(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…
Here in Wisconsin, it seems like we either have spring or we don’t. This year was the latter. April was chilly, snowy and dreary and now we have a much-anticipated taste of summer. Each year around this time, I’m reminded of how much I miss the sun and being outside without wearing four layers of clothing. Having very fair skin,…
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…
This week, I’m excited to once again have TOPS Member Content Associate Taylor Patton as my special guest blogger. The first day of spring is officially less than a week away, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably gone through at least two bottles of face moisturizer, a jar of body butter and we’ll say three tubes of ChapStick…
As someone who has an interest in nutrition and wellness, I’m always curious about the latest research, trends and articles about these topics. There’s no shortage of healthy eating advice available from your newsfeed, from your gym buddy, from your chiropractor and so on. I tend to get a little concerned by how trusting many can be of one-size-fits-all diets…
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…