Hey, guys! It’s election week! It’s been a long and stressful one for so many of us. Ryan and I are currently cooped up in quarantine with COVID on top of it all! (Don’t worry, we are doing just fine!) I wanted to make something to make us feel better, and nothing is more delicious and comforting than my favorite Paleo Chicken Pot Pie Soup! I found this recipe years ago when I started the AIP diet, and it got me through. It’s the most delicious, creamy, hearty soup ever! I make it for others when they’re sick or lost a loved one and EVERYONE always asks for the recipe because they loved it so much, too! It’s such a crowd pleaser that I even make it for our annual Christmas Eve party. The best part is, it’s as healthy as it is easy to make! No gluten, dairy, grains, nightshades, nuts, soy, or anything artificial. Just whole foods goodness! The original recipe is from “Paleo On a Dime” but I have tweaked it a bit and I think it’s perfection!
What You Need:
2 lbs of organic chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs, cubed
1 large garnet sweet potato (at least 3 cups cubed)
2 cups of cubed butternut squash
3 cups of frozen California vegetable mix
2 cups frozen cut green beans
1 TBS sea salt
1/3 cup of coconut oil
3 ribs of celery chopped
4 cloves of garlic
2 cups of chicken broth
1.5 cups of coconut milk
1/3 cup of tapioca starch
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried parsley
sea salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It:
Place cubed chicken in the bottom of your crockpot.
Cover the chicken with frozen vegetables, cubed sweet potatoes, and butternut squash.
Add your salt (you can always wait to salt it to taste as well).
Whisk the tapioca starch and coconut milk in a bowl until smooth and set aside.
Add the coconut oil to a pot over medium high heat.
Add your chopped celery and garlic and sautee briefly until fragrant.
Add the chicken broth and stir.
Add the tapioca and coconut milk mixture and bring to a light boil while adding in the parsley, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. (salt and pepper can always be added later to taste). The soup may get thick and sticky looking. This is normal. It will be creamy and delicious later, trust me!
Pour the soup mixture over the chicken and veggies in your crockpot.
Set the crockpot for 6 hours on low. Stir once after about 3-4 hours.
ENJOY!
Let me know what you guys think! I hope you love it as much as we do! Check out my Instagram reels for a quick video on how I make it, too! Wishing you all health, peace, and love this coming holiday season <3
Hey, guys! It’s been a minute since I have written on the blog! I have had so much going on this year and needed to take a break. But, I couldn’t let this major sale go by without a dedicated blog post for you to reference! So, let’s get into it!
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale happens once a year and I love it because a lot of great items go on sale that are staples throughout the year, like jeans, boots, bags, coats, and tons of beauty products! As we all know, Nordstrom carries some high-end brands and they can be a bit pricey. So, right now is a great time to grab some things you might not normally splurge on. I love to buy quality pieces that last a long time, and this sale always delivers that! That being said, please don’t feel that you have to over-spend or get all of these pieces or you won’t feel trendy for the fall or anything like that! There will be a lot more sales happening in the future. Only buy what speaks to you and feels right. No one needs to go broke over the Nordstrom Sale!
The sale dates are listed below. Cardholders can shop the sale first. Cardholers are broken down into categories based upon how much you spend at Nordstrom annually. If you spend a lot, you get to shop first! Then it gradually opens up to each tier, until eventually it opens up to the public (non-cardholders) on August 19th. If you’re not a cardholder, you can sign up to be one now and still get earlier access. It’s definitely worth it if you want to shop a lot of the sale items and if you shop at Nordstrom frequently, because you can earn Nordstrom Notes (basically store credit). Every purchase you make gives you points and eventually you’ll earn $20 rewards. I get these a lot and love it when I go to checkout and have some rewards to use! So REWARDING, lol. But, the interest rates are high though, so you want to be sure you can afford to pay it all off. Here is a breakdown of the dates:
I’ve broken down my picks into categories for you to easily shop. I tried to keep everything reasonable price-wise. No one needs to go bankrupt at this sale, especially in these times, so this is everything I thought was awesome and well-priced!
TOPS & SWEATERS:
I love to stock up for fall during this sale! Snagging some Free People sweaters is always a good idea! They’re the best sweaters and last forever. I love this Free People turtleneck tunic that I linked in a few colors (Black, Ivory, and Purple). I can see this being a winter must-have! I am also loving the cropped tops again this fall as well. Plaid button downs are big this year, too!
DENIM:
Jeans are a great thing to shop during this sale! They tend to be pricier brands at Nordstrom, so I like to snag a pair or two right now. I LOVE the Good American brand. They are incredibly flattering and sooo soft and comfortable. A MUST! I also have and love these Levi’s. I wore them in a post and everyone freaked over them. They’re so cute! I am a huge fan of Topshop denim, too and you can grab these for a steal! I really love this pair of Rag & Bone, too!
ACTIVEWEAR:
I don’t like to spend much on activewear, so I didn’t like a lot of the items that were pricier. I mean, you can get great activewear for less on Amazon (check out my LikeTOknow.IT account, I have a ton linked there!) and other sites, but here is what I thought was worth it! NOTEWORTHY: The Spanx faux leather leggings are TOTALLY worth it! I have had mine for 3 years and they’re still in great condition! Love them.
LOUNGE/SLEEPWEAR/INTIMATES:
I love me some loungewear and PJs! Feels so good to put on something cute and cozy at the end of the day (or beginning! LOL!). Since we are working from home a lot, why not, right?! Here are my favs! (Note: I missed a pair of PJs from the first collage in the linked items beneath, so I included it in the second widget with the second collage 🙂 )
COATS & JACKETS:
Coats and jackets are some great items to get during this sale! Since they’re pricier, it’s a great time to grab some for less! These are what I’m eyeing:
SHOES & BOOTS:
I dunno about you, but I am a shoe freak! I can’t have enough! So, I snag a few pairs at this sale every year. A lot of these come in different colors, too, so definitely click on a style if you like it and check out the color options! I felt like the options weren’t as plentiful this year, but here is what I love the most:
DRESSES & SKIRTS:
I found a handful of dresses and skirts I thought were cute and worth spending some money on. Honestly, I wasn’t blown away by a lot of them. I added a couple to the shop-able widget below, too!
ACCESSORIES:
I found some really cute accessories that I love! Accessories can really change the tone of your outfit, so I like to have some up to date ones on hand. Here are my picks:
BEAUTY:
I found a lot of great skincare tools included in this sale! I have the NuFace Facial Toning Kit and I really love it! I think it does make a difference in keeping your skin tight, toned, and lifted. I also use these Dr. Dennis Gross peels frequently. They are great exfoliators and keep your skin fresh and youthful looking. I often use the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion for acne and this is a great price for this kit! I’m really interested in these light stimulators for wrinkles and acne, too! I linked some makeup as well. It is NOT nontoxic, so please beware of that. I don’t wear this brands often because of that, but for special occasions when I get my makeup done professionally or want different colors, I will wear them on occasion. I loved the colors, so I thought I would share in case you’re interested. I like this Kopari deodorant. It is clean! And of course the brushes are all great! Having good brushes to apply your makeup makes a HUGE difference! I never thought it did until I tried it and it’s like night and day!
Alright, guys! That is a wrap on my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year! I will have all of this linked in the LIKEtoKNOW.it app for you and saved as a highlight on my Instagram feed as well. So, you will be able to reference these items and collages here and there as well! As always, let me know if you have any questions and if I can help you at all! Also, please do know that these are affiliate links. I do make a small commission from you shopping through these links. It’s not much, but making this post, collages, and linking all of these items takes many hours to do, so I appreciate you supporting my efforts for this blog so much through these links! It helps to keep it going and cover the costs. You guys are always so kind to shop through the links and I want you to know that I deeply appreciate it 🙂 Happy shopping! <3
Happy Wellness Wednesday, ladies (and gents if you are reading this)! I hope you’re having a great week. I am spending the day at the spa with my hubs and I’m so excited! We really needed a day off together to relax and unwind. We have been working our bums off and I’ve also been unwell for the last two months. So, for Valentine’s Day I got us a gift certificate for massages and facials! Self-care is a must for me. I take it very seriously, haha. Speaking of which, I wanted to share one of my self-care practices with you today: dry brushing!
What is dry-brushing and how do I do it?
Dry brushing is pretty much exactly what it sounds like! You literally take a stiff, bristled brush and brush your entire body in upward circular motions on dry skin. Start at the feet and work your work your way up your legs going toward the heart. This helps the lymphatic system to drain properly. Then, you can brush your abdomen, arms, armpits, glutes, back, and even your face if you like. Brush each section thoroughly. I like to do about 3-5 circular motions in each area. You don’t want to do it too roughly, though, especially if you have sensitive skin. For those with eczema, psoriasis, or other kinds of skin conditions, I would recommend asking your doctor if it’s something you’re interested in trying. They would know your particular case best and if it would be a good idea for you or not. I would guess you might want to avoid it. But, if you have normal skin, it’s recommended to do it 1-3 times a week. You may experience some redness and that is normal. But, if your skin gets very irritated, hurts, cracks, or bleeds, you are definitely doing it too hard. Decrease the pressure and give yourself some time in between brushings to let it heal. I would advise starting lightly and increasing your pressure. You may even peel after the first couple of times. That’s okay. Don’t be worried about that! It will reveal softer, smoother skin and the peeling will eventually stop.
I always dry brush right before I get in the shower so that I can wash off the dead skin cells right away. When I’m done in the shower, I use a lotion that’s all natural like shea or cocoa butter.
You want to get a brush that has nice and firm bristles. I like one with a long handle because you can reach your back more easily. You should replace it every 6 months to a year as well as wash it every couple of weeks. This helps to remove built up dead skin cells! Yuck.
What are the benefits?
There are lots of reasons to dry brush! You might be surprised. It sounds pretty non-exciting, but it does deliver some solid benefits.
EXFOLIATION: Dry brushing as you can imagine is a great way to exfoliate your body. We spend so much time on faces, we shouldn’t ignore the rest of our skin! I’m sure J. Lo doesn’t get her youthful glow (at age 50) on her legs by ignoring them, know what I mean? Gotta take care of the whole thing! This process eliminates dead skin cells and reveals softer skin. It can even help with ingrown hairs that cause those tiny bumps. I notice my skin is much softer when I make it a habit to dry brush.
STIMULATES THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: The lymphatic system is crucial to staying healthy! By stimulating this, we are improving our overall health and immunity. The lymphatic system distributes lymph (a fluid that contains white blood cells which are responsible for fighting infections) throughout the body. This system is also responsible for removing a lot of the body’s waste, including unwanted fat cells! By stimulating the lymphatic system, you are helping your body to detox better.
INCREASED CIRCULATION: Dry brushing helps to increase your circulation. This is important to maintain healthy blood and oxygen flow throughout the body. It allows organs like your lungs, heart and muscles to function at optimal levels. Good circulation also means your immune system will function better because the white blood cells are properly transported, fighting off infections. Increasing your circulation can also give you an energy boost! YAY!
POSSIBLE CELLULITE REDUCTION: There’s no real evidence out there to say that this is necessarily true. I can’t tell you my experience because I don’t have cellulite myself – at least not yet. But, it’s very common and totally normal if you do. Dry brushing has been reported to reduce cellulite because it is a toxic material that is allegedly trapped in fat cells beneath the skin. The increase in circulation is supposed to help rid the body of toxic substances including cellulite. So, it may not get rid of it, but it could reduce the appearance of it.
My Dry Brush Recommendations:
As I mentioned above, I like a brush with a long handle so you can get to hard to reach places without pulling your back out! I also found some that will work best for your face if you want to try brushing your face as well. If you do brush your face, I would recommend getting a special facial brush like the ones I linked here because they will be more gentle on that delicate skin. Here are some great body and facial brushes I found in different price ranges.
I personally like to dry brush! My skin feels softer, smoother, less flaky and dry, and I like knowing that I’m potentially helping my immune system and detoxification pathways. If you’re interested, give it a try! It might not be for everyone, but it could possibly help you, too. As always, I am not making any kind of health claims. This is only my experience. I am not a licensed medical professional. I just like to share my self-care tips and routines with you all, but that does not mean that they will or will not work for you.
Thanks so much for stopping by and reading! Have a fabulous rest of your week!
Hey, guys! Happy Thursday! It’s been a hot minute since I did a fashion post, right?! Sorry about that. Life has been crazy since the holiday season, and I haven’t been feeling well. It’s been hard for me to work at all, but I’m doing my best! I did do some wellness posts the last two weeks, so if you haven’t yet, head on over to the wellness tab and check those out, too! But, today it’s all about the F-A-S-H-I-O-N! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and if you’re looking for a cute outfit for your date or a Galentine’s girls night out, I got ya covered!
I put together several looks from things I have in my closet already, plus this gorgeous top by one of my favorite brands, Wayf! I am using some pics I took at home with my phone for this post because there are so many outifts. Sorry the quality isn’t as good as it usually is, but I couldn’t shoot all of these with the professional camera. I hope you don’t mind 🙂 Let’s get started!
First up of course, is this floral peasant top from Wayf that I am so in love with! You guys know I love a statement sleeve, and this one is so good! I love that it’s shorter sleeved so it will transition into spring and summer so well, too! The black background with the pop of pink is so pretty! I love black florals. The square neckline makes it even more unique and so flattering. I paired it with my favorite pair of Good American distressed black denim and some combat boots to make it a little edgier. I also would love it with faux leather pants or a skirt! It would look really cute with some high-waisted, wide leg pants, too. Wayf is one of my favorite brands, so if you haven’t heard of them, definitely check them out. They make so many cute things.
Next, is this vintage-inspired dress by House of Harlow. I love this dress! I got it last season, but they brought it back! Unfortunately it is sold out in this pink and red combo, but it’s available in all red, which is also perfect for your V-Day date! It’s a little pricey, though, so I’m linking some others that are similar but better price points.
I paired this dress with these white booties to top off the throw-back vibes! I love the cut of this dress. It reminds me of Megan from Mad Men! Getting lots of 60’s feels in this dress. I like that it is a mini dress but it’s not overly revealing. So many dresses now are short AND super low cut. I don’t like to feel overly exposed. But, showing a little pop of skin here or there still makes it flirty but not tacky. The length on this is nice. It definitely shows off some leg but isn’t too much! Ryan loves it, too, so that makes it even better 🙂
One of the perks of being a Revolve ambassador is that you get access to all of the new arrivals! This adorable little sweater just came in right as I was working on this post, so it was perfect timing! I love this sweater. It’s so cute! I love how it’s shaggy and so comfy, but the asymmetric neckline makes it super on trend. The color is so perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day date. Your date won’t be able to not pet you in this, haha! It’s so soft.
I paired it with my favorite pair of Good American vintage denim. I love the mix of the pink with the faded, washed blue. I added my white pumps with this for a nice pop! I love these colors together. So fresh even in the dead of winter! This is a really sweet, casual look for your special night!
Next up is this top by LPA. I’m in love with this one! It’s such a fun blouse. It has a mock neck, smocked waist, and the back is open with a t
ie. I typically wear a black cami underneath and it still looks cute that way! I love the tiger print! Tiger is huge this season. It even has a tiny bit of pink in it, so it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day!
I paired this with a faux leather zip up skirt and some over-the-knee boots! I love it with a skirt, but it looks just as great with jeans or faux leather pants, too! Linking this look and some other options that are similar for you!
This next outfit is one of my favorites! I am obsessed with these pants! Cargo pants are back in a big way. I found these faux leather ones that fit like a dream at ASOS. They are so comfortable, but deliver some serious style! You can wear them with so much! It would look great with a tee for a casual look, a bodysuit, or blouse for a night out. I have them paired with a balloon sleeve, red sweater here. The balloon sleeve sweater is going strong! I love it.
I paired these with some leopard booties or some black pumps! I think either works well! This is a really cute, comfortable, but still dressed up look for your date night!
I’ve shown you guys this super cute BB Dakota top before, but it’s a perfect time to bring it back again because it’s the prettiest dark, mauve pink color for V-Day! I love the cut of this top. It’s so flattering and unique. The sleeves are so pretty and flowy and the back has a tiny little key-hole and tie to make it more interesting. Love the details! It’s so soft. It’s a velvet material with ribbed texture.
I paired it with some distressed black denim and Dr. Martens combat boots to edge it up a bit! It’s a perfect casual outfit for a more chill date. I love the touch the boots give this look, but you could totally do some heels if that’s more your style!
Next up is this pink dress by Finders Keepers! I love this dress! It was such a huge seller this season. It sold out multiple times on Revolve. It was hard to get my hands on, but I eventually did! I wore this out for Ryan’s birthday this year. It’s such a fun one! The color is so gorgeous! I love the mock neck. This cut is so popular right now. It has a drawn in waist and cinched thigh.
I paired it with these Steve Madden Kinga boots! These were one of the best purchases I made this fall/winter season. I wear them SO MUCH! They go with so many outfits and give them such a fun touch. I would highly recommend grabbing these, especially because they’re on sale in several places for next to nothing. They won’t last long! You can screenshot the lowest sale price and email it to the other companies if your size is not in stock at the lowest priced store. They will usually match it for you. Linking this dress and some others that are similar.
Finally, I have this top by Majorelle that I’m so in love with! I got this last year, too, but they brought it back again! Unfortunately, it’s almost sold out 🙁 But, they made it in the prettiest lavender color and it’s fully stocked! I love the ruching and piping detail on this top! The off the shoulder is just the right amount of skin. It’s just too cute.
I paired it with distressed denim and heels for a dressier look. You could totally rock some combat boots with this one, too, though! I’ve linked it below and some similar options.
Before I go, I wanted to share these Valentine’s Day inspired accessories! Hearts are really big right now in jewelry and handbags, so why not add a little love to your accessories, too?! 🙂
Don’t forget, you can also watch the video try-on version of these outfits in my Instagram story!
Alright guys! That’s it for my Valentine’s Day looks! I hope that you found something that inspires your look for V-Day. Which is your favorite? Leave me a comment below and have a fabulous rest of your week! 💖
Happy #WellnessWednesday my friends! Thanks for being here. I hope that your 2020 is off to a great start! With winter upon us, I have to take extra special care of my skin, as I know so many of you do, too! I get dry, flaky, and cracked! UGH. So, when I went looking for a serum to solve my winter skin blues, I was pleasantly surprised to not only find an amazing moisturizing serum, but a new tool to help with inflammation and lymphatic drainage of my skin! Bye-bye puffiness and dull dryness! See ya never. If you’ve seen the jade and rose quartz rollers all over Instagram and Facebook, but haven’t a clue what the hype is about, I’m about to fill ya in! But, first let me tell you about where I found mine!
One of my favorite places to find clean beauty skincare that’s also cruelty free, is Cyna Glow! Cyna Glow has awesome brands for non-toxic self-care products. It’s owned and operated by my friend Cynthia, who is a pretty incredible woman! She’s totally into wellness in a natural, holistic way, which you know I support 100%. Cynthia started her clean beauty lifestyle after suffering from allergies, as so many of us do. She started researching the products she used, and while she was totally taking great care of herself physically, she realized that the luxury skincare and beauty products she had been using on her body weren’t all that healthy because they were filled with toxic ingredients. She quickly understood that what goes on her body is just as important as what goes in it. This inspired her to start her own non-toxic self-care store, Cyna Glow!
In addition to running Cyna Glow, Cynthia is a member of the National Wellness Institute and a certified wellness coach in training. She also recently became a Beautycounter representative, helping to further spread the word about accessible, clean beauty products. She is dedicated to educating people about holistic, non-toxic products and lifestyles. On her website, you will also find she writes a blog with many articles about ingredients to avoid and how the wrong beauty and self-care products can contain hormone disruptors and cancer causing agents. Cyna Glow’s mission is:
“I believe in a better lifestyle for everyone.
It is my goal to spread awareness for holistic, natural beauty. I truly believe that there is an easy way to incorporate a beauty routine that is both good for you and the environment.”
I love to support small businesses like Cynthia’s because she is a woman just like you and me. She has a vision and she is determined to see it through. She is so passionate about helping others be healthier while still providing incredible products that work! Be sure to check out Cynaglow.com!
While I was scrolling through Cynaglow.com, I decided to check out these rollers once and for all! I’ve seen so many people using them and I wanted to know what all the fuss is about. So, I ordered the rose quartz jade roller and honestly guys, I’m hooked! Here’s why…
Crystals Have Healing Energies:
If you’re not familiar with crystals yet, they have long been known to possess healing energies! People all over the world use them to balance chakras and heal the body from all kinds of ailments, both physical and emotional! Jade is known to help with anxiety and fatigue and protect against negative energy. Rose Quartz cleanses and opens the heart. It helps to promote peace, love, self-love, friendship, and deep inner healing. Sounds like something my face also needs! LOL. But for real, I love crystals and I keep them around me all the time. Plus, they feel really good when they massage your face!
Lymphatic Drainage and Increased Blood Flow:
I was recently watching a makeup tutorial video by this super famous, celebrity makeup artist. She said that if you massage the face enough before you put on makeup, you won’t need nearly as much foundation. So, when I saw that this roller is basically a lymphatic drainage massage for your face, I was instantly intrigued. Massaging the face helps increase blood flow, which gives you a nice glow! At the same time, it helps to drain lymph fluid from your face that can cause puffiness. I have trouble with puffiness around my eyes and my jaw line, so I was really wanting to give this a try. I use it for a few minutes with a serum at night before bed and in the morning before makeup and I can see a difference. My face looks less puffy and dull! A great tip is to keep it in the fridge or freezer to give your skin even more of an anti-inflammatory boost! Just like we ice our injuries, coldness helps the skin’s inflammation, too. It’s also been known to help with fine lines and wrinkles! Where do I sign up for life?
Acne:
The roller is also helpful for acne because of its anti-inflammatory effect. I struggle with acne on my chin and forehead sometimes, as well as my cheeks. So, having a tool to help with this inflammation is a welcomed concept! If you have a lot of inflammation around the acne, just make sure to sterilize your roller with a bit of alcohol or soapy, very hot water, and roll away from the troubled spots. Which brings me to my next topic…
How to use a Jade roller:
You want to start with a clean face! Make sure there aren’t any traces of makeup that you might be pushing into your pores. You can roll in the morning and evening! In the morning, I like to use a light moisturizer with the roller, and in the evening I love to use Luna Nectar Serum, which I will get to next!
After your face is nice and clean, take your roller out from the fridge or freezer. Apply your moisturizer or serum and begin with one section of your face. I typically start with my lower face and jawline and work my way up, using the larger end of the roller for the majority of the face, and the smaller end for around the eyes. You want to roll your face in an upward, outward motion. Roll away from the face, and never back and forth. Pick up the roller after each roll and repeat. I do each section of the face three times. Around your forehead, roll straight up, and around the eyes do the same. You can also roll your neck. Start at the center and roll upward and outward on each side.
It feels so good! Like a massage or facial right at home. I love it!
So, I’d heard about this amazing serum from Cyna Glow and I had to try it out for myself! I was struggling with dry, flaky skin in patches and Cynthia recommended I give this serum a shot. I am so glad, because it really helps! It’s completely non-toxic, certified cruelty-free and vegan by PETA, all-natural, and made of mostly all organic ingredients! You might have guessed by it’s name that it helps to give your skin a great glow and fix troublesome redness, inflammation, and severe dryness! I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now and already my dry patches have cleared up and my skin looks bright and feels so soft.
I use the Luna Nectar Serum at night because it is a heavier moisturizer than my skin can handle during the day. I have combination, thin skin, so if you have really dry, thicker skin, this could work for you during the day as well. But, for my skin type, it’s perfect at nighttime. It’s like a recovery drink for the skin! It has a subtle orange glow to it and makes me look like I’ve got a bit of a tan, which I love! Don’t be freaked out when you first apply it. Once you roll or rub it in, the orange-ness dissipates.
There are 15 active organic ingredients in the Luna Nectar Serum that make it so powerful! Some of them include Rosehip and Gotu Kola! What makes it work so well are the antioxidants, Vitamin A and C, essential fatty acids, Omega-6, and Omega-9. It’s a great serum for damaged, dry skin that needs some serious healing. It’s also so great if you’re just looking for a radiant glow! Added bonus: you can use it on your hair, too! It’s perfect for dry ends. Just add a couple drops to your palms, rub them together and smooth onto the ends of your hair!
Soooo… Great news, guys! You can use my code: DRESSWELL15 for 15% off of your purchase on Cyna Glow’s website! In honor of their one year anniversary, Cynthia would like to extend this special offer to you! I would highly recommend trying out the Jade or Rose Quartz roller and the Luna Nectar Serum. I’m really enjoying both of these items. But, she’s also got some other amazing self-care finds there that you should definitely check out as well. You can also give her a follow on Instagram here! The promo code is valid now through February 9, 2020.
Thank you to Cyna Glow for sponsoring today’s post!
As always, let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in any way!
Happy weekend, friends! I hope that you had a fabulous Christmas with your friends and family! We got to spend a lot of time with ours and it was so nice. But, I couldn’t have done it all without the help of Walmart’s new InHome grocery delivery service! Because of their new service, I didn’t have to go running off to the store several times throughout the week to grab what I needed. Instead, I just hopped on my phone, opened up the Grocery app, and ordered everything I needed right from my couch! They delivered it straight to my home and I didn’t have to lift a finger. I recently signed up for this InHome grocery delivery service and I am so excited to share all about it! It’s been a serious time and energy saver and has helped me stay on track with my nutrition goals, too.
How It Works:
So, you might be wondering, “How does this work exactly? What all’s involved?” Well, it is really pretty simple! Once you download the InHome app (click here for Android and here for iPhone) and sign up for the service, Walmart comes to your home and installs a Smart Level Lock device either on your front door or your garage door. This way, the delivery service can come and go even if you’re not home. But, don’t fret, they use a one time access code so no one can come back and re-enter your home a second time. They can only enter during your delivery window with your specific delivery. You get a notification when the delivery is on its way, and again when the delivery person arrives at your home.
If you choose the front door delivery, they will put your groceries away in your kitchen fridge. If you choose the garage entry, they will put them in your garage fridge. The best part is, they even clear away the bags and boxes. There’s no mess left for you to clean up!
Something else to note is that the delivery person wears a camera, which is awesome! As soon as the delivery begins at your home, they turn on their camera and you can watch from your app while the delivery is happening to ensure that you feel safe and that your home is in good hands. The delivery video can be viewed for a week after the delivery if you aren’t able to watch it live. They also heavily vet their delivery personnel and are well insured. I love how Walmart makes so much effort to make you feel comfortable!
Ordering Groceries:
So, when you’re ready to make your first order for a delivery, you just hop onto Walmart’s Grocery App (the orange one! Click here for Android and here for iPhone) and select to reserve your InHome delivery day. Deliveries are available for the following business day or the next few days after, whatever your need might be. You’ll get a time window for your delivery as well. Then you just shop, and add everything to your cart that you need. You can even add household items, clothes, toys, you name it. If it’s at your local Walmart, you can add it! If something is not available, you can turn on substitutions and they will automatically substitute an item that is similar for you.
Then, you just wait for your notification that your delivery is on its way! It’s really very simple and easy. I could get used to this convenience!
Why I Love It:
I love that Walmart has so many amazing fresh, organic produce options and the prices can’t be beat! This has helped me so much! I am better able to stay on top of my meal prep and planning when I have healthy foods that align with my nutritional needs right at my fingertips. They also have really great brands of specialty food items for those of us who have food allergies or restrictions. I can find practically everything that I need in one place!
When I place my order, I know that it will be delivered the next day and I can plan ahead for what I’m going to make without having to spend an hour or more wandering around the store. I used to go to the grocery store exhausted and starving, buy a bunch of things I didn’t need or shouldn’t eat, and then get home only to be too tired to even make the dinner, haha! Anyone else do this?! It’s been a huge time and energy savings for me and has really helped me stay on track with my dietary needs.
I also want to note that this service would be very helpful for you or someone that you know that has chronic illness or cancer. I know a lot of you suffer from conditions like these, and you know I can relate. There were years where I couldn’t even step foot in a grocery store, let alone lift a bag of groceries! So, keep it in mind as a suggestion for someone who could use a little help in this area.
I have had a few very successful deliveries already and they went off without a hitch! No issues at all, and I feel completely safe and satisfied using this service. I do want you to know that this post is sponsored by Walmart. But, as you all know, I do not recommend anything to you that I don’t use and love myself. Walmart’s InHome delivery service is definitely on the list of things I value. I hope that it helps you to stay on track with your wellness goals and saves you time this year as well! Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can help you out with this service in any way! Always here and happy to help.
Cheers to less stress and healthier habits in 2020!
Happy Wellness Wednesday, friends! Can you believe that Christmas will be here in a week?! Wow. This whole fall and holiday season has really flown by, but it’s been a fun one! Today, I’m sharing some of my FAVORITE Paleo recipes for the holidays with you! Five years ago, I started the Autoimmune Paleo Diet to hopefully get my Autoimmune Disease into remission, and it worked like magic! Ever since, I have been doing the regular Paleo diet to keep things in check. My body and my gut feel so much better when I stick to it. I did have a stint in plant-based as many of you know, but I was struggling with the starchy proteins and my doctors thought it was best to return to Paleo. So, here I am! That’s why I want to share some of my go-to recipes that have brought me that nostalgic holiday feeling, despite being free from so many things that are often in our classic Thanksgiving and Christmas favorites!
CAULIFLOWER MASH:
Photo from “The Rookie Cookie”.
Have you guys ever had those store-bought Bob Evan’s Mashed Potatoes? I think they were on Oprah’s list of favorite things, haha! We used to get them and cheat by microwaving them for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Lol. Time gets tight and sometimes you gotta fake it til you make it, right? Well, we have long since given up processed, store-bought foods like this and make everything from scratch ourselves. Good news is, since it’s Paleo, there are very few ingredients, and it’s surprisingly very simple and easy to make! These cauliflower mashed “potatoes” taste just like the Bob Evans mashed potatoes! In fact, some people like them even better! I found this Rosemary & Garlic Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes” recipe on Pinterest from The Cookie Rookie! There are no potatoes in this recipe, but you’ll be totally shocked at how much it tastes like potatoes! This photo is from The Rookie Cookie and her recipe can be found here.
*** NOTE: When using this recipe, I do not use butter or cream cheese. I substitute Kite Hill Almond Cream Cheese for the cream cheese, and I use Beyond Balance vegan butter in place of the butter, and they turn out beautifully!
BRUSSEL SPROUTS:
Photo from “Bravo for Paleo”.
Everyone loves brussel sprouts! Who knew this little vegetable would become so trendy!? But seriously, they are so delicious. If you haven’t re-tried them in your adulthood with a good recipe, you’re missing out! I’m not a fan of steamed brussels, but roasted, sauteed, or fried are insanely good! This recipe is roasted and I’ll share my quick recipe that I do as well. But, if you’re looking for a brussel sprout recipe with a lot of different flavors, I love this one by Bravo for Paleo! She is a Paleo food blogger and has great recipes to share. This Brussel Sprout Salad has dijon mustard, pecans, apple cider vinegar, and raisins to really amp up all of the seasonal notes! This is Monica’s photo and you can find this recipe here. It’s been a big hit at my holiday dinners! The flavors really mesh well together.
***ALTERNATIVELY: I like to make a simple brussel sprout recipe. Here is how I typically do them that’s quicker but still so delicious!
CRISPY BALSAMIC ROASTED BRUSSEL SPROUTS:
1 Bag of Brussel Sprouts, washed, ends trimmed, and halved
Arrange your brussel sprouts (and optional bacon) on a baking sheet evenly.
Drizzle a generous amount of avocado oil over them
Sprinkle salt and garlic on top
Drizzle a generous amount of Balsamic Vinegar over top
Put your baking tray in the oven and set a timer for 20-25 minutes. It works well if you flip them in between, but not totally necessary. Keep an eye out because ovens vary. You want them to be brown and crispy but not completely charred.
Remove from the oven and enjoy!
ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH:
I eat this recipe probably every other day, no joke! It’s so delicious and is such a great little side full of sweet flavor! It’s a nice addition to almost any meal, it’s low in carbs, and has lots of nutrients. Win, win! Here’s how I make it:
1 Butternut Squash cut into small cubes, or pre-cut butternut squash cubes (this is the way to go in my opinion)
Avocado Oil
Organic Ground Cinnamon
Organic Garlic Powder or Minced Garlic
Sea Salt
Preheat oven to 425 F
Arrange your butternut squash cubes on a baking tray.
Drizzle with a generous amount of Avocado Oil.
Sprinkle Cinnamon, Salt, and Garlic over top.
Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Enjoy!
So simple, yet so delicious!
CRANBERRY SAUCE:
Photo from “Cook Eat Paleo”.
We used to eat cranberry sauce from a can, but making it fresh is so much more fun, healthy, and tasty! This recipe from Cook Eeat Paleo only has three simple ingredients: cranberries, orange juice, and honey or maple syrup. This is Lisa’s photo and you can find the quick and easy recipe here. It tastes delicious on turkey, with stuffing, and I’m sure it’d be amazing on ham, too!
PALEO PUMPKIN PIE:
Photo from “Cook Eat Paleo”.
This is a real crowd pleaser! Everyone likes this pumpkin pie recipe no matter what diet they’re on! I’ve been making this for five years now and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. It’s soooo easy and simple, but it tastes like a lot of effort went into it. This recipe and photo are also from Cook Eat Paleo. That’s a great account to follow for amazing Paleo dishes! You can find this recipe here.
***NOTE: I use coconut oil in place of butter or ghee for this and it works beautifully!
ZUCCHINI BREAD OR MUFFINS:
Photo from “Against All Grain”.
This zucchini bread recipe is also an absolute favorite of everyone! It’s honestly very hard to tell the difference between this and real zucchini bread! This recipe and photo are by the amazing Danielle Walker of Against All Grain (a MUST follow!). I’ve been making this for five years now as well and it never gets old! It tastes amazing just on its and that’s how I typically eat it, but you could add vegan butter like Earth Balance if you wanted to. I love to make this recipe both ways, as bread and as muffins. But, it’s easier in my opinion to do as muffins for the holidays because everyone can easily pass them around or send them home as leftovers with little mess. You can find this delicious recipe here.
DEATH BY CHOCOLATE BROWNIES:
Photo from “Delicious Obsessions”.
Because everyone needs brownies no matter what diet you are on! LOL. These brownies are made in a blender! So simple. They do have a slight banana taste to them because they are sweetened by the bananas. So, if you have an adverse taste to things with banana, these probably aren’t for you, but I love them! They’re very fudgy and rich, so you get that chocolatey flavor you’re craving, but you don’t overeat on these because they are pretty rich. This photo and recipe is from Delicious Obsessions and you can find the recipe here.
SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE:
Photo from “Cupcakes OMG”.
This Paleo sweet potato casserole puts all the rest to shame! It’s seriously incredible! I could eat it as dessert. It’s covered in pecans and really gives you that nostalgic holiday feeling! This recipe and photo are by Cupcakes OMG. Such a cute blog name! You can find the recipe here.
Alright guys, that’s a wrap on my favorite Paleo holiday dishes and desserts! I hope this might make your holiday feast feel a little more comfortable if you are following the Paleo diet, or a gluten, dairy, or grain free diet for the first time this year. Or, if you have been Paleo for years but are looking for some new ideas, I hope this sparked some inspo for you! If you try anything, please leave me a comment below. Thanks so much for reading and I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas!
Happy Wellness Wednesday, guys! I hope you’re having a great week so far. We have been sooo busy! It’s been nuts. I look and feel exhausted. I’m ready for this Christmas “break”, haha. Nothing stops in the blogging world, there really is no such thing as a break. But, I’m gonna have to find a way to take one because I desperately need it! I’m sure you all struggle as well with finding time to unwind from all of the stress of the holidays. I hope that you too can put things down and just be in the moment and enjoy time with your friends and family and just rest! Speaking of unwinding, let’s talk about this CBD…
Today I want to share a really awesome LOCAL to Pittsburgh CBD business with you! I was introduced to Hippie & French through a local friend of mine, and let me tell you, I am so impressed! Not only are the products totally top notch and effective, but the owner, Lindsay is so incredible herself! Lindsay is a recovering opiate addict. Please don’t judge her for a moment, though! Addiction to opiates is so incredibly common and can happen to anyone, especially those of us who suffer from chronic pain and mental and emotional disorders. But, Lindsay is a true warrior woman! She pulled herself together and got into recovery and started this amazing CBD business to help other people struggling with pain, chronic illness, addiction, mental and emotional health problems like anxiety, depression, and insomnia, among others. There’s nothing I love more than seeing someone triumph over tragedy and she has surely done that and more! I am so happy to get to help support her and I’m cheering her on all the way. You should, too! She recently donated a portion of her proceeds to AFSP Western PA, which is a non-profit organization that helps raise awareness for suicide prevention. She’s taken her hardships and turned them around to better the lives of others and there’s really nothing more inspiring than that!
Here’s a little snippet of what Lindsay has to say about her story and her store… “CBD has been a game changer for my anxiety without risk of addiction. It’s a natural approach for anxiety management. I opened this store because there wasn’t a reliable CBD only store in Pittsburgh… There wasn’t a place people could go to get quality CBD and I thought I could change that.” And that she did!
Lindsay has a ton of products to choose from at Hippie & French like CBD oil, CBD pain relieving cream, facial serums, chocolate, body scrubs, and even bulk hemp flowers. All of the products and brands have been very carefully vetted so you can trust that your CBD purchases are of the highest quality, and only whole plant derived options. They’re also supplied by women-owned, small batch companies, so you’re supporting your fellow ladies when you shop at Hippie & French! YESSS! You can shop online or visit her in her adorable store on Butler Street in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, PA. She even has products for your pets! My dog really needs something to calm him down, so I’m going to be purchasing the bacon and salmon flavored CBD for him!
Today I am sharing a fun holiday cocktail recipe with you, using Hippie & French’s Peppermint CBD oil! I love putting a bit of CBD oil in my cocktails. I like the flavor and I love the relaxed vibe I get from it. I have also personally noticed that I don’t get a headache as much or feel as tired the next day when I mix in a bit of CBD. I don’t drink often or much but when I do, I like to use the CBD for an extra stress-reliever. I notice that I also don’t feel the desire to drink as much when I add CBD! Not at all saying that there is any scientific evidence to support this, it’s just my personal experience and opinion. If you are a recovering alcoholic, or do not like to drink alcohol, you can absolutely leave the booze out of this drink and make a CBD mocktail!
I love holiday themed cocktails because they are so fun to serve to guests to make their experience in your home even more special during the festive season! This time of year, I like to use cranberry in a lot of my drinks. Cranberries have great health benefits and they make a mean mixer for cocktails, too! This drink has notes of ginger from the ginger beer, as well as peppermint from the CBD oil. Lots of seasonal favorites in this one.
Cranberry CBD Mule:
Servings: 2
2 ounces of Vodka or Gin
4 ounces Cranberry Juice (I use unsweetened because I like to keep the sugar content low, but if you prefer cranberry juice cocktail, by all means, use it!)
4 ounces Ginger Beer (Ginger Beer is more like a soda, not actual beer – this drink is gluten free, of course!)
Ice Cubes
Lime Wedges – give it a little squeeze in there!
Cranberries (fresh or frozen works, too!)
1 mL Hippie & French Peppermint CBD Oil
Sprig of Rosemary or Thyme for garnishing
Cocktail Shaker
To Make:
Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes and your glasses with ice, too.
Combine all of the liquids, including the CBD oil into the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.
Pour into your glasses of ice.
Garnish with cranberries, a lime wedge (I like to squeeze a bit in mine), and a sprig of Rosemary or Thyme.
Relax & Enjoy!
I hope that you will take some time to check out Hippie & French! I know I’m not alone when I rave about the store, its products, and the owner, Lindsay. There are lots of testimonials on the website from other customers and on her Instagram that you can find here as well! CBD oil has helped me and her other customers so much with insomnia, anxiety, and inflammation. Hippie & French is an amazing brand that I use and trust. And I must mention, the taste of the peppermint CBD is pretty amazing all on its own! Be sure to give her a follow on Instagram to get alerts on sales and promotions that she often does.
Thank you Hippie & French for gifting me this CBD oil and CBD cream. I greatly appreciate it! I do not receive any commission or payment from Hippie & French. I purely just wanted to share this brand and recipe with all of you. I love to support local businesses and Hippie & French is an amazing one!
Happy Weekend, babes! You made it! I can’t even believe we are this close to Christmas. Always so much to do, so little time! I’m hoping that this post helps you with your holiday dress shopping, though! Whether it’s for a Christmas party or New Year’s Eve, I have a ton of options for your festive bash! Let’s get started.
$100 & Under:
Most of the dresses in this category are actually well under $100! I found some cute jumpsuits, too. If something seems too simple for your taste, remember, you can always spice it up with some fun accessories like belts, jewelry, shoes, and a fun bag. Here are some of my affordable favorites!
$200 & Under:
There are some really amazing dresses that could pass for designers ones in this category! I love details, so anything with extra sparkle, buttons, or an exciting cut, hooks me right away! Lots of unique ones in this category. I’m loving all of these colors!
Over $200:
Maybe you’re going to a really special event this year and you want to treat yourself to a really amazing dress! If so, here are some of my favorites. Why do I love expensive things?! UGH. I think it’s because I pay very close attention to detail and am an artist myself, so I really get into the design work of the brands and designers that take things to the next level. Dangit!! Haha, it’s a problem for me, LOL!
I’m really loving the asymmetric neck and hemlines on these dresses! So fun. Plus, one of your arms gets to be warm, haha! Here are some of my luxurious favorites:
Since you’ll be getting fancy this season, you’ll want to have the accessories to match, right?! I’ve rounded up some of the cutest bags and jewelry I’ve seen lately to go perfectly with your festive ‘fits!
Hope you found something you love here today or at least a bit of inspiration 🙂 As always, thank you so much for shopping through my links. I get a very small commission from it, but appreciate every little bit as it helps me to keep this blog going. I am so grateful for your support! Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season!
Happy Cyber Monday! Let’s the sales continue! It is all kind of annoying, isn’t it? But, the prices are appreciated, so we put up with it and try our best to get all the shopping done NOW, lol. I’ve got a good dent in my gifts but still a little ways to go! I’ll get there. Today, I wanted to share a gift guide for the men in your life. I get stuck and never know what to get for my guys, so I did some digging around and found some great options that I hope will help you! Most everything is on sale, so make sure you click on it to take you to the site to see the sale price. Happy shopping!
CLOTHING & APPAREL:
Some more great looks at Express that are 50% off right now:
ACCESSORIES:
BARWARE:
BOOKS & GAMES:
GADGETS:
Alright, guys! That’s a wrap for my Gift Guide for Him! I hope you found some things that the men in your life will love! Let me know below if you’re needing help with anyone else and I’d be more than happy to assist! Be sure to check out the other gift guides I’ve done under the gift guide tab! Happy Holidays to you and yours.
