My New Favorite Snack: Mary's Gone Crackers

I have found the perfect snack. Mary's Gone Crackers are a gluten free, light and simple snack to keep you satisfied until your next meal. Sometimes you just want a quick and simple snack to munch on when you're in between meals, but you aren't quite so hungry for bigger snacks like protein bars.

They come in flavors like onion, black pepper and herb. Their consistency is just perfect - they are light yet crunchy and they even taste a little nutty. Check out the many pluses of these crackers:

• Organic
• non-GMO
• Vegan
• Dairy-Free
• Wheat-Free
• Gluten-Free
• Whole Grain
• Kosher
• No hydrogenated oils
• No trans-fats
• Made With Love

You can buy them online or at Whole Foods.

Blake Brody's In-Studio Footwear

Pilates Platinum will soon be working with Blake Brody in-studio footwear, which are the latest style of studio shoes to hit the market - and boy do we love them!

These are shoes that you can use during yoga class or at a Pilates Platinum session. They hug your feet tightly for support yet are super comfy and stable, anti-microbial and breathable.

What's even better is that they are eco-friendly and they come in the cutest colors and styles so that you can mix and match with your workout gear.

And surprise! Pilates Platinum clients get a special discount on these fabulous shoes; just use PPHBV at check-out for a special 10% off your order.

And let us know how they worked out!

Get Your Hair 'DO at A Braid Bar

If I told you I had gone to a braid bar, what would you think?

Would you picture me sitting at a bar, drinking a Guinness, and getting my hair braided?

Maybe!

No seriously, a braid bar is a cute little boutique where you can go get your hair braided in a super professional way. Perfect for a night on the town or a date, and the best part is that you don't need your roomie or your sis to help you with your new 'do.

When I have a special event, I go to Braid Bar at Nine Zero One Salon and get a $25 braid. Super simple, and actually really relaxing! The price is right and the service is fabulous.

Rawvolution's The Box

Ever wanted to do a quickie detox without having to nearly starve to death? I have done so many juice fasts and detoxes, liked some, hated others. But one thing that I have never really found was a detox that was fun to do, light on your tummy, and still filling.

Enter Euphoria Loves Rawvolution's The Box.

The Box is a weekly menu-in-a-box that Santa Monica's famed raw foods restaurant cooks up (or "uncooks up" if you want to get technical) each week. Each dish is especially "uncooked" so that you get all of the benefits of raw foods without having to make them yourself or head over the hill every day to buy new food. And most importantly, the food is so filling and rich, that never go hungry.

It's a great way to do a fun detox that's also healthy and delicious.

The cost is about $120 total, and you can pick it up or get it shipped to your house if you are out of state.

They are also offering an amazing "Raw Food Month" with super duper special prices.

Check out their menu options for this week:

• Russian Red Borscht
• Hearty Lentil Chili
• Cauliflower Couscous
• Mediterranean Tabouli
• Broccolini Salad
• Seaweed Salad

• Pizza Italiano
• Holy Macro Bowl
• Spinach & Cheese Quiche
• Santorini Sandwich
• Strawberry Cream Parfait
• Ninja Protein Balls

The Harlot Salon

I recently got my hair done at The Harlot Salon on Abott Kinney in Venice Beach, as it is so close to my studio. It is such a cute place and Shannon did an amazing job. I loved it so much that I asked her if I could write about it on my Pilates Platinum blog, and she offered a special deal for clients - 20% off any service.

I got a trim and the Balyage highlights, and it looks awesome!

Here's a little bit about Shannon and her studio, and check her out on Yelp, where the fantastic reviews speak for themselves.

The Harlot Salon:

1641 Abbot Kinney, Venice, CA 90291 • 310.399.6525

Shannon Tackett
Shannon Tackett cultivated a talent for the classic to the most striking, fulfilling each client's potential. Shannon Tackett is a uniquely gifted stylist with extensive experience in balyage/ ombre hand painted hi-lights, her artistic eye easily recognizes exactly where each hi-light should be painted, creating the perfect sun kissed hair.She now performs her service in Venice, California.

Shannon Tackett has been a professional hair stylist for the past 12 years. Her early training in San Francisco, California, where she apprenticed and subsequently worked for one of the top studios in the industry for the following two years. She then went to New York City and worked as a freelance hair stylist for high profile photo shoots. Shannon's most recent projects include doing hair for stars on American Idol shows, The View, hair for Photo shoot work includes Old Navy, Bath & Body Works, Nordstrom's & Genlux magazine .

Raw Crunch Bars Hit The Sweet Spot

There are so many different kinds of raw bars out in the market right now, but only a handful of them are even remotely edible. So many of them taste funky, or just not right in their consistency.

Thankfully, Raw Crunch Bar got it completely right. Their delicious bars, which come in four flavors (chocolate, cranberries, blueberries, and gojis), have just the right amount of flavor and nutrition packed in a tiny packet.

The bars are dehydrated, not cooked, so they retain their original enzymes and antioxidants. They have a five month shelf life without the preservatives that you might see in a typical fruit or veggie bar and they use raw honey and sea salt instead of the loads of fake sweeteners that others use.

I put a couple in my purse when I go out during the day to run errands in case I get hungry before or after lunch/dinner. It keeps me satisfied until it's time to eat! Sometimes I may even substitute a bar for breakfast if I am on the run.

Find them at your local health food shop like Whole Foods, or buy them online.

A New Vail Discovery: Dressing!

I recently spent five gorgeous days in Vail Colorado with my family, and absolutely loved every minute I spent there.

On this visit I discovered the most amazing salad dressing at the Sunday's Farmers market - Alpine Avocado. My parents had told me about the dressing but I really never thought twice about it.

They were not messing around! This stuff is beyond delicious and so healthy for you. At 90 calories for two tablespoons and minimal ingredients, your taste buds will be satisfied and your tummy will be saying thank you. It also is gluten free, vegan, cholesterol free, and very low in sugar.

It's also great that you can order this stuff from the web. I am so excited to get my shipment in the mail.

Get it while you still can!

Bananas For Shakeology Shakes!

Today I drank a milkshake for lunch, and I have to be honest, I never thought those words would come out of my mouth.

But there you have it. I am now bananas for milkshakes and actually drink them every day, thanks to Shakeology shakes. Unsweetened almond milk, half a banana, handful of ice and one serving of Shakeology chocolate flavor is what I put in my Vitamix. Delicious!

Shakeology is an extremely healthy shake that is packed with all-natural, wholesome ingredients that lower cholesterol, improve digestion, promote better regularity, and contribute to increased weight loss and energy levels. Unlike many other meal replacement shakes, Shakeology contains absolutely no artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose. Each packet is 150 calories and my above recipe has 250 calories.

The shakes come in two flavors: Chocolate and Greenberry. I have not had the Greenberry yet but look forward to trying it.

Try them out for yourself and tell me what you think!

How To Hydrate In The Summer

We often overlook staying hydrated over being fit and getting our workout done, but it's a really important part of protecting your body in the summer.

Huffington Post reports that 6,000 people will land in the emergency room this summer for heat-related illness. They suggest things like infused water, caffeine drinks (surprisingly!), fruits and chocolate milk to keep healthy and hydrated this summer.

My favorite go-to remedies for hydration are coconut water because the taste just can't be beat, and also "spa water" which comes in many different flavors, like lemon/lime, strawberries and mint.

What's your favorite hydrating tip?

Grand Canyon Rim To Rim Hike

On October 14-16 there will be a really exciting opportunity to do a special hike in the Grand Canyon. The RIM 2 Trim hike will consist of 2 days and 52 miles going from rim to rim. And if you're not into roughing it, don't fret, there are no cookouts, no camping, and no stuffy boring cargo pants that you'll have to wear. You'll be dining in 4-star restaurants.

This inclusive program costs about $1200, and includes travel, lodging, food, training, tshirts and awards, which is a fantastic price if you think about everything that the package includes. So what are you waiting for? Sign up! Maybe I will see you there!

Visit www.livitadventures.com for more details