Morning Routines to start your day with less stress
Morning routines honestly, rarely happen right now for me. But when each baby ages out of nursing in the morning, I do try to inject a few little things into my morning to set the tone for the rest of the day. Routine or not, those first few minutes of your day determine the general direction of your day. Of course, you can change that direction at any time - but why not start on a positive path?
5 Ways to Treat Yourself This March
Have we had enough time to reflect about ourselves and how we take care? Probably! For many, the last year has included introducing a new routine like skincare, fitness, or dietary in some way. Personally, I have really been able to lock in an important part of my day - morning movement. It sets me up for a MUCH better day than if I didn’t do it at all. Sure, it’s not something I *want* to do when I wake up in the morning, but the benefits outweigh those excuses. If you’re a parent you know that time for yourself comes far and few between, and when that time comes - it’s hard to make a decision. So what I’ve done is curate a list of a few things that you can try on as a fun way to treat yourself before winter is over.
An Easy, Fun Breakfast for Everyone - a Holiday Breakfast Bar
It’s safe to say, everyone is looking forward to the holiday season earlier than ever before. With Christmas just around the corner, are you making new recipes, the same recipes? Endless grocery lists? LOL One of my favorite food traditions is to set up a DIY breakfast bar to enjoy one of the mornings we have off. As the kids get older, they absolutely love the whole concept of having a “buffet” style setup at home! And even if you are doing the holidays with a super tight knit group, or even alone, this is an awesome way to extend the holiday-days. :)
Try this Healthy Twist - A Holiday Veggie Scampi
This year, I am really excited to present my family with this amazing alternative to a classic Italian dish! From my days working at a seafood restaurant as a teenager - shrimp scampi is one of my faaaaaavorite meals. But, you know - it’s super heavy. And it doesn’t have to feel that way! There are substitutions that can be made that don’t drastically affect the flavor.
How to Get New Year Healthy without Spending a Lot of Money
Brace yourself for “wellness season”! AKA when everyone tells you the trendy ways you can get healthy and feel your best. And while there are definitely some cool brands and products out there, after 8 years in wellness, I can tell you there are four rather easy and simple ways you can approach this and feel a million times better before you drop a ton of cash on those trends!
Why My Kids Don't Drink (dairy) Milk
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “what about the kids” and truthfully they are not AS into the plant-based eating as we are, and that’s okay. They can make their own decision! But one thing I did put a lock on was cow’s milk, simply because it seemed unnecessary to me and my pediatrician was always on board.
Healthy & Delicious Brownies with just a few ingredients!
As we head into cooler weather and the shift from summer to fall and winter, I find myself craving baked goods. Love a good baked good with my coffee in the afternoon, right?! I can’t really turn on the oven to bake in the summer because of the heat - but as soon as fall comes my way I’m back in the groove. Also, how great is a brownie after a long day of school (or virtual school)? It’s perfect.
How I choose my Supplements
If you’ve been following my journey, you know that a huge part of my life is nutrition and wellness. Having focused on a mostly plant-based diet for almost a decade, I constantly find myself re-evaluating and assessing how I am getting the key nutrients my body needs to thrive. As I’ve shared before, keeping up with my crew is a full time job, so I make it a priority to find easy and efficient ways to nourish my body. I am always re-evaluating the multivitamins and supplements I am taking, and have some tips for what I look for!
Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe and Tips for Making the Tastiest Salads
All summer I have been craving salads. All kinds. But let me tell you that the key to making a salad that everyone likes is flavor and texture. Let’s first talk about this cheesy goodness. I made this cheese using the below recipe, and I included ingredients you can find right at the grocery store. I am a big believer in keeping wellness and wellbeing approachable and attainable. You CAN eat healthy and make creative recipes without a specialty store or having to spend a lot of money.
The Perfect healthy Treat!
I recently found these Whole Fruit bars at the grocery store and thought they would make the perfect foundation for a creative snack. It’s made with chunks of real fruit, there are organic options, dairy free, gluten free, and peanut free - so pretty amazing for you or the kids! While the taste is great on it’s own, I really love including chocolate if I’m going to go for a treat - and definitely love to play with texture by way of an added crunch.
5 Unique Ways to Relax After a Stressful Day
Self-care, finding time for YOU - it’s super buzzy, I know. I don’t know how to say it without sounding like a wellness trend - but your wellbeing is SO important. Now, more than ever, it is important to find time to unwind and let the stressors in our life fade away as much as possible. That cortisol and adrenaline can only surge for so long!
Sure, there’s always the “light-a-candle-and-meditate-method” but I wanted to bring you a variety of relaxation techniques and activities to help you unwind after a long and stressful day.
Good and Bad Oils to Use for Cooking
What you might not know is that there are a lot of oils out there which can cause you the opposite effect you are looking for. Marketed as “healthy” they are not always hitting the mark. Sometimes they are easy to spot - ie an oil you are purchasing off the shelf, but some are already added to the batter of your favorite processed foods. Yep, even those “healthy” ones! Always look on the back label of the products you buy at the store - oftentimes you will see an oil or two added into the ingredients that you might not do if you had made the food yourself.
Why We Have a No-Shoes-in-The-House Policy
We all have our big “no-nos” and rules in our homes, but one major rule that most people think I am crazy for is absolutely no shoes inside of the house. Anyone who comes into our home has to wear socks or go barefoot, or wear booties which we keep in supply LOL. Beyond being crazy, which I am, here are my reasons why!
Plant-Based Crockpot Recipes - Light & Fresh for Summer
For the most part, crockpots and slow cookers are an essential cooking appliance for fall and winter. You might associate crockpots with soups and hearty dinners, but I am here to show you how you can break that thought and use your slow cooker all year round (and plant-based might I add!).
5 ways to Stay Sane and somewhat Productive While Working From Home With Kids
The challenge is real, right? Truthfully, I already work from home with the kids around, but usually 2 of them are in school and I have part-time help for the baby. Our babysitter is still with us for a few hours a week, but it’s still a huge adjustment and juggle since they KNOW we are home. As many of us have been adjusting to having all of our kids home while also trying to work, the challenge of being a working parent has skyrocketed. Keeping kids occupied, fed, and safe while taking phone calls, answering emails and getting such a tough, but here are a few tips to try to make it a functional environment for everyone.