Reset & Flourish

The Weekly Collective

Hi reader

I hope you're loving May so far!

For me, things are going really well — the kids are home, work is steady, I'm staying consistent with my exercise routine, and I'm hitting my 80–100 grams of protein each day. Overall, I'm feeling really good. 🙌

Last week, I got a few replies from some of you sharing that you're also working on eating more protein — and totally agree that it's way harder than it sounds!

You also had a few questions about my favorite protein powder, so I wanted to quickly share that with you today.

My favorite protein powder — and trust me, I've tried a LOT over the years — is the Garden of Life Organic Unflavored Protein Powder.

Here's why I love it:

No stevia (so no weird aftertaste)
No added flavor, so it blends perfectly into smoothies, oatmeal, protein shakes, and more
25g of protein per scoop!

You can usually find it at stores like Wegmans or Target, but I typically order it from Thrive Market because they always have the best price — and it saves me from having to hunt it down. (Sometimes the unflavored version is tricky to find in stores!). Not a Thrive Market member yet. Click here, they typically have a special offer for new sign-ups.

If you don't mind a little stevia flavor, they also offer vanilla and chocolate versions.

Adding this protein powder into my day — especially into my smoothies — has made it so much easier to hit my protein goals without overthinking it.

Goals for the Week

Right now, I'm in a really good groove — and I'm not looking to add anything new just yet.

➡️ My main focus is continuing to build on my morning exercise routine.

I'm doing 45 minutes on the treadmill most mornings, running for about half of that time.

And while yes, I know strength training is important (and I do add some toning here and there), running is my favorite.

It's what I love, it's what helps my mental health, and it's what keeps me consistent — and that's the most important thing. (If you don't love it, you won't stick with it — simple as that.)

➡️ Food-wise, I'm just staying the course:

Prioritizing protein at every meal
Keeping meals on the lower-carb side, but not cutting out carbs completely
Choosing whole grains and staying away from refined sugar as much as possible

Meals for the Week

Here's what's on my menu:

Breakfast: I'm switching it up this week with steel-cut oats served with fresh berries and a side of plain yogurt for extra protein.
Mid-Morning Snack (if needed): If I get hungry around 10:00 or 11:00 a.m., I'll have some cottage cheese — but usually breakfast holds me over until lunch.
Afternoon Snack: I'll whip up a quick protein shake with my Garden of Life protein powder, a small banana, almond milk, and maybe some cocao powder if I'm feeling like a chocolate kick. If I need it a little sweeter, I'll add a teaspoon of pure maple syrup — but usually the banana does the trick!
Lunch: Going back to one of my tried-and-true favorites: Protein Power Mason Jar Salad, boosted with extra sliced smoked turkey for more protein.
Dinners:
- Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Quesadillas:
  I'll use the BFree CarbSavvy High Protein Wraps I recently found at Wegmans — they taste amazing and are gluten-free! (Everyone else will use regular tortillas.)
- Slow Cooker Meatballs: Perfect for an easy, high-protein dinner. I'll have mine on its own or with a small portion of protein pasta.
- Cheddar Ranch Baked Chicken: I'll serve this with roasted potatoes and veggies — it's one of my daughter's favorite meals, and I always love making her favorites when she comes home from college.

Between these dinners and leftovers, I'll have plenty of easy options for the week. And if needed, I'll grab something quick from the freezer to throw together a meal.

Alright, that's it for now!

I'd love to hear what you're cooking up this week and what your goals are!

Send me a reply or head over to the Reset & Flourish Facebook group to share your pics and join the conversation!