Showing posts with label weightloss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weightloss. Show all posts

June 5, 2015

Simple Spicy Shrimp Cabbage Salad: Healthy, Low Calorie, and Delicious!

I've been watching what I'm eating lately and trying to include a LOT more veggies, I'll explain that more in detail later this month... but for now I'm going to share one of my favorite recipes! It's easy to whip up in minutes and the flavors combine together perfectly to make your mouth (and eyes) water with a kick of spice and the tartness of lemon!

I only had my cell phone handy when I made this recipe so my pictures aren't perfect, being in between homes can be hard a girl (we're moving, in case you don't follow me instagram)... but I still had to share this delicious and easy recipe!

Simple Spicy Shrimp Cabbage Salad: Healthy, Low Calorie, and Delicious!

Ingredients:
1 lemon wedge
3.5 oz shrimp, peeled and cleaned
1/4 cup onion
1/4 cup tomato
1/2 cup cabbage
a pinch of cilantro
Pinch of Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy Seasoning (or the combination of spicy flavors in your cabinet)
Pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt


Simply saute the shrimp with some lemon juice and cilantro for about 9 minutes, or until fully cooked. Add in a pinch of Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy and sautee for a few seconds longer. Remove from heat.

Place a layer of cabbage into a bowl, followed by a layer of onions, and add a layer of tomatoes. Now add your spicy shrimp on top of the salad you've created... and top with more onions and tomatoes as well as some Himalayan salt and a dash more lemon juice.

Simple Spicy Shrimp Cabbage Salad: Healthy, Low Calorie, and Delicious!


Bon Appétit!

April 10, 2015

Flavor or Fizz: Which Do You Prefer?


 This post is in partnership with Dasani and Target. While they sponsored today's post,
all opinions expressed below and the love for water are all my own.

Water can be fun AND tasty, try these new flavorful ways to fit water into your busy daily routine!

Getting enough water in every single day can be a difficult task, weather you are busy running errands or working from home we all get too busy to do the simplest tasks to keep our bodies healthy.

The last few weeks I've been so busy with school and blog stuff that I've been sleeping less, drinking less water, eating less healthy foods, and really just neglecting healthy habits so that I can get everything on my check list done. Sadly, there's never enough time in the day and I seem to slack off.

While my calendar won't be clearing up any time soon, I have a whole bunch of homework waiting on me, and an exam in just a few days, I've finally found a way to convince myself to make enough "me time". I've been implementing a daily yoga routine & some time for meditation and I found a few new ways to make water fun and tasty, allowing me to really enjoy my H2O while I'm rushing around town or working on an article.

I found two new products from Dasani: their Infusion Drops in Strawberry Basil & Lime and Black Cherry Sparkling Water (I may be guilty of sipping on a sparkling water from Target currently)!

Water can be fun AND tasty, try these new flavorful ways to fit water into your busy daily routine!

The Flavor Infusion Drops are so diverse. Not just since they have two really off the wall, delicious flavors. They can provide a slight flavor change with just a few drops or a whole flavor explosion with several drops, the strawberry basil flavor being super refreshing and the lime flavor being the perfect compliment for an ice cold glass of aqua!

Water can be fun AND tasty, try these new flavorful ways to fit water into your busy daily routine!

The Black Cherry Sparkling water was a surprise in my book. I drink flavored water occasionally (as you can see from this beautiful, sparkling brunch I hosted recently), but this sparkling water is SO carbonated and tastes almost just like a soda!

Water can be fun AND tasty, try these new flavorful ways to fit water into your busy daily routine!


While I enjoyed both products, I think I've decided that I'm totally more of a flavor girl. No surprise there though, I don't much care for carbonation. So, tell me, are you a flavor or fizz type of person?
Don't know?  Target has a pretty rockin' coupon on cartwheel for both the Dasani Drops Infusion and Dasani Sparkling Black Cherry so you can give both products a try!



April 7, 2015

8 Tips & Tricks to Keep Your Body Strong Inside & Out

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias and its Advertiser. All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone and should not be construed as medical advice. #24HourEsterC #CollectiveBias
This year I'm determined to do everything I can to keep my body feeling strong and my immune system in tip-top shape and I know so many people in my life are looking for the exact same thing. We all want simple ways to help us look and feel better. I have come to the realization that it all begins with strengthening your body, inside and out - today I want to share how I keep my body strong.
8 Tips & Tricks to Keep Your Body Strong Inside & Out


8 Tips & Tricks to
Keep Your Body Strong Inside & Out

8 Tips & Tricks to Keep Your Body Strong Inside & Out
1. Start Taking Supplements - Ester-C® 1,000 MG supplement is the go to product for someone as busy as me. It provides my immune system with the support I need, 24 hours a day.

2. Workout Routines - Implementing a regular work out routine is key to keeping your body strong! I've picked up boxing lately and been practicing yoga at home since the gym has been crazy with New Years & Spring Break crowds.3. Proper Workout Attire - Whether your’re at the gym or at home, you need support in your work out gear too! Be sure to buy hair ties that actually stay in your hair as well as supportive under garments, shoes, etc.

4. Heart Rate Monitor - Keep track of your progress on every work out and be sure you are in a good "zone" while doing cardio. I'm obsessed with my HRM.

5. Stay Hydrated - Be sure to drink plenty of water, it's important to keep plenty of H20 in your body to keep it functioning.

6. Get Organized - Write down when you take your Ester-C®, when you have plans to work out with your trainer, and keep track of calories if you are on a diet - all in a planner!

7. Stand Up Straight - Heard of a waist trimmer before? These are new to me, but they help with posture and are absolutely amazing. I suffer from horrible posture so this thing has been a life saver and is helping build strength in my back.

8. Keep Your Hands Clean - Lastly, pocket sized hand sanitizer... just in case. You never know what situation you'll end up in and it's always good to have on hand, no matter where you are.
8 Tips & Tricks to Keep Your Body Strong Inside & Out

Now that I've shared how I keep my immune system supported and strong, I'd love to hear what you do to keep your body in tip-top shape? If you want to snag some Ester-C® for yourself, head to WalMart and grab a bottle at "roll-back" prices.

8 Tips & Tricks to Keep Your Body Strong Inside & Out


Stay Connected with Ester-C®
FacebookTwitter
Ester C Bottom Disclosure.png

December 15, 2014

The Best Stocking Stuffers For A Sporty Girl



My fitness journey is going strong, I'm still working out when I can fit in trips to the gym and I'm trying to watch what I eat, while spending time preparing for the holidays! Today I'm sharing The Best Stocking Stuffers for a Sporty Girl like me, these little presents are sure to make any girl smile but if she is into fitness - these gifts are made for her!


The Best Stocking Stuffers for a Sporty Girl

1. Bobble Sport Water Bottle - We're starting out strong with one of the best gifts you could possibly give someone- clean and filtered water straight out of the bottle! The reusable water bottle filters as you drink, is bpa-free, dish-washer safe, is available at Best Buy or Amazon, and only costs $11.99! The perfect bottle for a girl on the go since it fits in bike racks and cup holders easily and provides hydration!

2. Sinful Colors Nail Polish - The perfect way to pamper a girl's nails and toes on a budget!

3. Colorful and FUN socks - I love spicing up my sock drawer so the more loud and wild the better! If you can find your girl's favorite animal in sock form, you are golden. Think little shark, fox, or monkey socks; I'm already smiling thinking about them!

4. LUSH products, specifically Celebrate Lotion - This formula is healthy and smells so amazing! The perfect product to apply after a nice workout and a long shower!

5. Gummy Multi-Vitamins - I'm obsessed with gummy vitamins this year, but any vitamin would be a great present! It's something every fitness minded girl needs!

6. Sporty Hair Products - Headbands, bobby pins, hair ties - give it all to us sporty girls! I can't stand having my hair whip into my face while getting cardio in... neither can any other girl with hair! Spoil us ladies with headbands that actually keep our hair pulled back and stay in place and we'll squeal in delight!

7. Activz Green Smoothie Drink Powder - This powder is amazing, chalk full of greens and prepared in a shaker bottle. I love taking this powder with me while I'm traveling so I can ensure that I still get my greens in, no matter where I am.

8. Whish Shaving Serum - This is the best product for those of us that get razor burn! I apply this after a shower to make sure my legs are ready for the gym and yoga shorts everyday!

9. Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Treatment - My favorite hairline PHD has another epic product on their hands, this 5-in-1 treatment is the perfect after shower treatment for your hair! Think of it as a lotion for your lovely locks!


Do you have any sporty items on your wishlist this year? I'm thinking adding a heart monitor and a new pair of running shoes to this list would make any fitness-minded gal overjoyed! What would you add to make it the perfect present for you?


November 16, 2014

Sweet Hawaiian Pineapple & Pepper Salmon Recipe




This super delicious Salmon recipe packs a punch of flavors into a super sweet and savory meal. If you are looking for a different fish recipe, that will thrill your taste buds then I highly suggest this Sweet Hawaiian Pineapple & Pepper Salmon. It's easy to make and when served with peas and coconut rice makes for a delicious meal.





Sweet Hawaiian Pineapple & Pepper Salmon Recipe

Ingredients:
4 salmon fillets (12 oz of salmon)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 can crushed or chopped pineapple
3 chopped baby sweet peppers
1/8 cup chopped red onion
1/8 cup pure maple syrup

Begin by pouring a small amount of pineapple juice and all of the spices over salmon in a baking pan and marinate.

After allowing to marinate for a small amount of time, put into oven and broil for approximately 4 minutes and remove from oven

Baste with the maple syrup and place back in the oven for approximately 1 minute.

Chop & mix pepper, onion, and pineapple together - creating the pineapple salsa.
Take back out and add a spoon full or more of the pineapple salsa to each fillet.
Put back in oven and broil for another 1-2 minutes.
Serve over rice (preferably coconut rice) and veggie of choice, add extra salsa if needed.


Enjoy!




November 9, 2014

Cellucor Sports Nutrition: My Weight Loss Stack Review + Coupon

 I was provided with samples of Cellucor to facilitate this review; With that said, I'm super excited about the products and all opinions are my own, I only share what I feel will truly benefit my readers.

So as you all already know, I'm on a journey to get fit this year... While I'm not a personal trainer, I do know that providing your body with the right amount of nutrients while working out is super important. It's not only part of weight loss - it's part of building muscle and just getting healthier in general! So when I had the opportunity to work with Cellucor, a company dedicated to the belief that "results matter", I was beyond excited.

Cellucor-Fitness-Nutrition-Review

I've only been using Cellucor products for a few weeks but I can already feel a huge difference so I wanted to share my opinion on the products they sent over. I was gifted a few different types of Whey Protein, an Alpha Amino Sports Drink Powder, and Super HD which is a metabolism boosting drink as well as two samples of C4 Extreme, their pre-workout... The best part of being spoiled by Cellucor is that it feels like I'm "cheating" because the drinks are delicious but I'm actually doing amazing things for my body.

I used to think protein powders were for body builders or people trying to gain weight. I finally did some research after seeing a friend use Cellucor products and I learned I was so wrong. Now that I've been spoiled with two bags of Whey Protein from Cellucor in Peanut Butter Marshmallow and Mint Chocolate Chip I'm able to get plenty of protein in my diet and enjoy every last sip of it... especially after learning from Shape magazine and Paul Arciero, Ed.D., the director of the Human Nutrition and Metabolism Lab at Skidmore College, that “Whey is perhaps the most effective dietary strategy to aid weight loss because it is the most thermogenic food source you can eat. This means it burns the most calories after you eat it." With that said, I feel way more inclined to drink my protein every single day! Hello Peanut Butter Marshmallow yummy-ness, I can't believe you actually help me burn fat... I think I love you. 
 Cellucor-Fitness-Nutrition-Review


The Alpha Amino Sports Drink is super delicious and is packed with heavy hitting nutrients that help fuel endurance, hydration, and recovery. This super healthy concoction is made with a Chia Seed Extract that contains eight essential amino acids, coupled with Raw Coconut Concentrate's - this means each and every sip is full of nutrients your body needs! If you like to drink other sports drinks but don't like the amount of sugar they have or you simply want to try something new, this Alpha Amino blend is made for everyone so you should give it a try! Whether you are out playing volleyball, hitting weights in the gym, or just running errands Alpha Amino will keep you hydrated while keeping you healthy and is the perfect addition to anyone's daily routine.

I've saved the best for last though, Super HD Powder in Peach Mango is my favorite product they sent over. It's an epic weight-loss product that I have to shout from the roof tops about... I actually have a heart murmur so I have to be careful with products that claim to boost metabolism, simply because most of them just make your heart rate increase. Luckily, this awesome fat burning cocktail is intense yet doesn't offer that horrible side effect that others on the market leave me with. The combination of ingredients not only taste incredible, this drink is aimed at reducing fat storage and promoting better appetite control - the perfect addition to "my stack". I also notice that my ability to concentrate on tasks increases when I drink the recommended serving in the morning, a great substitute for my coffee when I'm just not feeling it.

Just a little shoutout to the C4 Pre-Workout in Icy Blue Razz, it's SO yummy and if you need something to get you ready for the gym on your "lazy" days, I highly recommend taking a scoop of this on the way. I work out harder and longer every single time I take it!


So now that you know all about how I've started using Cellucor products to transform my body, you'll be excited to know you can now receive 25% off your own Cellucor stack with the code CELLUCORFIT! Which product will you choose to transform your life and body?

November 4, 2014

I've lost 14lbs on Nutrisystem already! #NSNation Update

 I'm on a journey to get fit this year and with the assistance of Nutrisystem (and Planet Fitness), I've already started to lose big! I updated a few weeks ago that I had already lost 9lbs... That was after losing most of the weight in the first week on their Fast 5 program jump starter. Those results were incredible so I knew I shouldn't expect results like that during the entire program; that just wouldn't be healthy! So with all of that said, I'm SUPER excited to have lost another 5lbs! That means total I have lost 14lbs!


I'm not sure if anyone else can see the difference in these photos, but it's a huge difference to me. I mean I'm wearing a tank top tucked into jeans; that's a HUGE difference itself that I felt confident and skinny enough to do this is a huge sign... plus, my pants look kind of wonky because they are too big! Oh and my wedding band was lost for over a week after losing it because I lost SO much weight (I'm glad to report, it was found) and I now wear it on my middle finger until we get it resized!



All of these amazing transformations and this is only half way through my plan, I can't wait to see what the rest of the journey will hold. I do know after Nutrisystem is over, I have a better mind set towards food and how often/what I should be eating and that is what is going to help my results last once I don't have the pleasure of having a majority of my food pre-made for me.



So are you wondering what my secret to success is?

I'm going to be honest, I occasionally eat out with hubby because that's just how life works... BUT I limit my portion sizes and order healthy. Salads, grilled chicken, and minimally processed foods are this gals best friend. Which means technically, I haven't strayed from my diet at all while eating out but I still get to spend time out with friends and family! It's all about making wise decisions!

Planet Fitness has become a regular day date every few days in our home, while this isn't as often as I would like (we're waiting for the location closer to us to open)... I'm still seeing results! I do about 20-30 minutes of cardio, then I use a couple weight machines, and wrap it up by getting a few miles in on the stationary bikes... I can't even believe I have a "plan" at the gym, that's a huge transformation for me as well.

DRINK YOUR GREENS! Your body and your taste buds will love it. I've made smoothies almost every day, if not a few a day... It's a good way to get in your smart carbs and veggies at the same time while not having to choke down a whole forests worth of broccoli.  Have you seen the smoothie recipes I've been sharing lately? I'm telling you, they all are AMAZING!

I'll be sharing more tips to lose big on Nutrisystem soon so keep your eyes peeled!


Results so far on Nutrisystem:
14 lbs down and looking forward to the rest of my journey!

October 14, 2014

The Perfect Halloween Treat: Stuffed Baby Pepper Monsters Made with Skinnygirl Hummus

I was part of an Influencer Activation on behalf of Skinnygirl, I received a product sample and a promotional item to facilitate my review.
Regardless of this, I only recommend items I think my readers will love.


Hummus is one of those foods I didn't think I would like so I never tried it, then a few years ago I tried some at the request of my husband... and now I can honestly say I'm obsessed. Since I'm on NutriSystem right now, I watch what I eat pretty closely though so hummus kind of felt off limits. Now that I've found Skinnygirl Hummus I can snack and feel like I'm indulging even though I'm not really indulging at all. This delicious and unique hummus is made with non-fat greek yogurt, which may sound strange but it has the same great taste that we all love with a extra creamy texture - it's seriously so good. Plus, I'm also a huge fan of the fact that it's made with all natural ingredients, I think that's the real secret to it's great taste!


You probably have heard of Skinnygirl already because of their alcohol line but now they've come out with all kinds of goodies you can indulge in without feeling guilty! This hummus is a great snack and is absolutely delicious with carrots or baby peppers... To get in the spirit, I decided to make a special Halloween themed treat - Baby peppers stuffed with Skinnygirl Roasted Red Pepper Hummus that look like creepy, yet cute little one-eyed monsters! These are so much fun and will make the perfect Halloween themed appetizer for any Halloween Party or get together.


Stuffed Baby Pepper Monsters
Made with Skinnygirl Hummus

Ingredients:
Baby Peppers
Roasted Red Pepper Skinnygirl Hummus
Reduced Fat Italian Cheese
Olives


These cute little guys are super easy to make, you just cut off the tops of the baby peppers and stuff them with Skinnygirl Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. Then heat the italian cheese in the  safe bowl (for approximately 10 seconds or until gooey but not completely melted) and roll the cheese into several small balls and flatten it. Stick the flattened "cheese ball" to the side of the hummus stuffed pepper and add an olive to the center of the cheese. Now you have a one-eyed Stuffed Baby Pepper Monster of your own.
Plus, now through NYE, you can score 75 cents off Skinnygirl products! Print & use this coupon at Wal-Mart to save yourself some moo-lah!



October 8, 2014

Sweet Greens Smoothie Recipe

I just have to share this super sweet green smoothie recipe with everyone!
This yummy concoction is easy to make and if you just aren't feeling a salad today, this is the perfect way to get your greens in! You'll fall in love with the the sweet fruity flavors masking the healthy spinach, kale, and carrots!



Ingredients:
1 cup cherries, frozen
3/4 cup carrots, chopped
2 hefty handfuls of kale
2 hefty handfuls of baby spinach
(I used a baby spinach blend that included baby kale and bok choy - delicious!)
1 cup strawberries
1 banana
1/2 cup almond milk


I suggest you go ahead and blend the cherries, carrots, kale, and almond milk first - allowing them to really liquefy. Then add in the spinach blend, strawberries, and banana and continue to blend.

Sip & Enjoy! 


This smoothie is SO delicious and you are sneaking in SO many servings of fruit and veggies, 
I promise you'll fall in love with this sweet green smoothie recipe.

October 3, 2014

How I lost 9lbs in 10 days: The Pros + Cons of Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem provided me with food items to facilitate this review, regardless I only recommend items I believe will be beneficial to my readers.


I'm so excited to share that I'm already losing lots of weight on Nutrisystem.
I completed the Fast 5 introduction to the program a full 9lbs lighter than I started!
That's a decent amount of weight so I kind of feel like I should shout my success from the roof tops...
Well, since I can't get on any roof tops, I'll just share on the blog.
Can I get a woohoo?!

 The Pros: I'm going to be totally honest and tell you all that the food is totally delicious but getting creative with recipes & adding more vegetables into my routine has been absolutely scrumptious - a lifestyle change is taking place! I've found that I really like green smoothies with less (if any) fruit involved, I've also found that I can eat peas like it's no bodies business, and now that the Fast 5 is over and I'm allowed Nutrisytem desserts - I've also found that I really, really like every single dessert item I've tried so far. I've loved nearly everything I've eaten from Nutrisystem so far and I'm excited to try some of the dishes still waiting to be eaten.

The cons: Learning to eat more food is weird when on a diet, but that's totally what I'm doing... I'm just eating healthier foods and smaller portions more often and it's been a trip... I feel like I'm always eating but it also means I'm never  hungry. I think it's safe to say that I'm a bigger fan of their chocolate protein shakes over their vanilla protein shakes and I really want to try the strawberry protein but it wasn't in my box... maybe next month! I don't like the Cheese Tortellini at all but that's totally a personal preference. The flavors in the White Bean Chicken Chili are AMAZING, sadly it was only a part of my Fast 5. 

I'm currently on day 11 of my weight loss journey and I'm so excited to see my end result. I know I won't be able to keep up this momentum of losing around a 1lb a day but I feel amazing right now and I'm losing more than I've ever lost trying to lose on my own, so there's something to Nutrisystem.

So here's to losing more over the next few weeks, I'll keep you all updated on my progress
and would love it if you follow along with my journey!

Find me on:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest


September 8, 2014

Setting Goals: Six Tips to Help You Set & Achieve Your Goals #Tools4Wisdom Planner Review and #NSNation announcement


If you are a regular reader you may have realized this already, I set a large amount of goals for myself... Hence my Fit in 2014 series, my list of 101 things I want to accomplish in 1,001 days, and I'm sure my list of goal related posts could go on and on but I'll stop there. From little goals like cleaning the house to big goals like buying a  house- setting goals helps to give you a picture of the future while providing a boost in short term motivation; it helps you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the most of your life.

Setting Goals - Six Tips to Help You Set and Achieve Your Goals

As my life gets busier and busier as a blogger, a student, an artist, a wife, a friend, etc. I need to start structuring my plan so that I have a better vision of what I can do now to help my future self. I've always used a planner to help me keep track of my day-to-day to-do lists, so I've always used my planner in a way to help accomplish goals - they are typically short term goals though. When I was contacted by Tools4Wisdom to review one of their Goal Planners I wasn't sure if it would be something I would like, I have planners... Why do I need another one? Because this planner is different.I love that this the Goal Planner is so easy to use, with pages to list personal and business goals, questions encouraging you to consider how you can reach these goals, it even features a little thoughts journal in the back.

The Tools4Wisdom Goal Planner is full of inspiration which I'll need a lot of over the next few months as I take another big stride toward getting Fit in 2014! I'm officially going to be partnering with NutriSystem and I'm so excited about it! I can't wait to see how the program works for me and I know using this planner to plan my monthly weight loss goals, my daily work outs, etc. will absolutely help! I've always said if I just had my meals planned and made up for me I could lose this weight, now we'll find out if I was right! I'm now officially a member of the #NSNation and my structured diet will begin in just a few short weeks. My goal is to lose 30+ lbs and I can't wait to see if I achieve this, even if it is a tall order.

Setting Goals - Six Tips to Help You Set and Achieve Your Goals


I also have some pretty hefty blogging goals for the remainder of this year and several for 2015, this planner is definitely going to be helpful come Holiday Gift Guide posting time! I love how easy it will be for me to keep my posts in order. The only thing I don't really like about this planner is the tiny squares for daily goals, but if they gave me a page for each day then the planner would be the size of a textbook so you win some, you lose some. I suppose my goal for my blog would be to DOUBLE my numbers and to make every single post full of genuine, authentic content.
Check out some of the awesome features the planner provides:

Setting Goals - Six Tips to Help You Set and Achieve Your Goals

Interested in getting a planner of your own, check out Tools4Wisdom!


Setting Goals - Six Tips to Help You Set and Achieve Your Goals


Six Tips to Help You Set & Achieve Your Goals:

1. Break It Down - Break your big goals down into smaller goals, it's that easy.  For instance, if your over all goal is that you would like to purchase a home, a good goal would be "I'll deposit $100 out of every pay check into a savings account" or "I'll begin searching for homes that I'm interested in". Big goals are great but without breaking them down they can get overwhelming.

2. Write Your Goals in The Present Tense -   Write your goals in your planner in the present tense, as though they already happened. This gets your mind used to thinking that your dreams aren't just dreams; they can be reality. Also, if you have Netflix. Put this goal on your list: WATCH The Secret.

3. Make Your Goals Measurable - You have to be able to measure your goals to know whether or not you have succeeded. If your "goal" isn't measurable, it isn't really a goal. The difference is


This is a goal: I want to lose 30+ lbs.

This technically isn't a goal: I want to not be fat.


4. Make Daily To-Do Lists - These are little lists of daily goals, obviously... but they will help you achieve all of your goals by helping you to remain organized and informed about what you plan to achieve. I highly suggest using the notes part of your planner to do this!

5. Be Flexible - While setting goals is great, be open to re-evaluating your goal list every so often to make sure all of your goals and your actions are aligned. If you aren't working toward a goal regularly, you either need to change your actions to begin working toward the goal or maybe decide on a goal that motivates you a little more.

6. Do It Anyways! - This is for all the procrastinators and lazy bums (like me) out there: no matter what is going on, get up and take action. You don't want to work out? Do it anyways! You don't feel like saving that $100 this month? Do it anyways! You'll thank yourself later if you take my advice and stop letting what is holding you back from achieving your goals get in the way...

Setting Goals - Six Tips to Help You Set and Achieve Your Goals


So, what goals do you have for the remainder of 2014?
What goals do you have for your life in general?


[Like the Yoga shorts pictured above? Check out LunaJai.com and use the code "LAURENH" to get 10% off!]


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com.
Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

September 2, 2014

Weight Gurus Digital Body Fat Scale with Smartphone Tracking Review



I was give the opportunity to review this Weight Gurus Smartphone Tracking Digital Body Fat Scale recently and I'm absolutely in love with it. One of my favorite things about this scale is that it has the option to just see the amount of weight I've lost and not my actual weight - this allows me to stay focused on my loss and not on a specific weight, which I love. Not only does this scale allow me to focus on my loss over all, it helps me document my progress as I use it with the Weight Gurus app!

The image below is a screen shot of the app on my iPhone. The app is super easy to navigate and you scan your weight onto your phone using your camera and the bar code that pops up on the scale. I'm super excited to share that  I'm down 7.2lbs since I received the scale in early August; with 2.2lbs of the L-B's being lost in September, and .9lbs during this week specifically! That's huge progress thus far and I can't wait to see how Nutrisystem helps starting later this month!

I love that the app that accompanies the scale also has a percentage progress meter, I still have a long way to go but seeing that I'm already 15% to my goal is so motivating!




Now, I'm going to be honest and mention that the features that tell you your "water, muscle, and fat" percentage are somewhat untrustworthy. They seem to fluctuate way too much to be completely accurate... but the scale measures my weight accurately every time. Another thing I don't necessarily like is related to the app on my phone, it encourages me to weigh in daily... which for some may be okay, but for me it can lead to disappointment if I'm up a little one day. I feel like it's much healthier to weight less often so I don't pay attention to the part that encourages me to weight daily.

This scale is the perfect addition to our home to help me measure my weight loss goals and I look forward to stepping on it in the future and realizing I've hit my goal and I've accomplished 100% of my weight loss, until then I'll keep working at it!





Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

August 7, 2014

Sip & Feel Incredible: Evolution Fresh - a delicious, refreshing bottled juice

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Millennial Central for Evolution Fresh. I received coupons for Evolution Fresh juices to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Evolution Fresh is just different, in a really delicious and healthy way. They offer a variety of juices to satisfy even the pickiest eater's taste while staying true to their roots; a fresh picked orange from the founders back yard started Evolution Fresh! Now-a-days, Evolution Fresh buys most of their produce locally, while offering non-GMO products, and organic varieties of some of their juices as well.  As you all know I'm on a mission this year to get fit and Evolution Fresh is a great way to stay on track... After all, a fit body is made in the kitchen - or in this case, a "juicery".

Evolution Fresh peels, presses, and squeezes raw fruits and veggies to make their drinks irresistibly tasty. After chilling, blending, and bottling Evolution Fresh cold presses their juices using a technique referred to as high pressure processing, which helps the flavors and ingredients stay fresh! Although these babies aren't considered "raw", they are made from raw fruits and veggies, allowing for a satisfying and hydrating beverage!

 

This summer in Florida has been a scorcher, temps on the rise and the humidity through the roof -  especially while visiting the beach. I always try to have water on hand to stay hydrated but some days I just need something different, something healthy, something that has some flavor to it... Luckily, I found Evolution Fresh - a refreshing blend of fruits and veggies fused together to make phenomenal juices that are good for you! Evolution Fresh helps me stay healthy, cool, and hydrated even on the hottest of days!

The first Evolution Fresh beverage I tried was their Organic Strawberry Lemonade, I actually opened this flavor inside of Whole Foods, embarrassingly enough I just couldn't wait to get a taste. Plus, I had just finished yoga on the beach, so I have an excuse! I loved it the second I tried it, the Organic Strawberry Lemonade is tangy and sweet, the perfect combination. It's packed full of vitamin C. Hubby and I were passing it back and forth while we browsed through Whole Foods to do our shopping and decided we needed to grab another on our way out! It's that good!



The next flavor I tried was the Essential Greens with Lime, think of every green mixed together - it's ridiculously tasty, it just wasn't for me... So I added it into a green smoothie recipe I use regularly and made an Extra Green Smoothie! I normally use almond milk or water which leave my smoothies with a funky taste, I'm so glad I tried using the Essential greens with Lime, it compliments my current smoothie recipe like no other - I'm obsessed! With so many greens in one smoothie, how could I not be? I was left feeling satisfied and extremely healthy, which means this smoothie is definitely a repeat in our home!


Want to make your own EXTRA Green Smoothie?

The recipe is super simple: 
I use about 1/2 of the Essential Greens with Lime, 2-3 handfuls of additional spinach, 1/4 a large cucumber; chopped, 2 bananas, 10-15 strawberries, and a handful of blueberries! 


Blend and Enjoy!

Now get this, you aren't only getting the small amount of greens you added yourself... adding in the Evolution Fresh Essential Greens with Lime means your smoothie now contains additional cucumber and spinach, as well as celery, romaine lettuce, kale, lime, parsley, wheat grass, and clover sprouts!

Talk about an EXTRA Green Smoothie and the best part - it tastes INCREDIBLE!


I also had the opportunity to try the Pineapple Coconut Water, Super Green, Organic Sweet Burn, Organic V, and the Sweet Greens with Ginger.

The Pineapple Coconut water is a clean and refreshing blend, the perfect beach drink! I'm a huge fan of adding a tiny dash of coconut rum into it as well, if you feel so inclined. With only pineapple and coconut water on the ingredient list, these are so much healthier than other brands of coconut water I've seen on the market and so much tastier!


The Super Green is super rich with greens and tastes deliciously healthy. I loved how clean it tastes while still having a kick of sweetness. I enjoyed my juice with one of Evolution's Harvest bars, which are so healthy and scrumptious; Chalk full of seeds, nuts, and granola - making them a great, clean snack to pair with a juice! The Super Green juice includes orange juice, mango puree, apple juice, pineapple juice, raspberry puree, spirulina, chlorella, wheat grass, barley grass, and dulse! So good!

After the Organic Strawberry Lemonade, I didn't think I would like any of the other juices as much... Boy, was I wrong! The Organic Sweet Burn is the best morning drink I have ever tried. It's refreshing with a punch, the perfect wake-me-up blend featuring a dash of cayenne pepper as well as Organic coconut water and organic juices (apple, pineapple, beet, ginger, lemon)! Without getting my caffeine kick, the cayenne pepper helps keep me jazzed while sipping this - the perfect answer for those of us trying to ditch our coffee habit!

The Organic V is a fun blend, made from Organic juices - carrot, apple, celery, lemon, beet, spinach, lime, parsley, and ginger! The beet and carrot stand out the most to me in the juice but they are complimented nicely by the taste of the apple and the strong punch of tang the lime adds! I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the Organic V, the blend of the juices kind of scared me... but I'm glad I tried it, I would've been missing out on a delicious and healthy treat if I hadn't.

I tried the Sweet Greens with Ginger last and decided it's another great blend to mix into things - it's decent alone but mixing it into a homemade ice cream recipe sounded way more tempting than drinking it alone. I froze the Sweet Greens with Ginger into ice cubes, then mixed it with frozen bananas, and frozen raspberries to make a homemade fro-yo with my Swirlio. The taste was phenomenal and it was so easy to make! If you are looking fore more recipe ideas you can always check out The Almanac, which is full of great recipes and information about Evolution Fresh!


Who would have thought? Bottled juices like Evolution Fresh can be so healthy and maintain the delicious flavors of all of our favorite fruits and veggies. I hope that after reading about my love for these juices that you run into your nearest location and try one for yourself. If you give Evolution Fresh a try, be sure to comment and let me know what flavor you tried and what you think!

Stay connected with Evolution Fresh:
Website //  Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest




February 5, 2014

Zesty Shrimp, Avocado, Mango Ceviche Recipe {a healthy + refreshing snack!}

Zesty Shrimp, Avocado, Mango Ceviche Recipe {a healthy + refreshing snack!}


I wanted to share with you one of my favorite healthy snacks,
this Shrimp Ceviche is so easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious!
Made with all fresh ingredients, it's a stunning appetizer to serve at a party...
plus, it looks amazing inside a martini glass FYI!
The lime and cilantro flavors give this recipe a huge kick,
but the mango adds a nice surprise element that really WOW's!
I like to enjoy my ceviche inside corn tortillas or with cucumber!
Be sure to let me know what your family thinks of this recipe...

 Zesty Shrimp, Avocado, Mango Ceviche
  • 1/4 red onion
  • approximately 1lb cooked shrimp 
    {peeled, devained, + chopped}
  • 1-2 jalapeno pepper(s)
  • 1/2 tomato
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
  • 2 large ripe hass avocados
  • 1 mango
  • 1 lime {for the juice}
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste
You'll also want to get something to dip -
crackers, cucumber, tortilla chips, taco shells, etc.
whatever floats your boat!

I typically just pan sear my shrimp quickly on medium heat with a dash of olive oil.

Then in a small bowl combine lime juice, red onion, olive oil,
salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
{ I just add a pinch of each spice and add more once I mix the recipe.}
Let them marinate, it will mellow the onion flavor.

In a large bowl mix together the shrimp, jalapeno, tomato, mango, and avocado.
Combine the two bowls, mixing slowly.
 Then add the cilantro + toss.
 Add additional garlic, salt, and pepper if needed.


 ENJOY!