The Real Aligned Life

   During the summer it is insane how many smoothie bowls I make. Creamy, cold, fresh, and and an easy way to sneak in extra protein into your diet, I probably whip one of these up almost every day. Feel free to customize however you like, but I'm giving you one of my favorite smoothie bowl recipes below. Berry Chia Smoothie Bowl Ingredients: I cup frozen organic berries  1/2-3/4 cup almond milk, or other milk of choice. (For extra protein use plain Greek yogurt) 1 scoop Vital Proteins collagen (vanilla or unflavored work best here) you can also use whatever protein powder you have on hand. 1 Tbsp chia seeds to top Sprinkle of walnuts  Directions: Blend the berries, milk or yogurt, and protein/collagen powder together. Pour into a bowl. Sprinkle with chia seeds and walnuts. Enjoy! *if you have raw honey on hand this is also good drizzled on top.

     Today the job market has changed so much from where it was even a few years before. I can't say much on where it was 10 years before as I was too young at that age to even have a job, but I can talk about the last few years and maybe give other girls my age the encouragement to take the leap and start online.    Growing up, I always knew I wanted to start my own business or businesses. I wanted to make my own hours, take control of what I'd sell and build something that benefited people's health and wellness. The problem was I had too many interests. I wanted to start my own sustainable clothing brand, record music, and be able to travel and live a life that was on my terms. One I could fully enjoy. So, I looked into starting a business, and I realized it was not something that would be plausible for me right now as I did not have space for stock, did not want to take out huge loans, and wanted to learn more about running a business before I started my own....

   You may have heard people say: "Diet has the word 'die' in it for a reason." Clearly, there's not a negative connotation to the word diet without a reason. The word makes you think of having to restrict things you love and enjoy just to try and fit this perfect image created in your mind. You don't create this image on your own. You see it on all the celebrity, models, and influencers accounts. This pressure to live up to those expectations, and the fear of not and being criticized and shamed by others, is impacting many.     Originally the word diet simply meant "the foods one consumes." Now, it's shifted to a focus on regimen and restriction. Counting calories, fat, and protein, with little focus on vitamins and minerals, and whether or not those vitamins and minerals can actually be absorbed properly by the body. Diet also doesn't take into consideration things like stress, amount of sleep, sleep quality, as well as shifting...

     I know you might be thinking, "Oh no... not another one of these fluff talks encouraging me to set these  unrealistic expectations for myself, that I'll never carry through or accomplish..." I get it, we've all  screwed up whether it be New Years resolutions or just trying to stick to our workout and diet plans. But  we're not here to talk about the fluff, we are here talk about realistic ways to keep ourselves accountable,  and the reason behind why it works. Let's jump in.     First, we have to ask, what do goals even do? The honest answer is nothing. Nothing unless we write  them down and carry them out in our day-to-day life. Sure, anyone can think, "I really want to start  working out and going to the gym so I can be strong." That is a wonderful goal, but, if you don't actually  make time during your week to go and workout it doesn't benefit you. It stays empty, void in the back of  your mind.     So, w...