Rosemary Pomegranate Spritz

If antioxidants had a signature drink… this would be it.

The Rosemary Pomegranate Spritz is a powerhouse for inflammation, heart health, and skin glow.

Pomegranate juice is loaded with polyphenols that fight oxidative stress

Rosemary supports circulation and mental clarity

Apple cider vinegar helps balance blood sugar and digestion

Sparkling water + lime hydrate and refresh

This drink doesn’t just taste festive — it functions like a wellness tonic.

It’s perfect for:

reducing post-holiday inflammation

supporting glowing skin

calming cravings

and keeping your hormones happy

Elegant. Healing. And zero-proof.

Pick up The Wellness Bar today!

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY | The Sober Glow Is Real

Your skin is more than just what you see in the mirror — it’s a living reflection of what’s happening inside your body. And one of the biggest things affecting that glow? Alcohol.

Even moderate drinking quietly disrupts your skin’s ability to heal, hydrate, and renew itself.

Here’s what alcohol really does beneath the surface:

Dehydrates at a cellular level

This leads to fine lines, dullness, dark circles, and that tired-looking face no amount of concealer can fix.

Dilates blood vessels

That’s why redness, broken capillaries, rosacea flare-ups, and blotchy skin become more noticeable over time.

Disrupts Vitamin A

Your skin depends on vitamin A for healthy cell turnover — without it, your skin can’t renew itself properly.

Increases inflammation

Which shows up as acne, eczema flare-ups, sensitivity, and stubborn breakouts.

Slows collagen production

Translation? Premature aging, sagging skin, and loss of elasticity.

But here’s the good news…

When you take a break from alcohol, your body gets to finally focus on healing instead of detoxing. That’s why people doing Dry January (or simply drinking less) start to see that glow up almost immediately:

Week 1 – Less puffiness, brighter eyes

Week 2 – More even tone, reduced redness

Week 3 – Better hydration & smoother texture

Week 4 – That healthy glow + fewer breakouts

This isn’t about restriction — it’s about giving your body what it actually needs to thrive.

You deserve to feel clear, confident, energized, and radiant — without sacrificing fun, flavor, or social moments. That’s why I created The Wellness Bar — a luxury zero-proof mocktail experience that lets you sip beautifully while supporting your glow, your hormones, your skin, and your long-term wellness.

Pick up The Wellness Bar now!

Recipe of the Day: Lemon & Herb Infused Feta Cubes

Tired of boring snacks? These Lemon & Herb Infused Feta Cubes prove that simple food can still feel indulgent.

Feta is naturally rich in protein and calcium, supporting bone health and satiety. Olive oil provides heart-healthy fats that reduce inflammation, while herbs like oregano and thyme deliver powerful antioxidants that support immunity and digestion. Garlic? That’s your natural immune booster and metabolism supporter.

This is the kind of snack that keeps you full, satisfied, and far away from ultra-processed temptations — perfect for mid-day cravings or a protein-rich salad topper.

Inside the Simplify Healthy Eating Meal Membership, you get recipes like this every month — balanced, flavorful, and designed to support fat loss, blood sugar stability, and inflammation reduction without sacrificing taste.

Join the membership and simplify the way you eat healthy at SimplifyHealthyEating.com

5 Journal Prompts Examining the Social Constructs of Drinking

We don’t usually question drinking…

We just inherit it.

 We inherit the idea that alcohol = fun.

That alcohol = connection.

That alcohol = confidence.

That alcohol = relaxation.

And before we even realize it, a behavior becomes a belief.

That’s what this week’s Monday Mindset is really about — not alcohol itself, but the social contracts we’ve been quietly signing our whole lives.

“When did I first believe drinking was required for fun or connection?”

“Who taught me that?”

“Does it still serve who I’m becoming?”

 So many of us aren’t addicted to alcohol…

We’re attached to what we think it gives us.

• Relief

• Belonging

• Confidence

• Escape

• Permission to be ourselves

But here’s the deeper question:

What if the thing you’re actually craving…

is something you deserve without a drink?

Connection without numbing.

Joy without checking out.

Confidence without lowering your standards.

Peace without dulling your nervous system.

This isn’t about quitting.

It’s about choosing consciously.

Because when you stop drinking on autopilot, you start living with intention.

And when you write about it — really write — you start seeing patterns you can’t unsee:

• Why you drink

• Who you drink with

• How you feel after

• What it costs you emotionally

• What it gives you (and what it doesn’t)

That’s why journaling changes everything.

The New Beginnings 30-Day Mindset Journal was created to help you explore these questions gently, honestly, and without shame — so you can step into the version of yourself that doesn’t need numbing to feel alive.

You don’t have to be broken to want something better.

You just have to be brave enough to look.

 Explore the journal at here.

Stronger in the New Year: A 20-Minute Dumbbell Lower Body Workout to Build Power, Confidence & Momentum

The New Year is not just a fresh page on the calendar — it’s a chance to rebuild yourself from the ground up.

And there is no better place to start than your foundation…
Your legs.
Your glutes.
Your core.
Your strength.

Your lower body is where balance, stability, posture, and everyday movement are born. When your lower body is strong, you move through life with more confidence, more energy, and more resilience.

This 20-minute dumbbell lower body workout was designed to help you step into the New Year feeling powerful, capable, and connected to your body — not punished by it.

This is not about shrinking.
This is about building.

Workout Format

• 40 seconds work

• 20 seconds rest

• Complete 2–3 rounds

• Rest 1–2 minutes between rounds

• Focus on slow, controlled movement and full range of motion

You’ll need:

• One or two dumbbells

• A stable, open workout space

Exercise Breakdown + Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Dumbbell Goblet Squat

Hold one dumbbell at your chest

Targets: Glutes, quads, hamstrings, core

How to do it:

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart

2. Hold one dumbbell vertically against your chest

3. Engage your core and keep your chest tall

4. Push your hips back and bend your knees

5. Lower until thighs are parallel to the floor

6. Drive through your heels to stand back up

Coaching tip: Keep your knees tracking over your toes and don’t let your chest collapse forward.

2. Romanian Deadlift

Dumbbells in both hands

Targets: Hamstrings, glutes, lower back

How to do it:

1. Stand tall with dumbbells in front of thighs

2. Soften your knees slightly

3. Hinge at the hips, pushing your glutes backward

4. Lower dumbbells along your legs until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings

5. Keep your spine neutral

6. Squeeze glutes and return to standing

Coaching tip: This is a hip hinge — not a squat.

3. Reverse Lunge – Right Leg

Dumbbells at sides

Targets: Glutes, quads, balance

How to do it:

1. Stand tall with dumbbells at your sides

2. Step your right foot back into a lunge

3. Drop the back knee toward the floor

4. Front knee stays over ankle

5. Push through the front heel to return to standing

4. Reverse Lunge – Left Leg

Repeat the same movement stepping the left foot back.

5. Sumo Squat

Wide stance, one dumbbell held vertically

Targets: Inner thighs, glutes

How to do it:

1. Stand with feet wider than shoulders, toes slightly turned out

2. Hold dumbbell between legs

3. Sit down into a squat, keeping chest tall

4. Drive through heels to stand

6. Single-Leg Deadlift – Right Leg

Dumbbell in left hand

Targets: Glutes, hamstrings, balance

How to do it:

1. Stand on your right leg

2. Hold dumbbell in left hand

3. Hinge at hips as left leg extends behind you

4. Lower dumbbell toward floor

5. Keep hips square

6. Squeeze glute to stand back up

7. Single-Leg Deadlift – Left Leg

Dumbbell in right hand

Repeat on the opposite side.

8. Dumbbell Lateral Lunge – Right

How to do it:

1. Step right foot out wide

2. Sit into right hip

3. Left leg stays straight

4. Push back to center

9. Dumbbell Lateral Lunge – Left

Repeat on the left side.

10. Calf Raises

Dumbbells at sides

How to do it:

1. Stand tall

2. Rise onto toes

3. Slowly lower back down

4. Repeat

Why Lower Body Training Matters (Especially in the New Year)

Strong legs mean:

• Better posture

• Better balance

• More calories burned

• More confidence

• Less injury risk

• Stronger metabolism

And let’s be real…
There’s something incredibly empowering about feeling strong in your body when you walk into a new season of life.

You’re not fragile.
You’re forged.

Your New Year Isn’t About Perfection — It’s About Power

You don’t need to punish your body this year.
You need to train it, honor it, and build it.

This workout is your reminder that strength isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, spiritual, and mental too.

And every rep you complete is a statement that says:
“I am showing up for myself.”

A Gentle Reset for a Powerful New Year: Why 2026 Isn’t About Hustle—It’s About Healing

There is something sacred about the beginning of a new year.
Not because of fireworks, resolutions, or planners—but because it offers us a pause.

A holy breath.

A moment where God quietly asks,
“What are you carrying with you into this next season?”

So many people walk into January with new goals…
but old exhaustion.

Fresh calendars…
but cluttered minds.

Hopeful prayers…
but emotionally overloaded hearts.

And we wonder why motivation fades so fast.

It’s because we keep trying to build new lives on top of unexamined ones.

Before God brings us into new things, He almost always invites us to release old weight.

And most of us don’t even realize how heavy we’ve been carrying.

Your Life Is Shaped by What You Consume

When people hear the word “consumption,” they think of food.

But what you eat is only one small part of the story.

Every single day you are consuming:

• Conversations

• Social media

• News cycles

• Opinions

• Comparisons

• Entertainment

• Music

• Self-talk

• Trauma responses

• Expectations

• Other people’s energy

And every one of those inputs is shaping:

• How you see yourself

• What you believe is possible

• How safe you feel

• How regulated your nervous system stays

• How strong your faith feels

• How much clarity you have

You don’t just become what you eat.

You become what you watch, hear, scroll, think, and absorb.

Which is why so many people feel:

• Emotionally tired

• Spiritually disconnected

• Mentally scattered

• Overstimulated

• Chronically overwhelmed

Even when nothing is technically “wrong.”

Your spirit isn’t broken.

It’s overloaded.

Why Starting Over Without Pausing Never Works

We are taught to push forward.
Grind harder.
Hustle through.
Just keep going.

But God’s way has always been different.

In Scripture, seasons of preparation, pruning, and quiet come before seasons of growth.

Jesus withdrew.
David hid in caves.
Elijah rested.
Paul spent years in the wilderness.

Why?

Because clarity comes before calling.
And healing comes before expansion.

You cannot build a new future while still dragging yesterday’s emotional clutter behind you.

That’s why so many New Year’s resolutions don’t stick:
Not because you’re lazy…
But because you never cleared the emotional, mental, and spiritual weight that was slowing you down.

Introducing: The New Beginnings Reset – A Consumption Audit

This is why I created
The New Beginnings Reset: A Consumption Audit.

Not a diet.
Not a detox.
Not a pressure-filled challenge.

But a gentle, honest inventory of what’s filling your life.

It helps you look at:

• What you’re mentally consuming

• What you’re emotionally tolerating

• What you’re spiritually feeding yourself

• What habits are supporting you

• And what habits are silently draining you

So you can ask powerful questions like:

• What is making me anxious?

• What is stealing my peace?

• What is keeping me stuck?

• What do I need more of?

• What do I need less of?

Without shame.
Without overwhelm.
Without self-attack.

Just awareness.

And awareness is where healing starts.

Peace Is Not Something You Find—It’s Something You Protect

Peace doesn’t come from doing more.

Peace comes from consuming better.

From guarding your heart.
From curating your inputs.
From choosing nourishment over noise.

This reset doesn’t push you.
It grounds you.

It creates space for:

• God’s voice

• Your intuition

• Your nervous system

• Your emotional clarity

So when you step into 2026…
You’re not dragging exhaustion behind you.

You’re walking forward lighter.
Clearer.
Stronger.
More aligned.

Your New Beginning Starts With What You Release

You don’t need another to-do list.

You need a moment of truth.

What am I carrying?
What am I consuming?
What is this season of my life asking me to let go of?

That’s where transformation begins.

And if your spirit has been craving peace…
This reset is for you.

✨ Download the FREE New Beginnings Reset: A Consumption Audit
and give yourself the gift of clarity before you move forward.

Stop Blaming Your Willpower: The Real Reason Diets Fail (and What to Do Instead)

If you’ve ever felt frustrated because you “fell off” a diet, struggled to stay consistent, or found yourself thinking about food nonstop the moment you tried to restrict it…
I want you to hear this clearly:

You are not the problem.
Your willpower is not broken.
You are not undisciplined.
And you are not failing.

Your body is simply doing what it was designed to do.

The truth is simple and backed by decades of research:
👉 Your brain is wired to seek food when it senses restriction.
It’s biology — not a personal flaw.

This is why 95% of diets fail. Not because people are weak, but because deprivation triggers built-in survival mechanisms that you cannot out-willpower your way through.

Let’s break down what actually happens in your body when you diet — and how you can finally work with your biology instead of fighting a losing battle against it.

What Happens Inside Your Body When You Restrict Food

Diet culture makes it sound like eating less is the solution to eating less.
But your body says otherwise.

When you restrict food, your system goes into “protection mode,” activating three major responses designed to keep you alive — not thin.

1. Hunger Hormones Increase

The hunger hormone ghrelin skyrockets when your body senses a calorie drop.
This is why you suddenly feel “starving” after eating almost nothing.

Your biology is trying to save you.

2. Metabolism Slows Down

Your metabolism is not fixed — it adapts.
When food intake drops, your body lowers the number of calories it burns:

✔ fewer calories burned at rest
✔ less energy for non-essential functions
✔ more fatigue
✔ increased hunger

Your body becomes more efficient at holding onto energy (fat), not losing it.

This is why weight loss stalls — or rebounds.

3. Food Thoughts Intensify

Restriction increases cravings, obsessiveness, and emotional urgency around food.

It’s not lack of discipline.
It’s your brain’s survival alarm.

Your mind becomes hyper-focused on the very food you’re trying to avoid — because your body thinks you’re in danger.

Again… this is biology, not a flaw.

Why Diets Fail (and Always Will)

Research shows that 95% of diets fail within 1–3 years.

Not because people are lazy.
Not because they “don’t want it enough.”
Not because they didn’t try hard.

Diets fail because:

• Restriction triggers primal survival responses

• Your brain fights deprivation

• Your metabolism adapts downward

• Cravings intensify

• Willpower is temporary

• Hunger wins every single time

And it SHOULD.

Your body’s job is to protect you, not help you fit into jeans from 2014.

The Real Solution: Work With Your Body, Not Against It

Lasting health, sustainable fat loss, and balanced eating happen when you nourish — not punish — your body.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Eat Enough Protein

Protein stabilizes hunger, reduces cravings, and keeps blood sugar steady.

2. Stop Skipping Meals

Meal skipping increases binges, blood sugar swings, and stress.

3. Build Balanced Plates Instead of Cutting Out Foods

Think:
Protein + Fiber + Healthy Fat + Complex Carbs
This keeps you satisfied and energized.

4. Allow All Foods Without Guilt

When food is no longer “forbidden,” cravings lose their intensity.

5. Focus on Additions, Not Restrictions

Add more water, more vegetables, more movement, more sleep — not more rules.

6. Remember: Your Body Is on Your Side

It’s trying to protect you — not sabotage you.

Once you understand how your biology works, everything becomes easier.
Your relationship with food becomes calmer, more intuitive, and far less emotional.

You stop fighting your body.
And your body finally stops fighting back.

Want Help Learning How to Work WITH Your Body?

Your health journey doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or confusing.
Inside The Relentlessly Empowered, you’ll find simple, realistic, sustainable tools that support your biology — not restrict it.

✨ FREE guides on balanced eating
✨ Low-cost meal plans
✨ The 30-Day Anti-Inflammatory Plan
✨ High-protein easy recipes
✨ Snack guides, grocery lists & beginner meal prep
✨ Smoothie + mocktail recipe guides

Every resource is created to help you nourish your body in ways that feel good, doable, and empowering.

👉 Explore FREE + low-cost resources
and take one small, sustainable step toward long-term wellness today.

Here’s to a New Year of Hope, Faith & Relentless Intention

A Faith-Filled Guide to Starting the Year Strong, Grounded & Aligned

Every new year brings with it a fresh sense of possibility — a clean slate, a quiet hope, and a gentle whisper from God reminding you: “There is more for you. Keep going.” But before you rush into goal-setting, planning, or creating resolutions, I want to offer you a truth that brings peace, not pressure:

You are not starting from scratch this year.

You are starting from experience.
From wisdom.
From strength born through struggle.
From healing you didn’t think you’d survive.
From everything God has allowed you to walk through — not to break you, but to build you. 🙏🏽✨

This is your reminder that a new year isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about aligning yourself — with purpose, with faith, with intention, and with the next version of the woman you are becoming.

Let’s step into this year with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of spiritual alignment.

You + Faith + Action = Unstoppable

Resolutions don’t change your life.
Alignment does.
Consistency does.
Faith does.
Intentional action does.

A new year is not a magical reset button. It’s an opportunity to partner with God in a new season — a season where you commit, recommit, and realign your habits with the vision you’ve been carrying in your heart.

Because resolutions aren’t about perfection.
They’re about partnership.

✨ Partnership with your faith
✨ Partnership with your purpose
✨ Partnership with intentional habits
✨ Partnership with the Holy Spirit guiding your steps

A resolution without faith is a wish.
Faith without action is potential.
Action without intention is burnout.

But when all three come together?
You become unstoppable.

This year, don’t just wish for change — prepare for it.
Equip yourself for it.
Speak life over it.
Position yourself for it.
Pray into it.
And walk boldly toward it every single day.

You Have More Tools Than You Realize

Sometimes we overcomplicate growth.
We think we need to become someone new before we can succeed. We think we need more time, more confidence, more money, more miracles.

But God has already placed tools in your hands — tools that can shift your habits, strengthen your self-discipline, and support the transformation you're praying for.

This year, lean into the tools that help you stay aligned:

✨ Journals — for reflection, clarity, mindset shifts, and emotional processing
✨ Planners — for structure, order, consistency, and accountability
✨ Meal plans — for wellness, nourishment, and honoring your health
✨ Mindset work — for breaking patterns, renewing your thoughts, and reducing self-sabotage
✨ Prayer — for direction, peace, strength, and spiritual grounding
✨ Community — for encouragement, support, accountability, and connection
✨ The Holy Spirit — for divine wisdom, conviction, and alignment

You don’t need what you think you need.
You already have access to everything required to step into your next level.

This is your year to use what God placed within your reach — not as a burden, but as a blessing.

Your New Season Is Already Unfolding

Whether you feel ready or not, God is already moving.
He is preparing things for you in the background.
He is arranging connections.
He is opening doors.
He is strengthening you in quiet ways.
He is planting ideas, desires, and dreams that weren’t there before.

Everything you’re believing for — every breakthrough, every answered prayer, every next step — is closer than you think.

But here’s the truth:
Your alignment determines your access.

When your mindset aligns…
When your habits align…
When your faith aligns…
When your actions align…
When your environment aligns…
When your heart aligns…

Breakthrough becomes inevitable.

This isn’t the year of waiting.
This is the year of becoming.

A New Year’s Prayer to Anchor Your Spirit

Before you rush into planning mode or dive into the hustle of the new year, pause and breathe. Allow this prayer to wash over you, steady you, and prepare your heart for the season you’re stepping into:

🤍 A New Year’s Prayer

Heavenly Father,
I lift up every person reading this right now.
Surround them with Your peace, Your clarity, and Your strength as they step into a brand new year.
Open doors that no man can shut.
Release the discipline, motivation, and divine alignment they need to reach their goals.
Cover their families, bless their homes, and renew their minds daily.
Let this be a year of growth, healing, overflow, and answered prayers.
In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🤍

If you feel that prayer in your spirit, whisper “Amen.”
Your agreement matters.
Your faith matters.
Your next chapter is already shifting.

A New Year of Hope, Faith & Relentless Intention

This year is not asking you to be perfect — it’s asking you to be present.
To be intentional.
To be aligned.
To be disciplined.
To stay rooted in faith.
To show up for yourself the way you show up for others.

This new season isn’t going to require more of you —
it’s going to bring out more of what’s already inside of you.

Strength.
Focus.
Peace.
Wisdom.
Courage.
Resilience.
Vision.
Alignment.

This year, don’t shrink.
Don’t play small.
Don’t talk yourself out of what God is trying to grow within you.

You are entering a season of clarity, compassion, overflow, and spiritual maturity — and it begins with one intention:
Choose to walk in alignment every single day.

You are ready.
You are equipped.
You are covered.
You are capable.
You are chosen.

And the best part?
You’re not walking into this year alone.

God goes with you.
God goes before you.
God strengthens you.
God guides you.

This is your year of hope.
This is your year of faith.
This is your year of relentless intention.
This is your year to transform from the inside out.

Get ready — your new season is already unfolding. 🌱✨

Last Friday of the Month: Set Your Fitness, Nutritional & Spiritual Goals for the New Year

The end of the year hits differently when you’ve lived, learned, healed, and carried more than most people will ever know. You don’t enter a new year empty-handed — you enter it with wisdom, clarity, and a deeper understanding of who God has shaped you to become.

The last Friday of every month is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset your intentions — and as we approach the New Year, it becomes even more powerful. This is your moment to get aligned in three core areas that influence everything you do:

✨ Your fitness
✨ Your nutrition
✨ Your spiritual growth

Let’s walk through each one with intention.

1. Fitness Goals: Move With Purpose

Your body is a temple, a vessel, and a gift. And movement is a form of worship — a way of saying:
“Thank You, Lord, for the ability to move, strengthen, and care for this body.”

When setting fitness goals:

• Choose goals that are measurable but meaningful

• Aim for consistency over intensity

• Focus on strength for longevity

• Track small wins weekly

• Honor your body’s limitations and celebrate its abilities

Examples:

• Walk 100 intentional miles this year

• Strength train 2–3 times weekly

• Improve flexibility with a 5-minute morning stretch

• Build a stronger core for posture and longevity

2. Nutritional Goals: Eat for Energy, Healing, and Longevity

Nourishing your body is not about restriction — it’s about partnership with your future self.

When setting nutritional goals:

• Choose nourishment that supports healing and energy

• Reduce processed foods without obsessing over perfection

• Plan simple meals that are easy to sustain

• Hydrate intentionally

• Eat whole, colorful, God-designed foods

Examples:

• Follow an anti-inflammatory meal plan for 30 days

• Drink 80 oz of water daily

• Add greens to two meals per day

• Limit eating out to once a week

• Meal prep simple, balanced meals on Sundays

3. Spiritual Goals: Stay Rooted, Guided, and Connected to God

When your spirit is anchored, your decisions become clearer, your peace expands, and your strength becomes supernatural.

Spiritual health goals may include:

• Reading scripture daily

• Joining a Bible-based community

• Journaling prayers

• Practicing gratitude each morning

• Releasing old habits and walking boldly into healing

Examples:

• Complete a 30-day prayer journal

• Join a small group or online faith community

• Memorize one scripture per week

• Set a daily morning devotional routine

A New Year Requires a New Level of You

When your fitness, nutrition, and spiritual life align, you become unstoppable. Not because of perfection — but because of intention. Because you’ve decided to partner with God and steward your body, your energy, your time, and your calling.

This year, don’t just set goals.
Set standards.
Set boundaries.
Set rhythms that serve your health and your purpose.

And watch how God moves.

Build Your Most Empowered Year Yet

Explore journals, prayer guides, healthy eating plans, and wellness tools designed to support your growth — all available at:
👉 TheRelentlesslyEmpowered.com

Pumpkin Spice Protein Paradise Smoothie

The Pumpkin Spice Protein Paradise Smoothie is everything you love about fall — creamy pumpkin, warm spices, almond butter richness — blended into a nutrient-dense, protein-packed recipe that supports metabolism, digestion, hormone balance, and immune health.

This smoothie is a fall-flavored powerhouse.

Ingredient Benefits

🎃 Pumpkin Purée: Vitamin-Rich + Gut Friendly

Pumpkin is high in beta-carotene (vitamin A), fiber, and antioxidants — excellent for skin, gut health, and immunity.

🍌 Frozen Banana: Natural Sweetness + Energy

Bananas add creaminess, quick energy, and essential minerals like potassium.

🥣 Greek Yogurt: Protein + Probiotics

Supports muscle recovery, fullness, and gut health.

🥄 Almond Butter: Healthy Fats + Nourishment

Adds richness and helps support hormone balance and satiety.

✨ Pumpkin Pie Spices: Anti-Inflammatory Boost

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger support digestion, reduce inflammation, and add warm seasonal flavor.

💪 Vanilla Protein Powder

Boosts protein intake for energy, muscle support, and blood sugar control.

🌱 Chia Seeds: Fiber + Omega-3s

Chia seeds help with digestion, hydration, and sustained energy.

🥛 Unsweetened Almond Milk: Smooth + Light

A clean, simple base that keeps the smoothie balanced.

How to Make It

Blend together:

• ½ cup pumpkin purée

• 1 medium frozen banana

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• 2 tbsp almond butter

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

• Pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg & ginger

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

• ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk

Blend until silky and thick.

A Fall Favorite for Nourished Living

This smoothie fuels your immune system, satisfies your sweet tooth, and keeps you energized with whole-food ingredients. It’s the perfect seasonal breakfast or snack.

Explore our FREE and low-cost resources inside The Relentlessly Empowered Store for more smoothies, meal plans, and wellness tools designed to help you nourish your body with ease.

Your Mood & Your Health: Meet the Key Players Shaping Your Energy, Emotions & Motivation

Your mood is not random.
Your energy is not random.
Your ability to focus, stay calm, feel motivated, or handle stress is not random.

Your emotions, mindset, and daily resilience are deeply shaped by specific chemical messengers in your body — neurotransmitters and hormones that work together like an internal orchestra.

When they’re balanced?
You feel grounded, motivated, joyful, patient, and clear.

When they’re imbalanced?
Everything feels harder.
Your mood becomes unpredictable.
Your cravings intensify.
Your sleep suffers.
Your focus disappears.
Your stress tolerance shrinks.

Today, we’re diving into the four major “mood shifters” — serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and cortisol — so you can better understand what your body needs and how to support yourself from the inside out.

Let’s meet the key players.

1. Serotonin: The Happiness Chemical

Serotonin is often talked about as a “brain chemical,” but here’s the real truth:

👉 Up to 90% of your serotonin is made in your gut.

This means your gut health, nutrition, stress levels, and daily habits directly influence your ability to feel calm, happy, grounded, and emotionally steady.

What Serotonin Controls

Serotonin helps regulate:

• Mood

• Sleep

• Appetite

• Digestion

• Emotional balance

Low Serotonin Feels Like:

• Depression or low mood

• Anxiety

• Carb/sugar cravings

• Irritability

• Trouble sleeping

How to Naturally Boost Serotonin

You don’t need supplements — you need supportive habits:

✔ Protein (try eggs, turkey, salmon, lentils)
✔ Probiotics (kefir, sauerkraut, yogurt)
✔ Sunlight (just 10–20 minutes daily)
✔ Gut support (fiber + fermented foods)

Serotonin thrives when your gut thrives.

2. Dopamine: The Motivation Molecule

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that helps you feel driven, focused, and rewarded.
If serotonin is about happiness, dopamine is about purpose.

What Dopamine Controls

• Motivation

• Focus

• Goal achievement

• Reward & pleasure

• Mental drive

Low Dopamine Feels Like:

• Lack of motivation

• Fatigue

• Procrastination

• Feeling “blah”

• Difficulty focusing

How to Boost Dopamine Naturally

✔ Tyrosine-rich foods (almonds, eggs, chicken, fish, bananas)
✔ Exercise (even 10 minutes stimulates dopamine release)
✔ Accomplishing small wins (micro-goals → micro dopamine boosts)
✔ Reducing overstimulation (doom scrolling secretly drains dopamine)

When dopamine is steady, you feel energized, focused, and capable.

3. GABA: The Calm Commander

If your mind ever races at night…
If you struggle to unwind…
If you feel constantly on edge…

GABA is likely the missing link.

GABA is your brain’s natural brake pedal — helping you slow down, relax, and enter a calm state.

What GABA Controls

• Anxiety levels

• Relaxation

• Stress response

• Sleep quality

• Nervous system regulation

Low GABA Feels Like:

• Racing thoughts

• Insomnia

• Restlessness

• Feeling “wired but tired”

• Emotional tension

How to Boost GABA Naturally

✔ Magnesium (one of the best ways to support GABA)
✔ Yoga + deep breathing
✔ Fermented foods (kimchi, yogurt, miso)
✔ Limiting caffeine in the afternoon

GABA brings peace back into your nervous system.

4. Cortisol: The Stress Hormone

Cortisol is not a “bad hormone.”
You need it for wakefulness, energy, and survival.

But when cortisol stays high for too long?
It becomes the hormone that wrecks your mood and drains your energy.

What Cortisol Controls

• Energy

• Alertness

• Stress response

• Blood sugar

• Metabolism

High Cortisol Feels Like:

• Mood swings

• Weight gain or stubborn belly fat

• Brain fog

• Anxiety

• Sleep problems

• Fatigue

• Inflammation

Chronic stress is one of the main reasons cortisol becomes unbalanced.

How to Balance Cortisol Naturally

✔ Consistent sleep
✔ High-protein meals (keeps blood sugar stable)
✔ Daily stress management (walks, prayer, deep breathing)
✔ Reducing caffeine & sugar
✔ Setting boundaries and slowing down

When cortisol is balanced, you feel more stable, patient, and emotionally stronger.

Why These Mood Chemicals Work Together — Not Separately

Your mood doesn’t come from just one neurotransmitter — it comes from the relationship between all of them.

Think of them like a team:

• Serotonin keeps you emotionally steady

• Dopamine gives you drive and purpose

• GABA keeps you calm

• Cortisol gives you energy and alertness

But when one falls out of balance, the others shift too.

This is why:

• A stressed body struggles with motivation

• Poor sleep affects anxiety

• Gut issues affect happiness

• Low protein affects focus

• High sugar affects mood swings

• Burnout affects everything

Supporting your mood is about supporting your whole system.

You Don’t Have to Guess Your Way Through Emotional Wellness — TRE Has You Covered

If you’re ready to support your mood, boost your energy, regulate your stress, and take back your peace…

You don’t have to do it alone.

Inside The Relentlessly Empowered shop, you’ll find everything you need to restore balance through simple, nourishing habits:

✨ Free wellness tools
✨ Anti-inflammatory meal plans
✨ Smoothie guides
✨ Mindset & prayer journals
✨ Mocktail eBooks
✨ Daily routine planners
✨ Low-cost nutrition guides
✨ Emotional health resources

Every resource is created to help you feel better from the inside out — without overwhelm or confusion.

👉 Explore FREE & low-cost resources at TheRelentlesslyEmpowered.com
and take your next empowered step toward emotional wellness and a calmer, stronger, healthier you.

Easy Chimichurri Sauce

A Fresh, Anti-Inflammatory Sauce You Can Add to Any Meal

This Easy Chimichurri Sauce is bold, herbaceous, and incredibly versatile. Not only does it add restaurant-level flavor to meats, vegetables, and bowls — it also brings powerful anti-inflammatory benefits with every spoonful.

Simple ingredients. Major flavor. Serious nutrition.

Why Chimichurri Is a Wellness Win

🌿 Parsley & Oregano

These herbs are potent anti-inflammatory foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and natural detoxifying properties.

🧄 Garlic

Supports immunity, heart health, and gut balance with its natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

🍷 Red Wine Vinegar

Helps regulate blood sugar, boosts digestion, and enhances nutrient absorption.

🫒 Olive Oil

Provides healthy fats that promote heart health, stabilize energy, and reduce inflammation.

🌶️ Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)

Adds heat and increases metabolic activity while supporting circulation.

How to Use This Chimichurri

✔ Over grilled steak or chicken
✔ As a marinade
✔ Drizzled over roasted veggies
✔ Mixed into rice bowls
✔ As a fresh salad dressing base

It’s the easiest way to level up any meal while supporting whole-body health.

If you love simple, flavorful sauces and meals, don’t stop here!

Get your FREE 3-Day Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan and discover more clean, nourishing recipes that support your wellness goals.

Plus browse our digital store for low-cost guides, meal plans, journals, and more.

Reset Your Mood — Holiday Edition

A Faith-Filled Guide to Releasing Pressure, Embracing Peace & Honoring Your Humanity This Season

The holiday season is one of the most cherished times of the year—filled with beauty, meaning, tradition, and an intentional slowing down to notice the blessings God continues to place in our lives. Yet for many, it’s also a season that can feel heavy, overwhelming, or emotionally exhausting. The pressure to “keep it all together,” show up perfectly, meet everyone’s expectations, and remain cheerful through it all can leave you feeling drained rather than renewed.

If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath.
You are not alone.
And more importantly—you’re not doing anything wrong.

The holidays were never meant to be a test of perfection; they’re an invitation to presence. A call to remember that God’s grace is big enough to hold your progress and your humanity. A reminder that you don’t have to perform your way through the season—you’re allowed to simply be.

This message is your permission slip to reset your mood, shift your mindset, and reconnect with what truly matters. Not the pressure. Not the perfection. But the peace, the gratitude, the compassion, and the gentle joy woven into the heart of this season.

Let’s walk through the most common forms of negative self-talk that surface during the holidays—and how to reframe them with grace, truth, and emotional honesty.

1. “I’m being lazy…” → “Rest is caring for myself.”

One of the biggest misconceptions of the holiday season is the belief that rest must be earned. That you must push, perform, hustle, or achieve something before allowing yourself to pause.

But the truth?
Rest is not laziness. Rest is obedience.
Rest is honoring your limits, your body, your nervous system, and your spiritual need for stillness.

In scripture, rest is not only encouraged—it’s commanded.
It is holy, healing, and deeply human.

So if you feel tired during the holidays, it’s not a sign that you’re falling behind. It’s a sign your body and soul are asking for gentleness. Rest is not an indulgence; it’s essential—and choosing it is an act of self-care and self-respect.

2. “I should be stronger…” → “I’m responding normally to life’s challenges.”

The holiday season can resurface emotions we didn’t expect. Old memories. Grief. Loneliness. Stress. Pressure. Emotional fatigue. And sometimes, we judge ourselves for feeling what is simply human.

But emotional responses—whether tears, tension, frustration, or overwhelm—do not make you weak. They make you human.

Changing this inner dialogue releases the weight of unrealistic expectations. Instead of believing you “should” be stronger, recognize that you are already strong—not because you feel nothing, but because you keep moving through everything.

Give yourself grace.
Give yourself room to feel.
Give yourself the compassion you would offer someone you love.

3. “Everyone else has it together…” → “People struggle behind closed doors.”

One of the biggest traps of the holiday season is comparison.
Social media highlights the curated moments: matching pajamas, perfectly decorated homes, big family gatherings, festive meals, and endless smiles.

But what you see is never the whole story.

Behind the scenes, people are navigating stress, conflict, financial pressure, health challenges, disappointment, and exhaustion—just like you.

Comparison steals joy, peace, and perspective.
Compassion, however, restores them.

When you remember that everyone is walking through something unseen, it becomes easier to extend grace—to yourself and to others. You no longer feel pressured to match someone else’s highlight reel. Instead, you’re free to honor your own story, your own pace, and your own emotional needs.

4. “I need to feel better right now…” → “I can take small caring steps.”

When emotions feel heavy, it’s natural to want instant relief. We reach for quick fixes—food, scrolling, shutting down, numbing out, or pushing ourselves past our limits.

But emotional healing is not an on/off switch.

It happens through small, consistent acts of care.
A glass of water.
A few deep breaths.
A walk outside.
Journaling.
Praying.
Reaching out to someone you trust.
Sitting in silence with God.

You don’t have to climb the whole mountain today.
You don’t have to fix everything in one moment.
You don’t have to rush your way out of what you’re feeling.

One caring step at a time is enough. And those steps add up to emotional strength, resilience, and renewal.

5. “I always feel terrible…” → “This moment will pass.”

Holiday emotions often feel intensified because the season is filled with memories, expectations, and emotional triggers. When emotions grow stronger, it’s easy to think they are permanent.

But no feeling—no matter how heavy—lasts forever.

Feelings are real AND they are temporary.
They move.
They shift.
They soften.
They change.

Letting yourself acknowledge your feelings without labeling them as permanent gives you back your power. It grounds you in truth rather than fear.

A hard moment is just that—a moment.
Not your identity.
Not your story.
Not your whole season.

The Holidays Don’t Require Perfection — They Invite Presence

This season doesn’t need you to be perfect.
It doesn’t need you to be cheerful 24/7.
It doesn’t require you to hide your emotions, overextend yourself, or live up to unrealistic expectations.

What the holidays do ask for is honesty, heart, and grace.

Grace for the moments you feel overwhelmed.
Grace for the days you need rest.
Grace for the emotions you wish you didn’t feel.
Grace for the times you snap, struggle, or slow down.

And grace for the version of you that is doing the best she can with the tools she has.

If this message resonated with you, if you’re craving clarity, emotional support, and a mindset anchored in peace rather than pressure, then the New Beginnings 30-Day Mindset Journal was created for you.

It’s your daily guide to:

✨ Reset your thoughts
✨ Release emotional pressure
✨ Build healthier habits
✨ Strengthen your spiritual grounding
✨ Practice self-compassion
✨ Improve your self-talk
✨ Reconnect with your purpose

It’s time to step into a season of peace, clarity, renewal, and emotional freedom—not pressure, not perfection.

If you're ready to go from
“I wish I could change”
to
“I’m making moves now,”
Begin your New Beginnings journey today.

Let’s finish this year — and step into the next — with a mindset rooted in hope, grace, and emotional honesty. ❤️✨

10-Minute Do-Anywhere Cardio Blast

A Fitness Friday Blog Post by The Relentlessly Empowered

Cardio doesn’t need a treadmill, a gym membership, or 45 minutes of complicated choreography. Sometimes all you need is 10 minutes, your bodyweight, and a commitment to move your body with purpose.

This do-anywhere cardio circuit boosts your mood, raises your heart rate, and helps your metabolism stay active throughout the day. Perfect for mornings, lunch breaks, travel, or anytime you need a quick blast of energy.

FORMAT:

40 seconds work, 20 seconds rest
× 3 rounds
Complete all 5 moves in a circuit, rest 1 minute, repeat.

How to Do Each Move

1. Jumping Jacks

How to do it:

1. Stand tall, feet together.

2. Jump feet out while raising arms overhead.

3. Jump feet back together while lowering arms.

4. Keep a steady pace.

Modification: Step side to side without jumping.

2. High Knees

How to do it:

1. Stand tall, core tight.

2. Drive one knee up toward your chest.

3. Alternate legs quickly.

4. Pump your arms.

Modification: March in place with strong knee lifts.

3. Squat Jumps (or Bodyweight Squats)

How to do it:

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.

2. Lower into a squat.

3. Explode upward into a jump.

4. Land softly and repeat.

Low impact: Bodyweight squats without jumping.

4. Mountain Climbers

How to do it:

1. Start in plank position.

2. Drive one knee toward your chest.

3. Switch legs quickly, running in place.

4. Keep hips low and core tight.

Modification: Slow the pace.

5. Burpees (or Step-Back Burpees)

How to do it:

1. Start standing.

2. Squat and place hands on the floor.

3. Jump feet back into a plank.

4. Jump feet forward.

5. Jump straight up.

Low impact: Step back into plank instead of jumping.

Why This Workout Works

• Boosts metabolism

• Elevates mood

• Improves cardiovascular endurance

• Increases energy

• No equipment needed

• Perfect for busy schedules

• Strengthens both body and discipline

Small consistent bursts of movement create a big impact — physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Move With TRE

Explore simple, sustainable wellness tools — journals, planners, fitness guides, and healthy eating resources — all at affordable prices.
👉 TheRelentlesslyEmpowered.com

Spiced Chai Protein Warmer Smoothie

If you love chai, you’re going to fall in love with this nourishing, protein-packed Spiced Chai Protein Warmer Smoothie. It’s creamy, comforting, and filled with warming spices that support digestion, reduce inflammation, and make cold mornings feel a little more grounded.

This is a "slow and steady energy" smoothie — exactly what your body needs to thrive during fall and winter.

Ingredient Benefits

🍐 Pear: Gentle Sweetness + Fiber

Pears are naturally sweet and rich in soluble fiber, which supports digestion, gut health, and blood sugar control.

🥛 Greek Yogurt: Protein + Gut Support

Greek yogurt adds creaminess and high-quality protein, plus probiotics for digestive balance.

💪 Vanilla Protein Powder: Muscle + Metabolism Support

Protein helps maintain lean muscle, boosts metabolism, and keeps you full longer.

🧊 Frozen Cauliflower: Volume + Nutrients

Cauliflower blends seamlessly and adds vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants — without changing the flavor.

🥄 Almond Butter: Healthy Fats + Satiety

Almond butter supports hormone health, skin health, and steady energy.

🌼 Chai Spice Blend: Anti-Inflammatory + Digestive Support

Chai spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves) soothe digestion and warm the body from within.

✨ Vanilla: Flavor Enhancer

Adds sweetness and depth without added sugar.

🥛 Almond Milk: Light + Smooth

Unsweetened almond milk creates a warm, cozy base for all the spices to shine.

How to Make It

Blend together:

• 1 medium pear

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

• ½ cup frozen cauliflower

• 2 tbsp almond butter

• 1 tsp chai spice blend

• ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk

• ½ tsp vanilla

Enjoy warm or room temperature for ultimate comfort.

Comfort Meets Nutrition

This smoothie tastes like a creamy chai latte — but with the protein your body needs for energy, recovery, and hormone support. It’s soothing, grounding, and incredibly nourishing.

Get more warm, protein-rich wellness recipes inside our FREE and low-cost resources in The Relentlessly Empowered Store — designed to make healthy eating simple, delicious, and sustainable.

Your Gut Is Your Second Brain: How Your Digestive Health Shapes Your Mood, Energy & Mindset

Most people think their mood is controlled entirely by their brain…
but the truth is your emotional health begins much lower — in your gut.

Your gut isn’t just a place where food is digested.
It’s a powerful, intelligent system that communicates with your brain every single second of the day. In fact, it’s so influential that scientists call it “the second brain.”

If you’ve been dealing with anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, irritability, low energy, or unexplained emotional dips, your gut might be signaling that something needs attention.

Let’s break down exactly how your gut influences your mental health — and what you can do today to strengthen your gut-brain connection.

Your Gut Makes 95% of Your Serotonin — Not Your Brain

When people hear “serotonin,” they think brain chemical, but here’s the surprising truth:

👉 About 95% of your serotonin — your “feel-good hormone” — is made in your gut.

Serotonin plays a major role in:

• Mood stabilization

• Happiness

• Motivation

• Sleep

• Appetite

• Digestion

• Emotional regulation

If your gut is imbalanced, inflamed, or lacking healthy bacteria, your body can’t produce serotonin efficiently — and your mood pays the price.

This is one of the biggest missing links in mental wellness.

Your Gut and Brain Are Constantly Talking — Through the Vagus Nerve

Your gut and brain are connected by a superhighway of communication called the vagus nerve — a long nerve that sends signals both ways, all day long.

When your gut is healthy, the messages being sent to your brain sound like:
✔ “We’re calm.”
✔ “We’re balanced.”
✔ “We’re safe.”

But when your gut is inflamed or out of balance, the messages change dramatically:
✖ “We’re stressed.”
✖ “We’re overwhelmed.”
✖ “We’re irritated.”
✖ “We’re anxious.”

Your brain responds to the gut’s signals — not the other way around.

This is why improving gut health often leads to noticeable emotional transformation.

Poor Gut Health = Poor Mental Health

Imbalances in the gut microbiome can cause (or worsen):

1. Increased Anxiety & Depression

An inflamed gut sends distress signals that elevate stress hormones and reduce serotonin availability.

2. Brain Fog & Memory Problems

Your brain depends on nutrients absorbed through the gut.
When digestion is impaired, thinking becomes slower, foggier, and less sharp.

3. Mood Swings & Irritability

Your gut bacteria influence hormones, neurotransmitters, and inflammation — all of which affect mood stability.

4. Low Stress Resilience

A stressed gut means a stressed nervous system.
You become more reactive, overstimulated, and emotionally sensitive.

This is not “all in your head.”
It’s deeply connected to your gut.

How to Strengthen Your Gut–Brain Connection

The beautiful thing is that gut health can be improved — sometimes dramatically — with simple, intentional habits.

Here are TRE-approved strategies to nourish your gut every single day:

1️⃣ Add More Probiotic-Rich Foods

These foods introduce beneficial bacteria into your gut:

• Greek yogurt

• Kefir

• Sauerkraut

• Kimchi

• Miso

• Tempeh

• Kombucha

Just a few servings per week can positively shift your microbiome.

2️⃣ Prioritize Fiber Every Day

Fiber acts as fuel for healthy gut bacteria.

Great sources include:

• Leafy greens

• Oats

• Beans & lentils

• Berries

• Nuts & seeds

• Sweet potatoes

Fiber = a happier, healthier gut.

3️⃣ Eat Fermented Foods Regularly

Fermented foods improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and enhance nutrient absorption.

Adding even 1 tablespoon of sauerkraut or ½ cup of kombucha per day can make a visible difference in mood and digestion.

4️⃣ Drink More Water

Hydration helps your gut move waste, absorb nutrients, and maintain a healthy environment for bacteria.

5️⃣ Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods & Excess Sugar

Sugar feeds harmful bacteria and increases inflammation — both of which can worsen anxiety and mood swings.

6️⃣ Add Anti-Inflammatory Foods Daily

Your gut loves:

• Avocado

• Olive oil

• Salmon

• Turmeric

• Ginger

• Berries

• Dark leafy greens

These foods reduce inflammation and support serotonin production.

A Healthy Gut = A Happier Mind

Your gut doesn’t just digest food — it shapes your mood, energy, confidence, and emotional resilience.

When your gut is nourished, your brain receives clearer, calmer, more positive signals.
Your focus improves.
Your mood stabilizes.
Your stress response softens.
Your mind feels lighter, clearer, and more grounded.

This is why taking care of your gut is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself — physically and emotionally.

Ready to Support Your Gut & Emotional Wellness? TRE Has You Covered.

You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Inside The Relentlessly Empowered store, you’ll find practical, simple tools to support your gut, your mood, and your overall well-being:

✨ Free nutrition guides
✨ Anti-Inflammatory 30-Day Meal Plan
✨ Smoothie & juice guides
✨ Daily wellness checklists
✨ Journals for stress, mindset & gratitude
✨ Mocktail guides to reduce inflammation
✨ Low-cost mini-ebooks & habit trackers

All created to help you feel better from the inside out — one simple step at a time.

👉 Explore FREE & low-cost resources at TheRelentlesslyEmpowered.com
and strengthen your gut, mind, and mood with support you can trust.

Grilled Steak & Asparagus Salad with Artichoke Hearts

A Protein-Packed, Veggie-Rich Anti-Inflammatory Meal

Healthy eating gets a major upgrade with this Grilled Steak & Asparagus Salad — a meal that’s equal parts satisfying, nutrient-dense, and bursting with flavor. If you want a recipe that supports metabolism, hormonal health, and digestive balance, this is it.

This salad brings together high-quality protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats — all essential building blocks for long-term wellness.

Why This Salad Is So Healing & Energizing

🥩 Steak

A premium source of protein, iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. These nutrients support muscle growth, oxygen transport, hormone balance, and steady energy.

🌱 Asparagus

Supports detoxification, reduces bloating, and nourishes the gut with fiber and antioxidants.

💚 Artichoke Hearts

One of the BEST foods for liver support, digestion, and gut health. They’re fiber-packed and deeply anti-inflammatory.

🥬 Mixed Greens

Greens like arugula, spinach, and baby kale supply vitamins A, C, K, and magnesium — vital for immunity, bone strength, and stress reduction.

🫒 Olive Oil & Lemon Dressing

Light, refreshing, anti-inflammatory, and perfect for boosting nutrient absorption.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ High-protein and filling
✔ Packed with fiber-rich veggies
✔ Naturally gluten-free
✔ Anti-inflammatory dressing
✔ Restaurant-quality flavor
✔ Perfect for lunch or dinner

Call to Action

Want more meals like this that nourish your body AND taste incredible?

Download our FREE 3-Day Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan — your jumpstart into cleaner, simpler eating.

Plus, check out our low-cost healthy eating tools, recipes, and guides inside the store.

Are Your Actions Truly Aligned With Your Goals?

A Guide to Realignment, Self-Honesty, and Purposeful Growth

Every year, every month, and honestly, every day, we are given opportunities to grow, evolve, and become more aligned with the vision God placed on our hearts. But there comes a moment — often more than once — where we have to pause and ask ourselves an uncomfortable but necessary question:

“Are my actions truly aligned with my goals?”

It’s a question that cuts through excuses, busyness, emotions, and the stories we tell ourselves. A question that reveals truth. A question that separates intention from execution. And a question many avoid because the answer requires change — real, intentional change.

This message, inspired by the New Beginnings Mindset Journal, is here to remind you of something powerful:

Growth doesn’t happen by accident.
Alignment doesn’t happen by accident.
Breakthrough doesn’t happen by accident.

They happen through consistent choices, self-honesty, and daily habits that support who you’re becoming, not just who you’ve been.

Let’s explore how to realign your actions with your goals — and ultimately, with the life you’re called to live.

Why Alignment Matters More Than Motivation

Motivation feels good, but it’s fleeting. You can be motivated in the morning and completely derailed by noon.

Alignment, however, is sustainable.
Alignment shows up when motivation disappears.
Alignment is what carries you through stress, fatigue, distraction, boredom, and resistance.

You can want your goal with your whole heart, but if your daily actions don’t support that goal, you’ll always feel like you’re chasing progress instead of stepping into it.

Alignment is where transformation happens.

Think of it this way:

• Your vision is the destination.

• Your habits are the vehicle.

• Your alignment is keeping the car on the road.

Without alignment, your progress zigzags, stalls, or hits detours that could have been avoided. With alignment, progress becomes natural, stable, and purposeful.

The Power of Self-Reflection: 5 Journal Prompts to Realign Your Life

Self-reflection is not about judgment — it’s about clarity. When you take time to evaluate your habits, choices, routines, and patterns, you begin to see where your life is flowing smoothly and where it’s fighting against itself.

These five journal prompts are designed to help you identify:

✨ Where your habits support you
✨ Where you're holding yourself back
✨ Where you're drifting out of alignment
✨ Where you need more grace
✨ Where you need more discipline
✨ Where you're ready to level up

Let’s break each one down.

1. “Are the small actions I’m taking today moving me closer to, or further from, the vision I have for my life?”

Most people don’t fall off track in big dramatic ways.
They fall off track one small choice at a time.

A skipped workout.
A habit of emotional eating.
Starting the day with distraction instead of direction.
Saying “yes” to the wrong things and “no” to what matters.

This prompt helps you examine the micro-decisions that shape your macro-results.

2. “Do my current habits and routines reflect what I say matters most to me right now?”

You can tell yourself your health matters…
but your habits will show the truth.

You can tell yourself your peace matters…
but your boundaries will reveal the truth.

You can tell yourself success matters…
but your discipline will reflect the truth.

Let this question bring awareness — not shame — to the areas where your actions and values are misaligned.

3. “If I could instantly reach my goal today, would my current behaviors allow me to maintain it long-term?”

This is the one that cuts deep.

A goal you can’t sustain is a goal you’ll lose.

This prompt forces you to ask:

• Am I building consistency?

• Am I creating sustainable habits?

• Am I becoming a person who can hold the blessing I’m praying for?

This is where real growth begins.

4. “Am I spending more energy finding reasons not to take action, or finding solutions that support my goals?”

There’s always a reason not to show up.
Always a reason to delay.
Always a reason to shrink, hide, or wait for the “right” moment.

But champions — real, aligned, purpose-driven individuals — spend more energy finding solutions than excuses.

This prompt exposes resistance and helps you shift into a solution-focused mindset.

5. “If I looked back a year from now, would I be proud of the consistency and effort I’m showing today?”

Imagine yourself a year from now.

If that future version of you could speak to your present self, what would they say?

• Keep going, you’re on track

• You’re consistent and strong

• You’re planting seeds that will grow

• Or… I wish you would’ve started sooner

This question encourages long-term thinking, commitment, and emotional accountability.

Clarity Leads to Action — Action Leads to Transformation

The purpose of these journal prompts isn’t to call you out. It’s to call you forward.

When you understand where your habits align — and where they don’t — you gain the clarity to make powerful, necessary changes. You begin to see where you need:

💛 More structure
💛 More support
💛 More accountability
💛 More consistency
💛 More grace
💛 More discipline

Alignment is not about perfection.
It’s about honesty, self-awareness, and choosing your future over your comfort.

If You Need Support, You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

If reading through these prompts made you realize:

“I want to change, but I need structure.”
or
“I know what I want, but I need guidance.”
or
“I’m ready for consistency, not chaos.”

Then the New Beginnings 30-Day Mindset Journal was created for you.

It helps you:

• Transform your mindset

• Build self-awareness

• Practice daily alignment

• Strengthen discipline

• Set meaningful goals

• Stay consistent

• And develop habits that match the life you’re designing

This journal bridges the gap between wanting change and creating change.

Because you deserve to go from:

“I wish I could change.”
to
“I’m making moves now.”

A Season of Realignment, Growth & Becoming

As you lean into these reflections, remember:

You are not behind.
You are not failing.
You are not stuck.

You are becoming.

And becoming takes:

✨ Intention
✨ Honesty
✨ Courage
✨ Alignment
✨ Daily action

You don’t have to transform your entire life — you just have to take the next aligned step.

One aligned choice.
One aligned habit.
One aligned day at a time.

Let’s step into a season of alignment, clarity, and relentless growth — together. 🌱✨

Explore More Freebies & Resources

For more mindset tools, wellness resources, and simple ways to stay aligned with your goals:

✨ Download our FREE resources
✨ Explore our low-cost journals, guides, and meal plans
✨ Build habits that support your mind, body, and spirit

Your growth journey is one aligned step away.

20-Minute Dumbbell “No Repeat” Strength Workout

A Fitness Friday Blog Post by The Relentlessly Empowered

Strength training is one of the greatest gifts you can give your body — especially as you age. Muscle is your metabolism. Your strength is your independence. Your stability is your longevity. And your confidence? It grows every time you lift something heavy and think, “Wow… I did that.”

This 20-minute no-repeat dumbbell workout hits every major muscle group with zero boredom, zero repeats, and maximum strength-building efficiency.

Each move is intentionally selected to target a new muscle group so you can move confidently from one exercise to the next while building full-body strength.

FORMAT:

40 seconds of work / 20 seconds of rest.
One exercise per muscle group.
No repeats.

Grab a set of dumbbells (light, medium, or heavy) and follow the instructions below.

Upper Body Exercises

1. Dumbbell Chest Press (Floor or Bench)

How to do it:

1. Lie on your back (or bench), dumbbells in hand.

2. Bend elbows at 90 degrees.

3. Press weights up until arms are straight.

4. Lower with control.

Works: Chest, shoulders, triceps

2. One-Arm Dumbbell Row (Right + Left)

How to do it:

1. Place opposite knee and hand on a bench or sturdy chair.

2. Hold dumbbell in the free hand.

3. Pull elbow up toward your hip.

4. Lower slowly.

5. Switch sides for the next round.

Works: Back, lats, rear shoulder

3. Overhead Shoulder Press

How to do it:

1. Stand tall with core tight.

2. Hold dumbbells at shoulder height.

3. Press overhead until arms are straight.

4. Lower with control.

Works: Shoulders, upper back, triceps

4. Bicep Curl

How to do it:

1. Stand tall, elbows close to body.

2. Curl both dumbbells toward shoulders.

3. Lower slowly.

Works: Biceps

5. Triceps Kickbacks

How to do it:

1. Hinge forward with a flat back.

2. Bend elbows at your sides.

3. Extend arms behind you.

4. Squeeze the triceps.

Works: Triceps

Lower Body Exercises

6. Dumbbell Goblet Squat

How to do it:

1. Hold dumbbell close to your chest.

2. Squat down, pushing hips back.

3. Keep chest tall.

4. Press through heels to stand.

Works: Quads, glutes, core

7. Dumbbell Deadlift

How to do it:

1. Hold dumbbells in front of thighs.

2. Hinge from hips with a flat back.

3. Lower weights toward shins.

4. Stand by squeezing glutes.

Works: Hamstrings, glutes, lower back

8. Reverse Lunges (Right + Left)

How to do it:

1. Step back with one leg.

2. Lower into a lunge.

3. Push through front heel to stand.

4. Switch legs next round.

Works: Legs, glutes, hips

9. Calf Raises

How to do it:

1. Stand tall holding dumbbells.

2. Rise onto the balls of your feet.

3. Lower with control.

Works: Calves, ankle stability

Core & Finisher

10. Russian Twists with Dumbbell

How to do it:

1. Sit with knees bent.

2. Lean back slightly.

3. Rotate torso side to side.

4. Hold a dumbbell for added challenge.

11. Dumbbell Side Bends (Right + Left)

How to do it:

1. Stand tall with dumbbell in one hand.

2. Lean sideways toward the dumbbell.

3. Pull torso back to center.

4. Switch sides next round.

12. Plank with Dumbbell Drag

How to do it:

1. Start in a plank.

2. Place dumbbell beside your right hand.

3. Reach with left hand to drag dumbbell across.

4. Alternate sides.

Finish strong. No repeats. Maximum variety. Full-body power.

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Apple Pie Protein Blend Smoothie

There’s nothing quite like the taste of warm apple pie — especially when you can enjoy those same flavors in a nutrient-dense, protein-packed smoothie. The Apple Pie Protein Blend Smoothie captures cozy fall flavor and transforms it into a nourishing meal that supports immunity, digestion, hormone health, and muscle recovery.

It’s comfort-food flavor with high-protein benefits.

Ingredient Benefits

🍎 Apple (with skin): Fiber + Gut Health

Keeping the skin on adds essential fiber, antioxidants, and natural sweetness. Apples support digestion, heart health, and stable energy.

💪 Cinnamon Protein Powder: Cozy Flavor + Muscle Support

Cinnamon adds warmth while the protein powder supports strong muscles, better metabolism, and steady blood sugar.

🥄 Tahini: Hormone-Balancing Healthy Fats

Tahini is rich in calcium, iron, and healthy fats — perfect for women needing nourishment for hormone balance and energy.

🧊 Silken Tofu: Plant Protein + Creaminess

Tofu blends beautifully, adding creaminess and a surprising protein boost without affecting the flavor.

🌱 Ground Flaxseed: Omega-3s + Fiber

Flaxseed supports digestion, reduces inflammation, and adds beneficial fats that support brain function and hormone health.

🌼 Apple Pie Spice: Anti-Inflammatory Boost

The spice blend (typically cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice) supports blood sugar balance and gut health.

🥛 Warm Cashew Milk: Smooth + Delicious

Cashew milk blends into a warm, silky base that feels like a cozy winter treat.

✨ Vanilla Extract: Natural Sweetness

Vanilla adds depth and enhances the apple-pie flavor without added sugar.

How to Make It

Blend together:

• 1 medium apple with skin

• 1 scoop cinnamon protein powder

• 2 tbsp tahini

• ½ cup silken tofu

• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed

• 1 tsp apple pie spice

• ¾ cup warm cashew milk

• ½ tsp vanilla

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Cozy, Nourishing & Protein-Packed

This smoothie is perfect for fall, winter, or anytime you want something warm, grounding, and nutrient-rich. It’s especially great for breakfast or a midday pick-me-up that won’t spike your blood sugar.

Want more comfort-inspired wellness recipes? Explore our FREE and low-cost resources inside The Relentlessly Empowered Store for meal plans, recipe bundles, and wellness guides designed to simplify healthy eating.