Nutrition Nut on the Run

A Few of My Favorite Things: 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

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From my favorite fanny pack and minty CBD supplement to small shop finds and cute tees that give back, I’m sharing holiday gift ideas for the gals in your life. 

Holiday Gift Guide For Her

Lucky Brand Basel Rain Boots

I’ve had two pairs of the leather Basel booties – they are so comfortable (walkable!). Now that I live in Seattle (hello, rain!), I’m eying this waterproof pair that could be dressed up or down.

Goop G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo

This one of a kind whipped shampoo lives up to the hype – I am obsessed! It’s currently all I use and has helped to decrease how often I wash my hair. It’s so exfoliating, leaves my hair squeaky clean, and smells incredible (rosemary, geranium, orange, and peppermint essential oils, ahh!).

Beautycounter All Bright C Serum

a.k.a. sunshine in a bottle, this brightening Vitamin C serum is the daytime companion to the Resurfacing Peel. Think of the two products as BFFs, the ultimate glow duo! This game-changing serum has an ultra-potent 10% blend of two forms of vitamin C to instantly brighten skin and help reduce the appearance of existing dark spots. It also includes antioxidant-rich turmeric (which gives it a gorgeous yellow color) and camu camu to help protect against new dark spots and promote an even skin tone – obsessed!

15% off + free shipping on all orders $50+ through 11/30.

Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel

This is the Beautycounter gateway product for many people and one of my top three skincare products! Don’t be fooled by the name – you don’t actually peel when you use this. It’s similar to a serum that exfoliates dead skin cells to help minimize pores, fine lines, and acne scars while improving skin tone, texture, dullness, and literally makes your skin glow! It is amazing for all skin types.

15% off + free shipping on all orders $50+ through 11/30.

Waffle Robe

I’ve been wanting a robe, and have my eyes on this waffle weave one from Parachute Home or this super plush robe from Brook Linen. After all, 2020 has been the year of cozy loungewear! Both robes are 20% off this weekend.

Primally Pure

Primally Pure is another one of my top favorite safer skincare brands. I love their clean deodorants, body butters, and lip balms – which all make great stocking stuffers. This body butter trio is a favorite of mine to break up and give as gifts.

Use code HILL25 for 25% off your Primally Pure order through 11/30.

Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

My Lulu fanny has become a staple in my every day. It’s the perfect size to hold my phone, keys, poop bags (for dog walks), lip balm, etc. The thick strap is adjustable, so I switch from wearing on my hip to across my chest. It comes in a bunch of fun colors, too!

Inspirational Mug

I spotted this cute mug from one of my favorite small shops, Heyday Bozeman. Fill it with a hand cream and lip balm and gift to your girlfriend. But if your coffee or tea is always getting cold like mine is, a Yeti mug will keep your beverages hot all morning long.

Cute Protective Face Mask

While my mom has been sewing most of my protective face masks this year, I’ve seen so many cute and feminine styles from small shops. You can’t go wrong by stuffing a cute face mask or two into stockings this year. It’s something we all need!

Pique Tea Sun Goddess Matcha

I love matcha lattes, iced or hot, and have been enjoying Pique Tea’s Sun Goddess Matcha. I mix it with a couple ounces of boiling water before pouring over a glass full of ice, Forager cashew milk, and bit of maple syrup. Pique’s organic ceremonial grade matcha is quadruple screened for heavy metals and pesticides. You can read more about it here.

Bodem Goose Neck Electric Kettle

This is the electric kettle I have and use daily to make my matcha or cup of hot herbal tea. No more kettle taking up space on the stove. I love the matte black and cork combo, it’s quiet, and heats up water fast.

North Face Waterproof Parka

I’ve been looking for a warm (I’m always cold!) waterproof jacket for these cold and rainy Seattle winters. I am eyeing The North Face Metropolis III Hooded Water Resistant Down Parka and The North Face or the Arctic Waterproof 550-Fill-Power Down Parka. Lululemon also has some really warm coats (like this one), but are quite the splurge.

Girl Get After It 

Girl Get After It is a wellness movement bringing women together through sweatworking events and gear that gives back. I love to support this small business, based in Bozeman Montana, by repping their cute gear. Plus, they just partnered with Lululemon on a few pieces, too – super cool! Snag this cute Dreamer Tee, cozy sweatshirt, or pair of socks for your sister or bestie.

Equilibria CBD

I’ve been taking Equilibria’s Daily CBD drops for a couple of months and can say that it’s significantly helped with my chronic anxiety and has helped me to feel more calm overall. I take the mint drops morning and evening. Know someone who could use a bit of stress relief? Slip a bottle into their stocking this year!

All Equilibria products are of the highest quality, ethically sourced from their Colorado farm, fully traceable, and third-party tested. 

Use code REFHPARKER2 for $20 off your Equilibria order.

Shop Small This Season

While I’ve linked many of my favorite items that I use daily, along with some items that are on my wish list, I encourage you to think about shopping small this season by supporting small and local businesses – they need our support this year more than ever.

Here are a few ideas:

 

This post contains affiliate links.

Six Months in Seattle

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Hi internet pals!

I’m riding a wave of increased inspiration and creativity these days and hope that it will bring me back to blogging (on my own blog) more frequently. It goes without saying that 2020 has thrown us all several curve balls – it’s been a very bumpy ride. But regardless of everything happening around the world, I am finding peace in our new place in Seattle. We’ve lived in Seattle a full six months now — after saying farewell to Florida and embarking on a 15-day trek across the country. While we’re still very much Seattle newbies, it feels like we’ve been in the PNW a lot longer than that (my guess is it has something to do with the “stay at home” orders).

Margaret’s Way Trail

After a trying 6-week house hunt in January and February, I’m very happy with where we landed — for now. An itty bitty 100-year-old ouse in the Admiral District of West Seattle, I am embracing the friendly neighborhood and community aspect with all of my being. I often felt alone and isolated while living in Florida, and so I’m making a strong effort to foster friendships in our new city (COVID has created a few obstacles which I’m sure you can imagine).

Everyone says summer is the best Seattle season, and I’m here for it! With no travel plans on our calendar in the immediate future, unfortunately, I’m focusing on exploring all there is in and around the city. Mostly around, because let’s be real… going “into” the city still intimidates me, and I’ll take a trip to the mountains over the city streets any day.

These days you can either find me a) online, or b) outside. I’ve been pouring huge amounts of time into both my Virtual Assistant and Beautycounter businesses. And when I’ve overdosed on screen time, you’ll find me walking or running around my neighborhood, hiking a new gorgeous PNW trail, or dabbling in gardening (namely watching Nick tend to our first veggie garden).

I made a big batch of my mom’s tabouli that we enjoyed at the beach over 4th of July weekend, but other than that, I haven’t been spending too much time in the kitchen. While I’ll always be a nutrition nut and foodie at heart, my GI issues often discourage me from being creative in the kitchen as I continue to work with several practitioners to both figure out and heal my unhappy gut. I’ve always viewed health as much more than the food we put into our bodies and how much we move them, so in this summer season, I’m leaning into the many other elements of wellness – beyond feel good food and fitness.

Here are some photos from our first summer in Seattle – and it’s just the beginning! You can find me on Instagram sharing more of our PNW adventures on the regular. Will share more here soon!

Lake 22 Trail // birthday hike

takeout is the new dining out // Pablo y Pablo

Dirty Harry’s Balcony Trail

seedy tahini granola

Lake 22 Trail // birthday hike


fresh greens from our first garden

summer eats

Heather Lake Trail

happy mail for my Beautycounter clients

blue skies at Discovery Park

local produce & iced tea obsession

Koba’s been living her best life!

My Amazon Favorites

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Who doesn’t like to see what other people purchase? What products someone swears by… what “must-have” items your internet bestie has in their house. I know I am always curious! I’ve noticed a trend with my online shopping since COVID (ahem, it’s increasing), and Amazon purchases seem far too easy with the app at my fingertips and our Prime account a press away.

Today I’m sharing a dozen items I’ve purchased (and some I continue to buy) from Amazon that I love and use regularly. It’s quite the mix-up, from my favorite coffee and coziest bedding to safer self tanner and Koba’s incredibly plush dog bed.

Please let me know if you purchase and end up loving one of these finds!

My Amazon Favorites

Bedsure Cotton/Linen Duvet Cover: I am obsessed with linen bedding and don’t know if I’ll ever use anything else. Linen bedding can be really pricey, so I was super excited to find this duvet + two pillow shams for under $70. They’re soft and airy – particularly great for warm summer nights – but also cozy in the colder winter months with another blanket or two. I am a sucker for all things grey and love the button details on this set, too.

Mayorga Organic Decaf Coffee: I had been on the hunt for a good dcaf for what felt like forever and so I was stoked when I found this coffee. I like my coffee bold and strong; I’ve wasted my money on so many decafs that are completely flavorless. Not only do these beans make a delicious cup of joe, but they’re also organic and decaffeinated by water processing (most decaf is often made by using chemicals – no thanks!). While I’m drinking mostly decaf these days, we always have a bag of the regular dark roast coffee on hand, too.

Beauty By Earth Self Tanner: My fair, freckled skin doesn’t fare well with a lot of sun exposure. And as I get older, I’m much more conscious of time spent in the sun. But who doesn’t love the look of sun-kissed, bronzed skin? This self tanner is not full of icky, toxic ingredients like most – it uses natural ingredients like organic shea butter and coconut oil that you can recognize and pronounce. Plus, it doesn’t make you look like an orange oompa loompa. A little goes a long way: one application is enough for me!

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub: My favorite facial cleanser, hands down. And for under $10 – yes please! We always have a bottle of this in our shower. I use it most days of the week, and while it is extremely exfoliating, it doesn’t strip my skin. While I love my Beautycounter products through and through, I’ve recommended this face scrub to many people already as it’s great for most skin types.

Alba Botanica Very Emollient Herbal Healing Body Lotion: I started using this lotion when my eczema flares were more frequent. Luckily, it isn’t bothering me lately, but I still really like this body lotion. It’s gentle, soothing, smells lovely, and has a low rating on the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database – key for me!

Pacifica Beauty Stellar Gaze Mascara: While I’m pretty minimalistic when it comes to makeup, I do love bold lashes. I really like this safer mascara as it’s not dry or clumpy. I layer it over a coat of the Lashfood Collagen Lash Primer to get the longest, most voluminous lashes I can get.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides: I’m always looking for ways to add in quality sources of protein, and I find mixing a scoop of the unflavored collagen peptides into my morning cup of decaf or afternoon matcha latte an easy solution. I have a post all about why I love collagen peptides.

Tea Organizer: You could use this organizer endless ways I’m sure, but I keep it in the kitchen pantry to organize our selection of teas. There’s really not much more to it – I just like not having a bunch of random tea boxes in my cupboards, and this was a simple solution.

USA Pan Baking Sheets: USA pans are awesome! They’re made of commercial grade, heavy gauged aluminized steel with a nonstick silicon coating that’s PTFE, PFOA and BPA free. I use this large “cookie sheet” all of the time for roasting veggies, and my muffin pan is well used and loved. 

Collapsable Dog Food/Water Bowls: An inexpensive find that we use all of the time. Whether we’re hiking or road-tripping across the country, these silicone dog bowls are great as they’re collapsable and easy to clean. They come with a handy climbing buckle (hook) to attach to our backpacks for easy access when we’re on the trails.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses: As my work is all online, I spend more time than I’d like in front of a screen; a cheap pair of blue light blocking glasses seemed like a smart choice in effort to prevent eye strain as much as possible. I think the big round shape is kind of fun, and they’re very lightweight.

Calming Shag Fur Donut Cuddler Dog Bed: Probably the softest dog bed ever, we splurged a little on this one (anything for Koba!). We got the biggest size possible (Donut XL 45″), and it’s perfect for our big, fluffy dog who loves to burrow. This dog bed has over 13,000 reviews on Amazon!

 

This post contains affiliate links. 

Farewell Florida

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Goodness, it’s been 3 months since I’ve published a new blog post. While I’ve shared quite a lot of my recent life changes on Instagram, I miss writing here. I’m constantly thinking about the if, when, and how I’d like to revive this ol’ blog (ideally, have it be more than just life catch-ups once a quarter), but for now… I have just that plus a proper farewell to our time in Florida.

January 2020 was officially the longest month, ever.

In a nutshell: we moved across the country (again!).

January 1 marked our first day of our cross-country roadtrip from Tampa, Florida to Seattle, Washington – talk about starting the new year with adventure!

  • 4,240 miles
  • 15 days of travel ⁣⁣
  • 11 states ⁣⁣

We drove through the rainy swamps of Louisiana, snowy mountains of Colorado, desolate deserts of Arizona, and nostalgic Redwood forests of Northern California. We visited family and friends, ate our way through Austin (and Chico), and left no croissant or avocado toast behind.

Missed our 2017 trip? Catch that here: California to Florida | Cross-Country Road Trip

smiles from Flagstaff, AZ during our cross-country road trip

Since landing in the Emerald City, we’ve spent the past several weeks hopping from one AirBNB to the next as we search like mad to find a home. I’ll be honest, the travel aspect of getting here was fun (we definitely make the most of long road trips), but our stress has continued to increase with each day that passes of house hunting in Seattle’s “cut-throat” (rental) market.

We had wanted to scope out the city and surrounding areas first before settling on a house (that was the plan), but the hunt has proven to be a lot more difficult and competitive than we thought. We’ve basically been “traveling” for two months straight, living out of our suitcases, moving from one AirBNB to the next — it’s been quite the nomadic lifestyle to say the least. I know that with patience and persistence the right place will come our way, but I’m ready to put down roots and make a temporary rental house feel like home.

Despite the overwhelming feeling of being unsettled, it sure feels good to be back on the west coast. Every day since we’ve been here, we’ve made time to get outside in nature and explore. Most afternoons have been spent exploring a new trail in one of the nearby parks. And we haven’t let the rain stop us. The three of us are usually wet, covered in a mud, and a little out of breath (it’s been a bit since we’ve enjoyed a regular exercise routine), but it brings us so much joy to be able to enjoy the outdoors with ease (no more ‘gators and humidity!).

But before I jump into life in the PNW at full speed, I felt inclined to bid a final farewell to our time in Florida.

February 1, 2018, I flew to Florida with a one-way ticket in hand. I was jumping off a big cliff into the unknown as I didn’t know how long I’d call Florida home. To be frank, Florida never felt like home. But, I can now say I was a Florida resident for 23 months of my life, exactly 23 months to the day because you know I was counting (February 1, 2018 – January 1, 2020).

When I think about my time in Florida, it still feels really challenging (maybe someday, in hindsight, I’ll have a different view). My first out-of-state/cross-country (military) move, it was really hard being 3,000+ miles from family and friends. It was lonely. I didn’t connect with the culture, and I felt like a fish out of water in my new environment from the beginning to the end. There were months when my anxiety was unbearable, and I longed for my community and support circle that I had in and around Chico. I navigated unemployed life and then a un-fulfilling job in Human Resources before I took it upon myself to create my own job, doing behind the scenes work for wellness brands and bloggers. Florida is also where I began my business with Beautycounter. My self-created work is one of the things that brought me the most joy and satisfaction in a chapter of trials, tribulations, and transitions.

When I think about our life in Florida, I have a laundry list of things I will not miss. But through the rocky moments (days and weeks), it was a chapter of my life that I am grateful to have experienced. What those 23 months taught me most was a lot about what I do not like, what I do not want… allowing what is really important to me to float to the surface.

Florida is…

Where Nick and I lived together for the first time

Where I made a new best friend… Koba! 🐾

Where I navigated a season (6ish months) of unemployment

Where I endured a ridiculous commute for an unbearable job

Where I worked a non-wellness related job (above) that reinforced my commitment to my work being aligned with wellbeing in some form

Where I quit said dead-end job to pursue entrepreneurship as a Virtual Assistant

Where I built the humble beginnings of a Beautycounter business (one month in after moving)

Where we prepared for our first hurricane… that never hit

Where we decorated our first Christmas tree as a couple and spent Christmas at the beach

Where we ran an organized 8k run in the middle of July and almost melted

Where I rang in my 29th and 30th birthdays

Where we cooked our first Thanksgiving meal, just the two of us

Where we road tripped up through Georgia and camped in the countryside of Tennessee for a dear friend’s wedding

Where we killed our fair share of gigantic cockroaches and palm-sized spiders

…and much more!

Two years in Tampa, a challenging chapter, but one I’m grateful I said yes to. And now… I’m opening a new one, in the opposite corner of the country. I have a feeling life in the PNW is going to feel a whole lot different, and I’m here for it.

Farewell, Florida… to another new beginning!

Have you ever made a big move?

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

 

Florida Life

10 Years + A Life Update!

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Hi! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve published a post on the ol’ blog. It’s a slow, slightly cool Fall Sunday morning here in Florida, so let’s catch up over a cup of coffee, shall we?

If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that Nutrition Nut on the Run turned 10 years old this month (two weeks ago today exactly). While I’m surely not as active with this space these days, it is wild to think I’ve had this corner of the internet for a decade! I still giggle when I look at the very first post I published November 10, 2009. I shared A LOT early on, but, as life goes, I’ve evolved as my blog did, and haven’t been called to share here like I once did. Ten years though… have any of you been here since the first days!?

If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that while you may know I work with Beautycounter, a B corporation that is transparent about their sourcing/ingredients and advocates for social change while consciously creating personal care products that perform, that is just one piece of the work I do day-to-day.

Earlier this year, I said adios to a temporary, dead-end job in Human Resources to pursue entrepreneurship full-time… and it’s the best decision I’ve made all year! These days, I spend a solid chunk of my time assisting many of the OG (original) healthy living bloggers who inspired me to start this space 10 years ago. It’s been rather incredible to have a dream clientele of badass female-founded brands who continue to inspire me today through their creativity and entrepreneurial skills. My work consists of a lot of behind the scenes responsibilities: client support, content creation, email marketing, inbox management, social media, and graphic design. It’s right up my alley! I think it’s pretty cool how this little blog has afforded me many opportunities throughout the years, and that I’ve been able to create my own small business from the valuable connections I’ve made in this community. Grateful!

If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that we spent the greater part of the past 6 weeks living in (a few) AirBNBs while the floors in our rental house were replaced. First, Koba and I escaped to Colorado for a 10-day “retreat” at my mom’s house while Nick had to travel for work — it was a much needed (and wanted) change of scenery. But unfortunately we couldn’t stay in Colorado forever, so we posted up in a quaint AirBNB for the next few weeks. While I figured living out of a shoe box with a pint-sized kitchen would be headache, it turned out to be quite the opposite. In fact, I enjoyed the boujee South Tampa lifestyle much more than life in the suburbs. Nestled in Old Hyde Park Village, I could walk the 3 blocks to my favorite local coffee shop for iced oat milk matcha lattes and free community yoga classes. Koba and I enjoyed many neighborhood walks admiring the humongous, historic century old homes. Unlike the busy suburb in which we live, people were constantly outside walking their dogs, jogging, playing with their kids at the park. This simple things brought me so much joy.

I realized that sometimes, most times, it does us justice to shake up our environment. Because what at first seemed like it’d be a real pain in the butt turned out to be a blessing in disguise — the gift of feeling C A L M when “home base” was in a season of transition (more on that below).

If we were having coffee this morning, I’d tell you that WE ARE MOVING! And moving soon. Nick got a new position, and so for for anyone who knows military lingo, we are PCS-ing (Permanent Change of Station) to… WASHINGTON (state). Yes, we’re doing another huge cross-country move like before (literally one opposite corner of the U.S. to the other). We don’t have exact dates (despite the move being soon, military moves are typically rather last minute), but we’re planning to spend the first couple of weeks of January traveling from Tampa, FL to Seattle, WA (a.k.a. we’re going to make another epic road trip out of it, just like we did in 2017 from CA -> FL). So, there’s that. I’m stoked to be leaving Florida, but, to be honest, have mixed feelings about moving to Washington. I think I am mainly just apprehensive of everything that comes with a huge move/starting all over again in a new state, but I am trying my best to focus on the fact that we get to live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (PNW) for a bit, and I am grateful to be back on the West Coast — closer to friends and family.

So, if you could imagine, the Type A planner in me has been consumed by this upcoming move that we just found out about earlier this month (all the while, we’ve been out of our current house until just a few days ago).

That’s it for now, friends! I’d love to connect with you in the comment section below. Also! As I’m not here as often, you can find me on Instagram on the regular — I’d love to connect with you over there, too!

Koba & I on a family hike at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado // October 2019

Mom & I enjoying a sweet mother-daughter day trip to Telluride, Colorado // October 2019

Our sweet AirBNB named “The Tree House” in Historic Hyde Park, Tampa // November 2019

Evening walk with Koba through Hyde Park Village, Tampa // November 2019

Fired up and excited about my work with Beautycounter // November 2019

 

If you were here when I was posting regularly, what did you enjoy most about Nutrition Nut on the Run?

Seattle area recommendations – I’m all ears!

An Inside Look at My Health Using InsideTracker

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While needle pricks and blood draws can be highly intimating to many people, because of my hospitalization as a kid, I’m rather immune to getting pricked and prodded; so it doesn’t phase me much when I’m due for lab work. In fact, I find it pretty fascinating how much information we can gather from a simple, nearly pain-free test. I spend much of my energy focused on my wellbeing (albeit sometimes too much energy), so I enjoy being able to see how my efforts are playing out internally.

It’s been a solid year since I’ve had any sort of lab work done, so was I was excited to collaborate with InsideTracker to get a comprehensive blood and analysis as a way to check in on my health.

What is InsideTracker?

InsideTracker is a blood testing service that uses science to analyze your results with personal recommendations for nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle. The InsideTracker team is made up of experts in aging, genetics and biometric data, from Harvard, MIT and Tufts. Whether you are an elite athlete, stressed-out professional, or bust parent, InsideTracker optimizes your health by analyzing your blood, lifestyle and nutrition habits to help you achieve your personal goals — whether that’s increasing energy to chase your kids or going after a gold medal.

Curious to learn more about the biomarkers they measure and how it’s different from visiting your doctor? Get all that info and more here.

How does it work?

You simply schedule an appointment at your local lab, print off the lab slip from InsideTracker, and get your blood drawn at the lab. Your results are automatically sent to InsideTracker and are uploaded to your personal dashboard (mine only took a few days). You also answer a set of questions about your lifestyle, such as sleep, activity level and diet, in order to get the best personalized recommendations.

Once your results are uploaded and analyzed, you get an email with a link to your personal dashboard that’s chockfull of information. Even if you aren’t savvy with blood tests, they do a great job breaking it down and making it super easy to digest and comprehend.

My Results

I did the Ultimate Test, which includes 43 biomarkers. InsideTracker breaks your results down by At Risk (out of range), Needs Improvement (in range, but not optimal) and Optimal.

I had 4 At Risk, 8 Needs Improvement, and 31 Optimal.

My 4 At Risk markers were:

  • LDL (“bad” cholesterol)
  • Eosinophils (white blood cells)
  • SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
  • TIBC (Total Iron-Binding Capacity)

The 8 that “needs improvement” included: Vitamin D, HDL, TS (transferrin saturation), and magnesium — all on the low end. Again, all of these items are technically in the normal range, but not optimal according to InsideTracker.

When you review your results, you’re given nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations for each biomarker that is not optimal. They also include an explanation of what each biomarker is/why it’s important, and some even include an informational video clip.

The personalized recommendations are based not only on your results, but from the information you provide about your activity, diet, sleep, stress, etc.

TIBC (red) – At Risk

Vitamin D (yellow) – Needs Improvement

Cortisol (green): Optimal

So, am I changing anything?

After going through my personalized recommendations, I am definitely going to be more diligent with my Vitamin D supplementation (already knew my Vitamin D was low – like most Americans), and I plan to increase my fish/wild salmon intake for not only Vitamin D, but protein as well.

Of my 4 At Risk biomarkers, the only recommendation given was for LDL which was to decrease consumption of coconut oil (a.k.a. saturated fat). I found it interesting that InsideTracker didn’t provide personalized recommendations for the other 3 biomarkers that were out of range.

I honestly didn’t know how to interpret my SHBG and TIBC, but after consulting with my naturopath, these aren’t critical values that need priority attention. And while my TIBC was high and my TS was low (confusing, right?), I do have sufficient iron and am not anemic.

My 116 LDL is out of range (>100), but it’s not a huge concern to neither me nor my doctor. High cholesterol is hereditary in my family and is mostly likely not due to lifestyle. Plus, my total cholesterol is normal.

InsideTracker recommended I switch to a vegetarian or vegan diet, but this doesn’t fit into my current health goals (oppositely, I’m trying to add a bit more meat for protein).

As for the high eosinophils, it’s not an alarming value considering I have a history of higher eosinophils.

How much does it cost?

There are different plans ranging from $49 to $589. You can see all of them here. I did the Ultimate test, complimentary of InsideTracker.

General Thoughts

Overall, I’m impressed with the service. It was super user friendly! Not only is the website with your personal dashboard easy to navigate, but they make the information understandable, even for someone who doesn’t have a background in nutrition.

Downsides?

While you don’t need a doctor to order the blood test/use the service (a huge perk!), I personally think it’s advisable to consult your health care provider before making any major changes — especially in terms of supplementation. You are able to print and/or email your results to your doctor. I chose to send them to my naturopth for a follow up appointment.

Would I do it again and/or recommend it?

Absolutely! You can even schedule to have a follow-up date in your profile so you’ll get a reminder to get your labs re-tested. If getting lab work done ever feels like a chore to you, this service makes the process headache-free. I think the information is highly valuable; however, I wouldn’t suggest replacing it for seeing your doctor.

With my holistic view, this comprehensive test of 43 biomarkers was largely helpful in adding beneficial information to the larger picture of my health, but it wasn’t the full picture. I have an extensive health history, and current chronic GI issues, so the few markers that are out of range are only small pieces of the puzzle. Again, I think this is why it’s important you use this service in conjunction with your health care providers (InsideTracker does encourage follow-ups with your doctor and to use your results as part of your overall medical/health plan).

Thanks, InsideTracker, for the inside look. While I’m happy it was a rather clean bill of health, my gut health is another story for another time…

Use this link to get 15% off any InsideTracker plan!

 

Lab work: fascinating or terrifying?

Do you get routine lab work?

 

 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary test from InsideTracker in exchange for this post. The information provided is my personal health information, and the review and opinions of the service are my own. 

A New Decade

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Today is my birthday, my thirtieth birthday. Wait, what? That is so weird to type.

Hi, I’m Hillary and I’m in my thirties. Nope, even more weird.

I’m finally starting to understand the saying “age is just a number” because honestly, today, in this moment, I still feel as though I’m somewhere in my mid-twenties (these photos were taken a few days after my 25th birthday – time flies!). I’m guessing this has to do with the societal implication that at 30 you feel secure, confident, settled. But even though I’ve crossed the line into this new decade, I still have my moments of feeling unsure, un-settled… undoubtedly so because I decided to shake up the last couple years of my twenties.

It’s wild to think I started this blog when I was twenty years old… 10 years ago! I’ve written in this online space every year in my twenties, chronicling various parts of the second decade of my life. As I reflect on my twenties, these are the moments and milestones that stick out in my mind, contributing to who and where I am today. #THISIS30

My 20s

college: graduated with a B.S. in Nutrition Science

Chico, California: my home + community for 8 of 10 years

this blog: started in my third of year of college, November 10, 2009

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co: grateful and humbled for my first “real job” after college — 6 years of work and growth that were better than I could have ever imagined

certified health coach: continued my education in wellness + early days of exploring entrepreneurship

running + races: a joy and centering pastime that peaked in my early twenties

divorce: navigated the feelings of newly separated parents + eventually said goodbye to my childhood home

anxiety: resurfaced with a bang in my mid-twenties and has continued to teach me the most about myself

Europe: mother-daughter 2-week adventure around France, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden – the trip of a lifetime!

engaged in Washington DC: a significant moment in my life

un-engaged: the most difficult decision I’ve made to date

Kauai: 2 memorable family vacations I’ll never take for granted

military lifestyle: entered my life at age 26, something I never expected nor imagined

cross-country road trip: chose spontaneity over security (a rare choice!), and closed out 2017 with a 3,200-mile, 7-day trip from Chico, CA to Tampa, FL

Florida: home place of residence for 1.5 years — moved out of state for the first time (entirely across the country!) and experienced life outside of my comfort zone

My 20th Birthday // Arcata, CA

29 + 10 months (My Mom’s Birthday) // Tampa, FL

June 19, 2019 | Q&A

What do you do for a living?

entrepreneur

  • work as a Virtual Assistant providing creative support for wellness brands/bloggers
  • work with Beautycounter, a B Corporation with the mission to change the game in the beauty industry through education, transparency, and high-performing safer personal care products

Where do you live?

in an old rental house surrounded by lush trees and greenery where I hear owls and birds sing daily… a gold nugget in this ugly, busy, commercialized suburb of Tampa, Florida

Do you love yourself?

not enough

What is your favorite word?

resilience

Who is your best friend?

Kendra

What makes you smile?

my sweet as can be dog, Koba

Do you think you are strong?

I do, entirely!

How many states and countries have you visited?

states: 24 // countries: 7

What does your ideal Saturday look like?

sip coffee outside with my pup at my feet, get in a sweaty workout at the gym or go for a run, stock up on local produce from the farmer’s market while sipping an iced oat milk matcha latte, hit the trails for an afternoon hike with my crew, then happy hour with my beau or girlfriends… and cap the night with an episode of The Bachelorette in my sweats

What are you looking forward to most in your thirties?

starting a family (hopefully!)

 

So… hello 30, day 1. I’m treating myself to a haircut and pedicure and then will probably go out with Nick this evening. Tomorrow we hop on a plane to California where I’m spending the weekend in Tahoe with three of my girlfriends (take me to the mountains!) followed by a week of visiting family.

To a new decade!

xo Hill

Birthday Blog Posts

29 (2018) This is 29!

28 (2017) 28 Life Lessons

27 (2016) No Post

26 (2015) Birthday Weekend in Lassen National Park

25 (2014) 25-Minute Birthday AMRAP (workout) & Re-celebrating 25

24 (2013) 24 Things I Now Know

23 (2012) Birthday #23

22 (2011) Twenty Two

21 (2010) Ta Ta Twenty & 06.19.89

Friday Favorites // May 2019

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Hi & happy Memorial Day Weekend!

It’s been a while since I just sat down and wrote, on my own blog. With my new Virtual Assistant work, I’ve been spending a lot of time writing and doing work behind the scenes for other blogs (which I love!), but I haven’t given my own space on the Internet much attention at all.

It happened to be be a bit of a slow, relaxing Friday morning over here, so I used that time to make an appearance here. Well, we did wake up early to take Koba to the vet (that precious pup is more high maintenance than her mom!), but otherwise, we don’t have much planned for the long holiday weekend ahead.

Friday Favorites // May 2019

Speaking of weekending, last weekend we made the trek up to East Tennessee (Knoxville area) for my friend’s wedding weekend. We camped at the venue (her in-law’s beautiful 27-acre piece of property) and had an absolutely amazing time. The long and straight 10+ hour drive up Interstate 75 each way was well worth it.

We spent the weekend disconnected from all schedules and screens, enjoying much-needed time in nature. Mosquito bites aside, our first taste of the lush Tennessee countryside was a really good one!

bonfires & beersbee / camping & canoeing / full moons & fireflies / fresh margaritas & fire pit roasted chickens / turtles, toads, tents & (handmade) teepees / muddy dogs & marriage vows

Fitness

I feel like I’m in a bit of a fitness rut or plateau. Since ending my Orangetheory Fitness membership, I’ve resorted to home workouts, which can be totally effective and fun no doubt, but don’t get me as excited about exercise as say going to the gym. Honestly, what I’m enjoying most right now is walking with Koba; but, they have to be timed just so with the weather or else she’ll turn around after a few blocks. Running is rarely appealing these days, which I think, again, is mostly due to the summer climate in the Southeast. Funny, seeing as though my blog is Nutrition Nut on the Run and much of the content on here since 2009 has been about running and training. Things change!

For now, it’s home workouts and walks and a short run (or occasional workout at the base gym) here and there.

Lately, I’ve been getting lot of my workout inspiration from @madeline_moves – check her out!

Food

Now that it is officially hot and humid every.damn.day in Florida, I’ve been craving all the light, fresh foods. It’s also my goal to get back into the kitchen and get out of my cooking rut now that I’m working from home. I have a feeling these falafels and my mom’s tabouli recipe will make an appearance again this summer.

Other favorites: these gluten-free crackers, this green juice, this vegan pesto (ALWAYS in our freezer!).

Fashion & Beauty

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

I got this inexpensive pair of blue light blocking glasses (“influenced” by @katie_levans) from Amazon. Now that I’m working from home and am in front of screens (too) many hours of the day, I figured a cheap pair of kinda fun (kinda dorky) glasses wouldn’t hurt to help prevent digital eye strain.

NOBULL Runners

I have been wearing these sneakers non-stop since I got them for Christmas. Nick told me just recently that I need new shoes because I wear them so much. They are very comfy (perhaps a bit loose around my ankles), and they’ve been my go-to for walks, (infrequent) runs and workouts.

High Neck Sports Bras

I am so glad high-waisted pants and high-neck tops are in because they’re my jam. It’s honestly what I feel best in currently. I recently found a few high-neck sports bras that I love to pair with my high-waisted leggings: the Lululemon Energy Bra Neck Neck and this striped Athleta bra.

Ursa Major Go Easy Daily Shampoo

I’ve been using this shampoo for a few months now and I’ve been really happy with it. In recent years, I’ve struggled with having a happy, healthy scalp; but, this shampoo and doing my best to wash my hair less frequently has been helpful. Ursa Major is a clean brand that Beautycounter supports. Double win!

Beautycounter Glow Shimmer Oil

I didn’t think I would be into this product, as I’m not a glittery person, but my winter white legs adore it! I mix a few drops in my moisturizer and it gives my skin a subtle bronze boost (and hint of shimmer) it so desperately needs. You can use on your face and in your hair, too. No toxic self-tanners needed here!

>> Beautycounter Memorial Day Sale – To celebrate Memorial Day, Beautycounter is offering 2 FREE Countersun products (our reef-friendly 3oz. mineral sunscreen mist + 1 oz. mineral sunscreen lotion, $35 value) with any purchase of $125! The offer is good through Tuesday, May 28.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend/unofficial start to summer!

xx Hill

Any fun Memorial Day Weekend plans?

Do you have any favorite high-neck sports bras? 

Spring Clean Your Skincare Routine

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Beautycounter Spring Sale // 15% OFF SITEWIDE

With it being Spring and all, we tend to use this season to “clean up” our life is some way or another. Often we think about incorporating more fresh foods, increasing our amount of movement outdoors, and purging our closets. But what about our personal care products? It seems to me like this area of our lives is often forgotten. When you actually stop and read the ingredient labels on your products (yep, they have labels like food), you will probably be quite shocked by what’s lurking in your daily go-tos. Due to the lack of regulation in the beauty industry, toxic and potentially harmful chemicals are allowed in your products without a bat of an eye. The words “natural” and “organic” don’t carry much significance when it comes to the safety of personal care products.

So what can you do? Download the EWG’s Healthy Living App or use their Skin Deep Database to research the safety of your cosmetic and personal care products.

This is one of my all-time favorite resources for helping to select products, especially when the ingredient labels are difficult to dissect. You can scan the product directly on your phone and it will rate its safety based on the ingredients. Keep in mind that not all products are listed in the app because companies are not required to disclose their ingredients (really, the lack of regulation in the 62 billion dollar beauty industry is unreal!).

Here are 5 ingredients to watch out for when reading ingredient labels on your skincare products:

1. Parabens

Parabens are a preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine (hormone) disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. Methylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben are the most common in personal care products and are concerning as they have estrogen-mimicking properties that may play a role in triggering certain cancers.

2. Phthalates

Phthalates (pronounced THAL-lates) make plastic more pliable (think shower curtains). In cosmetics, phthalates are used to make fragrances stick to skin, styling products malleable, and nail polish bend and stick to the curve of your nail.

Phthalates are highly suspected endocrine (hormone) disruptors with some reports of fetal birth defects.

Phthalates are not always labeled as they are likely considered by the producing company as an ingredient in their signature fragrance, whose lists are protected as “trade secret.”

3. Fragrance 

“Fragrance” is considered a trade secret, so companies don’t have to disclose what it is. Hundreds of chemicals can hide under the word “fragrance.” It is usually a synthetic concoction that includes phthalates and synthetic musks, which are hormone disruptors, as well as chemicals that are allergens and neurotoxins.

4. Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is used in cosmetic products as a preservative and to prevent bacterial growth. This chemical was deemed as a human carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens and has also been linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity.

5. Oxybenzone 

Oxybenzone is a chemical sunscreen agent and ultraviolet light absorber which was added to nearly 65 percent of the non-mineral sunscreens in EWG’s 2018 sunscreen database. Oxybenzone may cause allergic skin reactions and possible hormone disruption. Hawaii just passed a bill banning sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate because studies have shown they have been linked to the bleaching of coral reefs.

All in all, I think it’s just a matter of picking your battles and finding out what changes make sense for you. A whole lifestyle change can be overwhelming, but making little changes one at a time adds up in the long run. For example, switch out your body moisturizer and body wash first (those that you use on your entire body) and then, as your products run out, try a new shampoo, cleanser, moisturizer, etc. Any change you can make is a positive one.

Safer Option: Beautycounter

Beautycounter is committed to a health and safety standard that goes well beyond what is legally required in the United States. Beautycounter excludes more than 1,500 questionable or harmful ingredients. Their high-performing, indulgent products are made mostly from responsibly sourced, plant-based ingredients and are rigorously screened to avoid potentially health disruptive ingredients on The Never List™. This list includes the five ingredients above along with thousands of other ingredients that have been associated with a variety of health disturbances.

Beautycounter Spring Sale // 15% OFF SITEWIDE 

My Spring Must-Haves:

Overnight Resurfacing Peel – a.k.a. the miracle worker! The texture of my skin has improved so much since using this peel 3-4x a week. It’s gentle, but high-performing with 15 botanically-derived acids that both exfoliate and sooth the skin.

Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer – I am obsessed with the sheer, dewy, lightweight coverage of this tinted moisturizer with SPF 20. This is my daily face sunscreen/makeup that also provides moisture and a bit of color.

Satin Powder Blush in Nectar – I have been loving this peachy blush to add a pop of color to my minimalist makeup routine. I plan to wear it all spring and summer with my favorite Luminous Powder Highlighter in Halo.

Spring Clean Your Skincare Routine @beautycounter #switchtosafer #betterbeauty

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Questions?

If you’re not sure what products would be best for your skin type, fill out this quick questionnaire and I’ll send you an email with personalized recommendations.

Keep in mind that Beautycounter has a 60 day return policy. I have confidence you will love what you get, but if you don’t for any reason, you can return products for a full refund.

Cheers to spring cleaning & safer skincare!

Hillary’s Beautycounter Newsletter: hop onto my email list to learn more about safer skincare, new product launches, and special deals!


 

 

Disclosure: Please keep in mind that I’m not an esthetician. This information is based on my own research, personal experiences and training as a Beautycounter Consultant. 

What I’ve Been Up To | March 2019

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Unless you follow me on Instagram regularly, you might be wondering what the heck I’ve been up to as I haven’t been on the blog all too often. Even if you do hangout with me on IG, you might still be wondering. Well, this year has been off to a full (using this word in favor of “busy) start. Somehow it’s already spring and summer seems like it is around the corner.

Here’s what I’ve been up to…

Planning a California trip to visit family and friends at the end of June.

…including a girls weekend at Lake Tahoe for my 30th birthday! Y’all, being away from my girlfriends has been one of the toughest parts about moving across the country. I already know a weekend won’t be long enough, but I can not wait! It’s been four years since my last trip to Tahoe, and I’m more than ready for mountains, that icy cold, fresh water, and cocktails with my gals.

Hustling at my new Virtual Assistant jobs.

Aside from working in Human Resources part-time, I now have three different Virtual Assistant roles that I’m really excited about. Basically, I get to do all the stuff I love (blogging, baking, food photography, and admin work) for other incredible well-preneuners (wellness + entrepeuners). This is the work I want to be doing, and so I am grateful that my work and my passions have aligned.

Growing my Beautycounter business.

One office job, three VA jobs, and my own Beautycounter business. It’s a full workload, with work bleeding into the weekends, but this work of educating about better beauty lights me up! I am so happy to be able to mentor other women in this business (passion project, side hustle, whatever they want it to be). I’ve truly found my tribe, and it feels incredible. Curious about safer skincare?

Prepping for mama to visit!

My mom is coming to visit next week and I cannot wait. This will be her first time in Florida, so I’m looking forward to showing her a slice of the South. We’ll get to celebrate her birthday (with a mother-daughter pedicure date, of course!) and hopefully spend a bit of time in the sun (fingers crossed the weather is still as pleasant as it has been).

Eating grilled veggie salads on repeat.

I’ll likely be eating some version of this salad all spring and summer — romaine, grilled (or roasted) zucchini + bell peppers, avocado, cucumber, hemp seeds, and a hard boiled egg or two… with kale pesto ranch, oh yes! Grilled chicken or quinoa are good in it, too. And it’s on my list to make homemade hemp ranch dressing, but for now I’ve been mixing Trader Joe’s vegan kale pesto with Brianna’s ranch.

What have you been up to?

Any spring/summer travel plans?

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