Snack healthy with Smart Crackers

Smart Crackers are the latest addition to a line of products produced by a Mom founded company – Bitsy’s Brainfood. Bitsy’s products are all Non- GMO and certified USDA organic.

Smart Crackers are a unique snack food, as each serving contains a half-serving of vegetables. This is a delicious way to add vegetables to anyone’s diet.

Children will have fun with these crackers as they come in puzzle shapes called Tangrams which can easily be used to make hundreds of designs to stimulate the mind during snack time.

Flavors of Smart Crackers include Maple Carrot Crisp, Sweet Potato Cinna-Graham, and Cheddar Chia Veggie. Choose your favorite flavor or try them all. Find your nearest store location here.

Don’t let your diet get derailed this summer

Fifty seven percent of Americans say unexpected surprises like work demands, changes in plans, and travel delays cause them to stray from their healthy lifestyles, according to a recent study from the makers of Pure Protein, a leading brand of protein bars, snacks, powders and shakes.

These unexpected schedule changes may be unavoidable, but do not have to be the downfall of your diet. Meet your protein needs while on the go with a variety of high protein products now available. Mix a protein shake with your favorite fruit, grab a high protein bar, or try the new snack sized protein bites.

Stick to your diet, achieve your goals, and feed your muscles with this full array of protein supplements. Check out the full line of products here. Pick your favorite flavor or try them all!

July is National Picnic Month

July is National Picnic Month so pack up your family, friends, or significant other, grab a blanket, and spend the day in the sun. Traditional picnic foods can get boring so spice things up with these new ideas:

Lemon Ginger Cheesecake Mousse Cups

Made with fresh berries, cream cheese filling and a crumbly shortbread crust with the help of Walkers Ginger and Lemon Shortbread, these no-bake desserts are perfect for summer. Make them in mini mason jars for an easy-serve dessert option.

Courtesy of Barefeet in the Kitchen.

Walkers’ Mini Oat Crackers

Baked using a traditional recipe that has been perfected over the last hundred years. The small, snack size make them ideal for stylish entertaining. Perfect paired with cheese, fruit spread or on their own.

Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Delivering a deep, delicious spicy flavor that’s the result of cold steeping real ginger for up to 6 weeks before blending with four secret spices, Crabbie’s is a refreshing cocktail alternative. Crabbie’s three flavors (Original, Spiced Orange and Scottish Raspberry – all lightly carbonated) are best enjoyed cold over ice with a slice of lime – The Perfect Serve. No crazy mix-ins or complicated measuring required.

Fight acne and blemishes with natural ocra wipes

Acne and blemishes are a struggle for people of all ages. ZocuZap natural ocra wipes are the latest way to clean and clear up your skin. Developed by opthamologist Dr. Peter Pham, these wipes fuse skincare and eye care as they can also be used to clean the eyes and eyelids without burning or irritating the eye area.

Dr. Pham states, “You can achieve maximum results with these ground-breaking, okra-based Zocular products that gently and effectively manage both acne and dry eye issues naturally.”

Use ZocuZap in the morning, at night, after a workout, or on the go.The botanical blend of ocra, aloe leaf juice, citrus peel extract, and raspberry seed oil soothes and cleans the skin naturally and without unnecessary chemicals.

Order face wipes, eye wipes, eye cleanser or a combo pack here.

FitKicks keep things versatile and ergonomic

Supporting your feet with shoes that are light and comfortable can be a challenge, especially on the go. FitKicks, launched in late 2015, provide the comfort and versatility you are looking for in a shoe, while easily folding up to take with you on your many adventures.

These ergonomically designed shoes conform naturally to your feet, are breathable, and allow for full range of motion. Use them as slippers indoors, or wear them outdoors while walking, running, biking, dancing, or even going to the beach. FitKicks are made with Flex Form soles and a spandex upper, so just fold them up and pack them in your suitcase next time you travel.

Learn more about FitKicks and order your pair from the Grommet here

FitKicks

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Add some tofu to your healthy summer recipes to increase protein intake

Eating light over the summer is fun with the variety of salads, sandwiches, and smoothies there are to make. This year try adding tofu to any of your traditional recipes to increase your protein intake and spice up your dishes. Nasoya tofu offers a wide variety of tofu styles to easily integrate them into your next meal. Try these recipes for a healthy, protein packed dish:

• Greek Tofu Pita Pockets: A refreshing lunch that won’t leave you feeling bloated.

• Strawberry Banana Smoothie: Looking to introduce children to tofu? Blend silken tofu with their favorite fruit to make a nutritious smoothie.

• Italia Farro-Tofu Salad: Perfect to take to the beach or on the boat.

• Roasted Garlic, Veggie and Tofu Pizza: Whip up these pizzas on the grill if it’s a clear summer night.

Stock up on Nasoya tofu on your next shopping trip or find the nearest location to purchase here.

Open your second chakra!

The first chakra (base of the spine) is a grounding chakra, but the second chakra (two inches below the navel) allows us to be free and mobile!  The second chakra also houses our sexual energy, and is our connection to others.  To open and balance your second chakra try meditating with your hands placed in front of the second chakra in Yoni Mudra (which can be seen here).  Visualize orange energy, or water, flowing in and out of the second chakra.  Notice any physical, emotional, or energetic changes that happen in your body!

Having knee pain??

If you are having knee pain (that is not associated with an injury) consider stretching your quads (thigh muscles) and hip flexors to release tension from the knees. Try these simple yoga stretches to lengthen your muscles.

Dancer pose: Stand on the right leg, bend the left leg at the knee, grab the foot or ankle. Push the left foot into the hand to stretch the quad. To intensify the stretch raise the right arm overhead and begin to lean forward. Repeat on opposite side.

Low lunge: Place the right foot forward, lower the left knee to the ground, lean into the right leg while pushing the tailbone down and forward to lengthen the left hip flexor. To intensify this stretch grab the left ankle in the left hand and extend the right arm forward. Repeat on opposite side.

For an at home yoga routine read here…www.examiner.com/home-fitness-in-boston/gentle-yoga-at-home

Warm up this winter with heated yoga!

Looking for motivation to workout this winter? Consider going to a heated yoga class. While standard yoga classes are between 72 and 74 degrees, heated yoga classes are between 90 and 110 degrees. The extra heat will not only lengthen the muscles, raise the metabolism, and detox the body, but it is a great way to warm up during the cold weather!

If the heat is not for you, consider a standard yoga class. Check out my schedule here: http://www.vareikapersonaltraining.com

Upper Body Strength

Not feeling as strong as you would like? Most people who do not participate in balanced training programs (especially women) have more strength in their lower bodies due to the type of activities they choose for exercise. For example, walking, jogging, biking, or using the elliptical machine. These types of exercises use mainly lower body muscles, so the upper body muscles are not being strengthened equally.
To balance out your body strength try incorporating weights, bands, military training (i.e., push-ups and pull-ups), or even yoga into your routine to engage the upper body muscles.
If you choose to use weights or bands be sure to hit all the major muscle groups of the upper body – shoulders, biceps, triceps, back, chest, and perhaps rotator cuffs.
Push-ups, pull-ups, and many yoga poses, such as plank or crow, engage all of the upper body muscles.
Balance out your workout and begin to notice your increased strength!