Eek! Ya know that feeling when you're so excited you wanna scream it from the rooftop?!?
I was featured TWICE in Insider and Business Insider this week. The article is about small dietary tweaks you can make to help you lose some excess weight. Check out my tips (the last two) about tea and bread. :-)
You can read the article here.
I'd love to hear from you. Have you tried implementing any of these tips already?
In good health,
Tara
Hey guys,
I'm sharing 7 (it's actually 8...shhh) tips that I use to varying degrees to add beneficial stress (called hormesis) onto my body. This beneficial stress is enough to build a more robust immune system, allow my body to become more resilient, fight disease, and prevent some future disease.
Curious about this? Check out my tips in this video.
P.S. If you want to make sure you don't miss any of my healthified recipes, workouts, and wellness tips, make sure you sign up for my newsletter list AND join my private facebook community. That's where all the fun is! :-)
In good health,
Tara
…am I right!?!
When was the last time you treated yourself to some pampering?
Yup. That's what I thought. It's about time, don't ya think?!
Join me - and so many amazing women and local businesses - on Sunday, May 20th as we take the chance to pamper YOU in the Red Tent Event and nourish your mind, body, and soul.
This exclusive event will be held at The Polish Hall in Riverhead, NY on May 20th from 12 PM - 4 PM.
Be sure to get there in time for my talk, "Love Your Body", at 12:45 PM. Stick around for a free health coaching consultation with me as well. :-)
Come say hello and be treated as the VIP that I know you are!
What else can you expect?
Mini massages, hand massages, chiropractic care, acupuncture, acupressure, mini hair-dos, makeup, belly checks, and more!
***Please note: ticket sales are NOT done through me. This is a charity event and I am volunteering my time and services. Please visit www.birthandbeyondresources.com for more information and to purchase a ticket. Use code "TARA" for 25% off.
Hope to see you there!
In good health,
Tara
A few days ago, I did a totally different kind of live video....I turned the lens on MYSELF!
I get different versions of the same question from you guys A LOT. It's something like, "Where are you at on YOUR health journey?" or, "How do you have the motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle?", or even sometimes, "You don't know what it's like to be unhealthy like me!"
So, I set up my iphone, took a seat, and spoke from the heart....for almost an HOUR! It's raw, it's real, and it's me. I take you through my PCOS journey, autoimmune issues, blood sugar issues, infertility and IVF, and share what I'm doing to combat these issues holistically.
Thank you for watching and if you're going through your own health struggles, please leave me a comment or email me at Tara@TaraAllenHealth.com. I want you to know I read every one myself and I want you to know you're NOT alone!
In (search of) good health,
Tara
Ahhhh....Valentine's Day. People seem to love it or hate it. How about you? Did you enjoy this Hallmark-created holiday this year?
I think if we all took a step back and saw the holiday as one day a year that we can be EXTRA grateful for any & all love we have in our lives, we might look at it differently. Specifically, are you loving yourself?
Self-care and self-love often brings up images of hippy-dippy peeps or candlelit bubble baths that are nearly impossible to pull off between when the last kid falls asleep and the first kid to wake up for a feeding....or teething....or nightmares.
But, that's just one teeny tiny aspect of self-care and self-love. Let's talk about the big picture. Check out my latest video all about self-love mentality...
So...whatdya say? Ready to fall in love with yourself again? Hope you have a nice, lonnnnnnng weekend!
In good health,
Tara
Microbiome. Gut health. The second brain. These are buzz words lately...and they're NOT going away! If you ever wondered what it's all about and whether or not the microbiome is being hyped (it's not), check out this video. Giving your insides a bit of your attention can pay off BIG TIME for your wellness and weight loss journey.
And, if you could use a bit of a jump-start with said wellness and weight loss journey, check out the details for my next 10-Day Healthy New You Reset. Early-bird pricing is available NOW! ;-)
Find out more right here.
Remember that Healthy New You Reset?
I'm sharing a screenshot of one client's results because, well, I'm proud of her, she said I could, and… I'm proud of her! ;-)
The results across the board were incredibly impressive. Women who decided to take their own health & happiness into their hands to start out 2018 with lots of inspired momentum did just that! There were many pounds lost, sugar cravings kicked, energy levels boosted, glowing skin complements, headaches lessened, and digestive issues fixed.
Here's what you've been asking me…when can I do this reset?!
Not to worry… I will be running this again soon. Stay tuned. If you're super-duper interested, shoot me an email and let me know. I have a running list of people to make sure I check-in with before I run the reset again.
Tara@TaraAllenHealth.com
In good health,
Tara
Why wait until Spring to start your cleaning?!
Fact #1: If you bring something UNHEALTHY into the home, it will be eaten by you or someone you love.
Fact #2: If you bring something HEALTHY into the home, it will also be eaten by you or someone you love.
We're coming up on the 4th week of 2018...let's wipe the slate clean!
Will this be helpful for you? Come join the group!
In good health,
Tara
Hey there,
Ready for the holidays yet? Me neither!
If you are new to my site, I’d like to take this opportunity to invite you to join my free newsletter list. My newsletter is where I share SO MANY more of my healthified recipes and wellness tips to get you healthy, fit, and strong! It’s a one-stop shop. ;-)
And while you’re at it, you might as well join my private facebook group, Lean In with Tara Allen Health, too! Inside you’ll find weekly challenges to optimize your body and mind, more recipes, and fun fitness Fridays.
Alrighty, so what if you had one more, quick & easy, healthy, NO BAKE dessert recipe in your arsenal to have at your fingertips for the remainder of the parties and gatherings?
I love to have some desserts in the freezer - especially this time of year! This helps cut back on the last-minute prep stress and means that if someone stops by last minute or we're running out and want the kids to be able to partake in dessert too, we have some options on hand.
This Maple Sea Salt Fudge is sooooooo satisfying! It's delicious and festive, plus it's full of protein and healthy fats to help keep you from devouring the cookie platters you just worked so hard to create. :-)
<< These are gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and paleo>>
Don't they LOOK amazing too?!
1 cup almond butter
1/2 cup cashew butter
1/2 cup coconut oil (melted then cooled to room temp.)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp sea salt (optional: extra for garnish)
1. In a large bowl, mix together nut butters, maple syrup, and coconut oil.
2. Mix in vanilla and sea salt.
3. Line a cake pan (8X8 works well) with parchment paper.
4. Spread mixture evenly into cake pan.
5. Optional: Garnish with sea salt.
6. Place in freezer for 1-2 hours.
7. Cut into squares (using a warm knife). Place remaining squares back into the freezer to store.
Let me know if you try these!
In holiday cheer and good health,
Tara
With Thanksgiving Day right around the corner (11 days away, to be exact), many people are finalizing plans to hit the road via plane, train, automobile, or all of the above to visit loved ones and tolerated ones alike. :-)
Many of my clients tell me it's the hustle and bustle and travel of the holiday season that sets them back further than the actual holidays themselves when it comes to their health goals. Can you relate? Me too!
So, I have put something together for you!
Starting tomorrow, inside my private community on Facebook, we will be taking the whole week to talk about ways to stay on track while you make your rounds this holiday season.
To get in on the fun, join this (FREE) group of awesome ladies that are striving to take better care of themselves and their families.
Hope to see you inside the group!
In good health,
Tara
Are you mopping the floor when your house is on fire?
Are you chewing gum for the extra calorie burn, but then chugging down a Venti Frap on your way home from work?
Watch this #WonderWednesday LIVE video to see what the heck I'm talking about…and help figure out where to start with your weight loss and health goals.
Then, come back and drop a comment. Tell me, what is one of YOUR big rocks?
In good health,
Tara
P.S. It's subtle, but around a minute or so in, I shoo away a neighbor so I can keep talking to you guys! :-O Oops. At least I'm passionate! Haha.
In just 3 days, I am hosting a FREE webinar - The truth about calorie-counting and what you can do instead.
This live event is for you is you find yourself jumping from diet to diet, have ever tried to count your calories or macros, or would like to learn more about your metabolism and a better way to manage portions without making you want to pull your hair out.
Is this you? Join the group now so you're all set to pop in and catch the webinar! If you can't make it live, the replay will be available in this group as well.
Can't wait to see you there!
In good health,
Tara
Hey Superstar (felt like an appropriate greeting for this rainy, Monday afternoon),
Have you ever tried to bring your own food somewhere and been denied? Maybe you or your kiddos have food allergies or you're just trying to feed real food to your family?
This is something we are faced with all the time. Usually it's no big deal - we just bring our little cooler bag everywhere with us. However, there are some instances where outside food is not permitted.
What do YOU do? What has your experience been like?
Let's change the culture! If there is a facility that cannot accommodate allergies and those looking to eat mostly unprocessed food, then they should be allowing outside food. We're more than happy to buy silly souvenirs to make sure you make money on us. :-P
In good health,
Tara
Acid blockers are some of the most frequently prescribed medications for GERD / reflux / heart burn. Do you or anyone you know take these? Although they can be helpful in certain situations for certain people for a certain (typically limited) amount of time, this is not what is seen 'in the real world'. Watch the video for some more information about acid blockers. As always, be sure to discuss ANY changes to your medication with your prescribing practitioner beforehand.
What types of lifestyle changes may help with your symptoms? Feel free to reach out to me for some more tips or strategies.
In good health,
Tara
Check out my latest video in which I am asking you for help.
Weeds, and lawns, and organic landscaping…oh my!
Just another decision to make in the "real world". Another set of priorities to reconcile. This is life! We want our children to have a beautiful, lush lawn to run around on, get their fair share of grass stains on, play ball on, and take their obligatory prom pictures on. We want to have BBQs, cookouts, and fun with friends and family. We want to sit around the (baby) pool and under the shade while we take too many pictures on our kiddos.
AND, we want to do all of this without the use of industrial pesticides. No Monsanto. No Glyphosate. No thank you!
So, where does this leave us? What to do? This is a real question! Please weigh in and help us with our dilemma.
P.S. We live on Long Island (New York) and are open to both organic landscaping company recommendations and DIY options.
Thanks!
In good health amongst the weeds,
Tara
A letter to my kiddos on Mother's Day...
Dear Mags and Jags,
Tomorrow will be my fourth year as a mother on Mother's Day. I want you to know that I waited (im)patiently for you for a long time! I dreamed that you'd join us, Earthside, during so many long nights and even more days than I can recall.
My life no longer resembles the life I had prior to 3.5 years ago. I signed up for that. My career has drastically shifted, I have bags under my eyes, and my coffee is always cold by the time it reaches my lips. It's hard to feel like a bada$$ - in business, in life - with various bodily fluids gripping onto my shirt threads. There's 40,789 daily toddler questions and mysterious scratches on my face (didn't I just cut your nails?!) Date night now consists of squeezing in 10 minutes of Shark Tank on the DVR before the first nighttime feeding. That's right - hot dates over here in the Allen household. ;-)
Then….THEN….the sleepless nights!
Sleepless on Long Island.
Sleepless in Love.
I signed up for this.
Ugh. You know what? The sleepless nights are HARD, but they're also WONDERFUL. There, I said it. This does not mean I can't use this against you in the future, by the way. Certainly I should be able to squeeze an extra chore or 2 out of you both in the future, right? Here's the truth. I kinda, sorta cherish the sleepless nights. (Shh - don't tell Daddy!) There's something about the blanket of darkness and silence that calms my hyperactive monkey brain. As I nourish your body with mine, my soul is overflowing with joy. You see, I'm not counting the loads of laundry I didn't get to the day before or worrying about completing a client email in a few hours. I'm present. I breathe you in. There's this bond that's so overwhelmingly beautiful, it's bone-shattering (the other mamas will understand what I mean).
I signed up for this.
I literally signed up for all of this.
That first appointment I had with the fertility doc happened to fall on a hot summer day. This was helpful as my tears were camouflaged by the beads of sweat.
I signed the consent forms - all of them - for every procedure, test, poke & prod. I'd do it all again. Times a million.
I signed up to be your mama. I'm a lucky, lucky mama.
Now that we're all here, I promise to keep my feet on the ground and my eyes on the stars - thanking them for the dream-come-true. I'm not perfect (truly, I'm not!), but I promise to do my best - as humans do. I promise to love you AND YOUR MOTHER. You see, this business, the food I cook to nourish our family, the active lifestyle we lead…it's for you. It's for us. You deserve a mama that's here for you; a leading lady in your life ready to spring into action when needed or help support you through your childhood and adult challenges - changing careers, parenthood, filing for AARP. Did I mention that I plan on being here for a while? ;-)
M & J, tomorrow is Mother's Day. You are 1 & 3 years old. There may be a card for me, a brunch to celebrate me and the other special grand-mothers in your life, even a period of time in which you see me sit back for a few to take it all in. Let me tell you a secret… I won't be celebrating me. I'll be celebrating you. I'll be thanking my lucky stars and wondering what I did to deserve the best.
Magnolia and Jagger, though I prefer "mama", it ain't so bad being your "mother" on Mother's Day. Thanks for the title. Thanks for the moments. Thanks for the memories and laughter and hugs. I definitely signed up for this.
In Joy,
Mama
Whether you choose to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, and/or REPURPOSE today, it's a great day to take a step back and enjoy Mother Earth in all Her glory. I'm looking out a big picture window right now watching the cold rain come down in New York, despite earlier reports of today being the dry & sunny part of the weekend. Luckily, we had no specific outdoor plans and I can just enjoy the coziness and warm-fuzzies that I get on days like this. Side note: I also LOVE to tell my toddler that it's good sleeping whether in hopes of a successful nap-time. I'm still testing this theory out with her. ;-)
Anyway, as the weather allows, I've been making more and more time to get outside with the kiddos. We ALL need the fresh air, sunshine, and adventure that only The Great Outdoors can provide. You know what I mean, right? Of course there's the all-important Vitamin D that our body needs from direct sunlight on our skin, but it's more than that. We now know that just getting the passing light of the sun in our eyes for a bit everyday actually helps us produce more melatonin at night (HELLO better sleep quality!), increases energy and productivity during the day, and helps to fight overall dis-ease. Score!
Here's how we (myself + 1 year old + 3 year old) spent our outside time this week so far:
That's it. Nothing too crazy and we had a few rainy days that we did pick indoor activities. Oh, and planted some herbs that we're (im)patiently waiting to sprout. What can I say, eating from the Earth with the fam makes me happy!
How are you spending your Earth Day? Any Spring cleaning or festivals or charity walks on the calendar?
In good health,
Tara
We're at an interesting cross-roads in our health history as a species. Yes, it's true that younger generations will be the first ever to have a shorter lifespan than their parents - on the whole. Does that scare anyone? As a mama of 2, I will be darned if I just let this happen without putting up a fight.
Here's the deal: earlier generations typically had a MUCH less toxic start to their life. They only ate organically, because these neurotoxic pesticides weren't around generations ago. There weren't any plastics, microwaveable dinners, cleaning products with 20 ingredients, etc. Everything was more natural.
You and I may not have had the same start, but we are armed with knowledge now to make changes. Remember, you vote with your dollar! So just changing the food you eat and the products you use help to drive down the demand for the less-than-stellar options. :-)
In good health,
Tara
There may still be some patches on snow hunkering down here in New York, but the calendar has moved on. Spring has SPRUNG! Along with all of the extra cleaning, organizing, outside walks, and Summer vacation planning that people seem to always squeeze into the first week of Spring, we're usually ready to change up our food. WIth lots of green and sprouts starting to come up this time of the year, Spring makes for the perfect time to introduce new greens into your diet. When we are more conscious of eating in-season, we derive health-benefits from fresher and less pesticide-ridden foods, can enjoy locally grown plants, and save money (!) in the process (Remember that whole supply and demand thing from High School Economics class?).
The following is a list of vegetables that are in-season for this time of year here in the U.S. Some of these grow year-round or are harvested during multiple seasons, so if you thought of any as Winter or Summer crops, you may not be wrong. However, these are all great choices for *at least* March, April, and May.
Pick up your favorites and maybe challenge yourself to try a new veggie every week or 2. Let the Spring meal planning and cooking begin!
Artichokes
Arugula
Asparagus
Beets
Bok Choy
Broccoli Rabe
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Chard
Chicory
Collard Greens
Cress
Dandelion Greens
Endive
Fava Beans
Fava Greens
Fennel
Garlic
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Mustard Greens
Nettles
Onions
Parsnips
Pea Shoots
Peas
Purslane
Radishes
Rutabagas
Scallions
Spinach
Sprouts
Turnips
In good health,
Tara