We bought a home!
Today, this will be ours.
Well, part of it will belong to us!
If you follow me on instagram you might already have caught some hints, but today we close on a three bedroom home in one of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods.
It’s hard to believe that close to one year ago JC & I tied the knot. Now, one year later to the day we will be moving into our very first home.
In a word: YAYYY!!!!
While today I’ll be busy giving my wrist the ultimate workout as I sign a stack of papers 500 deep whilst drinking champagne, I plan to post some glimpses into our edgy urban duplex. There will be lots of paint and projects, but most of all I’m just so thrilled to own a little piece of land with my husband. There’s my cheesefest for the day.
Your turn! Have you bought a home? What’s the thing you bought that you’re most proud of? Considering all the pennies from my piggy bank are going into this one, I choose it as my proudest purchase!
WIAW: What’s your WHY?
I can hardly believe I’m typing this, but I actually remembered to snap pics of [most] of the nourishment that I shoved into my face yesterday. This NEVER happens.
Breakfast: Veggie scramble with egg whites, mushroom, spinach & salsa (plus unpictured coffee of course!)
Snack 1: 1/2 grapefruit sprinkled with stevia
Lunch: Green salad topped with a raw veggie mix from my beloved Trader Joe’s, topped with 4 oz tempeh & drizzled with balsamic
Snack: 1 pear + 1 scoop hemp protein with 1 C almond milk (unpictured – you knew I was gonna screw this up at least once)
Dinner: 4 oz chicken lovingly sauteed by JC + heaps of crispy kale chips (can NOT stop the consumption of crispy kale)
Bonus: Chocolate hazelnut pinkberry fro yo. In a word, heaven.
After we got married (almost a year ago!) and I completed my first triathlon, I definitely let myself relax in a big way when it came to health & fitness. I’m totally okay with that, because I think I needed to go to that place in order to come full circle. The truth is, when I really got fit for my wedding I think I was doing it for the event. As much as I wanted to believe I was making a lifestyle change, the fact that the pendulum swung in the other direction shows me that there’s a balance in between.
Life is about enjoying the good stuff, and if the good stuff is a couple big honkin’ slices of deep dish pizza made with (gasp!) refined & processed products once in a while, then so be it.
But ultimately, I come back to my WHY. WHY do I care about filling my body with the best fuel I can? WHY will I make it my mission to cut down on man-made foods? And WHY continue to keep up a workout routine?
While before the answer may have been “because I’m getting married and I’d prefer to not look like a poofy marshmallow”, my reality has changed. These days, I want to feel great. I want to love the taste of natural foods (which doesn’t happen as much when I’m consuming the not-so-natural.) I want energy. I want to live long enough that my great grandkids wonder if maybe there’s a chance I’ve discovered immortality – and I want to pass happiness & health onto them, too (if we aren’t all living in a time capsule on Mars by then.)
The bottom line is, I truly feel alive when I eat real food. And it doesn’t hurt that I like fitting into my pants (that’s the truth.)
Your turn! What’s your WHY?
**Spring Forward Detox Prep Phase starts Tomorrow! The real deal kicks off on Monday. It’s not too late to join the party (a few folks are doing it on their own schedule!) Check it!
Hosting: Fajita Night
There’s not many things I can think of in life that I adore more than last minute, impromptu homemade dinner get togethers. Fajitas happens to be one of those things. As fate would have it, my friend Kate sent me this text Saturday around noon: “What are you guys doing tonight? I feel like we should get everyone together who wants to & cook dinner and just hang.”
As you can imagine, I was ecstatic. A few texts back & forth and the decision was made: fajitas et al!
Living in Chicago, I feel blessed to have what feels like an endless assortment of dining out options & night life to dazzle me on any given weekend. Maybe it’s getting married and other boring junk, but there’s just nothing like a few great friends, amazing home cooked food and conversation to make for a stellar Saturday.
Inappropriate card games post-dinner don’t hurt the experience either, I should add.
While Kate whipped up mouth-watering guacamole, our friends Emily & Emile (both of whom just signed up to detox!) brought a fresh salsa with mango and avocado. We could have made a meal out of these two fixins alone.
After consuming our weight in fresh dips, we sat down to build-your-own sizzling chicken fajitas.
To make the fajitas, I grabbed two large ziploc bags. Into one bag went chicken breast cut into strips, 1/4 C olive oil, 1 wedge of lime juice, & 1 TBSP each chili powder, cumin, dried minced onion, and two cloves minced garlic. Mixed it all up to coat, and let it marinade in the fridge for an hour or so.
I then repeated the same process in the second bag, but with 1/2 large red onion and 4 bell peppers cut into strips.
After marinating, the veggie mix went into the oven on a baking sheet for 25-30 minutes at 425 degrees. The chicken was sauteed in a large skillet, and voila!
At the table, refried beans, sour cream, guac, homemade salsa & tortillas flanked the fajitas. Lots of laughs, beers & glasses of wine later, we had an excellent evening for the books.
Your turn! Do your friends ever opt to stay in and cook? What’s your favorite meal to cook with a bunch of pals?
Mother’s Day Edition: The Gift of Taste
While in Detroit earlier this week for a conference, I had the distinct privilege of watching my morning news in a bathroom mirror as I prepared for my days. Believe me when I say I could write a whole separate post on this topic; I mean, has anyone out there even experienced this? Mind. Blown.
As I oogled into my mirror-turned-television-screen, the friendly local Detroit newscaster wrapped up her story about just how many streetlamps in Detroit are currently broken & launched into a gift guide for Mother’s Day. As two anchors grappled with the subject, it became clear to me: Mother’s Day is kinda tough. It seems like all roads lead to some type of overpriced flower arrangement and, while I love flowers as much as the next gal, I guess I’m just a food-is-the-language-of-love type person.
Perhaps I got it from my mom?
I texted my dear mom a reminder of this impending holiday, and she returned a text message which read “Oh… I forgot it’s Mother’s Day! Ha!” Talk about getting off the hook, eh? Still, I’m bummed I won’t be spending the weekend with her nor my mother-in-law.
I think my tastebuds are none too pleased as well, because this Mother’s Day there are some tasty bites floating around the internets. So if you’re still not sure how to thank Mom for all the times she made you swallow your broccoli whole before you were allowed to leave the table, consider giving her the gift of health & deliciousness!
WHAT’S COOKING FOR MOM?
{Paleo Blueberry French Toast from Elana’s Pantry // PB&J Stuffed Muffins from edible perspective // Rhubarb & Strawberry Ripple Fro Yo from Green Kitchen Stories}
I’d love to dive face first into that french toast and, since my mom shares a passion for grain conscious health, I think she’d approve of this approach to brunch. For my mother-in-law, something about a simple and fresh homemade rhubarb & strawberry Fro Yo makes me think of her. I’d love to share this treat with her under the Chicago sun, which has finally decided to make its appearance (jynx.)
And, as for the PB&J muffins with a peanut butter crumble … well, who wouldn’t get in on that?
Your turn! What’s on the menu for your mom this year? Maybe you’re like me and will be celebrating in spirit – what would you cook if you were together?
WIAW: Apple Pie Delight Smoothie
What I Ate Wednesday isn’t a blog-ism that I participate in often, largely because I rarely remember to take a step back and snap a pic of my nourishment before promptly shoving it into my face*.
I think WIAW is pretty sweet, though, because it’s just another way we can be accountable for our fuel, if only for 1 day a week. In fact, many health professionals are starting to suggest snapping quick pics of everything that goes into our mouths as a sort of “photographic food diary”. Not a bad idea, and it certainly makes you think twice about pilfering M&Ms from your hotel mini bar for a cool $6 while on a business trip**.
At any rate, while I don’t have a full day’s worth of eats to share with you guys, I would like to state in a rather exclamatory tone that I cannot WAIT to get back to my morning smoothies for the balance of this week. I love a cold bowl of blended up goodness anytime, but particularly as I’ve sculpted my first-ever detox program I’ve come to look forward to a thick, spoon-able smoothie more than anything else. Packed with fruits AND veggies, I’m able to banish sugary cereals and dairy products (which, I’m finding like many people, are iffy on my stomach.)
So here goes: I’m DEFINITELY scarfing this smoothie on this Wednesday, and it’s currently a repeat offender in my blender. It legitimately tastes like applie pie, and I’m not talking that sissy fake flavor diet kind of apple pie. It’s the real deal!
*This week is no exception. Every week I think about a beautiful collage of all my eats, and every week I come through with exactly zero photos. Le sigh.
**I don’t know anything about mini bars and evening M&M feasting, and it’s certainly not something I was guilty of, say, this week.
{Serves 1}
1 apple, with skin, cored
1 C kale (I use frozen)
1 C unsweetened almond milk
1-2 T chia seeds (I use 2)
1-2 T flax seeds (I use 2)
splash vanilla extract
hefty dash cinnamon and/or pumpkin pie spice
Bonus: 1 banana
Blend it. Bowl it. Eat it. I top mine with some hemp seeds for a little extra protein & flavor.
I like to whip this up first thing in the morning, then take it with me to work. By the time I eat it a couple hours later, it’s really thick and satisfying.
Registration for my detox program beginning May 16 is open HERE, and this recipe is just one of the many slam dunk breakfasts you’ll eat on the program.
Your Turn! Who else is rocking smoothies as we head into warmer weather? Do you take pics of your food, or are you too busy being a total hog like myself?
Spring Forward Detox FAQ’s
I won’t lie, I’m pretty thrilled with the response I’ve gotten from you guys about my Spring Forward Detox! Not only is it exhilarating & fun to host something so many people are interested in, but it’s refreshing to see just how many people want to make health a priority and are willing to put in the hard work to do it.
I’ve gotten a lot of questions along the way though, so I thought I would answer the most common ones here. I’m pushing the deadline sign up by 1 week, so go ahead & SIGN UP!
How long is the detox?
The program is comprised of 3 phases: 4 day pre-detox while you prepare your pantry & your mind, the 7 day detox itself, and the transition phase – you sort of decide how long this takes you, I think to do it properly takes about a week (this is the part where you’re adding foods back in that we eliminated in the detox phase.)
Is this a juice cleanse/liquid diet?
NO. Let me be clear: I don’t believe in juice cleanses. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Besides, juice cleanses & such tend to deprive, restrict, and lead to binging as soon as it ends. This detox is meant to help you work towards a more holistic way of eating, through the actual detox and beyond.
What do I get in my detox packet?
This program is packed with info to help you understand the importance of detox, recipes, full meal plans, grocery store checklists, & food diary, all of which you can keep forever and continue to refer back to – I know I will be doing this a couple of times a year.
You also receive access to our private Facebook group for community support, as well as a free health history consultation if you’d like to continue taking your health to the next level.
I’m vegetarian/vegan. Can I detox?
Yes!
Can I work out while detoxing?
Definitely. Some detoxers report elevated energy levels during detox. It’s not ‘mandatory’ that you work out, especially if you’re adjusting to the program. However, know that it’s certainly possible – I worked out throughout my first go round with the program.
Is it possible to travel/eat out while detoxing?
Yes, with some planning and some discipline in sticking to that plan once you formulate it. Since this detox centers around real food, you can stay clean provided you’re dining in a place that serves real stuff. Can you eat at McDonald’s? Probably not, but that’s likely a conversation for another day.
Can I drink alcohol while detoxing (come on, you were thinking it)?
Sorry, but no. A HUGE part of this detox involves a cleansing of the liver, and that means removing any potential toxins or sources of inflammation. The good news is that this a short program – you can give it up for 7-10 days. I say that because if I can do it, you can.
What are the benefits of partaking in a detox?
Tons! Weight loss, optimal liver, kidney & gall bladder function, improved digestion (BIG TIME) and reduced inflammation of the gut (the source of many, many diseases, plus inflammation makes it tough to lose weight), increased energy, vibrant skin, higher quality sleep, and the potential to REALLY fall in love with the taste of real, fresh, whole foods.
What are some common symptoms I might experience while detoxing?
Experiencing some symptoms during this program is completely normal and honestly, it’s part of the process. You might get a headache if you’re lessening your consumption of caffeine. It’s possible that you might feel tired or even a little nauseas, but rest assured these are signs that your body is cleaning house. I had a little bit of all of the above and it went away after the first 5 days, only to be replaced by positive energy.
Do I get anything for referring friends to sign up?
Duh! If you sign up one friend, your detox price is cut in half. Refer two pals and your detox is on the house.
Got some questions? Let’s hear ‘em! Leave me a comment. Can’t wait to cleanse with you!
Upbeat Eats Spring Forward Detox!
Upbeat Eaters, I’ve got something pretty slick for you.
I’ve put this one off for a couple of days, but after trying this experience myself, I’m ready to show this baby off to the world.
After much preparation, I’ll be offering my first group detox – just in time for spring to finally show itself, at least in our miserably cold & rainy BEAUTIFUL Chicago.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, “DETOX”?
“Detox” = the process of expelling toxins from our systems. It happens to the best of us – free radicals enter our bodies by sneaking their way into our healthy foods in the form of processed foods, booze (guilty over here!), even “natural flavorings” are far from innocent.
IS THIS A WEIRD LIQUID DIET/PILL SITUATION?
In a word: NO.
THE PROGRAM
Here’s what I love about this detox. It’s an elimination detox, meaning we are going to work together to pull out foods that commonly cause inflammation. When our gut becomes inflamed, we leave ourselves open to all kinds of nasty business including but not limited to weight gain/inability to lose weight, allergies, fatigue, mood swings, even diseases like cancer are linked to inflammation.
Together, we need to hit the brakes with inflammation and promote optimal gut health. Here’s how we do it:
- 4 days of Pre-Detox
- 7 Day Detox
- 4 day transition diet + more if you’d like to continue introducing foods slowly
WHO IS THIS DETOX FOR?
If you find yourself looking to improve digestion, sleep better, jump start your weight loss, turn off cravings or just hit the ever elusive “reset” button, this program is the perfect place to start (or keep it up, if you’re already a healthy ninja.)
WHAT DO I GET IN MY DETOX PACKAGE?
All kinds of awesome stuff!
- Meal plans, recipes for every meal, grocery shopping list & diary to track your experience
- Daily email support & access to the Upbeat Eats Spring Forward Facebook Group for support
- Free health history consultation to help you hone in on focus areas during your detox (optional but encouraged!)
SO… WHAT WILL I EAT?
I’m on my 6th day of the detox as I test it out for you, and let me tell you, stuff be tasty.
{ Citrus delight salad with grapefruit & chicken // mango & cilantro smoothie // massaged kale & carrot salad topped with chicken }
You’ll prepare flavorful & satisfying meals including smoothies, salads, soups & more.
The detox begins THURSDAY, MAY 9, and I’m offering it for a special price this time around! Click HERE to sign up!
Questions? Leave me a comment!
Photo Diary: Life Lately
Lots of stuff happening up in here!
Good Irish times rolling with wonderful friends
Trips to tropical Cleveland, OH
Inappropriate card games
The return of fresh greens = crispy, oven baked kale chips
and, I think BEER speaks for itself.
While I’ve enjoyed life’s roller coasters lately, I feel like I’ve been running 100 miles an hour. And to be completely honest, I’ve missed my little healthy corner of the world wide webz. At the same time I’m glad I haven’t forced myself to blog when it just doesn’t feel like it’s coming naturally.
Now that I’ve taken a little sabbatical, I’m back, re-energized, and ready to pump out more healthy junk! On that note, I’ve decided to host an AWESOME spring detox, kicking off 4/29! More info tomorrow, stay tuned!
Kale, Quinoa & Sausage Supper
Is it just me, or is naming our 10-inch-snow-dumping-storms a new thing?
After some chatter at work yesterday about an impending snow downpour*, I did what any halfway optimistic corporate American would do. I logged onto weather.com and was smacked in the face with warnings about “Winter Storm Saturn.”
So many questions. “Saturn”? First of all, awesome. Secondly, huh? Where did that come from??
*I’ll admit. Despite living in Chicago for close to 3 years, I still get a sliver of hope that 10 inches of snow might equal a snow day. It’s only happened once in my time here and let me know tell you, it takes an act of God to shut this place down.
Saturn or not, I know that, with any luck, Mother Nature’s only got a couple weeks more of the cold stuff before we get some sunny relief (I’m talkin’ 50 degrees, y’all.) After all, temps spiked up over 70 at my Bachelorette Party last year!
Though I’m excited about the change of seasons (trust), I also intend to squeeze my last few warm, comforting meals out one last time before I pack them up with all of my winter gear until next time around.
This one’s a favorite, and I actually can’t believe I haven’t shared it before. Toasty, hearty, full of leafy greens and ready with just one pot. Are you for real? It’s a Winter Storm Saturn miracle!
{serves 4 – barely adapted from this recipe from Whole Foods}
1 yellow onion, diced
1 TBSP coconut oil (or grass fed butter)
2 TBSP dried sage
1 12 oz package Applegate chicken sausage (I used the “hot” variety)
1 C. quinoa, uncooked
1 C. hard cider (I used Original Sin, but let’s be honest, I don’t discriminate)
3/4 C. water
2 C. kale, chopped
loosely packed handful torn spinach for each bowl (optional)
After dicing up your onion, heat your biggest pot over medium-high heat. Melt oil, then add onion & sage. Saute for a few minutes, until mildly fragrant.
Meanwhile, cut sausage into 1/2 inch pieces. Add to pot and mix well, heating through until sausage becomes slightly browned.
Add quinoa, cider & water. Bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, 25-30 minutes. Add kale. Cover once more, away from heat, 5 minutes. Meanwhile, add handfuls of spinach to each large bowl or plate – get your greens people, springtime is here!
Give the pot a nice stir, then top your bed of spinach & get in on this.
- Are you expecting winter weather where you are? Any snow day hopefuls out there?!
Breakfast for Dinner
I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve fallen victim to a little slump recently. What/how should I eat? What do I blog about? Questions whose answers usually come naturally to me, falling answerless onto my plate.
And then, just when I wondered what was up with me, I remembered. It’s February.
My friends & family know this thing about me: I turn into kind of a weird angsty existentialist during the month of February. Call it Cabin Fever, call it Spring Fever, or call it Steph Is Really Really Sick of Slipping In Snow On The Sidewalk, but it happens, and it’s here.
So I asked myself. What can I do to ease the anxiety while I wait for March to rescue me?
I’m not sure yet, but I’m pretty sure it starts with breakfast for dinner. A quick quiche & perfectly baked bacon, please.
Happy last day of February!
- Who’s enamored by breakfast for dinner as much as I am? The joy of this experience could have been heightened only by a batch of these pancakes. Mmmm.
