Blend Retreat 2013

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Itz Linz

Wow. Blend Retreat 2013 was the best time ever! Seriously. I’ll recap today (try not to be too jealous) and I have a few other more specific posts lined up for the later part of the week. Blend Retreat was held in Park City, Utah which is about 30 minutes outside of Salt Lake City. We stayed at the Hyatt Escala Lodge and it was gorgeous. The staff was so incredibly kind and helpful (and tolerable… I mean there were 100+ squealing women there all weekend!), and the rooms were comfortable – I could move in. Oh, and the views? Well, the suite I stayed in had not one, but two patios. The view:

I could wake up to the mountains everyday. (This picture is a bit misleading as it rained the majority of the trip, but you better believe I snapped this pic during the few moments of sunshine!) I arrived at the Escala Lodge around 5:30 Friday evening and had about an hour to kiss and hug my blends and get ready for the cocktail party sponsored by Silk. Following the cocktail party, we had a delicious dinner. A lot of goofiness ensued. Here’s a good summary of the evening:

On the left: me, Annette, and Lindsay. On the right: me, Lauren, Paige, Annette, and Meg. Oh photobooths, you’re so much fun! The prettiest picture up close:

We’re beauties, I know! Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to attend a GPP Fitness workout. We had a thirty minute break afterwards before eating a delicious breakfast sponsored by Muesli Fusion and The Laughing Cow. Shortly after breakfast we were supposed to hike, but due to the rain some people opted to stay in the hotel and do a zumba class instead. I would have loved to hike, but going out there in the cold rain and getting muddy didn’t really appeal to me. Next time, Utah.

Annette taught an awesome booty-shakin’ zumba class and when we were done, I learned the pretty girl next to me was Miss United States 2012! No joke! Annette was talking to her and asked what her Instagram name was (because that’s obviously very important during a blogger event!), and she replied ever so casually, “Miss United States 2012.” Uhhh really? YES! Whitney Miller – just as sweet as she is gorgeous!

Sidenote: Whitney founded Women Against Mediocrity and attended Blend with the sponsor Onnit.

When zumba finished, we showered (yes, be impressed) and headed out to do some shopping at the outlet malls! Everyone obviously knows my love of headbands, and I found another great one at the Old Navy outlet. I also turned Annette and Meg on to my little headband obsession:

Heh heh. We visited Lululemon afterward and helped Annette make her very first Lulu purchase! Glad we could be there for you, girl! What are blends for? The rest of the day and evening was pretty low key as we ate dinner and went out for ice cream. Oh, I guess I should mention we did ride a cow…

Riding cows in Utah… who knew?! We woke early on Sunday to do our second GPP Fitness bootcamp workout before breakfast sponsored by Chobani. Before we knew it, it was time to pack and get ready for the closing ceremony. Our sponsors were totally awesome and provided tons of product for giveaway. I won a $50 gift certificate to Bob’s Red Mill! All too soon I was at the airport on my way back to St. Louis. The weekend flew by and I was sad to leave. While Blend Retreat 2013 may be over, I know there are many friendships just beginning…

photo credit Christine at Love Life Surf

Thanks again to Janetha, Lindsay, and Katie who put the entire weekend together. Blend 2014, here we come…!

What’s the most fun blogger event YOU have attended? Ever been to Utah?

#Blend2013

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Itz Linz

Itz #Blend2013, y’all. It happened. It was amazing. And I’m way too tired to write about it now as I got back to St. Louis around 10:30 last night and am working out bright early this morning before heading to work (last week of school before summer!). So, I’m leaving you with a photo montage of just some of the amazing BLENDS (blogger + friend) I hung out with this weekend.

Blend Retreat was marvelous, so itz only fitting I’m linking up to Healthy Diva’s Marvelous in my Monday party today. If you’re looking for some positive reading today, definitely pop on over to her page and check out some of the marvelous.

I assure you, I will do many posts this week trying to recap just a smidge of the fun that was had at Blend, but for now check out Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #Blend2013 to see some of the craziness. Major props to Janetha, Lindsay, and Katie for putting together such an epic weekend!

Who can you spot in the photo montage? What’s marvelous about your Monday?

Inspiration Boards for Fitness

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Itz Linz

Go check out my guest post on Brittany’s blog Barr & Table!

Eeeeeeeeek! <– itz me squealing in delight! I’m headed to Utah for Blend Retreat right now, and as if you couldn’t tell, I’m more than excited, I’m overly delighted! (And I’m coming up with ridiculously stupid rhymes. Oh boy.) I’ve been busy preparing for this trip, so I’m going to let Michelle take it away and motivate you with her inspiration boards for fitness!

Michelle Pino is a Spa Manager at Skana in Upstate, NY. She enjoys DIY projects, healthy recipes, exercise, and all things related to skin care. Her hobbies include crafting, reading and catching up on her favorite TV shows.

Many folks want to diet, exercise, and lose weight to have the body that they have dreamed of. Lots of people end up finding that their motivation to change for the better lasts only a few months at best. After that, the gym membership is unused and the junk food starts to fill the cabinets. A great way to stay motivated is to use an inspiration board. The inspiration board will help you stay focused on your diet, exercise, and health goals.

An inspiration board is a simple way to remind yourself of what is at stake. All that is needed for a great board is a large piece of thick paper or a cork board and some old health and fitness magazines. Flip through the magazines to find pictures that inspire you. They could be before and after pictures, clothing styles that you want to look great in, or any picture that encourages you to change for the better.

One important aspect of getting fit through diet and exercise is knowing that the change will not happen overnight. Once you realize that your goals will require hard work and dedication over several months, you can create your inspiration board accordingly. Your inspiration board should change as you progress towards your goals. For example, perhaps you start with a picture of your gym as a reminder to go on a regular basis. However, after a few months you find that you enjoy running outdoors. You can replace that picture of the gym with a picture of running shoes or hiking paths.

Your new inspiration board does not have to be expensive. If you decide to take a trip to your local craft store for supplies and inspiration, be sure to set a budget. After all, the main goal is to be inspired to diet, exercise, and stay healthy; not to make an over the top inspiration board.

Feel free to expand your inspiration board, as well. If you find that you have other goals, you can add them to the board. For example, if you are planning an event, looking to redecorate, or change your wardrobe, you can adjust your inspiration board accordingly.

Inspiration boards are meant to be a personal motivator. So no matter what your goal, create your own inspiration board. This daily reminder will help you stay focused on your goals. A well-made inspiration board will keep you focused and on the right path to success. Here’s my simple yoga-inspired board:

Photo credit: Golf Course | Tank | Smoothie | Yoga Mat | Beach Yoga

Personally, I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors and being outside. Now that itz spring and the weather is finally starting to turn, the outdoors is great place to find motivation. I’ve used it as the center of my fitspiration board. Exercising indoors can become mundane and leads to those “excuses” of having better things to do than working out. When setting your health goal, start small. Choose a goal that is attainable and reasonable.

That means you don’t have to go and spend an arm and a leg on a yoga studio membership, when you can do yoga anywhere: the beach, the park, or your apartment. The thing I like most about yoga, is that it can be done at all fitness levels. There are several resources online to get you started if you’re new. The beach is very inspiring place because of the view, sights, and sounds. In keeping with the theme of the outdoors, I would like to enjoy more of it by finding another activity to keep me outside. I’ve started taking some golf lessons at NY golf course, Atunyote. It doesn’t bother me that I’m not a pro; to me, itz just nice to be outside doing something that isn’t too strenuous!

Treat yourself to some new workout gear to help get you motivated. New sneakers are a great start, but can be pricey. Try a new comfy top in a bright color. This fun yoga tank I picked out from Athleta is not only my favorite color, but comfortable enough to wear to the gym or for the golf course. Improvement in your daily diet is where you notice the most change. The best way to start is by adding more fruits and veggies to your regular routine. As part of improving what I eat, I plan to cut back on those delicious sugary cocktails, and opt for a “mocktail” version instead. I found a great mocktail recipe from Bar10der. Makes for a fun alternative to water or soda.

Finding balance is key in making your healthy lifestyle a permanent one.

Be sure to check out Under Armour’s #WhatsBeautiful for tons of inspiration, as well!

What would be on YOUR inspiration board for fitness?

Get Outdoors Under the Gateway Arch

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Itz Linz

June 8th is National Get Outdoors Day. Who knew? I didn’t. But I do know there will be tons of events nationwide to celebrate, and I’m all for it! Encourage people to step away from the tv, computer, and video games and get outside for fresh air and exercise? Oh yes! There will be a great event for all my local friends right here in St. Louis! Get Outdoors Under the Gateway Arch!

WHAT: On Saturday, June 8, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial will celebrate National Get Outdoors Day on the Gateway Arch grounds. The annual one-day event, celebrated by parks and cities across the nation, aims to combat the effects of indoor, inactive lifestyles by encouraging families to spend time outdoors and explore the natural world, while enjoying various outdoor recreational activities.

The Gateway Arch grounds will be filled with various free, family friendly, fun and educational outdoor activities that include a kids’ walk, rock climbing, fitness sessions, live music, geocaching, orienteering, gardening information, stream life demonstrations, and much more! Participants will also have a free photo opportunity to remember their day.

Jumping pictures with the Arch in the background are the best! This was from the GOTR 5k where Diana, Andy, and I reached for the sky!

More than 30 local organizations – including Bi-State Development Agency, CityArchRiver, Great Rivers Greenway, the Saint Louis Zoo and the National Park Service – will share information about healthy lifestyles and public lands at the event. “We encourage area residents and families to come out and experience the exciting outdoor activities St. Louis has to offer at this year’s Get Outdoors under the Arch event,” said Ann Honious, Chief, Museum Services and Interpretation, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. “The event promises to include a little something for everyone as it connects area residents to nature and encourages healthy lifestyles.” Read more about the event HERE.

Photo taken on the way back to St. Louis from a very rainy drive from Nashville.

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 2013, 9 am – 2 pm

WHERE: Gateway Arch Grounds

COST: FREE and open to the public

Will YOU be there? How will you celebrate National Get Outdoors Day?

New Headband + Yummy Food

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Itz Linz

Look who’s sporting a brand new gorgeous headband! (Yummy food below.)

This girl! Last night I went to the Athleta launch party in St. Louis as this is their first store in Missouri. The store was packed and they were on a strict ”one in, one out” policy per a fire code. I ended up waiting about ten minutes before being let in, but munched on some tasty appetizers and a glass of wine that was being served to everyone who was waiting. Now that’s good customer service! The headband was the only thing I bought since the dressing room lines were super long, as well. I was definitely impressed by their clothing selection. It was functional, the material felt good, and it was totally fashionable. I’d be comfortable wearing it to the gym and out running errands. Thumbs up, Athleta!

Now on to the yummy food part of this post. Itz WIAW over at Peas and Crayons!

Breakfast: Vanilla Spinach Protein Smoothie made with Vega Sport protein powder. I won a giveaway from Amanda’s blog Run to the Finish and was sent an awesome Vega package. This protein knocks my socks off, seriously. It has some of the best stats I’ve seen in protein powders (per scoop): 130 calories, 6 grams carbs, and 25 grams protein! Itz loaded, I tell ya!

Love the green glow and it tastes good, too! In the smoothie went one scoop of the vanilla Vega Sport protein powder, ice, banana, maca powder, flaxseed, handfuls of fresh spinach, and vanilla almond milk. Winner winner!

Lunch: Hodgepodge crockpot dish served over fresh spinach and topped with plain Chobani greek yogurt. It seems to be a staple around here, but itz just so darn easy to make! I literally throw in whatever I have on hand. This week it was dry white beans, dry black beans, frozen veggie mix, diced onion, leeks, diced tomatoes, celery, cabbage, garlic, red pepper, uncooked brown rice, and chicken broth and let it cook for four hours on low. Wah-lah! Lunches all week are made!

Snack: Chobani came out with these new “Bite” cups and I’ve been searching the local stores for them. I finally found one flavor: Fig with Orange Zest and omg itz so good! It tastes mostly orange, but there are fig bits mixed in to sweeten the cup.

Now if only I can get my hands on the new Chobani Flips – still can’t find those!

Dinner: Jonny and I went to a Thai restaurant (Thai Kitchen) on Monday evening as we had a Groupon that needed to be used. We were the only ones in the restaurant at first… not generally a good sign, especially in combination with a Groupon. I ordered the “Ginger” dish with stir-fried garlic, onions, mushrooms, carrots, shredded baby ginger, and zucchini. White rice on the side.

The verdict? It was very gingery, kind of overpoweringly so. Jonny liked his dish, but I don’t think we’ll be running back there any time soon.

Snack/Dessert: LÄRABAR sent me a few of their new ALT bars. ALT signifies Alternative Protein Bar. Itz the first-ever bar with added protein from LÄRABAR! Many bar brands use soy or whey protein, but ALT uses an alternative protein source: peas. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy free, and non-GMO. Pretty cool, right?

This was AMAZING! Dense, moist, chewy, absolutely delicious. In addition to the Cinnamon Apple Crisp, there is also Lemon Pound Cake, Peanut Butter Cookie, and Pumpkin Pie, all of which I’m sure are ridiculously delicious. I’ll be purchasing these on my own, for sure.

Have you tried the new ALT bars? How about the Chobani Bites or Flips?

Redefining the Female Athlete – What’s Beautiful

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Itz Linz

This post is sponsored by Under Armour through FitFluential.

Welcome to What’s Beautiful, a competition born from a mission to redefine
the female athlete. Under Armour has created What’s Beautiful - a competition for women to set epic goals and prove themselves. The beauty of this all is that itz especially for YOU, ladies. YOU are the one in control of your body, your health, your fitness. No matter where you are within that journey, itz time to make a change. And you know what? We’re all here for you! Let’s do this together!

So here’s the deal: Go to THIS WEBSITE and create a page. Itz super easy. You literally type in your first name, last initial, city, state, check a few boxes that match your interests, and upload a picture. Here’s mine:

Then you create your fitness related goal. It can be as specific as you’d like or as general as you’d like, but make sure itz EPIC! This means take wherever you are now in your fitness journey, and imagine where you want to be. Write it down or choose a smaller goal that will help achieve the bigger picture. It can be run a 5k race, do a pull-up, do 10 pull-ups, participate in a tough mudder, get stronger, run a half marathon under two hours, join a CrossFit box, take a yoga class, do a handstand, get to the gym four times each week, etc. ITZ WHATEVER YOU WANT!

Under Armour has organized the competition so that itz totally personalized for YOU. The competition lies in mini-challenges and you’re competing with others, but ultimately you’re competing for your goal. There are prizes along the way (think: swag bags filled with sweet Under Armour gear!) and huge incentives such as a trip to Costa Rica with royal treatment that will be offered to people achieving their goals (no matter how big or small) and being active in the challenge. GET INVOLVED!

After you create your profile, you’ll want to join a team. I strongly encourage you to join my team: Team Fabulously Fit! Itz hosted by four FitFluential Ambassadors (including myself) and we promise to cheer you on throughout your journey!

Meet Melissa at Treats With A Twist, Lindsay at Cotter Crunch, and Laura at Sprint 2 The Table. We’re here for YOU! Not feeling our style? (Uhhh what?) No worries, you can create your own team, too! You can be on several different teams, and personally I think that’s the way to go. More teams = more support!

So what are you waiting for? GO SIGN UP NOW! Itz time to stop saying “later” and start saying “now.” What is it YOU want to do? If you need some inspiration or motivation THIS IS IT. I am extremely passionate about this because fitness is important, yet it can be intimidating or overwhelming. I get that. This is NOT about who can run the fastest, lift the most, or lose X amount of pounds. Itz about YOU setting goals, achieving greatness, and redefining the female athlete. To me, that’s beautiful.

We’d love for you to join in on Twitter and Instagram, too. Use the hashtags #whatsbeautiful and #IWILL and you’ll be overloaded with support!

What’s your fitness goal? Fill in the blank: I WILL ____________.

If you’d like a personal invite to our team Fabulously Fit, please leave your e-mail address in the comment section, and I’ll email YOU an invite with directions!

Lock Laces Giveaway {CLOSED}

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Itz Linz

Let’s celebrate my parents for a moment, please. Happy [belated] Mother’s Day to my amazing mom and Happy Birthday to my wonderful father! I love you both!

Now, I’ve got a marvelous giveaway for you all today! In fact, it makes me want to jump up and touch my toes!

Today I’m talking about Lock Laces. Lock Laces are patented elastic shoelaces and a fastening system. They are designed to save time and improve performance. Laces stay locked and secure throughout the course of a race, game, practice, or workout. Never tie your LACES again!

Check out Lock Laces on Facebook!

Lock Laces generously sent me three pairs to try out. At first, all I thought was, “Wow, cool colors!” as they sent me hot pink (hello, favorite!), sour green apple, and imperial purple. I quickly discovered Lock Laces are more than just a shoe accessory. They are super easy to use, they stay in place, and they are a definite time saver. I really like slipping my shoes on and off without untying my laces (not good for your shoes) since I’m usually rushing to and from the gym, so Lock Laces makes it very easy to do that without ruining the back of my shoe.

My mother-in-law is a personal trainer, so she lives in her sneakers. I gave her the purple pair that matched perfectly with her Asics. She loves them!

A couple of my students at school noticed I was wearing Lock Laces and proudly showed me how they, too, were sporting a pair! They thought it was pretty cool their teacher was wearing the same thing they were! Lock Laces are seriously perfect for EVERYONE: young, old, anyone. It could help people who have difficulty with fine motor skills as tying laces can be tedious. Plus, they have a ton of colors to match with any outfit or pair of shoes!

I ran the Girls On The Run 5k on Saturday and the hot pink matched perfectly with my Pro Compression socks and the race’s pink and green color scheme!

Best part? They’re just $7.99 a pair or 3 for $19.99 – totally reasonable. Lock Laces are water-resistant, so they hold up extremely well. Want a chance to choose THREE colors for yourself?

Lock Laces is giving one lucky Itz Linz reader three pairs of their choosing! All you have to do is visit Lock Laces and leave a comment telling us which three colors you would choose. For an additional (optional) entry, follow Itz Linz and Lock Laces on Twitter and tweet the following: “I never want to tie my laces again & with @LOCKLACES I wouldn’t have to! I want to win 3 pairs from @ItzLinz! http://wp.me/p2WMfo-1AA” Be sure to leave a comment here telling us you followed and tweeted. Good luck! {CLOSED}

Congratulations #23 Heidi Nicole! Please e-mail me your color choices and shipping information!

(This giveaway will be open until Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 8:00 pm CST. Winner will be announced Friday, May 17th, 2013 and will have 48 hours to contact me.)

*Lock Laces provided me with the three pairs for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Happiness

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Itz Linz

Life isn’t always happy. In fact, sometimes life is downright hard. It can be busy, sad, stressful, but it can also be full of joy and happiness. Happiness is an outlook and I truly believe that happiness is what you make of it.

So today I’m sharing a few things lately that have been making me happy. Simple things. But itz happiness nonetheless.

Happiness is… seeing adorable and enormous baby animals at the zoo. My class took a field trip to the St. Louis Zoo on Tuesday. We had gorgeous weather and it seemed like all the animals were out. Couldn’t resist snapping a photo of this baby elephant.

Happiness is… old friends. Annette from Enjoy Your Healthy Life and I have been friends since we were two years old. Inseparable during our elementary years, really, and itz just seven days before we are reunited at the Blend Retreat! Annette just announced she is having a girl, so let the pink bows, dresses, and dance shoes begin. Speaking of dance, Annette is an expert dancer; she’s danced her entire life and even convinced me to do a session with her (if that’s even what they’re called). Please enjoy this beautiful picture of Annette and me from a dance recital probably fifteen years ago.

Happiness is… receiving an awesome package from Victoria’s Secret! I ordered four of their Perfect Burnout shirts – two V-Neck Tees and two Tank Tops. Love the burnout look. Itz a little sheer which will be sexy for summer!

Happiness is… Zoey! Come on, did you really think I could do a whole happiness post and not include a picture of my little pooch? Get real! The sun is shining and summer is nearing which means Zoey’s summer apparel is surfacing once again. I love this little red jumper dress. Rainbows just scream summer!

Happiness is… cake batter protein milkshakes. My cake batter protein is as good as it sounds. (I order it from iHerb.com – itz Muscle Milk brand – use code VAJ523 to receive a discount on your first order!) The sprinkles addition is a MUST!

What’s making YOU happy?

Check here to see if you were the Rodan + Fields giveaway winner!

Stay Fit On Vacation Without The Gym

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Itz Linz

Itz no secret I love working out. Even while on vacation I love working out. I love seeing new gyms, I love trying new workouts, I love running new paths, I just love working out and I love moving. However, sometimes there’s not always time to explore other realms in the fitness world while on vacation.

Take last weekend for example. We went to bed at 3:00 a.m. each night and didn’t have enough time to sleep in, lounge around, or hit the gym. That certainly doesn’t mean that I didn’t move though! Shoot, after being in the car for seven straight hours you better believe I was itching to move! So I did…

I did lunges at the rest stations.

I did split jumps in the hotel hallways.

I did backbends on oversized bean bags in our hotel room.

I did handstands in my little black dress in the middle of the hall.

See? Itz possible and itz fun to stay fit on vacation without the gym!

How do you stay fit on vacation – with or without the gym?

Nashville Eats

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Itz Linz

Today’s WIAW party is heading to Nashville! Yesterday, I recapped my recent Nashville trip, and today you get to see what I ate. Lots of good eats!

One place that was a “must” when visiting Nashville was Marché Artisan Foods. Marché is a European-style cafe and marketplace serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner in the heart of Historic East Nashville. It was super busy on Saturday morning (an hour-long wait), so instead we brunched there on Sunday. I ordered the Migas Hash which had scrambled egg, potato, tortilla, cheddar, and pico de gallo.

Great decision! It was so tasty, I did not want it to end. The tortilla bits were thrown in there and cooked with the eggs and potatoes. I need to try this at home.

Lunch on Saturday was eaten at Calypso where their motto is, “Eat Better, Be Better.” Calypso Cafe offers fast, affordable meals that are good for you! For over 24 years, their restaurants have been serving up Cuban black beans, bountiful salads, rotisserie chicken, island burgers, and vegetarian side items in the Nashville area. Their mission is simple: high quality, hearty, healthy dishes at a reasonable price in a fun, relaxed, and efficient setting. Plus, I loved the style of the restaurant!

For lunch I ordered their “beans & three” where I got to choose my three sides alongside my Cuban black beans. Here’s what I went with:

Martinique Callaloo: mustard greens with tomatoes and onions
Boija Muffins: Carribean sweet corn bread topped with coconut
Bean & Corn Salad: mix of various beans and corn in a cilantro vinaigrette

The entire plate was just six bucks and absolutely delicious! The muffins were a tiny bit dry, the greens were almost a little sweet, and the black beans and corn salad were awesome! I would definitely recommend this place for not your typical lunch!

For our big night out on Saturday, we went to Cabana for dinner. I kept it simple and substantial with a burger and fries for dinner since we had a long night ahead.

The burger and fries were good, but nothing to write home about. However, the actual ambiance at Cabana is what made the evening! We had our own cabana where we could draw a sheer curtain around us to make for a private dining experience. It was cool because we could even plug our phone in to play our own music. Eating with ten people can be tricky, but not with the cabana. We were all close without being squished. Great place for a large party!

That’s it! Those were my Nashville eats!

What were some of your tasty eats as of late?

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