Try these five tips to help you find balance this year. 

now that the kids are back to school, it's time to get back to YOU! find routine with nourishing foods that will keep you looking and feeling your best. meals that are easy enough to make on busy weeknights and will become new family favs. this session (like always) is for newbies and regulars. you will be getting samples of some of the new recipes that you will be preparing at the 2 meetings! my back to YOU two week session is september 7th-21st. all new recipes and content. we will have 2 meetings on 9/7 at 11am and 9/13 at 11am, a weigh-in/measure at the first meeting and at the end of the session on 9/21 at 11am. there will be a facebook closed group page for communication and questions. if you can't make the meetings, a voice memo of the meetings will be sent to you. the investment is $200 and if you refer a friend that signs up, you get a $25 discount. email me to sign up as soon as possible, space is limited. you are confirmed once payment is received. let me know if you have any questions. xo,monica

What’s in Monica’s pantry? If you opened my pantry doors right now you’d think I was supplying food for a frat party. In my own defense, we just hosted a gathering and decided to house the left-over contributions. Not in my own defense, I kept them instead of throwing them out, rationalizing that we’re having another party in a few weeks and can stock the Cool Ranch Doritos and mini Snickers until then. It’s a little game I like to play called ‘Who Will Survive?’ With my husband hosting a poker game next week, my money’s on us. Not our girl Monica. Open her pantry and you can almost hear the food screaming “I’m healthy!” Here’s what she’s got going on: Level 1 Protein Powder What it is: The highest grade protein powder on the market. Go here for a detailed explanation of what’s in it. In short, it’s a flavored protein powder packed with nutrients. Where you can find it: Online here. Why Monica loves it:  Monica says ‘It sustains me like no other. I also use it to make cupcakes, waffles, pancakes, porridge, protein bread, and popsicles. My girls love it as well.’  Phylum husk flakes What it is: Non-flavored flakes filled with fiber. They have been said to reduce appetite and cleanse the digestive system. To give you an idea of the amount of fiber, 100 grams of phylum husk has 71 grams of fiber, while oat bran has 5.  Where you can find it: Whole Foods and other health food stores Why Monica loves it: Use these flakes to add to shakes or baking for added fiber.   Olive oil spray What it is: Olive oil in an aerosol spray can Where you can find it: Any grocery store Why Monica loves it: Use a few puffs of olive oil spray in place of regular olive oil. You’ll use exactly how much you want and get less calories and fat to boot. Whole Foods Tequila Lime Dry Seasoning What it is: A dry seasoning Where you can find it: Whole Foods Why Monica loves it: Monica adds this all-purpose flavoring to chicken, salads, and other recipes for a kick. Diet Swiss Miss 25 Calorie Hot Cocoa What it is: Powdered hot chocolate mix Where you can find it: Any grocery Why Monica loves it: This 25 calorie treat hits the sweet spot and keeps the calories low.  Monica loves it as an end of the day treat. Nutritional yeast What it is: Nutritional yeast is a somewhat complicated product, but basically it’s non-active yeast made from sugar cane and molasses. Where you can find it: Whole Foods (bulk section) and other health food stores Why Monica loves it: Monica says “I sprinkle the shit on everything; love the cheesy almost nutty flavor.” Try it in Monica’s recipes, like klean cauliflower wraps and klean risotto. Truvia What it is: A stevia-based sugar substitute made from rebiana, erythritol and natural flavors. Where you can find it: Any grocery store Why Monica loves it: Truvia is versatile and easy to measure. Monica uses Truvia as an all-natural sugar substitute for baking and cooking. PB2 What it is: PB2 is a powder form of peanut butter manufactured by taking out the oils of the peanut and putting the remainder through a dehydration process, removing about 90% of fat from regular peanut butter. Where you can find it: Target, grocery stores Why Monica loves it: Monica mixes the powder with unsweetened almond milk and spoons it on apples and says ‘Compare 2 tablespoons of PB2 to regular peanut butter - regular has 200 calories and 16g of fat; PB2 has 45 calories and 1.5g fat.  You pick.’ Mio Flavor Drops What it is: Liquid water enhancer – or a fancy way to say drops you put into water to make it taste better. Where you can find it: Target and grocery stores Why Monica loves it: Monica knows hydrating is an important part of health. She boosts her H2O with these drops – they come in tons flavors and are easy to store. Try them in cocktails for a grown up option. Embasa chipotle peppers What it is: Canned peppers Where you can find it: Most grocery stores Why Monica loves it:  Monica chops them up and adds to dressings and other recipes for a little kick.