4 Ways to Do Less and Have More

What if I told you that it IS possible to do less and have more?

A few years ago, I would have called my bluff, but it turns out that adopting & applying these 4 simple mindset shifts has helped me to do just that — do LESS and be MORE productive, have BETTER results in my health, my business and my relationships. Let’s dive in!

Honor the season of life you are in

When our first son was born, this was a tough one for me to swallow. Like, whyyyyyyy could I not continue to “do all the things?!” I am reminded of this space now, as we continue to transition to navigate all of the things added to the plate in 2020.

Whether it is a season with young children, aging parents, a move, or a job transition, or a global pandemic, each season brings new experiences, teaches new lessons, and as quickly as a new one begins, another ends. When we recognize that our life comes in seasons, this allows space for us to just be present in the season that we’re in & honor them!

Take inventory of your support system

Where can you ask for help? It may be asking your partner for more consistent help with the dishes, with laundry, or getting the kids to bed, or . Maybe asking a neighbor or family member to help with child, pet or lawn care each week to create a little more time for yourself. Or, even hiring someone to clean your home once a month, to cut your grass, or to plan your meals. You are one person and IT IS OKAY TO BE SUPPORTED!

Exercise your no

Have you considered that by saying YES to everything, you are saying NO to something else?

Saying yes to planning the Halloween party at school means saying no to your yoga class. Saying yes to the volunteer opportunity means saying no to meal prepping. Saying yes to the night out means saying no to crawling into bed early with your book. Catch my drift?

What I’ve learned is that politely declining not only allows time to focus on self care in this season of my life, but decreases my stress tenfold. It opens up more time to just be present with my family, take time to stay in my PJs all day and cook, veg on the couch and watch cartoons with my kids, share a few drinks with my hubs or just BE. Not being available for all the things all the time isn’t a sign that you are weak—it is a sign that you are human.

Let go of the way that it “should” be

The idea that there is a mold that we should all fit into not only puts the pressure on, but increases stress tenfold. I mean, who defines this stuff anyway, Instagram?! Listen, fancy filters may tell a fairy tale, but YOUR fairy tale is YOURS. Allow yourself space to break the mold of the way that your life “should” be, and create what you WANT it to be.

Which of these shifts feels easiest for you to begin to layer in? Comment below and let me know!

Let’s stay connected! Contact me anytime, here.

Chop Salad

What You’ll Need:

For the dressing:

3/4 c olive oil

1/2 c balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp local honey

1 shallot

1/2 tsp sea or Himalayan salt

1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

For the salad:

1 large head lettuce OR 1 (5-7oz) bag salad greens, any variety, chopped

4 carrots, diced

4 stalks celery, diced

2 c frozen shelled edamame, thawed

1 broccoli brown, finely chopped

1 pint cherry tomato, quartered

6oz bleu cheese

Fresh ground black pepper

---

Combine salad dressing ingredients in a small food processor or blender. Puree until creamy.

Prepare salad ingredients and toss together. Divide equally into (4) separate containers for easy grab and

go throughout the week OR combine all ingredients in large bowl to share.

Toss with dressing just before serving.

Serves 4

Want more recipes like this? Check out The Veg Out Meal Plan Series!

Lessons from Mother Nature

These flowers got me like 🤩

I've been working on establishing these perennial gardens since we moved into our house in NINE years ago. It’s taken a lot of trial error, lots of love, support from seasoned gardeners, patience and consistency. 🌸

People come to me often looking for a quick fix; a magic pill.

The magic pill? It’s a little trial and error, support from others, patience, consistency, and most importantly, loving yourself along the way. ❤️

If you’re ready to take your magic pill, be in touch HERE.

#lessonsfrommothetnature
#fueledmostlybyplants

PS you have to try this chop salad recipe. It is so easy and delish!

Let’s stay connected! Contact me any time, HERE.

---

Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

Happy Thanksgiving week!!  

Have so much fun whipping up this vegan cheesecake.  We LOVE to see what you're cooking --Will you share a photo and tag us on Facebook or Instagram??!  @vegoutproject

We are so grateful for YOU! 

Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

vegetarian | vegan | gluten free | dairy free | egg free | soy free

2 c raw, unsalted cashews, soaked overnight, rinsed & drained *

1 can pumpkin puree

1/3  c coconut oil, melted 

½  c pure maple syrup 

juice of 2 lemons 

1 tsp pure vanilla extract 

1 tsp sea salt 

½  tsp cinamon

½  tsp nutmeg 

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:  cocoa powder and/or ¼  c raw macadamia nuts, crushed

---

* I know, I know. Soaking nuts sounds weird!  Trust me.  Place the 2 c raw cashews in a glass container, cover generously with filtered water & sit at room temp overnight. 

 Drain & rinse cashews.

 Combine all ingredients (except for toppings) in a food processor until smooth.

 Use a spatula to transfer to a standard size pie pan.

 Pop in fridge for 4-6 hours.  

 Remove from fridge just before serving.  Sprinkle with cocoa powder and/or macadamia nuts if desired.

Serves 6-8

Want more recipes like this? Check out The Veg Out Meal Plan Series!

Staying Healthy & High Energy During the Winter Months

Is it just me, or did it get really chilly really fast?! We love this time of year — first sweaters, crisp juicy apples and hearty stews. This time of the year used to be a binge fest, full of overindulgence. It always landed me on January 2 feeling like total garbage, and feeling like I had taken 10 steps backward.

Over the last few years, I’ve learned to eat more intuitively, enjoying all of the goodness that comes with the holiday season AND continuing to fill up on the good stuff.

Check out 4 tips to continue to nourish your body, even with the chill in the air and the holidays quickly approaching!

#1 EAT SEASONAL PRODUCE

There is a reason we focus on seasonal produce in The Veg Out Meal Plan Series!  Seasonal foods not only taste better, but they are kinder to your wallet, and because they endure less travel from farm to plate, are more nutrient dense.

Be sure to check out winter squashes - acorn, butternut, and spaghetti.  Other great options include apples, pears, potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower.

#2 LOAD THE SOUPS + CHILIS WITH ALL THE VEGGIES & LEGUMES

There's nothing better than a hearty bowl of chili or a good warm curry in the cooler months.  Load them up with lots of seasonal veggies, and legumes like lentils and kidney beans.  The fiber, water & nutrients in these ingredients will keep you satisfied and warm your soul!

#3 EAT A WARM BREAKFAST

We crave warm foods during the fall and winter months when the weather is cooler outside.  Instead of the usual smoothies, try a an omelette loaded with seasonal veggies, big bowl of homemade oatmeal, muffins or pancakes.

#4 BRING THE HEAT WITH SPICES

Cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika and cayenne are all spices we associate with cooler months.  There are loads of benefits that come with incorporating spices into your diet, and the flavor punch doesn't hurt!. Try this Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe for some sweet heat

PS.  This is the last week to apply for the 1:1 end of year health coaching opportunity!!   This is for women who want to feel in control, get their digestion on point, feel beautiful in the skin they’re in and navigate the holidays with less stress & a sense of CALM.  Space is limited -- Apply here! 

---

If there is a way I can serve & support you, please contact me here so we can chat!

Mexican Hot Chocolate

gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free, one mug treat

What You’ll Need:

1 ½ c unsweetened vanilla soy milk

1 Tbsp cocoa powder

½ Tbsp honey, local to your area

1/8 tsp cayenne

Pinch sea salt

1 Tbsp dark chocolate chips

Cinnamon

---

Combine ingredients and heat on the stovetop or in the

microwave.

Stir, top with cinnamon & ENJOY!

Serves 1.

Nutrient Dense Diets for Healthy Hormones

🚬On July 5 2015, I smoked my last cigarette. I smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 19 years.

🌱All of the weird shit I eat? lentils...bok choy...curry...beets...chia...I didn't know what any of it was or what it tasted like for most of my adult life.

🍫I used binge eat chocolate every afternoon at work. Like 1/2 bag of Hershey's kisses kind of binge, on the regular.

🏃🏻‍♀️It took me years of practicing 3 mile running intervals in my neighborhood, and several 5Ks before ever completing my first 3 miles without stopping to walk.

🤰🏻 We had 4 pregnancies. 2 resulted beautiful babies, and all continue to teach us such valuable lessons.

📲 This week, I had the opportunity to share more about my journey to healing my relationship with food, holistically balancing my hormones, our pregnancies, and more on my dear friend and colleagues podcast, Well Women Radio.

Check out the episode during your commute or upcoming road trip, and then dive into all of the amazing content and interviews Ellie Thomas - Holistic Nutrition Consultant has to offer!!

Tune in by clicking the image below!

🌟PS. Your story? It’s important. Share it!

🌟 PPS. You've got to try this recipe for chocolate chia pudding.  It's on the meal plans this week, and too good not to share! 

Let’s stay connected! Contact me any time, HERE

Chocolate Chia Pudding

What You’ll Need:

3 c unsweetened vanilla almond milk

8 Tbsp chia seeds

4 Tbsp ground flax

4 Tbsp hemp hearts 

4 Tbsp pure maple syrup

2 Tbsp cocoa powder

4 c frozen mixed berries

…

Wisk all ingredients well (with exception of berries) in a medium size bowl OR divide equally into separate containers for easy grab and go breakfasts throughout the week.

Top with berries. Pop into fridge overnight.

Pull out of fridge and enjoy as a super nutrient dense, energy filled breakfast!

 Serves 4.

Want more recipes like this? Check out The Veg Out Meal Plan Series!

---

Let’s stay connected! Contact me any time, HERE.

Plant Based, Gluten Free Meal Plan!

If you want want to…

—Save time.  Weekly meals, printable grocery list, pantry staples & meal prep list done for you!

—Save money.  Plant-centered, seasonal ingredients are kinder on the wallet, saving you hard earned moo-lah on your grocery bill each week!  Recipes share ingredients, eliminating food waste, too..

—Improve your health.  Lower your blood pressure or cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, balance hormones, regulate bowels, lessen joint pain, eliminate brain fog, increase energy, control cravings, feel happier, reduce anxiety/depression, improve hair, nails & skin.

—Learn how to make healthy cooking easy & delicious. Incorporate healthy meals that aren't bland, boring, or taste like cardboard.

…then this is for you.

And something exciting is happening this week. (I mean look at this bowl, omgeeeeee)

This week’s plan is launched ,and there are TWO amazing ways you can get all of this deliciousness in your belly.

1) Join The Veg Out Meal Plan Series! For less than the cost of 1 Starbucks coffee per week, you’ll receive colorful, nutrient dense recipes, grocery lists, kitchen staples, simple meal prep tips and video hacks delivered to your inbox weekly.  Amazing, right?! If you want in on this goodness, sign up here by this Thursday (June 13th)

2) Not ready for the Series? Download this week’s plan available a la carte here!

Want a sneak peak at what’s inside? For a limited time, check one out, on us. <3

---

Let’s stay connected! Contact me anytime, here.

What is Inflammation?

Do you remember ever falling when you were a kid and busting open your knee? It hurt, right?!

In the days following, it would get red, puffy, swollen, black and blue… and depending on how mad the fall was, maybe even a little oozy. This was just your body’s response to the trauma — and after a week or so of keeping it clean & taking good care of it, the wound would heal and you would be as good as new.

Imagine that instead of bandaging it up, you just keep rubbing dirt into the open wound. And every day, it gets worse. As it gets worse, it gets more painful. And as it gets more painful, you just keep rubbing more and more dirt into it. You would be crazy to do that, right?!

Now what if I told you that many of us are doing this to our bodies every day.

Would you believe me?

We can’t see it because it’s happening on the INSIDE. And because we can’t see the open wound on the inside of our body, we don’t think that it’s there. The wild thing is that our body is likely giving us clues every day....

You may be tired, struggling with brain fog, or having a difficult time focusing.

Your digestion may be sluggish, you may feel bloated, gassy, or gain excess weight in your belly.

You probably have insatiable cravings for foods that you know aren’t good for you, but feel like you can’t stop eating them.

You might even have a weird rash or skin condition that won’t go away, thinning hair, or joint pain.

It’s possible that you’re experiencing mood swings, bouts of low moods or anxiety.

And maybe even irregular cycles or fertility struggles.

Sound familiar?

It did to me for a really long time. It wasn’t that long ago that I struggled with a whole string of symptoms…my belly would blow up like a balloon every time I ate. I struggled with a skin condition called tinea versicolor, brittle hair and nails. I experienced chronic mouth sores, cystic pimples and chronic fatigue. I struggled with constipation.  The cherry topper was amenorrhea (no period) and low estrogen. I was 34 years old.

This is your body screaming from the inside out.

Inflammation is essentially like that skinned knee you had when you were a kid. It is the body playing a mean game of defense. It puffs up, swells and sometimes oozes.. When it’s not addressed, we start to feel any combination of the symptoms described above. And, like I did, we brush them off….

“I’m tired because I’m busy. “

“My digestion is just sluggish. “

“ The doctor said not to worry about this rash.”

“I can’t focus because I have too much on my plate.”

“This is just what it’s like getting older.”

We take prescriptions to manage our moods, over the counter meds to stay regular, and put topical creams on our rashes. We settle for being tired, sad, feeling like shit, and in pain. It’s crazy right?!

Now, what if I told you that ONE thing could begin to cure all of these things?

Yes, just one:

Food.

Inflammatory foods are different for every {one} body. Now that I’m on the other side — TRUST ME — identifying your inflammatory triggers are BEYOND worth your efforts!

With summer fast approaching, I am opening up 10 spaces for people who would like to increase their energy, improve their digestion, eliminate the bloat, feel happier and begin to heal their body literally from the inside OUT.

This 14 day, gentle, yet effective program delivers an all access pass to boundless reserves of energy you didn’t know you had. You’ll find that every part of your body works better simply by “switching on” your metabolism and body’s natural healing abilities.

This is NOT a starvation cleanse!  A variety of nutrient dense, high fiber foods are conveniently planned for you, taking the guesswork out of wondering what is okay and not okay to eat.  No crazy juicing or shakes required.    

Package includes online membership site, complete with detailed program guide, tutorials & food journal.  Package includes (2) 30 minute coaching sessions, as well as recipe guides and resources! Enrollment is limited to the first 10 participants, and will fill fast!

Let’s stay connected! Contact me any time, here.

PS I have a free gift for you! Come grab it HERE.