My Journey with Plant Based Wellness

 Hi friends! I am excited to share with you a little more about my wellness journey. Today I am going to share how I have incorporated plant based wellness into my daily routine and the positive effects I have had since doing so. Now I will also remind you that I am not a medical professional, just someone really passionate around living my healthiest life. So before you try something new or change things up for you, I recommend talking to your doctor first ;)

Ok so let's dive in here. For the past few years I had been hearing more and more about the benefits of CBD. Truthfully, I was intrigued but also pretty nervous about trying it.  I had never dabbled in drugs throughout my young adult life or into adulthood, so the thought of it being part of the "marijuana" family made me slightly uncomfortable. I also saw it being sold randomly in gas stations and odd places....again made me question if this was legit!

About a year and half ago I was seeing a friend of a friend sharing her story on Instagram around the benefits of plant wellness in her daily routine. I reached out to her and we began to chat through Instagram. She shared a lot of product knowledge with me, including that it was a product that is organic and grown and processed in North Carolina.  It made me much more comfortable, knowing that it was an organic product grown here in the US and not something shady sold on the streets or imported from another country.

I continued to talk with her a lot about the products and it's benefits, and about a year ago decided to make my first purchase. Funny story is that I received my order and it sat in the box for a few months. I was still reading and learning about the products and benefits until I felt comfortable.  Fast forward to this past fall, and I began to add some of these supplements into my routine regularly. And all I was left wondering is why I didn't start sooner???  I can honestly say after six months of using my daily regimen consistently, I have noticed a significant difference in how I feel everyday. And that difference is amazing. 

Why did I choose to incorporate plant based wellness?

As a full-time working mom, navigating the stresses that come with a full-time job, kids, working through busy kids' schedules, navigating the new challenges of life with teens, along with two sets of parents that are aging and working through what these next few years will look like for them, I found that my mind was always racing. With so many things happening it was sometimes hard to just focus on one thing at a time and it was also hard to find what I refer to as "peace in my mind". I was looking for something that could help calm my mind, but did not have a desire to seek out some sort of prescription. Since starting on this plant based wellness path, I have found a place of calm in my mind each day.

What do I use?

For me, I use a tincture of the broad spectrum each morning, along with the digestive combo. The tincture lasts up to 24 hours and brings me that daily sense of calm. I feel more focused and less edgy. 

The digestive combo helps to "keep moving things along" and eliminates bloat. It's really noticeable when I travel. I continue to use it on trips and don't' get that vacation bloat or uncomfortable stomach feeling. 

I also have the raspberry citrus jellies that I take occasionally at night. Where I used to have a glass of wine to unwind, if I have a particularly hard or stressful day, one of these nano jellies can very quickly restore peace to my mind. 

What benefits have I had?

I have mentioned a few of them already, but the game changer for me has been the overall sense of calm in a crazy period of life. Stress can be detrimental to your health in so many ways. I do manage my stress daily with exercise, good sleep habits and a healthy diet, but this has been the last piece of the puzzle for me in bringing that calm and reducing stress. The digestive combo has really helped to keep away the bloat and has been an asset in helping me drop 10 pounds since the beginning of the year. I stopped drinking alcohol at the end of last year, and this has helped me do it! The calm I feel each day, does not have me reaching for a glass of wine at the end of each work day. I feel like I am a much more patient mom and wife each day too. 

So that's just scratching the surface of some of the benefits. I felt compelled to share my journey, because I think there are so many others that may feel that unsettled mind all day or turn to that glass of wine each night. I am an open book about it, and would love to answer any questions you may have. You can reach out via email or send a dm on Instagram. 

Here is a little more on the products and how you can get them. If you would like to try them out, you can use my link to get $10 off and get sample of our top selling limoncello nano jellies- perfect for travelling!

This is my my daily lineup. The tincture and the digestive combo. 

This is a great offer! As a first time customer you can get your choice of nano jellies and our amazing chocolate collagen while saving $40 for auto replenish!

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk on plant based wellness! I would love to help answer any questions you have.

Have a great day! See you back here for Friday Favorites, where there is always room for one more at our family table. 

xoxo

Genevieve

Something New for your Family Table- Mexican Pizzas

 Hey, hey Monday!! We came off a full week wrapping up the kids’ Winter sports seasons. This week they are off from school and sports and looking forward to a chill week with no schedules!

After this week we will be back into school and practices and need a meal idea that comes together quickly. I saw Happy Healthy Sarah on Instagram share a picture of this for her family dinner one night and I was inspired to create something similar!

I feel funny calling it a “recipe” because it’s pretty simple with minimum cooking needed. Here’s what you will need.

One pound of ground chicken

1 packet taco seasoning (I prefer Siete)

1 can refried black beans (again- Siete)

Tortillas (Siete for the win again!)

Assorted taco toppings- cheese, sour cream, olives, jalapeño, tomatoes, cilantro- what ever you love on your tacos!

Preheat oven to 375.

Brown your chicken in a pan and when cooked through add your seasoning per packet instructions. 

While the chicken is browning, warm the beans just to make them easier to spread. Lay your tortillas on a baking sheet and spread about 1/4 cup of beans on each tortilla. I did sort of eyeball this recipe and it made about 6 pizzas. 

Once the chicken is cooked and seasoned, add about 1/3 cup on top of the beans and sprinkle with your choice of cheese. Side note, if you are not using the pre-cut parchment paper for cooking you are missing out. No tearing, they just lay right on your baking sheet and make clean up a breeze. I use them almost daily!

   Bake at 375 for about 8-10minutes, until cheese is melted. 

Pull them out of the oven and top with your favorite taco toppings! You can slice into 4 slices with a pizza cutter or eat it with a fork and knife. 

You can also easily swap out the ground chicken for ground beef or turkey or make it even easier with some rotisserie chicken tossed with salsa. 

It’s a different spin on taco night and was a winner in our house!

Let me know if you try this out! I’ll see you back here on Wednesday, where there’s always room for one more at our family table.

Xoxo

Genevieve

Friday Favorites February 16th

  TGIF friends! We are celebrating the end of the week and rolling into the kids' Winter Break. We are off to find some warmth and sunshine for the next week and we are ready for it!  But before we take off, I am linking up with Andrea & Erika for a little Friday Favorites. A peek into a few of my favorite things from the week. 

one

We had an action packed week with sports. The kids are both wrapping up their Winter sports seasons. Over the weekend, Luke and I were in Pittsburgh for his club volleyball tournament. He has found a specialized role as the team libero this year and it has been fun to watch him develop his skill set. 

Paul stayed home with Ella and watched her run her way to a Sectional Championship! She has made so much progress in her times this year and am excited to see some new doors open for her from a running standpoint. She will run again tomorrow in the State Qualifier. 

Luke had his last basketball game of the season on Wednesday and had some extra fans there to cheer him on. My parents and sister were there to cheer extra loud. Pretty sure he will be taller than all of us by this time next year!

two

As I am packing I thought I would share a few of my favorite travel things. I travel fairly often for work, so I have tried a number of different travel bags and this one is by far the best. It's actually the second one I have purchased. It can hold full sized products and zips up pretty compactly. It holds so much and is under $20! 

There's a hanger hook to easily open up and hang in the bathroom making it super easy to access everything without making a mess. 

Travel Bag

This makeup bag is another great travel find. It has inside pockets and a wired top so it stays open while on the counter- so easy to see inside and find what you are looking for!

Makeup Bag

This mirror is perfect for travel. Sometimes hotel bathrooms have awful lighting or when travelling as a family you may have limited bathroom time sharing amongst everyone. It has several lighting options, unfolds to stand up and is really slim and so packable. You can use it in the car or on the plane too. It comes in several color options, I have the white. 

Travel Mirror

Ok last travel favorite, although not specifically travel but this self tanner is the best. I have tried a lot of them, and this is the winner. I cannot tell you how many bottles I have gone through. I use it before vacations and all Summer long!

three

Ella and I spent last night together with a little pampering before our trip! A Starbucks run and pedicures with hot pink toes.... that's a favorite for sure!

four

New books for vacation are always a favorite! I love a paper book in hand. I am not a fan of reading digitally. Here is what I have on tap for reading this week. 

I am almost through this one and it has been so enlightening. Can't wait to finish and share my thoughts on it with you!

It has been a while since I have read a book from Liane Moriarty. I have enjoyed her writing and am excited to read this one. 

Paul will be wrapping up this book. So much great information in here on how to really live your best and longest life. 

This week I shared a new meal for your family table, Orange Chicken. It was a winner with our whole family. You can grab all the details here. 

Orange Chicken

And we took a fun look at little things I do everyday! You can catch that post here. 

Have a great weekend friends!

 I'll be back here on Monday, where there is always room for one more at our family table.

xoxo
Genevieve

Let's Look- Little Things I do Everyday

 Happy Valentine's Day Friends!  Not sure about you, but nothing too romantic planned over here today. We have work, kids practice, Ella has a hair appointment and Luke has his last basketball game of the season. I do have a special treat lined up for us after we get through all that!  There is a girl from my fitness studio that makes some better for you snacks and treats and I had to order this yummy Valentine's box. Cannot wait to sample these! Local friends, check out Danna at Feel Good Snax. You can follow along on her Instagram. 

Today I am linking up with Shay & Erika for this month's edition of Let's Look. A fun monthly post where we take a peek at some random little things in our lives. Today's topic, Little Things we do Everyday. 

Hmmm… I had to think about this one. In many ways, I’m a creature of habit, but I also like to mix things up once in a while. I guess I also feel like the things I do everyday are somewhat boring! So in no particular order here are some random little things that I do every day. 

1. I get up early. Usually before everyone else in the house. I have always been an early bird by nature. I continued that as my kids were little, as I really liked that quiet time before they got up and the day got started.  I guess I still like to have my quiet time. A few days a week I’m up at 4:15 to go to a workout class, the other days I’m usually up by 530. Even on the weekends, I love being up first and starting the day on my time :)

Coffee, sunhine and a quiet house... yes please!

2. This may sound random, but I always have some morning snuggles with my dog. We have a golden retriever, who has been great trained since she was a puppy. She could probably sleep out of her crate now, but she still goes in every night around 9 PM. When I head to see her in the morning, and it’s usually early, she just loves to get some quiet attention before she starts her day. 

3. I get most of my drinks ready the night before so they’re ready in the morning. In the morning, I have some protein mixed with almond milk and collagen, so I have the almond milk in my container in the fridge ready to go. And then I drink electrolytes every morning and I have those in the fridge ready to go as well. These are my favorite electrolytes, they have pretty clean ingredients. Watermelon is my favorite flavor, but you can get a sampler pack of 4 flavors to try out. 

 I fill both of those the night before and I feel like I’m saving time in the morning. I also set up our coffee maker the night before and set it on a timer, so it just starts brewing in the morning and it’s ready when Paul heads out to work. 

4. Move my body. Whether it’s a workout class at a studio, trying to get in a walk with the dog, or doing something at home (treadmill or Pilates class).  I feel so much better when I move. I do try to start my day with exercise, because gosh the days are busy. But even on days I am not able to get my workout in first thing, I do something later in the day. Even if its 20 minutes on the treadmill at 8pm!

5. I take  my vitamins and supplements. To be honest a couple of years ago I was very hit or miss with these things. These last 12 months I have been much more consistent with this and notice a huge difference in how I feel. I take my vitamins at night, that’s my personal preference. I take magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin D, and B12. In the morning, I take my plant based wellness supplements to help keep my head clear throughout the day and to regulate my digestion.  You can grab my regimen here adn get $10 off, plus a free gift!  Paul prefers to take his in the morning  and yes, we are now at the point in our lives, where we have matching pill containers. LOL

6. Eat breakfast. It might actually be my favorite meal of the day.  I hear so often that people don't like or don't eat breakfast and I can't imagine. I usually start my day with about 40-45 grams of protein at breakfast and it has made a big difference in how I feel throughout the day. I typically have my protein, followed by some greek yogurt with fruit or I may do a couple eggs. 

7. I talk to my Mom. I call her every day. Not much to talk about most days, but I call her everyday to chat even if just for a few minutes. If it's a crazy day with work travel or kids' schedules I'll text her to check in and let her know I will call her the next day. But 99% of days I call my Mom. 

Now for something I don't do. One thing that I don’t do every day is make my bed! I like structure in my life, I have a calendar for all of our personal stuff, a weekly meal plan, an organized all  items facing forward refrigerator (think, like sleeping with the enemy movie- crazy I know!)  But I have never in my life been a bed maker. I don’t know why, but it really doesn’t bother me either way. Now on the days I wash my sheets, I do love the feeling of getting into that freshly made bed, but I guess not enough to make it every day! anyway. I'm sure this is probably a controversial topic, but it’s just never been my thing. 

So there you have it. My list of 7 random things I do every day and one thing I don't!  How about you? Any fun, random or great things you do everyday? Drop them in the comments!

I'll see you back here on Friday. There is always room for one more at our family table. 

xoxo

Genevieve

Something New for Your Family Table Orange Chicken

 Happy Monday friends! We had a full, full weekend! One of those when you blink on Friday afternoon and all of a sudden it’s Sunday night! 

 Luke and I were in Pittsburgh for the weekend for lots and lots of volleyball! We made it home just in time for kick off of the Super Bowl last night. Paul stayed home with Ella, as she had an important track meet. She and her team won the team championship! And just like that, it’s Monday!

This week we’ve got three basketball games, practices, Ella has the final track meet of the season on Saturday and then we are heading out of town to find some warmth and sunshine!

But before we head out, we have to get dinner on the table every night, and I have something new for your family table to share today. We have a few favorite things that we eat around here. One of those is something created with a bowl. We love salmon bowls, chicken bowls, Mediterranean bowls, Mexican bowls. Something about putting a layer of rice or couscous, or salad, and then building upon that to create a meal is fun and delicious. Everyone can customize to their liking, so I count that as a win. 

When I saw this recipe for orange chicken, I knew we had to make an orange chicken bowl! Typically when you order orange chicken, the chicken can be fried, or there’s a ton of sugar and the sauce is too sweet for my liking. The sauce tastes really clean, and received 10 out of 10 from my family.

A few tips on the sauce. I always sub liquid aminos for soy sauce. And our grocery store has the most convenient frozen ginger. It comes in pre portioned teaspoon portions and is great to add to recipes. You can always have it on hand in the freezer in case you can't get fresh ginger. 

We tossed ours over some jasmine rice, but you can also do cauliflower rice, or even lo mein. Next time I make it, I will definitely add some veggies to the bowl as well, either some steamed broccoli or sugar snap peas, or maybe edamame.

The chicken cooks up really quickly, and you could put the sauce ingredients together and store it in a mason jar a couple days before, to make it easier for a weeknight meal. Another time saver is to have the chicken breast cut into smaller pieces and keep a container or a baggie until you’re going to make it.

 The actual meal itself comes together pretty quickly, so anything you can do ahead of time I think helps on a busy weeknight.

You can grab the full recipe here, and you can check out our fun reel on Instagram too!

Hope you have a great start to your week, and I’ll see you back here on Wednesday. There’s always room for one more at our family table.

Xoxo

Genevieve 

Friday Favorites February 9th

 Happy Friday friends! And just like that, we are one week into February! This month always seems to fly by for me. The kids winter sports seasons are wrapping up and we always escape the cold to get some warmth and sunshine in February, so this month just goes by! Today I am linking up with Andrea & Erika for a little Friday Favorites. A peek into a few of my favorite things from the week. I had a FULL week at work, so not my most exciting week!

one

This sweatshirt! It's a dupe for the Lulu scuba at a fraction of the price. I got it in the coffeegrey color in my true to size medium. I love the high neck and the pocket. I love a good sweatshirt and this one is nice and thick and has a little more shape that a typical hoodie/sweatshirt. 

 I just ordered it in black too. 

two

On Sunday Ella & I got to spend the morning working out together. We did back to back classes at our favorite spot, Clique. First up was a strength training class followed by a spin class. A great way to kick off the week with my girl. 

three

A big part of my health journey these last few months has been paying closer attention to what I eat and how it makes me feel. In working with a nutrition coach and leaning into some of what I have read, protein has become a bigger part of what I eat. I shoot to eat between 110-135 grams per day and have noticed a big difference in how I feel. This lunch is one of my go to meals lately and has 28 grams of protein. It tastes like a deconstructed chicken parm!

I use 1/2 cup of cottage cheese (Good Culture is my favorite), top with 1/4 cup or Rao's sauce and microwave for about 1 minute. I add 3 chicken tenders (I found a pretty clean/organic brand) that I air fry and add some crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat. Add a salad and it's a great lunch. 

And speaking of food, this was a new to me recipe this week. It will for sure be on rotation in our house! Air Fryer Asian Meatballs- we used them in a bowl. My family loves to make a "bowl meal". Take a simple protein and load it up with veggies. We do it all the time with salmon, chicken, beef....there are so many different possibilities. These Asian inspired bowls were delicious. You can see all the details here.

And that's a wrap on this week! After a week of work, track & volleyball practices, and 3 basketball games I'm ready for the weekend! And by weekend I mean a track meet and an out of town volleyball tournament! While our weeks are busy, I love getting to watch  my kids do what they love. So we divide and conquer. Paul is staying with Ella to watch her track meet and Luke & I are off on a roadtrip to his volleyball tournament. 

Have a great weekend friends!

 See you on Monday, there is always room for one more at our family table.

xoxo
Genevieve