Our Newport Tradition: Four Days in Our Happy Place

Some places just feel like home. For us, that's Newport.

Chris first fell in love with Newport as a kid when his dad was working at the Naval Base. Years later, before we were even married, he brought me there for the first time. I finally understood why he talked about it so much.

Chapel where we got married

Since then, we've made it our tradition to visit at least once every year. Now that the kids are grown, coordinating everyone's schedules is a little more challenging, but somehow we always make it happen. This year we packed four days full of some of our favorite traditions and a few new discoveries that we'll definitely repeat.

We headed down Thursday morning, stopping in Jamestown for lunch at JB's on the Water. We found it last year and loved it so much that it immediately earned a permanent spot in our Newport weekend tradition. Sitting outside in the sunshine overlooking the water was the perfect way to ease into vacation mode before crossing one the Claiborne Pell Bridge into Newport.

After checking into our hotel downtown, we met Devan, Sean and the boys at The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn. If you've never been, picture Adirondack chairs scattered across a perfectly manicured lawn overlooking Narragansett Bay while sailboats quietly drift by. Add a drink in your hand and a grandson happily exploring the grass, and it's pretty close to perfection.

Dinner that evening was another first for us at Pasta Beach, and we'll absolutely be back. Everything on their menu sounded delicious, and the atmosphere was fun.

Of course, no first day in Newport is complete without a stop at Kilwin's. Chris and Frankie both ordered some chocolate ice cream while I enjoyed watching one of my favorite Newport traditions unfold around us. On our way back to the hotel, we wandered beneath the colorful Umbrella Sky installation hanging above the street. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing those colorful umbrellas.

Friday morning started early. Chris and I joined the growing line inside Co-dough Bakery about fifteen minutes before they dropped the rolls. We'd heard about their gluten free sourdough cinnamon rolls and wanted to see what all the excitement was about.

They were worth every minute of the wait.

We bought cinnamon rolls for ourselves, Devan and Sean, plus something I had never seen before: sourdough brioche hamburger buns. We grilled burgers on them after we got home and now I understand why people rave about this new sourdough everything bakery.

While we were out, we stopped by Newport City Hall to pick up copies of our marriage license for my upcoming Real ID application. Not exactly vacation excitement, but sometimes it's nice checking little life errands off the list while you're already there.

Lunch was at Clark Cooke House, somewhere we'd always stopped for drinks but never actually eaten. That officially changed this year thanks to Devan, our reservation queen. Great food, great atmosphere, and another place we'll happily add to our regular rotation.

Later that afternoon, Chris and I finally checked something off our Newport bucket list: the short walk to Castle Hill Lighthouse. We'd talked about doing it in the past but never made the time. The trail is easy enough for flip flops, and the views along the rocky shoreline are absolutely stunning. It would make the perfect picnic spot.

That evening we gathered at Surf Club for dinner and drinks with everyone. The blackened shrimp bowl I ordered may have been one of my favorite meals of the weekend. I'm already planning to recreate it at home.

Saturday morning called for coffee and a walk through downtown before we decided the weather was simply too beautiful to stay on land. We rented a small motorboat on base and spent the next hour cruising Newport Harbor. Sometimes the best way to experience Newport is simply from the water.

Lunch was at Mother Pizzeria, another annual tradition thanks to their incredible sourdough pizzas. They're also great at accommodating our ever-growing family group.

That afternoon we met up with even more family for drinks before climbing aboard a sailboat. The weather definitely wasn't ideal. Gray skies, light rain and a chilly breeze made it one of those "Well...we're here!" kind of adventures.

By Sunday morning, we weren't quite ready to leave.

We started with breakfast walk to Drift Cafe, where we'd discovered the day before that their acai bowls and gluten free breakfast options were too good not to repeat. Sometimes when you find something great, you don't need to keep searching.

Every Newport trip looks a little different. Restaurants change. We find new places to explore. The kids and grandkids get older. 

But the reason we keep coming back never changes. It's not just the sailboats, the ocean views, or the incredible food. It's the memories we're still making there.

The Day Frankie and I Wrote a Story

Apparently my last blog post was in December.

Oops.

Life happened. Coaching happened. School happened. Grandparenting happened.

Today, Frankie and I were sitting on the floor playing with a wooden truck puzzle. Each puzzle piece was a different construction vehicle. As he handed me each truck, we talked about what it was called and what it did. A dump truck. A cement mixer. A tanker truck. An excavator. A bulldozer.

As we talked about each vehicle and its job, we started imagining them all working together on the same construction site. Before long, we had a title for our story:

Beep Beep, We Have a Job to Do!

The truck puzzle that started it all.

As I sat there making truck noises and helping build a make-believe playground, I found myself thinking, this is exactly why I care about living a healthy lifestyle.

Not for a number on the scale.

Not for a clothing size.

Not even for a fitness milestone.

I care about my health because I want the energy and mobility to say yes when Frankie asks me to sit on the floor and play. I want to be able to crawl around, tell stories, build towers, and fully enjoy these ordinary moments that become some of life's sweetest memories.

So here's the story we wrote and acted out together.

Beep Beep, We Have a Job to Do!

One morning, the construction crew got a big job. They were going to build a brand new playground!

First, the bulldozer arrived.

"Beep beep! Out of the way!" said the bulldozer.

He pushed away rocks, sticks, and bumps until the ground was nice and flat.

Next came the excavator.

"Scoop! Scoop! Scoop!" said the excavator.

He dug a big hole where the playground would go and piled up lots of dirt.

Then the dump truck rolled in.

"Load me up!" said the dump truck.

The excavator filled the dump truck with dirt, and away it drove to take the dirt to another part of town.

Soon the tanker truck arrived carrying water.

"I brought water!" it said.

The workers used the water to help make concrete and keep the dusty dirt from blowing around.

Then the cement mixer truck came spinning into the construction site.

Round and round went the drum.

"I've got fresh concrete!" said the mixer.

The workers poured the concrete into the hole to make a strong foundation.

Just when everyone thought the job was done, another dump truck arrived carrying gravel.

The gravel was spread around the playground so children would have a safe place to play.

The bulldozer pushed it smooth.

The excavator helped place the last big rocks.

The tanker truck cleaned things up.

And the cement mixer truck headed off to help build another playground.

A few weeks later, children were laughing and playing on swings and slides.

The construction crew smiled.

"We did it!" they said.

And all the trucks honked their horns! Beep, beep, honk, honk!

BEEP! BEEP! HOORAY!

Maybe no one else will remember this little story. But I have a feeling Frankie and I will. And that's a pretty good way to spend a morning.

The No-Guilt Guide to Tracking Alcohol

Let’s talk about alcohol and nutrition tracking because this is where a lot of well intentioned people either overthink it…or stop tracking altogether. The truth is, alcohol doesn’t make you “bad,” but it does play by different rules in your body, and understanding those rules is empowering, not restrictive.

Here’s the simple science. When you drink alcohol, your body temporarily presses pause on fat burning so it can clear the alcohol first. It’s not punishment. It’s just your liver doing its job. That’s why alcohol can slow progress if it’s frequent or unaccounted for, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it intentionally.

So how do you track it? Think calories first. Alcohol isn’t protein, so it gets logged as carbs, fats, or a mix of both based on the drink.

A quick cheat sheet:
• Carbs provide 4 calories per gram
• Fat provides 9 calories per gram

Let’s say your drink is about 100 calories.
You can log it as:
• 25g carbs (100 ÷ 4)
• OR about 11–12g fat (100 ÷ 9)
• OR split it, especially for cocktails: 12g carbs + 6g fat

Wine, beer, or sugary mixers tend to fit better as carbs. Straight spirits often work better as fats. Cocktails usually land somewhere in between.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s awareness. When you track alcohol honestly, you remove the guilt spiral and stay in control of your choices. One tracked drink is always better than three ignored ones.

And if alcohol just doesn’t sound good some days, there are great alcohol free options now that still feel festive. Sparkling teas, botanical drinks, or functional beverages can give you the ritual without the disruption.

Bottom line: you don’t need to avoid alcohol forever to make progress. You just need to understand how it fits. When you do, you can enjoy it without wondering why your body feels off the next day.

That’s nutrition confidence. And that’s always the goal.

Holiday Hacks I Swear By (Midlife Edition)

The holidays have a way of sneaking up fast, don’t they? Between travel, gatherings, and one too many peppermint mochas, it’s easy to slip into “survival mode.” But here’s the truth: feeling good this season doesn’t require perfection, it just takes a plan that works for real life.

These are a few of my go-to holiday hacks that help me (and my clients) stay energized, enjoy the season, and feel good without restriction or burnout.

1 | Anchor Your Morning
How you start your day matters, especially when you know the next few weeks are about to be a blur. Starting with a protein-rich breakfast and a few minutes of movement helps regulate blood sugar, stabilize energy, and set the tone for better choices all day. Think eggs and veggies or a quick smoothie before the chaos begins. Your body will thank you.

2 | Pre-Decide Your Plate
Holiday meals can feel like an open invitation to “start over Monday.” Instead of winging it, decide ahead of time how you want to feel after the meal. Then build your plate intentionally: protein first, veggies second, and a side or treat that you’ll enjoy guilt-free. The science is simple -> prioritizing protein helps slow digestion and keeps your blood sugar steady, meaning fewer crashes and more calm after dinner.

3 | Hydrate Before You Celebrate
Dehydration is sneaky. It can look like fatigue, cravings, or even bloating...all things we blame on food. Before a party or big meal, drink a large glass of water with electrolytes if you have them. Proper hydration supports digestion and helps your body process both food and stress better.

4 | Default to a Walk
You don’t need a full workout routine to keep your body moving this season. A 10-minute walk after meals or first thing in the morning can help regulate blood sugar and calm the nervous system. It’s one of my favorite simple stress hacks - bonus points if you bring the dog or catch up with a friend.

The Bottom Line
When life gets busy, your body doesn’t need punishment, it needs rhythm. Once you learn how to fuel your body, move with purpose, and recover well, it becomes much easier to enjoy the season without feeling like you’re “starting over” in January. These are the exact strategies we practice inside the New Client Program, where we combine smart workouts, balanced nutrition, and real-life mindset tools to help you feel strong and in control no matter what the season brings.

Learn more here.

What “Feeling Off” Really Means and How to Fix It

Every so often, I hear the same phrase from women who’ve been “doing all the things”: “I just feel off.” They can’t always pinpoint why, but their body is sending clear signals that it needs a reset.

Here are five of the most common signs and a little of the science behind them.

1 | You wake up tired even after a full night’s sleep.
Quality sleep isn’t just about hours; it’s about hormone balance. When cortisol (your stress hormone) and melatonin (your sleep hormone) lose their rhythm, your body never fully powers down at night or powers up in the morning. Once you learn how to fuel your body and support your natural circadian rhythm through balanced nutrition, hydration, and recovery, mornings start to feel easier and more energized instead of foggy and sluggish.

2 | Afternoon cravings hit hard every single day.
This is often your blood sugar talking. When meals are carb-heavy or low in protein, blood sugar rises and crashes, triggering cravings. Once you understand how to build balanced meals with the right mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, your blood sugar levels even out and those 3 p.m. sugar hunts fade away.

3 | Workouts feel like punishment, not progress.
If every workout feels harder than it should, it’s not motivation you’re missing—it’s recovery and proper fueling. When you learn how to train strategically and eat to support your energy, your workouts become effective again instead of draining. That’s where smart strength training and recovery days make all the difference.

4 | You feel puffy or bloated more often than not.
Bloating, water retention, and inflammation can all point to stress or sluggish digestion. Once you learn how to eat whole foods that support gut health and hydration, and how to manage daily stress through movement and rest, that “puffy” feeling starts to settle down.

5 | You’ve lost consistency and can’t get back on track.
Sometimes it’s not about discipline, it’s about depletion. When hormones, sleep, and energy are off, willpower fades. Once you learn how to simplify your nutrition, workouts, and recovery, you can rebuild consistency that actually feels sustainable.

The takeaway
Your body is smart. These signs aren’t random, they’re messages that it needs support, not restriction. Once you learn how to fuel your body the right way, balance your macros, and move with intention, everything starts to shift. Energy improves. Cravings calm. Sleep deepens. You stop feeling like you’re constantly fighting your body and start feeling in sync with it again.

If you’re nodding along to more than one of these, it’s probably time for my 21-Day Reset, starting soon. This three-week coaching experience will help you reconnect to your body, reestablish healthy rhythms, and rebuild energy with whole food nutrition, mindful movement, and stress-smart strategies that work for the Peri-to-Post Wellness season.

Learn more here.