Health & Wellness

7 Things to Do with Your Girlfriends That Don’t Involve Drinking

Pass on the bottle of vino this time, do these activities together instead
Filed Under > Everyday

drinking

Don’t get me wrong, happy hour with the girls is one of my favorite things to do each week, and bringing a bottle of wine is always appreciated when we’re stopping by each other’s houses.  Alcohol, whether we’ll admit it or not, is a cornerstone for so many of our social activities, especially being in our late twenties and early thirties.  This realization recently had me thinking how difficult it makes it for those trying to cut back, avoid the hangovers or maybe even connect on a deeper level.  It can feel like there’s not much to do with your friends without having a drink in-hand. 

But for all of the time in between the parties, the wine nights and the happy hours, there’s a lot of life.   And these moments can offer quality time with your besties that is healthier, more stimulating and ultimately fulfilling.  In the past year, I personally have really taken a step back from going out all of the time, and now look so much more forward to catching up with my friends doing activities we love.  That includes hiking, cooking, having an at-home spa night (I’m a product junkie) and volunteering together. 

So instead of groaning about there being no things to do without drinking, get creative.  Ask yourself, when was the last time you spent time volunteering together?  Painting together?  Cooking together?  Check out my list of ideas for things to do with your girlfriends without drinking below, and tell me what you love to do with your ladies.  Cheers, Kat

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Host an At-Home Spa Night

WOM's One Love Organics Essentials Kit

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All of my friends know that I’m a beauty product buff.  I am absolutely obsessed with finding new great green skincare and beauty products.  So at the top of my list of things to do without drinking (and even on a night where they’re all out drinking without me…) is an at-home spa night.  

Get it on the calendar, and get your besties together to indulge in some self love.  Leave your phones at home (or in the other room) and set the mood with relaxing music, crystals charged, the diffuser turned on, nontoxic candles lit and don only you comfiest clothes.  

My favorite things to do: apply a detoxifying face mask, whip the Clarisonic out and exfoliate, hydrate from the inside out by drinking coconut water or aloe water, give your body a one-over with a dry brush, moisturize all over with coconut oil, apply a hair mask, and give yourself (or your friend) a solid mani and/or pedi (here’s our favorite nontoxic nail polish brand). 

Volunteer Together

3-Piece Garden Tool Set

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I’ve recently found such fulfillment in volunteering.  I think the key is finding something you really, really enjoy doing personally and figure out a way to give back.  I’ve recently become more and more interested in gardening (even if it’s just a potted plant and indoor herbs for right now).  So I was thrilled to find The Nashville Food Project, a local nonprofit that invited volunteers into their community gardens to help grow and harvest vegetables to feed the hungry around town, as well as help out in their prep kitchens. 

If you can sync up your interests, bring a friend or two along with you next time you visit your favorite charity or nonprofit.  It will be an incredibly refreshing chance to unplug, accomplish good acts together, and help each other live a fuller life. 

Have a Game Night

Travel Cribbage and Backgammon Set

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A game night at home can help take the pressure off a weekend night out on the town.  And no, I’m not talking about drinking games.  So many of the greatest tabletop games can be enjoyed with a few snacks and some laughs.  

When planning the night, poll the crowd and bring out the tried-and-true favorites, and consider having a new game to keep things interesting.  

My personal favorites include Balderdash (seriously so fun and better the more creative you get), Monopoly (because it’s a classic…I’m always the one that wants to play for 3 hours until she starts losing), Scrabble (always a family favorite), Settlers of Catan, Sorry and The Game of Life.  

Create Something

12-Piece Paint Brush Set

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Get together and flex your creative muscles; you’ll be surprised at how relaxed, recharged and rejuvenated you’ll feel after!  Whether that’s by doing a craft together, painting, drawing, coloring, making jewelry, knitting, crocheting, mixing essential oil blends or repurposing furniture, you can reap the benefits of meditative and inspiring work…you may even solve some world problems while doing so. 

Cook a Great Meal

The Yoga Kitchen

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Gathering together to cook a great meal doesn’t always require alcohol!  If you’re afraid of being tempted, I’d suggest picking up a healthy cookbook to encourage health-minded dining (why botch the light meal with one too many glasses of wine?!). 

The Yoga Kitchen and Nutrition Stripped are my go-to’s when I’m in the mood to stay in and cook with my girlfriends.  Both books make it easy and fun to bring together nourishing ingredients, without getting too out there. 

Go for a Hike

Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boots

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Connecting with nature is so good for your mind, body and soul, and if you can do it with a girlfriend in tow, it’s even better.  I cherish the time I spend on walks or hikes with my friends; it’s the perfect time to catch up, give advice and laugh about last weekend’s shenanigans. 

Not to mention, the endorphins, fresh air and vitamin D will have you feeling like a rockstar. It’ll help you choose positivity (and get your daily steps in!). And no matter rain or shine, my favorite parks around town include Percy Warner and Radnor Lake. 

Create Mood Boards

Zodiac Watercolor Print

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I love the idea of harnessing your goals and dreams with a strong mood board. They’re visually stimulating, inspiring and just all around beautiful on the wall.  

Invite your BFF over and hash out your color palettes, pull together your favorite art prints, and fan through stacks of magazines to piece together your board. 

Featured image, Kelli Boyd Photography for The Southern C 

How to Spring Clean with a Printable Spring Cleaning Checklist

Tackling Spring Cleaning Room by Room
Filed Under > Everyday

A Case for Spring Cleaning with A Printable Spring Cleaning Checklist, Waiting On Martha

Spring cleaning has always gotten a bad rap.  The annual chore of purging the whole house, whether you secretly enjoy it or not, brings about the connotation of an overwhelming slew of dirty work.  But when we actually take a second to think about it, cleaning gives you a huge sense of accomplishment, and it can be incredibly meditative and regenerative.  

A good cleaning works to clear the space, and it encourages a calm, peaceful and healthy (literally) environment.  It can also help extend a feeling of contentment with what you already have, decreasing your likelihood of spending money on things you don’t need. 

So this year, instead of moaning and groaning about it (and putting it off) I’m embracing this springtime ritual. In fact, recently, I have basked in glorious Sundays inside, where I have cleaned the house for a busy week ahead. I’m finding that the “reset” feeling is priceless, and it’s gotten me to understand the joy that Marie Kondo taught us

While spring cleaning can be great, I also understand it can be overwhelming.  So to help you get started we at Team WOM got together and created the ultimate spring cleaning, printable, checklist.   This spring cleaning checklist should quiet that feeling of where to start and make your home easier to navigate; breaking it all down room by room.  Find our printable checklist HERE.

Along with checklist I’ve also highlighted a few additional tips for those hard to clean spaces and places.  Tips like how do you actually clean your wood cutting boards, a breakdown of expiration dates, and the easiest way to tackle your blinds. And if you’re looking for some organizational inspiration make sure to check out our previous posts on linen closet, laundry room, and bathroom organization.

Lastly, I urge you to do your research and consider making the switch to non toxic cleaning solutions.  Switching to non toxic cleaning solutions is not only one of the healthiest things you can do for you and your family, it’s also the least expensive in the long run.  Cheers, MKR

P.S. While you’re degreasing, decluttering, and cleaning from top to bottom why not rid it of some bad juju with our DIY smudge sticks while you’re at it? 

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End-Grain Cutting Board in Walnut

Williams-Sonoma, $169.95

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As you’re sanitizing your wood cutting boards, stay away from the dishwasher. Instead, be sure to immediately rinse with hot water and soap, letting it dry properly and thoroughly. 

And did you know?  You can bring an old cutting board back to life and remove stains with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt and half of a lemon. Scrub all over with the lemon, then let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. If it’s a little stinky, spritz the board with white vinegar and a drop or two of lemon essential oil

Bamboo Blind 2-Inch Slats in Pecan

Overstock, $47.99

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When you tackle the blinds and curtains around the house, remember to vacuum horizontal ones across the slats, not up and down, and starting top to bottom.  Team WOM swears by the Dyson Cordless Vacuum with all sorts of detachments perfect for cleaning blinds, sofas, cars, etc. 

If you’re dusting vertical blinds, brush downward.  These motions will help ensure the blinds do not become damaged or unhinged during the cleaning process. 

2 Tier Acrylic Tower

The Container Store

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As you’re decluttering and cleaning the bathroom, pay extra attention to expiration dates on beauty products and pill bottles.  This is a great time to purge unused and expired items that are taking up precious space below the sink. Here’s a great breakdown of common expiration dates to keep in mind (it’s pretty mind blowing if you haven’t thought about it!). 

St. Honore Soap Dish

One Kings Lane, $12

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Don’t forget about sanitizing the most-used items in the bathroom like soap dishes and toothbrush holders.  These items can catch and store moisture (which is never good) and should be cleaned more frequently than you probably realize. 

Try to limit the amount of water collected by wiping down frequently after uses.  When you deep clean, soak them in hot water in the sink, or run them through the dishwasher. 

Featured image, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

5 Easy Ways to Stay Fit While Traveling

How I prioritized mind-body wellness while on the go
Filed Under > Everyday

I’ve been out of town on work travel for 12 days in January and February.  While I LOVE a good trip, and I always see it as a chance to be rejuvenated and inspired, I get stressed out about maintaining my health and fitness while away.  When home in Nashville, I prioritize working out 5-6 days per week, and I’m happy as a clam to have a smoothie for lunch during the workday.  So when I’m away from my routine for that amount of time, I have to be diligent about the decisions that will help me take care of myself. 

That means working out.  I was in denial about this for years, I had always heard that working out even when you’re tired would help boost your energy and overall mood.  I’m happy to say that I’ve finally embraced a good sweat as essential for my mind-body wellness; it helps me feel good physically while also saving a little sanity while I’m constantly “on-on-on” as I like to call it.  And I credit a quick jog, even if it’s just a mile, and a hotel-room HIIT sesh for keeping me happy and healthy during these past two months on the go. 

Do you struggle with staying fit while traveling?  I think the biggest thing is to think of it like this: your body is truly your temple, so do what you need to do to keep it thriving.  That doesn’t stop when you’re away from home; it’s the most important then.  Check out a few easy tips to stay fit while traveling below.  I’d love to know any tricks you have up your sleeve, too.  Cheers, Kat
  

Break a Sweat Every Day

Techloom Pro Running Shoe

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I really made a point to get outside and move around on our trips.  That meant a few mornings I set the alarm earlier than the rest to go for a quick run before sitting down with my coffee and my laptop.  Some days it was only a slow mile outside, and other days it was on the treadmill and felt more like a stress-relieving sprint.  But all in all, I prioritized to simply break a sweat, and thought if it more as a treat for myself mentally than anything.  It may sound silly, but it worked, and it helped me get through a long time away from my routine back home. 

Don’t worry if you don’t have a gym or equipment.  Like I mentioned above, I used this app a few days in the hotel room when I was too weary to go outside or find the gym.  And I found this fun no-equipment workout that would be great to do with a travel buddy, and I’ve always liked this one too. 

And get creative!  If you can’t dedicate 20-30 minutes to yourself for a workout, think about ways you can work up a little sweat even if it means taking the stairs instead of the elevator or riding a bike instead of catching a cab. 

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Essentia 9.5 pH Drinking Water

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Staying hydrated is especially important while traveling.  You do not have the time to be bed-ridden with a migraine or sluggish the day after a client dinner. As McKel at Nutrition Stripped reminded us, water helps healthy digestion too, which is a huge factor in your everyday wellbeing.  When you have healthy digestion, you feel better ALL around.  I was also excited to learn from McKel that water helps us feel more energized and more alert, making it another no-brainer reason for staying hydrated.

During our two almost back-to-back trips, I made sure to have (read: hoard) water bottles in my hotel rooms, and I always ordered water with every cocktail.  I also avoided too many mid-day drinks as I’ve learned I get sluggish, unmotivated and make poor decisions with eating if I’ve had too many!  Instead, I ordered unsweetened iced tea during the day so that I could stay sharp and focused. 

Stock Up on Healthy Snacks

PROBAR Meal Bar

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I’ve realized that having healthy snacks with me helps curb the cravings (and gives me more will-power to say no to the temptations on the restaurant menus). 

My favorite non-GMO organic meal bar is this one.  I stashed several in my suitcase for both our Louisiana road trip and South Carolina road trip.  We also had a bag of Pure Growth Organic munchies for our time in the car; these helped us avoid the dismal snack offering at the gas station.

If your travel allows, also consider bringing homemade snacks like these Spirulina Energy Globes to keep you going full-speed ahead.  

Keep Track Of Your Goals

The Five Minute Journal

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I’m sure you’ve already seen me raving about The Five Minute Journal, but I swear this thing is life-changing.  I found a pattern in my notes on daily gratitude and my daily affirmations about my health—specifically the food I was choosing to nourish my body with, and the time I was setting aside to have “me time” and workout.  I really credit the simple act of writing down those affirmations and grateful thoughts about my health for my continued motivation while on the trips.  I felt more accomplished because I prioritized these things for my self. 

Other great ways to keep track of your goals digitally while on the go: My Fitness Pal and Map My Run

Pack Supplements, Vitamins & Essential Oils

Doctor's Best Vitamin C

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Strong immunity is as important as ever while you’re on the go (because who has time to be sick these days?!), and it’s right in line with healthy digestion.  When your body is functioning at its best, you’ll truly feel like you can tackle the full schedule ahead.  By remembering to pack supplements and vitamins, you’re giving yourself a boost that will have you feeling amazing all the way until you’re back home. 

Here are a few goodies I had with me:

Photography, Haley Sheffield for Waiting on Martha

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