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IN: Wellness, Yoga

The 3 Fitness Goals I Want to Achieve in 2019

January 21, 2019 By Melanie No Comments

Welcome to mid-January. It’s freezing cold here in the Northeast and all of the shiny New Year’s Resolutions we all set are starting to fizzle. It’s the time when gyms are emptying back out and the fitness goals we had in mind seem a little out of reach. Or at least, that’s the way it is for most people right? 

Every year, I set a few random fitness goals that I want to achieve but somehow never do. I was pondering on this last week during my first yoga retreat in Joshua Tree. The instructor mentioned she really wanted to be able to do the splits every single year but would never actually do it. A little light went off in my head and I was like… dang, that sounds like me! 

Every year I say I want to get the splits (among other crazy yoga poses) and then the year goes by and I don’t do it. So what happened? According to the manifestation exercises I learned at the retreat, it comes down to three things: 

  1. I don’t actually believe that I will do it
  2. I don’t envision myself accomplishing the goal
  3. I don’t write out an action plan 

Well of COURSE I can’t seem to reach my aspiring fitness goals with this kind of mindset! When I returned home from the retreat, I thought long and hard about it. What is it that I truly want to accomplish this year (aside from other personal and professional goals)? In the spirit of transparency and accountability, the following are three fitness goals that I would absolutely love to be able to do by the end of this year. 

Do a Pull-Up

It’s kind of funny how I’m able to hold myself upside down on my forearms in a funky arm balance but when it comes to a basic pull-up I’m completely hopeless! The lack of functional strength in my biceps and lats have become very apparent and I’m determined to change that. 

So this year, I’m pushing myself to cross-train a lot more. That means more sculpt classes, weight training at the gym, and also incorporating various exercises that help prepare for pull-ups. If you’re looking to do the same, this is just ONE of the articles that I’m looking to for guidance. 

Finally Be Able To Practice Hanumanasana  (aka the splits)

Similarly to the instructor I mentioned earlier, every year “the splits” is on my goal list. And every year, I fail to get them. But here’s the thing… it’s honestly because I haven’t really been trying to. I keep thinking that if I just keep up my yoga practice that the splits will magically happen. Like one day I’ll be in a class and the instructor will offer it up as an advanced variation and I’ll just slide into it like it was no big deal. 

I’m bursting my own bubble on this but I know for a fact that this is not the way it works. So this year I have two things that I’m doing in order to finally practice this very elusive pose. 

Step 1

The first thing I’m doing is working on hip mobility and stretches that specifically target my tight hip flexors and hamstrings. It’s something that I have to commit to doing every single day for at least 15-30 minutes if I have any hope of getting closer to my goal.  Here are a few you can do at home as well. 

Step 2

The second thing I’ve committed to is more assisted stretching. Towards the end of 2018 I had the pleasure of visiting STRETCH*D in NYC for a few sessions. If you’re unfamiliar with STRETCH*D and live in the area, I highly recommend getting your booty to their Flatiron studio asap. Not only is it a beautiful space but they also offer some incredible assisted stretching sessions ranging from 25 min – 75 min long. 

Assisted stretching is the ultimate way to get a deep stretch, safely and effectively. Their team uses dynamic stretch methods to gently help you build flexibility and range of motion. All you have to do is show up in comfortable clothing and be prepared to relax on a stretcher table while they move your arms and legs in various motions.

I felt incredible after the three sessions I had and definitely believe that with targeted assisted stretching accompanied with stretches on my own, I’ll finally be able to get the splits this year. 

Hold a Handstand Properly 

I feel like I’m pulling the curtain back but here’s the truth: I can’t hold a handstand away from a wall for very long. Yep, all those handstand photos you see me doing on Instagram are literally of me holding it for 3-5 seconds. It’s been frustrating actually… because I really really want to be able to hold them for much longer without toppling over. As of right now, my shoulder flexibility needs to improve to get the proper alignment and I need to strengthen my core much more to get rid of the “banana back” (arched back) when upside down. 

I truly believe that by doing more of what I mentioned for pull-ups, along with assisted stretching and more core work, I’ll be able to hold a handstand properly for at least 30 seconds by the end of the year. I’m going to start by doing lots of prep work at least 3 times a week and using the other days to focus on building core strength. 

Alright you guys, it’s out in the world now. I’m so excited to see if I can make these happen and I’d love to know if you have anything you’re working towards? That way we can cheer each other on together. 

With love,

 

*All photos taken by Wini Lao Photography at STRETCH*D in Manhattan. 

Filed Under: Wellness, Yoga

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New Meet Melanie

New Meet Melanie

Hi and welcome to Headstands & Heels! I’m Melanie — a Digital Strategist turned Wellness Entrepreneur, certified yoga instructor (RYT 200), dog mama, and content creator based in Denver. I hope to encourage others to follow their dreams and cultivate a healthy, balanced lifestyle filled with mindfulness and positivity. ๐Ÿ’• Send me a note at: mel@headstandsandheels.com or Read More

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Another day, another healthy habit ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ‹ . I ca
Another day, another healthy habit ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ‹ . I canโ€™t believe we only have a few more to go! In case youโ€™re new here, Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices that you can incorporate your routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 12: Focus on Hydration ๐Ÿ’ง

Iโ€™m not going to laundry list all of the benefits of drinking more water because this is one habit we all KNOW we need to do โ€” however if you find yourself struggling with this one, here are some tips that may help: 

โœจ Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning 
โœจ Jazz up your water with lemon ๐Ÿ‹ 
โœจ Add electrolytes to your water post-workout 
โœจ Make homemade juices from hydrating veggies and fruit (this one is celery, cucumber + apple) 
โœจ Fill an extra large water bottle to keep track of how much youโ€™re drinking through the day 
โœจ Serve water with every meal
โœจ Drink unsweetened iced or hot tea
โœจ Set reminders on your phone or use a tracker (like the one in my Mindful Morning Planner) 

I used to struggle with this habit but ever since moving to Denver a couple years ago, the dry climate has forced me to focus on hydration daily and now I feel like Iโ€™m constantly drinking water and using all the hydrating skincare products ๐Ÿ˜…

Stay tuned for the final 3 healthy habits of the series coming soon! 

#wellness #mindfulroutines #morningroutine #healthyandhappy #morningvibes #wellnesslifestyle #colorfulaesthetic #mindfulroutine #happyandhealthy #morninghabits #healthylifestyle #iamwellandgood

โ€œLook to the sunlight above and smile. You are n
โ€œLook to the sunlight above and smile. You are never alone.โ€ ๐ŸŒป Swipe for more healing words. Save, share and take what you need ๐ŸคŽ

#selfcompassion #selflove #dailyreminders #positivemindset #littlereminders #wellbeing #mindfulness #findthelight #selfgrowth #wellnesswednesday


Can you count how many plants are in this video? ๐Ÿชด๐Ÿคช Welcome back to my Healthy Habit series, where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 11: Bring Nature Indoors 

There are numerous studies that have demonstrated the power of keeping houseplants in your home. Emotionally, the presence of plants help to decrease anxiety and stress. The act of caring for them requires patience and watching them grow provides a feeling of accomplishment. ๐Ÿชด๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ

Some houseplants help to purify the air and if you plant a small herb garden in your kitchen, youโ€™ll reap the benefits of fresh herbs all year round.

Other simple ways to invite nature indoors are:

๐ŸชŸ open your windows on a cool day
๐ŸคŽ choose earth tones for your decor
๐ŸŒŠ play soothing sounds like ocean waves or rain ๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ light candles or a fireplace
โ˜€๏ธ set up a reading nook in a very sunny corner of your home

Is this a habit youโ€™re already putting into practice? And if so, what is your favorite way to invite nature indoors? 

{well-being, wellness, self care, biophilia, healthy lifestyle, positive mindset, healthy tips, self growth} 

#wellbeing #healthyhabits #plantcare #houseplantlove #romanticizeyourlife #healthyathome #wellnesstips #wellnessblogger #healthyandhappy #mindfulhabits #morningroutine #mindfulroutine #selfcaretips

Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty
Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty and playfulness ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿ’—

Dressed in head to toe @fpmovement including all the cozy layers for when hot, golden afternoons transition to crisp, chilly evenings. I for one am so ready to see these leaves start to change colors, are you? 

PS: linked this whole fit in my stories for ya ๐Ÿ’Œ

#FPmovementPartner #healthylifestyle #outdoorsygals #denverblogger #hikingclub #hikingoutfit #summertofall #outdoorfitness #happyandhealthy #wellnesslifestyle

โ€œTry not to think about what could have or shoul
โ€œTry not to think about what could have or should have been. Whatโ€™s done is done.โ€ โœจโค๏ธ

Itโ€™s day ten of my Healthy Habit series where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits that you can incorporate daily to help you feel your best and I recommend turning the audio up for this one ๐Ÿฅน

DAY 10: Live In The Present 

The beauty of practicing daily mindfulness is that it helps us shift our mindset to the only thing that is guaranteed โ€” this very moment. Each day we are alive is such a blessing and by channeling that gratitude, we can learn to cultivate more joy in the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 

Mindfulness allows us to regulate our emotions and is a reminder that everything in life is temporary. We will all face challenges and difficult seasons throughout our lifetime โ€” but cultivating this mindful habit of living in the present is a helpful tool as you wait for the hard times to pass. ๐Ÿค

 โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข

PS: if you want to make this pumpkin spice oatmeal here is the recipe: 

โœจ 1/2 cup rolled oats 
โœจ 1 cup almond milk 
โœจ 1/4 cup water 
โœจ 1/2 cup pumpkin purรฉe 
โœจ 1 tbsp maple syrup 
โœจ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
โœจ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
โœจ pinch of salt 

Bring almond milk and water to a boil and then add in all additional ingredients. Simmer for 8-10 min and top with bananas, chopped nuts, almond butter and a little drizzle of maple syrup 

{wellness, mindful living, intentional living, healthy mindset, positive thinking, self growth} 

#wellnesstips #mindfulhabit #mindfulroutine #morningroutine #cookwithme #romanticizeyourlife #liveinthepresent #selflove #selfgrowth #healthyliving #healthylifestyle #positivemindset #mindsetmatters #makebreakfastwithme #healthyroutines


โœจ ๐๐„๐– ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐›๐ฅ๐จ๐ : ๐Ÿ“ ๐–๐š๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐“๐จ ๐…๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐š๐œ๐ค ๐ˆ๐ง ๐‹๐จ๐ฏ๐ž ๐–๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐–๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐‘๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ž (link in bio) โœจ
 #ad Iโ€™ve been struggling with motivation lately and wanted to share some of my tried and true tips that help me find joy in my fitness routine. 

One thing I know makes a difference for me is dressing the part and wearing activewear that is cute, fits like a dream and makes me feel confident. Thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m excited to share my newest activewear obsession โ€“ @neiwaiofficial ๐Ÿค

This Asian female-founded brand has some of the dreamiest, matching sets and these two from their Mousse Active Collection (swipe for a peep) are perfect for low-impact workouts like pilates, yoga and barre. I love the soft micro-suede material and know Iโ€™ll be wearing them all through Fall and Winter with some cozy layers. 

๐ˆโ€™๐ฏ๐ž ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ž๐ ๐›๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ž๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐‹๐“๐Š ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐œ๐š๐ง ๐ฌ๐š๐ฏ๐ž ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ% ๐จ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐œ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ ๐œ๐จ๐๐ž: ๐ฆ๐ž๐ข
{only valid through 9/15 so get yours quick!} 

Which is your fav: the emerald green or neutral mushroom? ๐Ÿ‘‡

#NEIWAI  #Active  #InhaleExhale  #MadeToLiveIn  #NEIWAIfriends #liketkit #LTKfitness #LTKSeasonal
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4iwFl

Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy
Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy Habit Series ๐Ÿค

DAY 9: Clean your space ๐Ÿงน๐Ÿซง๐Ÿงบ๐Ÿงฝ

I wish I was one of those people that found cleaning to be enjoyable buuuut unfortunately thatโ€™s not usually the case. ๐Ÿ˜… I do however get very stressed out when thereโ€™s too much clutter or things start to feel like theyโ€™re piling up. So in reality, keeping my space organized and tidy is probably the most helpful mental health habit that I turn to over and over again ๐Ÿซง 

Weโ€™ve all heard the phrase โ€œclear space, clear mindโ€ and I ๐Ÿ’ฏ% believe that to be true. Eliminating clutter and keeping things tidy do wonders for mental clarity, creativity, and in my case โ€” a greater sense of ease. 

I find that even 10-15 min of cleaning/decluttering a day can really make a big difference but for when life happens and things build up a bit more, having a dedicated โ€œreset dayโ€ honestly is so worth it. ๐Ÿ’•

Stay tuned for six more simple, realistic habits into your routine to help you feel your best

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self discipline, self growth, wellbeing, reset routine} 

#healthyhabits #wellnesstips #mindfulroutine #cleanwithme #resetroutine #iamwellandgood #morningroutine #wellnessblogger #cleaningroutine #healthymotivation

Stepping into the weekend ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ and this shift of
Stepping into the weekend ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ and  this shift of seasons is making me more excited to spend time outside. Which brings us to day 8/15 of my Healthy Habits series where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best ๐Ÿค

DAY 8: GO ON A WALK 

Something about getting outside for even 15 min of fresh air and movement is so healing and lately Iโ€™ve been doing a lot of โ€œwalk and talksโ€ where I put on headphones and chat with friends as I get my steps in. 

Sometimes I listen to music or a podcast but many times I just walk without any distractions. There are so many mental and physical benefits of taking time to go on a walk, and right now, itโ€™s been an important tool for me to get out of the house and help reduce stress. 

And now with sweater weather approaching Iโ€™m so excited to get out for more morning walks with a hot cup of coffee in hand. โ˜•๏ธ 

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self growth, self discipline, daily movement} 

#wellnessblogger #healthyhabits #morningroutine #morninghabits #dailyroutine #healthymotivation #iamwellandgood #morningwalk #hotgirlwalk #movementismedicine #mindfulroutine

#AD September is officially here and with it bring
#AD September is officially here and with it brings the promise of pumpkin spice and Fall vibes (which tbh Iโ€™m SO excited for!). ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿงก I figure thereโ€™s no better way to kick off the season than with a Pumpkin Cold Brew Smoothie featuring @silk Almondmilk! I picked up all these ingredients at my local @Target and think you all are going to LOVE this recipe.

Be sure to SAVE this to try later:

โœจ 1 frozen banana
โœจ ยฝ cup organic pumpkin puree
โœจ ยผ cup greek yogurt 
โœจ 1 medjool date
โœจ 1 tbsp almond butter
โœจ 1 tbsp flax seeds
โœจ ยฝ cup cold brew 
โœจ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
โœจ ยฝ cup SILK Unsweetened Almondmilk 
โœจ ice

Blend all ingredients and pour into your fav glass! I love how smooth and creamy SILK Almondmilk is and itโ€™s such an easy, plant-based swap for any of your smoothies. Get 10% off Silk Almondmilk with the Target Circle app from 9/3-9/9! ๐ŸŽฏ 

Be sure to tag us if you recreate this pumpkin smoothie at home! 

#silkalmondmilk #silktarget #pumpkincoldbrew #pumpkinsmoothie #smoothierecipe #smoothietime #fallsmoothie #pumpkinrecipe

My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but
My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but Iโ€™m ready to finish what I started ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ. In many ways, these little habits are exactly what I need right now and have become โ€œhealing habitsโ€ that I always turn to when I need a mental or physical boost. 

My hope is that by the end of this 15 part series youโ€™ll be inspired to incorporate more of these simple, realistic habits into your own daily routines 

DAY 7: WRITE IN A JOURNAL โœ๏ธ

Iโ€™ve been keeping some form of diary or journal on and off since 2nd grade, which is kind of wild when I think about all the notebooks filled with memories stacked in my closet. Writing is such a therapeutic exercise and a great introspective tool to help work through different feelings and emotions. 

There are plenty of guided journals if free writing is intimidating and I share plenty of prompts on my blog and @mindfulmorningclub page ๐Ÿ“–

I always suggest starting with just 5-10 min of writing time in the morning or evening and expanding if/when your schedule allows. โœจ

Do you keep a journal? 

#healthyhabits #morningroutine #wellnesstips #journaling #iamwellandgood #healthylifestyle #healthymindset #morningrituals #selfcaretips #morningvibes #autumnmorning #wellnesslifestyle #mindfulroutine #smallmoments #fallvibes

Little things that nourished my soul lately ๐Ÿ’ซ

Little things that nourished my soul lately ๐Ÿ’ซ 

๐Ÿถ mountain views with my lil family 
๐ŸŒธ writing everything out in my journal 
๐Ÿฆ‹ starting to ease back into workouts I enjoy 
๐Ÿ’ beautiful flowers & plants from friends 
๐Ÿฆ sushi followed by ube ice cream 
๐Ÿ’‡๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ much needed hair color refresh 
โ˜•๏ธ matcha & a new book 
๐Ÿ’…๐Ÿป treating myself to a pedicure 

Healing is not a linear process and Iโ€™m giving myself grace to feel all the feelings as they come. Through every challenge, thereโ€™s beauty in knowing the heart has a capacity for holding space for it all โ€” for moments of small joys, pain and sorrow, and perhaps most importantly, so much space for hope. 

โœจHope that by sharing my story, other women will feel less alone 

โœจHope that it helps shines a light on how painful, emotionally and physically, pregnancy loss can be 

โœจHope that God will give us our rainbow baby soon 

To the hundreds of you who had the kindness and courage to share your own miscarriage stories with me and others who shared words of love, thank you. We have felt so supported this past week and it has given us a lot of strength. 

I am craving normalcy again, and that means Iโ€™m ready to dive back into work with branded content going live this week and continuing my Healthy Habits series. Life moves forward and even though this experience will stay with me forever, 
I am ready to leave the pain behind ๐Ÿค

#lifelately #miscarriageawareness #newbeginnings #cameraroll

This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We we
This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We were so excited to welcome our little baby into this world. Instead we gained an angel. ๐Ÿ‘ผ 

Last Friday, at 11 weeks and 2 days pregnant, we checked into the OB for an emergency ultrasound. We were just a week shy of our official 12 week apptโ€” the one where we would find out the gender and prepare to share the news with family and friends. Instead, they couldnโ€™t find a heartbeat. ๐Ÿ’” 

The first trimester hadnโ€™t been easy. At 6 weeks I ended up in the ER but heard the babyโ€™s heartbeat and left feeling hopeful. We saw the baby officially at our 8 week ultrasound and felt more assured that things would progress as we hoped. 

Time continued to move forward and by the 11 week mark, we were picking potential names, reading parenting books, and starting to take bump photos. 

They say the odds of a miscarriage at 11 weeks is so smallโ€ฆ yet here we are. I know we are not alone in this but it doesnโ€™t make the pain and heartbreak any easier.

Weโ€™ve been taking time to work through our grief and process this loss together. We are grateful to have such an incredible support system and I thank you all for providing a safe space to share my story. I kindly ask that you do not share any unsolicited medical advice or ask questions. 

I know there will be brighter days ahead and this experience has made me very aware of just how much we look forward to having a family. Itโ€™s not our time, but I know it will happen someday.

For now, this is goodbye, little one. You are forever in our hearts ๐Ÿ‘ผโค๏ธ ~ M & B


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Another day, another healthy habit ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ‹ . I ca Another day, another healthy habit ๐Ÿ’ฆ๐Ÿ‹ . I canโ€™t believe we only have a few more to go! In case youโ€™re new here, Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices that you can incorporate your routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 12: Focus on Hydration ๐Ÿ’ง

Iโ€™m not going to laundry list all of the benefits of drinking more water because this is one habit we all KNOW we need to do โ€” however if you find yourself struggling with this one, here are some tips that may help: 

โœจ Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning 
โœจ Jazz up your water with lemon ๐Ÿ‹ 
โœจ Add electrolytes to your water post-workout 
โœจ Make homemade juices from hydrating veggies and fruit (this one is celery, cucumber + apple) 
โœจ Fill an extra large water bottle to keep track of how much youโ€™re drinking through the day 
โœจ Serve water with every meal
โœจ Drink unsweetened iced or hot tea
โœจ Set reminders on your phone or use a tracker (like the one in my Mindful Morning Planner) 

I used to struggle with this habit but ever since moving to Denver a couple years ago, the dry climate has forced me to focus on hydration daily and now I feel like Iโ€™m constantly drinking water and using all the hydrating skincare products ๐Ÿ˜…

Stay tuned for the final 3 healthy habits of the series coming soon! 

#wellness #mindfulroutines #morningroutine #healthyandhappy #morningvibes #wellnesslifestyle #colorfulaesthetic #mindfulroutine #happyandhealthy #morninghabits #healthylifestyle #iamwellandgood
โ€œLook to the sunlight above and smile. You are n โ€œLook to the sunlight above and smile. You are never alone.โ€ ๐ŸŒป Swipe for more healing words. Save, share and take what you need ๐ŸคŽ

#selfcompassion #selflove #dailyreminders #positivemindset #littlereminders #wellbeing #mindfulness #findthelight #selfgrowth #wellnesswednesday
Can you count how many plants are in this video? ๐Ÿชด๐Ÿคช Welcome back to my Healthy Habit series, where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits and mindful practices to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best. 

DAY 11: Bring Nature Indoors 

There are numerous studies that have demonstrated the power of keeping houseplants in your home. Emotionally, the presence of plants help to decrease anxiety and stress. The act of caring for them requires patience and watching them grow provides a feeling of accomplishment. ๐Ÿชด๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ

Some houseplants help to purify the air and if you plant a small herb garden in your kitchen, youโ€™ll reap the benefits of fresh herbs all year round.

Other simple ways to invite nature indoors are:

๐ŸชŸ open your windows on a cool day
๐ŸคŽ choose earth tones for your decor
๐ŸŒŠ play soothing sounds like ocean waves or rain ๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ light candles or a fireplace
โ˜€๏ธ set up a reading nook in a very sunny corner of your home

Is this a habit youโ€™re already putting into practice? And if so, what is your favorite way to invite nature indoors? 

{well-being, wellness, self care, biophilia, healthy lifestyle, positive mindset, healthy tips, self growth} 

#wellbeing #healthyhabits #plantcare #houseplantlove #romanticizeyourlife #healthyathome #wellnesstips #wellnessblogger #healthyandhappy #mindfulhabits #morningroutine #mindfulroutine #selfcaretips
Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty Embracing all the little moments of peace, beauty and playfulness ๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿ’—

Dressed in head to toe @fpmovement including all the cozy layers for when hot, golden afternoons transition to crisp, chilly evenings. I for one am so ready to see these leaves start to change colors, are you? 

PS: linked this whole fit in my stories for ya ๐Ÿ’Œ

#FPmovementPartner #healthylifestyle #outdoorsygals #denverblogger #hikingclub #hikingoutfit #summertofall #outdoorfitness #happyandhealthy #wellnesslifestyle
โ€œTry not to think about what could have or shoul โ€œTry not to think about what could have or should have been. Whatโ€™s done is done.โ€ โœจโค๏ธ

Itโ€™s day ten of my Healthy Habit series where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits that you can incorporate daily to help you feel your best and I recommend turning the audio up for this one ๐Ÿฅน

DAY 10: Live In The Present 

The beauty of practicing daily mindfulness is that it helps us shift our mindset to the only thing that is guaranteed โ€” this very moment. Each day we are alive is such a blessing and by channeling that gratitude, we can learn to cultivate more joy in the present moment instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. 

Mindfulness allows us to regulate our emotions and is a reminder that everything in life is temporary. We will all face challenges and difficult seasons throughout our lifetime โ€” but cultivating this mindful habit of living in the present is a helpful tool as you wait for the hard times to pass. ๐Ÿค

 โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข โ€ข

PS: if you want to make this pumpkin spice oatmeal here is the recipe: 

โœจ 1/2 cup rolled oats 
โœจ 1 cup almond milk 
โœจ 1/4 cup water 
โœจ 1/2 cup pumpkin purรฉe 
โœจ 1 tbsp maple syrup 
โœจ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 
โœจ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
โœจ pinch of salt 

Bring almond milk and water to a boil and then add in all additional ingredients. Simmer for 8-10 min and top with bananas, chopped nuts, almond butter and a little drizzle of maple syrup 

{wellness, mindful living, intentional living, healthy mindset, positive thinking, self growth} 

#wellnesstips #mindfulhabit #mindfulroutine #morningroutine #cookwithme #romanticizeyourlife #liveinthepresent #selflove #selfgrowth #healthyliving #healthylifestyle #positivemindset #mindsetmatters #makebreakfastwithme #healthyroutines
โœจ ๐๐„๐– ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐›๐ฅ๐จ๐ : ๐Ÿ“ ๐–๐š๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐“๐จ ๐…๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐š๐œ๐ค ๐ˆ๐ง ๐‹๐จ๐ฏ๐ž ๐–๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐–๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐‘๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ž (link in bio) โœจ
 #ad Iโ€™ve been struggling with motivation lately and wanted to share some of my tried and true tips that help me find joy in my fitness routine. 

One thing I know makes a difference for me is dressing the part and wearing activewear that is cute, fits like a dream and makes me feel confident. Thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m excited to share my newest activewear obsession โ€“ @neiwaiofficial ๐Ÿค

This Asian female-founded brand has some of the dreamiest, matching sets and these two from their Mousse Active Collection (swipe for a peep) are perfect for low-impact workouts like pilates, yoga and barre. I love the soft micro-suede material and know Iโ€™ll be wearing them all through Fall and Winter with some cozy layers. 

๐ˆโ€™๐ฏ๐ž ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ž๐ ๐›๐จ๐ญ๐ก ๐ฌ๐ž๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐‹๐“๐Š ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐œ๐š๐ง ๐ฌ๐š๐ฏ๐ž ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ% ๐จ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐œ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ ๐œ๐จ๐๐ž: ๐ฆ๐ž๐ข
{only valid through 9/15 so get yours quick!} 

Which is your fav: the emerald green or neutral mushroom? ๐Ÿ‘‡

#NEIWAI  #Active  #InhaleExhale  #MadeToLiveIn  #NEIWAIfriends #liketkit #LTKfitness #LTKSeasonal
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/4iwFl
Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy Clean the house with me for Day 9/15 of my Healthy Habit Series ๐Ÿค

DAY 9: Clean your space ๐Ÿงน๐Ÿซง๐Ÿงบ๐Ÿงฝ

I wish I was one of those people that found cleaning to be enjoyable buuuut unfortunately thatโ€™s not usually the case. ๐Ÿ˜… I do however get very stressed out when thereโ€™s too much clutter or things start to feel like theyโ€™re piling up. So in reality, keeping my space organized and tidy is probably the most helpful mental health habit that I turn to over and over again ๐Ÿซง 

Weโ€™ve all heard the phrase โ€œclear space, clear mindโ€ and I ๐Ÿ’ฏ% believe that to be true. Eliminating clutter and keeping things tidy do wonders for mental clarity, creativity, and in my case โ€” a greater sense of ease. 

I find that even 10-15 min of cleaning/decluttering a day can really make a big difference but for when life happens and things build up a bit more, having a dedicated โ€œreset dayโ€ honestly is so worth it. ๐Ÿ’•

Stay tuned for six more simple, realistic habits into your routine to help you feel your best

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self discipline, self growth, wellbeing, reset routine} 

#healthyhabits #wellnesstips #mindfulroutine #cleanwithme #resetroutine #iamwellandgood #morningroutine #wellnessblogger #cleaningroutine #healthymotivation
Stepping into the weekend ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ and this shift of Stepping into the weekend ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ and  this shift of seasons is making me more excited to spend time outside. Which brings us to day 8/15 of my Healthy Habits series where Iโ€™m sharing 15 simple, realistic habits to incorporate into your daily routine to help you feel your best ๐Ÿค

DAY 8: GO ON A WALK 

Something about getting outside for even 15 min of fresh air and movement is so healing and lately Iโ€™ve been doing a lot of โ€œwalk and talksโ€ where I put on headphones and chat with friends as I get my steps in. 

Sometimes I listen to music or a podcast but many times I just walk without any distractions. There are so many mental and physical benefits of taking time to go on a walk, and right now, itโ€™s been an important tool for me to get out of the house and help reduce stress. 

And now with sweater weather approaching Iโ€™m so excited to get out for more morning walks with a hot cup of coffee in hand. โ˜•๏ธ 

{wellness, healthy lifestyle, healthy mindset, self growth, self discipline, daily movement} 

#wellnessblogger #healthyhabits #morningroutine #morninghabits #dailyroutine #healthymotivation #iamwellandgood #morningwalk #hotgirlwalk #movementismedicine #mindfulroutine
#AD September is officially here and with it bring #AD September is officially here and with it brings the promise of pumpkin spice and Fall vibes (which tbh Iโ€™m SO excited for!). ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽƒ๐Ÿงก I figure thereโ€™s no better way to kick off the season than with a Pumpkin Cold Brew Smoothie featuring @silk Almondmilk! I picked up all these ingredients at my local @Target and think you all are going to LOVE this recipe.

Be sure to SAVE this to try later:

โœจ 1 frozen banana
โœจ ยฝ cup organic pumpkin puree
โœจ ยผ cup greek yogurt 
โœจ 1 medjool date
โœจ 1 tbsp almond butter
โœจ 1 tbsp flax seeds
โœจ ยฝ cup cold brew 
โœจ 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
โœจ ยฝ cup SILK Unsweetened Almondmilk 
โœจ ice

Blend all ingredients and pour into your fav glass! I love how smooth and creamy SILK Almondmilk is and itโ€™s such an easy, plant-based swap for any of your smoothies. Get 10% off Silk Almondmilk with the Target Circle app from 9/3-9/9! ๐ŸŽฏ 

Be sure to tag us if you recreate this pumpkin smoothie at home! 

#silkalmondmilk #silktarget #pumpkincoldbrew #pumpkinsmoothie #smoothierecipe #smoothietime #fallsmoothie #pumpkinrecipe
My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but My Healthy Habits series has been on a hiatus but Iโ€™m ready to finish what I started ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ. In many ways, these little habits are exactly what I need right now and have become โ€œhealing habitsโ€ that I always turn to when I need a mental or physical boost. 

My hope is that by the end of this 15 part series youโ€™ll be inspired to incorporate more of these simple, realistic habits into your own daily routines 

DAY 7: WRITE IN A JOURNAL โœ๏ธ

Iโ€™ve been keeping some form of diary or journal on and off since 2nd grade, which is kind of wild when I think about all the notebooks filled with memories stacked in my closet. Writing is such a therapeutic exercise and a great introspective tool to help work through different feelings and emotions. 

There are plenty of guided journals if free writing is intimidating and I share plenty of prompts on my blog and @mindfulmorningclub page ๐Ÿ“–

I always suggest starting with just 5-10 min of writing time in the morning or evening and expanding if/when your schedule allows. โœจ

Do you keep a journal? 

#healthyhabits #morningroutine #wellnesstips #journaling #iamwellandgood #healthylifestyle #healthymindset #morningrituals #selfcaretips #morningvibes #autumnmorning #wellnesslifestyle #mindfulroutine #smallmoments #fallvibes
Little things that nourished my soul lately ๐Ÿ’ซ Little things that nourished my soul lately ๐Ÿ’ซ 

๐Ÿถ mountain views with my lil family 
๐ŸŒธ writing everything out in my journal 
๐Ÿฆ‹ starting to ease back into workouts I enjoy 
๐Ÿ’ beautiful flowers & plants from friends 
๐Ÿฆ sushi followed by ube ice cream 
๐Ÿ’‡๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ much needed hair color refresh 
โ˜•๏ธ matcha & a new book 
๐Ÿ’…๐Ÿป treating myself to a pedicure 

Healing is not a linear process and Iโ€™m giving myself grace to feel all the feelings as they come. Through every challenge, thereโ€™s beauty in knowing the heart has a capacity for holding space for it all โ€” for moments of small joys, pain and sorrow, and perhaps most importantly, so much space for hope. 

โœจHope that by sharing my story, other women will feel less alone 

โœจHope that it helps shines a light on how painful, emotionally and physically, pregnancy loss can be 

โœจHope that God will give us our rainbow baby soon 

To the hundreds of you who had the kindness and courage to share your own miscarriage stories with me and others who shared words of love, thank you. We have felt so supported this past week and it has given us a lot of strength. 

I am craving normalcy again, and that means Iโ€™m ready to dive back into work with branded content going live this week and continuing my Healthy Habits series. Life moves forward and even though this experience will stay with me forever, 
I am ready to leave the pain behind ๐Ÿค

#lifelately #miscarriageawareness #newbeginnings #cameraroll
This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We we This isnt the announcement I hoped to share. We were so excited to welcome our little baby into this world. Instead we gained an angel. ๐Ÿ‘ผ 

Last Friday, at 11 weeks and 2 days pregnant, we checked into the OB for an emergency ultrasound. We were just a week shy of our official 12 week apptโ€” the one where we would find out the gender and prepare to share the news with family and friends. Instead, they couldnโ€™t find a heartbeat. ๐Ÿ’” 

The first trimester hadnโ€™t been easy. At 6 weeks I ended up in the ER but heard the babyโ€™s heartbeat and left feeling hopeful. We saw the baby officially at our 8 week ultrasound and felt more assured that things would progress as we hoped. 

Time continued to move forward and by the 11 week mark, we were picking potential names, reading parenting books, and starting to take bump photos. 

They say the odds of a miscarriage at 11 weeks is so smallโ€ฆ yet here we are. I know we are not alone in this but it doesnโ€™t make the pain and heartbreak any easier.

Weโ€™ve been taking time to work through our grief and process this loss together. We are grateful to have such an incredible support system and I thank you all for providing a safe space to share my story. I kindly ask that you do not share any unsolicited medical advice or ask questions. 

I know there will be brighter days ahead and this experience has made me very aware of just how much we look forward to having a family. Itโ€™s not our time, but I know it will happen someday.

For now, this is goodbye, little one. You are forever in our hearts ๐Ÿ‘ผโค๏ธ ~ M & B
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