I didn’t plan on taking a break between Christmas and New Year’s but it seems that is what is happening. We have lots of family things planned over the next few days and I am taking a break to focus on that. I will be back January 1st to start my 365 days of blogging! Cheers to New Year and see you in 2015!
STRONG & KIND Bars: These are the perfect stocking stuffer for the person who is really into savory foods or for someone who loves a sweet and salty combination. We received a box of these bars to try (thank you KIND) and I have been loving (most) of them. These bars include pea protein making them a great protein source and they also have all 9 essential amino acids. Oh and they taste great. My favorite flavors are honey mustard and honey smoked BBQ. I also liked the hickory and jalapeno but the Thai chili just wasn’t for me.
Eat Nakd Bars: Of course if I included a savory bar I felt like it was in order to also feature a sweet bar as well. I first came across these bars on Instagram and had to try them. After trying most of the flavors the rhubarb & custard is my absolute favorite. These bars are made from raw fruits and nuts and are gluten and wheat free and vegan! Most only have 3 total ingredients. P.S. I’ll have a giveaway for these bars soon so stay tuned to learn how you can win your own box.
eos Lip Balm: Seriously one of my favorite lip balms. They are moisturizing and they come in great flavors and who doesn’t love the round shape? I found this set on Amazon and the great part is that you can break the package up and include them a few stockings.
Dream Zone Sleep Mask: There is not a night that goes by that I don’t use a sleep mask. I became addicted to them when my friend Laura made me one for Christmas many years ago and now I can’t sleep without one. I actually received this exact mask last year in my stocking from Neil.
Weleda Indulgent Body Lotion Kit: I love to have little travel sized lotions to throw into my purse especially in the winter. This pack has four different lotions all mosturizing and all with their own benefits. Again this is another great kit to buy and distribute among a few stockings.
Bombas Socks: I know socks are kind of boring but we all wear socks or at least most of us do so they are perfect for a stocking. Plus these socks are awesome! Super comfy and supportive and the perfect gift for him or her.
Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored. There are a few affiliate links include.
Random photo for fun
I finally came to terms with this a few months ago and have been making an honest effort to follow through. The first challenge I had for myself was my DietBet* challenge. I did this because I wanted to get myself back on a healthy path. I knew I couldn’t lose the 4% body weight healthfully while nursing but I did know that I could get myself into a better place and I did it. I followed through and while I didn’t see a big drop in the numbers I did in the way clothes fit.
My second challenge to myself has been to participate in the #Elf4Health challenge this month. I love having the connection with other participants and my own elf and I have committed to giving daily updates on my Facebook page regarding each of the tasks. This has been such a great challenge to participate in and I’m so glad I opted in and have followed through. I have made more time for myself, focused more directly on my health and fitness and have made connections with others. This challenge is not over but with only a few days left I can say that I already know that this is a success.
My third challenge is one that I did because Neil decided he wanted to do a juice til 4 cleanse. Now I did not juice til 4 with him due to the negative side effects that a cleanse can have while nursing but I did agree to challenge myself to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables I ate and have no coffee, gluten, processed foods, or alcohol for four days with him. I did it! But even more notable is that HE DID IT! My husband spent the last 4 days doing a juice til 4 cleanse and I have never been so proud of him, okay maybe I have but still this is huge, if you know my husband you might know his will power to pass up free treats is low and he is notorious for being one of those “well I worked out so..” type do people and yet he did his. 100% committed did it. He feels great, isn’t craving the crap that he was and just overall is feeling like the restart button has been pushed. I feel better too and just like him cut the cravings for processed food and sweets.
What Have I Learned? Committing to myself feels good. I have been feeling successful and healthier both mentally and physically. That being said I am thinking that monthly challenges for myself might be a good thing to try. I have done this in the past and they have helped me out a lot but I also have learned that I do this better when I can do it with others. So that being said who wants to take on some monthly challenges with me? I am thinking starting January doing a monthly health or fitness challenge would be fun. I know that incentives help so I am thinking a giveaway at the end of each challenge for those who finish a challenge might be a fun addition. That being said who is interested and what kinds of challenges would you want to participate in?
*For full disclosure I made $0 off the entire game after deducting Neil’s entry into the game.
The following guest post is by my hubby Neil.
Disclaimer: As part of a FitFluential campaign, my hubby Neil received a pair of Saucony ISO-Series Triumph, in exchange for his honest review. The opinions shared are his own.
Before moving to Portland, I would surely have called myself an avid runner. It seemed I was always training for a different race, tailoring my workouts and strength training to compliment running and getting in my miles whenever I could. Things started to slow down a bit when Edith was born, but I was still running. I finished my 2nd half marathon of the year after she was born (the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Montreal) as well as a number of 5k and 10k races as part of my training.
I started to lose my way a bit once we moved to Portland. I was working a less flexible job that didn’t allow for as many runs during the day and with no shower, we were spending a lot of time exploring the city and I didn’t have any running partners any more. My training started to fall off and I ran the worst of my 3 half marathons last October. Lately, I’ve had the itch to start running regularly again and to really take it seriously again. When Lindsay asked me if I wanted the opportunity to try out the new Saucony ISO-Series Triumph, I jumped at it!
Until now, I’ve jumped around from shoe to shoe and hadn’t been able to settle on one that was right for me. A neutral, cushioned shoe has always been what I’ve found works best for me and the Triumph fits that bill. As soon as I put the Triumph on, I knew I was going to love them. The new PWRGRID+ cushioning technology made for a really comfortable ride and minimized the stress on my knees and legs that I’ve experienced with other shoes. Despite the cushioning, the shoe was incredibly light and responsive. The inner sock on the shoe provided a lot of great stability while running as well. The shoes felt great on the runs I took them on, both on the road and the treadmill. I felt fast and my legs didn’t feel like they had taken the same pounding that they did in some of the other shoes I’ve tried that were a similar weight, but less cushioned.
I’m really looking forward to running many more miles in the Saucony Triumphs as I make my way through the next step in my training and fitness journey. Now on to finding a new race to run! Also don’t forget to check out my WOAH face over on Lindsay’s Instagram account! 
I have been thinking for awhile about daily blogging. While I know I don’t have the time in my day to write out long blog posts everyday but I do have time to jot a few things down to share with you. For 2015 I am challenging myself to blog 365 days. Yes everyday for an entire year. These daily blog posts will feature a high and a low for the day and a photo. I am also challenging myself to take a photo everyday so that I can a. document life and b. improve my photography skills (or lack there of). I haven’t committed (or discussed this with Neil yet) but I am hoping to also do blog 365 days over on Naturally Family with parenting highs and lows for each day.
These blog 365 day posts will be in addition to the regular posts you see now (food, fitness, lifestyle). So here it is goal one of the new year and I am excited to take it on! Anyone interested in joining me?
I have been in love with Terry Walters new book Eat Clean Live Well. As you might have seen it made my Gifts For Foodies list and it did for good reason because it is filled with so many healthy and delicious recipes. I have made a number of the Fall seasonal recipes and while I enjoyed all that I have tried so far my favorite recipe was the Collard Green Sukiyaki. This recipe is so good but if your like me and like broth-y noodles I recommend doubling the broth.
For the Raw Foodie – The Raw Food Beginner Deck – This little deck of cards has everything for your raw foods kitchen. It provides you with a card for setting up your kitchen, recipes for juicing, blending and so much more. You’ll find some pretty amazing recipes for raw vegan cheese, luxurious raw desserts and so much more.
For the Healthy Chef– Eat Clean Live Well – I have been loving this cookbook lately. It is filled with seasonal recipes (I’ll be sharing one tomorrows on the blog) that are nourishing, healthy and of so tasty. Perfect for a foodie friend.
For the Veggie Lover – Vegetable Tea Towels– these beautiful towels are on my own holiday wish list this year. These are made by a Vermont based husband and wife duo who also have a number of other wonderful products from bags, to tops for kids and adults, scarves and even a treat for your kitty.
A Treat for the Foodie’s Stocking – Kandy Kale – as we all know kale chips are all the rage (people still say that right?) anyways they are super popular but have you tried kandy kale chips? These things are addictive but a little pricy ($5-7/bag) so your foodie friend might not buy these for themselves so why not treat them to a tasty and healthy treat! I recommend the Sea Salt Caramel flavor.
A Spicy Treat for your Favorite Foodie– Sriracha2Go – I might deem this the best invention of the year. As a sriracha addict, I went through about one bottle per month when I was pregnant with Edith, I think this is the perfect gift. I don’t know how many times I’m out and I just wish I had sriracha on hand but all to be found is Tabasco (yuck) now with this little key chain you and/or your foodie friend will never go without sriracha!
Disclaimer: while this post is NOT IN ANY WAY SPONSORED there are affiliate links.
