FaerilyFit

With Kindness, Not Pressure This week, I stepped back into a gym routine, and I wanted to share the experience in case it encourages someone else who’s restarting, easing in, or learning to move their body with more compassion.   Yesterday was my second day in a row at the gym. I went in with a clear plan, but also a soft mindset: move with intention, rest when needed, and don’t chase exhaustion — chase consistency. The whole workout felt grounded and smooth.   On Sunday, my husband joined me for our first trip to the gym together, our small adventure. I showed him around some equipment, checked his form (he was great!), and we took our time. The next day, I went alone, reminded myself to follow the same advice I give others, and found that showing up didn’t feel heavy or intimidating. It felt achievable.   Our workout looked like this:   • 20-minute elliptical run (I chose interval training mode) followed by a 4-minute cool down   • 3 sets of 10 re...

  It’s Giving Yourself What You Need to Thrive     When you scroll online, it can seem like self care is only “real” if you’re doing something glamorous — like getting a facial, buying expensive creams, or soaking in a Pinterest‑worthy bubble bath. But the truth is: that’s not what self care is at its core. Self care is simply giving yourself what you need to thrive. For some people, that means drinking enough water. For others, it’s letting themselves take the nap they’ve been resisting. Sometimes it’s eating a snack because you realize you’re actually hungry. Self care can be small, messy, practical, accessible — and still incredibly meaningful. Self Care Isn’t One‑Size‑Fits‑All A bubble bath is lovely… but not everyone has a bathtub. And even if they do, not everyone has the time or space to relax in one uninterrupted. I love a good bubble bath — in theory — but in reality, I can’t stretch out in mine, and my kids definitely won’t let me soak in peace...

And How to Fix It   Dry skin in the winter is something I’ve struggled with for years — but I know many people deal with dryness all year round, even when they’re using moisturizer consistently. If you feel like your moisturizer “isn’t doing anything,” there are a few reasons this might be happening. The good news? There are simple, affordable ways to increase moisture retention and keep your skin feeling softer and more comfortable.   1. Exfoliate First If dead skin cells are sitting on top of your skin, your moisturizer can’t penetrate effectively. Try avoiding oil‑based exfoliants for this step — oils can block moisturizers from sinking in. Instead, consider: • A washcloth • A luffah • Exfoliating gloves • A chemical exfoliating body wash (newer and sometimes pricier, but effective) Removing that layer of dryness first means your moisturizer is actually being applied to skin that can absorb it.   2. Moisturize After You Shower Your skin is naturally mo...

  Let's Celebrate Lunar New Year!     Happy (a little late!) Lunar New Year! 🧧✨   This week in the community centre kitchen where I work, we wanted to bring some celebration and cultural learning into our meals. Our town is becoming more diverse, and getting to cook for — and learn from — our growing community is something I genuinely treasure. Because I’m passionate about food and love learning from creators around the world, we decided to try making something I’ve admired for a long time: red bean mooncakes.  And we didn’t take the easy route either — we made everything from scratch, including the red bean paste! Before I go any further… please know: I am not a skilled baker. 😅 So if our mooncakes look a bit rustic or underdone, be forgiving. We tried our absolute best, and the process was full of laughter, teamwork, joy and more than a little frustration  😅. What Is Red Bean Paste? Red bean paste is a popular filling in East Asian dessert...

 A Gentle Look at Why Rest Helps You Thrive     In a world that constantly encourages us to push harder, achieve more, stay productive, and never slow down, rest can feel like something we have to “earn.” Many of us carry this belief quietly — especially mothers, caregivers, and neurodivergent people who already spend so much energy navigating daily life. But rest is not selfish. Rest is not laziness. Rest is not weakness. Rest is a biological need — and a scientifically supported part of motivation, well being, and long‑term success. The Emotional and Cognitive Benefits of Rest (Research‑Backed) Peer‑reviewed studies show that rest improves: 1. Emotional Regulation Rest reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and supports healthier emotional responses and reduces anxiety and emotional overwhelm. 2. Executive Function Periods of rest — even quiet breaks — improve planning, decision‑making, and sustained attention. 3. Memory and Learning Rest before ...