why “buns” in balance?

Ever since Nick and I started dating, “buns” has been my designated nickname. Technically a compliment to my a**, but more importantly a catchy blog name.

my Background

I grew up in a small town called Genoa, Illinois (which for the 99% of you who have NO idea where that’s at- it’s about an hour west of Chicago.) I spent my childhood building entry level forts with my younger sister, driving to Taco Bell on Friday nights with the “shebang”, and playing as many sports as the Big Northern Conference would allow. (Golf included, fun fact.)

After graduating in 2011, I played softball for two years at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. In 2013, I transferred to the University of Iowa to finish out my Bachelor’s Degree. (*Victory lap acknowledged. I was mastering the ~art of Bud Light~ and elective classes until I got a grip on what kind of degree I wanted to walk away with.) Once I finally decided on a major, I cranked out a degree in Child Life and took a job at Blank Children’s Hospital as a Certified Child Life Specialist after graduation. If you’re not familiar, Child Life is an unexplainable, fulfilling, yet emotionally taxing career that will forever hold a special place in my heart. Long story short, I burnt out way faster than I anticipated, and after two years I knew I needed to switch gears.

At the time, my *now fiancé had moved to Des Moines from Colorado (bless his beautiful soul) and we were jumping on any excuse to get on an airplane to go anywhere and everywhere. For some insight, our first date was a (rained out) Cubs game and meeting his parents. (Huge yikes, but clearly it worked out and his parents are the absolute tits.) Second date was Chicago. Third date was San Francisco. Fourth date was Colorado. Fifth date was Costa Rica. Sixth date, Arizona anddddddd you get the point. So one thing that I knew for sure was that I wanted schedule flexibility. I wanted the freedom to fly to Seattle on a Tuesday, spend slow mornings at home with our scoot, spend more than 48 hours at home with family for Thanksgiving. And if you think this whole “freedom search” sounds entitled, then we are on completely different wave lengths and always will be.

I set a personal goal that I would move down to part-time at the hospital by June 1st of 2017 and I was bound and determined to stick to that deadline. During this transition/ “WTF do I do now period”, I stumbled upon Beachbody coaching through a mutual friend. The name alone got an immediate “NERPPPP” out of me but the more I pondered over the idea, the more I considered the opportunity. Flexible hours, uncapped income, health focused… It honestly had “stay at home dog mom” written all over it.

When June 1st rolled around I stuck to my guns, handed in my badge at the hospital, and went full blown coach mode. (Admittedly, I still had no idea what I was doing but I had the freedom I wanted and I was happy.) AND for once in my life I actually had the balls to make an unconventional decision in spite of my very conventional upbringing. With a ton of support from my near and dears, I (somewhat accidentally) started down this wellness path which has led me to where I’m at today.

Amidst the uncertainties and craziness in Des Moines, Nick was offered a full-time photography/videography position in Chicago. With the opportunity to move closer to so many of our friends and both of our families, Chicago was a no brainer.

life today

Fast forward through up-teen Cubs games, five craigslist couches, two apartments, fifty-nine “Friday night, date-night ins”, and two winter hibernations- HERE WE ARE kickin’ it in Chicago. I decided to go back to school this past May to become a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) / Functional Assessment Specialist (FAS) and will graduate in February! IT’S BEEN A FREAKING WHIRLWIND, BUT BY FAR THE BEST MOVE I’VE EVER MADE. Nick is crushing it at everything he does per usual and Banks is undoubtedly living his best, most spoiled life.

Buns in Balance was created as a platform to help you navigate through today’s overwhelming and overly-accessible slew of health opinions and claims. Nourishing our bodies with whole, nutrient dense foods is the most fundamental tool to healing and allows us to re-connect with our body’s innate wisdom. And guess what?? It doesn’t have to be as complicated as the media portrays it to be. I will spend the rest of my LIFE sharing the knowledge that I have gained (and will continue to gain) as an NTP, to help better you, my loved ones, my future family, and myself.

So hang out, tune in, and sit tight. Issssss about to get good.

-Buns