Fun Favorites

I like a lot of things.

In fact, I really love a lot of things. Give me a category, and I bet you I can find something I enjoy in it, or about it.

Since I’ve missed blogging an INCREDIBLE bundle, I’m bringing back a post I missed writing about- and that just has to deal with…. *que music and Julie Andrews* A FEWWWW OF MY FAVOOOOORITE THINGS!

About every one to two weeks, I’m going to make a collection of things I’ve enjoyed over the past days, and share them out with the world so then you guys can get a picture of how my life is, what I’m doing, and what I’m consuming. Then, maybe you can hop on the train and make it a favorite of yours, too!

Alrighty, lets get on with it, shall we my lovelies? Let’s split this baby up into categories!

 

1. Blogs/ Blogposts:

   1. Nutrition Stripped : For one, I am ultimately OBSESSED with the amazing Mckel Hill and her website nutrition stripped. No joke, I think that every time I graze the internet, I end up on her page. Why I love it? Not only is there just about everything under the sun on her website, she’s also got a snapchat filled with even more glorious tips and hilarious dog posts.
   2. Will Frolic for Food has incredible recipes based on a whole food/ plant-centric diet that I challenge you to try!
   3. Sounds majorly dorky but in the foodie world, What I Ate Wednesday posts make me happy to read…. I love seeing some of my favorite bloggers in action of what they eat and just how their day goes!
   4. Mindbodygreen is a wonderful website packed full with tons upon tons of health tips centered around all aspects. I go on it at least three times a week to check the feed.

2. Music

   1. Huge fan of Alabama Shakes right now, and if you need any proof, just listen.
   2. Need tips on how to make the perfect running playlist? Check it out.

3. Workouts:

   1. I’ve been doing RRayyme’s 600 butt rep for two weeks and I’m noticing a difference. Summer is coming, and a perky butt is what I’m going for! Still love my butt though… even if it is flat.
   2. YOGGGAAAAA! Through Pinterest, I’ve found incredible yoga workouts and I dare you to try one out! A favorite of mine is this one.

4. Food

   1. I love all nut butters, but almond butter lately is topping any other. Currently am rotating between Woodstock foods and Crunchy Barney butter!
   2. These english muffins are the perfect bite when you are rushing out the door.
   3. Smoothie bowls to help celebrate spring! Check out my new smoothie recipe to get in some extra antioxidants!

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   4. What drinks do I have on rotate? Califia Farms brewed and GT’s Kombucha. Gingerade is by far the best flavor, and I’m a fan of the cold brewed expresso from Califia!
      

 

 

 

That’s all for now, folks! Tune in in a few weeks to hear more about some things I’m diggin’. But for now, what have your favorite things been lately?

The Perfect Nutrition Bar

We all know that the love for nut butters, and nuts in general is pretty real over here.

I could eat an entire jar of almond butter, and still feel like I need to eat another spoonful. To think that someone couldn’t love a smooth spoon of creamy peanut butter just amazes me. Yet, I understand that not all can love what I love.

A huge problem I have with nuts and nut butters is the added ingredients. No offense, but Jif is full of nasty preservatives, oils and if you can’t taste them yet, I ask you to take a spoon full of organic nut butter, and you’ll see the difference. All these additives just take away from the nutritional value of something so good for you, and that saddens me. It especially saddens me that so many people pass over these ingredients, and therefore miss out on great nutrition.

The same goes for protein or granola bars. Granola bars are always deemed a healthy snack, and they definitely are. But it depends on the bar that you’re choosing. Tons of companies throw added sugars, sucralose and artificial ingredients to make a tasty bar that’s “healthy”. Honestly, you might as well just lick the sugar container clean.

Not to mention, sugar does not fill you up. Ever eaten an entire two bowls of lucky charms, and twenty minutes later, you could still eat the house down? An easy replacement for real nutrition that doesn’t even satisfy you.

But there is hope, my dear friends.

The wonderful people over at Perfect Bar have created one heck of a bar. And it comes in seven different wonderful flavors. When they asked me to try their bars, I was overjoyed to dig into the sample pack.

For one, this company prides themselves in being fresh, and I have to definitely agree. All the ingredients within a bar are all natural, no chemical, and organic. Something you just have to love. Another thing? The flavors are crazy good. Almond Acai is definitely my favorite, but the vegan almond coconut is coming with a close second.

The texture of these bars is also incredible. It’s like they’re almost creamy… which is odd to say because it’s a nutrition bar. But, hey, I speak the truth. I also speak the truth when these guys are great on protein. The almond butter and peanut butter have almost 20g of protein in one bar, and the others are rounding 10g. Not too shabby for all organic and natural! And with no bad sugars, simply honey, and other natural products, there’s something to love in every bite.

A bonus? They have two minis as well. I love mini things, man!

If I were you, I’d definitely give these bars a try. Simple, nutritious, and full of health, I’d have to say, they’re #justperfect !

If you follow me on Instagram, be on the look out for these bars in the future… you could have your own sample pack very soon… 🙂

 

 

*I was sent a sample pack of bars from Perfect Bar and was asked my thoughts on the bars. All comments and reviews are my own personal, and I was not compensated for this review. Simply sharing good nutrition

My Day in the City

Ah, Chicago.

I’m such a city girl, it’s slightly sickening. Every family vacation we’ve taken to a city goes up on my favorites list no matter what, just because I love the city so much.

It gives me this weird, happy feeling all over that makes me want to jump out and scream for taxis, spend money on almond milk lattes, and dance to the beat of street drummers.

I’m a bit of a fan.

Yesterday, I had the amazing opportunity to spend the night in the city with my high school singing group. We were performing at the Palmer House, one of the most gorgeous places I’d ever seen.

Just the lobby alone had me flabbergasted. I mean, look at that ceiling! And all the people in there looked so professional, so fancy, yet, so laid back. As I walked around with my jaw dropped, I felt my heart race saying “YOU NEED TO LIVE IN THE CITY!”. I had already planned on venturing out there after college, but this truly sealed the deal.

After we did our sound check Wednesday night, we ventured over to Miller’s Pub to grab dinner. Although the dinner was nice, and the salmon was good, I would have loved to explored downtown more, and eaten at a much cooler restaurant… but as a foodie knows, we aren’t too often in the presence of other foodies.

The next day was our performance, and as we walked to the Palmer House, I spotted The Goddess and the Baker. I then proceeded to freaking cry because I have been DYING to go there! If you are unfamiliar, it’s one of the food hot spots in the loop. Of course, you know I was screaming and made it my goal to make it there that afternoon.

After we performed (which was such an amazing experience) , my director let us take off.

I was torn between two places: Brightwok and Goddess and the Baker. But finally made up my mind to travel on over to Brightwok , a crazy good asian, stirfry organic combustion of amazingness. My dad and I started our walk down the loop and I practically skipped around the corner as I neared one of the places I had been swooning over for so long.

When we got there, the cutest message greeted us outside on a chalkboard. It was an immediate attraction for me, and I couldn’t wait to get inside!

As I went up to the counter, I saw all the fresh ingredients lined up and ready to be mixed into whatever you chose. After contemplating just about every option, I decided to go with their “Live Brightly” bowl- mixed greens with stir fried broccoli, carrots, peppers, edamame, cabbage and farm fresh chicken topped with a golden miso dressing.

I could not wait to get my number called. The smell and sounds of the fresh food were causing me to drool, and to tide the wait, I posed with their wall of Chopsticks.

Finally, #27 was called and I got my bowl. Wow. The flavors and freshness of the mixture was killer! The veggies were cooked perfectly, the chicken was tender and flavorful, while dressing added this awesome ginger kick that I could eat ten times over. Pure heaven in a small stir fry bowl, if you ask me.

I had left over dressing, so you better believe the rest came home with me… hoping to remake this beauty soon!

After I finished, I realized that we still had a half hour before we had to be back to head home so I made the executive decision, and dragged my dad over to Goddess, as well. I had an opportunity, and you bet I took it!

The way over to Goddess was filled with sunshine, and good city vibes that made me happy to be alive. As cheesy as that sounds, sometimes you just need a little perk in your day to add to the excitement of life, and get you through. The good weather, and the joy of exploring was just what I needed.

Not to mention when I walked in and saw the entire glass case full of fresh made pastry and the lists of food as well as house made drinks that double my picture. That made me pretty happy, too.

 

I knew I had to get the almond milk latte, but I also had to grab something to eat from here as well. I ended up with a superfood BOOST! ball, and grabbed a little homemade ‘nola bar to munch on another time. When in foodie heaven, am I right?

The latte was awesome- creamy, foamy, and out of my usual black coffee. It made me actually enjoy lattes, and the energy ball just added to the awesomeness. Seriously, cannot wait to come back and grab about fifty other things.

On the way home, I found myself totally cheesing over how awesome my day was, and it got me so excited for the future. I cannot wait to be able to explore, and hopefully spend my days in the city after school. Chicago, I love ya!

 

Where’s one of your favorite cities? Any places you’d like to explore?

 

 

 

That’s It Bars- Review

I’m really not a packaged snack kind of girl.

I used to be, even at the beginning of my blogging career (lol, like 4 months ago!) because they were quick, easy, and something I could snack on before practice and didn’t require any effort. But then, I started noticing that some of these snacks had gnarly ingredients I just wasn’t into- brown rice syrup, soy lecithin….. also- fvlaehrfuvilanlkhwafhlicna.

Do you know what that is?

Neither do I.

I still need quick and easy supplements for the day, even just as weekend picks when I’m going out with friends, so I shifted from gross supplement bars to things like Lara Bars and Squarebars. But, while I love these, sometimes I need a quick pick me up, without all the extra. And that’s where these fabulous “That’s It” bars came in at the right time.

I received a box of the bars and immediately it caught my attention that there are literally TWO ingredients in these babies. TWO. An apple, and then another fruit of choice.

WHAT?

That’s exactly what I said, and so of course, I had to try one right on the spot. I unwrapped it, and like most people, took a bite. The texture is this light, chewy type that made my eyes widen. It was so weird, but so good!

I really enjoyed the fact that they were an apple and then another fruit because honestly, I struggle with choosing a fruit to bring to school. It sounds so silly, but it’s hard because I never know what I’ll be in the mood for at that particularly moment in the day, so these babies just made it all the more easier to make a decision while packing a lunch.

Another thing I noted about these bars is that they actually are slightly filling, which totally rocks! I usually bring on with my lunch, and I’m satisfied for quite awhile afterwards.

Minimal ingredients and something to stave the hangeeer beast over for some time? Sign me up! 

If you’re looking for a perfect quick bite after a work out or just to eat while bouncin’ around, I definitely recommend these!