Drink in Style with Chuester!

This post is sponsored by Chuester, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Drinking water in mass amounts has always been a main priority for me, from trying to lose weight to helping my baby grow... I've had plenty of good reasons to stay hydrated over the past few years, as most of us do.

So when Chuester asked me to review one of their new cups and share my thoughts with you guys, I couldn't decline the offer. You see these cups are just different from the rest! This gorgeous cup has the ability to keep your drink at the right temperature all day long with it's double-walled glass, while also offering a BPA free, deliciously clean cup, it's obvious why I fell in love with these cups and use them all day long.

I've had tumblers and water bottles galore in my life, but this beautiful little cup is so perfect for my day-to-day routine that I've been washing it and using it almost all the time since I first received it. Coming in two of my favorite shades, a bright pink and a gorgeous mint green, I decided to stock up on cups and own them both now.

Whether you are drinking a cup of joe from your Chuester or sipping on aqua like myself, you'll be more than pleased with your new eco-friendly beverage container. Plus, the ability to see your drink is great if you're trying to achieve the perfect shade of mocha in the morning or you want to make sure your smoothie is still perfectly green.

Achieve Your Fitness Goals with Planet Fitness + a Membership Deal!

Today's discussion is sponsored by Planet Fitness, regardless all opinions expressed below are mine alone.

If you've followed the blog for a while you know I've been on a journey to get fit over the last few years. I shared my story in 2014, when I weighed in at my heaviest weight ever and knew I needed to make a change; then I shared my triumph whenever I finally hit my goal weight in 2015 and how I planned on maintaining my fitness. The past few years have truly been a journey, from learning how to eat healthier (most of the time) to officially becoming a member of a gym, I made a lot of changes and I shared most of these changes and my progress here on the blog with you.

Which leads me to 2016, this year also includes some changes... While these changes involve gaining back some of the weight I lost (all for my little baby on the way), I'm still trying to stay fit! I haven't shared much of my fitness routine as of late because it's hard to talk shop with a baby bump growing and my morning sickness in full force, but I wanted to check in with you all and let you know, I'm still on my fitness journey this year - it's just a little bit different than it has been.

That's why I love Planet Fitness so much, it's a fitness club that's helped me along my journey and will continue to be a part of my fitness routine. I felt comfortable visiting the club when I was at my heaviest, I felt confident going in for a quick work out when I was feeling fit in 2015, and now that I'm expecting, I still feel like Planet Fitness is the perfect place for me to work on myself and my goals.

WHY is Planet Fitness my preferred gym? If you're overweight, underweight, or maybe even just of the female gender, and you've ever visited another gym, you may have felt like you were being gawked at or judged while running on the treadmill or lifting weights. This is NOT the case with Planet Fitness, there's no "gymtimidation."

The staff, the trainers, and even the other members facilitate an environment where everyone can feel confident and comfortable while bettering themselves. You don't need to have muscles to join this gym, you're not going to be laughed at if you have to ask how to use a machine, and really, the only real requirement is that you keep Planet Fitness a Judgement Free Zone!

I don't just like Planet Fitness because of the other members and staff though... I like PF because most clubs are open and staffed 24/7 to help you get a work out in, any time of the day! Plus, all 1,000 of the Planet Fitness clubs also have spacious locker rooms and access to unlimited fitness training, as well as two "circuit" workouts that make getting in a quick gym sesh super simple!

That's not all you get when you join Planet Fitness though, you gain access to a group of like-minded people. You're not just joining a gym, you're joining a community. Planet Fitness provides all members with an opportunity to connect and support with others via "Planet of Triumphs," an online community that celebrates all accomplishments and inspirational stories.

Not only can you gain access to a support system, a gym without judgement, and a healthier you - If you sign up for the black card membership (at $19.99 a month), it includes additional amenities such as the ability to bring a guest every single day at no additional charge, access to all 1,000+ Planet Fitness locations, use of massage chairs and beds, and more.

Everyone belongs at Planet Fitness, that's why on April 4, you can join Planet Fitness for just a dollar!

That's right... For one day only, join Planet Fitness for only a $1 down and then just $10 a month. Or if you prefer the PF Black Card, you can take  advantage of that membership and its additional perks for $1 down and   then $19.99 per month. They’ve created a link just for you guys so that you can enter your email for a reminder to sign up April 4th. Click here! No matter what your fitness goals are in 2016, you won't regret joining Planet Fitness - I promise you!

5 Powerful (and Simple) Ways to Improve Your Daily Life

This post was sponsored by Nature Made® as a part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central,
regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Now that I'm expecting staying healthy is a top priority for me (and my husband). Whether we're trying to implement easy new ways to fit in a little exercise or spending the entire day "nesting" and reorganizing our place, we're truly prepping ourselves and our lives for when the baby arrives. As you can imagine, we're super excited about this change in our life, so we decided to make a couple other changes in 2016:

It all started with taking vitamins. It's a simple step but with just the right nutrients for each of our bodies, Nature Made Prenatal Multi Vitamin with DHA for myself and Nature Made Super B-Complex for him, it's been hugely beneficial. Want to know the best part? It's easy to add this simple step into your daily routine, with a quick trip to Walmart you can start taking the #1 best selling brand for vitamins, minerals and supplements and change your life for the better today (without breaking the bank).

Another fairly simple change to our routine in 2016 has been spending more time outdoors. Soaking up a little bit of sun, taking deep breaths of fresh air, and reading a book to gain a bit of knowledge while chilling on our back porch has been a great contrast to binge watching TV on Netflix.

Before I mentioned that we are finding new ways to exercise this year as well, you can check out more information on one of my favorite ways to exercise here.

I also mentioned that "we've" been nesting. From decluttering spaces to rearranging furniture, we're stirring things up in our home and the benefits are tremendous. We're scrubbing, sweeping, and ridding the house of unnecessary items and it feels so good! Here's a few examples of how spring cleaning can be cute and fun.

The last step we've taken is one of the simplest but truly important, we're taking more time to talk with each other. We're talking about the little things like how our poodle is obsessed with hunting lizards while we sit on our patio to the significant things like how we plan to parent our child... It's been nice to take a little extra time to connect purposefully this year and it's something I suggest any couple make an effort to do.

Are you wanting to make a change to your daily routine that will benefit you for years to come? Click here to find out which Nature Made vitamin is right for you and you can sign up to receive daily "boosts" from Nature Made! It's that easy to make 2016 healthier year for you and your family. Plus, use the form below to register for your chance to win 1 of 20 $50 Walmart gift cards!

Nature Made Wellness 4

*I-C will randomly select 20 winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Get Fit In Your Home with Grokker!

While pregnancy has somewhat altered my workout routine, it hasn't completely stopped my ability to get-up and go either. I'll admit, instead of jogging or lifting heavy weights, I've been finding easier ways to work out from home that fit into my daily routine. It's best to take it easy, so I've found that yoga seems to be my favorite way to stay fit and balanced while experiencing everything pregnancy has to offer.

If you've been a follower of the blog, you know I've pretty much always been a huge fan of yoga and it's benefits, so when I found Grokker and tried out the 14 day yoga challenge, I knew I immediately found a little community of amazing, fitness-minded people that I could connect with! Not only did I find an amazing source of knowledge, I found a place that makes me feel at ease... my own home, my own little yoga sanctuary plugged right into my very own tv, so I can "attend" classes on my schedule! Do you the smiley smirk on my face in the photo below? This is after I did my yoga routine and as you can tell, I'm glowing & I loved every second of my practice today!

Working out really has never been easier, now that I can gain access to the videos that get my blood pumping within seconds. I know we all want to be healthy and now everyone can live a healthier, happier lifestyle with a simple addition to your daily routine. Whether you decide to work out in the AM or the PM, adding in a little bit of time to set your mind and your body right with yoga is easy using Grokker!

Whether your a beginner or an advanced yogi, you'll find a video that suits your fancy on Grokker and you'll love the variety of fitness, meditation, and healthy cooking videos you'll find on the website as well! There are a lot of sites to find work out material, but with Grokker I think you'll find one of the best ways to tone your body or, in my case, try to maintain a healthy routine daily - it's a fitness solution that actually works for you and with you!

Are you ready to start your workout at your convenience, on your time, on any device you please (even in HD, if you prefer)? Check Grokker out for yourself and score a 2 week free trial! Here's an example of the 14-day Yoga Challenge that initially got me hooked, click play & you'll find out why:

Plus, sign up with this link to receive an exclusive discount of 40% off a monthly membership!!

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Grokker.

Summer Pregnancy Must-Haves

As I've mentioned recently, I'm pretty excited to be expecting in September... but this week, as some warm weather rolled in, it dawned on me that I'm going to be pregnant all summer long. Here in Florida, that means I'll be surviving heat waves by spending time floating on the waves in the Gulf.

Since I plan on spending a lot of time outdoors this summer, I'm already putting together a little extra bag of must-haves to keep in the car, so I can take my essentials along on our adventures. Today we spent a little time at the beach, next week we'll be out on the kayak, and all summer long we'll be going on adventures... I'm not letting pregnancy get in the way of having fun and exploring, I'm just learning ways to accommodate my growing little baby bump I'm starting to grow.

Today I want to share a few quick ways that any woman can combat the summer heat while rocking a bump and I'm so excited to have partnered with Dove to share all the fun with you! Hopefully all the other mama's that will be in their third trimester this summer can find some cool calmness in these simple tips to keep comfortable!

1. We'll go ahead and start with one of the most important parts of nurturing your baby - your nutrition! I'm all about grabbing a couple of healthy snacks to combat morning (more like ALL DAY) sickness. I'm also all about having a stash of water bottles no matter where I am, staying hydrated is my highest priority now that it's warming up out and it'll remain that way!

2. Next on my list of must-haves this summer is Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant, it's the latest beauty trend (you don't want to be the last to try) and it's definitely the only way I'm going to smell and look pretty after a long day in the sun. Why do I love Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant so much? It goes on instantly dry, meaning it leaves absolutely no visible residue.

While it isn't visible, it's providing a full 48 hours of odor and wetness protection, along with Dove 1 in 4 moisturizers for softer, smoother underarms! I find comfort in knowing I'll be able to stay cool and dry with Dove Dry Spray this summer, no matter what adventure I'm on! Plus, I'll smell amazing with the soothing chamomile scent or the original clean scent, to name a few!

3. My next tip may be obvious, but I feel like I must share... Wear as little clothing as you feel comfortable wearing in public. I'm not suggesting you turn into a nudist, start rocking daisy dukes, or throw modesty out the window, but if you feel confident rocking your bikini while spending time on the beach, then go right ahead - just don't forget the sunscreen! Along the same lines, choose clothing that breathes... a flowing sundress would be the perfect way to "suit up" for a night out with your other half.

4. My last little tip is going to be the easiest one to follow, keep things simple. Less make up, more relaxation; choose a pony tail holder with some sass over primping and curling your hair every morning. Instead of working out hard, spend some time paddling around on a kayak or doing a little yoga on the beach. While you and I, both, still want to feel beautiful while rocking a baby bump, let the glow of pregnancy help with that and embrace your natural beauty!

So tell me, what tips do you have for this first time mama-to-be to battle the summer heat? Plus, I can't wait to hear what you think of Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant when you #TryDry for the first time! Go to Dove.com/trydry to learn more!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #instantlytrending #DovePartner #TryDry http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

How I Energize and Revitalize My Mind & Body: My Morning Routine

Today has been all about the day of love so it probably doesn't surprise you that I want to share a few things I really have been loving lately! If you read the last post you found out we're expecting and with that news has come a new sleep pattern for me. My new sleep pattern means I'm falling asleep way earlier than I used to and that obviously means I've become more of a morning person...

With my new found love of mornings, I've found a balanced routine I like to practice almost every day. It's just nice to start your day out with revitalizing and energizing activities... and well, I think my little morning routine is just perfect.

My favorite part of waking each morning now is knowing that I'll soon be sipping on a delicious glass of Lipton Tea. With their huge variety of new, delicious flavors including my favorites - New Berry Hibiscus herbal tea, Improved Orange Passionfruit Jasmine tea, and the New Irresistible Lady Lipton tea, it's hard to decide which flavor I want each morning so I tend to have a glass before and after my routine!

It's so delicious, I just can't pass it up! These new, refreshing flavors put a great spin on the standard "tea time" expectation, creating an exciting and unique experience. Each type of tea offering it's own distinct flavor and still complimenting my breakfast of cookies so perfectly, what more could a girl ask for?

While I'm sipping on my favorite tea of the day, I also like journaling. Sometimes I bullet journal to try and get my thoughts gathered all in one place. Allowing my journal to remind me of important things I need to accomplish and sometimes just reminding myself to stay positive. This is a hobby that I think everyone should start, tea while journaling is pretty much soul food.

After I finish up a cup of tea and a little journaling, I like to practice these 8 yoga poses to make sure my body is feeling energized, revitalized, and ready to take on anything the day has to offer. Once you start practicing each morning, it becomes an addictive and satisfying habit!

I usually begin with a little meditation while sitting in half lotus, preparing my mind and body for the day and for my yoga practice.

Half Sun Salutation is normally my next move in my yoga sequence, allowing my body to awaken and feel completely at peace.

Next I like to provide my body with a sense of power and strength by stepping into Warrior II.

Coming into triangle pose just feels natural and since it's a restorative pose, it's beneficial to practice daily.

After spending some time in triangle pose, I love slipping into a side plank, testing my body slightly and encouraging it to find strength and balance from within.

Now I like to give my body a little break and get into a pose that always feels like I'm lounging, the bridge pose is like a baby back bend and instantly relieves pressure and stress for me.

Next I like to flip over and practice cat/cow a  little, allowing my face to relax and really embracing the small stretch I feel.

Last on my list of daily yoga moves is high crescent lunge, allowing my chest to really open and feel the stretch and preparing my mind for a day full of energy.

So tell me, after learning a bit more about how I spend my mornings... do you want to try my daily morning routine yourself? I guarantee you'll feel more energized and revitalized all day long after a little yoga, journaling, and tea! If you already have your own thing going, I'd love to hear how you like to start your mornings out on the right foot? Also, if you are wanting to start having tea time in the AM be sure to check out the full line-up of Lipton Green, Black and Herbal tea here.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Live Well in The New Year: How BabbleBoxx Helped Revamp My Morning Routine!

Thanks to BabbleBoxx for sponsoring today's discussion, regardless all opinions are my own.

With a new year, come new healthy habits for most us. This year, I've been trying to make small adjustments so I don't go into shock from losing all of my favorites, but I've definitely been altering the way I eat, sleep, and even clean my face, why? Because BabbleBoxx has influence me to step outside of my "buying" comfort zone and try some new (and not so new) items.

We'll start with how I've changed my eating habits. With the Stop & Drop Diet, I've been practicing better eating habits easily! The diet is a 21 day meal plan, that's super easy to follow, made for weight loss and balanced nutrition!

They even have a step by step guide with suggestions on what you should be eating when you crave this - insert any food you've ever craved here. It's like having a dietician with me wherever I am, helping me decide between eating badly or treating my body with something healthy.

Speaking of eating healthy, my breakfast routine has totally changed. Instead of tossing a couple of cups of espresso back and skipping the first meal of the day, I've actually started eating a light meal and switching to caffeine free tea, like Stash Organic Gold Cup Chai with Tumeric or Stash Organic Lavender Tulsi.

Both teas are soothing and delicious - getting me in the right state of mind, every single morning and allowing my body to rest at night since I'm no longer caffeine-drenched! Plus, here's a coupon, just for you: use the code "BABBLE15", and you'll score 15% off entire online order at StashTea.com! (Valid through 2/12/2016)

My light breakfast meals range from granola bars to these delicious gluten free pancakes from Birch Benders Micro-Pancakery. If you love a fluffy, perfectly textured pancake but you're avoiding gluten, these babies are made for you!

They know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so their delicious (and easy to make) mix is natural and organic, making for "pancake poetry" - especially when you add some bananas and a light drizzle of syrup! YUM! Don't miss out on waffles either, this mix is perfect for making crisp and delicious waffles as well!

The next item I've decided to start using in 2016 is the Cold-eeze cold remedy drops, instead of taking OTC meds! It's not that I'm opposed to medication, I just prefer to battle a cold or a virus before it comes on... so as soon as my throat starts feeling a little scratchy from the weather... I instantly grab for one of these berry flavored lozenges!

The last item helping me achieve wellness actually helps perfect my no-makeup look I've been rocking. That's right, I've gone sans makeup (even out in public) almost all of 2016 and I've loved every moment of it. While I still wash my face at night like I always have, I've now started giving my face a little exfoliation and moisture with Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel towelettes in the morning as well.

I've actually used these towelettes in the past and I've always been a fan, so adding this simple little step into my morning routine was a breeze and my clear complexion is a good enough reason to keep the habit up! Plus, these little pouches are travel-size friendly so I'll be able to freshen up at the airport during all of my traveling in 2016!

While it may not seem like much, these simple habits help me rest easier and live happier. What habits have you picked up in 2016 that actually make your life easier? I'd love to hear what little changes you've made over the past week or so to your routine, tell me all about it in the comments below!