Link Love #80

Just like that our quiet couple of weeks without company is about to end. My college roommate and her husband are getting in late Wednesday night and staying with us for a week! They’ve never been out to San Francisco before so they’re definitely in for a treat. Do you remember how crazy we went when my parents came out last year? Yea.. there will be plenty of eating, drinking, and hiking! Get ready for some more delicious pictures 😉

Health

The Naked Truth: When Is Our Body Finally Good Enough? – Lifting Revolution

The Naked Truth: When Is Our Body Finally Good Enough? – Lifting Revolution
Why it is okay to gain a few happiness lbs – Darwinian Fail
So you want to study nutrition? Dietitian, Nutritionist, or Nutritional Therapist? – Gluten Free Rosie
Eat to Beat the Common Cold? Part One: Review of Vitamin C – Food & Nonsense
Using the stages of change model to adopt new fitness and nutrition habits – FitKnitChick

Fitness

Rock Your Body Workout – Fit Foodie Finds & Ambitious Kitchen

Rock Your Body Workout – Fit Foodie Finds & Ambitious Kitchen
Why Kettlebell Swings Aren’t a Good Exercise for Cardio – Trainer Paige
Don’t Skip a Beat: How To Train Using Heart Rate Monitoring – FitFluential
3 Creative Core Moves that Work Balance and Strength – Cotter Crunch
Stay on Track Workout – Coconuts & Kettlebells

Food

Green Goddess Hummus – Cookie + Kate

Green Goddess Hummus – Cookie + Kate
Microwave Peanut Protein Pancakes with Chocolate Chips {Gluten/Grain Free, Super Simple, Low Fat + Low Calorie} – Food Faith Fitness
Bahn Mi Spring Rolls – Minimalist Baker
Healthy Bananas Foster Donuts – The Almond Eater
Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed Morning Buns with Blueberry Passionfruit Glaze – Half Baked Harvest
Almond Butter Fudgy Chocolate Eggs – Peachy Palate

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #77 + a Super Power Bite Recipe & Giveaway

Today is going to be a really exciting Tuesday. Not only do I have my usual link love below, but I also have a delicious recipe and giveaway!

A couple weeks ago, I received a sample of Manitoba Harvest’s Hemp Hearts. If you’re not familiar with hemp hearts, they are shelled hemp seeds that are considered a “superfood.” They provide 10g of plant-based protein and 10g of Omegas per 30g serving. With a slightly nutty flavor, they are great on salads, smoothies, ice cream, oatmeal, and more. I’m personally a fan of rolling some protein bites in hemp seeds for a nutty, sweet treat!

Chocolate Berry Super Power Bites

Makes 55-60 bites
Adapted from Cotter Crunch’s Gluten Free Triple Berry Chocolate Cake Bites

Ingredients
– 1/3 cup ground Strawberry Power O’s [can sub vanilla protein powder]
– 3/4 cup coconut flour
– 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
– 1 scoop Healthy Skoop SweetGreens A Game [can sub 1 tbsp protein powder or coconut flour]
– 1/4 cup granola
– 1 cup nut butter [I used Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams]
– 2 tbsp honey
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
– 1/4 cup Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts

Directions
Grind up the Power O’s and mix in a large bowl with the coconut flour, protein powder, Skoop, & granola.

In a smaller bowl, microwave the nut butter and honey to make mixing easier. Pour over the dry mixture, add in the vanilla extract and mix, allowing the nut butter to cool before adding in the chocolate chips. Mix everything except the hemp hearts until incorporated well.

In a small bowl, measure out the hemp hearts and using a 1/2 tbsp measuring spoon, measure out the bites and roll in the hemp hearts. Store in the freezer for quick and easy snackage!

Nutritional Information
Per 1/2 tbsp bite
45 Calories / 3g Fat / 5g Carbs / 1g Fiber / 3g Sugar / 2g Protein

Want to win your own bag of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts? Click here to enter my giveaway!

Health

Why Eating A Brownie Can Be Good For You – Love & Zest

Why Eating A Brownie Can Be Good For You – Love & Zest
The dark side of wearable fitness trackers – FitKnitChick
What to Do When You Gain Weight – Eating Bird Food
Food with Benefits – Carla Birnberg via EleVen by Venus
The Amazing Benefits of Honey – Organic Runner Mom

Fitness

“Ups” Pyramid Workout with Cardio Intervals – Pumps & Iron

“Ups” Pyramid Workout with Cardio Intervals – Pumps & Iron
Triple Threat Tabata Workout – Fitnessista
1,000 Rep Workout – Lindsay’s List
At Home Bodyweight Workout – Survive & Thrive
Weekend Warrior 3: Reach The Summit Advanced Workout – Lifting Revolution

Food

Grain-Free Chocolate Donuts with Peanut Butter Sprinkles – Yeah…immaeatthat

Grain-Free Chocolate Donuts with Peanut Butter Sprinkles – Yeah…immaeatthat
Double Chocolate Brownie Irish Car Bomb Cheesecakes – Half Baked harvest
Sesame Crusted Salmon with a Zesty Ginger-garlic Drizzle {Gluten Free} – Cara’s Healthy Cravings via Cotter Crunch
Roasted Broccoli with Curry Dipping Sauce – Delish Knowledge
Vegan Peanut Butter Shorties – Radiant Rachels

Food for Thought

Have you ever tried hemp hearts?
What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #75

With my parents coming out to visit us tomorrow, I’ve been thinking a lot about how different things are this year then when they visited last year. A year ago, we were pretty fresh to the bay area; just about 2 1/2 months in. We took them all over the place touring, tasting, and pretty much making this place our own. I had just gotten my NASM book to start studying and aside from the occasional web design gig, I was completely jobless. It was a strange feeling and it was downright hard. I had Nathan, but good lord it was hard to meet people when I was at home all the time.

One year later, I have 3 jobs—2 of which are personal training at gyms—and a list of clients that thankfully keeps growing. Some friends have quickly come and gone, and others have become good friends. Like a spending-the-Jewish-holidays-with-her-family kind of friend. We’re living in a new area of the east bay and loving how much we have at our fingertips and how easy it is to get around. Things are moving in the right direction and I’ve said it before, the move to California has been such a great learning experience.

Last year, I was psyched to just see my parents again after almost 3 months. This year, while I’m just as psyched to see them again, I feel like we have so much more to show them. And not by showing them around the city, but by showing them what our lives have evolved to since they visited last. Shoot, we’re even giving them a place to stay this year.. it’s like we’re real, live grown ups!

And with that, a few things to share with all of you. Enjoy!

Health

How to Live in Harmony with High-Fiber Foods – Kris Carr

How To Live in Harmony with High-Fiber Foods – Kris Carr
Eating for Health & Eating for Abs. Do you know the difference? – Food & Nonsense
FYI Friday – Nutrients Requirements for Active People – Calcium & Vitamin D – Pretty Little Grub
11 Ways to Manage Stress and Feeling Overwhelmed – Love, Life, Surf
Because Being Healthy Means Not ALWAYS Being Healthy – fannetastic food

Fitness

DOMS: The Truth About Muscle Soreness & How To Recover Faster From Workouts – Lifting Revolution

DOMS: The Truth About Muscle Soreness & How To Recover Faster From Workouts – Lifting Revolution
Body part splits or whole body workouts | the pros and cons – FitKnitChick
30-Minute Jump Rope + Strength Training Workout – Pumps & Iron
Upper Body + Cardio Workout – Peanut Butter Fingers
Fit Tuesday Workout – Fitnessista

Food

Beef Barbacao Bowls – Lexi’s Clean Kitchen

Beef Barbacao Bowls – Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Gluten Free Breakfast Power Bowls to POWER Your Day – Cotter Crunch
Irresistible Super Fudgy Chocolate Brownie – 1000 Lovely Things
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookies – Running with Spoons
Apple Fritter Bread – Averie Cooks

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #74

Holy cannoli! I don’t know where all the time has gone but this is my 500th post! I never thought when I started this blog 3 years ago that it would become what it is today. I love having it as an outlet, creative or otherwise, and a way to share some wonderful information I find from across the web. I’m also so grateful for all of you readers that come back day after day to read, comment, and share. So a huge thank you to all of you!

Health

Is it possible to eat too clean? – Love & Zest

Is it possible to eat too clean? – Love & Zest
What Does It Take To Live a Balanced Life? – Cotter Crunch
Can Sweet Potatoes Help You Lose Weight? – PopSugar
Where Dietary-Fat Guidelines Went Wrong – Time
Mega Omegas – The Muffin Myth
Five Things Beginners Need to Know About Getting Lean – Eat to Perform

Fitness

12 minute workout to tone you up – Purely Twins

12 minute workout to tone you up – Purely Twins
Cupid’s Shuffle Partner Workout Challenge – Lifting Revolution
10 Workouts You Can Do in a Hotel Room – Pumps & Iron
10 ‘crunch-free’ exercises for a stronger core – FitKnitChick
18 Partner Workouts – Diary of an Ex Sloth

Food

Roasted Blood Orange Oatmeal – Kara Lydon The Foodie Dietitian

Roasted Blood Orange Oatmeal – Kara Lydon The Foodie Dietitian
Jamaican Jerk Veggie Burgers – Oh My Veggies
Homemade Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups – Mommy Run Fast
Idiot Proof Creamy Tomato and Curry Butter Lobster Pasta – Half Baked Harvest
PB&J Granola Cookie Clusters – The Nutritious Kitchen

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #69

Today just so happens to be a very special day—it’s my mama’s birthday!

She’s the best. And I’m not the only one that thinks that.. Jilly bean is quite the fan of her Bubby, too!

My parents will be back out here visiting in about a month and a half and I can’t wait to take them around to all of the new places we’ve explored since their last time out here. More birthday celebrations!! Woohoo! Until then…..

Health

10 Reasons to Love Brussels Sprouts – Groovy Green Livin

10 Reasons to Love Brussels Sprouts – Groovy Green Livin
20 Nutrition Facts That Should be Common Sense (But Aren’t) – Eat Local Grown
Back When I Ate the “HLB” Way: Blogger Responsibility and Disordered Eating – Run Pretty
The Three Worst Ways to Lose Weight – Wildly Fit
The science of creating new health and fitness habits – fitknitchick

Fitness

The Royal Flush Kettlebell Workout – Lifting Revolution

The Royal Flush Kettlebell Workout – Lifting Revolution
Fit Bit Friday 173: The January Core Challenge Workout – Eat Spin Run Repeat
Whit’s 10 Minute Bodyweight Workout – To Live & Diet in L.A.
Sweat Drenching Leg & Core Workout – Jessie Loves 2 Run
Chocolate Cherry Trail Cups + Workout to Flip For – The Fit Fork

Food

Roasted Pineapple with Honey & Pistachios – Blogging Over Thyme

Roasted Pineapple with Honey & Pistachios – Blogging Over Thyme
PB&J Oatmeal Crumble Bars – The Nutritious Kitchen
Whole Wheat Penne with Butternut Squash & Roasted Red Pepper Sauce – Oh My Veggies
Grain Free Winter Spice Plantain Bites – Cotter Crunch
Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut Sauce – Minimalist Baker

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #65

Can you believe we’re already half way through December? I went to lunch with a friend yesterday and we were talking about our New Years plans; it’s really only 2 weeks away. Wow.. 2014 has been a pretty crazy year for us and I’m doing my best to wrap it up on a high note.

Health

How to eat the gold standard of 7-9 servings of fruits and veggies – Run to the Finish

How to eat the gold standard of 7-9 servings of fruits and veggies – Run to the Finish
5 Ways You Can Restore Balance to Your Busy Weekend – Family Sport Life
What Would Happen if You Focused on THIS and Not That? – Nia Shanks
Why Easy Sessions Make You a Better Athlete – Cotter Crunch
‘Detox’ Diets Are a Scam, According to Report – Food and Wine

Fitness

12 Days Of Christmas Kettlebell Workout – Lifting Revolution via Love, Life, Surf

12 Days Of Christmas Kettlebell Workout – Lifting Revolution via Love Life Surf
At-Home Broomstick Workout – Your Trainer Paige
5 Exercises For Improving Grip Strength – FitKnitChick via Eleven by Venus
Resistance band travel workout – Fitnessista
New Holiday Hunny HIIT Workout – Tone It Up

Food

Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Tarts with Cinnamon Peanut Crust – Garnish with Lemon

Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Tarts with Cinnamon Peanut Crust – Garnish with Lemon
Sweet Potato and Apple Latke Cake with Baked Eggs – The Healthy Maven
Triple Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake Cookies – Half Baked Harvest
Peanut Butter Oreo Chocolate Bark – Sally’s Baking Addiction
Sage Kale Pesto with Parmesan Roasted Acorn Squash – Food Faith Fitness

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?
Do you have plans for New Years Eve?

Link Love #58

Have you entered my Athleta giveaway yet?

I mentioned recently that I’ve been taking more impromptu rest days than before. In my head, I sometimes feel like I’m being lazy when I get home from work and sit my butt on the sofa. But when I really thought about it, part of the reason I’m resting is because my legs feel so fatigued. It’s easy to forget that standing for 6-8 hours at a time, with one or two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute break, can really take a toll! I may not be on the treadmill or running outside, but there’s a reason standing desks are all the rage. Besides, we all know that sometimes we need to just slow down and go for a walk.

That said, I’m well aware that standing doesn’t have the same benefits as more intense aerobic activity, however, you bet your butt putting my feet up after a long day definitely helps me push it harder at the gym the next day! Wouldn’t want to put myself too hard, right? [How ’bout that transition!]

Health

Why Exercising Too Much Hurts Your Gut – The Paleo Mom

Why Exercising Too Much Hurts Your Gut – The Paleo Mom
The 7 Best Nuts for Your Health and Performance – Stack
Top Five “Clean Eating” Mistakes People Make When Trying to Lose Bodyfat – Beauty Lies in Strength
3 all-or-nothing’ healthy living mindsets debunked – FitKnitChick
Are you *emotionally* overweight? (guest post) – Five Finger Fitness via Carla Birnberg

Fitness

Fitness in 5 Minutes – Cotter Crunch

Fitness in 5 Minutes – Cotter Crunch
The Kettlebell Encyclopedia: 30 Of The Best Kettlebell Exercises {Gifs} – Lifting Revolution
The PSL Workout {aka The Pumpkin Workout} – Love Life Surf
10×10 Full Body Workout – The Almond Eater
Guest Post: 4 Yoga Poses For Tight Hips – Infinite Beings via Keep It SimpELLE

Food

White Chocolate Pumpkin Snack Cake with Maple Cream Cheese – The Nutritious Kitchen

White Chocolate Pumpkin Snack Cake with Maple Cream Cheese – The Nutritious Kitchen
Roasted Acorn Squash with Pears and Miso Dressing – Edible Perspective
Grain-free and dairy-free almond butter lava cakes – Fitnessista
Creamy Coconut Millet Porridge with Cinnamon Vanilla Poached Pears – The Soulful Spoon
Pumpkin Breakfast Quinoa with Maple Whipped Ricotta – Food Faith Fitness via Julie’s Eats & Treats

Food for Thought

Do you ever discount your daily activity when considering your workouts?
What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #55

Hi friends! I hope your week is going well so far. I was able to have a nice, relaxing Monday without having to run off to work. It was great to take my time at the gym in the morning, eat my breakfast at a reasonable pace, prep some extra food for the week, and get myself ready for a conference call in the afternoon. Quiet weekdays are sometimes a necessary and welcome change of pace.

I’ve had a project in mind over the past couple months and am trying to workout the details, but in the meantime, I’m going to be adding an extra page to the blog [<– accountability!] for personal training. I’m hoping in the coming months to unveil an online training program for purchase! Until then, I want to offer customized personal training plans. If you’re interested, shoot me an email and let’s get chatting! And of course, if you’re in the bay area and are looking for a trainer [or know someone who is!], I’d love to work with you.

Health

Science Proves Gluten Sensitivity Isn’t Real, People Are Just Whiners – Buzzworthy

Science Proves Gluten Sensitivity Isn’t Real, People Are Just Whiners – Buzzworthy [Possibly a little controversial, but an interesting read!]
Foods You Thought Were Bad But Aren’t: Rice – Lifting Revolution
Gluten Free Food Ideas To Eat Before Your Long Run – Cotter Crunch
12 Unexpected Ways to Transform Your Relationship with Food & Yourself – Corinne Dobbas
Taryn Brumfitt’s 10 Tips to Embracing Your Body – To Live & Diet in L.A.

Fitness

Sexy Shoulder Workout – The Almond Eater

Sexy Shoulder Workout – The Almond Eater
4 Exercises You Don’t Expect To Work Your Core – Slim Sanity
Lifting Weights to Failure | Why You Don’t Need To – FitKnitChick
Booty Burner Workout – Fit Foodie Finds
Full Body Cable Workout – Fine Fit Day

Food

Autumn Acai Bowls with Vanilla Bean Cashew Butter – How Sweet It Is

Autumn Acai Bowls with Vanilla Bean Cashew Butter – How Sweet It Is
Baked Apples Stuffed with Spiced Butternut Squash and Gingersnap Crumble – Heart Beet Kitchen
Fudgy Paleo Avocado Brownies – Peachy Palate
Grain Free Almond Butter Pumpkin Bars – The Roasted Root
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Bacon Feta Pizza – The Law Student’s Wife

Food for Thought

What are your thoughts on the gluten sensitivity post?
What are some of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #53

Thank you all so much for all of the shares and comments on yesterday’s post! I love making other blogger’s recipes and it’s fun to see other people so excited about one of my recipe ideas. If you do try them out, tweet or instagram a picture to me so I can see 🙂

Speaking of other blogger’s recipes, I love my Tuesday link love posts because not only do I get to share some of my favorite posts from the past week, but I also take some time to revisit them too. Even if there are some posts here that you’ve already read, I’d suggest giving some of them a second look; you may take away something new than you did the first time. You may also get some new killer workout moves.. I know I’m looking for some new ones for when I’m training Nathan [watch out! ;)] Enjoy!

Health

How to Embrace Mental and Physical Rest – Family Sport Life via Cotter Crunch

How to Embrace Mental and Physical Rest – Family Sport Life via Cotter Crunch
5 Tips for Better Sleep – I Heart Vegetables
How to Eat Intuitively | A Guide to Mindful Eating – fannetastic food
Holistic Fat Loss: Is It More Effective? – Workout Nirvana
Don’t Be Fooled By the Sugar-Free Label – The Lean Green Bean

Fitness

Crazy 8’s Sprint Workout – Blonde Ponytail

Crazy 8’s Sprint Workout – Blonde Ponytail
5 Ways to Increase EPOC aka Workout After Burn – Trainer Paige
Kettlebell Training for Beginners – FitKnitChick
15 Minute Thunder And Lightening Workout: Kettlebell & Jump Rope – Lifting Revolution
Full Body vs. Body Part Split Routines – Reach Your Peak

Food

Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus – The Healthy Maven

Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus – The Healthy Maven
30-Minute Stir Fried Korean Beef and Toasted Sesame Noodles – Half Baked Harvest
Mini Pumpkin Pie S’mores Tarts – Treats With a Twist
Lamb and Millet Tagine with Cinnamon and Prunes {Gluten-Free} – Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Broken Farro Porridge with Coconut Milk, Almonds, & Roasted Plums – Blogging Over Thyme

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite post from the past week?

Link Love #51

Have you entered my AMRAP giveaway yet?

Check me out, two posts in a row! It took a few days but I think we’re getting back into the groove over here. I have to wish my oldest brother a very happy birthday. Without him, I wouldn’t have my little Jilly Bean! He’s a pretty great brother and father too though 😉

Health

This is What Dieting Does to Your Body – Better With Sprinkles

This is What Dieting Does to Your Body – Better With Sprinkles
The Importance of DHEA and an Omega-3 Packed Recipe! – Cotter Crunch
3 Reasons You’re NOT Losing Fat – Mussel FIT
Debunking Yet Another Low Carb Claim – According to Elle
How Can You Tell if You’re Overexercising? – FitKnitChick via Carla Birnberg

Fitness

Jump’N Pass Kettle Bell Workout – Lifting Revolution

Jump’N Pass Kettlebell Workout – Lifting Revolution
5 Ways to Transition Your Summer Workouts Into Fall – Trainer Paige
5 to 50 Ab Workout – Pumps & Iron
Protein Intake and Timing for Reducing Body Fat – Run to the Finish
15 minute Labor Day bodyweight home workout purely training #77 – Purely Twins

Food

Slow Cooker Japanese Pork and Ramen Soup – Country Clever

Slow Cooker Japanese Pork and Ramen Soup – Country Clever
Almond Butter Banana Bread Muffins – Fit Foodie Finds
Asian Farro Medly with Salmon – Skinnytaste
Smoky Chipotle Cheddar Burgers with Mexican Street Corn Fritters – Half Baked Harvest
Hidden Veggies Two Bite Brownies w/ Caramel Drizzle – The Healthy Maven

Food for Thought

What are some of your favorite posts recently?