Monday, July 14, 2014

Introducing Pure Via!! All natural zero calorie sweetener and GIVEAWAY!

As a FitFluential Ambassador I was sent the Pure Via Summer Fit kit for blog review and testing purposes. 

I am excited to share all the information I learned about Pure Via from their website.  



A pure extract of the naturally sweet stevia plant is the secret to Pure Via’s sweetness. It’s called Reb A and is the sweetest and best tasting part of the stevia plant. At Whole Earth Sweetener Co., we work in partnership with PureCircle to ensure that Pure Via is sweetened with the highest quality of this natural sweetener. And because we work with a single company to source Reb A, we are confident in the consistent quality of this important ingredient.

Pure Via only contains natural sweeteners. The pure Reb A from the stevia plant that sweetens Pure Via starts with stevia leaves, which are first milled and then steeped in water using a brewing method that is similar to brewing tea. The resulting stevia extract is then further purified to separate the Reb A through a proprietary technology used by PureCircle.

Finally, Reb A, the sweetest part of the leaf, is extracted, purified and then combined with other natural ingredients to make Pure Via.





The new Pure Via® meets a growing demand for Non-GMO products.  According to a recently published New York Times survey, 75% of consumers ”expressed concern about genetically modified organisms in their food.”  Whole Earth reformulated Pure Via® with a Non-GMO dextrose derived from cassava root rather than from corn.  All other ingredients in Pure Via are already Non-GMO and will remain the same.  Packages and sachets of the new Pure Via® will be specially marked with a Non-GMO logo.  In the absence of applicable U.S. laws and regulations on GMO labeling, Whole Earth is following the European Union regulations for what constitutes Non-GMO ingredients and flavors.

*What do we mean by non-GMO?

We believe that a food or food ingredient is Non-GMO if it is not the product of bioengineering. Bioengineering means the group of applied techniques of genetics and biotechnology used to cut up and join together genetic material and especially DNA from one or more species of organism and to introduce the result into an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics. We believe that food ingredients that are derived from GMO plant material should also be deemed GMO. We believe that food ingredients are not GMO if they are produced using enzymes harvested from micro-organisms that are the product of bioengineering.

We have based our definition of Non-GMO on current food labeling regulations in European Union where we manufacture and sell other Non-GMO sweeteners. We may modify or supplement our definition of Non-GMO from time to time in order to conform to any applicable laws or regulatory guidance.


Here are some of the products that they offer: 




Pure Via® is great tasting and sweetened using all natural stevia. Pure Via is a good alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners. We are proud that Pure Via packets’ ingredients are non-GMO (not the product of bioengineering). You can use Pure Via like sugar, to add natural sweetness to your hot or cold beverages, sprinkle on your favorite fruits and use in recipes.
Pure Via’s stevia extract is 97% pure Reb A made from the sweetest extract of the stevia leaf
It is sweetened using all natural stevia
Pure Via packets contain only non-GMO* ingredients
Each Pure Via packet sweetens like two teaspoons of sugar
Pure Via is suitable for people with diabetes
It’s certified Kosher Parve

For nutritional information, please visit: http://www.purevia.com/Purevia/PureVia.aspx




Pure Via® liquid sweeteners are great for on the go… these bottles will fit in your purse, backpack, pocket or gym bag. They come in two delicious varieties – both naturally sweetened with stevia. Try original and vanilla flavor. The no drip lid means no messes and they dissolve instantly in your hot or cold beverage. Pure Via liquid sweeteners have a clean sweet taste and have zero calories. Big things come in small packages, sweet things too!


Pure Via’s stevia extract is 97% pure Reb A made from the sweetest extract of the stevia leaf
It is sweetened using all natural stevia
Clean sweet taste
No drop lid
Great in hot & cold beverages
1 squeeze is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of sugar
Pure Via is suitable for people with diabetes
It’s certified Kosher Parve

For nutritional information, please visit: http://www.purevia.com/PureVia/Liquids.aspx 



Recipes I want to try with using Pure Via:



SERVINGS

Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (250 mL) plain low fat yogurt
½ cup (125 mL) plain soy milk
4 packets Pure Via sweetener
2 small bananas, frozen*
3 cups (750 mL) quartered fresh strawberries
4 ice cubes

DIRECTIONS

Place all ingredients except ice cubes in blender container; cover. Puree until smooth. Add ice and blend until smooth.

Divide mixture evenly between 4 glasses and serve.


* Peel bananas, cut into 3 pieces each and place in re-sealable plastic bag. Freeze until needed.

Original recipe here:
http://purevia.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=7&cat=coldbeverages




A creamy rich oatmeal made with low fat milk and water, sweetened with Pure Via sweetener and enriched with dried fruit provides a “breakfast in a bowl”.


SERVINGS

Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

2- ½ cups (625 mL) 1% milk
2- ½ cups (625 mL) water
3 cups (750 mL) uncooked old fashioned oats
½ cup (125 mL) dried cranberries
¼ teaspoon (1 mL) salt
6 packets Pure Via sweetener
1- ½ cups (375 mL) fresh fruit (blueberries, strawberries or raspberries)
Original recipe here:
http://purevia.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?id=5&cat=tastytreats


Download the Free Jewel Cookbook here:

http://purevia.com/jewel-tunes/Cookbook.aspx


Now here's the fun part!! 

You can win your own Pure Via Summer Fit Kit too!! 



The ‘Pure Via Summer Fit Kit’ contains:

  • Box of Pure Via® non-GMO packets
  • Bottle of Pure Via® stevia liquid
  • Bottle of Pure Via® vanilla stevia liquid
  • Container of instant iced tea
  • Pure Via mason jar & straw
  • Pure Via pedometer
  • Pure Via SPF 15 lip balm

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RULES:
US only; up to 4 weeks for delivery; and one kit per person/household. (meaning you can't win this kit from me if you won this kit from another blog)

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Why I workout even during the ups and downs.


I posted this picture and this caption yesterday on Instagram and wanted to share it also here on my blog. 




I have two boys and I love to workout everyday so I can be heathy and strong and be able to take care of them for a long time!! After I had my youngest exactly 4 years ago, I weighed 250 pounds! I was miserable with lots of knee and back pain. Couldn't play with my kids without getting winded or tired. I hated how I felt and how I looked. My hubby was so loving and patient and never ever made comments about my body except to be supportive and kind. I knew I didn't want to live like that for the rest of my life. So I started small and consistent. Started eating healthier and walking for a few mins every day (10-15 mins nothing big). I would increase the length every couple of days until I could go longer lengths without getting winded. I was more energized and hopeful the more weight I lost! As of last summer I weighed 152 and I felt awesome!! I have completed multiple hard at home exercise programs (Chris freytag, turbofire, body pump, etc) last summer I started training for my first half marathon and over did it and really really stressed my body and knees. This past fall I experienced injuries from training and my third miscarriage which was really depressing during the holidays as well as the death of my grampa. I still continued to eat healthy and exercise but I started to gain weight. :( my weight gain has really bummed me out and discouraged me. I've been at 167 for the last several months. I've been making an effort to eat clean and for health reasons started being gluten and dairy free. Ive gotten back to lifting weights which I absolutely love!! Being healthy and fit is definitely a lifestyle change but well worth it! Even with the ups and downs.

Friday, July 11, 2014

NEW 2014 Leslie Sansone mix and match walk blasters

I am so excited for this new Leslie Sansone DVD to be released!! I've already preordered it from amazon and I will get it sometime the end of August.

Do you like Leslie Sansone workouts dvds?



Got 10 minutes? Then you have time to get started on your health goals! If you want to lose weight, increase energy, slim legs, tone arms, trim waistline, manage stress, improve heart health you name it, Fitness Walking can help! And, Leslie's Mini Walk Blasters fit into even the busiest schedule. If you have just 10 minutes some days, 20 minutes other days or sometimes even 30+ minutes a day to exercise, you can choose from the 10 different Mini Walks to create a custom walking session that works for you.

Leslie packed so much into this program! You'll love the NEW ways to WALK... sweat... tone... Kick... punch... even DANCE really! We do it the walkers way.

Mix + Match Minis = MORE benefit in LESS time!

Here's the Mini Walk lineup:
1. Light Walk!
2. Brisk + Steady!
3. Interval Walk!
4. Short + Sweaty!
5. Walk, Kick + Jab!
6. Dance Walk!
7. Tummy Trimmer!
8. Lower Body Blast!
9. Upper Body Blast!
10. Flexibility Walk!

Plus, in each 10-minute Mini Walk, Leslie offers one tip from her Top 10 Healthy Life list.

You can mix + match any way you like. The easy-to-use DVD menu allows you to plan your own workout combinations. Plus, Leslie offers you three pre-planned workouts made up of her favorite combinations. With so many options, you can't help but STAY MOTIVATED!

Minutes a day... not hours a day... can be the secret that turns your fitness around!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KASQQTQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.collagevideo.com/products/copy-of-leslie-sansones-ultimate-5-day-walk-plan

The Revealing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Revealing is an Amish Christian Fiction book by Suzanne Wood Fisher. I have read other amish fiction so I'm familiar with some of the amish words they use throughout the book, but I just couldn't get into this book and the story line. I only read half of it because there were so many characters introduced in just the first couple of chapters, I couldn't keep people straight and what was going on. I've heard she was a great author and has written other books in this series, unfortunately this book wasn't for me.

Read on below for the book specifics-maybe it will be something that you would like!


About the book: 

Naomi King, soft spoken, loyal, and easily overlooked, has a gift. She sees what others can't see. Intuition, she calls it. Others in Stoney Ridge don't know what to make of it and dismiss her hunches and inklings altogether.

When a young woman arrives at the Inn at Eagle Hill with a shocking secret about Tobe Schrock, Naomi fears the worst. She can't ignore the feeling that something sinister is at work--- something more than a threat to the tenuous love begun between her and Tobe.

As signs mount, they begin to point to Jake Hertzler, the elusive mastermind behind Schrock Investments' downfall. Soon, events spiral hopelessly out of control and Naomi must decide whether to listen to her head or her heart.

In this riveting conclusion to The Inn at Eagle Hill series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher pulls out all the stops with a fast-paced tale of deception, revelation, and just the right dose of romance.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/ywEHT 

About the author: 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Inn at Eagle Hill series, Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.

Download Suzanne's free app! http://bit.ly/10Tygyi

Find Suzanne online: websiteTwitterFacebookPinterest

I'm a blog book reviewer for LitFuse Publicity so I was given this book complimentary in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

The Daniel Plan Day 10- first check in and PRIZE PACK! #thedanielplan

Its time for our first check in for The Daniel Plan program!

Its day 10 on Wednesday July 9th so it's time to evaluate how we've done and what can be done better.


Have you been able to finished the whole The Daniel Plan book?
What did you like about it and how did it help you?

I loved making notes and learning about the 5 different essentials and how they all help towards a healthier more fit lifestyle.

I have been using The Daniel Plan journal every day and it has really helped me focus on my eating, exercise and what I'm thankful for each day. I did get behind for a couple of days with my journal but I still wrote down what I ate so I wouldn't forget.


One of the essentials is Food of course. 
Was it hard for you to follow the nutrition plan?  

I have not been following the daily food plan as outlined in the book, but I HAVE been eating off the list and making my own meal menus. I know my mom has been following the 10 day detox and was doing excellent with making her meals and following the program. I did not do as well as I had hoped these past 10 days. I did eat fast food twice (Wendys jr bacon cheeseburger) as well as a very small icecream; but I stuck with my menu plans the rest of the time. I've been gluten and diary free for at least a month or two so personally it wasn't hard for me to follow this program. I do miss having bananas because I like to use them in my morning protein shakes, and I still use them occasionally, but I try to use other foods instead.  

Were you able to eat healthy these past 10 days? 
Did you try any new foods or recipes? 


Another essential to the program is FITNESS. 

I used the hashtag #thedanielplan and #danielstrong on my fitness Instagram pictures, if you want to check out what I've been doing. The past 10 days I've been doing walking, strength training and flexibility. I get up fairly early so I can do my workouts in the mornings before the family is awake and before I have to get ready for work. I love my workouts, my alone time, and trying new exercise dvds.

I tried PIYO for the first time, as well as Jillian Michaels Body Revolution. I exercised 8 out of 10 days. I took a rest day on sunday and took a rest day today. 

What workouts did you do? 
Did you exercise every day? 


One of the things I like about using my journal is that it asks me every day for one thing I'm thankful for. 

What are you thankful for today? 


I hope you have had an awesome time living The Daniel Plan Lifestyle. Our next check in will be on day 20.

For the next 10 days continue to eat healthy and follow the food plan or list of foods as best you can. Try to do some form of exercise 5-6 times per week. and don't forget to weigh in and measure every 10 days as well. I will be weighing myself in the morning because I forgot to do it this morning.

Don't forget to enter my rafflecopter below to win some prizes for participating in this challenge.

Every 10 days we will have a check in and another prize to win. USA addresses only and you can win more than once!! Good luck!

Here's a little peek of the prize packages I was putting together this weekend:

Adventures in Odyssey Cut and Fold activity with the kids


CFMatthew-1


Summer is officially here! Don't let your kids' boredom run rampant. Adventures in Odyssey is here to save the day. Below are some must-try ideas for summer fun! Want even more summer fun? For the month of June, you can join the Odyssey Adventure Club for only $5! More details can be found here.

Summer Activities

As a parent you are probably a big proponent of reading. Encourage your kids to dig into a book or two this summer with Adventures in Odyssey's On Your Marks Summer Reading Challenge. Bonus points if YOU create a reading challenge for yourself as you read along with your kids!

Looking for something hands-on? Create Matthew in 3-D! Invite a few of your kids' friends over for a play date, print off the activity sheet, and let them have at it for the afternoon (with the promise of cookies and lemonade once they've finished constructing Matthew).

Maybe your kids aren't into reading, but they love math. If that's the case, have them solve Eugene's Sudoku!

The laundry needs to be done; the dishes need to be put away. But your kids are begging you to take them out to the zoo. Let them take a whack at Matthew's Decoder in the morning, then make an agreement that if they figure out how to use the decoder, you'll take them on an afternoon adventure. That'll give you the morning to finish up your to-do list!
Odyssey-Adventure-Club-1

Saturday, July 5, 2014

week 3 recap of #nataliejillchallenge #nataliejillfitness

I forgot to post my week 3 and 4 recap of the Natalie Jill Fitness challenge I did in June.

Here's my blog post with more specifics about the challenge.
http://crafts-n-fitness.blogspot.com/2014/05/natalie-jill-fitness-flatbellychallenge.html

You can find all the challenge videos here:

Here are my workouts from week 3:

Monday
2 miles Leslie Sansone, 5 mins Natalie Jill core video, 10 mins Butt Lift video.

Tuesday and Wednesday 
Rest Days :-( 

Thursday morning
3 miles Leslie Sansone, Tues/Wed/Thurs Natalie Jill videos. 

Thursday evening. Walking slow on the treadmill while watching tv. 

Friday
21 day Fix upper fix with handweights, 6 min Natalie Jill butt video. 

I am really enjoying this challenge because its a great variety and short enough that I can do other workout videos as well.