Earlier this summer I went on my very first mountain biking excursion in Bend, Oregon, with my dad. I thought this would be a fun and active way to spend part of our family trip and balance out the inevitable vacation calories. And what better place to experience mountain biking than the city that’s a famous hotspot for this very…
I’m convinced it’s the little things that make life sweeter, and I always get excited whenever I find a healthy treat that tastes good and isn’t loaded with calories. Earlier this summer, I picked up a bottle of coconut balsamic vinegar and have been spritzing it on just about everything ever since. Condiments can hundreds of extra calories, but I’ve…
For the last few weeks, Milwaukeeans have been asking one universal question, “Where is summer?” Aside from a few very hot days, we’ve been dealing with chilly rain and fog. But the good news is I know where summer has been hiding … Bend, Oregon. Which is where I’ll be for the next week. As you’re reading this, I’m currently…
(Updated April 11, 2019) During our workplace TOPS meeting last week, one member mentioned having a hard time exercising (like getting on a treadmill, for example) just for the sake of exercising. He likes the idea of getting moving for a purpose and is a fan of activities like geocaching, where different navigational techniques are used to hide and seek…
Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a food rut? Maybe you started the year off strong by batch cooking and trying new recipes, and now you’re getting tired with the same old, same old. Or maybe you took part in a diet challenge and now you’re wondering, now what? Whenever I feel like this, I tend to gravitate…
Over the past few years, I’ve learned to love cooking even though I’ve had just as many cooking “fails” as I’ve had successes. Last week, I attempted a new baked fish recipe that I’m pretty sure our two dogs wouldn’t even touch … and they eat twigs and leaves. But, for every kitchen flop, there’s an opportunity to learn, tweak…
My husband and I recently adopted a 5-month-old puppy named Stevie. She came to us with zero training, but the cutest little squishy face and sweet personality that would make even a non-dog lover melt. As she’s jumping on my back and eating my hair, messing in the house and chewing every household item that isn’t nailed down (and even…
Imagine the following: You’re eating a salad. But, this isn’t just any salad. This is your first salad on the first day of your new nutrition plan after years of yo-yo dieting, fast food drive-thrus and late-night snacking. You feel a sense of accomplishment in choosing this salad over the drive-thru or vending machine. That is until a well-meaning friend…
Thinking of consistently doing something or changing a habit for the next 362 days seems incredibly daunting no matter who you are. So how about shortening it up a bit? Instead of a New Year’s resolution, consider setting New Weeks’ resolutions. Each week, for the next 12 weeks, focus on one area that you’d like to improve. The beauty of…