Happy Holidays!  If you're reading this, you're probably stressed and wishing your Amazon cart was full.  Well, here's a list to help you out.  Here are 15 awesome gifts for the natural living expert and "green goddess" in your life!

UNDER $20

Attitude Living body creme ($15): This is my absolute favorite body creme and I keep a tube by my bed!  I love all Attitude Living's products actually, their smaller hand cremes would be great stocking stuffers!

essential oil recipe book ($13): This is a super educational book that I have bought for myself.  There's tons of recipes and the author is super uplifting!

non-toxic SPF lip balm ($9): This balm is a new discovery for me and I absolutely adore it!  Just a bit is all you need and it lasts a long time on your lips!

soy wax tealights ($18): Unscented soy wax tealights to use with their diffuser!

tealight diffuser ($15): I have this candle diffuser sitting on our counter.  It's a perfect option when you need a great scent but don't have access to an outlet!

My Green Fills laundry starter kit (FREE): Yeah, the holidays aren't really a time we want to think about doing laundry, but this gift would definitely be put to good use!  Clicking this link gives you a free trial, feel free to give it to a friend (or keep for yourself).

UNDER $50

essential oil set ($35): Plant Therapy is my go-to brand for oils because of their high quality and fast shipping.  You can buy their oils from either Amazon or directly from their site, just pick whichever is easiest for you! Honeybee Gardens eyeshadow palette ($30): Do you have a makeup girl to buy for?  These eyeshadows are great quality and you can either buy a pre-made palette, or design one yourself!

cast iron griddle ($45): Your friend probably knows that non-stick pans are bad, but do they have a BIG cast iron option to cook on?  I use this griddle for bacon every weekend! Erin's Faces eyeshadow primer ($29): I used to be a loyal user of Urban Decay Primer Potion, but this eye primer is highly rated by the EWG and actually works!

large capacity diffuser ($36): I have this diffuser in our living room and I love it because it is so big!  It throws a lot of scent because of the large surface area.  Yes, your friend might have a diffuser, but I doubt it's as big as this one!

UNDER $75

stainless steel cookware ($50): Your green friend probably knows that non-stick cookware is bad for your health.  Let them start the new year off right with a new set of pans!  Calphalon is the brand I have in my own kitchen, they wear super well.

glass food storage ($56): Your green friend probably knows that microwaving leftovers in plastic is bad for your health.  Here's a great kit of Snapware that are leak proof and non-toxic.

Branch Basics starter kit ($60): This is the cleaning solution that I use on just about everything in our house.  I have given this kit before as a wedding gift, but I know it would make a great holiday gift too!

BIG SPENDS

More people to shop for?  Check out my other gift guides below:

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We all have that friend who loves to workout...  If they're on your holiday shopping list this year, here's my top 13 picks for gifts sorted by price.  These links are mostly to Amazon too, hopefully making your life easier! ​Let's get straight to the links and get you one step closer to DONE WITH SHOPPING!

UNDER $15

magnesium supplement ($15): Magnesium is super important for muscle recovery.  This is a tasty drink mix to add an extra dose of love to your fit friend's diet.  These to-go packs are great for a gym bag!

mini resistance bands ($6): Super lightweight and easy to pack, resistance bands are great picks for your friend who's always on the go.  These are the ones I have in my own gym and take with me to on-site client sessions.

​running lights ($15): Have a runner on your list?  These clip on lights will help them stay more visible on early morning and late evening runs.

UNDER $30

Vital Proteins collagen peptides ($25): If your fit friend has been doing this for awhile, they know they need to eat their protein.  This is how I add an extra dose to my diet every day!

funny workout tank ($28): OMG Becky, look at her deadlift.  Enough said!

​Squat Sponge ($20): I bought one of these for my home gym AND one for the gym I train clients at.  It's great for hip thrusts too!

Takeya water bottle ($24): This is the bottle I have, it doesn't leak and keeps water cold!  I like the fact that it's a big spout so I can guzzle water when needed.

pull-up bands ($20-$40): These are BIG bands that can be looped around a pull-up bar to help your friend nail their first pull-up.  I advise giving them a set of two or three.  This brand has a cheat sheet to help pick a good set.

ab wheel ($17): This is the ab wheel I have in my own home gym.  It definitely gives you a big bang for your buck!

UNDER $85

​Bosu Ball ($80): Bosu Balls are great for the friend who likes to work out at home, they're also an important piece of equipment in my own workouts!

Versa Gripps wrist straps ($65): If your friend is a weight lifter, these straps are a must!  I use these to help me deadlift so I can get more reps in!

suspension trainer ($40) Suspension training is a great tool to have at home if you don't have much space.  This kit gives your friend two options for mounting the straps.

BIG SPENDS

Have more people to shop for?  Check out my other gift guides:

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Somehow...  the holidays are already here.  This means you are super busy and probably stressed, so let's just get you straight to the "add to cart" button.  And yes, most of these are Amazon items to make your life easier!   ​Here's 15 of my top picks for your foodie friend sorted by price, with a couple "big spends" all the way at the bottom.

UNDER $25

organic spice set ($18): Spices can make or break a dish.  I buy Simply Organic spices off Amazon all the time and have been very impressed by them.  This specific set has "uncommon" spices that your friend will most likely NOT have already!

CSA shopping tote ($20): Is your friend a member of a CSA?  If so, they'll be the trendiest member with this organic cotton reusable bag.

gravy whisk ($13): When you're making a gravy or deglazing a pan, you want as much of the whisk scraping the good stuff off the bottom of your pan.  This one does that perfectly!

cute coffee and collagen mug ($22): Does your friend use collagen peptides in their coffee?  Then this is perfect for them!

fish spatula ($14): No, you don't have to use this JUST for fish, but the super thin bendy blade is super useful for flipping delicate foods like fish or fritters.  It's also useful for stuck items because it's metal and super strong!

under $35

santoku knife ($30): Most people have a chef knife, but few people have santoku knives.  These are special because they have divots on the sides of the knife to reduce "suction" of food sticking to the blade.

electric salt and pepper grinder ($30): My husband got these for us and I have to admit, I was a little skeptical at first.  But think about it, how easy would it be to have a one handed grinder when it comes time to season the second side of a raw steak?

mortar and pestle ($30): Does your friend grow their own herbs?  If so, this is a great tool to grind those fresh herbs with some coarse salt to make delicious rubs for meat!

UNDER $50

knife sharpener ($30): Sharp knives are the most critical part of a kitchen.  And the reality is, the sharper they are, the safer they are.  This is the ceramic sharpener my hubby uses to sharpen my knives and we have gotten this as gifts for our family members!

food dehydrator ($40): Does your foodie friend seem to have EVERYTHING already?  I doubt they have a food dehydrator!  This is the same one I have that I received as a gift a few years back.  Kale chips are super easy to make with it!

cast iron dutch oven ($40): This thing is the trick to my crispy chicken thighs and was a present I received last year.  The high sides and lid help to prevent splattery messes!  It can also be transferred from the stove right to the oven!

UNDER $85

Snapware glass containers ($57): Convince your foodie friend to get rid of their plastic containers with these leak proof Pyrex containers.  These are what I trust our leftovers in when I need to reheat them in a microwave.

huge Calphalon skillet ($80): All our stainless cookware is by Calphalon and I absolutely adore them.  This is what I got for my mom (and myself) last year as a Christmas gift.  They're super indestructible and I love that this one has a lid!

KitchenAid immersion blender ($60): This is a kitchen item that doesn't get used often, but without it I wouldn't be able to make some of my favorite things.  I use my immersion blender to make homemade mayo, tomato bisque, blend coconut milk, make a quick salsa, etc.

BIG SPENDS

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Anyways, back to our story... 

You make your way to the kitchen, pour your coffee, load it up with that sugary pumpkin "goodness" but still feel just SO groggy.  Your day goes on, you get some items checked off your to-do list, grab an afternoon latte but still your productivity is low.  Finally it's time for dinner, and after that you try to wind down with a Netflix binge, because seriously, what else are you going to do when it's cold and dark out?? Next thing you know, 11:00 PM appears on your phone...  It's late and you should go to bed, but your brain won't calm down.  What gives??  You were tired all day but now you can't sleep?  Grumbling, you crawl into bed and lay there getting weird hot and cold sweats in your flannel sheets and cotton pajamas...  Midnight rolls around, you finally drift off...   And BEEP BEEP BEEP, the 5:45 am alarm goes off, and the cycle repeats itself.  How do you stop it?  After a few key changes to your routine and a few product additions, you can easily make your mornings and evenings set you up for a more productive day!

Here's your checklist for a good morning:

First?  Fake the sunrise. Seriously, this thing has changed my morning.  By slowly getting brighter, this alarm mimics a sunrise to gently bring you out of deep sleep at your desired time.  Once it's at it's peak brightness, it is SO much easier to get out of bed.  You can also try setting your thermostat so it's a bit warmer than normal right when you want to wake up, making it much easier to get out from under your cozy blankets.

Second?  Make it smell energizing, but not just from your coffee. After getting out of bed, you'll want to freshen up your space with invigorating, brain stimulating scents like citrus oils and mint.  Put them in the diffuser of your get ready space and get your brain fired up for the day.  No diffuser?  Try this one, it packs a big punch, holds a lot of water, and helps to humidify dry winter air which is great for skin!

Third?  Lessen your sugar and caffeine load. No, I'm not telling you to give up your coffee.  What I am saying is that after decreasing the amount of caffeine and sugar you have, you WILL get used to it and you WILL feel more energy later on in the day.  Don't try to give it up all at once, wean yourself off the fully caffeinated coffee by switching out a scoop or two for decaf.  Next week, try switching out a bit more.  You can also lessen your sugar dependency by switching that sugary pumpkin spice creamer for actual pumpkin spice.  I like this one, it's organic and gives me that #basicwhitegirl vibe without being so basic.  All you need to do is put some in your brewing basket, or simply sprinkle it on top.

Now here's your checklist for a good evening:

First?  Block out the lights. Set the mood for your Netflix binge and dim the lights in your room.  This mimics sunset which naturally releases melatonin.  Also, block out the blue light from your TV and phone with a cute pair of blue-blockers like these!  As soon as I started wearing these in the evenings, I got way sleepier way earlier!

Second?  Add a scent to your nighttime routine. We all know that scents can take us into the right frame of mind, so make each evening smell the same and eventually your brain will associate that scent with sleep!  Move your diffuser to the living room (or buy two and keep it there all the time) and diffuse calming scents like these blends from Plant Therapy.  Give it a few weeks and your brain will learn to relax on command!

Third?  Wear pajamas that breathe. I don't know about you, but I sweat a lot when I sleep.  As soon as I made the switch to bamboo sleep shirts (and socks but that doesn't have to do with pajamas) I started sleeping so much more comfortably!  After wearing these shirts, you'll sleep through the night rather than waking up in the middle all sweaty and uncomfortable.

here's a recap of the items:

It's finally fall!!!! To me, this means it's the best time of the year to get outside and enjoy nature. It's time for bonfires, walking on crunchy leaves, apple cider and scarves... Decorating our home for fall is one of my top autumn activities, and it used to mean hitting up a HIGHLY toxic candle store (I think you know the one I am talking about) and buying a new candle for every room (when they were buy one get one free of course)... After learning about the terrible effects of synthetic fragrances on the endocrine system, I made it a point to get rid of all those candles and switch them out for essential oils. Picking an essential oil brand wasn't easy, because some are just SO overpriced, some aren't tested for quality and some aren't even what they say they are! After lots of research and number crunching, I finally found a company that delivers high quality oils without breaking the bank and they even ship them to you at Amazon Prime speed! Plant Therapy, my favorite essential oil brand, also offers lots of other products and beautiful blends that fit every mood and need.

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that's it!  did I miss anything other good snacks out there?  let me know in the comments!

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I know, that sounds a bit extreme right?  A deep freezer changing your life?  Well, it did for us. Years ago when I started my fitness journey, I learned the importance of protein in a muscle building diet.  In my opinion, meat is the best way to get protein because it has all the amino acids your body needs.  I am a true believer that humans were designed to eat meat (please do not take offense to this if you are a vegan or vegetarian).  Meat also gives you more protein for less calories than most plant based options can give you.  Anyway, I knew that meat was an important part of my diet, but I also knew it was the most expensive part.   ​I am an avid Costco shopper, so our regular freezer would get full FAST.  My husband is also a hunter, so once the freezer was full of venison, there was basically no room for anything else...  Not even a frozen pizza! After a few months of deliberating, I finally convinced my husband to get on board with a deep freezer.

how to organize your deep freezer

main takeaways:

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I was spoiled by my college gym... College was when I found my love of weight lifting, and I was SPOILED by my school's gym.  It had ALL the "toys" I could ever dream of there.  I used it as much as I could for about two years, and then...  I graduated.  After graduation, I moved in with my then boyfriend (now husband) and struggled to find a job.  I also struggled without a gym...  I didn't want to pay for a gym membership after being spoiled by a "free" membership to the college gym, so I just couldn't bring myself to pay some big name gym every single month.  After doing some research and talking it over with my husband, I decided to start piecing together my own home gym about five years ago.  Keep reading for the steps I took to building a great home gym without breaking the bank!

weights are heavy... and expensive...

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Alright, you're engaged, you're excited, you're ready to start this new phase of your life. You might even be ready to get it all over with because of the stress, headaches, drama and to-do lists... I know how you feel, I was there once and I that kind of pressure is not something to laugh about!  All I knew deep down about that day was that by the end of it, I wanted to be married to my best friend and to feel good about myself. I wanted to feel confident and I wanted to look back on those photos and feel proud of where I was in my life. If this sounds like you, keep reading, because I have some tips to help you feel this way! it is NOT all about how you look I know, you're thinking "uh huh, yeah, IF ONLY that were true..."  So much pressure is put on us to be wedding ready, glowing, blah blah blah.  I mean seriously, the first question I was asked when I booked my dress fitting was "are you planning on losing weight?"  SERIOUSLY?  You think that is what I should be worrying about right now???

try to change your mindset.

how do you achieve that?

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