MEGA Favourites Round Up: Blogtober

Today is the last day of Blogtober, and I must say I am feeling a little sad! It has been so much fun brainstorming content for this little bloggy of mine, so I am thinking I am going to keep it rolling and continue blogging as much as possible. That being said, I wanted to do a round up of some of my favourites from this month. It's a mixture of food, fashion, skincare, blog posts - a BIG range of goodies comin' your way!

Let's get started : )

Blog posts I loved writing this month:

My running journey

Still in love with these under eye masks to make your eyes feel refreshed and more awake!

Why being positive is a much better way to spend your energy.

Fall sunsets and sunrises

A little fall shopping haul ; )

Lots of snuggle time with the pup and a good book.

Healthy morning habits to start now. Easy to add into your current morning routine!

Running the Victoria Half Marathon

My food philosophy

Trail dates with Nala bear : )

Why I am LOVING high intensity interval training

Getting my hair refreshed for fall!

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I hope you guys enjoyed Blogtober. I want to thank everyone who read even one post this month. I truly do love bringing you guys fun content, so please let me know what YOU would like to see next on the blog : ) Chat with you all soon!

Five Things Friday: Fall Changes Edition

Good morning!

It is Friiiiiday, which means it is almost the weekend. I've got one more day of work and then the weekend is here! As usual, I am sharing five things that I have been loving this weekend. Let me know in the comments what YOU have been loving this week - try anything new? Eat something delicious? Buy some cute shoes? I wanna know! : )

First things first, this is an exciting change for my hair! I am not the type to get my hair done often, so when I do I like to make it special. Seriously. The last time I got my hair trimmed was over six months ago, and the last time it was coloured was when I did the whole ombre scenario over a year ago. Not only was my hair in need of freshening up, but I figured now was the best time to make a colour change, too! I am so happy with how it turned out. Funny how a new hair do can make you feel like a new person! : )

Ooh, yes. The coveted Blundstone boots I have been wanting for the last year. Ryan and I celebrated our anniversary on Tuesday, and this was a thoughtful gift that he knew I would love. Now it's time to break them in!

Mmm, Monday night's dinner was cauliflower crust pizza! Have you guys tried this before? It is amazing. The only downside is the cheese, BUT that is my own fault for adding more on top. Ha, ha. I used veggie pepperoni on mine, whereas Ryan cooked up some chicken breast for his pizza. This picture was taken pre-oven, so picture this all hot and melty. Ooh, yah!

So Nala still kills me. Seriously. She is so cute. Look at those puppy dog eyes! It made my at home yoga practice on Monday night difficult with her trying to get in there too. It's safe to say she is the real master of downward facing dog, no matter how hard I try.

So it's not exactly a Christmas mug, but it's close enough. For now. This has been my go to mug lately for any hot beverages, accompanied of course by my candy cane pajama pants and red, green, and white striped socks. I know. Too soon, Holly. Too soon. I can't help myself!

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Hope you guys enjoyed! Catch ya tomorrow : )

How to Make RUNNING Suck LESS!

Running is hard. You know this, I know this, we all know this. You may have a super hard run where it feels as if your head and legs are not on the same page. You may try a new route that is filled with hills and be exhausted after. However, on the other hand there are great runs out there waiting for you, too! You gotta take the good days with the bad days, because with anything, they are bound  to happen. That being said, today I wanted to share a few ways to make running suck less.

1. Create a custom playlist OR listen to a podcast: I am a huge advocate for listening to music that you love while on the run. During the Victoria Half Marathon I tuned into a playlist I made on Spotify. If you are interested, you can check out my running beats playlist here. Alternatively, during a run is a prime time to check out a podcast to pass the time. A few favourites of mine are The Skinny Confidential Him & Her podcast and The Bitch Bible. Be sure to check them out - they will keep you thoroughly entertained!

2. Take walk breaks. Running for 20, 30, 40+ minutes can be hard whether you are a newbie runner or if you have been running for a while. Don't be afraid to take walk breaks! This helps mentally break up the run, that way you can run for 9 minutes, say, and know that you have a 1 minute break coming up. I took this approach during the Victoria Half Marathon and it was an excellent way to give my mind and body a bit of a break. Plus I was able to refuel and rehydrate during this time, too!

3. Find a workout buddy. Running is easier with a friend. That is, if you like running with someone else. Your running partner can help make you accountable, and there is nothing better than chit chatting and catching up with a friend (or family member!) while you are getting your sweat on. Time tends to pass by when you are sharing stories too, and if you are racing, you have crushed a goal together, too!

4. Buy some cute workout gear. No, seriously. Having nice workout clothing gets me pumped up. There are few things I love more than shopping for exercise clothes. If you had to choose between a baggy pair of old sweat pants and a new pair of Lululemon capris, which ones would you pick? I know the answer is different for everyone, but I'd reach for the Lulu's and kill my run with confidence. Now, I'm not saying go by a new pair of shorts or a top every time you want to work out. No, treat yourself to something here and there to help keep you feel motivated. It's all part of that feel good, look good plan.

5. Document your journey. For me, I like to document my running journey on this blog. For others it may be a journal, a planner, or in list form. Whatever it is, keeping track will allow you to visually see your progress, and you can always look back and reflect on your journey. It's important to give yourself credit for all of your hard work, and seeing all the great things written down on paper will help you look forward to another good run later on!

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For all the runners out there, what are some things YOU do to make running suck less?

How to Turn a Setback into a Comeback

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We have all been there. You're on a roll with your clean eating and exercise, the sun is shining, birds are chirping, and suddenly it all falls apart. Maybe something happened at work to cause you to go off track. Maybe you suddenly got hit real hard with LIFE and all that it can entail, and maybe you're just feeling unmotivated and down in the dumps.

Well friends, I'm here to chat about how you can deal with setbacks. Yeah, they suck. BUT they are a part of life and it's important to acknowledge it and carry on. What do you do when you face a setback, though? What's the first step you take to get yourself back in that right direction again? Here's a few things I try to keep in mind.

1. It is only temporary. You have the ability to make a choice that will either further your progress or hinder it. I could get extra sad, wallow away with a pizza and feel even worse, OR I could do something that makes my soul happy. You want to do things that fill your happy bucket, whether that's painting your nails, doing a face mask, taking a nap, reading a book - whatever it is, do it!

2. PLAN and prioritize. I am a huge advocate for planning and prioritizing what needs to be done. If you are searching for a new work out plan, maybe that's just the thing to pull you out of a slump. Or perhaps you simply need to plan out your day, week, month in your planner to wrap your head around a hectic schedule. Making a plan is one of the first steps for turning a setback into a comeback!

3. Make a list. This goes along with the second point above, but I love me a good list. I probably write at least three lists per day, whether that's with work, personal life, or what I aim to accomplish on the blog. Try dividing your list into categories. Leave work at work and focus on what you can check off for your personal and mental health.

4. Motivate yourself. Yes, we all need an extra dose of motivation sometimes. Every so often I will sit down with my notebook and revisit my goals. Revisiting my goals allows me to see what needs to be done, and that alone can motivate me to just get up and DO IT. If motivation doesn't come all that easy to you, take to YouTube and watch some motivational videos to get you pumped up. Check out some new bloggers, listen to a podcast, or buy yourself a new workout outfit if that's what it takes to get you back in the gym and feeling good (if that's your goal). On a similar note, surrounding yourself with a group of people who lift you up is great motivation as well!

5. Celebrate your accomplishments, whether they are big or small. You don't have to scream it to the top of the mountains (though by all means if you are comfortable doing that), but take a moment to THANK YOURSELF and celebrate a job well done. This could be buying a new lipstick, or even just taking 20 minutes to relax in a bath and relish in your accomplishments. Often times self-love is overlooked, so take a bit of downtime as a celebration of your hard work. You deserve it, and it will leave you recharged for your comeback!

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What are your tips for turning a setback into a comeback?

Some Tippity-Tips for Staying On Track

Staying on track can be one of the hardest things when you are on a health and fitness journey. It is simple enough to get started with a new work out plan, or eating more wholesome foods, but eventually that love wears off and you eventually feel STUCK. Sure, that feeling is temporary and you can move on, but how do you even start the process of moving forward? While I was brainstorming for this post I compiled five of my go-to tips that I like to use when I am either feeling low on motivation or just need an extra boost. Of course, be sure to share in the comments if there is anything that you find yourself drawn to!

Let's get to it : )

1. Find a buddy. It is so powerful to find someone to help keep you accountable, whether it's with being consistent with your workout or not being tempted by junk food. Your buddy can be a good friend, a family member, and there are tons of online communities where people can connect to other like-minded individuals.

2. Meal prep & eat lots of fruits and veggies. When I have meals ready or have packed my lunch ahead of the time, I feel a million times better about the choices I make throughout the day. It keeps your meals organized, and by planning ahead of time (I like to include snacks throughout the work day as well), you take the guesswork out of it. On the days when I have nothing prepared, I am more prone to grabbing some beet crackers and hummus and calling it a day. Mixing lots of veggies and fruits into your meals and snacks will help satisfy a sweet tooth (a little apple and peanut butter moment never hurt nobody) and the fibre will help keep you full. Of course, be mindful of your activity level for the day too. If you are doing a long run or lifting at the gym, plan your meals around this to ensure you are getting the proper carbs, protein, and fats for your post-workout recovery.

3. Treat yourself to a bite. I am a huge dessert fan. Apparently a couple Fridays ago it was national dessert day, so you better believe that I took part in that. However, dessert when you are out at a restaurant or at a birthday party is considered a special occasion, whereas at home my dessert might be some homemade applesauce with frozen blueberries (trust me, this combination is amazing!). However, if you really want to try something, have a bite! Why not? Sometimes when I am tempted to have a dessert I will cut a small bite first, then that will allow me to test it and see if it is truly worthwhile.

4. Write it down. When I first embarked on my fitness journey I used a journal to document my food choices and workouts. I even tracked how much water I was drinking to ensure I stayed hydrated. Now, I am more intuitive when it comes to my eating and drinking style. I know how much water I need to feel good, and I know what types of foods help me feel my best. That being said, however, it never hurts to jot things down to keep yourself in check. There is something about visually seeing and physically writing things down that triggers your brain and gut to re-think that extra cookie, or two cookies, or the box... You get it!

5. Have fun with it. There is no need to stay in the same ol' routine day in and day out if you are becoming bored of it. Switch up your workouts and try new recipes to keep things interesting! There are so many ways to put a healthy twist on some not-so healthy favourites. Besides, it is always fun experimenting in the kitchen!

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Stay tuned for a new post tomorrow that chats about how to turn a setback into a comeback!

5 Ways to Kill the Bloat!

Bloating. Isn't it a lovely thing? I know I feel great when even my sweat pants are digging into my sides.

Catch the sarcasm there?

Yeah, nobody likes bloating. It is uncomfortable, you feel icky, there's nothing good about it.

So, here's five little trickeroos to use to kill the bloat.

1. MOVE YOUR BODY. Sometimes when you're bloated one of the best things you can do is move your body to help flush out any toxins that have accumulated in your body. Getting your blood pumping will make you feel more energized. Although it may feel like the last thing you want to do, I promise you it will be worth it. You don't have to go balls to the wall, either. Simply getting outside for a walk, doing some easy yoga stretches, or dancing around your living room will help reduce that bloat!

2. Drink WATER. Besides exercising, I know the last thing you want to do is drink water. You already feel full and icky, but TRUST ME. The water will flush that excess sodium and sugar out of your system and make you feel even better. It may take an hour or so, and you may be peeing a lot (let's be real, it happens), but keeping yourself hydrated will do wonders.

3. Drink tea. This is along the same lines as drinking water, but tea - especially peppermint tea - can do amazing things at banishing bloat. Why peppermint tea? Peppermint can be calming for the digestive system and can reduce cramps, bloating, and alleviate gas in the intestines. You can also look for a "detox" tea (I use that word with caution as I don't really believe in detoxing in the stereotypical sense) that includes mint, fennel, lemon, etc. I have peppermint tea almost every day and notice a difference in my tummy when I am drinking it consistently. Plus, it makes you less farty. Sorry, but it's true.

4. Eat WHOLE foods. We all know how much sodium goes into processed foods, so cut the processed junk and go back to basics. Lots of leafy greens, healthy proteins, fruits, and veggies will help keep your gut happy and reduce bloating. If you are intolerant to things like wheat and dairy, try reducing your intake for a day or so to ensure you are not further increasing your chances of that bloat sticking around.

5. Take a probiotic. Probiotics are full of healthy gut bacterial which can help your tummy achieve a happy balance. When your stomach bacteria is out of whack, you are more prone to illness, digestive stress, and inflammation in the gut. There are lots of probiotics out there, but look for one that is refrigerated (probiotics are living bacterias!), and does not contain a ton of fillers. Your local health food store will be able to lead you in the right direction as it is different for everyone : )

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What are some ways YOU help banish the bloat!?

Five Things Friday: Cozy Fall Edition

Happy Friday party people! We've got another round of five favourite things on the blog today. If you missed last week's round up, I was chatting about my favourite wellness books lately. Be sure to check it out if you need some new reads!

Let's get into the weekly roundup of favourite things this week.

Nala and I managed to sneak out for some time on the trail when the rain held off long enough. I enjoy this time with her where I can just tune out with a podcast and take in the fall scenery along our route. Plus, it gives us both some exercise and it's always nice to have a napping puppy after : ) So snuggly!

Every time I see a rainbow it signifies, for me, that my cat Oreo and family dog Malibu are looking over me. Malibu passed away nearly five years ago now, and Oreo (my most favourite cat in the whole entire world) passed away in fall of last year. So, it always puts a smile to my face when I see a rainbow : )

Last weekend was stormy on the island which made for lots of time spent curled up on the couch reading, blogging, and drinking peppermint tea. On Monday I spent a good amount of time on the blog planning and brainstorming new post ideas. This time is always so relaxing for me as I can just get into my zone and start jotting all the ideas down that pop into my head. Since October is #Blogtober here on the blog, I am in the midst of planning out November. Hinty hint: it's about money. Kind of. Stay tuned for more about that!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince which is a new read, considering when I last read the series this book wasn't out yet. My goal is to finish the series by Christmas which I think is doable! I am also loving this notebook, as it's where I write everything down in. All of my to-do lists, blog ideas, brainstorming, notes, and everything else. Even grocery lists!

Candles, candles, candles. I am all about candles, especially in the fall time as it creates such a cozy and inviting environment. The candle on the left is from last year at Home Sense, and the candle on the right is a Himalayan pink salt candle holder where I just use a plain soy wax tealight. I used to be obsessed with Bath & Body Works candles, but do your research people! I'm all about having the wax as natural and organic as it can be, and B&BW just does not fit the bill. Plus, there are too many icky chemicals in there that float up into the air and cause me to sneeze and feel wheezy. Not cute, so soy and beeswax is where it's at.

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What are you loving this week?

Any exciting plans this weekend?

Ladies: 5 Reasons Why You Should Lift

There seems to be this old tale that women who lift weights are manly and will have ginormous muscles. Well, today I wanted to chat about WHY it is important for women to lift weights, and more importantly, lift heavier than they think they can lift.

There are so many benefits to weight lifting. We will get into that, and also chat about how to get started.

So, you're ready to start lifting but have no idea where to go? If you plan on attending a gym, it may be worth booking an appointment with a personal trainer to at least get familiar with the strength training area. At my gym they have it separated by cardio equipment, strength training machines/dumb bells, and another room with another rack of dumb bells and things like yoga mats, foam rollers, resistance bands/tubes, and kettle bells. Having someone show you around the gym will not only answer any questions you may have about the facility, but make you feel more comfortable. Being comfortable is HUGE in starting a strength training journey (or any health journey for that matter), as you will be more inclined to stick to it if you don't feel awkward or out of place.

That's not to say that feeling awkward won't happen, because I can guarantee that it will happen! However, getting your bearings will help make things easier in the long run.

To get started means to simply put on your work out gear and get going. If buying a new exercise outfit will motivate you to take the first steps, then by all means, do what you need to do. That being said, in order to begin a program you just have to START, so start now, whatever that may look like for you!

When it comes to strength training, having a plan will allow you to visually see what you need to do in the gym. A plan tailored to your specific needs will also alleviate that, "OMG what do I do today!?" feeling that can arise. Start small to start - say two times per week - and build up as you start to feel stronger in the gym. Soon enough, you will have a work out split (another word for plan) that can target multiple parts of your body.

For me, my workout split looks something like this:

Legs twice per week, shoulders/triceps twice per week, and one day for back and biceps. Occasionally I will mix in some back/biceps on my shoulder days, but it is completely up to you. Every 4-6 weeks I switch things up (providing I am seeing results), and I mix some cardio in there as well because I love me some running! : )

Again, your first steps into strength training may be at-home YouTube videos, and that's okay, too! Do what works for you and what makes your body feel good.

So, WHY should women strength train?

I'll tell you why I personally do it. I strength train for mental clarity, for challenging my body, so I can withstand day to day activities with ease, so I can age gracefully (or so I am hoping anyway), and so I can be a better me.

You can tell when I haven't worked out because I am grouchy, irritable, and I won't be as in tune with my body or my mood. This is important to me as I want to be present and mindful in my interactions out there in the world, so working out can set the tone for a great day.

However, some other reasons why women should strength train are listed below.

1. You will burn more fat. Strength training builds muscle, and muscle burns more calories and fat while resting. Sure, you burn calories after a run, but not nearly as many as you would after a good strength training session!

2. You will practice the art of mental strength. Yep, you can do one more rep. Yep, you can lift a little bit heavier. Yep, you can do one more squat. Strength training (and athletic training in general) helps train your mind in that whole, "mind-over-matter" sense, which can translate to so many other areas of your life.

3. You'll strengthen your bones, as strength training helps your muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons adapt under pressure. Your bones will become stronger and more dense, which will help stave off age related degeneration.

4. You will lean out. Yes, weight lifting (combined with a clean diet, OF COURSE) will help your jeans feel looser and make your shirt less tight. This is because muscle takes up less space than fat. Sure, a pound is a pound, but a pound of fat is more voluminous than a pound of muscle. So while you may still weigh the same weight (which I don't recommend going by the number on the scale anyway), you probably look a little slimmer since your body is increasing muscle and decreasing fat.

5. Your HEART will seriously thank you. Strength training and cardiovascular exercise is a God-send for your heart. As you get into better shape, your heart actually doesn't have to work as hard to send blood throughout your body. Exercise reduces blood pressure, and we all know high blood pressure ain't cute.

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If you are a woman who has a strength training routine, what does this look like for you? Let me know in the comments! Any AMAZING moves I should try in the gym!?

Healthy Morning Habits to Start Now

Does anyone else LOVE mornings? I especially love them on a Sunday or Monday when I have the whole day to myself. Easing into the morning can set the tone for a happier day. Whether you are a late riser or an early riser, I hope you can find a few takeaways from today's post to help create some more healthy habits. Of course, you don't have to do these just in the morning. They are all great no matter what time of day they occur! However, some of them are especially effective the morning to get the day started when your body is freshly awake. Let me know in the comments if there are any morning habits you like to do!

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1. Hold the phone. One thing that is important in the morning is allowing yourself to wake up on your own terms, without being inundated with social media first thing. I know how tempting it can be to check your phone right away. Trust me, been there all too often! However, I wait until I've been up for an hour (give or take) before I finally check social media. It can be so overwhelming for me in the morning to be bombarded with what everyone else is doing, so keeping my phone aside while I am going about my morning business helps me feel more engaged in what I am feeling and doing to get my day started

2. Lemon water, lemon water, lemon water. I LOVE lemon water so much. Lemon water in the morning (especially with warm water) is a gentle way to "detox" your body and flush out any toxins in your system. It kickstarts the digestive system, rehydrates the body, and can help energize you for the day ahead. BUT - that doesn't mean ditch the coffee. Drink your lemon water first, girl! Hydrate before you caffeinate is my rule of thumb.

3. Get moving - or not. Some people love to exercise in the morning. I am one of those people who enjoy working out in the morning to get my sweat-sesh out of the way, though at the same time I also enjoy working out in the evening to sweat out the day's stress. That being said, exercising in the morning can help wake you up and aid in better dietary choices throughout the day. On the other hand, some people love starting their morning on a more quiet note: meditation. Meditation doesn't have to be sitting on your yoga mat for an hour saying "Omm" one hundred times. I ain't got time (or the patience) for that. However, even meditating for five minutes can be beneficial at calming your nervous system, clearing your mind, and setting positive intentions for your day. Find what works for you and go with it!

4. Journal or read. I am a book lover at heart (maybe that's why I enjoy blogging so much!) and whether you are reading a biography, a fantasty novel (Harry Potter say heyyyy whaaat), or writing in your journal, the act of reading and writing can not only be therapeutic, but it can also help reinvigorate your mind. Waking up with an interesting article is a nice way to pass time as you're having your morning lemon water, too!

5. Eat breakfast. If you aren't a big fan of breakfast foods, eat something. If you think about it, you wouldn't drive your car without putting gas in it, right? So why would you start your day without fueling your body? My go-to breakfast is oatmeal, though I have been switching it up lately with eggs and berries a few times per week when I want some more protein in the morning. Not interested in cooking in the morning? There are tons of yummy recipes out there for healthy breakfast cookies and muffins, that way you can grab, go, and be on your way. Alternatively, a smoothie is another great way to get some nutrients into the system! Having breakfast ensures that your brain and body have the nutrients required to perform at it's best.

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Now, off to get my coffee! Have a fantastic day everyone : )

BYE BYE Mainstream Deodorant!

Hey, so I have some news for you guys.

I am ditching mainstream deodorant.

*GASP*

Yep, you heard that right.

Let me get into the (seriously) dirty details about mainstream deodorants and why I have decided to branch outside of the drugstore.

First things first, let's talk about ingredients. As you guys know, I like knowing how to pronounce my food ingredients, and now I am moving onto skincare, too. Your skin is the largest organ, and the thought of slathering a bunch of unknown substances on myself gives me the creeps.

And so does sticking chemicals under my arm pits. I was doing some research about these ingredients and this is what I found:

- ALUMINUM is disgusting and it's one of the main ingredients in deodorant. This helps block your pores and stop your sweat glands from doing their job - sweating! Sweating is so, so important at flushing out your body of toxins. Additionally, aluminum has been linked to breast cancer in women and linked to an increase in Alzheimer's.

- Parabens are part of a larger group of synthetic preservatives and are found in EVERYTHING. I have started buying shampoo with no parabens and sulfates for the sake of my hair and skin health. Parabens are said to disrupt hormone balances, organ toxicity and even birth defects. YIKES!!

- Propylene glycol is a petroleum based material that makes products soft. In deodorant and antiperspirant, this makes it spread easier under your pits. Too much propylene glycol is said to damage the central nervous system in large quantities.

- Phthalates, like parabens, are part of a bigger, ugly class of chemicals that help dissolve other ingredients, create a lather in cosmetics like shampoo and hair products, and have been connected with SO many health issues. These health issues include hormone disruption and cell mutation. Ew, ew, ew.

- Triclosan is used as the actual odor killing component in deodorants and antiperspirants. While it does have anti-bacterial properties (ahem, so does coconut oil), it is technically classified as a pesticide. Nothing better than putting some pesticides under the pits!

SO, here's the question you guys probably have for me now. What the heck are you using? Nothing? Going completely granola and not having any kind of underarm protection?

No, no. No.

I am currently on the hunt for the perfect natural deodorant, but this is what I have been using lately. It isn't as slick as, say, a swipe of Lady Speedstick, but it does the trick. It is free of aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances. Winning.

I haven't used it during extremely sweaty workouts. The thing is, this isn't going to stop me from sweating as it is still allowing my sweat glands to breathe rather than blocking them altogether. One thing I like about this deodorant though, I must say, is the smell. It is feminine but not sickly sweet, and has a little bit of a masculine touch to it.

I am in the midst of looking for another natural deodorant to try out as well. Any others that you would recommend? Looking forward to sharing my reviews of them on the blog!

What Goes Into a Blog Post?

Happy Sunday, friends!

I am so happy to have had the chance to sleep in this morning. I am kicking off the day with a little bit of insight as to how I make a blog post.

This is just a very simple infographic, though I wanted to get into some more details as it's a lot more than snapping a few pictures, writing a bunch of stuff & callin' it a day.

So, here's (generally) what I do!

 1. BRAINSTORM! This is so, so important for me to get those creative juices flowing. The other night I was sitting at the table with a glass of wine with no idea what to write about. It wasn't until I started putting pen to paper that things started to happen. In my notebook I try to elaborate on each subject as much as possible and jot down key points that I want to talk about. You can imagine how full my notebook is with all the Blogtober posts!

2. Photos. This is the hardest part for me as I struggle taking pictures just on my iPhone. Sure, the quality is okay, but it's not as great as I would like it to me. So, my next step is investing in a good camera that will allow me to take crisp, concise photos. Depending on the blog post I am writing, sometimes I will take a couple hours on a day off to set up all of my props and items that I'm taking pictures of. Then, it's time to edit and upload to the computer!

3. The writing. The fun part! Now I grab my notebook and put my keyboard to good use. If I have brainstormed my blog post ahead of time it is generally pretty easy to get a post done. However, you also have to incorporate pictures in there to disburse the copy and revise, revise, revise! I hate spelling mistakes, so this is MAJOR for me. Grammar police!

4. Now it's time to make the post published to the world. I will revise one more time around, preview my blog post and how it looks on my website before hitting publish. If I have several posts ready to go, I will schedule them on different days to make sure I have content spread out and organized for the coming days.

5. Last step is to utilize my social media accounts to get my post out there. I have just recently started pinning my blog posts, and they are always posted on Facebook, Twitter, and I post on Instagram daily ; ) 

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I hope you guys enjoyed today's post! It is something a little bit different, but I thought it would be fun to give you guys a little bit of background info on how things go behind the laptop. Have a great weekend!

Why I Will NOT Be Competing Anytime Soon

Hey party people!

The weekend is officially here, and I am kicking it off with a little posty-post about the bikini competition world.

Yep. If you don't know, in June of 2015 I competed in my first ever bikini competition, which was the IDFA BC Classic in North Vancouver. Super cool experience, I won third place, it was glitzy and glamorous and definitely something I had never dreamed of doing, but that's it.

That's it.

Nowadays, I think it is supposed to be some trendy thing to be a bikini competitor. It seems like everyone and their dog is doing it. Seriously, if they had a dog category I'm sure there would be some weird team duo entering that. Nevertheless, I wanted to chat about why I will not be competing anytime soon.

And when I say anytime soon, I mean within the next one to two years. I'm not looking further than that - although, that being said, looking further than that I don't see that in my vision - and I wanted to share my thoughts on it.

I'm all about pushing my body to the limit. This is why I run half marathons for fun, do leg day on a long run, do yoga and stretch my body in weird positions and up until recently, trained for my first bikini competition.

However, if you read my post about body image, you will know that I wasn't shy about talking about my issue with body image post-bikini competition. It is seriously a mind F and something to consider before you even sign up for the competition. This is something I kind of sort of thought about, but probably didn't take enough time to truly grasp how it would impact me. That being said, I do NOT regret for one second my choice to enter a bikini competition. I learned so much about myself in the process, and fortunately I was surrounded by SO many supportive people. Bless Ryan and my family for being all, "OMG YEAH! Sounds great! You can do it!" to all of my psycho ideas. You guys are the real MVPs.

In the next two years, there are a few things that I want to do that do not include training for another bikini competition. Competing takes so much of your time and energy. If you think preparing your mind and body for the stage is just a matter of doing cardio in the morning and strength training in the afternoon, you are wrong. If you think the diet part is all about simply cutting out processed food, you are wrong again. There is SO MUCH that goes into it. I cannot stress that enough, and I can't stress enough about the STRESS itself that competing can put on your mind, body, relationships, and people around you. Do your research ahead of time, find a coach who shares the same views as you, and find your WHY (why are you doing this) before you sign up.

Let's rewind and get back to what I was saying, though. In the next couple years, I plan on running my first marathon. Marathon running and bikini competitions do not exactly go hand in hand. On that note, though, I feel more in-tune with running at this time as opposed to devoting so much of myself to competing again. Yeah, it was fun, but what happens when it's all over? What if you don't place? What if you trip on stage or fall out of a pose? Personally, I feel like my heart is not in competing for the long haul, whereas running has been my go-to, die hard, day in and day out, even when I was training for my competition.

Don't get me wrong. I loved my body throughout my competition prep and I still love it after. While some may think dieting for the stage is a quick process, it is a strenuous month long commitment that, for me, lasted almost 8 months. My body does not want to diet for that long. My body does not want to do cardio every single day for that long. While competing is an extreme end of the physical activity scale (picture a line with "sitting on the couch" on the left side and "body building" on the most right point), it is for one day only and you shouldn't look at pictures wishing you could be bikini lean all year round. Sure, for some it is more maintainable and body building is their life, but in the grand scheme of my life, my picture of health and wellness looks different than muscles and a tan!

So, when it comes down to it, the reason why I will not be competing anytime soon is because mentally I am in a different place than I was a year and a half ago. LOVING yourself at every step along your health and fitness journey is so important. That's not to say I didn't love myself during competition prep - because I did, don't get me wrong - but I am living my life with more freedom and more comfort than ever before. Oh, my thighs jiggle? I'm sorry. I don't care. Oh, my tummy has a roll when I sit down? Oh, I'm sorry. I don't care. I have legs that will power me over 21.1km (or more) and strong muscles that allow me to hug the ones I love and get in a killer strength training work out. Plus, the thought of stepping on stage half naked and literally having my body judged by strangers who don't even know me is kind of a crazy thought! After all, it is the heart that matters, not the body : ) And at this time in my life, I am honouring what my heart wants as much as possible, and if that means a bikini competition in five years, then fine, but for now, I am happy just running along through this journey without all the glitz, glam, and spray tans : )

5 Things Friday: Wellness Books Edition

Good morning!

I wanted to do something a little bit different than the usual favourites post on Friday. Today, I wanted to share five books that I love in the health and wellness category. If you know me at all, you know that I love anything and (mostly) everything wellness, including everything from spirituality and positive thinking to healthy food and exercise.

Reading is a great way to learn new things and explore various topics. For me, I go between fiction and non-fiction, and although I am currently in a Harry Potter phase right now, these five are my die hard favourites when I want to get back to looking inward.

The Soul Searcher's Handbook was one of the first books I read that's moreso in the wellness slash spirituality category. It dives into everything from types of yoga, healing with crystals, angels and other life guides, chakras, essential oils, and so much more. There are fun quizzes inside the book to help guide you along the way, and tips for keeping a healthy mind and celebrating your spirituality.

Kate Hudson is one of those gals that you just want to be friends with. In this book, she talks about her journey through health, fitness, and the importance of self-love. Additionally, Kate talks about the four pillars of health that include having an intuitive relationship with your body and health, eating well, awakening your body, and the miracle of mindfulness. It is an easy, informative read for anyone who is interested in diving in a little deeper into their mental and physical health.

So, #GirlBoss isn't exactly a wellness book, but it is a bad ass book for women of all ages. Sophia Amoruso is the founder and executive chairman of Nasty Gal (I'm sure we have all heard of that!), and is a story of how she came to be the #GirlBoss that she is. Sophia has tons of insight to the business world, and I especially like reading these types of things from a women's perspective. As well, Sophia talks about how your mind can be a magical thing when it comes to jobs, business, and life itself, and she has a no bullshit attitude which is kind of refreshing - no frills, but definitely one to read.

Miracles Now is an excellent read if you are curious about finding your purpose and achieving more peace in your life. Gabrielle Bernstein has several books that delve into techniques for combating life's problems such as stress, frustration, jealousy, and more. You know, REAL LIFE stuff. In this book, Gabrielle shares 108 tools and tricks you can easily incorporate into your life to help you be more mindful, reduce tension in your life (wherever that may come from), and help you eliminate any blocks that are preventing you from living with more ease. It is a great book to flip through when you need an extra dose of self love, and is a great reminder that you have all the tools you need to change your own life.

Finally, Adventures for your Soul by Shannon Kaiser is another book that includes tools to help transform your habits. It includes motivational mantras such as, "I joyfully put my desires in motion. All of my dreams are coming true." to help you stay on track with your goals. This book talks about goal setting, going on a fear detox, and general ideas for being your best self and living your best life. I highly recommend this book if you also like an interacting read, as it includes various quizzes and journal exercises throughout.

There we have it! Have you read any of these books? What are your favourite wellness and lifestyle books?