Philosophies
I have several philosophies that guide my pantry and product choices, lifestyle habits and rituals. You’ll see these themes crop up throughout my posts and stories, and you might see new ones start to show up as my pantry practice evolves over time. I’d love to hear about the philosophies that guide your lifestyle choices!
80/20 – I eat super clean and whole 80% of the time and shamelessly enjoy red wine, homemade chocolate chips cookies, indulgent dinners on vacation and nights out with the girls.
Seasonality – I eat and exercise with the seasons. More squash in the fall, berries in the summer. More outdoor cycling in the summer, weightlifting in the winter. I also tend to weigh 5-7ish pounds more in the winter, courtesy of making memories with family and friends over the holidays. 100% part of my 80/20 rule.
Shop local, organic, and the perimeter of the grocery store – When farmer’s market season arrives, I buy as much of my produce there as I possibly can – when produce is local it is significantly more fresh, ripe and nutritious. Organic ingredients are non-GMO and do not have synthetic pesticides applied…certified organic is a good rule of thumb to help ensure you’re not ingesting synthetic ingredients, which can disrupt hormone regulation and throw off your gut’s microbiome. While I don’t buy organic for every product, a good rule of thumb is to choose organic for produce without a thick skin, most skincare products, all dairy, eggs and meat. The grocery store perimeter is generally where perishable stuff is (read: whole, less adulterated food with fewer preservatives and more nutritional punch per calorie.) Focus on this stuff. We all know anecdotally our dinner plates should be 50% green. So should your shopping cart. Produce, Greek or coconut yogurt, seafood, produce, produce, produce. Much of this blog is dedicated to sharing products worth buying and tips for how to select others so you know which aisles are worth venturing down as you refine your pantry practice.
Commit to greens – I aim for 4+ cups of leafy greens every single day. Leafy greens provide your body with critical fiber and prebiotics that promote the proliferation of a healthy gut: a strong and diverse gut microbiome helps regulate your hormones, supports health metabolic activity and digestion, and floods your body with vitamins and nutrients that can’t be replaced wholly in any other form. I’ve seen it written somewhere that it doesn’t matter if you like leafy greens – you just have to eat them. I challenge you to include greens in at least two of your three meals each day. Easiest way to sneak them in: simply plate them beneath or mix them into your main entrée raw, steamed or wilted.
Move your body – Stand, stretch and sweat as often as you can. My workout schedule is not super rigid but my habits and lifestyle dictate that I’m nearly always in motion. I stand during my entire workday (10+ hours), hop on my Peloton, do yoga or lift weights in my home gym at least 3 days a week and fit in extra movement during all of the small moments – for example, I do squats or leg lifts while I brush my teeth…2 minutes, 2 times a day means I squat for 4 minutes each day. Easy, sustainable, and so good for you. I also spend a lot of time outside – whether hiking, paddleboarding, exploring a local farmer’s market, or playing t-ball and cornhole in the backyard with my little boy, there’s so many fun, easy ways to keep your body in motion.
Self-care is not selfish – Eat food like it is medicine, move your body to relieve stress and build strength, nourish your skin with amazing ingredients, and rest when you can. Life is messy and imperfect, you will have many strains on your time, and you will not be able to say that you checked the box on each of these goals every day. That is okay…and that is normal. But, the more focused and dedicated you are to self-care, the more you will prioritize it. Don’t lose your focus, sharpen your discipline, and keep your practice humming.
No scales allowed – Scales do not measure water retention from hormone fluctuations, nor do they give you grace after the best vacation of your life. They do not measure how much muscle you have gained. They don’t account for your energy levels, workout intensity, or mental clarity. Chuck the scale. When I want a physical measurement, I put on my favorite pair of jeans – because you know you do not want to outgrow your favorite pair of jeans. When my jeans get snug, I up my greens and decrease the chocolate. It’s a balance that should not fluctuate wildly. It’s intuitive. You know when you’re off. Make this your gentle nudge.
