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Archie Health

In Praise of Pets; Why They’re Good for Your Health

March 4, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

We are a nation of animal lovers and really, who can resist that cute little puppy face or that little kitten that wants to walk all over your keyboard when you’re working? But having a pet isn’t just about the cute factor; there is plenty of science out there that shows having a furry friend in your life gives you more than just great photos to put on Instagram.

 

Image courtesy of Pexels

 

In the hustle and bustle of our younger years, we barely get a moment to ourselves in between working, socializing, relationships, and maybe even raising a family. But as we get a little older, we realize that even in the midst of all that, it can be possible to feel loneliness. This has certainly become a modern day scourge among the older age groups. Companionship from a pet can go a long way in alleviating some of those feelings, and while it’s important to seek help if you’re feeling particularly isolated and depressed, having a loyal friend to absorb some of that loneliness can provide a real comfort for so many of us.

Pets provide more than just a fuzzy feeling, they are scientifically proven to show significant improvements to mental health, even among people suffering with more severe symptoms. Many hospitals across the world have incorporated pet visits and therapy on wards including medical oncology, and of course, children’s wards. The results are conclusive: patients with exposed access to animals feel better mentally, which has a knock-on effect to their recovery time.

 

[my Archie]

 

So, if you’re thinking of getting a pet, you can feel assured that you’re not just getting a cuddly companion, you’re getting access to great health and mental wellbeing therapy. For dog owners, in particular, the benefits don’t just stop there. With a canine, you will have no choice but to get out there in the fresh air with your pupper, rain or shine. Your dog needs regular exercise and that can only be of benefit to owners who might otherwise choose the couch over a run around the park.

Research also shows that the benefits of a pet don’t just stem from the furry kind. Even if you’ve opted for reptiles over fur, you’ll gain from having the responsibility of having a living thing rely on you for sustenance and its wellbeing. The fascination of watching snakes, lizards, turtles, and even insects in their own environments is a fascinating distraction from everyday life and well worth investing your time and money into.

Whether you’re a dog, cat, or lizard person, taking on a pet can be quite a responsibility. However, all that money, those trips to the vet, and pet food are worth every penny in the long term. Battling loneliness, forcing you out of the door for a walk, not to mention providing all those Insta moments means pet ownership will give you more than just a warm feeling. Do your research and figure out who’s in line for becoming your new best friend!

 

I’m partial to the fluffy, poodley kinds 😉

 

•What are your favorite kinds of pets?

•Do you have any pets?

 

This post was a collaboration.

 

Thank you for reading!

Filed Under: Archie, Health Tagged With: cat, dog, health, mental health, pet

Archie Events Races

Run for a Rescue with the Doggy Dashers Virtual Run/Walk + Promo Code

September 13, 2015 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

If you follow me on social media, you’ll know how much I love my dog Archie. He’s pretty much my favorite thing in the world. If I have a chance to help him and his furry, four-legged friends, you best bet I’m going to!

Archie, my boyfriend, and I ran The Puppy Run 5k/10k a few months back, and Archie LOVED it! He loves running more than he loves toys, and he super loves toys. The Puppy Run was such a success that Gametiime decided to host the Doggy Dashers Virtual Run (Nov. 6-9) benefiting the Northwest Boxer Rescue (NWBR). NWBR’s mission is, “Every boxer deserves to live a happy life in a loving home.” Archie isn’t a boxer (he’s a toy poodle), but dogs are dogs, and we love them all!

doggy_dashers_logo_jumbotron_w_dates

Not only do you get to spend quality time with your pup, family, and/or kids, but you get to help doggies in need. Plus you get awesome swag! Check it out:

Doggy Dashers Swag

 

Awesome, right?!

Let’s make it even more awesome with a discount code for 10% off your registration. Go to doggydashers.eventbrite.com and the code (lyndsay10) will already be applied! This discount is good for adult and kids registration. Registration is open from 8/25/15 to 10/9/15 or until they sell out.

Get 10% off the @doggydashers virtual run w/ code lyndsay10! http://bit.ly/1M5zlt1 #doggydashers #nwbr #rescue #race

Click To Tweet

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To register your dog, start the registration process for yourself. When you get to the page where you enter your personal details (name, address, date of birth, etc), scroll all the way down to the bottom. There, you’ll see options for adding a dog registration(s). Click to add one or more to your cart before checking out.

*If you already finished registering, but forgot to add your kid and/or dog to your registration, send an email to info@doggydashers.com and they’ll help you out.

doggy_dashers_bib_front_and_back_v2

With registration you get:

  • Quality time with your pup
  • Family-friendly fun
  • The option to join or create a team
    • To register as a team, just select “create a team” when you register at doggydashers.com. It takes 2 minutes.
    • You can even set up this up before you register, so you can tell others to join it before you do.
  • Awesome swag
    • adults receive a super-soft custom shirt, bib, finisher’s medal, and sticker
    • kids receive a drawstring bag, folder frisbee, bib, finisher’ medal, and sticker
    • dogs receive a custom bandana, collapsible water bowl, and a doggy treat
  • Benefit animals in need (NWBR has foster homes in WA, OR, ID, MO, and CA)

I’ll definitely be running the 5k with Arch and my boyfriend; be on the lookout for us!

Puppy Run Family Photo

Follow Doggy Dashers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info and updates!

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Twitter | Insta | Facebook

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Filed Under: Archie, Events, Races Tagged With: 10K, 5K, charity, discount, dog, Doggy Dashers, Doggy Dashers Virtual Run, family friendly, furbaby, Gametiime, kid friendly, Northwest Boxer Rescue, NWBR, pet, promo, puppy, rescue, The Puppy Run, virtual race, virtual run

Fitness Reviews SoCal

LA’s First ‘Workouts on Demand’ App: Handstand

December 23, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 6 Comments

For almost two years, I lived in Los Angeles without a car. Being a fitness enthusiast and health coach, it was important to me to be active. I was able to run outside and do workouts at the park, but if I wanted a personal trainer or to attend a yoga class, there weren’t many options for me.

Now I have a car, but I also work a lot. I babysit for 3 families, I have a very energetic puppy, and have to keep up with the housework. By the time I get home, going out to a studio or yoga class is the last thing I want to do.

Lucky for me (and people in a similar situation), there’s Handstand.

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Cover

Disclosure: I received a free session using the Handstand app in exchange for an honest review on my blog. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Handstand is LA’s first ever ‘workouts-on-demand’ app, and it allows you to search, book, and pay for a fitness professional to come to your house for a private session. It’s like Uber for fitness. How awesome is that?! You can book a yoga session, cardio workout, sessions for two people, and more! However, it’s currently only in LA.

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga 2 Archie was really excited to do some yoga 🙂

I had a Q & A with the founder of Handstand, Tiffany:

Why did you create Handstand?

I really believe that working long or unpredictable hours, making time for friends, catching up with family, finding relaxation time, having young children, on top of all of the other responsibilities that only increase as we get older– leaves minimal time for health and fitness- which is where I came from and why I created Handstand. I made the time, woke up early, drove to the gym, worked out, showered, changed, ate, made it to work, but that was ridiculous. In fact, it was counterintuitive and left me over exhausted. And we read all these quotes that a “one hour workout is all it takes” but as I came to find, it was 2 hours and that was if I hurried.

What was your inspiration for Handstand?

I was always into fitness and discovering new trends. When I initially tried yoga at a class in a gym, I remember feeling incompetent and frustrated. I wasn’t relaxed after the session, but let down and discouraged. After some time, I gave yoga another shot in a smaller group setting with my cousin who just wouldn’t leave me alone about it! The yoga instructor came to my house and 10 minutes in, I immediately understood why my cousin pushed me into this. The instructor was different and the one that came over that day didn’t make me feel like a beginner, or that I wasn’t flexible enough, but rather she encouraged me to try different poses and adjusted me based on what she saw.  I felt her trust and by the end of the class, she was able to guide me into a handstand— something I NEVER thought I could do! So, I named this app “Handstand” which is symbolic of the goals we can reach when we have the right instructor or trainer guiding us. Every single trainers and instructor on Handstand is Handstand approved and can truly help anyone reach their goals- may it be a handstand or something else they’re reaching for.

Where do you see Handstand going in the future?

With Handstand, no matter where my users go, whether it be alone on a business trip in San Francisco, or to New York for a quick visit, they’ll never be alone or have to miss a workout. Hassle-free, accessible, affordable, and truly a new experience in every city. There will always be someone new to meet, someone there to motivate, change, and show my users new moves in a new city when they have time. 

Handstand is constantly being updated with new instructors and new workout types, which is where we’re heading now. Want to try meditation but don’t want to find a studio on your own? Find one on Handstand and invite a friend! Want to workout with your fiancé before work? Order a bootcamp session on Handstand for two. It’s affordable, accessible, and hassle-free.

What makes Handstand stand out from its competitors- if any?

Handstand is the first Workouts on Demand App in LA – and it comes from a place of need. It’s for everyone out there; people who want to work out with their friend, but go to different gyms; for the girl who’s trying to lose some weight, but just can’t afford a trainer to help her; for the mother who has a young child at home and has to find a sitter to make it to the gym; for the man who wants to try yoga but hasn’t the first clue of where to go or start– this is for everyone. 

I want my users to know they can feel comfortable with everyone on the platform because that was my inspiration and goal. No judgments, no commitments, no hassles. Planning, scheduling, and finding the right class or time isn’t what fitness is about. So no one has to sweat that now- Handstand has it set up for you- anytime and anywhere.

Thank you, Tiffany!

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Logo

I had the amazing privilege of trying Handstand. Here’s how it works:

  • Download the app (iOS) or go to the website.
  • Click “Find a Workout”.
  • Choose your neighborhood.
  • Search for a trainer! You can choose by searching time, type of workout, or price.
  • Book your trainer for your desired date and time.
  • Pay.
  • Have an awesome session! (You can rate the trainer after the session)

Super simple and convenient, right?

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Logo 2

I scheduled a yoga session with Nikka for Saturday at 12:30 pm in my apartment. Nikka showed up right on time, with a yoga mat and blocks in hand. I already have a mat, but it was awesome that she brought one just in case! She didn’t mind that I had two small dogs locked in the bedroom. They barked for awhile, but it didn’t distract her. I really appreciated it! We talked for the first 10 minutes or so, which I really enjoyed.

It was a little strange having a trainer come to my house who knew nothing about me, but she was extremely friendly and we had a lot in common. She asked me what yoga I like to do, what injuries I have, and what kind of yoga I wanted to do for our session. I told her about some health concerns I’ve been having (joint issues, specifically), so she suggested restorative yoga (for stretching). We also talked about what brought us to LA. It turns out, we are both from the Midwest! It’s always awesome connecting with people from the Midwest; we’re pretty similar and I love it!

The session lasted an hour, and it was EXACTLY what I needed! Nikka showed me an inversion pose that I now do every single day. I felt centered and happy the rest of the day. I will definitely be scheduling another session with Nikka, and I highly recommend it to anyone in the LA area looking for private sessions!

Handstand App Workout on Demand LA Yoga Archie (my pup) & Mocha (a friend’s pup) were excited that Nikka was over!

If you’re excited to give Handstand a try, they have graciously allowed me to offer a 20% discount to my readers! Simply enter code founder20 when you’re ready to pay.

Follow along on social media as Handstand grows and expands: website, Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook. You can also download the app for Apple iOS here.

  • Is being active difficult for you due to your busy lifestyle?

  • Would you use Handstand if it was in your area? If you’re in LA, is it something you will try?

 

Thank you for reading!

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XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Fitness, Reviews, SoCal Tagged With: app, Apple, barre, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, California, cardio, dog, Downtown LA, fitness, Handstand, HandstandApp, in-home, instructor, iOS, LA, Los Angeles, one on one, personal trainer, pet, private, puppy, restorative yoga, Santa Monica, session, SoCal, Studio City, trainer, Uber, Venice, West LA, Westwood, workout, Workouts on Demand, yoga

Lifestyle Personal SoCal

What Are You Thankful For? A SCBS Link Up

November 25, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 3 Comments

Happy Tuesday! This month, I am the head blogger for the SoCal Blogger Society link up. Check out the bloggers participating below, and link up with us if you’d like!
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Since Thanksgiving is this week, I would like to share who and what I am thankful for.

SCBS Nov LinkUp Pic

My Parents

My mom and dad live in Ohio- 2300 miles away from me (LA). It’s hard being so far away from them, but they do everything they can to make sure I know I’m loved. Whether it’s helping me pay my rent, sending me essential oils to help my immune system, or sending a text to check up on me, my parents are there giving me support. I look up to them so much, and I’m thankful to have such smart, loving parents!

Archie

Puppies are the best anti-depressants. Ever. No matter how much I’m feeling down, Archie is always there to lick my tears and give me snuggles. He loves unconditionally, and he is a little ball of happiness. Plus, he’s just so dang cute!

Archie In LA Blog Button Tim

My boyfriend, Tim, is my partner-in-crime. We’ve been best friends for 20+ years. We’ve been dating for exactly 2 years. We laugh EVERY day. Tim is my backbone; my support system. He loves me for me, and encourages me to live the life I want. I’m thankful to have a partner who truly makes me a better person.

hiking with tim

California Weather

It may be silly, but I am incredibly thankful for the weather in SoCal. The abundant sunshine helps my bipolar and seasonal affective disorder bearable in the winter. Even when it’s cloudy and in the 60s, I love the weather. Like, LOVE it. 68 & sunny is my perfect day, and that happens pretty often this time of year. Plus I live 6 miles from the ocean. It’s perfect!

LA Los Angeles SoCal Palm Tree

What are you thankful for this holiday season?

I invite you to link up with us below!

An InLinkz Link-upCheck out my feature on SoCal Blogger Society and get more info on this month’s link up!

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XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Personal, SoCal Tagged With: #socalbloggersociety, autumn, boyfriend, California, dad, dog, fall, grateful, head blogger, holiday, host, LA, link up, linkup, Los Angeles, mom, November, parents, pet, SCBS, SD, SF, SoCal, SoCal Blogger Society, thankful, thankful for, Thanksgiving, Weather

Archie Events Lifestyle SoCal

An LA Halloween + Archie’s First Outing!

November 4, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 6 Comments

For Halloween this year, I was determined to find some type of pumpkin patch in LA. Growing up in Ohio, aka farm land, there were pumpkin patches EVERYWHERE. I’m talking multiple ones within 5 miles of me. I love autumn and all the festivities that come with it! So I wanted to find something Halloween-related close by.

After searching the interwebs, I found a family-friendly festival. It was the Cheviot Hills Harvest Festival! Cheviot Hills is down the road (about 2 miles) from Palms, where I live (West LA).

IMG_3971 I had never been to the recreation center before, and it had all the activities I wanted. I decided to take my new puppy Archie with me! This was his first outing since he came into our family. He was nervous at first (the music was a bit too loud for him), but then he calmed down and had a great time!

Halloween LA Harvest Fest Dog CostumeArchie dressed up as Super Archie! I babysit a young girl who wants to be a fashion designer, and she was really excited to make Archie a costume.  She hand-sewed a cape, and Archie loved it (as did I). He wore the costume to the festival and everyone loved it!

Here’s a few photos of the festival:

Halloween LA Harvest Festival Pumpkin Patch Halloween Los Angeles LA Harvest Festival Halloween Los Angeles LA Harvest Festival Family

There was a hay maze, pumpkin patch, bouncy houses, food, crafts, costume contest, and more! There were other dogs there, too, and they were all on leashes and well-behaved.

I put Archie in a wagon to snap a picture… he wasn’t feeling it:

Halloween LA Harvest Fest Dog Wagon I thought  it was adorable though!

Another awesome thing about this day was that the 1-year-old I babysit (we’ll call him Jack) and his mom came with me! I wanted Jack and Archie to meet, plus Jack and his family are moving away next week. I figured this would be the perfect hangout!

Jack loved the pumpkin patch! The bouncy houses were his favorite. Plus he and Archie loved each other! Archie is only 4.5 lbs, so he’s the perfect size for little Jack. It was great!

Halloween LA Harvest Fest Archie Archie & me at the festival

I took a TON of photos of Archie, but this is one of my favorites:

Halloween LA Harvest Festival Dog Pumpkin

It was a perfect autumn day (the weather was very fall-like, love it!). I highly recommend the Cheviot Hills Harvest Festival if you’re in the West LA area next Halloween. It was super fun hanging out with Jack, his mom, and Archie! Oh, and by the way, the Cheviot Hills area has a golf course (Rancho Park), playground, pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and an unofficial dog park. It’s great for year-round activities!

Later that night, the neighborhood dogs came over to our apartment (we call it the make-shift dog park) and we passed out candy to the trick-or-treaters three families that walked by. It was awesome hanging out with our neighborhood friends and their pups! The pups all play really well together, and they totally love it (as do we).

We dressed Archie up as a pumpkin for the second half of Halloween because it got pretty chilly (and eventually rained– which LA needed badly). The pumpkin costume kept him warm, and it was super cute!

Halloween Los Angeles Dog Pet Costume Pumpkin

Archie had a fabulous first outing, and I had a fabulous Halloween. I couldn’t have asked for anything better! I’m so happy that after almost two years of living in Los Angeles, I finally have that sense of community I’ve been looking for. Various friends literally around the block from me, children and their cool moms down the road, and dozens of new dog friends for little Archie.

So tell me,

  • How was your Halloween of 2014? What did you do?

  • Did you or your pets dress up?

 

Thank you for stopping by & reading my blog! If you like what you see and want to receive new posts by email, subscribe here:

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You can also subscribe to Archie’s blog by clicking here! Archie In LA is a blog dedicated to finding dog-friendly things to do in Los Angeles!

XO

Lyndsay

Twitter | Instagram

Filed Under: Archie, Events, Lifestyle, SoCal Tagged With: #definebrave, #PoweredByBits, #sweatpink, Archie In LA, autumn, California, Cheviot Hills, Cheviot Hills Harvest Festival, Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, costume, dog, dog blog, dog park, EnergyBits, fall, Halloween, Harvest Festival, IDEA inspired blogger, LA, LA Blogger Babes, Los Angeles, October, Palms, pet, rain, SoCal, SoCal Blogger Society, SoCal Lady Bloggers, Total Activyst, West LA

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