How To :: Manage Indulgence Overload in Three Easy Steps

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'Tis the Season ...

... for standing in the glow of the refrigerator to figure out what delicious food comes next; for hovering over the sink to inhale a slice of pie; for waking up with anxiety over what was eaten yesterday or the day before.

But no more! One day (or weekend) will not make or break your food habits - and if you think it will, it's the diet that is to blame, not yourself.

Waking up post-feast-weekend can leave you sluggish and, for lack of a better word, blah. So I've - Emily here! - included my top three tips for getting back to Great Vibes when I've forgotten myself and indulged like it's my middle name.

Drink Water like it's Liquid Gold - It Kind of Is.

My number one tip to surviving the holiday season is drinking water. It's the easiest, most effective way of flushing out toxins, rejuvenating your skin, and keeping you satisfied. I've done absolutely zero exercise, ate all I wanted, but made sure to have at least 64 oz. of water everyday over Thanksgiving weekend and not gained weight. That won't work for everyone, but my point is water is pure gold. If water tastes bland to you, try adding ginger or lemon (like the picture above) or infuse it with some berries. If you want to step it up a notch, try my top-secret (not-so-secret anymore) toxin flush of 1 cup of water with about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in the morning upon first waking and again prior to going to bed. You'll be met with a happy tummy, a detoxified body, and a glowing complexion.

Move the Body, but Not Like You're Thinking.

Contrary to popular belief, the whole burn-the-equivalent-of-calories-in is wrong. You cannot hop on a treadmill and burn off that extra serving of mashed potatoes. Nope. What you can do, however, is be gentle with yourself and your initial movements post-food-coma. To begin, incorporate some slow burning, detoxing twists into your workout or yoga sequence. The reason you're puffy and uncomfortable is due to the build up of food and toxins being processed through your system. The digestive track gets to be slow moving and the stomach may become sensitive and irritable. By incorporating twists into your daily regimen, you can help your body naturally eliminate excess without it being a harmful shock to the system. If you're craving a vigorous run or yoga sequence, then by all means, please do it. Start slowly and then increase to a quicker pace. There's nothing worse than being mid-run and having your stomach cramp. But if you're sitting there saying you must even though you really just want to ease into your day, then do not do it. There's nothing less effective than a forced, high-intensity workout.

Eat More Food - Seriously, Do It.

"Let food be thy medicine" - Hippocrates

If you've overindulged, the answer is more food, not less of it. Remember what I said about exercising and how calories-in cannot be negated by burning the exact amount off? Well starving yourself the day after overindulgence does nothing more than make your body hold onto it's weight. Make room for foods that are easy to digest and extremely nutritious. Any of the recipes on The Great Vibes Guide are excellent for this. For an amazing and free detox recipe eBook, sign up for Minimalist Baker's newsletter. It includes easy to make and yummy to eat recipes that help you hit the reset button on your body. They are refreshing and absolutely delicious. The site is great in general. Dana and John bring priceless resources and incredible recipes to the online community that have me wanting to do a happy dance just thinking about it.

Wrapping back to the main point, foods can heal your body. Eat the good stuff.

Good thing we don't believe in guilt over here ...

If there is one thing I've learned, it is that life has no room for guilt or shame. You ate a meal. Maybe 10. If they exceed what you deem "good" or "acceptable", that is okay and I give you permission to forgive the unkind words spoken to yourself after eating that third slice of pie.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the fitness hype and dieting craze. However, your body is more than the food you eat. It's a miracle. So shower it with the love it deserves during this crazy and hectic holiday season. If you are still struggling, click here to reach out, and let's get you back on track. For the time being, drink lots of water, exercise in a way that makes you feel like royalty, and eat foods that make you glow.

The holidays are here. Make it a wonderful close to the year by treating yourself kindly. Xx.

P.S. Did you know you get a free 5 Tips to Great Vibes Guide & grocery store printable when you sign up for The Newsletter? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?

Being a #GirlBoss & Free Desktop Wallpaper

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What does it mean to be a #girlboss?
You use the phrase all the time.

Being a #girlboss means more to me than just working in yoga pants with a dog snoring beside me or meeting clients at unique spaces all across town to support the locals. It's more to me than money freedom, setting my own hours, and working with people of my own choosing.

It's about being unapologetic in my success, taking what's mine without being labeled 'pushy' or 'bossy' or 'intimidating'. It's about empowering the person who thinks they aren't enough because they were told to sit down, be quiet, and speak when spoken to.

'I am strong because of who I am in my soul and my brains, not in spite of them; I am successful because of my age and my gender; not in spite of them.'

I think of the people in this world who dim their lights, because someone at some point told them they would never become a success on their own or that their interests were not enough on which to survive or thrive. I want to be brave in the face of ageism and sexism and say, 'I am strong because of who I am in my soul and my brains, not in spite of them; I am successful because of my age and my gender; not in spite of them'.

Being a #girlboss is about changing the dialogue.

I am not *lucky* to be standing where I am right now. I've busted my butt and earned it. All of us have earned where we are today - whether we're happy with it or not, our actions have contributed to our present state. It's what we do with our dissatisfaction/success that shapes who we become. It's a shame our strengths are masked by others' insecurities: we can't take control without a label against us, or stand up for our beliefs for the same reason. I laugh just thinking of the absurdity.

Being a #girlboss means getting to be 100% real 100% of the time. No ifs, ands, or buts. It's not sparkles and happy dances all of the time, but it's a hell of a lot more interesting than sitting still and watching life just pass by. 

+ What does being a #girlboss mean to you?

... on to your free desktop wallpaper!!!

Click to download free wallpaper! Once in the new window, right click, save & there you go!

Click to download free wallpaper! Once in the new window, right click, save & there you go!

Here's what your desktop wallpaper looks like! Click to download...

P.S. Use the hashtag #thegreatvibesguide for anything that makes you feel like doing the happy dance or expressing your imperfectly perfect self.

P.S.S. Did you know you get a free Great Vibes Guide & grocery store printable when you sign up for The Newsletter? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?

Gift Guide :: 21st Birthday

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Happiness is about the unseen things, the moments that take your breath away, laughter at the end of a long day, puppy kisses, hugs with an extra squeeze, love. That's what it's all about. As long as my birthday has at least one of the intangible, it'll be a great one. But the next few items wouldn't hurt either ...

Today, I've put together 21 items that you'll find on my birthday list! I'm super excited to share with you my faves. Note :: I've used affiliate links throughout this post. Thanks for supporting The Great Vibes Guide & me! Xx.

Part I ::

1. water bottle (1/2/3)

2. coloring book 

3. macbook cover/skin (1/2/3)

4. portable speakers (1/2/3)

5. dslr camera

6. iPhone case (1/2/3)

7. carry-on weekend bag (1/2/3)

Part II ::

1. j.crew pixie pants

2. donation

3. lipstick (1/2/3)

4. grown-up pajamas (1/2/3)

5. the mira heel

6. love your melon beanie

7. books (1/2/3)

Part III ::

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1. stemless wineglasses (1/2/3)

2. tasteful shot glasses (1/2/3)

3. ice cube tray (1/2/3)

4. cork screw (1/2/3)

5. bar tool set (1/2/3)

6. bottle opener (1/2/3)

7. cocktail recipe book (1/2/3)

+Now, real talk here ... how much do you love gift guides?

P.S. Use the hashtag #thegreatvibesguide for anything that makes you feel like doing the happy dance or expressing your imperfectly perfect self.

P.S.S. Did you know you get a free free Great Vibes Guide & grocery store printable when you sign up for The Newsletter? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

P.S.S.S. Have you checked out all of the
other places Emily's spreading the Great Vibes?