Florida Life // Months 7 & 8

October 1, 2018 by Hillary 4 Comments

I’ve lived in Florida for a little over eight months – time flies! Before we know it, a year will have flown by. But I’m kinda sorta okay with that. I never want to rush through life, but after eight months, Nick and I have established that Florida Life isn’t for us. We still have a bit more time here in the Southeast, but, fingers crossed, we will be packing up our belongings by the two year mark. We’ll see! #militarylife

So, let’s catch up on the last two months in Florida (a.k.a. August and September)…

Labor Day 2018 at Honeymoon Island State Park before we got rained out!

Florida Life // Months 7 & 8

Doing

I’d say the biggest adjustment the past couple of months has been getting back into the groove of working again. I started a part-time job in Human Resources at the end of July, so now my week days start with early alarms and a dreaded commute.

Outside of working 30 hours a week, much of August and September was spent acclimating to the hellishly humid and wet dog days of summer. I feel like weather in Florida is backwards. Anyone else feel me? Summer was VERY rainy! We could expect an afternoon thunderstorm almost daily. Both Nick and I have never experienced thunder and lightning like that in Tampa Bay.

Most every weekend, between dodging said storms, we explore new gator-free places for Koba to swim. She’s a water dog at heart and unfortunately has spent far too much time indoors due to the heat and humidity.

Speaking of Koba, I think I think the highlight of my summer (and hopefully her’s too!) was that a brand new dog park opened just a few blocks from our during house Labor Day Weekend. I don’t know who enjoys trips to the park more, me or Koba, but I am so appreciative that we now have a place for our puppy to play and socialize, and it’s just a sweaty, 15-minute walk away.

August was also an exciting month for my Beautycounter business, accomplishing goals while getting more in tune with my why behind this business and how it supports my dreams. Heads up: Beautycounter’s holiday line launches this Thursday! Hello, new products and incredible gift sets for everyone on your list (hey, it’s never too early to start your holiday shopping).

My simple Beautycounter makeup routine for early weekday mornings.

Feeling

With a regular work schedule and regularly scheduled workouts, a sense of routine is helping me to feel more settled. I still long for the ease and comfort of Chico more often than not – sometimes it’s for my favorite coffee shop and running trails, other times it’s for happy hours with girlfriends, my healthcare practitioners, and the proximity to the family. I definitely miss the sense of community. On the other hand, I feel proud of my ability to adapt. And honestly, sometimes I surprise myself with how well I’m doing despite not having my support circle anywhere near. A small town girl for 28 years adapting to city living involves a lot of change, and I’m doing my best to embrace it.

Activities & Adventures

We didn’t venture far from the Tampa Bay area this summer due to said new job and, well, our spring was full of travel. We did enjoy a free Brett Young concert with friends on a random Wednesday night at Armature Works, our favorite hangout spot.

Koba and I post Orangetheory sweat sesh, September 2018.

Exercise

Orangetheory, 100%. I jumped on board the OTF train at the end of July (read: My Thoughts on Orangetheory Fitness), and I’m really enjoying it! I think it was just the thing I needed to get through the peak of summer, as exercising outside is nearly impossible due to the weather. I go to four classes per week, on average, and haven’t been doing much else aside from that and walking the dog. I am looking forward to start running outside again as the temperature continues to drop.

Hurricanes

Zero! Not holding my breath, as hurricane season isn’t over. Well, Hurricane Michael is sweeping through at this very moment, but – knock on wood – we’ll remain out of his path.

Alligators

Zero!

Thank you to those of you who have stuck around through my lulls of blogging. This November will mark nine years since the birth of Nutrition Nut on the Run, and it’s captured varying seasons of my life for almost a decade. I look forward to continue sharing on this platform from time to time, though posting consistently hasn’t been my strong point of late. I hope you will stick around – it’s a joy to have you here!

xx Hill

Florida Life

August Favorites

September 1, 2018 by Hillary 3 Comments

Tonight, Nick and I were standing outside on our back deck as chicken was grilling on the BBQ and Koba roamed the yard; we looked at each other with the same look — the look of “OMG, we are so grateful to be outside and not be smothered by sweltering hot humidity.” Y’all, September is here, and I couldn’t be more excited. Why? Because it means fall, my favorite season of all, is around the corner. I’ve heard that fall isn’t drastically different from summer here in Florida… but I can dream, right? You can bet come October 1, I’ll be decorating my house with all the autumn things.

Before flipping the page to another new month, I want to share a few favorites from August: wellness things, life moments, inspiring words, and the like!

August Favorites

⏤ This post from Jessie May: My Vegan (Health) Story. After sharing a personal update/brain dump on my own health (read: E.coli 0157:H7 | How It Changed My Body & My Life), this beautifully written story gave me refreshing insight on how I can view my own wellness journey with more grace.

…health isn’t everything. Its wonderful, helpful, and enjoyable to be in good health – absolutely. But it doesn’t deserve to be an idol it our lives, as so many of us make it to be, and here in America it is incredibly idolized. Being present in your life for what it is today, being grateful for all that you do have, and giving your love and attention to others is really so much more important. Yes you need to take care of yourself in order to love and serve others well, and it should be apart of your life, but (in my opinion) it should not be your life.” – Jessie May

⏤ Birch Benders Paleo Toaster Waffles: While I by no means eat strictly Paleo, or any other label for that matter, I have been enjoying these grain-free/dairy-free (and no added sugar) waffles for an easy, satisfying breakfast. I usually top with nut butter, seasonal fruit (in lieu of sugary jam), and hemp hearts.

⏤ Orangetheory Fitness: I hopped on board the OTF train one month ago, and I’m having a ton a fun with it! My body is constantly being challenged, and the endorphin highs have been a blessing. Read: My Thoughts on Orangethoery Fitness

⏤ Avocado Egg Salad: For some reason, I’ve been craving egg salad (yes, like egg salad sandwiches) ever since Nick made one recently. I simply chop a couple of hard-boiled eggs and mash with ripe avocado, a few chopped Kalmata olives, and Trader Joe’s Everyday Seasoning. Top on rice cakes, a piece of toasted sourdough, or wrap inside a piece of butter lettuce.

⏤ Setting Intentions & Accomplishing Goals: This past month, I set the intention to do more things that make me feel good… and I did just that. How? I set small, manageable daily goals, wrote them down (key!), and then checked in daily with my new accountability partner. It didn’t seem like much day to day, but looking back at the month, I accomplished personal goals by allowing my priorities (the things that make me feel good!) to be my focal point.

Wishing you all the joy, inspiration, peace, clarity, and determination to make September shine!

xx Hill

What were your August favorites?

Blast from the past!

⏤ August Favorites 2013

⏤ August Favorites 2012

My Thoughts on Orangetheory Fitness

August 28, 2018 by Hillary 2 Comments

I am not ashamed to say that I’m a gym rat. The gym is one of the places I feel my absolute best. Before I moved to Florida, I had been going to the same gym for about two and half years. It had nearly everything a workout junkie could need, but I never had a crush on it (as I did for the WREC during my college days). Then I quite my job, moved across the country, and left my gym membership behind. You always appreciate something more once its gone, isn’t that so?

For the first six months in Florida, Nick and I checked out a variety of gyms in the area, meanwhile getting our sweaty on via at-home workouts, runs in our neighbored, and inconsistent workouts at the base gym. The base gym is incredible (all the functional fitness and olympic lifting equipment one could need!!), and I’d go there regularly in a heartbeat, but it is not practical as we don’t live close enough.

Long story short, an Orangetheory Fitness studio opened up just a few miles from our house (conveniently located to the brand new Sprouts). I knew of Orangetheory, but had never tried it. I was apprehensive of having a studio type membership which wouldn’t allow me the freedom to workout at my leisure. I am all for intuitive exercise, listening to your body, and moving in a way that feels good to you.

That said, I also enjoy a high intensity workout and my body does well with metabolic conditioning. Nick and I tried a complimentary class at the end of June and had a lot of fun. I went back and forth about getting a membership for a few weeks, but ultimately decided to try the unlimited membership when they were having a promotion.

It’s been exactly four weeks since I hopped onboard the OTF train, and I have done 15 classes/workouts in that time. Here are my thoughts so far…

What is Orangetheory Fitness?

“Backed by the science of Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (or EPOC), Orangetheory’s heart rate monitored training is designed to maintain a target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy. We call it the afterburn. Our members burn an estimated 500 to 1,000 calories in 60 minutes. And keep burning calories for up to 36 hours.” – Orangetheory®

What I Like

– The variety: Every class is different! Not only does it keep the workout interesting, but it challenges my body by doing different exercises nearly every workout. There are “power days”, “endurance days”, and “ESP” or “endurance strength power” days, so some workouts are focused more on cardiovascular endurance while others are target at strength and power. Since the classes are group personal training style, I don’t get to choose what exercises I do compared to if I were to design my own workout in the gym, i.e. yesterday’s exercises on the strength floor were 80% core-focused — I would have never programmed that for myself in a hundred years!

– The accountability: You have to sign up for classes in advance to reserve a spot in a class; this is done through a handy app. Since you’re required to plan in advance (and are charged if you miss a scheduled class), you’re held accountable for following through and completing your workout.

– The app: Speaking of the app, it’s not fancy by any means, but not only does it allow you to schedule and cancel classes easily, but it also tracks your workouts. I like being able to look back and see the work I’ve done. Again, while I embrace intuitive exercise and listening to my body versus religiously counting stats from a tracker, I think it’s neat to see a collective of your workout stats. In addition, to the app, you also get an email with your stats after every workout.

– The “afterburn”: I am sore after most every workout, and if I’m not sore, my muscles are fatigued. I will recognize here that this is a sudden increase in interval training for my body, so I’d only expect it to be sore. Because of this, I haven’t really done many other workouts aside from OTF in the past month. Between OTF and taking Koba on walks, my body has been feeling really good. Now all I need is to stretch…

– The mental benefits: As I mentioned, I feel best moving my body, and that’s often in a gym setting (if not out in nature). The endorphin highs are exactly what I’ve been missing. When does a workout not put you in a good mood!?

– The music: This is a small thing, but it really is nice not to have to worry about your own workout music and mess with earbuds or constantly be skipping through a Spotify station. So far I love the music choices – it’s loud and motivational.

My Thoughts on Orangetheory Fitness #orangetheoryfitness #iloveOTF #HIIT

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What I Don’t Like

– Focus on calories: I don’t focus on calories in regards to my diet, and likewise, don’t feel the need to when it comes to exercise either as they don’t relate to or support my goals. I assume the “calories burned” aren’t entirely accurate, so it could potentially throw someone off who does pay attention to calories. OTF also has weight loss challenges which I definitely don’t support (fast weight loss), but obviously I choose just not to participate in such activities/programs.

– Heavy on running: A lot of the workouts are heavy on the running, but understandably so. Using the treadmills is an efficient way to get your heart rate up and into the desired orange zone where, in theory, you’ll see an increase in calories burned during and after the workout (hence the “afterburn”). I simply love lifting weights, so some days I wish the majority of the class was spent on the weight floor.

– Lack of coaches: The studio I go to is very new and only has three coaches, which doesn’t seem like a lot to me. Luckily, the classes I go to most are taught by my favorite coach, but I guess I was surprised there weren’t more.

– Membership cost: The cost of the membership is not cheap. For this reason alone, it prevented me from signing up for several months. Boutique fitness gyms are “in” right now, and they’re all getting away with silly high class prices.

– Late fees: If the base membership cost wasn’t high enough, you are charged extra for canceling a class late (less than 8 hours ahead of time) or missing a class. #accountability I haven’t done this, but I’ve been charged twice by accident, and it’s super annoying.

Picky Things

– I wish the classes were a full 60 minutes (rather than 50-55 minutes) and I wish my studio offered the 90-minute classes, at least on the weekends. I discovered a nearby studio offers one 90-minute class on Saturday mornings, so I may have to check it out.

– As a brand new OTF member, I don’t feel like I was introduced to the gym very well: how studio-specific things work like check-in, “tread cards”, the OTF lingo, etc. I’ve had to ask a lot of questions.

Overall

I’m rolling into my fifth week of classes, and the most important thing is that these workouts are making me feel good. In just a few short weeks, I feel like I am already noticing changes in how I feel physically and mentally. While the cost of membership surely isn’t cheap, right now the cost is worth it for my overall happiness. I know that OTF will not be my sole mode of fitness forever, but it’s fitting the bill right now, I look forward to the workouts, and am enjoying the change of pace (hah, literally!). Yay for trying something new and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

“You didn’t come here to be comfortable.” — favorite quote from Coach Lindsay

Let’s chat!

Have you tried Orangetheory Fitness?

Do you enjoy heart rate-based training? What’s your favorite style of interval training?

E.coli 0157:H7 | How It Changed My Body & My Life

August 22, 2018 by Hillary 2 Comments

I mentioned in this post that I am working with my naturopath again, and it feels really good. I’ve been working with Antonella (in conjunction with allopathic practitioners) for about two years; it has been entirely enlightening for how I view my personal health and wellbeing.

Why did I start to work with her again? Frankly, I haven’t been feeling my best, physically or mentally, the past few months: reoccurring GI issues, low mood, fatigue. I have also been curious to retest for SIBO, as I tested positive in March 2017 and I have a gut feeling that I may still have it.

Antonella and I began by running a bunch of tests to get a baseline of where I’m at today. I did the GI-MAP™, a variety of blood work, and the dreaded 3-hour hydrogen/methane breath test for SIBO. I texted my best friend the other night about my results (she’s a Registered Dietitian and loves to talk about poop and GI stuff just as much as I do), and her exact response was: “OMG! How is that possible?”

We are still waiting on the SIBO results, but the results from the GI-MAP™ test were intensely revealing in understanding why I don’t feel stellar. Essentially, the tests concluded that my gut has HIGH levels of bad bacteria, LOW levels of good bacteria, a parasite, Candida, a trace of Salmonella, and very low IgA levels (marker of over-stressed immunity and related to autoimmunity), among others.

Plus, there were a handful of items on my blood work that weren’t in ideal range either, including markers related to my liver, and kidneys.

…and did I mention that there is still a high possibility I have SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)?

At this point, you’re probably thinking, what the heck? Just like my BFF. I mean, health and wellness is engraved into my lifestyle. I have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, I am a certified health coach, I exercise rigorously by habit, and I fill my reusable farmer’s market bags with kale and fermented sauerkraut.

I’ll be honest and say yes, it can undoubtedly be overwhelming. I could look at these new findings and tell myself that I am not well, that I am sick. Or, aligning with Antonella’s perspective, I can look at it as though I am refining my health… as I have been so diligently doing for oh so many years.

If you’re new here, or don’t know this part of my story, I had E.coli 0157:H7 at age 7 and was hospitalized for three weeks with acute renal failure (both of my kidneys completely shut down, my body was toxic). It nearly cost me my young, precious life. But, with the perseverance and resilience of my strong 45-pound body and team of incredible doctors at Children’s Hospital Oakland, I am here today – 22 years later – to embrace that this incident and life-altering event is a piece of my story, not the end of my story.

My mom always says that I was a different little girl when I came home from the hospital than when I was admitted. I was cautious, reserved, and much more apprehensive of the world… a 180 degree difference from the goofy, vivacious girl I’d been. I was scared and I was scarred, not only physically from being on dialysis for two weeks, but emotionally.

It has taken me years of therapy to begin to understand the trauma that’s resided in my body for the following 22 years. It is only just beginning to make sense — the puzzle pieces are kinda sorta fitting together.

You see, I have seen more doctors for nearly every part of my body in my 29 years than most people will visit in their lifetime. I’ve become immune to doctor’s offices, filling out extensive medical history forms, getting pricked for at the lab, sending results to specialists for a second opinion, paying insurance bills… and waiting impatiently for anticipated diagnostic results.

You could call me a hypochondriac or hyper-focused on my health, and while that may be true too, I wouldn’t have spent significant time of the past two decades sitting anxiously in the waiting room of another doctor’s office if there was nothing to write a chart note about.

I have cried many tears wondering why I don’t feel my best, why I have elevated liver enzymes, why I had a suspicious mass in my breast that was biopsied and is being monitored, why my whole body has broken out in mysterious rashes, why?

Everything is coming into focus now. I am wholeheartedly grateful to be treated by incredible physicians who have taken the time and energy to understand my full medical history, my story, and not exclude my significant past from the current symptom or ailment of precedence.

These doctors have helped me to see that while I left that hospital in October of 1996 walking on my two feet with both of my kidneys functioning, my battle with E.coli wrecked havoc on my gastrointestinal and immune systems, leaving my body more susceptible and sensitive than perhaps the person next to me. That is why this is possible.

I won’t and I can not tell myself that I am sick. For I am not. I am healthy, strong, and resilient AF. I get to hike mountains, sweat through high-intensity Orangetheory workouts, travel the world, run with my dog, have nights out with girlfriends (oh, how I miss these so!). What I can do is continue working on accepting, as my dear mom explains, that I just may have to manage my wellbeing more meticulously than the next person. My bout with E.coli 0157:H7 was traumatizing in every sense: it scared the shit out of me and my family, and understandably forever left a mark on my delicate inner machinery… but it also gifted me immeasurable strength to endure challenges of the next 22 years (and the many many years ahead).

The mental battle of all this is the toughest, as I do everything to attend to my wellbeing day and night. The mental battle of wanting to be a helpful health coach to other women when I have imbalances myself. The mental battle of spending years in higher education studying nutrition, holistic health, and the human body… and not being able to heal myself without extra professional support. Because of this, I have spent far too much time getting in my own damn way.

Not today.

Hi, I’m Hillary. I am refining my health, but I am not defined by my health.

My Favorite Safer Skincare is on SALE!

August 9, 2018 by Hillary Leave a Comment

You’ve probably caught on by now that I have a major crush on Beautycounter products. They are significantly safer than any other skincare and makeup products on the market and the results are amazing without using 1,500 questionable or potentially harmful ingredients. If you want to learn a little bit more about my why behind Beautycounter, check out this post: My Skin Story + Why Beautycounter.

Essentially, for me (and probably you too), I emphasize my focus on eating wholesome, nutritious foods, exercising consistently, and minimizing stress… so why would I slather potentially harmful ingredients on my skin to be absorbed into our bloodstream? Considering the safety of my personal care products just makes sense. It fits in line with my lifestyle, and once I began to learn about the unregulated beauty industry, I wanted to be part of the mission of getting safer products into the hands of everyone.

I am glad I discovered Beautycounter when I did because as I close out my twenties, I find myself more focused on preserving the youthfulness of my skin while simultaneously using products that are not only better for my body, but the environment too.

I’m so happy that Beautycounter is finally doing a % off sale (rather than the usual free gift with purchase) so that those who have been curious about it, can give a try. If you’re like me, switching to safer personal care products doesn’t have to happen overnight. Even if you start with one item (your body lotion, shampoo, or face wash) and make a slow transition, it’s better than nothing. #switchtosafer

Shop the Sale: beautycounter.com/hillaryparker

At check-out, enter promo code: LOVE

Beautycounter has never done a sale like this (and probably won’t for a while), so if you’ve been curious to try the products or want to stock up on your staples, you won’t want to miss this. Offer available until 8/13 while supplies last.

My Skincare Must-Haves:

No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil – 7 plant based oils that will not make you break out! They are full of antioxidants and fatty acids to fight aging. The brightening oil has added vitamin C for an additional radiance boost. I also like to add a drop or two to my hand cream or rub in to my cuticles — it’s multipurpose!

Rejuvenating Radiance Serum – The Rejuvenating Collection is great for anyone wanting to combat signs of aging (sign me up!). I use this serum both morning and night under my moisturizer to reduce fine lines and pore size, and improve skin tone.

No. 3 Balancing Facial Mask – I love this charcoal mask that balances the skin by absorbing excess oil, draws out impurities and reducing the size of pores. I use it about once a week, and sometimes more during that time of the month.

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.

My Makeup Must-Haves:

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.

Lip Gloss – Peony is my daily go-to that I always have on hand. It’s shiny without being sticky and is great to layer over a Sheer Lipstick.

Volumizing Mascara – I fell in love with the Volumizing Mascara first, as I love bold lashes, but the Lengthening Mascara is a close runner-up. I switch between the two depending on the mood I’m in.

Makeup Remover Wipes – I can be a bit lazy sometimes about washing my face at night, and these are perfect for just that. They are larger in size than many other wipes I’ve tried and truly leave your skin feeling clean. Plus, you can compost them — woohoo! These are a must for camping, the gym, and for lazy nights!

20% OFF ALL @beautycounter PRODUCTS! #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.

Email me if you have any questions at all: hillaryannparker (at) gmail (dot) com …or leave a comment below!

Keep in mind that Beautycounter has a 60 day return policy. I have full 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 safer skincare!

xx Hill

*A few exclusions apply: all sets and collections are excluded from this promotion. Countersun, Flawless in Five, Get the Look, and the Overnight Resurfacing Peel are also excluded from this promotion.

Florida Life // 6 Months In

July 29, 2018 by Hillary 5 Comments

It’s a stormy, summer Sunday afternoon and we’re doing the epitome of chillaxin’ after a fun weekend with friends. It seems like just the right setting to write about my sixth month living in Florida. On one hand, it’s hard to believe that I’ve lived here half of a year. On the other hand, sometimes it feels like we moved ages ago… but that may be the homesickness of having friends and family miles and miles away.

Since it’s been a lazy day fueled by strong coffee, I figured I’d switch up the format of my monthly recap and do a virtual coffee date of sorts.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I got a non-wellness related job in Human Resources. In the last recap I said that I was itching to work; well, something finally fell into place (many job applications later). I’m glad that it is only part-time for now in order to adjust to a structured work schedule again. I am hoping to spend the hours that aren’t in my new office working on the blog, getting my health coaching services up and running again, and sharing safer skincare via Beautycounter.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I joined a gym — yahoo! This was a fairly hefty piece that’s been missing since moving cross-country. I’ve kept my body in motion the past sixth months with a mixture of running/walking, home workouts, and the occasional gym session, but I’m totally pumped to have a “gym” just a couple of miles from home that will push me out of my workout comfort zone. I say “gym” because Orangetheory Fitness is a boutique fitness studio. Essentially you show up and get coached through a 60-minute interval workout in a group setting. While I’m no rookie to HIIT or interval training, I’ve never paid for this type of membership. I’m going to give it a shot for a month or two, and see how I like it. My mind is so much clearer when I have consistent exercise in my routine, and I think the endorphin highs will be a beneficial mood booster.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I’m working with my naturopath again. I am hoping to get some answers on what’s going on with my gut (do I still have SIBO?) and possible hormonal imbalances. The brain-gut connection is so real, and so I’ve asked for help to continue healing my gut which, in turn, should help ease other various symptoms (i.e. skin and mood).

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that last weekend Nick and I ran the Tampa Bay 8K hosted by Lululemon. It was just a “fun run”, but the first organized run I’ve done a while. Running in the humidity is not for sissies. I started out way too fast and lost all steam by the end. We both finished at the top of the pack surprisingly, and enjoyed participating in a free community event with other local runners. All around it was a win-win.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I wasn’t aware of how wet Florida summers are until living in it. Being a California-native where the weather is often ideal, I’m not used to stormy weather in the middle of summer when I imagine spending my days outdoors in nature. Needless to say, I am eager for fall/winter when we don’t have to worry about lightning, flooding, intense humidity, and the grass won’t grow inches overnight.

If we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that I miss the ease of familiarity. As expected I suppose, almost everything in the past six months has been NEW: new house, new city, new roads, new friends, new job, new gym, new dentist, new grocery store, new coworkers, new climate, new culture. It requires a lot of mental energy that can be exhausting at times. But the best things don’t come from staying in your comfort zone. Isn’t that how the saying goes?

I am hoping that I’ll start to feel a little more like myself again (oh how I thrive off consistency and routine!) with a set work schedule, scheduled workouts, and the consistent support from my naturopath.

I survived the first six months of #floridalife… now I’m ready to thrive!

Thanks for reading,

xx Hill

Florida Life

Month 1: settling in.

Month 2: exploring our surroundings.

Month 3: fun with friends & family.

Months 4 & 5: figuring out my purpose here + California travels.

Have you done an Orangetheory Fitness workout?

What do you have planned for the remainder of your summer?

On Slowing Down

July 20, 2018 by Hillary 6 Comments

It’s Friday morning.

I’m sipping my black half-caff collagen coffee and glass of freshly-squeezed lemon water.

The house is dark aside from the dreary light shining through the cracked blinds.

The rain comes and it goes. This is summer in Florida, I suppose.

My sweet puppy is snoozing at my feet.

And I’m finally getting around to writing on the blog this week.

You see, I’ve recently created some loose goals regarding creating new content here and across my social channels.

Last week, I was in a grove. And this week… well, it has been a different pace, slower most certainly.

Most mornings have been slow moving. Just like today.

Workouts and exercise has been regular yet relaxed. Gentle yoga made a comeback!

Sometimes our bodies and our minds need to take the steam off in this pressure-cooker pace of life.

Society tells us we need to be on our game around the clock, never missing a beat.

Yet, when we pause and reflect, and turn off – even momentarily – our inspiration and our drive has a chance to refuel in order to give, produce, teach, guide, nurture…

My hope is that you can appreciate the moments or days or weeks when life moves at a slower pace, when you feel a tad less inspired, or motivated, or even lost.

Those moments, if we let them, teach us something too.

Enjoy the ebb and the flow.

xx Hill

On Slowing Down #iamwellandgood #trusttheprocess

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Eating Intuitively: What I Ate Yesterday

July 13, 2018 by Hillary Leave a Comment

Hi & happy Friday!

Monday: Summer Giveaway! Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Wednesday: 5 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

Friday: Let’s talk daily eats! In my early days of blogging, I used to share what I ate on the daily all of the time. It’s exhausting just thinking about the time I spent documenting my meals. I didn’t have an iPhone in 2009 either, so that meant I was lugging around a point+shoot camera. Long story short, I thought it might be fun to do a daily eats type post. I know that I personally enjoy seeing what others eat, whether it’s via a blog post or Instagram, so I thought this might give you an idea or two.

Let’s get to it. Here’s what a day of intuitive eating looked like for me yesterday.

8:00am (not pictured)

1 cup of half-caffeinated black coffee + 1 scoop of Vital Proteins unflavored collagen peptides

glass of water + juice of 1/2 a lemon

A hot cup of coffee is what gets me out of bed in the morning (not the best habit, I know!). I like dark roast coffee, served black. I drink haff-caff because I surely don’t love being dependent on caffeine. I also do it to reduce my caffiene intake for various reasons: anxiety, sluggish liver, tender cystic breasts.

I’m trying to make it a habit to drink lemon water upon waking. It doesn’t always happen, but when I do, it seems to aid my digestion; it’s also supposed to help the liver do its job of flushing out unwanted toxins.

11:00am

2 “paleo” toaster waffles (Birch Benders brand) with cashew butter, fresh organic raspberries, ground flax & hemp seeds

I used to eat immediately upon waking, but now I’ll often exercise or sip coffee/lemon water before diving into my first meal. I’ve been enjoying these waffles as a grain-free “toast” option. And fresh raspberries over jam any day!

3:00pm

roasted potatoes & broccoli (with avocado oil, s+p), 1 egg, avocado, drizzle of vegan kale pesto (Trader Joe’s brand)

I don’t normally eat lunch at this time, but since I didn’t eat my first meal of the day until late morning, I wasn’t hungry for lunch until late afternoon. I didn’t finish the entire plate – which was served on a small salad plate, for reference – as my appetite was a bit wonky (probably due to fact that it’s that time of the month).

3:30/4:00pm

matcha latte: unsweetened almond milk, 1 scoop of Vital Proteins matcha collagen, ~1/2 tsp. maple syrup, maca & cinnamon

I was craving something sweet, warm and soothing after lunch (thunderstorm = cue the cozy vibes). This cinnamon matcha latte hit the spot. I sipped on it as I did a couple hours of work at my desk.

Eating Intuitively: What I Ate Yesterday #intuitiveeating #healthcoacheats

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7:30pm

1 small grain-free almond flour banana muffin (I added blueberries and cinnamon to my all-time favorite muffin recipe)

spoonful of cashew butter with cacao nibs + more plump organic raspberries because I can’t get enough of them!

I don’t usually eat a muffin for “dinner.” I’ll say that again. That said, I want to show you what an actual day of eating intuitively looks like for me. Seeing that I ate a filling lunch super late in the day combined with the fact that I had menstral cramps, I didn’t have an appetite for a savory meal come “dinner time.” I usually make Nick and I dinner (or we’re cooking something on the grill), but he wasn’t all that hungry (unusually!), so it worked.

What’s the best thing you ate this week?

What’s your go-to meal on a hot summer day?

5 Ingredients to Avoid in Personal Care Products

July 11, 2018 by Hillary Leave a Comment

My dance years were a non-stop show of 90s music, loud costumes, and a lot of make-up. Backstage was a rain shower of sticky, shiny hairspray, buns and bright red lipstick, and layers upon layers of liquid foundation. We toted around miniature duffel bags of drugstore brand cosmetics from competition to recital to competition. Luckily I didn’t know then what I do now.

Safer skincare and make-up hasn’t always been one of my interests.

But now it is. It makes complete sense for me. For someone who has cared about what I put IN my body for so many years, why would I not give the same attention to what I put ON my body? Personal care products have ingredient labels just as food products do, yet they do not get the same critical consideration.

The U.S. law that governs the multi-billion dollar cosmetics industry was passed 80 years ago(!) in 1938 and does not give the Food and Drug Administration the authority to ask cosmetic companies for safety data or issue recalls of cosmetics found to be unsafe.

Say what!?

In the United States, we ban a whopping 30 ingredients from cosmetics, while the European Union bans close to 1,400. In the U.S., it is entirely legal for companies to use toxic chemicals in the products that we put on our bodies every day – even if the ingredients are linked to health issues. Essentially, there is lack of regulation in the beauty industry when it comes to ingredients, and we slather them on ourselves and our families every day.

Not all chemical are bad. But toxic chemicals are, as you guessed it, not good for us. “Toxic” means those chemicals that can harm cells or organs, cause neurological damage, and/or alter important biological systems. In the case of cosmetics, toxic chemicals can enter our bodies through our skin, lips and nails when we apply products, and through our airways when we inhale particles from powders and sprays.

This post isn’t meant to overwhelm you as you make a mental note of all the products you have in your shower and bathroom cabinets. Rather, it is intended to shine a little light on this commonly ignored component of wellness so that the next time you’re restocking your shampoo or mascara, you’ll have more confidence selecting products as an informed consumer.

5 Personal Care Ingredients to Avoid

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.

5 Personal Care Ingredients to Avoid @beautycounter #saferskincare #betterbeauty

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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.

— My Skin Story + Why Beautycounter

— My Current Favorite Beautycounter Products

— Shop Beautycounter

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

Do you have any favorite safer skincare brands?

Summer Giveaway! Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

July 9, 2018 by Hillary 1 Comment

HEY friends & happy Monday to ya! ☕

I’ve got a little giveaway for you this week, courtesy of Vital Proteins.

One box of collagen peptides (20 packets) is up for grabs — these are ideal for summer travel! You can stash them in your carry-on bag, store in your desk drawer at work, and even put a couple in your purse for your next coffee shop date.

If you’re new to the collagen peptides scene, read: I Love Collagen Peptides. I put a scoop of unflavored collagen peptides in my black coffee every morning.

Collagen has many health benefits (hello glowing skin!), and I love that Vital Proteins has these individual packets to make it easy to incorporate a dose of pure protein when you are on the go.

Curious about collagen peptides or already a Vital Proteins enthusiast? Enter the giveaway below!