IdealFit Review + Giveaway

Happy Saturday!! I'm not sure if it's because I was running all over the place this week or what, but this week felt sooooo long. One thing is for sure, I'm thrilled that it's the weekend!!

I use the weekends to get longer workouts in because the gym is less crowded and typically I'm not under a time constraint. Today I opted for a full body workout with some extra leg sets because I knew I wouldn't have to fight the guys to get a smith machine (my gym doesn't have squat racks). Morning workouts are my favorite for a number of reasons, but mainly because it helps wake me up. It gets the blood flowing, adrenaline rushing and helps me feel energized for the day. 

Since I workout so early in the morning I don't eat breakfast before I hit the gym. I know I'll get some haters telling me how terrible it is to do that, but my body does not handle food before a workout well at all. I do however make sure to have a protein shake before I hit the gym- just protein mixed with water, this way I'm not hungry during a workout and I have energy to push through. 

Recently I got to try out some products from IdealFit. I was super pumped to try IdealFit products because the creator, Lindsey Matthews, is a certified nutritionist and personal trainer. It's a product that's made specifically for women (sorry fellas). All too often proteins are made and marketed specifically to men, but what companies fail to grasp is women use protein supplements too and men and women's bodies are different. Men have an easier time building muscle then women thanks to biologic factors. Lindsey has taken all of this into account when creating IdealFit and thus created an entire product line for women. Everything from protein to BCAAs are included in the line to help you achieve your fitness goals.

I got a few friends to help me test out the products. First up was the protein. When we opened the french vanilla protein it smelt amazing! The macros are really awesome for the protein too, 20g protein/0g carbs/0g fat for a total of 80 calories per scoop. The protein comes in four really fun flavors french vanilla, chocolate brownie, cake batter and piña colada. The macros are the same for all four flavors. A container runs $39.99 and has enough for 30 servings. IdealFit protein is gluten free (YAY!)  and uses kosher dairy. Seeing as I can't have milk I let my friends test it out and they loved it! The taste was just as good as the smell and it was filling. I did some baking with the french vanilla protein and it baked very well! I made some protein pancakes for a friend who was in town visiting and she loved the vanilla taste, she didn't even know I used protein powder until I told her. I also made vanilla coconut energy balls that turned out really good (recipe will be up on Monday). Further proof that not all protein powders are thick and chunky.

Next up was the BCAAs. I tested the raspberry lemonade flavor and immediately liked it. I rarely use BCAAs just because I don't feel the need, but if I'm squeezing in an extra workout with a friend I'll use them so I feel energized and sustained throughout the workout. The flavor was really good without being overly artificial and just like the protein it is gluten free. 

A container of fat burner pills was also included, but none of us took any because we simply don't believe in taking 'diet pills.'  If you're truly looking to lose weight the only way to do that is by putting in a lot of hard work- changing eating habits, focusing on whole foods, fruits, veggies, and protein, getting a good nights sleep, and of course exercising regularly. There is no magic pill that is going to help you lose weight.

Overall we all loved the protein and BCAAs. The macros are great, they taste good and they're not loaded with scary chemicals and who knows what else. All of the products complimented our active lifestyles perfectly. We'd take protein before a workout and BCAAs during and we felt great whether we were lifting, running, cycling, doing yoga, paddleboarding or any other sort of activity. 

If you're interested in trying one of IdealFit's products you're in luck! IdealFit, FitApproach and I have teamed up to give ONE lucky winner a full size product of their choice! To enter all you have to do it head over to my instagram account, follow me and like the IdealFit photo that's posted! For a bonus entry tag a lady friend you love to or would love to workout with! The giveaway runs until August 1 at 11:59pm and the winner will be contacted via instagram on August 2 to get their shipping information. 

Good luck and have a terrific weekend!!

*This is a sponsored post brought to you by IdealFit and FitApproach. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Friday Favorites #3

Happy Friday!! I totally dropped the ball last week with a favorites post so I have some making up to do this week, especially since I've been MIA this week but it's been a really busy week. If I could slow down time that would be fantastic because it's one of those weeks where it seems like my to do list only gets longer while nothing is getting done. Nonetheless, here are some of my favorites from this week and be on the lookout for a fun surprise tomorrow (*hint hint*)!

Buddha bowls and old friends. I've made buddha bowls on my own, mainly because I have tons of leftover veggies in my fridge that need to get eaten, but I got to see an old friend this past week and we made Buddha bowls for dinner. My friend and I both love to cook and let me tell you she makes an epic buddha bowls. She tossed butternut squash and cut up tempeh in a little taco seasoning for some flavor and roasted it. While that was roasted we made guacamole- just avocado, some seasoning and lemon juice- and homemade salsa. She also whipped up rice, sautéed black beans in some seasoning and managed to get everything done within minutes of each other, this is a talent I wish I had. Normally I get one thing finished while the other things need more cook time and yeah it's not good. Dinner was delicious and it was nice to just relax and catch up on life.

S'more brownies. Do I really need to say more? I love making these brownies because they're so easy! I've been making them for a number of years and tried a few different ways, but when I'm short on time these brownies are perfect, plus they're a sure hit. Let alone they're S'MORES and they're much less messy than the original s'mores- babysitters/nannies/parents you can thank me later. You can get the recipe here.

Emily from Beauty In Christ. I'm so happy my path crossed Emily's in the blogging world because she is beyond a doubt one of the nicest people I've ever met. Her love for Jesus shines through absolutely everything she does. I got a surprise in the mail this week from her and was just blown away by her kindness and generosity. Emily surprised me with a beautiful devotional, which I had been looking for a new one, and a canister of Amazing Grass protein. Her words of encouragement have meant so much to me, especially over this past week which has been incredibly hard and draining. 

Hemp dairy free yogurt. I've tried a lot of dairy free yogurt in the past number of months, but this is by FAR the best one I've had. It's Tempt dairy free yogurt and it's made from hemp. It's packed with 10 grams of protein which is unheard of in dairy free yogurt and it's allergy friendly. A full review of Tempt will be up next week and I'm super excited to share all the info with you (and no I'm not sponsored I just like sharing awesome products I find with you guys). Do yourself a favor and go find this yogurt ASAP!

Post-workout foam rolling. I have to admit I hate foam rolling. I've never seen any benefit from doing it so I get streaky with it. I'll do it for awhile then stop and eventually start again. Recently I started foam rolling again because I've been upping my weights and running more and I've been so sore. So far I'm still not seeing any benefit, but maybe it will eventually help. I'm willing to try just about anything to help with my tip hips and my right hip flexor. 

What have been some of your favorites from this week? 
Do you foam roll? If so, can you tell if foam rolling has made a difference?

Have a terrific Friday everyone! 

Super Easy S'more Brownies

Maybe I had a strange childhood but I didn't have my first s'more until I was a senior in high school. There were plenty of bonfires during the summer months, but my family just never made s'mores. Whenever I'd go to a friends house and they'd have a bonfire everyone would be roasting marshmallows, laughing and having a great time. I never partook in the s'more making simply because I'm not a sweets gal, but I loved spending time with my friends. Now when I think about s'mores I think about summer nights with my friends and it brings back fantastic memories.

This past weekend I had a few friends over, but it's been so hot (90F+) for a straight week with 100% humidity that bonfires have been banned for fear of starting a giant fire. Our conditions are nowhere near as dry as California, but it's better safe than sorry. What's a girl to do when her friends can't make s'mores because of the fire ban? She makes s'more brownies! 

S'more brownies are ridiculously easy to make. All you need is a box of brownie mix, marshmallows, chopped up chocolate and graham crackers. This recipe is very easily made allergy friendly simply by buying allergy friendly brownie mix, graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. I've seen allergy friendly s'more products at Whole Foods and various other grocery and health food stores. Every single party and bonfire I've brought them too they've been a hit and there's been none leftover. You cannot go wrong with s'mores! 

S'more Brownies

• 1 box high quality brownie mix (Ghirardelli, Betty Crocker Dark Chocolate Fudge, etc.)
• 1 cup marshmallows (size does not matter)
• 4 graham cracker sheets, broken into chunks
• 1  King sized chocolate bar, chopped into chunks or 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Spray a 9x9 pan with nonstick cook spray or coconut oil and preheat oven to temperature on brownie mix box.

Mix brownie batter according to package directions and pour into 9x9 pan.

Set pan in oven for 20 minutes.

While brownies are cooking break graham cracker sheets into small chunks. If using jumbo marshmallows, chop them in 1/2 as it will make baking easier. Chop chocolate bar into chunks.

In a bowl or ziplock bag combine graham cracker bits, chopped chocolate chunks, and marshmallows. Toss until everything is combine. 

After 20 minutes take pan out of oven, then brownies should be partly cooked, but still very doughy. 

Spread marshmallow, graham cracker and chocolate mix over top of brownie batter. Try to spread it in as even a layer as possible to make baking easier.

Put pan back in oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes insert a toothpick (try to avoid chocolate chunks) to check for doneness. If toothpick comes back clean the brownies are done, but if it's not clean the brownies are not done. Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes. The brownies are done with the toothpick comes out clean and the marshmallows are golden brown. My brownies took a little over 40 minutes to bake, the additional toppings take longer for the batter to fully bake.

Allow brownies to cool before cutting, if you can't wait at least allow 15 minutes for cooling. I was able to get 16 brownies out of a 9x9 pan.

If you make these delicious brownies take a picture, tag me on instagram, and use the hashtag #thesimplelife I'd love to see your creations! Don't forget to like my new Facebook page!