5 Reasons I Love Energy Bits!

Thanks to Energy Bits and Vitality Bits I have had spirulina algae and chlorella algae as part of my diet for several months now.
These little bits are not a supplement, they are food.  100% dehydrated organic algae.  No side effects, no chemicals, no filler.  Just great algae.  For more info on bits, click here.

I love adding bits to my diet SO much and I am sure I will continue to share, but for today, here are the top 5 reasons that I love Energy Bits:

1.  I never worry about being hungry.
I deal with low blood sugar and when my blood sugar is low, I start to feel "not real."  This triggers my anxiety and it just isn't a fun situation.  I try to pack healthy snacks and to make sure to eat small snacks throughout the day.  But you and I both know that it is easy to run out the door without grabbing anything or to get stuck at a ball game or in traffic and being starving.  Thanks to my travel tin of bits I know that I will always have a great source of fuel with me.  I will have 10-20 bits when I am hungry but not in a spot to eat a full meal.  The bits fill me up, regulate my blood sugar, and keep me feeling great until meal time!

2. Plant Protein!
That's right, algae is really high in protein.  All of the bits contain at least 60% protein per serving.  A steak or piece of chicken typically contains 20-30% protein.  So, not only am I getting more bang for my buck, so to speak, I am also getting protein without eating an animal, something that I am always on the fence about.  So, to all of my vegan and vegetarian friends...you need bits in your life!

3.  I have stamina and energy.
When I have a handful of bits between classes or before a workout I feel great.  It isn't a jittery, crazed feeling like energy drinks, etc, provide.  I just feel great.  You know, that feeling that it's your best workout ever, you aren't tired, you just feel good.  And I love that.  As much as I love a good cup of coffee, I hate feeling nervous or overly energized.  EnergyBits are all natural so it's basically like I sat down to a giant salad, not a giant bucket of chemicals.

4.  My hair, skin and nails are so healthy!
I didn't really pay attention to that part when I was gathering information, but after adding bits to my diet I noticed how strong my nails are now.   And how I don't need to put lotion on my hands, that are normally chronically dry.  And my hair is growing faster, it seems...take a look at my roots if you don't believe me :)  It was an unexpected bonus for me and I am really enjoying it!  I noticed the benefits in less than a weeks time.

5.  They come in handy when I am at work.
A typical shift for me looks something like this:  teach a private Pilates session, teach a group Pilates session, teach a cycle class, teach a yoga class, teach a private session.  With less than 3 minutes between each of those it is difficult to grab a bite to eat and I used to end up starving and feeling horrible.  (See #1)  Thanks to bits I can pop 10-15 in my mouth, sip some water, and I am good to go.  It's a meal in astronaut form!  I don't feel very professional, even if my students understand, munching on nuts or carrots during their warm-up.  It is hard for me to talk, spot, etc.  Energy Bits have allowed me to get past this without starving.

Have you tried Energy Bits or any of the bits line?

Do you have questions?  Let me know!  I love talking about bits and the benefits.
Check out the bitsofhealth.com site, also Google away.  I am a googler and before giving them a try wanted to do as much research as possible.  The only negative I can possibly find or think of on my own is that bits taste like fish food.  But you can swallow them whole, so that negative doesn't really count, does it?  :)  

Forward From The Heart readers get 15% off of their order, just use the code HEART at checkout!

Junk Food Junkie

Ugh.
I have been eating so horribly lately!
If it isn't a donut for breakfast it has been a candy bar at a ball game or a chicken/bacon/ranch hoagie with fries.  Seriously.  
I still love my fresh veggies and fruits but I feel like I used to eat 80% healthy and 20% average.  Now it's almost completely opposite.
I am still working out 5-6 days a week but it hasn't helped me not feel like crap, because we all know its mostly about what we eat.
I know most people tend to over eat in the winter months but for me I have always tended to have my cheat months in the summer.  Something about ice cream, ball park food, picnics extra time with the kids sends me into a mode where I eat more bad than good.

How have you been lately?  Is it just me eating like a college boy or is it a pandemic?

What do you do to snap out of a nutrition rut?

PS-even though I started the day with a donut and lunched on pizza I am not nibbling on celery and grape tomatoes.

Bodytox Treatment featuring the ItWorks Wrap

When it comes to some body treatments I am always skeptical.  When I first started hearing about the ItWorks Body Wraps, I will admit, my initial reaction involved eye rolling.  I envisioned my plastic workout pants from the 90's and, also from the 90's, seeing celebrities being wrapped from shoulder to knee in ace bandages, sitting in a sauna, to lose "weight" prior to a big event.

My skepticism parallels my love of a good deal, so when my friend, and massage therapist, asked if I would like to try her latest treatment, I agreed.  Like I said, she is a Licensed Massage Therapist, along with having years of experience in health, fitness and wellness.  If Neda gives it the seal of approval, I automatically know its great.

The Bodytox Treatment at Trinity Wellness utilizes the ItWorks Body Wrap, but it is SO much more.

The treatment starts with dry exfoliation.  Lying on the massage table, I was gently scrubbed with a soft, dry bristle brush.  I LOVE dry exfoliation.  It feels good and I just can feel the dead skin cells being brush away!

Next Neda applied CEL-Lite Massage oil, an all-natural essential oil blend that helps to cleanse and purify the skin.  It also smells great!

After that Neda applied the ItWorks wraps to my tummy and thighs.  You can do arms, legs, tummy, rear...any where there is extra fat. There is also an option for chin/neck to help tighten and firm. She then wrapped those same areas in plastic wrap and then wrapped me in a soft blanket and then a blanket to help heat my skin.  Basically I looked like a swaddled newborn.

As part of the treatment I was able to choose a foot or head massage.  I chose feet for my poor old dogs.

After the massage I had the luxury of lying in the dim room, with relaxing music, comfortable warm and cozy, for around 30 minutes while the wraps did their work.

After the treatment I was given a glass of cool water with Greens-on-the-Go powder mixed in.  This is a detoxifying nutritional drink that enhances the body wrap treatment.

The wraps do the majority of the shrinking magic in 45 minutes, but Neda encouraged me to keep them on for the rest of the day.  Yes, I went to Costco and cleaned the house with my thighs and tummy plastic wrapped :)

You will want to drink lots of water during the first 24 hours especially.  No less than a half ounce of water for every pound you weigh.  This helps to flush toxins from your system and enhance your results.  You may feel bloated because of this on the day of treatment, but don't worry...it goes away.

You can also continue to see results for the next 72 hours.  The results can last for several months.

The wraps contain an essential oil blend to minimize cellulite, firm and tighten skin and improve texture.

My Results!

I can't say I am a fan of showing off my mid-section, but anything for a good blog post, right?  As you will see, I lost noticeable inches and in the pictures my body looks more firm and defined.  The results are still lasting, 2 weeks later, thanks to a healthy diet and exercise in addition to the wraps.

Here are my before and after photos, along with my results, in inches:

Before (totally regretted having a donut for breakfast)

45 minutes after

72 hours after

Before

45 minutes after

72 hours after

Before:  the land of dimples

45 minutes after: smoother and looks as firm as I feel they should be!

My thoughts
I absolutely love that I can do the It Works wraps as part of an entire treatment.  I know that the wraps can be purchased on their own and applied at home, but I like that I am able to receive so much more doing it at the Trinity Wellness location.
This is not a permanent solution, but it was a great boost.  I had been feeling bloated and chunky and the wraps helped me to tighten and firm my skin, allowing me to be more comfortable in my clothes and in baring my belly.
If you have hit a weight loss plateau, have a special event coming up or are wanting to feel better in your bathing suit, this is PERFECT for you!
Results can also be seen in those that have had massive weight loss followed by sagging skin.  Again, this will not be a permanent solution, but it can give you just the boost you need to continue on your fitness program.
If you are eating right, working out and wanting to enhance what you are already doing, these wraps and this treatment would be amazing for you!
For me, it has been motivating and helped me to become more strict on my never-ending quest to be sugar-free.  I will definitely do it again during swimsuit season or anytime I need a little bit of help losing inches.

Trinity Wellness is a massage therapy and body treatment clinic.  For more information on the location click here.
Information from Trinity Wellness about the treatment:

BODYTOX FIRMING TREATMENT!

Loose inches while firming your body with this Detox Treatment featuring the It-Works! Ultimate Body Applicator Wrap! It’s powerful natural botanical ingredients absorb through the skin layer by layer getting into your fat cells, allowing your body to loosen toxins and extra fat stored, revealing a more toned body!

Treatment includes: Dry Brush Exfoliation to prep the tissue,     Ultimate Body Applicator Wrap on your area of choice, Young    Living Signature CEL-lite Oil massaged into the body followed with a heat enhanced body wrap to infuse your entire body with detoxifying benefits. During the treatment enjoy a Head & Neck Massage or Foot Reflexology followed with a meditative processing time of 30 Min. & a refreshing detox drink, GREENS!

(Please be prepared to wear disposable undergarments & hydrate before/after)

Summer Specials!

1 Treatment $75 (1 Body Area)

Take-Home Wraps $25 Each or Box 4 for $75(Get 1 Wrap FREE)

4 PACK TREATMENT Only $300 & FREE Box of Greens-On-The-Go ($50 Value)

Mention that you are a Forward From The Heart reader when you call for a special treat!  

I want to know!
Have you tried It Works body wraps?
What did you think?


TW is not a distributor of the It Works wraps, they just utilize them in their services.
I paid for my treatment so all of the thoughts and opinions expressed are mine and in no way influenced by Trinity Wellness, It Works, Greens-to-Go, or Young Living.

ALT Bar by Larabar

A little over a week ago I came home to find a cute little package on my doorstep.

I opened it to find the new ALT bar by Larabar.

Those of you that read this blog know that I LOVE Larabars.  Simple, clean ingredients that taste good and work great as a healthy snack or mini-meal in between teaching classes.  You may also know that I love all things green, especially green protein!
So, to say I was excited to try the new ALT bar is a drastic understatement.  To say that I fell madly in love when I saw that the bars contain protein from peas is, well, quite true.

So, what is an ALT bar?
ALT, in the case of this bar, stands for "Alternate Protein Bar."  It is the first-ever protein added bar from Larabar AND it uses an alternative protein.  Rather than soy or whey the ALT bar has peas.  That's right, the little green guys that grown in the garden.  How amazing is that?!  Research can lead you in 1,000 different ways on soy and whey, but we all know and love our little green peas!

The stats

• vegan
• gluten free 
• dairy free
• non-GMO

The traditional Larabars contain anywhere from 3g to 7g of protein, depending on the bar.  The new ALT bar contains 10g of protein.  That is great news for someone like myself, who isn't a huge fan of meat but needs lots of protein to keep up energy levels.  I also really LOVE the fact that I can read the ALT wrapper, just like the Larabar wrappers, and see just a handful of ingredients, all that I can pronounce and that I could pick up at the market myself.

Wondering where the Lemon Pound Cake bar is?
I *maybe* ate if before snapping a picture.  Oops.

The flavors

• Peanut Butter Cookie
• Cinnamon Apple Crisp
• Lemon Pound Cake
• Pumpkin Pie

I enjoyed all four flavors.  They are a little more dense than the original Larabars, but with the same great flavor that satisfies my hunger and sweet tooth.  As usual, Peanut Butter Cookie is my favorite!
The bars were perfect for a breakfast or lunch on the go or for a healthy snack.  FFTH readers know that I recommend keeping healthy snacks with you at all times, and these bars would be a perfect addition to your bag or desk top supply.

Now, for the fun!

Larabar is continuing the generosity and will send one lucky reader the same gift box that I received.  Not only will you get to try the new ALT bar, you will be one of the first people to do so!  Impress your friends with the latest vegan protein bar!

Entering is easy, just leave a blog post comment!  Other entries can be obtained, if you wish, by completing a few easy tasks :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering!  If you know me at all then you know I am absolutely dying to say this right now:
Next time you are looking for a healthy protein bar GIVE PEAS A CHANCE!

Please note:  I received the box of ALT Bars as a complete surprise and gift from Larabar.  The idea to review the product and offer a giveaway was purely from my love of the new line of bars.  Receiving the product for free did not in any way effect my opinions and the above post is my 100% honest feelings.

Workout Wednesday - Darren Johnson

Say hello to Darren.  I met Darren on Instagram and love his pictures of running, the Oklahoma plains and his beautiful boys!
You may have noticed that SO many of my Workout Wednesday guests come from Instagram.  This is one of the many reasons I love that social site.  It has helped me to meet some really cool people that, even if we never meet "IRL" we share a hello, a well wish, and moments of our day that would otherwise be unknown if it weren't for this photo sharing site.

Name:  Darren Johnson

Age: 38

Location:  OKC

Occupation:  GIS Analyst

Fun Stuff:  Photography, Running, and Family Time

Website:  Darrenisreal.com
Instagram: @darrenisreal

How long have you been running? 

Ever since 9^th grade I believe, which is over 20 years.  There have been a few years in there where I did not run or do much of anything.  Saw the scale numbers getting bigger and knew I had to get back to it.  I remember trying to make the 9^th grade soccer team and I didn’t make it.  At that point I had never not made a soccer team so I was sort of lost as to what to do.  I decided to give cross-country a try since it was going on the same time as soccer and of course, you can’t get cut from a cross-country team, right? 

What is your favorite part of going out for a run?

Today I just enjoy the solitude and time to myself.  Back in high school and college it was very competitive and, while I enjoyed running, I never took it all in as I do today.  Most of my runs now I leave the watch behind and just enjoy each run.  Conversation pace is what I enjoy nowadays. 

What is your typical mileage each week?  Do you goal yourself for mileage, time, days ran?

Right now I am in the buildup phase and increasing my weekly mileage by no more than 10%.  So, for this week my target is 22 miles.  If there is one thing 20 years of running  has finally taught me it’s that the body does not recover like it used to.  I have tried to do too much too soon and it always lead to injuries.  This 10% increase has been working well so far so we’ll see how it goes a year from now.  The ultimate goal is to train up for the entire year and run another marathon.

Do you run with or without music?

I prefer to run without music or anything except for a watch sometimes.  There are a couple days out of the year I am forced to run on a treadmill, then I will put the headphones on just to help keep me in a zone.  Treadmills are not a favorite piece of equipment of mine that man has invented.  And the not listening to music is mainly because that’s how I started running back in the day.  I find the wires bouncing around a distraction.

Have you suffered any injuries because of running?  How did you heal/overcome the injury?

Oh plenty of injuries, especially now with age.  Last year, in leading up to the marathon, I had bad plantar fasciitis in my left foot and some swelling in my right forefoot.  It got so bad that when rest did not help I finally saw a local doctor who specializes in running.  He checked my foot and MRI and formed up inserts for my shoe.  He even took my laces off my shoes and redid the pattern in a way that would relieve pressure in certain areas.  He told me I could start running the next day.  I was very skeptical and nervous, but it worked like a charm.  He also mentioned that I really needed to stretch my calves more and that they are basically the gateway to a lot of foot problems.  So before and after every run now I make sure to stretch them.

Back in college after cross-country season during the transition to the track I would always get shin splints.  Nothing really you can do about them.  The trainers used to tape them up, but it never really did much.   Today I have a little bit of discomfort in my hip flexor, but as long as I stretch properly (which I have not been doing) it will work itself out. 

Trail, track or road?

I prefer trail runs out in the woods but rarely get a chance to anymore.  Most of my runs are on the pavement.  There is a lake near us with an out and back trail of 14 miles and it’s pure bliss.  Lots of rolling hills through the trees and many times there are deer out and about.

Do you do local races, such as 5K, 10K, half or full marathons?

    Details on a specific race event that you want to share?

I do occasionally run a local race, mainly half and full marathons now though.  I do plan on doing more 5K and 10K’s leading up to this next marathon just to have some fun and get my son involved. 

Do you prefer to run alone or with a buddy(buddies)?

Generally my runs are solo but it is nice once in awhile to have some company.  Miss the days of college when we would head out on long runs and challenge each other on the track. 

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to staying motivated?

Most of the time it comes from being tired.  I find that when my body and mind are worn down it’s really hard to get motivated to get started.  And there is definitely a period after a marathon where it’s difficult to stay focused and look forward to running again.

How do you juggle your career, family life and running?

With a newborn baby it is very difficult.  The best way for me is to bring my lunch to work and run during my lunch hour, and on the weekends hope I can get a long run in. 

Do you do any other sort of exercise?  Weights, yoga, Pilates, etc.

I do like to ride my road bike in the warmer months of the year.  Gives me a chance to see the back roads and country views in Oklahoma.  I do like to play sports such as softball and basketball but as far as training goes the weight lifting and yoga I have yet to embrace.  I keep telling myself yoga would be perfect to help with my body as I get older, but finding the time is hard.

Favorite source of pre-run fuel?

Peanut Butter on wheat toast.  Nothing better.

What shoe do you run in and why?

For the longest time I was a Nike lover.  But a couple years ago I tried a pair of Brooks Ghost and then their Pure Cadence and I have been running in them every since.  I switch off the two pair now mainly using the Ghost for longer runs.

Do you follow a strict nutrition program?  If so, what?  

What is nutrition?  Just kidding, I have not learned to eat healthy or correctly and sooner or later it is going to catch up with me.  You’d think as many miles as I’ve put into this body I would learn to fuel it right.

Favorite treat?

This will show you how bad my nutritional program is, but I absolutely love Peanut Butter and Chocolate ice cream from Baskin Robins.  There any many imitations out there with peanut butter cups from other places, but Baskin Robins has it nailed.  I will go out of my way to get a scoop in a cake cone. 

Please provide a sample run workout that you do: 

My favorite workout after my buildup phase and transition to speed workouts is 400 repeats.  Simple but they are so effective.  I normally warm up with a 10 minute jog.  In between in each repeat I rest the same amount of time I run each quarter in.  Each week I increase the number of intervals by one and will normally make this my Wednesday workout.  My main focus is not so much speed but pace and make sure that each quarter is run at a pace just below my intended race pace. 

Thank you SO much, Darren, for sharing about your running and for sharing your amazing photography!  Make sure your check out Darren's website and his Instagram!

A week of smoothies

I hope you enjoyed the Green Smoothie Challenge as much as I did!
It is always fun to take part in challenges to have support from others, but you can also do a green smoothie challenge whenever you want!
I wanted to put all of my smoothie recipes in one post to make it easy to access and to give you the chance to plan out an entire week of drinks.

1  Coconut Lime Avocado

2 Pineapple Cucumber Kale

3 Green Strawberry Grape

4 Purple Dessert Smoothie

5 Oatmeal smoothie

6 Strawberry almond kale

7 Green superfood

Adding a green smoothie or green juice to your day helps you to get more fruits and vegetables in your day than you can with just eating them.

To make it easier on your grocery list (and budget!) pick one or two drinks and get enough to make those for the whole week.

I love the way I feel after drinking juice or a smoothie.  Satisfied without being overly full.  And I love knowing that I have filled my body with fresh foods!

Let me know which one(s) you try!

Let's Talk About Algae!

I am really excited to announce that I am a Brand Ambassador for the Energy Bits company.  Energy Bits are dehydrated spirulina algae that come in little tabs.  They are NOT a supplement, they are food.  Supplements, like vitamins, are made in a lab.  Algae is grown, then dehydrated and pressed into a tab or "bit."  It is just like dehydrated apples or bananas.

Energy Bits are organic, non-GMO food.  You can chew them, but most prefer to just swallow them with water as they have an ocean-y taste :)

Algae is 60% protein, whereas meat, like steak, is around 25% protein.  Algae provides iron in a fully absorbable form, entering your system within 2-5 minutes of eating. 

I am attaching a little more about spirulina algae if you are interested.  Please feel free to research it yourself, too.  

I know it sounds crazy, but since adding algae to my diet I have more energy, my skin isn't as dry, my nails are stronger and my constant urge to snack is gone.  Algae is great for managing hunger and aiding in weight loss, too.  One tab = 1 calorie so you can take 10-20 as a meal replacement!

I get asked all of the time what a good snack is to have before a workout.  I now have a solid answer to give.  EnergyBits!  I swallow 10 before I run and I am not overly full but am not hungry at all.  Another 10 post-workout with water and I am hydrated and completely nourished. 

Visit BitsOfHealth.com to see the full line of bits.  They also have chlorella algae, which is better at detoxing the system and strengthening the immune system.  I eat both spirulina and chlorella.

Here is the nutritional information.  As you will see, algae offers a full range of vitamins, minerals and amino acids that you can't get anywhere else as easy for your body to digest.

As a Brand Ambassador I do get financially compensated, however, I am not selling Energy Bits in the traditional way.  I don't have my own inventory, you won't give money to me, you will just go to the website and order EnergyBits, RecoveryBits, SkinnyBits or VitalityBits. MAKE SURE TO USE THE CODE HEART at checkout.  This lets the company know that I am the one that sent you that way AND you will receive 15% off your order!  

I don't put anything into my body without triple researching it and feel so safe with my EnergyBits and I feel so much better!

I have so much more information I could share with you about the Bits of Health brand but I know it's not fun to read lengthy posts.  I will be sharing bits here and there to keep you informed.

Algae really is a perfect addition to any diet, it has been shown to lower blood pressure and to help balance blood sugar.  I used to always fret about my blood sugar dropping while I am out and about, but with a tin full of Bits I don't worry anymore because I will always have a balance source of food with me!

Please feel free to come to me with any questions that you have about Spirulina, Chlorella and the Bits of Health products.

I hope you will give being Powered By Bits a try!