Sharing fun facts about me, some things you wouldn’t guess just by looking at me is fun for me to share with you because it’s like we’re friends … but like irl. I hope you’re just as weird as I am š
I love crispy toast and soggy cereal! – It may sound weird but my daughter and I love leaving our toast out a few minutes to crunch up before we add butter or jelly and we like soaking all of our cereal in milk before spooning it up!
Price is Right and The Office are my guilty pleasures! – I mean, they’re just classic! Bob Barker and Michael Scott! These two shows get me through a day on the couch sick with the flu and any day really!
I don’t want to have any more babies. – Sad but true. I love babies and being a mom is my most greatest joy, but I think I’m done having babies. Key word ‘think’ lol I go back and forth on this a lot! But I’ve never been able to be selfish with my time, Corrine is 18 now so I think I’ll take some time for myself <3
80’s movies and 90’s music, that’s my jam! – So much good came out of these times! The era of big hair, epic love stories (ahem Some Kind Of Wonderful and the like), and MC Hammer! Everything about these 20 years is everything!
I went to school to be a pharmacist! – Yup, the parents are still confused about what I actually do and can’t understand why I just won’t go back to school for this. I did it because I love Math and people, and hey it pays well! But this is the life for me.
I have OCD! – I’m KIND of a control freak, I only like odd numbers, I double check the door locks and stove top about a gagillion times a day. I line things up, I clean like a maniac, I find solace in tidiness. I’m a weirdo baby. But I’ve found it keeps my mind clear when I can control something in this life! ha!
When I get bored or nervous I play with the tips of my hair and poke them into my fingertips. – Sounds weird, I’ll have to show you some day LOL
I like to play with my food! – I eat the chocolate around Snickers and other chocolate bars before enjoying the best part- the nougat! I move food around when I’m done eating it, I put Now & Laters and other taffy-esque candy in my pockets to make them chewy! Like I said, I’m a weirdo baby.
I HAVE to shower before I go to sleep! – Even if I showered that morning, I just sleep better, I feel clean, and it’s so refreshing! Try showering before bed, it’s the best!
Baby wipes in the bathroom, washing hands, and perfumes galore! – I’m big on hygiene also, who isn’t right! Baby wipes, because wipes. I have to wash my hands before I eat and as soon as I get home, just a habit, but like a good one. And I have about 15 perfumes on or near my person at any given time.
I’m a weirdo baby and thank you for letting me share my weird with you. Oh there’s more, but I’ll save them for later xoxo
Anything weird or random that you do?! Myself or someone else probably does them too Ā and it makes us elated to know we aren’t the only ones so share!Ā
Over the years, I’ve become more and more athletic and you may not be able to tell from these ever-graceful gymnastic poses, BUT I’m pretty good at keeping my balance! The Road to Rio is underway, so I’ve beenĀ extremely excited to show my support of Team USA as I get ready to cheer them on at the Olympic Games!āØ
As you know, I’ve participated in a lot of really incredible opportunities with AT&T, from supporting their golf tournaments to covering their philanthropic partnership with TOMS and more! I’m excited to announce that I’ll be joining the Road to Rio Tour with them LIVE, at the Venice Beach stop on July 23rd/July 24th! āØ As an influencer, I’m passionate about keeping you connected to the things that matter to me most and this partnership with AT&T will allow me to share with you a personalized interaction! From what the athletes are doing to gear up, to how YOU too can show your support and connect directly with the events surrounding the Olympic and Paralympic Games!āØ
So join me in becoming an AT&T Fanmate at attfanmate.com and show Team USA some love by participating in the conversation! And, use #ATTFanmate in your social posts and follow the hashtag for updates!Ā
I’ll be at the Venice Beach stop at the end of July for the Team USA send off which is open to the public, so I hope to see some of you there . . . high fives and hugs will be given all day!
Whatās your good luck message to Team USA athletes heading to Rio? Can we expect to see you along the tour?
This post is proudly brought to you in partnership with AT&T
Over the past few weeks I’veĀ had the urge to just get up and go and I don’t know if that’s because the open road is calling my name again or if I just need some change. Whatever the reason, it’s inspired me to challenge myself, and you, to write out a bucket list for this summer and slowly but surely check every adventurous thing off of it!
I hope this post encourages you to write out your own summer bucket list and join the challenge! So here we go! 1) Do something that scares you! 2) Go to more music festivals! 3) Enjoy the stillness! 4) Fill up on art andĀ knowledge! 5) Practice gratitude!
These are all photos from last summer’s fun times and amazing memories. From rock climbing in Joshua Tree, attending our very first Coachella, slow walks on the beach at sunset, and admiring the floors at every museum we could find! This will be my inspiration for this summer’s excitements! I have to stop myself sometimes and remind myself to be present and to be grateful for every day, even the slow ones. Create the slow days, enjoy the stillness, and then enthusiastically attack the next day withĀ tenacity!!!
What’s on your summer bucket list?! Do you have any suggestions for me for our next adventure?
Okay get excited because fitness and health related posts will be coming your way weekly! I’m obsessed! And I say: there is ALWAYS time for snacks … and dessert! Everything in moderation is the only rule I live by and it totally helps that the recipes featured today are nutrient packed, quick n’ easy to make, and best of all they’re SO DELICIOUS! Each of these taste like a dessert and are totally going to fuel your workouts and help you to recover from all those burpees and tuck jumps!
Most of these are breakfast recipes that I can’t live without that also double as a snack-time ‘grab and go’ when I’m in a pinch! If I haveĀ at least an hour before my workout I’ll reach for the heartier meals, but if I don’t have at least that;Ā like I woke up late *raises hand- me today* then I’ll grab a piece of fruit or make a protein shake and run out the door. I try to always consume a protein and a carb before AND after a workout. I’m trying to build a booty over here whilst staying lean … is that a thing?! More on this later!
EVERY MORNING: Your metabolism BOOSTER shot!Ā
Rev up that metabolism baby! I personally like to have my shot of ‘hulk power’ after a workout. I send this concoction right into my system for that warmth (ahem thank you cayenne pepper) and glow I feel all day! It’s one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, one tablespoonĀ l carnitine, a dash (or two) of cayenne pepper, and a splash of pineapple juice! This helps with the taste trust me! I put it all into a shot glass because who doesn’t wanna feel like a total bad ass in the morning and I make these in bulk so that they’re ready for me to drink each day throughout the week. Just triple the recipe and secure tightly into a mason jar. I have this keep for about 3 days in the fridge before making a fresh batch!
BREAKFAST RECIPES (AND MY PRE-WORKOUT FUEL)
RASPBERRY CHERRY CRUMBLE:Ā
I have a rectangle of this in the morning, remember I try to have my carbs before and after a workout when my body is either burning it off or fueling my muscles afterwards. For this you’llĀ evenly spread about a cup of fruit (I love frozen raspberries, cherries, blueberries, and strawberries) at the bottom of a glass dish, sprinkle over top a scoop of protein powder (see the very bottom of this post for some protein powder options you’ll love). Then sprinkle 1/3 cup oats,Ā slicedĀ almonds, a tablespoon of chia seeds, and some unsweetened coconut flakes over top that. Then squeezeĀ the juice of half a lemon (or a whole one if you like the tang!), and sprinkle on some cinnamon. Slowly pour coconut milk (or your choice of milk) over top the layers and gently use your fingers to press the milk into them so that they’re all saturated (but not swimming in fluid). I used aboutĀ 3/4 cup or so. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed and enjoy! THIS TASTES LIKE PIE! It’s insanely good I can’t even.
OVERNIGHT PROTEIN OATSĀ … with a secret ingredient:Ā
I make this at night so that it’s a grab and go for me in the morning! In a mason jar add 1/3 cup oats, a scoop of protein powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, a tablespoon chia seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes, and that secret ingredient I was talking about … pumpkin spiced granola (recipe coming soon), but just a teeny bit of it for flavor and use can use any granola you love. If you’re going to consume this in the morning or after about 4 hours,Ā than pour your favorite milk (mine is unsweetened coconut milk) over top to saturate the mixture and shake well. Pop that into the fridge and give it another good shake after about 30 minutes or so. I LOVEĀ this for breakfast or even after a workout if I don’t have time to prep a full meal before I start my work day. If you’d like to prep this for the week simply separate this recipe into different jars and you’ll have days worth of yumminess ready to enjoy!
PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN WAFFLES:Ā
Oh YES! One of my favorites, this tastes NOTHING like those boring, weirdly textured, cardboard tasting protein waffles you’ve seen before. This is a total treat and completely good for you! In a blender or ninja add together one scoop of protein powder, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon PB2, 3 teaspoons coconut flour, and about 8 teaspoons of water. Blend until you get that perfect waffle mix consistency and then make that to your desired golden-ness! This serves one. I top this with a nice dollop of vanilla coconut yogurt (dairy free from Trader Joe’s), some cinnamon, and a pinch of unsweetened coconut flakes! No butters or syrups are necessary for this one TRUST ME! You will want to kiss me on the mouth for this one, but please refrain- I’m engaged š
CASEIN COOKIE DOUGH! Oh em gee I saved the best for last!!! I like to have this as my final snackie of the day OR as a snack because, cookie dough! Casein is a slower burning protein which feeds your musclesĀ while you sleep, do it! For this magical mixture I mix one scoop of casein powderĀ with 1 tablespoon PB2, and then I add as much water as I need (add about 1/4 cup of water at first and then slowly by the tablespoon) until I’ve reached my desired consistency. Then I drop in some cacao nibs or dark chocolate bits and DEVOUR NO REGRETS! This is my favorite way to enjoy a night-time treat that is completely reminiscent of my favorite cheat-treat!!!
Remember that our diet is 80% of our resultsĀ so we want to fuel our bodies all day with good food, REAL food, and nutrient dense meals. If you missed my meal prepping lunch and dinner ideas,Ā click HERE šĀ Sharing my day with you, I eat 5-6 timesĀ a day, that’s 3 meals + 2-3 snacks. My meals always feature a lean protein, a healthy fat, and a complex carb/fiber of some sort. My snacks are just to keep my metabolism moving- so less than 200 calories, and I eat every 2 1/2- 3 hours.
Keep your body burning all day so that it doesn’t store your food and go into survival mode. Oh oh, and I ALWAYS have a protein shake within 30 minutes of my workout if I’m not able to get a real meal in me, but that is only to hold me over until I’m able to eat real food once I’m home. You want to feed your muscles right away, a lean protein and a complex carb is what I reach for since my body will use it to repair and rebuild. Eat eat eat! <333
Lastly, if I can give you one piece of advice it is to not beat yourself up over food. Take each day to make good food choices, I always tell myself, “it’s meal by meal Jess, meal by meal”. That turns into day by day, and then BAM it’s been a month and you’ve naturally developed good habits on your own! This is a lifestyle so lets not put an expiration date on these habits, take these 30 days to ramp you up for the next 30 days and then the next! … oh and food can be FUN!
MY GO-TO PROTEIN POWDERS, HEALTHY FATS, AND SPICES!Ā
Ok, about those protein powders! I’ve tried ’em all and to me it really doesĀ make a difference when you’re using a protein powder in recipes or drinking it with nothing but water in your tumbler. My personal favorites are THIS ONE by Bio Chem from Whole Foods, it’s an organic whey protein and I love the vanilla flavored one. It tastes like nothing to me honestly (that matters when I down it with nothing but H2O) and doesn’t make me gassy, haha TMI but hey, truth! And Vega One protein! However, this is an acquired taste, the flavor isn’t like a milk shake y’all- but with some frozen nanas, berries, coconut milk, and chia seeds it’s incredibly yummy! I wouldn’t drink this by itself but that’s just my preference.
To name a few, I love chia seeds, PB2, almond butter, avocado, and coconut oils for my healthy fats. For my carbs I opt for fruits, veggies, and whole wheat breads orĀ ezekiel breads and tortillas. The milks I list in my recipes are always unsweetened coconut or almond milk, and cinnamon + unsweetened coconut flakes are my go-to to make ANY recipe more bearable ha! Everything in moderation for me!
So what’s your favorite protein powder? Do you have a favorite brekky or snack recipe to share?
Let me know so I can try them all out and stay tuned for our meal plan modified! Kick butt this week and I’ll see you soon with another article!
We recently spent a day at Abbot Kinney street in Venice, California, and strolled about and explored. This is what we found:
When we had worked up an appetite, we stopped at a place called 3 Square Cafe. Here, we ordered a quinoa burger with shoestring fries and a strawberry lemonade. It was absolutely delicious! When we finished, we were delighted by a little box of complimentary lemon meringue pie, it was divine.
If you’ve ever been to Abbot, then you know there is an endless variety of specialty stores, florists, cute little nooksĀ and small, adorable shops to stop into. On our little journey we found this absolutely incredible, to-die-for pomegranate currant candle.
As always,Ā more retail therapy was sought, and the day ended with a happy tummy and not so happy wallet, but happy nonetheless!
I’m one of those people who can have waffles and bacon any time of the day because breakfast is probably my most favorite meal of the day. Brunch is a happy medium with its breakfast options and early lunch specials! Four Daughters in Manhattan Beach offers up the yummiest quinoa bowl with potatoes and egg – the Porto Bowl. Where you can substitute anything into the bowl you’d like and trust me when I say to order a second side of the salsa it comes with! It’s delicious and fresh!
Four Daughters has an ocean view, Ā outside seating if you bring your pet or want to enjoy the beautiful weather, and there is also a ton of street parking available.
THAT is the view from the sidewalk ….. just breathtaking
I met with my friend Miya and we chatted Ā all things blogging and enjoyed their happy hour which is also incredible, with half off appetizers and drinks. I ordered the sliders – 2 BBQ pork and an angus slider on Hawaiian sweet rolls and comes topped with cheese and special 4DK sauce! Corrine ordered the signature fish tacos which were gluten-free, and of course we HAD to get their bread pudding which tasted like banana cream amazingness!
They also make homemade sangria! If you’re feeling the caffeine craze, grab a latte, they’re rich and creamy!
Some other perks Four Daughters has to offer is free wifi and for you parents out there, there is a clean changing table in the ladies bathroom! Double points!
Check them out if you’re in the area, their price points are $$ so they’re extremely reasonable, and they get 5 out of 5 happy faces Ā for their menu, their views, and their food!
They say that nothing is life is free…..but my mobile app is!!! If you didn’t catch my last post on it, I’ve launched a mobile application where you interact with me and other members of our community. Available on the iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and tablet, you’re able to create your own account and start uploading photos, videos, GIFs, polls, and start hashtag stories!!!
My app is one of the first places you’ll see my updates for everything and anything going on in my life, from new video releases, to life happenings, and I’m so excited to start podcasting and including all of your ideas and questions from the app into my series. I’ll also be reaching out to you on the app for ideas for my site as you’ll all be helping me curate content! Wahoo!
What I’ve loved most is seeing everyone add one another as friends, respond to each other’s posts and polls, and the sense of community you get when you upload a status update and get feedback from other people on the app. That most of all makes me most happy because interaction, not just with me, but with one another is community, and that’s what my goal for the app is. Inspire Encourage Empower. It all comes back to that.
Under the “Discover” tab you’ll find people on the app, tags that are trending, you’ll be able to find new friends! Community tab holds all of the community update statuses, and and the Channel tab is where you’ll find all of my personal updates and contents that I post to the app.
If you haven’t downloaded the app yet please do, the link is HERE, all y0u have to do is set up a profile and start chatting with all of us! Make me a GIF, start a poll, upload a video, comment to other community members, or follow your favorite hashtag story! My next story will be under #VEGASBABY so look for that on the 16th when I hold my TWITTER PARTY!
Yup I’m having another Twitter Party, how it works is next Monday March 16th, at 6pm PST I’ll log onto TWITTER and chat with you guys for about 20-30 minutes, we’ll chat all things life, updates, happenings, the app, the new features, and giveaways! Just use the hashtag #JessMode each time you tweet me during the Twitter Party so I can see your responses and questions, and follow the hashtag to see the conversations!
I’ll be giving away (2) $50 Visa Gift cards so you can splurge on your favorite things and (2) surprise tech gifts! All you have to do to participate is use the hashtag (#JESSMODE) and join me next Monday – March 16th at 6pm PST for all the fun!
I love you and thank you for being a part of my app and our community!
Being a lover of the outdoors, Los Angeles is a dream come true to call home with its countless hiking trails, year round gorgeous weather, and hidden finds. I’ve lived in L.A. for 5 years now and I’ve chosen some of my favorite trails to feature in today’s adventure post!
My top 3 hiking trails would be Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, and Malibu Creek State Park!
Griffith Park is the easiest trail for us to get to since traffic going there isn’t terrible, and the views are just breathtaking! All of the photos in this post were taken from different areas along the many trails that Griffith Park has.
This is actually the very first hike Joe ever took me on when we first started dating, and it will forever be special to me, but beyond the great memories, just look at these views! I love that you can take one trail one day and another trail the next, and you feel like you’re on a completely different side of town all together. The trails vary so much in difficulty level and view vantage points. If you’re looking for a nice long leisurely hike with mild incline changes, check out some of the trails at Griffith Park. You could hike a full trail in about 2-3 hours.
Probably the most famous hiking trail in L.A. is Runyon Canyon, with its ‘stairs to Heaven’ and long hike UP to one of it’s parking entrances. It’s also famous for spotting famous people apparently. I personally have yet to run into Angelina and Brad, as I huff and puff up the long straightaway that is the ‘incline death’ Runyon has to offer. They say that if you pay attention you’ll see some of your big screen idols present on the hike with you! What’s also present is the smell of dog poop. Yup, poops! I love my lil four legged babies, but whew can it get smelly at times! None the less, foul scent and all, Runyon Canyon offers a great glute workout, views of the city that are incomparable, and good ol’ fashioned nostalgia. You could hike all of Runyon in about an hour if you hustle it!
If you dig rock climbing, waterfall scavenger hunts, and geo caching, then you’ll LOOOOVE Malibu Creek State Park. I love the far away feeling and ‘woodsy’ atmosphere that this hike offers. It’s full of fragrant trees, boulders, paths of leaves, and waterfalls! Be careful if you decide to take a leap off of one of the boulders to jump into the cool waters below, many parts of the pools of water are in fact VERY shallow. But there are pools of water to swim in, cool your feet off in, and let your puppy swim in! Malibu Creek State Park is probably one of my most favorite places to hike because it feels like you’re not in the city any more and mid-hike picnics are always a good idea! You could hike to water and back to the parking lot in about 2-3 hours.
These are just to name a few trails I’ve grown fond of, there are so many other places to explore and hike:
San Gabriel mountains
Pasadena
Topanga State Park
San Vicente Mountain
Angeles National Forest
The list goes on and on! I love Los Angeles and I’m so happy to call it home, if you’re a local you know the feeling, and if you get a chance to visit, enjoy one of these hikes that offer up the most spectacular views of the city!
Let me know what some of your favorite trails are to play on and I hope your have the most adventurous weekend!
As online personalities, we are often asked to define what our brands represent and to describe what we do in a singular sentence. In a singular sentence, Iām a lot of things. Iām an adrenaline junkie, a foodie, a mom, a puppy lover – a lot of things. I can best describe my brand as I describe what it is that I hope to give people in the community of āTeam Jessā, to – Inspire. Encourage. Empower.
I find inspiration in the places I visit, encouragement in my friends, and empowerment in the stories I write. Itās really refreshing when I can go places and cover stories, when I can team up with brands, and when I can get an insider look at all the things that really interest me, to then write about and share with all of you. Iāve been sharing a lot this week on the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am event that was held last week in Pebble Beach and the Foursome who shared their Fanās Eye View of the tournament this year.
As I introduced the Foursome to you last week, I told you how I relate to each of them; being that Iām a mother of a 17 year old, an Army brat whoās moved every 3 years, and someone who also quit corporate America to pursue the dream of being creative full time. Learning about each of their stories individually helped me understand what about golf each of them loved so much. Last week I got to chat with them and these are their responses that really stuck with me.
I asked Dan what the one thing was that heāll take away with him from this experience. He told me that the opportunity better helped him understand where he needs to be in order to reach his goal saying, āI can see that picture and I can imagine it and then I can go home and visualize it ā¦. I know now what I need to do and where I need to be ā¦ turn the small goals into the big goalā. Ā As a visualizer myself, I was silently āwahoo-ingā everything he was saying while taking notes.
Iād asked Tiffany the same question and if she had any advice for someone like me, who was interested in the sport but perhaps a bit intimidated by it, and for someone wanting to give up. She said, āIt’s kind of like life, every day is not a great day. It’s not. And you just move onā¦. like anything else it takes patience, focus, commitment, you’ll be rewarded for those 3 thingsā. Again I was silently standing up giving her a slow clap because it couldnāt have been said any better. Patience. Focus. Commitment. Check! Check! Check!
Katie, the youngest in the group, was so poised and well spoken that you knew by talking with her that she held her own on the golf course and in life. She was also motivated by this special fanās eye view of the event, having answered my question about what her new goals for the year were, saying, āMy goal is to become a professional … this experience has motivated me go out there, give it my best and practice, and work my hardest to get to where I need to be in the futureā. Sheās a smart young lady and Iām so excited to see where the next 5 years takes her.
Before I let the Foursome get back to their activities, I spoke to Tim whose story really hit home for me since my dad was in the military for 23 years and I knew exactly where he was coming from. I asked Tim what about golf made the rehabilitation process for him something to look forward to, what about it changed him. He responded, āIām the type of guy that if I do something I’m gonna do it and I’m gonna do it all outā¦.to prove that Iām not broken. I might be scarred … I might look different and walk different, and have to live different, but Iām still me and Iām still able to do anything I wish toā.
I didnāt know what to say after that, I was pretty speechless, there were some pretty powerful statements made from these four and Iām so glad I got a chance to chat with them and get an insider view of their insider experience.
Iām inspired by each of their incredible stories, and I find it fascinating that I can relate to each of them as their brands sound a lot like mine! They each inspire, encourage, and empower and itās wonderful to see that in this recap video reel of their āFanās Eye Viewā campaign and their week at the event here:
