nutrition

The Most Important Dietary Requirements We All Have

September 9, 2020 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

Anyone keen to improve the diet they are eating will need to first look into what kind of changes they might need to make in general. You might be keen to try and improve your overall health, for instance by eating better and exercising more, and you might have a specific goal in mind like losing a certain amount of weight over a period of time. But before even all of that, it’s good to know about some of the essentials of the kind of dietary requirements that we all have – the sorts of things that you should be aiming to fit into your diet for the sake of posterity. Let’s take a look at some of those now!

Pic Credit – CCO License

Fiber

First of all, make sure that you are getting plenty of fiber in your diet. Without fiber, your digestive system can’t properly break down the waste in your food, and you could give yourself stool problems. If left alone, those issues can later become much more serious, to the point where you might need to rely upon ostomy supplies or where you could even find yourself with colon cancer – a very serious problem indeed. You can help to keep all that at bay simply by getting a little more fiber into your diet every day, which you can do by eating more grains and cereals, and beans.

Vitamins

One of the main reasons why it is so important to eat a wide variety of vegetables and fruits is that it allows your body to get all those vitamins that are necessary for your good health and for your survival. If you are eating a rainbow of different veggies, you will be getting vitamins A, C and E, amongst others, and that will enable your body to operate as well as possible at all times. If you lack any of these vitamins, it can mean that your body is going to struggle to work as well as you would hope, and you could even cause yourself to have a weaker immune system in the long run as well. Make sure you get plenty of vitamins and you could really make a difference to your life.

Pic Credit – CCO License

Variation

The most important thing of all when it comes to diet is to ensure that you are eating as much of a variation of different foods as you can. That is absolutely true when it comes to making sure you have many different kinds of vegetables, but also more broadly in ensuring you are eating something from each of the major food groups. While that doesn’t mean you have to follow the old rules of eating a certain amount of meat and so on every day – you can actually get by without meat perfectly healthily – it does mean that you should focus on getting all of the same minerals and nutrients that you would have done with meat. If you can do that, you will be much healthier indeed.

Thank you for reading!

Nutrition

4 Superfoods to Power Your Day

August 22, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

When you choose to make your health and wellness a priority, it requires changing things inside and out. One of the major things people tend to look at when they want to take control of their overall health is their diet.

Paying attention to what you eat is an important factor in bettering your health, in general. It doesn’t matter what your overall health goal is. Whether you want to lose weight, improve your cardiovascular health, or lower your risk of certain diseases, it’s never a bad idea to make dietary changes that can boost your body’s immune system naturally.

One of the best ways to do that is by including more superfoods in your diet. Most superfoods contain high amounts of antioxidants, which are substances that can either delay or prevent certain types of cell damage. That helps to lower your risk of a variety of different diseases while making your system stronger in the process.

So, what are some of the best superfoods you can include in your diet to boost your antioxidant intake?

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1. Dark Chocolate

Just to prove that something indulgent can be extremely healthy too, we’re starting out our list with dark chocolate! Now, we’re not encouraging you to eat an entire chocolate cake every day. But, the antioxidants in cocoa can help to reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure.

It has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, and raise your levels of “good” cholesterol. The darker the chocolate (the higher the cocoa percentage) the better, so don’t reach for that milk chocolate bar if you’re trying to get any health benefits. A small serving of dark chocolate each day will not only satisfy your sweet tooth but can help your body in many other ways.

2. Blueberries

Blueberries are often one of the first foods people think of when antioxidants come to mind. There is a good reason for that.

Blueberries are often touted as a food that contains the highest amount of antioxidants above other fruits and vegetables. Plus, it helps that they’re delicious and versatile!

Some of the benefits of blueberries include decreasing inflammation and lowering the risk factors of heart disease. There have also been studies that have suggested blueberries can help to delay the decline in brain function that tends to happen naturally with aging.

3. Kale

Kale is more than just a fad diet trend. It is one of the most nutritious greens known to man, and it’s also very versatile. If you don’t particularly like the taste of kale or aren’t sure how to prepare it, you can “hide” the flavor in a fruit smoothie. Or, try delicious baked kale chips with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.

Kale contains many immune-boosting antioxidants, but it is also loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, K, and C. Many people following a vegan lifestyle enjoy kale because it is a great plant-based source of calcium. Needless to say, a little bit of kale goes a long way when it comes to your health and the nutrients your body needs.

4. Beans

Beans have many health benefits that should make them a regular part of your diet. They are high in fiber and a wonderful source of antioxidants. But, the most important antioxidant in certain types of beans (like pinto) is kaempferol. This powerful antioxidant has been shown to reduce cancer growth, especially with breast, kidney, and lung cancers.

Beans are inexpensive and easy to find, so there is no reason not to add more of them into your life and experience the benefits right away.

Switching to a Super Diet

Getting the nutrients you need through your food is one of the best things you can do for both your body and mind. But, if you are particularly deficient in certain nutrients, or you’re having a hard time eating the foods that can really boost your health, taking natural supplements is a great way to still give your body what it needs.

For example, if you want to boost your antioxidant intake, red polyphenol powder can help by taking it every day.

Remember, by making your health a priority, you’re doing something kind for yourself. There are many more superfoods to consider that aren’t on this list, so don’t be afraid to do your research on different foods and how their antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can improve your immunity! You’ll also lower your risk of certain diseases, and simply feel better and stronger from the inside out.

What types of superfoods do you like?

Thank you for reading!

Health

10 Grown Up Ways To Take Care Of Your Health

July 8, 2020 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

Your health is important, and it’s your responsibility to take care of it. Being responsible for your health is part of being an adult, but it can be easy to neglect when you’re too busy having fun!

It’s time you took your wellbeing more seriously; here are 10 grown-up ways to take better care of your health.

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

1. Ditch your bad habits

There comes a time when enough is enough. If you’re smoking, drinking too much, and/or eating fast food more than a home-cooked meal, then it’s time to change your ways and start adopting some more grown-up habits!

The good news is that it can be easy to break bad habits when you put your mind to it. Address the behaviors you want to change and start making some changes to make sure you put your health first from now on.

2. Learn what healthy eating really means

Understanding healthy eating can help you make better choices when it comes to food. Many people think of healthy eating as going on a diet, but it’s actually about finding balance with the food you eat. A healthy diet should involve a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. You can start with little changes to make your nutritio n healthier, helping to give you the energy you need while also keeping your body strong and healthy.

3. Educate yourself

They say ‘ignorance is bliss’, but that’s not true when it comes to your health. Firstly, it’s important to understand how different choices can affect your health, while also understanding what to do if you encounter a health problem.

Your female health is one place to start. From understanding how to check your breasts for lumps to how to get a medication abortion, you’ll feel more empowered by understanding your health. There are a lot of online resources to help you, as well as friends and family you can speak to; although the best medical advice will always come from a professional.

4. Get yourself checked out

It’s important to keep up with your health checks. From going to the dentist regularly, to visiting your gynecologist, or getting an STI (sexually transmitted infection) check, you should plan regular checkups to make sure your health is in order. It’s easy to neglect these sorts of appointments when you have a busy schedule, but with prevention being better than (possible) cure, you never know when you could benefit from one of your regular appointments.

A visit to the dentist or doctor is always an opportunity to ask questions too, so if you’ve got something you need to know, make sure you ask during your visit.

5. Focus on getting more sleep

Do you get enough sleep? Eight hours is what’s recommended, but many people rarely get the right amount of sleep each night. There are multiple benefits to getting enough sleep, including feeling more alert and focused, while also helping you to look younger and healthier. Your sleep quality affects your weight, as well. If you’re struggling with weight loss, consider doing a sleep study (or using a Fitbit that tracks sleep).

If you find getting 8 hours of sleep is a struggle, you should try changing your habits. Some of the ways you can sleep better include avoiding screens too close to bedtime, having a cut-off for caffeine, and making sure you exercise during the day to help burn off excess energy.

6. Workout and be active

Exercise is important for your health, not just to help you maintain a healthy weight, but to keep your body strong and ensure a healthy heart and lungs. Exercise can be enjoyable once you start getting into it, and it can help you form a balanced routine.

Focus on workouts that work on your cardiovascular system, as well as those that boost your strength. It’s also important to add stretching to your routine to help your muscles stay strong and flexible.

Being fit doesn’t just have to be about exercising daily. Making little changes such as walking more and taking the stairs can make a big difference to your overall fitness and leave you feeling great.

7. Learn first aid

Would you know what to do if you witnessed an accident, or became injured yourself? Having some basic first aid skills is important; you never know when you might need them. Some workplaces provide first aid training, and you should take advantage of it if you can. Knowing how to treat basic injuries and illnesses can help you avoid multiple trips to the doctor, saving those appointments for those who really need them. Knowing first aid and the Heimlich Maneuver might help you save someone’s life if something happens in your presence.

Don’t forget you can visit your pharmacist for minor illnesses and injuries to help you treat them yourself at home.

8. Open up about your mental health

As well as being more responsible for your physical health, don’t forget to care for your mental health. Mental health is a hot topic right now, and deservedly so – the more we talk about mental health, the more the stigmas and misconceptions can be broken down. If you’re struggling, make sure you talk to someone about what you’re feeling as this can be a good way to prevent problems from building up.

There are all kinds of mental health resources out there to help those who need them, so try your best to take advantage.

9. Learn to cope with stress

Life can be stressful. From work to our home lives and relationships, there are all kinds of things that can cause stress in our lives. Stress affects people in different ways, but by learning to relieve stress and avoiding your trigger points, you can stop it from having a serious impact on your health.

10. Don’t be too hard on yourself

Finally, try not to be too hard on yourself. We all have bad days or times when eating healthy or working out is simply not on today’s agenda. What’s important is that you pick yourself up and try again. Making healthy lifestyle changes will take time, and it’s the effort you’re making that counts. Over time your new habits will become the new norm, giving you a fresh perspective on your health.

Learning to take care of your health is important, and the sooner you start, the better. Consider the ways you could improve your health to help you enjoy a better lifestyle and look forward to a brighter future!

Thank you for reading!

Health

Essential Reasons to Get the Right Nutrients

April 8, 2020 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

There are all kinds of nutrients that your body needs. Many of us don’t get these essential nutrients through our diet, even if we try our best to eat healthy. Topping up the nutrients that you receive with supplements can be one way to improve your health. You might not give a lot of thought to making sure you get all of the right nutrients, but it’s an important thing to consider when it comes to your diet. There are some crucial reasons you should make sure you have a nutritious diet if you want to be a healthy person. Below are a few!

Keep Your Hair and Skin Looking Good

A nutritious diet helps you to be healthy, both inside and out. You might not be able to see what’s going on inside your body a lot of the time, but how healthy you are is often reflected on the outside of your body. For example, your hair, skin, and nails can be easily affected by the nutrients you receive. Smokers can find that these things are affected negatively, partly because poor circulation means nutrients aren’t being delivered effectively around the body. Getting the right nutrients ensures your hair and skin look good at all times.

Image from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Fuel Your Brain

Inside your body, your brain can benefit greatly from a diet that’s rich in all kinds of nutrients. When you have a nutritious diet, you give your brain the fuel it needs so that you can focus during the day and even sleep well at night. There are some foods that can be excellent for providing your brain with top nutrients. For example, oily fish contains omega-3, which is a great brain food. There’s evidence that it helps with memory, so it could help your brain to stay healthy as it gets older.

Take Care of Your Teeth

Your teeth need help staying healthy, too. Calcium helps your teeth and bones to stay strong, while vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium. Other nutrients are essential for your teeth too, and having a balanced diet can help you to protect your oral health. You can even buy toothpaste that will help to provide you with top nutrients. Use a Revitin toothpaste coupon code to try it out, and you could start improving your oral health. Getting plenty of vitamins prevents gum disease, while vitamin C helps to keep your immune system healthy!

Give Yourself Energy

It’s not just your brain that needs enough energy to function. Your body also needs plenty of energy and the right nutrients to carry out different bodily functions. When you have a balanced diet full of different nutrients, you can find that you have more energy to do daily things, and you feel less sluggish and fatigued. You need carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in your diet to give you energy, although they are required in varying amounts depending on a number of factors.

A nutritional diet gives you what you need to keep going and keeps you healthy from head to toe.

Thank you for reading!

Nutrition

How to Eat More Fruits and Veggies

February 7, 2020 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

Eating fruit and vegetables is important when it comes to eating a healthy and nutritional balanced diet that gives your body everything that it needs to work as it should. Eating fruits and veggies means that you consume more vitamins and minerals. Most are high in fiber, which aids your digestion, and fruit is the best way to get an energy boost without reaching for an unhealthy sugary snack.

Fruits and vegetables are also high in water, helping you to keep hydrated and taking care of your skin, nails, and hair. Another big plus of fruit and vegetables is that they are low in calories. They are an easy way to bulk out meals and snacks; filling up without overeating or consuming more calories than you are burning off.

The recommendations around how many portions of fruit and veggies we should eat every day differ and change over time. They also depend on how many calories you should be eating each day. Some countries recommended five portions; others say five fruit and five veg. Most agree that these should be portions of different fruits and vegetables. The current version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that a person needing 2,000 calories a day should include 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables every day. That might sound like a lot, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some great ways to eat more fruits and vegetables!

Start with a Smoothie

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A smoothie is a great way to get plenty of fruit and veg into your diet before you even leave the house. Blend together a banana, a portion of strawberries, and a handful of oats with a serving of almond milk for a healthy and filling start. Banana, mango, and pineapple also tastes great and gives you three different fruits in one glass. Experiment with different combinations, and add oats for healthy protein. I like to add spinach and kale to my smoothies, because you can’t taste it! This works great when you want to trick your kids into eating veggies. 😉

If you find that drinking a smoothie doesn’t fill you up, try eating it instead. Smoothie bowls are often more filling simply because we eat them instead of drinking them.

Prepare Some Healthy Snacks

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If you are hungry when you are out and about, or even at home, do you reach for something quick and easy? How often is this fruit? Never? Rarely?

Make fruit and vegetables readily available and easy to grab, and you’ll eat more of it. You could even carry some chopped fruit or veg sticks in your bag when you are out. Prepare some fruit salads and veg sticks so that there’s always something easy to reach for when you are hungry.

Learn Some New Recipes

Fruits and vegetables can get boring. Learn some new recipes, and ways to cook and serve them (like this tasty Jamaican cabbage), and they might become a more exciting part of your diet.

Try New Fruits and Vegetables

If you are sticking to all of your old favorites, this is a great time to branch out. Try some more exotic fruit or veggies that you’ve never had before. Remember, canned (without added sugar), dried, and frozen count as much as fresh!

Add Vegetables to Your Meals

A great way to enjoy more vegetables is to add more to your meals. Fry up some peppers and onions to add to pasta dishes, fill pies with carrots and parsnips, and blend plenty of veggies into a healthy soup.

•How do you get more fruits and veggies into your daily nutrition?

Thank you for reading!

This post was a collaboration.

Food

How To Get The Most Nutrition Out of Your Food

January 5, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 6 Comments

When it comes to health and wellness, it can feel like there is a lot to be thinking about. There’s talk of omega-3s here, vitamin D there, and getting the right amount of protein packed into each meal. So how do you get all of the nutrients into your diet and having meals that give you the most benefit? Here are some of the ways that you can get the most nutrition out of your food, so you can relax and stop stressing over what you eat!

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Eat Local Food

Eating local food that is grown close to you can be a good way to get the best out of your food. If you pick your own food and eat it shortly after it has been picked, then it makes the most of the vitamins and minerals that you get from the produce that you eat. When you pick fruits and vegetables from their source, they start to lose their nutritional value. So having them close by after eating them can be the best.

Of course, this isn’t going to always be practical, especially at certain times of the year. So things like supplements can be a good idea to add into your everyday diet. Using a site like The Diet Dynamo can help you to choose the best supplements for your needs as there are plenty of reviews. If you are vegetarian or vegan, for instance, a supplement with B12 can be extremely beneficial.

Food Prep

The way you prepare your food can help to keep the vitamins and minerals in the foods. For instance:

Cutting fruits and vegetables is a good way to get the most of the nutrients out of them. When they are chopped it can help to break down the cell walls that can be quite rigid, which then frees up more of the nutrients.
Crushing and then chopping things like onions and garlic is a good way to make the food much better for you. When you do this, it releases an enzyme that helps to then form a nutrient called allicin. It can help to protect against diseases, so preparing the foods in that way can mean you get more out of it compared to when it is prepared another way.
Eating grains and beans is really important for plant-based protein in your life. But soaking them is best, rather than just boiling them. Soaking them helps them to reduce an acid that hinders your body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients. So it is a quick change that can make a big difference.

Raw Foods

There are some foods that are going to be better for you nutritionally when you eat them raw, as opposed to when heated or boiled, which can break down certain vitamins that they contain. Foods like sunflower seeds, broccoli, kale, spinach, and peppers are all examples of foods that are best, in terms of nutritional content, when they are eaten raw.

How do you like to prepare your food? Share in the comments below!

Disclosure: This post was a collaboration.

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Events Fitness Nutrition SoCal

How I Champion Women’s Wellness with thinkThin® (+ Sunrise Yoga!)

August 27, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 3 Comments

This post is sponsored by Women’s Forum and thinkThin®. All opinions are 100% my own.

If I had to choose only one thing I am passionate about, it’s wellness. To me, wellness means feeling happy, healthy, energized, and having an all-around feeling of contentment. To obtain this, I balance nutrition, yoga, meditation, writing, and outdoor adventures.

I champion women’s wellness through nutrition with thinkThin® lifestyle bars and oatmeal! The bars are the perfect pick-me-up for my super busy days (which is practically every day). I’m not often in a place where I can refrigerate snacks or meals, so having a high protein, low sugar bar in my bag is essential. The best part? I don’t have to choose between healthy and delicious; these bars are both!

I had the privilege of trying the oatmeal at the Sunrise Yoga event with fitness expert Andrea Metcalf (hosted by Women’s Forum and thinkThin®). The Farmer’s Market Berry Crumble oatmeal was SO GOOD! It’s my new go-to breakfast. It’s seriously so delicious; the fact that it’s healthy makes it that much better! thinkThin® knows what’s up. 😉

So, more about this Sunrise Yoga event. It was held a few weeks ago (Thursday, Aug. 6) at The Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. Andrea led a 30 minute yoga session (starting at 7 a.m.) followed by breakfast and the opportunity to talk with Andrea/other yogis! Andrea is full of energy and happiness; she inspired us to thinkPostive®. She is the definition of the modern-day health and wellness woman.

How @balancebrunette champions women’s wellness w/ @thinkproducts + Sunrise #Yoga w/ @andreametcalf recap! http://ctt.ec/qSHcB+ #sponsored

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The women who participated in the sunrise yoga event were confident, strong, positive, supportive, and full of gratitude. The atmosphere was uplifting and the view was beautiful!

It was such a privilege doing yoga with Andrea Metcalf and the beautiful LA yogis! I left feeling excited and optimistic about women’s wellness.

thinkThin® inspires (and nourishes) me to live a balanced lifestyle; after all, I am The Balanced Brunette!

What helps you live a balanced life? What does wellness mean for you?

#LiveLoveInspire

Follow thinkThin® on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and thinkproducts.com.

How @balancebrunette champions women’s wellness w/ @thinkproducts + Sunrise #Yoga w/ @andreametcalf recap! http://ctt.ec/qSHcB+ #sponsored

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Nutrition Reviews

Healthy and Positive Living Made Easier With thinkTHIN® Lifestyle Bars

May 13, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

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!

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/

Ambassador Health Nutrition Reviews

Avoid Dehydration With The World’s First Alkaline Sports Drink, Phenoh

April 18, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 5 Comments

I suck at keeping hydrated.

Really, I do. I’m ALWAYS thirsty because of a medication I’m taking, I’m always walking/playing with the kids I babysit, it’s hot in LA, and then add in my yoga and stretching. You’d think I’d be better at it! Truthfully, no matter how much water I drink, I can’t seem to feel hydrated. It’s a never-ending battle and it’s severely hurting my health.

Disclosure: I received a 12 pack of pHenOH as part of my #SweatPink ambassadorship with Fit Approach. Monetary compensation was received. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

I heard about pHenOH through Fit Approach (I am a #SweatPink ambassador) and thought I’d give it a try! It’s the world’s first alkaline sports drink, which aids in staying balanced during times of stress and exercise! Below is an excerpt from the home page of their website, explaining who they are and what pHenOH is:

A superior, healthy, ALKALINE alternative to conventional sports drinks. Phenoh has redefined the concept of a “sports drink” to reflect the needs of athletes and active individuals alike. Phenoh 7.4, with just 7 naturally healthy ingredients and a pH of 7.4, is everything that your body needs to stay balanced during stress and exercise. This is not an ade, this is pHenOH.

After a yoga sesh; ignore my sweaty selfie & super weird smile! 😉

What attracted me to pHenOH is the pH level. PHenOH’s pH level is 7.4 (alkaline) and is the biggest part of what makes them stand out. If you’re having difficulty recalling anything from your high school chemistry class (ahem, me), pHenOH gives an easy lamens terms summary of pH (website):

The body is naturally alkaline [7.4 pH] and it must stay that way in order to function properly. Stress and exercise cause the production and buildup of acidic compounds in our blood, contributing to fatigue and negative health effects.

Regular sports drinks have an excessive amount of sugar and extremely acidic pH levels. Did you know anything below a pH of 5.5 can cause tooth decay? Super gross. So not only am I not hydrating enough, I’m also most likely consuming things with too high of a pH. In addition to the things I’m consuming, I also have very high stress levels (I rarely have me time). I realized it was time to try pHenOH and see if it helped!

In a nutshell, YEP! After incorporating pHenOH into my daily routine (2 a day for 6 days), I felt more hydrated and balanced. Dehydration causes fatigue, so it was definitely awesome not getting tired a couple hours after waking up. For only have 7 ingredients, I wasn’t sure how it would taste. However, it is delightful! I love the hint of aloe vera and agave nectar.

The Ingredients:

the finest organic aloe vera
naturally low glycemic organic agave nectar
potassium (no added sodium)
magnesium
vitamin C
only 30 calories per 8 ounce serving

Research shows that pHenOH 7.4 (source):

Increases VO2 Max (oxygen metabolism) by up to 10%.
Boosts your endurance.
Enhances your peak athletic performance.
Offsets the effects of altitude on performance.
Buffers your acidic metabolic waste during exercise and stress.

If you’re interested in a Q&A with the founder Alex Schmotter (an avid outdoorsman and dentist), I highly recommend fellow #SweatPink ambassador Kinetic Fix’s blog post!

My honest opinion of pHenOH 7.4 alkaline drink:

Also after my yoga sesh; hydrating with pHenOH of course!

I love it! I’m an advocate for consuming only natural and organic foods/drinks (except the occasional cake from Susie Cakes), avoiding chemicals as much as possible, and easier ways to get hydrated. I can only drink so much water without getting bored; having a tasty, healthy drink like pHenOH is exactly what I need! Oh, and my boyfriend totally loves it. He’s a soccer coach, health coach, swimmer, and exercise enthusiast (he walked 12 miles today if that’s any indication of his enthusiasm), and he’s been stealing my pHenOHs (I caught him red-handed!). He never likes anything I like; so pHenOH and friends, know that this is a HUGE victory! Haha 🙂

Share on social media what you love about pHenOH 7.4 by using the hashtags #GoAlkaline, #FindYourPhenoh, #StayBalanced, & #Sweatpink! You can find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

To purchase pHenOH for yourself (or friends!), order on Amazon here (affiliate link) or their website. You can also use the store locator (scroll to the bottom). One case (12 pack of 16.9 oz tetra packs) is $28 plus free shipping.

So tell me,

how well do you stay hydrated? Do you drink anything other than water?
When would you incorporate pHenOH into your daily life?
Do you remember learning about pH levels in high school chemistry?

Thank you SO much for reading! Connect with me:

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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

February 16, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 8 Comments

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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

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! 😉

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!

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!

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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The Ingredients:

Research shows that pHenOH 7.4 (source):

My honest opinion of pHenOH 7.4 alkaline drink:

What is My Fit Foods?

How Does It Work?

Here’s A Walk Through Of How I Started:

Does The Food Taste Good?

My First Day Consisted Of:

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

XO

Lyndsay

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