Chicken Red Curry Recipe

I’ve been cooking quite a bit during quarantine and figured I’d share this recipe since so many of us LOVE Thai food! I’m a huge fan of Chrissy Teigen’s Cravings cookbook (I literally met her and showed her pictures of the meals I made from her cookbook at her book signing - it was a highlight of my life) Following her Thai Mom recipe, I made a few variations and notes of my own! Hope this recipe works for you all! P.S. You can easily use Tofu instead of chicken or no meat at all to make this plate!

Red Curry Chicken !

Meat:

4 chicken breasts (slice in half or keep whole)

Salt/Pepper for chicken marination & taste

2 tblsp olive oil 

Sauce:

1 red onion (minced)

2 tablespoon ginger (minced)

4-6 garlic (minced)

1 can coconut milk (shake before pour!) 

2 tblsp light brown sugar

2 bell pepper (yellow & red)

1 potato (cut in small/med chunks)

2 cups broccoli florets (cut in half)

1 teaspoon ground *white* pepper

3 jalepenos (sliced)

2 table spoons thai red curry paste

Serve:

2 cups jasmine rice

Basil for garnish

Serves 2-4 people (aka leftovers)

Notes: I didn’t use fish sauce but its recommended. Coconut cream might be thicker than milk, might try that next time! Chicken thighs work too! I’d add hot sauce & red crush pepper for more flavor and spice

Preparation:

Like I mentioned, I followed the cookbook but not too closely!

1. Marinated chicken with salt&pepper. Using a heavy bottom pot, add olive oil to prep and lay chicken “flat” at the bottom of the pot. cook in pot for 4-5 mins until golden brown on both sided (add crushed red pepper here for more spice). Once done - move chicken to separate plate and continue on with the curry

2. Add onions in existing pot and cook until golden brown then add ginger, garlic, thai curry paste and cook for 2 mins.

3. Then stir in coconut milk, brown sugar and fish sauce. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer for another 2-3 minutes.

4. Stir in bell peppers and potato ONLY! Then add chicken and let it cook for 20-25 minutes on medium heat. COVER THE POT!

5. Add broccoli and let it cook in the curry for a few minutes (dont want it too soggy) - Chrissy recommends microwaving the florets with 1/2 in water but I didnt do that!

6. Lastly, add in jalapeños, salt and white pepper and crushed red pepper (all for taste - you can freehand this!) and let the pot simmer for 3 minutes *uncovered* 

7. Serve with rice and add basil for garnish

Skin Cleanup and Restoration with Glytone!

For those of you who keep up with my stories, you know I have been on the lookout for various ways to keep my skin clean, clear and hydrated! I teamed up with Glytone to test out their night renewal cream and Enhance brightening complex on my faces and dark spots on some areas of my body! Here's my review of the two products I've been using on my skin (and will continue to use!) 

Night Renewal Cream

I've really been focusing on products that boost collagen and help me preserve whatever youth I have left in my skin (lol being 27 is rough). Being out in the sun all day this summer definitely called for some major diligence on my end to take care of my skin at night! The Night Renewal Cream consists of Glycolic Acid and Retin-A (two ingredients we all need for our skin! This nighttime skin firming cream helps clarify, smooth and tone skin while you sleep for a rejuvenated facial complexion. BLESS UP! The anti-aging formula works to reduce age spots and photodamage, leaving skin looking younger and healthier thanks to  Glycolic Acid and Retinaldehyde (a direct precursor to Retinoic Acid). I have been using this night cream for a few weeks and definitely notice my skin is smoother and softer. I feel like I can already tell a difference in the lines around my eyes as well, one of my sensitive areas! It doesn't irritate my skin at all and I still wake up feeling hydrated without having to re-apply any moisturizer in the AM! I highly recommend this cream if you're looking for something post nightly cleanse!

Enhance Brightening Complex

Due to my eczema, I have a few darkened patches on my skin that I didn't want to get cosmetic surgery for and wanted to find a cream, serum or product that would help those areas out and even things *as much as possible* before I considered anything else. I started using EBC daily (2X/day morning and night) on the areas I wanted to even out and fix the discoloration. This Enhance Brightening Complex is a hydroquinone-free cream that allows you to minimize the appearance of unwanted dark spots over the course of time. The formula has a mix of antioxidants to help brighten skin and protect it against any future sun damage (you still have to wear sunscreen everywhere!) I applied EBC to my neck and clavical area as I have some discoloration there and have started to see the results of my disciplined skin routine! It's definitely not an overnight fix but the otherwise defined spots have started to fade! :) I would recommend this especially if you have acne scars - its a safer alternative than putting a bunch of chemicals on your skin again and again trying to make things fade!

Would I continue to use Glytone products for my skin? You betcha! I love that these products are effective and you can truly see the change if you keep up with applying and take care of your skin throughout the day. 

My Favorite Spa Treatments

I've gotten a lot of questions about the types of treatments I've gotten done to my face and body! I haven't gone under the knife and I refuse to try fillers just because I am really scared of the long term effects it may have (with my luck, I'd end up on Botched!) But I am very much into preventative care and treatments along those lines. I started getting into facials back in 2016 when I lived in Austin (Massage Sway- Domain love you guys xoxo) and haven't been able to stop! Facial treatments are addicting and they really do keep your skin in check! I feel like I've learned so much overtime and now I am much more cautious of the products I use and the routine I follow. I have shared my favorite treatments below!

A few things to note down:

1. Excess of anything is bad so make sure you don't jump into anything drastic if you haven't done facials or skin treatments before. Rome wasn't built overnight

2. The first 2-3 facials you get (normally once a month), you will see a lot of breakouts depending on the health of your pores. Once you get into the hang of it, you will see more of a glowing difference if you stick to a regular schedule

3. Use a gentle cleanser instead of an scrub for at least 2-3 days, you don't want to irritate the epidermis after its already been open or peeled

4. Try to avoid sun for the first 24-28 hours or be sure to wear a hat + sunscreen to avoid damage to your open skin

So here's a breakdown of my favorite facials and facial treatments:

1. Glycolic Acid Peel

The first thing it does is exfoliate away the tough, dull, dead layer of skin, it also manages to penetrate through that layer and actually rejuvenate and regenerate the skin cells underneath. So typically you will get two benefits; the exfoliation and rejuvenation which is helpful for things like fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and blemishes. With a glycolic peel, the first couple times you get it done, you will have a very low percentage of glycolic acid (normally 20 percent) so that your skin can build up a resistance, then this increases to 35 percent and if necessary 50 percent for the final peel.A Glycolic peel for me is helpful when I really want to purge my skin of all the buildup underneath. I'd avoid doing this facial in the summertime because it can put you out of commission for a day or so depending on the strength of the acid applied and its important to let your skin chill out and not be under the harsh sun too much so it can heel and detox properly.

2. Enzyme Peel 

An enzyme peel is a blend of natural fruit ingredients (enzymes) and is one of the gentlest methods of exfoliation to brighten the skin or reduce the visibility of scars. Enzyme face peels remove top layers of skin to exfoliate and expedite cell turnover, leading to a fresher, more glowing skin. I love this one because I have a tendency to PICK and bully every single pimple that shows up on my face, thus leaving scars all over.. this definitely  faded the scarring and discoloration on my face. I've only done it a handful of times but I definitely saw results over the course of a few months

3. Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is a safe (provided the person performing it is properly trained) and highly effective physical exfoliation procedure. It requires the use of a scapel to gently "shave" the skin's surface, removing the top-most layer of dead skin along with fine, vellus hair (aka peach fuzz). Whoever busted the myth about your facial hair growing back darker with Dermaplaning changed everyone's lives. Dermaplaning not only helps your skin remove dead skin cells but it also reduces the appearance of fine line and wrinkles. For those of you who follow Shay Mitchell or Olivia Culpo, your makeup pretty much looks just as flawless as theirs once you try out dermaplaning! Your makeup has a much more airbrushed/flawless look because the product doesn't get caught in your peach fuzz hairs. I want to learn how to do this at home, I hear it's pretty easy once you go to a professional and learn how but I am too scared to try it #Scarface

4. Microdermabrasion 

Microdermabrasion is a procedure that exfoliates and removes the superficial layer of dry, dead skin cells. Personally, I think it takes several micro-derm sessions to really see the results as it basically is a more aggressive scrub to the skin! 

5. Hydra-facial MD

HydraFacial is the only hydradermabrasion procedure that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection simultaneously, resulting in clearer, more beautiful skin with no discomfort or downtime.THIS IS THE BEST FACIAL YOU CAN EVER GET BECAUSE YOU'LL LITERALLY GLOW FOR DAY AND YOU PULL OUT ALL THE DIRT FROM YOUR SKIN. YES YES YES. It's almost a suction of dirt like a vacuum on your face. Pretty darn cool.

6. Microneedling - Skin Pen

Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation procedure that helps minimize the signs of aging, improve the appearance of acne scars and rejuvenate aging skin. The SkinPen microneedling device causes controlled micro-injuries that stimulate the body’s natural wound healing process. The micro-injuries trigger the release of cytokines and growth factors that lead to remodeling of collagen and elastin. Long story short, it makes your face more smooth, clean and helps revive aging skin! You only need to do this 2-3 times a year depending on how your face is (breakouts, fine lines, wrinkles etc). I've been doing it for several months now and LOVE it.

DM me on Instagram or comment below with any questions and I'd be more than happy to answer any concerns!

Spa Day at Camelback Inn!

So excited to recap our Spa Day at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona! First off, I just wanna say I LOVE SPAS. If you follow me regularly on the blog as well as Instagram, you know I love getting the girls together for a little spa sesh or R&R. It's a great way to unwind as well as catch up with your girls :) 

Our day at The Spa started off with checking in with the lovely staff, we were given our amenities for the day as well as the coziest robe. While Ann and I waited for our appointments to begin, we enjoyed some quiet time in the waiting room which was filled with a lounge chairs and a cute fireplace. We chose to do the Agave Nectar Oil treatment which was quite different than any body treatment and I loved it! It was a game changer for my skin, I feel like a new person. It's really rare to come across a body treatment that is so intricate and caters to cleaning off dead skin for the whole body! I realized I probably need to exfoliate my skin (not just my face) every so often with this treatment, because of the change in texture of my skin. I felt like a lot of my eczema scars look more faded and overall some irritated areas are now calm and smooth. The sea salt exfoliation left my skin very soft the next day and the nectar oil kept my hair voluminous all week (I left it in my hair overnight, I recommend doing that for any hair oil/hair mask!) Am I gonna get my hands on some nectar oil for the body?! YES YES YES!

Here is a little bit about the treatment..

 Natural Agave Toning Wrap:

The treatment begins with a full body exfoliation using a soothing tonic of fine grain sea salt scrub containing Vitamin E and refreshingly crisp Alfalfa Leaf to smooth the skin’s surface. An application of Prickly Pear cactus gel with extracts of Ginger root, Paprika and Carrageenan promotes circulation, bringing a healthy, vibrant glow to the skin and improving the skin’s elasticity. Therapist gently releases facial pressure points and delivers a full scalp massage (so relaxing and much needed). Your body is then drenched with Agave Nectar oil, a lightweight, yet powerful anti-aging oil infused with Agave plant extracts, Sandalwood, Barley and Amurense Bark that will boost the skin’s moisture content giving the skin a more hydrated, plumper and less wrinkled appearance.

Once the body treatment was completed, I moved to the dry sauna to ensure the oils were probably absorbed by my skin. We then enjoyed some hot tub/outdoor pool and fruits and made our way to Sprouts for an early dinner :) I highly recommend the sliders and the banana bread for dessert. Spending the day at the JW was so lovely, the staff was beyond welcoming and caring for everyone coming in and out for the day and the venue is simply stunning! The way the spa is designed is so serene and having Camelback Mountain surely doesn't hurt :) 

I definitely look forward to my next spa day with the Camelback Inn family! Below are a few pictures from our experience there! 

Head over to my IG highlights titled “JW Marriott Spa Day” to get a more inside scoop of how our day was! If you have any questions regarding our Spa Day, please message me on Instagram (IG: @NicoleMehta) or comment below and I will surely get back to you. 

Thank You Camelback Inn!

xoxo 

Your Hair Is 90% Of Your Selfie

Okay so it’s not really 90% of your selfie, I’d say like 60 perfect though! I’ve been meaning to do a post on hair care and hair health for a while now but wanted to make sure I tested out different products/enough routines that really keeps my hair shining and voluminous! 

Here are my 6 best tips for whipping your mane back and forth like a boss! 

1. Comb your hair at least 20 strokes per day

why? Because it stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which helps healthy hair growth. Also it helps any “dead” hair strands to release and not weigh you down! I tend to freak out if I keep my hair in a bun for two days because then a lot of hair falls out and I’m like DANGIT IM GONNA BALD. So brush your hair with a lot of strokes! Not 100, just enough where you feel like your scalp has been mildly massaged 

2. When washing out conditioner rinse with cool water

I learned this at my Dry Bar event recently and it made so much more sense when my stylist explained it to me! He said just like the rest of your body, your scalp has pores that open up when you take a hot shower and need to be cleaned out and “closed” to protect the strength of the roots. Rinsing your hair with lukewarm/cooler water (don’t make it too cold or else you’ll get the sniffles) will prevent the roots from breaking or thinning out! 

3. Apply hair oil regularly

If you’re a consistent follower then you know I’ve been using coconut oil and Joon Saffron Hair Elixir to keep my hair hydrated! I apply Joon post shower to my roots and let it sit until my next wash. You just have to take a few drops and massage it in. It smells great AND I don’t look greasy!

Coconut oil has been a trick for Indian hair for AGES! My parents used to put coconut oil in my hair growing up and I found out my mom did it every week when she was young as well. She’s still got a solid head of hair, same with my grandma (*knocks on woof*) While it is more beneficial to sleep through the night with oil in your hair, that’s not practical for me all the time. I usually put coconut oil in my hair for 30-45 mins and wash it out! 

4. Avoid blow drying your hair as much as possible

I don’t own a blow dryer. There I said it.  I towel dry my hair or sleep with it wet so its dry in the morning

5.  Take Biotin!

If you've been following me on my Instagram stories, you know I was going through a phase where I felt like my hair was thinning out. After doing a lot of research and asking around, it was time to order some biotin pills. I started with 1/day and slowly worked up to 2 a day. It takes at least 80-90 days (2.5-3 months) to start seeing a different but I tried to be as consistent as possible.  Headover to amazon.com/shop/nicolemehta to see which bottle I am using!

6. Don't tie your hair too tight

OMG This was probably my biggest mistake. Low key, I was trying to look real sleek with a tight pony tail or bun/slicked back hair and honestly, this probably pulled on my roots more than I expected..Tight ponytail creates sustained tension on your head. Constant traction or pulling of hair causes them to loosen from its follicular roots. This will weaken hair shaft and prevents its ability to grow new hair!  I'm not saying don't tie your hair, obviously we need to when we know its going to be in our faces but just be more cautious of how much tension you're putting on your roots and follicles. 

Flotation Therapy at Healing Waters Float Spa

February has begun and I honestly felt like January lasted a YEAR! Was I the only one feeling that way? I hope not!

The last few months had been pretty stressful on many fronts for me and despite my efforts to unwind and pamper myself, it seemed like nothing was working. With a few "Go to a spa" recommendations, I started to look into Floatation therapy and came across Healing Waters Float Spa here in Houston! I'm so excited to share my experience and thoughts on it! 

How Does it Work?

Floatation therapy is a therapeutic practice involving a cabin filled with 10” of water and 1000 pounds of dissolved Epsom salts. You are free from external stimuli such as sight, sound, touch, temperature, and the force of gravity as you float effortlessly in water calibrated to match your skin’s temperature (93.5°F). Talk about sensory deprivation! 

What does it do?

There are a number of benefits to Floatation therapy from Pain management, Brain Synchronization, Magnesium Absorption..the list goes on! This form of therapy mainly helps you redirect your energy and relieve stress or pain and helps you rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. 

My Experience!

From start to finish, the process was seamless. The facility was clean, eco-friendly and quite luxurious if I do say so myself. The owner, Cyrus, was very welcoming and I loved the aura of the whole space. From Himalayan Salt pieces to incense sticks and the massive Buddha in the front lobby, you knew you were in the right place to relax! I started off with a quick shower, rising my body of any lingering oils between my shower at home and getting to the spa. I plugged in silicone earplugs that sealed my ears off from any water seeping in and stepped into the tank. The tank was quite spacious and easy to manage, I was not intimated nor claustrophobic by the tank. You could control the lights and music to your liking, I turned the lights off and kept the music for a majority of my time. The Epsom salt allows your body to float effortlessly and overtime, I could feel my body relaxing and opening up. I focused on deep consistent breathing and soothing/happy thoughts, it's remarkable how much we consume our minds with irrelevant or negative thoughts on a daily basis. By the end of the float, which lasted 60 minutes, I felt more balanced and any muscles that felt tense before, were more loose when I got done. I hopped into the shower for a post float rinse and instantly my body felt soft, moisturized and FRESH. Usually when I get out of showers, I have to immediately lotion up due to my eczema but I didn't have to do that this time and was completely okay! I got to enjoy the post float lounge for a bit (They have tea and books to read!) and headed out. Once I got home, I still felt at peace and as I write this blog post (12 hours later) I truly feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Overall, Floatation therapy is something I am definitely planning on incorporating into my routine! It felt so nice to disconnect, not have the tv on, not have my computer, not have anyone calling/texting me, not have the constant "buzz" of life that I have gotten so used to without realizing it. I felt like I learned so much about this form of therapy in a short amount of time and realized how important it is to find ways to actually relax, ways that might be different what what you’re used to! While I enjoy investing my energy into various hobbies, floating gave me a sense of peace and relief that I was searching for these past few months (maybe even years!)

For more information head over to : https://www.hwfloatspa.com/the-floating-experience 

Thank You to Healing Waters Float Spa for the wonderful experience! See you again in a few weeks :)

If anyone has tried spa's and therapies they love, please let me know! 

Skin Care Routine for (Very) Sensitive Skin

So, very many people don't know this about me besides my close friends but I've been suffering from severe atopic dermatitis since I was an infant. Growing up in the cold midwest did not help the case, especially during the winter time, and my dermatologists just kept handing me steroids and pills to subside the inflammation. A few months ago, I finally got an allergy test done and had to go through a huge lifestyle change to avoid products and foods that triggered my eczema (basically everything). Since then, I've been testing out several different products that work for all climates and all seasons! It's been a sucess and I no longer lose sleep over feeling awfully itchy and self-conscious in public when my skin is dry and crusty! Here's a breakdown of my skin routine and the different products I use to keep my dry skin and acne at a minimal yet moisturized!

Step 1: In-Shower/At Sink Scrub
1. Skinceuticals Micro- Exfoliating Scrub: I've been using this daily first thing in the morning and after any  workouts. I'm allergic to fragrances, nickel sulfate, and lanolin so using something like "Ives Apricot Scrub" was a big no no. This micro-exfoliating scrub has been key to getting rid of dead skin, cleaning out my pores and getting that face ready for the day! I highly recommend this if your skin gets blotchy and spotty like mine!

Step 2: Morning 30 Second Massage
2. Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum: OKAY SO IF YOU'RE REALLY TRYNA GLOW UP, get this. It's kind of expensive but I bought this on September 15th, have been using it pretty much daily and I still have 60 % of the bottle left! All you do is take a small amount in the dropped and place 3 drops on your face - forehead and both cheeks. Massage it into your face post cleansing followed by a spritz of sunscreen/setting spray and you're ready to take on the day. Being in the sun often during the spring/summer/fall in Texas can really take a toll on your skin and I wanted to see what I could use to fight harsh rays and maintain the clean glow on my face as well. This vitamin C serum helps with advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, and brightens skin's complexion! Talk about aging gracefully ;) ! haha
 
Step 3: Salicylic Acid

Clean & Clear Acne Spot Treatment: I usually use this during the day time to address any zits on my face, big or small. Salicylic Acid helps dry out any pimples and having this during the day and the actual medication at night really nips things in the buds before anything gets out of hand. I have a tendency to pick at anything on my body (scabs bumps etc) sooo the more treatments the better. It doesn't dry out my face or cause peeling! 

Step 4: Face Mist/Sunscreen

Supergoop! Setting Mist SPF 30: So let's take a second to bless the creator of a sunscreen setting mist?! Cause what have I been doing with my life all these years without it?! I got this product August of 2016 and haven't stopped using it. It's perfect for when you want to keep your daytime makeup in place as well as protection from strong rays anywhere you go. I even use this when I don't have a full face of makeup on and it still keeps my face fresh and protected

First Aid Beauty Vital Greens Face Mist: This face mist is a recent discovery (as of NYE) I needed something that kept my face dewy but also considerate of my sensitive skin. It is perfect for a quick spritz on the go or if you wanna use this instead of setting spray (I use the ever perfect Urban Decay setting spray for a full face of make up) when you know you've got a long night ahead on the weekend! A little details on the ingredients - formulated with revitalizing green superfoods—including kale and spinach, along with hydrating and cooling rose of Jericho! I used it on NYE at a friend's wedding and my makeup stayed on for several hours and I was definitely feeling hydrated throughout the night. 

Masks and Meds:
1. Origins Charcoal Face Mask: I've been using this face mask for about a year now every so often. Charcoal is known to clean out toxins from your body and I use this once a week or once every two weeks to clean out my face. Beware, it does bring some junk to the surface but the scrub as well as the other products I use, clear all that out!

2. Epiduo: Epiduo was prescribed by my dermatologist (Dr. Blakely Richardson in ATX, she's a gem). It is to be used every other night after you shower/wash your face, use a pea sized amount and rub it into your t-zone and cheeks. Don't over do it because you'll wake up with a red burned face! The first week I used it I peeled a little bit but that is to be expected! Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide are powerful ingredients that treat tough acne now and help prevent recurring acne from forming by unclogging pores and killing bacteria on your face. Fun fact: It contains the highest concentration of the retinoid adapalene to reduce inflammation and help with skin tightening! 

3. Onexton: So Onexton usually comes with the following directions "Before applying ONEXTON Gel, wash the face gently with a mild soap, rinse with warm water, and pat the skin dry. Apply a pea-sized amount of ONEXTON Gel to the face once daily." Similar to Epiduo, Onexton also treats acne and can be used as a daily applicator. To be honest, I like using onexton whenever I have pimples on my neck or chest from sweating too much (ugh it sucks) or when I have a stubborn acne area on my face. Using both daily is a no-no and I prefer to use Epiduo more consistently than Onexton. Also when Onexton dries out, it turns white and thats not a good look on visible areas :)

So there you have it, a complete breakdown of my daily skin care regimen to maintain my skin's youthfulness and control any outbreaks. If you try any of these products please comment below or DM me on Instagram (@NicoleMehta) and let me know your thoughts! :)

To shop any of these products with 3 easy clicks head over to my amazon shop page.

>>>> https://www.amazon.com/shop/nicolemehta <<<<<<<

Please Note: Onexton and Epiduo are not over the counter and need to be prescribed by your physician. 

FINALLY Tried Barry's Bootcamp!

This is my first review of a workout I tried and I'm super excited to share my thoughts! Barry's Bootcamp has been around for many decades and has a HUGE following across the country and even overseas. So when my friend Sarah told me that a Barry's studio had opened up in Dallas (that too, right down the street from her) I was so down to try it out. I've done a number of workouts over the year ranging from Barre, Pilates, Bikram to UFC Boxing and Soul as well as a few bootcamp programs but I had heard Barry's was the hardest! Needless to say, I was kinda scared.  

Each day at Barry’s focuses on a different muscle group. The program pairs opposing muscle groups to ensure your body has the perfect balanced workout, and proper time for recovery. We tried out the Sunday's Full Body workout, I started off on the floor with 5 lbs (lol I know, but I'm not a weights girl) and we did a few circuits (hammer curl, biceps, jump squats, lunge + shoulder press etc, more squats, rows) for about 10-11 mins then hopped on the treadmill (warm up, jog, hill, sprint) for another 10 and back to the floor. There were 2 rounds on the floor and 2 rounds on the treadmill that we alternated between. By the end of the class, I was in love and not as tired as I thought I would be! I'm a regular at Spin and Pilates so working different muscle groups was refreshing and my endurance was better than I had imagined. The instructor was so motivating that I moved up to 8s during the second round and didn't die!

Why you'll love it: 50 mins between cardio and weights is one happy marriage. If you're someone who is not proactive in the gym then being in a bootcamp is the perfect way to stay disciplined and get comfortable with circuit exercises! I thoroughly love the energy of group workouts, it’s a huge motivator! You have a mix of beginners and advanced and can really be inspired by the people around you to push harder and further your limits! My friends Sarah and Andi are more athletic than me but I was super happy I could keep up with them and we were all on the same page about loving the set up and wanting to do it again. Barry's Bootcamp lives up to the hype of working your fullbody and I never felt self-conscious if I couldn't keep up. Just like any new workout regimen, you'll only get better as time goes on! Even though I was a bit sore the next day, I would definitely sign up to do Barry's if it was in Houston. #SadDay The staff was welcoming and I gotta say, the merch is pretty darn cute.  Next time I'm headed to a city that has a studio, I'll be sure to go again :) 
 

3 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Workout

Here are the 3 ways I motivate myself to workout in POST HOLIDAYS (or any day really)! 

It’s always difficult getting back on the horse after the holidays. Believe me, this holiday flab has been STUBBORN. But that won’t stop me from trying to fit back into my workout leggings and bodycon dresses this month. Here are a few ways I motivate myself to sweat it out:

1. Give yourself mini goals! Mini goals help you achieve something bigger because it’s not too much of an undertaking and it takes at least 2 weeks to start seeing results from consistently working out and of course, eating healthy!

2.  Pick a dress/outfit that feels kinda tight but you know if you keep at it, you’ll look great in no time! I usually have travel plans or events to look forward to and that makes it easier to think “okay, 2 weeks from now I wanna make sure I look good in my outfit for XYZ Friend’s Birthday”. This keeps me motivated cause who wants to go back to the mall to find something new?!

3. Plan workout dates with FRIENDS! The best approach to keeping yourself accountable is getting your friends to commit as well! Signing up for a Saturday or Sunday morning workout is the best way to stay away from shots and unnecessary calories and I mean, if you’re gonna struggle and sweat then y’all should be in it together right?! What are friends for! Another suggestion would be to come up with a schedule with your friends, apps such as Classpass make it easy to sync up schedules and see who’s signed up for what!

Try it out and let me know your thoughts! 

New Year. Same Me. Bigger Goals.

Hey Guys! 

I'm so so excited to share this new addition to the Perfect Ensemble website, ALL ABOUT YOU! I've thought about where I wanted to take this blog next and I figured, what better way to evolve it than to incorporate one of the biggest aspects of my life and a facet of my routine I am very passionate about - health and wellness! I am a big promoter of "treatin' yo-self" and staying active as well as maintaining youthfulness and good health. As we enter 2018, I know many folks are seeking motivation to get in shape and live a healthier lifestyle and I'm here to help! 

Let's start off by focusing on what it is you're seeking to do? Are you trying to change your diet? your routine? eliminate bad habits? Try new wellness products? simply get your butt to the gym/studio? If any of those apply then we're on the same page! I know how hard it is to make it out in the brutal cold and beat out the throngs of people fighting for the treadmill at the gym or waiting for their wheat grass shot at your local juice joint. January is the time, EVERYONE is trying to better themselves but usually at the 3 week mark, crowds start to fizzle out and go back to normal. It's difficult to stay disciplined and form that habit but the thing is, with the new year, you're given 365 chances to bring about change. That's 365 chances to upgrade yourself, 365 chances to do something different, 365 chances to achieve your best self. It's simple. 365 chances, that come with a countdown. Each and everyday you make an excuse for yourself, you're losing your chance and as a result, you're accepting where you are. Are you okay with that? I hope not. Change is fueled by greed and discipline. Life is always going to happen but it's upon you to decide how bad you want to work on yourself. So don't talk about it, be about it!