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"The key to healthy family eating is having a routine and everyone knowing what to expect." Any other moms out there feel like flexing after surviving a trip to Costco with all their kids? Yeah, me too. After having a coaching call with my client Jessie this week and her asking me, "Monica, every time I go to the store I end up with tons of random things and unhealthy snacks...help! What do you get on the regular?" I decided to write this for her and any of you beauties who may be in a similar boat. Disclaimer: I do not eat 100% clean because, you know, I like to be happy... But I do believe in overall sustainable healthy eating that supports having high energy and longevity. Here are some regular items I get from Costco (pretty much weekly) to live a fit, healthy, happy life as a busy mom: MWH Approved Costco Haul Items: Produce for smoothies and weekly meal prep: -blueberries -apples -bananas -carrots -frozen fruits such as: --pineapple --mango MWH TIP: I aim to buy as much organic as possible--especially items found on the dirty dozen list. But do not stress if this isn't an option right now. -whole grain pasta -ground beef -sprouted bread -chicken breasts or thighs -eggs -milk -oat milk (I love this in my coffee) -agave (our favorite sweetener) -black beans -brown rice -spinach (my go to green vegetable mostly because it's virtually tasteless) -flaxseeds -chia seeds (we love these in smoothies) -oatmeal (I love how filling oatmeal is and how it attributes to those gains baby 😉💪🏽) -olive oil or butter -shredded cheese -Tortilla chips (we love these with our chili) I may be missing a few items, but you get the gist of it! Tell me, what are some of your must have when you're a grocery shopping for your family? And if you need any healthy, easy recipes that I make on the regular using (mainly) the above grocery items? Then girl, you need my recipe book! Happy eating! Monica

How to reset on Sunday to MOM BOSS your week Now that my youngest is older and sleeping a bit more throughout the night, I've been able to create more of a routine that works for me as a homeschooling mom of four. I've compiled some goals I have every Sunday (and if I'm behind--Saturday and Sunday), that help me mom boss my week. Check 'em out and lemme know your thoughts on the 'gram! Tip #1 - Self Care I aim to designate self care to-dos like my manicure, pedicure, shaving, deep conditioning my hair and exfoliation on Sundays. If it's scheduled on a particular day, it helps me to avoid overwhelm by leaving it to that day and having it in my calendar as a priority. Tip #2 - Organization for the Win I'm a mom of four and wife to a busy guy. The laundry is never-ending. On Sundays, I aim to get as much done as humanly possible so I start off Monday feeling ahead of the game. I also aim to go to bed with dishes done and (at the very least) toys cleared off the floor. *MWH Tip: Have the kids help you! Great life skill to have to learn organization early. "If you don't schedule your self care, it's less likely to happen...especially as a busy mom." Tip #3 - Schedule Workouts For the Week If I don't have a plan for my workouts for the week, they may or may not get done. I simply feel better when I'm prioritizing my health and wellness as a busy mom. For this week, I've scheduled all my MWH home workouts in the early morning before my kids are up. My workouts are all under 30 minutes and burn fat like nobody's business!! Join me if you are ready to transform. I'm starting a new month MONDAY. Tip #4 - Light Meal Prep My mantra lately has been: simplify. Simplify. SIMPLIFY. My meals have been generally more easy to prepare. My main goal is to ensure we are eating plenty of fruits and veggies so I have been trying to prep carrots, onion, and other veggies we use daily ahead of time so they're easy to grab for our go to meals like omelets, smoothies, and salads. Tip #5 - Written Plan for Next Day Someone wise once said, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." I find my week goes a lot more smoothly when I wake up Monday with a (mostly) clean home, food prepped, homeschool outcomes planned, and calendar filled. I find my kids are happier too when they know what to expect in our routine. What do you like to do as a part of your Sunday reset? Every mom's lifestyle is unique. You simply gotta do what works for you in the season of life you're in. I use these tips in my season of life I'm in now, but not everyday goes as planned! Stay flexible. Stay happy. Stay healthy. I'm rooting for you. Monica

Not all homeschooling needs to fit a mold. Some homeschooling moms I meet ask, " So, what style do you follow? Are you classical? Charlotte Mason? Unschooling?" I used to get overwhelmed at the very thought of choosing one style. I've come to accept the fact that I'm the type of mom who creates her own style of doing things including how I parent and educate my kids. I've read all the popular homeschooling books, and the fact is, every mom has to educate her children in ways that are authentic to her. Here are some ways we do so that may be unexpected! Tip #1 - We Homeschool Year Round Homeschooling year round without taking summer breaks allows us to have more flexibility throughout the year. There's less pressure to stick to our curriculum everyday--I mean--life happens! We travel, we relocate, we have errands, we go on adventures, etc. and knowing we school all year alleviates any stress of us falling behind. Tip #2 - We Look at Life As School My motto as a homeschooling mom? "Everything is school." Whether I'm mediating a sibling squabble, teaching my kids how to organize their closets, teaching my son how to chop veggies, or letting my kids sit in on my business zoom meeting, I love them being immersed in our family's culture. What better way for kids to be socialized (for example) than having them be immersed in daily life? Whether we're checking out at Target, at a dentist appointment, or house hunting, they watch, they converse, they learn. "Socialization as a homeschooled child is inevitable in daily life." -Monica Bencomo Tip #3 - We Personalize Each Child's Curriculum Each of my kids came out with--you guessed it--unique personalities and temperaments. It's my job as their mom to assess what their gifts are and tailor their education and activities to suit their God-given gifts. For instance, Eliel, my oldest thrives on a schedule. So each day, I have his checklist ready to go. Checking off all his outcomes to earn his Roblox time brings him a big sense of fulfillment. Tip #4 - We Aim to go on Adventures As Much As Possible Instead of only focusing on book work, I aim to get my kids outside as much as possible. I look at field trips as a way to learn via immersion. Whether we're at the beach, hiking trail or museum, they're learning. I try to avoid us getting bored by mixing our scenery up. Tip #5 - We Don't Follow One Homeschool Style If you try to fit into a mold or category that isn't genuine to your personality (or that doesn't fit your lifestyle or season of life you're in), burnout or just plain ole' boredom will ensue. Be bold. Be different. Homeschool in your way--just be sure to check your states laws and follow those! ;) How do you homeschool differently than most? Let me know. Monica

While checking out at the store the other day, the cashier noticed me dripping with kids and wondered aloud, "Aren't your kids normally in school this time?" "I homeschool them," I responded with a slight smile. Meanwhile, my four year old was trying to sneak Skittles onto the conveyor belt, my one year old was trying to pull me shirt down for a quick snack #breastfeedingproblems, and my two older kids were simultaneously asking for treats for the car ride home. Despite my obvious struggle to get out of the store sanely asap, she continued: "You must be a saint! I could never have done that with mine! How do you do it and still, ya know...stay sane?" she laughed. "Good question," I thought. Now, disclaimer: I like conversations like these *normally. I love talking about homeschooling, balancing it all, working out, healthy eating, etc. But the timing was just off. I was sweating just trying to keep my kid from smuggling candy out of the place. Once I got to the car though, had the kids buckled and Cocomelon on blast, I thought to myself, "Hmmm....I'm getting this question on homeschooling and 'how it's possible' more and more. Might be something I should blog about." So, if you're reading this blog and you've ever wondered how you can homeschool and: make time for your workouts date your husband have some sanity and alone time Or simply stay sane (mostly) Then thank Cindy from Target from inspiring this post today: Tip #1 - Just Quit Already No, don't quit things you love. Quit comparing yourself to that homeschool mom on Instagram who has the seemingly perfect homeschooling setup, perfectly behaved kids, and thriving business. Yes, the Proverb 31 woman is my hero too but an ideal that is not always attainable in every season. Find a homeschooling rhythm that works for you and your family and ignore the noise. Tip #2 - Have Solid Boundaries When people would call in the middle of my math lesson with my oldest when I FINALLY had my LO down for a nap, I used to feel guilty for not answering. NOT ANYMORE. No one knows how hard you're working to keep it all afloat, mom. And many (sorry to say it!) will take advantage of your loose boundaries. I learned my lesson here the hard way (over and over) until I finally got it. I had to.... Tip #3 - Give up People Pleasing Cousin Sue might be upset you don't answer as soon as she calls. WHEN YOU HAVE TIME... wink wink* kindly tell her (or anyone who may be upset with your setting boundaries) your primary role is to care for your family, yourself, and your home and that you're so grateful she gets that. And that you have a schedule with your family to keep your sanity and to raise thriving kids. If she gets upset at that? Girl IDK...that's for a whole 'nother blog post!!! Tip #4 - Know Your Values, Mom Now that I have four kids and desire to homeschool them, I've had to get pretty savage about knowing my values and prioritizing them. For instance, family is my first value. Also wellness, growth, and time for self reflection. If I try to do everything in every season, I'm a mess. I've learned to carve out time for my primary VALUES in the appropriate season, not everything all the time. Tip #5 - Make Time For Self Care Can you wake up 20 minutes earlier to read something inspiring, get a quick workout, and sip a few cups of coffee before the chaos begins? On days I can do this, I start our homeschooling off so much more smoothly. On days I don't, I usually have less patience overall. Need some quick workouts and wanna be my workout buddy plus get some secrets on how to balance it all as a busy mom? Definitely check out my latest program with my all of that and more to stay fit, happy, and healthy as a busy mom. To sum up: I love homeschooling, but it ain't easy. I love being a mother, but it isn't easy either. Remember, mom, to give yourself some grace. Taking care of our first ministry, our home, matters. But we matter too. Keep caring for your well being! Because when mom heals, she heals generations. Love, Monica Check out these top selling programs and goodies that may help you on your journey:

Sis. Sisssss.... I've been meditating a lot on the art of being yourself, and how we are often deceived into forfeiting our destiny because of others not understanding our authenticity OR our divine assignment. (Or, lack of self awareness... but more on this below). Lemme 'xplain. The enemy to our purpose can come in many forms. It may come in the form of someone you care about making it clear they disapprove of your decisions (You're wearing that? You're friends with her? Your dating who? You're working where?!) The list goes on. The danger in taking someone else's opinion (even if this someone loves you and pleads they "know" what's "best" for you) and using it to determine the course of your life is that: They don't know what's best for you. 99% of people on this Earth barely know what's best for them. Sorry to break it to you if this is a new revelation in your life. SO-- if we can't rely on others around us to mirror who we are, what do we do then?! How are we to manage this crazy circus called life and live in our unique purpose and calling as moms? Well, friend, you're in luck. I have some ideas for you that have helped me along my journey. Take 'em. Leave 'em. If they help you, share 'em! Here we go: 4 Tips to Help You Discover Your Own Size Heels (Purpose) in Life Know Thyself Do you know you? Do you know who God created you to be? Not who your father, mother, or the lady at the corner store thinks you should be? If not, here's a hint on how you can know yourself more intimately: who were you when you were a kid? ...before people older and "wiser" told you they knew better for your path than you? Did you naturally lead? Did you dance like no one was watching? Were you the organizer? ...the encourager? Think back to when you were the happiest--when you woke up excited about your life. And do those things again! (As long as, of course, they cause no harm to others!) Release the Lies Have you ever been attacked for being too ___________ (fill in the blank)? Unfortunately, many people close to you can plant seeds of doubt in your mind, causing you to abandon your true identity when they harshly judge you for your natural inclinations (for being you). For instance, I was often punished from some people in my life for being "too ambitious as a mom" (what the helicopter does that even mean? Does being a mother change your anointing? NO.) God revealed to me that He loved who I was and that I was, in fact, designed to glorify Him with that strength, and that certain people who were not living their purpose were turned off by that. See those two "truths"? HUGE DIFFERENCE. Choose the truth that resonates with your heart; release the lies. What were you told? ...That you were too loud? ...Too intense, too ambitious? Friends--know yourself. Claim your power. They're (critics, strangers, people from your past) not strong enough to define you. That's an inside job. (Have no idea where to start here? Try the Meyer's Briggs personality test--it's fun, free, and if you answer honestly, will give you some words that'll help shape your identity). Embrace Your Own Size Heels This is the fun part. Once you take some time to look into your past (what did I enjoy as a kid; who am I naturally), release the lies that are in conflict with that TRUTH, now you get to go shopping, girl!! Okay, this is a metaphor, but now you get to try on YOUR OWN SIZE HEELS. Slip 'em on, practice your catwalk. Just like in Cinderella, your heel is yours, girl. No one is coming in to "steal your prince", lol. In other words, no one can steal your destiny because God didn't make them to fit your shoes! He only offers grace to that which HE anoints! Stop trying to be like anyone else but your beautiful self. Be Savage with Boundaries I didn't say be a mean person. But be stern. Once you know who you are and who God created you to be; it may be time to revoke access to anyone who does not support or love that version of you. How do you know if they do? Well, God's given us the gift of discernment; you will feel it. And, if they poke fun at your anointing? Big giveaway--they aren't your fans. Just like how a mother protects her baby in utero, it is our duty to protect our dreams; our destiny. Don't just give anyone access into your ultrasounds! LOL. Only let those in who have earned your trust. Everyone else will have to watch on the sidelines and see the miracles God works in your life. Remember this. If you are depressed, sad, or lethargic for when you wake up after a good night's sleep, that's a sign you're not on the right path; the path God has for you. Partner with Him, do some soul searching, be honest, and give yourself a hug. I'll leave you with this African proverb: “When there is no enemy within, the enemy outside can do you no harm.” Stay strong, friends. The world needs your light. -Monica Tools from Monica to become your best self as a busy mom:

If you're a mom, the question of whether you are doing enough for your children has probably plagued your mind. Am I playing with them enough? Filling their love tank enough? AM I A GOOD MOM?! Sigh. Sometimes we are downright too hard on ourselves as mothers in this day and age. Our inner dialogue is powerful. It can make or break our perception of ourselves. This certainly applies to motherhood and parenting as well. And at times if we're not careful, a typical challenge millions of mothers go through can be blown out of proportion without discernment and further investigation. When I have thoughts that make me question whether or not I'm a good mom, I coach myself through them how'd I'd coach a client or friend. I've compiled the list below and hope it reminds you that you are a GOOD MOM! You are taking responsibility to heal from past trauma If you are human, you've experienced trauma to some degree. Those whom I respect are the ones in the fire, doing the work, looking at that mirror and facing those past pains, transmuting them into power. If we don't do this, the past generational traumas will be perpetuated. If you are on a conscious healing journey that feels authentic and healthy for you (therapy, having a spiritual practice, etc.), you are winning. Keep it up, queen. You're not trying to make them a miniature you Sure, I've used the #minime on Instagram, but I'm very aware my daughter, Ariel, for instance, has a temperament subtly different than mine. I don't push her to be just like me. I'm aware she came here as my teacher too and boy is she teaching me a lot! She's teaching me how to slow down, smell the flowers, and bask in the beauty of life. I love our bond and I'm sure it'll stay strong as I continue to give her space to be her authentic self. You apologize when wrong The people in my life I remain the closest to are the ones who have a sense of accountability. When they make a mistake, they can apologize--there's no gaslighting (acting passive-aggressively and then acting like they didn't just do, say, or act that way). I am never going to be a perfect Pinterest mom, but I can be a mom they will always trust. I relate to them in an age-appropriate way, letting them know when I've made a mistake so that when they grow up, they don't put pressure on themselves to be perfect. You're more concerned with your child's needs than what other people think When my kid has a tantrum at Target, I don't shame him and run away (although if we're being honest, some days that's exactly what our ego wants to do). Instead I try--taking a VERY deep breath and finding a happy thought helps here by the way--to hug them, listen to them, rub their back, blast them with love. Sometimes we care WAY too much what strangers think and instead rush through situations like this with little regard to how our child feels. You're still learning how to be a better parent as opposed to just sticking with old school techniques With time, the hope is that we improve, right? This should apply to parenting too. With YouTube, libraries and all these free tools available to help us become our best selves, ignorance is a choice. This pertains to motherhood too. I don't know about you, but I appreciate all the helpful, well meaning tips I can get when it comes to be the best mommy I can be. It's my hope these helped you in some way. Remember, you're doing great. You are raising the next frickin' generation! How awesome is that? Keep going. They need you. Monica

Wellness for me is all about having a sustainable healthy lifestyle--not a quick fix to achieve a particular goal. A big part of feeling healthy and happy for me as busy mom of 4 is my meal plan. Now disclaimer: I do not eat 100% clean all the time. For me and my family, eating perfectly is simply not a sustainable goal. We aim to eat about 80% clean and 20% freely--you know, whatever treats we happen to be craving. I love having predictable eating habits because my kiddos know what to expect and it keeps meal times less stressful and more calm. Oh, and one other caveat--as a certified trainer, I realize the importance of putting emphasis on how we want our children (and ourselves) to feel as opposed to how we want to look. In short, we never EVER want to use food to shame others into eating a particular way. We make our meal plan about feeling good from the inside out--about being healthy and living a long life. Looking great is a cherry on top of the sundae of a well-balanced, energetic, high vibe life. Now let's get into the MWH Meal Plan that helps me feel great as a busy mom: MWH Meal Guide Smoothie 95% of the time, we start the day with one of my signature smoothies. I pack in tons of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals buy adding in frozen pineapple, blueberries, water, tons of spinach, a banana, and flaxseeds. We mix it up here and there but most days we drink this. I have tons of recipes in detail on my Insta. Check it out if you need some! Oatmeal I love oatmeal because of the health benefits! It's gluten free, whole grain, high protein, and contributes with muscle growth and repair. You can't go wrong with oats. I usually mix oats with oat milk, blueberries and on fancy days, I top it with sliced almonds too. MWH Snack After meal number 2, I normally have some boiled eggs along with some fruit and carrots or some hummus, crackers and carrots. Warrior Mama Dinner For dinner we always strive to have a meal with protein, veggies, and a carb--some nights this is spaghetti (we love Banza, grass fed beef, pasta sauce, and chopped spinach), and other nights we grill chicken and pair it with a salad and some whole grain or chickpea pasta. Additional Tips: Keep meals as simple as possible. The more ingredients, sometimes the more stressed meal times are. I aim to have more fancy and complex meals during weekends, but Monday through Friday I make it as easy on me as possible. Include your older kids into your cooking process. My eldest, Eliel is chopping veggies and prepares meals on his own now! Start 'em young and of course, practice safety! If your kids have a hard time eating some of these meals, don't give up! My kids used to stick their noses up at my smoothies but they've grown to love them! They even make their own recipes now! #ProudMama I created an in depth meal guide with all my family favorites we eat on a consistent basis to feel great. Get started today on your wellness goals and join me! MWH Fit, Happy, Healthy Meal Plan More resources:

“Play is the highest form of research.” --Albert Einstein We've been homeschooling our four children pretty much since day one. We tried school here and there for our oldest, Eliel, but it felt as though I was missing out on his whole day...like I was missing out on a huge chunk of his life. This intuitively didn't sit well with me. I relish in seeing firsthand my kids' unique personalities, learning styles, and as their teacher, nothing beats seeing their faces light up while learning a new concept. Many moms ask how I could possibly stand having all four of my kids around me--pretty much nonstop. They ask why I choose to homeschool. In an effort to give an incredibly in depth answer in a sound bite type response, I'll say this: homeschooling feels right for my family. We love it. It ain't easy all the time. But for us, we know it's worth it. If you don't want to or feel called to homeschool, I don't believe you should. I don't believe in a one-size-fit-all approach to parenting. In other words, sis, you gotta just do you. You gotta do what works for your unique family. But for the moms genuinely interested in some tips and tools I use to help me balance it all while homeschooling my tribe, I've compiled the below list to hopefully inspire you on your journey. And hey--even if you're not a homeschooler, I believe you can still glean some wisdom from what I've learned via trial and error as a work from home homeschooling mama of four. Ready? Leh GO. We look at LIFE as school Homeschooling for us is an all day, all night process. Whether we are conversing with a neighbor, paying for something at a convenience store, traveling for work, or finding new lizards in our backyard--we look at life as our classroom. Life seems to present opportunities to learn and grow ceaselessly. My goal is for my kids to be lifelong learners. I believe with our learning style, they will be. I've given up the idea of my home being perfectly clean all the time I'm a gal who loves a clean home. Seeing my home clean, organized, and beautiful makes me feel calm, happy, and peaceful. But with three kids and a very full life, I've realized some of my standards need adjustment. The season I'm in right now calls for simplicity (as much as possible). It calls for the ability to go with the flow. To loosen up type A behaviors. My home is not an absolute mess (that'd wreak havoc on my mental state), but having every inch perfectly tidy? That's no longer a value of mine. I now let the kids keep their toys out during the day. They tidy them up during their evening routine. I don't freak out if the dishes aren't done before bed. On days I'm exhausted, I wash the big items (blender, pots, pans), and leave the rest for the following day. I've decided that when I'm 90, I'd prefer to have more happy memories (even if they're messy at times) than a perfectly tidy home. We also balance this with the next tip! I have the kids help during chore time While we don't always have a perfectly tidy home, I do have Ariel and Eliel help load the laundry, fold and put away their clothes. They clean mirrors; help make the bed. One of our mantras in our home is "Everything has a home". I love teaching them the value of organization and discipline in daily life. I know it'll serve them when they're adults! And having them help out appropriately ensures I am not feeling resentful for doing more than I feel is fair. We make homeschooling FUN! Ok. One of my favorite aspects of homeschooling is my ability to be a KID again with my kids! Dancing, painting, playing sports, read-aloud time--aaaahhh!...I love these things as much as they do. Lol. So I give myself permission to make teaching my kids FUN. Any time I start to get frustrated, I quickly remind myself that I am creative enough to make the process exciting. My goal is to create beautiful memories with my children; not just fill their brains with information. We make our homeschooling journey authentic I've bought and read all the homeschooling books. I get great value from all of them. Two of my mentors are veteran homeschooling/mompreneur moms too! I love learning how other amazing moms are balancing it all. I also understand that my lifestyle is insanely unique. (All of ours is). And what works or worked for someone else; may not work for my family in the season we're in. Tailoring our curriculum has been huge for our success. I haven't found one style of homeschooling that fits all of our needs, so I blend 'em and make it our own! For instance, I am incorporating entrepreneurial work for Eliel in with Math. I incorporate Bible Study in with Good Citizenship. We learn Spanish via calling up relatives. And we create our own affirmations, workouts, and other creative ventures for my business; Moms Wear Heels (check these tools out if you want to live your best life as a mom). My goal for homeschooling is to give my children all the tools they need to thrive. Which brings me to my last point in this blog... Understanding each one of my children's learning styles and gifts ...Has helped tremendously. Eliel? Has to be active. Like, really active. He jumps on our trampoline, for instance, while I read a loud. I've also noticed he has an insane ability to memorize everything! Ariel on the other hand? Needs more quiet time to be her beautiful, creative, introverted self. She creates things many wouldn't dream of. Rafi? He's in that stage where he's just soaking up the world around him. My job as their parent is to pay close attention to where their gifts are, and to acknowledge, nurture them. Each person born in this world is given gifts unique to them. Can you imagine trying to teach a fish how to fly? Exactly. This is how it feels to a soul when we try to fit them into a life not meant for them. Catering our curriculum to fit each one of my children's unique gifts will aid them in living our their destiny. Ok. Immanuel is ready to nurse. And Eliel is ready to make his volcano for science. And Ariel is demanding I watch her practice her arabesque in ballet. Until next blog, mamas. xo, Monica

The pressure moms are under nowadays is insurmountable. Raise awesome humans! Take care of your body! Don't forget to call so and so. Never lose your temper! Be a great wife! Heal all past trauma. Oh, and make it look easy, will ya?! Don't get me wrong. I am ambitious by nature. Being a go-getter is in my DNA. I refuse to settle in any area of my life. But... I'm here to remind you that some days it's okay to skip the workout. Some days it's okay to leave the dishes in the sink. Some days it's okay to take a nap instead of doing your workout. As a coach, I'll admit it was hard for me to come to terms with the idea that we don't always have to be striving. But like all things in life, we need balance. Here's my tip on how we can approach balancing our goals with giving ourselves much needed grace: Most days, aim to: Do that workout (even if only 5 minutes!) Drink that smoothie. Be the best mom and wife you can be. Work on that dream. Invest in your spiritual growth... But on the days that you intuitively know you need to rest (you're not being negligent--your body and soul is actually urging you to sit down)... give yourself permission to. Because perfection in motherhood is a fallacy. Life is not a race. It's a journey worth stopping long enough to smell the roses on. We are not machines. We require nourishment. Replenishment. Sometimes saying 'NO' to something on your to do list is your self care for the day. -Monica Bencomo Don't let anyone shame you for being imperfect, mama. Because that inner (or outer) critic ain't perfect either. The beauty is that no one is! Keep up the amazing work of being the best you and mom you can be. I'm here rooting for you ;) -Monica

Embracing Your Body Post Baby (Or Babies) Hey gorgeous, Monica here with a quick reminder: The world may try to tell you what's wrong with you, your body, your unique figure, hair, yadayada... (yawn). It is up to YOU to embrace how God made you "flaws" and all. It took me years to really come back to embrace my long legs, super curly Afro-Rican hair, big smile :) Now I love how God made me uniquely Monica. I don't care if you still have those twenty "extra" pounds of baby weight to lose. I don't care if you have cellulite. I don't care if you have stretch marks. You Are Beautiful Right Now Yes, you may want to start that Mommy Makeover Challenge to continue your glow up as a busy mom ;) But START IT FROM THE PLACE OF SELF LOVE. That is the only way to create sustainable, lasting results. Unlearning Maybe you, like me, need to do some unlearning. Unlearn everything someone told you that does not align with what God says about you. Maybe a bully, stranger or even "well meaning" close confidant said something to you that planted a seed of low self esteem. Go to war with that lie and affirm you are gorgeous. Our bodies made LIFE for Christ's sake. How much more beautiful anything be????? Confidence is a choice Stop waiting to love you, your life, your mommy body. You don't have to wait until you complete another bootcamp to love yourself, sis. Decide NOW that you are worthy of love AS you continue to evolve into your greatest, glowiest self. Want to continue the mommy glow up together? Leh'go. Mmmmmmmuah, Monica

5 Secrets to Getting that Workout in to Glow Up As a Mom In order to get in my workouts over the past decade (after being promoted from 'Monica' to 'mama'), I've had to do some pretty unconventional things. For me, it felts second nature. I thought about the other options: giving up on my dreams or leaving my children in the care of individuals I don't trust. Nah. I'd rather do things like the following. I hope they help you on your journey of becoming your best self too! Tips to Get in that Workout as a Busy Mom Tip #1 - Hire Older Siblings My older kids are AMAZING helpers. They love spending time with their younger siblings, so this option works great. I give my kids a treat to look forward to like screen time, their favorite snack, or allowance in exchange for looking after one another (in my presence of course--they're not old enough to be left alone completely). Tip #2 - Babywear! I've been babywearing my kiddos since having my first 10 years ago. It's wonderful because it promotes bonding, can be hands free, and you still get to do what you need to do! Can I get an amen?! "Don't choose between your dreams or your kids. Include them. Get creative. Tip #3 - Look a Year Down the Road Think of the cost if YOU DON'T continue your self care journey as a mother. Do you want to wake up next year and you are in the exact same circumstances? That ish would be painful. Nah. Choose to do what's necessary to continue your fitness and life goals with your kids, even if it's only baby steps. The future you won't be disappointed. Tip #4 - Save Screen Time for Workout Time I try to limit the screen time my kiddos get, so I aim to reserve it for when I really need time to focus on something (for instance when I have a business call, need to shower, etc.)...If kids have access to devices all the time it loses its specialness, and they take it for granted. It's worked out great for us when it's outta sight, outta mind until I need it so I can get something done for myself. Tip #5 - Include 'Em OMG. This is where I am most happy--including my kids. As a homeschooling mom AND certified trainer, I love being the PE teacher for my crew! They often are doing my workout videos right along with me at home, and the rare occasions I go to the gym, I usually take the there too. Why NOT let your children SEE first hand that motherhood does not have to equal martyrdom? My Challenge for You Mama, you've got dreams. You've got goals. Just because you are somebody's mama, does NOT mean you have to negate all the hobbies, passions, or goals you have in your heart. Our children do not need us to give up on our self care now that we have our precious babies. In fact, I'd dare to say that they thrive even more when mom is on purpose because they get to see you firsthand living in authenticity and joy.

I'll never forget that day. I had just had my first baby, Eliel, and the very brand new lifestyle called 'motherhood' became my new reality. My husband and I planned planned, prayed, and consciously conceived our beautiful boy, so it wasn't as though my new role as mother wasn't celebrated. IT WAS. The day I found out we were pregnant I practically was running around hugging and telling everyone (even our mailman!) LOL. I loved being pregnant. (For the most part...you can keep the hormonal acne!). I loved seeing my belly grow. I loved how I felt so connected to this soul I couldn't see. I loved how close I felt with my hubby. I loved eating for two (yeah I know that's a myth now, but I didn't know that back then and I took FULL advantage LOL). I loved the moment my son made me a mom--pushing him out that sunny winter morning in 2012 will be a day I'll NEVER FORGET. I cried the most joyful tears as my midwife laid him in my arms. I thought, "Oh I'm definitely having more of these!" :D Then, after being sent home with my babes, reality leading to mommy burnout set in. I was finishing up my Bachelor's degree online so I was met with looming deadlines for papers due. I was running a business and had payroll and other randomness to deal with in HR. The dishes were piling up. And the laundry (why hadn't anyone prepared me for the laundry avalanche that comes with being a parent?!) Sigh. Anyway, I digress. The climax of the story comes here: I sat there in my apartment a few months after becoming a mom, utterly smitten with this new soul I brought into the world, yet simultaneously in over my head. When he'd finally fall asleep after a nursing session I'd sit there like a deer in the headlights: Should I wash the baby bottles? Take a shower? Put in a load of laundry? Call my friend back? Finish my final? Then, the straw that broke the camel's back: Paralyzed with indecision, I decided to distract myself by going to the bathroom and looking in the mirror. Oh sh*t. The oversized shirt I'd *cough* "borrowed" from my husband was full of spit up. I looked down at my nails. They practically were yelling at me to get a manicure. My hair was begging for a deep condition and a brush. My skin, annoyed with negligence, was screaming for a facial. My body, understandably still clung to about 30 pounds of baby weight (I gained 60 pounds my first pregnancy). Thanks to breastfeeding the first half came off relatively easily. I could go on here, but you get the point right? I didn't recognize myself. I broke down crying. Where had I gone? Why hadn't anyone prepared me for the loss of identity you feel after becoming a mom? Does everyone deal with this or just me??? None of the dozens of parenting books I'd devoured during pregnancy prepared me for the existential crisis I was experiencing. I loved being a mom and instinctively knew I wanted a litter of kids. Yet, I wondered, HOW THE HECK AM I GONNA BALANCE MY KIDS WITH TAKING CARE OF ME? I thought long and hard. I came to this conclusion: If I was going to be a mom, I wanted my kid, later (4 kids), to know the real me. I didn't want to change myself, sacrifice my authenticity to be what society would consider a "good mom" to be. I decided I was going to define what a "good mom" looked like for MY LIFE. And unknowingly, my very first mommy makeover transformation begun. I knew if I was going to be a happy mom, I had to be happy and healthy. I knew if I was going to be happy and healthy, I had to take care of my body, mind and spirit. So, like a spiritual savage I began setting up boundaries. I took care of what I needed to but refused to do so at the expense of my own self care, hobbies, and interests. I made time to dance, to go on jogs in nature, to get my nails done, to make my smoothies, to do my hair, and workout. While my son was little, I began workouts in my living room while he slept in his crib in the next room. Immediately I felt better. Things weren't "perfectly balanced", but I felt like me again. I was happy. I felt like I mattered. My energy increased. My skin started to clear. My body transformed. And most importantly, my sense of identity was reclaimed. I wasn't the "same me" I was before I became a mother. I was a new me. I was giving birth to a brand new version of myself: Monica and Mother. So, I ask you: How has motherhood changed you? Has society convinced you that being a good mother means you have to be a martyr? Would you dare to define what a "good mother" means for yourself? And I'd be remiss as a coach if I didn't give you a homework assignment: What small thing can you do TODAY that helps restore your sense of aliveness, joy, purpose as a mother? Is your soul begging for a good sweat? A bubble bath after the kids go to bed? A good journaling session? To paint, sing, cook a nourishing meal? I promise, if you ask her and look within, she'll tell you exactly what she needs... _____________________________________________________________________________ Like this blog? Then you'll love the programs I've created to help moms balancing it all to still look and feel their best. Save your own time by using these challenges born out of years of my experience as a certified trainer and homeschoolin' mom of 4. Check 'em out below!