Monica Makes Wellness

I'm back at it! October has turned into a month of powerful dates for me. Struggle with candy anxiety, social anxiety? See the blog, click the link. 🧡🤍

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Join me on Saturday morning I’ll share how to reframe your January goals, offer tips on how to become more healthful when it comes to meal planning and I’ll be available to answer any of your wellness related questions.

Drop-in pre-class or post-class, see you at the studio!

My January goal I had to reframe, more IG in February!

Simple. In the New Year.

I daydream as I continue to de-Christmas. I think what if the holidays were paperwhites and wreaths, period? Simple.

In the past I’d ignore what my body was trying to say when it came to eating and sipping instead I’d keep going in full holiday mode, but this holiday I chose to listen. Simple.

I took a break in between Christmas and New Year’s Eve to focus on:

Being Still.
Pre-sleep. (That’s the 20 minute nap that can happen when you’re still!)
Skipping wine.
Sleep.
Walks.

Some people read novels, I seem to read cookbooks. Much of my inspiration was drawn from reading and re-reading Ottolenghi Simple. Simple!

“Recipes that give you the time do to everything else.”

So, if you’re dreaming of simple?

If you’re dreaming of more time?

It’s all possible.

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

When it comes to:

Food.
Food Prep.
Sleep.
Or.
Weight.

Let’s chat.

Book a free 30 minute consult, link in bio.

Hungry? Hydrate! My handful of hydrating foods. It’s holiday prep time and for me that means citrus, so my “go to” has been a blood orange or a mandarin at breakfast or lunch. I love the smell and simple pleasure of peeling a mandarin!

Besides citrus my list includes: peppers, lettuce and lots of soups and some stews.

Stay hydrated this winter! Hydrating foods can provide support for your immune system as fluids help carry important nutrients to your cells and flush out bacteria.

Not sure if you’re hungry, thirsty or is cheese just calling your name at 5 p.m.?

Book a free 30 minute consult, link in bio.

Treats! This month surprised all of our beautiful retreaters with a $25 gift certificate. It just seemed right to say thank you, again on Telitha’s favorite holiday, Halloween! 🧡
Thank you for being so generous! With love, Kristin Dabney] and me.
btw – If you missed Retreat #5 the theme was how to create joy! Kristin invited me to be the guest speaker – thank you, Kristin! I hosted a conversation about food that lights you up (think delicious, think energy) and prepared lunch for our retreaters. Retreat #6 is happening in February 2022 – learn more Kristin Dabney] and thank you to the talented Elizabeth Green for taking this photo!

What’s for lunch? Triathlete eats.

In September I played in the 21st Annual BCC Tennis Pro-Am and spent court time and lunch time with Sarah Davidson (btw – Sarah has qualified twice for the Ironman World Championship – Wow!) She put her trust in me and asked if I’d make her a plate of “…. whatever I was eating.” We ate to fuel our bodies (quinoa, grilled chicken, mixed greens, grilled vegetables and half a cookie – because balance, not restriction) after a full morning of tennis. We noshed, we laughed and we were happy to trade our court shoes for heels later that night!

Speaking of lunch! This month I’ll be preparing lunch and hosting a conversation about food. How food can unravel you or light up you and your day. When was the last time you blocked a day for you and did something for your beautiful brain? My friend Kristin is hosting her fall retreat and I’m excited to be part of it! Kristin Dabney (link in bio – to register.)

Remnants from dinner, my weekday lunch and, yes I iron my dishtowels. It’s a habit – I have my mom to thank! 💚

Your body likes surprises! Think of opening a present! Your surprise can be as simple as preparing a vegetable you don’t eat often or have never tried.

I said “Yes!” to having my friend, Elizabeth Green take some pictures. Probably 150+ pictures that was something I had never done before! My surprise was my body had to “smile” a lot!

How are you going to “surprise” yourself this week, this weekend? Love to hear from you!

“Health means different things to different people, but it’s always associated with a certain level of freedom – especially financial and temporal – that allows people to live well, and to focus on relationships and meaningful work.” – James Hamblin

Often I “borrow” my husband’s books, this month (Well, it only took me a couple days to read it – fascinating!) was Clean by James Hamblin and that sentence – well, it really works for me, I decided to borrow it!

If you’re feeling stuck or looking for more support when it comes to your health – ready for more freedom?

Book a free 30 minute consult, link in bio.

Let’s chat! I’m here to support your health and wellness goals!

Late night summer salad for my “I’m not cooking tonight!” friends. Peaches are a moderate-sugar fruit and tomatoes are amazing right now! Most of this haul is from
My son asked if the salad was for Instagram “Sure seems like it.” and I replied “No, I thought we’d just eat it?”
This week it’s Tomatoes, Peaches, Corn and Burrata
https://lideylikes.com/tomatoes-peaches-and-corn-with-burrata/ – when it comes to corn, tomatoes and peaches please consider organic, non-GMO. My hacks: white peaches, I subbed white balsamic vinegar for champagne vinegar which turned out to be subtle and delicious with the white peaches. I use a 1:1 ratio with olive oil and vinegar, so 3T. olive oil and 3T. vinegar. Skip the bowl, assemble everything on a platter and then drizzle on the dressing.
My husband always grills and I don’t want to learn. His method: Grill corn in husk for 20 minutes over direct heat, then shuck and grill for five minutes more to caramelize.

The “What?” Goddess in a jar goals. It’s one small action, but I feel prepared when I have scratch made salad dressing in the fridge. This week it’s a half batch of Basil Green Goddess Dressing – sugar often “hides” in pre-packaged salad dressing. My hacks: add one tablespoon more (than what the recipe calls for) of fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice and sub Greek yogurt for sour cream. What’s your one small action this week?

Why I went back to school and what fueled me? Composition Books and Collards. My New Year’s Day (’20) dare turned goal was to find a school that I loved, so I could become a Wellness Coach and for me that was the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). I found their faculty and expert visiting teachers a perfect mix, from respected functional medicine physicians to spiritual leaders, all humble and inspiring! I thought of the knowledge and support I could share with my clients as an IIN graduate. What fueled me? Simple Spicy Garlicky Greens – great for satiety and lots of long walks!

Reclaim your wellness through real food without spending hours in your kitchen.

Experience a renewed confidence, energy and a feeling of lightness!

Discover real food again and have a functional relationship with your kitchen!

Real food doesn’t have to mean eating things you don’t like!

Learn more at https://www.monicamakes.com