Sunday, April 10, 2016

Natural Warrior Tea


   I'm in love!  You just don't realize what you've been missing until Mr. Perfect comes to your door.  This time Mr. Perfect came in the way of some awesome loose leaf tea delivered by the postman.  I know what you're thinking, "Tea is tea, how is this one any different?".  WRONG!  I'm sure you've either read or heard about all of the health benefits tea has to offer.  Every time I go grocery shopping I buy one of the well known brands of "healthy" tea and call it a day.  Oh how wrong I was.  

   After doing some research I discovered how much better loose leaf tea is for you rather than regular tea bags.  Loose leaf is a much healthier option because it gives you all of the antioxidants and good stuff you've been looking for compared to tea bags which don't.  



   Grace Lee, founder of Natural Warrior Tea, sent me five of their teas to try: Green Tea, Yerba Mate Tea, Mint Guayusa Tea, Dragonwell Tea and Black Tea.  When the tea arrived it also came with a paper describing the teas, how they would help and why I should be using loose leaf tea.  I have to say I was impressed with the flavor of all five teas.  I was a little apprehensive on trying the Mint Guayusa Tea because I am not a fan of mint by any means.  I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this one.  I think it's because I could taste the mint without it being too overpowering.  The Dragonwell was my favorite to try until I knocked over my glass and didn't get to finish it.  Then I found my soulmate, the Healer Brew Black Tea.  This one is at the top of my list and will now forever have my heart and a space in my cabinet.  Going on two years ago I cut out all soda products so my sensitivity to caffeine is higher than before.  I was impressed that all of the teas gave me added energy without the jitters and crash that follows.  

   This company is 100% natural, organic and vegan.  There are no added ingredients in the tea so when buying this tea you know that it is exactly that, tea.  The tea comes directly from the farms so no worries about mass production and all of the problems that that can cause.  The cost of the tea ranges from $25-$44 a bag, with 20-30 servings per bag.  YIKES, but hang on. I thought the price was high at first too but then I broke it down.  If I get a $44 bag and get the minimum 20 servings, I will be spending a little over $2 for a cup of tea.  I guarantee we won't be able to find a tea of this quality for that price anywhere else.  


   The main focus of this blog is fitness and health.  I am on my journey to becoming the best and healthiest version of me possible and that means I need to be fueling my body with the best stuff out there and so do you.  All in all for taste, quality and price I give Natural Warrior Tea five stars.  The only thing I would recommend to them is to have some sort of sampler package available for there customers.  It would be nice for customers to be able to purchase and sample each tea before jumping in with both feet and committing to one big bag that they may or may not like the flavor of.  Check out their website and tea and let me know what you think below.  

   SURPRISE!!!!!  If you decide to try the tea use coupon code CAIT for 15% off of your order.  Happy brewing. 

   www.naturalwarriortea.com
   @naturalwarriortea 

PS - I would like to add that this isn't one of those crap teas full of diuretics promising you an 80 pound weight loss over night.  This tea is just an overall, good for you, healthy tea.  Nothing will make you lose weight other than healthy eating and working out.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

21 Day Fix Vegan Shopping List



21 Day Fix Vegan Shopping List
   
   The 21 Day Fix program comes with a meal plan including meat but this shopping list is for all of you out there following a vegan diet.  I was actually surprised by all of the vegan options that made the cut for this program. Be sure to read your program for all of the specific portions.

GREEN- KALE, COLLARD GREENS, SPINACH, BRUSSEL SPROUTS, BROCCOLI, ASPARAGUS, BEETS, TOMATOES, SUMMER SQUASH, WINTER SQUASH, STRING BEANS, PEPPERS, CARROTS, CAULIFLOWER, ARTICHOKES, EGGPLANT, OKRA, JICAMA, SNOW PEAS, CABBAGE, CUCUMBERS, CELERY, LETTUCE (NOT ICEBERG), MUSHROOMS, RADISHES, ONIONS, SPROUTS

PURPLE- RASPBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES, WATERMELON, CANTALOUPE, ORANGES, TANGERINES, APPLE, APRICOTS, GRAPEFRUIT, CHERRIES, GRAPES, KIWI, MANGO, PEACH, NECTARINE, PEAR, PINEAPPLE, BANANA, PAPAYA, FIGS, HONEYDEW MELON, SALSA, PICO DE GALLO, TOMATO SAUCE 

RED- SHAKEOLOGY, TEMPEH, TOFU, PROTEIN POWDER (HEMP, RICE, PEA), VEGGIE BURGER

YELLOW- SWEET POTATO, YAMS, QUINOA, BEANS, LENTILS, EDAMAME, PEAS, BROWN OR WILD RICE, POTATO, CORN, AMARANTH, MILLET, BUCKWHEAT, BARLEY, BULGUR, OATMEAL, PASTA, COUSCOUS, CRACKERS OR CEREAL, GRAIN BREAD, BAGELS, WAFFELS, ENGLISH MUFFINS, TORTILLAS

BLUE- AVOCADO, ALMONDS, CASHEWS, PEANUTS, PISTACHIOS, PECANS, WALNUTS, HUMMUS, COCONUT MILK

ORANGE- SEEDS (PUMPKIN, SUNFLOWER, SESAME, FLAX), OLIVES, PEANUTS, COCONUT, 21 DAY FIX DRESSINGS

TEASPOON- OILS (OLIVE, COCONUT, FLAXSEED, WALNUT, PUMPKIN SEED), NUT BUTTERS (PEANUT, ALMOND, CASHEW), SEED BUTTERS (PUMPKIN, SUNFLOWER, SESAME)

FREE FOODS- UNSWEETENED GREEN TEA, LEMON OR LIME JUICE, VINEGARS, MUSTARD, HERBS, SPICES (EXCEPT SALT), GARLIC, GINGER, HOT SAUCE, FLAVOR EXTRACTS, 21 DAY FIX SEASONING MIXES

                       HAPPY GROCERY SHOPPING!!!!


21 Day Fix

21 Day Fix
   If you have a TV or a social media account, I am sure you have heard about the 21 Day Fix.  It's a workout program from Beachbody, featuring Autumn Calabrese.  Calabrese is a celebrity fitness trainer and also a national-level bikini competitor.  The program has done extremely well and I have personally seen great results from friends that have completed the entire workout program.  I decided to see what all of the hype was about and ordered it for myself.  
   The basic program comes with 6 easy to follow workouts on two DVDs, your 21 day portion control system, workout calendar and four bonus gifts. The 21 day portion control system is especially handy.  No counting calories! You get to eat a certain amount of containers depending on your goals for the program.  If it fits in your container you eat, super easy.  The containers are color coded so you know what types of food go in each containers.  I was worried about how the meal plan would be for me since I'm vegan and most meal plans seem to only allow chicken but it looks like it'll work.  
   I'll be starting the program tomorrow and over the next 21 days I'll be posting about the workout for the day and my meals.  I will also post a chart showing all of the vegan approved foods for the program. At the end of my program I will post my before and after pictures, weight and measurements. If you're not vegan, don't worry, the program comes with a non-vegan meal program.  
   If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or find me on my Facebook fitness page.  I'll also be hosting a  support/accountability group that you're welcome to join.  

Monday, February 16, 2015

CARE Animal Rescue Race


This race benefits an awesome animal rescue group. They are a non-profit charity doing amazing work for the animals. There will be a fun run, 5k and 10k. You can also bring your dogs. Check it out and invite your friends and family.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1560301757548112/?pnref=story

Monday Mini Workout



Here's your Monday mini workout. Repeat 5 times. Enjoy!