Lynds in Real Life

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Lifestyle

4 Reasons To Stay Single This Year

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For most of your life you have been a hopeless romantic, waiting for your Prince Charming to sweep you off your feet and live happily ever after. The truth is, he never does make his grand arrival. Instead you go on dates that you wish you’d never agreed to. What if you adopted a different way of thinking this year Whether you’re reassessing your current relationship or trying to live alone for once, there are so many reasons to stay single this year. If you’re looking for a handful of reasons to make this change, consider the ideas below.

1. Freedom To Try New Activities

When you pursue a single life you are free to do whatever you like. Whether you want to do a skydive or climb Mount Everest, the world is your oyster. You could even try freechatlines.com as a singleton; there are so many activities you can do without having to consult your partner or worry about how they feel about it. Imagine going out in the evening with no obligation to tell your other half where you’re going and when you will be back. This is just one of the good reasons why you should stay single.

2. Freedom to Enhance Your Career

Although a partner may not necessarily hold you back from your career, they may not be as supportive as you’d like them to be. When you’re going solo in life you can use all of your energy on working towards your career goals. People in long term relationships often find themselves spread so thin that they lose sight of their own ambitions. You either need to find an amazing balance or you need to be single for a while.

Image from Pexels – CC0 License


3. Freedom for Self Development

Experts say that it is very difficult to pursue self development when you’re in a relationship with somebody. You need to be a little bit selfish if you want to go on this sort of path. When you have no commitments to others you can make a real commitment to yourself and your personal development.

4. Freedom to Find Happiness

They say you need to find happiness by yourself before you can find happiness with anybody else. When you are truly happy you don’t rely on a partner to make you feel this way. So many people go into relationships without understanding what makes them truly happy. Their mood can deteriorate quickly when the other person doesn’t act in a way that pleases them. This is a very unhealthy cycle to get into when you’re in a relationship. 

So many people associate being single with feeling lonely or sad. The truth is, being single is freeing, energizing and exciting. When you’re tied down in a relationship you often forget how much fun you can have by yourself. Learning to love yourself and be alone isn’t a bad thing, so why not embrace the single life this year? You might discover some amazing things about yourself that you never even knew!

Thank you for reading!

Lifestyle

Quick-Fix Home Interior Tips To Lift Your Mood

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(Pixabay License)

Many of us live busy and stressful lives, and that is why our homes should be conducive to feelings of peace and relaxation. We can then sit back, unwind, and enjoy our homes, without any further feelings of stress or anxiety to pervade our mood.

With the above in mind then, consider improving your home where it counts. With a few quick fixes here and there, your mood will be lifted alongside the uplift you have given your home. 

Here are some ideas that we think you will find useful!

1: Add a few house plants

According to scientific studies, house plants can lower our blood pressure and reduce our stress levels. This is partly because of the sensory benefits they can provide – we are thinking of those beautiful colors and lovely scents that house plants can offer us – and partly because of the way they can eliminate harmful toxins and freshen up our living spaces. So, the next time you’re out shopping, pick up those house plants that are guaranteed to lift your mood at home. 

2: Add mood-enhancing colors to your home

Bright yellows, oranges, and blue-greens are just some of the color choices you should consider when painting walls or adding new items to your home. These are the colors that should lift your mood, as they are known to evoke calming and happy feelings. So, the next time you are thinking about painting the rooms in your home, choose those colors that will instantly lift your mood when you step through the door. And be it a new rug, tapestry, piece of wall art, or any other type of home decor, choose something containing those colors that will uplift you every time your eyes rest upon them. 

3: Brighten up your home

A dark and gloomy room isn’t conducive to happy moods, so find ways to brighten up your home. So, you might replace thick-set curtains with their lightweight fabric alternatives to ensure the sunlight isn’t blocked. You could add more reflective surfaces to certain rooms in your home, as you will then benefit from the light that will bounce around your living spaces. And you could try these simple home decor tips to further brighten up your home and your mood. 

4: Streamline your living space

Studies have found that people living within cluttered spaces produce greater amounts of the stress hormone cortisol. So, rather than feel happier at home, people can feel anxious, depressed, and dissatisfied with the places they live in. These feelings are hardly likely to evoke a happier mindset, so thinking about your home, if you are surrounded by clutter, consider having a tidy up. By removing those items that create feelings of unhappiness within you, and by creating a space that is more aesthetically pleasing, your mood will be lifted rather than deflated when you’re trying to relax at home. Check out these de-cluttering tips for some useful suggestions. 

So, if your mood is low at home, and you’re struggling to relax, consider our suggestions. With a few additions and alterations here and there, you should soon start to feel an uplift in your mood!

Thank you for reading!

Lifestyle

4 Simple and Straightforward Ways to Do Some Good in the World

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It’s a natural human urge to want to do something good and meaningful while we are on this planet, and in recent times there seems to have been an explosion in movements dedicated to social responsibility, change, and activism, in a number of different forms.

To cut a long story short, everyone wants to make a difference, and everyone wants to leave things somehow “better” as a result of having been alive.

Among other things, though, the desire to do some good in the world and make things better can often cause a lot of internal confusion, turmoil, and can also be misdirected down fruitless or even harmful avenues. When all is said and done, the more complex and lofty your plans are, the likelier they are to get derailed or go wrong, somewhere along the line.

“Simple and straightforward” is often the best and most reliable way to do things. So, here are a few simple and straightforward (though not necessarily “easy”) ways to do some good in the world, without having to come up with a master plan to make everything right, and without having to join any organizations or movements.

Train to be useful to others, professionally

Certain jobs just naturally mean that you will be of service to others, as par for the course. Often, those jobs require quite a lot of specialised education and training, but the pay-off is that you get to go to work every day with a sense of meaning, in the knowledge that you are going to do something to make someone’s life at least somewhat better, on a more or less routine basis.

The key, here, is to do your research and to look into the sort of jobs that might appeal most to you. Then, commit yourself to training for a career that is based, essentially, on helping others in a direct and tangible way.

Qualifying as a doctor is, perhaps, the most obvious example of this kind of job, but there are all sorts of other health and public-service-related career paths that will tick the right boxes. Choosing a public-health concentration at USC, for example, can certainly put you in the kind of environment you want to be in, for something like this.

Focus on having integrity and being consistent with your values, at all times

Hypocrisy and dishonesty regularly ruin people’s lives, and sow seeds of destruction that can be hard to uproot and compensate for. Relationships, families, companies, and entire communities, are frequently ruined because of influential individuals who have compromised on their core values, and have engaged in deceit and treachery.

Before trying to plan for how you can have a dramatic and sweeping positive effect on the world at large, it’s essential to understand the power you have to make the world better or worse, on a microcosmic scale, via each interaction you have in your everyday life.

The more you are able to behave with integrity and be consistent with your values at all times, the more trustworthy you will become. The more the people around you will be able to lean on you and take comfort from you. And the more fulfilled you will be in your life as a result.

It’s all but impossible to really be a force for good unless you’re able to act with consistency, and to be a representative of the values that you want others to adhere to.

Try to do one good deed every day

Carrying on from the last point; just as it’s important to avoid any violations of your own ethical standards, it’s also important to look for small-scale ways that you can inject a bit of good and positivity into the world around you, and the lives of those near to you, during the course of your everyday life.

You may not, functionally, be able to do something to help every individual in the world who is in a bad situation. But you can definitely do at least one thing every day to make someone’s life a bit better, or a bit happier, that they would otherwise have been.

This is the same idea as the Scouts of yesteryear being told to “do a good deed every day.” It’s a timeless idea, because it really works, and what’s more, the “good deed” doesn’t have to be anything massive or dramatic in order to have meaning.

Think about the last time someone in customer service was exceptionally friendly and helpful, when it would have been well within their power to be distant and bureaucratic, instead. Or, think about how much you appreciate the small gestures of affection from the people close to you.

All of these small, positive actions have a ripple effect and can spread greater positivity. It’s also the case that when you get into the habit of looking for ways to be helpful and of service, you will begin to find more, and bigger opportunities to do this on a regular basis.

Take care of yourself and hold yourself to a high standard – the good you do in the world will be magnified, and you will set a positive example for others

There are a lot of people out there who suffer from all sorts of negative circumstances in life, including the internal torment that comes with conditions such as depression. It’s entirely possible that you, the reader of this article, are in that situation yourself.

Often in life, the people who are harshest and least forgiving to us are ourselves – and frequently, we will abuse ourselves when we would never dream of behaving that way to a friend.

One of the best things you can do, in order to have a positive impact on the world around you, is to begin by taking care of yourself and holding yourself to a high standard. If you take care of yourself properly, and address your own problems with compassion and diligence, you will become a more positive, and energized person.

More than that, though, you will also magnify your ability to do good in the world, and you will set a positive example to others, who likewise may be struggling in the same way you are.

Health

Lifestyle Changes That Will Help Boost Your Energy

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Do you often feel sluggish, tired and in desperate need of a nap? This seems like pretty common behavior that we blame on the working week. But wouldn’t it be nice to stop feeling so tired all of the time and actually have some energy?

Maintaining consistent energy levels comes down to some key lifestyle changes. By switching the focus of your health goals to having more energy, you can shake that lethargic feeling and start to feel more energized.

Want to give yourself a boost? Here are some lifestyle changes to make that will improve your energy.

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

Get more sleep

Having more energy starts with a good night’s sleep. Most people fail to get their recommended 7-8 hours a night, which can cause problems with your stress levels, your appetite, mood, and energy. Those late nights partying or staying up past midnight can soon creep up on you, affecting your health in various ways. Work on improving your sleep quality to make sure you get enough rest.

Eat for energy

Food is the fuel you need for your body to function, and eating the right foods will help you enjoy sustained energy. While a carbohydrate-filled, sugary snack might seem like a good energy boost, it will be a quick win, and you’ll soon feel more tired than you did before. Focus on a diet that features energy-boosting foods and watch your tiredness begin to improve.

Drink less

Alcohol can have several effects on your energy levels. While you might think that it ‘perks you up’, alcohol can mess with your sleep and leave you feeling tired and dehydrated the next day. Some people might think that alcohol gives them the energy to perform tasks better like driving, but you can click here to learn more about why that’s not true. When you drink less alcohol or give it up altogether, you’ll certainly have more energy, but your waistline and wallet will also feel the benefits. Many people use alcohol as a sleeping aid, but this habit can do more damage than good.

Change your exercise habits

Exercise burns energy, so how could it possibly make you feel more energetic? Regular exercise will improve your cardiovascular health, which will fuel your body with the right nutrients to function. It also increases your endorphin levels which can help to lift your mood and give you that natural high. Focus on exercises that improve energy, including morning stretching and walking more to help you fight fatigue, especially during the day.

Focusing on boosting your energy levels can change your approach to diet and exercise. If you want to improve your focus and alertness, then switching up your habits could soon have the desired effect. Instead of succumbing to your tiredness, get up and walk around and eat foods that release energy over time. With increased energy, you’ll feel more motivated, capable and ready to take on anything.

This post was a collaboration.

Las Vegas Lifestyle

Eat, Work, Play, Exercise, and Live, All in One Place: The Gramercy Vegas

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I used to nanny in Playa Vista, CA, aka Silicon Beach. I loved it because it had condos/apartments, shopping, restaurants, and even a movie theater within walking distance. I haven’t been able to find anything like that in Las Vegas. When I first moved here June 2016, I lived in a 327 sq ft. studio (I know, right?!). When I was searching for a much-needed upgrade, I looked specifically for apartments near retail and restaurants. I’m not always in the mood to go far from my place. Unfortunately, I didn’t find exactly what I was looking for. At least not yet.

Driving down the 215-W, after dropping off my boyfriend at Mandalay Bay, I was always noticing this big sign for The Gramercy.

Photo Credit: Gramercy Vegas Facebook Page

Shortly after first noticing the sign (what was it for, I wondered?!), Vegas Lifestyle Influencers announced the opportunity to check it out: a brand new residential apartment complex, complete with retail, restaurants, and office space!

We were greeted with champagne & swag bags

With the ladies of Vegas Lifestyle Influencers inside Pinches Tacos :: Photo By: @InAndOutOfVegas

RETAIL

Restaurants:

  • Pinches Tacos
  • DW Bistro
  • Portion Control
  • The Cuppa Coffee Bar
  • Kitchen Table (coming soon!)

Tacos el Pastor + Blood Orange Margarita @ Pinches Tacos

Exercise:

  • Raw Fitness

Beauty:

  • NOHEA Nails

 

Chicken + Zoodles / Chalk Wall at Portion Control

The Gramercy offers:

  • Studios, one, two, and three bedroom apartments and penthouse lofts
  • Urban-style luxury apartments (private balconies, high ceilings, open kitchens)
  • Underground parking , direct access elevators, and plenty of guest parking
  • Work, play, eat, and exercise without leaving home!
  • Play with your pup at the dog park
  • Resident perks
  • Conveniently located (15 minutes to The Strip, 10 minutes to Downtown Summerlin)

For more information on The Gramercy Vegas, visit their website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

  • What do you look for in an apartment complex?
  • What is one thing you’d love to suggest to add to The Gramercy?

 

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Nutrition Reviews

Healthy and Positive Living Made Easier With thinkTHIN® Lifestyle Bars

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by thinkTHIN® and WomensForum.com. All opinions are 100% my own. Photos courtesy of the thinkTHIN® website.

Health has always been a passion of mine, especially women’s health. Whether it’s nutrition, fitness, mind or soul, I have a strong desire to learn and share as much as I possibly can! I have experienced an abundance of health issues over the years, and I have truly hit a point where I’m saying to myself; “Lyndsay, it’s time to take control of YOUR health!”

One of the biggest challenges I face with living a healthy lifestyle is that I am just so busy. I need a quick and simple way to nourish my body with something that tastes good. Lucky for me, I found thinkTHIN® lifestyle bars!

You may be asking, “What’s a lifestyle bar?”

It’s a bar that goes beyond diet or weight loss product; it delivers energy anytime, anywhere, so women can feel positive about their food choices! thinkThin® bars have 20 grams of protein and 0 grams of sugar making it easy to use as a post-workout snack or a meal replacement or just a quick energy-boost solution. The bars are designed for women who care about quality products that fit their needs. For my busy and on-the-go lifestyle, I am able to get the solid nutrition I need, without sacrificing taste and quality.

Single mother of two, Lizanne Falsetto came up with the idea for thinkThin® when she needed nutritious food on-the-go. The company is a passionate supporter of health through nutrition. Today, thinkThin® products are sold in grocery and health food stores nationwide.

It’s incredibly important that I live a healthy, active and positive lifestyle. It’s not an accident my blog is called The Balanced Brunette – my goal is to find a balance between all three.

My passions help set the tone to finding that balanced lifestyle:

  • • Yoga
  • • Natural and organic nutrition with food like thinkTHIN® bars as my snacks
  • • Meditation
  • • Reading
  • • Positive personal development
  • • Social events/gatherings
  • • Get-togethers with my girl friends (usually spa or shopping trips)

These passions have given me a self-love approach to reaching my goal. I used to shame myself every chance I could get. I used negative words when I talked about myself – wrongly chastising myself for a terrible personality. I never truly believed I was worth anything.

But once I started practicing these passions, with a more active, positive, and healthy attitude, it all changed!

I love myself – my body, mind and soul. I appreciate the people in my life and tell them as often as I can. If I’m in a tough situation, I always look on the upside. I went from starving myself and feeling guilty about everything I ate, to fueling my body with healthy foods. I’ve learned to nourish my body instead of deprive it. Now, I feel better than I ever have!

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I am definitely loving having my thinkTHIN® nutrition every day! I have the oatmeal (my fav: Madagascar Vanilla With Almond and Pecans) for breakfast, and a bar sometime throughout the day (have to say High Protein Chocolate Almond Coconut are SO good). If wellness is important to you, I highly recommend adding the thinkTHIN® line to your nutrition lifestyle! You won’t regret it.

Learn more about thinkTHIN® products and purchase yours on their website: thinkproducts.com. Or find a store near you: thinkproducts.com/store-locator/

Nutrition Reviews

Decadent Chocolate Deliciousness With Cocozia® Coconut Water

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Coconut water is my all-time favorite drink. Like, EVER. It’s a topic of discussion all throughout my blog. I drink it daily, especially  in the summertime. But sometimes I get bored with the taste, and most nights, just like any other female, I want chocolate. What’s a girl to do?

Good thing Cocozia® coconut water has a brand-new chocolate flavor! Seriously, it’s amazing. You may be saying, “But [insert another brand here] already has a chocolate flavor; what makes this any better?”

Disclosure: I received a case (12 pack) of Cocozia chocolate coconut water in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I make a small profit of any purchases through my affiliate links. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Cocozia Chocolate Coconut Water Review   Cocozia Chocolate Coconut Water Organic

I’m glad you asked (or at least I’m pretending you asked 😉 ). The other brand comes in a plastic bottle, which I despise. I should call myself an anti-plastic warrior. Ha! It’s terrible for the environment and anything that comes from a plastic bottle tastes weird. Plus this other brand is from concentrate, which I’m not really a fan of. Cocozia (affiliate link), however, comes in a biodegradable Tetra Pak, and it’s not from concentrate. Plus Cocozia is 100% organic and non-GMO Project verified. The chocolate flavor comes from light, all-natural chocolate.

I like to drink Cocozia for a few different reasons throughout my day:

  • To hydrate
  • To raise my blood sugar when it gets too low (hypoglycemia)
  • As a snack
  • As a replacement for not-so-healthy chocolate
  • As a nighttime snack (I probably used it mostly for this one!)

When I was craving something extra chocolaty, I would make this recipe:

Cocozia Chocolate Recipe Coconut Water

For this recipe, I used PBZero powdered peanut butter and Navitas Naturals raw cocoa nibs (affiliate link). Of course, you can use whichever brands you prefer!

If you want decadent chocolate deliciousness in your fridge, you can order a case of Cocozia on Amazon (affiliate link)! A 12 pack case of 16.9 oz is $35. You can also find Cocozia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • What is your favorite flavor of coconut water?
  • Are you a chocolate fanatic like me?
  • What was the highlight of your weekend? (I’m just curious!) :p

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Health Reviews

How JLo and BodyLab Are Focusing On Women’s Health

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JLo. Fitness. Nutrition. Energy. Weight Loss. What do these things have in common? BodyLab.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary BodyLab product kit in exchange for an honest review on my blog. I only share products I feel my readers would enjoy. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

BodyLab Weight Loss Kit

First, let’s come back to JLo (aka Jennifer Lopez). We all know her. Fabulous singer, awesome actress (Enough is a classic, I don’t care how old it is!), sexy mama, successful author (affiliate link), and a fitness/health guru. She created BodyLab, a line of health and fitness supplements made for women, by women. Here’s what JLo has to say about BodyLab:

“In all of my work—my music, my films, my book, my foundation—I always strive to inspire women to be the best and happiest versions of themselves. I joined the BodyLab family not only because of their commitment to creating great health and fitness products for women, by women, but also because of their approach to the holistic lifestyle. It’s not a solution-in-a-bottle. It’s not a fad diet. It’s part of a health regimen that makes your metabolism work as hard as you do. It’s a way to love your body” (website).

JLo Body Lab Women Weight Loss

Photo courtesy of the BodyLab website

The rad thing (can you tell I live in SoCal?) about BodyLab is how great the products are for women! Here are a few facts:

  • No added creatine
  • No ingredients that wreak havoc on your hormones
  • Plant-based compounds to help you burn through excess body fat, get lean, and feel amazing.

BodyLab also offers workouts, challenges, recipes, and a great community (more details on their website). They’re not just a company that sells you a product and says, “Here ya go, good luck!” They truly go above and beyond to set you up powerfully for a healthy lifestyle.

Alright, let’s get down to the products.

Tasty Shake Thermodynamic Protein Complex

BodyLab Tasty Shake Thermodynamic Chocolate

I used to drink protein shakes every day. I love the idea of them: simple, quick, nutritious. However, after years of the same shakes, I was over the taste. I got to the point where I couldn’t drink them at all. I was nervous to try Tasty Shake** for that reason, but obviously wanted to try it so I could give a proper review. With that being said, I LOVE this shake! I have the chocolate flavor, and it tastes like chocolate milk. Plus, it has a bit of caffeine, which is great for me since I’ve switched from soda to seltzer water and have difficulty getting the caffeine my body still craves. It’s really great as a pre-workout shake as well! Most of the products are plant-based, but note that the Tasty Shakes are whey protein. Each serving contains 15g whey protein and 90 calories. Side note: the label says to mix with water, but I mixed mine with almond milk for more flavor.

**Tasty Shake comes in regular vanilla, regular chocolate, and thermodynamic chocolate (with caffeine).

7-Day Ultra Fast Slim Kit

BodyLab Ultra Fast Slim Detox Women Weight Loss

This kit is pretty awesome. I get nervous about “detox” kits because of how they tend to mess up the flora in our guts and cause more harm than good. They often don’t offer a probiotic with the detox. BUT, BodyLab does!!

  • For the first seven days, you take two of the triple process detox and cleanse capsules in the morning and two in the evening with dinner. These capsules help reduce belly bloat and waste buildup so you feel lighter and more energized.
  • In addition to the detox capsules, you take two of the thermodynamic Total Burn™ capsules in the morning and two in the evening with dinner. The Total Burn™ capsules are powerful fat burners that increase metabolic rate and enhance energy.
  • After completing the first seven days, you then take the probiotic replenishment capsules. You take one each day for seven days. The probiotics help to restore the natural flora in your gut, allowing your digestive system to work properly.

I really liked this Ultra Fast Kit! It didn’t cause emergency runs to the bathroom, but I could definitely feel a difference after the seven days! I felt lighter, less bloated, healthier, and more energetic.

I also received a full-size bottle of the Thermodynamic Total Burn™.

BodyLab Fat Burner Thermodynamic Total Burn

Endurance Boosting Deep Tissue Oxygenator

 BodyLab Endurance Deep Tissue Oxygenator Weight Loss

The deep tissue oxygenator enhances endurance, increases speed, improves VO2 max, and optimizes performance. It is stimulant-free! You take two capsules one hour before your workout. These capsules definitely helped me to have a better workout each time I took them! I especially love that they’re stimulant-free. The Total Burn™ has enough caffeine for me.

Advanced Joint Formula For Active Women

BodyLab Joint Supplement Women

The joint formula helps reduce joint stiffness, and also increases range of motion. It is PERFECT for yoga! Well, for everything, but yoga is my fave. You take one capsule in the morning and one in the afternoon or evening. I didn’t realize I’d be needing a supplement for my joints at age 27, but I do. My hips and knees are in poor condition and are always really stiff and sore. The pain doesn’t go away with this supplement, of course, but it does help to diminish the pain!  Yoga is a bit less painful now. 😉

BodyLab also has a Thermodynamic Pre-Workout Extender™ and a Total Shape Up Kit (All-in-One 30 day system).

How Do I Purchase BodyLab Products?

You can find BodyLab products in various retail stores or order them online.

BodyLab Women Rite Aid Store I found these in Rite Aid in LA and got really excited haha

DISCOUNT!!

If you’d like to order online, BodyLab has graciously offered 25% off any BodyLab product + FREE shipping to my readers/followers!! That’s a pretty stellar discount if you ask me. Simply visit BodyLab.com and enter code tbb25 at checkout to receive the discount and free shipping. There’s no expiration date on this code, so be sure to use it any time you place an order!

Also, if you purchase the BodyLab Shape Up Kit, you’ll get a free signed copy of JLo’s book True Love (while supplies last; affiliate link). The Shape Up Kit is on sale for $99 right now, too. Awesome, right? Check out the YouTube video of this promotion below:

 

 
BodyLab creates their products with love for women, which is obvious when you look at the capsules:
BodyLab JLo Weight Loss Women Capsules How cute are these little hearts?!
 

Alright friends, it’s time for me to take my supplements and make my Tasty Shake so I can get my yoga on. Thank you as always for reading my blog! Don’t forget to follow BodyLab on social media (even for the workouts and recipes alone!). You can find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and YouTube.
So tell me,
  • What types of supplements/shakes do you take?
  • Do you prefer/avoid certain ingredients?
  • Do you love the movie Enough as much as I do?
  • Do you prefer JLo or the classic Jennifer Lopez?

Share with me in the comment section below!

To peace & happiness!

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Lifestyle Nutrition Reviews SoCal

Are You Too Busy To Cook, But Still Want Healthy Meals? My Fit Foods Has A Solution For That

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Let’s face it, we live in a pretty fast-paced world. We are constantly on-the-go, whether it’s for work, school, parental responsibilities, and so on. One of the first things to fall by the wayside is cooking, let alone healthy cooking. Of course we want to be healthy, fit, and fueled by good nutrition, but what are we to do when we don’t have the time to meal prep?

The answer? My Fit Foods.

My Fit Foods Studio City The My Fit Foods Store in Studio City, California

Disclosure: A My Fit Foods PR representative contacted me to visit a MFF store, and share my experience on my blog. I received one day’s worth of food for free so I could offer my honest opinion. No other compensation was received. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

What is My Fit Foods?

Created by personal trainer and former Marine Mario Mendias, MFF is “a revolutionary new way to enjoy fresh, great tasting, and healthy food on your schedule.” Mendias started cooking meals in his home for his clients in 2006. His concept then grew into what My Fit Foods is today. There are various stores throughout Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, California, and Illinois (Chicago). I visited the store in Studio City (Los Angeles), California. Each store is stocked full of healthy, pre-portioned meals. There are several options, such as gluten-free (note: the kitchen is not certified gluten-free), sodium sensitive and calorie controlled, low glycemic grains, fresh produce, and antioxidant rich spices.

My Fit Foods 21 Day Challenge  My Fit Foods Healthy Snacks

How Does It Work?

You walk into a MFF store and tell them what you’re looking for (quick meals, dinners only, etc). There’s an entire wall of refrigerated food: snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and desserts. You can either look at the meals and choose what you would like to purchase, or ask for the on-site nutrition coach (Studio City’s coach is Natalie). The customized nutrition coaching is complimentary, meaning FREE! Each coach is highly-trained and certified.

My Fit Foods Healthy Meals 2   My Fit Foods Healthy Meals 3

My Fit Foods Healthy Meals 4

Here’s A Walk Through Of How I Started:

I met with Natalie (and MFF PR representative Whitney) to talk about what MFF offers. I shared my struggles and my goals with Natalie. For example, I’m always on-the-go, 7 days a week. I know how to eat healthy (I used to be a health coach), but I don’t know what my body specifically needs. Should I be gluten-free? Is red meat really going to give me a heart attack? There are so many fad diets out there (especially in LA), that I feel like our perception of good health gets skewed. Also, I really dislike cooking.

Natalie told me about their 21 Day Challenge. Basically with this challenge, Natalie (or that store’s nutrition coach) puts together a customized 21 day meal plan based on your health goals, lifestyle, occupation/schedule, and what your body needs. She tailors it to your likes; for example, I don’t like seafood. So she was able to put together a plan that didn’t contain seafood, but still offered enough calories, vitamins, and so on for what my body needs. Natalie printed out a form that has your meals/snacks laid out for 21 days. It’s awesome, because you won’t really have to think about what to eat and when to eat it. I’m sure some people want to have the freedom to eat what and when they want, but for people like me, I want whatever is the simplest option! I would then pick up my food in the store twice a week.

21daychallenge_badge

 

My Fit Foods 21 Day Challenge Effects

Photos courtesy of MFF’s website

When doing the challenge, Natalie recommends a multivitamin (there’s one for men and one for women) and a liver cleanse to clear the toxins out of your liver. I’m not doing the 21 day challenge at the moment, so I did not purchase either of these. However, I did purchase their raspberry B12 liquid supplement (my body is severely lacking in B vitamins). It comes in a dropper bottle, so I mix it with my Drip Drop hydration drink. It’s delicious! I also purchased a bottle of probiotics, which my body desperately needs as well.

My Fit Foods Probiotics B12 Supplements  My Fit Foods Healthy Supplements

Does The Food Taste Good?

Yes! So good. I am a very picky eater, so I was happy to see how many options there were! I took home a one day supply of fresh meals (never frozen and cooked/delivered every morning) and tried each of them three hours apart (Natalie’s recommendation). My boyfriend, Tim, also tried the meals/snacks. Tim tends to be skeptical of things that cost money when he can just do it at home. He tried the meals thinking he wasn’t going to like any of it; he LOVED all of it! And I agree. Everything was super delicious! The meals range between $5 and $12 (each). The snacks range from $1 to $4.

My Fit Foods Healthy Meals One Day  My Fit Foods Healthy Meals

My First Day Consisted Of:

  • Breakfast: Oat Bake (my favorite meal)
  • Snack: Protein Bar (their brand)
  • Lunch: Gimme More Chicken Wrap
  • Snack: Veggies In The Raw
  • Dinner: Asian Flat Iron

My Fit Foods Oat Bake Breakfast MFF Oat Bake

I purchased these absolutely DELISH raw cacao truffles (60 calories for one) because I like to have a piece of chocolate after dinner. I definitely need some more! 😉

My Fit Foods Living Raw Chocolate Truffles

I’m excited to begin my 21 day challenge with My Fit Foods! Like I said before, my schedule makes it hard to eat healthy consistently. Since the meals can be microwaved (or cooked on stove top for a bit more flavor), I can definitely take them with me. The snacks can either travel in an insulated tote or simply in your bag if they don’t need refrigerated. If you don’t have a tote, they have ones in the store! And they’re big enough to hold a day’s worth of meals/snacks. I will definitely be going back to pick up food for myself and Tim, and probably this week!

My Fit Foods Tote

To find a My Fit Foods store near you, visit their website –> locations (or click here).

To check out their entire menu, visit their website –> menu (or click here).

There’s also a list of 101 reasons why MFF helps you lose weight and live healthier that’s pretty awesome!

My Fit Foods Logo

Follow My Fit Foods on social media to keep up-to-date with the company:

Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – YouTube – LinkedIn

  • What is the hardest challenge you face while maintaining your healthy lifestyle?
  • Would you be interested in a store like MFF? What do you like/dislike about it?

Thank you for reading my blog! I love chatting with people, so please leave a comment below. 🙂 Thank you to My Fit Foods for the opportunity!

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XO

Lyndsay

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Fitness

Pilates or Yoga? Which One Is Best For You?

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Pilates or yoga?

They’re both similar workouts, but offer very different results. Pilates consists of slow and controlled movements, while yoga consists of held poses.

Pilates: improve core strength and stability

Yoga: increase muscle strength and tone

Check out this infographic brought to you by Health Perch to decide which one is right for you!

Disclosure: This infographic was shared with permission from Health Perch. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post.

 

Pilates or Yoga: Which Practice is for You?
“Pilates or Yoga” on Health Perch

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