In the spirit of Christmas...I really wanted to post this recipe....but then it was like 95 degrees and it just didn't feel right.  Since it is gloomy and in the 40s today...it's allowed.  Plus I love peppermint mocha anything all year.  I found this amazing White Chocolate Peppermint coffee from Dukin' Donuts and used it in the recipe....YUM.  BUT....you can use any coffee.  Preferably strongly brewed.  The banana is hit or miss.  Sometimes it overpowers the flavor.  So you can totally leave it out!  Other than that....these oats are on point.  Perfect for a snuggly morning.  Or afternoon.  Or anytime really.

Enjoy.


 

XoXo,
​NaturallyNati

Wow. You blink and it's over. The holidays go by way, way too fast. And now as a big grown up they have become so stressful. I literally turned psycho on Christmas Eve. While getting ready for church, my straightener quit working. I started crying and screaming for Eric to help and try to find electrical tape. Can you say CRAY?! I'm ready to detox, de-stress and ring in the new year with an entirely different outlook. Anyone else!?!? Until then wine and the office will do :)!

XoXo,

NaturallyNati

I slept until 9:30 yesterday and 8:30 today.   I feel like a totally new human. The daily 4:45 grind has caught up to me. I am SO looking forward to these next few days to literally do nothing. I used to die for vacations to go site see and stay busy...now I really just like eating and sleeping. I don't see anything wrong with that....

Eric and I are on our 3rd annual Asheville, NC Christmas trip. If you are looking for an amazing city to travel to...seriously do Asheville. There is so much to do and see and more importantly the food and drinks here are absolutely amazing. To me it's like a giant Cincinnati OTR. There are dozens of options: microbreweries, organic, farm to table, vegan...donuts, coffee I mean anything you could want. Last night we checked out a freaking FAB restaurant called Limones(http://limonesrestaurant.com). With a Hispanic flare, they had so many yummy options. We started with to die for lobster nachos, and margaritas (I had a pomegranate and Eric had peach-chipotle). For the main course I totally stuffed my face with roasted mushrooms-goat cheese chile relleno. Eric had Epazote-cilantro Shrimp Albondigas which were basically ridiculous, giant shrimp meat balls. So. Freaking. Good.

Definitely a cheat weekend and definitely worth it. When you work hard, it's okay to indulge. Live life. Eat mac and cheese.

Xoxo,

NaturallyNati

Yay! Tomorrow is a big event for NaturallyNati Fitness & Nutrtion! We are partnering with Sarah Williams (the diet doc), and Tri-Health to put on a Surviving the Holidays wellness workshop! I absolutely love getting to work with awesome people who value health and wellness while spending time educating and working out!

Fingers crossed all goes as planned!

XoXo,

NaturallyNati

In honor of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show being on the tube tonight, and this nasty sinus infection I am fighting.....I would like to talk about cheese.  Grilled cheese.  Hands down, there is nothing better on a cool, damp evening than grilled cheese.  And tomato soup....of course.  Especially when you feel ick.  So maybe it isn't the healthiest meal, BUT this spin off of Oprah's favorite grilled cheese makes me smile.  And feel a little bit better.  And enjoy the fact that I am eating grilled cheese instead of starving myself to walk down the runway.  Baha.

I am so excited that I get to take a little time to brag on one of my very special clients….and friends.  Mallory McKinley first of all, is the sweetest, kindest person you will ever meet.  She is also super dedicated and driven.  These characteristics prove true not only with fitness, but into her work and family life as well.  Mallory is a licensed social worker….and let me tell you…..this girl deserves an award.  She puts everything she has into her job.  I can’t fathom how hard it is to deal with what she has to on a daily basis, and she does it with such compassion.  Oh and PS….she is in grad school full-time to continue her education.  No big deal.  On top of work she is so devoted to spending time with family and friends.  I honestly don’t know how she does it.  I am sure I only scraped the surface, but guys….she is the bomb.  So with all of that being said, let’s chat fitness.  When Mallory and I first started working together, she wanted to train to run a 5K.  Of course I was super stoked (because duh...I love to run).  In no time, with her ambition……...goal accomplished.  So of course and of no surprise to me (now that I knew her personality), that wasn’t enough.  She wanted to run a 10K.  Well people….Mallory just CRUSHED the Cincinnati Annual Thanksgiving Day Race!  Even after a few little/big (an asthma diagnosis) setbacks, she met her goal.  And she isn’t stopping there.  She hasn’t planned out her next “big” goal, but she is going to continue to work on her fitness.  Her transformation has been remarkable.  Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.  She is so strong and confident.  She knows that whatever obstacle she may be confronted with….she can handle.  No. Big. Deal.  I just love her, and am SO proud of all she does!  Cheers Mallory, can’t wait to see what the future holds!!!

XoXo,
​NaturallyNati

Okay....this week sucks.  It is SO incredibly hard to stay motivated when:

A.  It gets dark at noon.  Kidding....but seriously the early sunsets blow.
B.  I stayed up way past my bed time Sunday night cyber-shopping.
C.  I ate horrible last week. 

A lot of people, including me, want to just give up after Thanksgiving and decide to "reboot" after the New Year.  Don't DO IT!  Yes...there are holiday parties, and cookie exchanges, dinner dates and the whole shebang....but don't let that totally put an end to keeping up with your health and fitness.  I am a FIRM believer that we need to enjoy life...and everything in moderation is my motto.  It is so much harder to get back into a routine after more time has lapsed.  Have your fun, but maintain your healthy habits on the days you can.  

First suggestion.....wake up early....I know it is so hard, but try and workout before work.  You will feel better....and then you can come home and enjoy holiday festivities.  I promise once it becomes a habit, your body adjusts and you will love the peace of the early morning.  

Second....write it down.  I am a big advocate for planning every aspect of life.  If you plan your workout, you are much more likely to accomplish it.  I build it into my day.....write it in my planner.  There is no better satisfaction than crossing something off your to-do list.  Make working out one of those things.  If you can't hold yourself accountable and list making isn't your jam....sign up for a group fitness class, get a workout partner or invest in a personal trainer.  If you know someone is counting on you...or worse your credit card will get charged if you don't show up to get your sweat on.....you will start making it a habit to get your booty to your workout....promise.

Lastly.....drink water!  It not only keeps you hydrated and feeling good....but it makes you feel full.....and that is ever helpful during the holidays!  It might help you deny that second piece of pie.  Plus it keeps your muscles energized and skin looking fab.

You can DO IT!!!!

XoXo, 
NaturallyNati