Category: Healthy Her Way

“We could all use a little more kale AND wine in our lives.” You know we had to feature whoever wrote this—so we did.
This week’s Healthy Her Way feature calls herself The Healthy Maven, and we think it’s a pretty appropriate moniker. Not only is Davida Lederle a self-made maven, she also makes living a healthy lifestyle relatable. She’s not a certified nutritionist or dietitian—and we love that! After all, most of us aren’t either. She’s just a normal girl turned wellness junkie, inspiring us with her attainably healthful lifestyle.
Davida preaches living “healthFULLY”—emphasis on fully. There’s living “healthy,” according to the standards of health set by who-knows-who, but she’s figured out that if you don’t feel happy, you’re not living healthFULLY. She’s committed to sharing this lifestyle with her followers and uses several mediums to get her message across, including her blog, Instagram, YouTube channel, and podcast.
Part of a full life is a full belly, and Davida discourages restricting what we eat to the point of feeling undernourished—and that means in our bodies and our souls. She has a flexible approach to food: “Most of the time this means eating an organic plant-based diet, but if that scone is calling my name, I want bacon with my eggs, and my dinner is begging for a glass of wine, then that’s okay too.” It’s all about the balance.
She doesn’t just say that either. Her Instagram feed proves that she practices what she preaches. Scattered between the bright smoothie bowls and delicious chicken and veggie dinners, you’ll spot (multiple times) her ultimate grain-free brownies and French toast. She even posted a photo of herself drinking a beer—or, as she called it, “fermented grain juice.” 🙌 Whatever you want to call your drink of choice, we’re here for a wellness guru telling us an occasional beer is influencer-approved.
Davida covers more than food and drink, though. She recently became a certified yoga instructor, so you can also turn to her for some flow inspo. And if you want to explore green beauty, Davida dishes about her best finds on that front too. Plus, her travels outside of San Fran make us want to hit the road ASAP. As if all that’s not enough, she and her husband are so freaking adorable together. #wellnessgoals, #relationshipgoals, and did we mention #doggoals? She has the cutest damn goldendoodle. She’s killing it.
Of her approach to health, she says, “If it makes me feel awesome, then I am on board.” Well, we certainly love feeling awesome, so we’re on board with Davida, too.

A Day in the Life

What does your daily routine look like?

I am not an early riser, so I usually get up around 9:00 a.m. I start my day slow with some tea or coffee—depending on how I’m feeling—and breakfast, which is usually a green smoothie or oatmeal. I then jump into work, starting with my inbox. I only answer my emails once a day, so I try to have that done first thing in the morning. From there we’ll see how the day goes!
Sometimes it’s recording a podcast, filming a video, or shooting a recipe. I’m usually done by 4:00 p.m., which is when I take my dog on a long walk or go to yoga or pilates. I come home, cook dinner, and then hang out on the couch watching some TV or reading a book. I’m usually in bed around 10:30.

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?

It changes every day. Sometimes it’s as simple as sleeping in or binge-watching a TV show. Other times it’s more proactive, like taking a spa day or doing a tech detox in the woods. I like to believe that self-care looks more like self-preservation i.e. “What do I need to do today to survive and feel happy?”

How do you stay inspired?

Get outside! Go offline! I think there’s a misconception around bloggers that we’re online all the time. I’m sure that’s the case for some, but I try to take a few hours a day offline and at least one day of the weekend. I like to go out and experience the world to get inspiration. Hang out with friends, go on hikes, try new restaurants. Inspiration comes when you’re not seeking it, but living it.


Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.

Loving Lately…

What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?

So many! I’m a green beauty junkie and have been loving the Jasmine Green Tea Toner from Herbivore and the Red Wine Mask from 100% Pure. In terms of food, I have been loving the Beauty Chef Glow Powder in my smoothies. I hate how much I love it because it’s so expensive, but it actually works!

What are your favorite apps?

Snapchat! We have a family snapchat group, and I love seeing what everyone is up to since we live across the continent. I took down my public Snapchat account, but I still use it privately and love it.

Whose Instagram is on your radar? #squadgoals #gramlove #hashtag

My friends and family! They inspire me daily. In terms of people with public profiles, I love following Meg from The Well Essentials. She has such a refreshing take on the world and the wellness space.

What’s your go-to healthy snack?

Veggies and hummus

What are you reading, watching, or listening to?

Watching: The Handmaid’s Tale; reading: The Untethered Soul; listening: Oprah’s Master Class

Davida IRL

If your pet could talk, how would they describe you?

My dog, Bodhi, would say I am needy, lazy, and completely whipped. Though to be fair, he’s all of these things, too.

What’s your most-used emoji?

😘

What woman in history would you love to take to brunch?

My grandmother: She passed in my early twenties, but I feel like I only got to know her after she passed. I wish I could take her to brunch and ask her all the questions about her upbringing, raising a family, and how she became the ultimate matriarch.

What’s your coffee order?

Iced almond milk latte


Read Davida’s blog, listen to her podcast, or check out her Instagram for some encouragement and to keep up with Davida’s own wellness journey!

Officially, Meghan “Meg” Doll is a registered holistic nutritionist. Her brand name, Meg the RHN, confirms it. Really though, she is so much more than her occupation.
At first glance, holistic nutrition can be an intimidating idea. It seems like something your favorite food bloggers and wellness influencers have down pat, but trying to recreate those very beautiful—often very green—plates of food seems likes something that should be left to the pros.
Meg proves that’s not the case. Scrolling through her Instagram, you’ll start to understand that holistic nutrition is not that daunting. Scrambled eggs? Uh, we can do that. “Love Bowls”? Sounds like something we could get into. Of course there’s still a lot of green, but here at HealthyWay we’re definitely down for some veggies and avo toast. Not to mention the food itself is just a portion of Meg’s holistic approach.
In case you aren’t familiar, holistic nutrition is a more comprehensive approach to health that looks at the whole, individual person, not just what they’re eating. Meg’s personal bouts with eating disorders inspired her to help other women feel healthy, but they also taught her that actually being healthy goes beyond food. It includes feeling empowered and loved by yourself, which happens by paying attention to how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking. Meg teaches women how to connect with their natural intuition to figure out what they need to live their best life. Her goal isn’t to tell women exactly what to do, but listen to her clients so she can teach them how to listen to themselves—their bodies and their minds.
Besides the yummy food, inspirational posts, and self-love selfies that make up Meg’s feed, you’ll probably notice the plethora of small bottles of something. They’re essential oils—rose, grapefruit, frankincense and many, many more. We’ve seen lots of food inspo on the ’gram, but essential oil inspo isn’t quite as common, and you might never meet an essential oil enthusiast as passionate as Meg.
Due to her fervor for all things related to essential oils, Meg has created an entire program, Nourished & Free, dedicated to showing women the benefits of essential oils so they can find the same freedom and empowerment she did. With the way she gushes about the benefits of essential oils, you’ll want to make your way to the doTerra website to get shopping ASAP.
Above all, Meg believes in women and their power to create a happy, healthy life. As one of her Instagram posts said, “We all have this incredible ability to change the story we are telling ourselves, holding onto, and believing.”
Meg’s living proof of that. She changed her story for the better and wants other women to know they can too.  

A Day in the Life

What does your daily routine look like?

As an entrepreneur who works from home, I am able to schedule my day in a way that feels good for me! Since there are several different aspects of my business, no day of the week looks the same, but a typical workday involves:
Waking up between 6 and 8 a.m., naturally—without an alarm.
Having a big S’well bottle filled with warm water, a pinch of sea salt, and lemon essential oil.
Taking my pup for a little walk around our neighborhood. Coming home to have a nourishing breakfast that will fuel me through the morning as I work. I will then break for lunch and work through the rest of the afternoon, breaking again at least once to take my pup for another little walk outside, and then I finally wrap up my work day around 4:30/5 p.m., which is when I’ll move my body in some way that feels good for me that day.
I love strength training, so I lift weights in my full home gym three times per week, which is what I’ve found to be a great schedule for me, my mind, and body! However, if I’m not lifting weights, I also love yoga and leisure walking. So depending on the day, I will do one of those types of movement.
One of my greatest passions is cooking, so I look forward to making a new meal every night for my boyfriend and I to enjoy together.
After dinner, what I do all depends on the day, but I usually take it easy—a warm shower, reading a book, and journaling before I go to bed at 10/10:30 p.m.

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?

I absolutely love the topic of self-care, so I could talk about this forever as I think the practice of self-care is so much more than simply pedicures, massages, and bubble baths. For me, self-care is listening to what I need in the moment. However, I’ve found that daily movement, staying properly hydrated, eating foods that I enjoy and allow me to feel my best, daily journaling and reading, and communicating my thoughts and feelings with my boyfriend on a daily basis are some of the self-care practices that I would consider to be non-negotiables for me, so I guess I would say they would be my favorites, as well!

How do you stay inspired?

I find that I am most inspired and “in the flow” when I’m journaling daily. If I don’t journal, I feel disconnected from myself, which leads to lack of inspiration.


Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.

Loving Lately…

What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?

I wouldn’t be caught anywhere without my Verage skincare! It’s completely transformed the look and feel of my skin, so that’s the first thing to come to mind!

What are your favorite apps?

The app I use most would be Instagram, so that would probably be my favorite, too!

Whose Instagram is on your radar? #squadgoals #gramlove #hashtag

@rochellebilow! She’s an Instagram friend of mine and a soon-to-be guest on my podcast as well! Her food pictures inspire me, her captions move me, and her cute little pup Cedar Boots is adorable!

What are you reading, watching, or listening to?

I am currently reading the book The Path of Practice.

Meghan IRL

What is your bucket list travel destination?

Since travel is on the top of my Joy List, so I have a lot on my list—Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, and Morocco, to name a few…

Would you rather explore space or the ocean? Why?

Ocean, but only if I could be a mermaid at the same time 😉

What’s your coffee order?

I don’t drink coffee—not even decaf! However, my favorite drink is reishi with black pepper and cardamom essential oils.

What piece of advice has impacted you the most?

No one has the power to dictate the way you feel about yourself—only you have that power. My dad told this to me as a young 10-year-old girl.


For more food and essential oil inspiration, plus some pics of her adorable dog Penny, check out Meg’s Instagram and website.

Diamonds aren’t this girl’s best friend. No, that would be quinoa. Alyssa Rimmer, the woman behind Simply Quinoa, knows firsthand how improper nutrition can take a toll on the body and mind. Before she became a talented food blogger and recipe developer, Alyssa was a college student who struggled with chronic stomach pains, brain fog, and other digestive health issues.
Although she tried to convince herself that this daily discomfort was normal, Alyssa’s view on food changed forever when she decided to ditch processed junk food and consume only natural, whole foods instead. As she prioritized healthy eating, Alyssa noticed a reduction in her discomfort and brain fog in just a few weeks.
With her newfound mental clarity and relieved stomach pain, Alyssa knew she couldn’t return to her old eating habits. She began developing her own nutrient-dense recipes. Eager to share her whole food, nutritious creations, and personal experience with others, Alyssa started her own food blog (cleverly dubbed Simply Quinoa) while working in marketing.
After splitting her time between her marketing career and food blog for five years, Alyssa left her marketing gig to devote all of her time and energy to managing her blog. She has since turned her passion into a fulfilling foodie community. “I never used to think I would start or run my own business, but I feel so damn lucky that I get to do what I love and share my passion with all of you each and every day,” Alyssa wrote in a blog post.  
Alyssa’s creative recipes are simple, approachable, and often feature different superfoods in addition to healthy twists on classic indulgences. From breakfast to dinner and everything in between, Alyssa has your table covered. She even provides recipes for those who have food allergies and sensitivities.
Originally from Vermont, Alyssa now lives in New York City with her boyfriend, Matt, and furbaby, Trevi. Alyssa and Matt both share a love of travel and adventure, but they have their differences when it comes to food. Alyssa’s current diet is mostly plant-based, and she considers herself to be about 95 percent vegan, occasionally working eggs, honey, and fish into her meals. Matt doesn’t eat a plant-based diet, but the couple still makes shared meal times work by using the same base for their meal then adding in their own proteins and other flavors based on individual preference.
As if she couldn’t get any cooler, Alyssa is also a fabulous photographer specializing in natural-light food photography that really captures the beautiful colors of her fresh ingredients. From recipe ingredients to makeup, Alyssa strives to use only all-natural, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly products. In addition to foodie content, Alyssa’s blog focuses on other components of a healthy lifestyle such as the importance of exercise and meditation, using natural and cruelty-free products, and how to use essential oils properly.
In a YouTube Q&A, Alyssa revealed that she works up to 60 hours a week between her blog, YouTube channel, and the rest of her social media platforms. Now that’s how you hustle like a boss babe! It’s evident that this hard-working foodie is on a mission to change lives by sharing her personal insights and colorful creations.

A Day in the Life

What does your daily routine look like?

I wake up around 6 a.m. each morning, drink a HUGE glass of water, and then head outside with my dog. We take a long walk in Riverside Park (in NYC), then I come home and either do a quick 30-minute at-home workout or head to my local yoga or SoulCycle studio.

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?

I love spending time outside, totally unplugged. It’s a great way for me to recharge but also gives me time to think and brainstorm for my business. I also am addicted to face masks and am a HUGE believer in exercise. I love yoga, spinning, strength training, and of course, walking!

How do you stay inspired?

I get inspiration from all around me, but I feel most inspired when I travel. I love seeing new cultures, exploring new places, and trying new food. I always come back with a new sense of vigor and can’t wait to recreate some of the flavors in my own cooking.

Loving Lately…

What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?

I absolutely love this new skincare line I just discovered called Laurel Whole Plant Organics. Their serums and facial elixirs are out of this world! I also am seriously loving my jade roller.

What are your favorite apps?

Instagram is a great way for me to stay connected to my audience as well as my friends in the blog space. But I also love my meditation app, Calm, Overcast for podcasts, and one just for fun is called Night Sky, which you hold up to the sky at night and it shows you the star constellations.

Whose Instagram is on your radar? #squadgoals #gramlove #hashtag

There are so many! It’s funny because I now actually use Instagram more for keeping up with all my other blogger friends rather than pure inspiration. If I had to choose a few just for fun, it would be icanteven (cute animal videos), thedogist, and bestofvegan.

What’s your go-to healthy snack?

Depends on what I’m craving (i.e., sweet or savory), but usually it’s an apple and almond butter, an energy bite, some hummus and crackers, or a protein bar.

Alyssa IRL

If your pet could talk, how would they describe you?

Caring, goofy, game for anything, snuggly

What would the title of your autobiography be?

I’m not sure, but probably something to do with quinoa!

What’s your most-used emoji?

Heart eyes or the dancing girl

What woman in history would you love to take to brunch?

Princess Diana—I love how she followed her heart, was super passionate about her causes, and was an amazing and caring mother all at the same time.

What superpower would you like to have?

I think I’d want to teleport, so I could explore even more places.

What are you really great at (that might embarrass you to admit)?

I don’t really have any hidden talents (wish I did!), but I’d say that I’m really great at listening. I’m an introvert at heart, and so I’d much rather be the listener than the talker. I think this makes me a great friend, a great partner (most of the time!), and also really helps me with my community since I listen to what they’re saying and try my best to give them solutions that will actually help them reach their goals.

Would you rather explore space or the ocean? Why?

The ocean. I grew up going to the ocean in the summer, and I just love it!

What’s your coffee order?

I’m not a coffee drinker, so usually an herbal tea.

What piece of advice has impacted you the most?

That many great things come from failure. It’s hard to build your own business and not get discouraged when things don’t work out as you might have planned. But knowing that everyone who I admire has also had to struggle, has failed countless times, and still picked themselves back up and succeeded helps me look at things in a more positive light.

The sheer amount of nutrition “rules” and advice circulating in society right now makes it difficult to determine what is actually healthy. Paleo? Keto? Fro-yo? Who knows. And even if we do know, that doesn’t mean we’ll always make the right choices. Sometimes it takes help from a professional who understands the struggle, like Jennie Miremadi.
Jennie embodies many nutrition goals worth aspiring to. She is a licensed integrative clinical nutritionist, after all. Scrolling through her website and Instagram, you can tell Jennie has found her true calling. Her recipes are the healthy-but-delicious meals we all obsess over and hope to create in our own kitchens. Her cacao almond chia seed smoothie? It legit looks like a chocolate milkshake. And her collard wraps look so good that giving up tortillas doesn’t even seem that upsetting.
But wellness didn’t always come easily to Jennie. In fact, Jennie struggled for years with body images issues that began at the age of 14. She tried all of the fad dieting and restrictive methods that seemed like obvious solutions to her struggles. It took her years (and a lot of work with her body and mind) to figure out that these approaches to food were wrong—very wrong. Eventually, Jennie realized she needed to nourish her body, not deprive it of essential nutrition and care.
Jennie felt so passionately about helping others navigate their own health, nutrition, and wellness journeys that she gave up her career as an intellectual property attorney and went back to school to earn her master’s degree in nutrition and integrative health. Eventually she developed and started teaching a successful seven-factor methodology that focuses on all aspects of wellness: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
What exactly does that mean? Jennie doesn’t just help her clients understand food in terms of what’s healthy and what’s not. Having her own problems with food sensitivity and a background in science, Jennie still helps clients find what foods make them feel their best, but she also recognizes that the relationship we have with food, not just our knowledge about food, matters. From EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) to an anti-inflammatory nutritional approach to helping clients understand how to bring their bodies into balance biochemically to mindful eating (and so much more), Jennie gives her clients the tools they need to create lasting change. She believes that by looking at food together with biochemistry, physiology, spirit, and psyche, we can achieve true wellness.
While we’re whipping up that cacao smoothie, read on to learn more about Jennie and how her methodology takes shape in her personal life.

A Day in the Life

What does your daily routine look like?

Every day is different, but the one constant is my daily gratitude practice where I think about what I’m grateful for.

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?

Yoga, hiking, gratitude practice, EFT, meditation, visualization, spiritual practice, getting a massage, and going on vacation.

How do you stay inspired?

Connecting with nature always inspires me.

Loving Lately…

What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?

I recently discovered La Tierra Sagrada’s Dry Shampoo for brunettes and I love it. It’s not only made from completely natural ingredients like cacao, lavender flower, and he shou wu—it’s also brown so it doesn’t make my dark hair turn white, which happens with most other dry shampoos.

What are your favorite apps?

I love the Insight Timer app. It has so many incredible meditations.

What’s your go-to healthy snack?

A handful of nuts—it makes the perfect snack! Nuts are filled with fiber, protein, and healthy fat so they fill me up and keep me satiated—and they’re delicious!

Jennie IRL

What’s your most-used emoji?

It’s a three-way tie between the heart emojis, praying hands emoji, and the avocado emoji!

What superpower would you like to have?

I would love to be able to fly so that I could go anywhere that inspired me anytime.

What’s your coffee order?

A latte from Moon Juice—they make it with their own homemade coconut milk and almond milk and it’s amazing!

What is your bucket list travel destination?

I love hiking and glamping and I’m so enamored with all of the stunning national parks in the U.S. I would love to do a national park hiking tour and stay at all of the Under Canvas glamping locations.

Her calm yet strong demeanor is contagious as she guides you through meditation and yoga flows. Her voice: soothing. Her eyes: knowledgeable. Her spirit: inviting. She is a living, breathing product of the Universe she so authentically believes in.
With self-awareness and love as her core values, Keri Kugler is a mindful woman with a strong spirit. But she hasn’t always been this grounded.
Keri’s yoga practice began as an outlet for stress (which is something we can all relate to), and she has since become a passionate, dedicated yogi. With over 500 hours of practice under her belt, she is now registered yoga teacher whose practice is informed in yoga therapy, psychology, and neuroscience. Keri credits yoga with saving her life, and now she is sharing her passion and knowledge with people in St. Louis, Missouri, and beyond.
Even though she is a self-proclaimed introvert, Keri’s belief in making connections with ourselves and others has ultimately guided her into a life of sharing these beliefs with others. Keri believes that everyone has something special inside of them waiting to be discovered and helps her clients ignite the fire within them through yoga, meditation, and life coaching. “I believe that by tapping into that part [of] ourselves, we can awaken the beautiful life that we are meant to live.”
Regardless of what life throws her way, through the good and the bad, Keri continues to heal and use her personal experiences to become an even better teacher and coach.
For everyone who hasn’t been touched personally by her coaching or yoga teachings, Keri connects wholeheartedly with her followers on the ’gram and Facebook. Her posts are filled with inspiration, advice, and everything to do with yoga, meditation, self-love, and life coaching. Oh, and don’t forget her sweet husband, two dogs, and, of course, her plant babes.
From moving quotes to stunning photos of her practice, Keri keeps her followers up to date with her life and journey to find happiness within. “I want to offer people a new way to look at things, new perspectives, and new habits. I am committed to keeping things real, to honoring other people’s way of doing things, and to serving my community.”
Keep shining your inner light, Keri, as we know you will touch many lives for the better.

A Day in the Life

What does your daily routine look like?

Every day is a little different for me. The days I get to spend all of my time working on my business are the days where I am 100 percent in my flow! My mornings are so precious. The way I wake up and start my day impacts how I show up, so I make sure I’m being intentional with every decision I make.
My morning starts with sweet snuggles from my pups and a cuddle session with my husband. Getting in this dose of feel-good connection with my family right away sets my vibe on high. I connect to my physical body with some light stretching and warm lemon water sipping while my coffee brews. I spend about 30 to 45 minutes meditating and journaling. I like to clear my head and connect to my breath before I dive into my work for the day. Notice I have yet to pick up my phone! #stopthescroll!
I start my work by looking at my priority list and tackling the biggest things first. This automatically sets my productivity mode into overdrive. The rest of my morning is spent writing content and talking one-on-one to my incredible clients. I make it a priority to take a break so I can refresh my mind, body, and spirit in the middle of my day. This will usually be done with a yoga class that gets me out of my office and connecting with my people. I spend my afternoon catching up on emails and prepping for evening calls with my clients. I end every work day by looking at one thing that worked really well and one thing that didn’t work so well. I’m always looking at ways to improve on myself and within my business. These mindful little check-ins are extremely beneficial to that growth.
My evenings are for spending time with my family. I love pouring myself a glass of wine, pumping the tunes, and cooking a tasty meal for me and my husband. I spend the last 30 minutes of my day giving back to myself. I journal, clear out anything left over from the day, and jot down a few of the bigger things I need to tackle tomorrow. Before climbing into bed I will connect with my breath and that magical little practice of gratitude one last time.

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?

I think self-care is the number one most important thing we can do. It allows us to connect with ourselves on a deep level while helping us to serve others in such a beautiful way. My self-care go-tos are yoga, meditation, massage, sensory deprivation, quality time with my family and my pups, and—last but not least—a glass of rosé!

How do you stay inspired?

I find so much inspiration in seeing the success of other people. When I look at women who are committed to serving and who are out there doing their thing in the world, it lights me the hell up! It shows me that we all have the power to create something big with our life’s work.


Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.

Loving Lately…

What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?

I like to consider myself a minimalist when it comes to commercial products, but I recently discovered two that I really love: Organifi’s Green Juice gives me my daily dose of greens without the added time or cleanup of making my own juice at home. Lancôme Skin Feels Good Tinted Moisturizer is a lightweight, wear-all-day moisturizer that has hyaluronic acid to lock-in moisture and plump, moringa seed extract to revitalize and protect against free radicals, as well as SPF 23 protection. I don’t like to wear a lot of makeup so this product is perfect for giving my skin a healthy, natural glow.

What are your favorite apps?

The Podcast app for inspiration; Instagram to share and connect with my online community; iTunes for music; Albert for saving some extra cash and keeping an eye on my spending; Calm for midday pick-me-ups.

Whose Instagram is on your radar?

My coach, Amy Mackenzie and, as always, Danielle LaPorte.

What’s your go-to healthy snack?

Anything with peanut butter! I don’t eat meat, so I have to find ways to get my protein in throughout the day. An apple dipped in peanut butter (I love Earth Balance’s creamy peanut butter with flaxseed!) and a protein.

What are you reading, watching, or listening to?

I’m currently reading Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker and listening to The Angie Lee Show podcast.

Keri IRL

What woman in history would you love to take to brunch?

Rosa Parks. What a powerhouse this woman was. She stood firmly in what she believed and stayed grounded in what she knew to be her truth. She was committed to taking zero amount of s***, and look at what came of it. Girl, get it. #LIFEGOALS

What superpower would you like to have?

Healing

Would you rather explore space or the ocean? Why?

Space. Duh. It’s where everything started. I look to the moon, the planets, and the Universe as my guide in life—of course I want to explore it!

What is your bucket list travel destination?

Mysore, India


For more good vibes, be sure to follow Keri on Instagram and check out her website.

Fascinated by everything science and medicine, Elyse Love excelled in school. But when she developed nodular cystic acne, she slipped into the shadows, opting out of classroom discussions she once had a major voice in. After her first dermatology appointment at age 14, Elyse realized she wanted to find a way to help others feel what she didn’t at the time: powerful, beautiful, capable, and strong.
Elyse’s family raised her to survive in a world where people would assume things about her intelligence and work ethic based on her skin color, which fueled her fascination of how skin and identity intertwine.
Today, to no one’s surprise, Elyse is a dermatologist. Though she’d always been interested in medicine, it wasn’t until medical school that her career choice was confirmed. On the night before her graduation from Emory University School of Medicine, her cousin was involved in a terrible car accident. Elyse was able to act as an interpreter of the complex and sometimes confusing medical lingo her cousin’s doctors were using, cementing her choice to work in a field where the voices of people like her family are often marginalized.
Elyse doesn’t just help her family, though; she’s always been one to jump in and help others. From fitting tutoring into her busy class schedule to leading fitness classes at a local nursing home, finding the time to share her knowledge with those who need it has long been a part of her day-to-day life.
As a representative for Glossier, Elyse uses Instagram to discuss beauty, give skincare tips, and encourage her followers to reach out to her for advice and tips on what products to use. She says her goal on social media is to “inspire little black girls to be who they want to be and whatever they want to be.”
Not only is she busy saving her patients’ skin, volunteering, and keeping her Instagram account updated, she also runs a life and career blog called Love and the Sky. The inspiration for the site’s name comes from two things: “I hope that every post on this site will be written with love, in love, and will stay true to who I am. And for me, the sky represents life outside of medicine.” She makes sure to pack her two-year-old blog with tips about school, beauty, food, and travel, plus peeks into her personal life. In a profession full of procedures, strict guidelines, and not a ton of wiggle room, Elyse finds comfort in her blog, where she is able to let her creativity come to life.
Though she has a lot going on, Elyse does have a singular mission that ties all of her platforms and messages together: “Be kind. Be kind to others because life is easier when you spread positive energy. Be kind to yourself; treat yourself often, and forgive your imperfections and mistakes. Be kind to your skin.”
If you can take anything from her endless amounts of inspiration and advice, it’s that you should believe in, be kind to, and take care of yourself. And your skin.

A Day in the Life

What does your daily routine look like?

My weekday routine is structured but flexible. My alarm chimes at 5:20 a.m. I’m usually pretty good about getting out of bed because I don’t want to wake my partner, but sometimes I then go back to sleep on the couch! Most days, I make coffee and brush my teeth in a sleepy daze then head to the gym or for a run before work. Evenings are filled with meetings, happy hour, or Real Housewives, and I’m in bed by 10:20 p.m. We’ve started five-minute guided meditation before bed, and now I can’t fall asleep without it!

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?

Self-care is part of my daily routine, starting with my a.m. workouts. Taking time for myself, with myself, every morning helps me start my day feeling strong and in control. My anxiety peaks and my self-confidence drops when I miss a few days. My partner and I have a pretty adorable, if I may say so myself, p.m. routine that’s part skincare (our nightly sharing of the tretinoin tube) and part meditation. On the more indulgent side, I absolutely love a good massage. My idea of heaven is a never-ending full-body massage.

How do you stay inspired?

My biggest problem is that I’m over-inspired. There are so many versions of myself I want to manifest and so many things I want to put out into the world, but there just isn’t enough time. So, for me, sometimes it’s important for me to take a break from the overload of stimuli so that the things I really, really care about can rise to the top.  


Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.

Loving Lately…

What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?

New Wash is my favorite shampoo, and Glossier Lash Slick is my new fav mascara. Disclaimer: I’m a Glossier rep!

What are your favorite apps?

Instagram, VSCO X, and Spotify, obviously. I use Planoly to plan my feed (aka see what the next post will look like, and post it regardless).

Whose Instagram is on your radar?

I consider myself to be a broke @HannahBronfman, so I follow her really closely. I admire her career a lot. @elainewelteroth is a huge inspiration to me. I grew up reading Teen Vogue and never felt represented. Her work in diversifying fashion and beauty media is so inspiring. Also @WillSmith is killing it!

What’s your go-to healthy snack?

Apple or carrots and hummus for home. On the go, I love Lenka bars—they’re organic granola bars that I order by the box.

Elyse Love IRL

If your pet could talk, how would they describe you?

Sore subject. We want a dog so bad, but unfortunately our work schedules aren’t pet-friendly. If the many dogs on Instagram could talk, they would probably say, “This girl has a problem!”

What is your bucket list travel destination?

Everywhere, but one particular bucket list item is to visit all of the U.S. National Parks. My 2020 resolution will be to spend less money on clothes and more on travel.

What woman in history would you love to take to brunch?

OPRAH WINFREY. DUH. Secondly, Meghan Markle—not because she’s a “real-life fairytale,” but because I would love to have a conversation with a brilliant, driven woman about love, sacrifice, and compromise.

What are you really great at (that might embarrass you to admit)?

This was such a hard question for me to answer, but I’m a pretty fast runner!


Follow Elyse on Instagram and on her blog, Love and the Sky.

Between the office grind and your personal life, you’re a bundle of stress. You’ve heard that meditation can help you calm your mind and dispel feelings of anxiety, so you’re ready to give it a try. You sit on the floor in a quiet area, cross your legs (maybe even light a candle or two), and close your eyes. No matter how hard you try to relax and breathe, you still cannot stop the thoughts from rolling around in your mind, and you quickly decide to postpone your meditation practice for another day.

Instead of wondering how to get happy one day, start exploring what you can do to get happy today, and see the benefits for yourself.

A Day in the Life

What does your daily routine look like?

What daily routine? Just kidding. Every day looks different for me, but there are a few things that stay the same. I always wake up, brush my teeth, do a few simple moves—like child’s pose, side body stretches, and cat cows—then I meditate. I meet with my husband every morning by 10 a.m. He also happens to be my business partner, and these meetings set the tone for our day. We decide exactly what our priorities are and what we’re each tackling. It helps me stay on track and ensures I’m working on the most important things that will move our business forward.
Honestly? I’m pretty terrible at eating breakfast. I prefer a matcha latte with full-fat coconut milk to anything else early in the morning. Then I sit down for a bigger meal around 11 a.m. I avoid scheduling any meetings or calls before 1:30 p.m. That allows me to block off my mornings and use that time to get work done. Around 3 or 4 p.m., that’s when I move and meditate on my own. Usually that looks like a sweat session in my living room before I sit in the quiet. Once or twice a week, I might pop into a yoga class in Portland with my mom or a friend. There are incredible teachers who I adore and learn from here. Mostly though, I do my own thing depending on how I’m feeling and what my schedule allows for.

What are your favorite ways to practice self-care?

It’s the simple things. Moving my body in a way that feels good but also challenges me. Sitting in the quiet and meditating. Drinking lots of water. Calling my mom or meeting a friend for some matcha. Staying in with my husband and cat Javier to watch HBO and cook dinner. I work a lot, and I love what I do. My self-care practices need to fit into my busy life—not the other way around. I’m always looking for strategies to uncover a little more ease and joy in the simple things.

How do you stay inspired?

Connecting with badass women is a huge source of inspiration for me. The Portland community is so open and supportive. I’m grateful for the women in my circle every day. Also any time I can get away from my computer. Spending time outside and walking on the trails or along the Oregon coast helps me hit the reset button.


Disclaimer: Just so you know, if you order an item through one of our posts, we may get a small share of the sale.

Loving Lately…

What are the best products you’ve discovered recently?

A few weeks ago, I picked up the Moisture Renew Mask by January Labs. It’s hydrating without being too thick. This summer I’m traveling a bunch—including co-leading a retreat in Bali—this mask is absolutely coming with me in my suitcase. I’m also so into Outdoor Voices—currently wearing these pants like a uniform. Another favorite item right now is this “Un” Cover-Up from RMS Beauty. I am so impressed that an organic foundation actually works well—even for my 12-hour days filming workout and meditation classes. I don’t even have to reapply it. Last thing: This “I love you so matcha” tote by my friend Alison Wu. I carry it with me in my bag at all times in case I do an unplanned grocery shopping trip.

What are your favorite apps?

I love Voxer. It’s a walkie talkie app that allows you to leave voice messages for friends. I love talking on the phone—or better yet, in person—but that’s not always doable or easy because of crazy schedules. Voxer makes it a breeze to stay in touch, and it’s more personal than text or email.
Another great app to help with communication is Slack. Our team relies on it, and it cuts way down on the volume of emails.
Spotify is another app I use on the daily. Music is a huge part of the online experience, and music drives the workout portion of my classes. My husband is a DJ on the side, and we have so much fun searching for new tunes and putting playlists together.

Whose Instagram is on your radar?

Right now, I’m totally inspired by RayRay Ricketts. She’s an intuitive coach, healer, a spiritual activist, and the founder of @lossandfoundxo. One of the things she talks about a lot is grief and how it can be an everyday experience—not just something that you feel when someone you love passes away. We don’t have enough tools to deal with negative emotions and the energies that come along with grief. I respect her work, and I’m aligned with her approach to help people find the joy and connect with their inner resilience during tough times.
Another Instagram account that I’m following closely is @1thatgotawayy by Rachel Elizabeth Cargle. Rachel is an activist, a writer, speaker, and she’s currently attending Columbia University. Her work is dedicated to anti-racism and she calls us all to embrace a feminism that is inclusive and intersectional. As a white woman with boatloads of privilege, she helps me understand issues that people of color face every day and what I can do on my end to lift up and amplify existing efforts and movements.

What’s your go-to healthy snack?

I love smoothies. Especially this Cherry Cacao Be Well Smoothie by Kelly LeVeque. I’m also super into roasted chickpeas. I drizzle avocado oil and then add tons of garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of chili powder over a sheet of chickpeas and roast them for 35 minutes at 375 degrees. It’s so good! Oh, and I’m obsessed with Cinnamon Maca Almond Butter by Jem Organics. My husband complains about the price, but it’s worth every penny.

What are you reading, watching, or listening to?

I’m listening to The Feel Good Effect podcast by researcher Robyn Downs. She’s entertaining, she gets to the point, and I always learn something new when I tune in. If you’re curious, I was on her show, and you can listen right here. I also love Dear Sugars with Cheryl Strayed and Steve Almond.
And TV? Honestly, I love it. I love Homeland, Insecure, and the creativity and scenery of Westworld.

Kait IRL

If your pet could talk, how would they describe you?

I have a beloved cat named Javier. He’d probably tell you that my favorite time of the day is when I’m working at my desk and he sleeps behind my computer with his paws resting on the keyboard. He’d also tell you that he has me trained. He’ll go over to the pantry where his snacks are and just start meowing until I give in and feed him treats.

What woman in history would you love to take to brunch?

Ida B. Wells is definitely on the list. She’s an African-American journalist, abolitionist, and a feminist who led an anti-lynching campaign in the late 1890s. I’d also love to meet Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the author of the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper.” She wrote about a woman’s descent into madness, and the story reveals how women were treated in the 1890s and also reveals views about mental health at the time. I remember reading that short story in high school and being grateful for the women who have come before me and fought so that I can have a better life.

What piece of advice has impacted you the most?

You don’t have to prove yourself to yourself every single day.
I’ve struggled with anxiety pretty much my whole life. A part of me really liked being anxious and on edge because I thought it helped me achieve. Once I learned how to manage the energies of my anxiety, I realized that constantly proving myself to myself doesn’t make me better—it just sucks up my energy and steals my attention from the things that matter the most. Learning how to extend love, kindness, and patience to myself…also learning how to let go of chasing perfection? That’s been transformative and something I’m passionate about sharing with others through my online workout and meditation classes.

What are you really great at (that might embarrass you to admit)?

I have an uncanny ability to rest and watch really good television. TV binges don’t happen often, but when they do? Let’s just say I watched 7 episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale in one day last year. And about a month ago, I watched season 7 of Homeland in 8 days.

What is your bucket list travel destination?

I want to go all over Jordan and Israel. This summer, we’re checking off two of my bucket list items by visiting the Greek islands and Istanbul. I can’t wait!


To learn more about Kait Hurley, be sure to check out her Instagram and YouTube channel! You might even see some familiar faces…