Anti-Inflammatory Tumeric Mylk Recipe

Anti Inflammatory Tumeric Mylk Recipe

If you follow along on Instagram you'll know I'm totally into studying Ayurveda. It's basically a very old traditional Indian style of medicine, using herbs and food and oils and practices to heal. I've been studying holistic nutrition methods for years as well. One of the big things I noticed as a cross over between the two is that they are both big on anti-inflammatories AND they both love ginger and tumeric as a key anti-inflammatory. 

I've been playing around with making Chai and even this yummy Digestive Tea for a long time, and I stepped up the game with this yummy Tumeric Mylk Recipe. 

Why "Mylk"? Well because its just a way of identifying that is milk from a non animal source. I used coconut milk, but almond milk, soy milk or even regular milk would work here. 

Additionally, don't worry about the spices being fresh or already ground in your cupboard. I like to have the whole spice and grind them myself, it's like a little ritual for me. 

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup of chosen milk or mylk.
• tsp nutmeg
• tsp tumeric
• tsp cardamom (this is what makes a good chai for me personally!)
• 1 stick of cinnamon (or 1 tsp cinnamon)
• 2-3 pieces of star anise (or 1 tsp)
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger (or powdered)

1. Put everything into a pot and let simmer 5-8 minutes. 
2. Strain in to a mug with a fine mesh strainer. 
3. Enjoy!

Seriously it is THAT simple. 

Homemade Tomato Soup

It's cold and rainy (actually even some snow!) here and it's a stay inside and be warm and cozy day!

Sooooo... it's perfect tomato soup time, especially since you likely don't have to go to the grocery store to get any ingredients. Super simple, super yummy. 

Ingredients:

• 1 can of crushed tomatoes (or just smash up some actual tomatoes)
• 1 cup of broth (chicken or vegetable)
• 1 tbsp of basil. I used some dried stuff from my garden, fresh is great too. 
• 1 cup of milk
• salt and pepper to taste

Make it:

1. Throw it all in a pot and let simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Canned tomatoes will need a longer cooking time to get the tin flavour out.
2. Once simmered and reduced a bit, blend it to get a smooth texture. I used my hand immersion blender, but especially if you have a fancy big blender it would work too!
3. Enjoy!

I'm curious how you eat your tomato soup? Here I've got a few croutons, sometimes I like to add cheese and almost always serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Wear The D@mn Bathing Suit Anyways

I am a straight up advocate for all things loving yourself. Last night I even had the pleasure of speaking at the Xtend Barre screening of the Embrace movie. Which is a powerful movie about loving and embracing the body you have. I, along with my friend Kaye are also screening this movie in June!

Anyways. I preach and practice self love. Key word PRACTICE. I'll get to that point in a moment though. But as a self love advocate, I have my moments of not loving myself so much. 

Last week was Spring Break and on the Monday I decided to take my kids to the mall Waterpark. (Don't do that by the way. Spring break I mean). That morning I had a total melt down. I put on my bathing suit and just couldn't handle it. 

I admit it. I couldn't. I'm human. 

BUT I wasn't going to let it stop me from making memories with my kids. 

So after teaching that morning we headed to the Waterpark. I put on my bathing suit and had a moment in the change room. BUT. BUT then I said to myself. 

"You are going to wear that damn bathing suit anyways. You have two choices. You can hate every moment and try to cover and scower, OR you can rock the shit out of it."

I chose to hold my head in high regard and walk out there like Queen Bee herself.

In reality, we are going to go to the event, head to the beach, or whatever else it is anyways, so we may as well just love ourselves and keep going. Own our bodies like we actually love them. 

Back to my point on the practice of self love though. So I head out and I have my head held high. Minutes later I maybe see someone that has a body I don't. I go to my "negative place". But I take a moment (and a breath) and realize I'm still the EXACT SAME person and body I was 5 minutes ago when I loved myself. I can CHOOSE to love myself still. This process happened maybe 20 times that day. It's a PRACTICE. A practice to CHOOSE to love ourselves. 

I can CHOOSE to feel defeated or I can choose LOVE. 

Let me tell you a little secret. Love feels WAAAAAAY better. 

And you know what ladies? Each time we do this we are basically super heros saving the world. Each time we choose to love ourselves and express it in the world, we send that message out. We can feel it from each other. Encourage each other to love ourselves, in turn helping more women enjoy their bodies. The more "real" bodies we see and women loving them it send that message to other women telling them to EMBRACE theirs! Then it catches like WILDFIRE and the world changes.

YOU CAN BE A SUPER HERO!

Just WEAR THE DAMN BATHING SUIT ANYWAYS. 

As my mom's friend gave her the advice. Choose the memory you want your child to have. Of you watching them play in the water or of you playing with them.

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

The Art Of Slowing Down

This post has been a long time coming. Since I graduated from yoga teacher training I've been reading more and more about basically doing less and it meaning more. A big epiphany hit me about a year and a half ago when I was attending a restorative yoga teacher training. We had discussions about the science behind relaxing the body and what it does to our physical and mental states. Legitimately you can increase your sex drive and loose weight just by relaxing! 

I've got your attention now don't I?

Of course it's not as simple as just relaxing once and miraculously you loose 5lbs or want to jump on your partner, but allowing the body to come out of it's high stressed out state and turn off the "mama bear on attack" hormones let's our bodies restore. Come back to a place of resting, digesting our food and pleasure. If you want more info about these things I highly recommend you read/learn basically anything from Michele Theoret from Empowered Yoga.

Since this training I have been on a mission to help share self care. Taking care of yourself actually and truly is not a luxury. Taking care of yourself is bringing you into the "restore" mode. A time for your body to recharge of course, but if you followed along on my Self Care Sunday blog posts for a while, a theme I often had was that you put your phone away. Rest your mind. Because as I said in the Simple Bath post, are you really feeling relaxed in the bathtub as you scroll Facebook? (Especially when that one irritating friend is on a status update rampage).

I say something in my yoga classes all the time too. After we put in some work and some stretching I like to almost always end in a lying twist of some sort where I cue "and move your arms and legs in any way that is comfortable and relax the muscles". Like really relax the body physically. Basically no effort given. Because we are super amazing at multi tasking and doing all the things and being busy, but we SUCK at relaxing and slowing down.

I wont even exclude myself from this. I am totally a hyopcrite a bit here. I am the master of doing all the things and so busy I sometimes feel as if I have missed days or weeks in time. I'm working on it. And that's exactly it. We don't have to be perfect at it or rigidly follow a schedule. We just have to be mindful. Mindful that we have made ourselves so busy that we aren't even relaxing. 

I am a week and a half post surgery and have basically been home most of the time. I thought I would be going crazy from boredom, but in reality? I've slowed down enough to enjoy things. I've slowed down enough to enjoy the moment of laughter with my kids. I've slowed down enough to evaluate the things I do that make me so busy. 

Sit for a moment. Think about everything that has lead you up to this moment today. All your errands or tasks. Pick out the moments that have you brought you joy. Not something you are "working on" in order to get you to joy. By this I mean, you worked an extra couple hours so you could make more money to buy more things that bring you joy. Not that. That's a false idea of joy I think. What had happened in your day where you felt true joy?

THAT is the art of slowing down. Finding those smaller moments of joy sprinkled throughout your day. Isn't that what we are after anyways? Feeling good. Feeling the joy? 

I recently read the book "Mindfulness" by Gil Hasson where it talks about of course we need goals. Things we are working toward are not bad things at all. Gil says "But for longer term goals, the emphasis is not on where you will arrive at, it's on what happens and what you experience along the way. The emphasis is more on the experience rather than the result."

Lightbulb! Slowing down, taking note of whats happening in the current moment IS the joy. 

I work to make money. I make money to pay bills and buy things. I buy things I enjoy. I enjoy these things because they bring me joy. Brief joy or maybe it's prolonged, but none the less seeking joy. But what if in the process or working, making money and buying we are miserable? WHAT IS THE POINT OF THAT?!?!?

Slow down, evaluate and be mindful of what we are doing and if it's filling the "doing" side of the column or the "enjoying".

Again, I'm a hyopcrite a bit here and great at being buys, but about to go back into my regular schedule after time off for my surgery, I'm taking a really good look at what the hell it is I am adding back in. Is this important to me? Does it bring me joy? 

Easier said then done I feel, hence the word "art". The ART of slowing down.

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Not Your Grandma's Slaw

Last week I had my laparoscopy surgery for my Endometriosis and I was smart enough to have a SPUD.ca order delivered the next day so I would have fresh food without having to go to the grocery store. I though it would be important to have healthy and nutritious foods afterwards for healing. 

Anyways, for lunch I was just cravings something a bit sweet and tangy and crunchy so I threw together this amazing slaw, that I think get's tastier as leftovers too!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 of a red cabbage
• 1/2 an apple
• 1 carrot
• 1/2 bell pepper
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
•  1 tsp lemon juice

1. Cut all the veggies into strip pieces about the same width.
2. Mix all the wet ingredients together. 
3. Mix everything and enjoy,
4. I find this taste a bit better after its been sitting for a bit too, so you can totally make it ahead of time!

Get $20 off your SPUD.ca order of $50 or more using the code : CREDM-NEIJEA

Park Show Supporting Local Artists

As a busy mom and yoga teacher/fitness instructor I find I struggle so much with my own personal style. I feel like yoga pnats are my sense of style somedays. EEEk! This weekend I am going to check out the Park Show. It's a local volunteer run organization that supports local entrepreneurs, designers and artisans. 

"PARK is a socially conscious organization that aspires to create opportunities for developing fashion designers and artists to share their work and sustain a profitable business.

We create spaces by hosting annual events that give creative entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their talents."

This weekend they are hosting a show to support these artists and you can get in on the fun! Grab a girlfriend and spend some time having some fun. (My favourite form of self care!)

You can actually shop some of these designers and artisans during the Showroom Market from 12:00 p.m to 5:00 pm which is free to attend!

Then check out the fashion shows happening in the evening! 

The Details
Date:
Saturday March 4, 2017

Location:
Epcor Tower - 16th Floor
10423 101 St NW
Edmonton, AB

Event Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm - SHOWROOM Market
7:00pm - PARKSHOW Opening Reception
9:00pm - PARKSHOW Runway Show

Pop-Up Shops available throughout the evening

Get your tickets HERE

I Have a Cleaner and Feel No Guilt About It

After my first babe was born for a while I had a cleaner. It was glorious. Leave and do grocery shopping and errands and come back to a nice clean home. Then spend time with my daughter rather then cleaning!

A few months later I had this awful guilt about being a stay at home mom and spending money on someone cleaning my home for me. (That mom guilt is a real jerk isn't it?) So I stopped having her come. Despite my husbands advice and support on having her come.

Fast forward to a few years, a bigger house and an extra daughter later.......

I've learned my lesson. My lesson in being cheap and my lesson in mom guilt. 

I always thought (wait let me rephrase that I always STILL think sometimes) that I can do it all. I can be the super mom that does it all. I can have a clean house and happy kids and work and blah blah blah. And I realize you know what? I DONT HAVE TO BE!

One of the moms in my bootcamp said something so perfectly in relation to this last week. She's a mom of 4 kids and said " I feel bad for you with only 2 kids. With 2 you feel like you can still do it all and everything still be perfect. With four you realize it's impossible and relax on things a bit."

WOAH. Truth bomb. 

Anyways...... a few months ago I came to this conclusion that if I ask for help rather then trying to do ALL THE THINGS I can actually be more relaxed, spend more time with my kids and husband and quality time working on my blog and business. Just from having someone come into my house every second week to clean takes enough pressure off me. 

I feel not a single inch of guilt or remorse about receiving this help and honestly way more relaxed. It's not another thing on m "to do list" and clears my space and time for things that are far more important then cleaning my baseboards!

And since I know I am going to be asked...... I use the amazing Pernickety Services who not only do cleaning but grocery shopping and errands of all kinds. So really, you can get your help in any form. 

Take care of yourself by asking for help. It's not a weakness but a sign of strength. Honestly. 

Love,

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Spring Green Smoothie

We had some warmer whether here in Edmonton last week and now I'm on spring mode! Check out my smoothie from this morning. I'm all about the ginger kick lately!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 cup kale (I used frozen chopped kale)
• 1/2 cup avocado (I recently discovered the frozen stuff from PC)
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger
• 1 scoop vanilla protein
• Water to desired consistency. 

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife.

Fitness Gear Review - True Life Fitness

There is a newer fitness clothing line right here in Edmonton named True Life Fitness and I've got my hands on a pair of the pants they first launched the Blaire Legging! These are super fun and well you know me... I LOVE to support local business. 

The first time I wore these I wore them to teach hot yoga, and yeah I was sold for a number of reasons. Probably my favourite being that I was dry minutes after teaching and sweating. After I teach I rarely ever change and usually just take me and my wet clothes home in my car. Which can be uncomfortable especially when it's cold out! I noticed that within minutes of coming out of the hot yoga room all covered in sweat, my pants were dry! No uncomfortable walk out into the cold air and drive home!

I was worried about the zipper in the back and doing anything where I would be laying on my back. I didn't even notice the zipper to be honest. Wasn't in my way at all. Which is great because I also LOVE having a pocket in pants for keys or music as I workout. 

The top waistband is the bigger control design type. I like that I feel supported in the "mommy tummy" area without it digging in. Sometimes I find the tops of pants kind of roll over when I'm doing yoga specifically, but these stayed put through all my vinyasas.

Now I'm not normally one to wear light colored pants, but paired with a neutral shirt I felt comfortable. I've got the whole black widow look going for me some days so I probably SHOULD add some colour to my life. I had a lot of people ask me about them and compliment them too. I guess maybe I would avoid wearing them during "that time". (Sorry I am so TMI).

Overall I feel supported as I wear them, but without it being too tight I cant actually move. 

BUT the BEST part.......... k not about the actual pants but $2 from every purchase goes to Women Win helping support women get involved in sports! How amazing is that?!?!?

Love,

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Surprise Day 8 of Giveaways New Pants

Surprise! a 8th day added to the 7 days of Self Care Giveaways!

Who doesn't love a great pair of yoga pants. Whether its from yoga, working out or grocery shopping really?

This giveaway is to be one of the first people to get their hands on these awesome new lace pants from Keylime Athletic Wear!! Run by a local to Alberta kick butt chick, Keylime always has some great stuff! Go to the Keylime Facebook page and like them the head over to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Ladies Kickboxing - Next Level Martial Arts Review

I had a chance in December to check out a couple of Next Level Martial Arts classes and then went back yesterday. I went for the ladies kickboxing classes and even tried one of the open gym nights on a Friday with my ass kicking actual fighter sister! Located on the southside not far off 91st street and Anthony Henday it's super easy to get too as well. 

The space

This is probably one of my favourite things about this place. There is a space where the kids can play and/or watch tv, or sit on some chairs and eat their dinner. And in the room I'm getting my sweat on there is a tv monitor so I can see whats happening. They are also allowed to come sit in the room at any time and watch what I am doing. 

The space is pretty new and it's bright and they have fun motivational sayings written on the walls to. My favourite one is "If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits" -Don Ward.

The workout

The class is only 45 minutes, I think it should be 60 minutes, but it's good to get in and get out too. 60 would be nice for when there is some newer people and things need a bit more explaining. THAT said, once you get into, it kicks your butt! 

We started with a warm up that's a mix of cardio and strength and then we hit pads. You get partnered up with someone around your size and skill level. A quick instruction of whats happening and you get into it. I like that we build on things. So we started off with one punch, got good at it then add another, then add another for the combo afterwards, so you can take it step by step. 

It may sound intimidating to go by yourself and get partnered with someone you don't know, but you certainly get to make a new friend fast. Being that close in proximity to another and you sort of have to have a bit of instant trust. Each time I've gone and I've been paired with someone I didn't know, I felt like I made a new friend, making it feel very community based.

The sell

Well, I wouldn't say there is one really, aside from at the end of class when the teacher says "see you Wednesday right?" and you feel bad saying no because you work..... ha ha. There is a free week trial so you have some time to try out a few classes to decide. 

Overall I'm a big fan of this place. The staff are great and fun, I love I can bring my kids for no extra cost or trouble (there is actually a kids class that goes on at the same time too to be extra efficient) and it's great to try something new!

Check our Next Level Martial Arts on Facebook and Instagram.

Love, 

Jen the Bitchin' Housewife

Day 7 of Giveaways Pampering

Welcome  to Day 7 of the 7 Days of Self Care Giveaways! 

It wouldnt be a self care giveaway without some traditional pampering now would it?

This giveaway is for a gift card of $95 from Pamper and Play Salon! Get a haircut, maybe a massage, have your kids in the child minding area and relax! Go to the Pamper And Play page and like them the head over to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Day 6 of Giveaways Aromatherapy Jewelry

Welcome  to Day 6 of the 7 Days of Self Care Giveaways! 

On day 2 we gave away some essential oils and I think I proclaimed my love for oils. WELL have you ever had jewelry to put those oils in before?!?!

This giveaway is for a gorgeous Wild Hope Design necklace where you can do just that.  So you can use your oils all day wherever you go AND look pretty doing it! Check out the Wild Hope Designs page  and like them the head over to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Day 5 of Giveaways Do Some Yoga

Welcome to Day 5 of the 7 Days of Self Care Giveaways! 

I don't think it's much of a surprise that I think doing some yoga is a self care is it? Being a yoga teacher and all..... I even wrote a blog post a little while ago about how to treat it as a self care in THIS post. 

This giveaway is for a Half Moon yoga mat from Aurora Yoga Spa! Aurora is a newer studio in the city right in the heart of downtown on Jasper Ave! This yoga mat also comes with a carrying strap so you can just roll up, toss it over your shoulder and come to class! So go over to the Aurora Yoga Spa page  and like them the head over to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Day 4 of Giveaways Tea Time

Welcome to Day 4 of the 7 Days of Self Care Giveaways! 

A little while back when I was writing weekly Self Care Sunday posts I wrote this one on Tea Time. I love tea. Anytime of day. 

This giveaway is for two packages of Acquired Taste teas! We  picked out a lovely herbal "Relaxation Sensation" and a yummy vanilla scented, caffeinated "Lord Grey".  Head over to the Acquired Taste Tea Facebook Page and go to the Bitchin' Housewife Facebook page and tag a friend you think might need some self care! 

Extra opportunity for entries if you head over and follow along on the  Bitchin' Housewife Instagram page!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Fit Chick Friday - Ginel Stephenson

We are an amazing community of Fit Chicks right here in Edmonton and I want to highlight that community. Each week I'll be featuring a new new Fit Chick on Friday's. Learn about trainers, teacher, instructors or you ladies who are just into a good ol workout!

This week I had to have my friend Ginel Stephenson on. We met in a moms group when our now almost 6 year olds were tiny 4/5 week old babies! She is one fit and fun mama!

Certifications:

Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology, CSEP CPT and CEP CrossFit Level 2

Where to find Ginel:

She has a garage converted into a amazing home gym where she takes clients through True Shape Fitness.

What are your specialties?

CrossFit style training, general nutrition, nutrition for endurance athletes, weightloss and chronic medical conditions. 

What got you into fitness?

Being a kid that couldn't sit still, I realizes that there was no way I could work in a career sitting behind a desk or behind a counter. I love moment and how it makes you feel.

What/Who is your biggest motivation?

Challenging myself is my biggest motivation. I am able to go out to my gym and work out on my own no problem, but there needs to be a reason for me to work out so it doesnt become mundane. Whether its getting a few kf's on a lift, decreasing my time in distance training or getting one more pullup. I enjoy fitness as a sport and tracking improvements and gains. I LOVE CrossFit competitions and ultramarathons. I have yet to complete one solo but am working on 120 km this year.

What got you into to training people?

It was a gradual process and many other instructors and coaches along the way. Wach different niche was foudn through different passions of others that I have been honoured to work with and for. 

What are some of your favourite exercises or equipment?

Olympic lifting, the squat rack and my incline trainer treadmill that goes 40% incline.

What is your favourite outdoor activity?

Trail running.

What is your favourite indoor activity?

Baking and reading the newspaper. (She said she's lame, but that sounds glorious to me)

Any advice you'd like to give to other women?

It's most imperative that you do NOt compare yourself to others. If we were all alike, earth would be a pretty boring place to be! You need to set your own goals and have accountability for those. 

Also, listening to our body. Mother Nature is pretty damn smart and had got us this far. Some days it's okay to sleep in past your 5am alarm set for a workout and just rest and recover. We actually don't make any gains in the gym, it's the rest, recovery and rebuilding time where that happens. 

Find Ginel at www.trueshapefitness.net on Facebook or her new Instagram account!

A shot of Ginel and her husband running together. 

Orange Theory Fitness Review

 

I'm sure you've seen or heard about Orange Theory Fitness. They seem to be popping up everywhere lately. But just what is it all about? I went on Tuesday to the Jasper Gates location off Stony Plain road and 149 street and checked out a class.

I went in the week before to check their schedule and sign up for a class and she told me I had to be there 30 minutes before class for orientation. Since I was in a time crunch she let me fill out the form ahead of time and only come 15 minutes earlier then class. 

I got a walk through of the space and quick meet up with the trainer before class. They went over everything I would need to know in order to be effective without stopping the workout to much, which is great to be able to just do my thing!

The space

The workout room is kind of cool with the orange lights. Definetly a different experience from a traditional gym light. The music was upbeat and fun and the trainer was that hard to find balance of perky, motivating and not irritating. (As someone who instructs fitness it's really a hard balance to find!)

The workout

It was a great workout for sure. I enjoyed that it was a group thing but you were able to really individually push yourself, especially since you wear a heart rate monitor. The monitor is then put on the screen and you can see what zone you are at any given time. The idea being you spend most of your time in the hard work but not dying "orange zone" or recovery "green zone. That's the THEORY anyways..... see what I did there?

K kidding aside though. We did some strength training and rowing and then switched and did cardio on the treadmills half way through.  The strength training was a tad easy for me, but you can add more weights to moves making them harder for sure. I suppose you want to reserve some energy for the rest of class too!

The cardio was good. I like they give variations for those who wish to be more power walkers and those more into running. I noticed they even had a few bikes and an eliptical for those who have knee/ankles issues or whatever. 

The workout was great. Since you wear a monitor it racks your calories burned which I love. I use my MyZone Heart rate monitor all the time, so knowing my caloric range I was in to compare to a normal workout of mine was great. The workout gets emailed to you after so you can keep track as well. Only thing I wish they did in the email was tell you who was the teacher. I wish I remembered her name for in case I wanted to go again. She was pretty awesome. 

The sell

They certainly have got their sales plan down on working with you after the workout. Not to much pressure, but they get to the point. I've heard people say it's expensive and some say it's not bad. The pricing seemed a bit awkward to me with basing it off working out twice a week for the month. My three thoughts on this:

• Interval training (which this is) should really only be done every second or third day, so makes sense to sell it that way. 
• It misses the fact that maybe you need to run or have weight in between and you either still need a membership or something else to supplement. For people new to fitness, likely not so much, but since I like to workout 6 days a week I would. 
• Considering the fact there are only so many people allowed per class and you don't have to think about making your own workout AT ALL, paying the price is similar to as if working with a trainer at a gym anyways. 

So with that info you can decide if it's pricey for you and your lifestyle. 

The good

• GREAT workout
• I love the heart rate tracking and caloric tracking
• The place has certainly got a fun vibe. 
• You don't have to plan your workouts. You just go and do it! Great for beginners.

The not so good:

• It may seem pricey
• You might have to supplement workouts still
• No childcare

Have you tried out a class yet?

Love,

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

7 Days of Self Care Giveaways

February 1st-7th we are doing 7 days of Self Care giveaways. Ways to find some time for yourself. Each day we will be featuring a new self care on Facebook and Instagram and all you have to do is follow along and tag your friends that you think need some self care! 

Coconut Oil Chocolate Bites

Paleo, Keto whatever your eating style that calls for high fats, you NEED this recipe my friends. I'm currently have upped my good fats for medical reasons and let me tell you... I am not suffering much while these around! These are SOOOOO simple and quick to make too. 

Nutrition

• Calories: 129
• Fat: 9.9g
• Carb: 9.6g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1.4g

Recipe (Makes 12 big chocolates)

• 1/2 cup coconut oil melted
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1/3 cup agave (can use honey too)

1. Literally just melt the oil and mix everything together.
2. I had cute little flower molds so I put them into there, but you can buy chocolate molds if you would like or pour into a dish and cut into squares after. 
3. Let chill for 20-30 minutes.
4. Cut or take out of the molds and enjoy. 

TIP* Keep refrigerated so they don't melt on the counter.

A fair sized chocolate to enjoy.

Enjoy!

Love, 

Jen The Bitchin' Housewife

Great Canadian Fit Fest Contest

So it's winding down the first month of a new year. Where are you on your fitness goals? If fitness is something new for you and you dread going everyday, maybe it's time to check out something new!

Luckily the weekend of February 4th and 5th is the Great Canadian Fit Fest! A two day festical where people of all types can go and check out some of the latest trends in fitness and studios our city has to offer. 

Ever thought that acro yoga looks cool? Yeah they have that. Wanted to see what crossfit was all about? They have that too. Roller Derby? Sign me up! This is the perfect time to check out a few new things and Love Your Fitness.  

People have a hard time "getting into" fitness and I think it's mostly because they don't find something they love. Fitness isn't just treadmills and heavy weights. In this modern age and wonderful city there are so many things to do! 

You can head over to the Great Canadian Fit Fest Website and get 20% off your tickets using the code YEGFIT.

Want to win a weekend pass? Comment below telling me what you want to try out! For a second entry head over to my Instagram page! Contest closes February 1st.