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Updating My Smoothies + $50 iHerb.com Giveaway

Happy Tuesday! I can’t believe it’s already the second week of February. How are the days flying by so quickly? Well, just in time for that second month of the year when resolutions and healthy habits start to fly out the window, I am partnering with iHerb.com today for a post and giveaway that will help you guys stock your home with items to help you live your healthiest year yet!

improved smoothie

Over the past few weeks, my love of smoothies has grown exponentially. The perfect way to pack a lot of delicious, healthy flavors into an easy to sip and refreshing serving, I’ve been enjoying them for breakfast, snacks and even lunch if it’s an especially busy day. After dreaming about the delicious smoothies that Kristine, Rachel, Georgie and others make, I knew I needed to invest in some new ingredients. In comparison to their vibrant, unique, nutrition packed smoothies, my typical green smoothie seemed simple and boring.

Based on their recommendations, I hopped over to iHerb.com to stock up on a few ingredients that would help me elevate my smoothies to a new level in terms of flavor, nutrients and aesthetics.

If you’ve never heard of iHerb, you’re in for a treat. I became an iHerb fan while we were living abroad as they were on of the only websites which would ship Kind Bars to Switzerland without charging a fortune or taking forever. In fact, my friend Lauren once received her order of Luna bars from iHerb in just a few days even though we were thousands of miles away!

The online retailer sells thousands of products that help you live a healthier life including vegan, natural, vitamins & supplements, and a huge beauty section. In this month’s order I updated both my smoothie drawer and my beauty regimen. Tonight I’m going to focus on the smoothie aspect as I’m going to include a few of the beauty items in an upcoming Friday Favorite’s post once I’ve had a few more weeks to test them.

iHerb believes in delighting the consumer especially in their shipping! You qualify for free shipping if you spend over $20 AND most orders arrive in 1-2 days. My order was delivered in less than 24-hours!

i herb pic 2

So, what did I order for my smoothie drawer?

  • Goji Berries – Often advertised as the most nutritious fruit on Earth, these tiny berries have more than 140% of your daily Vitamin A, 20% Vitamin C as well as four grams of protein and 3 grams of sugar! I love the tart punch and chewy texture they give to my smoothies. I’ve also tried substituting them for raisins and dried cranberries in my afternoon, homemade trail mix. Love it!  I would buy these again!
  • Acai Powder – I’ve heard about this miracle fruit for ages but never spent the money to buy the frozen or powder version. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to give it a try. Unfortuntely, I think I’ll stick to the antioxidant mix which includes acai versus this rough, hard to dissolve, expensive powder. I didn’t taste the flavor when adding it to my smoothie and ended up with a grainy texture. I will not buy this again.
  • Superfruit Antioxidant Smoothie Mix – I saw this item recommended in a few different blog posts over the past few months and had taken a screen shot of it. The blend includes goji, pomegranate and acai powder which provides a great sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and antioxidants. It tastes delicious and provides a rich color to smoothies! I would buy this again!
  • Tera’s Whey – I’ve gone through three tubs of this protein powder since discovering it back in October. It blends perfectly in smoothies and results in a frothy, thick smoothie that also tastes delicious thanks in part to the use of Madagascar vanilla. Each serving packs 21 grams of protein for only 3 grams of sugar and 110 calories. I would clearly buy this again!

improved smoothie

If this is your first time shopping at iHerb you can use my discount code TCB960 to receive $5 off your order once you register on the website.

Iherb image

Now, it’s your turn to win your own $50 shopping spree on iHerb.com! Winners will need to register on iHerb to claim their prize but shipping will be paid for both US and non-US winners.

You can enter in 1 of 3 ways:

  • Leave a comment letting me know your favorite smoothie combination.
  • Follow @healthyhappier and  @iherbinc and leave a comment letting me know you did.

Giveaway will close on Thursday, February 11th at 11:59 PM EST.

This post is a sponsored partnership with iHerb.com but all product and website opinions are my own.

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ashleyd /

Friday Favorites – February 5th, 2016

snowy brooklyn pic

Happy, happy Friday friends! I am smiling like a kid on Christmas, once again this morning, as we were surprised with an overnight dusting of snow. It’s so fun to share this not only with Bo, but also my parents! As you can imagine, they never see snow in Savannah, Georgia so it’s a fun treat. Today we’re heading into the city for a full day of exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art, checking out the new dinosaur at the Natural History Museums as well as finally seeing The Lion King! Before the show we are going to share our favorite pre-theatre dinner spot with my parents – Casellula.  The cheese plates and small plates to share are terrific as is their wine selection!

As promised, in regular Friday fashion, here is this week’s version of Friday Favorites. So, as you count down the minutes until the weekend begins, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

  • I can’t start this week’s favorites off without recognizing the gorgeous snowy scene outside our window this morning. Waking up to find Brooklyn covered in a dusting of snow was such a welcome surprise. Too bad it’s supposed to reach 40 degrees today, which means the snow will only last a few hours.
  • We are finally hitting the slopes this month and I can’t wait to clip into my skis and enjoy some time outside skiing on both the east coast and out in Tahoe. In preparation for our trip, I’ve had my eye on two base layers from Sweaty Betty. Both the Clubhouse and the Flowline are vibrant in color and gorgeous for both the day on the slope as well as après ski! I love that they are both sweat wicking as well as slim fit which means that I can easily layer without feeling like the abominable snowman. Which one is your favorite? I think the Rio pop art top is my favorite due to the bold colors which remind me of my favorite statement necklace!
  • Did anyone else shed a tear while watching the Me Before You preview? My favorite book of 2014, this movie looks like it is going to do the book justice and quickly rank high on my list of romantic tear-jerkers along with Love Story and The Notebook.

jcrew coat pic

  • Speaking of clothing, a few of my favorite winter items are now on sale at JCrew. The leather pixie pant is dressy enough for business meetings when paired with heels and comfortable enough for weekends. These lean and flattering jeans have been a weekly staple since I bought them in October. They have just enough stretch to make me want to wear them daily but not enough to end up looking saggy in the butt. Seriously, now that these are marked down 25% I would buy these in black and the classic rinse! Anytime I wear the Cocoon Coat or feature it on social media, people immediately ask me where I bought it. This coat’s funnel neck, large pockets and looser yet flattering style is perfect for winter when you want and need to wear multiple layers but still want to look feminine.
  • Last night we finally tried Hometown Barbecue and boy did it live up to the hype. Brooklyn is home to multiple award-winning barbecue restaurants but none have been as creative as Hometown. If you’re visiting or a local, you must add it to your list of restaurants as I woke up this morning dreaming of their Chinese Sticky Ribs and the Texas-Style Queso Mac + Cheese. Oh, my word.
  • Since my parents are in town, we thought it would be fun to have a few friends over for a casual Super Bowl party. When I say casual I mean less than 10 people, leggings and jeans as acceptable attire and lots of time watching the game and judging the much anticipated ads. But, what is a Super Bowl party without good food? We are keeping things simple by making it pot-luck style but we have our eye on this delicious brownie recipe, this upgraded brownie recipe, and these homemade pretzels.

detox salad

  • After all the weekend indulgence, I know I’ll need a few days of vegetables and whole food in my life. You guys know I don’t support juice cleanses as I believe that we can reset our bodies with healthy, natural foods versus restrictive liquid diets. This detox salad is filled with delicious ingredients and when paired with the homemade dressing, will not only be a healthy start to the week but also one I actually want to enjoy, unlike a disgusting wheatgrass shot.
  • I’ve professed my love of smoothies more than once, but lately I’ve been looking for some inspiration. While I’ve never read Whitney Port’s blog before, when I saw Diana share this link on Facebook, I immediately jumped over. I love that each of these recipes packs a flavor and nutrient punch without filling the smoothie with unnecessary sugar.

Your turn – What are you loving this week? 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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Five Things to Do Before Trying A New Workout

We’ve all had that horrible feeling. It’s the cold sweat or butterflies that start fluttering in our stomach as we walk through the door into a new workout class or studio. You have no idea what to expect, you become intimidated and suddenly forget everything you’ve learned during other workouts. You consider leaving or hiding in the back of the class during the 45-minute workout. You are miserable the entire class and regret the choice you made.

title boxing club pic

Last night as I walked through the doors of Title Boxing Club, I felt all of these emotions and more. The studio was larger than I expected, I was learning to wrap my hands for the first time and I was intimidated by the 60-minute class which was longer than other boxing classes I’ve taken.

Since moving back to New York City, it’s no secret that I love trying new classes and workouts. Thanks to ClassPass, I’ve had the opportunity to try over 65 classes in the past few months. But, trying new workouts and studios can come with a certain level of intimidation and fear. Trying something that you don’t know much about, especially if you’ve heard horror stories from other people about how hard and challenging the class is, can leave you wanting to stick with the studios that you know.

But, getting out side of your comfort zone can help you learn more about your workout style, improve your cross training, challenge your muscles and discover what could be your new favorite studio.

If you’re trying to step outside your comfort zone with a new class or studio, here are a few tips to help ensure you have the best workout possible even when you’re trying somewhere new.

  • Do your research ahead of time. Spend at least a few minutes doing some research on the workout ahead of time. I recommend going to the studio’s website, if one exists, as well as a review site like Yelp or Rate Your Burn. Make sure you can answer these few questions before you leave your home or work for the studio. There is nothing worse than showing up at a studio late because you can’t find it or assuming you can rent a towel or buy a water only to find out that this studio is barebones and doesn’t offer anything other than a water fountain.
    1. What do I need to wear?
    2. What do I need to bring (mat, towel, water, boxing gloves, wraps, etc)?
    3. Do they have showers?
    4. Where is it located? Is it upstairs or on street level?
    5. What time do they close the doors or can I show up a few minutes late?
  • Arrive five to ten minutes early. I know this can be difficult especially if it’s a before work class or directly after work but having time to get acclimated to your surroundings and speak with the instructor will help you feel more comfortable. I always recommend letting the instructor know it is your first time taking the class so they can keep an eye on you and provide you with a higher level of instruction or provide pointers.
  • Be honest with the instructor. There is a time and place for the whole “fake it until you make it” mentality. A workout class that you’re taking for the first time is not that time. Be honest with the instructor when describing your fitness level, experience and any injuries you may have. The last thing you want to do is get injured.
  • Convince a friend to join you! Walking into any new experience is more comfortable with a friend by your side. After signing up for the class, do your best to convince one of your friends or workout buddies to join you. Working out together is a great way to catch up and have new experiences together as well as providing you with someone to grimace or give the side eye to during the hard sets and laugh with during any awkward moments. You’ll set yourself up for even more success if you happen to find a friend who has taken the class or visited the studio before as they can provide you with first hand advice.
  • Don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s okay to take a breather, laugh or even skip a move if you’re not comfortable. When last night’s boxing instructor told us to jump on the bags and hang for as long as we could, I looked at Jess and laughed out loud. Trust me, during a hard or intimidating class, laughter can infuse you with the energy you need to push through the rest of class! 

title boxing with classpass

(Picture source)

Luckily, I ended up having a great first experience at Title Boxing last night due in part to the ClassPass friends who helped me push through the class, the instructor who gave me pointers during class and the research I did in advance which let me know that I’d need to buy wraps in advance.

What was the last class that left you feeling this way? Or, is there a class you’re thinking about trying but are too nervous to try? I’m definitely intimidated by the reviews I’ve read about Tone House but have promised myself that I’ll try it this month!

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