How To Live Your Healthiest Life Yet (As Seen On CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin”)

Wednesday, September 25th marked  National Women’s Health & Fitness Day, so I started the day out by visiting CBS Austin’s “We Are Austin” and sharing some great tips and products that can help women eat healthier, sleep more soundly, achieve their fitness goals, and eradicate scary chemicals from their homes and diets. Since we should prioritize wellness every single day, make sure to check out these suggestions so you can make the changes necessary to live your healthiest life yet! Check out the segment above (or click here to view it on CBSAustin.com) and keep reading for more details on the products seen on air.

EAT HEALTHIER MEALS THANKS TO GREEN CHEF

We’ve all been there: we come home after a busy day at work and open the fridge door, only to realize there’s nothing in there but condiments and a prune-y red pepper or half a red onion. We then peer in the freezer and pantry and realize that no combination of the items therein could potentially result in a healthy, balanced meal. Tired and frustrated, we turn to Dominos Pizza or scroll through the options at Uber Eats, ultimately settling on ordering food rather than preparing anything at home. Afterwards, we vow to be better prepared, to make more detailed grocery lists, to meal prep every Sunday afternoon, to try out those new recipes we stumbled upon on Pinterest. But then, of course, life happens. We eat clean for a few weeks, feel energized and ready to take on the world, and then our schedules pick up once again and our healthy nutrition habits fall to the wayside. Seems like a never-ending cycle, right?

Well, Green Chef can help you put an end to those nutritional mishaps once and for all. And if you’ve embraced a strict dietary plan such as Keto or paleo, Green Chef has you covered. In fact, that’s precisely what makes Green Chef so special: the meal kit subscription service caters to those with more niche dietary needs, offering curated menus for those following Keto, plant-based, paleo, and balanced living diets. Each weekly delivery contains all the ingredients you’ll need to prepare three unique and tasty dinners for 2-4 people. In your delivery box, you’ll find  fresh, certified organic, high-quality produce (and meats, if your meal plan of choice allows for it), all carefully labeled and pre-measured, as well as step-by-step recipes for you to follow. In 20-40 minutes, you can create dishes that look and taste restaurant-worthy — all without having to worry about last-minute trips to the supermarket and without racking your brain to come up with new entrée ideas. No wonder it’s the fastest growing meal kit service, right?

To make clean eating a priority and rediscover the wonders of cooking, find the meal plan that’s perfect for you at GreenChef.com. Prices start at $79/week.

SNACK SMART WITH SKINNY DIPPED ALMONDS

Remember when media reports surfaced that former President Barack Obama’s nighttime snack of choice was 7 almonds? Well, it turns out he wasn’t that much of a stickler about the number of almonds he consumed: it all started as a joke between then-White House chef Sam Kass and Michelle Obama, who teased the President about his level of self-discipline by saying he insisted on exactly 7 almonds and never 6 or 8. Somehow, when the joke was relayed to journalists, they reported it as fact; and years later, Obama himself assured everyone that, no, he didn’t count out his almonds meticulously. He did however stand by his snack of choice, saying, “You know, almonds are a good snack; I strongly recommend them.” It doesn’t get much better than repeated endorsements from Obama, right? After all, Obama has repeatedly been heralded as one of the top 20 US presidents in our country’s history, and his brilliance is well documented.

So yeah, Obama is completely right about almonds  being a great snack. Almonds are a great source of protein, fiber, and monounsaturated fats, plus they contain key nutrients like vitamin E and magnesium. They’re also  highly satiating, so they help to curb your appetite and keep you from going on a Cookie Monster-esque snacking rampage in between meals. Now, if you have a sweet tooth, chocolate-covered almonds might sound particularly enticing, but the key is finding the right ones: after all, you don’t want to wind up eating something loaded with calories and sugar.

That’s why I love Skinny Dipped Almonds: they feature a really thin layer of ethically-sourced dark chocolate, providing the perfect balance of salty and sweet. Dark chocolate, of course, is rich in antioxidants, making it a healthier alternative to milk chocolate — and again, the coating on these almonds is airily light. Because of this, they’re much healthier than regular chocolate-covered nuts, with each serving containing just 150 calories and featuring only 6-7 grams of sugar. They’re also non-GMO and include no scary chemicals and no paraffin or shellac.

Skinny Dipped Almonds are available in these yummy flavors: Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Dark Chocolate Cocoa, Dark Chocolate Espresso, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter. You can find them at Whole Foods Market stores.

PRACTICE SELF-CARE WITH THESE ITEMS — ALL AVAILABLE AT JCPENNEY 

Self-care is a key component of physical and mental health. After all, when you’re sleeping properly, finding healthy ways to relieving stress, meditating and being mindful, and doing small things to boost your self-confidence, it helps you feel more at peace, lowers your stress levels, and makes you more present and more efficient as a professional, as a mom and care giver, and as a spouse or partner. To help y’all unwind, pamper yourselves, and relieve tension, I rounded up some great products — all available at JCPenney.

First, you can take a sweet power nap with the SensorPEDIC Coolest Comfort Temperature Regulating Gel Infused Contour Memory Foam Pillow ($59 at JCPennedy.com), which features a gel-infused,  pressure-relieving memory foam material, along with a unique contour shape that provides orthopedic support for the neck and head, and a soft cover infused with moisture-wicking Nanotex technology to keep you cool and dry throughout the night.

Next, for a spa-like experience at home, you can dip your feet in the Conair Foot Spa ($39.99 at JCPenney.com). This foot spa features toe-activated controls that allow you to turn on micro bubbles with heat (yes, bubbles!) or the percussion vibration mode so you can get a lovely foot massage. Whether you’re on your feet for long stretches of time and need some relief or you want to give yourself a pedi at home, this foot spa will provide an indulgent experience.

Last, there’s my absolute favorite of the three: the As Seen On TV Jidue Facial Massager ($79.99 at JCPenney.com). Yes, it looks like a pair of ski goggles at first glance, but when you turn those “goggles” around and look inside, you’ll see 18 nodes that are uniquely positioned to stimulate the 4 key points around the eyes. When you turn on this hands-free mask, then, the nodes pulsate and create an acupressure-like effect, massaging this area of the face, stimulating blood flow, minimizing puffiness, alleviating eye fatigue, easing facial tension, and leaving you feeling refreshed and stress-free. In 5 minutes, you’ll feel brand new!

SLEEP SOUNDLY WITH GRAVITY’S NEW AROMATHERAPY PILLOW 

According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2014 Sleep Health Index, 40% of Americans say that poor or insufficient sleep affects their daily activities at least once per every 7-day week. And here’s the thing: studies show that women need more sleep than men (on average, 20 minutes more) in order to feel alert and well-rested due to the fact that we use more of our brains during the day (a phenomenon researchers speculate is directly tied to women’s constant multi-tasking). Women also experience the adverse effects of sleep deprivation more acutely, with more women reporting difficulty concentrating and remembering things due to tiredness than their male counterparts. Women were also more likely to report feelings of fatigue, irritability, anger, and hostility due to sleep deprivation (I can personally attest to being a cranky mess when sleepy!). And insufficient sleep doesn’t just have short-term effects: over time, it can put us at an increased risk for obesity, diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory problems.

In other words, you know the phrase, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead?” Well, erase that from your vocabulary because, without getting enough shut-eye, death might arrive sooner than you expect. Instead, think of the Napoleon Bonaparte quote, “Let her sleep because when she awakes, she will move mountains.” Let that be your mantra!

If you grapple with insomnia, turn to the makers of the Gravity Blanket: they offer a variety of science-backed products to facilitate a good night’s sleep. Case in point: their new Aromatherapy Pillow ($120 at GravityBlankets.com), which combines the soothing power of lavender with the plush comfort of a premium memory foam pillow. It features a patent-pending scent system that tucks discreetly into the pillow, releasing that lavender scent for up to 60 days, so you can enter a state of relaxation quicker and sleep more soundly. Here’s how it works, when you unzip the removable, bamboo-based pillow cover and examine the memory foam pillow, you’ll notice a series of pocket-like slots — with 4 slots in total. This allows you to take one of the scent vials (the small white tubes containing the lavender aroma) and place it inside one of the 4 round, purple scent pucks, then insert those pods into the 4 slots on the pillow. You can use as many scent pucks as you wish depending on the desired intensity of the fragrance. The pillow comes with 12 scent cartridges and 4 reusable scent pucks.

To make your bed a sanctuary, pair the pillow with the new Gravity Cooling Blanket ($259 at GravityBlankets.com) which has the same weight as the brand’s original weighted blanket but with a moisture-wicking duvet to keep you comfortable all night long. The new cooling blanket also features a weighted inner blanket with fine-grade glass beads as opposed to plastic polypellets, yielding a more luxurious experience.

You can visit GravityBlankets.com to find everything you need to upgrade your nighttime routine.

KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN — WITHOUT TOXIC CHEMICALS — WITH ECOS

Most of us work tirelessly to remove dirt, dust, and bacteria from our kitchen countertops, refrigerator shelves, bathroom sinks and toilet seats, floors, and window sills. That said, while we concern ourselves with keeping our homes clean and germ-free, we often forget about the health dangers that might be lurking in the same products we use to sanitize our homes. Many household cleaning products actually contain hazardous chemicals like ammonia and sodium hydroxide (lye), which can irritate the eyes and throat, trigger headaches, and even contribute to chronic respiratory problems.

To keep your home immaculate while also protecting your health and that of your family, nix the harsh cleaning products and replace them with safer, greener household products like those from ECOS. For over 50 years, this family-owned company has made high quality, efficient, and affordable cleaning products using  powerful plant-based cleaning agents. Many ECOS products carry the EPA’s Safer Choice certification, so you know they contain only the safest ingredients for both our health and that of the environment. Not only are ECOS products thoughtfully formulated using plant-based ingredients, but they’re made in carbon-neutral plants using 100% renewable energy, so the company’s practices are as green as they come.

And ECOs has such an amazing range of products — from their best-selling Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent (the Magnolia & Lily scent is spectacular!), to their All Purpose Cleaner (I love the Ginger-scented variety!), their Dishmate Dish Soap (the new Almond scent is my current fave), and their Window Cleaner (which leaves glass beautifully clean and streak-free).

You can find these at Whole Foods Market, Randalls, and Sprouts Farmers Market stores.

WORK OUT IN STYLE WITH XERSION — AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT JCPENNEY 

Like I told Taylor on air, I firmly believe that the phrase “dress for success” also applies to fitness because, once you put on cute and functional workout clothes, you get in the right mind frame to put in the work necessary to reach your exercise goals. Who says you can’t look cute as you hustle for that muscle, right?

And you don’t need to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on workout clothes. JCPenney actually has a ton of great activewear that’s on-trend, high quality, comfortable, and affordable – like these great pieces from Xersion, an activewear line that’s available exclusively at JCPenney. With its deep green color and funky leopard print, the Xersion Women’s Hooded Windbreaker ($54 at JCPenney.com) is so adorable you’ll want to wear it before, during, and after your workouts. The lightweight zip-up jacket features a hood with a drawstring closure, two front pockets, and a breathable mesh lining. The jacket goes perfectly with the Xersion Women’s High Waisted Straight Leggings ($44 at JCPenney.com), which come in the exact same green shade and feature a matching leopard print accent along the vertical side stripes. The 7/8-length leggings offer the compression you need and feature a functional moisture-wicking fabric, plus the high waist is ultra-flattering.  And, of course, the Xersion Mesh Back Seamless Bra ($27 at JCPenney.com) offers medium support and features a breathable mesh back.

These are just some of the Xersion pieces available at JCPenney and, as I mentioned, you’re sure to find a ton of other options — not just from Xersion but from a number of fantastic brands. At JCPenney, then, you’ll find activewear in fun colors and prints, and there are options and sizes for all body types and all personal styles.

CRUSH YOUR FITNESS GOALS WITH CELSIUS 

To optimize the benefits of your workout — whether that involves jogging, spinning or interval training —check out CELSIUS, a healthy energy drink that’s clinically proven to accelerate your metabolism, burn calories and fat, boost endurance, and help build lean body muscle.

Until recently, I drank a cup of coffee before my morning workouts but, now that I’ve replaced that cup o’ Joe with a can of CELSIUS, there’s no turning back! See, CELSIUS gives me more sustained energy so that I can really power through even the most demanding of workouts, and I don’t feel a crash during or after my workout. Plus, unlike traditional energy drinks, CELSIUS doesn’t make you feel jittery at all  — you get the energy boost without any detrimental side effects.

Each can of CELSIUS has 7 essential vitamins, zero sugar, and no added flavors, colors, or preservatives. CELSIUS is also very low in sodium, and it’s non-GMO, vegan, and kosher.

You can find CELSIUS at HEB, Amazon.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and more. There are a ton of sparkling and non-sparkling flavors available but, if you’re looking for suggestions, try the Sparkling Watermelon and the Peach Mango Green Tea.,

GET YOUR PROTEIN FIX WITH KOIA’S PLANT-POWERED DRINKS

After a grueling Camp Gladiator workout (and when are they not grueling?!), I’m always looking for a quick and healthy protein fix to refuel and feed my muscles — and Koia’s plant-based protein drinks are among my favorite post-workout treats. These  ready-to-drink beverages are super convenient, and they’re incredibly nutritious, containing 18 grams of plant protein per bottle and only 4 to 6 grams of sugar. Each beverage contains about 190 calories, and it’s plant-based, non-GMO, soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Instead, you’ll find ingredients like almond milk and coconut milk; protein derived from peas, hemp, brown rice, and chickpeas; and antioxidant-rich monk fruit extract.

Koia’s plant-powered protein drinks are available in several flavors such as Vanilla Bean, Coconut Almond, Cacao Been, Chocolate Banana, Cold Brew Coffee, and Cinnamon Horchata. And did I mention they’re delicious? Because they are!

You can find Koia at Whole Foods and HEB stores. Visit DrinkKoia.com for more info.

PROTECT YOUR SKIN WITH HELIOCARE

Last but not least, we can’t forget about our skin! After all, the skin is the body’s largest organ, and it’s under constant attack due to free radical activity caused by UV rays and air pollution. To protect our skin against the damaging effects of free radicals, make sure to use sunscreen regularly and incorporate this powerful supplement to your diet: the Heliocare Daily Use Antioxidant Formula ($29.99 at Walgreens stores nationwide). This is a clinically proven, natural dietary supplement that has been recommended by dermatologists for over 20 years thank to its antioxidant effects on the skin.

Heliocare contains an exclusive antioxidant extract which is naturally derived from Polypodium Leucotomos or PLE. a tropical fern native to Central and South America. Studies have shown that daily use of Heliocare aids in reducing free radical damage, hence resulting in younger-looking, more resilient skin.