trying to walk her during midday, but we hear them howling every day and night, and the Pilot and the girls saw one on Wednesday. Any tips?? I definitely want to walk Maisey while the weather is nice, but I don’t want to have a run-in with a coyote….

Maybe I need to drive her to a more populated walking path instead of walking around the neighborhood. Here’s hoping for a coyote-free weekend ahead.

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 1.19

Read, watch, listen:

Listening to this on Audible and it’s breaking my heart slowly. So many of us grew up with Friends, and when Matthew Perry passed away, it hit me hard. It felt like an uncle or a close friend had died. It’s surreal to hear this in his own voice, and no spoilers, but while I knew that he struggled, I had no idea of the intensity.

 This is me.

How to slow down and take care of yourself.

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