Monday, May 6, 2013

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 EnergyBitsRecoveryBitsSkinnyBits 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!


Stop wearing shoes to Zumba!

In the last few months I have tried to go to Zumba several times.  I am not the best at dancing, following choreography, or looking sexy so Zumba is most definitely out of my comfort zone.  But I love cardio and running more than 5-10 miles per week takes too much of a toll on my body, so I like to mix it up with cardio.
One reason I wasn't a huge fan of Zumba is that it hurt my ankles, knees and hips.  For a runner, protecting your knees is on the importance meter right next to your children or parents.  It's a big deal.  So I shy away from anything that hurts my knees.
Then I took the Piloxing certification class.  Piloxing is done barefoot for the same reason so many have started running barefoot.  It helps with form, balance and strength.  If there is a giant rubber outsole and foam insole between your foot and the ground it makes it hard on your joints when you turn, twist and stop quickly, like you do in Zumba.

Piloxing didn't hurt my knees or any other joints, so I couldn't wait to try Zumba barefoot.



I went to a Zumba class last Saturday and took my Toe Sox with me.  Surprisingly I was not the only shoeless Jane in class.  I even convinced my gal pal to wear Toe Sox with me! You could do the class completely barefoot, but I prefer to wear Toe Sox, with the little grippies, because who knows how clean the floor is, right?
I enjoyed the class SO much more and experienced no joint pain.  I also felt safer when it came to stopping and turning because I wasn't babying my joints.  The balls of my feet are a bit sore, which is natural when you begin any sort of barefoot training, whether Piloxing, Zumba or running.  

Have you done Zumba barefoot?

Do you do any form of exercise sans shoes?

Will you be trying barefoot Zumba soon?

Sunday, May 5, 2013

The Sunday Social

Happy Sunday!
I haven't seen the sun for days but this weekend has still been lots of fun and I am hoping for a great day today, too!

Time for Ashley and Neely's Sunday Social.
Today's questions come in 4's.  If you have never linked-up before, make today the day.  Next week's link-up is looking like fun, too, as it is all about where you were one year ago, five years ago, etc.  I love questions like that!

1.  4 favorite things to do on the weekend

  1. Sleep a little later than usual.
  2. Go for a long run.
  3. Eat a little less healthy than I do during the week.
  4. Spend time with my family.

2.  4 favorite things about your best friend
I am lucky enough to have several best friends, so this is about all of them!
  1. They listen to me.
  2. They are there for me NO MATTER what.  Whether we talk every day or once a month I know my best friends will be there for me in a flash if needed.
  3. They remember things that I don't.  Keep your best friends.  As you get older they will remember fun stories, sad times, happy memories...whatever...that you have somehow forgotten.
  4. I can tell them anything and they won't think I am crazy.  They have been through it all with me, so what is one more thing, right?

3.  4 things you would do with $100,000
  1. Go to Disney World!
  2. Pay off bills (borrrring)
  3. Save!  (more borrrrring)
  4. Buy a few dream handbags (LV Neverfull with monogram, Hermes Birkin, and a Tory Burch for running errands)
4.  4 favorite books you've ever read
  1. Of Human Bondage  W. Somerset Maugham
  2. The Good Earth         Peal S. Buck
  3. The entire Harry Potter Series, Order of the Phoenix as favorite   JK Rowling
  4. Breakfast of Champions  Kurt Vonnegut
5.  4 favorite snack foods
  1. Nuts
  2. Tortilla chips, preferably in strip form
  3. Chocolate chips
  4. Celery with babybel cheese
6.  4 things that I must do daily
  1. Some form of exercise
  2. Smell my children's breath
  3. Hug JF
  4. Eat fresh veggies and fruit
Okay...how about you?  Join the link up here or leave me your answers below.  

Have a great Sunday!