You've heard me say it here before, but sugar is a tricky little monster. However, when you are free from sugar cravings, you'll notice an immense difference in your energy levels, sleep, brain power, weight, anxiety and so much more. Today, I want to talk about how the right approach can help silence those sugar cravings and make it easy to resist that after dinner cookie.

I remember about 7 years ago when my then boyfriend, now husband Brett, blended butter into his coffee. I just about fell on the floor. What on earth was he doing, and why? At the time, I was still in college and on the sorority girl diet of low fat froyo and cheap vodka. Super healthy, right? So the idea that high calorie foods like grass-fed butter, coconut oil and avocados were good for me was not on my radar, at all. 

This week's wellness Wednesday post for my girls over at Mint Studios is all about getting that protein in to rev up your morning. Try out one of these fabulous recipes so that you can hit the ground running this week! 

Adaptogens are a unique class of plants that help your body adapt to biological and psychological stress by making it easier to balance your hormones. Adaptogens have been shown to help decrease cortisol, increase energy and mental focus and also help you recover faster from your workouts.

Stop letting your weight dictate how you enjoy your life. For so many of us, our weight tells us whether to be happy, stressed, embarrassed or guilty. It determines how we approach the world.

Rest and rejuvenation seem to be lost words these days. Many of us work constantly, whether that is in an office, a classroom, as a new mother or simply because our phones are constantly in our hands. We are stretching ourselves thin while still trying to exercise, have a social life and remain somewhat sane.

I've been having some honest moments with myself over the last month or so and have found them to be very therapeutic. By honest moments I just mean I've tried to put away the bullshit and really tune into how Darby is doing and what I'm really all about.

Choosing the right kind of olive oil or coconut oil an be really hard, even for those of us that are in the know! For instance, what is expeller pressed olive oil vs extra virgin?

I've picked up a lot of self-care tips and vibes over the years as a health and wellness coach.

I'm not one for labels. My diet is ever changing, just like my body. The one rule that I do stick to, as often as possible, is eating food that is whole and unprocessed. In that light, my body has been trying to tell me for a couple of months now, that it's time for a bit of a change. As noted in my previous blog post, that started with me giving up coffee, but that's not the only thing that's changed. 

Those of you that are regular readers of my blog know that I've attempted to remove coffee from my life several times. I hit 8 weeks sans coffee about a year and a half ago before a big trip to Hawaii and then also swore off the stuff for about two weeks to kick off my 10 Day Refresh. More recently, I got pretty serious about my relationship with coffee and decided it was time to officially say goodbye. 

I come from a family of entrepreneurs. My father is an entrepreneur in the motorcycle industry, my mother had her own successful interior design company and my father-in-law has started multiple tech companies here in the valley. You could say that entrepreneurship runs in my blood. 

There is a lot of confusion out there about fat and I know that many of my clients still hold onto old pieces of information that keep them from reaping the benefits of a high, healthy fat diet. One of the questions that I was asked on the Mint Instagram last week was about using Earth Balance butter instead of regular butter as a way to cut back on fat and calories. So, this week, I'm going to walk you through healthy fats, which ones you should be eating and which ones to stay away from. When you select the right fats and add them to your diet they can help you get lean, feel energized and look vibrant! 

I LOVE football. I didn't grow up watching the sport, my family was more into swimming and water polo, but once I hit college, I was hooked. I actually took a decal when I was at Berkeley that was allll about football. I got an A, so you can just call me an expert :) But, I will say, Super Bowl food nearly rivals the game itself. So, this year, I've got 4 fabulous recipes for you that are also healthy! Enjoy!

It doesn't take much effort at all to get into a routine that involves lululemons, wine and Housewives at the end of your evening. Yes, it's relaxing and I absolutely indulge in this every once in a while, but today, I want to talk about changing things up. Let's talk about the importance of putting yourself out there, getting uncomfortable and doing something new and different that totally scares you. 

I have to admit, anxiety is something that I've struggled with for many years now, but I try to look at it like a blessing, rather than a negative. Anxiety has taught me the power of slowing down, being present and focusing on what's truly important.

This is a special piece that I wrote for the Mint Studios Blog at the start of the new year. Let's kick it off right!