Currently SHOPPING (and healing) |
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Hey Friends!! How are you? I have been ok, which is candidly a huge upgrade from the past few months. If you've been following my health struggles over on Instagram, you know I've been working hard on making lifestyle changes to support some very unsettling symptoms that have had a huge impact on my physical and mental health. I'll give a little update on this toward the bottom, but first I thought I'd share some of the holiday shopping I've done so far. In my family we celebrate 3 birthdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so pre planning is required in order to not wind up giving your 4 year old a target gift card for Christmas. I've heard. Reply back and let me know some of your favorites! I've linked everything I can in the photos and dialogue below. I hope you find something you love. |
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First up, this candle. I had the Harvest scent burning all of October and now that the leaves have fallen off the trees, I'm newly obsessed with all the cozy feels of Bergamot Spice. When the wind is whipping outside and I'm curled up on the couch with a hot drink with this scent in the air, I am absolutely at peace. |
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Every year I get the girls matching pajamas. They are always delivered by our Elf on the Shelf on the first day he arrives. I hope we can continue this tradition at least through their collegiate years. This year I found these glow in the dark trees from Mini Boden (currently 15% off and free shipping, but low on inventory). Usually I order from Hanna Anderssen (more affordable and always cute) but I could not resist the (albeit slightly delusional) image of the girls snuggled together, giggling in the dark on Christmas Eve, in their matching PJs. Don't wreck this for me Wayne (my husband). |
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This must be the year we all need sensory stimulation for comfort because for the first time ever, all three of my kids have furniture on their Christmas lists. Somehow Pottery Barn Teen decided it was time to start delivering catalogues to our home and the girls all went bananas for these bean bag chairs. Currently they are 20% off for an early Black Friday sale, but I am going to take my chances and wait to order until I see if a better discount comes along. Since I constantly need Redstone's head in my lap while the kids fight for the love of one of our indifferent cats, I can completely understand their desire to have something soft and cuddly that won't run away, or abandon them for Mom. |
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Tell me you've tried these socks right?! If you haven't they are a perfect stocking stuffer or gift for someone who seems to have it all. I buy socks exactly once a year and it is always during their holiday sale. They are the only ones my kids will wear and thank the Lord, because prior to finding these, there was ALWAYS a sock 'issue' while running our the door. Right now you can save 20% on the cutest styles for kids and adults with code CHEER20. Free shipping too! |
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You know how I've mentioned I've had trouble sleeping? Well, during those times I try desperately to not get out of bed. This book kept me there, as it was the perfect balance of interesting enough to keep me engaged but not so stimulating that I couldn't find my way back to sleep. I highly recommend if you're looking for something intriguing but not disturbing for your bedtime reading. I have it saved in my Amazon Favorites. I am reading the sequel right now! I plan on passing along both to my oldest daughter. |
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You may have seen me low-key share this on Instagram as well as in my last email. I've got about 40 boxes left and once they are gone, that's it. It's the deepest price and most popular collection of goods I have! They'll be available until they run our OR the first week of December. The Holiday Thanks Box was designed for those who want to gift the experiences you've had with your own purchases to your best friend, sister, mom or partner. OR maybe you've just been waiting for the right time or price to buy what's inside: Empower Nutrition Special Edition Recipe Book - printed + digital copies Macro Counting/Biofeedback Journal Cocoabar in a Jar Peanut Butter Cup (2 servings) PeScience Protein (5 servings) The best spatula I have ever known Beautiful dish towel Always a few other surprises Exclusive access to my digital assets where I post recipes and resources FIRST Empower Nutrition Starter Guide (digital download) These items alone add up to $150 and sell (with others) in the original Macro Kickstarter box for $200. This $99 price point will ONLY run through as long as I have supplies! Also, who KNOWS what shipping and supply chaos will occur in December, so let's get this gifting party started! But there is actually a special free gift included... |
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AND...this is a BIG bonus...as it is not available for separate purchase. Along with this in the box (to keep OR share - I'll ship anywhere in the lower 48), only available with this purchase, you will receive immediate access to: The digital download for my 'Bonus' Holiday Thanks recipe book, that rounds out every recipe I have ever created. So if you are someone who wants the entire library at your fingertips, this is for you! My 17 most recent recipes make up the BONUS Holiday Thanks book: Cake Pop Stuffed Pumpkin Cookies Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Squash Cocoa Bar in a Jar Chocolate Cupcakes Cocoa Bar in a Jar Mug Cake Cocoa Bar in a Jar Peppermint Bark Favorite Frosting Garlicky Spring Vegetable Bake Green Chicken Enchiladas Jet Black Zucchini Cake Lightened Up Cake Pop Blondie Lightened Up Zucchini Pumpkin Oat Bars Peanut Butter Applesauce Bread Pumpkin Mocha Cake Simple Parmesan Frittata Strawberry Cream Pretzel Bars Triple Chocolate Blender Cake Ultimate Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Access the Holiday Thanks Box |
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Here's a little surprise! Announcing a secret sale coming to you from PEScience. Sale starts: When the clock strikes 12:00am EST Wednesday, 11/25 (one day sooner than last year) Sale ends: Tuesday, December 1st at 11:50pm PST The discount: My code KATIE will be good for 30% off sitewide! The only thing the code will not work on is subscriptions. There are many items that are break-even for the company during this sale, so it only happens once a year. I'm told there is more staff than ever to help get everything shipped fast, but STILL don't hold off until the last minute, because favorites will sell out. If you're in need of some festive recipe inspiration, here is the recipe for.... Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bars: 45g PEScience Peppermint Bark OR Vegan Mint Cookie protein powder⠀
100g quick oats⠀
2 packages no sugar added hot cocoa pouches- 16g⠀
12g Hiit Nutrition (code Katie) jet black cocoa powder⠀
6g Simply Delish (code Katie) pudding mix - chocolate ⠀
122g unsweetened applesauce (1/2 cup)⠀
250g egg whites (6 egg whites or 5 eggs)⠀
1 tsp cake batter or vanilla extract⠀
1.5 tsp baking powder⠀
1/2 tsp salt⠀
2-3 droppers full of peppermint stevia (extract would also work!)⠀
1/4 cup water⠀
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Whisk to combine the above and pour into a parchment-lined 8x8 pan.
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Bake at 350 for 20-25 min⠀
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I cut mine into 4 even servings, 145g each: ⠀
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210cals/27C/2.5F/20P/4gFiber
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Delicious alone or topped with ice cream, but if you want to take it to the next level, add the peppermint hot cocoa icing! ⠀
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125g 0% Greek Yogurt (1/2 cup)⠀
1 envelope sugar free hot cocoa powder⠀
1 dropper Peppermint stevia drops⠀
Water if you want to thin!⠀
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Macros for a quarter of the batch: 25cals/2.5C/0F/3P⠀
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Totaling 👉 235cals/30C/2.5F/23P per square⠀
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It’s the merriest treat I’ve have had all year! Perfect as a smaller scale batch or double it to a 9x13 and bring to your breakfast table or holiday party! |
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After months of confusion and feeling so lost in the process of healing my mind and body, a feeling of calm has set in. I've basically been living as if being chased by a bear for the better part of 2020 (in 'fight or flight' mode), which triggered immense inflammation and a subsequent host of symptoms that could not be ignored. Since August, I have been aggressive in testing to find out what could be the root cause. After initial bloodwork on my thyroid, hormones and nutrient levels gave me some direction but not total clarity, my naturopathic doctor suggested a food sensitivity test, a cortisol and neurotransmitter test and a SIBO test as the next layers to peel back. While I haven't taken the SIBO test yet, I am already working to temporarily eliminate foods causing me inflammation (eggs, beef, lettuce, nuts, gluten, dairy) and supplements to offset an obscenely high level of cortisol. It is important to mention that the at the base of this 'treatment pyramid' is managing my elective, lifestyle stress. Without getting this under control, any other measures will barely move the needle. I have begun to implement several intentional practices, which has been HARD, as it has required a definite down-shift in my daily routine. Here's my new list of non-negotiables: 12 hour overnight fast from food and screens 3-4 hours in between meals to allow for the switch into 'rest and digest' Hard limits on work; 8 hours a day M-F and 4 hours Sat + Sun Strength training 3x/week Walking daily (ideally outside), no step count No getting out of bed before 5am (other than to pee) Journaling or a guided mediation for 30 min before anything else I have been tracking everything on my Oura Ring. If you are interested in learning more about sleep, recovery and readiness, I highly recommend the Oura Ring blog! All my data connects to an app and gives me guidance like: 'Your overall readiness is good (80/100), but your resting heart rate was above average. If you feel tired, skipping the gym today can help your body recover.' It knows if I am high or low from my baseline tracking over the last two weeks. GEEKING OUT over here. |
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Since I've been treating my healing gut with a low FODMAP diet, there's nothing I've missed more than garlic and onion. They are my foundational flavor-makers, and included in every one of my recipes. But I did discover the brand Fody Foods, which along with some pretty great seasonings, also offers a selection of convenient gut-friendly sauces and condiments, all of which are gluten, lactose and GMO-free. They don't come cheap (or easy to find), but I don't plan on keeping this style of eating long term, so I'm ok with the expense for now. After all, since I'm also not eating dairy or gluten, it's like moving money from one pocket to the other. A few other items I've been enjoying even while limiting my diet to pretty bland foods, are Jojo's Chocolate, Cocoa Bar in a Jar in my zucchini pumpkin oats and a giant mug of this bone broth (steaming with a generous pinch of salt) every evening. |
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Wishing you a happy, cozy, healthy shopping season. Best done from the comfort of your couch with a sleeping animal in your lap, I believe. Warmly, Katie |
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