Archives for March 2021

The Best-Tasting Protein Smoothie That Keeps You Full

Peanut butter and jelly…..has there ever been a more perfect combination? This thick and creamy smoothie reminds me of my favorite childhood sandwich! This is the best tasting protein smoothie that keeps you full for hours.

It’s the perfect post-workout snack or meal packed with protein and all of my favorite yummy flavors. This one has 20 grams of protein so it keeps me full for hours. I love to make my own because the ones you get from smoothie shops often have too many calories and sugar.

THE KEY TO A YUMMY SMOOTHIE

Great kitchen tools! I swear by my Vitamix blender. I know, I know…it’s expensive. I swear it’s worth it y’all! The texture you get from the Vitamix is the same as if you paid $12 for it at the smoothie shop.

I love sipping this cool refreshing drink after a sweat session, and it’s so simple to make – no fancy ingredients! It’s so creamy, thick, and delicious you might even think you are drinking a milkshake.

THE SECRET TO GREAT SMOOTHIE CONSISTENCY

It’s the frozen banana! Don’t worry – you don’t really taste the banana under the peanut butter and berries, it’s just there to thicken up the smoothie. You can literally add a frozen banana to any blended drink to add instant creaminess.

I’m obsessed and keep some frozen bananas in my freezer all the time. I only add about 1/3 of a banana to cut down on the sugar content. Plus, if you add too much banana it will taste more like banana than PB&J…we don’t want that!

Another sneaky ingredient you can easily add into smoothies is frozen spinach leaves. This is a simple and easy way to add antioxidants and more fiber to the drink.

Just don’t add too many leaves or the smoothie will turn green – ha! I sneak spinach into smoothies all the time at my house, my girls never even know it’s in there! When you freeze the leaves – you can’t taste the spinach at all.

COLLAGEN PROTEIN POWDER

Another tip to help you make an amazing smoothie is to invest in high-quality protein powder. I love the vital proteins brand because the powder is made from pasture-raised, grass-fed collagen that is flavorless. It’s on the pricier side at $39 but I really think it’s worth it!

You can even mix this collagen protein into your coffee – I mix it into my oatmeal sometimes too. It dissolves so easily and is good for your skin too because it contains hyaluronic acid and antioxidants.

INGREDIENTS FOR MY FAVORITE PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

1 tablespoon of natural organic peanut butter
½ cup unsweet organic almond milk
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 scoop of Vital Collagen protein powder
½ frozen banana

You can substitute the peanut butter for almond butter if you want to mix it up, but I love the nutty flavor of peanut butter in mine.

Hope this gives you some inspiration to make some smoothies at home! If you want more recipes like this, check out this blog post.

Be sure to follow me @donnatryba on Instagram where I share more tips and tricks for fitness, fashion inspiration. Thanks for being here my friends. Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe? Please share with me in the comment section, I love hearing from you guys! For more healthy inspiration recipes check out my green juice recipe here.

Sending good vibes from downtown Austin, Texas. Have a great day y’all!

The Best Spring Outfits for 2021

best spring outfits, best spring dresses, 2021 spring outfits

It’s finally getting a bit warmer in Texas…yay! Just pulled out all my spring gear! I am also doing a little wardrobe reset too. Reorganized my closet and adding some fun transition pieces to my wardrobe. I’m excited to share the best spring outfits for 2021 that you can start incorporating into your wardrobe now!

MINI DRESSES

If you have been following me a while, then you know I love, love dresses. It’s my favorite outfit because it’s one and done – and it’s so girly and feminine! I don’t think a floral mini dress will ever go out of style!

I love to dress them up and down depending on the occasion. Spring is the perfect time to throw on a little jean or light weight jacket over any dress to keep you warm.

I pair these little gems with flats, sneakers, wedges and heels – they are so versatile! I wear them spring, summer and fall. The key is to accessorize!

In spring I love to wear them with booties and a moto, sneakers and a jean jacket, flats or wedges. They are also easy to dress up…..add some killer heels and a pashima for a night out.

FLORALS & RUFFLES

Give me all the soft girly vibes with these two trends! You will see this feminine pattern on everything from tops and jackets to flirty dresses and skirts. It’s timeless – I don’t think this pattern will ever go out of style!

Floral tops are classic! They go with almost everything from skinnies or baggy denim to skirts, midis and shorts. I am linking some of my favorites here – including this one from Nordstrom on major sale! Click on any of the images below to shop.

BAGGY JEANS

Ok ok….I am NOT ready to give up my skinny jeans y’all. As a petite girl (I’m only 5’2”) I struggle to wear this trend really well. I have found a few styles that are loose fitting on me and still look really cute and are a great source of best spring outfit inspiration!

These frame jeans are lightly distressed and I like the ankle length – perfect for petites like me (I’m 5’2’). They pair easily with sneakers for a casual look. I would wear this for daytime errands, lunch with friends or a Sunday brunch.

You could add some heels or wedges and a little jacket to dress these jeans up for date night or cocktails with girlfriends. There are so many on sale right now! Linked some of my favorites above, many under $100, click on the images to shop.

JOGGERS

Since many people are still working at home, joggers are still very on trend this spring. They can be dressed up and down too!

I love to pair cotton ones with a pair of elevated sneakers instead of running shoes – makes it a little more chic! Add a little white tee and you can wear this to run errands or hang around the house for the day. Throw a little jacket over and wear it to lunch with girlfriends.

Shop my favorite joggers by clicking on any of the images below.

WHITE JEANS

A pair of white jeans and tee is one of the best spring outfits (or really all year round!) So many ways to style this classic denim. I still love a skinny – it goes with everything. I linked some of my favorite white jeans for you below – many under $100. Click any image to shop!

Hope this gave you some ideas for Spring outfits! If you want more fashion advice head over to Instagram and follow me @donnatryba or check out this blog post on my favorite athleisure. Here is an article I am loving with some other spring trends for you to enjoy!

Have a great day friends. Sending good vibes from downtown Austin, Texas.

Anti-Aging Skin Care Secrets For Maturing Skin

I’m 46….and I am so grateful to say that I don’t feel it or look it. Want to know my secret? In addition to healthy eating and exercise, I am obsessed with finding and using the best skin care products to keep my skin hydrated and keep the signs of aging at bay. Excited to share my anti-aging skincare routine for maturing skin.

I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 15 years so I am used to doing research. I seek out high-quality products that have independent, clinical studies and evidence that they are worth the money. I generally buy medical-grade skincare products versus over-the-counter.

I don’t mind picking up a moisturizer or soap at Sephora or Target if it’s a brand I know and trust. But, when I am looking for a product to really perform or treat a skin problem I’m having, I invest in medical-grade skincare, especially for acne and wrinkles.

“Medical-grade” means it contains a higher concentration of active ingredients to penetrate the top layer of skin and actually work. These products used to only be available at a doctor’s office, but luckily now you can get them at reputable sites online.

NEVER BUY THESE PRODUCTS ON AMAZON y’all! I don’t trust their storage facility. If I’m going to pay $100 for a skin cream, I want to make sure it wasn’t sitting in a hot warehouse, which will destroy the ingredients inside. There are a few sites I trust and buy from: iderma, dermstore.com and lovelyskin.com.

I change my products up fairly often, but I am sharing the ones I’m loving right now. Keep in mind that my skin tends to be a bit dry, but otherwise it’s fairly normal.

Click on any of the picture widgets to shop! The products I’m sharing are great for any skin type…dry, oily or normal! This is my basic routine for daytime and nighttime.

THE BEST ANTI-AGING SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR MATURING SKIN

Step 1: CLEAN SKIN! Allows all of the amazing ingredients to really soak in. I dab a bit of Revision Brightening Facial Wash on a Cetaphil cleansing cloth and gently remove all dirt and makeup.

Step 2: MOISTURIZE! I use the revision DEJ Moisturizing Lotion because it works as a great base layer and makes my skin feel smooth. You only need a dime-size amount. Rub into your face and neck.

If my skin is extra dry, during the wintertime or when I travel, I also slather on a bit of SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel. It contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to plump up fine lines.

PRO-TIP: use the very tips of your finger for application, it wastes the least amount of product!

Step 3: EYE CREAM! My eyes are where my skin is the thinnest so I actually use two different products to treat this area.

I apply Biopelle Stem Cell Eye Cream… it is truly anti-age skincare for maturing skin. It has caffeine to decrease any puffiness and a little bit of retinol to brighten and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. It’s great for any skin type and very gentle on your skin.

Then I use the Colorescience Total Eye. It eliminates dark circles under my eyes and doubles as a concealer for the daytime.

Step 4: ANTI-AGING! I use several and switch them out when newer and better ones come on the market. Right now I’m loving the Triple Lipid Restore cream. It’s pricey at $128, but trust me this is worth the money. I swear by this stuff – it leaves my skin feeling like I just had a facial!

TNS Advanced Serum by SkinMedica is really the holy grail anti-aging product…..it actually stimulates collagen in your skin. No other product on the market can make that claim. Since this is more expensive and I want to make it last, I will put a small dab on the back of my hand and rub it onto my face so I get every last drop!

The best anti-aging product in my arsenal is good retinol. I apply one twice a week all over my face and neck. It’s something you need to work up to because it can cause your skin to peel! Start with a .5 retinol to a 1.0.

Step 5: PROTECT YOUR NECK! I swear by Nectifirm by Revision Skincare. The skin on our neck is so often overlooked and one of the first places we show signs of aging. I have been using this for years and I swear its one of the reasons the skin on my neck isn’t wrinkled or crepey.

If it’s daytime always wear sunscreen! I love the Elta MD because it’s broad spectrum, doesn’t smell funky and applies so smoothly and evenly on my face. I also love the mineral sunscreen powder from Colorscience. I keep one in my car and beach bag because it won’t melt and I can brush it on over makeup to reapply.

I hoped you enjoyed this post on my anti-aging skincare for maturing skin. If are looking for more product recommendations check out this blog post for 10 tricks to help you look 10 years younger. Have you followed me yet on Instagram? I would love to see you there! I share all things skincare, fitness, beauty, and fashion @donnatryba. Another one of my favorite articles on anti-aging skincare can be found here.

Have a great day y’all! Sending good vibes from downtown Austin, TX.

5 ESSENTIALS FOR HEALTHY SLEEP

All health experts agree that women should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Ummm – if you are a busy momma that usually is not happening, right?

Sleeping well is just as important as regular exercise and a healthy diet. I literally sometimes feel like I have brain fog when I sleep less than 7 hours…I also tend to overeat when I don’t sleep well.

I’ve been on a quest to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer! Excited to share 5 healthy sleep habits. Click on any image to shop.

SHUT OFF THE BLUELIGHT

I put my phone in the kitchen at 9 pm so I’m not tempted to scroll!! I have realized how much more soothing it is to read a good book before bed

Andy and I crawl into bed together after putting Juliana and Mia to sleep. Now that I have this awesome kindle – I’m much less tempted to scroll and can wind down with a great read instead.

If your phone is your alarm clock consider investing in a Hatch…….it’s a sound machine, reading light and alarm clock. I have been loving mine!

We live in the city and this drowns out the city noise with it’s sound machine function. It also promotes healthy circadian rhythms and melatonin production for a better night’s sleep.

They also make one for babies and toddlers that is controlled by an app on your phone.

AVOID CAFFEINE LATE IN THE DAY

My favorite treat is having a hi-ball in the afternoon. I love these yummy sparkling energy drinks because they are a great source of organic caffeine and guarana for brain health.

I have one when I hit the afternoon slump around 1 or 2….but again, never too late in the day.

EPSOM SALT BATHS

Taking baths with these salts have LITERALLY changed the way I sleep! This is one of the most relaxing things I do at the end of each day. It tends to take away all aches and pains from exercise or just a stressful day.

In water, Epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulfate and these minerals supposedly absorb through your skin. It sure helps relax me! I also love to light a scented candle too! Feels like I am in a spa 🙂

GABA AND MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENTS

I have been taking both of these for years. I take 2 right before bed to help my body relax and drift off to sleep. These have definitely become a healthy sleep habit! They are all natural too! Click on any of the images to shop.

SAVE YOUR FACE PILLOW

I am a side sleeper. I woke up for what seemed like far too long with my night creams completely rubbed off and my face feeling tired from being smashed against a pillow all night. With the Save My Face pillow, I wake up with my face feeling refreshed and not having a sleep line in sight.

I recommend this pillow to anyone that wants to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, and/or anyone who wants to make sure they are getting the full benefit from their night creams.

I place this on top of my regular pillow – takes a minute to get used to and now I can’t live without it ! Love that may face is no longer squashed onto a pillow !

Sometimes you can’t avoid a restless night. When it happens to me, I cover up the dark circles with some cooling eye gel patches and a good concealer.

Skinmedica patches reduce puffiness and soften fine lines when I’ve had a restless night. They brighten too! This concealer is one of the best and from the drugstore! Love the spongey applicator top. Covers well and doesn’t cake or flake and is only $10.

Waking up puffy? I use this Rose Quartz Crystal Gua Sha and roller. I clean my skin, moisturize and gently glide tools over my face in an upward motion, using the roller first then Gua Sha. This promotes circulation and helps reduce the appearance of puffiness.

I hope this post helps you to find solutions if you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep. Want more fashion and fitness info? Follow me on Instagram @donnatryba or read this blog article about my anti-aging skincare routine.

Thanks so much for reading! Have a great day my friends.