family

9 Things on My Fall Bucket List

I love this time of year. The weather is finally getting cooler, which means I can pull out my boots, sweaters and jackets (layering makes me so happy!), watch as the leaves change from green to yellow to orange, and cozy up with my family over hearty stews and roasted root vegetables. I also love that it reminds me to be more present and enjoy family time before we launch

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style

My ACL Playlist

I’m obsessed with playlists. They get me through long runs, long drives, and just plain long days. Since I’m really looking forward to ACL Fest kicking off tomorrow (!), I put this Spotify playlist together (below) that features some of my favorite songs from artists who will be playing at the festival this year. Scroll down to give my ACL playlist a listen, and then let me know in the

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SHOP

shop style

Eco-Friendly Fashion Brands I Love

Gen Padalecki Eco Fashion

Making eco-friendly changes in our everyday life has been a big goal of mine in 2019. We’ve been trying to be more mindful of the food we buy, the food we grow and the personal care products we use as a family. The next stop: My closet. I love fashion and want to shop smarter for the environment while still looking stylish. And I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that

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wellness

How to Rehab Summer Skin

Have you ever had a doctor you just click with? I have, and I hold on to them for as long as I can. Dermatologist Barney Kenet is one of my longtime doctors. My mom’s friend recommended him to me when I was in college, and I liked him right away. He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy who doesn’t try to sell me on Botox or the newest skin treatments.

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homestead

Adventures in Raising Honey Bees

Gen Raising Honeybees

A few years ago, our dear friends came to live with us until they found a new home. When they moved out, they sent us a pretty wild thank you gift: A hive filled with tens of thousands of bees! They are avid beekeepers and noticed that I was constantly peppering them with questions about their hobby. So, they thought they’d give me an opportunity to try raising honey bees

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family

Six Rules for Traveling with Kids

This summer was a doozy. What I thought was going to be a chill few months at home, ended up being a whirlwind of traveling with kids—from Vancouver, Idaho and California to cheering on the US at the World Cup in France. Some of it was for work and some just for fun, but I’ve always been a bit of a nomad and I couldn’t turn down an opportunity to get

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family

Water Safety For Kids

Gen Padalecki daughter swimming

Pools, lakes, swimming holes, rivers, beaches, waterparks. Summertime, especially in Texas, means being around water constantly. I love it, but it’s extremely nerve-racking with three kids all wanting in on the action and water safety is always on my mind. According to the CDC, drowning is the No. 1 cause of unintentional death for children under 4 and a leading cause of death for ages 5 to 14. It’s every

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family

12 Books to Ease Back-to-School Jitters

  Ready or not, back-to-school season is here. Like most kids, my boys get a little nervous before the big day and I’ve found we’ve been able to work through some of their feelings with the help of some great books. Here are our family’s favorite books to ease back-to-school jitters. What are your favorites? 1. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex,

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fitness wellness

How I Make the Outdoors My Gym

I love a good spin class, but nothing beats exercising in the open air. Outdoor workouts always seem to go by faster and something about being in nature just soothes my soul and helps me get my head right. As a mom, I also find that if I make the outdoors my gym, it’s easier to squeeze in a workout because I can incorporate it into play with my kids. 

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