Movie Night Snacks
It's that time of the year, it's getting colder and all I want to do is hibernate under a big cozy blanket with the pup and watch a flick. Now historically movie night for my family has always meant the 3 P's: Pizza, Popcorn and Pop! As I've gotten older and I've become more health minded and fitness has become my world I've kept the concept of movie night but switched the snacks. Now, popcorn is absolutely 100% my go-to snack of choice, I am so happy there are healthy versions because honestly, I couldn't live without my popcorn. Skinny pop has fast become a favourite in my household, sometimes I like to add a bit of chili powder to give it an extra POP.
Since clearly the crunch is what I'm after for a healthy movie night snack I often go for crunchy veg like raw peppers, carrots, and I've been known to smuggle in pea pods to the movies before. I make a mean homemade guacamole which is a great source of healthy fats, along with hummus for a bit of protein. Also for me the best way to cure that sweets craving is with fruit, pineapple in particular are my jam. I can't get enough of that prickly fruit!
Netflix movie picks lately:
Sticky Notes
What we did on our Holiday
Learning to Drive
The Meyerowitz stories
The Incredible Jessica James
Grab some snacks & enjoy!
Matryoshka Doll
Outfit: Dress-Zara, Jacket-Dynamite, Shoes-Aldo, Purse-Rebecca Minkoff, Ring-Miss Boss
I saw this zara dress online and was super into the combination of the embroidery, and the polka dot mesh sleeves. There is something ukranian esque about this dress and I guess that is what drew me to it. I have a bit of ukranian in my background and I guess it makes me weak in the knees for anything embroidered. Good thing that's super popular this fall!!
I got this purse for my birthday from Derp (aka, Darcy) and it is the perfect pop of colour. I love the burnt orange/reddish hue. It's nice to have something against the all black, and grey that I seem to be wearing lots of these days.
xoJenna
Tips for a Better Run
I started actively going for runs in high school as a way to deal with my anxiety and as a great workout. I love that you can go for a run anywhere, anytime (okay, not anytime, it's -30 here and that's too damn cold) and it's doesn't require a lot of equipment. Autumn is my all-time favourite season to go for a run, it's beautiful, cool out but not unimaginably cold and it's that time of year we start trying to savor every moment spend outdoors.
Some of my tips for runners out there are:
1. A killer playlist, find a beat that you can run to and go for it. For me I run to Florence & the Machine or Frightened Rabbit. That's all. For some season there beats work with my pacing, I find if something's too amped up it screws up my rhythm.
2. Use your butt. A huge problem for most runners I see is that we don't use our glutes while running. Try a banded glute bridge for 3 sets of 10 reps, clamshells 3 sets of 10, and kickbacks 3 sets of 10 before a run to get the glutes fired up.
3.Bring a friend. Whether it's another runner or your dog, employ the buddy system!
4. Find an interesting loop. I love running in the river valley because it's beautiful and there's always something to look at.
5. Use pacing apps. I find it so helpful to know my time for each km, I have a certain pace I want to try to keep.
6. Set a goal! Have an idea (make it realistic) about how long you want to run for, build you way up to longer runs over time.
I've included some tips for before during and after your run from Aaptiv, an audio fitness app that will help improve your 5, 10 or half mile runs.
Some of my tips for runners out there are:
1. A killer playlist, find a beat that you can run to and go for it. For me I run to Florence & the Machine or Frightened Rabbit. That's all. For some season there beats work with my pacing, I find if something's too amped up it screws up my rhythm.
2. Use your butt. A huge problem for most runners I see is that we don't use our glutes while running. Try a banded glute bridge for 3 sets of 10 reps, clamshells 3 sets of 10, and kickbacks 3 sets of 10 before a run to get the glutes fired up.
3.Bring a friend. Whether it's another runner or your dog, employ the buddy system!
4. Find an interesting loop. I love running in the river valley because it's beautiful and there's always something to look at.
5. Use pacing apps. I find it so helpful to know my time for each km, I have a certain pace I want to try to keep.
6. Set a goal! Have an idea (make it realistic) about how long you want to run for, build you way up to longer runs over time.
I've included some tips for before during and after your run from Aaptiv, an audio fitness app that will help improve your 5, 10 or half mile runs.
Oh, Teddy
Outfit: Jacket-Miss Boss, Top-F21, Jeans-Dynamite, Shoes-Aldo, necklace-F21, Ring-Miss Boss
When I saw this coat on instagram I knew it had to be mine. I got them to call me when it came in and I immediately went in and snapped it up! It's so damn cozy, and the colour is so beautiful. I have the tendency to wear a lot more neutrals and dark colours in the fall and winter so it's nice to have a pop of colour.
This floral top has transitioned quite nicely from summer to fall, I love when pieces can make it through multiple seasons. I want more pieces that I can mix and transition that well. I also picked up this feminist necklace and I am obsessed with it! Wear it loud, wear it proud my ladies.
Jenna
Practicing Self Love
Self Love. Somehow a really difficult subject and practice in our society these days. We are told when we're kids we're amazing and perfect but somehow over time the messages we receive and our beliefs about our selves seems to shift.
Working as a personal trainer I see this day in and out with my clients and it really breaks my heart. Having a 60+ grandmother talking about how much she hates her body and wishes she was skinnier is so jarring and eye opening.
I too fall victim to this sometimes, I work in a gym, I see bodies of every shape and size. Sometimes I wish my body looked more like some of those other bodies, and it makes me feel bad.I force myself to change my internal dialogue on the regular, when I find myself going negative "I hate __, I look fat" I try to pick out a few things I like. Take these photos for example, first thoughts were of the things I don't like, and that made me mad. I am a strong, fit and healthy woman whose body is amazing.
Focus on the positive. Try every single day for a month to write down something you like about yourself first thing in the day. Keep it somewhere you can see it.
Set a movement based goal. Running faster, adding more weights to your movement, getting a stronger core etc.
Fuck the scale. Seriously. Fuck the scale, focus on how you feel. If you feel sluggish, bloated and crappy those are legit concerns, maybe then change your diet and exercise routine. I have never been happier since I stopped weighing my self.
Get off the grid. Take a break from social media, go outside, surround yourself with like minded people. Go for a hike, a bike ride, a dog walk. Trees don't give a shit if you're a size 2, a 12 or if you have a visible six pack.
Build your brand around things of substance. If your entire value in yourself is based on your looks, guess what? You are always going to feel like shit. No one is perfect and putting all your energy and self worth into how you look is never going to end well. Focus on hobbies, take a course, make something, figure out what makes you you! My focus is being fit and healthy, that doesn't mean I am ultra lean and have a 6 pack.
Autumn Kale Salad
This kale salad is so perfectly autumn it's ridiculous! It's delicious and full of healthy ingredients which is the best combo.
Ingredients:
1 small butternut squash
3 cups brussel sprouts
1 bunch red kale
3 oz goat cheese
1/4 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
4 garlic cloves
1/2 shallot
3 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
1. cut brussel sprouts in half, place in plastic bag add 1 tbsp of olive oil, 2 crushed garlic cloves and cracked pepper, mix well. Spread on baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees
2. Cut up butternut squash into bite size chunks, sprinkle with olive oil, 1 tbsp nutmeg 1 tbsp cinnamon, bake at 400 degrees 30-35mintues
3. Mix 2 cloves crushed garlic and chopped up shallots over medium heat in pan, add in vinaigrette until simmers
4. Wash kale, cut up into small pieces and massage with olive oil until tender.
5. Add squash, brussel sprouts, pumpkin seeds and crumbled goat cheese to kale, top with the warm vinaigrette and serve.
Ode to a Season
Outfit:Top/Jacket-dynamite, jeans-zara, shoes-Mia, Necklace-F21, Bag-Zara
Transition seasons are my very favourite seasons, it's not too hot, not too cold and for some reason they fill me with a sense of excitement. Much like other bloggers I seem to have a very soft spot for fall, I can't help it, the changing leaves! The colours! The clothing! It's pretty hard to resist. This autumn seems to be particularly beautiful.
I have to admit something here....I have a fetish. A jacket fetish. Our hall closet is packed to the brim and it's all me. I just recently added this super soft grey number to the mix and I love it. I justify my habit because it's so cold here for 6-8 months out of the year, I need lots of coats. That logic doesn't fly with Darcy when there's no room for his coats though...
Jenna
Hike Alberta: Burstall Pass
We were so lucky to get to hit up Canmore before it got super cold and while there were a bunch of hikes we still wanted to do this season we picked Burstall Pass because we read it was stunning in the fall. Which it most certainly was; and challenging especially with the early season snow in mid September. We were bringing Duke along for the hike so the 4-6 hour time on this hike was perfect, it took us 5 hours (almost 3 up) with a break for snacks and to snap some photos.
Hiking for us is something we wish we could do every weekend, it's really such great exercise and pushes you to your limits. There were several steep inclines to reach to summit on this hike where both Darcy and I were winded. We're both in pretty great shape so it's great when we can be pushed to that point. It was so refreshing to be outside on such a crisp fall day, and the views truly were well worth it.
Now we can't wait till next year to see what other hikes we can try!
My Dog is my Co-pilot
Tee-who cares, jeans/bag-zara, jacket-H&M, Shoes-Winners, Necklace-Red ribbon
I'm pretty sure anyone who has ever owned a dog thinks their dog is the best. But mine is! Mr.Duke is the best pal ever, we've been through so much together. I am obviously a crazy dog lady and when my client and friend bought me this tee for my birthday it was so fitting. This just happens to be the perfect white tee, not only is it soft as all hell but it fits like no other.
If you run into me just going for a jaunt in the neighborhood 9/10 this is my go to look. Jeans, tee, and leather jacket. Perfect for fall dog walks! Now enough about me, look at how cute Duke is!!!
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