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Daily Goodness: Convenient, Healthy Meals with LUVO

- Mel 1 Comment

Disclaimer: I received samples of LUVO frozen meals to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

luvo logo healthy frozen meals

Good Food Equals Performance
LUVO frozen meals don’t sacrifice nutrition in the name of convenience. “Whether you’re training for a marathon, or simply maintaining the marathon of everyday life, we’re interested in fueling every body to be the best they can be at work, at home and at play.” Hey! That sounds like me!

Here’s what I like (a LOT!) about LUVO meals and mission: A full serving of fruits and veggies. Appropriate levels of sodium and sugar. High in fiber. Whole grains. Meats raised without antibiotics. Meals made with ingredients your body needs and flavors your taste buds will marvel over. No artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. Non-GMO soy, corn & canola. Gluten-free and vegetarian options.

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First impression: Gluten-free freezer meals? For someone who dislikes cooking very much and in the midst of a training cycle where every hour is HANGRY, I was excited to be part of the BibRave Pros selected to sample some of LUVO’s dinner options. I received two different meals (3 of each): Chicken Chile Verde and Tandoori-inspired Spiced Chicken.

Meh, chicken. Despite my disdain for the poultry, chicken is a constant source of protein in my diet — and we runners need our protein.

But if I’m being honest, I was disappointed that I received two different chicken dishes, and I felt a little jealous that another Pro received a gluten-free enchilada option (*sad trombone*). Additionally, I was disappointed that both meals contained potato starch (why it’s a necessary ingredient for chicken meat, I don’t know). I do know it’s difficult to stay away from white potato ingredients particularly with prepared gluten-free products (though not impossible), and I try to stay away from it as much as possible. That said, these entrees were not a bowl of cereal or a sandwich-for-dinner, so it was a win for me considering I was consuming double meals for like two weeks straight in my most-recent training cycle, which coincided with my boyfriend’s travel work schedule — he’s the cook in this family.

That said, I’m always happy to see more healthy meals in the frozen section, from a completely selfless perspective!

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Each frozen meal contains a steam bag that remains in tact while it goes through the cooking process — which takes around 5-6 minutes. Upon opening my first box, it had a punctured bag (despite it exclaiming DO NOT PUNCTURE) and still cooked OK. Two of my tandoori chicken entrees had completely torn bags. Little disappointed about that, but cooked them anyways; I don’t know if the flavors would be any different had they marinated in a closed bag.

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Note to anyone who brings these to work: Bring scissors! You’d be amazed how difficult it is to find a pair, despite having thousands of coworkers. I had to cut mine open with a plastic knife so I could eat my lunch.

They plate nicely, right out of the bag and I thought the portion was good for someone (ahem, me) who eats every couple of hours. I also had some fun making my meal into a breakfast burrito BECAUSE WHY NOT?!

Meal #1: CHICKEN CHILE VERDE (with polenta and black beans)

LOVED the polenta and the chile verde sauce – though the pepita seeds got lost in the dish. Disliked the chicken, and the black beans felt overcooked every time. Flavors and spice level, however, were great.

Meal #2: TANDOORI-INSPIRED SPICED CHICKEN (with mango, brown rice, broccoli & cauliflower)

Blah, I do not like mango either, unless the flavor is completely covered up in a fruit smoothie. The flavor of the mango was almost-completely covered by the tandoori-ish flavor and added a sweetness to the meal; the vegetables and rice steamed up nice. Overall, this one packs a little heat, but it’s really, really tasty.

For both meals, I added either sour cream or plain greek yogurt for an added flavor profile. It’s especially helpful with the tandoori entree to balance the spiciness.

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LUVO’s website is pretty great — you can read all about their products and story, and learn more on other (more famous) ambassadors and partnerships (food on Delta flights?!). Ingredients for all of their products, as well as informative dietary and nutritional facts are marked with each product. Unsure why both of my entrees are identified as not being gluten-free on the website, but both of my packages are marked as such.

So I went out of my comfort zone a bit and tried something new. I really value what LUVO is doing, in providing healthy and convenient meal options — particularly helpful for athletes, and for myself in really focusing on “righting” my diet.

No discount codes to offer on this these guys, BUT there are are bunch of coupons on LUVO’s website!

Product Review: AMPLA FLY Running Shoes

- Mel 1 Comment

Disclaimer: I received a pair of AMPLAsport AmplaFLY shoes to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

I’m willing to try anything to gain some speed in my training. Working on getting to a 2-hour half marathon goal is TOUGH (and slow, whomp) — but I’m adding in the speed workouts every week and figured a pair of speedy shoes could probably help. As part of the BibRave Pro ambassador program, I got the opportunity to find out about an awesome brand – AMPLAsport — who designed a speed shoe called the AMPLA FLY.

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These are going to be fun!

First impression: LOVE THE COLOR (duh)! I’ve never seen a split sole shoe (besides those tiny ballet flats that you roll up and keep in your purse when you’re partying). They’re really light (hello, carbon fiber foot plate!), despite looking a little bulky (perhaps because of the split sole?).

Watch more first impressions:

Fit: Size 9.5 (side note: am I the only one whose running shoes are WILDLY larger than regular shoes? I am nearly consistently across brands a 9.5 in running shoes, and almost always in a size 8 regular shoe.) Toe box room is excellent. I found them comfortable and the fit comparable to my “everyday” running shoes. I tied them using my usual heel-lock lacing, as most shoes with a roomy toe box tend to have heel slippage for me.

First try-on: Comfortable yet weird; obviously, this is a WAY different shoe. They feel like you want to bounce around in them. I definitely felt intentionally forward propelled — but not in a way that feels unnatural or off-balance — and I felt like my stance changed quite a bit. They actually reminded me a lot of what it felt like standing in my short-forward-mounted roller skates (although, without all of the squatting).

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I’ve been trying this “science shoe” out for the the last month on some of my speed-focused runs, and while it hasn’t made an immediate impact on my time goals, it has really helped me focus on my running stride (I’m one of those infamous heel strikers). They worked well for my training days where I could break them in a bit by doing a mile or two and note the differences between the AMPLA FLY and my other running shoes. I certainly would have liked to get some more mileage on them, but… THE COMMITMENT TO CHANGE IS HARD! I’m impressed so far as to how they aid in pushing forward in my sprint work. The most impactful run was when I decided to change into when I noticed my running form breaking down when I was feeling tired. I noticed immediately the chain-reaction effect of being more upright, thereby relaxing my tensed muscles all the way up to my shoulders.

Lasting impressions: That said, these aren’t really meant for me for long-and-slow easy runs; to be honest, I didn’t find them the most comfortable when doing my cool downs or walks home after my workouts. I MUST also note: these are NOT meant for trails — do not take these on gravel or other types of rough terrain, as the side-to-side stability is not there. So, these have a very distinct purpose and will fit into a shoe collection as a great 2nd pair (or 3rd or 4th, if you’re like me and legit have a shoe for every sport and occasion).

Most of my running friends know that I am not a fan of change when it comes to my athletic gear — once I find something that I like and FITS, I stick with it and buy up all the new-old back stock all over the Internet. In July, I finally broke my pattern by purchasing a new shoe model (AND a new brand!). It’s helped me step out of my own way in trying new, better things. This was exactly what I was hoping to experience with the AMPLA FLY.

How it works: The AMPLA FLY encourages the efficient use of force — by way of a full-length carbon fiber plate guiding your foot-strike, and maximizing big toe push-off. The AMPLA FLY is more than being about speed — it’s about giving you the right FORM to make your running better.

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Side note: I’ve had to do a lot of treadmill runs this cycle because of the humidity (UGH!), and admittedly, I was terrified to wear these on the treadmill.

About AMPLA: Founded by a sports scientist and athletic industry innovators committed to engineering footwear that amplifies athletic ability (SCIENCE!). Harvard-trained Dr. Marcus Elliott has tested and trained elite athletes through his P3 Sports Science Institute in Santa Barbara, California — and has utilized advanced technologies to capture more than 30,000 hours of athlete data over the last eight years. This knowledge, combined with experience in the athletic footwear industry, is an opportunity to create breakthrough one-of-a-kind products. The AMPLA FLY is AMPLAsport’s first product.

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Test Run: The AMPLA FLY in Red!

Check out AMPLAsport online to learn more:
Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

This Tuesday, September 20 at 8pm CST: Join AMPLAsport and BibRave for #BibChat on on twitter. It’s a great chance to ask AMPLA your questions about the shoe AND hear more from the BibRave Pros who have been training on them for the last month! (Also, I hear there will be giveaways!)

Product Review: Aftershokz Trekz Titanium goes PINK

- Mel

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Pink to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro ambassador, and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!

Trekz_Titanium wirefree headphones

I think a common problem among runners is keeping earbuds in (those of us who enjoy training with music). It took me a while to find a pair that wouldn’t consistently pop out — or wouldn’t outright HURT my tiny ears. So when the opportunity to try an outside-the-ear, wireless headphone product came up with BibRave, I jumped at the chance to try these out.

Product Highlights: Trekz Titanium Pink are wireless, sweat-resistant and perfect for runners. They don’t go inside your ears, so you don’t need to worry about them falling out! Trekz Titanium Pink are flexible and lightweight — made with a titanium frame. Designed with an open ear concept, the limited-edition hot pink headphones keep you aware of your surroundings while you listen to music, all while raising awareness of breast and ovarian cancer. ‘Tis the season to go PINK.

A photo posted by Mel! (@melliesmel) on

First impression: Obviously, I LOVE the color. And I’m completely digging the wireless, bluetooth connection. My first use, they were comfortable, and I was impressed that I could really get them to stay in place, since the band wraps around the back of your head. I’ve read a few other reviewers recommend fitting above a low ponytail, but I’m a high bun lady and I didn’t have any movement. While they didn’t sit quite the same over a hat — I had to adjust them a few times — for the most part, I forgot they were there.

Usability: I didn’t read any of the instructions before use and found them completely user-friendly and easy to figure out. It only took a couple minutes to pair with my iPhone. They came already charged up and all the buttons and controls were fairly intuitive for turning the unit on, changing the volume, and forwarding tracks on my playlist. I really liked the voice prompts, too, for confirming the headphones were on. Charge time is up to 2 hours, and battery life will last 6+ hour with continuous playback, or 10 days on standby. You can also use these for phone calls!

Aftershokz blogger product review bibravepro

How to wear: The transducers rest on the cheekbones, just outside of the ears. The frame loops over, with the band resting behind the head. Because it’s a new “thing,” I had a short adjustment period, feeling some heaviness when resting over my ears on one of my long runs — kind of like the feeling when you wear a pair of sunglasses for too long. But thereafter, I haven’t experienced it again. The Trekz come with fitbands to help with fitting smaller heads, if you’re worried about any flopping or movement.

The concept of the outside-the-ear headphone is excellent, but listening to music this way is definitely unusual — to be honest, it was a little unnerving jamming out and still hearing birds and crickets. After a few wears though, I barely notice them now. I even ran in them for my 5-mile race! The sound is super impressive, with toggles for the EQ to pump up that bass.

30-something Approved: I am completely sold on the cord-free lifestyle, and I will definitely continue using these for my outdoor runs. I also realized how convenient they were for work, so I can listen to my podcasts and not completely drown out my coworkers. For times when you want to jam and drown everything (and everyone) out, earplugs can be paired (though I’ll probably just switch back to my noise canceling earbuds.

Aftershokz Go Pink trekz

#AwareWithPink: Afershokz is donating 25% of each unit sold from September 1st to October 31st to Bright Pink — a non-profit whose mission is to save women’s lives from breast and ovarian cancer, empowering women to be proactive about their health from a young age. Every time the hashtag #AwareWithPink is shared on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, AfterShokz will donate an additional 25 cents to Bright Pink to help fund their continued efforts.

Bonus: Use code PINK at check out when purchasing the limited edition pink headphones, and receive a FREE small portable storage case to go with your Trekz Titanium headphones.

Every 30-something needs… happy, healthy joints.

- Mel

Are you a daily supplement user? How do your joints feel during — and after — activity? Research indicates that active people should take glucosamine daily for joint health. I only recently started reading about supplements for my bones and joints because of my severe Vitamin D deficiency and the side effects of such. Glucosamine supports the function and mobility of joints.

Breakfast of Champions: coffee, Joint Juice and leftover cranberry bread from Thanksgiving! :)
Breakfast of Champions: coffee, Joint Juice and leftover cranberry bread from Thanksgiving! 🙂

The producers of a product called Joint Juice® connected with me recently to tell me about their products that supply a full day’s worth of glucosamine and chondroitin. Originally developed by an orthopedic surgeon for pro-athletes, Joint Juice® contains 1,500 mg of glucosamine in each of its products. Even better, their ready-to-drink supplement has 400 IUs of Vitamin D3, along with Vitamin C and other antioxidants. This daily drink is a convenient way to keep joints healthy and happy so you can do what you love and continue being active in your 30s and beyond. I received samples of the cranberry pomegranate-flavored drink from Joint Juice, which is tasty, though I did detect a slightly off-putting aftertaste. Kind of like when you chew vitamins — a necessary but temporary suffering.

So, what is glucosamine? Glucosamine occurs naturally in your body, which we tend to produce less as we age. That’s where supplementing has been shown effective in maintaining healthy joint cartilage. Glucosamine also works to lubricate your joints by helping cartilage tissue absorb water and to perform its job of cushioning and mobility.

What is chondroitin? Chondroitin is an element of healthy cartilage. So, taking chondroitin with glucosamine supports joint function.

Bonus: Vitamin D Recent research indicates that Vitamin D is essential for a number of cellular activities and most people don’t get enough. And I need all that I can get!

30-Something Approved: I’m an active person, so I am also actively concerned with keeping my body healthy and working properly. If you’re interested in trying Joint Juice®, it can be purchased at Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and the Joint Juice online store. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. If you’re in Pittsburgh and interested in trying, I have a couple samples that I can share too.

Disclaimer: Premier Nutrition sent me a case of Joint Juice® in exchange for review as part of the FitFluential network. All opinions herein are my own.

Macy’s Thanksgiving and Heart of Haiti: Gifts that Give Hope

- Mel

This is my second year participating in a Macy’s holiday Heart of Haiti campaign, and I am grateful for the opportunity to spread the word about this incredible organization again.

On Thanksgiving, we give pause to the upcoming purpose of the holiday season — a time for both giving and giving back. Amid the frenzy of the shopping lists and Black Friday emails, for a moment think about how gift buying can still be in the spirit of the season. Macy’s Heart of Haiti home décor products are gifts that give hope. Just the kind of holiday spirit that we should joyously celebrate.

The country of Haiti is rich in the arts and despite being the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, skilled papier mache artisans are anxious to work and earn a living to support their families. Macy’s Heart of Haiti has been providing economic support to Haitian artisans ever since the devastating earthquake hit over five years ago. Shortly after the earthquake, Macy’s joined forces with the Haitian artisans to develop a decorative product line for sale featuring their beautiful handmade goods.

This video tells the story of how the project started and the difference it is making in the lives of these artists:

The Heart of Haiti line of home décor items is made in the town of Jacmel — a charming, historic port known for its artisan community — by sculptors and artisans who have practiced the handcrafted technique of papier mache for centuries. This seaside town suffered a lot of destruction during the earthquake. Artisan studios and homes were destroyed, and residents were left with no way to make a living. The sales of these handcrafted items at Macy’s allows the artisans to once again practice their craft while feeding their families, sending their children to school and supporting their extended families.

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Macy’s Heart of Haiti vase with pieces from last year’s home decor collection.

Macy’s sent me this beautiful papier mache vase, which artisans created using age-old techniques. The process of making these decorative items starts with forming a mold out of dried mud, then using recycled cement bags. This particular vase features a black & white, wavy lines motif meant to mimic the gentle sea. Click through to watch another Heart of Haiti video, which features the process of making papier mache items for Macy’s.

This season, you can make a conscious decision to spend your dollars. Haiti has an estimated 400,000 artisans who rely solely on their handcrafted goods as a source of income.

30-something approved: Macy’s Heart of Haiti employs 550 artisans, providing economic support to their extended family members and others. The Macy’s Heart of Haiti line is only available at a few Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, D.C., San Francisco, Atlanta and a select few others. But all products are available on the Macy’s gifts that give hope page.

(Yes, my mantel decor has changed again!)
(Yes, my mantel decor has changed again!)

Disclaimer: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has gifted me a vase from Macy’s Heart of Haiti collection for this post. The vase retails for $55 and is available exclusively at Macy’s. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

New Store Opening in Pittsburgh: Chelsea Collective

- Mel

This post is sponsored by Vocalpoint and Chelsea Collective. All opinions in this review are my own.

Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of being invited to a special event preview for the new fitness apparel store opening at Ross Park Mall: Chelsea Collective.

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Chelsea Collective is the only fitness-focused specialty store that provides head-to-toe product diversity across footwear, apparel, accessories and beauty — with a variety of fitness interests from studio to running and more. Chelsea Collective selects every piece to be as high-performing as it is sophisticated.

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I brought along my friend and fellow running blogger/enthusiast Chelsea (appropriate, right?!) of Pittsburgh City Girl to the preview, which included a store tour, passed appetizers and a yogurt parfait bar, specialty cocktails (champagne!), and some amazing surprises. This preview proved that this store was MUCH more than just about fitness apparel. Can we call it a lifestyle store? Because this store pretty much nailed my life AND style. Chelsea Collective is the brainchild of Dick’s Sporting Goods. The brand is said to cater to all types of women with varied athletic interests. I found that to be true and then some. There are plenty of options from the casual lifestyle to the fitness enthusiast and all body types in between.

chelsea collective photo booth pittsburgh

This Chelsea Collective location carries a LOT of Nike-branded apparel — nearly half the store! Familiar brands like Adidas, Asics, and Calia (Carrie Underwood’s label) were set up in different sections throughout the floor plan too. There is even a bra bar with trained fit specialists to help make sure that you are shopping the correct size. I was particularly impressed by new-to-me labels Zobha and Lorna Jane and their respective merchandise. I really wanted this short-sleeved hoodie from Zobha which had already sold out in my size by the time I circled back around the store.

zobha athletic clothes

And OMG an entire section devoted to Splendid, which is one of my favorite brands! (I even saw Hunter boots, and their website teases me that Sorel boots will soon be carried in stores). We received a $25 gift card when we arrived for the event, which I used towards a pair of Sanuk sandals — you all tell me how awesome and comfortable they are, so it was a good “deal” to finally buy a pair.

New workout bags!
New workout bags!

I was absolutely SHOCKED by the additional generous gift that Chelsea Collective provided to all attendees to the party — a “build-a-bag” that included a workout bag worth over $250 (from Nike), which we were able to fill with four additional self-selected items from several shelves of goodies. I got a new yoga face towel, sport headbands from Nike, an infinity bracelet from Pure Vida (an organization close to my heart), and a Nike scarf (it’s SO soft). They also had yoga mats, straps and blocks (which I just purchased doubles of) and other fitness accessories. For signing up for their rewards card, I also received an extra gift at the register: a multi-strap leather bracelet with the brand’s logo.

nike workout bag chelsea collective

The store is fairly large and there is a lot of merchandise to look at, with additional beauty products and fitness accessories surrounding the register area (many of my favorites here too!). The changing room area is basically a social lounge, which is important for me when shopping (because, exhaustion) — with chairs and tables to relax at (for you or any of your shopping buddies) and stations available for charging your phone while you shop. It’s beautifully accented by a live plant wall and gorgeous fixtures.

You have to experience it for yourself!

Chelsea Collective opens this weekend and will be celebrating its official Grand Opening on August 22 and 23. They’re located on the second level near the Nordstroms wing. They’ll be hosting in-store styling demonstrations, offering complimentary services and refreshments — and experts will be on-site to offer advice. The first 25 guests will receive a special gift. I already wish I could return this weekend.

Find Chelsea Collective on social:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Every 30-something needs… to protect your eyes from sun damage!

- Mel

Recently I sat in on a webinar hosted by The Vision Council to raise awareness and educate about harmful UV exposure and its damage to our eyes. Protecting our eyes is an “out of sight, out of mind” thought for many of us 30-somethings — but the same UV exposure that causes sunburns, wrinkles and skin cancer also damages our ocular health.

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Dr. Justin Bazan, an ophthalmologist in New York and medical adviser to The Vision Council, told us is the session how to protect our eyes this summer, which was a reminder for those of us who are active outdoors in all seasons. I thought it was good info to pass along to you, as many of us (including myself) choose sunglasses based on style rather than function — AND it just so happens to be National Sunglasses Day today.

An adult’s use of eye protection depends on the activity — most often, we wear sunglasses for driving, at the beach or at the pool; and least often, when running, biking, gardening, or playing team sports. It’s just like sunscreen, for which I advocate relentlessly… and here, I’m a statistic and completely guilty of not protecting my eyes during my runs.

Here are some scary stats:

  • 1 in 4 of Americans rarely or never use sunglasses
  • 2 in 3 leave eyes unguarded on cloudy or rainy days
  • 3 in 10 don’t protect in Winter, when UV rays still present

The short-term problems of UV damage include: photokeratitis (sunburn of eyes), irritation, redness, swelling, hypersensitivity to light; and long-term eye damage includes: premature aging of skin, wrinkles and sunspots, abnormal growths on eye and eyelid, cataracts, macular degeneration, and cancer of eye (and surrounding area).

Some other staggering statistics — the top 5 cities with highest UV index levels (based on sunny days):
1. San Juan with 320 total days of extreme and very high risk
2. Honolulu
3. Miami
4. Tampa
5. Mobile, AL

#18 Denver, I was completely not expecting, but because of its higher elevation, it ranks up there with a total of 128 days of high risk.

Here was some other important info noted from this session:

  • Reflected UV light is just as damaging as direct
  • Research shows the eye receives nearly double the amount of UV radiation during peak running times in the summer (early morning 8am-10am) and late afternoon (2pm-4pm) — nearly double the level than midday (10am-2pm) other times of the year
  • The color of eyes means different UV sensitivity. Meaning: blue eyes are more at risk of UV damage than brown.

So, how can we protect our eyes? Consider your lens options. There are anti-reflective, impact resistant, mirror-coated, photochromic, polarized, wrap-around, and scratch resistant lenses — all have some level of eye protection. There are some myths about sunglasses too: that all have UVA/UVB protection (they don’t), or sunglasses with UV protection are expensive (I have a free pair that I picked up at a convention that have UV protection stamped on the inside), or that darker sunglasses have UV protection (nope).

This session was enough to make the case for multiple pairs for different activities, so I was super-excited when The Vision Council sent me a “thank you” participation gift that included a pair of Columbia sunglasses that will be PERFECT for my outdoor runs.

Sun Safe Swag Bag!
Sun Safe Swag Bag — and my new sunnies!

Check out #sunglassselfie and #nationalsunglassesday on social media for more about National Sunglasses Day. You can read more about UV eye protection from clicking through and visiting The Vision Council website and download their sun safe infographic here.

Disclosure: I was gifted a Sun Safe Swag Bag from The Vision Council for logging into the webinar and agreeing to write a post about the session content. Columbia graciously gifted me a pair of sunglasses for my participation.

{sponsored post} What’s in my purse?

- Mel

This post is in partnership with Dasani and Target.

What’s in my purse?

Short answer: everything. At least, it feels that way when I’m trekking a mile to work every day. I’m also traveling with a lunch bag. Or a bag of shoes to change into. And a bag of snacks (always snacks). And always an umbrella. But the best days are when I can squeeze everything into one large handbag. But because I’m conscious about the weight on my shoulders (literally), I leave a water pitcher, filter and bottle to refill at work. I drink A. LOT. of water, and refuse to drink sugary sodas, and that can get… well, tasteless. Something about Spring makes me crave infused waters, which are instantly refreshing — same after yoga sessions. I was excited to see a box on my doorstep with DASANI DROPS® Infusions AND a couple cans of DASANI® Sparkling Black Cherry (btw, everyone at work that I was drinking beer at our Pirates Opening Day Potluck… hilarious!).

DASANI DROPS® Infusions are unsweetened and naturally flavored drops to add a “splash” of flavor to your water. No added calories to your DASANI water bottle! I instantly took a preference to strawberry basil (there is also lime), and I see myself using this frequently to be refreshed on warm days. The DASANI DROPS® Infusions package is small enough to not weigh down my bag and contains up to 32 servings.

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DASANI® Sparkling Black Cherry: This newest flavor of sparkling water is added to an already-existing line-up of lime, berry, and lemon — which help you stay hydrated while also having that refreshing feeling. The beverage, found in 12 fl oz cans (and in 12-packs), is lightly carbonated, unsweetened, has no artificial flavors AND zero calories.True story, black cherry is my favorite flavor. I’m one of those people who orders sparkling water at the restaurant, if it’s available. Also, the cans are PERFECT for bringing with me to the hammock on the courtyard and to outdoor summer concerts (nope, still not a beer!).
I’m Team Fizz all the way.

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These new DASANI products can be purchased at your local Target store, using Target’s Cartwheel app. For a limited time, coupons will be available for both DASANI DROPS Infusions and DASANI Sparkling in Black Cherry (within the app). DASANI also confirmed that these two products are gluten-free.

Are you a Flavor 30-something or Fizz 30-something?

Disclaimer: DASANI provided me this product, in exchange for a review, social shares, and compensation. All thoughts and opinions herein are my own.



Red, White & Bouqs: flowers for your 4th #bouqlove

- Mel

WHO DOESN’T LOVE FLOWERS?

Most national flower delivery middle men are so disappointing. I see it at work all.the.time — what should be a beautiful bouquet is lacking a certain, ahem… freshness. And then the recipient finds out the price, which makes what should be a joyful surprise into a WHY DID S/HE EVEN BOTHER.

Of course, this is of no fault of the sender, but it certainly ruins a good and thoughtful deed. And that’s why I want to tell you about The Bouqs. The Bouqs (as seen on Shark Tank, O! Oprah Magazine, Forbes, E!, The Today Show, & Popsugar), are changing the flower industry one bouquet at a time. They own their own flower farm — budding flowers in the rich soil of an active volcano. All bouquets are cut to order and sent to your door without the “help” of a middle man. They also help you choose your flowers. The Bouqs also believe in zero waste, which passes on great savings to you.

red white bouq flowers

Their pricing is simple – $40 flat fee for all original size bouquets and FREE SHIPPING. This allows you to choose the bouquet you love without thinking about price!

For Fourth of July, The Bouqs are bringing back their Red, White and Bouq (pictured, beautifully, above) — perfect for celebrating the holiday with red, white, and blue roses. This bouquet is a splendid gift to bring to the Fourth of July BBQ you are attending or to pretty up your tables for hosting.

The Bouqs care about its customers, its employees and in sustaining an eco-friendly environment. You’ll notice how much longer your flowers will last too as their bouquets are shipped straight from the volcanic farm, which only prolongs the Happiness.

Disclosure: this sponsorship is published on behalf of Makerly, to which I received compensation in exchange for posting. All opinions herein are my own. See my disclosure page for more info.

New running goals, new headphones.

- Mel

I need a workout playlist to keep myself motivated to run (hello Marathon relay training!) and endure through tough uncoached workout sessions (I’m drowning out the guys who won’t leave me alone to my weights and machines, for real). But boy do I have a real problem with earbuds. Forget the ones that come with an iPhone — they were definitely not designed with small ear canals in mind; no, not even you “redesigned” iPhone 5 ‘buds. The current pair I use for exercise fit into my ear (thank you, Five Below impulse purchase), but I need to wrap around my headband in order to keep located within my ears area. And then there’s the problem with WHERE DO I PUT ALL THESE WIRES?!

It’s all very #firstworldproblems.

I’ve been looking around for other options of headphones to purchase, especially ones that are wire-free and runner-friendly. Enter: Jaybird.

Jaybird creates state-of-the-art headphones for active lifestyles. The company has a variety of bluetooth headphones that are perfect for every sport and activity! Plus, they have GOOD quality audio, which helps me train away the nagging YOU WILL NEVER BE A RUNNER thoughts that run through my head. Who keeps saying that?!

BlueBuds are the smallest Bluetooth headphones in the world — with remarkable playtime — and are possibly the most progressive headphones available.

Some other sweet benefits:

  • BlueBuds come with multiple size ear buds for comfort AND an over/under-ear fit options. Over-ear lifts cord off the neck, liberating your workout.
  • Do you know about the relationship between white noise and headphones? All other headsets produce listener fatigue. Pure Sound features in these BlueBuds filter white noise out for a better listening experience.
  • BlueBuds have an 8-hour battery life and charge via micro USB.
  • All JayBird products have a lifetime sweat-proof guarantee. I won’t get into sweat issues. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, you know.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPod Nano and Touch, iPad mini and Android models — basically any bluetooth-enabled stereo device.

Extreme athlete approved… Oh, hey CrossFit athletes:

I bet these would even be awesome for derby, pre-bout warmup too.

Voice prompts? You have my attention, Jenna. With voice prompts, getting to your first track is smooth and simple: put your headphones on, hold the power button and Jenna takes over saying “power on” then “headphones connected.” Push play and your music begins. I’m also digging the music and call controls to change tracks and volume without having to fumble with my iPhone through its armband case.

A special bonus for my 30-something workout warriors: Jaybird is giving away a pair of BlueBuds headphones every. single. day. Giveaway ends December 8, 2013; and one winner is selected daily. You can enter-to-win every day.

Christmas is coming! Wouldn’t these make the perfect gift idea for your fellow fitness enthusiasts! I know these BlueBuds are going on my wish list this year. But I’m definitely entering the daily contest too (Merry Christmas to me!).
30-something approved: BlueBuds retail at $169.95, available in storm white or midnight black, sold via the Jaybird website.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of JayBird.