Meet you ... a year from now

I know you love recipes and fat loss / muscle-building tips.

And I'll be back with more of that stuff soon. But more than ever in the past week I've been hearing people tell me they feel like they need to get their mind right. I don't know about mercury or retrograde or if that can even be to blame here. Maybe it's the fact that we've had quite the few years lately ... like, as a collective. I dunno. But it's clear: many of you are feeling off. Frustrated. Disappointed with where you're at. Worried that it'll never change ...



So I want to take you through another exercise today. A visualization. Ya ready?



I want you to start out by writing down -- preferably on real, actual paper -- who you'd like to be one year from now. On August 2, 2023 ...



What time do you wake up?
How do you feel in your body when you open your eyes?
What kinds of things make you excited to get up?
What are you wearing?
What do you eat for breakfast?
What's in your glass / mug?
How do you feel about your choices? Clear + confident? At peace?
What are the priorities in your day?
Is it a rest day? A strength day? Cardio? Maybe just a nice, long walk?
What is your energy and mood like in the morning? After lunch? At dinnertime?
Do you do anything for self care? (I define this as something that relaxes you or brings you joy in the moment AND afterwards)
If so, what is it?
Have you picked up any new hobbies or resumed some old ones you were missing?
What are your weekends like?
How do you feel about your body?
Have you aged a year or does it feel like you've turned back your biological time instead?
What's your evening routine like?
Do you still have a power struggle with food / alcohol?
What time do you go to bed?
What does your family think about the new you?
How do your changes influence the way they might treat themselves in the future?




You get the idea. ;-) Answer all of those, some of them, or feel free to add your own. Answer it as if ANYTHING were possible. Be so BOLD in your responses that you might be incredibly embarrassed if anyone else were to stumble upon this.



And then -- this is the fun part -- I want you to record it. Video or audio ... that's your call. But read it as if you're sharing a day in the life of YOU in a year. 



It's August 2, 2023. I just got up at _______. I'm feeling _______. I cannot wait to ______. Etc. etc.



Are you game?? If you are a skeptic, I get it. But this isn't as woo woo as you might think. Visualizations that appeal to all the senses are powerful ways for us to 1) reveal to ourselves things we may not have realized we wanted, 2) allow for 'practice runs' in our brain so as we make changes that bring us closer to this reality, it doesn't feel so foreign and misaligned with our identity, and 3) interrupts the way our brain usually tells us we want a change by going from thinking about what we don't want to thinking about what we do.



Make it a whole thing if you can. Light a (clean) candle. Make some tea. Put on music. Or sit outside on the stoop while the morning sunlight pokes you in the eye. ;-) Or don't. If things are too crazy and you just have to squeeze it in, go for it. 



Hope you enjoy this one!



XO,
Tara



P.S. I just added some of the wins of those who went through the pre-launch group of TRANSFORM: Body + Mind to the info. page. Check it out if you enjoy reading about others' success stories too! As a reminder, the next group starts in September. If you're interested in joining us for that round, make sure you reserve a spot by joining the waitlist. Waitlist peeps will be getting a discount code when the cart opens, too. Woo hoo!!!

No willpower or motivation? No problem ...

When Will Power and Mo Tivation have left the building ...

... it can be tempting to point our fingers there and throw our hands up in frustration. "I guess I'll never reach these goals. I have no willpower. And if I could just get motivated ..."



But what if I told you willpower and motivation aren't necessary? Would you believe me?



We all have a finite amount of willpower. If it's being used all day long, you will cave eventually. Here's the work-a-round: Set up your environment and biology for success.


1) Ya know how you eat entire jars of peanut butter in a day or 2? Or maybe it's the ice cream that doesn't stand a chance? Whatever your particular foods are that you seem to have a lot of trouble with portion control around, don't keep them in the house! Keep almond butter instead. Or sorbet or something. Compromise with your loved ones on this and when you really want it, go out and get a single serving. One day, you will be more balanced and not have to worry about these trigger foods holding any power over you. But for now, this will help.


2) Balance your biology! Your cells are meant to scream for excess energy if you are under-nourishing them. This could be from skipping meals, trying extended fasts that are beyond what your adrenals can handle right now, or maybe you're eating too many empty calories and not enough real food. Also, if your hormones and blood sugar aren't balanced, you will find yourself trying to rely on willpower in situations where some others just don't seem to need it.


Now... motivation! She's sexy when she's here, isn't she? You almost feel superhuman when you're motivated to do something, right? But she's flakey and unpredictable. Thankfully, you don't need her. You can use discipline to do the thing anyway. That action builds momentum. And that momentum you create tends to attract motivation to swing by more often. But even if she doesn't? Who cares. You have discipline. And discipline is a bit more boring, but superrrrr loyal.


How do you tap into discipline? First, you set SMALL goals that you know are doable even when you don't want to do it. ASSUME you won't be motivated when the time comes. Is the thing you're promising to yourself small enough that you can get it done anyway? The answer should be a resounding YES.


So, you don't start drinking half your body weight in ounces of water today. You drink 1 glass of water before you let yourself have your coffee today.


You don't do a full Tara Allen Health workout from instagram or someone else's from youtube today. You do the first 5 minutes.


And you don't perfectly balance all of your meals today. You add a veggie to your lunch.


Aaaaaaand, you don't do ALL of that in 1 day. You pick 1 or 2 things and add more only when you can consistently rock those 1 or 2 things.


No willpower, no motivation, all the health and body goals. You are in the driver's seat. Always.



XO,
Tara



P.S. If you have said to yourself or anyone else in the past few days that you need help -- that you have fat loss, muscle-building, "toning", blood sugar balance issues, or a slow metabolism -- then I look forward too seeing you in September. TRANSFORM: Body + Mind is the 28-day course you need. Make sure you're on the waitlist as waitlist peeps will be getting a discount code.



P.P.S. If you want to start to feel the effects of balancing your meals BEFORE the September round of TRANSFORM: Body + Mind, grab my latest Fat Loss Meal Plan available for purchase.

Thyroid Issues?

Know anyone with thyroid issues?

The thing about thyroid issues is that the issues themselves are not the problem, but rather a symptom of the problem. If it's auto-immune in nature, why is your body's immune system overreactive? If it's just your garden-variety hypo- or hyper- (or mixed) -thyroidism, why is your body not able to regulate the important functions of this mighty gland right now? Where might it be needing to put out fires elsewhere that it had to drop the ball?



I'm NOT against conventional treatment when necessary, but I strongly believe that conventional treatment or not, if we don't optimize, other health issues will keep popping up because nothing was truly fixed at the root.


Thyroid health is often so much more complicated than just looking at 1 or a few lab values. In fact, many doctors don't even order enough lab tests to get the full scope of what's going on. If you suspect a thyroid problem, be sure to seek out a medical practitioner you really trust and one who is comprehensive and willing to look for the root cause of why your thyroid is acting up in the first place.



Hyperthyroidism is out there for sure, but most people who come to me for help do so because of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism can often cause weight gain or weight loss resistance, dry or brittle hair and nails, depression, cold intolerance, low libido, low energy, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, imbalanced blood sugar, and painful or missed periods.



Due to a bunch of recent questions on the topic, I decided to dedicate a whole week on my socials to thyroid dysfunction. Check out THIS POST where I discussed how I would induce hypothyroidism in myself if I wanted it again (I had it. Reversed it. Don't want it back, but it helps prove the point that our previous and current choices matter when it comes to this stuff.)



Here are ways to promote healthy thyroid function (alongside conventional treatment, on your own, or even if your thyroid is currently healthy and you want to keep it that way):

• NO yoyo dieting or over-restriction.

• Fuel your body well and with the right amount of food for your needs. This is something everyone should know about themselves, but few actually do. Make it a point to learn this!

• Eat enough carbohydrates. Most people eat too many. Some cut out too many. Just like the last point, know what you need. If you have hypothyroidism, I recommend adding an extra carb serving per day on top of your baseline needs.

• Avoid toxins in beauty and home products, extra hormones and antibiotics in your food supply wherever possible.

• Avoid overexercising or practicing a maladaptive ratio of exercise (like tons of cardio and no strength training)

• Eat and live your life in a way that promotes blood sugar balance

• Test of levels of micronutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, iodine, selenium, vitamin B complex, vitamin D, vitamin A and / or be sure to include enough of them through your food intake. Consider talking to your healthcare practitioner about supplementation.

• Give yourself 7-9 hour sleep opportunities most nights of the week

• Reduce stress and work on stress management tools like breathwork, mindfulness practices, self care, boundaries, new hobbies, time outdoors, etc.

• When stress levels are normalized, consider adding cold exposure a few times a week. This helps convert some of our regular white fat to brown / beige fat - a more metabolically active type AND helps the thyroid gland produce better hormone ratios.

If you need help with one or any of these areas, make sure you hop on the waitlist for TRANSFORM: Body + Mind. It's my 28-day course on boosting metabolism, healing, and we cover everything in the list above and more! The next round starts in September and if you're on the waitlist, you'll get a discount code and be notified when the cart opens so you can grab a spot.



Oh, and I put together THIS RECIPE COLLECTION for you. It contains thyroid-supportive recipes containing the nutrients listed above as well as a carb source, at least 5g fiber, 10-30g healthy fat, and at least 20g protein per recipe. Hope you love 'em!



XO,
Tara



P.S. I think you need my weekly newsletters. It’s time. You can sign up RIGHT HERE. :-)

The body trash-talk antithesis

When you watched the ball drop on January 1st (or fell asleep on the couch just beforehand like me), I bet you had at least a few ideas about how you wanted this year to go. Now that we're halfway through 2022, how's it going so far? What are you most proud of? What might you need some help with in the second half of the year?



I want to take you through a VERY quick, but VERY powerful exercise if you'll indulge me. Grab a piece of paper and pen. Yeah yeah, the notes section in your phone is fine too.



I want you to write down 5-10 things your body did for you within the last 24 hours. 

• Did you carry all the groceries into your house in one trip (b/c what kind of a psychopath takes more than 1 trip, anyway??)?

• Did you pick up your kids or grandkids?

• Did you go for a walk or exercise?

• Did you have a long commute on a standing-room-only train?

• Did you simply sleep while your immune "army" came through and saved the day by helping you heal + repair?

• Maybe you felt the beat of your fav. song when it came on Alexa and you realized that, in fact, your hips DON'T lie.

Write down the first 5-10 things that come to mind. If they're flowing, keep going! If you're stuck, think outside the box. But you're not done until there's at least 5 things written down. Because I said so. ;-)


The point of this exercise is simple: when we feel gratitude for our body -- even just a tiny bit -- it becomes harder to trash talk it. Less trash talk = less disrespectful behavior like over-restriction or over-indulgence.


LMK how it goes!


If you've been feeling lately like something needs to change, you're not alone. So many women have been telling me lately that they're tired of the same patterns repeating. Tired of being confused AF about what to eat, when, how much. Tired of not having the energy to workout. Tired of feeling like their health is slipping. And tired of spending their days not feeling sexy + vibrant as they know, deep-down, is possible.



If you're nodding your head, THIS IS YOUR SIGN to learn how to finally stop doing weird things related to food and your body. When you know how you use and store different kinds of food, how to balance your plate, how to exercise without spinning your wheels, and how to tap into other practices that no diet has ever taught you about, you'll realize there's not that much that you can't accomplish with the right combo.



In September, I'll be taking another group through my 28-day course -- TRANSFORM: Body + Mind. I'd like to help you blow your own damn mind then. Whaddya think? Get more details and join the waitlist here. (Waitlist peeps will be getting a discount code when the cart opens.)



You can unlearn and learn SO much about your body in 28 days. It's enough to change your entire trajectory. Go make yourself a PFF breakfast (protein, fat, and fiber), think about it, and click the button below to join the waitlist if you're ready to put yourself first, finally.



XO,
Tara



P.S. Did you know that I send out a weekly newsletter with my top tips and resources around nutrition, exercise, metabolism, fat loss, mindset, longevity, and how to just feeling freaking amazing?? You can join the inbox party too —  right here.

Party-It-Up Recipe Collection

It's the Thursday after a holiday weekend...

At least if you're in the U.S., it is. I wanted to get this out to you before the holiday weekend, but I couldn't quite get it ready in time. (Did you hear? TRANSFORM: Body + Mind pre-launch group just wrapped up their first week of the 28-day course and it's been INCREDIBLE so far! Follow along in stories on the 'gram for behind-the-scenes.)



Anyway, since I know you and you're not a 1-and-done kinda partier, I have confidence that you'll put these recipes to good use throughout the rest of the season. ;-)



I present to you ... The Summer '22 Party-It-Up Recipe Collection.



Enjoyyyyyyyy,
Tara



P.S. I think you need to be on my newsletter list. You can do that RIGHT HERE.

Period Tawk / Cycle Synching

Let's talk about menstrual things ...

And if you are post-menopausal or someone who doesn't have a menstrual cycle, I'm getting to you guys too.



I've been chatting a lot on instagram lately about menstrual cycles and cycle synching because I decided to add a last-minute resource to TRANSFORM: Body + Mind all about it and since I'm trying to stay hip and share BTS (what the cool kids say for behind-the-scenes), I've been discussing it in my stories.



I also shared that I practice cycle synching related to fitness, nutrition, and some other lifestyle things too. That resource ended up being SIX PAGES because we women really are complicated, beautiful creatures! But I wanted to share a recap here with you in case you find it helpful.



HERE IS A QUICK RUN-DOWN of the 4 phases of our menstrual cycle. It's a bit more nuanced than that, actually. Technically speaking, we have 2 phases: follicular and luteal with our period and ovulation occurring within and overlapping with those 2 main phases. But it's much easier to think about it as 4 distinct phases when it comes to cycle synching, so that's how I'll be referring to it here.



During our period, it's often most natural to reduce workout intensity in the first few days but dial it back up towards the tail end as hormones and energy levels start to climb. Think about using slightly lower resistance but adding a few more reps to strength training workouts, reducing cardio pace, and incorporating longer rest intervals in a HIIT sesh. 


In the follicular phase, we are usually feeling stronger and can push the weights and pace a bit more. We tend to have more manageable hunger levels and can tolerate carbs and caffeine a bit more (more insulin sensitive).


During ovulation and the few days surrounding it, while we may notice PMS-like symptoms (such as mood changes and water retention), the surge in testosterone means we're usually at peak strength. This is a great time to lift heavier and maybe even go for a PR (personal record) if you're into that sorta thing. 


In the luteal phase, you'll likely notice a gradual drop off in energy and desire to be social. The same amount of tasks that you handled like a pro during your follicular phase might now seem extra overwhelming. As your energy dips, you can slightly decrease resistance and / or pace and / or increase rest time between sets as needed. We are slightly more insulin resistant in this phase and caffeine can trigger worsening PMS symptoms, so consider being extra intentional about eating enough carbs but NOT too much and cutting back on coffee or weaning to decaf during this phase. Metabolic rate is slightly elevated, so go ahead and nourish yourself well with PFF (protein, fat, and fiber) at every meal and carbs at 2ish meals per day. Most people need an afternoon snack as well.



What if you are post-menopausal or a man? Well, you have some more wiggle room! You can use some of these same strategies to cycle around just regular life. Feeling like pushing yourself more today? Go for it! Having a little less energy? Show up and be proud of just doing what you can and listening to your body.



That's it for now! Hope it helps you stay consistent but flexible as you act like a best friend to your body rather than a mean girl.


XO,
Tara


P.S. If you could use a meal plan that's already balanced with adequate amounts of protein, fat, and fiber in each meal plus carbs at 2 meals (a moderate carb approach), GRAB IT HERE. You'll get two, actually: a plant-based version and an omnivore version. Use the one you want or both if you'd like! Hope you enjoy.

Is it bedtime yet??

Sleep is boring.

I mean, most people enjoy sleep I think. They certainly enjoy the way they feel after they've gotten a a decent amount of shut eye. But the whole topic is so UNsexy.  It's not the new, promising tip we've never heard before that we crave. 



But it works. Annoyingly so.



How many less car accidents, fights with spouses, and "mom brain" moments would there be if everyone just got enough sleep every night? I'd argue a lot. 



But also ... sleep helps us make better choices, gives us energy to do things like exercise, cook, or even just take a nice walk during a work call. Quality sleep helps to balance our blood sugar, hormones, hunger, satiety, AND ramps up fat burning and muscle-building (which boosts metabolic rate).



Super annoying, right? Because that means in order to be the type of human you want to be in this world and make the type of progress you're after, you can't ignore your sleep habits.



So let's talk about a few of the biggest needle-movers:

1. Morning sun. Getting outside at close to sunrise as possible for about 10 minutes on a bright, sunny day and closer to 30 minutes on a cloudy day (without sunglasses!) is so powerful. Besides doing all kinds of other metabolism and mood magic, it shuts down melatonin production during the day (so you'll be more energized) and tells melatonin to start creeping back up closer to a reasonable bedtime. Not 2 AM when you finish episode 6 of the series, but the sleepiness will start to set in at a more natural time like 9 or 10.

2. Turn off bright, overhead lights a couple of hours before bed. Again, the bright light stop melatonin and asks it to return much later. So when you do this in the early part of the day, it's perfect. When you do this close to bedtime, you're shooting yourself in the foot.

3. No electronics before bed. Blah blah... you've heard this but it's worth repeating.

4. Sleep in a cool room.

5. No coffee within 8 hours of bedtime. I don't make the rules. I'm just a little messenger sent by your future self who really doesn't want to have trouble asleep or get lower quality sleep later tonight.

This week, I want you to focus most on number 1 as it's usually the most impactful and almost no one is doing this consistently. Will you do me a favor? Take a pic of your early morning view and tag me in it so I can see. It will help you stay on track and besides, I think everyone should know how important morning sun is even if we need to use a little FOMO to get there. ;-)



Most of you won't do this morning sun thing -- at least not consistently -- but for those who do, will you let me know how it goes after a week or two???



If fat loss, metabolism-boosting, and / or muscle-gaining is your thang, I cannot WAIT to share with you some details on what I've been working on! Check out TRANSFORM: Body + Mind deets and hop on the waitlist if it sounds like something you're interested in for the future.



Happy sunrise-chasing,
Tara

P.S. P.S. Last week I created a new, 3-day sample meal plan. It's balanced the PFF way ... with adequate protein, fat, and fiber at every meal and intentional carbs at some but not all meals. HERE IT IS. Enjoy!

Popsicle Recipes 2022

Since we're on a roll with the Summer recipes...

HERE are a few fun, popsicles to try. No, they're not loaded with protein but they are made with just a few ingredients and an awesome swap for many other indulgent treats when it's extra hot + sweaty out there. 


I have an exciting announcement to make. If you follow me on social media and watch my stories, you may already know ... I've been busy creating a COURSE. This 28-day course is perfect for those who want to boost their metabolism, lose fat and / or put on muscle, and do so in a HEALTHY and sustainable way. I'm about to take a small pre-launch group through but this course will be available for its first public launch in September (with signs ups likely starting in August). If you want to know alllll the details -- including cost and what to expect -- check out THIS LINK and be sure to join the waitlist if you are interested. Trust me. ;-)


Happy Tuesday,
Tara

Summer '22 Protein Smoothie Recipes

Delicious + Summer-y way to meet your protein needs comin' in hot ....

Sometimes I talk all about how magical protein is (helps you build muscle, boosts your metabolism, keeps you nice and satisfied, blah blah ...), and sometimes I just wanna share some delicious Summer smoothie recipes with you that all have at least 20g of protein in them. ;-)



Have for a meal, a snack, dessert, mix with liquor (you do you) ... or throw in ice pop moulds and enjoy them around the fire pit later.



ENJOY THIS COLLECTION!



Happy almost-Summer,
Tara

Booty Building Goals??

Do you want to build a strong booty?

Most women I talk to these days mention that this a current goal. The best part of this goal is that while you're trying to fill out your jeans, you'll also be helping to prevent knee pain, improving your insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation, and boosting your metabolism up, even at rest.



So let's go for these goals!!! Here's how:


1) Train your glutes 1-2 times per week. Your glutes ("booty muscles") are made up of 3 muscles: gluteus maximus, gluteus minimus, and gluteus medius. They all come together to give you a rounded, 3D shape. It's important to train them frequently enough that they stay under construction (in a good way). BUTT (pun intended), overtraining them is a terrible idea as they only actually repair, strengthen, and grow during rest. So stick with 1-2 challenging lower body sessions per week.


2) The right plan. Ideally, you are incorporating all the most important glute exercises into these lower body sessions and repeating them each time. The key is to dial up the intensity so that even if the workout is the same, you're increasing resistance, reps, or sets each time. 

Important to include:

• Hip hinges (like deadlifts)

• Hip thrusts / glute bridges

• Squats

• Lunges (particularly reverse lunges)

• Single leg step ups

• Abductions (like banded fire hydrants)

• Glute kickbacks (with a band or cable machine)

Check out my Lower Body 1 and Lower Body 2 highlights on instagram for complete and effective -- and FREE ;-) -- workout routines.


3) Eat to grow. The best and fastest booty building results will happen if you are eating in a calorie surplus. This means you'd be bringing in more calories than you are using up for a period of time (usually at least a few months) as you focus on growth. This approach will increase overall body size and usually increase body fat percentage a bit as well. So if that doesn't align with your goals, just plan on it taking longer to notice results. But it CAN be done in a calorie maintenance or slight calorie deficit. In other words, you CAN lose body fat all over and grow your glutes at the same time. It will just take a lot longer.



4) Protein. Regardless of whether you're in a calorie deficit, maintenance, surplus, or you have no idea which and don't care, you will need to be eating enough protein to give your body the building blocks it needs to create new muscle. Can't build a big, strong brick house without enough bricks, right?? Same idea. Shoot for .75g - 1g of protein per lb of body weight you feel most comfortable at per day.



5) Sleep. When you sleep long enough, well enough, and without a belly full of food, you will release a nice amount of growth hormone overnight. This growth hormone will help you heal, repair, and do some important immune surveillance. AND ALSO, it will help you rebuild your muscles stronger than before (but only if you're doing all of the above too).



So whaddya say? Are you growing a strong booty (and whole body, I hope!)???



Hope you find this helpful. Tag me in your workout and food pics on social so I can cheer you on.



XO,
Tara




P.S. If you need some help with eating to promote both fat loss AND muscle gain (the right balance, portions, etc.), THIS MEAL PLAN will take the guesswork out for you and give you a bunch of recipes to work through as you crush your goals. It's 2 meal plans, really, as I give you both the omnivore version and the plant-based version when you purchase. Hope you love it!

Food / products I'm loving

10 food / products I love and use all the time...

These products have been on repeat for me so I figured I'd share in case you need them in your life too. Since I get paid NADA to talk about these, I get to share both the pros AND cons. And I'm about to. ;-)






1) Relyte. Full disclosure: This canister pictured was a free gift from the company (so sweet!), but I love it so much I will be a customer for sure. In fact, I have "order relyte" on my To Do list as we speak 'cause I'm running low. I use about 1/2 scoop - 1 scoop of this electrolyte powder most days spread out into a couple of my bottles of water if it's not a particularly sweaty day. I'll use 1-2 scoops spread out if it IS (like after the sauna). Our bodies are electric -- boogie woogie woogie woogie -- and require these minerals to hydrate optimally. Just because you're drinking a ton and peeing a ton does not mean you're hydrating optimally. It might just be mostly going through you! I love the taste of this one and the only downside for me is thata it requires more of a vigorous shake to get it to dissolve in the water than a few other brands I've tried. Worth it though!



2) Raw Rev glo bars have been a long time friend of mine, as you may know. Sure, it's processed, butt it's less processed than 95% of the other cr*p on the market with ingredients you can identify and a balance that's incredibly rare to find in a bar. Each one contains 15g protein, 14g fiber, 11g fat, and 3g net carbs. It's perfect for a quick afternoon snack or can be paired with some raw veggies, hummus, and an apple for a complete meal-on-the-go. I've done that countless times ... beach days alone with the kiddos require quick fuel!) Warning ... their other flavors are higher in sugar and lower in protein, so stick with Creamy Peanut Butter & Sea Salt if ya can.


3) GimMe Organic seaweed is great as a vegetable 'on the go' or as a side kick to a meal at home. They're salty, delicious, and high in iodine (great for me and my thyroid health as I used to be very low in iodine). Warning ... some of their products use inflammatory industrial seed oils like canola, sunflower, or safflower. They do now make the seaweed with olive oil or avocado oil, but you have to intentionally choose that one.


4) Organifi Glow is a fav. of mine and is finally back in stock (it's a seasonal thing). It's a powder to add to water, contains collagen precursors and tastes delicious! It's a very subtle taste, so it works well paired up with the Relyte electrolytes I mentioned above as a tasty and hydrating drink.


5) Athletic Greens. This is often mistaken as a protein powder (it's not) or a greens powder (that's only a tiny part of it). It's actually a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral, and probiotic in one. It's quite pricey and only available through a subscription, so definitely not a good option for everyone. For me personally, it condenses a lot of the supplements I was already taking, so it's actually saving me money. I mix one scoop in lemon water and drink it up usually right before my breakfast.


6) Simple Mills almond flour crackers. We LOVE these crackers. They are still mostly a carb, but contain less net carbs and more fiber and protein than most other crackers. Perfect for a snack, as part of a picnic-style lunch, or crumbled up and added to the top of soup or salads for some crunch.


7) Banza pizza crust. Just like the pasta (which we also consume frequently), this crust is made from chickpeas and is a lot higher in protein and fiber than most other crusts. The oil used is olive oil rather than industrial seeds oils (a rarity in pre-packaged food) and it tastes great! We usually add tomato sauce and toppings of choice for a fun, quick, and usually way too messy 'make your own pizza' night.


8) Cappellos sweet potato gnocchi. OMG ... YUM! My daughter requests this once a week lately and my taste buds are happy she does. These gnocchi are gluten and dairy free and make from almond flour. They're very high in carbs, so make sure you're aware of your portion sizes and keep yourself off of the blood sugar rollercoaster by not consuming too much of this at once ... enjoy alongside some other food like a big salad with protein. We like to add the cooked gnocchi to a super fast sauce we make of olive oil, rosemary, cinnamon, and sea salt. It's really perfect. 


9) Organifi Gold. This powder is full of adaptogens and anti-oxidants like turmeric and tastes delicious in some steamed milk as a 'golden milk latte. Enjoy it as a nightcap on a cold night or make ahead and put in the fridge for a delicious iced version the next day.


10) Truvani protein powder. (Not pictured b/c my recent order is currently lost in Milwaukee, apparently.) I can't speak to the taste because I've come to learn I'm not nearly as picky about the taste / texture of protein powders as many of you are. Haha! I have my things, but protein powder isn't one of 'em, I guess. But what I love most about this brand is that it's one of the cleanest plant-based powders out there. Just a few basic ingredients. Nothing artificial or extra. Gets the job done. 



What do all of these products have in common? THEY ARE EXPENSIVE! So I understand this list is not even applicable for many people, but even if 1 or 2 of these products pique your interest or fill a gap in your needs, then typing this out was worth it.



Hope you're having a great start to your week!



XO,
Tara

Your Ideal Body Weight

You'll lose more body fat eating 1800 calories than you will trying to eat 1200 calories.

Now, I hate calorie tracking (as you probably already know), so this is just to paint a picture here. SOOOOO many people I speak with are trying to eat an unreasonably low amount of calories and it backfires. Willpower is never a match for our biology. Biology. Always. Wins. What that means is that on your quest to eat 1200 calories, the nighttime snacks and weekend 'special occasions' get the best of you because you're HUNGRY and eventually will have to give in. And when you give in, you don't eat the same types of foods that you would (nourishing foods) if you just ate more of those at your meals instead.




Let's talk about your ideal body weight, because it's a topic that comes up a lot.



What IS it for you?
How do you know you're there?
How do you stay there?



Your ideal body weight happens when you are fueling yourself well throughout the day. Your cravings are in check (or more likely -- you don't have them anymore) so any indulgences are intentional, enjoyed, and never with a feeling of being out of control. 



Your ideal body weight happens when you are lifting weights 3-4x a week and walking daily.



Your ideal body weight is NOT AT ALL the weight you achieved once when you did a juice cleanse for a week before Cabo or after you had a lingering stomach virus.



Your ideal body weight was never achieved by cutting out entire food groups because an influencer told you to or dehydrating yourself for an event.



And your ideal body weight is not the weight you're at when you are using food and alcohol as a frequent vice because you're not sleeping enough, not resting enough, not setting boundaries, not taking some time for yourself, and / or not actively working on your emotional health. Food will very easily replace any of those things for many reasons (namely, hormones and neuromodulators) so skip any of the above and you might notice a bit of a struggle here.



So, if you want to reveal your "ideal body weight" to yourself (and no need to weigh yourself ... you'll just SEE and FEEL the shifts), do this stuff consistently:



1) Eat PFF (protein, fat, and fiber) at every meal. Carbs at some, but not all meals.
2) Strength train 3-4x per week.
3) Walk daily.
4) Sleep 7-9 hours.
5) Take rest days from intense exercise and rest time for your brain.
6) Set boundaries with others. Speak your mind in a respectful, but firm way. (Ahhhh ... feels like this could be its own blog topic, right???)
7) Take time for the things that relax you and bring you joy. Even just a little to start.
8) Work on your emotional health! Mindset, gratitude, self talk, internal healing, etc.



Your 'ideal body weight' is whatever it is when you're living what you consider to be your ideal life. It doesn't happen the other way around. And you will maintain that -- with some normal fluctuations -- by continuing to do the same things you did to get there in the first place. By this point, it should be a huge RED FLAG when you start thinking about doing something you cannot maintain. If you cannot maintain the process, you won't ever maintain the results.




If you need help with numero uno, I've created this Fat Loss / Muscle Building Meal Plan that takes all of the guess work out of your meals. Meal plans aren't forever, but if you want to focus on one of these other pillars and still nail the nutrition part all the while, this will be very helpful! (And, I can't wait to hear about the results you notice. I've had some pretty cool messages / emails from others who are feeling amazing after eating this way even after just a few days!!!)



If you need help with numero dos, I share my workouts everyday for free over on instagram. Let's workout together!



And if you're like, "Tara, I need help with ALL of it and then some!", then my 1-on-1 coaching might be the perfect next step for you. Leave a comment below and let's chat.




XO,
Tara

I don't like Hunger Games.

The movie never got me either (though in fairness, I don't think I ever gave it a chance). But I'm talking about the other hunger games. The thing we do when we leave the house with no plan and no food ... or maybe just some food for the kids and not enough for us? It can't be just me.



But I've smartened up in my old age ;-P and I bring or keep snacks stashed so that in a pinch, I can have a small snack or pair a few things together for a makeshift meal on the go, if need be.



I'm a bit needy in this department as I need:

• Gluten + dairy free

• No artificial dyes or flavors

• Ideally no industrial seed oils, though I do still eat these on occasion as I frown at the ingredient list

• Can't spike my blood sugar

• Needs to hold up well in my purse or car or beach bag or or or ....

Here are a few ideas that fit the bill. Try 'em out and we'll be snack stashing twinsies.






1) Protein bar. I like Raw Rev Glo bars in Creamy PB and Sea Salt. Yes, I like the taste but also that flavor of theirs has more protein and less sugar than their others. This one happens to have 15g protein, 11g fat, 14g fiber, and only 3g net carbs. Have it with a piece of fruit if you want the carbs too. There are some other good bars on the market, just depends on your needs. Unfortunately though, I'd give about 90% of them a failing grade for being full of cr*p or no more balanced than a candy bar. So be picky with these! Read the ingredient list. Check out the nutrition facts. It's not a protein bar if it has 25g carbs and 7g protein. As a protein bar, it should have at least 10-15g protein and that should be the predominant macronutrient. Unless you want a carb bar. That might have it's time and place too (like before a really intense workout). 


2) Chia or flax seeds and protein powder. I like these in smoothies best but in a pinch they can be thrown in some water or even your coffee with some fat like heavy cream, coconut oil, or MCT. These are fiber, fat, and a baby dose of protein. Better than grabbing Pringles at 7-11 and being hungry 20 minutes later.


3) Nut or a homemade trail mix. The best part about this is that you can save money by buying in bulk and customize to your likes and needs. Want the carbs? Add some dried fruit or dark chocolate chips. Just want the healthy fat, fiber, and little dose of protein? Throw some almonds, cashews, and walnuts in a bag and keep it pretty much WHEREVER as it's pretty darn potable.


4) Seaweed or kale chips. These double as a nice salt / crunch fix and can count as veggies / fiber / fat on the go. They won't fill you up much, so pair with the protein bar and you just bought yourself at least 2 hours of satiety so you can think more clearly about your next (hopefully bigger) meal options.


Hope these help during this soccer tournament, kids-have-the-busiest-calendars, work-is-keeping-me-on-my--toes time of year. ;-)



XO,
Tara

Takeout (GASP) tips + tricks ...

"I can order takeout and not feel gross the next day?"

Not only can you, but I encourage you to as a part of the process of healing your relationship with food and your body. Look, most of us get takeout at least occasionally. And it's not a problem ... unless we tell ourselves that it is.


You don't need to go all out. There will be other meals. There will be other takeout meals, too. So don't let your toddler brain tell you that if you're gonna order out, you might as well make it a double with a chocolate shake and enough leftover for tomorrow. It's just not that special.


Don't stress over calories. Sure, calories matter but when you turn your brain or phone into a calorie calculator, you'll find you start doing things like skipping the healthy fat or halving the protein -- all in the name of saving calories. But then what happens? You spike your blood sugar and never fully turn off your hunger. What goes up must come down, so your blood sugar crashes and you feel like absolute garbage (and hungry) as you comb through the pantry looking for more food after what feels like only minutes later. What I'm trying to say is, you'll likely end up consuming even more calories when you throw off your food balance to, ironically, save calories.


As per usual, you'll want to think about protein, fat, and fiber. And actually, probably just protein and fiber. There are little-to-no take out options that won't have more fat hidden than you realize. Fat and carbs are pretty much a guarantee with take out, even when it's not so obvious (sugar in all kinds of sauces and dressings, breading, oil-and-butter laden everything...).


Frequency matters. Do you get takeout once a year? Then just order whatever the heck you want and enjoy it! But if it's once a month or once a week, it's just another meal. Let's not sugarcoat it. No reason to see it as an all-out occasion worthy of tripping up how you feel or your goals.


Start with protein. Protein will help to fill you up and keep you satiated for longer. Be able to identify your protein source and build your meal around that. Vegans / vegetarian? If you're not ordering tofu or eggs, your protein source is probably actually a carb source that happens to have a decent amount of protein too (like lentils or beans). That's fine! But keep that in mind as you make your other choices. You already have a serving (or a few) of carbs right inside your protein source.


Be generous with the fiber. Best bet? Eat lots of veggies! This can mean getting a side salad, steamed veggies, roasted veggies, or a stir fry. These also help you to feel satisfied and will blunt your blood sugar spike. Perfecto!


Assume there's plenty of fat. When you're home, make sure you're getting enough fat in each meal. Fat is important and without enough, our hormones will be imbalanced, our skin will look dull, we will feel hungry often, and our blood sugar will be victim to bigger spikes and crashes. But as I mentioned above, fat is hidden in nearly EVERYthing in takeout. So this is a good time to make sure you're not adding too much extra by loading up on sauces, dressings, or fried foods just b/c it's there.


Be weary of carbs. Just like fat, carbs are hidden out of sight in most takeout options. Flour as a thickening agent, sugar in various forms, breadcrumbs, etc. are added into dishes that you'd never even dream of. If you really want something carb-heavy, go for it, but consider making a trade off. Order your burger and have just half the bun. Or have the bun but no fries. Or get your burrito, but skip the rice. Have a slice of pizza, but pass on the garlic knots this time.... and the 3 extra slices. Get the salad with chickpeas, but ask for no croutons. Ya feel me? Moderation. Unless this is the one and only time you're getting take out for the whole year, it's not actually a special occasion no matter how much your fun partying self wants it to be.



But the most important thing to keep in mind is that NONE OF THIS should feel like deprivation. You're a grown a** person. No one is telling you that you can't have something. If you skip it, it's because YOU decided that something else was more important to you in that moment. Maybe you don't want feel like cr*p tomorrow or bloated during sexy time tonight. Maybe you get takeout once a week and you understand that at that frequency, not having a strategy will possibly prevent you from reaching your goals that you're working so hard towards.



Oh, and also ... whatever you decide today can change next time. How freeing, right? You can have half the bun and no fries this time and also get to have the whole bun AND fries at some point in the future if you want to. Sometimes, just knowing nothing is permanent and that you're not on a "diet" can be enough to remove the unreasonable allure around these types of food. Sure, they taste good. But they are not so damn special that you should be losing your sanity over them! (Except Mexican. Mexican is really that good).



Hope you find these helpful!



XO,
Tara



P.S. If you haven't yet registered for my free, no pitch webinar, Mend Your Metabolism, that I'll be hosting on May 11th at 8 PM Eastern, sign up now! Spots are limited (my software has a max capacity number) and at the time I'm writing this, we're already 2/3 full!


I'll be discussing the problem with dieting, cravings, the things you think are healthy but are actually derailing you, and my top (specific) tips for boosting your metabolism right now.


No calorie counting.
No list of foods to avoid.
No B.S.

It'll be fun + laid back, so come expecting 'a chat with a friend' language and not 'stiff speaker language' (aka put your kiddos to bed first 'cause my passionate words might come out).

If you can't make it live but would like to receive the replay, you still need to register. Those are the folks who will be receiving the replay.

I'll see you there?

Why diets always fail ... but you think it's YOU

I just turned away a potential new client.

She is sweet and desperate and while I absolutely hate not being able to help, she just isn't ready for my coaching. Why? Because she's still looking for a 'diet' and not a lifestyle change. I know lifestyle change is a trendy catch phrase these days, but it actually means something -- health and habits above outcomes. When aspects of our day-to-day, nutrition choices, fitness routine, sleep, stress management tools, and longevity practices are done for the sake of improving our health on a cellular level, our metabolism begins firing at a more optimal level. Our hormones begin to regulate. Our moods are elevated and more stable ... so we stop turning to our vices (like Pringles or complaining) and start having the bandwidth to keeping pushing forward.



And guess what happens? Those body composition changes you've been chasing for months or years or decades start to happen naturally. Not because you gave up peanut butter. Not because you swore off all alcohol. Not because you allow only 1 "cheat meal" per week (Have I ever told you how much I cannot STAND the term cheat meal? Ugh. I'll save it for another day). No ... your body composition changes because that's what bodies do ... they adapt in accordance to how we live our lives. When we balance hormones, sleep more, nourish ourselves well, have real ways of dealing with our stress, and move our bodies effectively (not too much or too little), they get a bit stronger and leaner. It's not an uphill battle because you changed your life BEFORE you changed your body. When you try to do it in the reverse order (like every diet ever), it won't work or last.



The problem with diets -- as I hear from my clients, social media followers, friends, and family -- is that they are set up to work (mayyyyybe) Monday - Friday, 9 - 4 PM. But not during the week before or during your period. And not on vacations. And not on days when Margaret brought in munchkins for Pat's birthday at work. And not when you haven't had time to prep lunches for the week.



THEY. ARE. NOT. REAL. LIFE.



And yet, people continue to try and try because you need to do something, right?



What if that something is that you need to learn more about how your body metabolizes, uses, and stores food? What if you truly understood how each meal choice and exercise choice affected how you feel in the moment and in the hours to come, how your body responds, and whether or not it allows you to use up excess body fat or store excess body fat instead?



I think then you'd never need another diet again. Truly. There would be no need to eliminate foods or food groups (unless you're allergic or for another medical reason). And there would be no deprivation ... just you in the driver's seat with the music turned up and the windows rolled down making intentional choices that sometimes include having the thing and something include not having the thing. But YOUR brain makes that call now knowing full well the pros and cons of each, not just abiding by some list you took a screen shot of from the diet-of-the-week's handbook.




Diets fail because they are designed to work against our biology, not with it. Against our neuroscience, not with it. And what's worse is that for every diet you've tried, you've told yourself YOU are the failure, right? At least that's what most of my clients tell me. Think about that. Most women are 5, 10, 20 diets deep by the time they hit their 30s and 40s. That's 5, 10, 20 times that you told yourself that you "can't commit to anything", that you're "broken and hopeless", that you "will always be like this, I guess". Ugh! That's heart-breaking.



Let's turn this around. You know I'm not gonna leave you down in the dumps! YOU didn't fail any of those attempts. You simply tried things that were never meant to work anyway. Do some people find lasting success with this approach of eating less and less and exercising more and more? Yes ... about 5% of people. Though there is no data that I'm aware of that tell us how their hormones, stress levels, or quality of life is.



The answer is not another diet. Not even a diet masquerading as a lifestyle change (think: Noom). The answer is a TRUE lifestyle change where you understand that it will take a little time to unlearn all the B.S. you've been taught from the diet industry and society and while your body begins to repair itself from any metabolic damage that has occurred. If you want to lose 5 pounds in the first week, I can never and will never be able to help you. Not with a clear conscience, anyway. But if your goal is to optimize your health, body, mind, and life ... and allow science to do its thing over time (stronger, leaner, better digestion, better sleep, better sex drive...), then I hope you will join me live on Wednesday, May 11th at 8 PM, Eastern where I will be sharing my top strategies for mending your metabolism that you can implement right away to start feeling and looking your best WITHOUT a diet.



Sign Up Here -- it's free. :-)



Can't wait to see you there!



XO,
Tara

Is it really a fat loss plateau?

"I want to lose more body fat, but I've hit a plateau!"

Ahhhh ... those darn plateaus! Let's chat about it ...



Very often I hear from clients and regular ol' folks alike that they have hit a plateau and think they need to decrease their food intake in some way. While that is possible, it's certainly not probable. And that's good news b/c who the heck wants to cut out more food??



Before you start whittling down your portions and getting cranky, cold, and tired, run through this checklist. If the answer to any of these questions is "no", then THAT is where you need to be focusing in order to breakthrough your current plateau.



1) Are you sleeping 7-9 hours a night (at least 90% of the time)?

2) Are you eating 1g of protein for every lb of bodyweight where you feel the best? (In other words, if you weigh 250 pounds but feel your best at 150, you can aim to consume 150 grams of protein per day).

3) Are you strength training 3-5 days a week with the last few reps feeling hard to complete? And are you adding reps, weight, and / or sets week over week? (In other words, progressively overloading).

4) Are you walking daily and / or getting at least 5,000 - 6,000 steps everyday in total?

5) Are you taking 1-2 rest days a week? Ok to be adventurous / active those days, but no strength training, HIIT, or vigorous steady state cardio.



If you didn't answer yes to all of the above, that's your place to start. Stop reading the rest of this blog post so you're not tempted to move on to the rest. ;-)



But if you said yes to all of the above, let's move on. Here are a few things you can try next:



1) Get real with yourself. Have you really been sticking to the metabolic way of eating? Clients, this is your customized portion recommendations I gave you. Non-clients, the guidelines I suggest as a starting place are: 20-40g protein, 10-30g fat, and 5-15g fiber with each meal. Fruit or starchy carbs with 1-2 meals a day. (While this won't be everyone's best formula, it works like aa charm for most women, most of the time). Maybe there have been some extra snacks, unbalanced meals, more than just an occasional drink, handfuls of chocolate chips before bed (or is that just me)? Maybe you're forgetting to count that EVOO you roasted or stir-fried your veggies in as a fat? Maybe you're having fruit or starchy carbs with every meal or many portions in a meal? You might just need to dial the extras back a bit rather than think your actual meal guidelines need to shrink.


2) Fitness check. Are your workouts truly as effective as they should be? For strength training, this has nothing to do with how much you sweat or lose your breath and everything to do with how much you are pushing your muscles. When you finished that set of 10 squats, did you have maybe 1 or 2 left 'in the tank' that you could've cranked out if you had to? Or was it more like 10-20 more reps left in the tank? The former will get you incredible results via strength and muscle gain (and therefore, metabolism boosting all day, e'ryday). The latter isn't technically strength training. It's movement, but that's all. So add reps, weight, or sets to get to that near failure point.


3) Could you be overdoing the exercise? This can blow up in our face when it causes inflammation, cortisol spikes, thyroid and sex hormone imbalances, and lack of energy throughout the rest of your day. Besides your 3-5 strength sessions per week, you can add 1-3 QUICK HIIT sessions (about 5 minutes each) and a few steady state cardio sessions per week. But if you're the one who is lifting weights, doing a 60-minute spin class, and then running on the treadmill for 30 minutes and wondering why you feel like sh*t, this is your sign to cut back.



The suggestions about will help 98% of you continue making progress or breakthrough a plateau without letting your brain tell you the meal guidelines aren't working for you and trying to cut back to minuscule portions. But if they don't work and / or you'd like to be supported fully through the process, my 1-on-1 coaching program might be an excellent fit for you.



And if coaching just isn't in the cards right not, here's a meal plan you can start with that takes all the guesswork out for you. It's already balanced to the meal guidelines I outlined above and will help you feel better and notice some results as you work on making these changes a more permanent part of your lifestyle.



I can't wait to hear about how much you blow your own damn mind when you troubleshoot your way through your next plateau. ;-)



Until we meet again,
Tara

High Protein Lunches + Dinners

Wrapping up the high protein blog series today with 30g+ LUNCHES and DINNERS.


DOWNLOAD THAT HERE.




In case you missed the other parts ...

30g+ protein breakfasts

High Protein Snacks

And simultaneously on social media I've been posting high protein throw together or grab n go options ...

Breakfasts

Snacks

Lunches + Dinners



Why is protein so important? It's very common for people to come up short on protein and overdo the carbs and / or fat. While all 3 macros have their purpose and their place, our food supply and food culture is not an accurate representation of our needs in terms of a balanced and optimal way of eating. Look, while 400g carbohydrates and 50g of protein in one day might TASTE a lot better and light up our dopamine receptors, that imbalance sure as heck won't be allowing people to reach their health and body goals.



Protein helps us repair damaged cells, build muscle, keep our hormones and gut healthy and working for us, boosts metabolic rate, and helps us feel satisfied between meals so we're not crashing and snacking on whatever comes into sight.



If you've liked this series and are ready for customized nutrition, fitness, and health coaching to achieve your goals, CHECK OUT MY 1:1 COACHING PROGRAM here.



If you're not yet ready for 1:1 coaching (I know ... it's a commitment!) but would like a more targeted approach than these recipe collections, GRAB MY SPRING FAT LOSS MEAL PLAN. This plan isn't just high enough in protein, but I balanced the heck out of the entire thing (all the macros from meal to meal AND day to day) to provide you with the optimal amount of carbs - to fiber - to fat - to protein ratio for most people when boosting metabolism, losing excess body fat, and building muscle is the goal. You'll actually get 2 plans -- one plant-based and one omnivore -- and they both happen to be free of gluten and dairy.



This meal plan is the closest thing to group coaching that I'm offering this month as I have some big + exciting projects underway (that I think you're gonna LOVE!) and could not add a group coaching session to this month's calendar. So if you have summer body goals, screw that! ;-) How about forever body / health goals instead? GRAB THE PLAN and enjoy what happens when your blood sugar, hunger hormones, and metabolism begin to synch up the way they so desperately want to.



Until next time ....



XO,
Tara

High Protein Snack Ideas

Ya hungry?

I'm the person who tells you that you shouldn't be snacking too much. And I'm also the person who thinks a nicely placed and chosen snack can be the perfect way to keep hunger and cravings at bay and add a little extra nutrition.



So today I have another recipe collection for ya. These snack ideas all have at least 10g of protein per serving, less than 15g fat, less than 30g total carbs, and at least 5g fiber. They also all happen to be free of gluten and dairy. Some will satisfy my omnivore friends and some will make my plant-based peeps happy.

GIMME THE SNACK COLLECTION!!!!

Which will you try first? Oh, and if you're loving this high protein series I apparently started last week :-) you might also enjoy the Instagram version I'm doing simultaneously ... high protein grab n go or throw together options that don't require recipes. Check out the first of the IG series here: high protein snacks.

XO,
Tara

High Protein Breakfast Recipes

Do you get at least 20-30g of protein with each meal?

Many people have told me that breakfast (or their first meal of the day) seems to be the hardest to get in that amount. And yet, you could argue that it's the MOST important because it sets the tone for day, influences cravings or lack of cravings later in the day, and helps boost your metabolism and keep you satiated.



I put together this recipe collection in case you need some ideas. All of the recipes have at least 30g of protein (!) and are gluten-free. Some are omnivore and some are plant-based.



Hope you enjoy!



XO,
Tara

"But vacay and weekends always throw me off!"

You've spent so many years dieting on and off that by this point, weekends and vacays feel like a free-for-all or a miserable case of FOMO.

Ok, so maybe I'm exaggerating a little but I bet I'm not too far off, right?



But what would it feel like to never need to 'start over' again? How much would you be able to enjoy your company ... and your tacos ... if you weren't feeling guilty before you even got to the restaurant? What would you even think about afterwards if you weren't preoccupied with bloating and sluggishness?



With spring having just sprung here (YAY!), I know that usually means more social plans, getaways, or random Tuesday night take out on the deck will be going down. Here are 4 tips to help you feel like you have a plan going in that will keep you in the driver's seat, help you feel great, and make sure you never feel like you have to "start over" again.



Pick 1 tip and try it on for size. Or, mix n' match these depending on the plans. Food and drinks are meant to be enjoyed right alongside optimal health and don't-mind-if-I-do energy. ;-)



Which one are you gonna test drive first?



Happy Spring-ing,
Tara