Bee Free Honee

Vegan friendly honey...is this a joke!?!?!?!?

No, it's not a joke and yes there is such a thing as Vegan Friendly Honey.

Well, only such a thing due to this product.  RAES Food, Inc is a family ran company based in Minnesota.  Everything about their company is midwest based...keeping it local people!

Okay so what is Bee Free Honee you ask...Bee Free Honee comes from apples.  It has a slight tart flavor to it and is made of only three ingredients.  This product can be used interchangeably with honey without lacking any flavor.  It is great for those looking to not consume animal products to those looking for a new flavor in their lives.

The website features recipes (on rotation) to use the honee if you are looking for some tried and true recipes with a new to you product.  Feel free to check out their website and request for them to distribute at stores near you, if you are unable to find it at local co-ops or grocery stores.

Pick up those magazines

I know for some people it seems as though there is an over saturated amount of information when it comes to health and fitness.  Especially in magazines.  Everything seems so summarized which each magazine touching base on the same topics over and over.  Like how many times are we going to see a biceps curl exercise featured to understand how to do one and understand the importance of exercising the biceps...I think you get the picture.  As over done as it may seem, there are some great topics and research in the magazines.  Typically they are found in the fine print and not next to the fitness model showing off her beautiful physique.

Flipping through the latest Women's Health Magazine I found a certain study to be particularly interesting, primarily due to the fact that each of us have contemplated this very question...Is it more beneficial to exercise in the morning or evening.

Some people prefer to get their exercise out of the way in the morning, so that it doesn't become a debat in the evening hours when one is more likely to be tired.  The article focuses on the results of an evening exercise. 

A recent study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that women who walked four times a week lost more fat mass when they hoofed it at 6PM compared with those who walked at 8AM. (Evening exercisers also ended up consuming more protein and eating fewer of their daily calories in the evening.) And multiple studies have found that early evening may be the best time to improve your performance and build muscle, whether you’re doing cardio or strength training. One possible reason: The body releases higher levels of muscle-building growth hormone in the early evening than in the morning, and exercise also boots levels of that hormone, so timing the two events to coincide may yield the best results.

Now does this mean everyone needs to immediately change their whole life around to workout in the evening...absolutely not.  Bottom line is do what is best for you.  If you like this evidence enough to switch your workout to the evening, then do it!  If you have a cleared mind in the morning and feel more powerful during the day after a great workout then the morning is for you.  Whatever your choice may be, the important part is staying consistent and keeping a positive attitude!

Artisana Superfood!

Calling all nut butter fanatics!

Nut Butters has reached a new level of awesome!

Artisana, a well known company in Organic Raw (nut insert here) butters has released a new product. On their shelf they have cashew, pecan, walnut, almond butters just to name a few. Under their belt they already broke ground in making coconut butter (which is completely different than oil). Has already became a leader in raw coconut butter, with very few competitors in their way. Added cacao into a line of their coconut butter is another daring move they made with no one else on the shelf competing. Artisana is great at being ahead of the game and introducing great porducts into the health market. Full of essential fats aka good for you fats, this company needs to be in everyone's life. 

Whichever product you choose, you will not be let down. One of them will become a staple in your diet. What is also super great about the pre-existing products is that many of them come in single serving packets, so you don't have to worry about over doing it. If you are like me and one serving of almond butter is actually more like six, the single serving packs are your go to! Lets get on with the new product line shall we... Always amazing the public with new inventive products, they have released a line of nut butters with super foods added into them. Used like a spread, just like you would with any of the other nut butters, you can now add more beneficial nutrients to your midday snacks! For those of you worried about calories, you can enjoy the same creaminess with a lesser amount of calories. Each packet coming in at 100 calories or less. Add some variety into your snacks and check out all the products by Artisana!

Blue Algae  this one to me has a lemon kind of flavor...maybe pair with some fresh berries

Goji and Milk Thistle this one could almost be your PB&J without the J...just spread on whatever you would enjoy PB&J on.

Berry Antioxidant this one fights aging...lets rub it on our faces, just kidding...eat straight out of the packet!

Acai Berry this one would be a great accent to greek yogurt

Marine Phytoplankton  I have not had a chance to check this one out yet

If you weren't sold on their products by now, how about the added fact that they are always giving back to the communities!?!

Follow this link to order some of your next superfoods!

PALETA Olympian Challenge

Ready to be the Olympian you always knew you were? Check out PALETA's Olympic Challenge, where you can EAT like an Olympian - healthy, clean and delicious.

PALETA has joined forces with 6 World Class Studios at 11 different locations across Los Angeles and Orange County to give you the training challenge of an Olympic athlete - along with champion savings. (See Below for Special Offers)

 

 

When the torch is lit on Friday, July 27th, you'll begin your challenge with 3 days of Market Menu Mealsdelivered to your door.

 In your first delivery, you'll also receive your pass to the world-class fitness studio of your choice (See Below).

On Monday, July 30th, you'll begin your 10 DAY MIND & BODY CLEANSE.

 Upon completing your CLEANSE, you'll finish your Olympian Challenge with 4 more days of Market Menu Delivery concluding the night of the Olympic's closing ceremony.

STARTING PRICE $807 | SAVE $100

Don't get soft while watching the Olympics from your coach.  Train like an Olympian and go for gold!

Sign up today! Register using your Pilates Platinum special here. 

High. High. Low.

High Protein

High Fiber

Low Sugar

Low Carbs

All in ONE Protein Bar

Is this real???...

It is real and it was hard for me to believe too!  I am always on the look out for something to eat if I am in a pinch or have no time to get good nutrients into my body.  There are so many protein and energy bars out there that it is hard to pick through them not to mention take the time to read all the labels and find out which one is best for you.  I thought eating a protein bar was suppose to be a quick and easy decision, but by the time you have read all of the labels you could have enjoyed a three course meal!

Quest bars are the answer.  They have high protein and low carb which is always the two essential things that are important in picking a quick snack to keep your body fueled, healthy and feeling good!  Not to mention they are also gluten free (keep an eye out for a post on gluten in the future).

The flavors are out of this world.  From chocolate brownie to strawberry cheesecake to coconut.  Such the variety!  If you have time I would also recommend warming one up a little…so yummy!

The easiest way to get them is to shop for them online.  You can snag a sample pack from their website!

This afternoon however you can drop into the vitamin shoppe on westwood blvd for a sampling!

Go enjoy your quest J

Pilates Platinum Hearts LA Dancefit's Zumba

We mad a sensational new discovery last month  that's turned our cardio addiction upside down! Lately we've been going to LA Dance Fitness to take Zumba. It's a fabulous mixture of Latin and some hip hop dancing set to really awesome modern music that is incredibly motivating.

Even if you're  not a super great dancer (who is?!), Zumba is a really wonderful, supportive environment to let it all hang out and learn new moves that will make you feel super strong, sexy and like you're having the time of your life. Once you start, you totally forget that you're shaking your hips in front of 30 other ladies  - because you really get lost in the movement and the music. Pretty soon you're feeling like you're one of JLO's professional back up dancers.

Zumba is a fitness program originally created by Alberto "Beto" Perez in the 90's. It's origins are Colombian. The moves are borrowed from soca, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts, and some Bollywood too. 

LA DanceFit Studio is run by Will, who runs incredibly fun classes as do several of his instructors. 

No joke, by the end of class you'll be sweating like crazy and feeling like you got the best workout of your life!

Check them out!

LA Dancefit Studio

10936 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, Ca 90025

310-473-3530

Heather Nicole's Favorite Klutch

I am a big fan of the Klutch Box, as I wrote about a few months back, and you can too! 

The Klutch Box is a health and wellness "box" full of goodies that you snag each month for a very small price. 

Sample items in the box include things like these:

•     A detoxifying Yoga workout from MTV Power Yoga star, Kristin McGee
•     A brand new energizing drink product to kick-start your workout
•     Post workout coconut water hydration to replenish electrolytes
•     Soothing teas with plant based anti-oxidants to improve your skin
•     A cleansing organic deep-pore facial wash
•     Organic omega 3, flax and fish oil supplements in new flavors
•     Satisfying healthy snacks and nutritious treats
•     A gift from an organic yoga clothing company

 If you sign up with the code KLUTCHfriend, you'll get a nice 10% off your order and a free box! Note in the comments below if you signed up so that we can keep track of who we recommended.

More Almond Buttery Goodness: Wild Squirrel Nut Butter

Ready for more super delicious snacks? Try Wild Squirrel Nut Butter, a smooth and tasty snack that's low in calories and gluten free, it's the perfect treat when you want something to stick to your belly when you're hungry between meals. 

What I love about Wild Squirrel Nut Butter? It's smooth but also kind of chunky, so it tastes home-made. In fact, it's close to home-made. It was created by two awesome ladies while they were college students, with nothing less than their blender, some peanuts and other natural ingredients. Check out their fun story HERE.

The butters come in packets and containers, and in various ingredients, including chocolate sunflower, vanilla espresso, and chocolate coconut. 

Ask your local whole foods store to carry them or order them ONLINE.

Heather's Snack Attack: PB Thins

When I get hungry I get cranky, so I need to always arm myself with emergency snacks for when I am on the go!

Unfortunately so many of my favorite foods or snacks are loaded with calories or fat. That's why I always prefer to snack on something that comes in a package and that makes it easy to gauge what and how much I am eating.

My latest favorite snack attack item are PBThins, peanut butter crackers. They are all natural, no preservatives, and even better they have only 100 calories!

Today I munched on them while I was drinking my daily coffee and almond milk, and they went so great together! The ingredients list speaks for itself: no artificial colors or flavors.

What's even better is that they taste delicious - nutty and just right.

Get them at your nearest Whole Foods or buy them online.

14-day Fresh Start Nutrition Program!

There's still time to get healthy and slim before 4th of July! 

 Join Urban Girl Wellness for a 14-day cleanse.  You’ll learn the exact steps to getting to your ideal weight, cutting carb and sugar cravings, and choosing the healthiest, best tasting foods and recipes that fill you up and make you feel great.

Even if you don’t have weight to lose, the Urban Girl Nutrition Program will teach you life long healthy habits, and help you detox your body in an easy, healthy way to keep you feeling and looking your best

Click on the link for additional information.  Use discount code: PLATNIUMPILATES  for $10 off the program.  Don't miss out on this great summer special! 

CLICK HERE for more info and to sign up! Check out everything that you get below -

• Start with your Free Health Assessment that we will review in detail and provide you with our suggestions for your long term goals for continued health and longevity
• 5 Day RESET Detox & Cleanse (5 full days of food, no stimulants, no hunger)
• 14-Days of Urban Girl Nutrition Content, delivered everyday to your inbox via videos, handouts,shopping lists, recipes and action steps
  
• After the RESET, 9-day supply of healthy, delicious breakfast smoothies
• After the RESET, 14-day supply of yummy nutrition bar snacks
• In total, that’s 24 meal replacement smoothies and 24 snacks included in the cost of the program!
• Access to the Urban Girl Nutrition Online Forum for support and to connect with other participants for ideas and motivation
• 14 video trainings to teach you the in’s and out’s of Proper Nutrition 101
• Shopping lists & recipes that you can personalize towards your tastes so you know exactly what to eat that’s both enjoyable and keeps you healthy.
• Food charts, handouts, and tons of other resources to continue on with your healthy, slim and sexy self!
• Lifetime access to all Urban girl Wellness bonuses and resources – You can repeat the program as many times as you want
• Incredible FREE bonuses like exercise videos, ebooks, and bonus video trainings given by leading wellness industry experts – all included in the cost of the program!