Your brain deserves the nutrients it needs to help you function at your peak. And that’s why I created this healthy smoothie recipe while I was on my 30-day challenge to improve my mental clarity and focus.
Thinking of buying a Tesla Model 3? If so, you’re probably like most consumers and typed “Tesla Model 3 review” into Google to see what others’ experiences have been.
Well, I’m glad you did, because you’ve come to the right place. But before I dive into specifics, let me just take a moment to say I LOVE my Tesla Model 3. Like love it.
So now here’s a little peek into my own buying journey.
I’ve driven the Tesla Model X plenty of times. Love the car. But $79,990? Ehhhh… that was more than I wanted to spend. So I looked at the Model 3—which came with a much more comfortable price tag. (The 2020 Model 3 is going for about $37,990 right now.)
I’m going to be honest with you, I didn’t test drive the Model 3 before I bought it. In true Millennial fashion, I just ordered it online and trusted the reviews I read about it. (Which is maybe what you’re doing now!)
I bought my Tesla during a promo period with my friend’s referral link. Turns out that was the right move because it gave me 5,000 free charging miles. Basically, that means the first 5,000 miles charged to my car at a Tesla SuperCharger Station were 100% free.
For the first 6 months of having my vehicle, I never once had to pay for charging. Wow, that felt good.
Now, when I charge my car at the SuperCharger, it typically takes 30-45 minutes and costs about $15. (Which, unless you have a really small car, is cheaper than a full tank of gas.)
When I ordered my Tesla online, I got:
But then I realized I didn’t actually need All-Wheel Drive. I mean, I don’t plan on going off-road like in those truck commercials. So I reached out to a Tesla store and asked them to change my order on the back-end to just be Rear-Wheel Drive. That simple change saved me $4,000!
I got my car in all white—white exterior and white interior.
Some may think I’m not a good fit for white seats since I’m a “Type B” girl (think of a creative person’s messy room), plus I have two kids. But I went for it all the same.
Lucky for me, my seats are super easy to keep clean. At the Tesla store, they recommended I keep Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to wipe anything away. I haven’t had any issues keeping the seats clean, even after coffee spills.
After ordering, it took about 4.5 weeks for my Tesla to come in—that means from the time I placed the order to the day I was able to pick it up.
In all honesty, I feel extremely safe riding in the Tesla Model 3. There have been a couple of times where the Tesla felt me go left-to-center or didn’t think I would brake in time and the car takes over and either swerves me back to safety or brakes for me. Pretty cool.
It does take a moment, though, to get used to charging your car instead of stopping at a gas station.
I’ve talked to people who have used other electric cars, and they’ve told me it’s much more inconvenient because you cannot “supercharge” your car.
Charging a non-Tesla vehicle can take 12+ hours. (I can see your eyes widening now…) And even when I plug my car into a non-Tesla charger, it usually estimates 12-14 hours to a full charge.
SuperChargers don’t take nearly as long, though. So if I’m going to do a full charge at one of those, I usually to do it while I go shopping at Target.
This is why I ended up ordering Long Range, which gives me a 320-mile range. I don’t mind charging my car, but since it does take 30 to 45 minutes at a SuperCharger, I would prefer to do it as little as possible.
I road-tripped from Orange County to Vegas in my Tesla, and it was a great experience—not nearly as annoying as I thought it would be.
When you type an address into your Tesla screen, it creates a route for you that has charging stations along the way. It’s neat because the GPS route has you stop at the stations for about 10-15 minutes… just as you might on a normal road trip when you stop at a gas station to fill up and use the restroom.
This was nice, but when I stopped to charge, I just ended up letting my car charge fully up so I could make fewer stops. There were plenty of charges along the way, so I wasn’t concerned.
Plus, the Tesla makes road trips so much better with its incredible sound system!
So … planning to build and order your Tesla online? Use my link and get 1,000 free Charge Miles!
If you purchase your Tesla at a Tesla store, you can still give them my code, “ashley45109,” to get your 1,000 free miles.
Did this Tesla Model 3 review convince you to buy? Let me know in the comments!
Looking for a healthy Chipotle bowl that’s so good you’ll have to order it every time? Gotcha covered.
But first, I think we can all agree on one thing … Chipotle is the f*cken best. When you’re trying to maintain a somewhat clean-eating lifestyle, eating out is tough. And yet it’s even tougher NOT to eat out at all.
But Chipotle makes the decision easy for you. Their pigs roam free and they grow their veggies in healthy soil. Food is fresh and prepped in each location—not offsite, then shipped in.
I know when I’m trying to keep a strict Whole30 diet, I really look forward to treating myself to Chipotle.
[Side note: I understand that Whole30 is a 30-day program, which I may do one or twice a year, but I apply its concepts in everyday life. I have many days within a month where I still follow what would be considered Whole30-approved meals. Because it makes me feel good.]So anyways … Chipotle recently released a Lifestyle menu that’s awesome. They had nutritionists and athletes team up to create meal options that follow whatever kind of diet you want to eat.
You can choose from:
For my Whole30 friends, the Chipotle chicken and carnitas are considered Whole30-approved. The fajita veggies are now approved too. In the past, the fajita veggies and the chicken were not approved because of the type of oil they were cooked in. Thankfully, that’s changed.
The three salsas are all Whole30-approved, but the corn mix is NOT. Sadly, neither is the honey vinaigrette—which is a bummer because it’s my jam!
[Hey real quick—if you’re looking for snacks that are perfect for your Whole30 journey, check out this blog post!]Currently, Chipotle is offering these featured bowls:
Cody Rigsby Salad (Cycling Instructor)
Chris Brickley Bowl (Pro Basketball Trainer)
Dr. Mark Hyman Salad (Nutrition Expert)
Tia-Clair Toomey Bowl (Fitness Athlete)
Mat Fraser Bowl (Fitness Athlete)
Ashley Cline (Girl Who Loves to Eat)
Obviously, all the bowls I listed above are incredible—but I personally think my healthy Chipotle bowl is the best. (No bias there, of course.)
Also, here’s a Chipotle-eater’s pro tip: Use their nutrition calculator to get an idea of what exactly you’re putting in your body. This thing will seriously help you make healthier choices when standing in line.
OK, your turn … What are some healthy options you love to get at Chipotle? Share in the comments below and let me know.
If you’re looking to improve your mental clarity and focus, you should consider creating a healthy bedtime routine. Here’s mine.
Need to learn how to get mental clarity and focus? Try this 30-day challenge I underwent. I found greater focus and clarity to tackle my day by changing my morning routine!
Discover the absolute best places to eat in Las Vegas and which restaurants you should avoid.
I’ve been taking turmeric regularly for a while now, and let me tell you—it’s one of my favorite health secrets as a business owner. Turmeric health benefits go far beyond aiding your digestion. It can improve your immune system, your skin, your heart, and so much more.
The first time I tried cryotherapy, I was more curious than anything. But once I learned of the many cryotherapy benefits, I was practically addicted.
First, in case you don’t know what cryotherapy is… it’s the process of using freezing temperatures to help your body heal, according to Medical News Today.
Basically, you go into a chamber full of nitrogen mist for about 3 minutes. This brings your skin’s external temperature down to about 32 degrees F.
It’s not as scary as it sounds, I promise. Well, maybe if you hate the cold, it is.
I tried cryotherapy for the first time at Polar Cryotherapy in Costa Mesa, California.
Before my 3-minute session, I signed some legal paperwork and then was given a robe and socks that went up to my knees. (Dr. Alan Christianson told me that men usually don’t need socks because their legs are hairier.)
When I went in the chamber, I took off my robe, leaving me in my bra and underwear. The chamber covered everything but my head, but the doctor said I could stick my head underneath if I held my breath.
All in all, I loved the experience. I felt so fresh and invigorated after the session was over!
I had experienced amazing benefits of using a hot sauna for muscle therapy, so I was intrigued to see how cryotherapy would be different.
I initially wanted to try it because I had heard so many elite athletes say cryotherapy helps their muscles recover more quickly. Even celebrities use it, including Will Smith, who swears it’s a better alternative to icing after workouts.
And it’s no wonder it’s growing in popularity. Cryotherapy benefits range from improving your mood to clearing up your skin to even increasing your libido.
Here’s what the experts say:
It’s no secret that ice is a great way to help muscles recover after an injury or after an intense workout. But Medical News Today reports that cryotherapy can even help with pain associated with arthritis.
A 2000 study revealed several patients found temporary relief from their rheumatoid arthritis while having regular cryotherapy sessions.
Healthline writes that it can even help with migraine pain and nerve irritation.
I remember how good I felt when I got out of that cryotherapy chamber.
And apparently I’m not the only one. A study from 2008 reveals that a group of patients struggling with depression or anxiety found temporary mental relief while regularly using cryotherapy.
Speaking of mental health, another study suggests that cryotherapy’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists need to do more research on this, of course.
Some people have experienced short-term healing for their skin issues like eczema, atopic dermatitis, and even acne by using cryotherapy.
Experts believe this is, again, because cryotherapy can help reduce inflammation and produce antioxidants in the blood.
Many claim cryotherapy has helped them lose weight. This could be for a variety of reasons, of course. People may be more eager to work out since their muscles are healing more quickly or their moods are improving.
One small study showed no weight difference after 10 cryotherapy sessions. But those who do find it helps them lose weight swear by it.
Polar Cryotherapy (where I went for my first session) says regular sessions can reduce the appearance of cellulite. If you’re over 35, don’t tell me you don’t care about that…
By reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and relieving pain from the operation itself, HydraLive Therapy writes that cryotherapy can improve post-surgery recovery.
It also helps tendons heal, improves flexibility, and increases blood circulation.
Some say cryotherapy can even help you look younger.
Regular sessions can increase the collagen in your skin (preventing wrinkles and healing scars), help cells regenerate, detoxify your skin, and reduce fat deposits in your cheeks.
Basically, your skin will look healthier, tighter and brighter.
Not gonna lie, I’m definitely all about more beautiful skin, hair and nails as well as overall improved health.
That’s why I do regular cryotherapy sessions now. During my first session, I asked the doctor how often I should do it. He told me to start off the first week with three sessions—then go down to once or twice a month.
Struggling with low energy? That’s definitely a business killer, my friend. If you plan to try Whole30 to fix that problem, you’ll want to make sure you have my favorite Whole30 snacks on hand.
Believe me.
I still remember that sunny California morning when I was business planning for the year ahead. I was having the time of my life until I realized—Oh crap. How am I supposed to accomplish all this??
I had a burning fire inside me to reach every goal in my planner, but I was all too aware that my low energy levels would be a major obstacle.
The last time I had tried to fix my low energy, I tried Whole30—and threw in the towel just 11 days later. (Curse you, Costco samples…)
During that first attempt, my goals were a bit wishy-washy. I just wanted to be healthier and honestly lose those last few (or 15) pounds from my pregnancy years ago.
But that sunny California morning, I made a decision to try Whole30 again. And this time, I had two end goals: 1) to get my body performing at its best and 2) to make a commitment to just myself—and to keep it.
The first time I tried Whole30, I did a lot of things wrong. And yes, I mean a lot. Like I would look at photos of enticing food on Instagram or I wouldn’t meal plan enough or I wouldn’t stock up on Whole30 snacks… so when my cravings kicked in, my resilience tapped out.
This time, though, I made sure I gathered all the right Whole30 snacks. This was a huge game-changer for me.
I filled my pantry with Epic bars, bulletproof coffee, La Croix, and plenty more. (Keep reading till the end of this article to get my full list of top Whole30 snacks.)
Not only did having my favorite Whole30 snacks help curb my cravings, but they also kept my energy high when it would’ve been crashing.
I also purchased a spiralizer, which made a huge difference. (Hint—don’t get a handheld one, for the love of all that is good. You’ll just cut your hands on the blades that keep breaking. Here’s a quality one for under $30.)
Now for the good stuff. Here’s how my fresh attempt at Whole30 went:
I spent the entire weekend before starting Whole30 in the kitchen prepping enough meals for me and both the kids to eat all week long. It was exhausting, but I was excited to know I was doing something good for my kids and myself.
I’ll be honest… I did experience headaches all week.
The headaches weren’t too intense, though. I was able to push through them and continue working without any problems—it was really just more of a nuisance than anything.
For the most part, week one wasn’t so bad. And in fact, I felt empowered by my choice to eat healthily.
TIP: One thing I did that I think made a huge difference, especially during the tough days, was writing down every morning what day of Whole30 it was and why I was doing it. I also wrote down a mantra about nourishing my body.
I’m not going to lie, week two was the most difficult for me. I quickly remembered why I had quit on day 11 of my first attempt. The cravings were bad.
I probably spent a few hours during that week looking at photos of food on Instagram that I planned to eat once I finished Whole 30.
But you know what…I lived. I made it through the whole week and stayed Whole30 strong. Reaching day 12, though, was a nice milestone for me.
I also became extremely irritable during this week. Hey, I’m just being honest with you.
I was officially over meal prepping as I crawled into week three of Whole30.
It was fun and empowering for a while, but now my meals went from fancy spiralized veggies noodles with slow-roasted carnitas to boiled chicken on top of spinach.
I ate a lot of Whole30 snacks this week, too. I know I shouldn’t have relied on snacking, but I was so over food. I was over every type of meat and every type of veggie.
I was bored with my food, but mostly because I was not in the mood to meal prep. Bad idea.
If I wasn’t as strongly committed as I was—I would have ended up quitting this week. Setting yourself up to win with proper meal prep is so important.
That said, reaching the halfway point was a fun little victory. You’ve got to celebrate what you can.
I made it! My last week of Whole30. I wondered what my life would be like when I finished. I knew I wanted to keep up this lifestyle. By the last week, I was feeling good. Real good.
I had loads of natural energy. You would have thought I was hyped up on Red Bull!
The last couple days were tough, though. I knew they would be from reading other Whole30ers’ posts.
During these last few days, you start negotiating with yourself that 28 days is just as good as 30. But it’s not. At this point, I was more excited about keeping a promise to myself for 30 whole days and I was set on keeping it.
I celebrated my last night with a fancy Whole30 spaghetti recipe.
Let me just tell you… it was worth the struggle.
I was able to change my relationship with food. And even now, I’m much more conscious of the groceries I purchase.
The biggest asset I learned is how to read labels. It’s amazing the ingredients found in our everyday foods.
And as if that weren’t enough, I felt amazing. I still do a strict Whole30 each year, and even when I’m not on it, I follow many Whole30 principles day-to-day.
Now, as I promised… my top Whole30 snacks that kept me going during the tough times:
Not all of these are Whole30 compliant, so read the ingredients and steer clear if there is an added sweetener, such as honey.
This isn’t really a snack, but it can bring little foods to life and turn veggies into a snack!
Oh my word, this helped me so much in curbing any alcohol cravings.
Model Meals are always perfect to have on hand when I cannot commit to cooking. Again, this isn’t a snack per se, but it’s still vital if you want to stay on track.
What other beef sticks can boast having 100% grass-fed beef? These were a life-saver when I was tempted to eat non-Whole30 foods.
Coffee, hot cacao, chai lattés… FourSigmatic drink mixes ke’t me sane during Whole30.
This almond butter goes great drizzled on an apple with dried coconut flakes.
Another coffee must-have. Basically, all it takes is coffee, brain octane oil, and grass-fed ghee.
Now, I’m not saying I would eat spoonfuls of the stuff, but I definitely use it a lot when sautéing vegetables. I pretty much cooked all my food in coconut oil, actually.
And there you have it! My top Whole30 snacks that I cannot do without.
Are you ready to start your Whole30 journey? What other snacks will you stock your pantry with to get you through it? Tell me in the comments below!
