My Favorite Things: January

How precious is my parents’ dog with his little head through a wreath?! Since I didn’t do one of these roundups for December (hot damn was Dec a wash for me haha), I’ve got a jumbo-sized edition of Favorite Things for you today that includes the last two months.

Favorite Products/Services

The Vegetarian Flavor Bible

If you love to cook but often feel like you have no clue what you’re doing *raises hand*, I highly recommend The Vegetarian Flavor Bible (carnivore friends, check out The Flavor Bible). It’s an exhaustive guide to creating new dishes and flavor combinations that actually work. Similar to an encyclopedia, you look up an ingredient, cuisine, etc. and it will give you all the information you need on it, including a list of other ingredients that pair well. I’ve found it SO helpful in creating new recipes for the blog! When it comes to seasoning, sauces and dressings, I’m not the most confident chef so this book has seriously become my best friend in the kitchen.

The Squatty Potty

I’ll spare you the details, but I love this thing. After hearing friends rave about their Squatty Potty for months, I finally bought one and it 100% lives up to the hype. I do wish I’d splurged for the wooden one though. Having the white plastic one around the base of our toilet kinda makes me feel like I’m in a nursing home for some reason. Oh well, still love it.

Release Your Anger Swear Words Adult Coloring Book

Eager to get on board with this whole trendy adult coloring book craze, I searched on Amazon and stumbled across one that truly spoke to my soul. The Release Your Anger Coloring Book complete with 40 swear words. *Adds to cart*

My only complaint is that sonofabitch isn’t one of the words. I mutter that under my breath easily 20 times a day and feel like it would really get my artistic juices flowing.

Favorite Workouts

C2 Grand Opening Class at CorePower Yoga Ink Block

CorePower recently opened a new location in Ink Block (a short walk from my apartment–yay!) and I was invited to their grand opening celebration class. It was their C2 format and wow ok maybe should have read the class description beforehand. Like a total asshole I wore thick, long black leggings not realizing it was hot yoga. And fast-paced hot yoga at that. Whoops. But I LOVED the yoga class. Will definitely be back! They’re not on ClassPass (yet) but the other CorePower studios are.

305 Fitness

THAT WAS SO FUN. Celebratory twerk after my first @305fitness class with the queen herself @sadiekurzban 👑🍑🔥 @anagoesfit @aly_raymer @katiedol27 @smcconnell #makesweatsexy

A video posted by Nicole Perry (@nicoleperr) on Jan 26, 2017 at 6:16pm PST

So. Much. Fun. I was a little nervous to try a 305 Fitness class because while I’m not a bad dancer, I’m not, like, oh ya know, good. Didn’t matter–seriously so fun I didn’t even have time to feel self-conscious. And damn do you sweat! Picture you and your best friends drunk at a night club dancing. That’s 305. Loved it and can’t wait to go back!

Recycle Influencer Event

Recycle invited a bunch of local bloggers and Instagrammers to a class followed by green juice, snacks and bubbly this past Saturday. I’ve been a huge fan of Recycle classes for years now, but this is the first time I took one of John’s classes–he’s so entertaining! The great thing about Recycle is that they have a really consistent product. I rarely look at who’s teaching but rather just sign up when it’s convenient because I know it’ll be a good workout regardless. Quality class + John’s hilarious commentary = perfect Saturday spin.

Favorite Eats

Easy 30-Minute Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup from Averie Cooks

Even though I don’t eat chicken anymore, I still cook it for Joe occasionally and when he got a nasty case of the flu early in the month he requested some chicken noodle soup. I found this recipe on Pinterest and Joe loved it! I used rotisserie chicken from the hot bar at Whole Foods because I’m lazy/raw meat grosses me out sometimes and it worked perfectly!

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

If you guys don’t already follow Lexi’s Clean Kitchen, you’re missing out on some seriously mouthwatering recipes and food photography. I made this roasted cauliflower hummus from her cook book the other week and loved it. If you’re short on chickpeas or just looking for a bean-less hummus this is an awesome recipe.

Favorite Things I…

Read

• My 6 Month CrossFit Transformation Isn’t What I Thought It’d Be via PopSugar | It’s vitally important to avoid basing transformation solely on appearance. Loved this article!
• What’s Healthier Than Following Fitness Gurus on Social Media? Unfollowing Them. via Greatist | Might seem weird that I’m posting this given I’m a fitness blogger and my job depends on people following me, but replace “fitness guru” with “bendy yogi” and I 100% relate to the article. I have a weird addiction to following insta-famous yoga girls and I do catch myself feeling like I should be able to do these insane inversions and contortions, or at least be striving to do so. I have to take a step back and remind myself that the cool bendy poses I see on social media aren’t the reason I love practicing yoga.

Listened To

I was on an Audible kick this month!

• [Audio Book] The Good Neighbor by AJ Banner | This is like Gone Girl. Not as good as Gone Girl, but similar idea and made for an engaging listen. In book format, it’d be a perfect quick beach read this summer.
• [Audio Book] The Crime Writer by Gregg Hurwitz | I mentioned this in my day in the life post last week. It’s about a crime writer who wakes up covered in blood accused of murder without any memory of the night. So he then has to try to figure out what happened to prove his innocence. At times it’s a bit ridiculous (brain tumors, amnesia, etc.) but I really liked the ending–didn’t see it coming!
• [Audio Book] A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny | I mentioned the first of the Chief Inspector Gamache books in a previous post–this is the second. I wasn’t crazy about the first but a reader actually left a comment urging me not to abandon the series (thank you!) and I’m glad I took the advice. The character development is so good in this book–I just love the cast of personalities! I was worried going from reading the first book to listening to the second would throw off the vision I had created, but it didn’t much at all.
• [Podcast] Navy SEAL David Goggins Is The Toughest Athlete on Earth – The Rich Roll Podcast | I shared this podcast episode on my Facebook page but it’s worth posting here as well. They talk about accountability, ditching the “poor me” attitude, and the importance of your mentality in achieving goals. I love the no-nonsense delivery and his emphasis on getting to know yourself and finding your truth.
• [Song] Mr. Watson (BKAYE Remix) – Cruel Youth | Obsessed with this song. Like I literally just put it on repeat all day. All. Day.

Favorite Moments

Playing Bite the Bag with my Family at Christmas

Highlight of Christmas has to be playing Bite the Bag–have you guys heard of this absurd(ly awesome) game?? You take a paper bag and cut off the top and then everyone tries to pick it up off the floor with their mouth. At the end of each round you cut off another inch or so from the top and try again. My mom came out of nowhere and won and I laughed so hard I thought I was going to throw up watching it happen. I’d post a picture, but she’d probably kill me. 😉

Getting My First Tattoo

One of my Christmas gifts from Joe this year was an appointment with a tattoo artist. I’ve wanted an ellipsis for a long time and decided to get it on my lower forearm/wrist. Why an ellipsis? I love its use in writing. It allows you to omit superfluous words that aren’t needed for the phrase/sentence to be understood. Cut out the fluff; focus on what’s really meaningful. Not a bad idea to live by, huh? 🙂 My brother and I also have a line of three freckles in the exact same spot on our left cheek so the dot dot dot has a double meaning for me. 

It’s super simple, but I absolutely love it–every time I catch a glimpse in the mirror it makes me happy. And I’m already dying to get another one!

What were some highlights for you in January?

My monthly favorites posts are never sponsored, however they typically contain a few affiliate links. I get sent a lot of free products, and the first section of this post might highlight a couple of my favorites. I’m never required to or being paid to feature these freebies and only share the ones I truly love and think my readers will enjoy as well.