A Journey With Jenna

The weekend is finally upon us! I’m planning to go pick some fruit and veggies this weekend, and I’ll be taking my mom to a new place for brunch on Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!! Here’s this week’s recap of Amy’s podcast, 4 Things with Amy Brown. Go listen to the full episode if you haven’t already, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast!

1. Eating disorder recovery. Nicole, aka @kalejunkie on Instagram, was back this week to talk about how she recovered from her eating disorder. Once she identified why it was happening (she had body image issues and was unhappy at her job as a lawyer), she went to therapy. Nicole realized during therapy that she had a passion for health, and trained to be a yoga teacher. She was able to leave law and now develops recipes and educates others on health and nutrition. Nicole’s advice for others going through a similar situation is to find your passion — something you can do to tune into yourself and really take care of yourself.
2. All moms matter. Amy saw an Instagram post by Jessica Honegger that really resonated with her. Jessica ran into who she thought was the “queen bee” (stay-at-home) mom of her kids’ school at Starbucks the other morning and pretended not to see her because she felt like she just couldn’t live up to everything this other mom was doing. She wasn’t as involved as this particular mom. But while making a book tour appearance, this mom came up to Jessica and asked her how she does everything she does! Flattered, Jessica responded that she was able to do everything because of moms like this lady who helped out at school while she was unable to. This just goes to show that all moms matter, and don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone plays a part, so we need to encourage and celebrate one another.
3. The power of saying no. Counselor and coach, Kim Anderson, stopped by to talk about setting boundaries. A lot of us are people pleasers by nature, but every time we say yes to something, we’re saying no to something else. Other people don’t know your boundaries, so put them out there. And know that it’s okay to disappoint people. Don’t say yes to everything. Prioritize and decide what you can and can’t do. Don’t let your loved ones suffer because you’re saying no to them and yes to people who don’t matter so much in the grand scheme of things.
4. Enneagram songs. Amy discovered that there are actually enneagram songs for each number. You can check out the song that corresponds with your number at sleepingatlast.com. The song is supposed to be one that you connect with and that stirs some emotion in you.

Here are the 4 things I’m loving most this week.

• Fresh picked peaches. Last Sunday, I went to pick peaches, and they were the best peaches I’ve ever had! So sweet and juicy! Unfortunately, a thunderstorm came up about 20 minutes after I got there, so I was lucky to get a good amount in that time before I got completely soaked and had to run back! I’m hoping to go back this weekend and get more.

• Cauliflower crust pizza. I love pizza, but I’ve tried to be more carb-conscious, so I wanted to find a good cauliflower crust. Many of the ones out there just have cauliflower in them, but they also have a lot of flour and other things that make them just as unhealthy as regular crusts. But not this one from Cali’flour Foods! It tastes amazing, too. I find mine at local specialty stores, but they’re also available on Amazon. They’re not cheap, but definitely worth it.

• Pajamas. I don’t know why, but I have a weakness for pajamas. A new pair of pajamas just makes me feel good. I ordered these from Target and they’re perfect for the warmer weather, and I love the green color and floral print. They also come in stripes and solids.

• White tulips. I picked these up at Trader Joe’s on Tuesday after work, and surprisingly, they’re still beautiful! White tulips are my very favorite flowers (peonies are a close second), but they don’t last long in the heat and humidity. I’ve been changing the water twice a day and kept my A/C cooler instead of turning it up when I leave to try to keep them lasting a little longer! It makes me so happy seeing them on my counter. And in case you didn’t know, Trader Joe’s has the best prices on flowers and they’re generally really fresh.

Enjoy the weekend, and do something special for your mom! Thanks for reading. See you back here next week!

Happy Friday! Another new month is here again, and Sunday is Cinco de Mayo! I don’t really celebrate, but I figure any excuse to eat Mexican food is good enough for me! Anyway, here’s this week’s recap of Amy’s podcast, 4 Things with Amy Brown. Go listen to the full episode if you haven’t already, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast!

1. Getting vulnerable: eating disorder part 1. Nicole, aka @kalejunkie on Instagram, came on to discuss her eating disorder and how it affected her. Nicole is one of my favorite people to follow, and she shares such great, healthy recipes. But she didn’t always have a good relationship with food. Amy talked a little about her struggles with an eating disorder, too. Nicole will be back to discuss more about her recovery.
2. Benefits of intermittent fasting. Amy’s friend and registered nurse anesthetist, Adam Bobo, came back this week to talk about his experience with intermittent fasting. This is basically a practice of having cyclical periods of eating and not eating, so you’re essentially extending the period when you’re not eating. For men, 16 hours of not eating and 8 hours of eating is standard. For women, 12 hours of each is typical. Not eating gives your body time to detox and heal itself.
3. The get along shirt. This is a way to get kids to get along better. All you do is take a big white t-shirt and write “this is our get along shirt” on it, and whenever kids aren’t getting along, you have them get into the shirt together and wear it. This forces them to be close and try to get along. Just make sure you get a big enough shirt depending on how many kids need to get into it!
4. Women in a male dominated field. Carla Marie hosts The Carla Marie & Anthony radio show in Seattle, and she came on to talk about how women can sometimes be considered rude or aggressive when they work in a male dominated field, but really, it’s just a matter of getting the job done. Carla is all about supporting one another. She also has a podcast, Side Hustlers with Carla Marie, in which she talks with people who have a side hustle.

Here are the 4 things I’m loving most this week.

• Cream loafer mules. I ordered these shoes from Target and thought they would be perfect for spring! They really are the best neutral shoes and they’re very comfy, too. I sized down a half size from my normal size after reading reviews, and they worked out perfectly for me. 
• Light blue tote. I didn’t really have a good spring bag, so I finally decided to try out this one. It’s perfect for work and has plenty of room without being heavy. And there are even a couple pockets and a zipper to keep things organized. It came with a scarf that clips onto the handle, but I removed it just to keep the bag a bit more neutral. Maybe I’ll put it back on at some point. 

• Tofurky smoky maple “bacon” tempeh. I used this tempeh for a brown rice and roasted broccoli bowl that I threw together for dinner. All you have to do is saute the tempeh in a little oil for a couple minutes on each side. It really has a bacon type of smoky taste to it, and it’s delicious in salads, too!

• A Foodie Stays Fit’s interview on Bess Carter’s podcast. My friend, Teri Hutcheon, is basically Superwoman! I admire everything she has accomplished, so I really enjoyed hearing more about her story and what she’s been through to get where she is today. Teri is truly an inspiration and has such great advice in this interview. She talks about career, relationships, and how she does it all — she has even run in the Boston Marathon! I learned so much from this podcast, and I’ll definitely be listening to it again just to keep Teri’s great tips front of mind.

That’s it for this week! Thanks for following along, and enjoy the weekend!

I don’t know what happened, but we’re already to the last weekend in April! I was actually planning on going away for the weekend, but unfortunately, got sick and had to cancel my trip. This was the first time I’ve ever lost money on a flight. I’ve been pretty bummed about it, but I figure everything happens for a reason, and hopefully I can reschedule the trip soon. Anyway, here’s this week’s recap of Amy’s podcast, 4 Things with Amy Brown. Go listen to the full episode if you haven’t already, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast!

1. Healing your relationship with food. Amy talked about eight things we can do to heal our relationship with food: When people “food shame” you for eating healthy, remember that’s about them, not you. Donate any clothing that doesn’t serve you. Don’t let your inner critic control you. Don’t compare. Don’t put too much mental energy into the food you’re eating. Think about everything you could accomplish if you weren’t worrying about food. You are so much more than what you weigh. Love yourself more than anyone else.
2. Benefits of cold showers. I never knew cold showers were so beneficial. Amy went through some of the benefits, which include fat loss, improved immunity, better circulation, increased activity of lymphatic system that carries out waste from cells, emotional resilience, lowered stress, less chance of depression, faster muscle recovery, enhanced skin and hair, and better sleeping at night.
3. Staying healthy while traveling. Celebrity trainer, Erin Oprea, was on again this week to talk about things we can do when we’re away from home to stay healthy. It’s all about balance. Bring a jump rope — it’s easy to pack and you can do this from almost anywhere. Walk a lot instead of taking public transportation, and stay active, whether it’s hiking, whitewater rafting, or whatever you like to do. You can still indulge and enjoy favorite foods, or bring some of the healthy foods you normally eat at home.
4. How to prepare for the loss of your dog. Amy lost her dog last year. She has since gotten a new one, but wanted to share some tips on things you can do to prepare for the loss of a dog or other pet. Spend time with your pet doing the things you both love. Prepare for the arrangements with your vet ahead of time. Take photos of your pet or take paw prints. Basically, just make memories and enjoy your time with them as much as you can. I honestly think this is one of the hardest things to go through, and I’m not sure anything really helps, other than time. But it is important to make the most of your time with your pet.

Here are the 4 things I’m loving most this week.

• Striped sheet set. I saw these sheets at Target recently, but they didn’t have the size I needed, so I went home and ordered them immediately. They are so soft and I love the micro stripe. The color also matches perfectly with my bedding color scheme.

• Eye masks. I ordered these after seeing a couple other bloggers mention them, and they really do feel great and help reduce puffiness and dark circles. I’ve never used an eye mask before, but I do use eye cream every night. I know the skin around our eyes is so sensitive, though, so I figure the more I can do to help prevent signs of aging, the better!

• Laundry detergent. I know this may seem really random, but I tried a different laundry detergent that Amy actually mentioned she uses. It’s the Method brand from Target in the Ginger Mango scent, and it really smells great! It’s done a nice job of cleaning everything I’ve washed, too. I also bought the fabric softener and use that, too.

• Green smoothie packs. I came across these at Publix and decided to give them a try. They had a couple different varieties, but the supergreens had the least amount of sugar, so I went with that. You only need to add a cup of juice or milk or some kind, a banana, and a half cup of frozen fruit. The bag suggests using apple juice, so that’s what I did. I added the banana and some frozen strawberries. It was really tasty! Next time, I’m going to try using my unsweetened vanilla almond milk to cut down on the sugar even more. We’ll see how that goes! I really like these smoothie packs, though, because it essentially has greens packed into frozen form. I like to add spinach or kale to smoothies, but don’t always have it on hand, so this is a really convenient alternative.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! See you back here next week for more fun finds!

Weren’t we just celebrating Christmas? And here it is Easter weekend already! It’s supposed to be a beautiful weekend here, so I’m excited to spend some time outdoors. Here’s this week’s recap of Amy’s podcast, 4 Things with Amy Brown. Go listen to the full episode if you haven’t already, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast!

1. Dealing with miscarriage: you’re not alone. Amy’s friend, Jill, came on to talk about her experience with a miscarriage. She has two kids already, and when she became pregnant with her third, everything was showing as healthy, but at 18 weeks, it was discovered that the baby had no heartbeat. Amidst the devastation of it all, Jill started blaming herself and wondering if she did something wrong to cause it. But the cause was never found, and it was just one of those rare, heartbreaking things. Jill came to terms with it by realizing that maybe it was better for her baby boy to be in heaven than to be born with issues that would’ve required lots of surgeries or other problems. Jill wanted to share her personal story so other women who have been through the same thing wouldn’t feel alone.
2. The 5 second rule. No, this isn’t about eating food off the floor quickly. The 5 second rule has to do with the fact that if you have an instinct to do something, like go up to someone and say hi, you should act on it within five seconds. Count backwards from 5…4…3…2…1, and then go! Counting will distract you from fear or negative thoughts that will prevent you from doing something. I think this is a great way to make sure you achieve small things. I don’t know that I would make a huge decision in five seconds, but for little things, it’s great!
3. Tattoo talk. Before I get into this one, I have to say that I have no tattoos and won’t ever get one. My skin tends to keloid and is really sensitive, so I would never risk it, and I’m not into them anyway, but I know a lot of people are! Amy has two and explained the meaning behind hers. One says joy and is written in her late mom’s handwriting, and the other says ESPWA, which means hope in Creole, and is a reminder of when she adopted her kids from Haiti. Amy’s daughter happened to be in the studio when she was recording the podcast, and she piped in and told Amy she thinks tattoos are gross! It was really funny!
4. Marathon running tips. A listener wrote and asked Amy for tips on running a marathon. Amy did one when she was 21, although she doesn’t run anymore. She gave the background on her marathon training and how difficult the actual race was because she was dealing with an injury. She said her body has never been the same since, and she feels like some people are just born runners, but she isn’t. I completely agree with that! I enjoy running, but don’t do as much as I once did. It is work for me, though. It doesn’t come naturally, and I’ve never been super speedy, but I do like it. Amy gave several tips for anyone who is interested in training for a marathon, and she emphasized that a lot of the training is mental.

Here are the 4 things I’m loving most this week.

• Dill pickle pasta salad. I love pasta salad, and this one is definitely at the top of the list for me. I modify the recipe slightly and use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and I think you could use less mayo and more of the yogurt. I also use a lot of fresh dill. If you like dill pickles, you’ll love this one! It’s great for potlucks or barbeques as the weather gets warmer.

• Buttery caramel coffee. This is my absolute favorite coffee! A co-worker introduced me to it, and I’ve been hooked ever since. It smells amazing and is a nice light roast. I’m not a fan of really strong, bitter coffees, so if you are, this one might not be bold enough for you. But it has a nice mild, smooth taste.

• Watermelon face mask. One of Amy’s podcast guests, the Nashville Beauty Girl, mentioned this a couple weeks ago, so I ordered some to try, and it’s great! It’s very moisturizing and such an easy mask to apply and wash off the next morning. I’ve only used it once so far, but it left my skin very hydrated and smooth.

• Veggie pepperoni. For the longest time, I was hesitant to try meat substitutes because I’ve just never liked meat and was afraid I wouldn’t be a fan of the texture or taste. But I’ve gotten much better about trying these things, so I picked up this veggie pepperoni at Whole Foods, and it is amazing! I ate a couple pieces by themselves, and I think it would make a great high-protein snack. I topped it on some homemade pizza, too. It doesn’t get crisp like regular pepperoni (or maybe I just needed to cook it longer), but it did have a great taste and texture — not chewy or anything. This is the brand I got, and I found mine at Whole Foods.

I hope everyone has a Happy Easter! Don’t forget that Easter isn’t just about bunnies, chocolate, chicks, flowers, and all things spring. There is true meaning behind this holiday. I hope you’ll reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross — how he gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have life.

Happy Friday! I hope it’s feeling like spring wherever you are. We’ve pretty much moved on to summer already where I am, so I’m dreaming of fall! Anyway, let’s get going with this week’s recap of Amy’s podcast, 4 Things with Amy Brown. Go listen to the full episode if you haven’t already, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast!

1. High school: reminiscing & reunion tips. Amy’s high school friend, Andrea, was on to discuss their upcoming 20-year reunion. They reminisced about the activities they participated in. Amy was on the drill team and ran cross country (so did I!), and here’s a fun fact: Jenna Bush was her running partner! Amy has mentioned before that she and Jenna knew each other in high school and how she would see Secret Service around Jenna. Amy and Andrea also gave some tips on how to prepare for your own high school reunion. It’s helpful to try to reconnect with people prior to the big day so it’s not quite as awkward!
2. The Ennegram: wounds from each number. Ennagram expert, Hunter Mobley, came back to discuss the pitfalls of each enneagram number. Each aspect isn’t a negative thing, but the “wounds” explain the weakest point of each number, and they’re behaviors that we picked up in childhood. It was interesting to hear, and I did think he described my number pretty spot on!
3. Confidence boosters: with special appearance from Bobby Bones. Amy went through a list of 10 things we can do to help boost our confidence. They included getting a new haircut, new clothes, doing a favor for someone, listening to 10 minutes of music you love, exercising, shopping, talking to a best friend, receiving a compliment from a boss or coworker, getting new perfume, and talking to a family member. Amy pointed out that receiving a compliment isn’t really something YOU can do, but you can practice giving compliments. Personally, it makes me feel good to pay a compliment to someone. Bobby Bones was in the studio while Amy was recording her podcast, so he chimed in and said that when you give compliments, be careful not to overuse them because then they aren’t as meaningful.
4. Meri 2.0: follow up chat about all the things. Amy’s friend, Meri, was back to talk about how we can do things for others right in our own community. And if you feel the urge to travel and help out someplace else, try to find a group to go with, like a church group. Whatever it is you want to do, just try to get involved.

Here are the 4 things I’m loving most this week.

• Caprese salad with avocado. I just sort of made this up this week because I had an avocado that needed to be used. I didn’t have any basil, and normally if I don’t, I’ll use pesto, but I didn’t think it needed it with the avocado, and I was right! It was the perfect combo with the tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and avocado. I drizzled a little olive oil over it, added some salt and pepper, then topped it with balsamic glaze. It’s the perfect spring salad!

• Hello Fresh meals. I have a Hello Fresh subscription, but this is only the third box I’ve ordered in nearly two years. I don’t know why I haven’t ordered more often! It’s nice when you’re in a food rut and can’t think of what to make, and it really is so convenient having all the ingredients pre-portioned out. There’s no waste, and the instructions are simple. So far, I’ve made two of the three meals for this week — a veggie burrito bowl and a risotto with tomatoes and zucchini. My last meal is a roasted veggie dish with grilling cheese. I’m going to start checking ou the weekly menu and try to get these more often when the menu for the week really catches my eye!

• 100 Days to Brave. If you saw my Instagram post earlier this week, you know that I completed this devotional on Wednesday! I started it last year, but never completed it, so I was determined to this year. I began reading it on January 1, and really enjoyed the daily passages. I’ll definitely be reading through it again for reinforcement. I think I’ll switch between this and my other favorite devotional, Jesus Calling.

• Dollar Tree greeting cards. Okay, this last thing is really more of a tip. I needed a couple birthday cards this week, and I discovered not too long ago that Dollar Tree is the place to get cards! They have a good selection of Hallmark cards, and they’re all 50 cents or a dollar. So much better than the prices at other places!

Thanks so much for following along! Have a great weekend, and see you back here next week!

Can you believe it’s already the first Friday in April?! Before we know it, we’ll be celebrating the 4 of July, and then it’s like Christmas rolls around right after that! Crazy! Anyway, here’s this week’s recap of Amy’s podcast, “4 Things with Amy Brown.” Go listen to the full episode if you haven’t already, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast!

1. Amy’s bestie that she met on Twitter: Meri. Meri is Amy’s friend who runs The Shop Forward, and she made her first appearance on the podcast and talked about how they became friends. Years ago, Meri started following Bobby Bones on Twitter, not really knowing that much about him, and then when she discovered Amy was his radio co-host, she thought Amy seemed pretty cool and started following her, too. She reached out to them and soon discovered that both she and Amy had a heart for Haiti. They decided to take a trip there together and ended up meeting in person for the first time at the airport in Miami on their way to Haiti. From there, Meri decided to start the shop to marry her love of fashion with giving back, and Amy has been running it with her ever since.
2. 90’s fashion is back. Kelly, fashion stylist from Velvet’s Edge blog and podcast (and she’s on the E! show Very Cavallari) came on to talk about 90’s fashion and how it’s back in an updated way. Some of the trends making a comeback include tie dye, scrunchies, bike shorts, baggier jeans, chokers, mini bags, and neon. Kelly recommended only implementing one piece at a time, so don’t rush out looking for a neon, tie-dyed pair of bike shorts!
3. Love your neighbor. Amy received an apology email from a Bobby Bones Show listener who posted something on Twitter years ago criticizing Amy for adopting from Haiti rather than the U.S. She realized she was wrong and was a different person back then. Amy talked about the importance of loving others and not judging people, while also being willing to forgive.
4. Boosting energy without coffee. If you’re not a big coffee or matcha fan, or you’re just trying to cut back on your coffee intake, Amy had some other suggestions on things you can drink to boost your energy. Try wheatgrass juice, black tea, pomegranate juice, or kombucha (but make sure your kombucha is low in sugar). Personally, I’m a big fan of the Health-Ade brand. It’s lower in sugar and tastes great. I love the Pink Lady Apple flavor, and you can find it at most grocery stores and Target!

Here are the 4 things I’m loving most this week.

• Glowing green smoothie. If you’re looking for yet another healthy drink option to try, I made Kimberly Snyder’s glowing green smoothie for the first time this week and loved it!! It’s full of lots of good stuff and tastes great, too. It made a huge batch! I still have some left in the fridge and it kept really well, too. I did make it in my Vitamix, so I’m not sure it would work too well in a regular blender, but I’ve heard a NutriBullet works, too.

• Raw sugar hand soap. I picked this up at Target on a whim a couple weeks ago when it was on sale, and I’m loving it! I bought the body wash in this brand a couple months ago and thought it was great, too! I got the coconut + mango and lemon scents (lemon is my favorite for the kitchen). I like that it’s a natural soap, and the bottle is twice the size of most other hand soaps, so it’s really not a bad price.

• Italian style tomato and avocado chopped salad. I made this after seeing @cleanfoodcrush post it last week, and all I can say is that it’s going to be a staple for me as the weather gets warmer. It’s filling, but not heavy, and it’s full of flavor! You have to try it!

• Only good vibes tee. I thought this tee was super cute and perfect for casual weekends. I was especially drawn to it because I just heard a new song from Chris Janson the other day called “Good Vibes” and I loved the song!! It has such a feel-good message and immediately lifts you up. This tee seems to do that, too!

Thanks for stopping by this week! Enjoy your weekend!