What I Learned in 2016

Can you believe we only have a few more hours until we say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017?! It's crazy, right? 

With so many world events that have taken this year by the horns, I'm sure we've all had a few  personal experiences we'd wish never made a pit stop, but what is life without some downfalls? We can't have it all, and life is never perfect, but we can learn a lot through these ups and downs and make the best out of it, or perhaps even learn from them. 

Here's what I learned this year:

• I'm a Go-Getter

This isn't something necessarily new to me, but it's definitely worth acknowledging. I can't sit still. I don't like wasting time and I definitely function at a higher speed than most. Whether it is about health, fitness, work or organizing my closet and then reorganizing it again, I must see things progress. Everything has an order; a place in this world, and in order to see these things fit into their proper space, I create a hands-on approach to make sure it gets done. I guess you can say I'm a type-A personality. Although mostly wonderful, this type of personality can be difficult to have at times because it can make me a perfectionist and allows for frazzled moments with others who are inactive to pursue their dreams or resolve health issues. This leads me into the second thing...

• Accepting People As They Are

People show you who they are every day. Whether happy and make every situation positive, negative and dismissive or smile to your face and live a secret life behind your back (trust me it happens). People will show you who they are, the type of person they connect with and what you can expect from them. Don't make anyone be who you want them to be, but rather listen to what they are saying to you. You'll spend less time problem solving, and more time living your best self.

• It's OK to Say "NO"

It's definitely ok to say no. Your life and your time is precious, and spending it with who and as you wish, is and SHOULD BE a definite priority. 

• New Things Are Scary but Worth a Try If Your Heart Is In It

This one is pretty straightforward, but we all need a little reminder that stepping out of our comfort zone can be a bit scary, and that's normal. When I started my new job a year ago, I was pretty scared. It was something I had wanted to do for years, but never had the right opportunity. Then with a LOT of persistence (TYPE A), a lot of patience, learning from others and weaving in my own skills, I landed the job of managing a magazine for a large organization. A huge dream come true; and a huge goal accomplished. My heart was there and so was the fear, but if I let the fear outweigh my heart's desire, I would have never pursued this job, and I'm so glad I listened to my heart. 

• God Has A Plan For You

Simply put, everyone's journey is their own. God intended yours to move just as fast (or slow) as needed. The route may change course and your abilities, function or outlook may change from time to time, but you are right where you need to be. Trust Your Journey.

Now that I've shared what I learned, it's time to set out some new goals for 2017! I'm very much ready to do this, and I hope you'll join me. Grab a pen and paper and write out a few goals of your own. There's no rush, take your time. Vision your goals. Let's go!

Goals for 2017:

1. Do Yoga 1 to 2xs a week. 

2. Drink More Water (with lemon)

3. Say "No" to Things You Don't Want To Do

4. Be OK with Your Fitness Journey and Progress 

5. Spend More Time Doing what You love

6. Get More Sleep

7. Do More Things Outdoors 

~ Now for a little fluff, here are some pictures to share my favorite IG posts of 2016 ~

Happy New Year! May Your Blessings be Abundant!

10 miles or bust!

After a lot of time away from cardio, I decided to go big and tackled 10 miles over the weekend. The day was perfect, rain drizzling on and off, friendly people out walking as well, and then the mountain of a hike. My butt is super sore today but it's worth it for the goal towards a better, fit and healthier body. 

What's your summer body goals? 

Trip to Yosemite

"The world is big 

and I just want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." - John Muir 

...Because nature needs no words, I'm just going to show you pictures of my trip last weekend to Yosemite, Bass Lake and Raymond. Please enjoy. 

(All photos by @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Yosemite is the most beautiful park I've had the pleasure of visiting and the pictures only show a sliver of its majestic meadows, waterfalls and rock formations. If you've never been I suggest you do. Just once. Find Your Park! 

Visit: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm 

Amazing weekend at Natural Products Expo - West!

Happy little Friday, everyone! It's Thursday, and I'm so excited to share what happened at this year's 36th annual Natural Products Expo West and Engredea, the world's largest natural, organic and healthy products event. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

I started my day off incredibly early by attending yoga at 7:30 a.m., with Yogini expert and instructor,  Gina Caputo, and rocked out to incredible music, infused with good vibes from Michael Franti.

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)
As part of their #gotogether campaign, Kashi spoiled everyone after the yoga sesh with an all natural, vegan breakfast bowl filled with almond butter, coconut shavings, strawberries, carob chips and granola; and Gaiam offered free yoga mats and yoga sling at a first-come-first-serve, basis.

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

After stuffing my face and filling my belly with delicious eats, I was ready to power through the day. 

I entered into the ground floor of the Anaheim Convention Center, in Anaheim, California, and was blown away with the burst of positive energy, excitement and samples being passed my way. 

I stopped by the Honest Company booth and learned about their natural approach to baby care products that are non-toxic to both baby and moms. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Bodyceuticals Calendula launched their natural tattoo coverup, Ink pot. All you had to do was flash them your favorite work of self body art, and you were gifted with a sample.

Giovanni beauty was representing their hair care line by pampering attendees with a fun hair makeover. As one of my favorite brands to follow, I am currently swooning over their Blackberry and Coconut Milk repairing shampoo and conditioner. The team was so friendly upon introductions and offered me a few more travel size take-aways. What girl could resist?!

With too many aisles to count and hours into the show, I stopped by the Weleda skin care booth, and received a free hand massage by this lovely lady, Elizabeth.

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Ever heard of ear candling? Wally's Natural demonstrated the use of ear candles and explained their purpose to a small crowd of on-lookers amazed with this product. Ear candling is said to help calm and relax the nervous system by ways of warmth and a slight whistling sound that is actually a low air current pushing through the candle. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Staying within the natural line of beauty, I stopped by Gurunanda and learned about oil pulling and essential oils. Let me just share, that after a few inhalations of orange, harmony and eucalyptus, I was at ease. A great state-of-mind to be in with all the trade show's hustle and bustle. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Australian based product, Natralia handed out packets of their "happy little bodies" lotions and regular line of skin relieving lotions, foot balms and body washes. By far one of the best lotions to help soothe irritated skin due to eczema or other allergens. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

As I moved on to the third flood of the Convention Center, I was greeted with the nicest Italian guy, chef and owner of Russo's New York Pizzeria, Mr. Anthony Russo himself, who handed me a fresh slice of Russo's gluten-free pizza. HEAVEN and by far the best pizza I've ever tasted! A born New Yorker,  Anthony Russo moved to Texas and opened up several Italian pizzerias. Lucky Texans!

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

Washing everything down was no hard chore with Clearly Kombucha!

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

And, look who greeted me during a quick pass through aisles, it's the Mama Chia mascot. 

Everything was so delicious, but I needed a quick taste of something sweet, and fast! Thank goodness for Nikki's Coconut Butter for saving the day! Nikki and husband Andrew, are so full of enthusiasm, you can't help but become re-energized when talking to them, and if you can grab a spoonful of the vanilla cake batter and dark chocolate fudge coconut butters while chatting, the butter, er better! 

The soy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free product comes in five delicious flavors and is a great snacking substitute to sugary options that are infused with fillers and hard to pronounce sweeteners. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

So Delicious, dairy-free products company had a cute set up and a line of their own, just outside their throwback to an ice-cream cart, delivering cold treats and servings of So Delicous vanilla almond milk and chocolate coconut milk. SO DELICIOUS, is so yummy!

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

I couldn't help but smile the entire time I was at the show. Everyone was just pumped to be there, to meet you and introduce their line of items, be it beauty, bamboo and organic fabrics, healing and wellness, toxic-free, dye-free, and vegan, the show was a hit!

In fact, the Natural Products Expo West and Engredea is the world's largest natural, organic and healthy products event, and this year hit a record-setting 6.9 percent growth rate. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

A HUGE thank you to New Hope Network for inviting me, and for hosting 77, 000 attendees in total. 

(photo: @shoesdogsandchocolate)

And with more than 3, 000 exhibitors, including 600 first-time exhibitors, I can only imagine what records you'll exceed to break next year! Until then,  I'll continue to spread the word about how this incredible expo is my favorite to attend each year!