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Archives for November 2015

Game Changing Flavors with Almond Snack Tray

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game changing flavors

I can’t believe how quickly football season has gone this year! Let’s be honest – I’m mainly sad because I didn’t get to make as many snacks as I wanted, nor wear all the outfits I wanted – but it is still sad to see it nearing the end. Huge football fan or not, there’s just something special about Football season. The air is starting to be crisp, the cute boots and scarves make their debut, and fun get togethers occur nearly every weekend!

The typical snacks and appetizers for football games aren’t really my thing so I normally make my own to bring over so I’m not stuck with a growling stomach, needing food but not wanting what is available. I try not to be THAT person! And people always usually appreciate the healthier snacks that I bring as a break from all the greasy.

game changing flavors

Every snack tray needs some protein, mixed with some sweet and salty. This plate is a mix of deliciousness with Smokehouse Blue Diamond Almonds, jalapeño cheese, grapes, pears, and crackers. MMMM.This snack tray brings on the yum with this game changing flavor – Smokehouse Blue Diamond Almonds – adding that unique taste and good protein to keep you full. These almonds mixed with a bite of spicy jalapeño cheese is just too delicious and beats out greasy wings any day. They also don’t leave your hands and face messy, and you can even keep that pretty lipstick on while eating them versus having that smeared lip look.

game changing flavors

game changing flavors

Even though I have now been engaged for almost 3 months (CRAZY!) I admit, I’m still in that mode where I want my ring to show in every picture 🙂

What snacks will you be enjoying for the last few games of the season?

**This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. Ditch the chips and grab some Game Changing Flavors this football season! Enter for a chance to win the Ultimate Football Party Prize Pack, get great savings and ideas for delicious snack hacks at GameChangingFlavors.com.

Gobble Workout and Happy Thanksgiving

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gobble workout

Wow oh wow I’m so thankful for everything I have been blessed with. Will I ever say that enough?? Probably not.

Thanksgiving is the ultimate holiday. It’s also always the time I feel a tad bit guilty for not being more thankful each and everyday. I have loads to be thankful for. But the things I’m most thankful for are the amazing, talented, beautiful, sweet, passionate people I get to call my friends and family.

Here’s one of my favorite prayers to think of on this day of celebration. I also love this Thanksgiving Reader that Seth Godin created for you to download and read during your celebrations at the table.

Help Me Thanksgiving Prayer 

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;

When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;

When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;

When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,

And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,

and be concerned enough to help;

By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.

Amen.

-Samuel F. Pugh

And per the usual, I would like to provide a quick Thanksgiving Gobble Workout you can do in 15 minutes. Be thankful for your healthy, capable bodies. Your body will in turn be thankful to you for working it out before filling it with food.

Gobble Workout

Remember on this day to eat mindfully and enjoy every bite! Yay for home cooked meals made with love!! Don’t mindlessly stuff those faces, all that leads to is an aching belly.

Enjoy your thanksgiving loves! I’m so thankful for all my readers!What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food? Traditions?

Thinking about Multitasking while Drinking Coffee, Instagramming, Reading

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multitasking

Feeling so overwhelmed lately with ideas. This is better then having completely passive and dull thoughts, but it can also keep you in a constant frazzled state that tends to be unproductive and unsuccessful in finishing one task.

Our minds are crazy places and have slowly been taught to not only focus on one task at hand, but oh, about 1 million. We multitask like crazy and are usually never found just sitting quietly working on one project. In life if I were to tell people, “Sorry I’m focusing on this right now, we can talk in a couple hours,” it wouldn’t work.

I actually have felt pleased that I have gotten better at multitasking through the years, but I realize I may quite possibly be going in the wrong direction. We are programmed to constantly be working on hundreds of things at one time but aren’t doing these projects any better and not putting the proper thought into them.Even when I’m “relaxing” I’m multitasking. Why relax only watching a movie when you can relax while watching a movie, texting a friend, reading a blog post and sipping some wine?
multitasking

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So how does this affect us?

  • Dr. Jordan Etkin, a professor at Duke University, explains that when we have multiple goals that conflict in interest, we feel more anxious and feel that the tasks are more difficult. So then we are left feeling like we have too many projects and too little time.
  • Dr. Paul Hammerness and Margaret Moore discuss how multitasking increase the chance of making small mistakes and missing something important that you would otherwise note. They explain and promote “set shifting” where you consciously put away a task and then shift to the other task at hand if you need to change tasks.
  • Nicola Persico explains that its best to do tasks in a sequential order so that you can complete something rather then having dozens of projects, all incomplete.

Some interesting quotes on multi tasking —

  • Multitasking arises out of distraction itself.
  • Multitasking means screwing up multiple things at once.
  • I can’t tell if it’s killing me or making me stronger.
  • Multitasking is NOT a skill.

Just during writing this post, I have wanted to do many many things, like: go order a coffee, text my friend, check if my email went through, oo have any cute pictures been posted on instagram, etc. Sheesh! This is going to be a tough habit to break but I am going to at least test it out and see what happens.

How do you focus long enough on one idea before you want to start pursuing the other?

3 Favorite Core Moves

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#holidaysweat

If I had to pick one body part to work for the rest of my life it would be my core. No questions asked. You use your core 24/7, even moves that you don’t think you use your abs for, you do. The core can be one of the must frustrating muscles to work because you can’t gain that strength over night. It’s a constant challenge, but it’s so rewarding once you start to feel the difference and see positive changes in your movement. You will quickly see better balance throughout your day once you build that strength.

For the #SweatPink Holiday challenge, it’s time to talk favorite core moves. Here are my three favorite core moves that I have seen the quickest results with and can feel a huge difference in my core strength.

First up is the good old fashioned plank. You can never go wrong holding a plank. While in a plank, keep all your body parts align and stay stiff as a board, and hold. That’s it. You can’t poorly execute a plank if you keep your booty down and your abs in. Try to hold 10 seconds longer each day. Before you know it, you’ll be planking for minutes on end and not even breaking a sweat! 😉 😉

Here are a couple more of my favorite plank moves.

#holidaysweat

Second up, one of my favorite pilates moves – the teaser. Now this move requires some practice and some strength. However, with determination, you’ll be teasing in no time. You start laying flat on your back and then squeeze up using your entire core and hold then slowly lower back down. Repeat. It’s about that control and hold at the top. Don’t be frustrated if you can’t get this move right away, that balance at the top is a challenge!

#holidaysweat

Third move is mountain climbers. Because, well, they are a classic. Mountain climbers are great to work that lower core while also getting that heart rate up. Combining a heart pumping move with a core move is the perfect combo. I like to do a criss cross rather then straight up and down. That way, it works more of your obliques.

core moves

So there you have it, my favorite 3 core moves. What are your favorites?

Turtlenecks and Letting Go

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giving key necklace

Turtlenecks have to be about one of my favorite cold weather items. They are just so cozy and snuggly. If you think about it, turtlenecks are basically a top and scarf combined. I have honestly never been cold inside wearing a turtleneck, and that’s a rare occasion. Turtlenecks deserve recognition for their hard work in keeping us warm; they are pros at their job.

Neutral turtlenecks are great to mix, match and create many fun looks that appear completely unique and give off different vibes. Blacks, whites, tans are my faves. Pairing turtlenecks with skirts, tights and fun statement jewelry has to be one of my favorite winter looks.In this look I’m keeping it simple with some black jeans, boots, and a Giving Key necklace.

giving key necklace

I absolutely adore the idea and meaning behind the Giving Key Necklace. If you haven’t heard of them before let me introduce how they work… You buy a key that has a message that means something to you. Once you feel you have lived out that message, you give it to someone else you think could grow from the message similarly. It’s a pay it forward type thing.

The message I chose is “Let Go.” This is such an important memo to me. Unfortunately, I don’t know how quickly this key will be given away… I have some serious work to do when it comes to letting go. Anyone else currently struggling with a situation that they can’t quite rip their paws away from? But know you should? It’s so hard to let go when this situation means so much, but sometimes letting go and seeing where it takes or directs you is the best possible decision.

Big question though, are you more into the white wall or the color splatter?

giving key necklace

So let go, wear turtlenecks and potentially look into buying a Giving Key!