Day Two of the The Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge

Quotation Inspiration . Find a quote that inspires you (either positively or negatively) and free write about it for 15 minutes.

If you've read my blog you know that my motto is

STRONG is the new skinny!

and my favorite Bible verse/motivational verse

is

Philippians 4:13 "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!"

What is YOURS?

Barney Butter Review

Barney Butter sent me some of their creamy almond butter to review!

Here is some info about Barney Butter:

Barney Butter was conceived by Jennifer Barney in her Fresno, California home for friends and family.  She began experimenting with homemade almond butter for the simple reason that she was unhappy with the other almond butters on the market.  She knew that almond butter would be healthier for her peanut butter-loving kids and she wanted them to grab for it on their own without any big fuss.  Many broken blenders later, her recipe was perfected.

Pretty soon friends and neighbors were trying it and everyone really thought it was revolutionary.  People started calling it ‘Barney Butter’, so the name stuck. Some just wanted it for the taste, but others had real needs like lowering cholesterol or as a peanut alternative.  With much encouragement from friends and family she manufactured her first batch of just 20 cases in 2006 and took a jar to a local grocer.  It was an instant success!  Today Barney Butter has s-p-r-e-a-d to independent and national grocery stores all across the country so now you too can be good to yourself and eat Barney Butter!

With its amazing fresh roasted flavor and truly smooth and creamy consistency Barney Butter stands apart from other almond butters and has quickly become a favorite treat for adults and children alike!!

Barney Butter is an all-natural almond butter made with Premium California Almonds.  It is a craveably delicious treat with all the right qualities: the rich flavor, nutrition and versatility of almonds with a texture just like peanut butter.  Manufactured in an almond only facility, Barney Butter is peanut free and a great alternative for those with peanut allergies. Barney Butter is naturally no-stir and does not need to be refrigerated.  Gluten free, no trans fats or hydrogenated oils, and half the saturated fat of peanut butter make Barney Butter a healthy and delicious treat!

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Now, for my review!

OH. MY. GOSH.

I thought Peanut Butter was my love, but this Almond Butter is my TRUE LOVE. 

Goodness gracious! This stuff was INCREDIBLY delicious! 

My Rating: 11/10!

I immediately opened the little squeeze packet and ate some by itself and was hooked. I also ate it on a whole wheat tortilla for a snack. It was phenomenal. I was curious if it would taste good with banana on a wrap like I do with my usual PB and it TOTALLY knocked the socks off of my palate! SO GOOOOOOOOOOD!!!

I'm hooked. 

Please try some of this for yourself. You won't be disappointed. I PROMISE.

http://www.barneybutter.com/http://www.barneybutter.com/

Spring Break Eats and Treats!

Spring Break is officially over. It was by far the BEST Spring Break I've had in a while. I enjoyed a lovely STAY-CATION. I made some $$$ dog sitting, was pampered with a manicure and massage, hung out with friends, and attended ALL of my favorite fitness classes!!!  

Here's some stuff I haven't had a chance to share with you yet...I've been CONSTANTLY on the go! :) 

Myrtle and I ate Subway for dinner one night while I was babysitting her. She's so cute!  I got my usual Honey Oat 6 inch with Turkey, Ham, and Tomatoes with Banana Peppers and Pickles on the side... and...I tried the new SunChips flavor, Parmesan and Herb! OH. MY. GOSH. They are soooooo tasty!!! 

Myrtle always scrunches up her nose at my weird habit of ordering banana peppers and pickles on the side and eating them by myself. This time, she was brave and tried a banana pepper, and I caught it on video!

 

 She's so funny! "It's HOT!" 

Love that little girl! 

She was soooo upset when I had to leave. I hate that I can't watch her all the time during student teaching. But, I'm excited for SUMMER because I'll be hanging out with her at least twice a week again!!! YAY!!

 

Pretty Pink Nails after my manicure!

My bestie, Ashley, and I watching my brother's baseball game! He did awesome! He is a relief pitcher. He came in and pitched 3 pitches. 3 outs. WHAM BAM! So proud of him!!!

:)

What is your favorite thing to do on a Stay-Cation?!?!?

Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge DAY ONE

Hey everyone - I just wanted to tell you about a new activity I'll be doing this April. The Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge hosted by WEGO Health. I will be writing a post a day for all 30 days. I hope you'll join me in writing every day about health. It's going to be a lot of fun and I'd love to see what you have to say about each of the topics, too. All you have to do to join is sign up here: http://info.wegohealth.com/HAWMC2012 and you'll be able to start posting once April rolls around. Looking forward to writing with you!

 DAY ONE: April 1

Health Time Capsule. Pretend you’re making a time capsule of you & your health focus that won’t be opened until 2112. What’s in it? What would people think of it when they found it? 

This is a fun question. Well, I am a LOVER of all things involving Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, and Yogurt!

Fitness related: they would definitely find me shakin' my groove thang at DANCE IT OUT!!! I am obsessed with that workout!!! It's too much fun! 

What would they find in YOUR health time capsule?

Danskin Triathlon Giveaway Winner!

CongratsVeronica!!!

Please send me your address info and I'll get it to Danskin asap!

ZEVIA Review and Giveaway!!!

Zevia sent me a pack of their drinks to review! 

Here's a little info about Zevia:

With natural products, being healthy isn’t enough – a product has to taste great, and also be healthy, to really be a compelling alternative. At Zevia, we really believe that we’ve created a better soda. And we’re fortunate that our fans are vocal. Every day, we receive letters, emails and calls from folks who have just discovered Zevia, and are thrilled to have a product they can feel good about consuming every day.

One of the most fun things about working at Zevia is sharing our products with people who used to drink soda and stopped, or in some cases always avoided soda for health reasons. Kids are the most fun of all – we meet lots of kids who’ve never had soda in their lives, because it was banned in their household, and to watch their faces when they try Zevia for the first time is priceless.

Similarly, people with diabetes, people seeking to lose weight or control their weight, or people who just want to live a healthier life really light up when they discover our product.

We don't think that soda should be a "four-letter word," and we're out to change the way people think about soda by providing a healthy option that tastes great. 

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Now, for my review!

First of all, I love that these have ZERO CALORIES AND NO SUGAR! Stevia is much better for you than sugar and those artificial sweeteners. You can read about that at this link!

I liked all of these flavors. But, I definitely had a favorite... Cream Soda took the lead by a longshot! 

Grape: 10/10! Tasted just like the grape soda I used to drink as a kid. But, this one was definitely a drink that I felt GOOD about drinking!

Mountain Zevia 9/10: Tasted similar to mountain dew, but more limey!

Caffeine Free Cola 9/10: This one tasted like a regular diet coke! YUM!

Black Cherry: 8/10: This flavor was good, but I liked the other flavors just a little better.

Grapefruit Citrus 8/10: This was a taste that I don't normally go for. It was different, and still good, just not my favorite. 

ZEVIA wants one of YOU to try some of their awesome drinks for free too!!! I have a coupon for a free 6 pack to giveaway! 

 

Giveaway Requirements:

Mandatory Entry

1. Visit their website and tell me what flavor you would most like to try! Leave me a comment with your answer.

Optional Entries: (You must do the first one before you leave additional comments for extra entries)

2. Follow @Christianqt07 and @Zevia on Twitter

3. Tweet this: "@Christianqt07 is having a @Zevia giveaway! Check it out here: http://t.co/tTInrZuF"

4. Become a follower of my blog

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN SATURDAY, APRIL 6th. 

Via Random.org

GOOD LUCK!!!

FIBER FACTS

Throughout my posts and product reviews, I talk about how I love when there is a lot of fiber in things! Fiber is SO good for your body. It keeps things moving along and can even help with maintaining a healthy weight! Fiber keeps you fuller for longer. The recommended amount of fiber that a person should consume on a daily basis is 25-30 grams. A lot of people don't get nearly enough... So, I wanted to share my favorite ways to eat fiber with you today!

1. Oatmeal! (If you check out my recipe tab, you will find TONS of recipes that include oatmeal. It's one of my favorite foods, because you can do SO much with it!) 

2. Apples - a regular sized apple has about 4 grams. I just love a juicy, crispy apple! :) 

3. Berries - strawberries are definitely my favorite. They also help curb my sweet tooth too! 

4. Cereal - I am a cereal killer... haha! I love eating cereal by itself or mixed with fruit and yogurt! There are lots of fiber filled cereals out there. My favorites are KASHI, FIBER ONE, and RAISIN BRAN! 

5. Popcorn - I like to get the 94% Fat Free kind. You can eat the WHOLE BAG for only 200 calories! Each bag also fills you up because it has fiber in it too. 

6. Whole wheat bread or tortillas - These are SO GOOD. I grew up eating white bread, but made the switch to wheat bread when I was in highschool. It tastes so much better and it's better for you! 

7. Carrots - I eat carrots like it's nobody's business!!! I snack on them while I'm cooking, eat them everyday at lunch, and just whenever I feel like it. One serving packs 2 grams of fiber for only 35 calories! 

 Check out this website for more ways to get more Fiber into your daily food intake: 

http://ehealthmd.com/content/how-do-i-get-more-fiber-my-diet

What are YOUR favorite ways to eat fiber???