Lyndsey is a mom to a 1½-year-old son named Remington. She is a personal trainer, yoga instructor and homeopathic practitioner, and runs Lyndsey’s Lifestyle, a fitness and lifestyle makeover program.
Where are you from originally?
I’m from Eugene, Oregon, but my family moved to Huntington Beach when I was still a kid.
How long have you lived in Costa Mesa?
I have lived in Costa Mesa for 5 years.
Favorite things to do with your family in general or in town?
My husband and I love to be outside. We hike in Laguna Canyon and wear Remy in a pack, or play at the beach with our dogs. It’s super messy but fun. We also love the Centennial Farm at the fairgrounds. It’s open in the afternoon during the week so I try to pop over there after naptime a few times a month. This time of year it’s all about the lights! Walking Balboa Island is my number one favorite for the holidays.
What’s your favorite restaurant in town for a family date? A night out with friends? Why?
Great questions. We do a family coffee date every week! Usually we go to Kéan Coffee or Alta Coffee for the chai latte. It’s nice to grab a drink, stick the little guy in the stroller and walk and talk. It’s the perfect way to connect. Outside of coffee dates, I would say we do more of family lunch dates vs. dinner because our son is one. Mendocino Farms is our number one go-to for lunch! For dinner out with friends, we have a Christmas tradition at Muldoon’s Irish Pub every year. Muldoon’s is so festive and cozy right now.
What is your favorite kid-friendly recipe?
I make my own protein pancakes and waffles, easy to eat and take on the go.
1/2 banana mashed
2 eggs
1/2 – 1 serving of protein powder (I use unflavored)
2 Tablespoons of flax seeds ground
Splash of vanilla
Two shakes of cinnamon
Splash of milk of choice. I use Almond or Coconut milk (in the carton not the can). Add milk and stir, then add more milk to achieve desired thickness, creamy but not too thick, thin but not too runny.
→ First mash the banana, then add eggs. Mix it all together. Then add everything else.
→ You can also throw it all in a blender; I use a Vitamix. If you are doing this add a handful of spinach too (perfect way to sneak veggies in for kiddos).
→ Heat pan on low heat. Add a small spoon of coconut oil to the pan and let melt. Then add pancake mix and cook until the first bubbles start to pop, then flip. I add more oil every other pancake I cook. The oil makes them a little crunchy and it is a great way to get some good fat in. If you want to get crazy, add chocolate chips and top with a nut butter + real maple syrup. My son loves to eat them in the stroller so on cardio days it is our #1 breakfast and time saver to get out the door.
What is your local go-to store for children’s clothes? Yourself?
For children’s clothes, it’s Target or online. My guilty mom shopping pleasure is Childhoods Clothing. For myself, I live in workout wear so I have to say the Pure Barre Newport Beach Studio. I shop after I workout; it’s a good problem. Their selection is always amazing with brands I love.
What are your favorite events in Costa Mesa or Newport Beach?
The Boat Parade!
What has been the most difficult age with your children to date? What helped you overcome the challenges at that time?
I think when he was first born. I was so tired, so new to it all. I remember always feeling that judgement and insecurity that I think a lot of first time moms feel. I attended classes at The New Mom School in Newport Beach and those were a game changer. I learned a lot of valuable information as well as connected with wonderful women and mamas whose babies are the same age, hello play dates!
IF and when you get time to yourself, what’s your favorite thing to do?
When I get time alone I love to go take a Pure Barre class, do yoga, or take a nap!
How do you relax and unwind?
I relax and unwind by getting massages as much as possible. Carrying around a toddler is exhausting on my body, not to mention everything else I do. To me, massage is both relaxing and necessary, the perfect self care.
What is one piece of advice you would pass along to other moms? What was the best advice your mom gave you?
One piece of advice that has stuck with me is to lower your level of expectation. This wasn’t from my mom but I think every mom needs to hear it. My mom gives me so much awesome advice. When it comes to being a mom myself I think her best advice is to make decisions from my heart, not from fear or from outside pressure.
What do you most value in your friends?
When it comes to my friends I most value truth. I am pretty open and honest; I like that right back.
What was your career before having children? How do you balance career & motherhood?
Before mom life I taught several yoga classes and worked as a personal trainer in my own studio/wellness center in Costa Mesa. Now I train and coach most of my clients online vs. in person. It has allowed me to help more women and still be home with my son.
Balancing a career and motherhood would be a lot harder without my husband and family. We make it work. It’s a lot of communication and I always know I can’t get it all done so I do what is most important every day and try to keep the to-do list short.
Thank you Lyndsey.
If you are interested in connecting with Lyndsey, or want to learn more about Lyndsey’s Lifestyle, check out Lyndseyslifestyle.com.