Pump Up Your Smoothies

Okay I know I talk about smoothies and juicing all the time.  However, I recently was able to try out some cool ingredients.  

The first one is chia seed powder. I'm a big an of chia seeds.  I love putting them in drinks and giving myself a little afternoon energy boost.  Putting them in smoothies is great.  They are no real taste to speak of and they give you protein, omega 3s, antioxidents and fiber.  The chia powder is a little easier to add to things because it blends a bit better and is less noticeable than whole chia seeds.

The Chia Powder is also great on yogurt, in cereal and you can use it instead of flour too.  I love using this as a way to give myself a little more protein, to add a little texture to my morning breakfast and to power up from the inside out.

The next one I tried is Wheatgrass Powder.  Its a true super food.  This powder is made from fresh sweet wheatgrass and freeze dried.  Its packed with vitamins and super high in protein.  You're shocked when you add it in and it adds a wonderful kick or just a small amount.  Its an amazing color too :)

I love using the wheatgrass powder in smoothies and in dip.  Its a quick add in to just about anything and you're adding valuable nutrition.  Wheatgrass powder has Vitamin K.  That's not that easy to come by and for people who suffer from cramps, its a miracle.

If you're looking for a toxin reducer, wheatgrass is it.  Its used in many of the cleanses you can purchase.  If you're making juice, you can add it in with no problem and boost up the nutritional value.

Take a look at these two add ins and LOTS of others at the Navitas Naturals site: http://navitasnaturals.com/

Lululemon Warehouse Sale

Well its common knowledge I love all things Lululemon. When I heard they were having a warehouse sale, fairly close to my home I got very excited.

I dragged my aunt along with me to have some company and to take the trip with me to Long Island.  The sale took place at the stadium where the Rangers skate during the winter.  it took us about 45 minutes to get there and we parked in the immense parking lot.

We did go on the first day of the sale so I was worried about lines.  While they did have ropes set up and were were told the line that morning was a two hour wait, we didn't have to wait at all.

There were fitness instructors demonstrating at the opening to the event and there was a yogi showing some inversions.  While these things may have been fun if I was waiting in line, I wanted to get started.

The racks were divided up by size.  It was a lot of items from last season and a lot of items from speciality events, such as the Sea Wheeze 1/2 marathon.  I was a little over whelmed at first.

I started piling items into my arms and once I couldn't carry them anymore, I went over the side of the stadium and started sorting.  I then shopped again.  I quickly learned that they were putting new items out all the time and that the discard bins held some gems.  For example, there were no more scuba hoodies in my size but I found one in a discard bin.

The dressing room was a large sectioned off area with mirrors.  It was a free for all and my aunt sat on the floor and held down the clothes I wore in and my keep pile.  If you were shy, it wasn't the place to be.  Again, the discard bins were a great place to peek for items.

They also had a DJ and it was hard to not stop and dance!

Everything was less than half off what it would have been at the store and I found something that I couldn't have gotten unless I went to Canada or the Sea Wheeze, like a polka dot running tank that I'm in love with.

So, if you get the chance to go to one of these events, do it.  Its well worth it.  KNOW what you are looking for.  Know what size you are and know how much things regularly cost.  This will help you find great deals and get shopping!

Yoga Smoga

Okay we're all looking for workout clothes that are functional and make us feel cute right?  Check out YOGA SMOGA.  They are a new brand and you will love their clothes.

I was able to try out two pieces; the Yantra Tank and the Crops.

The Yantra Tank is one of my favorite tanks ever.  Its not super long but it hits at the hips.  They claim is stays in place.  I thought I'd test this out with a few different activities.  I tried yoga in it, rowing, running and spinning.  It didn't move at all.  It stays in place and the tank doesn't twist or ride up.  I thought the straps may fall down, a common problem I have, but they stayed in place.  I liked that the straps were thick enough to hide bra straps and didn't dig in.  I wore this top many times all day long and was comfortable.  The fabric wicks away moisture and stays cool during workouts. However, its super soft.  I like that the top comes in sizes instead of just small, medium and large.  It makes for a customized fit that isn't baggy or squeezing you in.

The Run Jump N' Play Crop does everything it says it does.  I've worn these crops for every activity you can think of and they are stayed in place and kept me cool.  I love a multi tasker than can serve more than one purpose in your closet.  These crops are super flattering.  I was worried about having such a bright color on my behind, but they are just compression enough to make your assets look great.  I was wearing India Blue-an amazing an dynamic color that matches everything but still makes a statement.
Again, these come in sizes, like jeans, so you get a specialized fit.  

YOGA SMOGA isn't your traditional yoga company.  They are focused on the true yoga principles and that is represented in their clothing and their business practices.  Each garment is made with care and love and the best intention for positive energies.  They use advanced manufacturing techniques that give the customer a superior product.  (I've washed mine a LOT) and they still look brand new.  The color is amazing and deep.  You will love being the brightest in your yoga class or shining on your run.  These clothes and their colors make you happy and help you spread a little joy.  

YOGA SMOGA's clothes are reasonably priced and available here: http://yogasmoga.com/

I'm in love and so happy I've discovered them!  

Greater Than Drink Review

I was recently able to try Greater Than, a coconut water based sports drink.  I'm not a big fan of traditional sports drinks due to carbs, taste, etc.

Greater Than is an all natural, no artificial ingredient and no caffeine option for the athlete who could use a little something during or before their work out.

Because its based from coconut water is low in calories and sugar.  And that doesn't mean it doesn't taste great.  The flavors are flavorful but not over bearing.  Greater Than comes in Natural, Berry Blue, Tropical, Grape and Orange-Mango.  I was able to try all of them and its hard to pick a favorite.

Greater than has about 75 calories a bottle-enough to replenish what you need, but not enough to ruin your nutritional plan.  Coconut water is a natural option and is packed with electrolytes.  So if you have a sugar issue or are simply trying to avoid sugars, Greater Than is a good option for you.  Its also Kosher.

You can find Greater Than on Facebook, Twitter and of course, on their website!

Navitas Naturals Review

If you're looking to start eating a bit healthier, take it to the next level with Navitas Naturals.  I've been a healthy eater for a few years now.  I struggled with weight and won.  However, I've recently adopted some more stringent eating policies. I'm paying attention to where my food is grown, the carbon footprint of it, the protein within and its true nutritional value.  While this all sounds like a lot, its not hard when you keep healthy food items on hand.  I came across Navitas Naturals and I was able to try some of their amazing products.

I tried two power snacks (Cacao Goji and Blueberry Hemp), cacao powder, trail mix and cacao sweet nibs.  They were all amazing in taste.  Better yet, I felt GOOD after I ate them. I had energy and had no sugar crash or digestive issues.

Their snacks are organic and made up of whole foods.  Many are vegan, raw and gluten free.  If you're looking for REAL and SUSTAINABLE energy, these are your best bet.  I love the fact that I can eat these before I take the dog for a walk and feel great.  These are amazing for hiking.  They are "durable" and don't crumble in your bag.  These are also awesome for road trips!

Navitas Naturals sells something for everyone.  They have LOTS of snacks, nuts, and powders.  Their website provides recipes to help you bust eating boredom and have a little fun with your diet.    These are truly super foods and you'll be healthier and happier after you've given them a try!

Follow them on Facebook and Pinterest and Twitter.  They also have Instagram and YouTube Videos!
Look at their whole selection and recipes here: http://navitasnaturals.com

Foam Roll

Since I have a love/hate relationship with my foam roller...I figured I'd share this...

Happy Valentine's Day

Enjoy the day today with your friends, family and loved ones.  Make it special regardless of time, distance and money.  An email, phone call or hug can make all the difference in the world.

Kombucha Brooklyn Review

I love kombucha tea and drinks.  They are a tasty, healthy drink.  It has been shown to help digestion, fibromyalgia, and even depression.  While you should always evaluate your diet and discuss it with your doctor, I wanted to share with you Kombucha Brooklyn's at home brewing.

Buying kombucha at the store can get expensive.  Each bottle can be up to $5.  I love it though and for me, it feels great to drink.  I was really curious when I read about an at home brewing kit.  While I'm crafty and frugal in the kitchen, I'm not into things that require a lot of detail and time.

I received the home brew and I immediately dove in.  The SCOBY needs to be refrigerated so if you decide not to start right away you need to at least open it up and put it away.  You can also have the SCOBY shipped to you later if you're giving it as a gift or aren't ready to start yet.

The process is simple, add their tea to water, steep, add the included sugar, do some measuring, add the SCOBY and let it sit. The waiting is the tough part!  I checked on it every few days.  Finally, when it looked done I followed the instructions on how to take it "apart".  I did a lot of research on Kombucha Brooklyn's forum.  Its free to use and lots of other people are posting photos, questions and answers.  You can find everything from beginning help to advanced techniques here: http://kombuchabrooklyn.com/forum/index

The best part about the brew at home kit is that you can easily start another batch and for the price of the starter kit, end up with endless Kombucha!  You will make up the purchase cost in one to two batches!  I love love that I can flavor the kombucha any way I want.  You can change the tea bags you use, add fruit to the finished brew, make it sour or sweet....the possibilities are endless.

The kombucha should be bottled in glass and stored in a fridge.  I "processed" a batch and started a new batch in 30 minutes today.  This would make a great gift for the health food nut in your life or for yourself!  Take a peek at all that Kombuncha Brooklyn has to offer here:

http://shop.kombuchabrooklyn.com/

Happy

This is an infographic I found on Pinterest and I wanted to share it.

Love Yourself

A friend recently sent me this and I wanted to share:

Stand naked in front of a mirror for a long time, under unflattering light if possible. Trace the rises and falls of the little ripples on your skin — the scars, the dimples, the cellulite — and think about how much you try to hide these things in your day-to-day. Wonder why you hate them so much, and if this hate stems from somewhere within yourself, or as a result of being told all your life that it’s wrong to have physical flaws. Wonder what you would think of your body if you never looked at a magazine, if you never thought about celebrities and models, if you never had to wonder where someone would rate you on a scale of 10. Look at yourself until the initial recoil softens, and you can consider your features in a more forgiving frame of mind.

Listen to the music which makes you want to both sob and dance with uninhibited joy, and allow yourself to repeat any song you want as many times as your heart desires. Think of the person you are when you have your favorite song in your headphones and are walking down a street you feel you own completely, swaying your hips and smiling for no good reason — remember how many things you love about yourself during those moments, how much you are willing to forgive in yourself, how confident you are for no good reason. Try to think of confidence as a gift you give yourself when you need it, instead of something you have to siphon from every unreliable source in your life. Dance because the music makes you remember how much you love yourself, not because it allows you to forget the fact that you don’t.

Write a list of all the things you like about yourself, even if you think it’s a self-indulgent and narcissistic activity. Start as early as you like in your life — put down that time you won a trophy playing little league soccer when you were eight and then got an extra-large shake at the DQ on the way home, and don’t feel silly for remembering it. Try to understand how many sources in your life happiness can come from, how many things you could be proud of if you chose to. Ask yourself why you so tightly limit the things you take pride in, why you set your own hurdles for happiness and fulfillment so much higher than you do with anyone else in your life. Let your list go on for pages and pages if you want it to.

Touch and care for yourself with the attention and the patience that you would someone you loved more than life itself. Rub lotion in small circles on your elbows and hands when it is cold and your skin is dry and cracked. Make soup for yourself when your nose is running and curl up, with your favorite movie, in a pile of expertly-stacked pillows. Light a few candles and let their glow flicker against your body. Admire how gentle they are, how delicately their warmth touches you — wonder why you don’t let yourself do the same. Soak your feet in warm water at the end of a long day, until they have forgiven you for walking on them for so long without so much as a ‘thank you.’ Listen to your body when it aches to be touched, and don’t be afraid to give it every orgasm that you may have been too ashamed to ask for in someone else’s bed.

Be patient with yourself, and don’t worry if a switch doesn’t flip in you which abruptly takes you from ‘crippling self-doubt’ to ‘uncompromising self-love.’ Allow yourself all the trepidation and clumsy, uneven infatuation that you would with a promising stranger. Try only to be kinder, to be softer, and to remember all of the things within you which are worth loving. Listen to the voice in the back of your head which tells you, as much out of sadness as anger, ‘You are ugly. You are stupid. You are boring.’ Give it the fleeting moment of attention it so craves, and then remind it, ‘Even if that were true, I’d still be worth loving.'

—Chelsea Fagan, How to Fall In Love With Yourself

Salonpas Review

Salonpas recently sent me some pain relief patches to try out.  I normally hate patches like these and can't wait to take them off, but after badly hurting my IT band this summer and facing flare ups from time to time I'm willing to try anything to make running easier. 

The patch does have menthol.  However, the odor is not over powering as it usually is in patches like this.  The patch was large enough to cover the area I wanted it to, but not too big.  It was easy to put on with one set of hands as well.

The patch easily stayed on for eight hours.  At that time I took it off easily and there was no goop left behind. 

I know what you're asking....does it work?  It does.  I felt relief after a day of speed work in the cold, a hot shower after and rushing out the door without stretching....
The patch won't compensate for taking care of yourself but on those days when you are a little stiff and can use a little help, the Salonpas patch is a great option.  Its thin enough that you don't notice it under clothing...I even had tight fitting pants on and it wasn't a problem.

They offer all sorts of patches-some for arthritis, some in large sizes, some with gel etc.  No matter what you are looking for, Salonpas has something for you.

However, what I like even better than the patches is the Jet Spray.  The spray is like a pain relieving mist that goes on and doesn't drip.  It feels amazing and takes away pain longer than any other spray I've used.  And the smell is much nicer.

The Salonpas massage foam is a little treat your can give yourself after your workout.  Its a foam that you spray on and massage in.  The cool pain relieving effects happen right away.  I love to put this on and foam roll and its like a mini post workout spa visit.  The best part is that Salonpas patches and sprays are inexpensive, so can use them without worry!

You can get Salonpas patches at all sorts of places including Drugstore.com, Amazon.com and CVS. 

Visit their website here:
http://www.salonpas.us/

Cool Cat Pro Review

I'm into multitaskers and Cool Cat Pro is all about multitaking.  The Cool Cat Pro  is anything you need it to be.  Its a technical fabric that you can wrap around your head as a headband or wear around your neck as a scarf.  But the possibilities don't end there.  Use it to put your hair in a ponytail, as a face mask, or even as a hat.

Cool Cat Pro is great for ladies and men and comes in blue, orange, grey, white and yellow. They come in multi packs because you want more than one.  

I threw the Cool Cat Pro into my running bag and one day used it was a headband to keep the "fly aways" out of my face.  Then I used it a day to keep my ears warm.  I have asthma and its a great thing to wear to warm up the air before I breathe it in.

I love having it around my neck when I hike.  Even if I don't have a specific use for it right away, chance are I will.  I've cleaned my sunglasses with the Cool Cat Pro.  I've used it for the dog (and she looks adorable in it!) and I've even used it to tie something to my backpack. 

Its adjustable with snaps so it fits just right no matter where you want to use it.  I would love to have one for each day of the week.  I don't go out for a run or hike without my Cool Cat Pro now!

You can order Cool Cat's here:

https://www.coolcatpro.com/

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