why don't we believe we are beautiful?

This past weekend, I went home to Indiana for Memorial Day, which was the perfect way to spend the holiday. I returned to Atlanta feeling rested and refreshed - filled to the brim with love & contentment. There is something to be said for spending time with people you love outside the bustle of the city.

While I was there, I did a photography session with the very talented Sami Renee. As I continue to grow my coaching business, it feels important to have more professional pictures - instead of just cropping out my friends and a glass of wine from group photos.

I've been so excited this week to receive the photos from her, but, last night, as the email popped in my inbox that they were ready, my breath caught. I thought: what if I hate them? What if I don't look pretty in any of them? What if I wasted time and money and don't look good in any of the pictures and can't use them?

As I looked through the pictures, I found myself being critical first: my smile looks fake, my arms don't look good there, my face looks round.

My first thought was to pick myself apart, as opposed to see the beauty in them.

As I sorted through the pictures, I started wondering: what if these were of my sisters or mom? I wouldn't be critiquing them, but instead finding joy in the way her mouth opens as she laughs and proud that she is standing tall and confidently.

Why don't we choose to see ourselves through the eyes of love first? Why do we choose first to pick ourselves apart?

As we head into the beautiful, wonderful season that is summer, I'm making a promise to see myself with eyes of love first. Not to pick myself apart in a swimsuit or shorts. Not to hold on to a towel like a security blanket or fear beach weekends and pools. Not to examine myself with a critical eye, but instead one of love and confidence.

I'm making an effort to see my body as beautiful and able - not to give into the world's constant message that we should take up less space. I'm living wholly and fully in the body that the Lord gave me, for it is capable and strong. 

Pre-workout Matcha Smoothie

Happy Memorial Day beautiful people!

There's nothing like the unofficial start of summer to make me yearn for a cold smoothie in the morning. Lately I've been trying to master the perfect pre-workout option. I don't like to eat too much that early, but I'm not a fan of the fasted workout either. Smoothies are a good happy medium for me.

As I've tried to add more matcha and collagen into my diet, I've found smoothies to be the perfect way to do it. Matcha has been shown to help people burn 25% more body fat during exercise. And, with its energy-boosting capabilities, it's the perfect fuel for my workout.

Last week, I was out of bananas and thought I'd try throwing in strawberries in their place. I wasn't sure how berries would be in the mixture, but I ended up liking it even more than banana. 

Here's how it went down:

Ingredients:

3 coffee ice cubes 

1 t. matcha (can replace with kale or spinach if not interested in matcha)

2 T. collagen (if you choose not to add this, it will not impact the flavor)

1 to 2 T. nut butter

1 handful of frozen strawberries

1.5 c. almond milk 

To make:

Brew coffee, pour of ice tray

Freeze overnight

In the AM, combine all ingredients in blender

Mix until completely blended

Eat, digest, workout, enjoy!

PS: If you want to try matcha or collagen, here is a $10 off code for Vitacost. If you use this code, I will also get referral points :) 

Week One of Dating for Free 99

Chris and I are one week into our month of free dating and here's what I know so far:
- Not going on coffee dates is way harder than expected.
- I think we are now going on more dates because we're so excited about trying these free ideas.

This past Friday we actually went to Rome, GA, to see his mom, so we didn't go on a date but we did, in fact, become roomies.

Saturday night, I was babysitting, so we were determined to squeeze in a free date somewhere this weekend. Here's what we accomplished:

Free iced coffees Saturday afternoon, because the Braves won Friday (#20)

We played frisbee in the park (#22) with Sam Sunday before the rain moved in.

And then we got absolutely drenched!

We went to Trader Joe's and cooked stir fry with Sam.

We've gone on lots of walks, relaxed and have started a seriously aggressive list of things we want to try when we're back to non-free dating. :)

So that's what our first week of free dating has looked like!

This weekend, we're heading home to Indiana. That wasn't free. But it was pre-planned! :) Happy Friday!

5 Healthy Habits You Can Add to Your Routine in 5 Minutes

Melissa and I were joking recently that if you did all the things society tells you to do in order to be healthy, it could be a full-time job. There are so many inputs! From your hair to skin to bowels to brain, there are about 100 things you could do by 8 a.m.

Recently, I've been practicing five healthy habits that are super easy to add to your routine. Instead of getting overwhelmed by all the things I could be doing every day, I figured I'd practice these healthy habits in addition to my routine.

{Note none of these are affiliate links. I just really like this stuff :)}

For boosting your metabolism

Add Matcha to your diet. When I first heard about Matcha, it really scared me because I didn't know what it was or where to buy it. But, I promise, it isn't scary! I bought it at the Dekalb Farmers' Market (but you can also get it at Vitacost) and started adding it to my smoothies in the morning in lieu of drinking a cup of coffee. The first time I tried it, I attempted to drink it with just water, which essentially tasted like I was eating grass. However, when added to a smoothie, it's great (I like banana, almond butter, almond milk, coconut oil and cinnamon with it and am also itching to try this recipe from ALOHA). It's said to do wonders for your focus and metabolism, boost your immune system, and is also packed with antioxidants. Oh, and also has anti-aging powers. Super food!

For smoother and firmer skin

Add Collagen to your diet. Another one that seemed scary at first, but really wasn't (I buy mine from Dr. Axe). I've been adding this to my smoothies in the morning, too. I first discovered it as something that can help people with IBS, but then quickly discovered a lot of other benefits, including giving you glowing skin, reducing cellulite, strengthening your nails and teeth and (again) boosting your metabolism. I've not been using it long enough to decide if it has helped with IBS, but I have noticed I have a lot of energy when I drink it.

For better bowel movements

Add Chia seeds to your diet. I've been adding these to basically everything. But mostly overnight oats and these amazing Quinoa & Chia granola bars (the perfect 3 p.m. desk snack!). I also think these bars from ALOHA would be awesome with Chia added. The seeds are packed with fiber, protein, antioxidants and Omega-3s. And, they aide in digestion. I won't go into detail on this front, but rest assured, they work. {Just don't eat them dry or they can dehydrate you.}

For whiter teeth

Try Oil pulling. My sister, Ashley, first introduced me to oil pulling and I thought she was joking. But, she kept getting more and more Bibers on board so I finally caved and tried it. Each morning, when you first wake up (before brushing) you swish unrefined, organic coconut oil around like mouthwash for 20 minutes. I add a drop of peppermint oil to make it taste better. I can't deny how clean my teeth feel. It's like after going to the dentist! I do it while I get ready for the day - adding no time to my routine. (Never heard of it? Read about oil pulling in greater detail.)

For more energy & to detox

Drink peppermint, grapefruit and lemon oil. I've been mixing these three oils into a glass of ice water in the afternoon as a little treat. The peppermint invigorates me, the grapefruit gives me energy and the lemon is detoxifying. Also they taste amazing together and I really look forward to them around 3 p.m. at my desk. Gotta celebrate the little things! :) 

Happy health!