Croissants and chocolate have been getting the better of me these days, so I am trying to add more fruits and veggies into my life.

This simple salad did the trick : bed of greens + sliced apple + chopped hazelnuts + olive oil & balsamic vinegar… some parmesan cheese would have also been nice.

For more salad inspiration:

Superfy Your Salad: make your salads super awesome.

Golden Beet Salad: lovely & hearty standby.

And here is an awesomely robust salad guide compliments of Integrative Nutrition.

What is your favorite go to salad?

P.S. Had to pause from today being a doodle day because I have fallen way behind on my coloring!  Seems like there is always something ‘more important’ to do than filling these doodles with coloring.  How silly! So I am going to re-prioritize, and get coloring my #doodlesbyryann.  Stay tuned for more coloring sheets to come.

I write to process things… like my many evolving answers to the question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  I started my meandering career with the dream of being a professional dancer, then I wanted to be a really effective dance educator, then I wanted to be a rockstar yoga teacher that leads retreats all over the world (I still want that), and most recently I was an aspiring health coach after my incredible year at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

rainbow notes from my last call with Jeanne

So I began to work with a business coach to help me build a successful health coaching practice, but while working with Jeanne I realized if I was really true to myself and what I wanted MOST I would instead focus on making things (like mini malas) and teaching things (like yoga) that help people connect to themselves…because that is what I really feel called to do.

So right now I am a MAKER and a TEACHER and that feels really good.

The amount of shifts I have had in my trajectory might seem crazy, but I think it is all a part of the game of figuring out that very BIG question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and listening to the answer your heart is giving.  

I used to get stuck when I wanted to express an idea.  I didn’t know where to share it (Facebook / Instagram / blog post…) or if it was even worth sharing – so I mostly kept it to myself.  But I am figuring out that when I am able to fully express myself I feel super fulfilled and happy.  It’s tricky because I have all these personas: new mom, expat, health coach, yoga teacher, mini mala maker, etc. and I want to share really meaningful things without being self-promotiony or preachy.

Through working with my coach Jeanne, and taking this Personal Branding E-course by Braid Creative – I realize that when I am creative, when I am making things, wrapping packages, using hot pink or washi tape – I feel fulfilled.  I still may overstep my boundaries on Facebook and Instagram, but maybe I will figure it out one day. I’m trusting myself more and saying what I want to say (most of the time) – and that feels really good.

playing with stamps and mini mantra cards.

The point is (I am going to preach now): it’s important to express yourself. To be seen, to be heard.  Whether it is through the pictures you take, the stories you write, the letters you send, the crafts you make or the clothes you wear – you will leave your mark on the world in a way that only you can.

So go forth and express yourself freely!!  Would love to hear how you do it.

Grab a belt or a scarf and create 5 minutes for yourself to lengthen + extend + receive.  Super sweet to do at the end of the day.

Want more? Visit the collection here.

I used to eat Greek yogurt, the 2% or fat free kind. Since I have been in Greece I have been enjoying Greek yogurt again, but this time – the full fat kind.

A few years ago (before Integrative Nutrition) my friend Ashley got a full fat Greek yogurt by mistake, but she ate it anyway. I was horrified – that was so much fat! I was under the impression that fat made you fat, so clearly fat free was the healthier choice.

I’ve learned a lot since then, and I’m not scared of the good fat anymore. Ashley was on to something. Our bodies need fat, and if we don’t give it the good kind we are going to seriously crave the bad processed kind. Plus, full fat Greek yogurt tastes like an absolute dream.

There are so many diets, theories, and guidelines out there, but the most important thing you can do is listen to what your body wants. The more you listen to it, the more it tells you and the better you will feel.

For more on fat: http://www.foodrenegade.com/fat-is-where-its-at/