Monday’s can be rough for any busy professional, let alone a rainy one like today!  When I started working for myself, I tried to rethink my approach to Mondays in an effort to shed my major Sunday anxiety.  I was able to shift not only my perspective, but also my actions to make Monday, get this, an exciting day of the week for me.  Here are a few tips to get you started on the same path:

1.     Schedule your favorite workout for first thing Monday morning: Yes, getting out of bed is hard, but if it’s for your favorite activity, you’ll show up for it.  Monday’s are usually my favorite spin class or HIIT class with a trainer I LOVE.  A good morning workout will also ensure you’re energized for the rest of the day.  Never schedule a workout you dread for Monday mornings.  It will make the start to the week even tougher. 

2.     Make your favorite protein packed breakfast: If I make protein waffles on Sunday, you better believe I’m saving some extra batter to make waffles on Monday.  If you don’t have time on Monday am, make them on Sunday and then just pop them in the toaster in the morning.  Starting your day with a meal that makes you smile is a big win!  And it doesn’t have to be an indulgence. 

3.     Schedule the meetings you’re most excited about: Granted, you can’t always control this, but occasionally your schedule will have a little wiggle room.  Try and have one meeting on Monday that you’re super excited about!  On Monday’s, I have a weekly check-in with some fellow wellness entrepreneurs.   It’s my absolute favorite meeting of the week where we get to talk about our challenges, success and share ideas for growth. 

4.     Make yourself a nice lunch: You can also go to your favorite café or takeout place, but the point is to allow yourself a meal that you look forward to and don’t eat at your desk. On Monday’s I usually have yummy Sunday leftovers and I take 20 minutes away from my desk and phone to really enjoy them. 

5.     Don’t make evening plans:  Having plans on a Monday night can make the week feel super long!  Save Mondays for a date with yourselfto do something you love…paint, catch up on your favorite show, read a book you’ve been wanting to read.  Whatever it is, do something that makes you feel restored and excited. 

6.     Plan ahead:  One way I like to avoid a Monday frenzy, is by getting ahead on a Friday or a Sunday.  I’ll look at my schedule for the following week, identify any deliverables or outputs, and I’ll make headway towards them.  Sometimes even simply looking at the schedule calms my nerves.  But if I go into Monday aware, versus surprised, I feel much less anxious. 

7.     Identify the problem: There was a time when I would drink half a bottle of wine on a Sunday night because I hated a project I was working on.  Overtime, I was able to transition away from it, and identify projects more in-keeping with my values and where I wanted to take my career.  Doing work you love makes Monday’s way better.  Trust.  Me. 

8.     Make a list of what you’re excited about: On Sunday night, jot down a few things you’re excited about in the week ahead.  That positive attitude will immediately shift your perspective from dread to excitement as you have a few things to look forward to.  If nothing comes to mind, start looking at where you can fold fun activities into your schedule.  It could be a workout, a new place for lunch, or meeting an old friend for coffee.  It doesn’t have to be fancy, elaborate or time consuming…just little pieces of joy throughout your week. 

9.     Try not to overschedule yourself: I’m queen of this and I found myself dreading the week ahead, even if it was filled with fun, because it was just too darn filled.  Make sure you have one night a week that it just for you, and don’t cram meetings into every conceivable minute of the day.  That will lead to burnout real fast. 

How do you turn Monday blues into Mond-yay?!  Share your tips in the comments box below.  

Vday is upon once again!  If you're time starved and totally zapped of creativity, we've put together a list of some sizzlin' vday recipes to make your #fitspiration swoon.  Enjoy the roundup! xx

Raw, Vegan, Gluten Free Goodies

I put together these 3 decadent, yet totally healthy desserts for my friends over at Barry's Bootcamp.  It's a great way to treat yo' self without sabotaging those hard earned gains.

Sweet Potato Brownies

If ooey, gooey brownies are more your speed, check out this recipe from Deliciously Ella.  They are no muss, no fuss, and big on flavor.  

Blood Orange Margaritas

Need a little something spicy to wash down all these sweet treats?!  Try this amazing blood orange margarita from the fabulous Plum Pie.

Baked Oysters

This recipe is super easy, but sounds extremely fancy and is a great way to score extra points.  Plus, oysters are a rumored aphrodisiac.  

Black Bean Burger

This bloat-banishing black bean burger from the clean program is delishly simple but also a great way to a vegans heart.  

Baked Fish With Butternut Squash Puree

If you're looking for a lighter option, fish is always a great way to go.  This fab recipe from Dr. Mark Hyman is light, but also sweet and warming.  

Chocolate Bark

When I say this recipe is easy, I mean easy.  It's only a few ingredients plus it features the goji berry aka the Wolfberry which the Chinese believe to be a powerful aphrodisiac.  

And there you have it folks!  Nine simple, healthy vday recipes that will knock your significant others socks (and hopefully more ; ) ) off.

Having a birthday on Halloween has meant a few things for me.  1) I love the fall 2) candied apples are my jam!  Every birthday there was either a bobbing-for-apples game, or a decorate your own candied apple station.  

But years later, with a gluten and casein allergy, the candied apples have been a thing of the past.  Well, not any more!

I'm obsessed with this new recipe that you can use as a dip or to candy your apples.  It's only 4 ingredients and tastes shamefully delicious. What, what!?

Ingredients:

1 cup of pitted medjool dates, soaked

1 cup of almond butter

1 tsp of vanilla

A dash of himalayan salt

Once you've soaked your dates (I soaked mine for an hour, but you can do overnight as well), drain the water and add to a high speed blender. Then add in the almond butter, vanilla and salt.  Blend away until smooth.  If you'd like a bit thinner, just add a dash of almond milk until it's the right consistency for you.  Serve with sliced apples, over popcorn or use for candied apples.  Enjoy!