#LeanInTogether

Yesterday Sheryl Sandberg and Lean In​ launched the campaign #leanintogether – celebrating men who lean in for equality.

The man I most want to celebrate is my dad Larry Nolan. He was the first person to play sports with me, try to braid my hair, the man who will always be there to help me move apartments, and will always be a sounding voice when I need advice (work, boys, building a business). Even though he probably hated me dragging him to see Spice world & to go shopping at the mall, I wasn't that fond of him when he dragged me to comic book conventions & bike races. As I grow older, I realize no matter what I was interested in whether it was "girly" or considered "tom boy" I had his support. Thanks Dad for making it feel easy for me to push for my dreams!

Share your story of the men who lean in to support you. #LeanInTogether. http://leanin.org/together/

Outdoor Circuit

The weather here in California has been beautiful the last few weeks, which has inspired me to take my workouts outdoors. I've been hiking, going on long walks to the Golden Gate Bridge, playing volleyball at the park, & doing circuits like the one below. Try taking your workout somewhere new this week!

10 exercises, 10 repetitions of each

1. Pushups 

2. Low Plank with hip rotation 

3. Sit ups 

4. Mountain climbers 

5. Burpees

6. Squats

7. Back lunges (reverse lunge) 

8. Broad jumps (squat jump for distance)

9. Floor jacks 

10. Plank alternating knee to elbow 

Banana PB Protein Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 tbsp coconut flour

1 tbsp pb2

1/4 c. oats

1/2 banana

5 egg whites

Cinnamon 

Stevia

1. In a medium bowl mash up a banana with a fork.

2. Add in coconut flour, pb2, oats, cinnamon, and stevia.

3. Crack 5 eggs in to small bowl, and make sure to separate the yolk. 

4. Stir together.

5. After spraying pan with nonstick spray, heat stovetop to medium/high heat

6. Pour mixture on to pan.

7. Flip pancake.

8. Serve.

Calories: 336

Carbs: 35

Protein: 28.5

Fat: 6

Good Hair: Why it's worth the $$

Have you ever had a bad haircut? How about a really horrible die job? I unfortunately have had both. When I was young I went in to a SuperCuts with a photo of a short chin length bob (what all little girls love) and I came out with a Leonardo DiCaprio boys haircut. I cried, wore hats, and was constantly mistaken for a little boy. Hair doesn't define me in any way, but it does help me express myself. I love trying hairstyles on myself, but also love doing my friends before a night out. I realized having a good hair day can change my confidence and mood.

After spending a ton of money on hair in SF I still felt like it wasn't quite right. I was being overcharged for a haircut and dye that only would last 6-8 weeks & would turn to a really awkward brassy color over the weeks. Hundreds of dollars for a very temporary fix. I started researching hairstylists and I found Johnny Ramirez & Anh Co Tran on Instagram and Pinterest. Since I am a personal stylist, I told my client (who also couldn't find a great hairdresser) that we should go.  We ended up booking appointments at Ramirez Tran Salon while we were in LA. This place is really expensive, BUT you only have to get your hair done every 6 months! It ends up costing less than me going to an "ok" hairdresser that I have to see again in 6 weeks.

Johnny and Anh love what they do. They work super long hours, and take the time to perfect each and every persons hair who walks in to their salon. Their clientele include Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, Faith Hill, Whitney Port, Ginnifer Goodwin, Gweneyth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, and Allesandra Ambrosia to name a few.

The best news of this all is they are coming to SF. If your hair is in need of a pick me up and you have some $$ to spend, then try out these guys!

Get Stylish...How To Create A Cute Outfit

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak"

I truly believe this. What you wear not only is a great way of expressing yourself, but it tells people lot about you without even communicating a word.
When I am at work I wear black or grey workout clothes everyday with my hair in a some sort of ponytail and natural makeup. People see me as sporty, professional, and often comment that I am the "trainer girl".

People barely recognize me outside of my workout clothes (I pretty much live in them). I do, however, love dressing up. When I am out and about people often comment on my outfits, accessories, makeup, hair, and nail color. They want to know where to get what I have, and sometimes even ask help with choosing their own clothing.

I have now been a personal stylist for 2 years, but this job has been a lifetime in the making. I have always been one to hunt for bargains, style clothes in my closet a bunch of different ways, and read about fashion. Some things I've learned are that your style whether it be your hair, or your shoes says something about you.

No makeup day? People might think you're tired, lazy, or stressed.
Did you wear sweats to work? Coworkers might think you had a late night, are going to clean up soon, or you aren't feeling so hot.
Did you go over the top and wear the highest heels in your closet? People might assume you are crying for attention, or look ridiculously too dressed up for work.

It's time to love what you're wearing. Not just for comforts sake, but to help boost your self-esteem.

What you should shoot for when creating an outfit...

1. Safe clothes with a little pizazz: Find an outfit you look & feel gret it. Something simple, chic, with a touch of "you". The flair in your style is only yours to choose. My advice is to pick one item of flair at a time. If you are wearing neutral colors then go for a pink heel or lip. If you're wearing a bright jacket, wear a neutral shoe and purse. If you have super big & curly hair, go for some neutral toned makeup.

2. Clothes that fit: If you think you're a small, go try on a medium and an extra small to make sure you are a true small. I have clients who always buy clothes too big or small. This definitely is true when bra shopping.

3. Highs & lows: I have a trick that I use to save money, but still look like a million bucks. I mix my outfits with clothes that are $$$$ and clothes that are simply $. If I wear my most expensive purse then my shoes were probably on sale. If you love my top, the jacket over it was probably a hand-me-down. You don't have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks. Learn how to shop sales, and remember most websites usually give new subscribers 10-20% off.

4. Don't be too trendy: Crop tops, huge wedges, high waist cut offs, and plastic bead necklaces are coming back. All can be cute when paired with the right outfit, but remember that throwing them all together can look like a cluster. Instead, wear one or two "trendy" items at a time. Don't go over the top.

5. Buy nice staple pieces: A perfect black skirt, a leather jacket, beautiful boots, a nice purse, and your favorite jeans. Every girl needs their go-to items. I like to allow myself to spend a little more on these staple items, because I know I will get my moneys worth wearing them.

Check out my Pinterest to see what styles I'm loving right now.

Your Success Isn't Built Off All Your Achievements, but How You Handle Your Failures

Over the last few months, I have been reading a ton of books & articles written by successful women. Women who have grown smarter, stronger and more successful over the years. One commonality in all of these books is something quite hidden. Everyone mentions their trials and tribulations, but no one talks about those trials as often as they talk about all their successes. Who would want to read a book about someone who is always failing anyways?

Even the most glamorous women struggle with insecurities. The richest woman probably had money issues at some point. A happily married woman probably dealt with a bad breakup.  The most successful professional woman probably had a job that she hated.  The difference in women who achieve success and women who don't, is their ability to pick themselves up after they fall. The more independent someone is, or is able to become, the more likely they will succeed. The less you rely on others for your drive, happiness, & worth, the better off you are.

Take some time today to reflect, journal, or meditate. Try to remember your lowest of lows. Remember how you thought you wouldn't possibly be able to get out of that place?  Maybe you are in the middle of one of those slumps right now! Turn these situations in to your past, and try to dissect them. Grow from them, and learn from them. They make you a stronger person, and lead you towards success.  

MLK Jr. Day

I wanted to take the time to pay some respect to MLK Jr. It's always exciting to get a free paid day off work, but the real reason we have it off is to acknowledge a man who truly started a big change for our nation. I took today as a day for reflection, a lot of "me time", and gave myself a bit of a history lesson. What an amazing human. 

MLK Jr.

A man who never let negativity put a dark cloud over his positive light. 

A man whose voice spoke for millions who couldn't find theirs. 

A man who somehow found a way to always take the high road. 

A man who gave us hope & helped us believe in change.

A man whose words moved a nation & whose words will continue to.

A man who helped us get to where we are, and whose teachings inspire us to get to where we need to be.

His dream is our dream. His dream is our future. 

DIY Girls Night: Vision Board Party

This past Saturday night I decided to host a Girls Night In. I decided to do this after reading a pretty inspiring article in Marie Claire about how goal setting the form of a vision board has worked a ton in helping people achieve their goals. My girlfriends and I wanted to see what this was all about, and decided to make a night of it.

We all prepped a healthy dish, brought a bottle of wine, scissors, and magazines. We spent our night flipping, cutting, drinking, blasting pop music, and talking to each other our wildest dreams. In the end, we all were shocked to see how different our boards looked. Not only how they each looked creatively, but the contents plastered on them. One of our friends didn't realize until she finished her board how focused hers was on marriage and having a family. Another friends board was filled with travel destinations and food. What will yours be filled with?

I encourage you to spend time to 1. think about your goals 2. put it on paper 3. try making a vision board.

Mine is finished, and I ended up hanging it right by my light switch in my room. I see it when I go to bed, wake up, and every time I leave the house.

What you need:
Glue sticks
Scissors
Magazines (home decor, fitness, travel, cooking, mens magazines, sports/yoga, lifestyle, fashion)
Poster board

My Resolutions For 2015

This year I got a little more specific with what I want to acheive in 2015. The more specific I am with my goal setting, the more likely I will put in the work to acheive my goal. Some of these might seem silly to you, but my goals will look different than yours. After you read my specific goals take a look at yours to see if they are specific enough. 

Thea's Goals For 2015

Personal:
Say no more often (practice not over committing and not feeling bad when I can't make it somerhere)

Go on 2 dates a month even if I don't want to or want to use an excuse like I don't have time.)

Read 12 books (I gotta be realistic & choose a # that I will actually read)

Paint & redecorate my room (paint bought, now time for the work)

Cook more often & invite people over for dinner instead of eating out (it's good for my soul)

Physical: 

Hike more (1x/month min) 

Drink lemon water in the morning

Continue to workout 5-6x a week (change up routine a bit) 

Continue to eat clean 85% (measure or portion foods at work) 

Be comfortable walking around in a bikini by end of May (by eating clean, drinking less, and workout out on a routine)

Financial: 

Keep saving each month for retirement and Roth

Check in with financial consultant 1x a month

Increase emergency savings by 3% each month

Travel: it's been my goal the last two years to go to 2 new places a year, so I have to keep up with it! 

Go on a 2-3 day California hiking trip

Australia, Bali, or NZ or all 3 :)

Hawaii

Career: 

Actually renovate blog (meaning ask for help, which is hard for me to do)

Get professional photos and launch new website

Get another sponsor (in 2014 I partnered with Jlab audio and Fabletics!)

Goodbye 2014 Hello 2015

As we are about to ring in the New Year and make 2015 resolutions. I decided to take some time to think about 2014 while sitting in a nice hammock in Cabo San Lucas.

1. I traveled!

I will never forget one of my favorite college professors advised me that the best thing you can do for yourself is travel. It is tough to come up with money, but it is so worth it. No, I'm not rich. Yes, I save and spend money on travel. I went to Greece, Turks and Caicos, LA, Las Vegas, Tahoe, and Cabo. It's been my resolution since 2012 to travel at least 2 new places a year and I've kept that goig strong! 

2. I let myself not be too obsessed with health

Health and fitness is a huge part of my life. I love working out and eating healthy, but in the past I have let it get in the way of living a fully balanced life. This year I worked out 5 times a week (instead of 6) and ate healthy 80% of the time. I allowed myself to drink when I wanted, and pass when I didn't want to. It's been a huge relief living a more balanced life.

3. Explored SF as much as I can 

We all live in such cool cities that we usually don't explore by foot. We drive, cab, and shuttle around. I tried to go on as many walks, try as many coffee shops, and yummy restaurants as I could this year.

4. I started saving

I got a financial planner this year to help me make sure I am on track with saving my money and planning for my future. It was a big step for me, but I'm so glad I decided to start this. If you need help with this let me know, I know a great guy!

5. Broke up and started dating

When you go through a breakup. It sucks. There's no way around having to deal with tons of emotions (especially when you run in to the guy all the time). This year was tough, because it was my first real heartbreak. After a lot of hurt I learned what I think I want, and what I think I deserve. It doesn't mean I've found it, but it means I'm closer to knowing myself. 

6. Stopped making work my world

Work consumes most of us. We are there more than we are anywhere else. We want to be rock stars, make an impact, and make money. I used to let work rule me. This past year I would leave work when I was done with work, and not stay up emailing all night. I didn't stress about it nearly as much as I used to. It was a great relief.

7. Started a business

Starting a business taught me SO much this year. Working with Lindsay has been a blast. We've learned how eachother work, what one another are really good at, and also how different we each are. We loved waking up on our Saturdays to work out and hang out with amazingly beautiful and inspiring women. We learned how to budget money, and make decisions together. I will take all that we learned and use these skills for the rest of my life.

8. Being there for friends when you need to be 

Weddings, baby announcements, breakups, work drama, big news, and weekly catch ups are way more important to me than I thought. Being there for people, and people being there for me are high on my list of needs. I am so thankful for the friendships I have, and am so glad in 2014 I was able to meet such amazing human beings.

There's a lot more to my 2014, but these are some of my favorites. I can't wait to see all that 2015 brings.

Cheers! 

Do It Yourself: Easy & Affordable Christmas Gifts

If you aren't budgeting this Christmas, you should be. As much as we want to shower our friends and family with expensive gifts, it isn't smart to overspend. If you don't have the budget to get all your friends something expensive, then try making one of these DIY gifts that are cute & affordable.

Hot Chocolate Jar   Cocktails Nail Polish               Wine Tray Spa Jar         DIY Coffee & Tea Mug

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Stuffed Acorn Squash Need a healthy yet hearty recipe for the holidays? I got you covered! Try this super delicious and healthy stuffed acorn squash recipe. It's hearty and filling, but not high in calories! Ingredients: 2 Acorn squash 1 Pound lean turkey 1 Can Black beans 1 Red pepper 1/2 c Corn (organic& GMO free) 1/4 white onion 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil A dash chili powder Paprika to taste A dash of salt & pepper Optional: goat cheese or another cheese 1. Preheat oven to 475 2. Cut both acorn squash in half and remove seeds. 3. Fill pyrex dish with 1/2 inch of water 4. Bake acorn squash for 25 minutes. While squash is baking 5. In large pan pour olive oil and add in chopped onion. 6. Add corn, and bell pepper. 7. Add in black beans, and turkey. Cook until turkey is cooked through.  Remove squash when cooked through, and dump out water. 8. Turn over squash and fill with stuffing. 9. Bake for another 5 minutes. 10. Optional add on goat cheese for the last minute in the oven. 11. Serve!!

26 reps 26 exercises, because I'm 26!

Here's a little bit of my birthday workout. I  just turned 26, so I thought it would be fun to do 26 exercises and complete 26 reps of each exercise. My goal was to keep moving, and take as little rest as possible.

The structure is an upper body exercise, followed by a lower body exercise, next a core exercise, and finally a "cardio" exercise. 

Enjoy! 

"26"

1. shoulder press

2. Squats

3. Sit ups 

4. Double unders (jump rope)

5. dumbbell row

6. Walking lunges 

7. Leg raises

8. Box jumps

9. dumbbell bicep curls

10. Side lunges

11. Plank with hip rotation 

12. Dumbbell tricep extension 

13. Back lunges 

14. Left side plank with hip dip

15. Ice skaters (speed skaters)

16. Shoulder pushup ( pike position)

17. Sumo squat

18. Right side plank with hip dip 

19. Toe taps on box 

20. Dumbbell reverse fly

21. Kettlebell swing

22. Toe touch crunches (lay on mat, feet in air, touch your toes) 

23. Mountain climbers 

24. Ball slams (med ball or sandbag)

25. Curtesy lunges

26. Burpees

10 Reasons Why Trying To Be A "HOT" Girl Will Make You Broke

Being a girl is super awesome, right? Guys think we have it easy. We get free club entrances, and free dinners on our first few dates. I mean it is super easy to have a model face, perfect skin, have awesome bodies, and make it look easy. Little do men know how much money goes in to being a girl (especially during the holidays).

1. Haircuts: 
Split ends are not ok, but what the hell it costs $50-$400 dollars to get our hair done every 6-8 weeks. That is only if the hairstylist doesn't fuck the color up and we only have to stop by once in that 6-8 week span (unlikely).

2. Nails:
When you are a busy bitch like me you are usually running around town in workout clothes. We have to get our nails done just so we don't feel like boys running around in sweats. If we get regular polish that will chip in about 20 minutes, so we get gel & $45 dollars later we are feeling fresh, and broke.

3. Fitness classes:
Girls are all supposed to have perfect bodies. Big (and perky) boobs, round butts, and a tiny waist. Gym memberships now run from about $50-$180 a month. This doesn't include the cost of personal trainers so we know how to properly do exercises ($65-$180 an hour), Pilates classes to lengthen and tone ($18-$30), spin classes to keep on trend($20-$35), and yoga to stay flexible ($15-$30).

4. Clothes:
Guys make fun of girls for shopping. Guys won't date a girl who doesn't have good style. Therefore, we have to keep up with the trends. Good jeans cost well over $100. Boots start at $50-$300. A nice top runs around $30-$130. A nice jacket $60-$300. Hundreds of dollars later we have one outfit that cost about half our rent.

5. Makeup:
Every girl has gotten the "are you tired?" question when they show up to work without makeup on. Gosh! We are almost forced to put shit on our face to make us look "presentable". According to a study from Mint, the average woman spends approximately $15,000 on beauty products during her lifetime. Of that, $3,770 goes to mascara alone (I mean, it does brighten your whole face). Next time I want to buy a car and can't come up with the money, I will thank my full face of makeup for that!

6. Face wash, lotions, & potions:
Wrinkles? Oh, hell no! We buy shit tons of sunscreen, eye cream, face wash, a Clarasonic, toner, night cream, and the list goes on. We are scammed in to buying everything we can to make us look youthful, fresh, and have clear skin. I can't believe it when I leave the estheticians office on how much money I just spend and how much I walk away with.

7. Spray tans, tanning lotions, bronzer:
Nothing is worse than a girl who is pasty white, right? The last thing you want to do is get in to a bikini when you match your white towel. Spray tans cost an upwards of $40 and if you want it to last then you better buy the $30 lotion that helps it stay. If you don't want to pay $40 for a spray tan you most likely are willing to get a "steal" and spend $20 on a gradual at home tanner.

8. Waxing & Threading:
It is totally unacceptable to have bushy ass eyebrows, and GOD FORBID your vagina isn't waxed. If you have hairy arms, you better wax that too. This is where the "pain is beauty" comes in to play. Waxing and treading will cost you $100+ a month if you are going every 2 weeks. As we all know, girls aren't supposed to have hair like normal human beings.

9. Bras, panties, and Spanx:
Girls want to wake up looking like a supermodel. Unfortunately, less that 1% of the population looks like one. The other 99% are spending money on push up bras, thongs, and Spanx to keep everything "in it's place". Sadly, after dropping our hard earned cash on lingerie we will never look like Gisele.

10. Health and diet foods:
Green juices, organic salads, tea cleanses, and the lose 5 pounds in two week diet program will cost you way more than just eating regular "fat people food". I want to be skinny, so of course I am willing to spend my lifes savings at Whole Foods.

 

The list goes on so for the people who get plastic surgery, Botox, teeth whitening, eyelash tinting, eyelash extensions, or anything else... BE READY TO BE BROKE. Dudes better pay for our damn dinners after all we do to stay looking this fly! Beyonce (bless her) did NOT Wake Up Like Dat.

Lips That Say Happy Holidays

Tis' the season for amazing red lipstick! Getting that perfect red lipstick isn't always as easy as it seems. Too pink, too brown, too purple, too bright, a little dry, or too shiny. I have tested out SO many lip colors that I have boiled it down to the list below. Now to be afraid to add a little pop of color to your look this Holiday season.

Kevin Aucoin: Blood Roses

MAC: Ruby Woo

ELF: Rich Red (only $3!!!)

Lancome: Smouldering Mauve 

 

 Givenchy: Rose Ruban 

   

Wet n' Wild: Rose bud (for only $1.99) 

 

ALL My Favorite Black Friday Sales (with coupon codes)

I love shopping. What I love even more than shopping is shopping SALES. This year I am pumped to see all the awesome deals. Get a head start on Christmas shopping, and make sure you are getting a steal with these codes!

CLOTHES:
Piperlime: 25% Off sitewide  code: HEARTNYC
Planet Blue: 25% OFF sitewide code:BLACKEDOUT
ASOS: 30% OFF everything code: TGIBF
Helmut Lang: 40% OFF online & store 
Anine Bing: all items (no code needed)
Child of wild: 20% off Code: blackmagic
Flynn skye: 30% off store code:GRATITUDE
La Garconne: 30% off sale items code:PREBFD30
Bloomingdales: 15% off sale items code:THANKS
Loeffler Randall: 15% off sale items code:BLKFRIDAY
Anthroplogie: 25% off entire store code:HOLIDAY25
FASHION BUNKER: 20% off storewide code:BLACKFRIDAY
Saboskirt: 15% off storewide code: BLACK15
Sunday Somewhere: $50 off all black items (no code needed)
Vidakush: 30% off sitewide code: BlackFriday
QUAY australia: 20% off code:WEEKEND20
LITTER SF: 40% OFF code: TAKE40
Van De Vort: sale code:blackFriYay
SHOPBOP: sale code: GOBIG14
Joie: 25% off sitewide code:THANKS
rag & bone: extra 25% off sale items: extra25
Parker: 25% off all dresses code:PARTYGIRL25
The birdcage boutique: 20% off storewide code:BLACK
Rent the runway: 20% off storewide code:RTRBF2014
DOLCE VITA: 20% off all sale items code: BLACKFRIDAY14

SWIM:
Lulifama:30% off swim code:LULIFRI30
Velvetsphynxswim: 25-65% off everything (no code needed)
The Minimale Animale: Swimwear sale code:MIDNIGHT
Sahara ray swim: 30% off code:BLACKFRIDAY
Gypsy beach: 20% off storewide code: cyber20
Beach riot: 75% off online code: GOBBLEGOBBLE
Kaohs swim: 30% off everything code:BLACK


BEAUTY:
Dry Bar: 20% off all products and tools (no code needed)
Dose Of Colors: 20% off storewide (no code needed)
Cashemere hair: $5 off 16' hair extensions code:HOLIDAY16
$10 off 20' hair extensions code:HOLIDAY20
NUME hair wand: $169 curling iron for 19.99 code:INSTA19

HEALTH & FITNESS:
BODYROK: 2 Months unlimited $375
OLYMPIA ACITVEWEAR: 50% OFF code: black50
Caffeine & Kilos: Free shipping code:BLACKCOFFEE
GNC: buy one get one 50% off (no code needed)
PRESSED JUICERY: 20% OFF GIFTCARDS (no code necessary, in store only)
DALES BARS: Buy one get one free sale (no code needed)

HOME:
Crate & barrel: 15% off plus free shipping code:SAVE15

Being Highly Motivated: Why It's A Blessing & A Curse

"I wish I were as motivated as you".

People look to me and tell me this pretty frequently. I am so flattered when people smile and tell me this. However, it took me years and a lot of self-reflection to realize that "motivation" doesn't lead to happiness. Living a meaningful life leads to happiness. Let me explain...

When I am extremely motivated nothing gets in the way of me and my goal. My goals come first, and life pretty much comes second. When I am super set on a goal I am selfish and my lfe has very little balance. People notice my intense work ethic, because it's hard to miss (I make it my life to execute). 

Let me use fitness as an example. When I have a big fitness goal I will wake up at 5am to do cardio, work all day, workout again at night, cook all my meals, pack them for work, never have anything that isn't weighed out/portioned, and I will turn down any event that gets in the way of my routine.  I never give 80% of my efforts to a goal, I always give 100% without any excuses. This means that I become quite unbalanced with everything else in life. My fitness goals in the past got in the way of ever traveling, going to birthdays, drinking with friends, or doing anything away from my routine.
Another example is my drive to succeed with work. I worked so much after college to show how "motivated & dedicated" I was. I worked nights, weekends, and even when I was on vacation. When I wasn't working I was usually blogging, reading about work stuff, or reaching out to businesses to try to connect. I always thought that the harder I worked the better I was.
WRONG!
Being motivated or more motivated than the person next to you doesn't make you better than them. I remember thinking to myself "you're more motivated & you are willing to do more, so you will go further in life". Again... SO WRONG. Finding balance is way more challenging than finding motivation. Having a life with a successful work, personal, gym, and social life is way more important for happiness. I have learned through my extreme efforts to succeed that it is ok to not drain all of my energy focused on one thing. It's ok to not burn myself out. It's ok to have fun, live life, and do things that may not get me closer to each goal I set. I know myself well. I am able to say that being motivated isn't something I struggle with. However, being balanced is something we all struggle with. I hope you can find your happy balance.

Raw Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Raw Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Keep it clean this Thanksgiving and bring a Raw Pumpkin Pie, yeah I said it RAW! This no bake treat is super easy, is REAL, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, sugar-free!! Your family won't even know it's guilt-free until you tell them!    Ingredients: Crust: Organic Mejool Dates Raw Pecans (you can also use almonds, or walnuts)    Pie filling: 1 large can of pumpkin purée Date paste (from your dates you blend) Cinnamon Nutmeg Allspice Unsweetened almond milk Organic vanilla extract   1. In your Vitamix, blend your pecans with 1/4 c water so they are ground(can be pretty thick). 2. Clean out Vitamix, then place a tub of dates (pitted dates) with 1/2 c water. 3. Blend until smooth. 3. Spoon out about 1/3 of date paste in to a clean small bowl, leave 2/3 in Vitamix. 4.mix almonds and date paste. 5. Remove new almond/date paste from Vitamix and flatten out in pie pan. 6. In Vitamix blend leftover 1/3 of date paste, almond milk, spices, vanilla, and pumpkin. 7. Pour mixture in to pie pan. 8. Serve, and eat!   Want some whipped "cream" too? 1 cup organic raw cashewssoaked for 2 hours  1/4-1/2 cup filtered water depending on desired thickness 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup, or more to taste 1/2 tsp natural vanilla extract, or a little more to taste a pinch of Celtic sea salt Throw everything into a blender and puree until thick & creamy. You will need a high speed blender for thickness (Vitamix).

10 Reasons You Need To Travel

1. Eat delicious food that you can only get away with eating on vacation:
Food is a huge part of any culture. Americas "melting pot" culture gives us the chance to try delicious international foods at our fingertips. When traveling, it has been one of my favorite things to "eat like a local". Eating locally means totally switching up my routine. In Greece I filled up my breakfast plate with greek yogurt, dates, walnuts, local honey, and a cappuccino. Lunch was a big greek salad. Dinner consisted of a greek salad, a local dish, lots of wine, and baklava for dessert. Every trip I've taken I try something new.

2. Clear your mind from everyday BS:
Work stress, sitting in traffic, doing your laundry, saving up money, relationship or friendship drama, and doing the dishes are things most of us deal with daily. When you are on vacation you are allowed to temporarily forget about these (or put them to the back of your mind). Clearing your mind from the day to day stressors allows you to breathe and just simply be stress-free. Be in the moment.

3. Experience different cultures:
Are you American? Do you think America is the best country in the world? Cool! Where else have you been? It's truly important to experience different cultures before you form opinions on them. Meeting people with different lifestyles, perspectives, and beliefs helps us mold ourselves in to the person we want to become. By absorbing other cultures when traveling you learn and have experiences that you can bring in to my life back in the US.

4. Go off the grid:
It is a part of culture to be on email or a phone the majority of the day. Whether you are working, socializing, browsing, or reading up on gossip. It is actually quite hard to go "off the grid". It's hard to not want to post things, talk to friends, and occasionally answer emails when traveling. The problem with wanting to always be on the phone is that you are NOT present in the moment. When on vacation it is super important to be present. Sipping coffee in Italy people watching is much more enjoyable than it is sipping coffee looking down on your phone. Take your vacations on a whole other level and try to pull yourself away from technology.

5. Relax:
When you travel, it is the perfect time to just take some time to sit and chill. You have the choice to go to the spa, take a nap, or read. Do what you need to do to enjoy your travel. There's no need to be your usual busy self.

6. Excitement:
Planning a trip is exciting. You get to pick where you want to go, how you want to get there, what you want to see/do, where you want to eat, when you want to do whatever you choose to do. It's exciting to live life without your routine. Plan your trip and get excited for the experiences you are about to have. When you are finally there remember to pinch yourself and put your experiences in to perspective.

7. Bucket list:
If you were to die tomorrow would you be satisfied with the life you lived? It's scary to think about, but nothing is guaranteed. Look at your life, and start planning out all you want to achieve in the next few weeks, months, years, and lifetime.

8. Because you can:

We are so lucky to have the freedom to do what we want when we want. If you have paid vacation you should take advantage of it! Otherwise, in my opinion, you are working your life away.

9. Do what you want, when you want:
When you are on vacation, you are able to focus one one thing... having FUN. Take time to sleep in, go on walks, say no to things, say yes to things, and make every decision for your personal likings. If you are traveling with someone it's ok to let them know what kind of trip you want. I have gone on trips where I want to workout while my friend reads, or I want to go shopping when my friend wants to take a nap. If you are paying for the trip then be selfish with what you want to do while traveling.

10. Realize the world is bigger than your little life:
Travel will help you realize that this world is HUGE. Not everything revolves around you, your life, your little city, your state, or your country. The world is here for us to explore, so take the bull by the horns and go do that!

Meal Prep For Results

Are you super busy, so you eat out more than you should? There are so many of us who can relate. It is extremely easy to get caught up in the craziness of our day-to-day lives that we forget the simple things. We have to eat, and a great way to get results is by planning out most of your meals. For years I planned and packed every single meal I ate. Now, it is easy for me to gauge portions and healthy options.

 

What To Do

 

Step 1. Grocery shop:

Once a week (or twice) go on a big grocery haul like this. Make sure you pick up enough items, so you can prep food for work or for you to have in case you are out and about without a place that's healthy to stop by. I love making a list before hand 

 

Step 2. Plan tasty meals:

Don't just pack 5 meals of chicken and broccoli. Go find some healthy meals that you actually look forward to eating. I love packing greek yogurt with nuts & berries, spaghetti squash with turkey meatballs, or something like a homemade protein bars.  

 

Step 3. Cook and pack:

Cook your meals and pack in containers and store in the fridge or freezer. All you will need to do before you leave the house is grab and go.

 

Step 4. Have backup:

Pack some protein bars, nuts, or fruit in your bag just in case hunger strikes on the go!

 

Step 5. Switch it up:

Don't plan the same things every week. It is important to have variety in your diet. Variety helps you stick with it, and if one day you don't like a meal you have the option to switch things up the next.