Muffins + energy bites — the best of both worlds. If you love muffins for breakfast as much as we do, try these energy bites!

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup Almonds
• 3/4 cup Dried Blueberries
• 3/4 cup Dates
• 1/4 cup Old Fashioned Oats
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
• Juice from 1 Lemon

*If you are using a blender as opposed to a food processor, you may need to add a splash of Almond Milk to assist with blending!

DIRECTIONS 

1] Combine all ingredients in blender//food processor.
2] Blend until all ingredients are combined + a “dough” is formed — you might need to pause blending + use a spatula//spoon to pack the ingredients towards the bottom.
3] Add mixture to a bowl + roll spoonfuls into bites.
4] Store in the refrigerator + enjoy for up to 5 days!

While many girls join CHAARG for similar reason [find the fun in fitness, learn a workout routine, develop healthier habits, + become a part of a community], their journey stories are all unique + empowering.

This Q + A post features Antonia’s #ChangedByCHAARG story + more about her journey!

Meet Antonia Wuschner

University:

University of Michigan — join #MichCHAARG here!

Major:

Undergrad = nuclear engineering. In grad school, I am working on a PhD in Medical Physics!

One Word To Describe You:

Resilient

Reason I Joined CHAARG:

To re-ignite my passion for fitness ++ learn what being healthy meant to me after leaving the rowing team at Michigan.

Favorite CHAARG Memory:

#CHAARGBootycamp 2017 – While every FitPlan is full of inspiration, I remember doing this one while training for my first marathon ++ receiving so much support + motivation from the CHAARG community.

#inCHAARG Instagram Crush:

@hdiman_inchaarg

Philosophy On Wellness:

Wellness is a very broad topic + means something different for everyone.  The important thing is to find what works for you + your body to make you feel the strongest + happiest you can be.

Favorite Self-Care Practice:

Getting a matcha latte or nice coffee + going for a long walk.

2019 Intention:

Balance: Grad school is a lot different than undergrad ++ I’m still learning how to change my flows to incorporate everything I need to get done for both my success in my program as well as my personal wellbeing.

Ideal Morning Routine:

Love starting my days with a workout [currently on a major 5:45 am CycleBar kick] then going home + having a great breakfast ++ coffee while watching a show on Netflix to ease into the day.

Book Every CHAARG Girl Should Read:

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Greatest Lesson On College:

You are where you are for a reason + it’s ok to ask for help.  There will be times where you face challenges – in classes/relationships/life/ — you name it.  You’ll overcome those challenges by taking advantage of your opportunities ++ using your resources.  Find yourself a community that inspires you + don’t be afraid to reach out to them for support if you need them.  As long as you love what you’re doing + trying your best you are doing enough + you’re right where you should be.

Advice To Your Freshman Self:

Be present!  Stay true to your goals + have plans for the future in eyesight, but be open to other paths//opportunities that may present themselves ++ don’t be afraid to modify those plans if you find something you love.

Being #inCHAARG To Me Means:

Always pushing yourself to reach new goals, but appreciating the journey to reach them ++ understanding that wherever you are you are enough.

How have you been Changed By CHAARG?

Before CHAARG, fitness to me was only contained in my sport.  I joined CHAARG after leaving that sport ++ was lost.  Without my sport I questioned who I was ++ what fitness//being healthy would mean to me.   CHAARG taught me what fitness ++ being healthy means (++ more importantly what it doesn’t mean) to me.

It has taught me to embrace my imperfections + turn them into goals for self-development, ++ most importantly, it has taught me to love myself + respect where I’m at in my journey towards achieving my goals, ++ not shame myself for where I’m not – in all aspects of life.  Because of CHAARG I now have the courage to embrace new adventures ++ the confidence to pursue goals that scare me.  While I will always be a work in progress, I can now embrace the present ++ be proud of where I am, but at the same time always work to become my best self.

Learn more about your CHAARG Chapter here + grab your membership here! <3

March is Women’s History Month, so we are taking the chance to celebrate all the incredible women who made history by breaking records in sports, founding products // companies we still know + use today, ++ challenged the norms to show women the strength that lies within them.

Kate Brumbach // Athlete

Born in the late 1800s, Kate Brumbach’s physical features made her stand out in a crowd + led to her greatness. Although her physical features went directly against the definition of “attractive” at the time [she was over six feet tall], she was loved by many for embracing her strength. Women weren’t supposed to be muscular + fit at the time[guides even warned women about the dangers of too much exercise!]. To top it off, her big break came when she challenged men to a lifting competition in New York City + won by lifting 300 pounds over her head with one hand.

Margaret Abbott // Olympian

Only 22 of the 997 competitors in the 1900 Paris Olympics were women — one of those women was Margaret Abbott. This was the first time women were allowed to compete in the Olympics + Abbott became the first American woman to win an Olympic event — in a male-dominated sport too! She won the women’s golf tournament, an event that was not seen again at the Olympics until 2016 in Rio. The games were so poorly organized in 1900 that Abbott did not even know that she was competing in an Olympic event. She herself never even knew she had was an Olympian, as it was not figured out until after her death by a researcher that the tournament was in fact an Olympic event.

Kathrine Switzer // Marathon Athlete

CHAARG girls really know how to #runCHAARG — but running wasn’t always an acceptable outlet for female athletes. In 1967, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially run + enter a marathon. Since women were not allowed to compete in the Boston Marathon, Switzer hid her gender by changing her name. When officials realized a woman was running, she was chased down, but her boyfriend knocked the official off the course. In the end, Switzer made it to the finish line + lobbied for the women’s marathon to be an official event in the Olympic Games. Talk about a #GirlBoss!

Lisa Lindahl // Inventor

Can you imagine working out without your go-to sports bras? Well, before 1977 that was the reality for female athletes. Lisa Lindahl invented the sports bra after getting into the habit of jogging. Her “jogbra” became what we know as the sports bra + has been recreated by hundreds of brands + worn by the millions. Next time you put on your favorite one — you’ll know who to thank ; )

Jane Fonda // Actress + Fitness Guru

You’ve probably seen the workout videos + probably dressed up in a leotard ++ tights for Halloween. Jane Fonda pioneered the workout video craze in the 80’s and 90’s, which quickly became the highest selling video of all time. Without Jane Fonda, working out from the comfort of your home might not be a thing!

Elizabeth Cutler + Julie Rice // Entrepreneurs

Although you might not know them by name, you sure know their creation + the revolution it launched — SoulCycle. This fierce duo set out to “find a fitness routine that didn’t feel like work” + SoulCycle was born in 2006. By reinventing spin classes, the brand led to the creation of many of the studios we now know + love [+ get to workout at each week at Weekly Workouts!]

What women in fitness history inspire you the most? Who knows, maybe a CHAARG girl will make fitness history before we know it ; )

I’ve struggled with acne as long as I can remember — when my first pimple popped up on my face as early as fourth grade, I distinctly remember my mom teaching me how to use Stridex cleansing pads + informing me that I needed to wash my face twice a day. Oh, if only the battle against acne was as easy as this simple advice!

After my first couple of breakouts as a kid, my small breakouts quickly transitioned into painful, cystic acne in my teen years. I remember some days not even wanting to leave my house because I was so embarrassed by my skin — I constantly masked my imperfections with makeup + fake confidence. Throughout the years, I’ve tried almost every type of topical on the market [prescription + non-prescription], birth control for hormonal acne, + not one, but TWO rounds of Accutane.

I decided Accutane was the best option for me when I recognized that the insecurity surrounding my acne taking over my life — every interaction with myself + others was consumed by thoughts surrounding my acne.

WHAT IS ACCUTANE

Accutane, also known as Isotretinoin, is a retinoid drug that decreases sebum [oil] production in the body. It is typically seen as a last-resort option for patients with severe cystic acne + only used after all other methods of treatment have failed. The pill, which ranges in dosage dependant on height + weight, is taken twice a day for 5-6 months. The most common symptom is dryness of the skin + lips, which typically shows up around a month after treatment has begun. Female patients are heavily monitored on this drug, due to its extreme likelihood for causing intense birth defects. Female patients must go through a program called iPledge, which requires two forms of birth control, a monthly pregnancy test, + monthly comprehension questions. Labs are also drawn monthly to measure liver function + lipid levels.

MY EXPERIENCE

I started my first round of Accutane the summer after my senior year of high school. I remember hoping that it would cure my acne forever — PLOT TWIST, it didn’t, + my acne actually got a lot worse before it started to get better. The dryness that I experienced was the worst — no matter how much lotion//coconut oil I would slather on my face, my skin continued to flake. Another caveat to Accutane is that your skin actually becomes thinner while on the medication, so it’s super sensitive + susceptible to sunburn — there were a lot of jokes made about my SPF100 sunscreen that summer! The five months of dryness + sunburn were incredibly worth it when my skin looked the best that it ever had… until the acne started to come back.

About 80% of patients remain acne-free after one course of the treatment, so of course I was in the 20% that experiences relapse. Although my cystic acne wasn’t back, I was still breaking out in hormonal regions [my chin + around my mouth], so I went back to my dermatologist to see what my options were — more topicals, antibiotics, or another round of Accutane. *sigh.* I decided to give Accutane another chance.

My second round of Accutane was a completely different experience than my first. Although I was still experiencing dryness, I found better ways to manage it by using facial oils instead of water-based products. This made a worlds of a difference — check out my dry skin tips here! Even though I was managing the dry skin on my face pretty well, I had dry patches all over my body this time — my ankles, elbows, + even my butt. My second treatment of Accutane stretched over the months of August-December instead of the summer, so I attribute some of my extra dryness on my body to the transition to winter here in Indiana.

TIPS FOR THOSE ON ACCUTANE

My biggest tips for anyone thinking about taking Accutane [or if you’re already taking it!] include —

• Hydrate your skin + cleanse with oils vs. water-based cleansers + moisturizers! They’ll lock in a lot more moisture + they’re more natural, depending on the brand [I love Cocokind!].
• Use sunscreen! Everyday! It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of winter where you live — protect your skin.
• Find a lip balm you love + have 3 or 4 tubes stashed in different places — your backpack, your purse, your car, your bedside table. You’ll need it! Here are some of our faves.
• Stay in tune with your body + your symptoms. Dry skin is the biggest symptoms [with more than 1/10 people experiencing it on Accutane], but other common symptoms include chapped lips, dry nose, + joint pain. This is an intense drug — if it’s affecting you too much physically or mentally, it’s okay to recognize that what might work for someone else might not work for you.
• If you feel symptoms that don’t feel right, trust your body + consult your doc. Headaches, dizziness + blurred vision are a sign that something more serious could be happening.

A part of me wishes that I would’ve learned how to love myself + my skin enough to accept my acne, but I’m getting there. My skin still isn’t perfect by any means — I still struggle with scarring, redness, + hyperpigmentation, but I’m taking steps everyday to accept these imperfections that make me who I am. I hope that you’ll take steps to accept + love every piece of who you are — even your acne — every single day.

While acne is often viewed as simply a cosmetic issue, it is also an internal health + mental health issue. It’s important to treat our bodies with the respect they deserve, while loving them unconditionally in the process.

Questions or concerns? Contact your doctor or dermatologist! Have an experience with Accutane or learning to love or accept your skin? Share with us on Instagram using #inCHAARG!

We hear them every day. Two words — I’m sorry. They’ve become so natural, they just slip out sometimes without a real reason behind them. They’ve become an automatic response + in many instances, we apologize for things we don’t need to. We wanted to learn why + how we can limit how much we apologize.

WHY WE APOLOGIZE

Growing up we learned that the societal rule when you do something wrong, is to say “I’m sorry.” Apologizing has many benefits like encouraging forgiveness, showing empathy, repairing relationships + more. However, those two simple words can easily carry a new meaning when said too often.

There is a plethora of research regarding apologizing + a lot of people have different stances — it’s beneficial, refusing to is a power move, etc. Most of the research is decisive in one thing, over-apologizing can be negative. So why do we do it?

The need to apologize can stem from many different things. Two articles, from NBC + Psychology Today, found women may over-apologize if they possess an incessant feeling to please everyone, a fear or anxiety toward being viewed unfavorably by others, or nerves toward possibly offending others. Generally, frequently saying sorry isn’t detrimental to your day-to-day life, but it can have a professional impact.

In an article published by Muse, Angeline Evans discusses how constantly apologizing at work can be harmful professionally. She claims, “apologizing unnecessarily can actually undercut your professionalism by introducing doubt and diminishing others’ confidence in you.” At work, one of the last things we want to do is make people doubt our abilities + lose confidence in us. So it’s important to know when it’s appropriate + not appropriate to say sorry.

Unfortunately, breaking a habit isn’t easy, especially one you developed when you were young. But don’t fear, we have you covered with a few ways to limit how much you apologize!

LIMITING APOLOGIES

Two months ago, I encountered this awesome article + it completely changed my perspective toward apologies. Saying I’m sorry expresses regret for an action but saying thank you can completely change the game. When we say thank you, we express gratitude + appreciation for actions taken by others. This replacement swaps feelings of guilt + doubt for empowerment [which you know we love]!

Here are a few examples of how to do this —

• If you feel you have dominated a conversation, instead of apologizing say “thank you
  for listening.”
• If you run late to a meetup with a friend, say “thank you for waiting.”

It may seem like a small change, but it makes a big difference. We highly recommend trying it out + hopefully you love it as much as we do : )

Additionally, we can practice mindfulness when it comes to the things we apologize for. Not everything warrants an apology.

5 things we should stop saying I’m sorry for

1] Things out of our control. If your friend is having a bad day or someone bumps into you, you didn’t cause it, so you shouldn’t take blame for it. Instead, express sympathy by saying “I feel for you.” If you were bumped into, accept the other person’s apology because you weren’t in the wrong.

2] Being ourselves. We are all different. Some of us are louder, quirkier, more emotional, etc. than others. It’s a simple fact + you shouldn’t apologize for it. No one should make you feel like you need to say sorry for being yourself.

3] Asking questions. There’s no need to start a question with I’m sorry. If you need clarification or find yourself confused about a topic, there’s no shame in asking for help.

4] Our appearance. Every day is different. Sometimes we put a lot of effort into our outward appearance + other days we don’t ++ that’s okay! If you didn’t have time to put makeup on, there’s no need to say, “Sorry I look like a mess.” Negative self-talk isn’t beneficial + you should love yourself in all forms, makeup or no makeup.

5] Existing. Because we exist, we take up space. Undoubtedly in your life, you will get in people’s way, need to squeeze through a crowd of people, + encounter others. You don’t have to apologize for taking up space. I’m sorry can be replaced with excuse me or simply moving out of the way. We’ve all opened a door to a restroom while someone is trying to leave + immediately said sorry. It’s just not necessary. You shouldn’t apologize for occupying space in this world.

We hope this gave you some new insight into those two little words + potentially altered your perspective on the things you apologize for. If you’re up for a challenge, try switching I’m sorry for thank you + let us know what you think on your #inCHAARG Insta!

What if we told you that you could transform a vegetable into a rich, chocolate brownie? If you’re looking for a gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free way to indulge in your sweet tooth while also eating your veggies, look no further.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup Zucchini [approx. 1 large zucchini]
• ⅓ cup Natural Peanut Butter [can sub with any nut butter or sunbutter to make nut-free!]
• ¼ cup Pure Maple Syrup
• 1 Egg
• ½ cup Unsweetened Applesauce
• ½ tsp Vanilla
• ½ cup Unsweetened Cacao Powder
• ½ cup Oats
• ½ tsp Baking Soda
• ¼ tsp Cinnamon
• ¼ tsp Salt
• ⅓ cup Dark Chocolate Chips

DIRECTIONS

1] Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2] Spray 9×9 brownie pan with nonstick spray or coat pan with coconut oil
3] Finely shred zucchini
4] Finely grind oats using a blender or food processor
5] Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips in a large bowl or mixer + stir until well combined
6] Fold in chocolate chips
7] Pour batter into pan + sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top
8] Bake for 20-25 minutes
9] Let cool + serve

Store leftovers [if there are any!] in the refrigerator for up to a week. These brownies are so good you’ll be running back to the grocery store again + again to snag all of the ingredients needed for these decadent zucchini brownies!

I’ve lived in Indianapolis my whole life + wow, I’m obsessed with my city. With its Insta-worthy spots, healthy + trendy restaurants, + amazing wellness spots, it makes sense why more + more people are moving here after visiting. Take a visit + you’ll see why I love this city so much!

INSTA-WORTHY SPOTS

1] The Cake Bake Shop: Pink, marbles, + sparkles make this gourmet cake shop perfectly Insta-worthy –very season, their menu of cakes, desserts + decor change, so you can visit again + again. Their super-sized// high- quality cakes are the icing on top of the cake though. [Oprah Winfrey even put the red velvet cake on her O List!]

2] Punch Bowl Social: This place is such a fun evening spot. The “I Love You So Much” wall is a favorite photo destination. At Punch Bowl Social, you can play arcade games, bowl, play cornhole//bags, do karaoke, + more! If you are over 21, you can get one of their famous punch bowl drinks that are made to share with your friends.

3] Penn and Beech: This make-your-own-candle store has over 100 different scents to choose from.. Duringyour visit, you can have a glass of wine + choose any scents you would like to combine to make a personalized candle or reed diffuser. It makes for  a fun + relaxing afternoon//evening activity for you ++ your girlfriends.

TRENDY RESTAURANTS

1] The Garden Table: Fresh juice + avocado toast? Yes, please. With adorable decor + amazing drinks, this place is a dream. If you go, I recommend getting a  flight so you can try multiple types of their delicious juices — it is hard to just choose one!

2] Cafe Patachou: I have dreams about their Cuban Breakfast + Cinnamon Toast + that is not an exaggeration. Their Cuban Breakfast features rice, cuban black beans, avocado, fried egg, cheese + a cilantro jalapeno sauce [is your mouth watering yet?]. This place is the perfect place for a weekend brunch//lunch with your gals!

3] Bakersfield: At Bakersfield, every day is Taco Tuesday! Theirtacos are sold per taco, so you can mix + match the different flavors ++ customize to your liking. My personal favroite? Their Al Pastor taco!

Wellness Spots

1] The Yoga Studio: In search of an amazing yoga studio? If you are going to be in Indianapolis for a while, you can get their new student package for 2 weeks of unlimited yoga for $29! The teachers are top-notch, so you know you’ll be getting a quality flow.

2] The Monon Trail: This trail is 23.1 miles long! You can start in Carmel + rent a bike at Carmel Cyclery ++ hop on the trail. From there, you can bike all of the way to the adorable town of Broad Ripple, which is full of restaurants, shops, + more!

3] Paddle Board at Eagle Creek: Eagle Creek is a gorgeous creek where people rent kayaks + paddle boards. If you are staying in Indianapolis for the week, I would recommend going on a Monday because paddle boards are $5 off at Eagle Creek Outfitters — who doesn’t love a good deal?

The best part about Indianapolis? There are always new restaurants + shops opening, so every time you visit, it is never the same. What is your favorite place to visit in Indianapolis?

If you’re like me, you probably purchased a Keurig to go in your dorm room freshman year. How could you not?! They offer no-mess, quick coffee, anytime you need. After reading about how impactful Keurig cups are the environment [++ how expensive k-cups are!?] + I’ve wanted to make a switch to a more *advanced* + budget-friendly brewing method, but there were so many choices!

Honestly, I loved the convenience my Keurig provided — no measuring of coffee, just adding water, having coffee in a minute. The beauty of ditching your Keurig + drip coffee maker though means you can more easily customize your coffee, all for a sacrifice of a few extra minutes + some adjusting.

As a starting point, you can use this guide for general ratios of each of the below methods, but the beauty of them is to find your perfect blend. Change up the coffee bean coarseness // amounts, water levels or brew // steeping time + you can have a totally different coffee! Some of the most common alternative brewing methods are —

FRENCH PRESS //

The French press, or press pot, is one of the easiest ways to have premium taste coffee at home. With this method, coffee is soaked in the press in hot water + then is pressed [not too fast + only pressed down once — learn from my mistakes, featured below] to give you a flavorful + expressive coffee that is serious competition to Starbucks. If you’re looking for a convenient alternative to a Keurig, a French press is great as you can fill up the press + do other things while you wait for it to steep. Then, after a simple push, your coffee is ready!

Quick Look:
— Medium to coarse grinds — sea salt sized
— Ready in 4 minutes
— Portable
— Easy to clean

P.S. My mistake // word of caution when using a French press for those interested // The first time I used a French press was when I studied abroad in London + I had no idea how it worked. My internship manager asked me to make coffee + I ended up putting everything in at once + pulling the handle up + down repeatedly. If you’ve ever used a French press you know this is not how to use it. So, don’t be like me or you’ll have brown water with tons of coffee grinds in it.

POUR OVER //

In my Keurig alternative researching, pour over + French press were the most recommended. While it’s *drip* style is similar to standard coffee makers, the coffee made with a pour over method is less acidic, cleaner + sweeter, thanks to the thick paper // mesh it’s filtered through.

Two of the most popular brands of pour over makers are Chemex + Bodum — I have a 17oz Bodum Pour-Over [bought it at Target!]. You can get multiple sizes in both these, ranging from 4 to 13 cups!

Quick Look:
— Medium-fine grinds [like kosher salt] — 4 minutes
— Paper filters // strainer
— Portable but fragile
— Harder to clean [I use a bottle brush]

STOVETOP *ESPRESSO* //

If you’re looking for the boldest coffee without the price tag of an actual espresso machine, a stovetop *espresso* maker is for you! These coffee makers really go back to the basics, requiring only a [gas] stove, water + the pot — no filters needed! Using steam pressure from boiled water in its lower section to pass through the coffee grinds in its middle section, leaves brewed coffee in the highest section. If you’re a fan of espresso-style, strong coffee, a stovetop pot can produce the equivalent of a single or double shot of espresso.

Quick Look:
— Medium grinds
— 5 minutes
— Easy to clean
— Portable + durable

COLD BREW //

If you enjoy iced coffee, cold brewing can save you a lot of money — especially if you’re a year-round iced coffee drinker. To make a big batch of cold brew, add coffee grinds + water to a container. By steeping with cold water, the coffee’s natural oils are brought out. Cold brewing also takes the acidity out of the coffee beans, making it a great choice for those who suffer from heartburn or acid reflux.

Steep in the fridge overnight for at least 18 hours. Strain the coffee with a fine-mesh strainer // cheesecloth. Transfer the coffee into a cleaned airtight container + store in the fridge for up to two weeks. When making an iced coffee with cold brew, you might want to have an equal water + cold brew ratio.

Quick Look:
— Medium-course grinds [similar texture to granulated sugar] — Brewing takes 18-24 hours
— Need a strainer // cheesecloth
— Can be made in large batches

In addition to the coffee makers above, we love Four Sigmatic’s instant mixes! The mixes not only come in ready-to-go packets, but they’re also available in tins. Simply add hot water to any of their instant mixes + you’re left with a perfectly *brewed* cup of coffee ++ with added benefits of lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, adaptogens, or cordyceps. You can find an entire product breakdown here.

With all of the above methods, the only way to get the best-tasting coffee is to customize the brew to your liking! Invest in quality coffee [we recommend using whole beans + grinding them before each batch] + make your own syrup if that’s what you enjoy ++ take good care of your equipment. If you want to go the extra mile, you can even recycle your coffee grinds to make your morning // afternoon // evening cup of coffee more sustainable.

What’s your favorite way to brew your coffee? Let us know on insta by tagging @CHAARG!

While many girls join CHAARG for similar reason [find the fun in fitness, learn a workout routine, develop healthier habits, + become a part of a community], their journey stories are all unique + empowering.

This Q + A post features Molly’s, Salisbury CHAARG Ambassador, #ChangedByCHAARG story + more about her journey!

Meet Molly Fitzpatrick, @Mollymackenzie_inCHAARG

University:

Salisbury University — join #SalisburyCHAARG here!

Major:

Early Childhood education

One Word To Describe You:

Determined

Reason I Joined CHAARG:

I joined CHAARG because I wanted a community but I also wanted to be surrounded by girls with similar goals ++ aspirations

Favorite CHAARG Memory:

One of my favorite CHAARG memories, for Relay for Life, we sold fried Oreo as our fundraiser. Everyone would all by ++ say “Aren’t you guys the fitness organization?” to which we would reply — “Yeah, but treat yo’ self! We fundraised over $2,000.”

#inCHAARG Instagram Crush:

@gabgibgobfit [amazing motivation ++ so real]

Philosophy On Wellness:

Living well ++ being healthy isn’t a fad or a trend, it is a lifestyle!

Favorite Self-Care Practice:

My favorite self care practice is definitely face masks!

2019 Intention:

To be my happiest ++ healthiest self in all aspects of my life.

Ideal Morning Routine:

My ideal morning would be; wake up, morning cuddles with my kitten Pumpkin, workout, ++ smoothie for breakfast.

Book Every CHAARG Girl Should Read:

“How to be a Bad Ass” — grab it here!

Greatest Lesson On College:

You’re at college to get a degree but do not let that stop you from exploring the world, discovering new things, ++ falling in love.

Advice To Your Freshman Self:

Don’t compromise your mental health for a good grade.

Being #inCHAARG To Me Means:

Being #inCHAARG means that you have joined a community ++ made the choice to change your life for the better. To become healthier, physically, mentally or emotionally. Being inCHAARG means that you are actively in thinking about how you want to better yourself! Because of CHAARG I am constantly reminded to be better ++ do better.

How have you been Changed By CHAARG?

CHAARG has made really think about the life I live ++ the impact I have on myself ++ others. I never wanted to share my interest with anyone. I thought if more people became involved in my interests, then it wouldn’t matter that I was involved. But being in CHAARG made me want to share my experiences ++ I want everyone to be involved because it is such an amazing organization. I am able to share my love for fitness ++ wellness with everyone + I don’t think this spark of interest would have been ignited without CHAARG.

Learn more about your CHAARG Chapter here + grab your membership here! <3

Check out our current obsessions below + enjoy!

1] On The Go PB Packets: These *might* be old news, but they’re currently at the top of our list for on-the-go snacks to always have on hand. From RX Bar to Justin’s to Noosh, there are so many options out there! Here are our favs:

• Justin’s — every. flavor.
• RX Bar — packed with protein!
• Noosh — cupcake flavored almond butter? YES PLEASE.
• Barney Butter — the chocolate flavor is literally dessert <3

2] Society6 Prints: If you’re doing a little Spring redecorating, check out Society6! They have about a million different prints that you can frame yourself ((or order them in a frame of your choice!)).

3] Zest Tea: As much caffeine as a cup of coffee? Yes please. We’re obsessed with the “Blue Lady” flavor, but they make so many different flavors to try. Grab them here!

4] She Breaks Barriers: In light of International Women’s Day last Friday, Adidas released launched a new campaign for women in sports — you may have seen the video they dropped here, but they also released an interview with Rahaf Khatib that gave us #AllTheFeels.

CHAARG.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program

After completing the CHAARG Body Positivity challenge, we’re feeling confident + taking in all the self-love! Keep up the positive vibes with these celebrity quotes on body positivity —

#1] “I don’t have perfect teeth. I’m not stick thin. I want to be the person who feels great in her body + can say that she loves it + doesn’t want to change anything.” — Emma Watson

#2] “I’m never going to starve myself for a part. I don’t want little girls to be like, ‘Oh, I want to look like Katniss, so I’m going to skip dinner.’” — Jennifer Lawrence

#3] “My limbs work, so I’m not going to complain about how my body is shaped.” — Drew Barrymore

#4] “Beauty is the enemy. We try to conquer not feeling beautiful all our lives. It’s a battle that can’t be won. There’s no definition of beauty. The only way to achieve beauty is to feel it from inside without breaking down into individual physical attributes.” — Miley Cyrus 

#5] “I definitely have body issues, but everybody does. When you come to the realization that everybody does that– even the people I consider flawless– you can start to live with the way you are.” — Taylor Swift 

#6] I realize everybody wants what they don’t have. But at the end of the day, what you have inside is much more beautiful that what’s on the outside.” — Selena Gomez

#7] “I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” — Emma Stone

#8] “I have a belly + I have cellulite + I am still deserving of love.” — Amy Schumer

#9] “I’m not going to sacrifice my mental health to have the perfect body.” — Demi Lovato

#10] “Find a group of people who challenge + inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, + it will change your life.” — Amy Poehler

We hope that you have found your group of people who inspire + challenge you within the CHAARG community! Keep up the self-love + body positivity ++ share your favorite quote with us on your _inCHAARG Instagram! 

Call us crazy, but we love to feel + look confident while working out at the gym. Nowadays, athletic wear has become very popular + trendy, with most girls including workout clothes in their everyday wardrobe [not just to the gym!].

Although we love to keep up with most of the trends going on in society, it is often difficult to because of the price tag that’s attached. Known brands such as lululemon, Alo + Athleta sell trendy performance wear that we see + love, but are on the *pricier* side. Here are some of our favorite, affordable pieces — including sports bras, leggings, tanks, shirts + more! : )

COTTON ON ACTIVE CORE ⅞ CORE TIGHT + SPORTS BRAS [$$]

Cotton On is great for more than just their inexpensive fast-fashion, casual wear. These workout leggings are the perfect length, especially if you’re short ; ). At just the right compression + available in all the basic, staple colors you NEED in your closet, it’s actually unbelievable that these leggings are so inexpensive! Cotton On’s sports bras are also a steal. Ranging from low impact for yoga + pilates to high impact for cardio, these sports bras are super cute + comfortable.

AMAZON LEGGINGS [$$]

Does anyone feel like Amazon is slowly taking over the world? With Alexa’s at every corner of the room, Amazon dash buttons on hand, + Amazon Fashion emerging, it was only right to include these leggings featured on Amazon that are extremely affordable, comfortable, + stylish. The Yogalicious Lightweight Leggings are the softest pair of bottoms that come in almost every color you can think of. Similarly, the 90 Degree by Reflex Flex Leggings are a great, affordable legging option that performs amazingly at the gym! At such an affordable price +  extremely fast shipping thanks to Amazon Prime, these are a MUST for every girl’s wardrobe.

FOREVER 21 ACTIVE TOPS [$]

Even though most of us have most likely shopped at Forever 21 + have gone through their chaotic stores, we often overlook the activewear in favor of a cute going-out shirt or a pair of comfy lounge shorts. Forever 21’s gym tops, especially their cropped hoodies + long-sleeves ++ tank tops, will have people asking where you got such trendy gym wear. Not only will you look + feel confident, but F21’s prices will have you feeling completely stress-free!

COLORVALUE LEGGINGS [$]

Presumably unknown to most of us, Aliexpress is an online retail website that offers a variety of products from different, small businesses. ColorValue, a store featured on Aliexpress, offers high-waisted gym leggings that we are obsessed with! With the perfect rise + compression + +length ++ color, these leggings are everything that we dream of in gym bottoms! At such a great price, ColorValue leggings are a bargain dupe that’s very comparable to high-end priced leggings such as Lululemon! Although an order of these leggings may come with a bit of a wait, customers promise they are completely worth it : )

OLD NAVY ACTIVE TOPS [$]

If you’re ever looking for basic performance tank tops or active shirts with cute, motivational quotes on them — Old Navy is the place to go! Old Navy features hot deals varying from tank tops to short sleeve tops. These tops are perfect for those gym days where you just want to throw something on, yet feel 100% in! This Motivation tank top will instill that push in your workout, or if you prefer sleeves, the You Got This top can also inspire a little confidence when you look at yourself killing it in the mirror!

Check out some awesome CHAARG gear to rock with any of these budget-friendly activewear recommendations!

*CHAARG is an Amazon Affiliate partner.