ExSoyCise

Energy Boosting Post-Workout Protein Shake!

Amber — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:40:43 +0000

Good morning Fit Friends!!

I am still processing all the amazing events from last week and compiling all my photos and videos to share with you guys. So in the mean time I wanted to share this protein shake recipe I created to take with me to the Fitness Magazine Meet & Tweet event last Thursday. Thank goodness I made this delicious shake because there wasn’t anything I could eat for lunch that was soy/dairy-free except for juices, which I drank a lot of because they were so delish! That’s why we always have to stay prepared because you never know where you are going to get stuck without food!

Have you ever tried sweet potato in a shake before? What’s your favorite ingredient to mix in your shake?

Pin and enjoy!!

xoxo-Amber

Fitness Magazine’s #FitBlogNYC Meet & Tweet is This Thursday!!

Amber — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:39:08 +0000

Hi Fit Friends!

I hope you are all having an amazing start to the week!

Soooo I am really excited that Fitness Magazine’s #FitBlogNYC is in two days and I was invited back to join in all the fun! AND from I hear it’s going to even better than last year, is that even possible? Last years Meet & Tweet event was full of awesome from the moment I walked in the door, I connected with all the amazing brands that sponsored the giveaways such as Reebok, Oakley, Birkenstock, just to name a few and I met so many awesome bloggers, many who I have bonded and formed friendships with over the last year, and we got some amazing tips on blogging, social media, beauty, and healthy living from some very inspiring speakers! Then to top it all off we got a swag bag FILLED to the top with amazing goodies, I am still blown away by all the cool gear we got!

Of course I am excited to go back and hear more amazing speaker and learn all I can about how to boost my blog performance, social media and soak up all of the healthy living tips from the experts, but I am also very excited to meet some of my fellow blogger friends who I know from social media, old friends from last year, and my dear friend and accountability partner Mari is also going to be there!

The event is from 9-3pm so a few of us are meeting for coffee before hand for our own little meet and greet, then later we have been invited to go have a killer workout and organic refreshments at Physique 57 at 5pm (maybe we will run into Kelly Ripa while we are there!) and then after that some of us are planning to meet up for dinner after. It’s going to be a non-stop day of excitement and I’ve already warned my Instagram friends that I will be blowing up their feed all day with awesome

I can’t wait to report back to all of you with amazing tips and tricks from the experts and some more awesome swaggggg!

What are you excited for this week? Leave me a comment and let me know!

My Favorite Things: Jergens Natural Glow 20 SPF Face Tanning Moisturizer

Amber — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:40:48 +0000

Do you have a sunless tanner that you LOVE? I thought I had found the ONE last year, but recently I fell head over heals in love with Jergens Natural Glow 20 spf Face Moisturizer! I bought the moisturizer because I needed some sun protection now that the weather is nice and thought it would be fun to get a little color! The Jergens turned out to be the best sunless tanner that I’ve ever purchased because for one it works well and really gives me a nice glow (tan), and for two it doesn’t smell! That is a big one for me because I own a TON of sunless tanners that smell and that is a big pet peeve of mine. I’ve actually stopped using and buying foundation since I’ve started using the Jergens. Pretty awesome. Don’t use my face in the video as an example because I literally just rolled out of bed and made that video ha! Just trust me, this stuff works!

What is your favorite sunless tanner?

Pin It Party!!

Amber — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:28:19 +0000

Hi fit friends! I hope you are all having a fabulous day!

Lindsay over at the Lean Green Bean is hosting a fabulous Pin It Party on her blog where she asked bloggers to share 5 of their favorite pinnable blog posts and link them up to her website! So I have rounded up some of my favorite and most popular food posts from the blog to share with you all. I hope you will go swing by her blog and join the pin party!

Happy PINNING!!!

Paleo Pumpkin Pancake Recipe with Coconut Butter Topping

Sweet Potato Pie Pancake Recipe (soy, dairy and grain free)

A Week of Paleo Breakfast Ideas

Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake Recipe (inspired by Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte)

Weekly Meal Prep for Weight Loss Success

Physical Activity for Cancer Survivors: Necessary for Energy Balance

Amber — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:34:23 +0000

Today I have guest blogger, Melanie Bowen, on the blog to talk about the importance of exercise as part of cancer treatment. This subject really hits home for me as my grandfather had colon cancer, and at the ripe young age of 28 I had a colonoscopy to find out what was causing abdominal bloating, my doctor found and removed precancerous cells from my colon. It was quite scary for me! I also know several women who have had breast cancer, so ever since then I have been very interested in natural cancer prevention and treatment.
Physical activity is an important step after cancer treatment. For those who are going through intense treatment after such cancers like breast cancer or mesothelioma, it can be difficult to walk or just move around. However, rebuilding muscle strength is a part of human wellness after going through treatment. Physical activity has also been attributed to improving mood, preventing cancer and maintaining bone and muscle health. Physical activity has been proven to reduce the risk of cancer in the prostate, lung and the lining of the uterus. For all these reasons and much more, you should be getting some physical exercise every day.

What Type of Physical Activity Works?

Nothing is too small when you just want to start working out. Going for a short walk a few times a day or lifting weights is a small measure of what you can do to improve your life for years to come. Physical activity helps balance out the energy levels in your body. With physical activity, you increase your energy levels, which are often deteriorated with treatment regimens. This makes it easier to get up out of bed and start moving back to your normal routine, particularly after treatment. Some low impact physical activity includes yoga, light dance, water aerobics, short walks and lifting light weights. Stationary bikes, medicine balls, stretching, Wii fit games and other exercises can also be easy to do in the home.

How Often Should You Exercise?

Most people want to get in at least 15 to 20 minutes of exercise per day. Cancer survivors may take a little time to build up to that amount, but just walking around every hour or every couple of hours can improve health after tough treatments. When you can do more, don’t push yourself to “go hard.” Remember that it’s about balancing your body energy levels and building muscle over time. Short walks and lifting weights can be essential to using what energy you have for that purpose.

Positive Effects of Every Day Activity

Even when you don’t feel like working out or starting a physical activity, you’ll be surprised by the way you feel after. Exercise improves your mood because of the release of endorphins. So as your body starts to move and exert force, it becomes easier to build up more energy for other exercises and activities. That’s why cancer patients need this type of energy in their daily lives when in recovery. As long as you are doing something every day and building upon your workouts each week, you should see positive results in your body and wellbeing.

Melanie Bowen writes for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance as an awareness advocate for natural health and cancer cure initiatives. You will often find her highlighting the great benefits of alternative nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness. Melanie also assists in social media outreach in her efforts to spread awareness.

#SpringToHealth Challenge Winners!!

Amber — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:03:42 +0000

We did it, we really really did it!!

On April 1st I I teamed up with Mari of NamasteMari and Jill Hanner, to bring you a two week long #SpringToHealth healthy living April challenge!

Our goal was to encourage everyone to eat wholesome nourishing foods and to get their bodies moving daily in order to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle. We wanted everyone to listen to what their bodies were telling them and do what is right for them! If that meant eating a certain food that you really love, but have excluded for a certain reason, take a day to enjoy it, or if you have been on a strict workout schedule and just need a break, then take a day off to rest.

At the end of the day, it is about best for our bodies!

So many of you joined us on this two week journey to #SpringToHealth and boy did we have a blast with it! I met some really amazing ladies through this challenge and also got to know some old friends even better through all of this!

Because there were so many awesome ladies who rocked the heck out of this challenge, we decided it was best to split the prizes up into 3 winners that way we could spread the love even more!

We gathered up all the names of the ladies who completed the challenge and threw them into a measuring cup. Mari and I nerded it out over Skype and chose the winners together. We cheered like little school girls as each name was chosen We felt so overjoyed that so many amazing woman decided to join us on this two week challenge and were even a little sad that it had come to an end. So THANK YOU to everyone that participated, you all seriously rock!

Now to announce the winners!

ColourfulPalate won the $50 Whole Foods Market gift card

BerryJustine won the case Stonyfield Organic Greek Yogurt, Neocell Beauty Bursts Mint Chews and Kind Bars!

QueenBacon won the Kelapo Coconut Cooking Oil Spray and Baking Sticks, and Almond Butter, Granola, AND Fruit and Nut Bars from Cavegirl Confections!

Congrats to all of you!!!

xoxo-Amber

I would also like to give another HUGE thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors!

Love and Prayers for Boston Tonight

Amber — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:14:28 +0000

Today my heart is filled with so many emotions…love, sadness, anger, helplessness, fear, hope, the list goes on…

I learned of the Boston Marathon bombing today around 3pm from a dear friend. I went on Twitter and Facebook and saw everyone’s posts of prayers, thoughts and love going out to all the victims of this horrific event. I knew that we had several Fitfluential family members running and attending the Boston marathon, I was so frightened to think that there was a possibility of them being hurt. I am so thankful that despite some very close calls, we have reports from most that most all of our Ambassadors are ok.

It hurts my heart that over 23,000 people participated in this event that is meant to be so positive, and so many people trained for months to push themselves to their limits and dedicated their 26.2 mile run to great causes, just to have all of that pride and joy crushed in a matter of minutes by cruel and heartless people. Lives were taken and people were badly hurt but for what?

I am not going to try to understand why someone would do this, because there is no just reason in the world for an act so evil. I am not going to dwell on hate that I feel for these people, because I don’t even actually hate them, I feel sorry for them. But instead, I am going to concentrate on sending my love and prayers out to everyone who was affected by the Boston attack today, to my family who I miss right now, to all of my wonderful friends, and to my love, Chris.

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.

Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.

Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

-Martin Luther King

May love and peace be with all of my fit family tonight!

xoxo-Amber

#SpringToHealth Day 5: Take your workout outdoors + I’m a Certified Health Coach!

Amber — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 22:10:40 +0000

Take your workout outdoors!

This morning I didn’t have time to get to the gym because I was taking my second Integrative Nutrition exam, so I jumped on my roof for a quick at home outdoor workout! Not only did it feel great to get my body moving outdoors for a change, but It felt amazing to feel the nice Spring air and the sun on my face!

I also had a burst of energy from the satisfaction from passing my exam and getting my mid-year Holistic Health Coaching certification! What does this mean you ask? Well it means that I can officially start my practice Awakened Nutrition and start taking on clients!

If you would like to schedule a free health consultation with me so I can get to know you better and learn about your goals, please fill out this form! I would love to talk with you!

Did you take your workout outdoors today? What fueled you through your workout?

xoxo-Amber

Also if you haven’t yet entered the 2 week #SpringToHealth challenge with Mari, Jill, and I, then you should really jump on it!

#SpringToHealth Day 4: Get Your Greens In

Amber — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:30:04 +0000

Get your greens in!

I hope to see lots of greens in everyone’s healthy meals today! I started my day off with a homemade brunch with my friend and fellow health fanatic, Meredith of Dare You To Blog. Because of my current eating plan to prep for my June photo shoot goal, we decided to have a B.Y.O brunch at her apartment.

This morning I brought over an omelet with spinach, extra lean ground beef, portobello mushrooms and fresh parsley, a side of avocado and steamed sweet potato. It was so nice to catch up and nerd out over nutrition after not seeing each other in the last couple months!

Now you tell me, what are your favorite greens to eat?

xoxo-Amber

Also if you haven’t yet entered the 2 week #SpringToHealth challenge with Jill, Mari and I, then you should really jump on it!

#SpringToHealth Day 3: Take the Stairs!

Amber — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:14:01 +0000

Day 3: get your bootay on the stairs! It was a crazy busy day for me but I managed to get out to Central Park and get some fresh (cold) air and also a little stair action!

I already take the stairs several times daily when I come and go from my apartment, get on and off the subway, and go down to the weight room at my gym. But I realize there have been times in my life where I lived in flatter places (Florida) where many of my daily activities did not force me to use the stairs and I usually chose the easiest way which was the elevator or escalator. The great thing about taking the stairs all day is that it’s like getting in mini workouts without a lot of effort! To boost my mini workouts I normally walk on my toes instead of flat footed or will hustle up the stairs quickly to get around all the slow NYC Zombies. But make sure you only hustle up the stairs if you are wearing proper foot attire, I learned my lesson last night on my way up the subway station stairs when I toppled over from wearing my Vans too loose on my feet! I laughed so hard and had a sore knee, but just kept on truckin’!

So today we encourage all of you to sneak in a little extra exercise this Spring and take the stairs!
Also if you haven’t yet entered the 2 week #SpringToHealth challenge with Jill, Mari and I, then you should really jump on it! Yesterday, Kind bars decided to join the party and we are so thrilled to have them as part of our prize pack!

Let us know, do you go out of your way to take the stairs?

xoxo-Amber