General, Lifestyle, Mindfulness

Slow Living in my 30s: Embracing a Homebody Lifestyle

A homebody is a person who deeply enjoys spending time at home and centers their life, interests, and social activities around their home environment.

They prefer cozy, low-key indoor activities—like reading, cooking, or relaxing—over going out, traveling, or attending large social events.

Key Characteristics of a Homebody

Preference, Not Fear: A homebody chooses to stay home because they find it comfortable and rejuvenating, not because they are afraid to leave (which may indicate agoraphobia).

Recharging: For them, home is the best place to recharge, often allowing them to be “unapologetically themselves”.

Social Life: Homebodies can be social but often prefer having friends over or engaging in intimate gatherings rather than frequenting loud, crowded places.

Activities: They enjoy hobbies that center around the home, such as home improvement, gardening, cooking, or watching movies.

Common Synonyms & Related Terms

Stay-at-home: A direct synonym for someone who rarely goes out.

Introvert: While not all introverts are homebodies, many share the preference for quiet, solitary, or small-group settings.

Cozy enthusiast: Someone who prioritizes a comfortable “hygge” atmosphere.

A homebody is not necessarily shy or lonely; they simply find their greatest comfort and relaxation within their own four walls.

What is a Hygge Lifestyle?

A hygge “hoo-gah” lifestyle is a Danish concept centered on coziness, comfort, and deep contentment through simple pleasures and togetherness. It’s about creating a warm, safe atmosphere and slowing down to enjoy the present moment.

Key Elements of Hygge

  • Warm Lighting: Using soft lamps, a crackling fireplace, and lots of candles to set a gentle mood.
  • Cozy Spaces: Surrounding yourself with soft blankets, plush pillows, and thick woolen socks.
  • Togetherness: Sharing long, relaxed meals and deep conversations with close family and friends.
  • Simple Pleasures: Enjoying basic treats like hot cocoa, fresh baked goods, or reading a good book in a quiet nook.
  • Mindfulness: Unplugging from phones and work to appreciate the current moment
Experiences, Lifestyle, Mini Retirement

June Date Day: Basketball, Long board, and Luhv’s Vegan Bistro

Went on a date with my hubby this week and it was a blast! We carved out some quality time: an afternoon on our day off together. And the plan was simple: get out of the house, grab some food, and simply enjoy each other. But where?!

The night before, I checked out the area around Luhv’s (our new favorite vegan spot) on google maps and noticed a green area. I zoom in and it’s a park with basketball nets and a walking path! So I came up with the idea to pump up our old basketball, bring out the longboards and see if the park was a hit before heading over to Luhv’s for lunch.

It was a beautiful, sunny Wednesday afternoon in summer. A perfect day to run some baskets, rip the longboard, chill by the water with a joint. After that we scooted over to Luhv’s for a nice ($50 yeee!) sit down meal . I even used my gut instincts to pre-select what we were gonna order and it was all a hit!

All in all, I’m so grateful to be able to slow down and embrace these date days. For us, the park was a throw in since we never did that before and really didn’t know how it’d go. But I felt optimistic and something I haven’t in a long time: excited to shoot hoops with my bestfriend.

I love you Joey D! And I love our life together (:

Let’s keep on stepping xo

PS – even if it rained, or the food sucked, etc we still would have laughed and loved and that’s truly what’s important: embracing and focusing on happiness and love no matter the circumstances.

General, Getting Started, Lifestyle

Life Advice I’d Give to Someone Younger Than Me

CANI. Continuing and never-ending improvement. It’s a way of life. Striving to learn from mistakes, learn from others, and become the best versions of ourselves we can be: happy, healthy, and fit.

Life can be broken down into areas we can work to improve, like health, fitness, mindset, finances. Below are some of my best reminders for myself that I would share with someone younger than me.

Applying CANI in Real Life

  • Emotional health: recognizing and accepting a range of emotions, both positive and negative, as natural parts of life and learning how to positively cope with them
  • Overall health: making mindful, healthy choices consistently
  • Fitness: stretching morning and night, strength training three times a week, cardio 2hrs per week
  • Lifestyle: keeping things simple, desiring less, scheduling in adventures
  • Relationships: communicating your wants and needs in a productive way
  • Living: slowing down, no rushing, being where your feet are in the here and now
  • Mental health: working on breathwork, walking in nature, sharing struggles with loved ones
  • Personal growth: reading books, journaling, answering self-reflection prompts

Final Thoughts

Having freedom and being happy lies in the daily choices we make. Focus on what you can control: your actions. Adjusting along the way with a good, positive attitude.

~ Leave your thoughts below ~

Keep on stepping! x Coor

PS – If you wanna dig deeper check out Best of Blog – Out of 300+ posts, these 15 matter most. Some changed how readers think about health, others represent my core philosophy, and the rest are the frameworks I return to again and again in my own life. If you’re new here or short on time, start with these – they’re the foundation of everything else I teach.

Getting Started, Healthy Habits, Lifestyle

Lifestyle Choices for Better Health: A Practical Guide

Here’s a balanced approach to nutrition and lifestyle that focuses on scientifically-supported health benefits:

Dietary Recommendations

1. Increase nutrient-dense whole foods

Emphasize fruits (like berries, apples, and avocados), vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, carrots, and leafy greens), and plant-based proteins like lentils and chickpeas. These foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds.

2. Reduce processed foods

Limit highly processed foods and added sugars, which are associated with various health issues including inflammation, weight gain, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

3. Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support cellular function, kidney health, and overall well-being.

4. Moderate approach to coffee and alcohol

While coffee is acidic, this doesn’t affect your body’s pH. Coffee can be part of a healthy diet and provides antioxidants. Moderate consumption is fine for most people unless you experience negative effects like sleep disruption or stomach upset.

Similarly, moderate alcohol consumption may be acceptable, but excessive intake has well-documented health risks.

Lifestyle Factors for Health

1. Exercise regularly

Engage in moderate physical activity like dancing, running, or swimming to improve cardiovascular health, support immune function, enhance mood, and promote better circulation and lymphatic drainage.

2. Practice stress reduction

Incorporate restorative practices such as meditation, journaling, or gentle yoga. Chronic stress is linked to numerous health problems including cardiovascular disease, weakened immune function, and mental health issues.

3. Prioritize quality sleep

Adequate sleep (7-9 hours for most adults) and consistent sleep schedules support immune function, mental health, hormone regulation, and overall recovery.

4. Practice good breathing

Deep diaphragmatic breathing can help reduce stress, improve oxygen delivery, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and better health outcomes.

To sum it up…

Focus on eating a variety of whole foods, staying active, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep.

These evidence-based approaches support genuine health benefits through well-understood biological mechanisms.

Helping us feel happy, healthy, and fit.

Share your thoughts below!

Workout Programs

Pump Your Pumpkin: Fall Booty Workout Program

Improve your posture, shape your booty, and boost your confidence.

This 6-week program is perfect for beginners and athletes looking to add a booty routine to their workout plan. No equipment is needed!

Start this program anytime, all you need is: 30 minutes, 3 days a week

And this can be done anywhere! Home, gym, work, park, hotel room, etc

During these next few weeks, we’ll use targeted exercises to build your glute and core muscles. Let’s get pumping!

Pump Your Pumpkin

10 Rules to Live By
Week 1: Ignite
Week 2: Sculpt
Week 3: Intensify
Week 4: Stabilize
Week 5: Energize
Week 6: Radiate
10 Tips for Best Results

10 Rules to Live By

You are the x factor. What you put in, is what you get out

What you eat and do with your free time matters:

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Eat protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals
  • Get enough sleep
  • Cut out alcohol
  • Avoid junk food at all costs
  • 30 minutes of movement daily
  • Build a positive mindset
  • Keep your circle tight
  • Be mindful of what you say ‘yes’ to
  • Filter what content you consume

Week 1: Ignite

Kick-start your journey with foundational exercises

  • Duration: 30 minutes, Monday Wednesday Friday
  • 3 rounds, 60-second rest between sets

Upper Glutes

Full Glutes

Lower Glutes

Week 2: Sculpt

Build strength with these essential moves

  • Duration: 30 minutes, Monday Wednesday Friday
  • 3 rounds, 60-second rest between sets

Glute Shape

Glute Burn

Glute Lift

Week 3: Intensify

Intensify your workout with advanced exercises

  • Duration: 30 minutes, Monday Wednesday Friday
  • 3 rounds, 60-second rest between sets

Upper Glute Focus

Full Glute Blast

Lower Glute Focus

Week 4: Stabilize

Engage your core for enhanced glute activation

  • Duration: 30 minutes, Monday Wednesday Friday
  • 3 rounds, 60-second rest between sets

Core-Glute Combo

Core Strength

Glute Stability

Week 5: Energize

Boost your glutes with explosive moves

  • Duration: 30 minutes, Monday Wednesday Friday
  • 3 rounds, 60-second rest between sets

Power Glutes

Glute Endurance

Dynamic Glutes

Week 6: Radiate

Refine your glutes with targeted exercises

  • Duration: 30 minutes, Monday Wednesday Friday
  • 3 rounds, 60-second rest between sets

Glute Definition

Full Glute Perfection

Glute Lift

10 Tips for Best Results

  1. Take 5-minutes to warm up & cool down
  2. Keep movements slow and controlled
  3. Engage your core and glutes throughout exercises
  4. Use a booty band to add more resistance
  5. Restart at week 1 once you finish week 6 to keep going
  6. Try to get in a 20-minute cardio session daily
  7. Add in a 15-minute upper body workout 3 times a week
  8. Add in flexibility, mobility, & yoga to your weekly routine
  9. Bump up cardio as the weather gets warmer
  10. Save this blog, send to a friend, find a workout partner

And there you have it! A simple, effective, and totally free six-week workout program to help you achieve the booty of your dreams!

Remember to stay consistent, listen to your body, and celebrate your progress along the way. Email corebycorie@gmail.com if you have questions, etc.

Share Your Progress!

✨ Tag @corebycorie on social media so we can follow your journey! Use and follow our hashtag #corebycorie to share with the community ✨

Pump Your Pumpkin

Week 1: Ignite
Week 2: Sculpt
Week 3: Intensify
Week 4: Stabilize
Week 5: Energize
Week 6: Radiate
10 Tips for Best Results

Getting Started, Nutrition

Processed Foods Guide: What to Avoid and What to Add

Table of Contents

Quick Rule of Thumb

Animal Products to Avoid

Vegan Products to Avoid

Animal Products to Limit

Plant-Based Whole Foods to Add

Quick Rule of Thumb

Read ingredient lists! If it has more than 5 ingredients or ingredients you can’t pronounce, it’s probably highly processed/not good for you! Choose foods that look like they do in nature or have minimal, recognizable ingredients.

Animal Products to Avoid

Highly-Processed Meats:

  • Bacon, ham, sausages, hot dogs
  • Deli meats and cold cuts (turkey, roast beef, etc)
  • Pepperoni, salami, chorizo
  • Jerky with added preservatives/sugar
  • Canned meats (spam, potted meat)
  • Chicken nuggets, fish sticks, burgers (breaded/pre-made)

Highly-Processed Dairy:

  • American cheese, cheese spreads, cheese whiz
  • Flavored yogurts with high sugar content
  • Ice cream with artificial ingredients
  • Non-dairy creamers with artificial ingredients
  • Highly processed protein powders with many additives

Other Highly-Processed Animal Products:

  • Imitation crab
  • Fish with heavy breading or sauces
  • Pre-marinated meats with preservatives

Vegan Products to Avoid

Highly-Processed Vegan Products:

  • Vegan meat substitutes (impossible burgers, veggie patties, etc)
  • Vegan cheese with many additives
  • Plant-based nuggets, burgers with long ingredient lists
  • Packaged vegan desserts and sweets
  • Instant flavored oatmeal packets
  • Sugary plant-based milks with additives
  • Refined white bread, pastries, crackers
  • Chips, cookies, candy (even if vegan)
  • Soda and sweetened beverages
  • Boxed cereals with added sugars
  • Instant noodles and packaged meals

Refined/Highly-Processed Grains:

  • White rice, white pasta, white bread
  • Most breakfast cereals
  • Crackers and pretzels
  • Granola bars with added sugars

Animal Products to Limit

Fresh Meats & Fish:

  • Fresh cuts of beef, pork, lamb
  • Whole chicken, turkey (not pre-seasoned)
  • Fresh fish and shellfish
  • Max 3 servings per week if you eat meat

Quality Dairy:

  • Plain Greek yogurt
  • Natural cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella, etc)
  • Milk without additives
  • Max 2 servings daily if you consume dairy

Quality Eggs:

  • Fresh whole eggs
  • 3-4 eggs per week, max 7 per week

Plant-Based Whole Foods to Add

Vegetables:

  • All fresh vegetables
  • Frozen vegetables without sauces
  • Aim for: 3-5 servings daily

Fruits:

  • All fresh fruits
  • Frozen fruits without added sugar
  • Aim for: 2-4 servings daily

Legumes & Minimally Processed Proteins:

  • Dried or canned beans/lentils
  • Plain tofu, tempeh
  • Aim for: 1-2 servings daily

Whole Grains:

  • Brown rice, quinoa, oats
  • Whole grain pasta and bread (unrefined, minimal ingredients)
  • Aim for: 2-4 servings daily

Nuts & Seeds:

  • Raw or dry roasted nuts
  • Seeds (chia, flax, hemp, pumpkin)
  • Aim for: 1 ounce (small handful) daily

Healthy Fats:

  • Avocados
  • Olive oil, Coconut oil
  • Aim for: 1-2 servings daily

Happy Eating!