There’s magic in new beginnings.

New week, new month and so much new to be grateful for. A new job that has my creative juices flowing again, a new home and a new hood to explore! They say good things comes in 3’s, but I’m not ready to stop at 3. In fact, I’m going for 10 with my monthly roundup of all my favorite things from October. Check out the list below!

October marked the start of a new season, so here’s a list of the top 10 things that had me falling for fall this past month!

1.) Favorite Fall Breakfast: Pumpkin Chia Pudding

Wasting leftover pumpkin puree is absolutely out of the question. What to do with it? Behold Pumpkin Chia Pudding layered with Greek yogurt, date syrup, bananas and grain-free granola. You’re welcome.

Here’s how to whip up this dreamy grab ‘n go breakfast:

Pumpkin Chia Pudding
– 1 C Libby’s pumpkin puree
– 1/4 C Mamma Chia chia seeds
– 1 1/2 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
– 2 T maple syrup
– 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Mix all the ingredients in a mason jar and place in the fridge overnight (or at least 4 hours). Good enough to eat on its own, but isn’t life really about the toppings?

Want that extra touch of sweetness? Here’s how to make the two-ingredient date syrup.

Date Syrup
– 1 cup of medjool dates
– 1 1/2 C water
– 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Blend all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Use as a syrup for pancakes or to sweeten chia pudding, yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, you name it. Dates. The wonder sweetener.

2.) Favorite Zen Space: Ritual Yoga

If there was a mash-up between a spa, a hip hop concert and a yoga retreat, it would manifest as Ritual Yoga. This new(ish) yoga studio in Chicago’s River North is a full-service zen experience that feels like a treat to the mind, body and soul. When you visit, you’ll be welcomed by the concierge and offered tea in the lounge area if you’d like to sip ‘n savor after or get in the mood beforehand. The studio itself is pitch black with candles lighting the way to the rows of mats that will be your playland for the next 50 minutes. Not only will you have 1 yogi to guide you through the flow, but also a second yoga instructor to check form throughout. And don’t stress about remembering a towel or water because everything’s included. Is your mind blown yet? If not, imagine flowing to “Gangsta’s Paradise” and you’ll find the high vibe I was feeling. This studio is a must visit and welcome oasis!

3.) Favorite Self Care: Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

Beyond going to Ritual, one of my other rituals for the month of October was trying a new mask every Sunday for a little self-care. I also have about a year’s worth of free samples from Sephora and Ulta and am a complete hoarder, so I refuse to let them go until they’ve all been tried. My favorite so far is the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask. The pearlescent black lacquer goes on thick and dries to form a smooth glossy finish over the entire face that is infused with detoxifying charcoal. The coolest part was slowly peeling off the mask, which comes off in a singular piece almost like a rubber mask. It extracts buildup as you peel it away, revealing luminescent skin beneath. It left me feeling shiny and new!

4.) Favorite Jams: Fall Favorites on Spotify

While I’m taking a break from teaching spin, I never take a break from collecting bomb tunes for long runs, or long commutes. My favorite amp up track right now is “Get Loud for Me” by Gizzle. Check out the rest of the list on Spotify!

5.) Favorite People: aSweatLife Fit Fam!

If you’re looking to live your best life, then the aSweatLife community is your kinda people! I was recently inaugurated as an ambassador for this group that focuses on creating connections, trying new things and setting goals…in and out of the gym. I was first introduced to the group about a year ago when a fellow instructor mentioned the upcoming Sweat Week – a week entirely devoted to sweatastic events like yoga at Willis Tower and a relay race across the city. I didn’t know a soul at that first yoga event, but doing yoga 110 stories above ground tends to bring people together. The motto of aSweatLife is #everythingisbetterwithfriends. I love that mentality and am so happy to have found a group of bad*ss people who are equally obsessed with fitness and goal-setting!

6.) Favorite Snack: Biena Chickpeas

If you find that hangry feeling creeping up mid-afternoon, slay that monster with these crunchy toasted chickpea snacks from Biena. My favorite is the sweet and salty combo of the Honey Roasted variety, which are reminiscent of the honey roasted peanuts you used to get on flights. But imagine a lighter, crispier and healthier version with only 4g of sugar, 78% less fat and 5g of protein. The sea salt variety reminds me of freshly popped popcorn and the barbecue flavor fits the bill if you’re looking for something more savory. Be forewarned, once you pop, you might not stop.

7.) Favorite New Restaurant: Tomi Sushi

A few weeks ago, I got the chance to see how new venue Tomi Sushi is changing up the sushi game in Chicago. The vivid sushi rolls highlight superfood infused rice like this spicy tuna roll (left) infused with charcoal and coconut. Unlike traditional spicy rolls, this one features a smoky heat that was oh so good. The middle roll (my fav) is pretty in pink with dragon fruit infused rice enrobing the fresh scallops. The flavor was especially bright when paired with yuzu sauce and had a hit of citrus. You also can’t go wrong with an avocado roll (right), especially when it’s wrapped in golden berry rice. Don’t worry, the rice isn’t fruity, just pretty and delicious. And if that wasn’t cool enough, the sushi is actually made by robots! Check it out at Revival Food Hall, stat.

8.) Favorite Workout: Crosstown Fitness

I’ve been visiting this cardio, strength and mobility gym on the reg for the last 6 weeks and haven’t had a repeat workout yet. The hour-long classes are station-based with either strength or cardio-oriented movements. Think kettle bell thrusts, box jumps, pull-ups and things my abs will never forget. The time flies with all the variety, which is always a good sign! Check it out in the West Loop, Roscoe Village or the Northside. Note: parking can be hard to find in the West Loops, so book extra time!

9.) Favorite Comfort Food: Savory Oats

Sleep = a time machine to breakfast, amiright? I don’t know why it took me so long to get over the fact that oats don’t have to be sweet. And after Halloween, someone needs to cut back on sugar and that someone is me.

Here’s how I created this mastery of creamy, savory oats:

Savory Oatmeal Bowl
–Quaker original organic instant oats (2 packets)
-8 oz of Pacific Foods organic vegetable broth
-Sauteed portobello mushrooms
–Wholly Guacamole
-1 Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs, the way you like ’em
-Sprinkle of pea shoots

Heat the vegetable broth in the microwave until boiling (about 4 minutes). Add the boiling broth to a bowl with the oats. Cover the bowl with a plate to keep it warm and soak up the broth while you make the eggs. Once the eggs are ready, remove the plate, stir and add the guacamole, mushrooms, egg and pea shoots. This makes for one hearty breakfast, so you may only need 1 packet of oatmeal, or, share this bowl with someone you love!

10.) Favorite Sweet Treat: Pumpkin Cannoli

This Norwegian made pumpkin cannoli that would make any Italian mother proud. And the real showstopper is the dairy-free pumpkin ricotta made from creamy cashews soaked overnight and blended with almond milk, maple syrup and a touch of vanilla and pumpkin puree. Top with some carob chips and you wouldn’t know there isn’t an ounce of Italian in me. Find the recipe here.

That’s a wrap on October! As we enter November, remember that when one door (or month) closes, there’s always a new door that awaits where the grass is greener. Don’t believe the b.s. The grass is always greener. Sometimes you just have to wait a bit longer for the seeds of your labor to sprouts. Here’s to growth in November!

The post October Favorites appeared first on The Shooks Life.

Awww…snap! Summer is in season, my friends! Before we jump into June, let’s rewind on May. Check out the list below of my May favorites – places, products and passions. As per usual, if you have a suggestion of a workout, product or recipe I should try in June, let me know in the comments. Happy kick-off to summer!Roll out the red carpet, here’s the top 10 places, products and pastimes from May!

1.) Favorite Places to Lolly Dolly: every spring I look forward to the opening of the Green City Market Lincoln Park. It’s my favorite farmer’s market in Chicago for the rows of fresh produce, divine bits like fresh tamales and a great spot for Moose to meet new pooch friends. I love how the market evolves as new produce pops up throughout the season!

2.) Favorite Brunch Spot: Mindy’s Hot Chocolate is a staple in Wicker Park and while it may be most famously known for the rich cups of hot cocoa and decedent desserts, it’s one my absolute favorite brunch spots for its rotating seasonal menu of fresh fare like the creamy spring pea risotto I had there recently. My husband is a die hard french toast fan and inhaled the strawberry rhubarb french toast with sweet cream. I’m more of a savory brunch fan, but it was hard to keep my hands off that french toast.

3.) Favorite Workout: with all that brunching, something needs to offset the decadence. This month, the first of my favorite workouts was flowing to Cardi B at Y7Studio in NYC. This hip hop yoga studio gave me all the positive yoga vibes.  And I absolutely NEED every piece of apparel on their racks, including the “I make yoga moves” tank.

4.) Favorite Workout Jams: nothing gets the body moving like good tunes. Get my personally curated playlist featuring my favorite mash-ups of May on SoundCloud. Catch these songs as I return to teaching spin as a guest instructor at Cycle X Studio Monday mornings in June! First class is free!

5.) Favorite Beauty Hack: when you’ve got a 9-5 and side hustles as a blogger and spin instructor, time is a hot commodity. Thanks to Amazing Lash Studio Lincoln Park, I can roll out of bed looking gorgeous with lashes for days.

6.) Favorite Indulgence: my willpower may have been at a low, but I did not regret stocking up on a stack (literally) of Vosges Haut Chocolate Bars at O’hare earlier in the month. I wouldn’t have expected it, but my favorite of the bunch was the Coconut Ash & Banana Super Dark Chocolate Bar. It was just the right amount of island sweet to offset the bitter, but rich dark chocolate. Close second was the Matcha Green Tea & Spirulina Super Dark Chocolate Bar. Give me all the antioxidants and superfoods!

7.) Favorite New Product: The Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi is worth the hype peeps! Seared in a pan, it had the perfect crispy exterior and pillowy center. Paired with a simple sage butter and…perfection! Get the sage butter dEATs here.

8.) Favorite Workout: there were too many favorites this month to pick just one, but the Peloton Tread class absolutely killer! I literally booked the class before I even booked my flight when I had a business trip to NYC earlier this month. Now the wait begins until the new tread is released this fall! Check out my blog post on the class and treadmill here.

9.) Favorite Way to Restore: Chill Meditation + Massage in Chicago’s River North turned this busy bee into a believer. Living in the moment and tuning out the noise is not my forte, but Chill helped me to see the light and pause in the moment. Walked out feeling the sweet sweet nirvana of a mind at rest. For more on my experience, check out my post.

10.) Favorite Recipe: it’s always SO HARD to choose just one because I love all of my babies! But, if I had to pick (which I force myself to pick just one), it’s hands down the vegan red pepper crema that I paired with everything from fresh veggies, to strips of baked avocado in tacos and even pasta. This one is a must try, my friends!

I hope you enjoyed these May favorites. Excited to see what June brings and hope you are too!

The post May Favorites appeared first on The Shooks Life.