It’s that time again when I share with you the things that have struck me in the last couple months or that I have the heart eyes about lately. Nothing’s sponsored, just my own enthusiasm.

Even if you eat lots of fruits and veggies, the highly manufactured nature of our current diets still seeps in. Produce sections in grocery stores used to be full of seasonal items and now we can have our avocados year round, even in the northeast. And one of the many things I love about spring is the reminder that most produce tastes best when it’s consumed during peak season. To that end, I am loving fresh strawberries! They are perfect this time of year, without that extra watery consistency they acquire during non-peak seasons.

I am also enjoying having the windows in our house open. There is something about having fresh air coming into the house that just makes me feel good. Everything feels and smells fresher. Bonus, it’s a free and clean way to deodorize.

And to complete the trifecta of spring/summer awesomeness for me: the grill. In my house, we are like four times a week grillers. And I hear you, about the carcinogens that grilled meat can produce. But, we live in a climate that forces us inside for at least part of the year and we eat veggies (especially cruciferous greens) like they are going out of style. So when the weather permits, we grill. And it’s delicious.

This article on our cravings from Brit+Co caught my eye. I have thought this to be true for a long while. When I am having a strong craving for something, I try to keep this in mind so that I can honor both the craving and the underlying need.

This article on Mind Body Green really got me scratching my head. It makes physiological sense that growth hormone would play a role in weight. But, as a coach, I always recommend strength training for weight loss. Strength training is known to increase levels of growth hormone, so… Obviously this will be a topic to watch.

Another one from Mind Body Green about increasing productivity and lowering stress, especially in the mornings. As a busy mom, I can attest to the stress that a jam packed morning creates. I also know how much calmer I feel when I can focus. I am anxious to try out this hack and see if it works!

Speaking of hacks can help us out, I stumbled upon this little gem. Being a fitness professional, I am always preaching how much rest helps, both with recovery itself and with the next workout. What if we applied that formula to the rest of our lives? We all know the feeling of too much without adequate downtime. That’s what all this self care chatter is about.

And lastly, I have beat the drum about gratitude practice. Loudly. If you’re still not sure it’s for you, or you want some other ideas on how to get started, check out this article.

Until next time, be well friends!