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Lifestyle

My unexpected story of unworthiness

This past Monday night I found myself on a call with the beautiful women of our mindfulness program, Reset & Restore, having a conversation about something I want to share with all of you today because I think it’s something we can ALL relate to. 

It was the last call of our 4-week program and I wanted it to feel really special, so I had put a lot of time and energy into my plan for the evening.  But as the meeting started, and I began to see big warm smiles fill my computer screen, my “plan” quickly began to fade.

I think I feel so “at home” with these women that I subconsciously let my guard down and began to, unexpectedly, share a story I had NO intention of sharing just moments before.

As the words were coming out of my mouth I felt like I couldn’t stop them….it just sort of poured out and once I began I couldn’t go back.  We had very quickly gone off track and I was the one leading us there.   Read More

Beauty, Body

Why I dry brush every day

There are a lot of ways I incorporate self-care into my life, big and small.  It’s taken me a long time to understand the importance of these practices and make time for them, every day.

Instead of just rushing through my day mindlessly, I’ve made a conscious over the years to slowly start weaving in little practices that have added up to really helping me feel my best.

Everything from meditation to yoga.  Making time for weekly chiropractic adjustments, massages, and infrared saunas.  Down to things like gua sha facial massages each morning, and by brushing before my showers.

Each of these seemingly little things adds up.  And I think that’s why at 42 I feel my healthiest and happiest to date.

So I wanted to share one of these simple practices with you – dry brushing.

Dry brushing is one the simplest, most cost-effective, and fastest ways you can help support your body in the detoxification process.

Our bodies work REALLY hard every day to cycle through and detoxify all of the “things” that move through our bodies.  Our bodies (internally through what we eat and externally through our skin) are constantly being put under a toxic load, without us even realizing it.  There are so many things in our food, in our everyday skin and household products, and even just in our air that are really harmful to us. Read More

Wellness

Answering your questions on sobriety

One of the most unexpected, yet important, conversations I’ve had with all of you recently has been around my journey into sobriety.

Something I personally was never planning for myself, nor something I ever would have imagined writing about on this platform. And yet, here we are.

When I first shared my story of being curious around sobriety, I was overwhelmed by the response.  I was flooded (and I mean flooded) with stories and questions and comments all saying the same thing, “me too”.  The number one comment I heard over and over was “I kind of don’t want to drink anymore either, but I’m scared of……“

To this day, it’s been the most engaging topic I’ve ever shared on here. 

Which tells me a few things.  One, we are surrounded by alcohol everywhere we look. It’s become so ingrained in our culture that we forget we even HAVE a choice.  And two, most of us are ready to change that (more on this soon).

The other day I asked you to send in any questions you had for me around sobriety. This is in no way meant to be taken as advice, but rather just an honest conversation.  My hope is that by sharing some of what I’ve experienced or learned along the way, it can help you feel a little less alone or scared as you begin to explore your own journey. 

So let’s jump in… Read More

Motherhood

Setting down the invisible weight

I’ve heard this talked about so much lately. On podcasts, in books, during conversations with friends, it’s everywhere. The “invisible weight” that we as mothers, as women, as caretakers carry.  It’s been around for decades, but something we’re just beginning to talk about.  

And while I wholeheartedly believe it’s true, to be totally honest, I really don’t like this narrative.

And I know exactly why.

It touches a nerve deep within me. Because I told myself this SAME STORY FOR YEARS.

I carried that “invisible weight” around with me, proudly, for years. I would talk about it, complain about it, think about it. Obsessive over it. It was MINE, the badge I wore proudly, and I was gonna let you know (subtly and not so subtly) every chance I could.  

Can’t you see? Don’t you know?  Look at all I’m doing, with this weight on me, There’s no room for anything else…

But the truth is. I put that invisible weight there. I did that. And deep down, as much as I complained about it, I think in some twisted way, I loved it…..

Because it’s WHO I WAS.

It was deeply ingrained in my identity.  And without the “invisible weight” of motherhood, being a wife, caring for our home, family, friends, you name it, I’d be left with just me. Space. Time.

And that, my friends, was terrifying. It was easier to carry around the invisible load, to stay in my own suffering, than to step into the unknown.

Or to step outside the unspoken rule of womanhood. 

As women, we’re taught to carry our “invisible weight” PROUDLY.  After all, that’s what a “good woman” does.  How selfless she is, is touted and praised.  Self.  Less.

We are silently taught from the generations before us, and we, as women today, continue to feed the problem. 

We, women, put this weight on each other.  And we don’t even realize it.    Read More

Lifestyle

A year with you

This year your father and I made the decision to keep all four of you home with us and have you e-learn. I can’t say there are many things I’ve done as your mom, where I KNOW we made the right decision – but this is one of them. You’ve all been home, with us, for the past 15 months, and it’s been the hardest, yet the most beautiful year I’ve had as your mom. Together I don’t think we’ve cried (both happy and sad tears), laughed, or yelled more than we have this year, and I’m so grateful for it all Read More

Lifestyle

My favorite podcasts to help shift your mindset

I am a huge believer that what we put in our bodies matters – and that means EVERYTHING we take in. Including what we listen to. Who and what we listen to, and the toughs we fill our minds with matters.

I’ve always been a huge lover of storytelling and learning through other people’s words and experiences, which is why I’m such a huge lover of podcasts.

When I’m driving to the grocery store, folding laundry, or just going for walk, I find myself being transported in these stories and words.

Podcasts are an amazing free resource for all of us, on endless subjects. Today I’m sharing a few of my personal favorite podcasts with you all based around a growth mindset.

These episodes are not just educational and give you real tools and advice, but are deeply moving and inspiring.  These are episodes I find myself laughing and crying to.  Episodes where I’m pulling out a piece of paper to scribble down ideas.  Episodes that I keep coming back to, and I know you will too.

Here are a few of my personal favorite (in no particular order) podcasts to help shift your mindset: Read More

Style

Mother’s Day gift ideas you’ll want too

Mother’s day can be such an emotional day for a lot of us. In many ways, Mother’s Day is a day to recognize ALL the people in our lives who mother us, and nurture us, in all the different ways. From our biological mothers to the women in our communities, to our closest of girlfriends. We all mother in such different ways, and equally have as many different women in our lives who mother us.

So this Mother’s Day I thought I would put a gift guide together for ANY woman in your life – even YOU, who mothers in all the different ways.  I rounded up some of my favorite, beautiful things, from simple fresh flowers to a luxurious milk bath soak, down to my favorite necklace that I wear close to my heart every day.

My hope is that these ideas help you find something for every woman in your life on this beautiful day. Read More

Lifestyle

Unexpectedly Sober

Unexpectedly Sober

I never planned on being sober.  

If you would have told me back in December that I wouldn’t have a drink for four months, I would have laughed. After all, I didn’t have a drinking problem. 

And yet, here I am, 4 months sober.

I have been putting off writing this post because I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, offend anyone or make it seem as if I’m judging anyone. As a collective group, alcohol is so tightly wound into our culture, so I know I’m taking a risk in sharing this. But often the things we’re most afraid to say, are the things we must. So here is my story.

Like most I perceived around me, I considered myself a “social drinker”, whatever that means. A great bottle of wine over dinner, a spicy margarita on our patio with JP.  And every once in a while, having one too many with the girls on a rare Saturday night out.  That was about as wild as my story got.

But a drinking “problem”?  Never. 

After all.  I didn’t drink more than anyone else I knew.  In fact, I felt like I drank less. Read More

Style

My effortless spring style

I am so excited it’s finally starting to feel a little more like spring here in Chicago.  I love everything about spring – the longer days, spending more time outside with the kids, and of course a little spring wardrobe update.  I’m itching to pack away some of my winter clothes (anyone else?  Especially my kid’s winter boots and gloves – see ya!)

While I’m not a huge shopper, I do like to update my wardrobe each season with a few classic pieces that I know I’ll still love years from now.  And although I do love color, I’m really gravitating towards more neutral fresh colors.  Pieces that I know will mix and match well together.  And there is just smoothing about bright whites, earthy taupes with little pops of black that just scream effortlessly cool to me.  

I rounded up a few of the things I’ve been eyeing this season.  Lots of different price points, and options – but all things that will just help freshen up any wardrobe and are all classic and can be woven into any style.  

A few of these pieces I already own (some for years, and others more recently), and a few I’m still drooling over.   Read More

Soup & Salad

Copycat Sweetgreen’s salad

I am so excited to share this copycat Sweetgreen’s salad with all of you.  One of my very favorite spots to grab a quick lunch is Sweetgreens.  It’s just an easy “go-to” for something easy and healthy.  I love just about everything there.  

Unfortunately, we don’t have Sweetgreens anywhere near us in the suburbs.  The closest spots are downtown.  And since we haven’t been spending nearly as much time in the city as we used to – I haven’t been getting my Sweetgreens fix nearly as much as I used to either it.

I decided to try and recreate my own copycat Sweetgreen’s salad, including the Sweetgreens spicy cashew dressing, which is my all-time favorite dressing. Read More