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Fitness Apps I Use…

I get questions daily on instagram asking my opinion over which apps to use or my opinions on each one, since I use a few different ones and actively post my workout routines for the day.  I quit my gym membership and haven’t looked back once!  Not only does this save me time (and gas mileage), but it also saves me money!  So here’s the 4-1-1 on each app and how I use them!

This is my top pick for most people who ask me!  ALL the workouts are about 28 minutes long and I get the same results I used to get working out at an hour long class at the gym.  Another huge perk is that there are new LIVE workouts (from their studio in NYC) every single day!  They run from very early in the AM til around lunchtime so you can hop on to any of those and possibly hear your name get a shoutout too which is always fun.  If you workout at night or can’t catch your favorite trainer at the time frame you want to, you can likely get the class on Replay.  Replay also offers some libraries of specialty workouts like : Prenatal, Postnatal, Low Impact, etc.  And another great thing they have is Express which is 10 min workouts.  So sometimes I’ll tack one of these onto another workout or use the Foam Rolling/Stretching Express videos on a rest day.

They were generous enough to give me the code “HEARTFELT” so you can save 30% off your first month!  Tip : If you decide you love it after that, I recommend doing the year membership (this is what I did once I did my trial), because then you get the membership for $199 for the year which is 40% off!

Class Types I use :

Define : Sculpt //  This is a super interesting class because you truly get it all : cardio, pilates, a little barre even!  It is very low impact, yet makes my body feel worked, lean, and strong afterward.  My favorite trainer for this was Megan, who is no longer doing live classes but has 80 videos on replays. I also enjoy Mary – she’s skilled in pilates particularly and has a great attitude, Madelaine – whose style I find most similar to Megan’s, and I love to use Kathryn on her Soulful Sunday class where she has a little heart-filled chat with you the entire time.

Define : Strength // A great strength training option for everyone!  I find this to be one of the most well-rounded classes. After taking Strength I do not feel overworked to the point of fatigue, but rather just challenged enough that I have a big spike in energy and endorphins.  You must try out a class with Walter because his energy will have you beaming and his commentary will literately make you laugh out loud!  I do the class the most with Kat E. because she is such a gifted teacher at explaining each move and also has Prenatal options for this one!

Define : Power // I find all I need for strength training in this one!  You use heavier weights, doing less + more concentrated reps, and the heart rate gets UP using the bigger muscle groups.  I use Tiffani & Kat E.

Sweat : Dance // My dancing has improved so much from this class.  I’m truly horrible at cardio, ok…so I have to basically do it while I’m not aware I’m doing it (forget a treadmill – I feel like a hamster on a wheel!)  I have a ton of fun and find myself smiling during these classes.  It will make you feel carefree and like a kid again! I sadly haven’t been able to the full classes since I hit my second trimester because I carry so low that jumping jacks/bouncing while carrying my 3rd kiddo just aren’t working for me.  But I’ll be eager to get back to it once my body is ready!  Trainers I like : Amanda K, Megan via replay, and Madelaine.

Sweat : HIIT // This class is awesome!! I’m not a huge believer in doing extended hours/time slots of HIIT but I think High Intensity Interval Training a couple times a week is great.  For this class, I’ve used Melody & Tiffani (who are the most fast-paced), Mary, and Kat E.F

I joined Tone it Up several years ago and did the full membership which gives me access to nutrition plans, challenges, and more.  When you sign up, you get access to every past challenge/plan released and ALL the future ones included with your membership.  Truly amazing! They have since launched an app with a database of classes (I think it was about $80 a year or $14/mth). 

If you are wanting something that will include a nutrition plan AND exercise, this may be the best choice for you!

The community that I plug into the most is via Instagram.  I’ve connected to other TIU mamas and women in the community and it is truly a positive group of girls.  The actual app offers the 5 daily moves (this is 5 moves you do 15 reps of 3x through) every single day for free.  So you can download the app just for those if you wanted!  They’re not in video form, so I like to do them when I want to listen to a podcast or something in the AM.  If you want access to the video library and newly released workouts, then you’ll need the full membership.  They have the workouts sectioned off by category : HIIT, arms, prenatal, barre, cardio, etc and you can also use a search feature.  I like this app for workouts while traveling because they have classes where you can use a booty/resistance band which is an easy thing to pack in your travel bag.

Here’s where I get super honest.  I quit TIU for over a year.  The workouts were getting too long and intensive for my body.  The reps on the 5 DMs went up and even though it was slotted to take 15 minutes, it would take me close to 30 ON TOP of the other workout recommended for the day.  I also added up the calories on the recommended eating plan and was concerned as it was around 300-500 less than what I needed.  I lost weight, felt hungry/irritable, and was spending too much time exercising per day in a time where my adrenals were already fatigued.  Their nutrition plan offers healthy calorie add-ons and I wasn’t using them, but I plan to do this upcoming summer challenge, and I will be adding in those calories!  So that’s my little caveat here : make sure you are getting the calories that are right for you and your activity level (this goes for ANY nutrition plan you follow!)

One of the 2 creators of Tone it Up, Katrina, has since had a baby and I really felt a shift happen.  She has been incredibly brave with her choice to share transparently the transitions of her prenatal and postnatal journey, which has earned my utmost respect!  I also have felt it return to a more balanced workout with many options availble. They recommend getting in 4 days a week (offering you 7 workouts through the suggested schedule) and majority of  the workouts on the app are often 15-20 minutes or so.  I’ve been happy to return to TIU again, in a space that feels more balanced, extensive in it’s reach, and realistic in it’s approach.

I tell everyone who asks me, if you love yoga…you MUST get this app.  It is $20 a month and I swear I’d pay $50 (just kidding, please don’t take the price up, peloton ;)).   Years ago I left the doctor with unusual symptoms of stress and a written script for yoga and meditation (kudos to this doctor!)  I have been practicing on and off ever since…but a lot more ON since I’ve been working to add calming rhythms and intentional movement into my life.

You should feel better after a workout – not more on edge or stressed – and after a good yoga session I consistently feel like the best version of myself.  It is a deep sigh for my soul.

The whole reason I joined was because Kristin McGee told me she had come on as a trainer and I was so happy because I’ve been practicing with her for what feels like almost a decade and now I get to feel like I’m in studio with her on a regular basis!  They have classes for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.  I practice all 3 and love them all for different reasons.  Each trainer creates their own playlists for the class and I love flowing to music!

The other trainers I use on the app are Aditi and Anna and they are both fantastic as well!  Peloton Yoga will even do themed classes from time to time which is so fun!

As for the meditation, I often do these before bed and in carline.  I usually do a 10 minute class and I’ve got to say, they are better than any apps or other forms I’ve tried.  I think yoga instructors really understand the deep importance of breath and how it connects us to everything and calms the nervous system, so these meditations will have you utilizing this powerful tool you always have access to right within your own body.

I hope this has been helpful to give you an overview.  If you have additional questions, you can always contact me via Instagram or the contact form on here!

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Maple Blume – Luxury in a Box

I’m so excited to share this beautiful Maple Blume box with you all!! Over the years, since switching to clean beauty, I have done several subscription boxes and the problems I have run into : 1) I usually only find 1 item or so that I like, which leaves me disappointed I spent the money. 2) They come too often and products pile up and clutter overwhelms me!

What I like about Maple Blume is that it comes 4x a year (February, May, August, November) and ALL items are well-rounded and full-size! They have items for body, hair, skincare, and makeup.

I’ll be sharing the box for February, which is close to selling out so grab it while you can!

Here’s the lineup of items :

— The Hair Oil from Prim Botanicals

— SUNDAYS Detox Bath Salts from MS Skincare

— AUM Restorative Body Oil from MS Skincare

— Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum from Viva Health Skincare

— Avocado Waterproof Mascara – Black from Ere Perez

— Jojoba Eye Pencil in Stone from Ere Perez

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE for the box : $220.81

what you pay (USD) : $91.26

Let’s dive into my absolute favorite from the entire box : the hair oil!!  I was pumped when I saw it was in the box because here in Colorado (and in winter) my hair has been desperately dry!  This oil seemed like it would be wonderful but I had no idea how intoxicating the smell would be.  It is HEAVENLY!!

Next up, I have been using this nonstop.  I shower and then coat my arms in it.  I get keratosis pilaris in the winter especially (little red bumps on my arms, called “chicken skin” ha!)  This seems to really soothe it and it has a beautiful lavender in it.  It smells 100% pure – the nose does not lie!  It relaxes me.

Makeup time!  If you follow me on instagram, yall know I am ALWAYS exploring green beauty mascaras.  I truly think it’s a tricky category that has not been mastered yet.  I saw waterproof on this one and got nervous, but I found it’s actually easier to remove then some of my other regular green beauty mascara formulas!  I LOVE the volume it builds and it did not flake or run one single bit on me.  And sadly, I had my dog pass away last week and I cried for DAYS and this mascara did not budge (trust me, I put it to the true test!)  For me, it’s a winner and I plan to purchase the regular formula next.

It comes with the eyeliner too.   I’m also a good test subject for this one because my eyes run and are sensitive with most that I’ve tried other than Beautycounter, Mineral Fusion, and this one.  I lined my waterline with it and found it give the perfect amount of smoke.  It’s got a bit of a purple smoke underhue which I was totally digging.  I also tried it lined heavy on the top and smoked out, which looks super chic!

For the skincare item, it is by Viva Health Skincare and features hyaluronic acid, which I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz over lately.  When I see the word acid I immediately think of a drying out – but hyaluronic acid does just the opposite – it allows your skin to retain extra moisture which gives you that glow!!  Now this mixture is NOT for those looking for strong forms of it.  It is not the single ingredient in the mix, the first ingredient is actually water.  So maybe try this out if you are someone with sensitive skin or wanting to explore how you do with the acid.

All in all, I’m super impressed with this box.  I also happen to love supporting women business owners who truly care about getting safer products to people, without having to compromise quality or experience.

Maple Blume won me over!

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Oven Baked Smores with Gluten-Free Homemade Graham Crackers

Few things link you to childhood quite like a marshmallow-oozing gooey smore. As I was making these, I was immediately transported back to tall pines, bright stars, crickets chirping, and the smell of smoke. Growing up in the south, campfires and star-gazing was truly a part of my upbringing. And I miss it. It’s always a joy to go back to my husband’s family farm and get to relive all these little pieces of nostalgia.

I hope this recipe will bring you some campfire joy too.

For this recipe, I decided to pick ONE thing to make homemade and layer on the rest. I have made homemade marshmallows before, but it was quite tedious so I went with homemade graham crackers this time!

You’ll start with the chocolate (I’m OBSESSED with Honey Mamas and believe they deserve their own post!)

Next layer on a marshmallow, and gently press it into the chocolate so it spreads evenly across.

Once it’s all layered, you’ll bake it up and have a hard time waiting patiently once you start smelling it. Trust me on this one! Follow the instructions below carefully and you’ll get the ideal golden grown marshmallow!



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Vanilla Cashew Protein Bars

I’m a bar addict.  I know that so many people say no, grab whole foods, don’t count on bars.  BUT sometimes you are truly on-the-go and you need a healthy option — something that is dense and filling with a balance of both nutty and sweet.  It is true that most bars on the market contain FAR too much sugar and not enough fat and substance to actually keep you satisfied.

Store-bought bars are anywhere from $1.50-$4 a bar!  These will save you some cash and you can’t beat their freshness.  They are also friendly to vegan folks since they utilize plant-based protein (and they also happen to be gluten, dairy, and refined-sugar free as well!)

Also, if I may say so myself — you feel quite impressive when you see a stack of wrapped bars and know you made them yourself!  I get the kids involved, they love to wrap them in a pretty bow.  These make a beautiful lunchbox addition (if your school allows nuts).

Another reason I wanted to post this recipe now is because the holidays are upon us…we are quite busy and headed to and fro, and this often means all new food coming our way.  When I know I have some upcoming travel dates, I like to load my body up with wholesome foods so that it can lessen the blow of exposure to things my body is not as used to —  like my Grandmother’s buttery, gluten-induced, amazing bread OR my mom’s Mexican Coffee Cake.  I want to enjoy these things and it’s so much easier for me to do that when I know I’ve eaten healthy meals majority of the time.   This is the beauty of an 80/20 lifestyle or even a 90/10 — there is wiggle room there!

So pack these up – gift them out even!  If I carry these on-the-go, I like to put mine in a Stasher Bag with a little ice pack because I personally like them cool.  🙂

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Family Favorite Sandwich Bread

I think this might be my most-requested recipe on my page!  I guess you all love carbs about as much as I do…they are sheer comfort aren’t they?  It make sense that it’s what we crave when we are sick or pregnant : there is something so homespun about a good loaf of bread.  The smell alone just feels like home and family.

This recipe is unique in the fact that it’s not loaded with refined flours – quite the opposite – it actually has TONS of protein!  It is extremely dense and freezes like a dream (more on that below).

My kids are the ultimate food critics, and this is their favorite sandwich bread I make.  They most enjoy it with a slathering of almond butter and fresh jam. And another great thing about it?  It’s nut-free! So many schools nowadays eliminate nuts from the classroom, and that can be limiting if you eat grain-free.  This bread is lunchbox-friendly!

DIFFICULTYBeginner
YIELDS1 Serving
PREP TIME10 minsCOOK TIME40 minsTOTAL TIME50 mins
 ½ cup cassava flour + 2 T
 3 tbsp coconut flour
 ¼ cup arrowroot
 1 tsp baking soda
 ½ tsp pink salt
 1 tbsp ACV
 ¼ cup honey
 2 tbsp chia seed
 6 eggs
 3 tbsp avocado oil

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Blend all wet ingredients plus the chia seeds in a food processor (if you don’t own one, try a high-powered blender and blend on a lower setting). In a separate bowl, combine the baking soda and pink salt. Slowly add into the wet, pulsing to blend gently (I usually do this about 3-4x) and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. I like to let it sit because the chia seeds will expand and the coconut flour will absorb.

2

Generously spray a 1.5 qt loaf pan with oil. Pour in the mixture and bake for 35-40 minutes.

Important notes: 1) With pretty much all of my paleo breads, I store them in the fridge so they stay fresh for a couple extra days. 2) If you don’t think you’ll devour the loaf within a few days, you can freeze half of it! I pre-slice mine and freeze it, wrapping them about 2-3 slices at a time so that I can grab them and serve up breakfast slices when I wish. Because the bread is dense, it tastes just as good once it is toasted from being previously frozen!

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welcome to my table

Hello friend! I'm Rachel Stricklin and I'm so happy you have landed here!

 

My recipes are focused on whole food ingredients and are meant to bring you warmth, nourishment, and a

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