If you do one thing this week...

Work out!

Guys, I get it. Mondays are the worst... Foggy from the weekend... it takes at least a few hours to pick up from where you left off the prior week. Everyone is grumpy pants.  All I want to do on Monday is go home and take a nap. BUT, I know better. I know that my Monday boxing class will give my mood a complete 180. My body will wake up, endorphins will be released, and I have the rest of the week to feel good and take the bull by the horns.

Look at this place. It's made for ass-kicking. Peter Welch's Gym changed my life about a year ago (more to come on that in later posts). What workout is your absolute favorite? If you haven't found it yet, go try something new. I promise, when you get into a workout routine, you will start to feel amazing. 

Here's what happens to your body when you work out: 

1. Digestion stops (so make sure you have a snack 2 hrs before)
2. Oxygen-rich blood is demanded in the parts of your body that need it most
3. Oxygen combines with glycogen and produces ATP... Remember ATP???
4. While you're cruising on ATP, your body also releases adrenaline, blocking pain receptors (Yes, the hardest part of your workout is the beginning - get through it!) 

So how does this affect me? 

1. At least 20 minutes of exercise boosts brain power - it increases attention and cognitive ability. Oxygen-rich blood and hormones make their way to the brain and combine to create a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which plays a role in brain cell growth, mood regulation, and learning. This also has LONG TERM POSITIVE effects.  This is why even when I'm super busy at work, I'll leave, work out, and log back in later. Give your brain a boost.
2. That extra blood flow also increases prettiness... flush face and hydrated skin. 
3. Sleep tight! Exercise regulates body temperature, helping you sleep better when you hit the hay later on.
4. Hot bod, duh. 
5. Reese is right:

So, in case my point wasn't totally clear - getting in some exercise multiple days per week provides benefits that go far beyond just having a hot body and a healthy heart. There are immediate mental and emotional positive side effects that you have the means to give yourself with every motion you make. Case in point... I was so cranky all day today. ALL DAY. Now, I'm relaxed and ready for my week. Get after it!

And, hey, if that's not your thing and you just want a buffalo chicken salad, lucky for you I made a 15 second video on instagram tonight that shows you how! HERE. 

Have an awesome week! xo

Weekend Sunshine_8.18.13

Another perfect weather weekend here in Boston. I think mother nature is making up for the bad mood she was in, in May and June. Thank goodness.  I split my weekend between crossing projects off my 'to-do list' and catching up with the fam.  We took my nieces and nephew out for a their first boat trip and they loved it! My family has a thing for the ocean... we really can't get enough of it and we're all a little more relaxed just being near it. It makes me so happy to see the kiddos following in stride.

Last week, I totally copied Emily Schuman from Cupcakes & Cashmere and made these Rosemary Butter Cookies. OMG. They are my new favorite cookie and SO EASY to make. (And, I must say they went over pretty big with their recipients)

Friday kicked off with a nice 5-miler and dinner at Tavern Road with Lauren, Jill, & Mike. So great to catch up with these lovely ladies and gent.

I picked my brother up on the way down to visit everyone and he greeted me with a freshly juiced GREEN JUICE!! I feel like I'm the only 'health blogger' that hasn't tried one of these power bevs yet. It had tons of green veggies (Kale, celery, cucumber, etc) in it and lots of ginger which gave it a nice spice. It was such a nice little surprise!

Fires on the beach and sunsets.

The kids on the boat and then after getting seafood lunch. Love them. Look how pumped they are! 

Alright, here's the motivation for the week: Tackle it! Be confident in your work, push a little harder in your workouts, & be kind to those around you. Remember, you are a force to be reckoned with. Have a GREAT week! xo

Scenes from a Friday Five-Miler

The weather in Boston has been picture perfect lately. Instead of going to boxing tonight, I decided to take advantage of this weather and head out for a 5-miler. I haven't been running as much this summer so it felt good to get a solid 5 miles in. 

Tonight, I just want to provide you with some scenes from my route. South Boston has been in the news for so much negative press lately that I think it would be nice to share one of the many reasons so many choose to live here. I even came across some yellow daffdils and daisys... fitting after reading this article earlier today.  Have an awesome weekend - get outside! xo