Hey, hey and happy Friday! It was a short week for me so it’s hard to believe that Friday is already here but this is a “working weekend” so I guess it doesn’t really matter anyway. We have our third teacher training weekend (out of eight) and this weekend we’ll be teaching the trainees how to provide assists in various postures. One of the requirements for graduation is 20 hours of assisting and observing classes so they need to learn how to get their hands on people! 🙂
I thought I’d wrap up the week with a little “Friday I’m in love” and share some recent faves with you. Let’s get rolling.
I love hot tea. I drink it all year long but during the winter my consumption skyrockets to 2-4 cups a day. Current favorite is this organic ginger and turmeric tea from Celestial Seasonings. Apparently, they just launched this organic line in September 2015. Bonus, I got it on sale for just $2.50 at a local market. Check out this post for a list of six of my favorite teas!
The Whole30 says sunflower seed butter tastes just like peanut butter. While I DO NOT agree with this statement, I have been loving this sunflower seed butter from MaraNatha. Many sunflower seed butters contain added sweeteners and this is one of the few that does not.
I’ve always enjoyed kombucha but I’ve been drinking a lot of it during Whole30. It’s a nice sparkling alternative to wine or a cocktail. I recently discovered this High Country brand of kombucha for the first time and I think it’s the best I’ve ever tried! It’s brewed in Colorado Springs, Colorado and it comes in a generous 16-ounce bottle. There are no added sweeteners and there’s not too much added juice to make it overly sweet. It’s clean and refreshing and not sour at all. I LOVE IT! The only place I’ve seen it here in Charlotte is at Earth Fare.
Related: I am so excited for Emily of Daily Garnish and her family’s new kombucha business! I can’t wait until they make it to the east coast! 🙂
This Cider Pear candle. Sadly, I can’t link to it online because it’s sold exclusively at Costco but if you have a Costco membership, you should definitely add this to your cart. It smells amazing! And don’t you love it when the candles look pretty too?
Move over tuna, canned pink salmon is winning my vote these days. I had a selection of Chicken of the Sea Pink Salmon in the pantry that I was sent from the brand a while ago and I’ve been loving it for a Whole30 salad topper. Tons of protein! Bonus: it comes from wild caught salmon and not farm raised.
Speaking of salad toppers, I can’t get enough pistachios lately. I love them on salads and for snacking. They just have such a great and different flavor profile and have been a nice swap from my staple almonds/walnuts/pecans.
I loved seeing a giant wall of Premier Protein powder in Sam’s Club in Florida. This is the first time I’ve seen the protein powder available in stores. I have been a huge fan of the vanilla for a while now but can’t wait to also sample the chocolate. (Read to the end for a chance to win a tub for yourself!)
Also Premier Protein related, they sent me this awesome new thermal bottle along with my ambassador swag and it’s solid! I have been using it to transport my hot and cold beverages to the gym in the morning. My favorite feature is the built in strainer that can be used as a shaker or holds back your ice/tea bags/etc. Find a similar bottle here.
This girl. Man is she ever in a challenging stage right now. Zoey is just shy of 16 months old and challenging every single rule and boundary that has been set. It’s crazy! She is so mischievous but so sweet. She equal parts loves to cuddle and get into things she shouldn’t, counter surf, steal shoes and socks and bark. She keeps me on my toes, that’s for sure! We joke that she probably thinks her name is, “no” or “off.” (But seriously, look at that angelic face. Don’t let it fool you!)
Giveaway Winners
Premier Protein Prize Pack
Sandra L. and I love her answer to what she’s wanted the “Energy to do one more of.” She responded, “One more plate on each side for squats. Giving 100% effort on the last rep and increasing weight as soon as I get comfortable. ‘If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.'” (<— fave quote!)
ALDI $50 Gift Certificate
Sarah F.
Both winners have been notified!
How about a Friday giveaway?
I’ll give one of you your choice of vanilla or chocolate Premier Protein powder. Simply leave me a comment telling me which one you’d like to try! Giveaway ends Monday at midnight EST. U.S. readers only.
I’d like to try them both! BUT, if I have to pick one, vanilla. It’s more versatile as far as the mix ins. 🙂
I love using chocolate protein powder, pure vanilla, almond milk and chilled coffee to make a “mocha”
Hi!
Off topic but wondering when you are going to share your almond milk recipe. I haven’t been able to make a good one yet so curious if yours will be the one that makes it worthwhile!
Thanks!!
Lauren
I’ll try to do the video over the weekend and post early next week!
AWESOME! Thank you so much and congrats on completing the Whole30:)
I currently have the individual premier protein vanilla shakes and I love it!! So I would go with chocolate for something new 🙂
Ooh, I’d love to try the chocolate! I love making “everything but the kitchen sink” shakes in the morning after my workouts: I cram in everything from bananas and berries to kale to cinnamon to fresh ginger to flax and chia seeds. But finding a quality protein powder is key, and I’d love to try this one! 🙂
Oo hard to pick just one. I always do chocolate so trying the vanilla would be a nice change!
I would love to try the chocolate!
I’d like to try the vanilla! After Whole30, I’m missing my smoothies so this would be a great way to reintroduce and get my protein up.
I would love to try the vanilla one!
Xoxoxo!! Thank you, lady!
vanilla!
Definitely chocolate!! 🙂
I’d love to try the vanilla!!
Vanilla, please.
Vanilla please!!!
I am in the market for a new tub of protein and would love to try the chocolate.
I would love to try the chocolate, because lets be honest, if its healthy and tastes like chocolate thats like having your cake and eating it too.
I am in love with that sunbutter too!!! It’s got such a nice salty flavor! And canned salmon is a staple at my house for sure!
Would love to try the chocolate variety!
I would love to try the chocolate powder!
I actually love Sunbutter! I love it on a baked sweet potato. Yum! and I am always team Chocolate 🙂
I’d love to try vanilla! It’s easier to mix with veggies and fruit.
Yes to turmeric tea, yes to maranatha, and yes to canned salmon! All good good things 😉
chocolate!
I’d love to try the chocolate!
Vanilla!
Would love to try the chocolate 🙂 looks like a great product!
Chocolate!
I’m a vanilla girl all the whey —> see what I did there 🙂 🙂 🙂 HA
I would try the vanilla!
Would love to try the chocolate!
I’d like to try the Vanilla. I’m so glad to see they have powder out. I buy the shakes at Costco and it always seems like so much packaging!
I’d love to try the vanilla!
I would love to try out the chocolate protein powder!
I’d love to try vanilla.
would love to try the vanilla!
Vanilla for me!
Chocolate!
I’d love to try the vanilla! <3
Always chocolate!!!
I’d love to try the chocolate flavor. Thanks for hosting, Jen!
Perhaps chocolate….I usually purchase vanilla so it’d be nice to change it up a bit.
I’d love to try the vanilla!
I would love to try the chocolate!
I’d love to try the vanilla!
Vanilla! And canned salmon has always been my favorite! I always liked it over tuna and completely stopped eating tuna when I was pregnant and haven’t had it since (my son is now 16 months) My husband thinks its weird, but I mix it with cottage cheese!
I would love to try vanilla!
My husband and I are just about out of chocolate protein powder! Since I’ve never tried the vanilla flavor or the Premier Protein brand, I’d love to give it a try!
I have never tried vanilla protein powder or premier protein – would love to give it a try!
I would love to try the chocolate! I’ve been stepping up my morning smoothies with protein powder and am still on the hunt for one I LOVE.
I’d love to try the chocolate! I am picturing it blended with frozen strawberries or peanut butter. 🙂
Vanilla please
I think the vanilla would be so yummy in overnight oats and would love to try it
Yay for high country kombucha!
I’d love to try chocolate 🙂
Hi!
I would love to try the vanilla.!
Thank you for the offer!
Annette
Definitely Vanilla! Vanilla mixes so well with just about anything!
I’d love to try the vanilla!
Zoe looks absolutely gorgeous, such a beautiful, funny, fluffy girl! Her rebellious stage reminds me of my cattle dog, who went through the same thing. They say it’s adolescence 😀 I’d notice him getting worked up, and I’d go to give him a cuddle, take time out and give him a command he can follow, reinforce that he is a good boy, and that’d remind him and give him motivation to be good, without using too many ‘no’ and ‘off’ commands (I could tell his little feelings were being hurt, because deep down he wants to be a good boy). Have a great weekend!
I really want to make vanilla cake batter balls. So vanilla!
I think the vanilla would be better for fruit smoothies, although the chocolate sounds delish too!
I’d love to try chocolate!!!
tough call! hmmm, im gonna have to go with chocolate!
I’d love to try the vanilla!
I’d love to try the chocolate. I’m a mom of one year old twins so I’m always looking for more healthy protein options!
I’d love to try the vanilla protein powder! It seems more
When I was a little girl, I would only eat chocolate desserts. I couldn’t understand why anyone would favor vanilla ice cream over chocolate. As we all grow up and mature we broaden our scope. But not on this. I would still choose chocolate over vanilla.
I’d love to try the vanilla!
Chocolate!!!!! ???
The chocolate sounds so good! I like vanilla but some vanilla-flavored things are too sweet for me. Chocolate is sweet, too, but I don’t know… it’s different, haha.
I’ve never tried canned salmon but I might have to give it a whirl! I’m not a fan of canned tuna, though, so we’ll see.
I’d love to try the vanilla 🙂
I think I’d like to try the vanilla – more mixable in smoothies and such 🙂
I would love to try the chocolate.
I’d love to try the vanilla to add to my smoothies!
I’d like to try them both! , vanilla I use it in everything for flavor! It’s more versatile as far as the mix ins. 🙂 thanks love your book!
Vanilla because you can always make chocolate w 1 tbsp of cocoa powder AND get a boost of antioxidants from the chocolate.
Love vanilla flavor!
Vanilla! I always get sick of chocolate powders and vanilla is more versatile.
I would love to try the chocolate one. Thank you!
I’m a chocolate girl all the way, and I’d love to try this brand!!
I’ve only recently started using protein powders, and I would love to try the vanilla:)
I would love to try the chocolate…always my go to with protein powders!
I love tea! I haven’t seen the Celestial Organics anywhere yet. I live here also, so I’m wondering where you found it? 2.50 is a great price too!!
Healthy Home Market on Central. And yes, the price was crazy cheap!
Thanks. I was actually headed over there today for some bulk spices. Wouldn’t have thought to look there for it!
Vanilla sounds delish right now! And that turmeric and ginger tea is now on my list, I wonder if that would be good with coconut milk? Off topic but in a previous post about skincare, I’ve eliminated a lot of products and now use some essential oils. I get the Now brand of rose hip seed oil, it’s great for maturing skin and is not greasy. I put a few drops on barely damp face concentrating around eye and smile lines. Then I apply a couple drops of Now’s organic Argan oil since it’s winter and I could use a little extra…. Whatever is left on my hands I run through my hair to help tame it! Oils don’t cause any breakouts for me but I think sugar does. Anyway, that combo is about $20 and lasts a long time?
Hi Amy – I’ve heard a lot about oils for the face. Thanks for sharing! I’ll check it out. Try the tea – it’s great! I’m not sure about the milk because I don’t usually add anything to my tea but you could try!
vanilla for sure! more versatile, especially if i use it in smoothies or energy balls!
I would love to try the Vanilla! I usually buy a vanilla and a chocolate of any protein powder but my vanilla always runs out first!
I would love to try the vanilla! 🙂
Chocolate for life!
I would love to try the chocolate!
I’m looking for a really good chocolate protein powder.
Oohh! Vanilla!
Chocolate all the way!
I’m usually a vanilla person but I’d love to try the chocolate!
I’d have to pick the chocolate hands down! We always get the Muscle Pharm Cookies and Cream at Costco and I need to change it up now and again and would love a great tasting chocolate protein for that. And boo…no candles by us.
I would love to try the chocolate flavor! I’ve been looking for a good protein powder to drink after my workouts and would really like to try this one. Thanks for the givewaway!
I would love to try the chocolate flavor!
would love to try chocolate!
I’d love to try the chocolate one! You can never go wrong with chocolate…
Im a vanilla girl!
I’d love to try Chocolate!
So hard to pick one!! I’ll go with chocolate 🙂
chocolate please!
Ohhhh…I am totally a chocolate lover so I would have to choose that. I have seen this product and wanted to give it a try! Thanks for the awesome giveaway : )
chocolate, always chocolate!
Vanilla!
Vanilla!