Minneapolis Taste Buds

I'm de-puffed and re-energized after three days of focused nutrition + yoga. I stuck to clean eating today, including this great lunch. I prepped two more portions for future lunches. Makes 1 Serving 2 c. chopped spinach 1/2 small apple chopped 1/3 can Wild Pink Salmon - @wildplanetfoods is great! You could also use tuna 1 T finely chopped red onion 1 tsp. olive oil Splash apple cider vinegar Dash salt 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 T pumpkin seeds (roast them dry in a pan until slightly browned) Mix oil, vinegar, salt, mustard in a jar. Shake to mix. Layer spinach, salmon, apples. Add dressing and mix. Top with seeds. Looking to reset your eating before the holidays? Reach out and I can tell you about the simple plan I followed.

It's almost December my friends. It's happening. And it's snowing. So I'm starting to think about fitness and self-care gifts. And moving to Florida. Here are some things that bring joy to my life that you can gift, or put on your own wish list. Runner's World Wall Calendar I have this on auto-ship, so I'm delighted every November when it arrives. Running Medal Hanger My blue  Running Girl Marathon Runner Race Medal Display Rack  isn't available on Etsy anymore, but I know there are others out there. It makes me happy and reminds me of all the amazing places I've explored while running. ASICS Intensity Single Tab Running Socks Like running on clouds. Unlimited Workouts at Home When it's cold and icy, I still workout before anyone is up. It saves so much time! I have what's basically the Netflix of workout programs. If you need help picking the perfect program,  send me an email . Lip Balms I just ordered  Tea Tree Lip Balm  becau...

I get up early. Really early. Before birds, squirrels and bunnies. Even during the holidays, I know that I need to come first or I'm no help to anyone else. And I'm not much fun to hang around with. The rare days that I don't get up before the rest of the house, I'm just not myself. I've posted about my morning routine in the past, but your self-care should fill your cup. What brings you joy? What gives you confidence to Wonder Woman or Superman through your day? Start by getting up just 15 minutes earlier for a week. Then increase that by 10 to 15 minutes each week, until you're giving yourself a full hour or more just for YOU . Is this easier in the summer when the birds are awake first? Yes. But you can do this. You need to do this. You matter. And you deserve to start your day living in positivity. Here are some ideas of what you could do with all of this new time you're going to devote to yourself: Drink 16-20 ounces of water before your cof...

We're heading to my husband's hometown next weekend for Thanksgiving. He's the youngest of six, and it's great when we all can meet up. I love how relaxing it is there. I actually sit for more than 15 minutes at a time, and usually take at least one nap - not typical for me. Our daughter cannot wait to see her older cousins, and to eat grandma's treats. I'm taking time today to plan ahead. Here are some things I'll do to prep for the car rides, and to keep up my healthy morning routine while I'm there. Packing for Snacking Snacks - a lot of snacks - ensure a peaceful car ride, and help keep me on track when faced with a kitchen full of treats at grandma's. I try to stick with proteins, veggies, fruit and nuts. I also add in some fun foods we don't typically have around the house. Carrots, red peppers, cucumbers, wash and cut Clementines and apples Krave Gourmet Beef Cuts - Sea Salt Ferndale Market Uncured Cranberry Turkey Sticks Apples...

Sooo much candy in our house. How does this happen? We're a very healthy house until October rolls around and the child hauls home 20 pounds of candy. Then it's cake and ice cream for her birthday, and then it's Thanksgiving, and the loads of treats at work... Sound familiar? It's hard to stick with healthy eating and exercise this time of year. I rarely stray from the working out part. But it's cold and dark and all the feelings rush in. I miss my mom so much this time of year. She LOVED fall and the holidays. And made everything fun and special for us. We lost her to cancer in 2001, and every year I feel my heart aching. I find myself nibbling on things I don't touch the rest of the year. But that does not make anything feel better. Working out in the morning, and getting out for a walk or run with my dog always helps. I did a lunchtime run today and it was just what I needed to clear my head. So now it's time to bring the good eating back. A few days ...

A friend posted a question in a group I belong to, asking what we could add to our schedule more often that makes us happy. I read a lot of great ideas - connecting with friends, going to movies, reading, drinking delicious teas, and getting things OFF the schedule to free up time for fun. I shared that I want to schedule  dates with my husband. I like the guy, and we rarely get time alone to connect. And we're terrible about asking for help. The thought of trying to find a sitter frequently stops us in our tracks. Real thoughts from last Wednesday, "I'd love to see this concert at First Ave. We'd need a sitter. I don't know who we'd ask. Guess I'll go make dinner." I need to make a plan, so I started a list of ideas that morning. Most involve eating food indoors since we already have snow on the ground. This exercise has me dreaming of summer though - picnics, kayaking, fish tacos at Sea Salt. I live by my calendar and OneNote lists. By the ...

As many people can relate to, my fitness journey started with school sports, and Jane Fonda VHS tapes. And Get in Shape Girl…anyone else? But, once I joined a gym and started running, workouts only took place outside my home. Either on the gorgeous trails nearby, or in group fitness classes. A home workout no longer appealed to me. When I had my daughter, I still took fitness outside. It was a great way to clear my head and get out and do something just for me. Then my husband started traveling. A lot. So, workouts either didn't happen, or, I squeezed them in over lunch. At that time, I was one of the lucky people who had showers and a locker I could use at work. My perspective on home workouts has changed a lot since summer. I ran my 10th marathon in May and needed something different. Strength, mobility and healing became my new goals. I made a choice to change my mindset about working out at home, and it's made a huge difference in my life. I've been an early ris...

Staying on track is hard for me this time of year. It's dark, and it's getting cold. I looked at the 10-day and felt my shoulders drop. Highs in the 30s and 40s with some mention of rain and snow. Winter dread is real, people. I glance at Princess Leia's giant bucket of Halloween candy. And the even more gigantic bucket of candy my husband brought home. We had exactly zero kids this year. None. Next up is my daughter's birthday. Every year I make a really cool doll cake. It's a tradition she loves and I love it too. But it means more sugar and chocolate around here. Soon after, it's Thanksgiving - with both families. And Christmas, and then hibernation month - I mean, January. All of the events and holidays make it hard to keep moving towards my goals. My daughter wants me to have treats with her. I get "the looks" from family when I pass on dessert or second helpings. But I do NOT want to start over on January 1. So, instead of focu...