Summer Health and Fitness Update

Keep those walking shoes handy because you never know when an opportunity to get active may strike!

I stayed off the scales this summer.  When I stepped back on, I lost 5 pounds!  No, my separation from the scale didn't cause me to lose those pounds.  I did, however, focus on what counted - making better choices and staying active.  My daily focus were key components in seeing actual movement in the scale.  How can a break up with your scale help you make up with your own diet and fitness goals?


Summer tends to be my busiest months.  I'm traveling professionally and personally.  It is not always easy to make good choices for meals or find the time to work out.  But somehow this year, I managed to change that. 

1.  Get MORE Active

First, just being generally active.  While I continue to work out, I have a new Misfit Ray that I love.  It tracks my steps and activities.  This band has really won me over with the app and band features.  I did a full review of this band earlier in the summer.  If I continue to like this band, I may purchase the smartwatch later.

We did tons of walking on all of our trips.  I had lots of physical work that went into setting up conference booths and taking them down again.  Not to mention, I helped to load and unload a large van over and over.  I've made a conscious effort to check my band to see how close I am to my daily goal on my Misfit app.  I had been adding an extra activity to get in more steps.  This could be a walk around the block or just trying to do a longer work out. 

I love my Misfit Ray!

2.  Healthy Options on the Go

Next, I planned something healthy to take to parties and activities.  For the 4th of July, I planned two healthy options that were tasty and easy!

• Red, white and blue flag sheet pan dessert - Arrange strawberries and yogurt covered pretzels in lines on a sheet pan.  Add a bow of blueberries in the top left corner.  Done!
• Guacamole - My recipe is at the end of this post.  

Red, white and blue sheet pan treat!

Both of these items were a hit.  I take guacamole with me everywhere.  It won't spoil in the heat and people love it! 

3.  Vitamins to Fuel the Body

The final thing I did this summer was adding some new vitamins to fuel my body.  I recently tried Care Of Vitamins.  To get started, I went through a questionnaire to help determine my personal needs.  Care Of recommended a plan just for me! 

In the mail, I received a box of prepackaged vitamins that I can open and take daily.  There is an app that reminds me to take my daily nutrients.  It tracks my progress and gives me points to save money.  Each month a new box will arrive.  This system really works for me since I can grab and go when I travel!  Right now, I have a pack of vitamins on my nightstand ready for tomorrow morning in my hotel room.

If this vitamin seems like something you want to try, give it a whirl and use coupon code GS7XYG to get $40 off your first order!

Care Of Vitamins ship in a dispenser box that fits perfectly on my tray in the bathroom.

Each personalized package has a message or inspirational quote.

I'm getting ready to bid summer goodbye, and I'm trying to have a plan for the fall ahead.  I feel like I really did have a successful plan that worked for me this summer.  Now, I just need to keep this momentum going through the fall.  With tailgate season around the corner, I'll continue to be busy and weekend events. 

Here are three tips for the coming month:

1. Try Nitro Cold Brew Coffee!  It's naturally creamy and sweet without adding cream or sugar.  Its a real treat with zero calories.
2. Keep a pair of walking shoes in your car or backpack.  You never know when an opportunity to get active will arise.
3. When traveling and tempted by gas station snacks, look for single-serving options with fewer calories or options like hummus or fruit.

Look for Nitro Cold Brew in your favorite coffee shop or even in a can, ready to go!  Its delicious and uses beer tap technology with coffee for a creamy and naturally sweet taste without the extra fat and calories!

Looking for more ways to get healthy?  I have monthly meal plans that you can view in my Google Drive.  I update this folder often and include notes on the meals as I make them.  Have a healthy and happy weekend!

Sweet and Spicy Guacamole 

Author: Grace Strahan
Preparation Time: 15 minutes (also update duration code)
Servings: 6 to 8
Calories per serving: 161
Sweet and Spicy Guacamole gets a punch from fresh squeezed orange juice, sun-dried tomatoes, and jalapenos.

Ingredients:

• 3 large avocados
• 1/2 navel orange, squeezed
• 2 tbsp finely chopped red onion
• 6 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 to 3 tbsp sweet hot jalapenos
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Peel and seed avocados.
2. Mash the avocados in a large bowl with a potato masher.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to your bowl and mix in.
4. Serve with your favorite veggies, chips or crackers.

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