One of the number one drivers of traffic to my blog is the search term “fitness challenge.” It’s been a while since I have posted about the fitness component of my healthy living journey, so I decided to change that today and give my readers the content that they are looking for. I have been … More 7 Day Fitness Challenge
When you are trying to reach a goal (or considering getting started on one), it can be challenging to get yourself in a positive frame of mind. It is easy to get bogged down in regrets about what you should have done differently, that you should have started sooner, how long it is going to … More Motivation Monday #4: It’s Never too Late to Start!
Coconut oil is very trendy, so I feel that I need to put this out there: I used it religiously before it was cool. Generally, I don’t hop on bandwagons or encourage others to do so, but this is one instance where I would suggest that you make an exception. If you haven’t already gone … More Health Tip #14: Incorporate Coconut Oil into Your Life
In case you didn’t pick up on it, I am incredibly introverted. The thought of making small talk with strangers or folks that I don’t know very well fills me with dread. Small talk is an art and I’ve never been particularly interested in art. However, given the nature of my work (read: office culture), … More The Introvert’s Guide to Small Talk
I mentioned in a previous post that JP likes to take pictures of fallen trees. Since we were not in the forest when we took this picture, I haven’t the slightest idea how this tree fell, but the clearly visible rings on it reminded me of my childhood. I can remember my dad explaining to … More Photo Friday #16: Counting the Rings
Today is the official first day of summer, which is also officially my least favourite season (I know, I know. Don’t throw tomatoes at me). I’m very fair skinned, so I burn easily, and I also despite being hot and feeling sweaty in the wrong circumstances (such as any time other than when I’m working … More Summer Bucket List (2016)
JP and I love nothing more than escaping from the city and reconnecting with nature. Living in the concrete jungle that is suburbia, we often feel like cogs in a machine rather than part of something organic and holistic. This picture takes me back to one of our many summer getaways (take a peek here … More Photo Friday #15: The Green Canoe
One of my first posts on my blog was A Letter To Me where I wrote some words of wisdom to my younger self. That remains one of my favourite posts to date and I have decided to take it one step further and write a letter to my older self. I do think it … More A Letter To Me, Part II
It might sound like a no brainer to take time off work every once in a while, especially if you are being paid while you do so. However, many people feel as though they are too busy to take time off and that vacations could hurt their career prospects. If you are one of those … More Health Tip #13: Use Your Allotted Vacation Time
Last week, I shared a picture of an inukshuk that JP took (thank you to my helpful readers for telling me what the “statues” are called!). However, what I didn’t mention is that it took JP two tries to get last week’s picture because B photo bombed him! I prefer the version with B, of … More Photo Friday #14: A Beautiful Photo Bomb
I am on a wellness journey and part of that involves making my own personal care and cleaning products. It has been an easy switch to using safe, non-toxic cleaning products and I feel good about the changes that I’ve implemented in my household. My personal care product adventure has not been nearly as smooth … More Why You Should Start Making Your Own Personal Care and Cleaning Products Now
The Environmental Working Group produces an annual list of the “dirty dozen” and “clean fifteen” to help consumers decide which produce items they should consider purchasing organic and which items are generally considered “safe” to buy conventionally. I understand that it’s expensive to buy organic and that the issue can be contentious, but it doesn’t … More Health Tip #12: Get organic versions of the “dirty dozen”
While searching for our own cottage, JP, B, and and I often traveled to the Muskoka region and stayed in various locations to scout them out (see our trips to Huntsville and Parry Sound). Along the highway, there are many rock statues just like the one below (providing something to look at when you’re trapped … More Photo Friday #13: Peace on the Waterfront
I will start this post by saying that every woman needs to put this sticker on her mirror. Negative self talk is so prevalent among women that I think we could all use a little reminder. I am not sure how common it is among men, but I’d love to hear comments from men and … More Motivation Monday #3: What You Say to Yourself in the Mirror Matters
Photo Friday is back! When I was a kid, I used to love looking up at the clouds and telling my dad about all the different shapes that I could see. We used to make up stories about dragons, princesses, and whatever else struck our fancy. Even though I’m (more or less) an adult now, JP and … More Photo Friday #12: Cloud Dreams
Summer is on the way and with it comes warm weather, patios, barbecues, and, at least for some women, painted nails (but I won’t judge any men who also want a pretty mani and pedi). When it comes to your summer look, I am advocating that you follow my lead and think before you paint … More Summer Pedicures and Manicures Using Non-toxic Nail Polish
There is no better way to start your Monday than with a meme from your favourite boxer, B! I’ve often said that we can learn a lot from our animals (forgiveness, patience, gratefulness, and living in the moment to name a few). Another trait that B (and many other dogs) have is that he will … More Boxer Meme #1: Grab Life By The Balls
I’ve mentioned before that JP chases waterfalls and that includes during the cold, snowy weather. I’m pretty sure that B and I have been dragged taken to every waterfall in Southern Ontario, even when it’s frigid outside. On the bright side, we’ve seen a lot of beautiful landscapes and B is getting good use out … More Photo Friday #11: Winter Waterfall
The lifestyle that many of us live is “go-go-go.” We have responsibilities at work and at home, and then we also try to squeeze in hobbies and time to have fun. It can be very overwhelming to stay on top of everything that we need/want to accomplish and I know many people who don’t feel … More Health Tip #11: Add Lists to Your Life and Stay Organized
My post today is going to be a little different than usual and far more personal. I know that it’s “wellness Wednesday,” but this post does relate to that theme because writing is the only outlet that can help me process my thoughts and emotions. Mental health is an often neglected component of overall wellness, … More Dear Dad
The official first day of spring was yesterday, but we have been experiencing spring-like weather in Southern Ontario for the last couple of weeks. Whenever I think about spring, I think about growth and new beginnings. On recent walks with B, I have seen gardens starting to sprout and the vegetation beginning to wake up from … More Spring Bucket List (2016)
Last week, I shared a picture of the CN Tower and promised to tell you about my favourite Toronto attraction this week. One of my readers actually guessed it in last week’s comments: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada! I admit that it’s pretty pricey (as most things in Toronto are), but it’s definitely a cool experience … More Photo Friday #10: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Even if you are a fitness fanatic, you need rest days. So, why am I advocating breaking a sweat every day? Because it’s good for you and rest days don’t need to mean complete inactivity. Active recovery days give your body the time it needs to rest while still allowing you to stay active. Sweating … More Health Tip #10: Make a Point to Sweat Every Day
I don’t like stretching and, in particular, I really don’t like yoga. My regular readers will recall my T25 Focus Challenge where it took me ages to finally try the stretching video. I have always known that stretching is good for me, but I never took it very seriously until now. In my quest to … More The Benefits of Yoga
Last week, I posted my first Motivation Monday quote. I am still working through a lot at the moment, so I thought that I would share another one of my favourite quotes with you this week because it’s very top of mind in my life right now. Recently, we had a health scare with B. … More Motivation Monday #2: Be Present and Stop Worrying
The CN Tower is 553.33 m or 1,815 feet 5 inches tall and it is the dominant feature of the Toronto skyline. I have to be honest: I’ve worked in the city for so long that I barely notice it anymore. How, you might ask, is it possible to walk by a giant phallus everyday … More Photo Friday #9: Toronto’s CN Tower
On a busy weeknight, there is nothing better than coming home and not having to cook dinner. If you get all of your cooking for the week done in one day (or, at the very least, all of your prepping), then you will feel much more relaxed when you get home from work. I like … More Health Tip #9: Cook Your Meals in Bulk on Sundays
I once had a friend who never seemed to get sick. She told me that her secret was taking zinc capsules daily. I was skeptical (I usually am), but decided to try it. Surprisingly, it actually worked. However, for some reason (call it laziness or forgetfulness), I stopped taking my supplements. Coincidentally (or not), I … More How to Add More Zinc to Your Life
Sometimes life can really get you down. When one terrible thing after another happens, it can be completely overwhelming and make you just want to curl up in a ball until the storm is over. I’ve written about strategies to help you get through a bad day in the past, but sometimes it’s all you … More Motivation Monday #1: Focus on One Day at a Time
Every year, B forgets what snow is and he’s very hesitant to venture out in it. The picture below captures his “considering” expression while he debates the merits of going on a journey. We have been very fortunate in Southern Ontario in terms of snowfall this year (read: we haven’t had much), so B forgets … More Photo Friday #8: Suspicious of Snow
You’re busy. I get it. Western culture is very “go, go, go” and we often put our own health at the bottom of our priority list. We work late, so we don’t have time to go to the gym; we wake up too early to find the time to eat breakfast; and worse, stress even … More Health Tip #8: Make Time to Eat Breakfast Every Day
Trying to lose weight is not a lot of fun, especially if you have a big weight loss goal like I do. However, through trial and error over the years, I have learned that depriving myself of everything I love will not work for the long term and can lead to a binge of all … More Easy 2 Ingredient Oatmeal Banana Cookies
A lot of people struggle with saving money, which is something that has always come easily to me. I’m a “saver” by nature and I’ve respected the value of money since I was little girl (thanks, Dad!). After I bought my first house in my early twenties, people started asking me for financial tips. I … More 25 Easy Ways to Save Money Right Now
My dad had an obsession with using driftwood to create feature pieces, which JP also enjoys doing (they are remarkably similar in many ways. I suppose it’s true what they say, at least in some cases, that women marry their fathers. In my case, I definitely did and I am very proud of it!). JP … More Photo Friday #7: Fallen Trees
I absolutely love to spend time with B, but did you know that time with your pet is actually good for your health? The human/animal bond is truly remarkable and has benefits for both species. Health Tip #7: Take a Time Out and Indulge in Some Pet Therapy Like you need an excuse to cuddle with … More Health Tip #7: Indulge in Some Pet Therapy
Vitamin D is important to overall health and immunity and many of us are not getting enough. Sunlight is a source of vitamin D, but I feel it’s important to practice safe sun, especially if you are pale like me! As such, I get my vitamin D quota from supplements and food. Why should you … More Vitamin D – Why You Need it, and How to Get it
I am in awe of the power of water, but I can also be intimidated by it, especially if B is with me. Neither of us are strong swimmers (though we both get by and can keep our heads afloat – he has a life jacket to help) and neither of us have the best balance … More Photo Friday #6: Rushing River
Why should you eat a diversity of fruits and vegetables? Well, one single type of fruit or vegetable will not provide all of the nutrients that you need. The Harvard School of Public Health cites benefits like lower blood pressure, reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, cancer prevention, lower risk of eye and digestive … More Health Tip #6: Add More Colour to Your Diet
I used to create fitness challenges (see my 30 Day Challenge, T25 Focus, and 90 Day Challenge for evidence) and follow them strictly. I never thought I’d get to the point where I could just “go with the flow” and admittedly I’m not there 100% yet. However, I make my schedule a week in advance … More The Full Body Workout I’m Loving Right Now
I am very happy being married. I have a partner to journey through life with and whether or not things are easy or difficult, JP is there with me. He knows when to back off and let me figure things out for myself, and he also understands when I simply can’t do it anymore and … More 12 Things I Wish that I Knew About Marriage Before I Got Married
It can be a struggle to stay active during the winter but between my quest for a healthy lifestyle, JP’s dedication to taking pictures, and B’s daily exercise requirements, we get outside whether I want to or not. I admit that looking back on photographs reminds me how beautiful winter can be, but believe me, … More Photo Friday #5: Winter Hike
Sorry, guys, but this tip is not for you (unless you want to try it out – hey, I’m not here to judge anyone). Health Tip #5: Ladies, Try Going Commando If you don’t feel comfortable going totally bare, at least make the switch to cotton underwear and avoid thongs. Tips for Good Vaginal Health Going commando … More Health Tip #5: Ladies, Try Going Commando
I have been focused on becoming healthier through diet and exercise. However, the next step in my wellness journey is revamping the personal care products that I put on my body every day. Did you know that your skin absorbs 60% of whatever you’re applying to it topically? That’s pretty scary considering that many of … More DIY Personal Care Products
Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday, but at this point, which of our holidays aren’t rooted in commercialism? I used to be quite cynical about Valentine’s Day, but lately my thinking has changed. A common argument against Valentine’s Day that I often hear is that people shouldn’t only be kind to their spouses on one … More My Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
A couple of weeks ago, I shared a night shot that JP and I took on New Year’s Eve. Below is another night shot that I absolutely love, though I’d be hard-pressed to remember when we took it because we are always out and about together. JP is working on mastering his night shots, so … More Photo Friday #4: Night Shot #2
There are so many conflicting opinions on what people should be eating to stay healthy. Even the experts disagree, which can cause confusion for average folks like you and me. When I’m in doubt, I defer to the Mayo Clinic, which you will notice features heavily in this series. To maintain overall good health, they … More Health Tip #4: Try to Avoid Eating Processed Food
My 21 day sugar detox is now complete and I learned a lot. I am sure that you have all been waiting with bated breath to hear how I fared…right? However, before I started this process, I did a lot of research to ensure that my approach was both safe and effective. If you are interested in doing … More My 21 Day Sugar Detox Results
If you’ve ever worked in retail, then chances are you’ve lost all faith in humanity. Just kidding. Mostly. When I was working towards my undergraduate and post-graduate degrees, I worked several jobs, including in retail. The experience was definitely not the highlight of my working life to date. However, I work in corporate now and I … More 16 Observations From My Time Working in Retail
If you read my winter bucket list, you will know that I essentially hate winter because I hate being cold (dry skin, dry hair, runny nose…need I say more?!), snow is a hazard for both driving and walking (at least if you have balance like I do), and there always seems to be less to … More Photo Friday #3: Winter is Officially Here
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people wear sunscreen every day if they plan to be outside. Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin (the shade does not make you completely safe!). A lot of people wear sunscreen in the summer months, but … More Health Tip #3: Wear Sunscreen, Even in The Winter Months
I am currently doing a sugar detox, so I can’t indulge in my usual oatmeal for breakfast. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t! Overnight oats are simple to make, healthy, filling, and delicious. What more could you ask for in your breakfast companion on a busy weekday morning? Have you ever tried to make … More Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats
I have a desk job, a blog, and I text a lot. It shouldn’t have come as any surprise to me the first time that my thumbs locked up and I had to take a hiatus from all three. I remember thinking it was pretty funny the first time it happened and joking that evolution … More 5 Ways to Cope with Texting Thumbs
I recently bought JP a new camera and he has been practicing taking night shots. I’m excited to profile his work on my blog and I’m also excited to see his progress and watch him grow in his hobby. We took this picture on New Year’s Eve after we left my brother’s place. Well, to … More Photo Friday #2: Night Scene #1
I am a firm believer in preventative care rather than waiting for a health concern to present itself. I think that the eyes are often overlooked because many people think they don’t need regular eye examinations if they aren’t experiencing any vision problems. Even if you have “perfect” vision, eye examinations by a qualified professional … More Health Tip #2: Take Good Care of Your Eyes
No matter how many free workout programs that I try online, I always come back to Jillian Michaels. Her workouts are as tough as you want to make them, her style is very motivational, and she has so many different videos available (each with different levels), which means that there is always a routine to … More My Favourite Home Workouts: Jillian Michaels
Adjusting to any new job is a struggle even if you aren’t new to the workforce, but working regular full time hours after being on a flexible student schedule is even more of a challenge. Keep in mind that I say this even though I was a very busy university student. I had a full … More 9 Strategies to Help You Adjust to Working Full Time
At the end of every walk, we let B run from the bottom of our driveway up to our front door. He sits and waits patiently for his mom and dad to catch up and let him in. It’s one of my favourite daily traditions because it reminds me of how far B has come … More Photo Friday #1: Our Front Door
Did you know that 1 in 10 Americans use their smart phones during sex? How about that 55% of Americans text when they drive, 19% use their phones at their place of worship, and 12% even check their phones while they’re in the shower?1 We are obsessed with our devices and unfortunately it extends beyond … More Health Tip #1: Turn Your Electronic Devices Off
I will start with a confession: I’m addicted to sugar. That doesn’t mean that I indulge in it all the time, but it does mean that I want to. Unfortunately, added sugar is in almost everything, so I don’t think that I am alone in my addiction. I’ve decided to start the new year by … More My 21 Day Sugar Detox
I don’t believe that you can own a dog. I believe that you bring a dog into your family and that you are responsible to act as that dog’s guardian for his or her entire life. I can’t imagine my life without a dog, but I’m also not going to pretend that guardianship is all … More The Pros and Cons of Having a Dog
I hope that everyone was able to enjoy some down time over the holidays and that you celebrated in a way that was meaningful to you. As for us, holidays are still a challenge without my dad around, but we spent lots of time together and did our best to make some special memories. I can’t … More My New Year Blog Plan
The first official day of winter was yesterday. Winter is always a struggle for me because I don’t like being cold and in Southern Ontario, it gets very cold. Breathing cold air makes my eyes water, my lungs burn, and my nose run…charming, right? The problem is that the gloomy winter season seems to go … More Winter Bucket List (2015)
This was my second week of doing Tone It Up videos. I selected a random assortment of workouts (about 40 minutes in length) to complete for five days. I also had one day of rest day and one day of active recovery. In terms of my weekly update, my pal DK suggested that I try … More 90 Day Fitness Challenge: BeFiT in 90, Blogilates, and Tone It Up (Day 22 to 28)
On my journey towards good health, I have started to experiment in the kitchen. I am not a fan of “diet food” and in order to make sustainable changes, I need to create healthy meals with simple ingredients that also taste great and don’t take hours to complete. As such, I have collected several kitchen … More My Top 9 Kitchen Essentials
This week, I did Tone It Up videos for five days. One of my days off was active recovery and I took one day completely off. I decided not to stick with a specific workout schedule, such as the Tone It Up Bikini Challenge, and simply choose the videos I felt like doing each day. … More 90 Day Fitness Challenge: BeFiT in 90, Blogilates, and Tone It Up (Day 15 to 21)
The holiday season can be a magical time filled with experiences that can create lasting special memories. However, it can also be a time filled with unnecessary stress and subsequent depression due to the number of demands on our time, loneliness, and the gloomy weather (depending on where you reside). People often overindulge in junk food … More 10 Tips to Beat the Holiday Blues
This was a bad week for me in general and my overall well-being definitely suffered. Unfortunately, so did my workout schedule. My posts are a week behind because of including an introductory post, so you might remember that I hinted at my exhausted, drained, and miserable feelings in a recent post. However, rather than feel … More 90 Day Fitness Challenge: BeFiT in 90, Blogilates, and Tone It Up (Day 8 to 14)
I have stayed away from controversial topics on my blog and mostly shared insights into my personal life, fitness journey, and general musings. Much to my surprise (and pleasure), the musings section of my blog has been my most popular (thank you for that!). As such, I decided to provide less of a one dimensional … More Why I’m Against The Body Positivity Movement
The 30 Day Fitness Challenge I completed came with handy workout calendars that made it very easy to follow along. Unfortunately, my new 90 Day Fitness Challenge doesn’t have a calendar, but the video playlists are conveniently broken down by day on the BeFiT in 90 YouTube channel. For the pilates portion of my challenge, I am choosing … More 90 Day Fitness Challenge: BeFiT in 90, Blogilates, and Tone It Up (Day 1 to 7)
This week has been really rough for me and I am so glad that it’s over. I’m really looking forward to spending some time with my family this weekend and also hanging out with some close friends of ours. If you had a week like mine (and hey, even if you didn’t), I thought that you … More Dose of Cuteness: B Photo #2
Now that I have completed T25 Focus and a 30 Day Fitness Challenge, I need to start something new in order to stay motivated and continue to see results. As I mentioned in previous posts, I am tired of Shaun T (for now!), so I want to try something new that incorporates more diversity. What’s Next? For those of you who have been following … More 90 Day Fitness Challenge: BeFiT in 90, Blogilates, and Tone It Up
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be married to a trades guy? Well, you can find out below! 6 Ways to Know You Married a Trades Guy Your house doesn’t have any lights. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating slightly but not much. None of the bedrooms in our house have central lighting sources, so JP promised … More 6 Ways to Know You Married a Trades Guy
As you’ve probably noticed from my recent posts, I am mentally done with the T25 Focus Challenge. This is technically my tenth and final week of the program because I re-did Week Four (which was a mistake), so I’ve made the executive decision to move on to a new challenge early. I do like having … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week Nine
JP and I are experienced dog owners. We are able to easily recognize the symptoms of common, non-life threatening illnesses that we can safely treat at home, and we are advocates of the “wait and see” approach. Just like you don’t go to the doctor every time you feel under the weather, your dog doesn’t need … More 6 Safe and Effective Home Remedies for Your Dog
I’ve been using 8 pound weights in my T25 workouts, which is the same as the non-modifying female in the videos. The guys are using 12 pound weights, but I think my upper body would simply halt in protest. Confession: my arms aren’t very strong. So as much as I’d love to be lifting more than the … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week Eight
JP and I are trying to ensure that we have more “date nights” so that we can continue to have new, fun experiences together and not let the monotony of day-to-day work life take over our time together. It’s so important to inject fun into a marriage and we are always on the lookout for new things to … More Date Night #1: Pig Farm
I decided to read through the T25 meal plan this week, but I haven’t tried out any of the recipes yet. That is mainly because the recipes are very boring and bland, which doesn’t get me very excited to incorporate them into my meal planning. However, one of the pointers that I pulled out of the guide is … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week Seven
After three months of dating, JP and I got engaged and life has been perfect ever since. Just kidding. Like all couples, we’ve experienced our fair share of bumps in the road but each obstacle we overcome brings us closer together and strengthens our bond. I want someone who challenges me, inspires me to be my … More Our Marriage Commandments
I was really excited to start my new workouts this week. However, I have learned that there are a finite number of body weight exercises that are actually effective, so a lot of the moves in the Beta phase of T25 Focus are essentially variations of the moves in the Alpha phase. I was still happy to be doing something somewhat different … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week Six
As many of you know from a previous post, autumn is my favourite season and I love all things pumpkin. I couldn’t resist sharing (at least) one pumpkin recipe with all of you! Pumpkin Spiced Bread I have never tried to make pumpkin bread before, so this was my first attempt. I based my efforts off of … More Pumpkin Spiced Bread
As I mentioned last week, I am incredibly sick of the Alpha phase of T25. I am very thankful that this was the last week of it because I am more than ready to get started with something new. I am hoping that the moves actually change in the next phase and that I won’t be doing more … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week Five
Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to get to know many of you and I’ve been amazed at all of the support that I’ve found through blogging. In an effort to get more personal, I have decided to share more details about my fitness journey and some of the lessons that I’ve … More My Top 10 Fitness Lessons Learned
I have to admit that the Alpha phase of T25 is getting a little dull. In fact, the thought of doing these same videos again makes me cringe. I really miss lifting weights and I’m pretty sure that the next phase of the program has at least one video where you get to do that. I’m … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week Four (Redo)
In a previous post, I wrote about how having a positive outlook on life can make a huge difference to your overall health and well-being. I absolutely stand behind that sentiment, but sometimes, no matter how hard you try, your day just simply sucks and you feel like you can’t shake it off. Everyone has bad days, but I … More 12 Tips to Help Get You Through a Bad Day
For the first time since I started T25, I had a setback. My regular readers know that I’ve had back surgery and as a result, I deal with chronic pain. Unfortunately, I had a bad flare up that lasted for the entire week, which caused me to skip most of my workouts (the horror!). It can be … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week Four
I mentioned in my last getaway post that JP and I aren’t picky about accommodations. However, when I said that, I meant that I will take a Comfort Inn over a Hilton but not that I like to rough it (JP can tolerate much worse conditions than I can. He is very much a gruff man’s man…at … More End of Summer Getaway: Parry Sound, Ontario
By Week Five, I am hoping to be able to tell you that I nailed it (at least for one workout). As for this week (spoiler alert), I barely made it throughout. I’m not upset about the rating because the choices are set up to be two extremes that don’t really take progress into account. … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week Three
I love autumn (and all things pumpkin). It’s such a beautiful time of year in Southern Ontario. The air feels crisp, the leaves are changing colour, and the weather is just perfect (not too hot or too cold, which is rare in these parts). Needless to say, I don’t need much encouragement to enjoy my … More Autumn Bucket List (2015)
I met with my doctor this week about my thyroid health and we discussed my current weight loss and fitness goals. I am going to try and convey what he said to me because I think it could help others in a similar position. Please excuse my lack of scientific awareness though; this is explained … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week Two
Death is very complicated for the living to process. None of us knows for sure what happens after we die and many of us don’t have any idea about what to say to those who are left behind either. The majority of people don’t mean to offend mourners with their comments, but if you aren’t careful, that might … More 10 Things NOT to Say to Someone Who is Grieving
As I mentioned in my introduction post, I was nervous to start the T25 Focus challenge. I am happy to report that I got through Week One relatively unscathed, which is great because I wasn’t sure that I would get through it at all. Disclaimer: This post is long because it is the first one for the … More T25 Focus Challenge: Week One
Using “delicious” and “bran” in the same sentence sounds like an oxymoron, but I promise these muffins are actually tasty! They can be used as a breakfast alternative or as a snack. I don’t know about you, but if I don’t have healthy snacks on hand, then I’m reaching for the unhealthy variety to avoid that … More Delicious Bran Muffins
I have been interested in Shaun T’s Insanity program for awhile but I was hesitant to try it for several reasons. First and foremost, I was terrified of the intensity of the workouts, which I feared could kill me. Second, his programs are cost prohibitive and unavailable online (I’m not poor, I’m just cheap frugal). Finally, I was afraid … More T25 Focus Challenge
I’ve known AW since our first year of university. AW has always been the picture of health and vitality: she enjoys being active, she maintains a healthy body weight, and she is a happy, vibrant, and fun person to be around. She is always up for an adventure and trying something new (and she will push you to try it too). If ever … More 8 Life Lessons From My Friend Who Was Diagnosed With Cancer at 30
High Level Summary I’m excited about being done my 30 Day Fitness Challenge! I am happy to report that I can see and feel a difference (and not just in my butt!). I didn’t measure myself before starting, but I did weigh myself. I consistently lost 1.5 pounds/week, which is not bad considering my thyroid challenges. Overall, … More 30 Day Fitness Challenge: Week Six Summary
I can’t believe that my sweet boy is 3 years old! He has brought our family so much joy; bringing him into our home was the best decision that we ever made. We have been through an awful lot with B’s health, but we are finally in a good place and I am so grateful for that. … More Happy Birthday to B!
High Level Summary My workouts this week alternated between three and four videos per day. Similar to my last update, I am not going to repeat my reviews from previous weeks, but I have provided links to all of the videos I did so that you can follow along. What I would like to share this week is an overall pro … More 30 Day Fitness Challenge: Week Five Summary
As I mentioned in my Week Two and Week Three fitness posts, JP and I recently celebrated our anniversary. We’ve been to Huntsville together in the past, but we had B with us and we didn’t own a boat at that time. For our anniversary, Grams watched B for the weekend, we brought the boat, and we … More Anniversary Getaway: Huntsville, Ontario
High Level Summary My workouts were a mixture of three and four videos per day with one day of active recovery (which I modified to try out the Little Black Series. I will be taking a recovery day this week – don’t forget, my updates only span 5 days and not 7!). I still preferred three … More 30 Day Fitness Challenge: Week Four Summary
I am pleased to announce that Laura from alittlebitoflaura and Angelina from ilashesandsuch have nominated me for my second and third Liebster Awards. If you missed my first nomination, you can catch up by reading my previous post about it. I am so pleased that my blog is being both read and enjoyed. Thank you! I appreciate every like, comment, and … More The Liebster Award (x 2)
High Level Summary Like I mentioned in my Week Two summary, I did modify my challenge to allow for an anniversary celebration with JP. All of the workouts are still included, I just changed the days that I did them. In fact, I scheduled three workout videos per day as opposed to two (or worse, one). So far, I … More 30 Day Fitness Challenge: Week Three Summary
Grams always tells me that you can’t put an old head on young shoulders, but wouldn’t it be great if you could? There are so many things that I wish I knew years ago and advice that I wish I could give my younger self. I was a stubborn girl but surely I’d take advice from myself! … More A Letter To Me
High Level Summary I was a hot mess for the last couple of weeks. I caught JP’s summer flu with a vengeance and felt like I had been run over by a bus. I am happy to report that I am now able to move around without breaking into a cold sweat. Needless to say, I had to take some time away … More 30 Day Fitness Challenge: Week Two Summary
JP and I have decided that we are no longer going to buy “mystery meat” from the grocery store. I am not going to bring home “Grade AAA meat from US and Canadian sources” because I don’t even know what that means. Where in the US? Where in Canada? How come the packaging can’t tell … More Farm to Fork
Thank you to Kaitlynn, who blogs at The Skinny Struggles, for nominating me. I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the Liebster Award by receiving it! My understanding of the award is that it helps new bloggers (with under 200 followers) connect and promote each other. It also adds a bit of fun, motivation, and encouragement for … More The Liebster Award
Week one (or the first five days) of my 30 day fitness challenge is now complete. So, how did it go? Was I crazy to combine two challenges into one? You decide! High Level Summary Overall, the workouts this week were so short that I am feeling slightly skeptical about whether I will see results. I replaced my usual workouts with … More 30 Day Fitness Challenge: Week One Summary
I used to be a devoted gym rat, but as I got older, busier, and more established in my career, it became increasingly challenging to squeeze in workouts. When my dad got sick, the focus on my own health and well-being took a further hit. What I’ve just said sounds like a list of excuses because … More 30 Day Fitness Challenge
Sometimes posts need to be short and sometimes a picture says 1,000 words. Below is an action shot of my beautiful B playing with his dad. We love this little guy so much! This is the real B, playing with the real JP, in our real living room. Who could resist the cuteness that is … More Dose of Cuteness: B Photo #1
Like most brachycephalic dogs, B doesn’t do well in extreme temperatures. In the summer, our usual walk time is between 9 and 9:30 PM to avoid the heat. At the end of our walk, we let him off-leash in a park by our house so he can get out some of his crazy (being a 2 … More Skunked!
I’ve often heard people say, “I’ll add it to my bucket list” and I’ve wondered, do people actually make bucket lists? Full confession: I’m a list person. I crave reminder notes; I live to cross items off my to-do lists; and my entire life is organized on a calendar. This is partly because I have a terrible memory … More My Bucket List
