The resources shared here are either resources I have direct experience with, or people I have a personal relationship with. If you have any questions about anything here, please feel free to contact me. I’m happy to share my experience.

People ask me all the time how I stay fit, and what I eat. Over time, I’ve adapted my lifestyle to what feels right for me and what makes me feel great. It’s always a work in process. Below is what is working for me right now.

You don’t have to do exactly what I do, you need to find what works for you. But if you need a starting point, check out the following resources:

Here is how I eat:

The Gracious Pantry – Clean Eating is a way of eating where you eliminate almost all processed foods and eat only whole, natural foods. On her blog, Tiffany offers easy, clean, great-tasting, healthy recipes. I’ve made many of her recipes. She’s got great snack and easy dinner recipes.

Everyday Paleo – The Paleo way of eating is similar to clean eating. In my opinion, though, it takes clean eating a few steps further. The Paleo philosophy includes whole, organic produce; grass-fed, free range meat; no grains; limited (or no) dairy. This blog is excellent for easy recipes that the whole family will enjoy.

Primal Kitchen – Also a Paleo web site, this site features great ideas for food that will travel – whether it be to work, school, or on the road.

Queen of the Stone Age – Julia posts excellent, easy Paleo recipes, as well as information on the Paleo lifestyle.

Here is how I work out:

Right now, my workouts consist of Trail Running and Yoga on Sundays, Crossfit on Monday and Friday, and Yoga on Tuesday and Thursday.

Crossfit RockSolid – This box (as “gyms” are called in the Crossfit world) is based in Downingtown, PA. Right now I’m there twice a week – Monday and Friday at 5:45 AM or 5:00 PM (depending on my schedule). If you’d like to try it out, but are afraid to go on your own,  let me know what time works for you, and I may be able to rearrange my schedule to meet you there. All workouts are scaled, and Mike, the coach, is AWESOME. The people that come to this box are also, many levels of awesome.

Crossfit – Workout of the Day – This is the main web site for Crossfit.  Crossfit is an interval-style workout. It combines short, intense bouts of cardio with intense bouts of strength training. Yes, they are challenging, and if you’re new to fitness, you may look at the workout and think “yeah right!” But, I encourage you to start where you are and build up from there – just shorten the duration, or do only the amount of reps you can with the amount of weight that you can.

If you have any questions about the exercises on the site, please feel free to drop me a line – I’m happy to help!

YogaGlo – This is a LA based yoga studio that offers a ton of classes online. You can take classes from people like Jo Tastula, Katherine Budig, and Felicia Tomasko – just to name a few of my favorites. Yogaglo offers many styles and every level – right in the comfort of where-ever you are.

Elite Personal Training – If you are living in Chester County and are looking for a personal trainer, Elite Personal Training offers a friendly, caring atmosphere. The experienced trainers at Elite create workouts and meal plans with YOUR individual needs in mind.  If you’re just getting back into fitness, or are unsure, or feel overwhelmed, Elite’s trainers can help you get started in a routine you’re going to love.

Books that changed my life:

Finding your Own North Star, Martha Beck – If you have ever questioned what your life’s purpose is, or what you should be doing with your life, this is a great book to read. Full of great, deep-thinking exercises, it will help you identify your intuition, and be better able to follow it. Click here to purchase.

The Eat Clean Diet, Tosca Reno - Really, this shouldn’t be called a diet… once you start eating “clean” you’ll feel so good, it’ll become a way of life. It did for me. With Clean Eating, you eliminate processed food, you eat 5 to 6 small meals a day, and even with a busy life – it’s totally do-able. Most of all, when you start, you feel incredible. Click to purchase.

The Paleo Solution – The Original Human Diet, Robb Wolf – The Paleo way of eating is based on common sense – eat natural foods – nothing processed. Eat protein, lots of fresh veggies and fruit, and healthy fats. Paleo is not necessarily low or no carb, but the diet does stress the importance of limiting grains. I’ve been eating this way since June of 2011 and I feel fantastic. Click here to purchase.

The Pure Heart of Yoga, Bob Butera, PhD – In his book, Bob explains yoga, the yoga lifestyle, and the yoga philosophy in clear, down-to-Earth terms. This was the first book about yoga that I’ve read (and I’ve read MANY), where I finally felt like I had a thorough understanding of yoga – the poses, and philosophy. Click here to purchase.

Yoga for Depression, Amy Wientraub – This book has helped me understand how depression comes about, and how I can use yoga to help ease, and alleviate my symptoms. Amy explains the science of why yoga works, and how it works in our physical, mental and emotional bodies. Click here to purchase.

Start Where You Are, Pema Chodrin – Such an inspiration… this book is fantastic for helping you let go of drama, get clear about what you want, and move forward in life. Click to purchase.

Other Blogs I visit regularly:

Life According to Jane - Jane has wonderful insight on every day occurrences, and big life decisions. Her humor and outlook will quickly become part of your daily routine.

Yoga Journal – Beginners Mind – This is a great blog that follows the journey of a beginner yogi.

Jennifer Louden – Serve and Savor the World – Want to explore creating a life you love and adore? Want to know how you can savor every drop of life and be of service, and not go insane trying to do it all? Jen’s your gal. Her blog is delicious, as it explores all the ways we can love our lives.