Nikki Sharp's Blog: Nikki's Thoughts, page 7

Wellness Trip at Four Seasons Santa Barbara

While this is definitely a little overdue, considering I actually went to the Four Seasons Santa Barbara in March (eek, how time flies!), it’s almost better to share now because the summer months in Santa Barbara are some of the prettiest, and I’m pretty sure this blog post is going to make you ready to book a trip to the Four Seasons!

Now, let’s get into the WHY I was at FS Santa Barbara. You all know that I absolutely LOVE travel, and it’s also no surprise that I have a soft spot for Four Seasons as company. The two go hand in hand for me, because FS promotes such a luxurious lifestyle while on the road, and you can definitely get your money’s worth without breaking the bank. I truly adore the FS brand because they have just about everything I would or could want when I’m staying there, ranging from insanely awesome gyms, to world-class clean foods! Throw in a kale-tini (or three) and you really have me excited!

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#motherf*cking summer body challenge

A few days ago I was heading out for a run and posted a photo on my IG story that mentioned the Mother F*ing Summer Body Challenge, and how it was officially taking place. I had sooooo many comments about it that in the middle of my run, during a cool down period, I decided to explain what it was and why I was doing it.

Let’s take a step back first so I can give you some context. This past week I was in Santa Barbara doing a wellness retreat at the Four Seasons (another blog post to come on that later!) and I was looking in one of the beautiful full body mirrors they had. Now, I definitely love my body and I’m pretty happy with how it looks right now, so this isn’t a statement saying I hate my body, blah blah blah. Rather, I looked in the mirror and just realized that I didn’t feel COMFORTABLE in my body as much as I used to.

Pants (similar style) –  Top (similar style) – Mala beads (similar style)

This is a pretty simple reason of why: I’ve been quite stressed over the past 6 months and haven’t been consistent with healthy eating and working out. Plus, stress adds cortisol to your body and I’ve gained some weight in my tummy and hips. I’m sorry, but no matter what size you are, gaining weight if you haven’t planned it is not fun. Point blank.

In that moment looking in the mirror I realized that I was over the excuses. Too often do we say, I don’t have have, I’m too busy, I don’t have money to workout, etc. etc. I finally hit my breaking point of NO. MORE. F*CKING. EXCUSES. That’s it. I’m done. I want to feel great in my skin because I deserve to. So…

The #motherf*ckingsummerbody challenge is born

I signed up for a new gym because I realized I needed to change my fitness routine up. Yeah…maybe I wasn’t thrilled about how expensive the gym was, but I know investing in my health will keep me extra accountable! My mind was like “Just f*cking do it.”

Sometimes we just need that extra discomfort to push us to the next place we need to be…right?

With that being said….

While I was meditating after the gym, I imagined myself in Europe laying on the beaches of France freshly bronzed, toned, and glowing. I thought to myself… “I’m on a MOTHER F*CKING SUMMER BODY MISSION!!”

Bikini (similar style) – Sunglasses

And that’s when it came to me…I’m going to start the “Mother F*ing Summer Body” challenge, which really was just supposed to be for myself, but so many of you were wondering about it and commented saying you wanted to join. So I decided to make it OFFICIAL BABY! It will go until 6/1.

Here’s what the challenge is all about and how to join:

1- Comment on my IG  & say you are joining

2- Workout 4x a week, any workout, any length

3- Find an accountability partner (IG is a great place to find one!)

4- Have a smoothie 3x per week, (any meal– breakfast, lunch or dinner)

5- HAVE F*CKING FUN!

This is about committing yourself to making a change because YOU deserve it!

Additional pieces

If you need motivation to kickstart the weight loss, I ALWAYS recommend doing my detox. Not because I’m a salesy type person, but because it actually works. Thousands and thousands of people have done it- so, I’m not just saying this. I say it because the plan works. The app keeps you accountable and reminds you at times to eat, has guides, and helps you take your before and after pic. I think it goes hand in hand with the book though, as the book is literally EVERYTHING I’ve learned about health! The book was a true labor of love to help you all lose weight.

Clean eating on a budget guide HERE

My 5-day workout guide to help you tone & tighten HERE

Bike (similar style) – Yoga Pants (similar style) – Sunglasses

Remember not to weigh yourself throughout the challenge ladies. It’s about FEELING good in your clothes and not attaching to some number outcome. SO- TAKE YOUR BEFORE PHOTOS! I keep mine in a photo app that has a password so I can delete them from my phone. The before photos are KEY to seeing the changes. We all know that doesn’t work anyways. The only thing in the way is our own fear and self doubt so let’s CRUSH it…

Cheers to a freakin bikini weekend. Comment below and on my INSTA if you’ll be joining.

I do also have a FB group if you want to join to stay accountable.

XOXO

Nikki

Here’s to the  mother fucking summer body babes!

 

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I Have 325K Followers On Instagram. Here’s Why I Took a Social Media Detox

I’m Nikki Sharp, a wellness expert, health coach, and best-selling author of The 5-Day Real Food Detox. These are all things I have accomplished through my career in the wellness industry. However, most people hear my name and declare that I’m a “social media influencer.”

This is something that I did not choose to become; it is a title that got assigned to me because I gained a lot of followers on Instagram—325,000 to be exact. So it was pretty big news to my community when I decided to take a social media detox in the middle of December for 30 days.

It’s now officially been 38 days since I set a social foot on any platform, and I figured it was a great time to share the big WHY I decided to get off.

How 325,000 followers changed the purpose of my social channels

Being a social media influencer is a big deal these days. People think you make thousands of dollars from a post, that brands constantly approach you, and that you get to travel the world and do epic things. While some of this is true—I do get to travel lots—being an influencer is incredibly hard work and not all the glitz and glam it seems. I ended up becoming an influencer because I was posting shots that motivated me to live a healthier life a few years ago. People liked what I posted and kept following me. Soon I was up to 50k, then 100k, then suddenly over 300k and I was a true “influencer.”

The problem was, when I started my account it was all about posting things that I thought would help people live happier and healthier lives. I wanted to share my struggles in order to truly help others know they weren’t alone and to inspire everyone so they could make it out of darker times into better ones. So as my account grew, so did the evaluation of how much my engagement was, follower count, and whether it was worth using me to promote a brand. Suddenly, my message of health and wellness was no longer being shared; instead, I was posting beautiful, highly curated pictures of my life with silly captions. I wasn’t feeling authentic in my message anymore, and all I cared about was getting great engagement.

It’s time to uncouple my self-worth from all types of measurement.

When you have the potential to make money on your channels, everything changes. I lost the plot and stopped posting what inspired me. I cared too much about how my feed looked, how many followers I had, and how well my pictures did. It started to wear on me, and I no longer felt inspired by the one thing that gave me passion to create a career in a new industry—which was to help others!

This is a great place to share that I used to model and would get measured all over my body, including hips, waist, bust, neck, etc. My value was so highly tied to how my body looked that when I left the modeling world, I truly didn’t know what my own value was outside of a number. Ironically, the same thing happened to me the day I decided to go off social media.

I felt like my value as a human being had been tied to numbers on my channels instead of a positive message. This is, of course, my own doing and no one else’s influence on me; however, it’s not easy to be labeled an influencer and have companies judge you solely based on your performance metrics. You, of course, compare yourself to others as well; it’s a natural part of life. I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t passionate, and I wasn’t staying true to why I was on social in the first place.

So I decided to get offline for 30 days to rejuvenate my soul and truly understand why I was online in the first place.

My detox rules:

 

 

Sign out of all social channels.
Delete every app off my phone including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, Tumblr, YouTube, etc.
Not get on a single dating app (I was only on one at the time).
Not check a single thing for 30 days.
I also challenged myself to stop checking the news as much as possible.

So on December 10 (actually the night of the 9th) I signed out of everything and very honestly, felt an immense pressure lifted. The next few weeks changed everything for me, and I can genuinely say I am a different person than I was over a month ago. Following are a few short journal entries that I did throughout the detox.

My detox journal:
Day 3 no social

Feel great not checking it. Realize how others check it so much. I know I’m going through a lot right now and understanding that in order to truly go through this change, I need to do it without social. It’s a distraction and doesn’t allow us to truly become the people we are meant to be because we are constantly trying to be something great (better than we are?). Not necessarily all people. 

Day 10 no social

Find I’m still not using my time as productively as I thought I would. Interestingly I need to make an intention of it. Realize we are never allowing our minds to “be bored” or sit with no entertainment.

Day 16 no social

I find that it’s boredom that I want to check things, not because I actually care about what’s going on. Which makes me realize I need to work on meditation! Not missing posting though or checking others. 

Day—who knows? Off social

Feeling really good. So many wonderful things from being off and awareness of others who sit at dinner on all the time. I don’t want to be a current status quo influencer. I want to be a REAL influencer. Like Oprah. {*Side note, she’s my role model.}

No social

Don’t want to get back on. Definitely going to go longer than a month. It’s been so good not being on!

As you can see, I started off counting how long I’d been on, and by the end of it I had no idea and didn’t care. I was off and felt amazing. I realized so many wonderful things throughout the time I was off, and now that I’m slowly coming back online, I am appreciative of NOT being online at all times of the day.

I did a social media detox for 30-plus days. Here’s what I learned.

No one truly cared that I was off. I thought it was going to be this big grand event and I’d get texts for a week of people asking how it was going, which didn’t happen. No one cared as we are all going through our own lives.

Our phones and all social sites are a distraction.

We never allow our minds to be bored and need constant stimulation. We need to learn to become “bored” with ourselves in order to truly live a fulfilling and happy life.

I connected with friends and family like never before.

I saw people, called them, they called me, and we met for coffee. I even started a book club with friends during this time with my closest friends.

Loneliness kicked in at home.

Because I don’t have a boyfriend, there were many nights I craved being on a dating site just to have a bit of interaction with the opposite sex.

I became FAR more productive.

I started working on projects that I hadn’t ever imagined I would be doing and challenging myself to work harder and smarter and really figuring out what I wanted the direction of my career to take. I’m now going into work with some absolutely amazing companies as a branding and social media consultant and I’m very excited about it.

I had to let my ego die.

This was one of the biggest lessons and hardest to explain, but my whole career has been about me. It’s been to create a brand that is my name where I sell books I write, going on TV, and am at center stage at all times. During the month off social, I realized that my career needed to be about helping others, no longer myself. I want to be more of service to other people, and it was a really, really hard thing to let go of my ego, thinking that my life needed to be about “me.” This is equally the most rewarding albeit hardest lesson.

I really do recommend a social detox. Here are some social experiments to try if you have been feeling overwhelmed being online:

Delete all social apps from your phone. Check things on your computer only, and at specific times.
Get off for one week. The world will still be there when you get back on.
Do it with friends and set goals for all of you. Check in with one another to see how you’re doing.
Get off just one app, for one day a week. Even this will help.

I cannot even begin to share everything that I experienced both before the detox and after; there is just too much that I’ve taken away from it. I can definitely tell you, though, it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done. I have no intention of going back to social in the way that I was on it. I want to get back to basics and post because I want to, not because I feel I have to. I want to share my triumphs as well as my struggles, so everyone knows that there is no such thing as perfection. I want to share the fact that I hit rock bottom in December and how I managed to come out of it. So, will I be back on all my social channels? Of course, but I won’t be the same on there. I truly care about my audience and helping people. I no longer care about being an influencer; I care about sharing the truth about life, happiness, and helping others to be the best they can be.

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Four Seasons Oahu

Hawaii is one of those places that makes it on to everyone’s bucket list at some point or another; the same is true for me. I remember visiting Honolulu when I was around 7 years old with my parents and loving every last minute of the beautiful islands. So it was only natural that more than 20 years later Hawaii had shot back up to the top of my travel destinations, as I wanted to see the beaches and experience the culture, this time really being able to appreciate it. Enter Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina.

I had the wonderful opportunity of heading to the newly renovated Four Seasons Oahu this past November and I can truly say that it’s spectacular place to visit. Situated about 15 minutes drive from the airport, you arrive and walk into the hotel, not really knowing what to expect. While it does have a nice entrance, you don’t get a true feel for the property until you walk down the stairs of the lobby to where the restaurants are located and the stunning bay in front of you.

Upon my arrival, I was given a tour of the hotel and what I saw was breath-taking. Everything from the bay, to three pools, presidential suite, penthouse suite, restaurants that overlook the water, and more, I knew I’d be really excited to be staying for the next few days.

Now, with most hotels that I’ve visited, they are all beautiful in their own way or another. Being a wellness expert and all, what interests me more is how these types of properties are helping people achieve health while they are staying. There is a huge trend that is emerging and that is the Luxury Traveller (something that I consider myself). The Lux Traveller is someone who enjoys high-class destinations, while still staying true to the fact that they want to feel good while traveling. Money becomes less of an issue when you know that you are going to get an incredible vacation, both in terms of the beauty of the hotel you choose, but also the wellness programming that will leave you feeling rejuvenated.

Four Seasons Oahu is this and so much more. I started my mornings with yoga at 7.30am on the grass overlooking the water, before the sun got too hot. The teacher was a local and guided everyone to feeling blissed out so early in the morning. Next, I would head over to breakfast with a table overlooking the pool while taking in the fresh morning air. They have options to order a set meal as well as the buffet, which I tended to do, mainly because I loved all the options. (I will note though: this hotel is not a solely ‘wellness only’ place so you will be tempted by a lot of the pastries and such, that I give you permission to eat in moderation!)

My time during my few days at the resort was filled with lounging by my personal pool in my suite (the only room to have it’s own!), walking around the property, eating at the three different restaurants, and paddle boarding in the bay. I learned how to make the Hawaiin headdress out of flowers- I wish L.A. had the sorts of flowers that Hawaii does! I also got to experience the spa, which is based on ancient Hawaiian traditions,  where I tried a Rose Quartz healing facial, a body scrub and massage (Liliko`i Lomilomi, and halo therapy. The halo therapy is in a salt room, meaning floor to ceiling is all salt rocks, where you lie back in a very comfortable chair, listen to a meditation, and have your feet scrubbed and massaged, while breathing in salt vapor that clears the lungs and forces out toxins from the body. This is one of the most unique and relaxing treatments I’ve tried.

Food that I absolutely recommend to try:

The vegan Poke by Chef Ray. Most of you know that I eat plant based and so it was an absolute surprise to learn how to make vegan poke; definitely one of my new favorite meals! (Watch me learning how to make it here).
Avocado Quinoa Salad. I am OBSESSED with this. It is the most creamy avocado, paired with crunchy hazelnut quinoa, apple cider vinegar, and lightly salted.
Whipped Ricotta (at Noe) and the Mushroom Salad. Their pasta is also freshly made an absolutely delicious.

 

One incredibly fun thing that I got to do while here was film for the TV show CNBC’s ‘Secret Lives of the Super Rich.’ They  happened to be there the same time as me, so I had the incredible opportunity of taking a private helicopter to the top of a mountain and eating chocolate covered strawberries and drinking champagne (albeit, at 9am! LOL). Later in the day we had sunset cocktails on a yacht while watching the sunset, another absolutely epic experience.

Overall, I highly recommend checking out the hotel if you are wanting to experience what a Luxury Traveller (like myself) does! This property has so much to do. Below are some more photos from my trip! It’s definitely one of those places that you will be wanting to take as many as you possibly can!

Tons of love & happy travels,

Nikki

 

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Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay

Whenever I arrive to Bali it’s like a wave of calmness comes over me. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain, other than I feel like I’m ‘home.’ Going this past October was my third time and most deifnitley not the last. Each time I go I experience something different than the time before, whether it be a new hotel, making a new friend, or going to a new place.

So this time around, I felt like a seasoned pro when it came to the culture and where to go (I mean, I have written about Bali only a fewww times now!). Having this feeling about a place I already love meant that I thought I had seen it all. I’ve been all over Bali, stayed in many villas, hotels, and traveled a ton. So you can imagine my shock when I walked into the newly renovated Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay; it is absolutely breathtaking.

As you pull up and walk out into the open-air lobby, the Balinese flowers take over your sense of smell while your eyes feast on the beautiful blue sky and water down below. They great you with a local drink, fresh lavender towel, and after a blessing in the temple, you are taken to your room. If you can, stay at the villas, which have been redone and are out of this world beautiful. Indulge in your private pool, take an outdoor shower, or sit in the cabana while you listen to the birds chirping.

Now, I could go on about how spectacular this hotel is, however I want talk about the wellness aspect because this property had so much to offer.

Each morning, my friend and I would get up early (thanks jet lag!) and either head for a run on the beach or to the gym to get a workout in. The gym has state-of-the-art equipment and you can play whatever music you like, something that was really nice. We would finish our session and head to breakfast, which is one of the best buffets I’ve ever seen.

They had everything from freshly made bread and pastries, to the egg station, the best sautéed mushrooms I’ve had, a whole salad bar with anything you might want in it, a fresh fruit station of dragon fruit, watermelon, papaya, passion fruit and more, along with local style of foods that changed ranged Balinese noodles, Indian style curry and rice dishes, to a gado gado (my favorite) and a ton of other options.

I would recommend asking for a black coffee with fresh coconut milk, jamu jamu, and eating as many different colors as you can during the meal. It will leave you feeling pretty incredible and satisfied.

During my days here, I would lounge by the pool getting some rays of sun, using sun screen of course, walking around the property which I highly recommend as it’s stunning, heading down to the beach to play in the water, and learning how to cook Balinese food with a local chef at the hotel.

This was one of the coolest things that I got to do out here, because we learned how to make things like yellow rice, which you use turmeric to color, then take the pulp of the turmic and use it in a spice mixture for a tofu dish. Everything was so tasty and you really get to see how they use so many ingredients to flavor foods, instead of just adding butter, cream, and salt. There is a depth of flavor that you don’t really get anywhere else and I highly recommend doing this. Our teacher was so knowledgable and gave us options on how to keep things vegan as well as swap out ingredients for the ones we wouldn’t have in America, like padang leaves.

One very interesting spa treatment that I was able to try was called the Kundalini Massage. This was based around a form I filled out prior to the trip that delved into my chakras and what might be imbalanced. The spa director chose this one to me, which was a treat in itself.

This treatment was really focused on working through any blockages I had in my seven chakras, so the massage therapist worked on each one throughout my body in conjunction with specific music. It was incredibly relaxing and a unique experience that I would definitely say to try if you know anything about the chakra system and feel you want to get more balanced.

The last part that I feel you must know about, and I say this because you need to try it, is fire yoga at night. We headed out to the beautiful yoga shala after the sun had set to find mats laid out and torches surround the shala, where we practiced for over an hour as the ocean waves hit. This definitely tops the list in terms of cool yoga practices I’ve done and think it’s a must on your list.

Overall review: I had been told this hotel and Jimbaran Bay were good, but not somewhere to go out of your way for, however I will full-heartedly say that if you are coming to Bali this place needs to be somewhere you go. The property has done some major upgrades and paired with the layout where it sits on the Cliffside overlooking the water, it has a beautiful and unique feel to it. The food was spectacular, especially the breakfast buffet, the staff are incredibly warm and lovely, and it’s in a pretty good location where you can get to Seminyak for a day of shopping or head to Uluwatu for some surfing all very easily.

While it’s not Ubud (a place where you can get wheatgrass shots in almost every restaurant), I found that of most hotels I’ve been to in Bali, it had a great wellness program with activities to help you stay fit, food that will not pack on pounds, and options for surfing (apparently they have a epic program that you take a helicopter to where there is amazing waves on a nearby island) and other water sports.

Now, if you’re looking for something that is less beachy and more in the spiritual epicenter of Bali, then check out my review on Four Seasons Sayan (Ubud).

Xoxo,

 

Nikki

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Four Seasons Sayan

Having just experienced Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons in the southern part of Bali, I was excited to get back to Ubud and stay at the Four Seasons Sayan, where I had previously been in April 2014.

A small bit of backstory:

Ubud is a place of pure magic. Now, I’m not sure if you go there because you seek something, or it calls to you, but whichever way it happens, when you find yourself there it is for a reason. I’ve been told it’s the spiritual epicenter of Bali and the energy there is palpable. So this being my third time up there and second time at this same hotel was definitely meant to be.

Walking into the hotel is almost like leaving planet Earth that we know it (i.e. any sort of city you have come from, including the rest of Bali), and instead stepping into Avatar-land. Side note, if you haven’t seen the movie, go do it as it’s based around meditation and tantra. You walk down this long bridge where you look out onto a pond that seems to be free floating in the middle of the jungle; this in itself is one of the best entries into a hotel I’ve seen. Next, you walk downstairs where you see the incredible architecture that is all open, no windows in sight, as you are now fully submersed in the middle of all the trees. You will be greeted with love from the staff, then led to your room and trust me when I say, no matter where you stay it will be stunning.

Because I had been to this hotel before, I already knew the layout of the land pretty well, so the most exciting part for me was to see the yoga shala, which was being built last time I was there. To say it’s amazing doesn’t even do it justice. Our first class was at 5pm, after sitting in a car for a bit of the day from Jimbaran. This was led by a wonderful instructor, who helped us not only create space to experience beautiful times during the next few days, it allowed us to stretch, enjoy nature and really get into the Ubud spirit. The following day we did anti-gravity yoga, which uses the silks to really stretch your body. This is a lot more challenging than you think it will be, but is very fun to be able to swing through the shala while in a fun yoga pose. The last night we experienced a sound healing with crystal bowls as the sun was setting. Talk about feeling like you’re in a dreamland!

Being situated in the middle of the jungle and right on the river, there is powerful energy and a lot of peaceful nights you will experience. Any insomniac will find relief when you sit outside at night and listen to the sounds of nature. It’s also a deeply healing place, which means that being at this resort will leave you feeling rejuvenated, unlike many vacations where you need a vacation from the vacation.

The spa treatment that was chosen for me here was again based on my Chakra form, this time focusing on my solar plexus, or third chakra. All treatments in Bali start with a footbath and scrub. They take such tender care of even touching your feet that automatically you are brought to a place of relaxation. Next, I was given a full body scrub, then clay mask put all over my body, where I was then wrapped up in blankets, which felt like I was in a cocoon. Sri, my therapist who I HIGHLY recommend (like highly, highly recommend) then took my head in her hands for a cranial sacral massage. If you’ve never had one of these, it is a game changer. I felt so relaxed that I dozed in and out of consciousness, finally to awake to her showing me to the bathroom. A bath had been drawn with flowers and rose petals, lime slices and while this was magical in itself, the bath was free standing in a room that was an outdoor bathroom with jungle in the background. Unfortunately I didn’t have my phone on me as I was on a slight technology detox (for a few hours, haha!) otherwise I would make this picture front and center of the blog post.

So, I laid in the bath while Sri brought me ginger tea and fresh watermelon while music played in the background. I showered and came back to the room for a full body massage, with extra love and care on the Manipura, or solar plexus, where the stomach is.

This is to date on of the best treatments I’ve ever done. So if you have a chance, try this one and definitely ask for Sri. I’m sure everyone is magical, I just felt especially connected to her.

My time at Four Seasons Sayan was healing to say the least. It helped to clear up quite a lot of ongoing issues in my mind, helped me connected further with the beautiful group of firneds I was with, and allowed me to feel so naturally rested that I didn’t even mind the long journey back.

One of the fun things that I got to do was go on a little walk around Sayan with a guide (who I actually had the last time I was there for the temple tour and she is the sweetest woman ever!), who took us into a local’s house where got to really learn about the culture and the way Balinese live. It was truly magical. Then we went into the rice fields on the property and cultivated the land to plant rice, after blessing it of course. It was very interesting to see how much work goes into making rice and it definitely makes me appreciate the food I eat even more!

Overall review: if you are trying to choose between going to the Four Seasons at Jimbaran versus Four Seasons Sayan, you must first figure out if you want a very healing trip or one that is more fun and beachy-like. While Jimbaran now has a special place in my heart, Sayan is one of those resorts that is unlike any other I’ve been to. You can typically experience a beautiful resort on the beach, with beautiful pools and great water activities, however it’s harder to come by to find a place in the middle of the land that has such magic to it. I personally recommend heading here, even if you can only come for a night or two and see what healing it brings to you. While you’re here, take part in any number of activities, which ranges from learning how they farm rice (something very fun I got to do), to river canoeing, bicycling around Ubud, and watching local Balinese dance at night.

Oh, little side note, Julia Roberts stayed at one of the villas here while filming Eat Pray Love!

Xoxo,

Nikki

 

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How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

So Long Sweet Summer. Hello Holidays and WEIGHT GAIN?

Crisp air, the leaves are starting to change colors, and the holidays are right around the corner. Put away those swimsuits and take out your sweaters and boots. Studies show that for many Americans, this is the time of year when they are at their lowest weight. Meaning you right now are the skinniest you are going to be all year. I know what you’re thinking, ‘no way’, but people do tend to gain weight with the colder weather and social pressures. The holidays bring so much joy, but can also bring those extra lbs.

Watching what you eat can seem irritating, you feel like swan-diving into the pumpkin pie, drinking all the wine and eggnog your body will allow. But let’s not forget you still have to fit into that cute New Year’s Eve dress. (Tip: Think of that New Year’s dress over holiday dinners.) I want you to be able to indulge in your favorite holiday treats and meals, while staying healthy, feeling and looking your best. Think of the new season as a fresh start to your healthy habits.

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain Tips & Tricks:

Start Early. The early bird gets the… cookies? I like to tell everyone to wake up, workout and get it out of the way first thing. Often if you wait until later, it doesn’t happen. Exercising in the morning can also help ensure better behavior and choices throughout the day. Try going for a walk with family. Enjoy quality time, get away from the food, and burn some calories.

Weigh In. I don’t promote living by the scale, but it’s okay to do a friendly check-in. You won’t want to keep chugging that eggnog and soda if you see the pounds adding on.

Stay Hydrated. Drinking water can help you feel full. I recommend getting your 8 glasses per day. Drinking water when you first wake up in the morning and 20 minutes before each meal can aid in weight loss.

Eat & Chew Slowly. Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly can improve fullness and digestion, helping you lose weight. The faster we eat, the less time we give our bodies to register fullness. Slow down and enjoy your food.

Don’t Overindulge. Have everything in moderation. Try not to over-indulge. Eat the pie, but just one piece. Have a glass of wine, but not the bottle.

Avoid the Binge. This is a trick I practice year-round. I like to eat small meals before attending a dinner party so I don’t pig out all at once or eat unhealthy foods. This is my go to meal right now.

Say No to Leftovers. You thoroughly enjoyed that turkey and stuffing, but it doesn’t mean you should enjoy it all over again for breakfast the next day. Healthy choices people.

Willpower. This is where you think of that New Year’s dress. I know it sounds silly, but anything can help. Write notes to yourself, call/message a friend for support. I have a friend that puts a photo of a Victorias Secret model in a bikini as her iPhone background. Maybe you don’t need these extra steps and good for you. Point is, do what it takes.

Say No. You feel guilty saying no to grandma after she baked that apple pie for hours. You hate turning down a piece of dessert at a friend’s dinner party. Kindly say no and move on. I promise no one will remember.

The most important tip is to be happy, healthy and stay positive. Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you gain any holiday weight, know that you aren’t alone. Just remember to get back on track.

 

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Staying at Mukul Resort in Nicaragua

Many people told me that I would absolutely love Costa Rica since I’m such a huge fan of Bali. What I was not told though, is that Nicaragua would become a close second to Bali and one of my new favorite countries.

Traveling into the heart of Nica, you don’t necessarily expect to see smiles on every single person’s face. It is a country where people are friendly as tourism is beginning to boom and the locals are eager to accommodate. This began upon my arrival at Managua airport and continued the entire time I was in this beautiful cultural country.

I recently had the incredible opportunity to check out Mukul, Nicaragua’s only five star hotel, and let me tell you, it is most definitely one hell of a five star resort. Untouchable is one thing it is not, though.

Often, 5-star hotels can seem almost over-the-top, in an almost cold way. For myself, I love the balance of a beautiful luxurious place mixed with service that doesn’t make you feel like they are spoon-feeding you. Mukul was the perfect mix of lux and feeling like you’re at your favorite grandma’s house that takes care of you the moment you walk in.

My experience in Mukul, along with my wonderful friends who either own their own travel companies or sell luxury trips to clients, started with a full tour of the hotel, which included some of the most Insta-worthy bathrooms that are sure to blow away any bubble bath-loving woman, infinity pools that overlook the beach, and a spa that will make you want to move in.

The spa deserves it’s own mention, as it’s based on experiences, rather than your typical treatments. Broken into six different rooms, each one has a different theme, and treatments that are offered there. Step into the Crystal temple and you will find sound bowls, an infinity pool, and a crystal chandelier that delivers powerful energy. Or try experiencing Watsu in the Secret Garden. It truly is one of the most unique and interesting spa experiences I’ve had. I chose to do an Ayurvedic treatment that had a mix of massage, oil being dripped on my head, and a scalp massage in a room that screamed relaxation. 

This place had already won me over with the various spa rooms, so by the time we had dinner just off the beach, while watching the sunset; I had decided I wasn’t going to leave.

The next few days consisted of yoga in one of the best yoga shalas I’ve ever practiced in as it was high on the mountain side and you could only get to it by hiking up. The views of the bay, paired with the wind, and sound bowls being played as you move into downward dog is an experience I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Yoga was also moved on the beach, where we listened to the waves and smelled the salt in the air in savasana.

We headed into Granada, a city that is full of culture, colorful walls, and friendly people. Eating and drinking local food and beer, our group took a tour of the city, which is a place I highly recommend going. The 90-minute drive is absolutely worth it.

Our meals ranged from eating at the presidential suite, to sitting on the beach with a live band playing, to have rum tasting of the local rum, Flor de Cana. When ordering off the wellness menu, my biggest recommendation is the homemade guacamole and chips, which are made from plantains. A virgin dragon fruit and ginger mocktail is the perfect accompaniment to your breakfast as you overlook the ocean, just as your dinner paired with a glass of wine during sunset will make you relax into the night.

Sitting on the private beach, we found ourselves enjoying sitting in the waves having girl talk, then being transported to the beach club where we ate a delicious lunch then got surf lessons. This is something that shouldn’t be missed, especially if you’ve never surfed before as the waves are easy to learn on and the weather is incredibly warm.

Overall review: although the price might be a bit steep for some, it is absolutely worth saving up to come here. Mukul is getting into the wellness field more and more, with their state of the art gym, to surf lessons, and yoga and paired with a wellness menu it’s a great place to land. All of the staff are incredibly kind, helping you with anything you might need, all while making you feel like you’re in their own home, which really, you are. The hotel is owned by an older couple that can be seen on the property quite often, laughing and smiling with the guests (an opportunity that we got to experience).

A little side note, one incredibly amazing opportunity that I got to experience was taking a helicopter to Managua airport and flying over an active volcano. Now, I realize this isn’t an everyday sort of thing, but I do recommend trying to set it up with Mukul as it will pretty much blow your mind!

Xoxo,

Nikki

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It’s All About Organic Skincare

Organic skincare products have been all the rage for a while now.

You have probably seen organic collections being featured and popping up everywhere lately. Organic skincare products are more than a trend. They are here to stay.

I recently came across a brand that has definitely become a staple of mine, a brand called Herbivore. Have you heard of them yet? They can be found in Sephora, Wholefoods, Nordstrom, etc and now on my bathroom shelf. Their products are safe and non-toxic, which is what drew me to them in the first place. (Okay, the pretty packaging is what really caught my eye. I mean do you see how clean and pretty these are?!)

Everything we put on our skin quickly absorbs into our bodies, so what we put on our skin is just as important. Take a look at all the products you are using. Are they safe? Probably not. I’m not telling you to give up that Chanel mascara that makes you feel like an instant sexpot, but I’m telling you to take notice and balance. Many people are bias and think natural products can’t be as potent as other harsh ingredients, but trust me, these products work! I have been using this Herbivore mask for a few weeks now and I’m already seeing results. I haven’t had any breakouts and my skin has a nice glow to it. Once I made the switch to (mostly) organic skincare, my skin has been thanking me and it shows.

MASKS. I pretty much live for them. I’m always on the hunt for new game-changers, and I recently stumbled upon one.

My favorite product from the Herbivore line is the Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask. This mask consists of blue tansy oil, fruit enzymes, and white willow bark. This is a gentle formula that helps to resurface and clarify your skin. I just can’t get enough. I leave this baby on for 10 minutes, usually longer as I’m cooking dinner or watching Stranger Things (yes, I got sucked in), wash and my face feels and looks great. The color is also really pretty.

I also like to make my own masks at home, using papaya, oatmeal and raw honey or mixing turmeric, raw honey and coconut oil.

Another product I have been using on the daily is the Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist. I like to spritz this onto my face for some hydration after I wash my face in the morning. I love face mists, as they are a great pick-me-up. I like to carry it in my purse and spray it throughout the day.

We must also talk about this Lapis facial oil. I was recommended this oil from a Sephora employee who was raving about it being a miracle serum for blemish prone skin. I tried a sample for a couple days and I was hooked just like she was. I know oil may sound scary to put on your face, as we have been taught to use oil-free everything. But good oils should be your new best friend. Seriously. I sometimes get oily in my t-zone throughout the day (especially if I don’t drink enough water) and this product REALLY helps. It moisturizes your skin just the right amount and doesn’t feel heavy like a lot of moisturizers and oils do. I really love this product and it works.

Do yourself a favor and try organic products on your skin. If you don’t want to commit, get a few samples to try and see what you like best. Slowly you will want to start using organic everything, so watch out!

Lots of love,

Nikki

 

 

 

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