• healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipes: Bright Eyed Breakfast “Ugly Smoothie”

    February 10, 2016 - By 

    I want to eat healthier, but I don’t want to spend a bunch of time in the morning fixing something. So, smoothies! This one is so ugly it hurts- but dang, does it taste good. Citrusy and not too sweet. Super easy, under 200 calories, and so dang good for the body. Win! Handful of fresh raw spinach 1 leaf of fresh raw kale, stem removed Cup of frozen, unsweetened blueberries 1-2 mandarins (“cuties”) Cup of water Optional: tsp-tbsp flax seeds Dump it all in the blender, pour in your favorite glass and enjoy! I know I said it was…

  • healthy - inspiration - life challenge - self help

    One Size Does NOT Fit All

    January 27, 2016 - By 

    I’ve officially opened pre-ordering for my exciting new program, The Cocoon – Empowered Transformation. We are in the process of creating brand new content for a revolutionary health & wellness program, and are currently taking pre-orders with NO obligation and NO money down. This all-new fitness program is designed for those of us with average, bigger, and plus-sized bodies looking to ease into a healthier lifestyle while accommodating and LOVING our specific body types. No shame – because one size does not fit all! Click here more details

  • healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipes: Maple Mustard Chicken (*P, *GF)

    January 23, 2016 - By 

    Sometimes an idea for a recipe or a flavor combination will pop in my head and I just HAVE to try it. Yesterday, the idea of grilled chicken breast with a maple-mustard glaze popped in, quickly followed by the taste for a BLT… and I knew I had to try it. So good! I am quite sure that there are other versions of this out there, but here’s my super-simple recipe. Enjoy! Organic chicken breast cutlets (thin sliced- mine were about 1/2 inch at the thickest) Heirloom tomato Maple bacon (you can sub turkey bacon if you prefer) Organic Romaine…

  • healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipes: Kelly’s Autumn Harvest Salad with Roasted Squash, Brussels Sprouts, Caramelized Onions (GF, V*, VG*)

    January 17, 2016 - By 

    My friend Kelly (cupcakekelbel on Instagram) shared this AH-MAH-ZING salad with me to pass along to you. And let me tell you, it’s a beauty! Super hearty and filling without making you feel heavy. You could totally make a meal out of this on it’s own, or serve alongside a lean meat, fish, or pasta dish. It takes a bit of time to prep because you are roasting the veggies, but hey, that glass of Chardonnay isn’t going to drink itself. *For vegetarians and vegans, just leave out the bacon altogether. Adapted from: Kim’s Cravings (2 servings; approximately 780 calories…

  • healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipe: Mikey’s Coco-Nutty Grain-Free Porridge

    January 12, 2016 - By 

    My friend Mikey swears by this recipe for a go-to, super easy breakfast fix. It’s the Coco-Nutty Grain Free Porridge from the book Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo. It looks super simple and I have pretty much all of the ingredients on hand in my pantry at any given time, so I’m stoked to give this a try for a weekday breakfast that’s hearty enough to get me through a busy morning without making me late. I think I can push myself past the word “porridge” to give it a try!  😉

  • healthy - recipes

    Rad Recipes: Killer Kale & Quinoa Salad

    January 9, 2016 - By 

    I’m always on the lookout for easy, tasty meals that are low-cal but still flavorful & filling. This one is awesome to make ahead and take to work or school for your lunch the next day. There are loads of versions of this Kale & Quinoa salad, so feel free to personalize it and make it your own.  🙂 This one is loaded with protein, iron, & calcium from the quinoa plus Vitamins C, A, and K from the kale, plus the benefits of antioxidants & vitamins from the blueberries and super healthy omega-3 fatty acids from the hemp seed…

  • the blessings butterfly, the cocoon, empowered transformation
    blessings - healing - healthy - inspiration - life challenge - self help

    What is the Goal?

    January 9, 2016 - By 

    This year is the year I’m focusing on transformation in my life. I’m looking to create something BIG though. Something deep. I want to go wayyyyyy beyond “lose ___ pounds blah blah blah” and instead pave a way for people of all body types -including my own- to be empowered, to feel loved, to discover their strength & true beauty. I’m not trying to be skinny again. I’m not trying to look like a supermodel or a Victoria’s Secret ad. I actually love my body as it is, but I really want to FEEL better in it. Have more flexibility,…

  • Friday Feels - healthy - inspiration - life challenge - Miscellaneous - self help

    #Friday Feels

    December 4, 2015 - By 

    Healthy! Confident! Brave! Strong! Annnnd a I have this sweet, fat kitty who loves a freshly warmed-up lap!  Bonus! Post-workout selfie with no makeup, a sweet sweaty glow, lumps bumps and curves doing what they do as I keep working hard towards my better-health goals. I’ve released 30 inches overall and a few pounds of fat that were causing me pain, through loving myself and gently moving my body. To be clear: Healthy Comes In All Shapes And Sizes.

  • healthy - Miscellaneous - recipes

    Post-Holiday Healthy Meal Choice: Crisp, Refreshing Salad with Protein (GF, P)

    December 2, 2015 - By 

    Here’s a tasty and simple salad that’s light and quick. Just the ticket to keep you on track after a holiday feast. The dark leaf lettuce and lean turkey are pleasantly filling without the painful bloat and food coma. Dressed simply with hemp seed oil and freshly ground Kampot pepper for nutty, earthy flavor balance. So good! Romaine lettuce Shredded chunks of turkey breast About a tbsp of cold pressed organic hemp seed oil (I like the one from Nutiva) Freshly ground Kampot pepper I like to get my pepper from my pals Cris and Tom at Pepper Project, because…

  • blessings - healing - healthy - inspiration - life challenge - Mantras - Miscellaneous - self help

    What Does Healthy Actually Look Like? My Answers May Surprise You

    December 2, 2015 - By 

    Blessing #5: I AM HEALTHY & I AM WHOLE. MY BODY IS HEALTHY. MY MIND IS HEALTHY. MY EMOTIONAL SELF IS HEALTHY. I AM WHOLE & COMPLETE. I CHOOSE TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF MYSELF EVERY DAY. I CHOOSE TO MOVE MY BODY TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, BECAUSE IT FEELS GOOD! I LIKE TO EAT, SO I CHOOSE NOURISHING MEALS THAT SATISFY ME. I ENJOY RESTING AND I GIVE MYSELF PLENTY OF SLEEP. I AM COMPLETELY IN CHARGE OF MY OWN HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE. I AM HEALTHY & I AM WHOLE. ~The Blessings Butterfly On Monday this…