Choosing Balance Blog

I almost didn’t get these shorts because of my short torso...but future me is so thankful I did because they are dang comfy!⠀
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I’m going to just put it straight out there - I’ve always struggled with my tummy. I know so many women struggle too, so I’m saying here - you are not alone AND you can embrace your tummy!⠀
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Trying to get a flat stomach drove me to obsessing over weight, exercise, and food. I’ve come to love an embrace my soft belly now, but the short torso was still nagging. Guys, I have long legs, but a short torso. Which made me think I couldn’t wear high-waisted pants.⠀
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When I saw these shorts, I thought they were so cute and perfect for my . I hesitated, asked Blake a million times if he thought they were okay, and got over my insecurity. And I LOVE these shorts!⠀
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I’ve learned that there’s so much more to life than obsessing over my short torso and clothes I think I can’t wear. There’s no standard I need to meet. I just want to love others and live life fully!⠀
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Ladies, right now if you’re struggling with your belly, know that whatever size or shape it is, it’s beautiful! You CAN embrace it! You do not need a flat belly (that’s way more genetics than anything else)!

NEW MONTH, NEW CITY! We moved to Madison, WI this weekend! We're exhausted but feeling so good about this move!⁠⠀
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Since being married, Blake and I have moved 3 times and lived in 3 states and 4 apartments. It's been an adventure for sure, but I'm excited to be in one city at least for the next 3 years! Thankful for an incredible hubby to go through this with♥️⁠⠀
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Rosie is still scoping out her new space, but we absolutely LOVE our new apartment and neighborhood, and I cannot wait to explore all the local coffee shops!⁠⠀
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If you need me, I'll be unpacking for the foreseeable future, and drinking lots of coffee. Hope you all had an amazing weekend and a blessed start to August!⁠⠀
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Madison folks - Where's the best coffee in Madison?

📷 .sanders.photography

✨NEW IGTV + BLOG POST✨ My Summer Clean Skincare Routine //

Anyone else just love a good skincare routine? Or do you find it hard to make time for it?

I remember years ago I had zero idea what made up a skincare routine and I would try to piece products together from those “best products of___” lists in magazines. I never had much luck.

I can say for sure now that I LOVE my skincare routine and the one I use is super simple (4 steps) and takes less than 4 minutes. Oh and if you’re all about natural, non-toxic, clean beauty type stuff, then definitely go take a peak!

Either watch the video in my IGTV or if you like to read it’s all on the blog too!

Where are you at with skincare routines? Love them or have no idea where to start?👇🏻
@ Minneapolis, Minnesota

I've been obsessed with fun take on tuna salad for lunch recently! Thank you for this idea (I'll share the dEATS below)!⁠⠀
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Story time - During my eating disorder I literally ate tuna for lunch every single day for years. Dry tuna, because it was low fat. No mayo, one because I wasn't a fan of it (and still picky about it), and two because I thought mayo was "bad."⁠⠀
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In recovery, I went a while without tuna because I was so sick of it, but now I enjoy when I want not because it's "healthy" but because I enjoy it. I especially love it now mixed with some good avocado oil mayo and dijon! No more dry tuna for me, because it's not satisfying!⁠⠀
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Eating foods that your taste buds and body enjoy is so much better than eating foods that don't satisfy because you "should." I promise, when you listen to your body and eat what tastes good, your body will want nutrient dense foods as well as fun foods!⁠⠀
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Lunch dEATS:⁠⠀
• 1 can tuna mixed w/ avocado mayo + spicy mustard⁠⠀
• chopped cucumber⁠⠀
• cold rice⁠⠀
• arugula (or any greens you have on hand)⁠⠀
• fresh chopped dill⁠⠀
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Mix it all up and enjoy!⠀
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What have you been loving for lunch lately??

HOPE IS THE KEY TO HEALING⁠⠀
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Dealing with SIBO and chronic knee pain have been some of the most challenging things I've gone through. I've tried countless things for my knee and healing my SIBO has been harder than I thought. Sometimes, I'm so tempted to give up hope that I will ever get better.⁠⠀
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I know the discouragement when a treatment doesn't work. It literally eats away at your hope of healing. And with time, that hope is almost all gone. ⁠⠀
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I know that doubt that another treatment will help. After so many failed treatment, you begin to think, "this won't make a difference."⁠⠀
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But even in the midst of the unsuccessful treatments and the years of struggle, you have to hold hope. Hope is PIVOTAL in healing⁠⠀
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Be determined to find healing.⁠⠀
Don't give up.⁠⠀
Believe that healing is possible.⁠⠀
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This mindset has so much power!!⁠⠀
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For me, that looks like imagining my leg working properly as I exercise or envisioning my gut healing as I take supplements. Also, I've found some meditations for healing that have been so good. And, sometimes I just tell myself, "I am healing." Sounds weird, but it works!⁠⠀
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I want you to know that my DM's are ALWAYS open! Whether you have gut issues or chronic pain, reach out. Just having someone who understands makes all the difference.⁠⠀
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It's been how many months since our lives were turned upside down? I've lost count... I know it's been so hard for everyone (and harder for some).⁠⠀
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I don't know about you all, but through these challenging times, I've learned and grown a lot. I've learned...⁠⠀
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• to work through disappointments and uncomfortable emotions💕⠀
• to appreciate little things like going to a coffee shop or meeting up with a friend☕️⠀
• to appreciate the outdoors even more🏕⁠⠀
• that I do not need to have a full schedule all the time✨⠀
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We are all in this together and we will all get through this!!⁠⠀
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What have you learned or how have you grown during this time?⁠⠀

If you're longing for some more space and peace in your busy life, do this⬇️⁠⠀
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Put your phone on ✈️ mode and get off your computer/TV once a week. I know it sounds scary, but Blake and I have started doing that every Sunday and it has become one of my favorite forms of self-care.⁠⠀
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While I love Instagram and connecting with people, I know that technology adds to my stress and can keep me from being present.⁠⠀
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Since being diagnosed with SIBO, I've been on a mission to reduce stress in my life, and just taking away distractions one day a week has been so good for me! Sundays have become one of my favorite days of the week because of this!⁠⠀
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Here's what I've found:⁠⠀
Blake and I have the best conversations⁠⠀
I read a lot⁠ more⁠⠀
I feel grounded and anxiety is much lower⁠⠀
I feel ready and excited for the week ahead!⁠⠀
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Do you have a daily or weekly practice for disconnecting from technology?

Here's what I believe👇⁠⠀
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EVERY SINGLE person should have access to safer, healthier products, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, race, or education. No one should have to put their health at risk to feel beautiful.⁠⠀
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This is why I talk about the safer products I'm using, why I share what ingredients to watch out for, and why I am adding voices to the movement of better beauty! Yeah, I love Beautycounter products and of course I want you to like them too, but deep in my heart I do this because the beauty industry needs CHANGE. And that starts with consumers being educated and choosing and demanding safer products.⁠⠀
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It all starts with AWARENESS. Which makes me PUMPED about 's newest partnership...⁠⠀
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BEAUTYCOUNTER X SEPHORA✨⁠⠀
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This is HUGE for clean beauty (not just Beautycounter) because Sephora has millions of engaged beauty buyers which means millions of people will be exposed to clean beauty and become aware of what's in their products and how to choose safer!⁠⠀
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If you've never tried or you have a friend who loves , head over to sephora.com to check out the amazing products that are there! If you need help choosing products, comment below or send me a DM!⁠⠀
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Ok, leave a 💄 if you're a Sephora lover!

📷 .sanders.photography

Summer heat has hit, and honestly the last thing I want to be doing is eating anything hot (except my morning coffee, which I love warm)! So this weekend I batch cooked a couple breakfast options that Blake and I could enjoy cold. And a bonus - Since they're already prepped, they're easy to grab and create minimal dishes!⁠⠀
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The two options this week were boiled eggs and baked oatmeal. Whatever I'm feeling in the morning, I'll grab one and pair it with some fruit and fat for staying power.⁠⠀
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I just got some in the mail, and have been having fun throwing it into everything from coffee to the baked oatmeal! I knew you all would be asking for the baked oatmeal recipe, so here it is! The base is inspired by , but then I ran with the additions and flavors!⁠⠀
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✨Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal✨⁠⠀
2 c quick oats⁠⠀
1.5 c milk of choice (I used walnut milk)⁠⠀
1/2 c melted, cooled coconut oil or butter⁠⠀
1/4 c maple syrup⁠⠀
1 egg⁠⠀
2 TB h**p hearts⁠⠀
6 scoops collagen peptides⁠⠀
1 tsp baking powder⁠⠀
1 tsp vanilla⁠⠀
1/2 tsp salt⁠⠀
3/4 c blueberries + sliced banana⁠⠀
1/2 tsp cinnamon⁠⠀
Dash of cardamom⁠⠀
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Directions:⁠⠀
Preheat oven to 350'. Mix all wet ingredients + add in dry. Carefully add in fruit. Pour into a greased 8x8 pan + bake for 35-40 min. It may take more or less time depending on the size of your baking sheet. Makes 4-6 servings. Store in fridge for up to a week.⁠⠀
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and I love having a slice cold (although you could heat it up) with some extra fruit and nut butter in the morning! Enjoy!⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀⁠⠀
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I've been reminded by that body image issues aren't always just about the shape and size of your body, but can also be about your skin.⁠⠀
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For as long as I can remember, I've been ashamed of my arms because of the little red bumps I always have - known as KERATOSIS PILARIS.⁠⠀
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I've felt self-conscious and embarrassed. I've hated summer because it means showing off my bumpy, red arms. And sometimes I've even felt less beautiful than others with smooth arms.⁠⠀
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But, I've gotten to a point where I don't let it define my worth. Yes, I get frustrated with it sometimes, but I won't let the negative thoughts rule my day.⁠⠀
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Because the truth is that our worth has NOTHING to do with the size of our bodies or how "perfect" our skin and hair are. Our worth is deep down inside of us and it NEVER changes.⁠⠀
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What would you do differently today if you owned your unchanging worth?

I love camping🏕️ ⁠⠀
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I NEVER imagined this city girl would utter those words, but I'm telling you, the midwest has rubbed off on me!⁠⠀
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Whenever we go camping, we turn our phones on airplane mode which I love. So much of my daily life is on a screen, and while I love what I do, it's nice to get a break. I find myself feeling more present and more connected with nature and others. After our recent camping trip, I have been thinking a lot about how to bring this type of presence and connection to my daily life and so far this is what I've come up with:⁠⠀
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✨ Turning our phones on airplane mode on Sundays and not using our computers.⁠⠀
✨ Getting outside every day and going on hikes outside the Cities when we can⁠⠀
✨ Not getting on my phone first thing in the morning, and instead getting back into my morning routine that includes meditation, prayer, journalling, and Bible reading.⁠⠀
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Check the blog for a recap of our recent camping trip to Temperance River State Park (including what we ate + did)!⁠⠀
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⬇️ I cannot wait for our next camping trip! Do you love camping? Where is your favorite camping spot?⁠⠀
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Summer is here in MN and I can only think about eating cold foods, and that means my lunch bowls have turned into salad bowls! What have you been craving this summer?⁠⠀
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Side note: This is totally part of intuitive eating! When it's cold, we crave warm foods, but when it's hot we want smoothies, ice cream, watermelon, etc. Pretty cool, right?⁠⠀
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Here's my go-to Turmeric Tuna Salad Recipe:⁠⠀
1 can tuna⁠⠀
1-2 TB of mayo (I love avocado oil one)⁠⠀
1/2 tsp dijon mustard⁠⠀
Fresh ground black pepper⁠⠀
Dash of hot sauce⁠⠀
Turmeric, to taste⁠⠀
Lots of dried dill (or fresh if you have it)⁠⠀
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Mix it all together and eat however you like to eat tuna salad! I love putting mine on a bed of greens and chopped veggies along with a side of plantain chips (the best!!) or crackers.⁠⠀
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Have an amazing holiday weekend!⁠⠀