Link Love #79

Today is the last day to enter my MealEnders giveaway!

It’s my favorite day of the [blogging] week. Time for some link love.. catch up on all the goodies you might have missed! Enjoy 🙂

Health

The Perfect Snack When You Are Feeling… – The Nutty Nutritionist

The Perfect Snack When You Are Feeling… – The Nutty Nutritionist
Why Saying No Matter for Your Well-being – Crop Tops & Kale
4 “Healthy” Hidden Sources of Sugar – The Fit Cookie
‘But I Don’t Want to Look Like You’ – Gabby’s Gluten-Free
A Plant-Based Nutrition Q&A – Hummusapien

Fitness

The Gym is Everywhere – FitFluential

The Gym is Everywhere – FitFluential
7-minute barre squat burner – Fitnessista
Move It Monday: 10 Variations Of Kettlebell Squats – Lifting Revolution
5 Side Plank Variations to Try – Pumps & Iron
Another Super Sweaty 7-Minute HIIT Workout Video – To Live & Diet in L.A.

Food

Korean Style Fried Shrimp Rice Bowls with Kimchi + Crunchy Noodles – Half Baked Harvest

Korean Style Fried Shrimp Rice Bowls with Kimchi + Crunchy Noodles – Half Baked Harvest
Beet and Black Rice Seafood Salad with Lemon Lime Vinaigrette – Cotter Crunch
Bacon Asparagus Potato Frittata – Reluctant Entertainer
Fried Avocado Tacos with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce – Avocado a Day Nutrition
Slow Cooker Quinoa Energy Bar Recipe – Food Faith Fitness

Food for Thought

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

Link Love #78

Another day, another giveaway winner. Congrats to Rebecca P. for winning my Manitoba Harvest giveaway! We’re sticking to short and sweet today, friends. Enjoy the love!

Health

5 Foods You Should Be Eating in the Spring – Mommy Run Faster

5 Foods You Should Be Eating in the Spring – Mommy Run Faster
Are Rest Days Necessary Even If I’m Not Sore Or Tired? – Lifting Revolution
Good Fats vs Bad Fats: Which Fats are Good for You – Coconuts & Kettlebells
Guest RD: Overeating – Jessica Penner via Kath Eats Real Food
Achieving a Healthy Balance: Stress Management – The Adventures of MJ and Hungryman via Delights & Delectables

Fitness

Sweat on Road! A Travel Workout You can Do ANYWHERE! – FitAspire via Cotter Crunch

Sweat on Road! A Travel Workout You can Do ANYWHERE! – FitAspire via Cotter Crunch
Naked (Juice) Boot Camp Workout – No Equipment Required – Trainer Paige
Strength Training Workout: Building A Bangin’ Back – FitFluential
30-Minute Abs and Glutes Workout – The Fit Cookie
30-Minute Rowing Workout – Pumps & Iron

Food

Deep Dish Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies for Two – Food Faith Fitness

Deep Dish Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies for Two – Food Faith Fitness
Corned Beef Hash Breakfast Sandwich – Running to the Kitchen
Healthy Carrot Cake – Well Plated
Luscious Grain Free Lemon Cake – Fitnessista
Grilled Pineapple Caprese Eggs Benedict with Coconut-Almond Hollandaise – Half Baked Harvest

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 #71

I deem this week hell week. I’ve recently started working at a new gym on top of Athleta and my existing gym. My schedule is pretty nutso but I at least made it through Monday which was the longest one. Success! There is, however, a light at the end of the tunnel. Next week, we’ll be all moved into our new place and I’ll hopefully iron out some crazy schedule kinks. Not to mention, once we move, we’ll have a whole slew of visitors! It’s going to be an exciting 6 months 🙂

Health

2 Steps to Make Healthy Eating a Reality – Love, Life, Surf

2 Steps to Make Healthy Eating a Reality – Love, Life, Surf
Making Fitness News: Which Is Best Cardio Or Strength Training For Decreasing Your Waist? – Lifting Revolution
20 Post-Workout Food Options – Coconuts & Kettlebells
Stop Being Disappointed With Your Body and Start Making Changes – Greatist
A Guide to FAT: Healthy Fats vs. Unhealthy Fats – The Little Honey Bee
FYI Friday – Nutrient Requirements for Active People – Iron – Pretty Little Grub

Fitness

Cardio Tabata Superset Workout – Pumps & Iron

Cardio Tabata Superset Workout – Pumps & Iron
4 Compound Exercises Great for Tabatas {And a Workout to Try} – Cotter Crunch
Make Your Move with Weight Training – Hungry Healthy Girl
Developing Upper Body Muscles – Blonde Ponytail
What’s Your Fitness Missing? – Mark Crabtree via FitFluential

Food

Chewy Chocolate Crunch Hemp Protein Bars – Peachy Palate

Chewy Chocolate Crunch Hemp Protein Bars – Peachy Palate
Paleo Cashew Coconut Protein Fudge – The Big Man’s World
Short Rib Black Bean Beer Chili – The Beeroness
Spinach, Prosciutto and Butternut Squash Pizza – A Zesty Bite
Savory Oatmeal with Soft-Cooked Egg + Bacon – According to Elle

Food for Thought

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

Link Love #68

It’s strange to me to think that last week was 2014. Even more strange that it’s 2015.. I’m still trying to figure out where the year went! Anywho, I went into yesterday being super pumped that I was going to get up for my 6:30 a.m. shift at the store, work 8 hours, and then hit the gym to get in my 30 minutes. I have to tell you, by the time the end of my shift rolled around and I still had more to do, I decided the gym wasn’t happening. That said, there was a lot of lifting boxes and fast-paced moving at work, so I’m going to count that!

I also made a one-pot paprika chicken for dinner that came out really well! It didn’t look as pretty as the pictures from the recipe and it wasn’t anything that was out-of-this-world crazy or fancy, but it was just darn tasty. I did change it up a little by roasting some potatoes on the side instead of adding them into the pot.. crispy is always better, am I right? Welp, onto Tuesday.. 🙂

Health

7 Foods That Will Work Wonders On Your Digestion – MindBodyGreen

7 Foods That Will Work Wonders On Your Digestion – MindBodyGreen
Why I Retired from Being the Fit Girl – Mind Body Musings
Resolutions: Why They Suck & The 5 Rules That Everyone Needs To Know To Make Then Not Suck – Lifting Revolution
Why You Should Eat Omega-3 Fats – Marisa Moore via fannetastic food
4 Things To Know Before You Lose Weight – An Avocado a Day

Fitness

New Year’s At Home Core Workout – Bendiful Blog

New Year’s At Home Core Workout – Bendiful Blog
6 Upper Body Exercises for Runners – Fine Fit Day via Love, Life, Surf
5 Exercise Alternatives to the Bench Press – Your Trainer Paige
Deck of Cards Ab Workout – Pumps & Iron
One song workout: Holiday Fit Frenzy – Fitnessista

Food

Paleo Double Chocolate Dunked Cookies – Peachy Palate

Paleo Double Chocolate Dunked Cookies – Peachy Palate
Apple Spiced Mimosas – The Healthy Maven
One-Pan Baked Champagne Cream Sauce Fettuccine with Truffle Oil – Half Baked Harvest
Salt-Roasted Beets and Carrots – Heartbeet Kitchen
Lucky Black-Eyed Peas Chocolate Chip Blondies – Diary of an Ex Sloth
Spicy Sweet Potato Carbonara – Running to the Kitchen

Food for Thought

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

Don’t Miss Your Midday Workout with ShowerPill

Merry Christmas to all of you that are celebrating! Now that all of the gifts have been opening, I’m sure many of you are psyched about your new workout gear. I know I was! I also know that as much as I love a good early morning workout, midday workouts have their place too.

I’m sure you’ve heard time and time again how important it is to keep moving throughout the day; get up once per hour to get a glass of water, take a walk around the office, or just stretch it out.

Source: Mashable

So why not take it one step further and put your new workout gear to work with a midday workout? Studies suggest that a midday workout can help to boost your productivity throughout the rest of the day. You don’t even need to take a full hour to get your sweat on; 20 – 30 minutes can do you just right. Need a few ideas?

• Go for a run
• Grab a resistance band
• Work by the timer [+ more from Taylor!]
• Complete a bodyweight circuit workout
• Go for a walk with some coworkers

Now that you have a few ways to work up a sweat at work, don’t sweat the clean up. No office shower? No problem! ShowerPill has you covered.

ShowerPill is an antibacterial wipe for your body. It is like wiping down with soap and water which leaves skin feeling clean, fresh and moisturized. One wipe cleans your entire body. It will save you time, decrease chance of skin infections and keep you fresh & clean when a “traditional shower” is not possible.

• Extra thick like a washcloth
• Kills 99.99% of germs including Staph
• Aloe Vera & Vitamin E
• Quick dry solution, no sticky residue
• Light fresh scent
• Hypoallergenic & Gentle on Sensitive Skin
• Paraben & Alcohol FREE

It’s a pretty great product; I’m a huge fan of using my ShowerPill wipes so I can squeeze in a quick workout in between clients. And when you purchase 2 or more boxes, you can receive 20% off with code holiday20. So no more excuses, get your butt moving!

Food for Thought

What’s your favorite way to move throughout the day?

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary shipment of ShowerPill Athletic Body Wipes as a Sweat Pink Ambassador. All thoughts and opinions of the product are my own.

Link Love #64

Have you entered my Peanut Butter & Co. giveaway?

After staying with my parents for 2 weeks in Baltimore, it feels downright strange to be back in California. I’m a little confused as to where I actually live and why my parents aren’t around watching tv at night. Ha! Of course, Nathan and I made sure to get a little pick-me-up after we landed.

Well, that pick-me-up really ended up making us even more tired after a 3 a.m. wake up call so we just made our way to the grocery store and then back to the apartment to unpack. Just in case we didn’t have enough beer in our lives, we successfully hauled about 12 more beers back from Baltimore! Do you know how hard it is to find Bourbon County Stout?!

It was a long, tiring day so I was more than thankful for a delicious bibimbop carryout dinner from around the corner. Success!

I knew it was necessary when the thought of even microwaving the meatballs in the freezer seemed like too much. Yep. But now we’re back to the daily grind.

Health

10 Tips for Stay Healthy During the Holiday Season – Eating Bird Food

10 Tips for Stay Healthy During the Holiday Season – Eating Bird Food
All About Cider Vinegar – The Lean Green Bean
Mindful Monday: Herbs for Winter Wellness and Immunity – The Foodie Dietitien
The One Thing Top Nutrition Experts Do to Stay Healthy During the Holidays – Greatist
6 Ways Perfectionism is Sabotaging You – Too Much On Her Plate

Fitness

Fast Paced Upper Body Workout – Peanut Butter Fingers

Fast Paced Upper Body Workout – Peanut Butter Fingers
The 25 Reps Of Christmas Workout {Bodyweight} – Lifting Revolution
Why I love Drop Sets & Why They Are Effective – Powercakes
30-Minute At-Home Workout – Pumps & Iron
My Top 3 Exercises to Build the Glutes – and Why Squatting isn’t One of Them – Trainer Paige

Food

Pomegranate Sesame Chicken with Ginger Rice Pilaf – Half Baked Harvest

Pomegranate Sesame Chicken with Ginger Rice Pilaf – Half Baked harvest
Bourbon Peanut Butter Gingerbread Healthy Bites {Cyber Monday Giveaway} – Cotter Crunch
Crepe Cake with Pistachios And Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting – Food Faith Fitness
Roasted Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Farro Salad – Fit Foodie Finds
Peppermint Pretzel Marshmallow Fudge – Joy the Baker

Food for Thought

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

Link Love #63

I feel like I’ve hardly been on the interwebs at all since I got home so this post was a fun one. I usually have a bunch of posts that I share and add to my link love post throughout the week, but this time I had a bit of catching up to do! Apparently I’ve unintentionally decided to take a little social media detox and I think it’s a good thing. I’m loving all of the family time and I’m happy to put my computer and phone down to soak it all in. I hope you’ve had the chance over the holiday to do the same.

Health

3 Things I’ve Learned About Feeling Overwhelmed – Family Sport Life via Cotter Crunch

3 Things I’ve Learned About Feeling Overwhelmed – Family Sport Life via Cotter Crunch
Tips On Staying Healthy This Winter – Hungry Healthy Happy
7 Ways To Bounce Back If You Feel Like You Ate A Bit Too Much – MindBodyGreen
Nutrition Tips and Recipes for Vegan Runners – Running on Real Food
How Journaling Can Help Stop Mindless Eating – Mommy Run Fast

Fitness

How to Modify Exercises (A Beginner’s Guide) – Pumps & Iron

How to Modify Exercises (A Beginner’s Guide) – Pumps & Iron
Pre-Turkey & Pie Burner Workout + Weekly Workout Recap – Peanut Butter Runner
Turkey Day Tabata Workout {No Equipment Required} – Trainer Paige
Give Planks Workout {video} – Fitnessista
Burn Off The Cocktails Workout – Lifting Revolution

Food

White Chocolate-Dipped Brown Butter Ginger Cookies with Pistachios – Ambitious Kitchen

White Chocolate-Dipped Brown Butter Ginger Cookies with Pistachios – Ambitious Kitchen
Healthy Vanilla Almond Milk Latte Rice Pudding – Fit Foodie Finds
Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, and Parsnip Toss with Wild Rice, Cranberries, and Feta – Destination Delish
Salty Maple Squash with Ginger Scallion Rice + Turmeric Brussels Slaw – The First Mess
Fig-Glazed Bacon Sliders with Brussels Sprouts, Grapes, Walnuts and Mint Yogurt Sauce – Iowa Girl Eats

Food for Thought

What is one of your favorite posts from the past week?