An Invitation to Healthy Holidays

Discipline, commitment, persistence...not exactly words I want to discuss at Christmastime....but freedom, energized, and confidence are words I don't mind discussing AND that's why I'm committing. Meal plans, Christmasy recipes, at home workouts, and accountability. Are you in?

This is my 3rd Christmas season committing to my healthy lifestyle. Do I completely skip on cookies and holiday-themed foods? No way, but I've found not only balance, but also great, healthy, holiday recipes to make sure January doesn't come and I'm struggling to get back to my normal routines that I've built. We recently moved, so we travel quite a bit. I've got travel tips to sticking to your plans and goals and a secret little ingredient to my healthy lifestyle ---> one-on-one, daily accountability! A strong community is the only way to do this (in my opinion). 

Skip the: 

STRESS

SLUGGISH FEELING

WORRY

DESIRE TO HIDE BEHIND THE CAMERA

FREAKOUT COME JAN. 1st

Create more: 

ENERGY

CONFIDENCE

FREEDOM

CALMNESS

SELF-LOVE

So, if you're ready to join forces and feel INCREDIBLE through this holiday season,

just join by clicking here. 

Spiralized Zucchini Noodles

This is a simple recipe and you gluten free-ers will forget you're not eating noodles. 

Prep time: 30 minutes

Serves: 2

What you'll need: 

- 2 tbsp olive oil

- 4 chopped garlic cloves

- 6 tomatoes

- 1 tbsp chopped basil

- 1.5 large zucchini

- pepper & salt

First, cut tomatoes in fourths

Add 1 tsbp of olive oil to pan and turn on high. 

Cook the garlic until brown and soft. 

Add tomatoes and lower to a low heat. 

Add chopped basil.

Cover and let simmer.

While the tomatoes cook, spiralize zucchini. 

Add remaining oil to pan. 

(Be sure to check on tomatoes, they should be soft, but be sure they don't overcook.)

Cook noodles on medium for 5 minutes.

Serve together.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Back to Stars Hollow

In the Fall of 2016, Netflix invited us all to travel back to Stars Hollow. If you're essentially a Gilmore like me, you were not only excited about the show returning for 4 more episodes, but also for coffeeshops all over the nation to transform to Luke's for a day. Raise your hand if you stood in line only to have a guy in a backwards baseball cap and plaid to tell you to get off your cell phone while Babette gossiped in the background. 

Many were disappointed in A Year in the Life, but not me. 

We were ready the second Netflix released the story of Rory, Lorelai, and the gang....with enought coffee, donuts, and Chinese food to get us through 4 straight of hours and one entire year of more Gilmore.

Sure, the final four words aren't what I would've chosen, but I also don't get paid to write the best show ever written. I'll let Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino stick to that.

Rumor has it that there's more to come and I personally can't wait. Rory and Lor, where you lead, I will follow. 

Chocolate Protein Balls

Need a healthy dessert option? You can do so much more with Shakeology than just a shake!

The good news is that these are more than just protein balls...they're loaded with superfoods.

Makes: 12

Time needed: 15 minutes

21 Day Fix: 2 balls = 2 yellow, 1 orange

What you need:

(I used natural almond butter and all natural honey. Yours may come out sweeter if your nut butter had oils and sugar.)

Mix all of the ingredients

Roll ingredients into 1 inch balls

I used my hands, yeah, it's kind of gross and sticky, but you'll get over it.

You'll also get over the fact that they look like a certain smiley brown emoji too...they're that good.

Refrigerate (OR eat immediately, because they're THAT good).

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

Must-do's in Chicago

This summer, I visited one of my very best friends in Chicago. I found a last minute cheap ticket and hopped on the plane. These were my favorite finds...

The weather was BEAUTIFUL. 

Best thing ever. Love me some donuts. 

These tacos were AMAZING. Found at: Antique Taco

This coach life enables me to jump on vacation and work from anywhere. 

These clean eating habits enable me to take my  habits anywhere...including my best friends kitchen. 

"Go confidently in the direction of your dream to live the life you imagined."

Healthy snacks while traveling. These Trader Joe's 'Just Mango' slices are my favorite...and hello, clean Key Lime Pie (Larabar). 

We also got in our superfoods before we headed out to site see. 

Superfoods in the morning sometimes, just sometimes means donuts in the afternoon. 

Unique flavors and awesome vibe at The Doughnut Vault. 

GO to Dove's Luncheonette!

Seriously the bomb food. 

(Also, if you are this couple...maybe you're just friends...in the window, contact me....isn't this the cutest?)

North Avenue Collective, one of our favorite finds. 

We could've talked to the owners for hours. 

More superfoods on the L but also gluten free beer at the bar. 

Go to the Art Institute of Chicago.

No matter what. 

The coffee shops and bars are perfection. 

If you like video games, sci-fi, 90's movies, and good coffee, go to The WormHole. When I saw a giant Gizmo (from the Gremlins) portrait on the wall, a DeLorean, a huge Millennium Falcon, and Tetris being played on an old school TV, I knew I would love it. 

Whenever I go to a new city, I try to visit an MLB game (as long as it's baseball season).

I saw the White Sox v. the Nationals (I swear the Nationals are always playing away when I go to new stadiums). 

*Note the gluten free and salad options....props to U.S. Cellular Field!

More superfoods, because, well, it's an everyday thing, obviously.

The bean (or The Cloud Gate...the proper name, who knew?) is obviously a must-do.

During the day AND at night. 

What are your favorite travel stops?