body beautiful: Wings of Nature Nutrition Bars

looking for some yummy, healthy treats that will give you energy and nourish you body? let me introduce you to Wings of Nature's Nutrition Bars. they're made with whole, natural ingredients and perfect when you need a snack. i never thought these would be as good as my favorite Lara bars, but they have won me over, for sure.

while you may find the words healthy and decadent hard to put into the same sentence, these bars are just that. they are are so good for you and taste amazingly delish! take a look (and try not to drool)...




Cranberry Crunch was my first pick to try. i love cranberries, and the ingredients (peanuts*, raisins*, sesame seeds*, agave syrup*, almonds*, rice syrup*, crisp brown rice*, cranberries (cranberries*, apple juice concentrate*, sunflower oil*), pumpkin seeds*, cranberry flavor*) worked fabulously together to create a deliciously satisfying, chewy, sweet and nutty snack. i was only disappointed when it was gone.




Espresso Coffee Bar was my pick once my next snacking opportunity came around. this bar combines the rich flavor of espresso and cocoa that is mmm, mmm, good! the coffee flavor is so well-balanced-- any coffee or espresso-lover will enjoy this one. ingredients include: sun dried raisins*, brazil nuts*, cocoa cass, sunflower seeds*, agave syrup*, crisp brown rice*, walnuts*, brown rice syrup*, roasted coffee beans* and espresso flavor*.




Almond Raisin Bar was the last bar to be tried, and i still can't decide if this is my favorite one. sesame seeds*, raisins*, agave syrup*, sunflower seeds*, almonds*, rice syrup*, crisp brown rice* and pumpkin seeds* made my taste buds so happy-- i loved the salty sweetness and the chewiness was perfect.

all of these bars are low sodium, good sources of fiber, vegan, dairy free, certified organic and kosher, and are low glycemic (keeps blood sugar levels in check). they're all also free of preservative, additives, cholesterol, gluten and trans fats, and are non GMO-- healthy, healthy, healthy! :)

currently, Wings of Nature Bars can be found in a few (very few) stores, but are sold in packs of 24 online. hopefully, they'll be expanding soon! visit their website, freshharvestproducts.com for more info.

xo
products featured were sent to me for review; *certified organic by OC/PRO Canada K9V 4R1 Cert. #648

Body Beautiful: Superfoods to Help Flatten Your Tummy

regardless of the weather, the stomach is always a "problem area" that people want to fix. in addition to daily workouts, eating the right (healthy) foods will help move you down the right path. i was reading my june issue of Self magazine and came across a great article all about foods that help uncover a flatter tummy that will be summer-ready, any time of year.

avocados:

these fabulous fruits contain monounsaturated fats that help your body prevent the storage of unwanted fat around your middle caused by spikes in blood sugar levels. a half of an avocado contains 10 grams of the healthy fats. mix with 2 tablespoons of your favorite salsa to make a quick guacamole dip and enjoy with raw veggie slices as a midday snack-- yum!


green tea:



you may already know this, but green tea is not only good for keeping you looking younger (it's high in antioxidants), but it helps boost metabolism, too. studies have shown that drinking 3 cups will eliminate an extra 30 calories daily.



blueberries and blackberries:



these little berries also contain antioxidants which, in addition to all of the many health benefits, help to improve blood flow. when this happens, more oxygen is delivered to muscles which, in turn, allows you to work out a bit harder during your workouts, to burn the fat hiding that six-pack.


bulgur:



whole grains are so much better than refined ones. bulgur is a whole grain low in calories and high in fiber to keep insulin levels low-- researchers speculate that this may help shrink fat cells. eat 1/2 cup with some blueberries for breakfast!


chocolate milk:



no you didn't read that wrong. chocolate milk contains protein and carbs which help aid in muscle recovery. drinking this within 30 minutes of ending your workout to ensure your muscles rebuild properly and keep your metabolism in high gear. mix 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder or syrup that conatins less than 20 grams of sugar to a glass of milk.

want more helpful fitness and nutrition tips? visit self.com


xo
source: self.com

body beautiful: Green Smoothies!

for the past 3 weeks i have been drinking (and loving!) green smoothies. what is a green smoothie, you ask? basically it's green veggies blended with some fruits and water to make an amazing, good-for-you smoothie.

it all started with the fabulous Kitiya starting up her Healthy Sexy Beautiful 2010 program. with that i started walking more, drinking more water, and really trying to be even better to myself in the health department.

one of K's tips for getting on the HSB2010 bandwagon was to read Kimberly Snyder's blog. there i found not only valuable tips on being healthy, but the recipe for what would become my favorite way to start the day!




the recipe is super simple:

•1 1/2 cup of water
•1 head of organic romaine lettuce, chopped
•3-4 stalks of organic celery
•2 organic apples, cored and chopped
•1 organic banana
•1/3 bunch of organic cilantro
•1/3 bunch of organic parsley
•Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon

add the water and chopped head of romaine to a blender. starting the blender on a low speed, mix until smooth. gradually moving to higher speeds add the herbs celery and apples. add the banana and lemon juice last.*

this makes a whole blender full and keeps in the fridge for 2-3 days. i drink half the pitcher one day and the rest the next day.


it tastes better than it looks!

the first day, i thought i wouldn't be able to drink these everyday (the smoothie was good, but you know, not something i was used to drinking). then my energy and focus were so amazing throughout the day, i had to drink another the next day. and it tasted better!

now i am adding a bit of agave nectar (for sweetness) and other greens like kale and spinach to it. the fruits pretty much stay the same, but peaches are really good to add as well. now, thanks to my blogger pal and fellow green smoothie lover, Brittany, i add cinnamon-- yum!!!

so, that's how i have been starting my days. i don't even think about it anymore. i look forward to drinking my smoothies ("ewww, green smoothie", as my kids say it) everyday. i'm getting in so many more veggies and fruit and i feel fabulously energized. love it!

xo
*read kimberly's entire green smoothie post here

body beautiful challenge: Healthy, Sexy & Beautiful in 2010

hello beauties! while i'm sure you're all planning for the upcoming holidays, i'm sure you've thought, even if only for a few seconds, about your goals for 2010. if you have any resolutions about getting healthy, i have a challenge for you that you can start right now.

my beauty blogging gal-pal (who also happens to be a hairstylists, esthetician, and all-around beauty guru), Kitiya, began this on her own and of course, shared her plan with her readers. when she invited me to do it along with her via Twitter, i couldn't say no (setting new goals is always a good thing!).

so here's the plan: we're going to get healthier in 2010. not to lose weight (but if that is a goal of yours, then let that be part of your goal), but to correct any bad dietary habits and begin to, or continue to, challenge ourselves physically on a daily basis. weight loss may occur, but this challenge is to get us heathy and fit-- moving more, drinking more water and eating more veggies!



so, to get started, here are some of Kitiya's "rules":

1. join my nikeplus.com challenge entitled "A Healthy, Sexy & Beautiful 2010". it's open to everyone- and you don't have to run to join the challenge. you can walk, too!

2. invest in a pedometer and track your steps. it's recommended that you do 6,000 - 10,000 steps a day for overall good health.

3. take a multivitamin daily, and drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily.

for the rest, read her entire post here!

i just signed up as a part the challenge on nikeplus.com (i can't track my progress since i don't have the equipment, but it's good to have it for accountability), and i have my pedometer. my goal is to get beyond 10,000 steps a day and eat at least one serving of veggies with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

in addition to my daily workouts (and weather permitting), i'll take walks around my neighborhood (i can't run anymore, tear). if i can't get outside, adding more workout time indoors, running errands and housework should keep me on track.

be sure to follow me (@thebeautygirl) and Kitiya (@MischoBeauty) on Twitter for updates and if you join in, update your progress with the hashtag #healthysexybeautiful2010. :)

so, who's with me? let's go! :)

xo

Body Beautiful: When Do You Prefer To Workout?

it's my personal habit to wake up before my family to workout. it's not something i always enjoy doing (really, if i told you how early i wake up, you'd think i was nuts), but i love that i can get in a seriously tough workout before the sun comes up-- then i'm done and i can move on with my day!

do you exercise? if so, when do you do it? did you know there are benefits to working out at different times of day? yep, and thanks to my friends at Blush Media, i'm here to share them with you...



morning exercise benefits:

* a boost of energy. a morning jog can give you extra energy for the rest of the day. another bonus? it staves off hunger. so you'll be less likely to reach for munchies throughout the day because you won't need the energy boost.

* a clear head. your mental acuity improves, so you're able to stay sharp on your feet for whatever comes your way later on in the day (even three cups of coffee can't do it as well as a head-clearing run).

*you'll burn more calories throughout the day. if you kick-start your day with a trip to the gym, you'll raise your heart rate and metabolism, which will stay revved up throughout the day. another bonus? you're not dreading a workout after work. it's done. the only thing left on your calendar is relaxation.




midday workout benefits (don't feel guilty for relishing those extra 30 minutes beneath your down comforter):

* even a twenty-minute sweat session will leave you feeling refreshed and focused.

* a workout in the middle of the day can help beat that afternoon slump and deter you from reaching for a sugary late-afternoon snack.

* it will release any pent up tension and improve blood flow so you can renew your focus (and sanity) to help you get through the rest of your day.




benefits of working out in the evenings (some would rather have their feet up in front of the dvr, but for some this is the only time):

* this is the best time to clear your head of all the demands and to-dos hurled at you all day-- zone out and have some you time. you can focus the stress and aggression into your workout, using that to make your body go harder and faster.

* you're less prone to injury. your muscles are already warmed up and flexible from a day of movement.

* all that stuff that weighed you down today? you can sweat it out-- you truly can.


xo
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