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#BeFitAllYear Review and Giveaway.

So a few months back, I was lucky enough to be chosen to review a whole-life, healthy living program that combines a workout calendar, workout videos, and nutritional supplements.  The company that created this program is called Be Fit.

beFit

I was sent three different supplements in the mail:  Burn (a fat burning supplement), a Pre-Workout, and Whey Protein.  When using Burn, it is advised that you take it 10 minutes before the biggest meal of the day.  I always took it before breakfast.  Honestly, I didn’t really notice a difference when I took these.  The Whey Protein is your typical vanilla flavor, and it tastes pretty great when added to a shake with fruits, veggies, and almond milk.  It has 22 grams of protein per serving, is only 100 calories and does not have any added sugar.  My favorite supplement by far was actually the Pre-Workout.  The BeFit Pre-workout is all-natural and includes:

  • Natural Branched Chain Amino Acids
  • L-Carnitine
  • Organic Coconut Water Powder (electrolytes)
  • Guarana
  • L-Citrulline
  • Vitamin B12

I’ve never really been a fan of pre-workout supplements only because they usually make my skin tingle and burn.  The BeFit Pre-Workout didn’t make me tingle or feel jittery at all.  It actually really helped power me through my workouts, especially when I was really tired or didn’t feel like working out.  I was also impressed with the taste.  It tastes more like Crystal Light than anything else.  Which is great, because every pre-workout I’ve tried in the past has tasted AWFUL.  I definitely give the Pre-Workout a 10 out of 10, and I will probably be purchasing some more!

As far as the workout program goes, I actually really enjoyed it.  There is a short introduction video where Astrid and Danielle explain what the 30 Day Fat Burn System is.  The program consists of 10 workouts that are 10 minutes long.  The 30 Fat Burn Calendar maps out which workouts you will be doing during the 30 days, and the BeFit YouTube channel has the 10 workouts in a workout playlist.  The workouts are short, but challenging.  They emphasize proper form, and I think they would be great for beginners and those that are already in shape.  I personally loved mixing this program with other workouts, only because I felt like I needed more than 10 minutes of physical activity each day.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the BeFit supplements combined with the 30 Day Fat Burn workout.

So now the fun part.  I get to giveaway all three nutirional supplements!!  Check out this link to enter—–>BeFitAllYear Giveaway

The Giveaway ends on March 12, 2016.  US Only.  One prize per person (If you win this giveaway, and have already won another prize from BeFit through another blog, please disclose that you have already won so that I can choose another winner.)

MealEnders Review and Giveaway

MealEnders Signaling Lozenges are a first-of-its-kind weight management tool designed to curb overeating and teach portion control by using a combination of behavioral psychology and sensory science.  Free of stimulants or other harmful diet ingredients, MealEnders catalyze behavioral change by retraining the mind to stop eating with the eyes.

MealEnders consist of two components:  a sweet, outer reward layer and a cooling/tingling inner core.  the outer layer provides a measured dose of “dessert” associated with the end of a meal, while the inner core engages the trigeminal nerve (the nerve that senses taste) with long-lasting cooling/tingling sensations that cleanse the palate.

Sucking on a lozenge when you know you’ve consumed enough–but can’t stop–keeps your mouth and mind occupied during the 20-minute overeating zone, giving your body’s natural satiety process time to catch up.  MealEnders are and easy, safe and sustainable way to curb your appetite.

Each Signaling Lozenge contains only 2 grams of sugar and 15 calories.

IMG_4021

Above is all the information from the MealEnders company.  My thoughts on the Signalizing Lozenges?  I think it’s a genius idea.  Anything that distracts me from my sweet cravings is pretty awesome in my mind.  The sweet outer layer isn’t bad.  It tastes like you are chewing on a piece of chocolate or candy.  The inner layer, however, is something to get used to.  It sort of numbs your taste buds and leaves a long lasting aftertaste on your tongue.  It certainly makes you not want to eat anything afterwards.  Do they work?  I think it just depends on the person.  It helps distract me for sure.  At least I’m getting something sweet in my mouth when a craving hits.  I’m pretty excited to continue using these lozenges to see if I can get my sweet cravings and impulse eating under control.

So does this sound like something you would want to try?  If so, enter my giveaway below.  MealEnders has given me the opportunity to give one lucky person the chance to win 4 packages of the Signalizing Lozenges–one of each of the following flavors:  Cinnamon, Mocha, Chocolate Mint and Citrus.  The giveaway ends on December 14, so hurry!  US only.  One prize per person.

Click here to enter the MealEnders Giveaway

If you decide you just can’t wait and you want to purchase the Signalizing Lozenges right away, visit the MealEnders page and enter the code FitHolidays20 to save 20% on your order!

Recipe: Sweet and Savory Mini Meat Loaves.

Often times, I cook meals for my two boys in the slow cooker.  It allows me to not have to rush in the evenings to figure out what to cook for dinner.  Plus, it gives me an opportunity to cook a meat dish for them, since I am a pescatarian, and make something else for myself.

Slow cooker mag

Today’s recipe comes from the Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Magazine called SlowCooker (Oven-Free Summer Recipes).  The recipe is as follows:

Sweet and Savory Mini Meat Loaves

Prep: 20 minutes (yeah right, if you’re chopping and have a toddler, you need at least an hour)
Cook: 10 minutes (apparently double cooking the meat is required)
Slow Cook: 6-7 hours on low or 3-3 1/2 hours on high
Ingredients:
2 eggs beaten
1/3 cup quick cooking oats
2Tbs snipped chives
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup shredded carrot
2lb 93% lean ground turkey
2 Tbs canola oil (I use coconut oil because coconut oil trumps life)
1 1/2 cups chopped roma tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup chopped red onion
3 Tbs packed brown sugar
1 Tbs chili powder
1Tbs Dijon mustard

In a large bowl, combine eggs, oats, chives, 4 cloves of the garlic, 1 tsp of the salt, and the black pepper.  Stir in the mushrooms, celery and carrot.  Add turkey; mix well. Shape mixture into 8 oval loaves.  In an extra-large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.  Brown meat loaves on all sides in hot oil.

Meanwhile, in a 6-quart slow cooker, combine the remaining ingredients and the remaining 2 cloves garlic and 1/2 tsp salt.  Arrange browned met loaves on top of tomato mixture.  Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-3 1/2 hours.

Transfer meat loaves to a platter; cover to keep warm.  Pour tomato mixture into a bowl.  Using an immersion blender, blend until nearly smooth (I will be using my Nutribullet).  Spoon sauce over meat loaves.  Top with sliced green onion or snipped chives.

Per meat loaf: 227 cal, 15g fat, 130mg chol, 618mg sodium, 13g carbs, 2g fiber, 25g protein

The loaves are cooking as we speak, so I cannot yet feed my boys to get a review on the dish.  I’m sure it’s wonderful.  It wouldn’t be in a magazine if it weren’t.  Right?  As for a side dish.  I am roasting potatoes and cooking some veggies.  Voila.

Review: Karena+Katrina Beach Waves Sea Salt Texture Spray & Beach Clay Sea Algae Facial Masque

Karena+Katrina Beach Waves Sea Salt Texture Spray

 k and K Spray

So last week, I thought I ordered both the K+K texture spray and the masque, but instead I accidentally ordered two of the texture sprays.  I was originally going to return the second bottle, but I loved it so much that I decided to keep both and order the masque again.  When I first used the Beach Waves Texture Spray, I wasn’t too impressed with the smell.  I mean, it smells good, but it smells like every other beachy texture spray out there.  I sprayed it onto my hair, and immediately, it brought out some subtle waves. I also loved that it did not dry sticky or stiff.  As a matter of fact, when it dried, my hair was so soft and shiny, I couldn’t believe it.  It felt amazing, and it made my hair look amazing.  Two thumbs up on this one, girls.

before and after spray


K+K Beach Clay Sea Algae Facial Treatment/Mermaid Masque

KandK masque

As for the masque. Tried it.  Loved it. The only thing I didn’t like, again, was the smell.  But this one doesn’t even have a good smell.  It just smells like my son’s diaper rash cream.  Other than that, it is great.  I don’t often use products on my face because it is sensitive, and I have both oily and dry skin, and most treatments either dry my face out like crazy or make me super greasy.  So, anyway, when I put on the masque, I immediately felt a cool sensation.  Then warmth.  I left the masque on for about 18 minutes.  The clay wasn’t totally hard, and it was fairly easy to rinse off with a wet washcloth. (Although the jury is still out about if it will come out of the washcloth when I do laundry.  I couldn’t get some of the clay out of the washcloth with just rinsing.)  After I dried my face, it was so soft!  My skin tone was amazing.  No redness.  No dryness.  Just Wow.  I am a fan.  Two thumbs up again.  So I suggest you buy it.  Now. =)

 http://www.shoptoneitup.com

before and after masque

And no, I’m not getting anything for doing this review.  I just love pretty much everything K+K and Tone It Up.  Amazing company, amazing quality, and I want to support these girls as much as I can.