Tag: Blog – The Balanced Life

Being a working mom comes with an array of unique challenges. Breastfeeding on its own can be demanding, but mixing it with working-parent life can be a recipe for stress. 

Today’s guest, Kate Torgersen, knows exactly what this struggle is like, and that’s why she created Milk Stork. Milk Stork was birthed from Kate’s own working-parent struggles and she now uses it to help other working moms who are committed to breastfeeding. In this episode, she shares what it’s like for her to be a working mom, the challenges she’s faced this year, and tangible tips to make stress more manageable.

Show highlights: what you can look forward to in this episode!

• Robin shares how she discovered Milk Stork
• What Kate’s current season of life looks like
• Kate’s career path and how Milk Stork started
• The way challenges shift throughout parenthood and seasons
• What chores Kate doesn’t do and how she balances them
• Defining “healthy” for yourself and how intermittent fasting has helped Kate feel her best
• What 2020 taught Kate about stress
• Finding healthy new rituals

Links in this episode:

• Milk Stork
• Intro to intermittent Fasting
• Dyson Cordless Vacuum
• The Obesity Code
• The FREE 5-day Pilates Strong challenge

Keep up with Kate!

• Kate on Instagram
• Milk Stork on Instagram
• Milk Stork on Facebook

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The post Kate Torgersen: helping busy mothers, new career paths + finding your healthiest self appeared first on The Balanced Life.

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Hi friends!

Could you use a little something to help you wind down, release tension, and let go of stress you’ve been carrying around in your body?

I just uploaded a brand new workout to The Balanced Life’s YouTube channel and I think you’re going to love it…

This routine will help you to release tension, breathe deeply, and also wind down your mind and body so you can set yourself up for a good night’s rest. Come back to this routine anytime you need to de-stress! 

CLICK HERE to view this workout directly on YouTube and make sure to subscribe and you’ll be notified of every new workout!

Remember to take care of yourself this week. You’re worth it. 

xo,

PS – Need a little extra self-care? Click here for 3 ways to calm your mind today.

The post Bedtime Pilates Routine appeared first on The Balanced Life.

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With each day comes a new array of things to do, choices to make, and blessings to count. Today’s guest, Robyn Downs shares how she’s become “brilliant at the basics” and applied her systems to organize and prioritize her life. Robin Long and Robyn Downs discuss the benefits of “exercise snacking”, the inspiration for Robyn’s new book, and overcoming the pressure of the fitness and wellness industry. Join Robin in this episode full of tangible tips you can apply to your daily practices.

Show highlights: what you can look forward to in this episode!

• What a day in the life looks like for Robyn
• The benefits of “exercise snacking”
• How Robyn had to shift her mental approach to wellness
• Robyn shares how she practices the 80/20 rule in her life
• How to make anchors of priorities and knowing when to stay no
• How to limit unnecessary decisions and decision fatigue
• How Robyn and her husband manage childcare 
• Why you shouldn’t try to take everything on alone
• How the wellness industry has put pressure on body image

Links in this episode:

• Pilates Strength + Stress Relief Challenge
• The Balanced Life on Instagram
• Robyn’s Book: The Feel Good Effect: Reclaim Your Wellness by Finding Small Shifts that Create Big Change
• Beautycounter Counter+ Overnight Resurfacing Peel
• Primally Pure Plumping Serum
• Unlocking us with Brene Brown Podcast

Keep up with Robyn!

• The Feel Good Effect Podcast
• Robyn’s Website
• @realfoodwholelife on Instagram

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The post Redefining wellness on your own terms with Robyn Downs appeared first on The Balanced Life.

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Halloween is just around the corner, which means candy season is in full swing. The end of year holiday season brings a lot of sweets and treats, probably more than you encounter during the rest of the year.

To help you be more mindful around sweet treats and sugar intake this time of year in order to nourish your body and feel your best, I wanted to share 3 simple strategies I come back to each year!

And stay tuned till the end for a Spooktacular Halloween Snack Platter that’s full of healthy snacks, but is still festive and fun!

3 ways to survive the Halloween candy rush

• Don’t start the party early.

Wait until the actual holiday to buy candy for your home. There’s no need to have it before then – unless you’re incredibly self-controlled and can trust that you won’t break open the bag before the trick-or-treaters arrive.

• On Halloween – eat the candy!

One day of indulgence is not going to destroy your health, make you gain weight, or ruin all your hard work. One day is one day – it matters more what we do the other 364 days of the year. So, enjoy a day of holiday treats…guilt-free!

• Give it away.

We all know what happens when we have bowls of leftover candy in the house, right? So, after the holiday, the best thing we can do to prevent forming a bad habit of late-night candy snacking is to get it out of the house. Donate the candy to a teacher to pass out in class or find a dental office that is hosting a give-back program.

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Spooktacular Halloween Snack Platter

Ingredients:

• 2 oranges, peeled and sliced 
• ¼-½ cup gluten-free pretzel sticks 
• ½ cup Halloween chips or blue corn chips (you can find fun Halloween chips at stores like Whole Foods and Target!) 
• ½ cup Terra chips 
• A mix of red and green grapes 
• 1 sliced apple 
• ½ cup hummus of choice
• 3 gluten or grain-free tortillas cut into spooky shapes (Siete brand is great and if you don’t have Halloween cookie cutters, simply cut into triangles) 
• Coconut or avocado oil for cooking 

Instructions:

• Start by adding the orange slices, pretzel sticks, Halloween chips, Terra chips, grapes, and apple slices to a platter. 
• Add the hummus to a serving dish in the middle of the plate. 
• Next, using cookie cutters, cut tortillas into Halloween shapes. Fry in coconut or avocado oil for 2-3 minutes or until crispy. 
• Serve on the platter and dip in hummus. 
• Enjoy as a fun Halloween snack that both kids and adults can enjoy! 

If you have any tips for how you deal with the holiday candy rush or nourishing snacks you make this time of year, I’d love to hear in the comments!

xo,

The post 3 ways to survive the Halloween candy rush (+ a healthy recipe) appeared first on The Balanced Life.

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As the world has slowed down over quarantine, we’ve all learned plenty of lessons. Whether those have to do with appreciation, relationships, time management, or health, it’s likely you’ve discovered things about your day-to-day life that you didn’t know before. In this episode, Robin shares a few of the top lessons she’s learned during quarantine.

She shares ways she’s learned to manage her daily consumption of information, the importance of prioritizing your immune health, and how she’s gained a new appreciation for the little things. Join Robin in this episode to learn more about the lessons she’s learned and how they can help you.

Show highlights: what you can look forward to in this episode!

• How the pandemic has highlighted the gift of digital connection
• How The Sisterhood has allowed for support and connection
• How Robin prioritizes the little things in day-to-day life
• Why who we listen to and what we consume on a daily basis matters
• The importance of good health and strong immune systems
• The value and importance of rhythm and routines

Links in this episode:

• Creating Healthy Routines Workshop – sign up for free!
• Follow Robin on Instagram

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The post Lessons learned during a pandemic appeared first on The Balanced Life.

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Looking for an effective, total body barre workout?

Then you’ll love this Pilates-inspired Barre workout that incorporates light weights and exercises that will work your entire body.

Feel free to come back to this workout anytime you’re looking for a routine that will work to strengthen, lengthen, and tone your muscles.

Click here to watch this workout directly on YouTube!

If you enjoyed this workout, let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you.

xo,

PS – Have you been struggling to keep up with workouts? Click here for my best tips on how to break the streak of not working out.

The post Standing Barre with Weights appeared first on The Balanced Life.

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Hi friends,

Prior to the Pilates Strong challenge, I had an evening photo shoot on the beach. This is something I do regularly for upcoming workouts, challenges, and blog posts.

And occasionally when I have a shoot coming up…the old thoughts start to creep in.

Thoughts about how my body will look on camera, how much I have/have not been working out, where I’m at on my postpartum journey, what I should/shouldn’t eat the day of the shoot, etc.

Years ago, when I lived in a place of constant dissatisfaction with my body (prior to starting The Balanced Life), these thoughts had power. They dictated my behavior, the way I felt about myself, and what I thought to be true. These days, they still try to creep back in on occasion – but the difference is, they no longer hold power over me.

These days…

• I notice them,
• I acknowledge them,
• and I remind myself of my worth, my purpose, and what REALLY matters.

And then I choose a different way of thinking.

And then I choose a different way of thinking. I choose to appreciate and celebrate the body I have been given and show up, just as I am, to teach Pilates and encourage others to show up just as they are too.

I share this to remind you that the journey towards freedom in body image doesn’t mean you won’t be tempted to go back to your old ways.

When you believe negative thoughts or lies for years or decades, they are deeply ingrained and the process of rewiring our brain and changing our thoughts takes time.

But it CAN be done and it is SO worth it.

So as we head into a new season…let’s continue to notice those lies (the shape/size of our body does NOT define our health, worth, talent, etc.), stop them, and replace them with the truth: that our bodies are incredible gifts to care for, celebrate, and appreciate.

Are you with me?

xo,

PS – If you want more on this subject and tips on shifting your self-narrative, check out this podcast episode: You can’t change your habits until you change THIS.

The post how to turn negative thoughts around appeared first on The Balanced Life.

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Short on time? Give this 4-minute Pilates booty workout a try!

In this workout, I’ll lead you through a series of exercises that help strengthen and tone the muscles in your lower body.

CLICK HERE to view the workout on YouTube!

Feel free to sneak this workout in when you don’t have much time, or add it on to another workout for an added booty-strengthening bonus!

xo,

The post 4-Minute Booty Workout appeared first on The Balanced Life.

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