Cassey Ho's Blog, page 42

How to Get the Look of Plazacore…Without Going Hardcore

Ah, The Plaza. With its grand columns, glistening floors, super-sized crystal chandeliers and the afternoon tea of your dreams, this iconic hotel has a special place in the history of NYC, children’s stories, pop culture — and now, TikTok-inspired fashion trends.

Plazacore, the newest fall fashion look, is an homage to all things Upper East Side and (you guessed it) The Plaza. Namely, pulling style inspo from its most famous resident and beloved fictitious character, Eloise. From plaid skirts and peter pan collars to pearl embellishments and mary jane loafers,. Plazacore is at the aesthetic intersection of prep school queen bee meets proud six-year-old Central Park princess. Yes, we’re talking about a closet combo from Gossip Girl’s iconic Blair Waldorf and her Upper East Side royalty predecessor, Eloise! 

The trend screams luxury, high-society and polished – yet, playful and eye-catching.

Think elements of Blair and Serena’s plaid, preppy prints paired with bold accessories. Or, a dress with pleats complimented by a hair bow à la Eloise. The best part? You don’t have to attend prep school or live at The Plaza to partake. Whether you reside in the heart of Manhattan or a quiet suburb in the heart of America, this trend is an easy one to rock.

But, if the thought of getting decked out in a tweed blazer and matching mini skirt paired with knee high socks and flats makes you feel as uncomfortable as Dan Humphrey felt at St. Jude’s, not to worry. You can have a Plazacore infused fit without going full benny. A little prep can go a long way!  

We’re spilling the piping hot tea on how to get the Plazacore look this fall — without going hardcore preppy.

While we’re not serving it with finger sandwiches and scones like our friends at The Plaza, these simple tricks are still pretty good and easy to follow. 

 

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Here’s how to rock Plazacore without going hardcore:

Keep it neutral. Black, white, beige and blush – when it comes to bold prints, neutrals are your friend. Muted tones keep your look more mono while you play with preppy patterns and accessories.

Settle for a single statement piece. A pearl handbag. Feather adorned heels. A diamond encrusted headband. It’s easy to want it all, but letting one part of your outfit take center stage lets you keep things classy and sassy without going overboard.

Own it. No matter what you wear, embody the confidence of Eloise…or Blair or Carrie Bradshaw, herself – confident, enthusiastic and ready to make an entrance at every turn. Fashion is meant to be fun, so put the playfulness in Plaza and remember: ya look good, sis.

Now here’s the best part: we took care of the shopping for you. Whether you’re looking for a few investment pieces to – in the famous word of Eloise – charge it please!, or whether you’re looking to stock up and save, these trendy wardrobe staples are easy to style, subtly. 

Plazacore Outfit PicksStylish Without the Splurge ($)

Think polished and preppy – All things plaid, with a little frill. You can’t go wrong with a plaid dress or mini skirt, paired with a blouse that has either a bow or peter pan collar. Stick to neutral tones – mostly black and white, or warmer neutrals like brown and beige.

1. Overall Mini Dress | Amazon 2. Short Sleeve Office Button Down Blouse | Amazon  3. Tweed Mini Skort | Abercrombie

Charge It to the Room ($$$)

We’re going for classy and put together. If you struggle with piecing together an outfit (same), the right dress can save you from a lot of stress. Look for details like pearl buttons, piping, and a silhouette that is either fitted to look more structured or A-line to look a little more girly.

A two-piece set will help you look put together, but can also transform into multiple outfits. I love a blazer + skirt combo, especially in plaid. Finally, sometimes a good jacket is the only statement piece you need. This can be a blazer or a solid tweed jacket with high-end details (it really is all about the details).

1. Lovers and Friends Pearl Mini Dress | REVOLVE | J. Crew 3. SAYLOR Bethanie Top & Skirt Set | REVOLVE

Plazacore AccessoriesStylish Without the Splurge ($)

With plazacore, it’s all about the details. And that’s what accessories are for! These small pieces make a statement – a thick headband adorned with pearls. Socks with frilly lace or flowers (or both) to compliment your chunky loafers. And we can’t forget a plaza princess’s most-cherished accessory, her bag.

1. Pearl Headband | Amazon 2. Floral Trouser Sock | UO 3. Pearl Mini Bucket Bag | ZARA

 

 

Charge It to the Room ($$$)

Whether you’re going full on plazacore or just looking to add a few preppy details to your look, these pieces will get you there. A plaid tweed bag is perfect if pearls and rhinestones aren’t your thing. Big, vintage-inspired sunnies. And if you haven’t noticed, a headband is a must.

1. Beaded Plaid Shoulder Bag | Anthropologie  2. Black Cat Eye Sunglasses | Quay 3. Lele Sadoughi x Atlantic Pacific Embellished Headband | Nordstrom

Plazacore ShoesStylish Without the Splurge ($)

I love this trend for how iconic the shoes are. They are the final touch on the outfit, and you have some options depending on which plazacore outfit you choose. Mary Jane flats are classic and comfy, and I’m pretty sure these would be Eloise’s choice. If you opt to wear your plaid mini skirt year-round, go for a knee-high boot. These are not only better for cool temps, but who doesn’t feel confident in knee-highs?! Loafers are by far the most popular shoe choice for the plazacore trend. Go for a pair with a buckle to make any brand look high-end.

1. Women’s Mary Jane Size | DSW 2. Knee High Boots | ASOS 3. Platform Loafer | DSW

 

Charge It to the Room ($$$)

Don’t be afraid to go a little “extra” with your plazacore shoes. A chunky Mary Jane with socks will make your outfit a little edgier while still following in Eloise’s footsteps. Or, you can lean into the glam side of plazacore and go for a high heel adorned with feathers and/or rhinestones. If you’re sticking to flats, a simple bow is all you need to take your look from “office chic” to “tea time at the plaza.”

1. Abalonia Chunky Maryjane | Reformation  2. The Party Platform | Hill House Home  3. The Mary Jane in Black | Rothy’s

So… what do you think of Plazacore? Your vibe, or nah?

Why “Can’t” You Wear White After Labor Day?

Okay, so when I moved to the US a decade ago I had never heard of the rule that you can’t wear white after Labor Day. TBH I had never heard of Labor Day either…

…or Chick-fil-a,
…or the fact that Yosemite was in fact not pronounced (yo-seh-might)
…or that chips were french fries, crisps were chips… and the list goes on.

So basically not a shocker that I was not cultured enough to know this unstated rule about American fashion, but the history of the rule did surprise me.

You see the beauty of being a newcomer, is that I asked a lot of questions (mostly to myself)… Like “but, why?” (which the latter also happens to be my 2-year-olds favorite word right now).

So I remember asking where this white rule came from… and honestly no one really knew.

It just kind of was.

I remember my colleagues when I worked at a start-up in sunny Virginia Beach donned their bright whites strictly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It was like June 1st was an unspoken fashion show of bleached white jeans and crisp linens. It was honestly a beautiful sight, but I didn’t understand it.

@sierracannon Reply to @mindyllara finally found the perfect pair of white jeans #styling #fashion #ootd #whitejeans #stylingwhitepants ♬ Champagne Poetry – Drake

So I dug into it, and even had the pleasure of talking to fashion expert and trend forecaster, Maggie Gillette, about her take on the history of the trend. Turns out there is a mild take, and a slightly more spicey (read: elitist) take. 

We love variety here at Blogilates.

The mild take

Is it really more practical than anything? White = cooler, and as Maggie shared: “Pale-colored clothing in lightweight fabric does help reflect the sun and keep you cool in the summer months.” Or maybe it’s to help contrast that summer glow?

So if it’s in the name of keeping things cool, why is it so strict to summer? I don’t stop wearing shorts or dresses after August, so why the rigidity of this particular rule. Like, let’s say if you live in Texas like me, the summer heat only subsides in November (at least that’s the word on the street, this is my first Texas summer… and it has humbled me, let me tell you).

I didn’t buy it, I knew there had to be something deeper, and Maggie had the tea.

The spicy take  

“The idea that white clothing was only worn during the summer started in the 1800s as a status marker. Having an entire summer wardrobe showed that you were part of the leisure class who spent summers vacationing in places like Newport, and interactions among the upper class followed strict social codes,” shared Maggie.

So basically following these social codes/norms signaled that you were part of this elite rich. If you broke them you’d be in the local Lady Whistledown’s gossip column. Not fun, but also that’s not the end of it…

“Also, this was a time when there were no washing machines, and white clothes are tough to keep clean, so it showed that you had servants who could maintain your wardrobe.”

Yikes. 

Maybe we should all start questioning fashion taboos a little more?

Do people even still follow it though?

Okay, so it has a bit of an elitist past, but do people even follow it anymore? I mean we all WFH right now in our coziest closet staples (I literally live in the Cloud Hoodie), so are people fussed?

The short answer is… that it depends on who you are. Maggie shared that it is a dying trend, and even just over the past few years the number of “followers” has decreased. However, where you are in the states may impact how often you see this applied.

 “The rule still tends to be loosely followed in more traditional areas in the US, particularly parts of the east coast and south.” Maggie shared, “However, at this point, I think a lot of it is generational more than geographical. If you grew up with the idea of white after Labor Day being a faux pas, you’re more likely to follow it even subconsciously.” 

So basically if the first week of September was your mom packing her beloved white jeans into the hallway closet (next to all your 3rd-grade art projects)… You probably abide by this rule. 

And it may be harder to break it than you think if it has been ingrained in your brain for 30 years.

How to style white clothes

We’re not going to leave you hanging, here are some tips to style white for cozier months:

Try Winter Whites.If you are nervous to go full on wild and keep your white jeans in rotation 365 days of the year… Maggie recommends you break into it slowly. Maybe play with what she called “winter whites” aka off-white or cream. “These colors are less crisp than optic white, giving off more of a cozy fall vibe.” Off-white with a side of rebellion for our southern belles.Mix and Match “You can also mix some fall pieces into your wardrobe to extend the wearability of your favorite white summer pieces. For example, a white sun dress would look great paired with a denim jacket or a cardigan and boots as the weather cools down.”

 

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Build your Essentials: This article isn’t to say that all whites can be worn all year round. That cute little summer sundress just may not be practical if you live in… say Boston. But a lot of white staples can be used as great layering pieces.The perfect white t-shirt (word on the street this one will also be restocked soon, shameless plug to join the waitlist… in the meantime here is an affordable alternative)White jeans (or winter whites), pair with some booties to brighten up your look (I am obsessed with this pair by Grey Bandit).White tank top to pair with a cardigan for easy layering.Own your style: I’ll leave you on this advice from Maggie, “Today fashion is all about self-expression, and wearing white in the winter can look chic!” .post-prod-slider{ padding-bottom: 130px; position: relative; width: 90%; margin: auto; } .post-prod-slider .challenge-content h3 a{ font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; } .post-prod-slider .design_product_slider .challenge-img{ height: 290px!important; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-next, .swiper-button-prev{ transform: translate(-50%, 0); top: 50%; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; background: #000; padding: 10px 8px; width: 40px; height: 45px; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-next{ right: -10%; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-prev{ left: -5%; } .post-prod-slider .my_designs_title:before{ height: 220px; position: relative; content: none!important; background-image: url(https://www.blogilates.com/wp-content... position: absolute; width: 50px; height: 50px; right: -140px; top: -4px; background-size: 100% 100%; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-prev:before, .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-next:before{ content: 'prev'; font-family: swiper-icons; font-size: var(--swiper-navigation-size); text-transform: none!important; letter-spacing: 0; font-variant: initial; line-height: 1; display: block; font-size: 26px; color: #fff; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-next:before{ content: 'next'; } .post-prod-slider .my_designs_main h3.my_designs_title{ z-index: 1; font-size: 50px; } @media screen and (min-width: 767px) { .post-prod-slider .design_product_slider .challenge-content { height: 220px; position: relative; } } @media screen and (max-width: 767px){ .post-prod-slider{ padding-bottom: 125px; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-next, .swiper-button-prev{ top: 30%; } .post-prod-slider .my_designs_main h3.my_designs_title { font-size: 30px; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-prev { left: 4%; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-next { right: -8%; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-prev:before, .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-next:before{ content: none!important; } } @media (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px) { .post-prod-slider .design_product_slider{ padding-bottom: 40px; } .post-prod-slider { padding-bottom: 60px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; } .post-prod-slider .swiper-button-prev { left: -4%; } } Our White Favs Deep Darling Bra – White

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These Grilled Corn Recipes Definitely Have “The Juice”

It’s CORN!

In honor of The Corn Song being stuck in my head for a week straight and the upcoming holiday that will have many of us grilling with friends and family, I wanted to share the grilled corn recipes I’m currently obsessed with:

Grilled Chili-Lime Corn

and

Cilantro-Lime Corn Salad

Whether you’re hosting an end-of-summer cookout this weekend or celebrating as a guest, these corn recipes need to be on the menu – trust me.

Step 1: Make Chili-Lime Grilled Corn

Let’s start with the Chili-Lime Grilled Corn, because it’s the easiest (like, easiest recipe ever) and because this is what you should definitely use in the Cilantro-Lime Corn Salad.

When you put your corn on the grill, resist the urge to move it around too much! You really only need to turn it once or twice to get those pretty grill marks.

Also, don’t be stingy with the lime juice! This is a huge part of what makes this corn juicy and full of flavor. The butter at the end is optional, but always a delicious choice.

PrintChili-Lime Grilled Corn#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 stop { stop-color: #343434; }The easiest, most flavorful way to make corn! Course Appetizer, Side DishKeyword side dish, appetizer, corn, grilled vegetables, vegetables, veggie sides, easy sides, grilled cornPrep Time 5 minutesCook Time 10 minutesServings 4Ingredients4 Fresh ears of corn1 tbsp Avocado oil1 LimeSea saltChili-lime seasoning Trader Joe's, Tajín, or Target are my faves! Butter (optional)InstructionsHeat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.Shuck the corn and rub with the oil.Place on the grill and turn every 2 minutes for about 10 minutes or until the corn is tender and with grill marks.Quarter the lime and rub all over the corn. Sprinkle each one with salt and seasoning.If desired, drizzle with butter.NotesGrilled corn is tasty on its own, but I also love using it in my Cilantro-Lime Corn Salad!

Then, make Cilantro-Lime Corn Salad

You can stop here and serve your Chili-Lime Grilled corn right on the cob OR you can cut the corn off the cob (after it cools a little of course) and toss that flavor-packed goodness in this refreshing salad.

PrintCilantro-Lime Corn Salad#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-33 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-50 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-66 stop { stop-color: #343434; }Another quick and easy side for your next cookout or picnic! Course Side Dish, SaladKeyword side dish, corn, grilled vegetables, vegetables, easy sides, cookout recipes, tailgate recipePrep Time 15 minutesOvernight Prep 12 hoursServings 6Equipment1 Mini BlenderIngredientsDressing¾ cup Raw cashews1 tbsp Olive oil1 handful Cilantro¼ cup Almond milkJuice of 3 limes2 Garlic cloves2 tsp Honey1 Jalapeño (optional) Sliced and seeded½ tsp Sea salt (or to taste)Salad1 bag Arugula 7oz1 pint Red cherry tomatoes halved6 Mini Persian cucumbers chopped2 Red bell peppers chopped2 cups Grilled corn kernels*Handful of cilantro1 can Garbanzo beans (optional) drained and rinsedInstructionsSoak the cashews in 2 cups of water overnight. Drain and rinse. Add to a mini blender.Add the oil, cilantro, milk, lime juice, garlic, honey, jalapeno, if using, and salt and blend until smooth.Assemble the salad by tossing all of the veggies together with the cilantro and dressing.Notes* Grill the entire ear of corn, and then cut the kernels off.If you keep the dressing and salad separate, both should keep in your fridge for a few days. Which recipe are you making this weekend?!

There you go, two easy sides that you can bring to your next cookout, tailgate, or throw together for dinner. There’s just something about the grill that brings cooked veggies to another level. If you’ve never tried grilled corn, get ready for this to become the ONLY way you’ll prepare corn.

Looking for some other easy sides to make this weekend? Try these Sweet Potato Nachos or this Dairy-Free Ranch with some veggies. Both are recipes that take minimal effort, but your guests will rave over them!

 

The Blogilates September 2022 Workout Calendar!

Hey guys!

Happy SEPTEMBER! Wow, does it feel like everyone is rushing to just end summer where you live? I’m seeing pumpkin spice all over my grocery store…and I heard that Costco has Christmas stuff out? Ummm what?!

I am for sure not ready. I love the transition from summer to fall, but only when it’s really time, you know?!

Anyways, whether you’re ready for summer to get outta here or you’re cringing at pumpkin taking over the shelves, we can all agree to be excited about one thing…

THE SEPTEMBER WORKOUT CALENDAR!!! 

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How To Follow The September Workout Calendar

Check the Blogilates YouTube playlists to find all of the videos you need for this month’s calendar!!

If you don’t have the BODY By Blogilates app yet, GET IT! Seriously, it will make your life so much easier when you follow this calendar. You can access not only the calendar, but all of the videos in one place! Find challenges and free programs like the Glow up Sessions and the 200 Ab Challenge there too!

Now that you know where to find your workouts, here’s what you can expect each day of the September Workout Calendar. You ready?!!!

SUNDAY: Recovery
MONDAY: Total Body
TUESDAY: Abs
WEDNESDAY: Booty
THURSDAY: Total Body
FRIDAY: Arms
SATURDAY: Legs & Thighs

Do each video once (unless otherwise stated) and check off as you go! Most days will be around 45 min of exercise.

REMEMBER! If you download the BODY By Blogilates app (on Apple or Android devices), you’ll have the calendar and workout videos in one place! Omg can we also talk about how motivating that “workout complete” check mark is?!

If you’re just getting started or want to ease into working out, my Beginner’s Calendar is a great place to start! It’s a free 4-week program to get you stronger so that you can join in on the monthlies when you are ready.

How are you leveling up this month?! Squeezing in one more rep? Trying the ‘advanced’ modification of a move you’re working on? Tell me in the comments!  

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Is Slow Living the Antidote to Burnout?

You know that phrase, “Slow and steady wins the race?” Rumor says it originated from a fable dating back to ancient Greece, but just like scrunchies, the old adage is making a 21st-century comeback. I’ll get into the how in a bit, but the why is glaringly obvious. Years of hustle culture (and his sister, burnout) are finally taking their toll on our collective wellbeing, and the consequences are not pretty. 

Why Do We Need Slow Living?

55% of Americans are stressed on a given day (which is 20% higher than the global average, BTW). Nearly 20% of adults experience an anxiety disorder every year. Also, according to the American Psychological Association, employees “across the board saw heightened rates of burnout” in 2021, with 44% of people feeling physical weariness from the stress—an astounding 38% increase from 2 years before. In other words, even when we tell ourselves it’s okay to keep going, our bodies are saying, “Girl, get a grip.”

And a grip we definitely need, because all this rat-racing is not doing our physical health any good either. Research finds that only 12% of American adults (including those of a “normal weight” by medical standards) have decent metabolic health; and as of 2016, less than 3% of us had a healthy lifestyle. Only 3 percent?! 

The takeaway is that we’re overworked, undernourished, and desperately in need of change. (Or a hero, but if Wonder Woman didn’t respond to Bonnie Tyler’s plea, we doubt anyone else could convince her.)

@slowlivingsimplified

Which slow living activity would tou do right now? #slowdown #intentionalliving #slowlivingsimplified #slowlivingtips #slowlivinglifestyle #burnoutrecovery

♬ YA by faust – Faust

So, What is Slow Living?

Slow living is basically the opposite energy of keeping up with the Joneses. Instead of attending every event or working overtime to get ahead in your career, slow living is setting aside all that social pressure (including FOMO!) to prioritize behaviors that nourish you and your needs only. Niki, a slow living content creator, has been living this way since having her 1-year-old daughter.

She was working 2 careers (corporate job/business coach) and filling up her calendar with social events, leaving her with little time with family. “I call myself a hustle culture dropout because I was always thinking 10 steps ahead and missing the here and now. Then I started peeling back and spending more time on things that mattered to me the most.” After Niki realized something was off, she began to meticulously track what she did each day, then at the end of the week, highlighted the things that brought her joy.

The leftover activities, aka ones that didn’t support her “core values,” slowly fell off her calendar. She also quit her draining 9-5, shopped more eco-consciously, and integrated intentional movement like walks or bike rides into her daily life. “I definitely used to have a lot of anxiety, and that came from saying yes to commitments I didn’t really want to do,” she said. “Since we’ve started slow living, we’re more content with what we have. It’s just a better quality of life for us.”

How Can I Practice Slow Living?

It sounds like a dream, but not all of us can quit city life to become a cottagecore mom. Nevertheless, people are still craving ways to get a dose of calm in our lives. #Slowliving has 265.3 million views on TikTok, and it seems like women are taking the slow approach when it comes to their wellness, too.

Trend forecaster Alice Barraclough recently declared that low-intensity workouts will dominate 2022, which tracks, because the hot girl walk has to be the definitive fitness trend of the year so far. (The summer peak of Google searches for “how to lose weight fast” is also down 18% compared to last year, and in the wise words of Lizzo, it’s about damn time.)

When it comes to wellness, we have some slow routines for you to try out, but here are Niki’s tips for living overall:

Reflect on your core values (family, health, community, etc.) and schedule activities that support them first.Stay off your phones for the first hour of your day (which psychologists say could trigger your brain’s stress response from overstimulation). Bonus points if you stay off social media whenever possible.Only agree to do things you actually want to do. We say yes to many things out of a sense of social obligation, but the obligation to your mental health and happiness always takes priority.

 

If I try it out, should I tell you my review?

Yes! As a writer, I’m always on social media for work, and as a Bob’s Burgers fanatic, I’m always on Hulu for pleasure. I’ve been trying to integrate principles of slow living into my life, but I definitely have a patience problem that makes things difficult at times. But I’m still trying, and I’d love to hear how you guys are trying to slow down in your own lives, too. So, if you try any of Niki’s tips or this article somehow inspired you to make a change, I’d love to hear about it in the comments section below! (Also, I would love to hear your Bob’s Burgers opinions, but that’s less of a priority.)

Is it Time to Get on the Sober Curious Bandwagon?

You’ve seen the TikTok trend that goes something like, “What’s a scam that’s become so normalized that we don’t even realize it’s a scam anymore?” …right?

One night as I scrolled my fyp, I came across a stitch that responded with “alcohol.” Interesting…but wait. Is that true?!

What I hadn’t come across on my fyp YET was #sobercurious. But it wasn’t long after that night that I learned just how the idea of ditching (or at least becoming more mindful about) alcohol is not only finally becoming a more normalized lifestyle change, but it’s trending.

 

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What does it mean to be sober curious?

I asked Jordan Grainger, who started sharing her own sober curiosity journey on TikTok early this year. Since then, she’s become a well known advocate and educator for the lifestyle.

“The idea behind it is that you’re starting to get curious about the way that alcohol shows up in your life.”

The term was coined by Ruby Warrington in her book Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol. 

When she read Sober Curious, Jordan said something just clicked. She hadn’t been happy about her relationship with alcohol for a long time, reflecting on intensified mental health struggles and hangovers that would emotionally “take her out” for a week. So she took on Warrington’s 100-Day Sober Curious Reset and treated it like “an extended dry January.”

In the end, she said the break from alcohol gave her space and permission to really explore and understand her relationship with alcohol.

Jordan describes sober curiosity as part of a spectrum, ranging from frequent drinking to a damp lifestyle, mindful or intentional drinking, sober curiosity, and teetotal sobriety.

“I think one of the things that makes it very approachable is it’s also very personal to each person. The theme is getting curious and really understanding why and how you’re drinking and how you can kind of change your relationship with alcohol.”

She also wanted to be clear that voluntarily exploring sobriety is not at all the same as sobriety for someone addicted to alcohol. Anyone experiencing symptoms of alcohol addiction should seek help from a medical provider.

 

@jordan_grainger Changing your relationship with alcohol might not fix all of your problems… but it will fix alot of them #sobercurious #sober #alcoholfree #soberinseattle #sobercuriousmovement #sobercuriousjourney #sobercurioustiktok ♬ original sound – AnxietyGangOfficial

Why people are breaking up with alcohol (kinda)

On the surface, I get why people decide to ditch alcohol, especially now that I’m in my 30’s and for me, hangovers last no less than 3 days. But why NOW, and why does this seem to be really taking off among the Gen-Z crowd?

When I briefly discussed this with the team at Blogilates HQ, there were some good hypotheses: Maybe after COVID, we’re all a little more health-conscious? Or maybe it’s part of a bigger movement to improve mental health.

I brought this up with Jordan too. The first thing she pointed out was that sober curiosity has probably always been a thing. The difference is now, people are actually talking about it.

As we were chatting, she glanced at the sober curious hashtag on TikTok and told me it had 40 million views when she first started posting about her journey this spring. The day we were talking, it had grown to nearly 153 million views. Now a few weeks later, it’s still growing at nearly 189 million views.

This is important because it NORMALIZES something that is often socially isolating.

 

@heatherhiilani Where are all my sober curious people at? #sobercurious #soberlife #sobercuriousjourney #alcoholfree #alcoholfreejourney #zeroproof #kineuphorics #mocktails #fyp #PrimeDayDreamDeals ♬ original sound – athena

The sober curious post-COVID theory

Jordan’s take on this theory was less about COVID making us health-conscious, and more about COVID forcing us face the root of why we drink.

“COVID took our friends away. It used to be that I would go to the local bar and have four drinks on a Wednesday night. And that was completely normal. Now I want to have four drinks on a Wednesday night, but I’m sitting in my house alone in the middle of quarantine. So I think a lot of people started to realize that their drinking was a little bit more problematic or they were drinking to cope or they were drinking to fill holes in kind of in negative ways.”

Quitting alcohol also gives you the gift of time.

Not only does a night out drinking often mean you’re going to bed late, but alcohol actually disrupts your sleep. This leaves you feeling sluggish and less productive the next day, or even for a few days after a night of heavy drinking.

This was one of the major things Jordan noticed during her challenge. “I was able to get into a consistent workout routine and take my dog for a walk. And I started a podcast with my friend and I started incorporating hobbies back into my life. And so like, it literally felt like my week doubled. It was crazy.”

Then there’s the mental health aspect.

Obviously having more time to get things done is a big help for mental health, but simply cutting back on alcohol is major too. Jordan noted in one of her most-viewed TikTok videos that now that she isn’t drinking, she’s noticed her anxiety is gone. And while alcohol alone isn’t a cause for anxiety, it definitely exacerbates it.

There’s science to back this up too, since drinking alcohol literally alters your brain chemistry.

 

Alcohol really is a (health) scam

I’ll never forget learning the science about what alcohol does in your body when I was in college. Learning the ins and outs of how the body metabolizes alcohol highlighted exactly how it causes so much damage. We all know the obvious effects of alcohol like fewer inhibitions, poor judgement and maybe feeling sick by the end of the night. But there are some other effects that you may not notice until you take a break from alcohol.

Short-term health effects of drinking alcohol

DrowsinessDehydrationMood changesNausea and vomitingDiarrheaHeadacheVision and hearing disruptionLoss of consciousness (blacking out)

 

Long-term effects of drinking alcohol

Long-term mood changesWeight changesSleep problemsDecreased libidoMemory and concentration problemsVitamin deficienciesInflammationOrgan damageAlcohol dependence

 

 

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The non-alcoholic beverage industry is exploding

We’re not the only ones noticing that more people are talking about ditching alcohol. Brands are noticing, too. In fact, the inspiration from this article was born when someone at Blogilates HQ noticed alcohol alternative brands in her IG ads. It seems like a new non-alcoholic bevvie is popping up every day. Non-alcoholic wine shops are popping up everywhere too – even where I live in Indiana, where it feels like we’re normally behind the trend.

I spoke with Marcus Sakey, Co-Founder of Ritual Zero-Proof to learn more about the growth of non-alcoholic drinking.

“Non-alcoholic drinking isn’t a moment, it’s a movement. This isn’t a niche product or consumer we’re talking about. A non-alcoholic cocktail is for anyone who is dieting, training, making a baby, already had a couple drinks, is doing Dry January, has to work in the morning, or is simply trying to be healthy and wants a clean cocktail.

And by no means is it an all-or-nothing proposition. 78% of people who drink non-alcoholic cocktails also drink alcohol. For us, it’s about balance, and Ritual offers a tool for each of us to find our own sense of balance.”

This completely aligns with the premise of sober curiosity, but also serves as an important reminder that there’s a place for these products beyond actively cutting back on alcohol.

Oh, and the marketing of these products is absolutely stunning. Everything from the packaging to the social media aesthetic to the promise to make you feel “euphoric” or “focused.” But of course I had to wonder…

Are these drinks healthier than alcohol?

If you’re wondering why a dietitian is writing this article…. this is why. Obviously drinking less alcohol is going to be a healthy change all around. But are there any downsides to replacing alcohol with non-alcoholic products?

I assumed that most of these products would remind me of mixers, mainly in terms of sugar content. However, I was surprised to learn that most of the popular products out there actually aren’t high in added sugar. Obviously the non-alcoholic spirits like Ritual Zero-Proof aren’t sweetened at all, because they’re most often combined with some kind of mixer. But even the products meant to be consumed on their own like Vybes use little to no sugar. Most are light sweetened with monk fruit or stevia.

What about ‘mood enhancers?’

If you’re wondering why you wouldn’t just drink a Sprite or some kombucha to replace alcohol, I had the same question. However, some non-alcoholic brands found a way to “take the edge off,” even without alcohol. Here are some common ingredients, often referred to as nootropics, and how they claim to boost your mood:

CBD – Many people use CBD to manage anxiety, help with sleep, and to alleviate chronic pain. The amount and type in non-alcoholic beverages varies, so this may benefit some more than others. Also, research on these claims is still ongoing.
Adaptogenic mushrooms – Several types exist that may help with focus, mental clarity, energy, stress, and anxiety. Although these mushrooms have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, more research is needed to back these claims up.
L-theanine – An amino acid used to boost mental function, increase feelings of calm, and boost creativity. However, only a few small studies have found this to be effective.
Caffeine – This one’s nothing new, and helps with energy and concentration. Pay attention to the amount of caffeine in a product, as some people need to be careful not to consume too much. Caffeine could also induce anxiety or make you feel jittery.
Melatonin – To help you relax. However, if you’re sensitive to melatonin or not used to taking it, this could just make you sleepy.

 

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Health is about more than the nutrition label

If you replace alcohol with a beverage that doesn’t have textbook “healthy” nutrition label, it could still benefit your overall wellbeing. So keep that in mind if you embark on a sober curiosity journey.

At the end of the day, it’s about finding the most sustainable healthy lifestyle FOR YOU. Maybe you’ll have fewer drinks at social events, or you’ll set a limit for how often you want to drink. Maybe you’ll experiment with sobriety for a while to see how you feel. Or maybe nothing is changing about alcohol in your life.

Stay tuned for a sober curious taste test!

If you want to learn more about sober curiosity (there is SO much more!), check out Jordan’s TikTok and the book that started her journey, Sober Curious.

If you want to learn more about non-alcoholic products to try, STAY TUNED! Obviously we had to try some, right?! I’m currently taste-testing some brands and mixing up some non-alcoholic mocktails and so far I am looooving them. Once I’m done testing, I’ll write up a full review so you can try some too!

Op-Ed: Misdiagnosis and a Journey to Healing With Lyme Disease

I was convinced the only reason a social worker hadn’t visited my exam room was because I was one. It was close to my fifth ER visit in weeks and I could tell the staff was starting to question my sanity.

Today, my symptoms were extreme joint pain plus a swollen knee. The physician couldn’t deny that my leg had ballooned by 3 times its size, but her dismissive diagnosis proved she didn’t believe what I felt: that my body was on fire.

To be fair, WebMD didn’t give me a good diagnosis either. The ER doctor told me I had a case of “walking on it wrong,” and to wrap my leg with bandages and ice it. But there was no way ice was the answer to months of symptoms including fainting spells, excessive menstrual bleeding, and numbness in my hands and feet. When I asked for further evaluation, she looked at me harshly and said, “Maybe you should try losing weight.”

Six months later, I cried to a coworker about my suspicion of having Multiple Sclerosis after a bout of facial numbness and distortion.

That chance conversation led to an appointment with a functional medicine doctor who later diagnosed me with Lyme Disease coupled with Bartonella. 

Prior to my diagnosis, the extent of my knowledge about Lyme Disease was what I had learned on an episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills—which, as you’d expect, wasn’t much. So, I joined Lyme support groups to educate myself, and that’s when it became clear that my story was just one of many in this silent epidemic. A new report based on nearly 90 studies found that over 14 percent of the global population and 9 percent of North Americans may have or previously had Lyme Disease. However, getting a proper and swift diagnosis continues to be a burden for thousands. 

For those who don’t know, Lyme Disease is caused by a tick bite, often followed by flu-like symptoms and possibly a bull’s-eye rash.

 

If treated with antibiotics within 30 days, you can recover with few to no long-term complications. However, most people don’t experience these symptoms, allowing the disease to lie dormant and attack parts of your body like the nervous system, joints, and heart. Common signs of untreated Lyme include swollen knees, headache, neck stiffness, arthritis, nerve pain, inflamed joints and spine, and facial palsy.

Physicians often attribute these symptoms to other medical conditions such as the common flu or chronic fatigue syndrome. Other times, they simply explain the pain away before even considering Lyme. Poor diagnostic testing coupled with the polarizing cost of care often causes many to go untreated, forcing many to suffer in silence with pain and mental health challenges. And even for those, like myself, who get an answer to their mystery illness, the average person spends approximately $16,000 testing, treatments, and loss of wages because much of the healing process is not covered by insurance. 

That doctor from my story had “explained away” my failing health with my weight.

 

She also left me with no explanation for why it was important to adjust my lifestyle to better my condition. It drastically affected my mental health and convinced me for months that all the ailments plaguing my body were my fault.

As a therapist of 10+ years, I know these types of unfounded comments—often cast upon women—can trigger depression, anxiety, and unhealthy relationships with our bodies. However, one of the positives I was able to take away from the encounter was that I might have had more control over my discomfort than I thought. 

Despite how much she was in the wrong, the truth was that I did need to evaluate my relationship with health and wellness

 

… a relationship that had stayed in the “it’s complicated” phase for far too long.

I was always a chubby kid growing up. However, I didn’t realize this was something I “needed” to be embarrassed about until a girl in middle school called me fat during a blacktop argument. That day, I went home questioning my size for the first time, and soon those thoughts grew into enduring insecurities.

I started dieting at 14. I told my mom every few months which foods I was no longer eating, and joined every activity that would make me break a sweat. After 6 months, I dramatically slimmed down and flaunted my body in a mid-drift top every chance I got during the summer before 10th grade.

Then I started getting sick. I was on a strict vegetarian diet with no regard for the importance of protein, and my body started to respond. (Looking back, I believe this was the time I may have contracted Lyme Disease—20 years before my official diagnosis.)

Feeling mentally and physically defeated, I put on almost 50 pounds before graduating high school. More medical complications followed, and that coupled with years of yo-yo dieting landed me at 280 pounds the day I walked into that ER visit.

Joint pain was causing most of my discomfort at this stage of my illness. As a mother of two very active little girls, it slowed me down tremendously.

 

From my years of sitting in on patient exams as a medical social worker, I remembered that an anti-inflammatory diet helped with joint issues. So I placed my focus there.

I thought back to all the times I watched my elders create home remedies from the kitchen cabinet. Feeling nauseous? My grandmother would slice a lemon, sprinkle it with salt, and tell me to bite down. Had a sinus headache? My mother would steam up the bathroom with essential oils. Had a burn? Cool water, then apply some honey. For decades, I watched how food and plants could heal your body. So after begging for a remedy from western medicine, I figured my only option for relief would have to be DIY-ed. 

After a few days of changing my nutrition around by adapting a low-histamine and Whole30 regimen, my leg swelling went down. After a few weeks on an anti-inflammatory diet, my joint pain subsided enough for me to start working out. I began to fall in love with fitness and living an active lifestyle.

It was not only beginning to heal my body, but it was also healing my mind. My depression and anxiety were slowly subsiding and the mental fog was lifting. I felt happier when I woke up. I was dancing in the kitchen with my kids in the morning, and I was smiling again. For the first time in a long time, I found myself heading to the gym out of desire instead of desperation. I even bought a gym bag, y’all!!! 

Eventually, my family got tired of hearing about what I ate every day and what workout class I attended, so I started sharing my experiences online. Other women reached out to me to share their journeys with health and fitness and ask for accountability partners. I even got my kids to try broccoli (maybe the biggest achievement). The same girl nearing 300 pounds just months ago was now running a fitness support group online. I was blowing my own mind.

I had tons of setbacks along the way, but the reduction of symptoms continued to fuel my consistency.

 

However, I still couldn’t shake some of the chronic ailments like headaches, fatigue, and ocular distortions. By the time I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, I had lost 50 pounds and had the healthiest relationship with food in my entire life. But the disease wouldn’t go down without a fight. I needed more help than just nutrition could offer. 

I finally took the plunge and contacted the functional medicine doctor referred by my colleague. She was one of the leading specialists in the United States combating this illness, not only with Western medicine but herbal remedies, supplements, and nutrition changes. After a slew of tests to learn how my hormones, gut, and overall body had been affected by Lyme, she curated a custom treatment plan of 19 prescription meds and natural supplements. It was a much more aggressive regimen than the traditional approach of a few antibiotics, but years of living without treatment didn’t give me many alternatives.

That week, I started my treatment plan and it nearly knocked me to my feet multiple times. I am convinced that if my body was in the same state as it was six months before, I may not have been able to care for my children or myself during the initial phase of my treatment. My doctor said this rough patch was a jumpstart to my healing journey.

Nearly 9 months later, I received an “undetectable” Lyme result. It was one of the happiest days of my life. As I continue my treatment to completely expunge the Bartonella, nutrition and fitness remain an essential part of my treatment plan. 

Now 70 pounds lighter and counting, I know that my morning medications are just as important as my morning run and smoothie. Now less anxious and more mentally fit, I know moments of calm and peace are just as important as those moments of focus and determination. With one disease down and one disease to go, I know the importance of wearing bug spray and long socks when I hike to avoid tick bites. Balance.

But the thing is, now that I know, my mission is to make sure others do too. 

The most important next step for making sure people are properly diagnosed and receiving proper treatment is to get folks educated.  Education turns Lyme from an invisible illness to a clear enemy.  So, when you overhear your work wife lament about some of these symptoms, send her this article because she could have Lyme. She also couldn’t, but at least you’ll show her that you’re listening. And as my story and the story of countless others proves, that can be hard to find. 

This is the experience of a contributing writer and should not be taken as medical advice. As always, consult with your medical provider for any concerns and before changing your diet or exercise routine.

Is DNA Testing Worth the Hype?

*This post may contain referral links for products we love, and all opinions are our own. Blogilates.com earns a small commission from these links, at no additional cost to you.

Hey guys!

You know I’m kind of obsessed with data. I’m constantly tracking and problem-solving in both my business and my personal life. I spend hours looking at sales trends, taking polls on IG to perfect designs, and journaling my goals so I can reflect later and build. During my 90 Day Journey, I tracked every rep, weight lifted, and mile time so I could see all signs of progress!

I’m sure you can imagine I didn’t hesitate AT ALL when I had an opportunity with CircleDNA to gather the deepest, most personalized data possible about myself! So I got my CircleDNA Premium Kit (which is LITERALLY the most detailed DNA kit in the world!), did the cheek swab, sent it in and then OMG you guys they gave me over FIVE HUNDRED data reports!!!

My dream, truly.

Months later, I’m still nerding out over the results and I wanted to give you a little update on how I’m using what I’ve learned so far! 

All bodies are not the same

So first thing first – the huge thing about this test for me was the way it confirmed that all bodies are NOT the same. I’ve been saying and believing that we’re all different and that different things work for different people for yearrsss but the confirmation of that from this test was everything.

How CircleDNA works

How can DNA tell you about your fitness? Let’s get science-y. 

Circle uses Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) to scan all of your protein-coding genes. This gives millions (literally) of data points to ensure a comprehensive and accurate look at your genetic blueprint. Like, 99.9% accurate. What’s really crazy is how it seems like this should require something invasive to get such a deep look into your DNA…but it doesn’t! Just a simple saliva swab that you mail back to the Circle lab (this is totally free – they send you a label and everything!).

Over 20 categories of reports from ONE saliva swab

I know, isn’t that CRAZY?! I’m not sure what I expected when I got my results but omg I was so fascinated to see how my DNA could tell me about things like my skin, sleep and even behavior. Like what?

I was most excited about the nutrition and fitness categories. I was in the middle of my 90 Day Journey to Muscle, and struggling for that last 30 day stretch. I was having a hard time pinpointing what exactly was going to work for my body to hit my goal, which was to build as much muscle as possible. 

People were yelling at me on my posts, saying I was doing everything wrong. My workouts were wrong. I wasn’t eating enough. But I felt like I had a pretty good handle on what DOES work for me, because putting on muscle has been a challenge for me my entire life. Again, all bodies are DIFFERENT.

So mentally, I was feeling stuck.

I’ll get more into those results in a minute, because first I have to mention some of the other reports I got from my test. They included:

– Stress and sleep (sleep was also huge on my journey!)
– Behavior
– Skin (always figuring this out)
– Disease risk
– Physical traits
– Success traits
– Music and dance (so fun!)
– Brain health
– Family planning

 

There were times with my results that I was like YEP that is totally me and then other times when I felt like I was learning about myself or making connections about things I struggle with. For example – my test totally confirmed that I’m a supertaster!!

The disease risk reports were super interesting too because they make you aware of certain diseases and health conditions that you may be at higher risk for. It’s like a step beyond family history that simply puts things on your radar so you can be as proactive as possible. CircleDNA identifies elevated risk for things like asthma, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, cancer, migraine, allergies, and more. There’s a specific report for cancer risk that identifies risk for 35 types of cancer.

Of course this is in no way a diagnosis and isn’t meant to scare anyone. I’m using the info from my test as an opportunity to chat with my doctor about what I should have on my radar based on my results and any lifestyle changes I should make. Remember – the data here are about risk based on your DNA.

Same with family planning. Even though I didn’t take this test specifically for these reports (you totally can btw with the CircleDNA Family Planning kit), I think it’s good for couples to have some awareness about anything they may be a carrier for and other information that can be passed down to future generations.

What I’ve changed with fitness and nutrition

So…now that it’s been a few months since my 90 Day Journey ended, have I changed my workouts and diet based on these results?

Just like I plan on talking with my doctor about some of the medical reports, I talked with our dietitian to learn more about HOW I can apply this data to my eating habits, and with a certified fitness instructor about how I should approach my workouts and goals based on my findings from this test.

My biggest nutrition takeaway from my reports was SO MANY SENSITIVITIES. I’ve been pretty open with you in the past about why I avoid certain foods as much as I can. Dairy always makes me bloated and triggers my skin to break out. I have the worst reaction to alcohol and it tastes like actual poison. Chocolate and arugula taste sooo bitter no matter what I do. I feel a lot better overall when I don’t eat a lot of grains.

And if you peek at the reports for things I’m at higher risk for … it’s all there.

So of course when I talked with our dietitian Breanna, she was super supportive of continuing to simply listen to my body.

“There’s nothing wrong with avoiding the foods that you can pinpoint for making you feel uncomfortable in any way. But to confirm whether or not you’re truly sensitive or intolerant to these foods, I’d recommend seeing a dietitian who specializes in allergies or an allergist who can properly test you.”

She went on to encourage me to get further testing if my symptoms interfere with my daily life or become difficult to manage. For me, I’ve gotten pretty familiar with my “problem” foods and how often I can handle them before I notice things like bloating and acne creeping back up again.

 

My body’s optimal training type

During my last 90 Day Journey, everyone wanted to tell me how THEY thought I should be planning my workouts. According to some people, I was doing too many reps. My weights weren’t heavy enough. I was doing too much cardio. And even though my gut told me I felt better doing my workouts how I planned, I still switched during the second month to lower reps and higher weights.

And guess what? I put on MORE lean mass doing it the first way, MY way.

I got my CircleDNA results right before I started Month 3. When I saw my fitness reports, everything clicked.

Here’s what it says about my optimal training type:

Low powerHigh enduranceMedium strength

 

The report literally described the way my muscles are designed and the best way to achieve results as…exactly what I had been doing. “Many reps, with slightly lighter weights.”

I asked my friend and fellow fitness instructor Jules Fultz for her thoughts on these results because who knows, maybe I’m just reading the results how I WANT to see them? I knew she’d be brutally honest with me  She said:

“It makes sense to optimize exercise enjoyment by aligning your routine around what suits your body from the inside out.”

And she’s totally right. It DOES make sense. Also I love how she mentioned enjoyment. The past few months post-journey has been proof that for me, if there’s no JOY in my fitness, it’s not working – no matter what bodybuilders say is the “best” way.

So when I talked with Jules about what my future workouts should look like based on these results, she confirmed what I thought: focusing on strength AND cardio. Sticking with higher reps and medium weights, which is honestly what I enjoyed most on my 90 day journey.

So, I’ll be doing a mixture of Pilates, weightlifting, running, and hopefully I can add in a few dance classes. I love dance so much and it is such a great cardio workout that doesn’t feel like cardio.

If you know me, you already know that I feel like there is no “best” way for every person to work out. Everyone is SO different! So you have to listen to you body and do what gets you motivated and excited.

“I think the moral of the story is you need to find the workout that works for your body just like with food,” says Jules.

Both Jules and I have been teaching group fitness classes for a long time, and the truth is, we’re not burnt out because we find ways to keep it interesting through change! Whether it be changing the workout routine itself, trying a new class with a new instructor, embarking on a challenge, changing the time you do your workouts, or even changing the clothes and shoes you’re wearing – change is necessary!

Wanna try CircleDNA?

Isn’t this stuff SO INTERESTING?!

Obviously, like so many other things in fitness and wellness, this is just a tool that might help you understand your body a little better. If you want to give it a try, there are a couple to choose from, depending on your needs!

Vital DNA Test – This is a comprehensive wellness test that gives you over 60 reports on diet, fitness, and wellness. 

If you choose Vital and decide that you want to go deeper, it’s super easy to upgrade to Premium. Just pay for the upgrade and they’ll use the data from your original cheek swab. No need to retest!

Premium DNA Test – This is what I did! This one is like an upgrade to the Vital test, and gives you over 500 reports on wellness, disease risk, ancestry, and family planning. The detail on this one is soooo crazy.  

The process is the same for any test you do and it’s seriously so easy. They send you everything you need in the kit, which is really just a cheek swab. You follow the instructions to swab your cheek, and send it back to Circle in a postage-paid package! Then you get your results SO FAST – I couldn’t believe it. Oh and every test includes a 1-hour health and genetic consultation to answer any questions you have about your results!

Whatever test you decide to try, make sure you use code 20BLOGILATES for 20% off on the CircleDNA website!! 

3 Must-Try Recipes Using Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative

I have one rule every time make a trip to Trader Joe’s: I have to try something new. Sometimes it’s a win and sometimes not so much, but it’s always fun to see what I can find. (If you want to do the same thing, check their end-caps where they proudly display new and seasonal items!).

 

Recently, I picked up their vegan cream cheese alternative, and WOW, I was so surprised at how good it is. It’s so yummy, in fact, that I went back for more and have been using it daily.

Oh, and I came up with three recipes you need to try when you snag this on your next trip to Trader Joe’s!

Vegan Cherry BombsPB&J Mini CheesecakesCookie Pops

My Take on Trader Joe’s Cream Cheese Alternative

I’ve tried a lot of vegan products out there that try resembling cheese, or cream cheese. Most don’t make the cut because the taste is “meh,” or the ingredients and/or macros don’t match my goals. Trader Joe’s, however, really nailed the taste, consistency, ingredients and PRICE with their Cream Cheese Alternative.

It performs really well when baked and substituted into any recipe calling for dairy cream cheese. It’s smooth, creamy, with a hint of tang, and is darned close to the real thing.

Macro Comparison

2 tablespoons TJ Vegan Cream Cheese:
90 calories, 0 protein, 9 grams fat, 4 grams carbs

2 tablespoons Regular Cream Cheese:
99 calories, 2 grams protein, 10 grams fat, 1 gram carbs

Ready to try it out in some recipes?

First up, Vegan Cherry Bombs. These are quick and easy to mix together, and then you just let them chill in a truffle mold until they’re set. The end result is a creamy, bite-sized cherry cheesecake that melts in your mouth.

 

PrintVegan Cherry Bombs#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 stop { stop-color: #343434; }Course Dessert, SnackKeyword vegan, dessert, snacksPrep Time 10 minutesChill Time 2 hoursTotal Time 2 hours 10 minutesServings 8 servingsEquipment1 Truffle moldIngredientsIngredients6 oz Trader Joe's cream cheese alternative softened1 cup Frozen cherries slightly thawed and chopped¼ cup Confectioners-style sweetener (i.e. Swerve or powdered Monk Fruit)2 tbsp Coconut oil melted½ tsp Almond or vanilla extract*US Customary - MetricInstructionsMethodAdd the cream cheese and cherries to a large bowl and mix well. Add the sweetener, oil and extract and stir well to combine.Spoon into 18 silicone truffle molds and freeze for 2 hours, or until firm.NotesThe final treat tastes like ice cream bites that are cool and refreshing on a hot day!*If using almond extract, the cherry bombs taste similar to “Cherry Garcia” ice cream. Alternatively, you can use ½-1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.**Metric conversion is approximate and these measurements were not testedIf you love PB&J, this next one’s for you

What is it about mini desserts that make them so adorable?! These PB&J Mini Cheesecakes are decadent, with the perfect balance of peanut butter and jelly flavor. They’re so creamy you’d never know they don’t contain “real” cream cheese.

Highly recommend getting some reusable silicone muffin cups for these!

PrintPB&J Mini Cheesecakes#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-33 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-50 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-1-66 stop { stop-color: #343434; }Course DessertKeyword vegan, dessert, vegan cheesecake, cheesecake, peanut butter, vegan cream cheese, vegan recipe, trader joe's, trader joe's recipe, vegan dessertPrep Time 15 minutesCook Time 20 minutesChill Time 4 hoursServings 10 Mini CheesecakesEquipment10 Silicone Muffin Cups paper works too!IngredientsCrust½ cup Almond meal2 tbsp PB21 ½ tbsp Butter or vegan butter softened1 tbsp Swerve or monk fruit sweetenerFilling8 oz Trader Joe's Cream Cheese Alternative softened⅓ cup Confectioner's-style sweetener Swerve or powdered monk fruit 1 Egg1 tbsp Natural peanut butter2 tsp PB21 tsp Vanilla extract20 Fresh raspberriesUS Customary - MetricInstructionsHeat oven to 350°F.Add the crust ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk to combine to a crumble. Press firmly into the bottoms of 10 silicone muffin cups (or spray cupcake liners with cooking spray and press into the paper liners). Place the liners onto a baking sheet.In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer, combine the cream cheese, sweetener, egg, peanut butter, PB2 and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy.Either stir in the raspberries (to create a baked-in PB&J cheesecake) or reserve the raspberries until after baking.Spoon the filling on top of each crust and bake for 20-22 minutes or until nearly set. Cool for 20 minutes, then refrigerate until chilled (4 hours to overnight).If you reserved the raspberries, place two on top of each cheesecake.Feel free to drizzle a small amount of peanut butter across the top of each cheesecake prior to serving.Notes*Metric conversion is approximate and these measurements were not testedWe love a chocolate + (vegan) cream cheese recipe

You know the Oreo truffles that always show up to holiday parties that everyone raves about? These are like those, but BETTER, and on a stick if you want! My kids love them and they don’t require much work to make…so I love them too!

PrintChocolate Cookie Pops#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2-33 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2-50 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-2-66 stop { stop-color: #343434; }Course DessertKeyword vegan, dessert, vegan cream cheese, trader joe's, trader joe's recipe, cookie, cookie pops, chocolatePrep Time 15 minutesChill 15 minutesServings 20 PopsEquipment20 Popsicle sticksIngredients42 Chocolate cream-filled cookies like Oreos!8 oz Trader Joe's Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative softened¾ cup Sugar-free chocolate chips feel free to use regular if you want! 1 tbsp Coconut oilUS Customary - MetricInstructionsBreak the cookies in half and into a large food processor and then process to fine crumbs.Add the cream cheese and process to form a dough.Refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes, or until slightly firm. Form into 20 balls.Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave in 30 second increments, stirring until smooth.Dip the end of a lollipop stick into the chocolate, then insert into each ball.Place each ball onto a fork and dip into the chocolate. Then tap the fork against a bowl to allow excess chocolate to drip off. Place onto parchment paper, then refrigerate to solidify the chocolate. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.Notes*Metric conversion is approximate and these measurements were not testedWhich vegan cream cheese recipe will you try first?!

If you make one (or all ) of these, let me know what you think in the comments and make sure you post a pic and tag @blogilatesdotcom!

If you’re looking for other dairy-free alternatives, check out this dairy-free ranch and this dairy-free coconut fruit dip. YUM.

And of course if you’re looking for an arsenal of easy, healthy recipes, check out Cassey’s protein cookbook, Sculpt!

Meet Botanical Blossoms – A romantic ode to Summer 2022

Hey guys!

I love making behind the scenes videos for you about the design process, and one of the recent ones felt kind of…vulnerable. It talked about taking risks with my designs. Of course in some ways it’s hard because I mean, what if everyone hates what I work so hard on? But in some ways, it’s easier for me to design the “riskier” things.

Just like with fitness, everything I design must have a “why.” So when it comes to basics, it’s hard to tone down my creativity and just let things “be.” When I take risks, I can let my imagination run wild and open up more space for the uniqueness of what makes something special.

I feel like this new POPFLEX collection is middle ground. It’s unique but subtle. It’s sweet and romantic with elements that are undeniably sexy. It’s feminine but sporty. Before I tell you more, I want you to meet…

The Botanical Blossoms Collection

A fiercely feminine collection that feels like summer afternoon on the countryside. Ready to check it out?!

The soft florals of Botanical Blossoms

Ahhh I am OBSESSED with this color palette. Rich navy and white, contrasted with muted tan and dainty rose patterns. I didn’t want to jump straight from summer brights to winter neutrals this year. Instead, I wanted to savor late summer and gently transition into the coziness of fall.

You’ve never looked cuter on your run

Running shorts are nothing new to POPFLEX – we alllll fell in love with the Sprint Shorts once before. The high waistband, flowy feel and duhh the pockets! Now they’re back in the sweetest dusty blue rose pattern.

Shop The Sprint Shorts


Do you pair with Romance Ruffle or Deep Darling?

Are you feeling matchy vibes or the contrast of white with the dusty blue rose pattern? Honestly, you can’t go wrong.

The Romance Ruffle Bra is feminine and flirty with ruffled straps. Be prepared for everyone to ask where you got this bra when you wear it out. The Deep Darling Bra is a more basic option, but it’s definitely not boring. It has a deep U neckline and my favorite part is the ribbed fabric.

Shop Deep Darling Bra


Omg how cute is navy rose on our fave leggings?!

I seriously fell in love with the rose pattern and knew it belonged on our fave leggings. I mean, HOW do the Crisscross Hourglass Leggings keep getting better?! I’m really not sure. Oh, and yessss pockets are BACK.

Shop Crisscross Hourglass Legging


This matching set is everything

This set. Omg.

On top we have the High Neck Racer Bra in tan rose. It’s high neckline adds extra coverage, but in a way that flatters everyone. This is so cute on its own, but once you see her with the matching Twirl Skort, you’ll understand why this set can’t be beat.

Shop High Neck Racer Bra Shop Twirl Skort


Now let’s layer it up

I can’t wait for you to see and FEEL how we made our favorite cozy pieces even better. First, the Belle Sweater is BACK! I know, I missed her too and the new heather grey color is seriously everything.

If you haven’t met Belle yet – you’ll love the pleated bishop sleeves. They add just a touch of drama and I think they make the fit even cozier.

Shop Belle Sweater


The Airlight Zip Cloud Hoodie

Yessss, the same marshmallowy softness of our bestie Cloud Hoodie, just a little bit lighter! We layered the navy rose pattern over the grey to bring this layer just a step up from a basic neutral.

Shop Airlight Zip Cloud Hoodie


The Botanical Blossoms Fit Kit

Told ya I’m obsessed with this color palette and these patterns.

Shop Botanical Blossoms Fit Kit

And that’s it for Botanical Blossoms! 

Which pieces are giving you “afternoon tea in the countryside?” I can’t wait to see what you get!! 

[image error] Shop Botanical Blossoms