What I'm Making This Week + Everything I'm Into Right Now
Two recipes worth making, the Oura Ring update, a health test I'm doing and the wellness habits making my life better right now
Okay I have a lot to share this week and I am genuinely excited about all of it.
Two recipes — a salad I make on repeat, and a smoothie that tastes like a chocolate mint chip shake-OMG so good.
But first let’s talk about what’s been going on in my world lately because I love sharing all the things with you.
Something you might have noticed lately — I have been really intentional about my health this year. Like really intentional. I am deep in a biohacking phase and I am here for every second of it. I am tracking my sleep, understanding my stress, testing my biology and genuinely trying to figure out what my body needs to feel its absolute best. Less stressed, more mindful, more present and healthier from the inside out. It has become such a passion of mine and I cannot wait to share everything I'm learning with you as I go.
📍 What I’m Into Right Now
The Oura Ring
I recently got my Oura Ring and I am genuinely obsessed with it — even though it’s still early days. It takes about 30 days to fully populate your data and build a complete picture so I’m still in the getting to know you phase. But already I’m learning so much.
A few things I love so far:
I love that it tells me when I’ve been sitting too long and reminds me to get up and stretch. I honestly am the kind of person who usually doesn’t sit at all throughout the day as I’m pretty darn active.. however when I am sitting (for example when I’m writing these posts!) I can get completely lost in what I’m doing and forget to stretch my legs — I love these little reminders! It keeps track of my fitness goals for the day, and makes sure I’m getting enough movement in. I also love how it tracks my actual steps. I used to depend on my phone to count my steps but unless I’m holding my phone all day (which I’m not) it’s completely inaccurate. Apparently I get way more steps in than I’ve always thought!
I’m already a pretty good sleeper so no major surprises there yet — but it’s so interesting to actually see the data behind what I already felt. And I’m genuinely curious about what my stress levels look like once it hits 30 days of data. That’s the thing I’m most excited to learn about myself and help manage.
One thing it’s already teaching me is how to manage my heart rate. I tend to get fired up when I’m upset about something — most of us do — and seeing that data in real time is making me much more aware of how I respond to stress. It’s like having a little wellness coach on your finger.
I’ll do a full honest Oura Ring review once I have the complete 30 days of data — but so far I am so glad I have it. Oh and they JUST launched Oura 5 which is so much slimmer and cuter. I might need to update mine at some point!
The Viome Health Tests
This one is new and I am really excited about it. Viome gifted me their health test kit and I am currently testing my stool, saliva and blood. I know — that sounds intense. But hear me out.
Viome analyzes your gut microbiome, your immune health and your cellular health to give you incredibly personalized nutrition and supplement recommendations based on YOUR specific biology. Not generic advice. Not one-size-fits-all. What YOUR body specifically needs.
I am so curious to see my results and I will absolutely be sharing everything once I have them. If you want to try it yourself I have a code and link for you:
USE CODE: DINI20 for 20% off Your Viome Kit!
The Hatch Machine
This is another one that has completely changed my sleep routine and I honestly don’t know how I lived without it.
The Hatch Restore is an alarm clock, a sleep sound machine and a sunrise alarm all in one — and the combination of all three has made such a difference in how I fall asleep and how I wake up. I use it every single night. I set a wind down routine, it slowly dims and plays a calming sound to signal to my brain that it’s time to sleep and in the morning it wakes me up gradually with a sunrise light instead of a jarring alarm. I never realized how stressful my phone alarm clock was!
Waking up gently to light instead of a loud alarm completely changes the energy of your entire morning. I am calmer, less rushed and genuinely more ready to start the day. It sounds like a small thing. It is not a small thing. Also setting my alarm 10-15 minutes before I need to wake up the kids has made me a much happier morning person. I set myself up first and then tend to the tiny humans.
If you are working on your sleep and your stress levels this is the first thing I would tell you to get. It’s also a very aesthetically pleasing alarm clock. I approve.
My favorite nightstand must have linked here.
Skincare — Keeping It Simple
I’ve been really simplifying my skincare lately and honestly my skin has never been better. Sometimes less really is more.
I am also on a mission to avoid Botox for as long as possible — and I genuinely believe that what I’m doing right now is helping. The combination of keeping my routine simple, staying consistent and doing the facial tools regularly/face taping/facial cupping is making a real difference in how my skin looks and feels. I am not anti-Botox at all — it’s just not something I want to rely on right now and I love the challenge of seeing how far I can get without it.
Here’s my current routine
Allies of Skin Multi Peptide and Growth Factor Advanced — the product I started using consistently. I’ve been wanting to try the injectable peptides, but I’m a wuss (and also not 100% convinced I need it) so until then I’m using this and loving it so far. USE CODE DINI20 for 20% OFF!
I finish with my favorite new moisturizer that truly works for any skin type. If you’re not familiar with La Roche Possay products, they are all the rage in Europe and a great price point! I use the Cicaplast Baume B5 as my nightly moisturizer.
Beyond that I’ve been doing facial cupping followed by facial tape regularly and I genuinely think it makes a difference in how my skin looks and feels. And when I can I do my ZIIP red light therapy — it’s not every day but when I do it I always notice it.
The Sauna — Mine and Mike’s Date Night
Okay this one makes me so happy to share.
Mike and I have been doing sauna nights together and it has become one of my absolute favorite things we do as a couple. We go in for 30 minutes, get all the benefits of the red light, get a really good sweat in and listen to acoustic country music. Just the two of us. No phones. No kids. Just the heat, the music and each other.
It sounds simple. It is simple. And it is everything.
If you have access to a sauna I cannot recommend making it a regular ritual enough — with your partner, with a friend or just by yourself. The benefits are incredible and the mental reset is even better. The one we have is from Sunlighten and it’s the 2 person signature 2 in basswood.
One thing that has made the whole experience even better — our SaunaSofa Pillow and Mat Set. Mike and the kids got it for for Mother’s day and it makes the sauna so much more comfortable and honestly so much more luxurious. If you have a sauna at home or access to one this is the upgrade you didn't know you needed. It completely changes the experience.
Also, I have been LIVING in my favorite oversized t-shirt from Daydreamers— they are the softest, comfiest, and have the best graphics. If you don’t own any yet, you need!!
Now let’s get into the food.
Asian Chicken Salad with Balsamic Miso Dressing
This salad has been on my weekly rotation for months and I genuinely cannot get enough of it. The balsamic miso dressing is the kind of thing you want to put on everything — deep and savory with just enough sweetness from the maple syrup and a little nuttiness from the sesame. The wonton crisps and mandarin oranges on top make it feel like a restaurant dish but it comes together in under 30 minutes.
Make the dressing ahead, marinate the chicken the night before and this is literally the easiest most impressive lunch or dinner you will make all week. My family goes absolutely crazy for it every single time.
Ingredients: Serves 4
For the Marinated Chicken:
2 pounds chicken breast, sliced horizontally
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 inch knob ginger, peeled and grated
2 cloves garlic, grated
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Balsamic Miso Dressing:
½ cup soy sauce
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
½ tablespoon white miso paste
2 garlic cloves, grated
2 inch knob ginger, grated
For the Salad:
1 medium-large head napa cabbage, chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
½ bunch green onions, chopped
½ bunch cilantro, chopped
½ cup sliced almonds
2 (10 oz) cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup wonton crisps
Instructions:
Step 1 — Marinate the chicken Place the chicken in a container or ziplock bag. Whisk together the olive oil, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper until well combined then pour over the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes — overnight is even better.
Step 2 — Make the dressing Whisk the miso with a splash of hot water until completely smooth — this is the key step that stops the miso from clumping. Add the remaining dressing ingredients and whisk until well combined. Set aside. Try not to drink it straight from the bowl.
Step 3 — Cook the chicken Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot place the chicken breasts in the pan and sear for 4-6 minutes per side depending on thickness until cooked through to 165°F. Let cool for 5 minutes then slice.
Step 4 — Assemble Toss the cabbage, carrots, green onion, cilantro and almonds together with some of the balsamic miso dressing until well combined and coated. Add more dressing as needed — you might not need the full amount. Top with the sliced chicken, mandarin oranges and wonton crisps and serve immediately.
My notes: The wonton crisps are non-negotiable. I know it sounds like a detail but they add the most incredible crunch and make this feel like a proper restaurant salad. Don’t skip them.
Make ahead tip: The dressing keeps in the fridge for up to a week. The chicken can be marinated the night before and cooked fresh when you’re ready to eat. This is a perfect Sunday prep situation — make a big batch and have lunch sorted for most of the week. 🤍
What I use for this recipe: — A large skillet — essential for that perfect chicken sear — A good microplane — for grating the ginger and garlic— Weck Glass Canning Jar — for mixing and storing the dressing beautifully — A gorgeous salad bowl — this salad deserves a beautiful bowl — this is my second favorite serving bowl — huge and perfect!
Chocolate Chip Smoothie
This smoothie has no business being this good.
It tastes like a chocolate mint chip shake. It has hidden cauliflower in it. My kids drink it without question and have absolutely no idea. That is a win I will take every single time.
The frozen cauliflower rice is the secret — it makes the texture incredibly thick and creamy without adding any flavor whatsoever. Combined with the frozen banana, the cocoa powder and the fresh mint it genuinely tastes like dessert. Except it has protein and spirulina in it. And nobody needs to know that part.
This is my current morning obsession and I make it on repeat at least three times a week. Once you try it you will understand completely.
Ingredients: makes 1 smoothie
½ cup sliced frozen bananas
½ cup frozen cauliflower rice
1 scoop vanilla protein powder — I use FlavCity and love it
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon spirulina
2 fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon cacao nibs + extra for topping
¼ cup water
Instructions:
Step 1 Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick add a splash more water and blend again.
Step 2 Pour into a glass, top with extra cacao nibs and enjoy immediately. 🤍
My notes:
Don’t skip the fresh mint — it’s what makes this taste like a real chocolate mint chip shake rather than just a chocolate smoothie. Two leaves is all you need.
Frozen cauliflower rice sounds strange I know. But I promise you cannot taste it at all. What you get is the most incredible thick creamy texture that makes this feel like a milkshake. It’s a game changer and once you start adding it to smoothies you will never stop.
The spirulina adds a beautiful boost of nutrients without affecting the flavor at all when it’s paired with cocoa powder. Hide your greens. Nobody will ever know.
What I use for this recipe: — Beast Blender — the only blender I use for smoothies. Makes everything completely smooth in seconds — FlavCity Vanilla Protein Powder — the protein powder I use every single morning — My favorite glass cups for smoothies
That’s everything for this week — a salad I cannot stop making and a smoothie that tastes like dessert. Plus a little peek into the wellness habits that have been making such a difference in my life lately.
I have to be honest — sharing all of this with you felt really good. The Oura Ring, the Viome testing, the sauna nights with Mike, the simplified skincare — it’s all part of this bigger intention I have right now to really take care of myself. To slow down, be more mindful and figure out what my body actually needs. I’m learning so much and I cannot wait to share more as I go.
If any of this resonated with you — or if you have your own wellness obsessions you think I need to know about — please drop them in the comments. I read every single one and I genuinely love hearing from you.
Thank you for being here. It means more than you know.
— Dini
P.S. I have some exciting news coming your way. Starting very soon Prep + Rally is transitioning to a paid subscription — and trust me, it is going to be so worth it. Paid subscribers will get access to exclusive monthly giveaways, early access to everything I’m loving before it goes public, the full weekly lifestyle and recipe experience and so much more.
Next week you will receive a special email with a discounted promo code exclusively for my current subscribers — because you have been here from the beginning and that means everything to me. Keep an eye on your inbox. You are not going to want to miss this one.