Happy Friday! It felt nice to have a short week after the holiday, but I am more than ready for the weekend! I'm super excited about today's post because I have a giveaway for you! First let's talk about the protein powder.
Since I had to make the change to dairy free everything I've had a hard time finding protein powders that I like. I'm not someone who likes to use the same thing every time, so switching it up is a must for me, but it's easier said then done. If you've ever tried plant based protein powders they tend to be a bit too thick, chunky and taste like chalk- why try to sugar coat the truth? When I was offered the chance to try Amazing Grass I jumped on it.
All of the ingredients in Amazing Grass protein are items that are easily pronounced and readily available. Not to mention they're all organic, so no nasty pesticides! It's important to me that I know what I'm putting in my body, so when I read ingredients lists that contain wheat grass, pea protein, chia, organic acai, organic peanut butter, etc. I have no problems putting that in my body because it's good for me!
Let's talk about taste. Taste is tied for first place (with ingredients) for what's most important to me in a protein powder. I'm super picky about taste because who wants to drink chalk? Not me. I always drink protein powder mixed with just water, so I was really happy when it mixed so well. If you let it sit for a few minutes it really thickens up too! Pro tip: mix protein and water the night before and set in fridge- it gets so thick that it's like a smoothie! The chocolate and peanut butter taste really shined through but neither overpowered the other. I really liked it plain (just mixed with water), so I also tested it in a smoothie. I throw a lot of fruit in my smoothies so I was worried that there would be too much competing for taste, but I was pleasantly surprised! The chocolate and peanut butter taste were subtle, but detectable and the smoothie tasted like chocolate and peanut butter strawberries- so good! Overall 10/10 for taste.
The only downside to Amazing Grass is the cost, it's $34.99 for a 10 serving container. You can save a little by purchasing more than one at the same time though. While it is expensive, you're getting the highest quality ingredients possible. I'd much rather pay more and know what I'm putting in my body. Other than price, I have absolutly zero complaints about the product. It tastes great, the ingredients are fantastic and it's an awesome source of nutrition. Plus one serving of Amazing Grass contains 2 servings of fruit and veggies! For picky eaters it's a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients.
Now for the super awesome part, Amazing Grass is giving away a container of their new protein to one awesome reader!! The contest is open to US residents only (sorry international readers!) and the winner will get to pick their flavor of choice to try- chocolate peanut butter, original, or pure vanilla. To enter for your chance to win all you have to do is follow me on instagram, like the picture and share your favorite way to keep fit during the summer! For a BONUS tag a friend on the picture or comment on this post with your favorite way to use protein powder! The winner will be announced and contacted Sunday morning! Good luck!
Happy Thursday, I hope you had a great 4th of July and long holiday weekend! I meant to post a weekend recap yesterday, but life got a little busy so it's a day later than planned, but also another day closer to the weekend again YAY! The holiday weekend was busy but so much fun.
I had some friends over on Saturday to watch fireworks on the lake and to have a relaxing lake day. We had so much fun soaking up the sunshine and swimming so I cannot wait to have another lake day with everyone soon.
Once it got dark we sat out and watched the fireworks. It was by far one of the best firework displays I've ever seen. There was so many awesome fireworks that it was hard to choose a favorite firework. I was also excited because one of my best friends was able to get off work just in time for the show, so he rushed over and watched them with us. I always feel like a little kid when I watch fireworks because I'm so in awe of their power and beauty. I've always been curious how they make fireworks to form different shapes and patterns, but that's my inner nerd showing.
My friends and I hung out for a bit after the fireworks, but some of them had to work in the morning so we called it a night pretty early. We used to stay up until 3 or 4am talking and laughing but it's a lot harder for all of us to do that now- as my grandpa used to say getting old ain't for sissies!
Sunday was a relaxing day; after being up late with friends I needed some time to just hang out in the sun. A few people came out and we had some wine and just relaxed by the lake. Can we please take a moment to appreciate how adorable this wine glass is?! One of my best friends Kate got me a set of wine glasses from HomeGoods and I'm in love with them! They're so cute and I feel so much classier drinking out of a proper wine glass than a solo cup.
For dinner Sunday night I had some leftovers of grilled chicken, grilled sweet potato and green beans. This has been my go to meal lately because it's so easy. To grill sweet potato all I do is slice it into semi-thick chunks, spray both sides with nonstick cookspray or coconut oil (it keeps it from sticking to the grill), throw on some seasoning and cook for 3-4 minutes per side. It's so easy but so good!
I started the 4th of July at the gym with a lift and a run. I always start my day off with a workout because it makes me feel good and it helps me get the day off on the right foot. I ran outside, but immediately regretted it because it was SO hot and humid that it was hard for me to catch my breath. Needless to say I cut my run way short. I refueled with my usual oatmeal and berries (and sprinkles of course), but lately I've been mixing in some vanilla chia protein powder from Bob's Red Mill and it's so good! It makes the oatmeal extra thick and creamy, plus it gives it a really good taste.
Cora and I spent a ton of time outside on the 4th because it was so nice out. Unlike me, Cora doesn't mind the heat or humidity. She will just charge into the lake to cool off.
Tuesday was by far my favorite day of the long weekend. A friend and I got a Groupon to rent paddleboards. I had rented a paddleboard in Maui with my brother, but hadn't done it since and forgot how fun it was. We popped right up, no falling or anything, and paddled for hours. It was a picture perfect day for paddleboarding- sunny skies, a light breeze and the water is warm. We took breaks to get water to stay hydrated and to jump off our boars to cool off. After dinner I headed back out on the board for another few hours. I wish I didn't have to return the board because it was so much fun. Now I want to buy a paddleboard because I'd be out on it all the time. I just wish they weren't so expensive!
What did you do over the holiday weekend? Did you do watch fireworks for the 4th of July? Have you ever tried paddleboarding or would you try it?
Happy Friday and hello long holiday weekend! It's going to a fun-filled weekend full of lake days, BBQing, fireworks and spending time with friends. I'm definitely looking forward to a little R&R this weekend!
I've never done a favorites post, but I've gotten requests to share some of the products I love and where I get them. I picked five of the products I get asked about most frequently and linked them up below. None of these are affiliate links and I'm not getting paid to share these products, these are things that I simply enjoy and have been asked about. Let me know if you try any of them and what you think!
Bob's Red Mill Vanilla Chia Protein Powder. This is the one I've been asked about the most and I must say it's so good! I'm super picky about protein powders because I'm so limited in my selection and most plant based protein powders I've had taste like chalk<- no one likes that. The vanilla flavor is subtle and does not taste artificial, plus it's packed with chia seeds so you get a boost of omega-3's. One serving has 20g of protein and 12g of fiber so it definitely keeps you full for a long time. If you click this link you can get $1 off coupon for any Bob's Red Mill product and let's be real, who doesn't love saving money?!
Newman's Own Peach Salsa. I've been having this every day for the past 2 weeks and I've yet to get sick of it! The peach flavor is very rich and pair well with just about everything. I love having it on my sandwich because it goes so well with the goat cheese. I've found the salsa at just about every grocery store I've been to, but you can use the locator on their website to find it near you. Walmart is the cheapest at about $2 a jar. It's $2 well spent my friends!
Vega Protein & Greens. Since I found out I can't have milk I had to change protein powders ASAP (Bob's Red Mill hadn't come out yet), so I switched to Vega. I found the protein & greens at Costco in a big tub for $29.99. I've had both the vanilla and chocolate flavors and they're both really good! Every morning before I head to the gym I have a scoop mixed with water, but the trick to making it really nice and thick is to mix the protein and water the night before and put it in the fridge. In the morning just stir it and you'll see how thick it gets- no joke it's like a smoothie because it's so thick! Speaking of smoothies I also love mixing it in smoothies because it makes them thick, but you're also getting the benefit of the greens. It's a great option for people who don't like to eat greens and think green smoothies are "icky."
Nike Air Zoom shoes. I've gotten a ton of questions and compliments about my shoes at the gym so I thought I'd share those too. I'm crazy picky about my running shoes because I have foot problems. I have basically no arch in my foot which causes pain sometimes so I need a little extra support in my shoes. When I first started running I went to a running specialty store and they helped fit me with the proper shoes. All these years later it's still the only place I'll go to buy shoes because they help me get the right shoe for me, plus it's family owned and I love supporting local businesses. The shoes are pricey, but for me it's worth it so I'm not in pain later. They come in a lot of super cute colors too!
Kona Body Scrub. I have never been a girly girl or found the idea of going to the spa appealing, but I do love a good body scrub! I love Kona body scrub for a lot of reasons, but most importantly they use high quality ingredients. Go look at body scrubs in the store and they contain all sorts of chemicals and things I can't even begin to pronounce and if I can't say it, it's definitely not going on my body! Kona body offers free shipping over $25 on orders too so it's a good excuse for some pampering ;)
