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30 days in an Airbnb taught me this

Published 4 months ago • 3 min read
Powellful Habits – We Moved! (And What This Crazy Month Taught Me)

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Powellful Habits

Nutrition  ·  Real Life  ·  No Nonsense

Life Update  ·  May 2026

Hi friend,

I owe you an explanation for the radio silence. We moved. Two toddlers, a dog, a moving truck, and a husband. And to make it extra fun, I started a new job two days after our plane touched down in South Carolina.

It's been a whirlwind. Thirty days living in an Airbnb. Now five days into our new house, new neighborhood, and honestly, a new beginning. We're closer to family now, closer to the water, and closer to Disney (still six hours away, but we cut that drive way down, so I'm calling it a win).

But here's what this month actually taught me: grace and patience with myself. Not the advice I give to clients while ignoring it myself. The actual advice. I leaned on the same systems I tell you about every week, because that's what they're built for. Real life, not perfect conditions.

So this week, I want to walk you through exactly what I did, and what I want for you too.

 

This month's focus

Two Small Goals, Not Twenty

What I leaned on when everything else was chaos

When your kitchen is in boxes and your routine doesn't exist, you don't get to do all the things. So I didn't try to. I picked two goals and let everything else go.

 

Goal 1: One animal protein + one plant protein at every eating occasion. Eggs and beans. Chicken and lentils. Greek yogurt and chia seeds. I didn't track grams. I just made sure both showed up on the plate.

Goal 2: Steps wherever I could sneak them in. The walk from the back of the parking garage at my new job. A loop around the harbor with the dog after dinner. A walk on the beach because we suddenly live near one. No workout plan. Just movement, stacked on top of a day that already had no room left.

That's it. Two things. Not a meal plan, not a tracker, not a 5am routine I'd never actually do during a cross country move. And it worked, because it was actually doable.

Your turn

Pick your own two goals this week

   
 Start small: Pick one nutrition goal and one movement goal. Not ten. Two.
   
 Make it stupid simple: If it needs a grocery list, a timer, and a plan, it's not small enough yet.
   
 Let everything else go: No all-or-nothing here. Two goals, done well, beat ten goals, done never.
 

This week's breakfast prep

Egg + Black Bean Breakfast Bowl

1 animal + 1 plant protein  ·  8 minutes  ·  one pan

This is the bowl I leaned on through the entire move. Eggs from the fridge, beans from the pantry, whatever else needed using up.

What you need (per serving):

• 2 eggs
• ½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• Handful of spinach or whatever green is left in the fridge
• Salsa, hot sauce, or avocado on top

How to prep:

Scramble the eggs, warm the beans, wilt the greens in the same pan. Pile it all in a bowl and top with whatever you've got. Five minutes, almost no cleanup, and it travels well if you're eating in the car between unpacked boxes.
 

Bonus: this week's easy dinner

One-Pot Chicken and Lentil Soup

1 animal + 1 plant protein  ·  30 min  ·  feeds 4-5  ·  one pot

This was on repeat during our Airbnb month. One pot, minimal equipment needed, and it makes enough for leftovers the next night.

What you need:

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, diced
• 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
• 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 6 cups chicken broth
• Garlic, thyme, salt, pepper to taste

How to prep:

Sear the chicken in the pot first, then add the veggies and soften. Pour in the broth and lentils, season, and simmer for about 25 minutes until the lentils are tender. Ladle into bowls and call it done.
 

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One more thing before I go: I'm loading up every free resource I have into one spot for you, plus putting together a membership offer I am genuinely excited to share. More on that soon. 👀

Thanks for sticking with me through the radio silence. Whether you've been here since day one or you forgot you signed up (no judgment, same), I'm glad you opened this one.

Hit reply and tell me: what are your two small goals this week? I read every single response. 🌿

— Emmaline

Registered Dietitian  ·  Powellful Habits

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A word from today's sponsor

Between toddlers, work, and (apparently) moving across the country, staying plugged into what's happening in the world is the first thing to go. That's exactly why I read Morning Brew. Five minutes, no fluff, and I actually understand the news instead of just scrolling past it.

Powellful Habits

Emmaline Powell MBA, RDN

Hey there, I'm Emmaline, and I'm thrilled to have you join our community of empowered millennial moms. At Powellful Habits, we’re all about helping you cultivate healthy finances, wellness, and thriving family dynamics. Expect practical tips, digital & printable tools, and links to the best products that make balancing work, self-care, and family time a breeze. Whether you're looking to boost your nutrition, master your budget, or create unforgettable family moments, you're in the right place! Let’s grow and thrive together, one powerful habit at a time. Stay connected, stay inspired, and let's make life a little more Powellful! 💪💰👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

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