We’re in the home stretch of winter in NYC. Let’s just say as someone who has been bound to the same location working nonstop since August, I’m feeeeeeeeling it. I’ve officially begun a new phase. We are planning trips, we are trying new workouts, we are READY FOR SPRING (Phil the groundhog has predicted its early arrival and damn I’m here for it)!
get hot 🔥
Cloudy winters in NYC and my Italian roots do not get along – I’m officially turning green. But! We are back with our favorite combo that never fails: St. Tropez 1 hr express and Salty Face Tanning Water for the face. This was my Sunday night routine. Insert Palo Santo, music flooding my apartment, and a bathrobe. Hot girl loading, I call it.
Why I like it? St. Tropez foam is never orange, it works quickly, and unless you fall asleep (which I’ve only done twice), it gives you a really flawless, streak-free tan. For the face, I could never find a self-tanner that didn’t break me out or ruin my pillows. Not only does the Salty Face check all those boxes, it doesn’t smell either (a huge bonus in the tanning world!).
Method: I’ve tried so many different applications and this way has definitely been the winner. It’s best to apply tanner when your skin is smooth and exfoliated. These mitts are the best for making your skin so soft, whether you’re tanning or not! Once your skin is exfoliated, I use a touch of lotion such as Cetaphil on my knees, elbows, and ankles. Now you’re ready to apply! This mitt is my favorite one to use on the body, and I love using this brush to lightly blend the tan at my ankles and wrists to hands. The brush pulls a lot less product and lends for a more natural look versus using the mitt everywhere.For the face, simply add 3 drops of the tanning water to your moisturizer at night, and wake up with glowy skin. I pretty much use the face drops 4-5 days a week as it’s pretty gradual.
get smart 🎧
Years of being a ballerina and also just someone who stays active, I’ve always looked to trailblazers in areas where I’m struggling. For a while, that was balancing my hormones and feeling my strongest both inside and outside the studio. The reality is that a lot of fitness information (even wearables such as let’s say Whoop) is often based on male data. This becomes an issue when we are given advice or training information that does not take into account the many intricacies that come with being a woman in all stages of our life. I’ve gone through phases where I thought it was all in my head, but the data proves that is not the case.
Dr. Stacy Sims is a queen in the health and fitness world if you’re not familiar with her work. She is a Stanford-based exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist who publishes and shares incredibly forward-thinking work about the active female body. I find it really refreshing to have someone so dedicated to educating women to become their strongest selves not just for immediate results, but for life.
I read a quote of hers that has always resonated with me:
“We’ve grown up with the notion that an ‘athlete’ is someone we see on television or in Nike ads. We’re not like them. But here’s the thing: Yes, we are. The only thing that separates an ‘athlete’ from someone who regularly works out, exercises, or otherwise pursues physically active endeavors is competition. By strict definition, an athlete ‘competes.’ The origin of the word is ‘one who competes for a prize.’”1
Yes, someone who regularly works out vs. a professional athlete has different end goals, but the science behind what’s happening in our bodies is relevant all around. I don’t know about you, but I want to live a long, strong, happy life with lots of energy.
I wanted to kick things off with one of my favorite podcast episodes featuring Stacy from Simon J. Hill’s The Proof. It's a wealth of information for any woman looking to live a long, strong life, and most of all, feel good! Yes, it’s long and dense, but it’s filled with knowledge I wish I knew when I was younger. I’ve broken it down to share a few key clips in case you don’t want to listen to the whole thing.
Key sound bites:
20:37 The importance of your menstrual cycle and tailoring when to push and when to pull back. And how to reduce the taboo factor in doing this, when in actuality, it’s just plain smart.
24:47 - 27:06 “Women are not small men” What is it that makes women from a physiological standpoint, different from men in utero and how those changes impact us as we get older.
27:14 - 36:20 What do we need to understand about the female cycle in order to think about changing training or nutrition programs at different stages?
1:24 - 1:26 The importance of carbohydrates in our diet and how they are essential to support our bodies and adaptation.
*and yes I have more sound bites, just dm me
get cooking 👩🏻🍳
Dark Chocolate Fudge bites
Makes 12 bites
This fudge is my favorite thing to have at night with a cup of tea at the moment. It is rich and decadent tasting, and boosted with collagen. Top it with brazil nuts, it’s perfect :)
Ingredients:
9-10 oz unsweetened good quality chocolate (Valrhona is a good choice)
¾ cashew butter (any smooth nut butter will do)
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup date paste (or 3 medjool dates)
¼ cup collagen peptides (for protein boost)*
2 tbs arrowroot starch/flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp sea salt
1 tbs cacao nibs for topping
2 tbs chopped brazil nut for topping
Method:
Line a 9×5 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Using a double boiler or makeshift double boiler (bowl set on top of a pot) melt the chocolate and coconut oil until silky smooth.
Next, add the nut butter, collagen, arrowroot, maple syrup, dates, vanilla, and salt into a food processor.
Carefully pour in the melted chocolate mixture and mix everything until smooth and thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Smooth out the top, and sprinkle with cacao nibs and chopped brazil nuts (optional).
Place your fudge in the fridge/freezer for about 20 minutes to allow it to set. Cut into small even squares and either enjoy right away or store in the refrigerator for about 1 week. You can also store the fudge in the freezer for up to a month. Enjoy :)
That’s all for this week! Comment or DM me with questions or something you want me to talk about as I’m new here and want this to be useful. See you beauties soon! xxx Jenelle
Intermittent Fasting & Female Athletes | Dr. Stacy Sims. (n.d.). https://www.drstacysims.com/blog/You_are_an_athlete_and_you_shouldn%E2%80%99t_practice_intermittent_fasting