• Last week was a tough one for me. Knowing that, my brother sent me a copy of the speech my dad read to him almost 20 years ago at his bar mitzvah. His words made such a positive impact on me, and being that it was Father’s Day yesterday (love you @garylevine05), I thought I’d share some of it here, in case anyone else also needs a little pick-me-up and some fresh perspective as we head into a new week. __ “Life can be anything you ask it to be. It is very simple and it is your choice how you live it. You see, life gives us back everything we give to it in multiples. So I hope that throughout your life, you will make these choices. • Choose to be happy. It is your choice, not something that happens if you are lucky or wealthy or popular or anything else. You must choose to be happy and I promise that life will bring happiness back to you. • Choose honesty, always. Even when you are in some kind of trouble, honesty will always help you, even when you think it will not. • Choose love, fill the world with your special love and care. Love your family and your friends unconditionally, and accept them for who they are. In return, I promise you that your life will be filled with love as well. • Choose giving to others. When you give with all that you have, you will receive more than what you have ever given. I know this because giving to others is really the gift itself. • Choose forgiveness to all those who may hurt you. In return, you will never dwell in bitterness like so many people do. Life will again bring you a sense of peace, and others will be more forgiving of you. Believe me when I tell you this, the world will be a better place when we are all more forgiving of each other. • Choose your path. Choose love and happiness. And when things go wrong in your life, which they will from time to time, choose love and happiness again, and they will bring you joy.” - wise words of the one and only Gary Levine ❤️ __ If you made it to the end of this caption, I hope it gave you the reassurance and optimism that it gave me today! Ready to tighten my pony and take on the week ahead ✨
    Last week was a tough one for me. Knowing that, my brother sent me a copy of the speech my dad read to him almost 20 years ago at his bar mitzvah. His words made such a positive impact on me, and being that it was Father’s Day yesterday (love you @garylevine05), I thought I’d share some of it here, in case anyone else also needs a little pick-me-up and some fresh perspective as we head into a new week. __ “Life can be anything you ask it to be. It is very simple and it is your choice how you live it. You see, life gives us back everything we give to it in multiples. So I hope that throughout your life, you will make these choices. • Choose to be happy. It is your choice, not something that happens if you are lucky or wealthy or popular or anything else. You must choose to be happy and I promise that life will bring happiness back to you. • Choose honesty, always. Even when you are in some kind of trouble, honesty will always help you, even when you think it will not. • Choose love, fill the world with your special love and care. Love your family and your friends unconditionally, and accept them for who they are. In return, I promise you that your life will be filled with love as well. • Choose giving to others. When you give with all that you have, you will receive more than what you have ever given. I know this because giving to others is really the gift itself. • Choose forgiveness to all those who may hurt you. In return, you will never dwell in bitterness like so many people do. Life will again bring you a sense of peace, and others will be more forgiving of you. Believe me when I tell you this, the world will be a better place when we are all more forgiving of each other. • Choose your path. Choose love and happiness. And when things go wrong in your life, which they will from time to time, choose love and happiness again, and they will bring you joy.” - wise words of the one and only Gary Levine ❤️ __ If you made it to the end of this caption, I hope it gave you the reassurance and optimism that it gave me today! Ready to tighten my pony and take on the week ahead ✨
  • Craving a giant bowl of cozy tonight and nothing spells comfort quite like G-N-O-C-C-H-I. Have you tried the @traderjoes cauliflower gnocchi yet? It’s like a hug in a bowl and it’s really making my night right now. If you need some inspiration, grab the recipe for this cauli gnocchi & turkey bolognese on the blog! 🍝💛
    Craving a giant bowl of cozy tonight and nothing spells comfort quite like G-N-O-C-C-H-I. Have you tried the @traderjoes cauliflower gnocchi yet? It’s like a hug in a bowl and it’s really making my night right now. If you need some inspiration, grab the recipe for this cauli gnocchi & turkey bolognese on the blog! 🍝💛
  • If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer for your Father’s Day festivities this weekend, I’ve got you covered with this Crudité Snack Board that’s loaded up with colorful organic veggies from @yourtaylorfarms, my favorite summer fruits, some healthy crackers, and a couple delicious dips so there’s literally something for everyone! 🥕🥦🥒🍅 Today on the blog, I’m dishing out all my tips and shortcuts for making a beautiful crudité platter come together within minutes, plus I’m also sharing the most flavorful Mint & Spinach Pesto recipe that you’ll want to make all summer long! Head over to the blog to get all the details! #TaylorFarms #GoToGreens #ad
    If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer for your Father’s Day festivities this weekend, I’ve got you covered with this Crudité Snack Board that’s loaded up with colorful organic veggies from @yourtaylorfarms, my favorite summer fruits, some healthy crackers, and a couple delicious dips so there’s literally something for everyone! 🥕🥦🥒🍅 Today on the blog, I’m dishing out all my tips and shortcuts for making a beautiful crudité platter come together within minutes, plus I’m also sharing the most flavorful Mint & Spinach Pesto recipe that you’ll want to make all summer long! Head over to the blog to get all the details! #TaylorFarms #GoToGreens #ad
  • How long does it take to create a habit? Some people say 21 days, some say 66, some say it depends on the habit you’re trying to create... whatever it is, it takes some time. I know that trying to create a healthy lifestyle is a commitment and it definitely doesn’t happen overnight. But it does start with one day, or just one decision to wake up and say, “ok, I’m going to do this for myself!” For me, this was the decision to start my weekdays with some exercise and a smoothie. In the beginning, it takes a little extra time to be mindful about what you’re eating and it takes some motivation to get that workout in when you’d rather stay in bed a little longer. But I promise you, after one day, the next will be easier, and so will the next. And in a couple months when you’re used to your routine, it doesn’t take so much thinking or self control to keep it up... it comes a little more naturally. (And now it’s been 2 years of my consistent morning routine, and I seriously crave it!). The benefit of feeling pretty amazing also makes it a no-brainer to keep going! And if you happen fall out of your routine for a couple days, like we all do, it’s not so hard to jump back in. So just remember, whatever your healthy living goals are, start with one day (or even, one morning, like I did). Create that habit and know that after a some time, it will be easier, and it will be 100% worth it! 💛👊🏼 __ 📷: @currentlykristen
    How long does it take to create a habit? Some people say 21 days, some say 66, some say it depends on the habit you’re trying to create... whatever it is, it takes some time. I know that trying to create a healthy lifestyle is a commitment and it definitely doesn’t happen overnight. But it does start with one day, or just one decision to wake up and say, “ok, I’m going to do this for myself!” For me, this was the decision to start my weekdays with some exercise and a smoothie. In the beginning, it takes a little extra time to be mindful about what you’re eating and it takes some motivation to get that workout in when you’d rather stay in bed a little longer. But I promise you, after one day, the next will be easier, and so will the next. And in a couple months when you’re used to your routine, it doesn’t take so much thinking or self control to keep it up... it comes a little more naturally. (And now it’s been 2 years of my consistent morning routine, and I seriously crave it!). The benefit of feeling pretty amazing also makes it a no-brainer to keep going! And if you happen fall out of your routine for a couple days, like we all do, it’s not so hard to jump back in. So just remember, whatever your healthy living goals are, start with one day (or even, one morning, like I did). Create that habit and know that after a some time, it will be easier, and it will be 100% worth it! 💛👊🏼 __ 📷: @currentlykristen