First things first: HOW is it already almost the end of July?! Where is this year going? And is it just me, or is the pandemic making time go both more slowly and more quickly all once? Weird stuff, y’all, weird stuff! Alright, now that that’s out of the way, it’s time for some open-hearted real talk. I recently made a well-intended but ill-timed PSA on my personal social media.…
Health & Fitness
July Check In & Classes!
Hellllllo Everyone, I hope you’re each hanging on and keeping your chin up (not to mention staying safe and well!) during this crazy global moment we’re all living through. Between the pandemic and widespread social and political upheaval, I know many people are dealing with higher than usual levels of anxiety, frustration and more. I get it. In the midst of all the chaos, I’m pregnant! Because what’s a worldwide…
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Health & Fitness
Staying Sane During the Pandemic
I know, I know, the title sounds dramatic. But the reality is that so many people out there are feeling stressed, overwhelmed and – depending where they’re based – cooped up as a result of the regulations and requirements surrounding COVID-19, that it’s actually pretty spot on. Even the name sounds scary – eek! So, what can we do to stay grounded, happy and whole during this time of upheaval?…
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Health & Fitness
Six Things Your Fitness Instructors Wish You Knew
A good fitness instructor can make or break your class, your mood and even your morning. That’s why when you find ones that you click with it’s a RELATIONSHIP. Sure, we up at the front might not know you that well. But let’s face it, whether you’re PMS and wishing you were on the couch rather than at yoga, ready to scream as you picture your ex’s face mid-kickboxing class…
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Health & Fitness
How To Exercise When it’s Hot (it’s not as simple as you’d think!)
Woo-e! It is summertime and right now it is hot hot HOT! Even typically-cool Amsterdam has hit the low 30sC/90sF. Not that I’m complaining! It makes for a nice change from what has otherwise been a gray, cool summer here. It does present some challenges though, particularly when it comes to staying motivated and sticking to a fitness routine – especially when all anyone really wants to do is relax…
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Gluten Free
May is Celiac Awareness Month
May is Celiac Awareness Month! And while that might not meaning anything to you yet, it should! Why? Because a growing number of the world’s population suffers from celiac disease – and 80-87% of those with the disease in North America are as of yet mis or undiagnosed! Even if you don’t have Celiac you can – and should! – be an ally and advocate for those who have to…
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Expat Adventures
2018 Reflections: Seeing The Bigger Picture
Wow, the last day of January has arrived and I’m finally! ready to share my 2018 reflections with you! (You can read the 2017 ones here.) The past six weeks or so I’ve been hiding out a bit, mulling over my 2018 takeaways, digging deep and sitting with some of the discomfort that has come with that. (Being honest with ourselves can be tough work!) For me, 2018 was a year…
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Self-love
Ho Ho Ommmm: How to Master The Art of Holiday Zen
One more day and the holidays will be officially upon us! (At least for us Americans.) And while I am all about carols, cocoa and Love Actually (*heart eyes*), the holiday season is often more complicated than many of us realize. Ads for diets will bombard us at the same time that we’re being offered seconds of everything at our tables, holiday parties will “demand” that we shell out for…
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Health & Fitness
The Art of Being a Spectator: What Coaching My Partner For the NYC Marathon Taught me
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind! As many of you who know me or follow along on Instagram know, my S.O. ran his first marathon this past Sunday. Not just any marathon (though that would be enough) – the New York City marathon! Just over 52,000 runners and more than 1 million spectators (yes you read that correctly) turned out for the race. And wow, was it spectacular!…
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Health & Fitness
5 Ways To Get Greener Now
Okay I know what you’re thinking – isn’t this a fitness and expat blog?? True, BUT being green is something that we should all be putting top of mind. After all, we’ve all heard that climate change is happening (and that it’s scary, dementor-esque stuff). In fact, the latest UN Report contains a startling new timeline – one in which really concerning events (such as mass droughts), begin as early as…
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