Healthy Happy and Free

I won! I won! What did I win? I'm winning on nutrition! At  least that's the idea behind IWON Organics line of organic protein snacks! Their mission is for everyone to feel good by eating real foods, even on the run! They've packed that positive energy into plant based protein snacks. They are made of things like peas, beans, and brown rice for a balanced nutritional profile that makes them a great snack option for anyone with an active or busy lifestyle. So what kind of snacks do they have? Protein Chips - They have plant based protein chips ranging in flavors from ranch, bbq to cinnamon French toast! While the flavors are good, I will say the texture leaves something to be desired. I just think it's really hard to make a protein chip because I will always compare it to a standard potato chip and it will just never be the same. That being said, they make a great, balanced, on-the-go snack. Just don't expect it to taste like a Lay's potato chip, okay...

I recently went on my first trip out west! The highlight of the trip was hiking the Grand Canyon! You can read about that here: However, the fun didn’t stop there.  After the Grand Canyon adventure, we immediately drove to Las Vegas where we had reservations at the MGM. We made a quick stop at Walmart to pick up some groceries and then arrived at the hotel. We felt very out of place pulling up to the valet in our dirty hiking clothes and backpacks! They assured us they’ve seen it all!  These accommodations were definitely a step up from The Phantom Ranch at the Grand Canyon! We checked in, showered and unpacked. The next day we slept in a little and then went to chill by one of the pools. After relaxing for a little while, we got ready and our first stop was the iconic Las Vegas sign! It’s a little ways off from the main strip so we drive to it. We were surprised to find there was a man taking peoples photos and keeping the area clear. He did this for free but acc...

Long time no Friday finds! I’m bringing it back with a keto friendly foodie edition! First up is Two Good Yogur t by the Dannon company. It boasts just two grams of sugar and is being quickly snatched up the the keto family. It’s a Greek yogurt and sweetened with stevia. I had to try it! They come in a couple fruity flavors and vanilla. I liked them all though the flavors were very mild. It makes a great base for mixing in some fruit, nuts, granola, etc. I recommend you check them out if you like yogurt! Sola Ice Cream is a low sugar ice cream sweetened with the Sola brand sweetener which is an erythritol blend. Unlike many of the diet ice creams abounding on the market, this ice cream is NOT very high protein. Rather, it’s a bit higher in fat than other diet ice creams. This gave me high hopes. I wish I could say I loved it - and while it definitely wasn’t bad - the texture left a little to be desired. Flavors were on point and safe to say I still enjoyed them, however, En...

I want to gain weight! Have you ever thought that or said that or heard that? I have! In fact, I’m currently actively trying to gain weight. I’m trying to gain both muscle and body fat to be at optimal health for myself. Yet, I gained half a pound and immediately began thinking harmful thoughts. “What if I can never lose weight again?” “What if I get fat?” “Do I need to exercise more?” Wait a minute, gaining weight was the goal. Why am I having these thoughts? I think that gaining weight can really be a mind wrecker due to our own pre-existing fears and societal pressures. I have a history of an eating disorder so that right there makes gaining weight intentionally a mental challenge. Add to that, that everyone around me seems to be losing weight, dieting and exercising more, especially with summer right around the corner. It’s important to remember that each person is different. We have different bodies, different goals and different places for optimal health. So my tips a...

I hiked the Grand Canyon! I had never been out west prior to this trip. I didn’t know what to expect and, to be honest, I wasn’t super excited. This trip has been my mom’s dream for a long time. She wanted to hike down the Grand Canyon, stay at the Phantom Ranch at the bottom and hike back up. We finally were able to get reservations at Phantom Ranch 13 months out! When my ankle issue came up, we looked into switching dates but that proved impossible. Thankfully, my doctor gave me the go-ahead to “try” it. In the words of master Yoda: “Do or do not; there is no try.” Especially when your reservations are at the bottom of a Canyon! We flew to Phoenix on Saturday and drove to the Grand Canyon national park from there. We spent the night at the rim. On Sunday morning, we took the complimentary shuttle to the South Kaibab trail where we started our venture. It was quite chilly so we layered up. It was very windy to start but lessened as we went on. This trail was about 8 miles ...