Lynds in Real Life

A Lifestyle Blog

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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Lifestyle Personal SoCal

What Are You Thankful For? A SCBS Link Up

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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!
photo monthlylinkupbadge_zpsff0e4704.jpg

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

Events Races

Spartan Race Giveaway + Discount

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Have you ever heard of the Spartan Race? It’s similar to the Tough Mudder, but more challenging. A few of my friends are running the Malibu Sprint on December 6.

Disclosure: I was asked to share about the Spartan Race on my blog. No monetary compensation was received. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. All images and videos are from their media kit, with permission.

According to their website, “Spartan Race is on a mission to get you active, healthy, excited about change, and return to our ancient roots where running through woods, getting dirty, and facing adversity was part of everyday life. Our events are all about challenging today’s perception of normal.”

Check out the official Spartan Race video!

If it seems intimidating, never fear! “Spartan Race now introduces a level for everyone beginning with the entry level Spartan Sprint, intermediate level Super Spartan, the advanced Spartan Beast, and the ‘99.9% need not apply’ extreme level Death Race. Whatever your level, Spartan Race will test your strength, stamina, and sense of humor” (website).

Spartan Race isn’t the type of race I would usually do, mainly because of my tachycardia. However, it seems like an awesome way to challenge yourself mentally and physically, and I could see myself working toward it in the future!

Giveaway + Discount Code!

The people at Spartan Race have graciously allowed me to give away {ONE} free entry to any continental US Spartan Race in 2014/2015 (any open-heat; non-confirmed start time)! The giveaway ENDS Sunday, November 30 at 11:59pm PST. You must be 18 years of age or older. The winner will be notified via email. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below & good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

I am also offering a 10% discount on any US race with code SPARTANBLOGGER! You can find the calendar for all upcoming + 2015 races here.

 

A Few Upcoming Races:

  • 12/6 – Malibu Sprint
  • 1/17 – SoCal Beast
  • 1/18 – SoCal Sprint
  • 1/24 – SoCal Super
  • 1/25 – SoCal Sprint
  • 2/7 – Arizona Sprint
  • 3/7 – Atlanta Sprint
  • 4/11 – Charlotte Sprint
  • 4/18 – Las Vegas Super

 

Get more information on the Spartan Race on their website, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!

  1. Have you ever completed a Spartan Race?
  2. Is this a race you would like to complete in the future?

Thank you for reading my blog! If you want to receive my new posts by email, you can subscribe here:

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XO

Lyndsay

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Events Lifestyle SoCal

San Diego Boat Show Recap

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I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the San Diego International Boat Show yesterday as a blogger, and it was a great experience! My boyfriend, Tim, was stationed in San Diego while he was in the navy, so he was really excited to make the trip to San Diego from Los Angeles with me.

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 Tim & me at the rest stop off the 5/405/PCH

The boat show is going on ALL weekend (through Sunday), but we were only able to attend the first day. Regardless, it was so much fun! We arrived shortly after it opened. It could not have been a more perfect day! It was sunny, warm (around 81 degrees), and there was a wonderful breeze coming off the Pacific. As we were driving down, Tim said he wanted to get new sunglasses. He breaks them all the time, I can’t even tell you how many pairs he has had. In the photo above, he is rocking my bright pink wayfayers (don’t they look great on him?!). The very first booth we stopped at was the Progressive Insurance booth (they sponsor the SD International Boat Show), and they had a bag toss game where you could win sunglasses! It was so perfect! So Tim played the game while I chatted with Michael, an insurance agent whose wife is a blogger. Needless to say, Tim won a pair of sunglasses:

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There were tons of booths with really great products and services! Anything you need for boating, you can find it at the SD Boat Show. I don’t have a boat, but I have always loved the boating life. I grew up on Lake Erie in Ohio, and my family has an island house on Kelleys Island (one of the Lake Erie islands). I love anything involved with beach/lake/ocean life. This show definitely made me want that lifestyle even more!

The harbor was filled with different kinds of boats that you could walk on, check out, and even buy if you were ready:

272The best part for Tim was the diving booth. During Tim’s navy career, he was able to get certified in diving in Hawaii, and we have been talking about me getting certified, too, so we can go diving together. The San Diego Divers had a dive pool where you could practice diving, so of course Tim gave it a shot:

243  248  262  268He found a fake crab while diving, and put it up to the camera in the water (it shows up on a monitor) because crabs are my second favorite animal! I was really excited! (My first favorite animal is the pink flamingo, in case you were wondering) 😉

The woman in the pool with Tim in the top picture is Jan. She was so helpful and great! She has been diving for 28 years and said it is very calming for her. No matter what kind of day she had, she can go into the water, watch the ocean life, and be stress-free. It reminds her of the simplicity of life. Talking with her made me really want to come back to San Diego and get my diving certification. If you attend the boat show this weekend and try scuba in the pool, you get a $50 rebate for the diving certification program (within 90 days). How awesome is that?! The program is through BeADiver.com. I definitely want to get my certification, and Tim can take a refresher course. So exciting!

We were pretty hungry at this point, so we decided to get food. There was a food truck, and then a barbecue put on by the La Mesa Rotary Club:

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I haven’t had a hot dog in forever, so that’s what I had! They also serve beer to those 21 and older (have your ID handy).

On our way back through the booths, we saw the Oru Kayak (origami kayak). We recognized it from a recent episode of Shark Tank! It was really exciting for us because when we first saw that episode, Tim and I both loved the idea of a folding kayak. We live in a one bedroom apartment in West Los Angeles, meaning we have NO storage space. Plus, kayaks are really heavy! My parents have one, and I totally love it, but I can’t carry it by myself. With Oru Kayak being at the boat show, we had the chance to feel the kayak, which is what I wanted to do after seeing it on Shark Tank. We also had the opportunity to talk with the CEO + Founder of Oru Kayak, Anton Willis, which was really awesome. He is a super cool guy (though that was expected, because he developed a super cool kayak)! Tim and I definitely want to get a couple of the Oru Kayaks in the next few months or so.

238There were so many great, quality products and services at the boat show, plus plenty of fun activities that will keep families busy throughout this weekend! I already mentioned the diving pool, but there’s also sailing lessons, paddle board lessons, hands-on training, interactive learning center, and more! The San Diego International Boat Show is at the Sheraton Harbor Island in San Diego, Calif. through Sunday, June 22 from 12-7 pm (Sunday only until 6pm)! Admission is $12 for adults, and children 15 & younger are free.

We had such a great time, I can only imagine how much fun the rest of the weekend will be! If you go to the boat show, hashtag #SDBoatShow and tag @SDIntlBoatShow (Twitter and Instagram) and @balancebrunette (Twitter)/@thebalancedbrunette (Instagram) so your pictures will get shared and retweeted!

  • Are you attending the San Diego International Boat Show this weekend?
  • Do you enjoy the boating lifestyle? Comment below!

XO,

Lyndsay

Disclosure: I received two free tickets to the San Diego International Boat Show through Synergy Communications in the hopes that I would share about the event on my website. I only write about products, services, and/or events that pertain to myself and my readers, therefore all opinions are 100% my own.

Events Fitness Personal Races SoCal

My First 5K; Dedicated To My Father

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I’m really excited because tomorrow morning (Sunday), I am running my first 5k! I’ve walked 5ks before, and I’ll probably walk a good amount of this one because I am doing it with a friend, but this is the beginning of a new chapter for me. I’m going into it with the mindset of a runner, and I notice that it is helping me to think of what I want to do to prepare for my half marathons coming up in the next six months.

My race schedule so far this year:

I am dedicating the Culver City 5k to my dad. He lives in Ohio (where I am from), and we have always been very close. I live in Los Angeles now, and it’s difficult being away from him and my mom. Since the 5k is on Father’s Day, I’ve decided to participate as an independent woman/runner/mental health advocate/overall health advocate, because that’s who my father raised me to be. I’ve gone through a huge transition in my life this past year, and this is the very first Father’s Day I will not be able to see my dad.

So Dad, this one’s for you. <3

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This is my dad & I saying our goodbyes at the airport in Cleveland before I boarded my one-way flight to Los Angeles in Feb. 2013. I love you Dad. Happy Father’s Day <3

xo, Lyndsay (or as he calls me, Lynz)

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Events Lifestyle SoCal

If You Love Boats, San Diego, And Free Tickets, This Is For You!

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boat show banner

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like boats, San Diego, and free anything? I know I do!! Which is awesome, because the Progressive San Diego International Boat Show is coming to San Diego, Calif. June 19-22, 2014 at Sheraton Harbor Island! A weekend of sun, water, boats (to board and/or buy), oh, and did I mention there will be tons of fun activities for you and your family?

boat show kayak boat show girl

(Photos courtesy of Synergy Communications, LLC)

These are some of the awesome activities that will be happening at the SD Boat Show:

  • Take exercise to the water at Try It Cove:  Try It Cove challenges attendees to find out first hand why paddle sports are all the rage with a variety of free opportunities to get on the water, including Stand Up Paddling (SUP), kayaking and more.
  • Learn to SCUBA: At the ‘Be a Diver Pool,’ dive into an underwater world in the comfort of a heated pool. Anyone ages 10 and older can learn how to scuba dive with a certified instructor – all one needs is a swimsuit to participate. The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) provides scuba gear, changing rooms and hair dryers. Participants can also get a photo taken underwater as a fun keepsake.
  • Free sailing lesson aboard the Sailing Simulator, featured at the America’s Cup
  • Tastes & sounds of summer: Visit the new floating Tiki Bar by Fiddler’s Green, Anchors & Ales Beer Garden or popular food trucks, plus a BBQ hosted by the Rotary Club La Mesa to enjoy libations and local cuisine favorites while listening to island/boat music from a steel drum band.
  • Climb aboard a Vietnam War boat: Presented by the San Diego Maritime Museum, visitors can board and tour one of the historic PCF 816 Swift Boats used during the Vietnam War.
  • Nautical activities for the kids: While mom and dad are shopping for the new family boat, little skippers can enjoy the Kids’ Zone, drawing their favorite nautical picture to take home as a souvenir, enjoy activities at Try It Cove and play bag “bait” toss at the Progressive Insurance booth for prizes.
  • DIY clinics for the hand’s on boater: Back again this year is the Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center, a garage-like setting, to learn how to keep that boat in tip-top shape.

Show Hours:

  • Thursday, June 19    12pm – 7pm
  • Friday, June 20    12pm – 7pm
  • Saturday, June 21    10am – 7pm
  • Sunday, June 22    10am – 6pm

Show Address:

San Diego International Boat Show
1380 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92101

 

Giveaway Time!!

The cost of the show is $10 for each day. However, I am giving away a family four pack of tickets!! The giveaway ends Monday, June 9th at 9 p.m. PST.

Rules to be eligible to win:

Again, this giveaway ends Monday, June 9th, so be sure to enter ASAP! Good luck!! 🙂

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received two free entries for the San Diego International Boat Show in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

xo, Lyndsay

Bipolar Disorder Fitness Nutrition Personal

After An Entire Year, My Mindset Is Finally In Alignment

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I have so much excitement and happiness, I don’t even know where to begin! The past year has been wonderful, but very rough. I moved to Los Angeles from Cleveland in February 2013, and the life event threw me into the worst bipolar depression I have ever experienced. It hit me hard at the end of April/beginning of May 2013. I barely left my apartment for five months. I laid on our mattress.. in my living room.. on the floor.. in the AC.. with the blinds closed.. for FIVE MONTHS. I watched 14 seasons of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. That takes serious dedication (to my living room floor).

During this time, I didn’t care about my physical health. When my mental health is that messy, it’s hard for me to even shower (my boyfriend can vouch for this). As hard as it was to admit, I gained a lot of weight. I ate the worst possible foods, and my addiction to soda showed up again (I had given it up for good that past December).

consumes your mind quote

Fast forward to today. I read somewhere that our mindset needs to be in alignment with our nutrition plan, or we won’t stick to it. Well, guess what? My mindset is finally in alignment with my goals! Oh my gosh, it feels SO good! I have had a serious sugar addiction that seemed almost impossible to get through. I’m currently detoxing and withdrawing from sugar, and these are the symptoms I am experiencing right now:

  • itchy ears (how weird, right?!)
  • itchy eyes
  • sinus congestion (immune system becomes suppressed)
  • severe migraine (withdrawal is no joke, I have no idea how I’m even looking at a computer screen lol)
  • hives

But it is worth it. Because these symptoms will eventually go away, and I am finally able to not have soda! I’m finally able to not have chocolate, or ice cream, or grains, or refined sugars/carbs. Yeah, it’s still challenging, but my mind is so clear on my goals that I am able to not have those things! I so badly want to be healthy. I want my digestive issues (candida, leaky gut, etc) to be better. I want to lose this weight (not necessarily to look better, but to feel better). I want to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) this year. I want to be able to somewhat control my moods and emotions.

I posted this status on Facebook yesterday:

“It’s an amazing thing, when you REALLY start to pay attention to how certain foods affect your body. Something that is healthy for one individual may not be as healthy for another individual. I always ate what I perceived to be “healthy” and never truly paid attention to how my body was affected by it. This is why one “diet” (diet meaning what you eat.. the actual meaning of the word) is not best for everyone. I follow mostly a paleo diet, however there are certain paleo-approved foods that I cannot have (and certain non-paleo foods I can have). Tailor your diet/nutrition to whatever fuels YOUR body best.”

Life is completely different when you learn to eat for your health, as opposed to weight loss. When you learn how to have a sustainable diet (again, diet meaning what we eat). I am even learning how to cook and enjoying it! I have never liked cooking haha.

cookbooks

I am loving my Practical Paleo and 21-Day Sugar Detox cookbooks from Balanced Bites! I used them to make dinner for my boyfriend yesterday (which he loved!). *Side note: the 21-Day Sugar Detox comes in two parts: the cookbook and the guide book.

I am learning to love my body and myself each and every day. People who say “I’ll be happy when I am this weight.. this size.. this wealthy..” and so on, those people will not find happiness. Not authentically, anyway. I used to be one of them. But we get to live in the moment, and love ourselves every single day, as we are.

self love yoga

Photo of me at a self-love yoga session with my friend & mentor Elyse

So my point of all this is that it feels so good to have my mindset on track after an entire year! I cannot stress enough how important it is to practice self-love and personal development (read books, go to therapy, join a support group, whatever it is for you), and also to really listen to your body. Pay attention to the foods that serve you and the foods that don’t. Eat for your health. Our bodies are so incredible, they fight so hard for us, don’t we want to fuel it properly?

xo, Lyndsay

  • How do you get your mindset in alignment with your goals?
  • Was it easy for you, or a struggle? Share below in the comments! 🙂

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