Here's what I've got, babe...

Let me preface this post with a big fat two-part disclaimer: 1.) I am N O T a chef, cook or nutritionist. I credit my food-making abilities to Pinterest, my Kitchen Aid mixer, and creativity. Sometimes I get a resounding, "mmmmhmm-can't-speak-too-busy-making-mmmhmmm-sounds", and sometimes I get the infamous, "you know what would be great on this? Old Bay." {aka, I need to drown this "unique-flavor" with the almighty potent spice of the eastern shore} Ya win some, ya Old Bay some. 2.) I am N O T a photographer, of any shape, size or sector. This includes food. Especially food. So excuse my foodie snaps—I promise it's always more appetizing than it may look. Now that we've gotten the housekeeping items out of the way, let's get to cookin'! Or, crockin', in this case. I found this recipe on Pinterest {shocker} and was instantly intrigued. "Best Chili on Earth"? That's a bold statement. Now, the hubs claims to l o v e my usual chili recipe, so I was reluctant to switch it up, but we were having company over and I didn't have much time to tend to the stove so I needed a full-proof crockpot chili. This was the most frequent and highly acclaimed crockpot chili on Pinterest—I just HAD to know if it was the "best on earth." I followed Pip & Ebby's chili to a T, except the following omissions: I only did one jalapeno pepper instead of two, since one of our "guests" was a wee lad and I didn't want to overwhelm them with spice. I used 2T parsley flakes instead of 1/4 cup of fresh flat-leaf parsley because, again, not a chef, and who the heck has fresh parsley on hand? I went the ground chicken route, mostly because we're just ground chicken type of people {we don't find ground turkey to hold flavor as well}. I left out the pinto beans because the hubs has just recently ventured into the world of beans and I didn't want to over-bean him. The only addition I made was, in my opinion, a chili MUST: beer. It ain't chili unless it has that aromatic beer flavor. Lagers are my favorite, especially seasonal lagers because they come with a whole burst of added spices. I popped open a Leinenkugel Octoberfest and poured about 1/2 a cup in to the chili that was brewing in the crockpot. {If I have to tell you what to do with the rest of the beer, we need to have a little sit down chat.} Otherwise, I followed Pip & Ebby's play-by-play, taking the crockpot route and simmering for 8 hours on low. The verdict? Pretty dang good! Best on earth? For some, maybe. Did it absolutely blow my socks off? There was a strong wind, but I'm not sure they blew off. However, one of my guests did say, "this is REALLY good", not once, but twice. The first time I always accept as a courtesy, but if they're so inclined to say it again, then dang, it must be good! The hubs also approved, and the recipe has officially been added to my Tried & Tested arsenal on Pinterest. The Best Chili on Earth Serves: 12 Total time: 8-9 hrs (slow cooker) or 2 1/2 hr (stovetop) 2 pounds ground beef, turkey or venison {I used 2 lbs. of ground chicken} 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 yellow or white onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped {I used 2T of parsley flakes} 2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped (optional) {I only used 1 jalapeno to make it more kid-friendly} 3 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 46-oz. can tomato juice 28-oz. can diced tomatoes 15-oz. can tomato sauce 16-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed 16-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed {Omitted} {Added 1/2 cup of beer} Shredded cheese and sour cream, for topping Instructions: In a large skillet, cook ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Transfer the meat to a bowl. Drain excess grease from skillet, but do not clean. Add the olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion, green pepper, garlic, parsley and jalapeño peppers (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir until combined. If cooking the chili stovetop, add the cooked meat back to the skillet. If you are using a slow cooker, add everything to the slow cooker. Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans. On stovetop, bring to a boil, dial back to medium-low and simmer for 2 hours. In slow cooker, cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Serve warm with cheese and sour cream. {And biscuits/rolls - duh. #recipe

A large part of starting this blog was to one day dive into my weight journey. Therapeutic? For sure. But inspirational? That's the ultimate goal. I am the epitome of the cliche, "If I can do it - you can do it." And I did it—it wasn't always puppies and unicorns {or fruit and rice cakes}—but I did it. For those who only know me today, you may be thinking, "What is this journey you speak of?" {because you all talk in ancient history lingo, right?} And for those who knew me "then"—you've been expecting this tell-all to come at some point, right? When I decided to change my body... my health... myself — I was 16 and had no guidance, no education, and NO idea where to start. As a result, I went balls-to-the-wall for one full day, working hard to cleanse myself of 16 years worth of build-up. Funny thing—it doesn't happen overnight. I woke up the next morning with a real arm injury {1,000 triceps reps too much for a newbie?!}, and felt completely defeated. "Forget it. I'll just stay like this forever." By the time I got old enough to really educate myself and learn from healthy surroundings, I realized one very valuable tidbit: It took my entire life to get this way. I would have to succumb to the fact that it may take just as long, or even twice as long, to reverse the effects. You have to start somewhere, and while nothing is scarier and more daunting then officially deciding to change your life, there's also nothing more exciting and exhilarating when you realize that YOU, and only you, have the power to do so. Don't get in your own way. Take control. At my heaviest I was 186. {Just so you know, my stomach did a little knotted flip-flop when I typed that. I rarely say that number out loud. And I just put it on the internet. I have contemplated erasing it two times already since I've been typing out this little inside freak-out moment. But I'll leave it. In the name of therapy. ::insert prayer hands emoji::} When I finally took control at 18 years old, I didn't do a crash diet; I didn't immediately join a gym; I didn't jump fat-first into this healthy-change — I weened into it. It's been a long, constantly evolving, overwhelmingly educating experience. I did it — in my mind — the "right" way. The right way for ME. I didn't want to do a "diet" because a diet, to me, was a temporary fix. I wasn't looking for temporary. I was looking for a lifetime lifestyle change. After 10+ years of changing my life, of daily battles, of yo-yo enthusiasm, and inevitable ups-and-downs, these are, at the core, my top ten health hacks for how I got from "then", to "now." 1.) Don't Worry, Be Happy: I wasn‘t like a diehard Oprah fan growing up... until, I was. She wasn’t really an afternoon staple in our house, but damn if woman didn't creep into my life and change it anyway. On the occasion that she was on the television screen in the background as I did homework {gabbed with my friends on AIM} after school, I happened upon an episode when she proclaimed that losing weight wasn't about a diet or a workout regimen - it was about being happy. When you're happy, the weight melts off, she said. "HA! If only it was that easy," I thought. But then - it was. I started dating my now husband when I was 16 years old. By 18 I had {magically} lost 15 pounds, just by being...happy. So my first health hack is: find your happiness. (And watch Oprah.) 2.) Educate Yourself: Wait, so a Caesar salad ISN'T the healthiest option on the menu?! What do you MEAN it's one of the WORST?! I feel completely duped. Duped, I tell ya! Forget everything you t h i n k you know about food, and REALLY educate yourself. In today's technologically-equipped and health-conscious world, it's easier than ever to brush up on your nutritional knowledge. I learned from this little program that's been around the block a few times: Weight Watchers. I credit WW for teaching me everything I needed to know about what amount of calories, fat and fiber work for my body, at my age, and at my activity level. So you're telling me I should only eat 1/3 of the amount of calories I typically eat a day? And they should be filled with twice as much fiber as I was actually getting? Huh, who knew?! Welp, now I do. And once you know, you can ever "un"-know. Trust me—you will forever count calories, calculate points and glance at nutritional information...even 10 years after completing your 3-month love affair with WW. 3.) Stand Strong: Not just on your eating habits, but against the naysayers and nitpickers. The mockers. It's going to happen—even though everyone who loves you really, really does support you, there is going to be some mockery. "Oooh, little miss, 'I can only order salads and eat half of it' is splurging on a chip! Someone document it." Or, "Can you eat this? Should I eat this? I shouldn't eat this if you're not eating it, right? Oh well, I'm not on a life diet like you." And, of course, "She probably binges and purges. Or does drugs. No one is that disciplined." Stand. Strong. Call it jealousy, call it their own demons coming out to haunt them, call it whatever you want and need to in order to stand. strong. This isn't for them, not even in the SLIGHTEST. This is for you, so who the hell cares what anyone else says or thinks. 4.) Never Finish: You are almost always full before you think you are. You don't need that last bite—is it really going to be the difference between feeling absolutely fulfilled or still feeling hungry? Likely, it's not going to make a difference at all - so leave it be. Eventually you'll ween yourself off and find out how much you R E A L L Y need to eat to be satisfied, and you'll be surprised at how much {or little} it really it. So, always leave a bite, or two, or three. 5.) Take a Break: Whether you're at the dinner table, a restaurant, sitting on the couch, mingling at a cookout, or any other food-eating atmosphere - don't scarf down your meal in one sitting. Eat half, then take a break. Read a chapter of a book, gossip with your friends at the table, drink a full glass of water, or set your meal down and come back to it later {just make sure it's well hidden and secure!}. You may find that you're full enough and don't want to finish it. Or, you may find that you want to nibble a little more after a while - but that way you're not DOUBLEY eating, you're simply finishing your first {and only} meal. 6.) Surrender: When you start to feel full but it's just. SO. good. And you can't physically stop yourself - have a "surrender" signal. Mine is putting my napkin on top of my meal—gross, I'm clearly not going to eat it now. Or, turn your fork over. This is the symbol that you're "done" in Europe, and it should also be the symbol for your brain and stomach. Napkin on, fork over, done and done. There's nothing worse than feeling so full that all you can manage is to lay out on the couch—so don't even go there! Wave that white flag {or white napkin} and surrender! 7.) Snack. A LOT.: I always have snacks with me. ALWAYS. If I don't, I get hungry—and you won't like me when I'm hungry. Not kidding, it's in my blood, we turn into the hulk. Having snacks handy will ensure that you always have something on hand when you need a nibble, and that way you won't GORGE when you do finally get to something edible. My go-to snacks are nut mixes, 100 calorie packs, granola bars and whole fresh fruit (apple, banana). You will find them in my purse, my work bag, the center console of my car, my glove box, my coat pockets, my desk drawer—e v e r y w h e r e. They are everywhere short of my bed, because the hubby hates a crumby bed. 8.) Hydrate. And then rehydrate.: 9 times out of 10, you're not hungry, you're thirsty. I have trained myself to be a fish—I literally cannot go more than 30 minutes (sometimes less) without taking a gulp of something, unless I'm sleeping, and even then I have to have an emergency refresher by my bedside. It may be hard to adapt to being an aquatic animal at first, but like everything on this list, you will train yourself over time. Make it easy to suck down the liquids—I use special bottles {Voss #ftw}, add-ins (fresh lemons, Crystal Light To-go's, Mio, Dasani Drops, etc.), and sometimes I get fancy and sparkle. 9.) "Cheat." "Splurge." Allow: I don't like to call it a "cheat" meal, because what exactly am I cheating on? I'm not on a "diet" so I'm not "cheating" on that. I'm not "splurging" just because I'm allowing myself to have a treat. Cheating and splurging indicates that you are doing something wrong, and you're not. ALLOW yourself to have the goodness in life. I don't have a specific day, or meal, or amount—there's no definition to my "allowance". If I want it, I have it. And I try my damnedest not to beat myself up for it afterwards {sometimes I am not successful, but sometimes I do allow a wee too much. Whoopsie! Human over here.}. Truth be told - you find yourself "allowing" less and less when you see how AMAZING it feels to live a healthier life. Sure, I could have that cheeseburger and large fry, and I could definitely devour three slices of that loaded pizza, and you're kidding if you don't think I could KILL that massive tower of cheesecake - but you know what would feel even better? A bite of the cheeseburger, or four fries, or one thin slice of veggie pizza, or a forkfull of cheesecake bliss {not all together now, sheesh}...all accompanied by a healthier more filling option like a hearty salad and a bowl of strawberries {because who doesn't love strawberries & cheesecake?!}. Sure, in the moment you'll want MORE MORE MORE of that fatty goodness, but tomorrow you'll REGRET REGRET REGRET—save yourself the angst, while still enjoying a bit of the goodness. It's a win-win! 10.) Don't Let Me Fool You: Do I follow ALL of these, 24/7, 365?! Do I look like a robotic vampire to you? {But really, how cool would that be?} I too say, "screw Oprah", I don't even pretend to glance at the nutritional information, I scarf everything on my plate {and even some off my hubby's}, I replace hydration with swirly drinks, I lick that cheesecake plate CLEAN, and I too become a naysayer—I. am. human. Just like you. It's an everyday, back and forth, debate and debacle, struggle and win, challenge. It's the best and worst game I've ever played. But is it worth it? You bet your worked-hard-for-this, ass, it is. #fitness #health

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I thought I would share my super sweet {in taste & gesture} Pink Champagne Cupcake Recipe! And by "my", I mean, adapted by Sassy Mama in LA. {You may remember these pink-beauts when they made their appearance in my inaugural blog post} The shamps not only adds a moist-meets-fluff factor from the bubbly, but using pink shamps brings just a tinge of extra of sweetness. This may sound odd...but I can almost TASTE the pink. And do you know what pink tastes like?! Sweet, sugary, angelic romance. Yep, all of that just by biting into these bitty-cakes. Now, I know what you're thinking—why would my manly-man enjoy a mouthful ofpink? Trust me, it does something to make your heart pitter-patter and melt, all at once. BUT, if your man is just u t t e r l y repulsed by eating something pink {Hi, Daddio!}, feel free to dye it black—like his soul. {Just kidding...sort of.} What's e v e n better about adding shamps to cupcakes? The recipe doesn't call for the whole bottle—so, by all means, if the shamps is popped, pour yourself a glass! {Don't mind if I do... Cheers!} Hubs, wifey, fiance, gf, bf, bestie, workplace, girls' night in—whoever or whatever the recipient—pop the shamps {pour yourself a glass}, follow this recipe {sip another glass}, and get your fizzy-cake on {accompanied by that last glass}. Pink Champagne Cupcakes {NC notes in pink!} Makes: 18-24 Cupcakes Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes Ingredients 1 Box of Class White Cake Mix 1 1/4 C + 3T of Pink Champagne 3 Egg Whites 1/3 C Oil Pink Food Coloring {drop to your likeness of pink!} 1 Container of Vanilla Frosting Optional: frilly sprinkle decor for topping Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 12-cup muffin pans with cupcake liners {Note: you may not end up using all cupcake slots}. In a large mixing bowl, add the dry cake mix, 1 1/4 C pink champagne, egg whites and oil. This is where you have to make the decision between pink, or black {or any other color that suits your valentine's preference}—once that decision is made, add as many drops of food coloring as you'd like until the batter is coloriffic. Now, at this point it always comes to the "mix with a mixer for 3-minutes on medium" step—yea, yea, mixer, smixer. Unless it's made from scratch, I'm not busting out the mixer. I whip out my trusty whisk or cake spatula and get in my arm workout for the day. Mix until no lumps appear, approximately 2-3 minutes {I suggest switching arms before the starting mixing arm falls off into the batter}. Fill the cupcake liners approximately 2/3 of the way up—do NOT fill to the top or your cupcake will overflow. And that is w a s t e d champagne, people. #partyfoul Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. While you cool your 'cakes on a wire rack, "whip" up the frosting {I use "whip" lightly, as you're really just opening a tub of ready-made icing} by transferring the contents of the container to a small mixing bowl and add in 3T of champagne. Yes, it will bubble, but it will settle as you stir - so gets to mixin'! Once combined, pop in the fridge so it thickens back up a bit while your cupcakes completely cool. Once your cuppy-cakes are cooled, grab the icing, fancify it as you'd like {I used Wilton Tip #106}, and ice each pink fluffy mound. Optional: Top with extra decor {I used a mix of CakeMate Silver & Gold "Glitter", Wilton Pink Sparkling Sugar & Cake Mate Classic Pearls. Go big or go home!} Now you are free to indulge in your pink champagne cupcakes {hey, if you made them for yourself, no one is judging—we're our own first & forever Valentine, right?} or package them up to pass on to your 2015 crush. Mine just so happens to be the same one as in 2014...and 2013...and all the way back to 2002 <3 Happy Valentine's Day, lovers! #recipe

If you're on the east coast right now, you are getting slammed with dreary, rain-soaking, want-to-stay-in-bed-all-day weather {Thanks, Joaquin}. But I have a reason for you to get out of bed—even if it's just for 10 minutes to throw together this warm, comforting, Crockpot Balsamic Chicken. And by "throw together," I really do mean, throw together - with any canned, jarred or frozen ingredients you have on hand. You know the saying "everything but the kitchen sink?" That totally applies here. The base of this recipe is chicken breast and a balsamic glaze that is too die for. Everything else is free game. Feeling Italian? Go for tomatoes, onions, garlic & fresh hearty herbs like basil. Feeling Greek? Go for olives, peppers, red onions & oregano. In this case, I was feeling, "ooooh, look, this might go good!" I raided the pantry, the fridge and the freezer for this flavor-packed hearty meal that was ready in 10 minutes...plus 4 hours of simmer time. Balsamic "Pantry" Chicken in the Crockpot Servings: 4-6 Total time: 10 minutes, plus 4 hours Ingredients 4-6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts {thawed, if frozen} 1 medium onion, sliced thinly 1 can tomato, okra, corn mix {juices included} 1 can artichoke hearts {I poured out most of the juice and reserved a tiny bit for extra flavor} 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 4 cloves of fresh garlic {or, if you're lazy like me...2 Tbsp of jarred chopped garlic} 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp each: oregano, basil and rosemary 1/2 tsp thyme 1 pinch red pepper flakes {or a couple pinches - we like spice!} S&P to taste Instructions Spray crockpot with Pam (or greaser of choice) & set crockpot to High. Drizzle in olive oil, then lay in chicken breasts {flat} and sprinkle with S&P. Top with sliced onions, pantry/freezer findings, sprinkle on garlic and remaining seasonings. {Basically, throw the rest of the ingredients BUT the balsamic vinegar in the pot.} Drizzle everything with balsamic vinegar. Set and forget for four hours! Depending on the flavors you went with, you can serve over rice, quinoa, pasta, orzo, or eat by it's lonesome! The above version touts less than 200 calories per cup, before the "base" {in my case I served over quinoa & drizzled with a Tbsp of balsamic glaze}. Rainy days may be dreary, but at least they're delicious! Psst...More delicious comfort food: Deemed the "Best Chili on Earth" #recipe #hostessinspo #health

Everyone who knows me, knows I loathe clean hair. *Blech* What am I supposed to do with this squeaky-clean, free-flowing, natural, freshly-washed hair?! Dirty it up! That's what. When you spend a good portion of your week with gritty strands, you get creative with how to style them. One of my go-to's for sprucing up a dirty-'do is by incorporating a headwrap. There are SO many ways to wear a headwrap - these are just a sprinkling of my favs! Things a headwrap are good for: Transitioning from clean, down & bohemian to dirty, gritty and pony. Masking roots! Insta-accessorizing tool. Taming those pesky in-between bangs. Taking your style from boho-babe to sweet princess in the swoop of a bow. Finding a headwrap that can make all five of these things happen, while staying stylish, practical & most importantly - staying PUT - is a task. That's why I'm o b s e s s e d with Simply1Love's headwraps. Hello gorgeous, tribal, diverse, beauty - wrap me up! And what's a headwrap without a hair tie? Simply1Love - at it again. Not to mention: floral halos,turbans {LOVE a good turb}, festive hair ties, Mommy & Me scarves {anything mommy & me is just ah-dorbs}, hair jewels & so much more! I'm a frequent Etsy-shop swooner & daily Instagram stalker. Join me - shop, stalk, swoon - WRAP. Psst...Hair how-to's got me like - more, more, more! I Like Big [Hair] Buns {And I Cannot Lie} Beach-Waved Bob Tutorial #hairtutorial #hairhowto #hairstyle

I am no stranger to fitness programs - I have tried almost all of the trendy routines under the sun.Body Revolution, P90x (and P90x3!), 30-Day Shred, Biggest Loser, HIIT's, cross-training, and pretty much anything by Jillian Michaels. You name it, I've done it, and occasionally still revisit my favs. So when you ask me to start a new program with a new instructor that I've never virtually met before, I'm weary, judgement and skeptical...I'm a fitness snob. Nonetheless, my incredible BeachBody coach gave me all the convincing I needed and I started my journey with Chalene and her long and lean limbs. I started BeachBody's PiYo when I was fresh off the heels of training for, and running, a 10-miler. Suffice it to say I wasn't in "bad" shape—I felt strong and energetic. But I was b o r e d. BORED, I tell ya! I was tired of hitting the tread and felt a little bulky from all of the cross strength training that came along with a 10-week running program. I needed something f r e s h, and something that would get me long and lean—something that would make me Summer-ready! Enter, PiYo. This is my full, raw, no-holds-bar review of every single aspect of PiYo - broken down by each workout! Hopefully it will help you decide whether PiYo is a good fit for you...or not...but I'm going to give a pre-review round-up of my detailed review below and say yes, it's t o t a l l y a good fit for you, and you, and you. Align: The Fundamentals {43 minutes} So, like I said, I am a former P90x & P90x3'er, and I've also done my fair share of yoga in the past, so this "workout" was a bit...::grits teeth::...pointless, for me. Chalene basically walks you through the different moves, the terminology, and the layout of the program. This is NOT considered a workout, in my book. I watched 15 minutes and then said, "Okay, I got it," and moved on to the next day's workout. Do yourself a favor and watch this the Sunday before you start. If you feel like you're BeachBody {BB} & yoga savvy, you'll know in the first 10 minutes whether it's worth it to watch or not. If you've never done a BB program or a measly downward dog, this is probably beneficial for you to watch. But I'm more of a hands-on kind of learner - I'd rather do the dog than hear about it. Define: Lower Body {20 minutes} Truth be told, this was a little easy for me, too. Remember, I had just come off a rigorous 10-week running program where we did a LOT of lower body work. At the end of this video I felt like, that's it?! Now what do I do to get my sweat on? Which brings me to... Define: Upper Body {19 minutes} Same song and dance as above - which is to say: a lot of song, not a lot of dance. After doing each of these twice I made the executive decision to start pairing them on the same day. You get a great stretchy yoga-heavy workout for under 40 minutes. I would either pair them together and do a run on the second day, or pair each with a short run or circuit workout pin. I do NOT think they're pointless, I just think they're better served together or paired with another workout. This, again, coming from someone who was used to working out up to an hour a day. So, 19 minutes? I laugh in the face of 19 minutes! This became one of my favorite AM workouts when I needed to wake-up, but not throw up. And then I would do a second workout after or in the PM. Sweat {37 minutes} NOW we're talking!! Sweat is very, VERY, aptly named. You know how you sweat so much, and so quietly, that it's just dripping off the ball of your nose? Times that by ten. The sweat will be rollingoff your nose. The best part of Sweat is, even though you're buns are burning, your legs are quivering, your arms are buckling and your abs are screaming, you don't feel like you're killing yourself. Chalene takes you riiiighttt to the edge, and then BANG - you're moving on. Switching it up and having that fluid motion is likely, I think, why you're glistening like a pig in oil. This is one of my absolute favorite PiYo workouts!! Core {30 minutes} Anything core is always my favorite - I love a good ab-crushing workout! This one is no different. It is core at its finest - encompassing some of my favorite and well-known core moves {like the bicycle}...and newly hated core moves {PiYo pike, anyone?}. But when I say "hate," what I mean is, love to hate {hate to love? Either way.}. This is 30 nonstop waist-cinching minutes, but they FLY and you're left feeling tight and taut. P.S. The last move is a funky little side-plank meets bend backwards in half and kick forward move that you have to live to understand - but it's a new fav! Buns {28 minutes} Of STEEL, ya'll, steel. Not to be graphic, but I think my buns are my most, um, enhanced, aspect from this workout? Yea, enhanced. This bun-burner will leave you feeling like you can barely sit down - in the best way possible. I think the first day after I did this workout for the first time I actually contemplated crawling to the bathroom, and then somehow figuring out how to hover over the toilet. You know the feeling - this will certainly give it to you. Chalene again takes you right to the edge when you think your gluteus medius {that's your bum-cheek-bone} might very well pop right out of your skin, and though mine now looks like it might at any second, I thank Chalene from the bottom of my bum for my new Kardashian-esque bootay. {The hubs thanks her, too.} Strength Intervals {21 minutes} This is the perfect quickie to pair with a quick run or Upper or Lower PiYo! It flies! But don't let that fool you - it will still kick your bum and leave you in pain and dripping sweat. I almost always pair this with a 2 miler, or even sneak it in on my "off day." Keep in mind that you can do anything for 20 minutes and you'll crank this sucker out in a cinch. {Just kidding, don't hate me when you're in pain after 20 minutes... Mind over matter!!} DRENCH {48 minutes} Remember how Sweat actually leaves you sweaty? Times that by, oh, I don't know - 30? And you have yourself DRENCH. It is in capital letters for a very good reason. There is no other way to explain Drench, other than that you will literally be left dripping, oozing, drowning in sweat. You clothes will be drenched, your floor will be drenched, and if your dog gets too close, they too will be drenched. This is one of my absolute favorite PiYo workouts, because although it is the longest at a whopping 48 minutes, you feel like you can take on the world afterward! Well, after a good shower, some gorging on a delicious ShakeO, and maybe a nap. This workout takes bits and pieces from every single workout - all of your favorite moves in a nonstop fat-blasting workout. Then you round out the whole thing with 13 minutes of "flow" at the very end. Flow is like yoga on speed - and I swear that's where you elevate from sweaty to drenched. There's a good reason why this workout doesn't make an appearance until week four! Sculpt {26 minutes} Sculpt is a lot like Strength Intervals in the way that it's quick, painful & done before you know it. This is like a mini Drench in fast forward - hitting each area very quickly before moving on to the next. Despite its condensed version, you still get a major workout. The one thing that sets this workout apart from the rest is a chair. Yes, a chair. Your biceps, triceps and glutes will be screaming and pissed at that chair by the end of this one!! Bonus: Hardcore on the Floor {33 minutes} After a few weeks you get the option to swap out Core for Hardcore on the Floor, but truth be told, I was so obsessed with Core that I couldn't imagine substituting it! I didn't try Hardcore until after my 60-day program was over...and boy was I regretful. Hardcore is almost a tiny notch harder than Core and you literally never. ever. ever. get off the floor! After a few weeks of Core I would suggest swapping this out every other time. Don't forgo Core altogether because they both have their strengths {and by strength I mean pain}, but do incorporate Hardcore every now and then! So, there you have it - my honest rundown of PiYo. Did I convince you to sign-up, or did I scare you off?! I hope it's not the latter... If you need any more inspiration that YOU can do this, how about the fact that my BB coach {Gina Notes of Popcorn and Pandas} was actually doing the program the same time as me...while seven months pregnant!! If that doesn't make you get off your bum and start planking, I don't know what will. Thoughts on PiYo?? Please share below!! And feel free to ask me anything else about this strength & toning workout program with my new fitness-BFF, Chalene ;-) Psst! You may also like: 10 Health Hacks: How I Changed My Body, My Life #fitness #health #workout

I know I'm usually on here touting about my love of nutrition, health & fitness, but the truth is... I have a very deceiving love affair with swirly drinks. Yes, swirly drinks. Ya know, the kind that oozes out of a machine that has been so nicely swirling your favorite flavor{s} into frozen concoctions? Yea, that's a swirly drink. I countdown to my very first PIDA of the season {Pain in de ass - for all of you Ocean City Seacrets virgins}, and literally melt at the first sip--the perfect combination of rum runner-meets-pina colada. Swirled, appropriately. But, I don't discriminate against any swirlies - catch me at a Fat Tuesday and I'll mix-and-match any flavor I can get my mouth on. So, leave it to me turn a nutritious-packed Shakeology into a Summer tastebud-pleasing flavor. Adding in bright fruit like pineapple and peaches, mixed with a Strawberry pack of ShakeO, gives this power-shake the flair of swirlies, with a teeny tiny fraction of the calories - and absolutely NO guilt. Though, admittedly, I totally feel guilty sucking this down - it's that deceivingly good! Trust me when I tell you that I have thought more than once about adding a splash {or two} of liquor to this bad boy - but I almost feel like ShakeO packets across the world would shudder. Sans alcohol, the only ingredients you need are: 1 packet Strawberry ShakeO {or 1 scoop} 1/2 cup frozen peaches 1/2 cup frozen pineapples 1 cup fresh spinach 1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk Ice to your liking Throw it all together in a blender {no rhyme or reason} and blend until smooth. Then sip, melt, and try to refrain from grabbing the rum... #fitness #recipe

It's no secret that I d r e a d washing my hair. As odd as it sounds - I work all week to build up that grit and style and wiping the slate clean just bums me out! But, when you typically go 5+ days without washing {go ahead and shudder, but I'm saving my hair from stripping its natural oils. Now what?!}, the styles you wear throughout the week must evolve with the grit build-up. By Day 6 it is almost always UP, because, let's be real - no matter how incredible Kenra products smell, on day 6 they get a little stale {more shuddering}. My go-to Day 6 'do is the big ass ballerina bun - brought, taught and coveted by ballerina babe Lauren Conrad. Now, I'm going to tell you something that may shock you. Ready?... I don't know how to do the actual "sock bun." Not in the sense of when you're using an actual sock. Or a fake sponge-sock thingamabob. Or whatever it is you crazy kids use to fill out your ballerina buns. I just don't get it, and my stylist hands can't maneuver it. Thanks to LC, I never have to succumb to the sock. All I use is my god given natural locks, and a few essential materials. Materials Hair elastic Few bobby pins Few hair pins (yes, there's a difference) Teaser comb (I like one with a bristle brush) Kenra Finishing Spray {Photo cred to the hubs <3} Step 1: Gather your hair into a high tight pony, using the elastic hair tie. {Stylist tip: I like to spray the sides/top/bottom of my hair a bit with the finishing spray and smooth back with the teaser comb for a super sleek look.} Step 2: Using your teaser comb, back-comb the pony until it's a huge, bristle, ratty, knotted mess. Get in there and MESS that pony up - don't be shy! The puffier the ponytail, the bigger the bun, ya'll. Step 3: Now L I G H T L Y smooth just the outer edge of your ponytail - but leave that teased poof in the middle so it still has some good girth. I very lightly smooth just the outer later. {Stylist tip: We're not going for Nutcracker-perfect-ballerina-buns here. Messy is sexy. Don't worry about those flyaways - no one's looking at them - they're all looking at that fab bun.} Step 4: Now twist your pony just a little, but not too tight that you flatten the thickness of your "tail." Step 5: Loosely wrap the tail around your head and tuck the ends under the bun once you've fully wrapped around. Don't worry about making the bun's circumference, placement and shape perfect right this moment - we'll mold that baby shortly. Step 6: Secure the bun in place with your hairpins. I typically use one at each directional point (north, east, south, west). Here's where you want to make sure the placement of the bun on your head is where you want it to be, because you'll be securing it in that spot. It's bulky and sturdy enough for you to just kind of push around until it's center {see why we gave it such good girth early on?!} Step 7: Now fluff out with your bun out! I like to make my B I G. Using my hands I just lightly stretch, pull and "fluff" until it's as big as I want him to be {yes, my bun is a guy - I don't stereotype on ballerinas}. Step 8: Now that you've tossed your bun about, you've likely caused a little disruption of that smooth outer shell. Go back over your bun and LIGHTLY - I emphasize LIGHTLY - comb around the outer shell just to smooth to your liking. Again, remember, we're not trying out to be a sugar plum fairy. Modern buns are NOT perfect. Actually, they are. They are perfectly imperfect. Once you have smoothed and secured your bun, go ahead and spritz with your finishing spray, smooth any flyaways on your sleek sides, and shellack that bun in place. {I didn't think I needed a picture step for how to use hairspray. If you haven't figured out how to pop off the top and spray, this tutorial may be a little advanced for you ;-)} Step 9: Rock out with your non-sock-bun out!! #hairtutorial #hair #hairhowto #hairstyle

Fall is my a b s o l u t e favorite season. The crisp air, the pumpkin everything, the colorful skylines, the bonfires & boots & scarves & F A S H I O N. I think my Fall wardrobe is my favorite of all—and yes, I have a separate wardrobe for every season, would you really expect anything less?! Summer's 70's fashion flare {pun intended} of fringe & crochet & platforms is carrying into Fall with wide legs & floppy hats & funky patterns. I for one am so very excited that this 70s love affair continues... When you have access to corn fields as far as the eye can see, rustic accents like a rundown barn & a photog for a bestie - well, you narrow your favorite 70s trends and get groovy for the camera...baby. All incredible photos by the uber talented & passionate Erin Michelle Photography. My blog shoots will never be the same! {Thanks, gf <3} {70's Dolled Up: A Flouncy Wrap Dress} {I felt like such a doofus twirling my dress & acting like a super model - but I adore this picture. Note to self: always, always trust your photog & just go. for. it.} Dress: Kiki La'Rue Boutique {A favorite online shop that I frequent...like, once a month #noshame} // Floppy Hat: Forever21 {Gifted}, similar & similar with flair // Platform Wedges: Wet Seal {super oldies}, similar & Steve Madden's {the shoe god} // Gold cuff: Francesca's {no longer available}, similar & intricately similar // Necklace: DC Eastern Market {not available online}, similar & tassled // Earrings: Target and similar yet textured {70's Dolled Down: Jean on Jean} Jeans {bottom}: H&M {not as old as the actual 70s, but pretty dang old}, similar {and yes, please! I've always wanted a pair of fab jeans from Madewell} & HOT {also, similar} // Denim shirt: Target {few seasons old} but similar & similar // Shoes: Nordstrom Rack {sale last season}, similar Jessica Simpson & similar {with fringe!} // Purse: Gifted, but similar & adorable bucket style // Bracelet: World Market {oldie}, similar // Necklace: Lucky Brand {no longer available} but super similar // Ring: Oldie {so, basically, who knows!}, similar Happy 70's Fall, ya'll! Psst...More fashion inspo: Cool for Culottes All That Glitters is Gold #shopping #fashion #style #accessories

Winter has a way of depressing by suppressing. Everything from daylight, to warmth on your bones, to your drive to workout, to your will to eat well—it is all squashed by Winter. The days are shorter, unbearably colder, encourage layers {of body fat and clothing} & undoubtedly provoke the pantry-eater in you. There are no visions of poolside romps, beach body bikinis, endless fresh veggie & fruit options, or any drive-worthy factors to 'put the oatmeal cream pie down, and walk away from the pantry...' Now, before this completely demoralizes you and sends you into a Hostess Cakes-feast of Winter proportions {those powdered doughnuts though...}, let me turn this post around. There are only: 30 Days until Daylight Savings {helloooo sunshine!} 41 Days until Spring 107 Days until Memorial Day Weekend {unofficial kickoff to Summer} 137 Days until Summer! Which means, the time is N I G H to get this beach body started. And what better way to jump feet first into bikini-bliss than signing up for a 10-miler?! Say it with me now... CRAZY! Exciting! With a few 5K's sprinkled throughout, a 10-miler at the climax, and V E G A S as the ultimate reward, this ten week calendar will keep me in check and on track. Oh, and did I mention the Big 3-0 at the core of all of this? Well yea, there's that. So, whether you're counting down to sunshiney-days, spring break debauchery, a milestone birthday, a bucket list run, or some other form of light at the end of this bitter-cold tunnel, I hope this post restarts your engine & starts your kickass countdown! I'll also be joining a Clean Eating Challenge next week that will be sure to rid my Winter-bod of all of those holiday indulgences and prepare it for the road {or treadmill} to come. In the meantime, create your own countdown, download this training calendar {inspired by the infamous Hal Higdon training programs}, tailor it to your 2015 fitness bucket list & join me in springing forward—NOW! #fitness #health

The other day I told someone who I had just met that I have lost nearly 80 pounds since my heaviest. Her reaction is one that still gets me, every time. She jolted her head back, eyes wide, and said, "I don't believe you. You're so FIT." Slightly embarrassed, but equally as proud, I say, as I always do, "It was a process." From start-to-finish, my fitness "process" has been 20 years in the making. I should really say, "from start-to-today" because it's a process that will never, ever end. BUT, it does evolve. The workouts I do today are a far cry from the workouts I did 20 years ago {I say that literally—as my workouts today actually make me want to cry sometimes...}. But that doesn't make the workouts I did 20 years ago any less important, OR strenuous. Because back then, when I was 80 pounds heavier, a 1 mile run was debilitating, a 20 minute yoga session was draining and any amount of time with Jillian Michaels evoked pure hatred. Despite how I look {and most importantly—feel} today, I too had to start somewhere. So I hit up the fitness aisle at Target, stocked up on every DVD I could find, grabbed a pair of 3 lb. hand weights, and pressed play—every day. If you're a beginner and you don't know where to start {or you're rusty and don't know where to RE-start}, do what the new-age kids do—hop on Amazon, prime ship (or instant video play) every program on this list, add a pair of 3 lb. hand weights to your cart and press play. EVERY DAY. Running Despite running around the soccer field for years as a teen, I still couldn't run a mile without getting winded. Hell, I couldn't run half a mile without feeling like I was going to die. I never ever thought I would run a half-marathon and I would frequently say I hated and dreaded running. Well, consider me a changed woman, because a good run is now my therapy of choice, and I can bust out four miles at a mild pace while zoning out on replays of my favorite CW shows—all without the dread. This was in a world pre-Pinterest {I know... the shock, the horror, the boredom!}, but now there are a ton of "Couch to 5K" pins to get your started. Still, my go-to trainer for runs, near and far, is Hal Higdon. Hal Higdon 5K Training for the Novice Hal Higdon 5K Training for the Intermediate Hal Higdon 5K Training for the Walker {"Who says you have to run to finish a 5K?"} Yoga "I don't feel like I get a real workout when I'm doing yoga." Yea, been there, said that, didn't feel it. Well, Bob Harper officially convinced me in his Biggest Loser Weightloss Yoga. "Try this weightloss yoga—you'll feel it!" Truth be told, I still "feel it" today because that workout still gets me! It was the first workout that was finally able to get me to fall in love with yoga & get all sorts of namaste. Plus, anyone who has worked out the First Lady is the M A N, in my book. Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga {Bonus: no prime shipping needed—there's an instant download option!} Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown {Follow the modifier if you're a yoga newbie} Denise Austin Shrink Your Fat Zones Pilates {A little old-school style, but the stretching and strength will make you feel long and lean!} Cardio There are many ways to bust a cardio sweat, other than running. Most of these offer a quickie workout and a modifier to lead you through if you consider yourself a super-novice. The best part is that you can increase to the more advanced level within the beginner-esque workouts to make them last longer and carry you through, month after month, and even year after year! Biggest Loser Boot Camp {Another Bob led workout} Jillian Michaels One Week Shred Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 Biggest Loser Cardio Max Strength In the beginning I was a cardio-whore. All I wanted to do was come up red-faced and dripping in sweat. I thought it was way more important to shed pounds than to tone and bulk up. But I was so wrong because I quickly learned that incorporating weights and strength training 2-3 days a week would not only enhance my cardio workouts, they would make me burn more calories in a shorter amount of time! Balancing between cardio and strength is key. Kathy Smith Kettlebell {although this video isn't that old, it has a 90s workout feel that I secretly love. Where's a leotard when you need one?!} Jackie Warner Power Circuit Training {who doesn't remember and love gym owner-turned-reality star Jackie Warner?! I used to dream of working out at Sky Sport.} Jackie Warner One-on-One Training {I completely credit Jackie for jump-starting my abs. Cause, just look...} Workout Sets Working out at home makes you your own workout boss—you have to set your schedule, push yourself, and imagine that Jillian is yelling directly at you through the TV. Sometimes it's tough to find the energy and dedication to press play every day—that's why workout sets that come complete with set schedules help to keep you on track. Start with something small, like a 30-day set. Who can't commit to one measly month!? Then up the ante with the infamous BeachBody set: P90x. Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred P90x {long after P90x reigned DVDs across the world, Tony Horton got a word from the wise and realized you didn't need 93 minutes of yoga to get a true workout. So, if you don't have an hour+ a day to dedicate to Tony, pick up P90x3 for a condensed but equally as tough version! } Amazon is calling your name, and Tony, Jillian, Bob & the gang are waiting for their fresh meat... Up Next: The process continues with fitness frenemies for the advanced worker-outer! https://www.nikkicagle.com/post/2015/12/09/my-fitness-frenemies-workout-dvds-for-the-advanced #health #fitness #workout

Three things I absolutely love: 1. Jumpsuits 2. Wide leg anything 3. Wine So, when all three are thrown together in one day, c l e a r l y it's a good dang day. But enough about my awesome day - let's stop and talk for one second about culottes. Back in my day {mimics grandparent}, culottes were called gauchos, and try as I might I just couldn't pull them off. Gauchos were known for making you even shorter & stouter than your original form - they had powers of pure black magic. No one, I repeat, no one looked good in gauchos, unless your name was Gisele Bundchen and you were 7 feet tall. But now, NOW, "gauchos" are back, and they are proportioned much better, so even the shorties like me can rock them. {Note to fellow shorties: you're going to want to throw on some wedges or a little heel with these. Again, we're no Gisele.} I may or may not have up to five pairs of cool culottes now {guilty}... Oh, let's add a fourth thing I love to this day's line-up: crown braids. Half crown braids, to be exact. {Check out a crown braid how-to over on Fashion Washington, by yours truly!} Culotte jumpsuit: Urban Outfitters {no longer available!} but similar {irony that they call it a gaucho jumpsuit...get with it UO!}, similar & yahhhss please // Belt: American Eagle {oldie} but similar // Wedge: So old that I don't remember {eek, sorry!} but similar & similar in tan {and s u p e r on sale!!} // Layered necklace: Nordstrom Rack {in store}, similar & love {ahem, want} // Bracelet: Bravelets & miscellaneous stackables like these & these // Ring: Again, super duper old, but nearly the same on Etsy Aside from my culotte obsession, this day also introduced me to another new obsession: Winery at Bull Run! I consider myself to be quite the DMV winery-er and this has quickly jumped to the top of my list. Hidden in the hills of Centreville, VA, this winery has so many unique elements that have made it a new fav. Delicious wines, breathtaking scenery, an "adults only" side {there's a fun side for families with kiddos, too!}, live music, the smell of enticing food truck fare & hilarious photo op setups {scroll down for our I Love Lucy moment...}. It's a must visit {again, and again, and again...}! {Note: no grapes were harmed in these pictures. Also note: plenty of grapes, in the form of wine, were consumed before these pictures...} #fashion #hairhowto #hairstyle #Hair #accessories #shopping