Healthy Snacks for Your Next Game Night

Thursday, March 16, 2017



If you were to take a peek at my bookshelf and desktop icons it would be very apparent that gaming is one of my favorite hobbies. Video games, table-top RPG's, board games, card games- I love them all!


I'm lucky enough to have a lot of foodie friends and family, so we don't typically fall into the trap of the stereotypical unhealthy snacks that usually accompany a gaming session. That being said, it's sometimes hard to resist the call of calorie-laden snacks. When you're in it for the long-haul (I'm looking at you Twilight Imperium) there are definitely healthier options to choose from.



Today I'm sharing a few options for some quick, healthy snack ideas that will give you and your friends energy for your next LAN party or epic D&D session.



Fruit Salad

Fruit salad is great snack if you are in the mood for something sweet. I recommend making your own, as some of the store bought, pre-made options can be a bit expensive. Another way to keep costs down is to buy what is on sale and/or in season.



Vegetable Chips

Switch up the stereotypical Doritos for some home made veggie chips. Use a mandolin (or a sharp knife and a skilled cutting hand ;) to cut thin slices from a sweet potato, radish, beet, or blue potato. This baked vegetable chip recipe from Hither and Thither would add an awesome dose of color and veggie power to any snack bowl.



Popcorn

I feel like popcorn is always a solid snack choice because you can go sweet or savory with the flavors. Leave off the butter and and create your own flavor combinations like cinnamon sugar, black pepper and sea salt, or toss the popcorn in a paper bag with some cocoa powder. 


Hummus Plate

Just looking at this picture makes me hungry! A hummus plate is a great savory option and the sky is the limit when it comes to vehicles for hummus delivery. Carrot sticks, red pepper slices, cucumber slices, and naan bread or pita are great options. 


These are very simple ideas and the ingredients can be easily found at most grocery stores. Of course, if you want to be adventurous, there are tons of plant based snack and appetizers to peruse on sites like Pinterest. (Check out my food board!)


What is your favorite game night snack?

cruelty free

Favorite Vegan and Cruelty Free Skincare

Friday, February 10, 2017



A big part of my self-care routine lately has been really trying to look after my skin. I am quite fair-skinned with a mild case of rosacea that is always threatening to flare up. I am prone to redness, blotchiness, and the occasional hormonal breakout. My rosacea has been especially active lately, so I try not to go to bed without removing my makeup (hence the makeup wipes on this list). 

I'm always on the lookout for products that work with my sensitive skin and since I've discovered a few favorites, I wanted to share them with you today. Everything that I have listed here is vegan and cruelty free. These are the products that I now use daily to help my skin look and feel its best.



1. Derma-E Sensitive Skin Cleanser- This face wash happened to be on sale at Whole Foods and I was drawn, like a moth to a flame, to the words "gently lifts away makeup and impurities while reducing redness and irritation." SOLD! After a few days of use I was noticing that my skin looked clearer and the redness was definitely fading. I really like that it doesn't make my skin feel tight or dry. I use this along with the sonic face cleanser brush I talk about in more detail below.

2. Shea Moisture African Black Soap Facial Cleansing Wipes- I have tried SO many different brands of makeup removing/face cleansing wipes and this is my current favorite. I use this by itself on those nights where I'm feeling extra lazy (we've all been there) and don't have the energy for a full on face wash. I also use it after a cleanser to remove those last bits of mascara and liner that are trying to be the next day's smokey eye. Shea Moisture is very affordable and can be found at Walgreens, Target, and some grocery stores.

3. Solo MIO Sonic Face Cleanser and Massager Brush- A few years ago, I really wanted to try the "name brand" of this device. (Google "silicone sonic face cleanser" and you will see which device I am talking about.) I couldn't justify the price for something I wasn't sure was going to work for me so I hopped over to Amazon- lo and behold I found what appeared to be an extremely similar product- and for less than $40. I decided to take my chances and I ended up loving it! This leaves my face extra clean without feeling to dry or stripped of natural oils.

4. Josie Maran Argan Oil Skin Drops- I was out shopping with my sister around Christmas and she reminded me that I had a bunch of Sephora points I could redeem for one of their Beauty Insider boxes. I haven't been able to redeem them before because they had not offered a cruelty free brand. This time however, there was a Josie Maran Deluxe Box and I happily spent my points for several deluxe sample products. Included was a bottle of the Argan Oil Skin Drops and I've started using this when I need a little extra moisture, both AM and PM.

5. 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream- One afternoon, after an unsuccessful trip to our local Renaissance Festival, I found myself in a random mall that had a 100% Pure store. I had heard a lot of good things about this brand and really appreciated that all of their products are really clean. This undereye cream is one of their best sellers so I thought I would dip my toes in the 100% Pure water and try it out. First, the smell is amazing-it really does smell just like coffee. Second, it is very moisturizing and sinks right into your skin. Third, it's great for use in the morning under your moisturizer as a way to counteract puffiness. 

6. Pacifica Dreamy Youth Day and Night Face Cream- I discovered this at Ulta and figured I would give it a try after hearing Tashina over at Logical Harmony rave about it. I really love that a little goes a long way and it doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. It is very moisturizing and great for both AM and PM use. Pacifica is an extremely affordable brand and the best part is that all of their products are vegan and cruelty free. (It's nice to be able to shop completely within a brand!) Pacifica can be found at Ulta and Target which is great if you want to check out the products at a brick and mortar store.

7. Andalou Purple Carrot + C Luminous Night Cream- This was another Whole Foods purchase. (I think my husband gets nervous every time I walk by the beauty aisle.) I was looking for something I could start using at night and decided to try this cream. (I mean, who doesn't want luminous skin?) I use this product in the evening after washing my face with the Derma-E Sensitive Skin Cleanser. It is very lightweight and doesn't seem to irritate my skin. The cream sinks right in and leaves me with a fresh, glowy face when I wake up in the morning.The only downside is that it comes in a jar ( I would prefer a bottle and pump) but I just make sure that I wash my hands before I use it.


Of course it almost goes without saying that lots of water and a diet fueled by plants will go a long way in supporting your skin!

What are your skin care favorites?

fitness

7 Free Physical Fitness Resources

Friday, January 06, 2017


Happy New Year! I know the new year has inspired a lot of us to set new fitness goals so I thought that I would share a few free fitness resources for you. All of these programs can be done at home and usually with minimal (or zero) equipment.

1. Yoga with Adriene - I love Adriene's attitude and the welcoming atmosphere she creates in her videos. She is all at once calm, funny, and inspiring. The YWA Youtube channel has something for everyone, including several job related or situational yoga programs. I just started her newest program, Yoga Revolution which is a 31 day free guided yoga practice.

2. Fitness Blender - FB provides absolutely free workout videos and has everything from HIIT training, strength training, core work, and pilates. The website has a really useful search function where you can narrow down workouts by time (here are all of there 10 minutes or less videos), difficulty, training focus, and equipment (here is the search I did for all workouts that require no equipment.).

3. Couch to 5K - C25K is a training plan that starts you off by walking and builds up your endurance so that you can eventually run a 5K race. I think that this plan is great for beginners and individuals looks to set a running goal. The plan is available online and via a free mobile app.

4. 7 Minute Workout - The 7 Minute Workout is a free app that is available (from several different developers) for both Apple and Android device. I have linked one here, but as I mentioned, there are several different ones to choose from. I think this is a great option for people who really feel like they are challenged with finding time to workout. The exercises are voice prompted and there are video and text descriptions of each exercise. Bonus- no equipment necessary! 

5. BeFit - BeFit is a YouTube channel that has a comprehensive library of workout free workout videos. You might see some familiar faces, like Jillian Michaels, Billy Blanks, Jr., and Denise Austin. There is definitely a wide range of options (to include yoga, stretching, core work, cardio dance, post natal exercises, and body weight work) and videos average about 10-12 minutes long.

6.NerdFitness - Shoutout to all of my fellow nerds! The team over at the highly successful NerdFitness.com created a few body-weight workouts for those of us who want to unlock our inner superhero. Check out the 20 minute hotel workout if you're on the road a lot, or want a workout you can do in your home office.

7. Dr. Paul Lam- Tai Chi for Health - I was looking for some alternative movement resources and came across Dr. Paul Lam's YouTube channel. The videos are older but there are quite a few instructional and informational videos. If you are looking for something that is low impact and can be done at home (or in a park) I highly recommend trying Tai Chi. I was so intrigued by his Tai Chi for Beginners- Free Lesson and Introduction video that I think I might be picking this up on active rest days.

** Photography by Erin Ammons- Lifestyle Photographer