If any of my readers have young kids also, your weekend likely consists of kids’ activities, birthday parties and the addition of Halloween events this weekend- it’s a downright blur over here! 🎃🍁👻
But, I’m hoping that, if you read my blog, you now know that fitness can be fun and it can be quick! Let’s all let go of the perfect this weekend and aim to just get SOME exercise in. Same goes for Halloween day itself 🎃🎃
Here’s a quick circuit I wrote up for you guys! (Don’t forget to warm up before and stretch after)
If you’re in New England too, you’re also getting some crazy weather warm up. Other ideas for fitness: take the kids on a long walk around your neighborhoods to see some Halloween decorations, get outside for a run or go on a family bike ride.
Halloween is the start of a busy season of events, amazing food and lots of treats. Don’t forget that you can enjoy life AND take care of your health, and a quick 15-20 minute workout is a great way to achieve that balance ⚖️
Wishing you an awesome weekend of joy, good memories and some yummy treats too!
Ok, here we are friends. Just about a week til Halloween and I suppose it’s time we pick up some candy to hand out. I’m tempted to wait longer, cause my husband is all about buying LOTS of candy (totally more than we need, right, Adam?!? 🤣🤣) and I do not want the extras around the house. At all.
I’ve also become more and more aware about what’s in candy and there’s some things I just prefer my kids don’t eat (I’m talking about you, food dyes!). So, each year, I try to buy a few extra bags of healthier candy alternatives- both to spread the gift of healthier options and to keep the more concerning ingredients out of our house, in the case of leftovers. Here’s some ideas I have for this year:
🪀 think outside the (candy) box: there’s no denying that food allergies in kids are pretty prevalent. Plus, in our neighborhood, we have lots of younger kiddos. So, I try to have some non edible treats and am always pleasantly surprise at how excited the younger kids are to get these. Think yo yo’s, tattoos, stickers, pencils, stamps…
🥨 lunchbox snacks are never a bad idea. We try to stick to whole food snacks as much as possible, but I’d be lying if I said a bag of goldfish or crackers don’t make it into the kids’ lunchboxes sometimes. For this reason, I’m a fan of Annie’s, so I atleast know the kids are getting non gmo and organic versions of these fun snacks. And I truly appreciate the kids snagging some of these in place of candy sometimes 👌👌
🍫🍫 candy is fun. Healthier candy is more fun! Reading ingredients makes such a difference. Choosing chocolate that’s tested for heavy metals, chewy candies that don’t have food dyes and finding organic ingredients goes along way. I know a little is ok, but I also know my kids get lots of reasons to indulge throughout the year and ensuring they indulge in healthier (still yummy) options just makes me feel better. Lily’s, Unreal, Justin’s and Yum Earth are some brands I personally like but I’d love to hear what you’ve found too!
The good thing is, those of us with kids will be doing a lot of walking next Tuesday. Between our steps and a few healthy swaps, Halloween can be a little less frightening and a lot more fun…
Happy Halloween to all those who celebrate and wishing an enjoyable fall week to all of you lovely readers 🍁🍁🍁
We’re off enjoying a super fun, beautiful (albeit rainy) weekend in our absolute favorite place- the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Have you guys been here for peak foliage season before?? I mean- I really can’t think of many things more beautiful. 🍁🍁🍁
View coming down from Mt. Washington
After a super busy (sorta stressful) few weeks starting my new therapy job, my soul needed this trip 🙏 We’ve dodged the rain (mostly) and gotten lots of time outdoors, finally took the kids to Storyland and had plenty of cozy fires to round out a real New England fall weekend.
Walking around Bretton Woods, NH
Now, I’m starting my next 11 day reset with friends on Monday, so I enjoyed some indulgences this weekend. But I’ve never been one to completely let go of my wellness tools on vacation. For one- my body does not do well with the inflammation that comes with too much sugar, processed foods or gluten. Plus, it feels good to move, to have energy and to breathe in nature or sightsee anywhere we are- all perfectly accomplished by walking. So, here’s a quick list of our “musts” when traveling ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Supplements not pictured, but I always travel with my shakes, bone broth, healthier protein bars and crackers and lots of fruit and veggies
✅Whenever possible, we book a hotel unit or condo with a kitchen. My husband and I just prefer to cook most of our food, and even the kids get bored eating out if it’s more than once a day. Plus- when we’re up here in New Hampshire, sitting on our porch overlooking the mountains beats eating in any restaurant dining room I can think of. Oh- and there’s also the money we save by not eating out most of the time ✅Bring the essentials. Always. For me, that’s fresh fruit and veggies, air dried or (sometimes) dried fruit for when we’re out, some of my gluten free meal/side alternatives (sweet potatoes, chickpea pasta…) and healthier snacks. ✅Don’t skip the supplements. Adam and I both travel with a bag of our must have supplements. For me, it’s mitochondrial support, gut support and detox drainage pathway support. Plus magnesium glycinate to support sleep. Exactly what I need is likely not exactly what you need- but when you work with a qualified functional health practitioner and find the right supplements to feel your best, you won’t leave home without them either! Now- taking them on a schedule can be a bit trickier- for that, leaving them somewhere you will see them early and often seems to help (I’m taking about you, my best friend the coffee machine). ✅Move. And keep moving- it feels good! I’ve always found that I get the most steps when we’re away. Like, double the amount of my average. And why not? Some of our absolute favorite memories are walking around San Francisco, Paris, Nice, Portland, San Diego, etc…all incredible places that we would miss some of if we were on train or in a cab. ✅Choose nature. We’re all hearing the terms “forest bathing” these days- and for good reason! Hiking, walking local trails, horseback riding, biking- there is SO much beauty to be seen around us and being out in nature is beneficial for our stress levels, circadian rhythms, mental health, and our bodies. I’m not saying I don’t LOVE a good beach chair, sunny day and a book- but it sure does feel even more enjoyable after a long morning walk on the beach or parasailing. I hope you are all enjoying time away, time in nature and time with loves ones this fall. Tell me all about your favorite spots!!
Jessica's Fitness 