Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Costco Premier Protein Promo + Premier Protein Giveaway



Do you love shopping at Costco as much as I do?  When I found out about the promo that Costco and Premier Protein were having I was excited to go and check it out.  For a limited time Costco was offering $5 off per case of Premier Protein.  I did share this on my Instagram as well.  Toady is the last day to take advantage, but don't worry if you missed out, I have a giveaway for you!

One of the things that I enjoy about shopping at Costco is the customer service.  The people who work at Costco are so helpful and friendly, and since we have been shopping at the same one for quite some time, we know a lot of the associates.  I also love the wide array of products they carry as well, including cases of Premier Protein shakes in Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry.  When I went in to get my case on promo, it was quite easy.  I showed my membership card, was greeted with a hello and a smile and went on my way.  I had a few other things to get as well so I picked those up then headed toward the front to get my case of chocolate Premier Protein shakes.  The are usually located up toward the front of the store, I popped it in my cart and went to check out.  The savings came off instantly, no more clipping coupons (which I am not so good at), which is really convenient.  I love knowing that when ever I need more shakes I can pop into Costco and get what I need.


Now it is time for an August Giveaway!  I can't believe that it is almost time for my daughter to go back to school, the summer has flown by, but we have enjoyed it!  Do you have kiddos that are heading back to school?  One thing that I always have in my purse is a Premier Protein bar for those times I am out grocery shopping or back to school shopping.  So here is my Back to School Giveaway!  See the details below to enter.  One winner will receive one shake in each flavor, a chocolate mint fiber bar, a white fudge raspberry, and a chocolate peanut butter bar. Must be 18 to enter, US resident only.  Once the winner has been notified you have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Back to School Premier Protein Giveaway



Just to give you a pregnancy update....I am now almost 18 weeks (on Thursday) along and I am feeling really good.  I have most of my energy mid morning through the afternoon.  I have been feeling the nesting coming on and I am going room by room and organizing and decorating (for the few rooms we painted and didn't decorate).  We will find out the sex of the baby September 1st and I will be doing a fun reveal.  Well that is the plan anyway...with my daughter we tried to find out and couldn't at the anatomy ultrasound, and since my husband didn't really want to know we waited until delivery.  This time I want to know, so I can be prepared.  Thankfully all of my baby stuff is neutral since we didn't know the sex of the baby.  With my daughter being in school, it will give me time to get things organized.  If it is a girl I will have to get out the old newborn stuff, wash it and get it ready.  And since my c-section is scheduled for 3 days after my daughters birthday the clothes will line up pretty close!  If it is a boy, I will have time to do some shopping and redecorating of the nursery.  I am so excited for this little one to arrive, and I can't believe I am almost 1/2 way there!  I will post a longer update next week when we find out the sex!




Friday, July 22, 2016

An Announcement + Premier Protein Salted Caramel Frozen Protein Coffee Recipe

Hi!!  I know that it has been a while since I have blogged, but sometimes life just gets busy!  I really do miss blogging and I am going to try and get back to it a few times a month.  I do have some exciting news to share with you all...

I am expecting my second child!!  My sweet little girl is going to be a big sister :-)  We are all so excited and couldn't feel more blessed.  I am due in January (6 days after my daughters birthday!), so it will be an exciting few months.  I have been having a pretty normal pregnancy so far, my first trimester was filled with the usual pregnancy symptoms, nausea & fatigue were the most notable.  Now that I am heading into my second trimester I am feeling a lot better and I am back to getting my workouts in.  I tried to workout in my first trimester, but between the fatigue and nausea it didn't happen.  I did so some walking, but mostly I napped a lot!  I am focusing now on getting in at least 4 days of workouts weekly, which consist of lifting weights and walking.  I am also tracking my eating to make sure I am eating enough protein and getting enough calories in.  I gained 60 lbs with my first pregnancy and I don't want to do that again.  I am aiming for 25 total.  I know that if I focus on eating whole foods and staying active I will be able to do that.  When I have the baby, I will be a mom to two and life will be different, until we can find our new routine.  So I don't want to feel like I have a huge weight loss goal to accomplish after I have the baby.  I am pretty sure this will be our last one so I want to enjoy my time with the baby and my daughter and not worry too much about shedding pregnancy weight.  My goal is to have a fit and healthy pregnancy and feel strong the whole time.  I will be sure to share how my pregnancy is going and when we find out the sex of the baby we will be doing a fun announcement as well!  Be sure to follow me on Instagram for belly pics and updates :-) 
How did you stay fit & healthy during your pregnancy?
I would love to hear your tips!



This summer has been so blazing hot already and I have been thinking of good ways to stay cool!  I have been craving slushies (full of sugar!) so I decided to put a few of my favorite things together to make a healthy frozen coffee!  In the summer my hubby and I love making cold brew coffee, we had some left over in the fridge.  One day I opened the fridge and sitting on the top shelf was the cold brew, my caramel Premier Protein shake, and my favorite coffee creamer...and thus Salted Caramel Frozen Protein Coffee was born!  I threw it all in a blender and it was the perfect frozen healthy treat to cool me off!
Want to try it for yourself?  
Here is the recipe:
1 container Premier Protein Caramel Shake
2 tbsp Salted Caramel Creamer
4-6 oz cold coffee
2 cups of ice
Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until ice is crushed, pour in a glass and enjoy!

The Premier Protein Caramel flavor is available nationwide at select retailers including Walmart.  It is a delish addition to the other yummy flavors!

I hope that you are enjoying your summer!  I am off to get a workout in then try to beat this heat today.

I am linking up with Annmarie at The Fit Foodie Mama,  Farrah from Fairyburger, Esther from Chocolate Runner Girl and Jess from Hello to Fit for Foodie Friday!  Head over and check out some of the yummy recipes! :-)




Friday, April 22, 2016

Vanilla Protein Coffee + Fuel Your Day Premier Protein Giveaway


If you are like me you love coffee...I mean what better way to start your day than with a sweet cup of goodness!  If you are like me you also brew too much some days and have some left in the carafe that you don't want to go to waste.  One day I was really craving an iced coffee, so I took my leftover coffee I stored in the fridge and poured it over a glass of ice, added a little of my favorite salted caramel creamer.  I was also really sore that day and while I was grabbing my creamer my vanilla Premier Protein caught my eye.  And then a light bulb went off...Vanilla Protein Coffee!  I added to my cup and viola...it was delish!  It got me thinking that the next time I try it I could add it all to a blender and make a healthy and protein packed "frappachino" of sorts.  Now that warmer weather is on the way this is the perfect way to refuel and refresh at the same time!  Next time you have some leftover coffee and some vanilla Premier Protein try it out, trust me...your taste buds will thank me!


I have been working hard to make sure I reach my goals by meal prepping and having good food in my fridge.  I workout hard and want to refuel when I am done.  I think of my food as fuel for the day and for my workouts.  This made me wonder...How do YOU fuel your day?  For my April Premier Protein Giveaway I decided to ask my Facebook followers how they fuel their day.  Want to join in the fun and enter to win?  Click here to head over to Facebook to check it out and enter!

I hope that you are able to get out and enjoy some the the lovely spring weather where ever you are!  I have been spending more time outside with my daughter, and we are just so happy not to be cooped up from the cold!  Have a wonderful day and thank for stopping by! 


Wednesday, March 30, 2016

TRX Training Day + Booty Burning Workout + Premier Protein Banana Nut Bread Smoothie


Last Sunday I went to a TRX Group Training class so I can start working with clients and classes on the TRX suspension trainer.  I have always wanted to learn more about how to use the TRX for workouts and for clients.  I love that in order to use it properly you have to activate your core.  It was a great class, and we even did a workout.  I was so sore the next day.  I was able to get the certification because of my ambassadorship with Premier Protein.  As a trainer ambassador I received a grant to fund my continuing education.  Since I am wanting to get back in to a gym teaching classes and eventually training clients it always helps to add certifications to my arsenal, and makes me more valuable to potential clients and to the gym I want to work for.  

Actually next week I will start teaching a group fitness class at a gym in my area.  I am really excited to get back into a gym and doing some teaching.  My class is called Shred and we will be doing strength and cardio circuits to burn fat and build lean muscle. I have been busy getting my workouts together and I can't wait to share how it goes!


Are you ready for a Booty Burning Workout?  I love working my glutes and I notice a difference when I am wearing leggings, which lets be honest, is all the time!  Now that shorts season is coming I have been adding an extra leg day and an extra arms & shoulder day too!  Ready for a great workout?  Try this one and let me know if your buns were burning!!  *Disclaimer: Remember I am a personal trainer, but not your personal trainer.  Be sure to get the green light from your doctor before starting this or any exercise program.  This is a general workout and may not be suitable for everyone.





Now that you got your workout in you are ready for your Protein shake!  This recipe is one of my favorites, because I love banana bread.  Premier Protein is going to be launching a new flavor of pre-made shakes Bananas & Cream...and I was sent a few to try before they hit the shelves of Sam's club on April 5th!  My husband loves this shake the best so far, I think it is delish (but I am a chocolate girl at heart).  It is great to have one more flavor to add in the mix and to share with my clients.
Here is the recipe:
Premier Protein Banana Nut Bread Smoothie
1 container Premier Protein Bananas & Cream (or vanilla if you don't have banana)
1 small banana
1 tbsp Almond Butter
1 scoop BCAA & Glutamine (great for post workout recovery)
Dash or 2 of cinnamon
Blend with ice and water until smooth & enjoy!


Now it is time to link up for Wild Workout Wednesday!  If you have a workout or healthy living post we would love to have you link up!
Weekly I link up with Nicole at Fitful Focus, Michelle at Fruition Fitness and Annmarie at Fit Foodie Mama.  If you love the linkup be sure to share on social media and to follow the WWW linkup board on Pinterest.  We will be sure to do the same and pin your pins to the board.




Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Turning Negative Self Thoughts to Positive Ones + Premier Protein Giveaway Winner & Share Good Energy Promo



One thing that will keep you from reaching your goals is the way that you talk to yourself and the conversations that you have in your mind.  I don't think that we pay enough attention to what we are saying to ourselves because there are so many outside distractions.  We log into Facebook and read what is going on, visit Instagram and check out all the pictures.  All of this is playing into how we think about ourselves and how we talk to ourselves.  Especially if you are following a lot of fitness pages, like I do.  I think we start to compare and then decide that we are not as______ as someone else.  You must remember that what you see on social media is what people want to you see.  But we all know that there is more to life than what we show our friends and followers on social media.  So we have conversations with ourselves about how we are not as _____ as "Jane" or "Sally".  Which can lead to negative self talk.  Comparison is the thief of joy!  Maybe it comes with age, but I have let that go.  Or Maybe it is because I am a mother now, and I think about myself differently.  I do know that it has taken work and time to change how I talk to myself and the conversations I have with myself.

Fear and Self doubt are two things that most of us face or have faced in the past.  They are the voices in our head that say "You can't do this", "You're not worth it", "Why even bother?".  How do these thoughts get there?  I am not sure?  Television? Social media?  People in our lives?  I am not really sure, I am guessing a mix of those things.  If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you have probably seen by now that I am doing the TTP program that Amber Dodzweit has designed an I am part of the Ateam, a group of amazing women!  When I started back in January, I filled out the questions in the info that was sent to us and there were two questions that stood out to me.  They had to do with feeling like you deserve success and if you are having doubts about being successful.  I have to say that when I answered them honestly, I cried.  Because at that point I thought that I didn't deserve it and had doubts that I could achieve what I really wanted.  It was then that I realized that I had the power to change my mind about these things and that is what I set out to do.  "Limits, just like fear are often just an illusion."

Someone shared this video by Mateuz M on Facebook and I watched it and it was so inspiring.  It made me feel like I could do anything.  So what I started to do was watch it when I was warming up for a workout, then I would watch the next and the next and each title was pulling me in to watch.  Unbroken, Unstoppable, Why Do We Fall, Desire.  These are all amazing videos.  When you have the time go and watch them, the messages are powerful.  These messages started to seep into my thoughts and when a negative thought crept it I replaced it with something empowering.  I was taking control of my thoughts and my mind.  Have you ever read the quote "The body can handle anything, its the mind you have to convince?"  If there is one thing that I have leaned in my past 7 weeks of working hard at changing my mindset it is this.  We have to train our minds just like we train our bodies.  We have to replace the bad with the good.

One of the voices in the videos I watched and listen to on repeat was Eric Thomas.  He is a motivational speaker and he speaks with such passion that it is hard not to want to run out and get your workout in or start writing your business plan!  He came from nothing, was born in Detroit to a teenage mother and didn't have a father, he was homeless.  But he was able to get himself to where he is now with mindset and hard work.  Look him up on YouTube and watch his videos.

So where am I going with all of this?  The thing that I want to share the most is that if you want to change you have to start with your mind.  You have to decide that you want to change.  You have to find your WHY, the reason you are going to work hard to reach your goals, whatever they may be.  You have to work every day to change the negative self talk that creeps into your mind.  It is a practice that you must master.  I still have doubts or fears that creep in, but I quickly replace those thoughts with a positive one, I don't give power to those thoughts.  I remember my bigger why, the reason that I am working on the things that I am working on.  The things that give my life meaning and why I live with passion.  We only get one chance to live the life we want.  It is possible for you to live the life that you are meant to live.  Find what gives your life passion and pursue that!  Don't ever forget that your thoughts are powerful.  Make them positive!

I would love to hear from you in the comments about how you overcome negative self talk and what goals and dreams you are working on pursuing.  Next week I will share some of the things that I am working on in my personal training/fitness career.

I want to say thank you to everyone who entered my Premier Protein Prize Pack Giveaway!  The winner is: Olivia A.  Congrats!  I will send you an e-mail to get your info.




 If you didn't win don't worry Premier Protein is giving away samples for you and your friends!  Click HERE to Share Good Energy, and choose your free protein bar or shake sample and choose 5 friends to pick their samples too!  Limit 2 samples per person per household, available while supplies last.  Chosen friends will be notified via Facebook Messenger to choose their sample.
Don't miss out on your chance for a free sample and Share Good Energy with your friends!








Be sure to link up for Wild Workout Wednesday!  Each week I link up with Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Nicole from Fitfulfocus and Michelle from Fruition Fitness.  We love to have you join us!




Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Tips for Post Workout Recovery + Premier Protein Giveaway



You've just killed your workout and you're about to hop in the shower and get ready for your day.  But wait!!  You didn't have your post-workout shake or smoothie!  Did you know that within 45 minutes after your strength training workout that it is important to have the right combo of protein and carbohydrates?  Did you know there are other things that can go into your recovery post workout as well?

Over my 6 years as a personal trainer, and as I am going through my studying for Precision Nutrition I have learned so much about how your nutrition affects your body, and how important it is to get the right nutrition post workout.
Here are some of my top tips for your post workout recovery:
  1. Fuel up within 45-60 minutes after your workout.  This is important if you just did your strength training and are looking to lose fat and gain muscle.  I recommend a protein shake with at least 25g of protein and about 10-15g of carbohydrates.  The carbs will help transport the protein to your muscle to help start the repair process.  Did you know that this is when your muscles grow?  So this post workout timing is important.  The easiest way to do this is with a protein shake and a banana.  This is my go to.  If you are on the go and have to toss something in your gym bag, check out these pre-made Premier Protein shakes.  They are perfect with a half a banana.  If you are able to make a shake at home mix 1 1/2 cups of water, a scoop of protein (or one pre-made premier protein shake), 1/2 a banana, and a dash of cinnamon, blend and enjoy. 
  2. Eat your protein!  Protein is the building block of muscle, and the more muscle you build the more fat your body will burn at rest.  It is important to hit this macro-nutrient daily.  Depending on your goals your daily protein intake should be between 30-40% of your daily calorie intake. 
  3. Don't skimp on stretching!  Be sure you are stretching before and after your workout.  This will help to warm up and cool down your body.  It will also help to stretch the muscles you just worked hard. 
  4. Foam rolling is your best friend.  Foam rolling your tight muscles may hurt, but it is so important to get in at least a few times a week.  It helps to release some of the tightness you are feeling and will aid in recovery.  It will also help to lengthen your muscles as well.  It is not a costly investment and you can do it while you watch television at night before bed!
  5. Boost your recovery with BCAA's.  BCAA stands for Branch Chain Amino Acids.  Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.  BCAA's help to increase protein synthesis (protein breakdown for muscle building), and even help to increase your cell's capacity for protein synthesis.  So what this means is adding an extra scoop of BCAA's to your post-workout protein shake will help to start repairing your muscles quicker.  I use unflavored and add it to my daily shake and I don't taste them.  You can also buy a flavored one and drink it during a workout.  I don't like anything but pure water when I workout which is why I stick to the former.  
  6. Have a spa night with an Epsom salts bath!  This is one of my favorite ways to relax and to help relieve sore muscles.  I try to get one in weekly, sometimes it doesn't happen, but when it does I sleep like a baby that night.  Add a cup of Epsom salts to hot water and let them dissolve.  You can even add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.  I set a timer for 20 minutes and put some spa music on my Pandora and relax away my sore muscles.  Since your skin in your largest organ, it absorbs the magnesium, which is necessary for muscle building and repair.  Plus it is a good way to spend some quiet time at night. Try it, you will come back and thank me. 

Are you ready for a Premier Protein Giveaway?  Follow the steps below for your chance to win a variety of Premier Protein Shakes and Bars.  I love having a few bars and shakes with me when I am on the go or for after a workout!  Winner will be announced next week! Good luck!

Premier Protein February Giveaway
Time to link up for Wild Workout Wednesday!  I know I have missed quite a few link ups.  I have just been busy with studying for my nutrition certification, my workouts, and some new clients.  I am going to get back to blogging weekly for the link up!  Sorry I have been missing you guys.

I hope that you are having a wonderful day!  Go kill that workout and be sure to refuel properly :-)

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Staying Fit and Healthy As a Mom + Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Shake



One thing that I love about being a mom is showing my daughter what it means to be healthy and to live a healthy lifestyle.  My mom did that for me.  We were always active and she always cooked us healthy food.  I remember all the bike rides and walks we would go on as kids, and we would spend hours at the parks too.  When we got old enough she has us in sports as well.  We all got to try different sports to see what we liked the best.  Then in middle and high school we had to choose one team sport to play.  I loved that she made sure we got involved in team sports and stayed active.  I loved soccer, volleyball, track, and I eventually found my passion...tennis!  I also learned how to lift weights when I was 15, my brother who was a football player, taught me my way around the gym.  This is something I am forever grateful for.  I love lifting weights, it is such a great stress reliever and it keeps me strong and healthy so I can take care of my daughter and be around and healthy as she gets older too.

Ever since she was a baby and I got cleared for exercise I have worked out.  She is a January baby, and where I live it is freezing in January, so I would just go in my basement gym (my awesome hubby built for me), and get my workouts in while she napped.  It was just something that I worked into my routine.  When it warmed up I would go for a 4 mile walk everyday, and it helped to get some sun and fresh air.  Fast forward to 4 years later, and I still get my workouts in regularly.  It is something that she is used to and she has her toys in the basement so she can play or come hang out with me in the gym if she wants.  As a mom of a daughter it is important for me to set a healthy example for her.  I don't talk about losing weight or toning up around her, I tell her I am getting strong so I can carry her when she needs me to and to be able to be a good mom to her.  We cook healthy meals at home, but I also don't restrict too much from her.  We talk about healthy foods we can eat all the time and treat food that we can eat sometimes.  The only thing that I will not let her eat is fast food, I don't want her to have a taste for it.  It is chemically enhanced to make you crave it, and my hope is that by the time she tries it (hopefully she won't), it will taste gross to her.  My hope is that she grows up with a love for being active and eating healthy foods and eats the treat foods in moderation.  I just want her to be happy and healthy!



Here are my top 5 tips for staying fit & healthy as a mom: 
1) Schedule your workouts.  Think of your workouts as a healthy appointment you have with yourself and don't cancel it!  Re-schedule if needed, but don't skip it.  You are more likely to get it in if you have a plan, set an alarm in your phone as a reminder and put your workout clothes on. 

2) Have your kids join in.  If they are old enough to do what you are doing, have them join in.  Or make a modified version of what you are doing so they can join in.  If they are little enough, hold them while you squat or do your push ups with them laying under you and give them a kiss each time you go down (I used to do this when my daughter was a baby and she loved it!)

3) Wake up early and get it done!  This one is easier said than done, especially if you are not a morning person like me! :-)  However, if you make it a habit it gets easier and then you have it out of the way.  I try and get up at least 2 times a week before my daughter is up and workout.  It makes the days she goes to school a little easier.  Then when she is at school I can get studying, cleaning, blogging or errands done.  Need some help getting up early to workout?  Check out these tips.

4) Make your nutrition a priority.  When you eat healthy, your family eats healthy!  Plan out your meals for the week before you grocery shop and this will make it easier to have a healthy week.  Also, keep healthy snacks on hand.  I always have a Premier Protein Fiber bar or pre-made shake in my purse when I am out in case I get hungry.  I will also keep an apple and some nuts with me too.  These make it easy to snack healthy when I am on the go.  Pack a healthy snack for your kiddos too!

5) Ask for help when you need it!  Sometimes as moms we think we have to do it all by ourselves!  But we have spouses, or family that can help out when needed.  Ask your spouse to hang out with the kids while you get your workout done, this will keep them busy and give you the time you need to workout.  You deserve the time you need to get your workout in.  I know that getting my workouts in makes me a happier mom and wife!  There are plenty of people to help you when you need it, all you have to do is ask!

I hope that these tips help!  Do you have any to add?  I would love to hear them in the comments.  :-)

Ready for a delicious Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Shake?  Of course you are!  Who doesn't love peanut butter and chocolate together?  This is another amazing recipe from Premier Protein.   Try it out and let me know what you think!  I love it!


Saturday, January 16, 2016

2016 Revamp Your Routine With BabbleBoxx

 

When I was contacted about reviewing a Babble Boxx I was curious because I had never heard of them before.  As I read on I learned it was a sampling and review program.  I received the health & wellness edition for January for the Revamp Your Routine products.  I was so excited when I got the box, it was big and had lots of cute pink writing on it!  I couldn't wait to open it!  

I was excited to check everything out and start using the products.  I loved that there were little product cards for each of the items to learn a little more.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a hardcover book with the catchy title Stop & Drop Diet!  Once I got everything unboxxed I was ready to start sampling! 






The first product that I tried was the Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel On-the-Go refreshingly clean towelettes.  Twice a week I workout first thing in the morning, and lately I have been trying to add more.  One of the things that I would forget to do is wash my face right away.  After a few times I noticed that I was breaking out.  The next morning workout I had after getting my BabbleBoxx I used one of these ready-to-go wipes right after my workout.  It was so convenient, I just opened it up and wiped down my face, neck & chest.  It was refreshing right after my sweaty workout and it dried nicely.  I didn't even need to use a moisturizer after.  If I were a gym goer, I workout in my basement, I would definitely have these travel size towelettes in my gym bag.  These are something that I have been using regularly after my morning workouts and I haven't had any more breakouts!  These wipes have helped me to revamp my post-workout face washing routine!


The next products I was excited to try was the Stash Tea.  I have tried Stash before, but never these intriguing flavors.  One night after coming in from playing with my daughter out in the snow I made her some hot chocolate, I'm not a big hot chocolate fan so I decided on a cup of the Gold Cup Chai with Turmeric.  I have been reading a lot about the health benefits of turmeric and was curious to know how it tasted.  I wasn't too sure of the chai, because I have had it before and wasn't a fan.  However this tea was delicious!  It was a little sweet and a little spicy, I added a little organic honey and it made it even better.   I also loved that it was organic and caffeine free.  I enjoyed the whole glass while it warmed me up.
The second flavor was Organic Lavender Tulsi.  I am a huge lavender fan and I use it in an essential oil form often, as it is so calming and relaxing.  When I opened the tea bag I could smell the beautiful lavender aroma and was excited to try the tea.  I was not disappointing, it was just as good as the Chai.  It was comforting and relaxing and I enjoyed a cup while I was reading the Stop & Drop Diet book.  These flavors have both become staples in my nightly routine, while I sit down at night to relax.  Stash Tea is offering 15% Off your entire online order with the code BABBLE15 until February 12th.  Head over to www.stashtea.com to order.






Have you ever had that feeling that you have a cold coming on?  It is a dreadful feeling and you don't have time to be sick?  Well this is where Cold-eeze Plus Natural Multi-Symptom Relief Cold & Flu lozenges becomes your best friend! It helps to shorten your cold.  This one is multi-symptom and also helps to relieve your cough, congestion and sore throat, score!  It tastes great and dissolves easily, no chomping on these guys.  I also love that there are no artificial colors or preservatives.  I have been carrying these around in my purse for whenever I get that run-down, might be getting sick feeling.


The Stop & Drop Diet book, was easy to read and was laid out so it was really easy to follow.  It is a flexible plan that teaches readers easy ways to STOP eating the unhealthy foods they love and find a healthier version.  I like that she has a kick starer plan with meal plans you can follow.  For someone who is on the go and eats out a lot this plan will help you to make better choices at your favorite restaurants.  However, for myself who rarely eats at the places mentioned in the book, they are not meal plans that I would follow.  There are a lot of processed foods on the plans and I tend to eat and recommend more whole foods in their natural form.  That being said, if you are someone who regularly eats at these places, this book lays out a plan on better choices. 
After the kick starter plan there is a steady loss plan.  Again on this plan there are a lot of processed foods, although she does recommend some whole foods as well.  There are better versions of unhealthy choices so again it can help.  After the steady loss there is a maintain plan. It is similar to the other plans in what it is recommending, and there are some processed option and some whole food options as well. 
The last part of the book has a lot of great visuals, and this would be helpful when you are on the go and are looking for healthier options. 
Overall, it has good recommendations for most people who are on the Standard American Diet (SAD), but for someone who cooks most of their food at home and tries to limit processed foods, it is not the best plan.  It does offer healthier versions, however I don't eat at fast food places and don't recommend that my clients do as well.  It would be helpful to have so you know how to make some healthier swaps when you are on the go.  You can find more information and the online companion guide at Stop & Drop Diet.com and you can visit EnrichU for the e-learning platform.




Ahhhh, pancakes!  These Birch Benders Gluten Free pancakes did not disappoint!  My 4 year old loves pancakes and was excited for me to make these.  They are made with organic and all natural ingredients so I can feel good about making them for her.  The texture was not quite the same as a regular pancake, but the taste was great!  We did top them with grass fed butter and some organic maple syrup as pancakes should be eaten.  I do try to limit the amount of gluten in my diet so these would be a good mix into our breakfasts. I do caution those with a nut allergy to beware because they are made with hazelnut flour.  I would recommend these to anyone who is looking for an easy to make gluten free pancake!




Overall I really enjoyed the the products that came in my Babble Boxx!  It was nice to try out some new products that I might not have found on my own.  You can find out more about BabbleBoxx on their website.
This post was sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media, all opinions are my own.