MealEnders Review & Giveaway

Almost as soon as I was accepted as a Sweat Pink Ambassador I signed up and was accepted into my first campaign!  I received one of each flavor of MealEnders for free in exchange for my honest review.

About MealEnders:
MealEnders Signaling Lozenges are a first-of-its-kind weight management tool designed to curb overeating and teach portion control using a combination of behavioral psychology and sensory science. Free of stimulants or other harmful “diet” ingredients, MealEnders catalyze behavioral change by retraining the mind to stop eating with the eyes.

MealEnders consist of two components: a sweet, outer reward layer and a cooling/tingling inner core. The outer layer provides a measured dose of “dessert” associated with the end of a meal, while the inner core engages the trigeminal nerve (the nerve that senses “taste”) with long-lasting cooling/tingling sensations that cleanse the palate.

Sucking on a lozenge when you know you’ve consumed enough — but can’t stop — keeps your mouth and mind occupied during the 20-minute Overeating Zone, giving your body’s natural satiety process time to catch up. MealEnders are an easy, safe and sustainable way to curb your appetite. Each Signaling Lozenge contains only 2 grams of sugar and 15 calories…and they taste great!

My favorite flavor

I was so excited that I tried the Chocolate Mint flavor the first night.  Once the chocolate was sucked away it was like BOOM MINT!  I'd used it as dessert that night so I couldn't tell if I was still hungry afterwards.

I brought the Citrus flavor with me to work the next day.  The key lime pie flavoring was good but I couldn't identify the citrus flavor once that was gone.  I don't know why but that bothered me.  I shared some with my coworkers.  The lady in the office next to me tried it first (which was surprising because she's not really into stuff like this).  Both of us identified that the MealEnders kind of numbed our tongues where it sat in our mouths which we assumed was part of the signaling process.

My least favorite flavor

Don't shoot me - I do NOT like anything coffee or mocha flavored.  I try and try different things but just don't like the taste.  The Mocha flavor was also brought to work to share with my coworkers.  I truly suffered through this one after the chocolate was gone.  I kept chugging my water throughout and afterwards but the taste would not go away.  I had to eat something else once it was gone to return my mouth to normal.  Now my coffee drinking coworkers loved this flavor so I gave one the rest of the bag.

I was sort of disappointed with the taste of the Cinnamon flavor as I had expected it to be more like the cinnamon candies.  The flavor was very mild.

Overall I couldn't tell if the MealEnders actually helped me to stop eating.  They were more of a filler, like when you've finished eating but are still just a little hungry and don't want to have another serving of dinner.  This is how I plan to finish out the rest of the 3 flavors I kept.

Here's your opportunity to win a bag of each flavor to try as I did!  If you don't want to wait you can purchase your MealEnders with a 20% discount using the FitHolidays20 code at checkout.

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After getting the bird in the oven I did P90X3 The Warrior.

I ate a white Thanksgiving dinner with a little pop of color.

Turkey, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, and Cauliflower & Peppers

FRIDAY I did Isometrix.

SATURDAY I did Agility X.

MONDAY I stretched with Dynamix.

TUESDAY I did Accelerator.

Because of our current bills (including my surgery back in September) I don't have the budget to be able to pay for the Group Exercise and Wellness Coach Specialty Certifications.  I haven't had any luck with finding a part time Wellness Coach position without any certification.  So I'm not sure how I'm going to pay for this yet.  If you have any ideas please let me know!

TODAY I ran through CVX again.

MONDAY:  Of course we had to jump for joy for Monday! Whether it’s snowing outside or not (who wouldn’t jump for joy for snow angels?!), show us what kind of ups you got!  I rarely jump because of my weak ankles.  They may be better since I've lost weight but I don't want to risk an injury.

TUESDAY:  I didn't do the HIIT workout they shared; mine is enough!

WEDNESDAY: Show us how you balance sweaty workouts, sweet treats, and savory snacks over the holidays! For me it all starts off with Austin's birthday cake.  I try not to eat it every day.

THURSDAY: Did you know 75% of your annual weight gain happens over the holidays? Get moving & stay fit during the Holidays! Show us how you get moving in thirty minutes!  Since that's the average length for my workouts it's easy to show.

FRIDAY: It’s Family Fitness Fun Friday! Grab a family member and enjoy a favorite activity! It can be: going for a walk with your Mom, taking the kids Roller Skating, Cross-country skiing with your significant other. Anything Goes, just have fun being active with your loved ones!  I'll have to see if I can get Austin involved in something this weekend....

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Indy Cooking Expo 2015 Giveaway

Image Courtesy of stockimages | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I am excited to be attending my first Expo as a blogger!  It's the weekend after my hysteroscopy with polypectomy so I'm hoping that I'll be feeling OK.

The Indy Cooking Expo is designed for us everyday home cooks as well as foodies.  There will be loads of cooking tools, appliances, and specialty foods to explore, as well as cooking demonstrations, seminars, and contests.  I'm curious to explore what they have for healthy cooking.

Indiana Pork is giving away a four pack of tickets to the Expo to my readers ($40 value).  I look forward to this giveaway as it gives me an opportunity to meet one of you in person!  Which day would you like to go?

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Color Dash Recap and a Giveaway

I weighed in Tuesday exactly the same as last week; I just wish it was back down in my goal window.  On the plus side my bikini arrived Friday!  I just need to have the top tightened somehow as it's too loose LOL  I have no plans to go anywhere with this bikini; it's just for me!  What things do you have or do that are just for you?

Week of Workouts

SATURDAY I managed to get Burn Intervals and Ab Burner in before heading out to the Brookside Bash Color Dash.  This map is from the race site.

I knew it was through the park but what I didn't realize was that there were so many hills!

This is what MapMyWalk recorded so it appears they changed the route a little.

I essentially wore 4 layers up top for the race...yet somehow the colors went all the way through.  I had a huge stripe across my abdomen, just below my bra.  There was a huge patch on my left side that looked like a bruise from the colors collecting there.  How in the world did that happen?  The Sara Lee shirt was tucked into my shorts.  The Dash shirt was over the shorts so I could get to my flipbelt for the phone.

OK, back to the regular workouts....

SUNDAY was Burn It Off! and Recharge.
MONDAY I wrapped up the Burn phase with Burn Circuit 2
TUESDAY was an active rest day with Yoga.
WEDNESDAY I began the Push phase with Push Circuit 2.
THURSDAY was Push Circuit 1.

Fish Oil Review & Giveaway

I was given a bottle of Pro Star Health Omega 3 Fish Oil for free in exchange for my review.  If you recall, the last fish oil we tried was 1400 mg but with this one we're back to only 1000 mg (and giving Benny 3 pills).  These are the standard size (that I've seen) of about an inch long softgels.  When I first opened the bottle I immediately smelled a fishy odor that I hadn't detected with any of the other fish oils.  Thankfully the smell was just captured in the bottle and not in the softgels themselves.  The odor is the only thing that comes to mind distinguishing this fish oil from any other.

Enter to win your own bottle to try.

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The Yoga Collective Giveaway and My New Program

Last week I just wasn't feeling it with TOM and health insurance shockers...I didn't have it in me to write my weekly post.  And that's OK, it happens sometimes.  Still feeling bloated but able to think more clearly this week.  To start us off today I have a giveaway.

The Yoga Collective

I was contacted by The Yoga Collective to check out their yoga workout videos.  I was given three codes for a free year's membership in exchange for my honest review, one for myself and two to give away.

There are quite a variety of workouts to choose from and some positions I hadn't seen before visiting The Yoga Collective.  The first thing I noticed when searching the videos were the levels.  I had not seen a number system like this before so I asked the rep to explain the differences.  Reading his explanations I considered myself mostly a level 2.

1 is beginner, introducing you to yoga and understanding about breathing and the importance of yoga.

1+ is still beginner but you actually start doing yoga and doing basic stretches.

2 is intermediate. It builds off level 1 and shows you a few more advance moves.

2+ assumes that you know level 1 and the yoga is a little more fast pace because we assume you have watched the previous levels.

3 is advance. We assume you know what you are doing you know the names of the posses and we move a little quicker.

While I was in between programs I made Sunday my day to do yoga.  I searched The Yoga Collective each time and pretty much stuck with the 1+ & 2 levels for my choices.  Here are the four workouts I've done so far

So many workouts so little time to do them all!  I enjoyed each online yoga class I did and will continue to use The Yoga Collective for my active rest days.  I can't wait to explore more of what they have to offer over the year.  I don't see myself advancing levels anytime soon as I'm unable to do any of the arm balancing positions.  I'm happy where I am and can still learn a lot here.

Are you interested in exploring or expanding your yoga abilities?  Take a look at their free yoga videos and see if yoga is something you'd be interested in.  Enter to win a year's membership with The Yoga Collective.  50% of their profits go to charities.  Who could pass that up?

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My New Program

Tuesday afternoon I signed up for the free 30 day trial of Beachbody on Demand.  While I love the idea my computer wasn't cooperating so I won't be continuing beyond the trial.  I still want to continue with strength training so that's what I looked for in the available programs.  I don't feel I'm ready for any of the P90s so I went with Chalene Johnson's ChaLEAN Extreme.  The first day I had to watch the workout on my teeny tiny phone screen....

Now I was scared a bit by EXTREME in the title.  From other extreme workouts they seem crazy difficult.  Not so much with this workout.  The only EXTREME, at least in this first phase, are sets of 3 super duper slow reps.  That is hard because I don't like to lift slow...I know I'm not alone with that.  I don't have as much of a problem lifting up as I do lowering slowly.  After going up for 8 seconds my arms just want to drop LOL

Someone asked me how I liked ChaLEAN Extreme so far in comparison to Body Beast.  Honestly, there's no comparison as the only thing that's similar is you're lifting weights.  Body Beast you have sets increasing and decreasing the amount of weight you're lifting.  ChaLEAN Extreme you only do one set (using the max weight you can lift keeping proper form) of 10-12 reps.  With Body Beast it seems like half your time is sitting or laying down lifting the weights.  I think only one or two lifting exercises in this first phase of ChaLEAN Extreme were done on the floor.  Sagi goes fast and Chalene goes slow.  I could probably go on forever picking apart the differences between the two programs LOL

What I don't like as much is Chalene doesn't give you much time to switch up your weights.  Chalene and the guy use some fancy schmancy dial-a-weight dumbbell set so you just have to flick your finger to adjust your weights.  Chalene's sister and the modifier use a set of 3 dumbbells.  There's another lady using resistance bands instead of dumbbells.  I have to pause the video when I need to switch between the 5/10/15 lb adjustable dumbbell set.  Not a big deal but I could use another set to avoid this LOL

This first month of ChaLEAN Extreme is the Burn Phase.  As you know I don't follow the pre-determined schedules as I move them around to fit my availability.

Here's the Burn schedule I'm following-
WEDNESDAY:  Burn Circuit 3
THURSDAY:  Burn Circuit 1
FRIDAY:  Rest/Yoga
SATURDAY:  Burn Intervals & Ab Burner
SUNDAY:  Burn It Off! & Recharge
MONDAY:  Burn Circuit 2
TUESDAY:  Rest/Yoga

Now I have the potential of TWO sessions with The Yoga Collective!

Have you tried any new programs lately?

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Organic Chia Seeds Review & Giveaway

I had never thought of chia seeds before (besides the Chia Pet) but I'm looking for different healthy foods to ease my way into new recipes.  Just the other day Benny said he wanted me to cook something different.  So the opportunity to try chia seeds falls in at the right time.

I received Chia Seeds GOLD™ - 100% Organic (2 pound bag) by NutriGold for free in exchange for my review.  Since this is my first experience with chia seeds I've been scouring Pinterest trying to find what I can add them to or simple recipes I can make.

Most of the time I'd add them to my yogurt or oatmeal.

For dessert I frequently have a cup of #yogurt ... Last night was half vanilla half strawberry with about a tbsp natural #peanutbutter and about 1/4 scoop of #organicchia seeds. #200ktransform @dymatize @bodybuildingcom

A photo posted by Cassandra Schmigotzki (@longandwindingroadtowellness) on Jan 27, 2015 at 6:48am PST

I tried twice to make chia pudding using a simple recipe but neither time did the pudding solidify.

Austin has been wanting me to buy apple butter but perhaps I can make it with chia seeds in the crockpot during the week (so he doesn't know the seeds are there).

 I found a simple Chia Jam in the BodyPeace book.

 

 

I used an apple as my fruit.  I cut it up and put it in the microwave for a minute.  Since I don't have a food processor I used my mini chopper...it seemed to take forever!  I didn't measure the honey but added it little by little.

 

 

How the red apple made green jam...I don't know.

 

I mixed the jam in a bowl with about 2 tbsp. of peanut butter.

 

 



I still wanted something more substantial so I added a yellow container amount of oatmeal.  I did add water to it but never warmed it up in the microwave.

It tasted a little too sweet once everything was mixed together.  I have a bunch of frozen fruit and cans of pineapple I can try next.

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Maintenance Week 3 with a Giveaway

I weighed in last night down 3.8 lbs putting me back into the goal range.

Week of Workouts

Thursday was Jillian Michaels Shred-It with Weights Level 1.  I did Level 2 on Friday.

Saturday was Jillian Michaels Extreme Shed & Shred Level 1.

Monday was Kelly Coffey-Meyer's 30 Minutes to Fitness Circuit Burn Workout 1.

Yesterday was Kelly Coffey-Meyer's 30 Minutes to Fitness Lift in Full Throttle Workout 1 - Olympic Lifting.

My hips and thighs have been achy all week so I decided to do some yoga this morning.  I ended up with Adriene Mishler's Morning Yoga routine that I found on Grokker.

Probiotics-a-Plenty

As I mentioned previously Week 2 I was using LiviaOne Daily Liquid Probiotics.  At work I put the drops in my water bottle once a day and on the weekends I put it in a glass of water.

The instructions say to use 4 droppers full of LiviaOne daily (1-2 for children 12 & under).  First of all I could never get a full dropper.  I usually could only get about an inch of the dropper filled with the liquid.  Is the dropper supposed to be filled every time?  If so, I wasn't getting enough and I'd need to double or triple the dosage.

One day I had an issue with the dropper itself.  For whatever reason the liquid wasn't staying in the dropper.  I had to play with it a while and eventually it started holding liquid again.

Probiotics in liquid form are odorless, colorless, and tasteless so you could forget that you were even taking anything!

Week 3 I used the Microbiome Plus+ GI Probiotic.  This probiotic comes in a 30 day supply of 4 boxes, 2 packets of pills in each box, to be taken with meals.  On each packet are 7 probiotic capsules and 7 prebiotic fiber tablets..  One packet is for the mornings and the other for the evenings.

I would take the first dosage with breakfast or lunch and the second dosage with dinner or dessert.  It was a little annoying having to take 4 pills a day; that just seems excessive.  I'm not sure of the logic behind the probiotic and prebiotic having to be separate.

TMI ALERT:  Saturday (I think it was) I weighed myself before going to the bathroom and afterwards.  I had lost about 1 lb!  I've never checked this before so I'm not sure if this is a normal load for me or if the Microbiome Probiotic is really helping me.

For whatever reason when I use a probiotic I'm much gassier.  It's not painful in my abdomen but it's not just a little toot either.  Week 2 I gained weight but week 3 I lost weight.  As far as probiotics go, does that mean that Microbiome is better than LiviaOne?  Or was the loss because of two solid weeks of probiotics?

IShopNutrition would like to give 5 lucky readers a chance to try the Microbiome Plus+ GI Probiotic.  Complete the entry form below for your chance to win a 30 day supply!

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I received these products for free in exchange for my review.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers.