'In high school I was known for my negative splits in the 400 m dash.  Okay, well, maybe I wasn't known for them but my coaches, teammates, and my dad thought it was awesome.  If you're not familiar with track and field lingo, a negative split means that I ran the second half of the race faster than the first.  This is challenging for the obvious reason that you are more tired in the second half.  It's a fine line between starting too fast and hitting that dreaded wall or holding back too much and not being able to make up the distance in the second half.  Boy did I piss a few components off chasing them down those last 200 meters while my dad screamed from the side lines "Get 'em Meliss!"

For the most part, I've carried that same ability into my adult years and have been able to dig deep in much longer running events such as marathon and ultra distances.  Imma "come from behind" kinda of gal and damn does it feel good to cruise by folks at the end of a race (with a healthy dose of encouragement as I pass them of course).

Now, what does this have to do with November and December?  It has everything to do with these last two months of the year.  You see, by now, most people have "fallen off the wagon" so to speak in terms of those lofty New Years resolutions they set back in January.  As we roll into the holidays, the popular attitude is "meh, I'll just eat and drink and be merry (okay, maybe not the merry part as eating and drinking too much for 2 straight months rarely leads to joy) until the end of the year and then hit reset in January."

I've fallen into this trap many a times.  I've over done it in so many ways--be it sugar, alcohol, spending, commitments...I've been there. And you know what?  It doesn't make me happier and it for sure doesn't make me healthier.  As a matter of fact, I usually get sick right around Christmas and start the New Year off with a killer cold. 

How am I doing it differently this year?  I'm choosing to focus on mindful movement and mindful eating.  I will absolutely enjoy a few holiday treats but I'll do so with mindfulness and gratitude.  Instead of the "all or nothing" attitude, I'll slow down, realize that I can have that pumpkin pie... but I'm also going to drink that green smoothie and chomp on that hearty kale salad.  It means that I'm going to make a strong effort to get enough sleep and drink enough water.  It means that I'm going to lovingly move my body each day so that when January 1 rolls around, I feel good in my body and my mind is peaceful.  It means I'm going to say "no" when it feels like too much.  It means I'm going to help me kids understand that they don't NEED all the toys.  It means loving myself enough to compassionately practice self care in a season that can be all together overwhelming and gluttonous.

Want to join me?  My next round of Beet Camp Starts next Monday, November 25.  It is the perfect way to finish the year with mindful movement, simple nutrition, and evidenced based stress management techniques.  I'll help you establish sustainable morning and evening routines that you will carry into the New Year with ease.  

Click here to sign up!  

Let's Finish 2018 Strong, Friends!

 I have never been crazy about pumpkin pie.  I was always more of an apple pie gal...or pecan if we're being honest.  Truly, I didn't like pumpkin pie...until I made this one.  The filling is just the right amount of sweet and spicy, the crust, simple and satisfying.

We've made this pie twice already this fall.  Once for Fall Equinox and the second time we made mini pies with my cute as pie homeschool cooking class. Check out an adorable video of my class over at The Tiny Chef Kitchen. The kids gobbled this one up and I didn't feel at all bad about feeding it to them.  Full of healthy fats, nourishing pumpkin, warming spices, and a bit of maple syrup, we have been known to eat left overs for breakfast.