Welcome to the Mountain View Wellness Blog!
Musings about life & interviews with awesome & inspiring people about wellness, food, gardening, & simple living (with some recipes, too).
Featured
Are you stuck in the yo-yo dieting cycle, trying extreme overhauls that never stick? This blog dives into why lasting health changes happen through small, steady progress—not all-or-nothing approaches. Learn how to shift your mindset, focus on sustainable habits, and make health changes that fit your life. Discover practical tips, like starting with a 5-minute walk or simple meal swaps, and how health coaching can help you achieve long-term success without deprivation or burnout. Ready to ditch the extremes and build a healthier lifestyle one step at a time? Let’s chat!
This holiday season, Coach Julie reflects on the transition from raising young children to parenting young adults. She shares the bittersweet experience of no longer having to stuff stockings for Santa, while embracing new traditions and looking forward to the future. Julie thanks her community for their support in making 2024 transformational and encourages others to reflect on their own transitions. Wishing everyone happy holidays and an amazing 2025 ahead!
Break free from the holiday comparison trap and discover how to turn envy into inspiration. This post highlights the struggles and triumphs of three women who stopped comparing themselves to others and embraced sustainable lifestyle changes to feel stronger, healthier, and more confident. Learn how to reflect on your values, shift your mindset, and take actionable steps toward the life you want. Ready to make next year your best yet? Book a free coaching call today to start your journey.
his past weekend, I spent time with three different friend groups, and every conversation gravitated towards some big, middle-aged topics:
*Navigating care for aging parents and in-laws 👵🏽👴🏻
*Helping parents adjust to senior living 🏡
*Balancing concern with healthy boundaries (#NotMyParents) 🚧
*The fear and excitement of empty nesting 🪹
*Watching our children become adults 🧑🏽🎓👩🏼💼
*Finally, prioritizing our own health and well-being 💖🏋🏾♀️
*The importance of spending time with people who truly light you up and inspire you ✨❤️
𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞.
𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠.
𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.
𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?
You are at the doctor’s office, hop the scale, and don’t want to look.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐮𝐩 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐎 𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠!
Julie Bailis, Master Health Coach and Women’s Menopause Specialist talks about Decision Fatigue and how having a plan can drastically reduce the pain and suffering that making too many decisions in one day can create.
Julie Bailis shares what she learned as she embarked on a year-long journey of slow and steady lifestyle change through habits change, not caloric deprivation and meal plans.
One year and 2 months ago, I got this crazy idea of training for and competing in my first powerlifting meet. Since then, I have competed in two meets, I hold the state records for my age and weight classes (two different weight classes, yes), and now I am going to Las Vegas to compete in Nationals!
You see, over the last year, I have learned so much about not only powerlifting but also about myself, my older body, the importance of exercise for this older body, and the power of community.
Six months ago, I decided to compete in my first (and possibly only) powerlifting competition. It was a bucket list kind of idea. I had some background in lifting but no experience with powerlifting-specific training. All I knew was that I would need a coach. So that was my first step.
Finding a Coach
I asked around a bit and was directed to Revolution Fitness (the gym) and Resilient Training Lab (the coaches who program). I met Paul, the owner. He has a great laugh, tons of experience with powerlifting, and a team of experienced coaches. I knew that Paul and his team could help me prep for the meet. So, in April, I officially started my training (3 days/week).
Hosting a Clothing Swap is one way we can reduce the fashion industry’s toll on our environmental and human rights.
Below are few more ideas we came up with at the Clothing Swap. Enjoy and share with others!
Five months ago, I decided to train for my first powerlifting meet.
The meet is now five weeks away.
How is it going?
The training has been challenging in ways I hadn't initially expected. Let me take you back to the beginning (cue flashback sequence).
The Doctor's Office Called and Told Me I was "Borderline Obese." What the?! My Problem with BMI Julie Bailis shares her thoughts on why BMI is not an accurate measurement of health and gives you alternative ways to measure health and the effects of lifestyle change.
Curious about Powerlifting? I was. Now I’m competing in my first Powerlifting meet. Here’s how that happened.
Julie Bailis finishes her 50- mile bike ride that began with a fall and 19 stitches and ended with connection and community.
Two weeks and 19 stitches after a slo-mo bike fall, Julie updates you on her healing, learning, and next adventure.
Julie Bailis tells about how a bike fall during a charity bike ride led to a day of community, coincidence, and connection.
I interview Karl Borne of True Cyclery in New Haven, CT. We talk about how to prep your bike for the spring cycling season, knowing when you need to purchase a new bike, and where the heck to get a new bike for yourself these days.
Julie Bailis interviews Master Gardener Becky Martorelli and asks her all about organic gardening for newbies. What to plant, where to plant, when to plant, and what can we do now to ensure a solid crop this year.
Hamantaschen Recipe
Delicious sugar cookie taste filled with sweet jelly. Make on Purim or make every day!
For full disclosure, I usually double the recipe because I like to give these cookies away to friends and neighbors. They are delicious and people love them. So, go ahead and double the recipe… It’s real-life math and double the love.
With more and more people working from home and sitting in front of computers all day long is rising. Due to those long hours in front of the computer, many people are experiencing pain and fatigue. Dr. Armand Gagliardi, DC (Dr. AJ) of Southern Connecticut Joint & Muscle in Branford, defines "good" posture and demonstrates a few "microbreaks" you can take throughout the day to keep to healthy, happy, and alert!
As a Professional Reflexologist & Yoga Teacher, students and clients often ask me to show them hand stretches to alleviate hand, wrist, and finger pain. As a result of these requests, I decided to make a video of me demonstrating a few Hand Reflexology techniques that you can use throughout the day to keep your hands, wrists, and fingers healthy and help you reduce anxiety and neck pain.
In this Wisdom Wednesday interview, Julie Bailis interviews Robin Ritterman, ND, LAc. Dr. Ritterman will discuss signs of a strong immune system, signs of a weak immune system, and natural ways to strengthen your immune response.
Julie Bailis interviews Libby Wamser, owner, and stylist at Salon Metta. The two discuss the challenges & benefits of "going natural", society's pressure on women to color, and various ways to transition yourself to silver.
Julie Bailis interviews Libby Wamser, owner, and stylist at Salon Metta. The two discuss the challenges & benefits of "going natural", society's pressure on women to color, and various ways to transition to silver. The conversation is timely and lively. What a way to start the new Wisdom Wednesday interviews! This will be the first of our "Wisdom Wednesdays" interviews where Julie Bailis interviews Wellness Professionals & Progressive Thinkers. Topics will range include but aren't limited to quick fitness, meditation, gardening, homesteading, wellness, food, and aging gracefully.
What is the pelvic floor, what does it do, and why is it important?
What are signs of pelvic floor problems? In other words, how do I know if I have pelvic floor issues?
What is a pelvic floor therapist? What do they do? How do they help?
What are a few simple things we can do to ensure a healthy pelvic floor?
In this interview, Lisa Gramlich , PT.