XO, MU by Melissa Urban

The New Whole30 book tour

Last weekend, I spent a few hours scrolling through all of my Whole30 book tour photos, dating all the way back to 2012. Twelve years ago in Salt Lake City, I nervously arranged copies of It Starts With Food on a table in a local cafe, preparing for my first ever book tour event.

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How I plan my workouts

This article is sponsored by LMNT electrolytes, which has been a regular part of my fitness routine for years. LMNT keeps me hydrated, energized, focused, and muscle-cramp free, especially in summer. Get a free sampler 8-pack of LMNT with any drink mix purchase

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BONUS XOMU: Our 8-day South African safari, start to finish

Upgrade your subscription today and access ALL of my detailed travel and hiking reviews My husband, 11-year-old son, and I spent three weeks in South Africa in April 2024; the first eight days of that were on safari. (See our full itinerary here, and my latest article,

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Five things you should know about a South African safari

This issue is sponsored by WHOOP. Using WHOOP to monitor my sleep, stress, and health during my safari helped me decide when to nap, when to move my body, and if I could afford to have a glass of South African wine with dinner. Join WHOOP now and get a free month.

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Kiss, Marry or Kill: 34

This is my weekly series for subscribers only, where I’ll share things that caught my eye this week in a fun and flirty way (kiss), a sustainable way (marry), or a not-so-good way (kill). And yes, this trendy game is technically “f***, marry, or kill” but we run a family-friendly-ish show around here.

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BONUS XOMU: Three weeks in South Africa

This article is free to all subscribers! Upgrade to a paid subscription for ALL of the details. It’s $6 a month to join, and gives you access to all of my resources, including my US travel and hiking guides! I spend hours on these write-ups; thank you for supporting my work.

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How to avoid the Sunday Scaries

Are you ready to change your life with the Whole30, but nervous to take the leap? We’ve got a solution for the “Whole30 scaries” right now! Join our May Whole30 Community Cohort today, and start your Whole30 with our private group on Monday April 29th.

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How to deal with passive-aggressive behavior

This issue is sponsored by LMNT Electrolytes. LMNT has played a huge role in my mental health, relieving the symptoms of my concussion and POTS and supporting my exercise and hiking. Get a FREE sampler 8-pack with any LMNT purchase. We’ve all been on the receiving end of a passive-aggressive comment:

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How to recover from exercise, stress, and life

This issue is sponsored by WHOOP. Join WHOOP today and get a free month, a free WHOOP 4.0, and a Black Onyx band—and start tracking the impact of your healthy habits. “Recovery” is one of WHOOP’s most prominent scores. It’s the big number you see at the top of your app each morning, coded Green, Yellow, or Red. According to WHOOP, your recovery score mea…

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10 things I always pack on a flight

This article is sponsored by LATHER, the key to Jackson Shower Hair™ and glowing, soft, hydrated skin. Save 15% on your order with the code MELISSA (new AND existing customers). I fly a lot, and I’ve got it down to an art. (Picture George Clooney in

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