Thrive with Jen

02/12/2026

BRALESS + BUSTED: INSTANT POT PORK CHOPS IN MUSHROOM SAUCE

I’m currently in a season of life where my attention is divided between studying pathophysiology and pharmacology, chasing after George, soccer games, doling out life advice to my kids on work ethic and discipline, fitting a few workouts in per week, and planning my days in one-week increments with daily adjustments. To say I’m strapped is an understatement. Most days, I’m braless and looking busted....

I’m currently in a season of life where my attention is divided between studying pathophysiology and pharmacology, chasing after George, soccer games, doling out life advice to my kids on work ethi…

02/10/2026

BRALESS + BUSTED 💋

This is not my sexy season—it’s my get-to-the-finish-line season.

If your life is chaotic but you’re still trying to eat like a functioning adult, I’ve got you.

Instant Pot pork chops in mushroom sauce → full recipe on the blog.

@‌helloepicure

02/07/2026

You know what’s super hot?

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Neuroplasticity. Emotional regulation. Stress reduction.
Basically… a glow-up for your brain.

I broke down why reading is the sexiest habit you can build and shared my favourite books of 2025 on the blog.

Hot girls read.
Link in bio. 💋📚🔥

02/07/2026

Sexy Habit: Reading Is the Hottest Lifestyle Upgrade 🔥

You know what’s super hot? Reading. It is, quite honestly, one of the sexiest habits you can adopt. Why, you ask? For one, it supports neuroplasticity and cognitive reserve. Reading activates and strengthens distributed neural networks (language, executive function, memory), contributing to long-term cognitive resilience and delayed cognitive decline. It also modulates emotional regulation pathways by engaging limbic and prefrontal circuits, improving emotional processing and reducing reactivity....

You know what’s super hot? Reading. It is, quite honestly, one of the sexiest habits you can adopt. Why, you ask? For one, it supports neuroplasticity and cognitive reserve. Reading activates and s…

02/06/2026

In defense of carbs 🍞

Because your workouts, gut, and sanity deserve better.

Let’s talk fibre, blood sugar, and why cancelling carbs is terrible nutrition advice.

Read the full breakdown on my blog.

Link in bio 🥔

02/05/2026

In Defense of Carbs 🍞

For the love of God, we need to stop cancelling carbs. If someone is telling you that carbs are inherently “bad” and that cutting them out is the key to weight loss…I highly recommend you stop listening to said person.(Also consider the source — do they actually study nutrition, or are they just speaking from their one experience of cutting carbs and losing a few pounds?...

For the love of God, we need to stop cancelling carbs. If someone is telling you that carbs are inherently “bad” and that cutting them out is the key to weight loss…I highly recommend you stop list…

02/03/2026

The 90s Kid Tuna Melt

Tuna is such a nostalgic food. It takes me straight back to my childhood when we were “poor”, clipping coupons and eating hot dishes (the Minnesota version of a casserole) because it was cheap, easy and resourceful to throw everything into one dish and bake it. Kids these days have no idea what it was like growing up in the 90s with frugal fu**in parents....

Tuna is such a nostalgic food. It takes me straight back to my childhood when we were “poor”, clipping coupons and eating hot dishes (the Minnesota version of a casserole) because it was cheap, eas…

02/02/2026

Holidae In

We went to Edmonton last weekend for a U12 Boys soccer tournament, and let me tell you something, weekends like this are all work and very little play for parents. Packing up two kids, a baby, and a dog is a lot. Especially when your baby keeps taking things back out of the suitcase you just packed, and your two big kids think they’re going off the grid and need to pack everything but their bed frame — every toy, book, and pen they can get their hands on....

We went to Edmonton last weekend for a U12 Boys soccer tournament, and let me tell you something, weekends like this are all work and very little play for parents. Packing up two kids, a baby, and …

01/31/2026

Weekend tournament travel with kids is not a vacation — it’s a full-contact endurance sport. 🫠

Between packing up a baby, two kids, and a dog, and surviving a shoebox hotel room with zero sleep, this trip was chaos… but it’s also exactly why I don’t abandon my routines when I travel.

I wrote about what this weekend really looked like and how I bring my lifestyle on the road. Blog link in bio.

01/29/2026

🍽️ Why Protein Comes First

One of the most evidence-based strategies in nutrition especially for fat loss, energy, and metabolic health is prioritizing protein intake.

That’s why protein is an anchor habit.

Here’s what the research consistently shows and why it matters in real life:

▫️Energy & Blood Sugar Stability▫️
Protein slows digestion and helps blunt large blood sugar swings. This means more stable energy throughout the day and fewer crashes that drive cravings or impulsive eating later on.

▫️Satiety & Appetite Regulation▫️
Protein is the most satiating macronutrient. Adequate protein intake has been shown to reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness, making it easier to stay consistent without relying on willpower.

▫️Tracking Confidence & Skill-Building▫️
When people feel overwhelmed by tracking, it’s usually because they’re trying to manage everything at once. Focusing on protein first simplifies decision-making and improves accuracy. Once protein is in place, calories and other macros tend to regulate more naturally.

This is one habit that gives big returns!!

If today feels busy or unstructured, ask yourself:

▫️“Have I prioritized protein at my meals today?”▫️

That single question often leads to better choices without overthinking.

Small habits. Strong foundations. Big impact. 🌿