Recap from Day 1/30

Monday, April 2, 2012
I went to my total body conditioning class at the gym this morning.  Yeah!  I love it once I'm there... sometimes it's just hard to motivate to get there.  Then I had some organic green tea and a toasted Morning Round with fresh ground almond butter, cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.  So good... it's definitely my breakfast of choice right now!

Lunch was a vegetarian soft taco... leftovers from the dinner I made for us on Sunday night.

For a snack I had a Green Smoothie.  I've been making so many for other people lately (which I am so excited about!) that I haven't been making any for myself so I was really looking forward to having one.

For dinner, my husband ordered a pizza.  I had no intention of eating any but he put a piece in front of me while I was on a call for school.  I held off until I was finished and then I ate one piece... but I made sure I slowed down and enjoyed it.  Although I was tempted to eat more just because it was there, I didn't.  Last month, I would have eaten all 3 pieces without even thinking about it.  Crazy how conscious decision making can change the outcome of a situation.

So day 1 is over.  I cooked a meal for us (even though it was on Sunday, I am still counting it... a mere technicality), I worked out and I was in bed by 11:30.  Not a bad start.

xo
Kristin

PS- Speaking of school, I'm almost done!  I will graduate this month from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and will be able to spend more time and energy on Fresh Equation and my Health Coaching adventures.  Stay tuned...

We all want to live long, healthy lives, right?

We all want to live long, healthy lives.  We want to wake up each day full of energy and excitement, feeling good and looking good, right?  Maintaining a healthy weight and feeling energetic is so important to us, yet our workouts and healthy eating are the first things that seem to fall to the way side when we get busy.

Over the past month, between work, school, health workshops, health coaching, making green smoothies for the office and keeping up with my normal day to day life (i.e. grocery shopping, doing laundry, cleaning, checking email, hanging out with my husband, etc...) my self-care has taken a back seat.  Working out, getting enough sleep and eating healthy definitely hasn't been a priority and I can feel and see the difference.  I have dark circles under my eyes, an extra 5lbs on my hips and a lack of energy that has driven me back to coffee.  I don't like it and I acknowledge that it's no one else's responsibility or fault except mine.  I know that only I can make the decision to change it and to prioritize what's most important to me each and every day.  There is no shortcut, no quick fix, no pill or fad diet that will give me the life or body I want. Only I can make the right choices to achieve that.  

So, I'm hitting the reset button.  Over the next 30 days, I'm going to re-focus my priorities and get clear on my goals.  I'm going to make choices congruent with the change I want to see and the life I want to live.

My goals for April:
1. Workout at least 4 times a week
2. Cook a healthy dinner for me and my husband 3 times a week
3. Lose 10lbs to get back to my ideal weight
4. Go to bed by 11:30pm
5. Practice meditative yoga twice a week
6. Only check email (on my phone, ipad or laptop) when I have the time to respond immediately

I am sharing my goals with you in hopes that I will inspire you to set your own personal 30 day health goals... even just one or two.  I will keep you posted on my progress and hope that you will do the same. 

Cheers to a happy, healthy April!
xx
Kristin

Wondering where I've been?

Happy New Year! 

Can I still say that even though it's already February (can you believe it)? 

As you have probably noticed, 2012 hasn't been a stellar blog posting year for me.  I've posted exactly 0 times.  That's right.. the big goose egg.  It's not because I don't have stories to tell, recipes to share and tips to inspire... it's actually because I have so many, that I'm spending all of my time putting together several new and exciting Fresh Equation Signature Coaching Programs just for you!  

I'm working on crafting the perfect programs to help you:

-love your body (now!)

-lose the weight (if you want to)

-reduce your stress (who doesn't want that?) 

-prioritize your self-care (think mani/pedi or massage)

-have the time to do what YOU want to do (without feeling guilty!)

-cultivate and grow your happiness (smile!)

-be grateful (everyday)

-have fun (yahoooo!)

-prevent disease (awesome)

-look great (hello, gorgeous!) 

-feel amazing (because you ARE amazing) 

All of this is possible... for you!  Yes, I'm serious.  Once all of the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, I will share all of the juicy details with you... I promise!  Until then, you can keep up with me on facebook and through the Fresh Equation newsletter (you can subscribe by providing your email address in the right hand column of this blog or through facebook).  Looking forward to catching up with you soon!

Ciao for now... 

Image: Patina White

Holiday Gift Guide- If You Waited Until the Very Last Minute

Gift Cards  These are the best gifts to get if you've waited until the very last minute to do your shopping or if an unexpected relative or guest shows up at your door on Christmas Eve.  Like magazine subscriptions, you can usually print out a gift certificate or send an e-card to the recipient.  Here are a few places that I would certainly be happy getting a gift card to...

1. Barnes and Noble
This may be my favorite store.  With books, magazines, e-readers, cookbooks, board games, music and more, it's pretty much a gaurantee that anyone on your list can find something at Barnes and Noble.

2. Origins
All Origins products are formulated with natural and certified organic ingredients so you can't make a bad choice here.  Origins carries skincare products for men and women as well as makeup and bath & body products.

3. Target
 Do I really need to say anything about this one?  Target has apparel, toys, health & beauty products, electronics, bedding and more.  Truly something for everyone here.

4. Three Potato Four
Three Potato Four offers a smartly curated and insanely cool collection of goodies (both new and old) for your home.  You can visit their website to purchase a gift certificate for your loved ones but I bet you'll end up buying something for yourself as well. 
PS- If you live in Philly, you can visit their new (and only) brick and mortar store at 376 Shurs Lane, Bldg A.

5. Emersonmade
Emersonmade is for the discerning fashionista on your list.  The husband and wife team behind the label split time between their farm (and corporate headquarters) in Portsmouth, NH and New York City where all of their clothing is made (Love that!).  In addition to apparel, they recently introduced belts, jewelry, bedding and table linens and all of it can be purchased using an Emersonmade gift certificate!

6. Amercian Express or Visa
An American Express or Visa gift card is always appreciated because it can be used anywhere. You can buy these online but you can also pick them up at your local grocery or drug store. It's great to have a few of these on hand because they make an appropriate last minute gift for just about anyone. Also, if someone on your list is asking for something that is over your budget (say a Breville Juicer or a Vitamix), you can always give them a gift card in an amount you are comfortable with and let them know that it is to be used towards that big ticket item.

Happy Shopping!

May your Holiday, and every day, be filled with Friends, Family, Love, Laughter, Health and Happiness.
xx

Holiday Gift Guide- For the Health Nut

Magazines  A magazine subscription, unlike the Jelly of the Month Club, really is the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.  And for those of you that waited until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping, you can usually create and pay for your gift subscription online and print out a gift announcement or email a card to the recipient. Here are 3 of my favorite health magazines.

Natural Health

Natural Health $19.97 for a 1 year subscription (8 issues)

Experience L!fe

Experience L!fe $17.95 for a 1 year subscription (10 issues)

Whole Living

Whole Living $10 for a 1 year subscription (10 issues)