My 5 Grocery Shopping Tips

Hey guys!
 I wanted to share with you a few of my tips to save on, not only the grocery bill, but to avoid too much junk being in the house! I steer clear of temptation by just not buying junk food, it's just that simple. I am far from perfect and I know that if it's around I will eat it until it's gone, so I just save myself and only treat myself when I want to. This process is what has helped me achieve and maintain balance, everyone is different and you need to find what will work for you! On to my TIPS!

  1. Shop the parameter! All of your fresh whole foods are around the parameter of the store; meat, dairy, produce, fish, etc. Typically anything boxed or canned is processed. That isn't to say that I don't purchase canned or packaged food; quinoa comes in a package! But, I try to stick to fresh foods. 2. Buy Produce at the Local Market! Not only can you support the local farmers but you get your food directly from the source and can often times speak to the people who plant the seeds and harvest the bounty themselves. I always ask if it's locally grown, there are a lot of vendors (at my market, anyways) who ship in from Florida and California. Be sure to get there early, the fresh stuff goes first!

3. Meal Plan! This one is HUGE for me! I lay out exactly what I'm going to make for dinner and have for lunch for the week. I usually eat around the same things for breakfast and snacks so those are just standard on my grocery list, but I pick 2 or 3 recipes with a few of the same key ingredients and plan out the week. Then I make my grocery list and hit the store.

4. Make a List! This goes right along with "don't shop when you're hungry"; making a list keeps me on track and typically I only end up with one or two extra things that I saw and want to try. My grocery store (Wegmans, which is the best!) also has an app. The app stores the foods I typically buy with my member card information and also has all of the aisle and department information. It sorts my list accordingly to help my shopping trip! If your local grocery has an app, I highly suggest using it!

  5. The Less Ingredients the Better! The more ingredients you can pronounce, the better! Try to avoid packaged food with a paragraph of ingredients you cannot say or have ever heard of! I hope this helps streamline your shopping experience! Please comment below if there is something you'd like me to touch on.

 XO, Nina

Please visit me on ChicFitPT or see me duplicate my content here.

New Career, New Blog, Newish Me

Hi everyone!
Long time no post.

If you remember, I had taken an indefinite break from this space.   It's weirdly comfortable that I find myself blogging once more; this time for fitness.

In November I was laid off from my office job which was a total blessing.  I was already working on my getting my Personal Training certification and already job hunting because I was extremely stressed, overworked and unhappy.  I was given, on a silver platter, a second chance to turn my career and attitude towards life around!

I am now introducing to you all my new blog ChicFit

If you fancied my weekend workout posts or my healthy recipes then this blog is for you.  For everyone else, I hope you pop over and at least check it out!

On my blog I also offer online training which is a great way to connect remotely if you're motivated to reach a goal.  After an electronic consultation I will design you a program to meet your needs.
I am so excited to finally be doing what I love and am passionate about!

Join me in reaching your goals at ChicFit !!

Don't forget to follow along via Instagram !


Here's today's post from ChicFit

You will quickly learn that HIIT is my favorite workout.  HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training and that's exactly what you get out of it.  Not only that, but you are guaranteed to continue to burn calories even after you're done working out for the next 24 hours.   Typically these workouts are short burst of explosive or plyometric movements with strength exercises mixed in.

They can also be a really fun way to sweat it out with your girlfriends! Sweat dates are really popular these days, and I'm a huge fan!  What a better way to catch up and get your sweat on!?

 

I love to see you working hard - don't forget the sweaty selfie and tag @ChicFitPT on Instagram!

miss me?

Hey guys!  I miss all of you but I've been super busy preparing my dancers for the North American Irish Dance Nationals, working on my bikini bod and keeping up with summers latest trends on a dime.  You can follow all of that and more on Instagram! 

I post daily #ootd, food recipes, shopping tips and anything I would share on this space. 

Follow along!

@afterthe40barfinish

think less, live more

Happy Friday Friends.   I hope you are having a good week and the spring weather is treating you well!

I've put this post off all week because I was afraid to actually pull the trigger on it.   It's with a heavy heart that I say I'm withdrawing from blogging.    This was an incredibly difficult and easy decision for me.   You might not think that makes sense, but to me it does.  

The difficulty of the decision comes because I love sharing not only the outfits I come up with 

but advice on how to style the next up and coming trend or classic pieces.   The easy part is that it's a relief to not to try and cram in photo sessions, editing sessions, posting, commenting, etc into my already busy schedule.  I understand every one is busy, some of you are MOMS!  Which, is just incredible.  Kudos to you, especially if you also work full time.  I'm giving you a big ole high five and silently saying DAYMN! 

I need some of that time back in my life.  I need to be able to go out and meet people and be social without feeling guilty for not posting or having the pressure.  

I may eventually regret this decision but think it's the best thing for me at this time. 

I want to thank each and every one of you who came here read my posts, commented, and kept fueling my style obsession and fire for the past year and a half.  The blogging community is something I was incredibly grateful to have been a part of.  

the lost week

sweater - gap (similar) | jeans - old navy | shoes - BCBGeneration (similar)(love these)

Hello Friends!!  Back to reality this week for me; last week was our recital for the studio and it was crazy-ness all week long.   It was a great show, though!!  

I also bought a new car (as if I didn't have enough going on).   Pretty stoked to have a reliable vehicle though even if it does mean less shopping allowance (insert squinty emoji face). 

I took yesterday off for a little R&R, this was my super laid back look for a few errands, laundry and hanging with my Mama.  I also enjoyed a few 'ritas with my sister & co. for Cinco de Mayo (der).   So nice to chill without a to do list looming. 

How is everyone doing?  

{fitness friday} six pack abs, part 2

image source

Happy Friday!!  Hope you've all had a great week and are sticking to your fitness routines.    

I'm continuing today with core strength.  Plank is an amazing full body workout that has focus on the core.   Plank and it's variations are something that can be done every day and it only takes 5 minutes. The above workout is a great routine! 

simple sunshine

top - old navy on sale! with code ONSAVE | skirt - forever 21 (similar) | shoes - old navy (similar, splurge, love these)

A little bit of sunshine goes a long way!   I made it to Thursday thanks to a bit of sun I caught on Tuesday.  What a gorgeous day it was.  I took these shots at the nearest park by my office.  This is where I usually go to take my snaps during work hours.  It's really nice to get out of the office and I have a good half hour mostly uninterrupted (I get the occasional curious passerby).   I was lucky to find a mostly shady spot that wasn't overrun by children!   

Tonight is our first Pub Show with my dancers.  You guessed it, we're dancing in a bar.   This year we have a big initiative to be more visible within the community and really promote our classes.  It should be really fun - or, it could be a huge disaster.  Hopefully the latter but I'll let you know 

How is everyone's week?  Any big plans this weekend?

florals & eyelets

dress - gap (on sale! with code TREAT) | hat - bcbgeneration | shoes - forever 21

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!  I wore this gorgeous dress on Easter Sunday and it was a huge hit.  My grandma even told me I looked like the "new princess" which is the upmost of compliments.    Some thought it was vintage and no one could believe it is made out of sweatshirt material.   I am considering going back for the other colors because I know I will live in this dress.   

I tell ya, Gap is really hitting the mark with their new arrivals.  I've been a bit of a Gap/Old Navy fan-boy, though.  

In other news we are gearing up for our recital in a few weeks and the competitive team is getting ready for heavy competition season and Nationals in Montreal!   I'm so excited to go and hopefully I'll have a little time to see Montreal.  

Anything exciting coming  up for you?  

snakeskin

top - old navy (similar) | pants - old navy | shoes - chinese laundry (similar) | bag - michael kors (similar in the monogram)

Happy, happy Monday!  

Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend.    We, once again, had an incredible weekend weather wise.  YAY! I actually got a little sun burnt, I've never been so stoked for pink skin in my life.   The sun was just glorious.  

Let's chat about my top - I'm always hesitant to style it.  I don't want to look like a cougar or anything ... I always think it's too vavoom, or something.  But, I rather love it with the white boyfriend pants.   

How was your weekend?

weekend inspiration

1 // 2 // 3

Hoping that you're finding inspiration in easy simple looks this weekend!

Here's a week at AT40BF

Styling chucks with a dress for spring/summer

What new denim styles are you trying out this season?

Looking back on a few of my favorites from last year

Cook your abs in the kitchen, but carve them in the gym

Happy weekend! 

{fitness friday} six pack abs

We all know that abs are made in the kitchen (more on that in May).  But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't help them along in the gym.  I try to get in a few ab exercises every time I hit the gym.  Why, you ask? 

Well, your core is an extremely important part of your body to keep strong.  It's "the core" of your body, what helps you sit up, stand up straight, bend and twist.    You don't need to have a six-pack to have a strong core. 

Some other exercises that aid in a strong core are yoga and pilates.  Check out Robin over at The Balanced Life.  She has really great video workouts :)

TGIF! 

springing for skirt weather

The past few days here have been less than ideal weather wise.  After the perfect week of spring/summer it's a huge bummer.   I know it's just temporary and tomorrow it'll be back in the 50-60's again, still this is making me long for all my dresses and skirts.   

Isn't it funny to look back to last season?  Not only do I see trends that are relevant again (ankle straps, mixing prints, etc) but it's so fun to see how different I look.   Blonde, long hair; seems like ages ago.  

Do you ever look back through old blogging photos?  It's definitely interesting and fun to look back and see your own evolution. 

spring denim guide

A fresh season always warrants a fresh crop of denim.  This year I'm gushing over trends like denim pencils and frayed hems.  Throw in the occasional trend that gives you flash backs to your childhood (overalls! acid wash?) and you have a ton of options to choose from.
I love that light wash denim is back, it's such a nice and light spring look and pairs nicely with neutrals, navy, black and white.  

I DIY'd my own frayed hem jeans.  I took an old pair of skinnies that were slightly too short and just cut about an inch off the hem then threw them in the dryer for the fringe.

I keep saying I don't want to go back to overalls, but every time I see an image on Pinterest I can't help but wonder if I can incorporate the trend into my style/closet this season.

Are you trying anything new with your denim this season?

freyed hem | pencil skirt | classic skinny | the boyfriend short 1 & 2 | the favorite boyfriend | the risky overall 

summer like

hat - american eagle (similar) | cardigan - old navy (similar) | dress - h&m (similar, love this) | bag - the swim outlet c/o | converse

For the past few days here it's been feeling so much like summer.  More summer than spring that we all joke Rochester skips spring all the time.   The rain has been so on and off I wasn't sure if I'd have any outfits to share with you but I was lucky that the sun came out Friday when I sported this look.  I scored a full casual week at work so wearing a dress on a Friday with my new favorite sneaks was a no brainer.    I have literally been living in these puppies! 

I will also be sporting this adorable tote everywhere!  The Swim Outlet is gearing up for summer with their new lines of suits and accessories.  When they asked me to pick a suit or beach item I immediately gravitated towards this tote.  The perfect summer bag for the beach, park, day trip, you name it!   I love the summery colors in the tribal design.  

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! 

weekend inspiration

1 // 2 // 3

The token look for me in spring is easy and loose fitting layers.   

These are my favorite looks from Pinterest this week 

A week at AT40BF:

Testing out light wash jeans

Inspiration to wear spring dresses for work and play

A workout you can do anywhere during the week

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

{fitness friday} the anywhere workout

I love finding new workouts that I can either do with the kids at dance as conditioning, or while I'm away from home, on my lunch break you name it.    This is a great cardio and body weight strength training workout that is quick, easy and that you can do anywhere. 

Will you be fitting this into your schedule this week?  Hopefully the weather is improving for you too, this would be a perfect outdoor workout to kick off spring!

Happy Friday!

spring dresses - 2 styles, 2 ways to wear

I don't know about you, but as soon as the sun comes out and the snow melts I'm all about dresses.  I love dressing them up for work and dressing them down for the weekends.  Dresses are such an easy style.   

For work I love a simple sheath, nothing is better and it transitions very well to afterwork activities.   Keep your accessories simple for the office and use your shoes as your pop piece. 

An easy blue and white striped dress with a fun little flair is perfect for weekend activities or errands. Throw on your favorite kicks and a bold bag and you're ready to tackle that to do list!

look 1

blazer | dress | shoes 

look 2

dress | jacket | sneaks | bag

Linking up with Shanna today 

here comes the sun

top, jeans & shoes (similar shoes) - old navy | bag - target (similar)

Another busy weekend over - happy Monday!! This weekend I had planned a lock in event for the dance school.  We had the kids make up their own parts to a big figure choreography, I held a Frozen sing-a-long and we did crafts!  A great way to spend a gloomy Saturday afternoon. 

These snaps were shot Sunday.  We actually had a beautiful 55 degree sunny day and even though I hate direct sunlight in outfit photos it is hard to complain when the weather is too perfect for words.  

How was your weekend?