Reset & Flourish

The Weekly Collective

Hi reader

This weekend officially marks my daughter coming home from her second year of college — which means it's the official start of summer around here, even if it's not technically summer yet! ☀️

Last year, I'll be honest, I wasn't fully prepared when all the kids came home from college in May.

I usually count on having until June to get everything ready for a full house again, but this year? I'm mentally prepared and actually got things done ahead of time. 🙌

My daughter is home, and my stepdaughters will be home soon too — so in a blink, I'll go from quiet days working alone in my cozy office to a house full of teenagers!

But you know what? I'm ready for it.

The biggest thing I'm focusing on this summer is sticking to my routines — especially my workouts — and, for the first time in a long time, scaling back on work hours to actually take a break.

I've been running my business for 14 years now, and every single summer I say I'm going to take time off...and then I don't. But this year is different.

I've been working hard to get ahead so I can enjoy more time with family, take a breath, and just soak up summer.

Of course, I still have a couple bigger projects I'll be working on behind the scenes, but I've planned for that.

My goal is simple: Work when needed, be present with family, and enjoy summer.

💪 Goals for the Week

I'm so happy to report that I've been keeping up with my daily exercise routine!

And for the first time in a while, it's actually starting to feel like a real habit again.

The first week and a half? Brutal.

I was pushing myself hard just to show up.

But now, it feels easier — and one of my favorite sayings keeps running through my mind:

"It never gets easier, you just get better."

And that's exactly how I feel. 🙌

Exercise, for me, is about so much more than staying in shape.

It's honestly one of the best things you can do for your mental health.
No matter how busy life gets, taking even 45 minutes a day to move my body makes such a huge difference in my mindset, energy, and overall happiness.

I'm also feeling really good about being more intentional with my protein intake.

My goal is to hit between 80-100 grams of protein each day, and let me tell you — it sounds simple, but if I don't plan it out and track it, it's surprisingly easy to fall short.

Here's what I've learned about hitting my protein goal:

I always add protein to my smoothies (cottage cheese or protein powder are my go-tos)
I load up my mason jar salads with lean protein (chicken, sliced turkey, beans)
I focus on high-protein dinners (like lean chicken, ground turkey, shrimp, beef)
I add protein-packed sides like broccoli, kale, and even protein pasta
I usually need a snack with extra protein, like Greek yogurt or a quick protein shake

Bottom line: If you're not used to eating higher-protein meals, it won't happen naturally — you've got to plan for it!

🍽 Meals for the Week

Here's what's on my menu:

Cherry Vanilla Smoothie: Blended with cottage cheese for that extra boost of protein.
California Mason Jar Salads: Fresh, crunchy, and packed with good-for-you ingredients!
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken: I'll use this for dinner salads or wrap it up in a high-protein wrap with some veggies on the side.
Turkey Burgers: I'll pair these with a big plate of roasted veggies.
Ground Turkey Enchiladas: Full of protein and fiber — so delicious.
Beef and Broccoli: Naturally high in protein and fiber! I'll serve it with a small portion of brown rice, keeping an eye on the portions to keep everything balanced.

Speaking of portions — I just want to say this:

👉 I'm not about cutting out all carbs or being extreme.

It's about balance.

Yes, I'll have brown rice, protein pasta, or other whole grains — but I'm mindful of portions, because that's what makes this an eating style I can stick with long-term.

Alright, that's it for now!

I hope you have an amazing week — and don't forget to pop into the Reset & Flourish FB group to say hi, share what you're making, and jump into any conversations happening in there! 🥰