I’m so excited to finally share the Ambitious Kitchen wellness series with you in partnership with Under Armour Women.
Even if you’ve only been following AK for the last few months, you know that I’m an advocate for women finding their own definition of health and wellness. I’ve shared stories on this blog about my struggles with finding balance, perfectionism, stress, losing my father, food addiction, ditching the scale and so much more.
I think of where this journey had led me. Where I’ve been because of blogging and how it’s shaped the person I am today.
First and foremost, I wouldn’t be here doing this without you. And I can honestly say that. In return, I hope to always provide you with inspiration, encourage you to be your best self and above all be open with you.
Being human and real in this day and age of social media everything isn’t easy, but I’m here right alongside you, even if this blog has grown, I’m here to be true to you. This is what I promise.
When I first started my blog in 2011, there weren’t any available resources out there on how to start a blog. I talked to people who did it, and then I dove in and did it too. Frankly, I had no idea what I was doing, but I loved every single second of blogging, recipe development and sharing with the online community. Here’s my very first post.
Looking back at the past 5 years of blogging, I realize how much I’ve changed as a person and a human being. When I first started I was struggling to recover from an eating disorder, and failing because of the lack of resources or voices out there that could help me relate. I knew I could be that woman — that I could help others by sharing my experiences and stories and also healthy balanced recipes along the way. So that’s what I’ve done and will continue to do.
I’ve realized that all of my struggles in life have led me to where I am today. From growing up through trauma and losing my father, from paying my way through college, to being independent from a very young age, from learning how to cook for myself — it’s all been so that I could be here now reaching all of you. I’m using my voice and sharing my story to help heal others, free myself from my struggles and empower you to defeat yours.
Thanks to my amazing partnership with Under Armour Women, they’ve helped me to put together a really amazing video wellness series to share with all of you. We shot this around Chicago over the course of two days and it was a phenomenal and humbling experience. I hope that you like it, and I hope that it gives you a little look into what my life is like/helps answers some of your burning questions (if you have any).
WATCH THE FIRST EPISODE HERE:
If you have any other questions or comments, drop them below and I’ll be sure to answer them (trying to get better at responding to comments!).
Thank you to Under Armour for making this Wellness Series possible.
Video by: Gray Duck Creative
This is so amazing Monique, so inspirational! Absolutely loved watching the video and hearing more about your story behind the blog!!! Your recipes rock – I can tell you first hand because I make them all the time 🙂 <3 you!
This is so great Monique!! What a wonderful video! You are always so inspirational and encourage me to live my best life every single day. I loved watching the video and hearing about more about your story behind the blog. I really enjoy making your recipes and cook them every single week. I pretty much only make AK recipes and they truly are amazing! Thank you for sharing this with us and for always being so open, honest and real. Sending love 🙂 xo
I am involve with your blog. I am a college student right now and I cannot wait to start my own wellness journey once I graduate. I strive to have a balanced healthy and active lifestyle with just like you. Keep these blogs coming please.
Loveee this so much Monique! Congrats on the UA Women Ambassadorship! You really are an inspiration!
Congratulations Monique!!! Your hard work and passion project have truly guided you and you deserve every bit of joy and success that comes with it! I enjoy so many of your recipes and admire your infectious love for and commitment to living a healthy, balanced lifestyle and sharing your passion and love of working toward the best version of yourself a pursuit attainable to anyone who seeks it!
You are an amazing woman! I am probably old enough to be your mom but I have found you to be such an inspiration and your recipes are fabulous. I haven’t made one yet that the family hasn’t liked. Keep up the great work! Wishing you continued health, happiness and success
Thank you so much, Kim! I hope you continue to enjoy 🙂
Monique, it was so inspiring to see you in the video. Though I am older (perhaps much!) than you, your blog, recipes and Healthy Glow initiative have impacted my life. From making the Nutella stuffed chocolate chip cookies for my son’s high school crew team for four years to serving your delicious recipes to my family, you are part of my life, nearly every day. I just started my late in life blog last September and I can only hope my words can positively impact others as much. Thank you- I feel like we have been friends for a long time and I wish you continued success.
This mean SO much to me – thank you Mary!
Love this girl, keep up the good, hard work! I absolutely love your recipes and make many of them on the regular! Thanks for putting in the hard work to get us the good eats! 😉 XO
XOXO!!
Yea Monique! I have followed you for many years and have watch you grow on this journey! Thank for the inspiration and keeping it real!
Thanks so much, Debbie!
You are just #goals my friend! Doing such amazing things!
Thank you Kristy 🙂
You inspire me! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your story with us. xoxo
Xoxo!!
Such a great video! Thanks for sharing! So excited for your partnership with Under Armour! Congrats again!
http://Www.themilestraveled.com
It’s a fun one – thanks girl!
Four years ago, I was in a women’s health class and one of our projects was to find a woman who in the health real who inspires you. While many people had celebrities or people that were well-known, I did my presentation on you. I found your blog around that time (4yrs ago) and As a college student who was pro-health, I loved it. The main thing I loved was that the recipes could actually be made…haha! I’ve made a bunch of your recipes with things in my kitchen because their on my regular grocery list and you just kinda teach me how to put them together in creative ways. I also LoVE the desserts – and I am pro-desserts as well!
Anyways, it’s been awesome to watch you grow, watch your blog grow and see you venture into new things. Super proud of you !
Pro-desserts is the way to be! Thanks Jane – means so much to me!
The video was awesome! What a different way to express yourself! You seem very at ease..we can all take something from that..:)
Thanks Katie! It was a fun one 🙂
I LOVE this so much!
I have been following your blog since the beginning and have absolutely loved watching you grow, not only with your blog, business, and life with Tony but also watching you evolve as a person.
Countless recipes have been used and treasured at family events, and I look forward to your posts hitting my inbox.
<3
Thank you Chloe! So happy to hear!
Congratulations! What an awesome video – so much to be proud of. You never steer me wrong with delicious recipes so thank you for all the ideas!
Thanks Tiffany! Hope you continue to enjoy them 🙂
Anyways, it’s been awesome to watch you grow, watch your blog grow and see you venture into new things. Super proud of you !
This is so amazing Monique and congratulations to you! I love your story, your blog and your recipes. You are inspirational in promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle. I look forward to more! By the way, the video shot of you near the underpass looks like you are near my kids who live on Bloomingdale in Bucktown. 🙂
Loved this video and love learning more about you. Keep up the amazing work
Aww love this video! I’ve been following you for a couple of years and I think everything you’ve accomplished is so awesome! You are definitely one of my role models! Thanks for sharing this video, excited to watch the series.
Thank you Rachel! Means so much 🙂
Hi, Monique! I heard a lot about Under Armour. Do they produce crossfit and fitness clothes?? Thx for sharing video!
Hi Jill! They do! Glad you enjoyed the video 🙂
I had been following Ambitious Kitchen wellness series from the past few months and I must say that it is awesome and remarkable experience blogs. The best part is video and recipes are Delicious.
Keep up the great work!!
Next month I will buy Under Armour shoes for running and try my first marathon. I’m a crossfitter:) Nice video, Monique!
I just found this blog and it’s amazing. I was just looking for a banana bread recipe and end up finding all these other amazing and healthy dishes plus reading your story, WOW
You have become my new best friend. I came across some of your recipes in Facebook and I said to myself “ I think I can make this” it look so easy and tasty. I tried and my family loved it. My family are foodies all my husband watch is cooking shows. What I like is your recipes , a lot of them are gluten free and dairy free which I have both intolerances. Today, I made two of your recipes and my daughter who is vegetarian gave 5 stars ( a teenager so you get the brutal true) she loved the meal and the dessert the Twix bars. During this quarantine I wake up thinking what new recipe will I try today. I have always feel I fall short in the cooking arena coming from a line of great puertorican women whom are amazing in the kitchen. My mom was too busy to stop an teach me to cook plus I was always busy with school, theater etc.. after school . Plus with my intolerance made it heart to cook delicious meals. I loved your recipes. You have made quarantine more bearable. Thanks y Dios te bendiga!
Hi Gloria! I’m so glad you’re finding recipes here that you (and the whole family) loves. I hope you keep finding new, delicious ones to try! Thanks for your note 🙂
Hi,
I love your blog and recipes!!
Quick question, i like the jacket you’re wearing in the picture by Wellness Wednesday. I’ve been looking for such a jacket…
Would you be able to tell me where you purchased it?
Thank you! I got it from Under Armour many years ago 🙂