The first few weeks (months?? yearrrrs??) after giving birth pass by in a blur that feels like forever but also like five minutes. Days and nights are interchangeable, dry shampoo is your best friend and you’re so focused on this tiny, defenceless human you’ve been tasked with keeping alive that it’s easy to forget to look after yourself. Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, you need to fuel your body with good quality food, and that’s why these post partum bliss balls should be within reach at all times.
I’ve adapted them from an Ayurvedic cookbook and they’re so super quick and easy to make you could do it while your babe is asleep (even if he’s in a carrier snoozing on your chest). Better yet, forward the recipe to your partner or a friend and ask them to do it for you. And Team, if you’re off to visit a new mum anytime soon, make a batch and take them with you; I know I feel incredibly grateful to every friend and family member who dropped food off to us in those early days.
Oat and almond post-partum bliss balls
Ingredients 2 heaped Tbsp coconut oil
2 Tbsp nut butter
3-4 Tbsp maple syrup (depends how sweet you like it – taste and adjust)
1 Cup almond meal
1 Cup oats (I use quick oats for best texture)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Generous pinch of salt
Method 1. Melt the coconut oil
2. In a large bowl, combine melted coconut oil, nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla
3. Add the almond meal, oats and salt
4. Mix well and roll into balls
5. Store in freezer.
Why are these oat and almond post-partum bliss balls so good for new mums?
Almonds are thought to be galactagogues (helping to increase quantity and quality of milk). They’re also a source of protein, calcium and minerals.
Oats are also said to help increase milk supply. They’re also low GI, anti-inflammatory and full of nutrients.
They’re high in healthy fats thanks to the nut butter, and low in sugar.
Summer 2021 marked the return of outdoor gear shows following the public health hiatus of 2020—and with it the much anticipated inaugural Big Gear Show, hosted at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. The Big Gear Show was an opportunity for your local retailers and gear testers to scope out what manufacturers have in store for the upcoming seasons. The past year has only fueled our appetite for getting outdoors. Even with the reality of ongoing supply chain issues and health restrictions, gearmakers are seeking solutions and continuing to push innovations for you to enjoy your time out there. There were 138 companies at the show, with plenty of products to comb through. So here’s a rundown of some stand-out camping lifestyle gear we had a chance to test.
Courtesy Image
1. GSI 2 Can Cooler Stack
Cold beverages for the summit anyone? GSI is fixing a long-standing problem you didn’t know you had. By elongating the body, and widening the mouth of a stainless-steel, insulated, vacuum bottle, this great little cooler provides 24 hours of cold retention. It just so happens to be the perfect fit to carry two cans of your favorite beverage. Sounds just about right for sharing a celebratory cold one with a friend, whether you’re sitting at the vista or reaching that secluded waterfall. Word on the street from GSI is they even make for a great solution to keep burritos warm. The can cooler comes in a three-piece six-pack version for your whole trail crew, or perhaps an afternoon on the disc golf course.
Ignik has taken the inspiration of the surplus ammo cans we’ve seen put to various outdoor use for years, and transformed it into a portable campfire. The goal of the Fire Can is to create a semi-enclosed, wood-free solution for sitting around that warm glow in the woods. To keep it conveniently stowable with the rest of your gear, it hooks up to any size propane tank, including Ignik’s Gas Growler. By providing an enclosed fire, lifted from the ground, Ignik is seeking to provide an option that reduces impact to campsites and also wildfire risk—a huge concern now more than ever.
Working remotely on the road doesn’t have to mean sitting in coffee shops, or being cooped up in your van. Helinox has recognized that with its new modular Tactical Field Office and forthcoming Field Office tables. Both iterations have the same overall concept, with slight differences in finished style. They include a table and cargo bag that breaks down within itself to carry like a briefcase. It all weighs less than five pounds, so you can tote a laptop, storage drives, camera gear, and complete work space all around camp.
[Tactical Field Office available now, $199.95, helinox.com; Field Office available spring 2022, $199.95, helinox.com]
4. PURTREK Trek Pole & Water Filtration System Pole
One of the most innovative and intriguing new pieces of gear in 2021 is the Purtrek water filtration trekking pole. It’s no gimmick. Founder Kyle Stringham spent five years developing the complex system. What he came up with is an ultralightweight pole constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum with an interior made of hollow fiber filter, capable of removing 99.9 percent of bacteria. This genius invention eradicates the need to carry two completely separate pieces of gear on your next long hike or backpacking trip. Why is the Purtrek better than your traditional filter? The length of the trekking pole means you’re producing up to two times more water per pump. This mean you’ll spend less time hunched over a creek to stay hydrated.
[Available late summer 2021, $189.99; purtrek.com]
The popularity of crossover paddling craft continues to grow. With inflatables rolling up to the size of a large duffel, able to fit in the trunk of a car or your van’s rear storage, why wouldn’t you pack something to get on the water? Tahe’s recently released Beach SUP-Yak is one of the most thoughtful SUP/Kayak convertible designs yet. Designer Jimmy Blakeney brings his kayak know-how to these craft that can act as a solo paddleboard or two-person kayak. The SUP-Yak has a seat you can actually spend a day on, plus adjustable foot blocks that provide the platform to drive the kayak forward. Arguably the most innovative feature is the stitched webbing loops running the sides of the board. They make the seat and foot block placement fully adjustable and, in paddleboard mode, let you strap gear where you want it, rather than being limited to set bungee positions. This makes the SUP-Yak great to paddle for a day of tandem kayaking or an overnight paddleboard trip.
I have played fantasy football for a very long time. You, too, have perhaps played fantasy football for a very long time. Something like 40 million of us do, CNN reported last year, and the business has grown into a billion-dollar endeavor as more and more people have piled in.
There are two ways to win a fantasy football league. The first is to seek out a league with a bunch of people who don’t follow football closely, take advantage of their lack of knowledge, and trick them into drafting bad players instead of simply auto-drafting. The second way is to put lots of thought and preparation into your team, and then get lucky. In other words, there’s no easy way to win a competitive league, but there are some key strategies to follow.
Whether 2021 is your first time or your 20th time playing fantasy football, here are five tricks of the trade that I hope lead you to dominance this fall.
1. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s fine to auto-draft.
There’s a reason some fantasy GMs don’t want the other teams in their league to auto-draft: The machines have become pretty smart. You’ll wind up with a perfectly fine fantasy football team if you let a robot pick for you. Will you win your league? Probably not. But the auto-draft functions at ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, and other fantasy platforms will generally make it easy for you to field a competent roster.
These algorithms take the highest-ranked consensus player (consensus on the part of “experts” or computers, anyway), and they’ll gradually fill out your roster from there. You will not wind up taking a defense or a kicker in the fifth round.
2. If you’re not auto-drafting, put some thought into your picks.
You won’t do a better job than a machine if you do zero research and then punch in manual picks on the fly. To prepare, cross-reference some cheat sheets to see how different players stack up across them all. That makes it less likely you’ll find an outlier, fall in love with that player, and draft him way too early. ESPN, CBS, and NBC all provide fantasy rankings. Get the lay of the land, and give yourself a chance to get lucky once toe meets leather.
3. You need running backs, and you need them early.
Running backs are, generally speaking, the most valuable producers in most fantasy formats. They get the ball the most, they get carries when teams are right near the goal line, and in an NFL that increasingly relies on backs to be pass-catchers, they rack up even more points in PPR (point per reception) leagues.
Someone in your league might decide they can find a running back later in the draft or on the waiver wire later in the year. They’ll rationalize the decision by noting that running backs rise and fall quickly in the modern NFL. They do, but everyone else will also be looking to snap up some breakout star who runs for three touchdowns in Week 6. Better to grab one early. This same advice tracks if you’re using an auction draft format: Invest in dependable RBs.
4. Most tight ends are pretty much the same. Most.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and the Las Vegas Raiders’ Darren Waller are worth early fantasy picks because they are essentially wide receivers in tight ends’ bodies. The San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle might turn out to be similarly valuable. After that, things get tricky.
I do not feel confident telling you that your season depends on whether you draft the fourth-ranked or ninth-ranked tight end on your board, especially if that ninth-ranked tight end is a young player who appears to have some upside. Maybe look at Kyle Pitts, the Atlanta Falcons rookie whom cheat sheets have ranked around No. 6 among tight ends. He might be top-three. Similarly, someone like the Baltimore Ravens’ Mark Andrews might be ranked fourth or fifth on your board and turn out to be the seventh or eighth most valuable TE.
5. Do not draft a defense or a kicker until well after you think you need one.
For one thing, it’s incredibly hard to predict which of these players will get you the most fantasy points—especially kickers, whose output often comes down to how often their offenses stall in field goal range without scoring a touchdown. For another, the difference between the best and the rest is just not that big at these positions. In a standard scoring format in 2020, the most valuable fantasy defense (the Los Angeles Rams) was worth 9.9 points per week. The 12th-best defense (i.e., the worst starting defense in a 12-team fantasy league) was the New England Patriots at 5.6.
It’s fun to say you have the best kicker in your league. It just won’t help you win the league.
Snaking over 3,000 miles from the Canadian border down to Mexico, the Continental Divide Trail passes through some of the most rugged country in the American West, and presents a daunting test for anyone willing to take it on. The trail’s reputation for scenic beauty and challenging terrain was also the point of inspiration for the latest Run Amok collection from Roark. The new installment, which is primarily aimed at trail runners, features hand-drawn graphics and a whole suite of technical fabrics—including performance fleece, a first for the collection. Taken together, these pieces are designed to perform in tough environments and feel comfortable enough for travel and everyday wear, too.
Here’s a closer look at some of the key pieces in the collection.
Alta Shorts 7″Courtesy Image
1. Alta Shorts 7″
A longer edition of Roark’s five-inch Alta shorts, this new version is made with four-way stretch nylon for a lightweight feel that won’t restrict your movement, and includes a built-in moisture-wicking liner for chafe-free miles. A drawstring waist ensures a snug fit, and two strategically placed pockets near the hips store gels and keys so they won’t bounce or distract mid-stride (it comes with a zippered rear pocket, too).
Perfect for unpredictable shoulder season conditions, the Second Wind Anorak is made from a lightweight ripstop fabric that blocks wind and resists moisture (thanks to its DWR finish) and really breathes, so you won’t overheat. And when the sun comes out, you can zip it up into its own chest pocket for easy carrying.
Named after a park in Laguna Beach, CA (where Roark has its headquarters), this fleece pant is designed for maximum comfort and versatility. It’s made from a nylon stretch fabric for unrestricted freedom of movement, features double-sided fleece for a soft feel, and has a tapered fit. A drawstring waist and zippered pockets ensure it’s good to go, even when you’re hauling around your phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials.
Made with the same materials as the pants above, the El Morro Hoodie delivers big on comfort. In addition to the cozy fleece, hand pockets at the front and the drawstring hood will keep you toasty warm when temps start drop or the wind picks up.
You’ve got sports-viewing parties and tailgates, barbecues and brunches, happy hours and birthdays. Sure, fun lies ahead, but first, there comes the stress of what to bring. Regifting that bottle of wine or weird ice cube tray won’t do. Instead, impress your host with any of these stellar gifts. From canned cocktails to top-of-the-line cookware, with some blankets, bags, and BBQ swag thrown in the mix, you’re sure to find the best hosting gifts for every event on your calendar.
The Best Hosting Gifts for Birthdays, Barbecues, and Everything in Between
1. Tip Top Proper Cocktails
Your pitmaster for the evening already spent the whole day prepping the feast. Give ‘em the night off bartending duties with any of these six canned renditions of classic low-ball cocktails. In the “stirred” category, they’ve got the negroni, Manhattan, and old fashioned, while the “shaken” offerings give you mouth-watering takes on the margarita, daiquiri, and Bee’s Knees.
Treat the Chef de Cuisine to an engraved Great Jones best-seller, like the Big Deal Pot or Deep Cut Sauté Pan. You can add their name, monogram, or that signature dish they love making on the lid. When the night’s over, they’ll be glad they can pop these pots and pans in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
Your buddy loves beer. He loves being a barbecue wizard. Here’s the best of both worlds in one amazing marinade, that also doubles as a sauce. Flavors on offer are Japanese Miso BBQ, Mexican Tres Chiles, and Szechuan Black Vinegar. As the name implies, you simply add your favorite beer when cooking up your next marinade, stir fry, or snack dip. Ingredients like kombu (a type of seaweed), tomatoes, and miso give the condiment depth of flavor. Just Add Beer works just as well on a grilled steak as it does on roasted veggies.
A practical gift that anyone who invites you into their home will surely appreciate, these cozy blankets come in an array of patterns and neutral colors, and all are machine washable to boot. We recommend the Cape and Islands Ocean Blue Blanket ($135), with maps designed on the exterior, to evoke the bliss of summer all year round.
Enhance your host’s cheeseboard spread with these lip-smacking jams that also work atop sandwiches, burgers, or mixed into marinades. The set includes the original Tommy Jam, Hot Tommy (made with fresh habaneros for some heat), and Tommy en Provence (which offers herbaceous notes).
Keep drinks and snacks cold all day long with this best-in-class soft cooler, now available in new fall colors. Or, spring for an MLB hard cooler for the baseball superfan in your life with the logo of their favorite sports team emblazoned on top. Either way, bottoms up to a good, good time with this over-the-top splurge people wouldn’t likely buy for themselves, but will be so happy to own.
For the home-cooking aficionado, this lineup of seven olive oils and vinegar will be their new partner in crime in the kitchen, and a design-forward ode to accouterments they can proudly display. The set also includes a spout made with brush gold and stainless steel for drizzly perfection with each flip of the bottle. For something easier on the wallet, try The Mini Essentials ($70)—a collection of the brand’s best-selling products.
What better way to celebrate the purchase of a new home than with this charming personalized portrait of their digs? We’re also fans of Minted’s custom map art (from $65, framed) to transform a special map of their former stomping grounds or new environs into visually pleasing wall art.
Help anoint your buddy’s new backyard with this beautiful hammock, perfect for post-game power naps or evening reading sessions. What’s more, by purchasing a handwoven hammock through Yellow Leaf, you’re helping Thai craftspeople and their families build a better future for themselves. For $299, you can design your own pattern.
You know sauce is serious business when it was meticulously created by acclaimed chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi. The tomato-based sauce set includes two jars of marinara, and a jar each of Arrabbiata and tomato basil. With sauces made in small batches and featuring a medley of fresh ingredients like Italian-grown tomatoes and whole onions and garlic, expect a quality product that elevates any pasta dish. Bring it to your next family dinner to jazz up Dad’s famous eggplant parm. P.S. A roasted garlic version of the sauce launches soon.
Oenophiles will rejoice in this curated selection of natural wines delivered to their door on a monthly basis (choose a three-, six-, or 12-month membership). Red, white, mixed, rosé, and sparkling wines are up for the choosing, and all vinos are organically grown and independently tested for purity, so you can ensure they live up to the “natural” moniker, meaning they’re made following strict criteria and free of a long list of FDA-approved additives.
Help your host upgrade their tablescape with a delivery of potted plants or flowers. You can either do a one-off order or, if you have a subscription and know you have an event that month, you can have your delivery shipped directly to the recipient. Some current favorites are Monstera Magic ($99), the Farmer’s Market Gift Trio ($114), and Gold Rush ($49).
[From $38 à la carte or memberships from $36; bouqs.com]
This grilling apron was designed for ‘cue enthusiasts to practice their craft with ease, featuring 10 pockets, a carabiner, and five D-ring clips to keep accessories at the ready. It’s made of a durable, washable fabric, and crafted under the guidance of barbecue pitmasters and chefs to ensure it’s the applewood of anyone’s eye.
Speaking of grilling aficionados, up the ante on a BBQ with these chips sourced from 100 percent Minnesota white oak barrels used to age Tattersall Whiskey for more than two years. Flavor-wise, the whiskey-ed white oak provides notes of mild sweetness and vanilla to coax nuanced layers of sapor from every dish on the grill. These suckers are sublime for smoking.
Home team driving the crew crazy or just pull off an epic play? Time for a shot. Gathering to celebrate someone’s birthday? Ditto. Six thick, textured glass shooters arrive in this attractive, mission-style wrought iron stand with a garnish tray for victuals like salt, limes, lemons, and perhaps some electrolyte powder packets for all the damage you’re about to do.
Bring wine or other small items like napkin rings, a framed photo, and the like for a party or birthday in this elegant leather tote, then gift the bag as part of the plunder. Available in brown, black, and olive, every purchase of this bag creates two hours of employment to the brand’s Ethiopian team.
Eat, sip an apéritif, and be merry with this delightful assortment of beverages available in flavors like Lemon Lavender, Grapefruit Jalapeño, Citrus Flower, and more. You can add to spirits and wine (grape brandy and Chardonnay grapes play nice in all the flavor profiles), or imbibe it straight on the rocks, We’re partial to Ginger Yuzu with its namesake ingredients: lemongrass, orange peel, dried cherries, rooibos tea, ginger tea, and organic cane sugar.
Help your pal set the mood with this handsome candle, fragranced with notes of bergamot, vetiver, leather, and spices. Crafted with a soy-coconut wax blend, the candles are hand-poured by refugee women in Western Massachusetts, so you can feel good about empowering these talented makers with every purchase.
Got a beer trade on the horizon? The organizer will be thrilled to be on the receiving end of this trio of two pint glasses and a 64-ounce growler. Choose the colors for each in the bundle, and rest assured the lifetime warranty means these products are engineered for the long haul. For wine clubs, opt for the wine gift set.
20. Claude Dozorme Thiers Mixed Wood Handle Stainless Steel Steak Knife Set
Steak night made better. Made in France, this set includes knives made with wood grips from different trees (ebony, olive, tulip, rose, juniper, and boxwood), all presented in a beechwood box. FYI: They’re easy to re-sharpen and last for years. If you’re in the market for some steak knives, too, go ahead and treat yourself.
Every good get-together deserves a fun card game. Wow your amigos with this quick-to-learn game that lasts for around 30 minutes and works with four to 12+ players. Expect a lot of laughs—and to learn a thing or two about your friends’ creativity.
The hottest new show on Netflix is a laugh-track laden sitcom about nothing that aired its last episode in 1998. You guessed it: Seinfeld is making its debut on the streaming platform, confirming its status as one of the most successful TV series ever. Starting this October, all 180 episodes of the beloved ’90s sitcom (spanning nine seasons) will be available to watch on Netflix.
Netflix announced the move with a short, tongue-in-cheek trailer and a sly press release that teased “2021’s hottest new show” created by “rising stars Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld.”
“This is the first time we’ve taken a risk of this nature, going all in on 9 seasons at the jump,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in a statement quoted by the Los Angeles Times.
Rest assured, there’s nothing new about this show—you’ll still get the same antics from Elaine, George, Jerry, and Kramer and all of the “adventures” they get themselves into, including getting lost in a parking garage, having heated conversations in Tom’s Restaurant, and generally dealing with the ups and downs of living in New York City in the ’90s. Even on TV, it seems, some things never change.
It’s also a clear confirmation that creators Seinfeld and David struck gold with their first series—an unlikely success story in a tough industry. In a joking statement, Seinfeld downplayed making one of the most well-known shows ever to grace a TV screen.
“Larry and I are enormously grateful to Netflix for taking this chance on us. It takes a lot of guts to trust two schmucks who literally had zero experience in television when we made this thing,” Seinfeld said. “We really got carried away, I guess. I didn’t realize we made so many of them. Hope to recoup god knows how many millions it must have taken to do. But worth all the work if people like it. Crazy project.”
Whether you’re a die-hard Seinfeld fan or haven’t yet learned who the Soup Nazi is, now’s your chance to dive in—all the episodes will be available to watch on Netflix on Oct. 1.
I set a goal to read at least 3 books per month and am still going strong. Sharing a recap of what I read in August and if I’d recommend these!
Hi friends! How’s the day going? I hope you’re having a lovely morning so far. I’m heading to the kiddos’ school for a bit and then taking content photos with Kristi later today.
For today’s post, I’m sharing a recap of the books I read in August! I set a goal at the beginning of this year to read at least 3 books per month, and without having this solid, super-specific goal, there’s no way it would have happened. (I think having accountability through the blog has made a huge difference, too!) I feel like I’m juggling more than ever right now work-wise (Fit Team, blog, podcast, videos, nutrition clients, personal training clients, Beautycounter) but reading is something I truly enjoy as a hobby. This goal has really encouraged me to stick with it and carve out time, even though it would be a convenient thing to delete from my routine.
I received this one in my Book of the Month subscription and was wondering if I was going to like it. The author is one hit (The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo) and one miss (Daisy Jones and the Six) for me. I had no clue what I was getting into, but decided to give it a whirl, and absolutely enjoyed it. I ended up reading it in two days because I was so immersed in the characters. I don’t feel like a lot *happens* in this book, but the character development and backstory, alternating between two eras, made it worthwhile to me. 8/10 would recommend.
Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over—especially as the offspring of the legendary singer Mick Riva.
The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud—because it is long past time for him to confess something to the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.
Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there.
And Kit has a couple secrets of her own—including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.
By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come rising to the surface.
Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them . . . and what they will leave behind.
I love love LOVE Jenny Lawson, and remember listening to her book “Let’s Pretend this Never Happened” and laughing so hard I was crying. I listened to this one on Audible, too, and ended up feeling a little bit meh about it. I just didn’t laugh at the funny parts, and the sad, more profound parts, made me simply feel sad instead of finding comfort in relating to her. Some of the portions about her experience with depression were triggering for me (and I’m so thankful she’s sharing her story with others to remove the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses), but I think it was compounded by everything going on in the world. Perhaps I would enjoy more in another time, but it was a bit too much for me right now. 5/10 would recommend.
As Jenny Lawson’s hundreds of thousands of fans know, she suffers from depression. In Broken (in the Best Possible Way), Jenny brings listeners along on her mental and physical health journey, offering heartbreaking and hilarious anecdotes along the way.
With people experiencing anxiety and depression now more than ever, Jenny humanizes what we all face in an all-too-real way, reassuring us that we’re not alone and making us laugh while doing it. From the business ideas that she wants to pitch to Shark Tank to the reason why Jenny can never go back to the post office, Broken leaves nothing to the imagination in the most satisfying way. And of course, Jenny’s long-suffering husband Victor – the Ricky to Jenny’s Lucille Ball – is present throughout.
A treat for Jenny Lawson’s already existing fans, and destined to convert new ones, Broken is a beacon of hope and a wellspring of laughter when we all need it most.
I received this book from Katy Bowman’s publicist (I still can’t believe Katy was on my podcast!!!!!!!!) and was so excited to dive in. This book gives real-life examples of how to cultivate a family lifestyle centered on movement. Kids are moving so much less these days, and I’m always looking for ways to add more movement into our lives and make it fun.
This insightful book (with beautiful color photos!) includes tips for movement stacking, spending time in nature, proper footwear, gardening, cooking activities, seasonal activities, furniture and home additions to promote less sitting and more movement, learning, etc. I feel like it’s easy to be overwhelmed when you’re looking to change up your lifestyle in any capacity, but this book includes so many easy habits and tips that you can continue to build. 10/10 would recommend.
From biomechanist and bestselling author Katy Bowman comes her eagerly anticipated guide to getting kids―from babies to preteens―and their families moving more, together, outside.
Our kids are moving less than any other generation in human history; indoor time and screen time have skyrocketed. As adults and kids turn more to “convenient,” tech-based solutions, tasks that once required head-to-toe use of our muscles and bones can be done with a click and a swipe. Without realizing it, we’ve traded convenience for the movement-rich environment that our physical, mental, and environmental health depends on.
Parents don’t know what to do!
But there’s good news: While the problem feels massive, the solution is simple…and fun!
Grow Wild not only breaks down the ‘big ideas’ behind movement as a nutrient, it serves as a field guide―how to spot all the movement opportunities we’re currently missing.
Learn to “stack your life” for richer experiences that don’t take more time:
Set up your home to promote more movement, naturally
Dress for (movement) success
Add snacktivities to your meals
Plan dynamic celebrations
Create a dynamic homework space
Bring nature into your home and play
And much more!
Bowman, a leader in the Movement movement, has written Grow Wild to show where movement used to fit into the activities of daily life and more importantly, how it can again.
The perfect companion to Bowman’s bestseller Move Your DNA, Grow Wild provides practical, everyday, nature-rich ideas on how to let kids move their DNA while doing things they’ll love.
So tell me, friends: what did you read in August? Any showstoppers? What should I add to the list for September?
I’m rounding up what y’all having been loving and shopping this August. Here are the top 15 products Fitnessista readers purchased this month.
I thought it would be fun to do a monthly roundup of some of your favorite products each month that I’ve shared on the blog. Sounds fun, yeah? I love sharing my favorites with you – whether it’s something for the girls, a staple in the Pilot’s closet, or my newest activewear finds – I enjoy sharing what we are using and loving, and love when you love them too!
Here are the top 15 products Fitnessista readers purchased this month:
This crop tank is really cute with high-waisted leggings or shorts – I love the square neck detail. The fabric is SO soft and the cut is very flattering. I already want another color.
I couldn’t help ordering this for P and it’s even better in real life. It’s great quality and little ear hoodies are just the most adorable thing ever.
Enough said. This is my go-to everyday bra – so comfortable! It’s wireless (I haaaaate underwire), gives ya a little shape and smoothness, and comes in a variety of colors. It’s not the *sexiest* bra, but is the perfect everyday t-shirt bra.
If he’s not in uniform, the Pilot is wearing one of these Lululemon polos. I love that they look a little bit dressed-up but still casual enough for any activity.
This track jacket is the perfect thing to throw on after a workout or for running errands – it’s very slimming & flattering. I’ve been wearing this jacket to train clients (it’s cold in the gym!) and LOVE it.
These are the bowls I use to every giant salad I eat, or any bowl type meal. They’re perfect for chili and cornbread, pasta, veggies and chicken, buddha bowls, shrimp stir fry, anything.
Have you been wanting to get a glimpse of Fit Team and what it’s like? Now is the chance! Get a workout and video tutorial delivered to your inbox for the next 4 weeks. Read below for the details!
Hi friends! Happy Monday! How was the weekend? Ours was a good one. We went to my dad’s house to celebrate his bday, Liv had a friend over for s’mores and swimming, and I did some virtual and in-person training sessions, in addition to teaching dance cardio. It was an action-packed weekend and now we’re back in to the school thing.
So if you’ve been feeling kind of blah on the fitness front and want to shake up your workout routine and get inspired, join us as a beta tester for Fit Team!
My signature group coaching program, #FitTeam launches in October, and over the next several weeks I’m going to be sending out FREE workouts for you to try out, and then offer feedback if you’d like. There’s zero obligation, but I’d love to get your feedback as you try each one: what you liked, what you didn’t love, how you felt, etc.
Each Monday (starting this Monday, September 6th), I’ll be sending out a workout for you to try
All workouts are 20-30 minutes in duration, and can be done with dumbbells
I’ll be asking you a few quick questions (literally it will take you 1 minute) and you can give me your feedback after you try the workout. When you submit your feedback, I’ll enter ya to win a free nutrition guide as a thank you! (I’ll give away 1-5, deepening on how many friends are enrolled)
Beta testers will also have the opportunity to enroll for our next round of Fit Team for a sweet discount.
It’s free of course, since it’s going to be a huge favor to me to get your amazing feedback, and it will help me deliver an even better product in October. When you receive your workouts, you can also send them to friends and family members who may need a bit of workout motivation or some new ideas.
If you’ve been curious to see what the Fit Team workouts are like, this is the perfect time to try it out!
This is a customized plan and nutrition guide taking into consideration your unique goals (fat loss, athletic performance, muscle gain, etc), diet history, activity level, personal preferences and more! You’ll also receive a virtual movement assessment live with me to help you move better, reduce injury risk and finally achieve the physique you want.
The Movement + Macros bundle is a brand new program designed as an accessible, quick roadmap to help you reach your health and fitness goals. I normally work with clients for months (and sometimes years!) and know not everyone needs a long-term coaching commitment. Sometimes you need someone to just give you a plan and support you in a more affordable way.
This is my signature offer to help you access the strategies you need to make your workouts safe AND effective, while also eating for your goals and being confident to have the nutrition solution that will work FOR YOU.
What’s included:
Thorough intake form including body composition, health history, medications, current activity level, and anything else I need to know about your unique lifestyle
An initial 30-minute in-depth coaching call to discuss the intake form and complete a movement assessment live with me
Detailed report explaining your specific muscle imbalances and movement patterns, and an exact prescription for how to remedy each one to keep you safe and getting physique results
Complete customized nutrition guide, including macro guidelines and meal ideas (based on the diet YOU like to follow!)
Follow-up coaching with me to answer questions and support you
A 7-day follow-up to make sure you’re able to implement and have everything you need to be successful ongoing
When you sign up today, you’ll automatically get a free gift from me to you – a download with 52 High Protein Recipes (plus shopping lists and sample meal plans)
I’m so pumped to share this method of macro tracking with you because it’s something that’s super easy to follow and sustainable. I HATED weighing and measuring my food when I tracked macros in the past, and this method uses the size of our hand to gauge portions. No weighing, no measuring, no feeling like you can’t eat at friends’ houses or restaurants without straying from your goals. This is meant to be a sustainable method for LIFE that is easily adjusted for a variety of eating styles.
Spaces are SUPER limited – only 10 women max to start – so if you’re interested, snag your spot ASAP! When the 10 spots are filled, I’ll add a waitlist option to this page. Sign up for the waitlist if you’re interested (it’s no obligation) and I’ll work through everyone in order. If you get a waitlist spot, it may be 2-4 weeks until we can schedule our initial call.
So pumped about this and so excited to get to know more of you better and share these ideas and strategies with you! If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below!
The first few weeks (months?? yearrrrs??) after giving birth pass by in a blur that feels like forever but also like five minutes. Days and nights are interchangeable, dry shampoo is your best friend and you’re so focused on this tiny, defenceless human you’ve been tasked with keeping alive that it’s easy to forget to look after yourself. Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, you need to fuel your body with good quality food, and that’s why these post partum bliss balls should be within reach at all times.
