Favorite Friday Finds 38.0
Favorite Friday Finds 38.0

Before we get to a few personal updates and my Favorite Friday Finds, I cannot not mention the biggest thing happening today.

Today is... an interesting day in our nation and world's history. Without jumping in, I will say that more than ever, I firmly believe that we all rise together. I believe in individual accountability for a greater good. It is ALL of our responsibilities to love harder, empathize more fiercely, speak up louder, and fight like hell for what is just. Today, in a day that many are inclined to feel trepidation, disappointment, fear, I encourage you to actively love on one another because we are stronger and more capable together ❤️️

+ personal updates, and a super edition of Favorite Friday Finds...

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LifestyleMinna LeeFavorite Friday Finds
Roasted Cranberry Orange Maple Chicken
Roasted Cranberry Orange Maple Chicken

Now that the new year has begun and everyone is in full-fledged health mode, this is also the time to remember that sustainably healthy eating should be delicious, fulfilling, and convenient. 

Meal preparation doesn't have to be all about that tupperware or steamed chicken. Especially after your body is still likely used to the heartier eating over the holidays, it's more realistic to not go from full family dinners with no holds on the butter to steamed dry chicken and bland asparagus. Eventually, that will usually lead you to dive headfirst into something not so desirable for your health goals-- I think we've all been there! Enter this roasted cranberry orange maple chicken that keeps things healthy but is...

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RecipesMinna LeeGluten-Free, Main Meals
New Year, New Gear: Workout Inspiration
New Year, New Gear: Workout Inspiration

Everyone's new years in full swing?

I've talked before about how I don't believe in New Years resolutions (here's what I do instead), particularly when it comes to health and fitness, but what I am not at all opposed to is kicking the new year off with some cute new workout gear.

Admit it: there's nothing quite like having a new outfit or workout gear that helps get your butt back in the gym after some time slacking off.  And I think we all could use a little extra kick in the butt to...

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Well-BeingMinna LeeGift Guides, Physical Health
7 Hacks to Kickstart Your Health
7 Hacks to Kickstart Your Health

Before you start jumping down the rabbit hole of 0 to 60mph New Years resolutions, a juice cleanse/detox, or any type of “health reset” I want you to pause for a moment.

If you're in need of some bigger changes with your health that you've been scared or reluctant to start, ask yourself these 4 questions to help you roadmap your way to lasting success. But if you're generally pleased with where you are and just have a couple habits you'd like to improve upon or if you just want to start one little step at a time, I've got 8 easy hacks to kickstart your health.

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Well-BeingMinna LeeSelf-Improvement, Mental Health, Body, Physical Health
Reflections on 2016
Reflections on 2016

It's been one... something of a year.

2016 was something of a gargantuan cluster for most everyone around the world. When you list off all the happenings around the world in 2016, it's hard to believe all that chaos fit into 12 months. It really seemed like one massively disturbing or heartbreaking event after another. The trending memes about this year hit home all too well...

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LifestyleMinna LeePhotography
Happy Holidays + Favorite Friday Finds 37.0
Happy Holidays + Favorite Friday Finds 37.0

Happy Holidays, my dear readers!

Merry Christmas + Christmas Eve this weekend to those of you who celebrate, Happy start of Chanukah tomorrow to my Jewish friends, and simply wishing everyone a festive and loving time with whatever holidays they celebrate and rejoice in!

Firstly, THANK YOU to you all for your continued love and support this year. From always...

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LifestyleMinna LeeFavorite Friday Finds
Gift Guide for the Health-Conscious Foodie
Gift Guide for the Health-Conscious Foodie

We're really getting down the wire now with Christmas presents, with only 4 more days to go! 

I'm planning on swinging through the Union Square holiday market later today on the way home from client sessions, but I did some online shopping earlier today and wanted to share one last gift guide with you guys for last-minute gift ideas. 

This gift guide is for all your health-conscious food-loving friends- because let's face it, usually a love for the gym usually means love for the food too but we all want things that enable us to keep making healthier choices. This is a perfect complement to my gift guide for the fit foodie, kitchen gadgets edition.

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LifestyleMinna LeeGift Guides
Intentional Living
Intentional Living

Starting right now, this season, let's live intentionally instead of passively.

Don't let yourself get lazy and live out of habit rather than intent.

The life, connection, and deeper fulfillment we all desire doesn't just happen upon us.
It's a result of practicing intentional living, day by day.

Being intentional with...

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Well-BeingMinna LeeSelf-Improvement, Mind
Gift Guide: Gifts that Pamper and Relax
Gift Guide: Gifts that Pamper and Relax

6 days to go, and still in a crunch to find a thoughtful gift? I got you with this gift guide is pretty universal for everyone on your list. Why do I say that?

Relaxation and stress management are major priorities for optimal health. In our lives when it seems all too rare when we take time for self-care or to disconnect, it becomes all the more important that we make it happen. And there's nothing like a fun new gift to help encourage you to take those few extra minutes in your day to indulge in a little self-care and other activities that bring you happiness and calm. 

I've rounded up some unique and affordable gifts to help bring your loved one some calm and pampering to their day- so without further ado, here is my gift guide for gifts that pamper and relax! 

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LifestyleMinna LeeGift Guides, Beauty
12 Festive Holiday Recipes
12 Festive Holiday Recipes

Happy Friday, everyone! 

We are officially in the single-digit countdown to Christmas! And it is FRIGID outside in NYC today, oh boy. But I'm trying to embrace that "Hygge" feeling, regardless!

If work and life have been keeping you busy and unable to join in on holiday activities like holiday baking, I've got a perfect roundup of festive holiday recipes for you guys today to jump right in.

Many of these recipes are super easy and don't require much advance cooking or baking skills, so there's no intimidation factor here! Also most of these are gluten-free and vegan optional for those with dietary restrictions....

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RecipesMinna LeeCooking, Recipe Roundup
Why I Always Write Holiday Cards + Tips for Card Writing
Why I Always Write Holiday Cards + Tips for Card Writing

Every year, I always write handwritten holiday cards to my loved ones.

No matter how busy I am, I make sure to prioritize this one thing during the holiday season above all. I know, the holidays are so hectic and it feels like you're always crunched for time.
So why do I go through such effort?

Think about how nice it is to open your mailbox to get a handwritten note via snail mail these days. Nowadays, in the time of infinite texts, snapchats, and other fleeting technological communication, those things feel more disposable. A handwritten card is much more personal, thoughtful, and you physically have something pretty to keep on your desk to perk up your day...

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LifestyleMinna Lee
Gift Guide for the Fitness Fanatic
Gift Guide for the Fitness Fanatic

Hey Santa,

Gift Guide #3 (check out #1 and #2) is here, I've been really good this year, and this fitness chick wants everything on this list for some extra holiday cheer!

Okay, I promise, I'm done with rhyming for the rest of this post😂 I carefully narrowed down my ultimate favorites for this gift guide, compiling all my must-have gym accessories to help you get the perfect gift for your fitness-loving gym-rat loved one.

In addition to nicer items like the fitness tracker, compact hairdryer, and the best yoga mat in the industry, I've also included stocking-stuffers that you normally might not think to gift, like the pampering facial wipes, washable tote, or athletic socks. But trust me, these are things everyone is thankful to have in their gym bags after a good sweat session!

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LifestyleMinna LeeGift Guides, Physical Health
Favorite Friday Finds 36.0
Favorite Friday Finds 36.0

Happy Friday, everyone! We are heading at full speed 'til Christmas it seems!

Been busy gearing up for a lot of fun content coming your way for the rest of this month, and I'm thrilled to finally be getting my first weekend at home in over a month to catch up on some stuff. I'm also SO excited to get my new computer next week. That is the understatement of the century haha!

Here are the 7 things that inspired me, that I learned from, and that made me laugh/smile this week:  

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LifestyleMinna LeeFavorite Friday Finds
Where to Stay in Austin: Archer Hotel
Where to Stay in Austin: Archer Hotel

Austin, Texas is known for its great local food, music, art, design, and rapidly expanding city. It's become a destination city for fun weekend getaways and bachelor/bachelorette parties. After all, good food, entertainment, and fun things to explore all make for the perfect weekend getaway, no?

While I'll be sharing an entire Austin city guide with you guys soon, I wanted to share my experience at the Archer Austin first because it just surpassed my expectations on every level.

When looking for the best place to stay in Austin, I discovered that the Archer Austin had newly opened. The newest addition to the boutique hotel scene down in Austin, it is located...

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LifestyleMinna LeeTravel, Hotels
3 Tricks to Staying Healthy during the Holidays
3 Tricks to Staying Healthy during the Holidays

Staying healthy during the holidays. Haha. Ha. Hahaha. 

I know, it might seem like a faraway dream or false reality, but I promise you can actually enjoy yourselves during the holidays AND stay on track with your nutrition without choking down a kale salad while wistfully looking at people devouring holiday treats. All it takes is 3 simple tricks in order to stay healthy throughout the holiday season...

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Well-BeingMinna LeePhysical Health, Body
Gift Guide for the Jetsetter
Gift Guide for the Jetsetter

Hello gift guide #2 and basically my wishlist this year!

I've done a lot of traveling this year. Like, almost 30 flights this year, and that's not including roadtrips and train rides. Because of this, I've become super efficient at packing the perfect carry-on suitcase and my Lo & Sons weekender bag, along with learning just exactly the minimal items I need while traveling

Using this knowledge, I created a kickass gift guide for the jetsetting traveler in your life! All of...

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LifestyleMinna LeeGift Guides, Travel
Gift Guide for the Fit Foodie: Kitchen Gadgets
Gift Guide for the Fit Foodie: Kitchen Gadgets

Happy first day of December!

Because I have been traveling an insane amount which has = ZERO time in the kitchen, I'm bringing you something awesome to stand in for recipes at the present moment:  HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES.

Yes, I know, just what the world needs, more blogger gift guides. But I pride myself of my stellar gift-giving skills, because I'm darn good at sussing out what people actually use and appreciate. I'll have a bunch of holiday gift guides sprinkled into our usual content over the next few weeks that I really hope you guys find helpful when looking for the perfect gift of all price points. 

My gift guides will all revolve around the central themes of Living Minnaly here:
health, fitness, food, and travel. 

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LifestyleMinna LeeGift Guides
Weekend Guide to Beacon + Cold Spring
Weekend Guide to Beacon + Cold Spring

For all those New Yorkers looking for a quick weekend getaway, Beacon and Cold Spring have become the hotspot destinations in the Hudson Valley. Accessibility, nature, good food, and relaxing activities to do all have the makings of the types of weekend getaways that New Yorkers crave after hectic workweeks. 

Per my usual city guide format, I'll be dividing up these differing sections by where to stay, eat, and explore in both Beacon and Cold Spring for the perfect weekend getaway. But I have so many amazing pictures from this trip to share with you, but I'll be formatting this guide a little differently than usual, in the interest of efficiency!

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LifestyleMinna LeeCity Guides, Travel, Hotels