Welcome to my June monthly favorites, where I will bombard you with all the things I’ve been totally head over heels for this past month.
(Also how crazy is it that June is basically over? Like WHAT?)
I love these kinds of posts because oftentimes, I find out about some product/place/thing that sounds awesome and that I’d never heard about before, and then I unexpectedly fall in love with it.
So let’s jump right in!
FOR YOUR EYES
1. A Dog’s Purpose (novel)
This was my most recent read, and guys, I am obsessed! If you have a dog, or are a dog lover, you NEED to get this book.
Fun fact about me: I never, ever cry at books. I cry at movies all the time, but with books I’m usually a stone cold ice queen.
This book? My mom came running into my room the other night because I was SOBBING, literally tears streaming down my face, and gasping for breath. It was quite the scene, and you should’ve seen my mom’s face when she realized I was crying at a book.
This book. MAN. It made me look at my dog Minnie totally differently, and it just gave me totally new insight into the world of dogs, who are really just fascinating creatures.
2. A Time Traveler’s Wife (novel)
Totally didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. I don’t usually read books that are pulp fiction-y, where you forget everything you just read about as soon as you finish. To be honest, I expected this book to be like that, but I was still drawn to it when I read the back cover because it promised a romantic story tinged with fantasy.
It totally exceeded my expectations. I would not at all group it into pulp fiction because I felt it was very well-written and had a purpose. It talked about super unrealistic, fantastical things in such a matter-of-fact way that it all seemed very plausible.
It was definitely thought-provoking, emotion-evoking, and even got a few laughs out of me. Trust me, you want to read this book.
(Even one of my guy friends, who is very particular about his books, loved this so if that ain’t enough incentive, I don’t know what is.)
3. This post from Hummusapien
I’m gonna keep mentioning this blog on here because it is, and always will be, one of my absolute favorites. Not only is Alexis a boss in the kitchen, and in business, but she also writes incredibly insightful posts about life and finding freedom from disordered eating mentality.
This post resonated with me so much, and if you ever struggle with any food restriction thoughts or behaviors, I urge you to read it. It’s raw, heartfelt, and totally vulnerable. I love the direction she is currently pushing her blog in, and I urge you to read some of the other posts she recently came out with on the topic.
4. Jen Brett Youtube channel
Guys, this girl is such an inspiration! Not only is she hilarious and totally weird in the best way, but she is also a total warrior who has dealt with anxiety, depression, and anorexia and now helps others who’ve been in her shoes through her YouTube channel. She’s a total breath of fresh air, very very authentic, and her full day of eating videos are always super entertaining to watch. Check her out!
5. Sarah’s Day YouTube channel
An Australian healthy living queen! I love Sarah because she is a total fitness badass and has abs of steel, but she’s also so frickin’ relatable. Like she talks about how she’s a total grub because her idea of a shower after the gym is spraying perfume all over herself, and she is the first to admit that she spends the majority of her day on the couch or on the bed editing videos and not working out all the time. Her channel is becoming pretty huge and for good reason.
She also has awesome Full Day of Eating posts with lots of easy recipes, and she talks about her battles with hormonal acne and gluten intolerance, so if that’s up your alley, go watch!
FOR YOUR EARS
1. Taylor Swift
Yep, I wholeheartedly admit, I’m a total Swiftie. I even went to her concert 2 years ago, and it was one of my favorite experiences. However, I sort of go through phases, where I listen to her all the time, and then don’t really feel like her music for months on end. Currently I am definitely in the obsessed phase.
She’s just so relatable, and all her songs about love just make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Even though I’m single as a Pringle, it’s really nice to just imagine all these love stories unfurling in my head to Taylor’s soundtrack.
You officially think I’m weird now, right? 😉
2. That’s So Maven podcast
I am super into podcasts lately, and this is the one that kicked off my obsession. It’s hosted by Davida from The Healthy Maven, so of course I had to check it out.
She brings on amazing guests, and the conversations she has with them are always very thought-provoking. I learn something totally new every time, whether about a new skincare product, or about a business tactic, or about a way of eating.
I love listening to this as I take my long walks through NYC because it leaves me inspired and relaxed, and I’m always super excited for new episodes.
3. Sheroic podcast
A very new podcast, hosted by none other than my ultimate role model Cassey Ho from Blogilates, as well as the co-founder of Quest Nutrition, Lisa Bilyeu (guys, this girl’s biceps are ON POINT!).
They are a very new podcast, so there are only four episodes for now, but they are regularly going to be coming out with more. I binge-listened to all of them while on my commute to and from work and also while doing chores around the house.
These two ladies are such inspirations. They’re both so successful, but also humble, and the way they talk about their lives is just so relatable and approachable if that makes sense.
Personally, I’ve been obsessed with Cassey for almost 4 years, ever since I started doing her workouts on YouTube, so this inside view into her mind and life behind the scenes is totally fascinating to me.
The focus of the podcast is on being a she-hero (get it, SHE-roic?). It talks about ways to build your confidence and what it takes to be a successful woman even when all the odds are against you, or no one believes you can do it. I find it very inspiring and uplifting, and the hosts are very fun to listen to.
FOR YOUR BODY
1. Blogilates
Can’t even choose one particular workout because everything Cassey comes out with is amazing. I especially love her ab workouts, because they BURN, and lately I fell back in love with her cardio workouts.
I mentioned that I had a minor back injury for a couple weeks, so I didn’t want to do anything too crazy intense. Her cardio workouts are short and sweet, and a lot of them are dance-related or low-impact. Most of them don’t leave you heaving on the floor, but they do make your heart race, and often that’s exactly what I need for a quick endorphin boost.
She’s super upbeat, strong, and positive, and her workouts always leave me in an awesome mood.
2. Fitness Blender
LOVE THESE TWO. They’re a husband and wife team, who built a Youtube empire. They focus on home workouts with minimal equipment so that you can get fit without ever stepping foot in a gym.
I especially love their high intensity interval training workouts (they’re TOUGH), as well as their strength training workouts, which do require dumbbells.
They’re awesome for when I really want to push myself, and Daniel and Kelli are super motivating and fun to work out with.
FOR YOUR MOUTH
1. Peanut butter zucchini brownies from The Hummusapien
I know I already shared these, but yes, they were one of my favorite things I put in my mouth this month. MAKE THEM.
2. Coconut aminos
I was skeptical about this for a while, but I finally decided to try it after everyone in the health/wellness community was raving about it.
Totally did not disappoint! I’ve had it as a salad dressing but also as a stirfry sauce in my paleo fried rice, and it was bomb in both. I got mine from Trader Joe’s!
3. Cauliflower rice
Another thing that it took me a while to try. I’d been hearing about it for a while and wanted to try it for so long, but for some reason I never actually bought it. I guess I just never really knew what to do with it or how to prepare it, and I wasn’t sure how to make a filling meal with it.
After I made my fantastic dinner with it, which both filled my belly up and made my soul happy, I decided I’m a total convert. Cauliflower rice, you are a babe.
4. By Chloe NYC
This amazing vegan restaurant totally took NYC by storm and transformed the vegan food game. It makes non-vegan people question their identity because you seriously cannot tell that the food you’re eating is made without any animal products.
It’s honestly just delicious, not for vegan food, but for food in general.
I’ve been here many many times, but this month I went twice so I got to try a couple new things. My favorites will always be the Quinoa Taco Salad and the Guac Burger, though. Oh, and their vegan sweets are not to be missed! (The gluten free chocolate chip cookie and blueberry matcha muffin are both out of this world!)
If you’re ever in NYC, put it on your list! (They also have locations in Boston, LA, and soon Providence!)
5. Two Hands NYC
One of my absolute favorite breakfast/brunch spots in NYC. This place is Australian, and those dudes sure know how to brunch. Avocado toast, acai bowls, banana bread, and amazing coffee. It also has a really cool, nautical vibe and awesome ambience. Oh and the food is totes Instagrammable. 😉
I literally always order the acai bowl, but I’ve also had the banana bread which was absolutely delicious. Oh and their cold brew with almond milk is out of this world.
6. The best granola on the frickin’ planet
Guys, you all need to try this granola. I know I’m including it in this monthly faves post, but to be perfectly honest, I’ve been obsessed with it for over a year now. I go through phases of cutting myself off for a while and then saying screw it and buying bags upon bags every week.
Now normally I don’t cut myself off from any kind of food, especially not something that I really like and that really isn’t too unhealthy (it has really good nutritional stats!), but guys, it’s seriously a problem. I can’t stop with this granola.
Today I was just standing in front of the cabinet shoveling handfuls into my mouth, unabashedly dropping crumbs everywhere and licking my fingers.
This granola turns me into an ANIMAL. But it’s also absolutely delicious, and I urge you to try it. Like now.
You’ll hate me, but also kinda love me. 😉
That’s it for this monthly faves post!
In the next ones, I definitely want to include a skincare section, since that is a BIG part of my life. However I am currently in the midst of switching products and trying some new things, so I want to update you guys when enough time has passed for me to make a decision on whether I like them or not.
We’ll see if they make it into next month’s favorites!
Let me know if you check out anything from this list, and hope you’re ready to make July super fly (oh god, I’sorry, I won’t do it again).
Xoxo,
Nicole
Are you a fan of anything on this list? Anything you’d never heard about but want to try?
Leave me a comment below!
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