Spring Newsletter

Hello EveryGirl & happy early Mother’s Day to all you amazing moms out there!

I can’t believe it’s spring already! Since I last connected with you all through this newsletter, a lot has gone on in my life. As you may or may not know, after 18 years, we lost our Bichon Frise Baby. She was my first dog and a dream come true for me as I longed for a dog my whole life. She was such a fighter and was with Keven and I since the very beginning of our relationship. Losing her was tough on on us but we found comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain, and shifted our tears over to celebrating her amazing life and the joy she brought to our family. I also got to see my parents for a few days in Connecticut which brought me so much happiness. My mother, who is battling stage 4 brain cancer, has been fighting hard each day and I’m so proud of her. The love my parents have for one another is so beautiful to see. We had so many laughs and LOTS of food (we’re Greek so that’s not a huge surprise!)

My life continues to become happier and more peaceful every week since my surgery and I truly believe it’s due to my constant state of gratitude. If it means taking a few minutes a day to jot down what you’re thankful for, or taking the time to meditate and focus on the things that you’re grateful for, it helps to shift your focus to the positive.

I want you to know how grateful I am to all of you. Your emails and messages continue to bring so much light into my life. Thank you for your continual support, prayers and beautiful messages.

After my difficult journey with my brain tumor, I’ve made a conscious effort to make myself and my health a priority—only choosing to do things in recovery that make me feel connected to my soul’s purpose, and surrounding myself with those who have my best interest at heart. I have the privilege of connecting to thousands of people through my platform, and believe it’s my responsibility—as it is anyone with a platform, to use it to spread the change we need in the world.

Below are some of my tips that help me. I’m not saying every day is sunshine & rainbows, but I am saying that by removing things that no longer serve you, and adding things that do, you have a much better chance at leading a happy life. I’ve also tied in some key takeaways from my interviews with psychic medium and energy healer Ondre Seltzer & hypnotherapist & author Marisa Peer.

Look Beyond What You’re Told: Ondre Seltzer uses his common sense and ability to listen beyond what is being told in order to heal. He believes one of the biggest issues today is that we believe everything that’s said instead of searching for answers. If we stop, look and listen, not just to other people, but to ourselves, then we would be amazed at what our bodies tell us and in turn, could make the necessary changes our bodies are asking of us.

Work Out: Find the best time of day for your schedule and try to stick to a routine so that you have something to look forward to. When I’m in my workout mode, I make it as simple as possible— ie: putting my clothes out the night before, putting my socks inside of my gym sneakers and placing my sneakers right next to my bed so that I can literally get out of bed and walk to the gym. I always rotate my playlist, adding new songs and removing ones that I’ve overplayed, so that I can look forward to listening to the playlist. And I don’t over commit, a walk is more than enough. Don’t be afraid to start slow.

Write Your Blessings: Ondre suggests getting a calendar and writing down what you’re thankful for every single day because your life’s blessings will become much more apparent when they’re written down. On day’s where you need a little jump start, or your feeling down, open up your calendar and skim through each month to remind yourself of the wonderful gifts in your life. Similarly to writing in a calendar, you could also keep a thank you jar like the one I keep on my desk (see photo below) which I received from my friend, healer & hypnotherapist Ida Kendall. I keep it on my desk and fill it with something I am thankful for each day.

Try New Things: I recently started playing the guitar for the first time in my life and I LOVE it! After 20 years of non-stop hustle, I finally have made the time for some hobbies. Plus guitar is really good for the brain so it’s been helpful throughout my healing process! Currently I’m on level 4 and have Green Day’s ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’ down!

Love Yourself: This is especially difficult as women because we have little self-compassion and constantly focus on the negative. Practicing self-love and self-compassion is something I struggle with but I make it a point to try to look at the positive as much as possible. If we can’t find a way to love ourselves, then how can we expect others to give us love? Stop the the mental violence and replace it with positive affirmations.

Another way to practice self-love is something I learned from Tony Robbins during his seminar. He asks that everyone envision themselves as their 6 year old selves, and then asks that we think what we would say to them. If you think about this and truly envision the child you once were, wouldn’t you wrap your arms around that sweet child and say you love them? Wouldn’t you comfort that child and say everything will be ok? Wouldn’t you love that version of yourself? You certainly wouldn’t tell that child the things you tell yourself today, so why is it ok to talk down to yourself now as an adult?

Train Your Mind: According to Marisa Peer, the fastest way to get what you want in life is to tell your mind what you want, because your mind will believe anything and everything that you tell it. Therefore, if you give your mind clear instructions, your mind will follow them. Go back to being the child inside you that hasn’t yet learned to doubt and who believes everything they’re told. When you believe something upfront you’re way ahead, but even if you don’t fully believe what you’re telling your mind, it will still make a difference because your mind doesn’t care if what you tell it is true or false, it lets anything in that you tell it.

I also remind myself that focus=feeling. As Tony Robbins says, what you focus on you will feel. When you are in a bad place, shift the focus to something you know will make you happy.

Stop Seeing Everything As Work: Start looking at work as if it’s fun! It sounds cliche, but in doing this, you’ll realize how much happier you can be shifting your focus from negative to positive. As previously mentioned by Maria Peer, your mind will believe anything it’s told so why not tell it that you LOVE your job? Life would certainly be happier if you didn’t hate the thing you spend most of your time doing.

Surround Yourself With Positive Life Mantras: I’ve said this in the past few newsletters and I’ll continue to stress it because it’s that important. Remind yourself to focus on the good. Marisa suggests writing, “I’m enough” either on your mirrors, hands, or having it embroidered into a pillow etc, but you can add anything that inspires you to your life so that you are constantly surrounded by it. As you can see from my past newsletter —> here I added some of my favorite quotes to my wallpaper, my computer, my office etc.

Last but not least…..

SMILE!! Ondre lives for smiles & believes it’s the best medicine to heal your mind, body and spirit, so find the things that make you laugh and add them to each day. =)

And how can I not smile when I have my 3 fur babies around me? Seriously just look at these faces!

These adorable Heart-Shaped Oreo Truffles by Kellie Knezovich of Pretty Little Bakers are the PERFECT dessert to celebrate Mother’s Day! They’re delicious, heart-shaped and super fun to make! You could even use this recipe for Valentines Day or any day that you want to celebrate love! <3

If you missed last year’s Mother’s Day Oreo Truffle Flowers, then click here to get the recipe! =)

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

What You’ll Need:

1 package of regular Oreos

8 oz. of cream cheese (1 package)

12 oz. bag of melting white chocolate morsels (1 package)

Note: (if you use Double Stuffed Oreos, then make sure you only use 4 oz. cream cheese)

How To Make These:

Begin by crushing the Oreos. If you don’t have a food processor, simply place a handful of Oreos in a large Ziploc bag, seal it shut, and crush with a rolling pin until finely crushed.

2. Set aside some crushed Oreos for later to sprinkle on top of the white chocolate.

3. Pour remaining crushed Oreos over 8 oz. cream cheese in a large bowl.

4. Using a wooden spoon, mix until cream cheese and Oreos are mixed completely.

5. Since these truffles are for Mother’s Day, instead of rolling them into balls with your hands, use a mini heart mold and place it in the freezer for about 20 minutes to allow the Oreo truffle to become firm.

6. Once they are cold, take them out of the mold and place them on a wax lined baking sheet.

7. Using mini cake pop sticks, dip one end of the stick in melted white chocolate and insert it only about 1/4 – 1/2 inch in the bottom of the heart-shaped Oreo truffle.

8. Allow the truffle to harden up again by placing the lined baking sheet in the freezer for another 10 minutes.

9. While the truffles are freezing, melt the white chocolate using Wilton White Chocolate Melting Morsels.

10. Melt the white chocolate according to package directions.

11. Once the heart-shaped Oreo truffles are cold, remove them from the freezer and begin dipping the truffles in the white chocolate by holding the end of the cake pop stick. Allow the excess white chocolate to run off.

12. Returning to the baking sheet, immediately sprinkle the top of the truffle with the remaining crushed Oreos and place one sugar heart sprinkle in the center. This is what makes it so cute for Mother’s Day!

13. Allow the white chocolate to set. And voila! <3

Coming up with the perfect Mother’s Day gift is never an easy task, but thanks to the amazing Meaghan Murphy, who is the executive editor of Good Housekeeping and a frequent co-host on my Sirius XM show, we have a list packed with so many amazing options, that your only challenge will be narrowing it down to just one!

Below is the list Meaghan sent to me just for my EveryGirl squad! =)

1.) Bandolier Cell Phone Case:

This is the ultimate crossbody iPhone case! Having your phone attached is one less thing you have to remember taking with you when you go out the door, and being hands free is always a plus! Reese Witherspoon, Melissa McCarthy and Naomi Watts are fans of these too! =)

Shop info: Shop at Bandolier. Price from $88

More Info: Bandolier.com

2.) Venus et Fleur:

Roses that last a year without watering!? It’s like magic! The NYC couple who started the company won’t divulge the proprietary wax-based preservation method, but it works like magic. I love the mini round box that comes in 14 colors.

Shop info: Mini Round Price: $39; Mini Square Price: $79; 14 colors; hand delivery in NYC and LA.

More Info: venusetfleur.com

3.) KEDS x Rifle Paper Co

Twinning is winning! These matchy mom-and-me sneaks are the perfect way to celebrate mom!

Shop info: Major department stores & Keds.com; Price: $85/$60 glitter; $60/$50 Rifle

More info: Keds.com

4.) Sweaty Betty:
If you want to take twinning with your child up a notch, then these adorable workout clothes by Sweaty Betty are the answer! Ranging in sizes for babies all the way to adults.

Shop info:

For Baby: Size Range: 2-3 yrs & 3-4 yrs. Price: $40. Click Here To Buy

For Girls: Size Range: 11-12 yrs and 12-13 yrs. Price: $70. Click Here To Buy

For Adults: Size Range: xxs-xl. Leggings Price: $90 Crop Top: $70. Click Here to Buy

More Info: sweatybetty.com

5.) Ritani Mama Necklace:

Get mom’s bling on with these adorable Ritani “Mama” necklaces this Mother’s Day! And don’t forget that doggy mamas deserve the love too! =)

Mini Disk Paw Print: For all the dog mamas in your life =)

Shop Info: 14kt Yellow Gold. Price: $125. Click Here To Buy

Scripts Collection “Mama” Diamond Necklace

Shop info: 14kt White Gold. Price: $500. Click Here To Buy

Scripts Collection “Mama” Diamond Necklace

Shop info: 14kt Yellow Gold. Price: $500. Click Here To Buy

More Info: Ritani.com

6.) Lingo by Eric & Christopher:

Eric & Christopher sew and screen print pillows, totes, tea towels and aprons in Bucks County, PA. They partnered with the woman who created Lingo for a special collection that features words and phrases. The inspo: “Just one word or phrase can make you happy, proud or feel like a badass, so we created Lingo.” Our work is influenced by the resiliency, mindsets and energy of many people we have been lucky to know.” They’re trying to spread the message that words matter!

Shop info: lingowares.com or ericandchristopher.com Pillows Price: $25. Tote Price: $35

7.) Good Housekeeping “Simple Cleaning Wisdom” book:

New from Good Housekeeping’s very own Queen of Clean Carolyn Forte! It’s packed with 450 easy shortcuts to a spotless home and I love the stain rescue tips!

Shop Info: Available where books are sold. Price: $16.14 on Amazon. Click Here to Buy

8.) Miele Scout Robotic Vacuum:

What mom doesn’t want someone to do the vacuuming for her!? This Miele Scout Robotic Vacuum has a Good Housekeeping Seal Star and is a top performer in the Good Housekeeping Lab tests. It’s a mid-range price for the category.

Shop Info: mieleusa.com. Price: $599.00

More Info: mieleusa.com

9.) Calia by Carrie Underwood Hat:

I love a dramatic beach hat and the best part is that this season they added a chin strap so it won’t blow off at the beach!

Shop info: caliastudio.com or Dick’s stores and online. Price: $30. Click Here To Buy

More Info: caliastudio.com

10.) Go Dash Dot
This is a cool bag line created by a 26-year-old NYC woman who worked in product development for Brooks Brothers and Rag & Bone. She wanted a bag that could handle her morning gym clothes, laptop and train hustle, so she created Go Dash Dot!

Shop info: Price: varies by bag. 20% off for Mother’s Day. Click Here To Buy

More info: GoDashDot.com

Healing Blisters: I’m always surprised to hear that people don’t know about this product since it works so well, but somehow I continually find myself telling my friends about it whenever they get blisters. My friend’s Dimitri and Ashley both have thanked me profusely for sharing this tip with them when they were suffering from blisters. (Ashley’s were so bad that she couldn’t even walk). Within ONE day of using New Skin, both of them were walking comfortably with zero pain and discomfort. The first step is to always clean out your blisters with hydrogen peroxide. Once you dry it, add New Skin to your blisters and again let it dry. Cover it with a band aid and watch the magic happen.

Find It Here:

Vitamin C: I’ve tried every type of vitamin known to man and FINALLY found my match. Meet Aurora Nutrascience Mega-Liposomal Vitamin C (yes it’s a tongue twister). It was recommended to me by Dr. Jonas from Cryo Health Care. I drink it everyday, and it’s kept me continually healthy–even when I’ve been surrounded by people with the flu.

Find It Here:

Chia Powder: Ok this is a little TMI, but if you’re feeling backed up, then you have to try chia powder (not to be confused with chia seeds). I take a teaspoon of chia powder with a bite of yogurt before bed and in the morning I’m completely cleaned out. I also mix it up a bit and will add it to my smoothies. It’s packed with fiber, calcium, iron and magnesium & is something everyone should have in their pantry.

Find It Here:

Morning Kick-Start: I always start my mornings with a smoothie. My most recent obsession is my banana-coffee smoothie from my book The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life. I add chia, flax-seed, coffee and agave.

Protein: To sustain my energy throughout the day, I always keep protein rich snacks with me such as unsalted almonds or a protein bar. When I lose energy, it leads to a feeling of hunger which makes me more inclined to grab whatever food is readily available. Therefore, by staying ahead of hunger, I decrease my chances of eating unhealthy.

Dry Lips: During the winter months my lips get especially dry. The next time you’re at a coffee shop, grab a few sugar packets and throw them in your bag. My friend carries some on her at all times and whenever her lips get dry, she pours the sugar in the palm of her hand, mixes a little drop of warm water, rubs it on her lips and then wipes it off with a napkin. After the scrub is washed off, she adds some Vaseline or chap stick to trap the moisture.

5 WINNERS WILL RECEIVE A JUICE BEAUTY GIFT BASKET

WORTH $510 DOLLARS EACH!

–TOTAL GIVEAWAY WORTH OVER $2,550!–

If you listen to my radio show Conversations with Maria on SiriusXM then you’ve definitely heard me talk about JUICE BEAUTY so I’m SUPER excited to be partnering with them for this giveaway!

Check out the details below on HOW TO ENTER & WHAT’S INCLUDED

HOW TO ENTER:

1.) FOLLOW @JuiceBeauty & @MariaMenounos

2.) SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter by visiting MariaMenounos.com

3.) TELL US why you should win at conversationswithmaria@gmail.com

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE GIFT BASKET:

EACH GIFT BASKET WORTH $510!

Phyto-Pigments (Make Up)

Phyto-Pigments Last Looks Cream Blush in Peony

Phyto-Pigments Liquid Lip in Kate or Cameron

Phyto-Pigments Illuminating Primer

Phyto-Pigments Juice Boost in Illuminate

Phyto-Pigments Ultra Natural Mascara

Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturize

Stem Cellular 2-in-1 Cleanser

Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum

Stem Cellular Exfoliating Peel Spray

Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Eye Treatment

Green Apple Peel Full Strength Exfoliating Mask

Green Apple Brightening Emulsion

5 WINNERS WILL RECEIVE AN ABLE Cosmetics EYELINER SET!

I love this new ABLE Cosmetics eyeliner and am so excited to share it with you!

HOW TO ENTER:

1.) FOLLOW @AbleCosmetics & @MariaMenounos

2.) SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter by visiting MariaMenounos.com

3.) TELL US why you should win at conversationswithmaria@gmail.com

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE DUO SET:

-Cat Eye 101 Liquid Eyeliner

-Primary Pencil Eyeliner

Check out the video below showing you how I use my Cat Eye 101 <3