Go Nude
Outfit: Dress/choker-American Apparel, Faux Fur-H&M (old), Bag-Old, Rings-Vintage and Noul, Shoes-Spring
As a human who lives in stretchy pants 90 percent of the time there is something very thrilling about trading those in for something a bit more formal. This time of the year is the best for that because there are so many different holiday parties and dinners to bust out such items. I was quite happy (even smitten, if that's not too punny) when I found this dress at American Apparel. I must say I'm sad they are going out of business, I liked that they were made in the USA, but there were other things problematic with the brand too.
A wrap dress is just so classic, it can be dressed up or down, and it is always comfortable. I love the deep wine colour of this one, it's not so red that it only screams CHRISTMAS. It's subtle, and this cozy fur stole was the perfect accessory with it. I decided to go all nude....but just for the accessories, this was for a family gathering! Anyways, I liked the pairing and I am glad I was able to add this baby to my wardrobe.
Jenna
Stuffed Chicken
Now that the craziness of christmas is over it's time to go back to normal life and that means back to cleaner eating. This recipe combines two that I have often made, and it works! I didn't even get a chance to photograph the finished product because it was all gone.
Ingredients:
3 chicken breast
2 cup spinach
3 springs fresh basil
4 ounces mozerella
handful of walnuts
1 cup tomato sauce, preferably homemade or lowest soduim option
1. Preheat oven to 350 f
2. Saute spinach in medium size pan over medium heat with olive oil until wilted.
3. Butterfly chicken breasts, place them on parchment paper on pan
4. Fill with wilted spinach, chopped up basil, crushed walnuts, slice mozerella and then fold back over. Top with tomato sauce and a slice of mozerella and bake for 20-30 minutes in oven.
Old Lady
Outfit: Sweater-Simons, Top-Zara, Necklace-Saraswati designs, Choker-American Apparel, Jeans/Shoes-Zara, Ring-Vintage/Noul, Purse-Rebecca Minkoff
This sweater is my favorite winter piece, it's all I want to put on at the end of the day and curl up. It's cozy AF, and the colour is perfect. I have the tendency to lean into dark neutrals in the winter months so it's nice to have something brighter to grab. This colour always manages to cheer me up. And I like pairing this big grandma knit kind of sweather with something lacy, or sheer. It helps balance up everything out so it isn't completely grandma like.
Speaking of being elderly like, Darcy actually said to me this weekend "I love your grandma sweater, and that you're like a grandma" Now he meant this as a compliment, because neither of us are hard partiers and we were in bed by 1130 on a Saturday. That might sound boring to a lot of you, but it's really the beeeest. So I guess I should buy like 10 more sweaters like this because it's official, I am elderly.
xoJenna
Winter Running
Winter Running has been a struggle for me for a long time, I used to wimp out the moment the temperatures dropped below 5 degrees. This year I am determined not to let winter get the best of me, I have been running 5-7km 2-3x a week august until 2 weeks ago when the temperatures went to -30.
It's actually really wonderful to be able to get out and enjoy the outdoors when it's cold and your body warms up rather quickly. Now -30 is still a little on the cold side for me, but -15? Totally doable and actually enjoyable!
What you'll need:
Runners with grip: I got this saucony trail shoes last January and when it's icy or heavy snow they're great, a lot better grip than my usual.
Warm socks: Wick away material that's a bit thicker to keep those toesies warm
Lined leggings: Lulu lemon has a couple lined with fleece that are great when it's chilly, when its a deep chill you might need another layer though
Wick away tops: light weight material that keeps the sweat from staying on your skin is important, it's not good to let sweat stick to your body and freeze. Smart wool is a great option
Hats/face warmer/scarf/mittens: Its important to keep your head warm, cover your mouth to breath when it's really cold and keep those hands warm. Mountain equipment co-op has a great selection for all this gear
It's a bit of gear, but now you're ready to run in any temperature and all conditions, nothing can stop you. Now put some tunes on and get moving
Thai Curry
Curry is my all-time go to once the temperatures drop. I could eat this stuff once a week (and often do) and I would be happy as a clam. This thai green curry paste is great for when you're busy and can't make your own, because let's be real, who has the time. It's also a great recipe because you can essentially throw any veg you want in, the more the merrier! And any kind of protein will do.
Ingredients:
3 chicken breast
1 can coconut milk
3 T green curry paste
3 cloves garlic minced
3 medium sized carrots
1 pepper
1/2 a Zucchini
1/2 an onion
1-4 T crushed chilis (depends on how you like it)
1 package basil
1 cup peanuts to garnish
1. Heat olive oil in pan over medium heat, add in minced garlic, once it becomes fragrant add in curry paste. Once that becomes fragrant (DO NOT BURN) add in coconut milk and stir together.
2. Add in your protein to cook. Start brown rice in rice cooker
3. Add in your veg until softened, add in crushed chilis and basil
4. Sometimes the light coconut milk is a little runny so I'll add in 1 T of cornstarch to thicken it up.
5. Serve over brown rice and top off with crushed peanuts
Stay warm my friends!
Leg Day
Leg day is my favorite workout day, I find it oddly satisfying for my legs to feel like jelly and when it hurts to sit down the next day. What can I say, I must be a masochist? I thought I'd share a go-to for leg day. Mixing strength and power moves in a superset is a great way to increase both areas. This method is often referred to as complex training. So you'll do one exercise followed immediately by a second
1. Wide squats with Dumbbell 8 reps
2. Single Leg hip thrusters with Kettle Bell 8 per leg
1-2 minute rest between each superset, repeat 5x
Ensure chest and head is up when squatting, ensure you use a heavy weight and focus on squeezing the glutes on the way up.
Keep neck neutral, drop hips down and squeeze glutes to come up.
1. Split Squats 2 kettlebells 8 reps per side
2. Reverse lunge to knee up 8 reps per side
1-2 minute rest between each superset, repeat 5x
Rear foot elevated on bench, bend into both legs ensure the front knee is in line with the ankle and not forward from it.
Step back bend into both legs push off the front one and jump up
1. Walking lunges 2 dumbbells 8 reps per side
2. Sled push 40m
1-2 minute rest between each superset, repeat 5x
Bend into both legs and push through the front leg, step forwards and switch legs.
Keep head and chest up, push into legs and go as fast as you can
Dress it up
Edmonton has been in the clutches of a deep freeze the last week and a bit, and I am getting a little sick of it. I don't mind a certain level of cold, duke & I will hit up the dog park if it's -15 no wind. If you bundle it's not so bad, but -20 with a windchill of -30, NOPE. But alas, I cannot control the weather so I guess I should just suck it up throw on a cute coat and get at it.
This faux fur collar is a go-to in the winter months, it always makes me feel put together and it's cozy as hell. When we're all bundled up here it can get to the point where you just feel like a bag lady, so it's good to have accessories that make you feel put together. I throw it on pretend I'm going to some fantastic cocktail party and head out the door. Reality is I'm grabbing coffee with my dog but hey, a little imagination never hurt anyone. Also, this sweater needs no accessories because it's already covered in bling. It feels fun, festive and is really warm, bonus! Now if you don't mind me I'm going to go lay under 3 blankets and pray for warmer temps.
xoJenna
Winter Dressing
Outfit: Coat-BB dakota from miss boss, Dress-f21, boots-Payless (old), tights-Simons, Necklace-Noul and Saraswati, Rings-Noul
Whelp, it's finally happened. Winter is here and it's -19 with a windchill of -29. Yeah.....welcome to Canada. My eyes are burning as I walk to work, it's brutal. But it also means it's time to bust out the winter coats, cozy sweaters and layer up. I have to admit I was so happy to bust this baby out, not only is it cozy as hell but it's so cute. It's so important here to have a load of warm coats and having a good choice of cute ones really helps.
I think sweater dresses are going to be my go-to for the next few weeks of cold temperatures. Sweater dresses and fleece lined tights, a girl can't go wrong for that. Warm, cozy and stylish! It's hard to hit all those things on the list in this climate!
xo Jenna
Neck Pain
So after being rear ended 2 weeks ago I have been pretty limited in my mobility and therefore my exercise regime has gone down to light cardio, lots of stretching and release work. As frustrating as this is, it could be much worse and after I'm done with physio my body is going to be so good to go!
I thought I would share some of the release and stretch work I've been doing since there are so many people also suffering from neck issues. These occur not just from accidents, but from improper posture, overtraining of certain areas, and poor mechanics when exercising.
1. Release: Lats, I use the foam roller for this one and lay along my side to the foam roller is positioned on my back just below the arm pit. Hold for 30-60s at each point that feels pain. I spend about 5 minutes per side, moving it along different points of pain
Upper Traps: You can use a ball against a wall but a barbell racked works really well for this one, find the point of pain and push against the bar for 30-60s at each point of pain
Scalenes: These guys run along the side of your neck and can get very tight if your head pokes forward (a lot of people do this while looking at a phone or computer) or improper breathing while exercising, not breathing into the low belly but using upper part of the chest cavity. Hold along each point again 30-60s, I find these especially painful.
2. Stretch it out. Bring your head to one side use your hand to apply pressure and hold 30s at different points, this combined with the release should help increase range of motion.
Bring hand behind back and try to force your shoulders down, bring head to opposite side and hold for 30s each side, your should feel this in the upper traps as well
3. Exercises. Grab a towel, hold around back of the head, hold tight and pull forward while pushing your head into the towel for about 10s, relax repeat 3x. Move towel to the forhead and repeat 3x.
Laying on a foam pad, do basically the same thing but this time your arms can relax, push head into block 10s relax. Repeat with face down.
Sit with back to the wall, bring arm straight by head and try to touch wall with the thumb. Repeat 10reps both sides. If this is painful for the neck, stop.
Outfit: c/o Lululemon.
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