The Posts with the Most: The 9 Best Postnatal Vitamins of 2022

Coffee (or tea) ✔️
Mom snacks ✔️
Netflix ✔️
Postnatal vitamin ✔️

All the essentials for bleary-eyed mornings and long nights with your newborn — they’re lucky they’re so cute and cuddly.

But really, more vitamins, after having to choke down a prenatal on the daily for at least the past 9 months? What’s the deal?

Postnatal vitamins help make sure you’ve got everything nutrient-wise that you need to recover from childbirth, produce super-nourishing breastmilk if you’re nursing, and make it through those late nights with your little one.

Here are our top picks for the best postnatal vitamins of 2022.

A quick look at the best postnatal vitamins

• Dietitian-recommended: FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin and Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal
• Best for hair loss: Perelel Health Mom Multi Support Pack
• Best for breastfeeding: Ritual Essential Postnatal
• Best if you’re not breastfeeding: New Chapter Perfect Postnatal
• Best gummy: Hello Bello Prenatal + DHA
• Best low cost option: NatureMade Postnatal Multivitamin + 200 mg DHA Softgels
• Best with iron: Rae Wellness Postnatal
• Best postnatal protein powder: Majka Green Vanilla Nourishing Lactation Protein Powder

What are postnatal vitamins and why are they important?

Postnatal vitamins are a type of multivitamin specifically designed to meet the needs of postpartum and/or breastfeeding peeps.

Like prenatal vitamins, which support your bod during pregnancy and make sure all your nutritional needs are covered (esp in a time of out-of-left-field food aversions), postnatal vitamins are there to support you *after* pregnancy — when your nutritional needs still aren’t quite back to “normal” as you recover from childbirth, produce breast milk, tackle sleep deprivation, and adjust to life with a very needy +1 (or +2 or +3 *gulp*).

Postnatal vs. prenatal vitamins

So, we’re gonna let you in on a little secret. Whatever prenatal vitamin you took during your pregnancy is probably gonna be a great choice for a postnatal, too.

In fact, specific postnatal formulas really aren’t a huge thing. That’s why you’ll see several prenatal vitamins on this list.

How to choose the best postnatal vitamin for you

We picked the brains of two perinatal dietitians — Eleana Kaidanian, RD, CDN, CPT-WFS, owner of Long Island Nutritionist, as well as Aubrey Phelps, MS, RDN, CLC, owner of Matrescence Nutrition — to distill the most important factors you should consider when shopping for a postnatal supp:

Price

Postnatals can be as inexpensive or as expensive as you’re comfortable with. No matter your budget, you’ll find an option that will provide what you need.

If you’re on a limited budget, Nature Made vitamins are OK — and in fact carry the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) seal, which is one of the most prestigious third-party vitamin standards.

On the other hand, more expensive vitamins are more likely to contain ingredient forms that are easier to absorb and higher in quality.

Form

Hate swallowing pills? Not a problem. You can get a postnatal in liquid, gummy, chewable, or powder form to make it a part of your daily routine that you don’t have to dread.

Purpose

If you have a specific concern related to your postpartum needs, you may be able to find a vitamin that can help address that issue specifically. For example, you may want to support a healthy breastmilk supply, help promote c-section recovery, shake the baby blues, or prevent postpartum hair loss.

Nutrients included

Here are the key nutrients that you should look for in a postpartum vitamin:

• Omega-3/DHA. Kaidanian says that many of her clients don’t get enough omega-3 fats in their diet, but that they’re essential for the baby’s proper brain and eye development. For this reason, it’s important to find a postnatal that includes DHA (especially if you don’t like fatty fish like salmon, which is one of the richest food sources of omega-3/DHA). One thing to note, though: often, omega-3 must be included separately — so you won’t find it in most prenatals unless they’re formulated as a liquid softgel.
• Choline. Kaidanian and Phelps agree that choline is a really important consideration — especially if you’re breastfeeding. “This nutrient is essential,” explains Kaidanian, “but the body cannot make it on its own. It must come from food or supplementation. And when mom’s milk is baby’s sole nutrition through exclusive breastfeeding, supplementation in the form of prenatal is a good backup plan.”
• Vitamin D. Phelps explains that “pregnancy demands higher vitamin D,” so a postnatal with vitamin D can help restore your vitamin D status and provide vitamin D to your baby if you’re nursing or pumping.
• B vitamins. According to Phelps, childbirth can deplete B vitamins. B vitamins also play a key role in transforming food into energy your body can actually use, and uhh… do we even need to say that you need as much energy as you can possibly get rn?
• Others. “Mom’s body has just been through one of the most stressful experiences a body can undergo,” Phelps says, adding, “Stress depletes magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, and selenium.” So these are other nutrients you may want to look for in your postnatal.

How we chose the best postnatal vitamins

Here’s how we assembled this list of the best postnatal vitamins:

• Key nutrients. We looked specifically for postnatal vitamins that had at least MOST of the nutrients above that are recommended by Phelps and Kaidanian.
• Testing and certifications. The FDA doesn’t keep as tight a leash on supplements as they do medications, so choosing one isn’t quite as simple as grabbing the first one on the shelf (or the first Amazon result). You want to choose a supplement that, ideally, has a third-party seal of approval from USP, NSF International, or another third-party supplement testing lab. This helps ensure that the label is an accurate representation of what’s in the bottle. The next best thing is a Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) certification, which signifies that the facility where the supplement is manufactured meets FDA standards. Quality is key 🔑.
• Dietitian recommendations. We also made sure to include any vitamins that came recommended by our dietitian experts.
• Vetting. Every product on our list went through a thorough vetting process that looks for shady business practices, ingredient transparency, and whether a company follows the FDA’s Dietary Supplement Labelling regulations. Only products that passed that process made our list.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $0.75 per serving
• $$ = $0.76–$1.50 per serving
• $$$ = over $1.50 per serving

Only the Greatist: The 9 best postnatal vitamins

Dietitian’s postnatal vitamin picks

FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, choline
• Type: capsule
• Dosage: 8 capsules daily
• Certifications: third-party tested, GMP-certified

This vitamin receives RAVE reviews from Phelps, which is why it’s listed as our dietitian’s pick. She says, “They’ve done a LOT of research on meeting women’s nutrient needs, and the brand is founded by a registered dietitian who specializes in maternal health and nutrition.”

It checks all the boxes, as it contains all the important nutrients noted by Kaidanian and Phelps with the exception of DHA. It’s also third-party tested and made with easy-to-absorb, active forms of nutrients.

However, the dose (4 pills twice daily, for a total of 8 per day) can be a big burden for some — especially if you don’t like swallowing pills.

Pros

• dietitian formulated
• contains important nutrients for preconception/pregnancy/postpartum
• third-party tested
• manufactured in a GMP-certified facility
• free of common allergens including dairy, gluten, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, shellfish, fish, and corn

Cons

• 8 pills per day
• no DHA
• some high dose B vitamins

shop now at fullwell

Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, choline
• Type: capsule
• Dosage: 8 capsules daily
• Certifications: GMP-registered

Another prenatal recommended by Phelps, this one from Seeking Health, is a simple formulation that contains the nutrients pregnant and postpartum folks need. Although it doesn’t contain DHA, Seeking Health is super choosy about which nutrient forms are included in its vitamins — so everything in it is highly bioavailable and ready to get to work. The company also provides a prenatal DHA supplement that can be paired with this prenatal.

On the downside, the instructions state not to take the supplement within 5 hours of bedtime, and some reviewers say that it does keep them up at night. This one also has a standard dose of 8 capsules, which is kind of a lot.

Pros

• highly absorbable vitamins
• vegetarian, non-GMO, allergen-free
• manufactured in a GMP-registered facility

Cons

• 8 pills per day
• need to purchase a separate DHA supplement
• some high dose B vitamins

Shop now at Amazon

Best postnatal vitamin for hair loss

Perelel Health Mom Multi Support Pack

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, B vitamins, choline, magnesium, selenium, DHA
• Type: capsule
• Dosage: 1 pack (5 capsules) per day
• Certifications: GMP-certified, third-party tested

Perelel Health makes subscription vitamin packs for wherever you are on your parenthood journey, and their Mom Multi Support Pack is *chef’s kiss*.

It’s got absolutely everything that Kaidanian and Phelps want to see in a prenatal, plus some extras — like a biotin and collagen capsule to potentially help with that pesky postpartum hair loss, and an ashwagandha and l-theanine (literal) chill pill.

Reviewers even say that they can really tell a difference with their hair when taking these. It is a subscription — but it looks pretty easy to cancel if it doesn’t end up being a good fit.

Pros

• contains all the nutrients Kaidanian and Phelps recommend, contains hair/skin/nails and mood support
• non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free
• third-party tested
• manufactured in a GMP-certified facility

Cons

• subscription required

shop now at perelel health

Best postnatal vitamin for breastfeeding

Ritual Essential Postnatal

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, B vitamins, choline, magnesium, DHA
• Type: capsule
• Dosage: 2 capsules per day
• Certifications: GMP-certified, third-party tested

OK, we’re always gonna be obsessed with Ritual’s capsule aesthetic — it’s the only one we’d describe as beautiful. (And no, not the packaging, the actual capsules.) The company’s delayed-release capsule actually makes it easier to digest these vitamins, so Ritual says they can be taken with or without food.

They’re also vegan, including the DHA (normally from fish oil in most supplements) sourced from microalgae.

However, some reviewers complain that the vites cause (vegan) ocean-y burps. The other potential downsides are that it isn’t a comprehensive postnatal and has lower choline compared to other options, so if you’re struggling to meet the majority of your nutrient needs through diet alone, this might not be the best option for you.

Pros

• contains dry and wet ingredients in a single capsule
• contains DHA
• non-GMO, gluten-free, major allergen-free, vegan
• third-party tested
• manufactured in a GMP-certified facility

Cons

• unpleasant aftertaste
• low levels of choline
• not at comprehensive as other options so it may not be ideal for those who don’t eat a lot of whole foods in their diet

shop now at ritual

Best postnatal vitamin if you’re not breastfeeding

New Chapter Perfect Postnatal

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, selenium
• Type: tablet
• Dosage: 3 tablets per day
• Certifications: GMP-compliant; certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher

It’s actually kinda hard to find a 100 percent organic prenatal/postnatal vitamin, especially one that’s more moderately priced. But this one from New Chapter is made from organic veggies and herbs, and contains fermented nutrients that are easy on the stomach.

The added herbs — like lavender, turmeric, and lemon balm — may be mood-supportive and may help you with recovering from the stress of birth. Even if you’re not nursing, a postnatal vitamin is still recommended for up to six months, because hey, your body has been through a lot. However, talk with your doctor about how long to continue taking it.

Reviewers rave about this option, and you can pair them with New Chapter’s Wholemega for Moms fish oil to get your daily dose of DHA. Unfortunately, though, this postnatal doesn’t contain any choline.

Pros

• moderately priced
• fermented nutrients
• certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher
• vegetarian
• third-party tested
• manufactured in a GMP-compliant facility

Cons

• no choline, no DHA

shop now at amazon

Best gummy postnatal vitamin

Hello Bello Prenatal + DHA

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, B vitamins, choline, DHA
• Type: gummy
• Dosage: 2 gummies per day
• Certifications: third-party tested, GMP-compliant

Not a pill person? We feel you. Hello Bello (yes, the diaper subscription people) now offer a prenatal gummy vitamin that’s perfect for postpartum — and you can add it right to your diaper order! Talk about one-stop shopping.

Note, though, that a serving of these gummies contains 5 grams of sugar — so if you’re doing keto or other lower sugar diets, it might not work for you. These gummies also don’t contain very much choline — just 2 percent of the Daily Value (DV).

Pros

• inexpensive
• contains choline and DHA
• convenient gummy
• major allergen-free, cruelty-free
• third-party tested
• manufactured in a GMP-compliant facility

Cons

• minimal choline
• no magnesium or selenium

shop now at hello bello

Best low cost postnatal vitamin

NatureMade Postnatal Multivitamin + 200 mg DHA Softgels

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, DHA
• Type: softgel
• Dosage: 1 softgel daily
• Certifications: USP-verified, GMP-certified

Need a solid postnatal without breaking the bank? These from NatureMade are USP-verified, contain DHA, and require only 1 pill per day.

However, some of the nutrient forms aren’t as optimal as they could be, so you may not absorb some of the nutrients as well as you would from other supplements, like the FullWell prenatal. Some reviewers also say that they taste really fishy, thanks to the fish oil in the capsule (which provides the DHA).

Pros

• third-party tested and USP-verified
• contains DHA
• gluten-free
• manufactured in a GMP-certified facility

Cons

• no choline or selenium
• contains sub-optimal vitamin forms
• contains some additives

shop now at amazon

Best postnatal vitamin with iron

Rae Wellness Prenatal

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, B vitamins, magnesium, DHA
• Type: capsule
• Dosage: 2 capsules per day
• Certifications: GMP-compliant, third-party tested

Phelps explains that, while most postpartum people don’t need as much iron as pregnant people do, you may need extra iron if you had a lot of blood loss during delivery. These prenatals from Rae Wellness contain 75 percent of the DV for iron, so they provide that little extra boost if you need it.

Additionally, this is one of the few we came across that includes a vegan DHA source — algae! It also contains relaxing chamomile and l-theanine to help you chill (bless it!).

Added bonus? Reviewers say they smell minty-fresh AMAZING.

Pros

• inexpensive
• non-GMO, gluten-free
• third-party tested
• manufactured in a GMP-compliant facility

Cons

• no choline

shop now at rae wellness

Best postnatal protein powder

Majka Green Vanilla Nourishing Lactation Protein Powder

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients: plant protein blend of organic pea protein, organic brown rice protein, and organic chia seed; vitamin A, vitamin C; vitamin D; vitamin E; B vitamins; folate; iron, calcium, choline; magnesium; selenium
• Type: powder
• Dosage: 2 scoops
• Certifications: third party tested

If swallowing pills isn’t your strong suit, this postnatal protein powder can still help you meet your nutritional needs while nursing. In addition to key nutrients like vitamin A, folate, and B vitamins, it’s also a dependable source of protein — a perk for moms who are nursing exclusively. A 2020 study found that lactating moms should aim to consume 0.77–0.86 grams of protein per pound of body weight, which is more than previously established recommendations.

According to the company’s internal research, which assessed results in 100 moms, 75% noticed an increase in their milk supply while 90% reported increased energy levels.

Pros

• a good source of protein for nursing moms
• third-party tested
• non-GMO, gluten-free, and soy-free
• vegan-friendly protein source

Cons

• on the expensive side
• no omega-3s

shop now at amazon

How to take postnatal vitamins

When should I take a postnatal vitamin?

You can take your postnatal at any time of day — the important thing is just that you take it.

Check your specific vitamin’s instructions to see if the brand recommends taking it once or twice a day. Also double-check to see if the brand advises against taking it near bedtime since some vitamins have energy support and aren’t the best option for before bed.

You also might want to take your postnatal with a meal — especially if it contains iron, which can upset your stomach when taken on an empty belly.

For how long should I take a postnatal vitamin?

You can continue taking a postnatal or prenatal for as long as you want, really. In fact, many healthcare providers recommend taking a formulation such as a prenatal for as long as you’re in your child-bearing years because they do such a great job at providing the nutrients women need.

Just make sure the one you decide to stick with for the long haul doesn’t contain a lot of vitamin megadoses because this could cause some issues with vitamin toxicity down the line if you’re consistently taking waaaay too much.

Frequently asked questions

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Why should I take postnatal vitamins?

A specific postnatal vitamin definitely isn’t a requirement, but you should keep taking your prenatals after you give birth, at least until you finish the bottle. Birth is hard, and a prenatal or postnatal can help make sure you’ve got what you need to recover.

So, strictly necessary? No. But, explains Phelps, “Conception, pregnancy, and postpartum needs are VERY similar” — and a good prenatal can give you a good nutrition foundation for the years that you’re in baby-making/birthing/feeding mode.

What should be in a postnatal vitamin?

According to Phelps and Kaidanian, DHA, choline, vitamin D, and the B vitamins are particularly important for a good postnatal. However, most — especially if you’re choosing a prenatal that doubles as a postnatal — will contain many more nutrients than this.

Are postnatal vitamins the same as prenatal?

Yes and no. Your prenatal will usually make a perfectly fine postnatal, but a specifically-formulated postnatal may not be a good choice to take as a prenatal (while you’re pregnant). When you’re pregnant, you’ll need more folic acid, which helps prevent neural tube defects in the baby. A vitamin made specifically for postpartum needs may not contain enough folic acid, or other key nutrients in the amounts that are optimal for pregnancy.

What vitamins do breastfeeding people need?

“All of them?” jokes Phelps, adding that vitamin D and choline are key. Kaidanian adds that DHA is another important one for nursing.

But really, says Phelps, “A good, well-rounded supplement is likely to meet most, if not all of your breastfeeding needs, especially when paired with a nourishing diet.”

The bottom line

Postnatal vitamins are an excellent way to make sure that your post-birth nutrition needs are covered, so you can focus on your new little bundle and snagging all those precious Zzz’s whenever you get the chance. Make sure to choose one that contains key nutrients like DHA and choline and is third-party tested or GMP certified.

Now go take a nap!

Our process and why you should trust us

This article was written by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). We also consulted with two registered dietitians to get tips for choosing the best postnatal vitamins. We used those tips to pick the products above.

Before writing about those products, we put them all through a thorough vetting process that checks for unsupported health and disease claims, shady business practices, FDA/FTC warning letters, and lawsuits involving a company’s products. We also made sure that the company is transparent about the ingredients it uses, doesn’t use any illegal ingredients, and provides dosage information. Only products that passed vetting made this list.

After wrapping up our recommendations and tips, we sent this entire article to a fourth medical professional (in this case, Stacy A. Henigsman, DO) for review.

So basically, you can feel good knowing that we put in WORK to get you these recommendations.

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Female CrossFit 101: Everything You Need to Know

117: Pilates Chat and Why Self Care Isn’t Selfish with Lesley Logan

Hey hey friends! I’m so excited for today’s podcast episode because we have someone on the show who is a personal friend and someone I admire deeply: Lesley Logan. She is an amazing person, a powerhouse instructor, and has inspired thousands of people all over the world to live healthier, happier lives.

Here’s what we talk about in today’s episode:

– Pilates chat: what is it, myth busting, what’s the difference between Lagree and classical Pilates, why you shouldn’t be intimidated by it

– Why self care isn’t selfish case

– Strategies for maintaining a self care routine during a busy season

– Her tips for being “Healthy in Real Life”

and so.much.more.

Here’s a bit more about Lesley and her background:

Lesley Logan, a certified Pilates teacher, breathwork, habits and mindset coach, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the first free online catalogue of Pilates exercise tutorials, where you can also find weekly Pilates classes and workshops. Teaching Pilates since 2008, she has run multiple studios, has trained hundreds of people to become teachers themselves and has taught thousands of students. When not teaching from her studio in Las Vegas, Lesley she’s hosting her podcast Be It Till You See it or traveling the world leading Pilates retreats.

Connect with Lesley on Instagram, check out her website and take classes from her here, and listen to her podcast.

Resources from this episode:

The weather is cooling down, and I’m still obsessed with my sauna blanket. It feels even BETTER when it’s chilly outside and you can use the code FITNESSISTA15 for 15% off! This is one of my favorite ways to relax and sweat it out. I find that it energizes me, helps with aches and pains, I sleep better on the days I use this, and it makes my skin glow. Link to check it out here. You can also use my discount for the PEMF Go Mat, which I use every day!

I love love love the meals from Sakara Life! Use this link and the code XOGINAH for 20% off their meal delivery and clean boutique items. This is something I do once a month as a lil treat to myself and the meals are always showstoppers. I’m enjoying a delivery this week and it’s been an easy way to check the boxes above.

Get 15% off Organifi with the code FITNESSISTA. I drink the green juice, red juice, gold, and Harmony! (Each day I might have something different, or have two different things. Everything I’ve tried is amazing.)

If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission.

You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. I finished Level 1 and am working my way through Level 2. I highly recommend it! You can check out my review IHP here!

Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, and leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you’ll get a little “thank you” gift from me to you. 

xo

The post 117: Pilates Chat and Why Self Care Isn’t Selfish with Lesley Logan appeared first on The Fitnessista.

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For Real Though, What is Toxic Positivity?

School morning breakfasts for kids

Sharing a roundup of some of my favorite options for QUICK breakfasts for the kids on busy school mornings. Please please please share your favorite in the comments section below!

Hi hi! How are you? I hope you’re having a lovely morning! I’m off to the chiropractor (bless it) and then spending the rest of the day working on some posts for the new year. How the heck is it December this week?!

For today’s post, I wanted to chat about breakfast ideas for busy weekdays! We have absolutely gotten into a rut with the school morning breakfasts. I went through an entire week making them the same thing, and after throwing away many cold egg burritos, I realized I needed to up my game a little.

Whenever I feel like I’m in a rut with anything food-wise, I take some time to sit down a brainstorm. For example, if I feel blah about vegetables and don’t want to cook anything, I quickly make a list of all of the vegetables we love. It’s an easy way to remember old favorites and switch up the routine a bit! The brainstorm session can work with anything: proteins (list ALL the proteins you love; you’ll remember some familiar faves), greens, snack ideas, dinner recipes, etc. I’ll also usually get out a cookbook and that gives me some new inspiration!

This post is serving as a brainstorm session for me right now, and I figured I’d make a list of all of the quick weekday breakfasts the kids love. Feel free to pin this for when you’re looking for new ideas! Please share your go-tos in the comments section below so this can be an amazing resource for everyone!

School morning breakfasts for kids

– *Apple pie walnut baked oatmeal and a hard-boiled egg

– *Pumpkin oatmeal bake with a breakfast sausage (frozen and heated up)

– *Vegan peach baked oatmeal

– Avocado toast: sourdough with smashed avocado, lemon, Everything but the Bagel seasoning, and a sliced hard-boiled egg on top

– Breakfast smoothie: 1 cup almond milk, Greek yogurt, 1 banana, frozen berries, peanut butter, spinach, ice, and cinnamon (sometimes I add chia seeds or MCT oil to this too)

– *Their favorite pancakes in the world. I make huge batches of these over the weekend and freeze. I just heat them up, cut into bites, and put into a coffee mug to take in the car, and drizzle with maple syrup.

– Egg burritos: I scramble two eggs in a little butter, salt, and add to two tortillas before rolling up. They take these to-go, too

– A Go Macro bar and a hard-boiled egg (this is when we need something super fast and it does the trick!)

– *Chia pudding: 1/4 cup chia seeds into a Mason jar, and I add about 1 cup of almond milk, a drizzle of maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. *Set in the fridge overnight to set. In the morning, I top with sliced berries and take it to go.

– *Breakfast cookie: the classic never dies. Instead of protein powder for the kids, I use 1 scoop of DNS.

–*Nana’s egg casserole. This freezes beautifully and last a few days in the fridge. I give this to the girls with a tortilla or piece of toast.

– *French toast. This is another one of the girls’ favorites. I make this over the weekend and freeze. I just heat them up, cut into bites, and put into a coffee mug to take in the car, and drizzle with maple syrup. They also love the brioche French toast from Trader Joe’s.

– Hard-boiled egg (top with EBTB seasoning and sriracha), piece of sourdough (heated from the freezer), and some fruit (whatever we have on hand: usually berries and sliced banana)

– *Overnight oats: in a jar, I add about 1/3 cup of oatmeal and about a cup of almond milk. I add cinnamon, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and berries. I’ll sometimes add chia seeds, too. In the morning, I top with honey and serve it with a hard-boiled egg or breakfast sausage.

– *Yogurt parfait: Layer Greek yogurt with granola and fruit in a mason jar and keep it covered in the fridge overnight. The next morning, grab and go!

– Breakfast sandwich: I spray a bowl with avocado oil and crack an egg into the bowl. Microwave for about 1 minute until set and top with a slice of cheddar (so the hot egg melts the cheese). I put the egg between two pieces of bread with a little Primal Kitchen Ranch. SO fast and easy.

– Acai bowl: I use the frozen acai packs from Trader Joe’s with almond milk and honey in the Vitamix. I pout it into a bowl, top with granola, sliced fruit, and a drizzle of honey

* Egg muffins and fruit

*Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (or Super Hero muffins) with breakfast sausage or a hard-boiled egg

– Peanut butter toast: I top a piece of toast with peanut butter, sliced banana, cinnamon, and drizzle with honey

– Peanut butter banana oatmeal: I use the Trader Joe’s oatmeal packs (the one with chia and amaranth), add hot water, and get dressed while it sets. I top with sliced banana, a bit of maple syrup, and a scoop of peanut butter. They love it!

*Homemade sous vide egg bites.

* = pre-made at least one day in advance and waiting in the fridge or freezer

I also asked my Instagram friends for their favorite suggestions and here’s what they had to say:

– Premade breakfast sandiwhces

– Oatmeal, waffles, muffins!

– Make your own yogurt bowl. Grab a yogurt from the fridge and add jars of toppings from pantry

– Simple Mills muffins

– Oatmeal with power seeds: chia, flax, hemp, bee pollen

– Banana baked oats

Some of my favorite tips for making breakfast quickly during the week:

– Freeze anything you can.

When I make batches of pancakes, French toast, or muffins over the weekend, I double the bath and put extras in the freezer in a Ziploc bag. This way, they’re already ready to go during the week! You can also make a huge batch of breakfast burritos and freeze, baked oatmeal, or an egg casserole.

– Make breakfast the night before.

Things like overnight oats, chia pudding, and breakfast cookies are huge hits and are ready to grab and go in the morning.

– Splurge for convince when it makes sense.

Things like yogurt, hardboiled and peeled eggs, Mush overnight oats, store-bought chia pudding, bars, oatmeal cups, frozen waffles, frozen breakfast sausage, smoothie mixes, are all things that can just make life a bit easier. Not everything has to be homemade 😉

So, please share the goods! What are some of your go-to quick breakfast ideas that kids love?

xoxo

Gina

More:

Kid-friendly breakfasts, lunches, and dinners

Our go-to easy weeknight dinners

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How To Clean Your Peloton Bike

Sharing the details on how to clean your Peloton bike, and keeping it feeling fresh and new, even with tons of use. Check out my post on how to set up your Peloton bike here!

Hi friends! How’s the morning? I hope you had a happy and lovely post-Thanksgiving weekend. We did some more decorating (the yard is done!), got our tree (after years with a fake tree, we converted to team Real Tree a few years ago and I’m a huge fan), and had a lovely dinner with friends.

For today’s post, I wanted to share the details on how to clean your Peloton bike, especially for my friends who are expecting it as their Santa gift this year. 😉 I’ve been a proud Peloton owner for about 4 years now, and while I don’t ride as much as I used to, I still hop on the bike about once a week. It makes it SO easy to get a cardio workout at home (even when the kids are home!), and I love that I don’t have to waste time commuting. It’s my go-to for super busy days when I still want to get in some movement.

How To Clean Your Peloton Bike

I like to keep things clean in the house, but it takes on a new layer when it’s exercise equipment. Equipment like the Peloton can collect dust, sweat, bacteria, fingerprints, and while it can look unappealing, it can also eventually affect the function of the equipment. (Learned this from years of working at gyms and studios.) Cleaning your Peloton bike regularly can help avoid unwanted odor and damage, BUT you can also damage your Peloton bike by improper cleaning. You definitely want to preserve the screen and make sure it continues to work!

I’m dedicating today’s this post to help my friends out there properly clean a Peloton bike and share what products are safe to use for cleaning Peloton bikes.

How To Clean Your Peloton Bike

Peloton frame

I clean my Peloton frame and resistance knob after each sweaty ride. If there are sweat spots anywhere, the whole thing gets wiped down. If I’m leisurely pedaling along and listening to music (using it as an active recovery day), I don’t wipe it down. The best time to clean the frame is directly after your ride, because then you’ll always remember to do it.

Peloton accessories

I’ll clean the weights once every few weeks or so. Since they don’t tent to get sweaty and I’m the only person using them, I feel like they can wait a while longer.

Screen

I’ll clean the screen once every few weeks. It doesn’t tend to get sweaty or many fingerprints on it, but every few weeks I like to make sure it’s clean. I use the same wipe to clean my computer screen. *Make sure you use a different cleaner for the screen than you do for the frame (details below).

Mat

I clean the mat under the Peloton after every sweaty ride. I have the same rule for the mat as the frame: if I see sweat, the whole things gets wiped down.

Pedals

The pedals get cleaned every couple of months. I just make sure there isn’t dust in the clips and disinfect the pedals.

What To Use To Clean Peloton Bike

Cleaning wipes

Aim for nontoxic wipes that don’t contain bleach and avoid abrasive products. I like to use antibacterial wipes (like these ones!) that are also nontoxic, since I’ll be touching the wipes with my hands. Word on the street is that you can use baby wipes, too, which won’t erode the material of the frame, but aren’t antibacterial.

Cleaning spray

Instead of wipes, you can also use a cleaning spray, like this one. Instead of spraying directly onto the Peloton, spray the towel and then wipe the bike. You can use a cleaning spray for the frame, resistance knob, and accessories.

Microfiber towel

Use a soft microfiber towel that won’t wear away at the materials.

Screen cleaner

Make sure you use a screen cleaner that is specifically-made LCD plasma or other flatscreens. This is the one I use and love! I wouldn’t recommend using Windex or spraying anything directly on the screen. It can leave weird stains and smears. It’s worth it to get a cleaner that’s designed for this type of screen.

*You can use the cleaners above on the Peloton bike, treadmill, or the rower!

So tell me, friends: how often you do clean your exercise equipment?

Do you feel like Peloton has lost its shine a bit, or are you still a believer? I still love it just as much as ever.

I hope you have a wonderful morning and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

More Peloton posts:

Full Peloton bike review: is it worth the money?

How to combine Peloton with other workouts

Peloton workout plan for beginners

Peloton workout plan without the bike

Favorite Peloton instructors

How to set up your Peloton bike, or any spin bike

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Get Baked: 9 Best Substitutes for Molasses

Molasses is a terrific addition to lots of baked goodies. It helps make cakes hella moist and can give cookies killer flavor flav. But what do you do when you don’t have any molasses on hand?

If you’re all out of molasses — or if you just don’t like it — you might be on the lookout for a super sweet substitute. Well, look no further! Here’s a list of the nine best substitutes for molasses, plus a guide on how much to use.

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9 best molasses substitutes

The nine best replacements for molasses are:

1. Honey
2. Maple syrup
3. Dark corn syrup
4. Sorghum syrup
5. Golden syrup
6. Brown sugar
7. Black treacle
8. Simple syrup
9. Mix-and-match

Here’s the deets on each.

1. Honey

Honey has a similar consistency and texture as molasses. While it doesn’t have the same sultry flavor, there are lots of honey varieties that make a solid substitute. This includes:

• alfalfa honey
• clover honey
• acacia honey
• Manuka honey
• creamed honey
• wildflower honey
• eucalyptus honey
• buckwheat honey
• baker’s special honey
• orange blossom honey

In most cases, you can use a 1:1 replacement ratio. But, you might want to use less honey if you want your recipe to be slightly less sweet.

2. Maple syrup

Maple syrup isn’t just good on pancakes! It also makes for a top-notch swap for molasses. It tastes almost like a mix of malt and caramel, with an even level of sweetness. Like molasses, it comes in a variety of shades.

Just note that maple syrup is a lot thinner than molasses, so you might want to use a 3:4 ration in baked goods. This prevents a batter from thinning out too much. For example, if you’re making a cake, you might want to use 3/4 cup of maple syrup in lieu of 1 cup molasses.

Pro tip: Stick to pure maple syrup if you want to match molasses as much as possible. Artificial maple syrup is mostly corn syrup and artificial flavorings. (Sorry, Mrs. Butterworth.)

3. Dark corn syrup

Like molasses, dark syrup is a liquid sweetener with dark brown color. But unlike molasses, dark corn syrup has a fairly simple taste compared to molasses’ robust flavor profile.

BTW, you can use dark corn syrup as a 1:1 swap for molasses.

4. Sorghum syrup

There’s a good chance sorghum is the item on our list you know the least about. It comes from a cereal grain called (you guessed it!) sorghum. It’s slightly thinner than molasses and has a sweet-yet-slightly-sour taste. A 1:1 substitute works in most situations.

Unless you live in the Southern United States, you might have a hard time finding sorghum syrup in local supermarkets. But have no fear! You can order it online.

5. Golden syrup

Golden syrup (aka light treacle) is uber popular in the United Kingdom. It’s made by evaporating sugar cane until it turns into a thick liquid. Golden syrup has a honey-like color and slightly toasty flavor. Psst. It takes amazing drizzled over oatmeal.

FYI: You can swap 1 cup of molasses for 1 cup of golden syrup.

6. Brown sugar

Brown sugar is a combo of granulated sugar and molasses. This makes it a dope substitute for pure molasses, especially if you use dark brown sugar. Generally, you can replace 1 cup of molasses with 3/4 cup packed brown sugar.

The bad news is that brown sugar is a dry sweetener, which might not work well for a recipe that requires a liquid sweetener. A way around this is adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of water to the brown sugar before adding it to the mix.

7. Black treacle

Black treacle is a thick, dark sugar syrup that contains sugarcane molasses. It’s a lot more popular in the United Kingdom than it is in the United States, but you can def find it online.

Black treacle has a comparable color and taste to molasses, albeit a bit more bitter. Some folks also say it has a slightly burnt taste, but in a food way.

You can use a 1:1 ratio, but might want to scale back if you’re not into its subtle bitter notes.

8. Simple syrup

Simple syrup is made from equal parts sugar and water. All you have to do is boil the sugar in the water until it cooks down into a syrupy consistency. Will simple syrup replace molasses 10/10? TBH, prob not. But if you’re OK with missing out on some maltiness, it’ll do just fine.

PSA: Simple syrup is super sweet. So you might want to start with a 1:2 ratio and see how it tastes. You can always add more if you want to kick it up a notch!

9. Mix-and-match

One of the best parts of cooking is that you get to be creative. So go wild with your molasses substitutes! You can mix-and-match any of the above substitutes. For example:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup maple syrup and 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup treacle and 1/2 cup golden syrup
• 1/4 cup simple syrup and 1/4 cup brown sugar

How to pick a molasses substitute

Here are some this to think about before picking a molasses substitute.

• Molasses is dark. This is why cookies, breads, and cakes that contain molasses have a distinctive brown color. When you use a sweetener, your end product might come out a lot paler.
• Molasses is moist. Specifically, it’s hygroscopic, which means it’s great at absorbing moisture. This helps give your bakes a dense, almost fudge-like vibe. If you use a substitute, it might change the overall consistency.
• Molasses has a unique flavor. Molasses has a sweet, warm, and almost smoky flavor. When you use a substitute, remember that you might lose some of those distinctive qualities. 
• Molasses is liquid. Liquid sweeteners act differently than dry sweeteners. So keep that in mind if you use a dry substitute like brown sugar.

Molasses nutrition

Here’s what you can expect in 1 tablespoon (20 g) of molasses:

• Calories: 58 kcal
• Fat: 0.02 grams (g)
• Carbs: 14.9 g
• Sugars: 14.9 g
• Calcium: 41 mg
• Potassium: 292 mg
• Magnesium: 48.4 g
• Phosphorus: 6.2 mg

Molasses benefits

Unlike some of the substitutes on our list, molasses offers a few note-worthy health perks.

• Healthy bones. Molasses is a good source of calcium, which plays a major role in bone and tooth health. It also helps with blood clotting, along with healthy muscles, nerve functions, and heart rhythms.
• Heart health. Molasses contains decent amounts of potassium, a vital nutrient that promotes healthy blood pressure and heart health.
• Antioxidants. Does molasses rival super foods like blueberries or kale? No. However, it might have more antioxidants compared to other substitutes on our list.
• Poop probs. In a 2019 study, blackstrap molasses was found to reduce constipation symptoms in kids. Just keep in mind, we need more research to prove the poopy perks.
• Ease arthritis. There’s some anecdotal chatter than blackstrap molasses boasts anti-inflammatory perks that can help relieve joint pain. But there’s no science to back this up.

Takeaway

Molasses is a thick, dark syrup that’s produced during the sugar-making process. If a recipe calls for molasses — but you don’t have any — you can use a substitute. You might even have one of them in your pantry already!

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14 Causes of Bumps on Face and How to Treat Them

Are skin bumps bumming you out? We feel you. But before you head to the pharmacy or beauty bar, it’s a good idea to get to the bottom of your bumps.

Here are 14 possible reasons why you have bumps on your face:

1. acne comedones and pimples
2. allergic reactions
3. blisters
4. dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN)
5. eczema
6. infection
7. ingrown hairs
8. keratosis pilaris
9. lipoma
10. milia
11. moles
12. rosacea
13. skin cancer
14. skin tags

Keep reading for the deets on each, plus the best treatments for each concern.

Why do I have little bumps on my face?

There are all sorts of reasons why you might have bumpy skin on your face. While most are totally harmless, others may require medical attention. That said, it’s important to know the facts.

Here’s an overview of 14 common causes.

1. Acne comedones and pimples

Acne happens when your skin is infected, inflamed, or produces too much oil. This can cause redness, soreness, itching, pimples, and bumps called comedones. These comedones are pores clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and other debris. They can manifest as pimples, whiteheads, or blackheads.

Zits can occur at any age but are more common in adolescence. Breakouts can also be triggered by hormonal changes during menstruation or pregnancy.

Acne usually doesn’t have any longterm effects, but in severe cases it can cause scarring.

2. Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions happen when your body overreacts to something it considers a threat. They can cause a rash, hives, or bumps anywhere on the skin.

Common triggers include:

• latex
• medications
• insect stings
• metals like nickel
• certain foods (e.g. peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, wheat, eggs, or milk)

3. Blisters

When your skin is subject to too much heat or friction, you’ll get a blister. Your skin will raise up in a little bubble containing fluid or blood. If you spend a lot of time wearing stuff on your face like masks, scarves, or goggles, this can cause blistering.

Generally, blisters are harmless if you leave them alone. The downside is that they can be hella annoying and painful.

4. Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN)

Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) is a benign skin growth. It’s most common in those who are of African or Asian decent and tends to appear as dark or skin-colored bumps on the skin. They can pop up anywhere on the body at any age. However, they tend to develop on the neck or face starting in the teen years.

5. Eczema bumps

Eczema (aka atopic dermatitis) can cause bumps on the skin along with a raised, scaly, or crusty rash. Triggers can range from foods to soaps to fabrics and even hormonal changes in your body. BTW, research think there’s a genetic component, too.

6. Infection bumps

A bunch of different infections might result in raised skin bumps or lumpy skin. This includes:

• chickenpox, an infection from the varicella-zoster virus
• MRSA, a serious concern that causes painfull, swollen skin bumps
• impetigo, caused by staph bacteria, resulting in sores and pustules
• warts, mall bumps which can be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)
• molluscum contagiosus, harmless poxvirus infection that makes pinkish bumps appear
• cold sores, uncomfortable lumps around the mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus

7. Ingrown hair bumps

When you shave, pluck, or wax your hair, it normally grows back straight up. But sometimes it grows the wrong way, heading into your skin and becoming an ingrown hair. These trapped hairs form small red bumps on your skin which might be sore and red. Some have pus in them. Yum. 🤢

8. Keratosis pilaris

Keratosis pilaris is a super common skin condition you’ve prob never heard of. It’s easy to mistake these skin bumps for goosebumps. In reality, they happen when dead skin cells block your hair follicles. While these bumps are totes harmless, they can still be irritating to look at.

9. Lipoma

Fatty tumours growing beneath your skin are called lipomas. They appear slowly, sometimes taking years to fully develop. Once matured, they’re about two or three inches across in most cases.

Lipomas are harmless in the vast majority of cases. But in rare cases, they can develop into cancerous liposarcomas. A dermatologist will be able to let you know if there’s anything to worry about.

10. Milia

Milia are small face bumps, similar to whiteheads. They’re actually small cysts filled with keratin and they’re completely harmless. You can be born with them or develop them in later life. Oily skin and sun damage are common causes of so-called secondary milia, the type that show up after birth.

11. Moles

Remember the Austin Powers scene? Well it’s not just Dr Evil’s henchman — almost everyone has at least one mole. These are dark or red spots caused when the cells in your skin which produce melanin grow together instead of spreading evenly. Scientists think that sun exposure plays some role in how moles form.

Most moles are friendly little critters which pose no threat to your health. But some can be warning signs of melanoma, skin cancer. If a new mole pops up on your face or starts bleeding and itching, talk to a doctor.

12. Rosacea bumps

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the skin in the center of your face. While we don’t know the exact causes, it’s likely a combo of genetic and environmental factors. In addition to redness, rosacea can also cause little raised bumps on your face.

FYI: Acne or eczema may present similar symptoms as rosacea, so it’s best to get a legit diagnosis from a derm.

13. Skin cancer

Too much exposure to the sun raises your risk of skin cancer. Symptoms like bumps appearing under the skin on your face could be a sign of carcinoma. Rashes or moles might potentially indicate a more aggressive melanoma.

PSA: Talk to a dermatologist ASAP if you notices any unusual marks, irregular spots, or suspicious moles on your skin.

14. Skin tags

Where your skin rubs together, you’ll sometimes get skin tags. These begin life as small bumps on your face, usually on your eyelids and neck. They’ll grow into little blobs connected to your body by a stalk.

While pretty freaky to look at, they’re normally harmless. If they become sore or discoloured, that might be a sign of infection. Most people get skin tags removed for aesthetic reasons rather than medical ones.

How to treat bumps on your face

Now you know what might be causing bumpy skin on your face, you’re probably gonna want to treat it:

Treating acne and eczema

Bad cases of acne might need topical antibiotics, but usually get better over time. For eczema, you may be prescribed topical steroids or anti-inflammatories to manage symptoms.

In either case, avoid getting too much sun. Stress and anxiety are also triggers for both acne and eczema so think twice about throwing yourself into high-stress situations.

Treating allergic reactions and rosacea

Identifying and avoiding environmental triggers is the most effective way of avoiding flareups. A dermatologist might recommend other topical treatments or drugs on top of that to help manage symptoms. This will depend on exactly how your skin reacts to your specific allergen trigger.

Treating blisters

Leave blisters to heal naturally, don’t pop or tear them. If you accidentally pop a blister, remove the bubbled skin and clean the fresh skin beneath before throwing on a sticking plaster.

Treating ingrown hairs

You can avoid ingrown hairs by using a sharp razor to shave and exfoliating your face with warm water. That opens up your pores, giving hairs the best chance to escape.

Don’t cut or dig into your skin to remove an ingrown hair, wait for it to grow out of your skin then pluck it.

Treating skin cancer

Skin cancer treatment could include a combination of:

• surgery
• medications
• chemotherapy
• chemical peels
• immunotherapy
• radiation therapy
• photodynamic therapy

Treating skin tags

A dermatologist can cut or cauterise a skin tag if you want or need it removed. Don’t google how to do it yourself with a bit of dental floss and some scissors. It’s not worth the risk of infection.

When should you see a doctor about bumps on your face?

What we’ve broken down here are some of the most common reasons why someone might have lumpy, bumpy skin on their face. If you can find your symptoms on this list, you’ll see it’s probably nothing to worry about.

If you can’t find a description here which matches your symptoms, it might be worth speaking to a dermatologist.

Alternatively, if you do see your symptoms and they might be an early sign of something serious, talk to someone sooner rather than later.

There’s also a chance that conditions like acne might be affecting your self-esteem, even if they’re not physically affecting you. If that’s your sitch, a dermatologist can help you manage your skin symptoms while a mental health provider can help increase your self-esteem.

Takeaway

There’s lots of reasons why you suddenly have bumps on your cheeks, forehead or chin. Most of them are harmless, but a few might be a symptom of a serious concern.

If you can’t identify the root cause, speak to a medical pro and get yourself some peace of mind.

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Thanksgiving recap + Black Friday Finds

Hi friends! Happy Friday! I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving with lots of amazing food and time spent with those you love. I hope you know how grateful I am for all of you! Thank you so much for being here, for supporting my blog, podcast, and other random endeavors, and for being my virtual BFFs. Whether you’re new here (hello!!) or an OG blog reader (THANK YOU!), you mean so much to me and I’m thankful everyday for this little blog and the opportunity to hang out with you all.

My favorite little turkeys:

Our Thanksgiving was perfection. To start off the Thanksgiving and holiday festivities, we met up with my dad, stepmom, brothers, and some friends for the Gaslight Christmas show. Gaslight is a Tucson staple with melodramatic musicals. You cheer for the good guys, “boo!” for the villains, and enjoy a hilarious short olio show after the main production. The actors are all local and extremely talented, and it’s always a fun family activity. 

This year, it was Christmas Vacation and it was a HOOT. 

(Skirt is here/ boots are here)

Thursday morning, we slept in (praise be), I made turkey-shaped pancakes for the crew, we took a family walk, and then it was baking time!

I was asked to bring a dessert to the festivities, so I made the chocolate pecan Bourbon pie from the new Ina cookbook. I typically don’t make *new* recipes for company or gatherings, but I know that Ina recipes will always be a hit.

(Dress is old but I found it in black on sale here)

10/10 recommend the pie recipe. It was chocolatey and rich and glorious.

We headed to my uncle’s house, which is where we have Thanksgiving pretty much every year. We feast to our heart’s delight, the guys and kids typically head off for golf in the afternoon, and it’s time spent chatting with the fam and watching the cousins run around and play.

I always try a little bit of everything then go back for what I love the most. In this case, I loved everything the most.

After my uncle’s, we headed home to let Maisey out, and then we went over to madre’s for a bit. This is when we eat more pie and plan our Black Friday strategies. We used to wake up in the middle of the night to go shopping (or go at midnight!), but now that sales start earlier and everything is online, it makes things very convenient.

Today, I’m catching an F45 class with a friend, putting the finishing touches on December Fit Team workouts, and getting the rest of our shopping finished. There are SO many great sales right now, and this is when I get gifts and also get things we need for house or that I’ve been wanting. 😉

Here’s a roundup of the best things I’ve found!

My favorite brands:

Integrative Health Practitioner: I finished Level One, absolutely loved it, and am working towards Level 2. You can sign up here and use the code BLACKFRIDAY for $250 off of Level 1 or $500 off of Levels 1 & 2. They’re also offering an exclusive November monthly lab bonus when a new student signs-up for Level 1+2, they’ll receive either the Men’s or Women’s Wellness lab. It is a $200 value and they will also receive a 30 minute health coaching call. It’s a great way to see how a coaching call goes and get a feel for what you’ll be doing as a Certified IHP. Be my study buddy here. You do not need to currently work in the health and fitness industry, and it’s an amazing way to explore your passions or begin a new career path.

HigherDOSE: If you’ve had your eye on a sauna blanket or a PEMF Go Mat, now is the time! Use this link and your discount will be automatically applied at checkout. This is their best promo of the entire year!

InsideTracker: InsideTracker is doing their biggest sale of the year! You can get $200 off their Ultimate Plan at this link with the code GINAHBF. InsideTracker has played a huge role in my personal health journey, and it’s been helpful to have data and metrics for the things I’d like to improve. I got my new round of blood work done last week, so I’ll share my results as soon as I get them. If you’re looking to improve your health, performance, and vitality, but aren’t sure where to start, I highly recommend it.

Organifi: I have at last one Organifi product every.single.day. It’s been a very stressful few months around here, and I started feeling sluggish in the mornings. I switched my green juice to the morning, first thing, and it’s made a HUGE difference in my energy levels. That blast of nutrients has definitely helped! I also use and love the red juice, gold powder, protein powder, and Harmony. You can use this link and the code FITNESSISTA for 25% off and free shipping on orders over $125.

Sakara: Sakara makes my favorite pre-made meals on the planet. Everything is so fresh, vibrant, packed with superfoods, and feels like a gift. I have a shipment coming next week and can’t wait! If you’ve been wanting to try Sakara, now is the chance. You can even just order the meals for lunch, which I feel can be the most challenging meal. I know so many of us are rushing around, so it’s easy to just grab some thing quick (like a snack that’s not super filling), or skip lunch. I always order breakfast + lunch and it makes busy weekdays so much more delicious (and way easier). Use this link and the code XOGINAH-BF22 for 25% off sitewide.

Total Body Reset: Flash sale on the 6-week program I put together with my friend Mia, who is a Registered Dietitian. We help you create a sustainable lifestyle you can keep, with a lean eating strategy to balance hormones and get your energy back. The program is typically $797, but for Black Friday, you can get everything for $197 here. We’ve revamped the plan to include 4 weeks of meal guides in addition to the videos and bonuses, and if you sign up before Sunday, you’ll also get a copy of Healthy Holiday Recipes.

More discounts + what I’m shopping this year:

Hanna Andersson: grabbing the kids’ matching Christmas jammies- they’re 50% off and the rest of the site is 40% off

J Crew: I shopped early and grabbed shirts for P, leggings, and their Christmas dresses. 50% off!

gap: Also shopped early for everyday staples at 50% off. I feel like the kids have outgrown everything, so they needed quite a few winter staples, like hoodies and jeans

Anthropologie  is 30% off. Obsessed with this maxi dress, this sweater and slip dress combo, this gorgeous birthstone pendant, and this velvet headband.

Madewell: 40% off sitewide! I got another pair of these jeans because I love them so much (size down!) and this sweater

Kerastase: 20% off sitewide! They make my favorite hair mask in the entire world.

Target: I haven’t scoped out their sales yet, but this is where I’ll be getting a lot of the kids’ toys

Express: Anyone else feel like Express is crushing it lately?! It’s 50% off everything right now! Love this jumpsuit, this bodysuit, this cardigan, and these pants.

Erin Condren: 30% off! Ordered my planner for next year. I think my referral link will get you an extra $10 off if you want to give it a whirl!

Amazon: SO many amazing Black Friday deals!

Some of my top finds from Amazon:

Women’s fashion: thick high-waist leggings, classic puffer jacket, classic silk dress, long blazer, these cute ankle boots

Electronics: Bose headphones, Oculus Quest 2, Bose sport earbuds, Fitbit Inspire 2

Internet famous deals: Kindle paperwhite, Bluey and Bingo plush duo, Hydroflask with wide lid, this amazing air purifier, DryBar blow dryer brush

For home: our favorite blender, a new Nespresso, my go-to vacuum, a new juicer, thinking I need this pink Dutch oven

So tell me, friends: what was the highlight of your Thanksgiving??

Are you shopping this weekend? What’s on your list?

If you’re looking for gift ideas, I’ve gotchu.

Gift guide for holiday hostesses and under $50 faves

For the men

For her

For the kids

Have a very happy Black Friday and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

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