4 Tips to Keep Mom Energized!

Keeping up with a one year old is no small task!

I swear on most days it feels like Bodhi has more energy than me.

In order to keep up with him, and not over caffeinate, I’ve come up with 4 fool proof ways to keep myself energized and ready for a day of exploring with my little babe.

4 Tips to Keep Mom Energized!

1. Hydrate! Water is key, and essential for every cell of our body. We are so similar to plants, and some times when we are feel fatigued we simply just need a glass of water. My goal is to drink 100 oz of plain water every day.

2. Don’t skip a meal. I see so many Mamas simply eating their kids leftovers or scraps, and that simply will not provide us with enough energy to keep up with these little babes. We need to make sure that we are fueling our body and healthy nutrient dense meals. When I know that we have a busy day ahead, I plan out my meals and snacks. For instance, I’ll stop at Crisp & Green and grab a protein shake on the way to our next adventure, or stock up on their bowls or salads so I’m ready for the next day (keep the dressing on the side so it stays fresh!).

3. Fresh air & Vitamin D. Sometimes simply stepping outside, going for a walk, or a swim in our pool help both of us reset and energize. The sun is incredibly energizing, and being indoors all day can really zap your energy. So mix it up and take your littles ones outside for nature’s cure!

4. Chorella, one of my absolute favorite supplements, and a true energy booster! It’s packed with incredible nutrients, plus it binds to heavy metals and helps your body naturally detox (detox = more energy). The benefits of chorella are endless, this is my favorite one right now CHORELLA. As always please check with your Doctor, Naturopath or Certified Nutritionist before beginning as new supplement regimen.

As Mamas we spend so much time making sure our babies and our families are taken care of, but we need to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves. We can’t serve from an empty cup (or stomach for that matter!).

Food is energy and what we eat matters.

These are 4 tools that help me on a daily and weekly basis stay energized and fueled up! I’d love to hear how you keep your energy up with a little one, comment below and let me know!

I receive a small commission for links in this blog post which help to keep my business running, and allow me to share more nutrition and wellness tips and tricks with you! As always all opinions, thoughts, and words are entirely my own.

#ad Crisp & Green Ambassador

Bodhi's One!

I can’t even believe I am already writing this post, my baby is ONE!

I have dreamed of this moment for years, and it has always seemed so far away.

The last year had flown by, but it has also encompassed so much physical, emotional and mental change that it seems like it’s been a lifetime.

The beginning of my postpartum journey was really challenging, (for reasons I have yet to discuss publicly) and it was super lonely. I was moving through so much as a new mom, caring for my brand new baby with virtually no support expect for my sweet Husband, that had to go back to work at 4 weeks. Luckily, I met some incredible Mama friends with babes the same age as Bodhi and they have offered me an immense amount of support over the last 12 months.

Becoming Bodhi’s Mama has been the absolute best gift ever, and by far the most incredible thing my Husband and I have ever done.

Watching him grow, explore, and view the world with wonder and excitement is something I will never get over.

I know many Moms say that having a baby is the biggest blessing, but it honestly has been. Over the last year (and even the 10 months I was pregnant before that) I have been able to see myself in a new light. I have been able to shed layers, people, and things that simply no longer serve me. I have been able to get rid of body image issues I had for 20 years, and finally see my body for the incredible, beautiful, and resilient thing that it is. I have been able to shift my mentality from work-work-work and do-do-do to be-be-be.

Thanks to Bodhi life now is all about BE-ing more, and DO-ing less.

Putting my phone down, canceling meetings and working less so that I can be fully present for my family.

It’s been a beautiful journey - albeit there were lots of tears and lessons - it has been beautiful.

Thank you B for choosing me to be your Mama.

Photo By JOntel Chere

How to be More Empathetic to New Mother

I’ve wanted to write this blog for a long time, but was unsure how to communicate what I was seeing.

Since becoming a Mama, almost one year ago, I’ve noticed a strange pattern.

Many, definitely not all, but many Moms-of-older-kids (adults kids) seem to want to relate to my experience by comparing it to their own experiences.

Although I like to think this comes from a kind place, there are a few problems with this approach.

First, everyone’s experience is beautifully and unique. By comparing your experience to someone else’s you are taking away from their current experience, and their feelings. When this happens we are invalidating their experience, and it can come across hurtful and rude.

{obviously, there are exceptions to this and sometimes as humans we do not know any other way to connect, but how you choose to communicate in these situations is so important.}

Second, there’s a solid chance that they did not have the same experience you are having. It’s very rare for two people to have the exact same experience.

For instance, when this happens to me (and it’s happened soooo many times over the past year) it made me feel invalidated. I had a very different experience getting pregnant than these women, I am also having a very different postpartum journey than them. I am a full time stay at home mom and a full time entrepreneur, and many of these women went back to their (out of the house) careers at 6 weeks.

I fully support women going back to work whether it’s for financial reasons or because they truly love their job, women need an identity outside of Mom.

At the same time I fully support women stopping their careers and becoming full time stay at home moms, this by far is the hardest job there is IMO.

Womens on both paths should be validated in their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. When we choose not to listen, but instead to push our own agenda “yeah I remember what it’s like” … you get rid of any empathy or connection. Instead this Mama who was trying to open up to you, and perhaps be vulnerable with you, now feels railroaded and invalidated by your lack of empathy.

Moral of the story… let’s all be kinder. The world needs more kindness.

When a new Mom, or anyone, opens up about their struggles, their day or their story - allow it to be THEIRS. Actively listen and be empathetic.

Sometimes people just need someone to talk to, especially stay at home Mamas who haven’t talked to another adult all day, be that for them.

Photo By JOntel CHere

5 Ways to Reset Your Week

Last week was a super challenging week for me.

My husband was away in Switzerland for work, and I was left on solo mama duty for over a week…with no help but some incredible friends!

For most of the week I felt like I was in survival mode, we definitely were not thriving over here.

BUT - I survived and was able to reset my week and we actually ended the week on a good note!

First, all you single, stay at home mamas with no help I have no idea how you do it.

Second, it truly takes a village and I am so grateful for our friends here in Naples who checked on me daily and went on numerous outings with Bodhi & I!

Okay, so how do you reset your week - even when it’s totally off course - when you are living in your sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and just trying to make it through??

I’m going to share 5 Ways to Reset Your Week that helped me so much!

• Connect with a friend… call a friend or better yet meet up for coffee or a cold pressed juice, support and connection is everything

• Movement & Vitamin D… if you can combine the two and get your movement in outside even better! I love to walk a few miles with Bodhi, get a stroller workout in and we both have been loving the pool!

• Grab your favorite smoothie… treat yourself to your favorite smoothie or indulgence! My current favorite smoothie is the Rise & Grind at Crisp & Green here in Naples!

• Meditate…it may seem like the last thing you want to do {been there} but it one of the best things you can do to reset your week, get your mind right and calm your nervous system. It will literally help shift your nervous system from Sympathetic N.S. Dominance (fight or flight) to Parasympathetic N.S. Dominance (rest and digest)…which we should be living in 80% of the time anyway.

• Journal… write down all of your troubles, your worries, your anxieties, whatever is on your heart write it down and release it. Often times we don’t feel comfortable or don’t have someone to truly open up to about whats weighing on our heart, so writing can be extremely therapeutic and healing.

I’d love to know how you reset your weeks when they are feeling off. Comment below and let me know! xx

#crispandgreenambassador #crispandgreen

4 Tips to Build a Better Breakfast

It’s no secret that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day! I could literally eat it all day long.

What most people don’t realize is that many popular breakfast foods are loaded with sugar, processed foods and unnecessary ingredients.

Instead of relying on your breakfast to come from a box or the freezer (cringe!) build it yourself.

I promise that building your breakfast is more satisfying, more filling and tastes way better!

4 Tips to Build a Better Breakfast

• Eat real food… no processed foods, no fast food, real whole foods and ingredients

• Protein… clean lean protein to fuel your morning

• Fiber… will keep you full and energized for the day ahead

• Real sugar only… no added sugars, stick to fruit or a drizzle of honey at most

My current favorite breakfast is a yogurt bowl with coconut yogurt, fruit, hemp hearts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and a drizzle of local honey!

3 Tips to Building Your Mom Community

Coffee has gotten me through the last 10 months postpartum, but not how you may think...

I only knew a handful of people with babies when I had Bodhi, and most were not local, so we were really on our own in the beginning. The first few weeks, okay months, of postpartum were so lonely. I wasn’t allowed to drive for 8 weeks, and couldn’t pick up my baby in his car seat until after 6 weeks…so outings on our own were simply out of the question.

This was totally fine for the first 4 weeks while my husband was home on paternity leave, but then it all hit when he went back to work. It was just me, a new mom healing from giving birth, and my newborn. We were getting to know each other and getting to know the 4 walls of our home verryyyy well.

Luckily I met some incredible new mama friends pretty quickly and these ladies have made my postpartum journey so much better. I met most of my mom friends at coffee shops or at my mommy & me events which eventually led to coffee.

Coffee has literally got me through the last 10 months… but really it’s the ladies I met over coffee that have gotten me through! Support, connection and community are essential during postpartum.

I am so grateful for my tribe of mama and I love raising our babes alongside one another. There are certain things that only postpartum mamas and new moms can understand and relate to. It’s also been incredible to have women to bounce breastfeeding, food feeding, sleep and so many other questions off of - because we are all in it together. All of our babes are about the same age and I’m so excited to see them grow up together.

I can not recommend this enough to new mamas…build yourself a mom community, the support is incredible and there will be days when you really need them and they will need you.

3 Tips to Building Your Mom Community

1. Attend Mommy & Me events with your little one, and open up and talk to the moms there. No one understands what you are going through more than other new mamas.

2. If you see a mama out, at coffee, the grocery store, anywhere really, strike up a conversation… you never know where it might lead! (this is how I met two of my good mama friends!)

3. Go to story time or music class! Most libraries offer story time for free, and many cities have a variety of music classes for various age groups. This is a great place to meet like minded mamas.

Since having Bodhi I found that I have become more outgoing and willing to strike up conversation with other mamas and little ones, you never know who you may meet!

Would love to know how you met your mama friends! Comment below and lmk! xx

Photo BY jontel chere

3 Tips for a More Balanced Life

I feel like balance is something we all strive for, but many of us continue to fall short.

Balance is almost like the infamous carrot dangling in front of us, so close but always just out of reach.

Many people (esp on social media) appear to have it figured out, but I always wonder if they actually have it all together IRL??

Balance has never been more difficult to obtain than it has the last several months as a new mama. My husband and I went into parenthood with a loose idea of what we wanted it to look like and what our roles would be, and thank goodness it was a loose idea because it has shifted so much. I’m grateful that we have been able to be so flexible and listen to our intuition on what has felt right for us, and what continues to feel right for us moving forward.

I have decided to be a full time SAHM (stay at home mama) and run my business on the side (like during naps and any free moment I have). I don’t want to miss out on anything with Bodhi and love taking him to his music class and playdates, seeing his development and watching our bond grow has just been the best. That being said I don’t want to give up my business, I’ve worked so hard to build this brand over the last (almost) 8 years and feel so passionate about my mission. So…how do I find the balance?!?

Truthfully, balance is only something that I started to figure out in the last few months (and failed miserably at initially). I started my postpartum journey with a 3 month maternity leave, that quickly turned into 4 months and 6 months before I actually returned… thank goodness I run my own business! Now that Bodhi is 10 months old I feel like I’m finding my groove and discovering a new balance for my life.

I absolutely believe that balance is possible - for everyone.

That being said it’s going to look different for each individual. Our priorities really drive our energy and our focus, and it’s important to be super clear on these first before working towards a balanced life.

A balanced life is going to shift and evolve as you shift and evolve, we aren’t meant to be stagnant (trees, IYKYK). So your balanced life today will probably look very different than your balanced life 5 years ago.

For years I over worked as an escape, leading me into a very high stress and unbalanced life. (Totally do not recommend, lol.) It took years of unlearning and tapping into my purpose, and what I really wanted out of life. Many of us are taught certain ways of being and it’s up to each of us to decide if we want to keep those beliefs or make up our own new set of rules for our life.

Stepping into motherhood has been the absolute best blessing and has allowed me to continue shifting my focus, my beliefs about life, and create a whole new set of rules with my husband as to what we want out of life. It’s been a beautiful experience.

Finding balance in an ever changing world can be difficult, but if you are able to be flexible and allow yourself to go with the flow and follow your own set of rules I truly believe that balance is possible for everyone.

A balanced life for me means family first always, taking time for myself every single day, not only for self care but to breathe and just be, taking time for my work, time for movement, and taking time for community (friends, family, events).

To be honest, some days are tougher than others but if I allow myself to let go of my grasp and allow myself to go with the flow of my life rather than hold on so tightly I have found that balance (and joy) are much easier to come by.

My 3 quick tips to creating a life of balance:

1. Discover what sparks joy for you…and commit a good chunk of your energy there

2. Make sure that each area on your wheel of life is being met

3. Take time for yourself everyday, just to be

Photo by JOntel chere

* newborn Bodhi ♥

My #1 Mom Hack for a Healthy Dinner

A massive headache took me out yesterday, and I was in no shape to make dinner or prepare anything…so take out it was!

As a Certified Nutritionist eating healthy is my thing, I love it, it makes me feel good, and keeps me healthy and energized so I can keep up with B…so I wasn’t about to sacrifice all of that just for a night of take out.

Luckily, a few months ago I discovered Crisp & Green which offers healthy salad bowls, warm bowls and smoothies! Literally all of my favorite things and makes life so much easier for me.

What can I say it has quickly become my #1 mom hack.

So last night we ran over to Crisp & Green to pick up an easy and healthy dinner!

My husband loves the fiesta bowl and I made my own bowl last night. We were able to have dinner with B, stay on track with our goals and bonus no dishes! I think this may need to be a weekly thing…

If you’ve tried Crisp & Green comment below and let me know what your favorite bowl is!?!

Tuscan Kale and Shrimp Wrap

My tuscan kale and shrimp wrap may sound fancy, but it’s easier than you may think!

Turns out it is possible to have a decedent lunch as a new mom.

This lunch literally look me 5 minutes to make, and I will definitely be adding this into my lunch rotation.

Ingredients:

Organic tuscan kale (2 cups/ 2 handfuls)

Wild caught shrimp (already cooked, deveined, and no shell) - serving size approx. 8 large shrimp, 16 small/medium shrimp

Avocado oil

Mayo / Vegan mayo / Olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

Quinoa wrap

Low sodium chicken broth

Directions:

Thaw shrimp in a bowl of room temp water.

Wash and trim kale, cook in a small pot on medium/low heat with 1 ounce of low sodium chicken broth and a dash of avocado oil.

Cook kale for approximately 3-4 minutes until it begins to wilt, then turn off the stove and remove it from heat.

Drain the water from your shrimp - be sure they are all thawed.

Place shrimp in a bowl and add 1 tsp of mayo / vegan mayo / olive oil (your choice!) to the shrimp. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste, and mix together.

Add kale to wrap and top with shrimp, and enjoy!

It’s really that simple.

On days that I’m covered in spit up, breastmilk…and let’s be honest who knows what else lunches like this bring me back to life and make me feel like an adult again.

This tuscan kale and shrimp wrap is loaded with fiber, protein, Vitamin A, Folate, ALA and Omega-3 fatty acids. It is sure to power you up and help you get through the afternoon!

Hope you enjoy!

3 of My Favorite Holiday Recipes

Sharing 3 of my favorite holiday recipes with you today!

Cinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Lemon Brussels Sprouts with. Bacon and Sage

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Enjoy!! Happy Holidays! xxx

5 Ways to Destress this Holiday Season

Let’s face it the holidays can be stressful.

Between finishing up year end at work, juggling holiday gathering, family, and loads of expectations it’s a lot!

To help you find some balance this holiday season, I’m sharing 5 ways you can destress over the next few weeks!

1. Talk a walk. This one is especially great when you have family or friends over and you need a little reset. Just excuse yourself and get some fresh air. The sun on your face, the fresh (hopefully crisp) air will do a world of good for your mental health.

2. Meditate. You’ve heard me talk endlessly about the benefits of meditation…and this is the time we ALL need to meditate. Breathe it all in, let it all go.

3. Movement. Move your body in some way every single day. This not only will help you sweat out the holiday cocktails from the office Christmas party, but will help you reset and reframe your mind and allow you to really enjoy this season.

4. Let go of expectations. People love to transfer their expectations onto you, especially this time of year. Let that shit go. It’s not yours. You only have to live up to your expectations for yourself, no one else’s (that includes your parents). The holidays are such a magical time, allow yourself the chance to soak it all in and let go of anything that is not truly serving you.

5. Just say no. I’m giving you full permission to say NO this holiday season. Say no to the extra holiday party, drinks after work, the community event, a family gathering, whatever it is…if it’s not a hell yes for you, then it’s a no. Let yourself off the hook.

I’ve had the privilege to work with hundreds of clients over the years, and have seen that much of our stress stems from our desire to live up to other people’s expectations. We get so wrapped up in meeting everyone else’s expectations, going to all the parties, seeing all the family, doing all the things that we forget to meet our own expectations.

At the end of the day you have to honor yourself and do what is truly best for you.

So I encourage you this holiday season to utilize the 5 tools above to keep your stress low, let go of the expectations, and really enjoy this magical season!

Photo By Jontel Chere

#1 Way to Level Up Your Bedroom

When we moved into our new home a few weeks ago I knew that I wanted to be mindful about the products we brought into our home. My goal was to fill our home with non-toxic products that were healthy for us and the planet.

The only caveat, I didn’t want to sacrifice luxury.

Luckily, non-toxic living has come a long way in the last few years, we no longer have to trade luxury for health and sustainability.

One of the rooms I was most excited to overhaul was our bedroom! After a long day as a new mama I’m typically covered in spit up, drool, and who knows what else, let’s be honest… I so look forward to climbing into my bed. It’s finally my time to breathe, unwind, and just be.

I had first heard about the Cariloha bed sheets about a year ago, and knew they were all the rage … but were they really worth it? Would they really be that lux if they were non-toxic and sustainable? I knew this was the perfect time to try them out! After all we spend about a 1/3 of our life in bed… although I’d argue that it’s much less if you’re a new mom.

We have been using the Resort Sheets for about a week now and wow. I’m a big texture person, and absolutely love how soft and silky these sheets are! They are also odor and allergen resistant… I no longer worry about those postpartum sweats, IYKYK.

Changing our bedding was such a simple fix, but it really upgraded our entire space!

Now thru Monday November 28th Cariloha Naples is offering 40% EVERYTHING in store PLUS receive a free gift when you use code LEAN and GREEN at checkout.

{offer applies in store and over the phone.. they will ship anywhere!}

This sale includes these super lux sheets AND their beds and non-toxic mattresses too!

I’m all about minimalism, and fewer better pieces. I like to create a list of wants through the year and mindfully purchase them when sales like this pop up. So if sheets, bedding, or even loungewear are on your wants list now is the time to stock up!

use code: LEAN AND GREEN at checkout to receive 40% off PLUS a free gift!

#AD This post is sponsored but all thought and opinions are my own.

How to Make my Avocado Egg Sandwich

This has been my Husband’s go-to breakfast of late! It’s so yummy and such a great blend of healthy fat, fiber & protein I had to share the recipe with all of you!

We prefer to eat this sandwich open face, and it actually tricks the mind into thinking we’re eating more than we really are! The fiber and healthy fats from the avocado, along with the protein from the eggs will keep you fueled for a busy day ahead!

Avocado Egg Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 Slices of Ezekiel Bread (or bread of your choice)

1 Ripe Avocado

3 Eggs

1/2 Lemon

Manitoba Hemp Hearts

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

Toast your bread, wash and prep avocado.

Using a spoon take the ripe insides out of the avocado shell (removing the seed) and place half on each piece of toast. Mash avocado on toast with a fork, then squeeze a bit of lemon on the avocado for brightness!

On medium-low heat cook 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites, until cook through. Stir often so eggs become fluffy and well scrambled.

Add scrambled eggs to avocado, half on each slice of toast.

Sprinkle hep hearts of top of your eggs, and add salt & pepper to taste if desired.

Enjoy!

20-minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

As the temperatures begin to cool, and flu season quickly approaches I wanted to share my easy chicken noodle soup recipe!

Ingredients:

2 quarts - Low sodium chicken broth

1 bunch of organic celery

1/2 bag of organic baby carrots

1/2 bag of quinoa & brown rice pasta (or any noodle of your choice)

1 lb. organic ground chicken

Turmeric, salt, papper, and garlic to taste

Directions:

In a frying pan cook ground chicken on low heat until it reaches an internal temp of 165°.

In a large pot add both quarts of low sodium chicken broth and bring to a boil.

Wash, trim, and chop celery and carrots - then add to broth.

Once broth is boiling add in pasta, cook for approx 8 minutes (follow cook times for your specific pasta).

Once chicken is fully cooked, add to pot and stir.

Add spices to taste, and cook on low for approx 10 minutes.

Enjoy!!

My Top 5 Breastfeeding Tips

This was certainly never a blog post I thought I would write! Motherhood has broken me down, cracked me wide open and change me down to my core {in the best way possible of course}.

I have received so many questions about my breastfeeding journey {7.5 months and counting!} so I thought I would share the top 5 things that have helped me on this journey.

1. Hydration! It feels like I am always thirsty, breastfeeding requires us to stay extra hydrated. I notice a big difference in my supply when I am behind in my fluids.. My goal is 100 oz of plain water each day.

2. Oatmeal, if you follow me on Instagram you know how much I swear by this one! I love One Degree oatmeal because it is clean and glyphosate free. Oats help my body to produce more milk for my baby, so I try to eat oatmeal about 5 days a week.

3. Limit stress. This one may not seem to have anything to do with breastmilk supply, but I promise when I am stressed or overdone breastfeeding not only becomes more work but I notice a drop in my supply. I have to admit that over the last year my stress has dropped considerably. Pre-baby I would say that I felt stressed multiple times per week and now I rarely feel stressed {perhaps I should share this is in another blog soon!}. Daily meditation and walks outside help me to manage stress, tension and any thing else that pops up.

4. Silverettes. I swear just buy them. A girlfriend mentioned these to me when I was pregnant, and I wasn’t convinced but bought them anyways…and it was the single best purchase I made for this journey. Silverettes are made out of .925 sterling silver and you wear them inside your bra, under your nursing pads to help heal and protect your nipples. They have made my breastfeeding journey a much more enjoyable experience!

5. Listen to your body. This is probably the biggest thing that has worked for me. It can be tough to tune out the noise and suggestions from everyone else, but do your best, tune into your body and your baby and allow your intuition to guide you. Breastfeeding is one of the hardest things I have ever learned to do {yes learned, it’s not always innate} but it is hands down the most rewarding. Before each feeding session take a few deep breathes, let your day melt away, put away distractions, and allow this to purely be about connecting with your babe.

These are 5 things that have truly helped me on this journey and made breastfeeding an enjoyable experience! That being said I do not know how long I will breastfeed for. I have chosen not to put any limits or expectations on myself, and have done my best to tune out the thoughts and opinions of others in regard to this. I plan on breastfeeding for as long as feels right for me and for my son, and that’s it. I trust that we will know when it is time to stop.

Lastly, I understand how blessed I am to have a good supply {correction a great supply} and be able to feed my son as long as I have. It is not easy, and I know many Mamas who have not been able to breastfeed this long - or at all. There should never be any shame towards parents for how they choose to feed and nourish their children. I am simply sharing my authentic experience and the tools that have worked for me.

I would love to hear your breastfeeding stories and what has worked for you!

Please comment below and LMK!

Two Healthy Halloween Treats

Halloween treats tend to be loaded with sugar and dozens of unnecessary ingredients, so this year I’m sharing two of my favorite (healthy) halloween treats!

Bonus… your little ones will love making these with you!

TANGERINE PUMPKINS

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 organic tangerines

• 2 sticks of organic celery (with leaves)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Peel the tangerine, and remove all of the white inner membrane of the peel that you can.

2. Wash an dry the celery, then cut into 2 inch narrow pieces.

3. Place celery inside the peeled tangerines.

4. Use the celery tops as decor, arrange them on the tangerine to look like pumpkin leaves.

BANANA GHOSTS

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 bananas

• 3/4 cup vanilla yogurt

• 12 mini chocolate kisses

• 6 wood popsicle sticks

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place wax paper over a baking pan. 

2. Peel bananas and cut them in half lengthwise.

3. Insert a popsicle stick into the cut end of each banana, pushing it halfway up.

4. Place the vanilla yogurt in a bowl. 

5. Hold the pops by the wooden stick, and roll each banana in the yogurt to fully coat the outside. 

6. Allow excess to drip back into the bowl.

7. Add 2 mini chocolate kisses to the top of your ghost (push pointy end of kisses into banana) - this will make the eyes of the ghost.

8. Lay all bananas on baking pan, and place in the freezer for 3 hours to allow them to fully firm up.

9. Remove the pops from the freezer, and use a butter knife to remove from the wax paper if needed. 

10. Serve right away!

One thing matters most

{written a few days after Hurricane Ian rocked our Southwest Florida community}

Tonight as I fed my son and put him to sleep tears streamed down my face.

Uncontrolled.

I could no longer contain all the emotions that have been inside of me the past few weeks.

Utter overwhelm.

The emotions of the last two weeks prepping for the hurricane, riding out the hurricane with no contact to the outside world, and then dealing with the mass destruction to our city. Witnessing everything that was lost and the destruction really hit me.

Perhaps it’s because I’m a Mother now, or maybe it’s because I know so many parents who literally had to swim out of their homes with their children, or perhaps it’s because I’m an empath and I feel so deeply. Whatever it is, I could no longer hold back the emotions.

I was strong during the hurricane, making sure Bodhi’s days went on as normal as possible and aware of my energy so as not to transfer it onto him. In the days since the hurricane Bodhi, Ricky and I have collected thousands of dollars in monetary donations (which we have distributed as gift cards), baby items, pet items and other essentials and have driven across Southwest Florida directly distributing them directly to families in need.

This work has been incredible, extremely soul filling and is something I am proud to have Bodhi be apart of.

However, witnessing the devastation first hand has been traumatic.

But we will continue.

People need help, and if we can help in some small way and make their day or week a little brighter than its worth it.

The tears continued to stream down my face.

I snuggled my son a little bit tighter. Breathing in his sweet infant smell, resting my cheek onto his, and feeling our breaths sync together rhythmically almost becoming one.

I held onto this moment a bit longer tonight, pausing, and simply understanding that this moment right here is all that matters.

Material objects can be replaced, homes can be rebuilt, and I recognize that I can’t control anything out there; but right here in this perfect moment snuggling my son’s warm body into mine is all I need.

Photo By Jontel Chere

6 Ways I am Finding the Calm Amid the Chaos

It’s no secret that Hurricane Ian rocked our Southwest Florida community. We have a long road to recovery and the devastation is simply heartbreaking.

There have been many times since we began prepping for Hurricane Ian’s arrival that have seemed like pure chaos. My nervous system was in constant sympathetic dominance {fight or flight} and I was having trouble regulating it and finding my calm.

Once I became aware that I was living in a sympathetic nervous system dominant state {stressed, anxious, worried..} I knew I had to use my tools to help shift myself back into a parasympathetic dominant state {rest and digest}.

The stress of hurricane clean up, the devastation left behind and the shock wasn’t leaving anytime soon, but I consciously made a choice to control what I could…and started with my breath.

Here are six ways that I am finding the calm amid the chaos

• Daily meditation

• Daily movement

• Nourishing my body with real whole foods (and yes, that powerful Lean and Green Body® triple play!)

• Fresh air, going for family walks and soaking in that vitamin D

• Journaling {and almost purging whatever is on my heart that day}

• Connecting with my community

These are just a few of the things I am doing to help me stay calm and regulate myself so that I can go out and be the best mother, wife and human for my Southwest Florida community.

Photo By Jontel Chere

At the iconic Naples Pier (pre-hurricane)

I’d love to know how you find your calm when life gets chaotic! Comment below and let me know! xx

Dessert for breakfast, sign me up!

Ever since my son was born I’ve been sharing my oatmeal bowls on social media and you all have been loving them {turns out oatmeal is incredible for keeping your breastmilk supply up}!

I get countless messages about the type of oats I use {One Degree Organics is my favorite} and what I put in my oats to create a balanced breakfast bowl.

I have always been a big breakfast fan, and honestly I could eat breakfast any meal of the day!

Regardless of what I have for breakfast I always make sure it has a solid balance of healthy fats, protein and fiber to keep me fueled up for the day ahead {new mom life is non-stop}. I drink my greens as part of my morning routine, so I don’t worry about having any veggies with my breakfast.

• Side note… did you know that fiber helps to offset the total carbohydrates in a dish? Say there are 40 grams of carbs and 20 grams of fiber per serving, you will end up with only 20 net carbs! Pretty neat, huh!

Okay, let’s dive into my current favorite oatmeal bowl {I actually just finished it as I’m writing this}.

Blueberry Protein Oatmeal Bowl

Ingredients:

One Degree Sprouted Quinoa Hemp Instant Oatmeal

Malk Almond Milk

Organic Blueberries (frozen is okay too!)

Organic Almond Butter

Vital Protein Collagen

Directions:

Bring 1/2 cup of almond milk to a boil on the stove, add approximately 1/3 cup of oats and stir.

Turn heat off and add 2 scoops of Vital Proteins Collagen, stir everything together.

Cover and let it sit for 2 minutes.

Add blueberries to the oat mixture and stir, let everything sit together for an additional minute.

Pour into a bowl and add a scoop of almond butter!

Enjoy!

This breakfast bowl is packed with 30 grams of protein to help fuel the day ahead!

I hope you'll forgive me...

Hi friends! It feels so good to connect with you again in this format. I’ve truly missed writing and the connection to my Lean and Green Body® family!

As I sat down to write this I noticed that it’s my first blog post since April 6?!? This has been the longest I have ever gone between blogs…ever!

I started my blog just over seven years ago, and it has been such a fun way to build a community, share recipes, wellness tips and so much more. There has been a ton of change and incredible pivots on my end (hello, baby Bodhi!) and I can’t wait to share it all with you!

Since it’s been a minute…more like 5 months… I thought it would be best to use this first blog post and update you on my life lately!

When I was pregnant with Bodhi I imagined sharing my postpartum journey in a real and raw way, and slowly transitioning that as he grew and sharing our mother son journey. While this is still my intention, and I will be sharing some fun things with Bodhi soon; becoming a Mother changed me. I have been incredibly open about so many parts of my life (painful and joyous) and this transition into Motherhood has been somewhat unexpected. I have wanted to keep many parts of my new Mama journey offline and private, not because they are bad - quite the opposite in fact. The past (nearly) 6 months have been so good and incredibly life changing that I have wanted to soak in every second and be as present of a mother and wife as I could be.

Stepping into my motherhood journey has been a beautiful (and let’s be real exhausting) time. It has transformed me in ways that I didn’t even realize were possible, and has opened up parts of me that I thought had been closed for good.

Bodhi has brought new meaning to my life and has allowed me to view my life, and my work, in a whole new way. I only have so much time and energy each day, and I have been very intentional about how I spend those currencies.

Bodhi is a Sanskrit name meaning enlightenment or awakening; and his birth has truly has been a time of awakening for me.

I hope you’ll forgive me for not been as present with all of you online (it’s been terrible for my SEO and engagement rate) but I have needed these past few months to just be.

Stepping into my new role has been a big transition for me, even though I have waited for this moment my entire life, there is only so much you can understand until you’re actually in it. Moving from full time entrepreneur, founder and boss to full time mama and part time boss babe has been huge.

I have welcomed these changes and done my best to find some sort of balance with it all…but does balance really exists??

Thank you for giving me space to adjust, grow and learn. I am ready to rejoin this community, and I can not thank you enough for sticking around - grateful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel.

There is so much I want to share with you this Fall, from mom-life, recipes (for baby too!), wellness and self care hacks and tips, and so much more!

I also have some fun collaborations and new brands I have discovered over the past few months that I can’t wait to share!.

Comment below and let me know what you want to see!