Kate Horodyski

Lifestyle + Wellness Content Writing and Content Strategy

things i’m loving right now

things i love | kate horodyski

I just wanted to do a quick post on some things I love!  None of these are sponsored and are in no particular order.  Just a random mish-mash of cool things :)

  1. Tofutti (vegan cream cheese), avocado, and nutritional yeast on a bagel- as pictured above :p
  2. A banana hair mask recipe that I made and will be sharing on here soon!  It’s epic.
  3. Focus, by Daniel Goleman.  I just finished reading it and I got SO much out of it.
  4. Barefoot Blonde.  This is actually the only blog I read, and I just love Amber Fillerup so much.  She is so sweet and unapologetic and motivated, and I think her blog is really fun to read.  I love this post and this post.  Also, I am dyyying for a set of her hair extensions but I know there’s no point because there is NO way I would style or take care of them properly haha.
  5. Taline Gabriel’s Insta account.  My #1 instagram account.  Taline’s aesthetic is stunning and so inspirational to me.  I try not to scroll through insta too much because I find it overwhelming, but I always check hers for updates.
  6. Crio Bru.  The best coffee replacment ever.  I still drink (and love) coffee, but I feel soo much better when I drink Crio Bru.  Seriously love this stuff.
  7. Pilates by Lisa Online.  I talked about this before in my pilates post and actually interviewed Lisa last year, aaand I post about her site a lot on Insta.  Her workouts are amazing- they’re short, effective, and I feel so good both when I’m doing them and after.
  8. FabFitFun box.  I’ve been reviewing wellness boxes for an article I’m writing for Women’s Daily, and I got the chance to try out one of the FFF boxes.  They totally live up to the hype!!!!  In love.
  9. These songs from Taylor Swift’s new album: Gorgeous, Call it What You Want, New Years Day.
  10. This sweater.  You know when you buy someting and instantly have no idea how you ever lived without it?
  11. Off the Vine and How I Built This podcasts.  I’m a morning person to begin with, but I seriously jump out of bed on Monday and Tuesday mornings because that’s when these podcasts air!  They’re so good.  My fave OTV ep is the one she just did with Girl With No Job, and some of my fave HIBT eps are DryBar, Five Guys, TOMS, Power Rangers, Southwest Airlines- basically all of them (there are a couple boring ones like Framebridge, Chipotle, and Samuel Adams, so skip ’em).
  12. My mug.  I just love it.  Mine is white with black font but it looks like they just have pink left.
  13. LURE cups.  I got these to review for Women’s Daily, and I am OBSESSED!  I use them all the time.  You can read my review here if you want to know more about them.
  14. Essential oils for my skin and hair.  I love essential oils so much and use them daily in a lot of different ways, but I especially love using them for my hair (particularly geranium) and on my skin (particularly bergamot).  Remember to always dilute your oils before using them! I won’t go into anymore details because there is a TON of info about oils online.  I usually buy my oils from Sage.
  15. Persimmons.  They’re in season and they are soo delicious.
  16. These shows: Modern Family (always), This is Us, Riverdale (terrible, but also so good), and- forever and always- The Office (currently rewatching for the 10000 time).

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cinnamon toast crunch smoothie bowl recipe

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoothie Bowl Recipe | Kate Horodyski

A couple of months ago, I shared my cinnamon toast crunch smoothie bowl recipe with Coconut Bowls, but I am so obsessed with it that I wanted to share it here too!

Coconut Bowls sent me a couple of their bowls and spoons, and I am really in love with them!  They are made from coconut shells and I think my smoothie bowls look adorable in them.

Cinnamon toast crunch is my all time favourite sugary cereal.  There’s just nothing better, but I’m not one to eat a lot of sugar and junk food, so I wanted to make a healthy smoothie bowl version of it.  This turned out even better than I expected, and it’s definitely one of my top 3 favourite smoothie recipes!  I hope you love it as much as I do!

CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH SMOOTHIE BOWL

2-3 bananas (frozen)
4 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp shredded coconut
1/4 cup almond milk
1/4 cup coconut water
Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth!

My favourite toppings for this bowl are coconut flakes and my chocolate version of Loni Jane’s rawnola recipe.

CHOCOLATE RAWNOLA

1 cup medjool dates (pits removed, chilled in the fridge overnight)
1 cup shredded coconut
2/3 cup oats
1-2 tbsp cacao powder
1 tbsp maple syrup

Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until combined. Enjoy on your smoothie bowl, as a cereal, or simply by the spoonful. :)

*I’m an affiliate for Coconut Bowls, so if you buy something from their site, I earn commission.  Right now, I’m an affiliate of just two companies, coconut bowls and philosophie superfoods.  I chose them both because I love their products and would recommend them even if I didn’t make a commission.

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toronto

Toronto Coffee Shops

Reunion Island Coffee

I’ve been in Toronto for the last two weeks staying at my friend Wes’s place while he was away on vacation, and I am totally in love with Toronto!!  I had so much fun, and I made a list of some of my favourite places that I visited.

I put * next to the ones I’d recommend if you’re here for a short period of time.  A lot of these places were fun to check out since I had so much time here, but aren’t really places you’d need to see if you’re here for a weekend or so, you know?  There are only so many coffee shops you can see in a weekend, but I do love all of these spots!

COFFEE SHOP

Sorry Coffee Co.
Jimmy’s (Frank and Oak location)
Dark Horse (Spadina location)
Rooster Coffee House
*Dineen (favourite spot!!)
Maman
Offsite Concept Space
Strange Love Coffee
Versus Coffee
*Balzac (Distillery Location)
Reunion Island Coffee (Roncy location)
Quantum Coffee
HotBlack Coffee

FOOD

*Early Bird Coffee + Kitchen
*Momofuko (get the pork buns!!!) + Milk Bar (upstairs.  Get the malt chocolate truffles!! omg)
Calii Love (I tried my first Poke bowl, so good!)
*Five Guys (best burger ever!)
*Planta
*Brunch at the restaurant at The Broadview Hotel
Chop Chop
*Mean Boa

SPAS

Body Blitz Spa (the water circuit is soo nice)
Reflexology in Chinatown.  There are a bunch of places in Chinatown, but the one I went to was on Dundas and it’s right near a set of stairs…vaguest description ever.  There’s a sign outside offering an hour of reflexology for $30 (15 mins in a herbal soak, i.e. hot water and a tea bag lol, followed by 45-minute foot massage).  You guys, it was amazing!!  I would go constantly if I lived here.

PLACES I DIDN’T MAKE IT TO (BUT WANT TO NEXT TIME!)

*Lena
*Her Majesty’s Pleasure (spa- I feel like I need to clarify because it sounds scandalous!)
Baddie’s Cafe
*El Cantina
*Thompson Hotel’s rooftop
*Colette Grand Cafe

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gratitude journals are annoying

Why I Don't Keep a Gratitude Journal

This photo has nothing to do with gratitude journals, I just like it :D

I think of blog post ideas all the time and then mentally write them out, but 9 times out of 10 I don’t actually write them down and hit the Publish button.  I was thinking about how I don’t like gratitude journals the other day and how I think they’re kind of annoying, so I decided to make this a 1 of out 10 kind of time and write about it.

It’s not that I don’t see the merit in being grateful, and I also don’t want to bash anyone who keeps a gratitude journal- if you like doing it, that’s awesome!  It’s just that I personally find them annoying and a chore, and they are one of the many zillions of self-helpy type things I used to make myself do.  A major theme of the majority of my 20s was Making Myself Do Things I Don’t Want to Do.  Well hey, I’m 30 now, and I’m not wasting my time on that anymore!

To me, writing a gratitude journal feels so forced, and it actually stifles the feelings of gratitude that it’s supposed to be bringing up because I just find it so boring and it feels like I’m doing a homework assignment.

So I don’t do it.  I don’t make lists of things I’m grateful for because to me it’s super boring.

I also used to make myself think of things I’m grateful for when something was going wrong because, well that’s what you’re supposed to do right?  But that didn’t work for me either!  Then I’d kind of just be annoyed that I was tyring to throw some positivity onto my crankiness.  Yeah, I’m grateful that I’m healthy and have amazing friends and family, but that doesn’t change the fact that Starbucks ran out of cold brew!!  (I know eh, I have a really hard life).  No, obviously a lack of cold brew isn’t my only challenge in life, but what I’m trying to say is that sometimes you just need to let yourself be pissed and covering it up with forced gratitude gets you nowhere.  I get over things way faster when I just let myself be pissed without trying to guilt myself into focusing on the positive.

I am generally a really grateful person, and I think I can find real happiness in the little things in life, but I feel this when I’m just letting myself be happy rather than writing in a journal or forcing it.

Also, and this sounds kind of weird, but sometimes I think about all of the bad things that haven’t happened to me and that makes me feel really grateful for where I am!  Not even big terrible things, but I’ll think things like thank goddd I’m not pregnant or wow, having a broken arm would make things soo annoying right now.  And it makes whatever is going on seem not nearly as bad!  Like yeah having a rough patch in work is annoying, but having a rough patch at work and an STI?  Now that would really suck.

This might be the most random post I’ve ever written, but there you go.  Moral of the post?  Don’t do things, even things that are supposed to be good for you, that you don’t want to do.

 

montreal

Bar Darling

I’m in the middle of a six week trip right now, and I thought I’d share some of my favourite spots that I visit along the way.  I was originally going away for 2 weeks (a week in NYC with friends for my birthday and then visiting a friend in Toronto), but I’m in the middle of apartment hunting and couldn’t find a place for October, so I decided to extend my trip and get a place for November instead.

Right now I’m back in Toronto, which I am loving so much!!  I’m staying at my friend’s place while he’s away travelling, and yeah it’s just the best.  I’ve got a really long list of places to check out while I’m here, so I’ll probably do a Toronto post later on.

Last week I was in Montreal staying with my aunt.  We kind of just hung out and this is by no means the ultimate list of things to do in Montreal, just some cool places I checked out while I was there.

Just on a side note, my friend messaged me last week after I posted a photo asking how I find so many cool places, and my answer is Instagram!  I used to use Pinterest to plan all of my trips, and I still use it, but Instagram is my go-to.  I just search hashtags for whatever it is I’m interested in seeing in that city and see where people are going.  For example, #torontocoffee, #torontofoodie, #torontoparks, etc.  It’s the best!  I’ve found so many amazing places this way.

Here are some places I recommend in Montreal.

Plateau

My aunt lives in a neighbourhood called the Plateau, and it’s a really great part of the city filled with restaurants, boutiques, and cafes and has kind of an artsy vibe.

La Fontaine Park

This park is right by my Aunt’s apartment, and it’s soo pretty and always filled with locals (but in a cozy, neighbourhood feel way, not a crowded way).  In the winter, they turn the pond into a skating rink and put up lights and Christmas trees.

Old Montreal

Old Montreal is beautiful, and in my opinion, it’s one of the things that really sets Montreal apart from other big cities.  Just walking through here is so gorgeous, and you feel like you’re in Europe- cobblestone streets, old buildings, amazing restaurants, high-end boutiques.  Some parts are overrun by tacky tourist souvenir stores, but for the most part, it’s just beautiful

Stash Cafe

A Polish restaurant in Old Montreal that is seriously amazing.  I had the krokiety, which is a breaded crepe stuffed with mushrooms or meat, and it was so good.  I’d also recommend the borscht and perogies, not because I tried them there, but because you really can’t go wrong with either one in my opinion.

La Finca

Okay I didn’t actually get the chance to hang out here, but it was this amazing cafe near old Montreal (have you noticed I have an obsession with coffee shops?  When I travel I spend so much time at them because a) they’re great places to get work done, b) it’s a cool way to see the city without doing boring touristy things, and c) coffee is amazing).  Anyways I just stopped in to look and meant to go back, but I ran out of time.  It is bright and open, with a super cute back patio, and the food looked amazing.

Cafe Tommy

Super cute spot in Old Montreal!  High cielings, white walls, lots of plants- you know, the classic Instagram-worthy cafe. It wasn’t that big, but it managed to fit in tons of seating without being overcrowded, which is a weird observation, but I liked it.

Bar Darling

Probably my favourite coffee shop I’ve been to in Montreal.  Omg this place was soo pretty!!  It was kind of an industrial meets Americana vibe, filled with plants, leather couches, and metal accents.  Almost everyone there was working on their computers, which I loved because some places make you feel awkward for being on your computer, but here it was the go to.  Oh and the music was instrumental versions of pop songs, which I have a serious thing for, and it was just so cozy- I felt like I was hanging out in a big, very stylish living room.  I wish I could go here every day!!

Cafe OSMO

I loved this coffee shop!  It had good coffee, the interior is kind of industrial chic, but still warm and welcoming, there are lots of tables, comfy couches, and an outdoor area.  Oh and good croissants.  So really, what more do you need in life?

Mount Royal

On my first day there, we walked up the mountain, which is located right in the city.  The park is gorgeous, and when you’re in it it’s hard to believe you’re in the middle of a city.  It’s a beautiful walk up the mountain, and once you get near the top, there is a lookout area where you have great views of the city.

Mass at Notre Dame

I’m not Catholic, but my Aunt is and we decided to go to mass at Notre Dame.  The cathedral is stunning and mass (which is in French) was beautiful.  If you want to see the cathedral, this is how I’d recommend seeing it because you just walk right in and it’s free (aside from collection, if you choose to pay that), and you get the full experience.  If you don’t do mass, you have to wait in a massive line to get in and pay an entrance fee.  Either way, I think it’s worth it.

Afternoon Tea at the Ritz-Carleton

I’d always wanted to do afternoon tea, so my aunt and I went to the tea at the Ritz.  It was so nice- you have tea, champagne, and a seriously delicious assortment of sandwiches and pastries.  They have seatings every day (I think on weekends too, but I’m not positive) at 12:30 and 3:30.

Atwater Market

This market is really cute, and it has produce stands outside and butchers/gourmet food stores/chocolate shops/etc. inside.  My favourite part is out back where they have a bunch of delicious food stalls with international cuisine and picnic tables.  My aunt got paella, and I got amazing steam buns.

Canal Lounge

This was another spot I didn’t actually go to, but I was right outside it, and it looked so cool!  It’s a small boat that’s been turned into a bar, docked right near Atwater Market.  There is seating inside as well as Adirondack chairs at the front (on the bow?  I don’t know boat terms at all haha), and then a little outdoor lounge spot at the back.  So cute.

Now I’m in Toronto for the next two weeks and then Ottawa for a week.  If you have any recommendations in either place I’d love to hear them!!

 

 

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pilates

The Best Online Pilates Sites | Kate Horodyski

The hardest part about writing blog posts for me is figuring out which photo to use, so I’m just going with a pic from my Mexico trip even though that has nothing to do with Pilates!  I cannot be bothered to coordinate a workout gear selfie. :p

Anyways!  I just wanted to write this post to share some great online Pilates sites and YouTube channels.  I’ve been doing Pilates at home from my computer for maybe a year and a half now, and I love it SO MUCH, so I talk about it a lot to my friends.  Some of them have been asking which sites I like, so I figured the easiest thing to do would be to put them all into a post!

Feel free to just scroll right down to the list, but I wanted to quickly mention why I love Pilates so much.  Short answer: I love it because I just click with it.  I personally have noticed a major difference in my body since I started and an almost complete elimination of my chronic back pain (caused by minor scoliosis and imbalances).  Most importantly, doing it just feels right for me.  I love doing it, I love how it makes me feel, and I love how I feel after a class (open and energized rather than drained as I would with things like cardio or Body Pump classes).  Aside from lots of walking, Pilates is the only form of exercise I do.  And I’m by no means intense about it.  I generally do 15-20 min classes, 4x/week.

So, does this mean I recommend that everyone try Pilates?  100% no.  Pilates is right for me- we click.  It’s made a huge difference to me and countless other people, and I do think it’s a very unique system.  BUT I don’t think any form of exercise (or any thing at all) is the be all end all.

I did yoga fairly consistently for a good 7 years and even took my yoga teacher training and taught classes, but I have to say I don’t think I ever truly liked it!  I think it just seemed like I should, you know?, so I told myself I liked it.  But I spent the majority of the classes watching the clock, and I can’t say it had much of an effect for me physically.

There is so much talk about how amazing yoga is, so I just figured it must be good, and I kept doing it.  Clearly, it IS amazing for some people, but it’s not for me.  Similarly, Pilates IS amazing for me, but I’d never push it on someone.  you. do. you.

Okay, I seriously had planned on just sharing a list of sites and channels, not on talking about this, but here we are. :p  And now, here is the list.

My Go-to

After playing around with a lot of different sites, I finally chose Pilates by Lisa, which is an online Pilates membership site run by Aussie Lisa Pentony (read my interview with her here!).  This post is in no way sponsored by her, I am just obsessed with her classes.  It costs $25/month and she offers a free10-day trial.

Paid Sites

There are a number of other paid sites as well.  I personally prefer Pilates by Lisa, but these are definitely worth checking out, and they all also offer free trial periods.

YouTube Channels

Before I used any membership sites, I was using free Pilates YouTube channels, and actually, I still use these occasionally!  There really are a lot of awesome channels out there, and below are my faves.

Oh! and for major Pilates inspo, check out New York Pilates’ Instagram account.  And check out a class if you’re in NYC-their studios are the most gorgeous things ever, and just being in one makes you feel cool by default (they’re on ClassPass too!)

Hope this is helpful!  Enjoy :)

 

 

 

Changes

Just wanted to do a quick post because I changed my site name and URL today and am so excited about it!!  My Spiritual Roadtrip just didn’t feel right anymore- it was all about searching for something, and I don’t feel that need anymore, so I’m going back to basics and now all of my platforms are under my name.

Also, I’m in Mexico at the moment and completely in love with it!  I might do a blog post at the end of my trip just highlighting where I went/places I recommend etc., but I’m not sure if I will, so feel free to send me a message if you want info!  And you can see pics of my trip on my Instagram.

Honestly, I think the main motivation for this post was just so I could post this picture on my site. :p I took it in the fall when I was at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, and I just love it.  I got so many pretty photos that day- if you’re in Brooklyn definitely check it out! (I think it’s free Tuesday mornings!).

xoxo

Living a Mindful Life in a Material World :: Guest Post on Tiny Devotions

Living a Mindful Life in a Material World :: Tiny Devotions talks to wellness writer Kate Horodyski

Hey guys!  While I am no longer blogging (at least for the time being) I am continuing to write for both clients and other sites!  Recently, I’ve teamed up with Tiny Devotions to create a series on mindful living in our material world.  Over the next few months, I’ll be talking about how we can bring mindfulness to all of our daily activities including social media use, shopping, and even getting drinks at the bar!  It’s a topic that I find so fascinating, and I’m really excited to get the chance to share this message through Tiny Devotions.

If you aren’t already familiar with them, be sure to check out their site!  They make the most beautiful mala bead jewellery and they have really beautiful accessories like journals and crystal candles!

Keep an eye out next month for when we’ll be running a giveaway together!  In the mean time, check out my first post in the series, Living a Mindful Life in a Material World.

xo

Living a Mindful Life in a Material World

The Power of Pilates: Interview with Lisa Pentony

Interview with Lisa Pentony who is road tripping around NA filming Pilates videos for her site Pilates By Lisa | My Spiritual Roadtrip

I am so excited about today’s post!!  I’m talking to Lisa, the Director of Pilates By Lisa, an online Pilates site that I have been using (and loving!) for the last six months.

About a year ago, I started swapping my yoga practice for a Pilates practice and checking out different workout videos online.  Unlike yoga, I started noticing almost immediate results with Pilates.  I felt stronger, more flexible, and my low back pain pretty much disappeared.  I also gained mobility in my spine that I’d never experienced before, due to my minor scoliosis.  Note: I am totally not against yoga- it is an amazing thing for a lot of people!  I just personally didn’t click with it like I clicked with Pilates- more on that here.

About six months in, I discovered Lisa’s site and I was hooked- her classes are seriously amazing!

Lisa and her boyfriend, Tim, are currently road tripping around North America (they are both from Australia) and filming Pilates videos as they go.  Travel + Pilates?  Yeah, I was pretty psyched about what Lisa was up to, so I reached out for an interview and got the chance to talk to her.

Check out our interview for more on Lisa’s story and the amazing benefits of Pilates!

Interview with Lisa Pentony of Pilates by Lisa | My Spiritual Roadtrip

Hi Lisa, it’s so great to be chatting with you!  Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Lisa and I am the Director of Pilates By Lisa, an online Pilates studio where members have 24/7 access to over 200 full length, real time workouts anytime anywhere and from any device! Apart from work I have many varied passions and pastimes. Pilates is my first love, playing my piano is a close second. I love my miniature dachshund, Diggity, who is living with my mum and brother whilst I am abroad, which brings me to my next love: travel! Currently my partner Tim and I are travelling Canada, North and Central America, filming workouts from the most amazing locations for the online studio, it has been the experience of a lifetime!

How did you get into Pilates?

Whilst studying for my Degree in Journalism at Griffith University, I also completed my Certificate 3 & 4 in Fitness. Ever since a young age I had always been interested in fitness & health and one of my majors was exercise science. The story of Joseph Pilates had always intrigued me, therefore my next step was to get my Pilates qualifications. I did this and started a small community class for locals and to try to financially help ends meet. The class was a resounding success. I had a lot of requests for more classes, but with limited time and funds the idea of bringing my classes to people online was born. We now have members all over the world!

Interview with Lisa of Pilates by Lisa | My Spiritual Roadtrip

Filming an in studio Pilates video

What effects have the practice had on you physically and mentally?

I love to nourish and condition my body, and there is no better way to achieve this than Pilates. I feel strong, flexible and pain free despite being heavily active for a living. I swear by my routine for creating tone and definition whilst staying lean and flexible at the same time. The workouts you see on the online studio are the workouts I do personally and that I have done since I was 13 years old. My workouts are also my time for me, and that’s so important especially while we are on the road and things are hectic. I find that my hour of Pilates each day helps me to calm down, centres my mind, detoxes my body and leave me feeling more focused! One of the principles of Pilates is Centring, by focusing your attention on engaging you core, precision of movement and control, you are meditating without even realising and also creating better body awareness!

I’ve personally noticed such a difference in my body since starting Pilates. What do you think sets it apart from other forms of exercise?

The amazing thing about Pilates is that anyone, no matter their age, size or fitness level, can take part and reap the incredible benefits. The results are undeniable, it’s effective and it can be as challenging or as gentle as you like due to the versatility of each exercise. Pilates exercises dramatically strengthen the core and pelvic floor, providing stability, strength and support for the spine. So not only will you have a lean, toned figure, but it also increases the longevity of your joints and eliminates aches and pains so you can exercise forever! If you want amazing posture, strength, balance, flexibility and a toned, taut figure, then Pilates is for you!

Lisa Pentony is travelling around North America filming Pilates videos for her site Pilates By Lisa | My Spiritual Roadtrip

Your trip looks amazing! What inspired it and what is your route?

It has been such an incredible experience, one I will never forget! It wasn’t something I had considered until I met my amazing boyfriend, Tim. When I first met Tim and it came up that he was taking a year long career break to travel, my heart sank. I had never considered stopping my community classes on the Gold Cost and I never thought travelling was on the cards. We kept seeing each other and although I was so excited for him and his adventure, I couldn’t help feeling a little devastated that timing could be so cruel.

It was only two weeks before he made a suggestion I hadn’t even dared to consider…”Why don’t you come with me?” It turns out that the timing really couldn’t have been more perfect, the online studio would allow me to travel, and I wasn’t about to let the best thing I’ve ever known pass me by. So without even hesitating we started planning our dream trip, Roadtripping around the USA and seeing where the road takes us. It felt like I’d been part of the plan all along.

We have so far been to New York, St. Martin in the Caribbean, New Orleans, Lafayette, Vancouver, Alaska and Seattle! We are now in our camper van so we are in the process of mapping out the best filming locations!

Lisa's pup, Diggity :)

Lisa’s pup, Diggity :)

What’s next for Pilates By Lisa? Where do you see things going in 1 year? 5 years?

With the busy lifestyle we all lead, online fitness is the way of the future. I had a dream of bringing fitness to the convenience of people’s homes. It all started when a regular customer at one of our community classes was moving to Sydney. She loved our classes and was upset she could no longer do them. I had an ancient camcorder at home and, as a leaving gift for her, I filmed a thirty minute workout. It had no sound but was perfect for her! Others found out and wanted one for themselves. If someone had told me that I would be talking with you now from Seattle filming workouts for our members around the world, I would have laughed. So as for the future…who knows!

I would love to keep helping women around the world become the best version of themselves and break down the barriers. Fitness should be affordable, accessible and available to everyone, no matter what. Regardless of age, size, ability, income, nationality or gender, we aim to make our online workouts a service that makes everyone feel a part of a community. Studio classes can be extremely expensive, exclusive, intimidating and out of reach for many.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you so much for having me! I’m very excited to be a guest on your blog, I’m a very big fan of your website and I look forward to following it from the US! x

You can find Lisa online on her website, Pilates by Lisa, and on Instagram and Facebook!

She offers a free 10 day trial on her online classes, so it’s the perfect way to sample them if you’re interested in giving Pilates a try!  Her classes are great for all levels, there is so much variety to choose from, and they are so effective.

Thank you so much to Lisa for being on My Spiritual Roadtrip! xoxo

My Super Easy Pad Thai Recipe

This is my go-to pad thai recipe! It's so easy to make, and it's healthy and delicious. | My Spiritual Roadtrip

A month or so ago, I was craving Pad Thai, so I hit up Pinterest in search of an easy recipe.  I came across this one from Peanut Butter Runner and became hooked!

I wanted this meal to be as quick as possible, so I took Peanut Butter Runner’s and basically just cut out a few steps and ingredients and called it my own (i.e. it’s not at all authentic pad thai, but it’s totally delicious).

Here is my version- the easiest Pad Thai you’ll ever make.

INGREDIENTS (SAUCE)

1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon soy sauce (I use Bragg’s)
1 tablespoon fish sauce (or another tbsp of soy sauce)
3 tablespoons maple syrup (her recipe called for brown sugar- coconut sugar would work well too)
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon vinegar (or extra tbsp of lime juice)
1 teaspoon chili sauce (or sriracha)
1 teaspoon minced or grated fresh ginger (optional)

INGREDIENTS (OTHER)

Rice Noodles
Bok Choy
Green Onion
Chopped peanuts
Lime wedge

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Place rice noodles (enough for 2-3 people, I don’t have an exact measurement) in a large pan and cover in water.  Cook over medium heat until noodles are soft.
  2. While the noodles are cooking, throw all of the sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
  3. Wash and chop bok choy and place it into your bowl(s).
  4. Once the noodles are ready, strain them and add them back into the pan.  Pour the sauce on top- depending on how much noodles you’ve cooked, you may not need to use all the sauce.  You want to pour in enough sauce that it’s a bit soupy because some of it will evaporate, but I sometimes have sauce left over, which is great because I’ll pour it over rice or something the next day.
  5. Cook over low-medium heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce becomes a bit thicker (just a few minutes is good, other wise it will become too dry.  If this happens, just add more sauce).
  6. Once the noodles are ready, place them on top of the book choy and top with sliced green onion, peanuts, and lime.

So damn easy, and so damn good.

I like keeping this recipe super simple, but if you want to bulk it up, there are tons of options!  Add chicken, shrimp, more veggies, bean sprouts, tofu, whatever!  Just follow your tastebuds!  If I do want to add tofu, I like to broil it in the oven and then just throw it in when I’m ready to serve it.  I tried stir frying it once with the sauce and noodle mix but because of the sauce it couldn’t crisp up, so it was just mushy.

BAKED TOFU

Press excess water out of a block of firm tofu and then slice and cube it.
Place on a pan with parchment paper (use parchment paper- I don’t think any amount of oil could keep it from sticking to the pan).
Place in the oven and turn it to broil.  Flip tofu after about 5 minutes.  Cooking time should be about 10 mins total depending on the size of your subs and level of desired crispness.
Obvioiusly on their own, these will not be the most flavourful things, but once they are coated in that peanut sauce, they are delicious!!

And once again, for the still easy (and delicious!) but slightly more involved recipe from Peanut Butter Runner, check it out here.

I hope you love this meal as much as I do!!  It is just so easy, and to be honest even this is a lot more effort than I normally put into cooking, but I think it’s soo worth it.  Let me know what you think and send me pics of the finished product!

p.s. want more delicious recipes?  Download my recipe ebooks for free!