Happy Friday, loves! I seriously can’t believe it’s already the weekend. It’s strange to think that, just one week ago, I was livin’ it up at Reebok Headquarters. Times flies, eh? Speaking of time flying, this morning’s workout came and went at lightning speed. That might have something to do with the fact that it was only 10 minutes long. Regardless, it was a doozy and I challenge you to try it out. Don’t be fooled by the pretty colors!

This baby was really challenging. It very much reminded me of something Zuzana would put together. I completed two rounds in about 10 minutes, did one round of Tone It Up’s Bikini Bootcamp, and then called it a day in favor of breakfast and getting ready for the day. I had to get to work, so this quick and effective workout was just what I needed. After a long day of work, I had a special date planned with my friend Ashlee.

Lunch

Another late lunch was on the horizon this afternoon. Ashlee met me at work and we walked over to Bar Louie to grab a bite to eat. I’ve been eating out far too frequently, and, as a result, my bank account is scolding me with decreasing dollar signs. Gah! Alas, we had a beautiful midday date. Ashlee and I chose to dine alfresco on the restaurant’s roof deck, which ended up being a fabulous decision. With the 80 degree weather and the sun’s hot rays shining down on us, we were pretty much in heaven.

I ordered a hummus and tabbouleh platter, which came with carrot sticks and cucumber slices. Bar Louie makes their hummus in house, and there are often a few whole chickpeas in the dip. I love this – it’s like finding a hidden treasure. You know you’re a vegan food blogger when stray chickpeas excite you. Nerd Alert! As for Ashlee, she opted for the Chop Chop salad and devoured every last bite.

Laughter, friendship, and sunshine. I ask you this: What could possibly be better than that?

New Vlog: “Lovesong” Cover

This Friday evening, I am serenading you into a weekend of bliss. Sound good? Great, let’s do it!

Stay lovely,
Heather

It’s official: I’ve hit a wall, as they say. The sleepless nights of studying coupled with the adrenaline rush that was last week has officially made me exhausted. It’s to be expected but there’s nothing worse to me than feeling so tired. Oh well – we shall prevail! This morning, I woke up and completed a new total body  workout that had my muscles burning all over: the Bikini Sculpt workout from the Tone It Up Beach Babe DVD. Fine toning is no joke, my friends.

Lunch

Today was commencement ceremony rehearsal at Framingham State. I drove up to my future alma mater so the Dean could review various logistics with us. We also did a “mock walk” across the stage. So crazy to think I’ll soon be a college grad! (I’m actually not techincally graduated until June 25, when my final summer course ends). While reviewing said logistics, the Dean made a point to say, “Anyone acting illegally incapacitated will be removed from the premises by police.” Guess that means I’ll be leaving my flask at home.

After our mock ceremony, my friend Kristen and I went out for a very late lunch at the British Beer Company. She ordered a roasted veggie wrap with sweet potato fries and I opted for my beloved lettuce wraps.

The homemade hummus and red chili dipping sauce never disappoint! I asked for an extra side of hummus too – that little dollop was not nearly enough for this chica!

Kristen is a pretty amazing friend. She decided to give me my graduation gift (I’m giving Kristen her graduation gift on the day of her graduation party), and I was so touched. She picked out the most perfect card…

…and an equally perfect gift.

It’s Snoopy! I’ve been a long-time fan of The Peanuts gang, so this made me smile – and I love the saying too, of course. Side note: Did anyone else watch The Peanuts early in the morning on Nickelodeon? I distinctly remember whenever the teacher would talk, she wouldn’t have a script – it would just be her saying, “Wah, wah, wah, wah.” Classic.

Dinner

By the time dinner rolled around, it was kind of late and I was in the mood for something that would come together in a snap. I whipped up my smoky tofu scramble and happily munched. 

I nixed the Ezekiel bread in favor of more greens and tofu. The mesquite flavor really came through, which is always a good thing. There is nothing like that extra kick of flavor!

Law Grad Says Veganism Should Be Human Right

According to a recent article on CBC, Toronoto law school graduate Camille Labchuk is trying to get vegans’ rights protected under human rights legislation. Labchuk made her case before the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and said vegans’ right should be protected, especially in public establishments such as hospitals and prisons, where patients and inmates must rely solely on the food provided. In the event that people request a vegetarian or vegan meal and are denied, Labchuk believes that should be filed under discrimination. According to the article, Labchuk said her presentation was well received by the HRC.

(Source)

You go, girl! Having worked in a hospital as a dietary aide two summers ago, I know first-hand what it’s like to be vegan and eat hospital food. It certainly isn’t easy! I brought my lunch from home every day except once – and when I asked for vegan substitutions, I received a lot of backlash, particularly from the elder members of the food service team. Some people simply don’t get the lifestyle, and I understand that, but I think a human rights legislation would be a great asset in order to get the word out some more. While this is only applicable to Canada, maybe the U.S. should jump on board too! What do you think?

Stay lovely,
Heather 

Happy Wednesday, friends! How’s your day so far? It’s gray and bleary out – again. Seriously, sun…can you please show us some love? I think an anti-rain dance needs to happen. Do those even exist?

Rain was pouring when I woke up to start my day. To be honest, I was kind of mad to wake up to rain again. I thought April showers brought May flowers? Pft. I took my anger out on my workout and completed Tone It Up’s Bikini Body MAX Burn and Surfer Girl workouts, followed by one round of the Beach Bum routine. My booty’s going to feel it tomorrow!

Lunch

After watching Live with Kelly with my Mom and getting ready for the day, I took care of some blog-related tasks before breaking for lunch: wrap style!

I whipped up a batch of curried mock chicken salad and stuffed it into collard leaves and cabbage leaves. This is one of my favorite recipes to make. It’s so delicious and satsifying!

Fighting “Protein Boredom” As a Vegan

I received an excellent question from reader Mary a couple of weeks ago regarding protein boredom as a vegan. Mary said she is sick of eating beans and veggies all the time and needs some help in the variety department. Well, let’s fix that, shall we? After deciding to adopt a vegan lifestyle, we have so many sources of protein to eat, it’s just a matter of planning and thinking a little bit outside the box. Here are my favorite ways:

Vegetables

Wait, what? Yes, vegetables! Just 1/2 cup of raw vegetables has 2 grams of protein. When I make my entrees for lunch and dinner, I typically include anywhere between 4 and 5 cups of vegetables, between dark, leafy greens and other delicious additions. That means I am getting between 8 and 10 grams of protein from vegetables alone – and that’s before I add a protein source. Bottom line: Eat your vegetables and love ‘em! Raw, roasted, stir fried – go crazy!

Quinoa

This is one of my favorite protein additions because it contains all of the essential amino acids – these are the building blocks of protein that we need to obtain from our diet. One serving of quinoa is a great source of high quality protein. I like to bump up the protein factor by adding 2 Tbsp. of nutritional yeast and a little coconut oil to make a thick mass of deliciousness. I also like to add quinoa to stir frys and enjoy it in collard wraps.

Beans

Beans, beans – they’re good for your heart…yeah you know the rest. Beans are incredibly versatile! Whip up a quick chili, create homemade bean-based burgers like Gena’s Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers, Sarah’s Black Bean Burgers, or one of these Cooking Light veggie burgers (not all are vegan but you can easily subsitute). I also like to roast a can of organic chickpeas in 1 tbsp coconut oil with some cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice for an easy salad topping. 

Nuts

People tend to shy away from nuts because of their high fat content but there is NO need to fear the fat! We need fat to protect our cells and preserve our memory. I say bring on the fat! One of my favorite ways to eat at meal time is with Brendan Brazier’s almond-flaxseed burgers from his book Thrive. They take just 5 minutes to make, are absolutely incredible, and are bursting with garlic flavor (warning: reduce to 1 clove of garlic if you’re sensitive to it!). Ani Phyo and Kimberly Snyder also have great entrees that incorporate nuts! Both of their books are great kitchen tools to have on hand.

Organic, non-GMO Soy

I enjoy high-quality soy products roughly 3 to 5 times a week. Like any other foods we eat, when consumed in moderation and variety, it’s perfectly acceptable! (For more info on the safety of soy, click here). I purchase extra-firm tofu and incorporate it into scrambles and bake it. Personally, these are the only ways that I like to enjoy my tofu. You can also buy silken tofu and put it into smoothies for a nice, thick taste! Tempeh is my all-time favorite soy-based protein and you can incorporate it into any of these recipes. 

When it comes to processed soy products, with the exception of organic, non-GMO tofu and tempeh and my coveted Sunshine Burgers, I personally try to steer clear of them because I like foods that give me the most energy bang for my buck! Remember that we are all different, though. If you like processed soy products, you are no less of a human being than myself. We just have different ideals – and that’s okay! The key to living a delicious and compassionate vegan lifestyle is to have fun and plan ahead! Planning out your meals for the week really makes everything so much easier. Hope this was of help to you!

I’m off to work my retail job (womp womp). Have a great day!

Stay lovely,
Heather 

My morning began like any other – with a workout! For some reason, I was really tired but I knew a workout would be just the thing to wake me up! I started with Tone It Up’s HIIT the Beach and Bikini Abs routines from the Beach Babe DVD and ended with an extra abs circuit that had my core firing!

Lunch with Mom

Instead of eating lunch at home today, my Mom and I made a trip to Whole Foods; always a good decision, right? This is one of many perks of having the summer at home – I get to spend some quality time with Mom. Today was my lucky day because she was all mine! Before leaving, I made her snap a picture of me in my new Tone It Up tank.

The above top is from Tone It Up’s new beach babe edition of tank tops. I absolutely love the mustard color, and it’s breathable and well fitted nature. The “Sun Kissed” design is what really wins me over, though. I love the fun, summer colors. Get ‘em while they’re hot – K&K said they’re running out fast!

Okay, back to lunch. When mom and I arrived at Whole Foods, we stopped outside the entrance to smell some gorgeous, local roses.

We didn’t smell for too long, though, because we were starvin’ Marvins. After perusing the offerings at the hot bar, cold bar, and deli counter, I decided on a big salad of randomness and a side of yellow beets seasoned with tarragon.

Served with a side of mother-daughter chatter, it was everything I could ask for. Afterwards, we roamed the aisles of Whole Foods for a little while and then called it a day.

Warm ‘n Fuzzy Vegan Chili

Last week, there were quite a few days that had me in the mood for chili. You know those days when the clouds roll in and the rain pours like buckets, forming massive puddles in pot holes you never even knew existed? These are the days when I crave chili. It doesn’t matter if it’s 5 or 105 degrees outside; the craving runs deep. So, while I know the weather is warming up, I’ve got something warm ‘n fuzzy for ya!

It started with this…

and ended up like this.

I promise you it’s every bit as good as it looks. Most chilis take hours to sit and simmer but this is an ideal alternative because it’s ready in just 20 minutes! You can also make it ahead of time and stash it in the refrigerator. This allows all of the flavors to blend and you’ll have leftovers for the entire week (I prefer it this way). Most importantly every chilly bone in your gorgeous bod pod will be satisfied thanks to the protein, fiber, healthy fat, and antioxidants – not to mention your energy will skyrocket since we’re keeping it clean and simple. Enjoy!

Stay lovely,
Heather 

P.S. – If you feel inclined, check out an interview over at Healthy Page featuring yours truly. They asked great questions, and I really look forward to working with them in the future!

After a whirlwind of a week last week, I must admit that it’s a little bittersweet getting back into the swing of things. Wednesday through Saturday were some of the best days of my life, and those memories will be tucked away in an extra special part of my brain forever.

Workout

That being said, I still managed to get my adrenaline pumping this morning with an awesome workout! To start, I completed five rounds of ZWOW #14. I capped my workout off with two rounds of the Tone It Up Bikini Bootcamp workout. After that, my biceps and thighs felt like absolute jelly, so I cooled it down with some deep stretching. I rocked my new Reebok gear that I received at #RBKFITBLOG and felt pretty bad ass.

Photo courtesy of Cait!

The rest of the day was spent catching up on blog-related tasks, including an interview and many, many, many emails. This morning, it looked like my inbox threw up on itself but now that it’s trimmed down, I can breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Lunch

I broke for lunch after a few hours of work and made my LeanCleanGreen salad. Mmm mmm mmm. The combination of the fresh lime juice and avocado seriously wins me over. I could eat this salad every day. Apparently, I was really involved in my work because I totally forgot to snap a picture of said lunch! Enter recycled photo.

Luckily, today’s salad looked virtually identical to the above salad so, I can assure you that you’re not missing out on anything.

Dinner

So many of my recipes come as a result of happenstance – a fortunate accident of sorts. Tonight’s was no different; and so balsamic-glazed quinoa came to be.

I was craving another salad with avocado and pondered for a minute over what to do for a satiating protein source. I boiled one serving of quinoa for about 11 minutes on medium heat before adding the following to it:

• 2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
• 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. raw agave nectar
• 1 tsp. spicy brown mustard
• black pepper to taste

The result was pretty amazing, guys. Served over romaine and topped with (slightly browned – whoops!) avocado and sliced red peppers, it was another home run salad. You hear me, Kelly Olexa?!

Food + Fitness Does Not Equal Happiness

On Saturday evening, I had the sheer pleasure of going out with two fellow Tone It Up sisters: Jenn and Jenny! We’ve been Twitter buddies for awhile now and were so excited to finally meet each other in person. Well, my friends, sisters is officially what we’ve become.

Me, Jenn, Jenny

We talked from the second we saw each other until the second we said goodbye. There might have been a nano-second of silence the entire time. I drank some pinot (some being the operative word, here…that glass was huge!)

and ate some phenomenal food: collard greens with garlic and a hearts of palm burger with sweet potato fries.

Thank you, Garden Grille, for yet another fabulous meal! While the food was phenomenal, the company was even better. That is a message I’ve truly taken away this past week. It’s crazy how just a few days can really alter your outlook on a particular aspect of your life. I write a healthy living blog and talk largely about food and fitness. This sort of talk will be commonplace throughout my life, as it is the base of my career. That being said, it isn’t the heart of what truly matters. This is something we all know deep down but, sometimes, there are specific moments in time that make us realize the true heart of the matter. 

Jenn, Jenny, and I met through Tone It Up (thank you, K&K!). We met through a little spot in cyber space whose roots are intertwined in food and fitness; a world where so many women hate the bodies they have and want to change them. Throughout our entire dinner, not once did I think about food and fitness. I was simply in awe at how amazing my new friends were, how we laughed at the same things (practically until we cried), and bonded like true sisters. Food was the backdrop to our newfound friendship.

I thought back to that morning when Cait, Matty, and I went to Wildflour. Cait and Matty talked each other’s ears off about books and various other things they have in common. That night, Matty told me, “She is awesome.” I can’t really argue with him there. It’s moments like these that make me feel truly alive.

Two book nerds.

I love when candid moments are captured and immediately transport you back to that one moment in time. Prior emotions rush through your body and all you can do is smile, whether those emotions are gratitude, peacefulness, pure love, or a combination of all three.

Food and fitness are essential to being healthy but true health comes from a synergy of food, fitness, and, most importantly, building lasting relationships with people that bring out the best in you. Last week’s events – every single one of them – did just that. So, hug your loved ones extra tight tonight and thank them for shaping you into who you’ve become, bringing joy to your life, and making your life complete…because they, unlike food and fitness, are anything but a backdrop to your life.

Stay lovely,
Heather

The winner of the FITNESS swag giveaway is Tonia. Congrats, girl! Email your name and address to heather@fortheloveofkale.com!

First of all, thank you for your sweet comments yesterday on Tone It Up‘s Facebook page. Your support and kindess never goes unnoticed. You rock. Virtual hugs to all!

#RBKFITBLOG Event Recap

On Thursday evening, Cait drove down to my neck of the woods. She slept over, and the two of us got up nice and early for our trip to Reebok headquarters for #RBKFITBLOG! Luckily, we didn’t have to wake up too early because Reebok headquarters is just 25 minutes from my doorstep. I still can’t get over how the campus is just a stone’s throw away!

Cait and I changed into the gear that Reebok graciously sent to us. We donned our Reebok essential track jackets and tees, CrossFit capris, and RealFlex Transition sneakers. We felt so confident and strong in the apparel, and were so ready for an amazing day.

Jackets on!

Jackets off!

The second we stepped foot on the Reebok headquarters, I felt a simultaneous rush of excitement and content. The sun was shining and people were bustling around the headquarters with enthusiasm and passion. I felt like I was with “my people.” I know it sounds kind of silly but I really felt at home.

Reebok headquarters

I made sure to “karaoke and weave” my way to the entrance to the tune of “I Will Survive.” Yup, it happened.

After warming up our pipes, we were led upstairs to the brand room, our “home base” for the day, and met up with Kelly Olexa and our fellow FitFluential ambassadors. Each of us were given our own padded Reebok seat and provided with a notebook and pen to jot down notes during the day’s presentations. The journalist in me really appreciated that.

FitFluential ambassadors ready to learn all things Reebok!

Johnice Graham, Reebok marketing manager, took us through a presentation on how Reebok wants to portray their brand to customers. Through their recent partnership with CrossFit, Johnnice told us that Reebok wants their customer base to equate Reebok with being the brand for fitness. According to Johnice, Reebok aims to be the “face of fitness” by inspiring others to be stronger. Amen to that!

Next up was a CrossFit class, led by top coaches Austin Malleolo and Caleb Diebolt. The class was held in Reebok’s on-campus CrossFit box gym. It was pretty epic. I was little intimidated to try CrossFit but so excited to learn and partake in the intense workout! For those of you that are not familiar with CrossFit, it is a scalable strength and conditioning program using “constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement.” Workoust are typically 20 minutes or less and demand all-out physical exertion.

Reebok's box gym

Austin gave us ladies a pep talk about CrossFit and the workout of the day (WOD). Side note: Austin is competing in the actual CrossFit games this summer, so we were in very attractive good hands. He can also, apparently, dead lift 555 pounds? Yeah, no joke.

Austin Malleolo

Austin and Caleb showed us how to do a proper kettlebell swing and pull up before we dove into the workout. Both trainers were really focused on us having proper form and took extra time with those of us (cough, me, cough) that needed a helping hand with perfecting their kettle bell swing. We then split up into teams and completed the WOD: a 200 meter run, 45 kettlebell swings, and 24 pull-ups.

Go Cait!

Now that I think about it, I really appreciated the RealFlex Transition shoes throughout the CrossFit workout. They held my feet in place so well, and I didn’t have to worry about them wiggling around in my shoes during the kettlebell swings. We might have finished last, but team Cait Plus Kale felt like total winners. Congrats to Julie and Courtney for earning first place! It was their first times trying CrossFit too – amazing job, ladies!

Go team CaitPlusKale!

Caleb, FitFluential ambasadors, and Austin!

Poor Caleb!

After the killer workout, we headed back to the brand room for a presentation led by Kate Young, US women’s merchandising manager, on how to choose the right training and running shoes. As someone who is not an avid runner, I really enjoyed learning about the motivation behind designing a proper running shoe from Reebok’s prespective. I was equally impressed by Kate’s vast knowledge – she fielded our FitFluential questions like a true professional!

Kate showed us all of the Reebok sneakers on display in the brand room and went through a detailed description of the design and purpose for all of the shoes. I asked Kate which shoes she would recommend for someone like me (and many of you!) who run once in a blue moon and do lots of plyometric and HIIT-style workouts. She said the RealFlex Transition shoes would be our best bet. These sneakers are seriously amazing. They hug your feet and feel like you’re working out in a pillow.

Next, we transitioned (no pun intended!) into a focus group on color and key products. Kate and the rest of the Reebok team really valued our inputs on what we look for in running and other workout shoes. We got a sneak peak into future collections too. You guys are going to love what’s in store!

During our chat, I munched on a delicious lunch from the beautiful lunch spread that was laid out for us. I chose a salad with a paleo-style raspberry vinaigrette dressing and half a whole wheat wrap stuffed with spinach, roasted yellow squash, and roasted red peppers. Everything was so fresh and satisfying.

After the focus group, we mosied on downstairs to the Reebok tech lab for a presentation led by Bill McInnis, head of advanced innovation, on the RealFlex and ZigTech sneakers. Bill, who used to work for NASA, told us that Reebok shoes are tested on real runners for 200 – 300 miles of use before being released. Pretty cool, huh?

The ZigTech shoes (see above) are made out of a soft, mechanical spring that gives consumers the best of both worlds: a cushioned foot and a comfy run! After the short information session with Bill, we headed downstairs to observe first-hand how Reebok shoes are molded from scratch. Paul Bates, head of the CAD department showed us a 3D model of the shoe before it goes to “print.” We also saw an exclusive machine depicting the unique shoe design for Igor Vovkovinskiy, the tallest man in America, who comes in at 7 feet 8 inches tall!3d Shoe Model

Igor's Special Shoe Machine

Next, we put on some sexy safety goggles, which took me back to the (read: dreadful) Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry lab days. Luckily, this lab session was much more exciting and interesting.

Courtney and I werrrkin' it

TOP SECRET!

We were brought to the shoe design machine, which spits out various kinds of curable plastic to form a shoe mold. The actual shoe molds are made up of many different layers of 100% recyclable plastic. It’s pretty incredible! 

Our final activity of the day was a cardio dance class taught by Ilyse Baker, expert dance instructor and Reebok Global Ambassador. Ilyse has been dancing for her entire life, choreographed dances for Rihanna and LeAnn Rimes, and was featured on EXTRA so I knew we were in good hands!  I must admit that hip-hop style dancing is totally not my thing. On a scale of one to 10, I have about negative 10 in the groove department. Give me a ballet barre and I’m a happy girl. Give me a booty pop and I’m…a fool. That being said, the dance class was really fun, and I just let loose and rolled with it!

FitFluentials (everywhere!) and Ilyse (middle).

Schweaty smiles!

I’d like to give a friendly shout out to Kathryn, Reebok’s superstar intern! She made our swag backpacks and was running around like a mad woman to make sure us FitFluentials were comfortable and happy at all times. Kathryn, you’re amazing!

Me and Kathryn, superstar Reebok intern!

We were all so sad to leave! It was honestly such an amazing day. Everyone at Reebok was so accommodating and genuine, and their passion for the Reebok brand really shined throughout the entire day. Thank you so much for making us feel at home and thank you, FitFluential, for inviting me to come along for the ride. It has been one of the most memorable and unforgettable weeks of my life!

Stay lovely,
Heather 

Today is the Reebok Fit Blog event at Reebok Headquarters. Cait and I are there with FitFluential! Follow along on Twitter using the hash tag #RBKFITBLOG. I’ll be tweeting all day!

Tone it Up Meet Up

As if FitBlogNYC wasn’t enough excitement…

Katrina, Me, and Karena!

Bess, Cait, and I hoofed it to the Oakley store in Times Square to meet Karena and Katrina of Tone It Up! I also filmed this short and goofy little vlog of our travels, which you can watch here. Mattie ended up meeting us there too, which was a nice surprise! The four of us waited in line for about a half hour. We were practically dripping sweat – it was SO hot in there! Luckily, we were one of the first 50 people to arrive so we were gifted with…wait for it…more swag.

Oakley swag bag!

Inside was an issue of SELF magazine, a $10 Oakley gift card, an Oakley water bottle and complimentary towel, tarte eyeshadow, and samples of Perfect Fit protein. Yay!

Of our foursome, I was the first one to meet K&K. We immediately hugged – it’s just what Tone It Up girls do!

Tone It Up hugfest!

I love Bess and Mattie’s smiles, and Cait snapping pictures. Those small, candid moments are so special!

Before I could say a peep, Katrina said, “Oh my gosh! You’re just as beautiful in person!” I almost died. They knew who I was! Total fangirl moment. More hugs ensued and I chatted with Karena for a few while Katrina graciously signed my Beach Babe DVD.

I'm a Beach Babe - You're a Beach Babe!

I can assure you the ladies are just as wonderful in person. They glow from the inside out and are the REAL deal! On another note, the Perfect Fit protein is amazing! I enjoyed some last night with rooibos tea for an evening snack. I made some Perfect Fit vanilla chai pudding.

Perfect Fit vanilla chai pudding

This was a piece of cake to prepare. All you do is add 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, and unsweetened almond milk to your liking and stir until evenly blended. It’s creamy and decadent, and tastes heavenly. I definitely recommend Perfect Fit! It’s raw, vegan, gluten and soy free, and tastes amazing. Purchase some and give this easy peasy recipe a try!

Dinner at Pure Food & Wine

At FitBlogNYC, while Cait and I were mulling over what to do for dinner (yeah, it’s what we do), we consulted our dear friend Danielle. She’s a New Yorker and we knew that she’d know a great vegan-friendly place we could hit up. When she suggested Pure Food & Wine, a light bulb went off in my head. Why hadn’t I thought of that?! I have literally been dreaming about dining there for years. Thanks for the friendly reminder, Danielle!

The sun was finally starting to peek out when we arrived, so we opted to sit outside a midst warm air and cozy cushions.

Our waiter, Jeri, was knowledgeable, adorable, and (thankfully!) convinced us into getting dessert. I am forever indebted to her for that.

For my entree, I chose the Hen of the Woods Tacos al Pastor: jicama shells stuffed with chayote squash and topped with guajillo crema fresca. The elegant dish was surrounded by dollops of guacamole and hearts of palm. It was truly amazing – a work of art and incredibly delicious.

Pure bliss.

Cait captured my first bite; moaning ensued.

For her entree, Cait ordered the Sweet Corn and Cashew Tamales with Chili Spiced Portabella, topped with salsa verde and served with a side of cashew coconut sour cream, avocado, and raw cacao mole. Wow, was this good. I actually enjoyed it even more than my dish! Cait picked a true winner.

And then dessert. Oh, dessert. After not-too-much debate, we decided on the pumpkin cheesecake. GAH! This was, hands down, the best dessert I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. Foodgasm after foodgasm after foodgasm…

Vegan pumpkin cheesecake

Can I have it back please? Pretty please? Pretty, pretty please? I had the last bite (Cait is an awesome friend) and Cait licked the plate clean.

We both agreed it was the most perfect way to end our incredible day in New York City. Thank you to Tone It Up, Oakley, and SELF for hosting an amazing event in Times Square and thank you to Pure Food  & Wine for what was quite possibly the best meal of my life.

Stay lovely,
Heather

P.S. – Don’t forget to leave a comment on yesterday’s post – the giveaway is open until Sunday evening!

WHEW. What a whirlwind yesterday was! At 4:45 a.m., I woke up and got ready for the Fitness Blogger Meet & Tweet (#FitBlogNYC). Forty-five minutes later, Cait and I were in the car jamming out to the 90′s Pandora station and sipping our java.

Black Starbucks Blonde Roast

Naturally, I came prepared with fruit and pre-packed chocolate protein pudding oats for the road. Cait got an immense kick out of me making my oats in the passenger’s seat. There are pictures of me prepping the oats to prove it but they’re on Cait’s camera and will probably never be shown. Ha.

Chocolate protein pudding oats = happiness

The car ride was awesome…until the last 40 – 45 minutes. We both had to pee so badly – and when I say “so badly,” I mean we were getting horrific cramps and literally jumping in our seats. I was breathing in an out, heavily, like a pregnant woman, and Cait was screaming, “We’re on a mission, people. MOVE!” to every driver in our way. It was pretty hysterical. I also made a quick check-in video which you can watch here (that was pre-pee emergency). After parking the car and walking a good mile, we arrived at FITNESS Magazine headquarters! 

Fitness Blogger Meet & Tweet

We walked into a gigantic room that was filled with bloggers, vendors, and a distinct energy of pure excitement. To my immediate right was the check-in table, with a giant poster of the latest issue of FITNESS! Cait and I grabbed our name tags and took a second to decide what to do first!

FITNESS Magazine Check-In Table

The People

Words cannot express how amazing it was to personally meet my fellow FitFluential ambassadors! After reading so many of their blogs, it was so great to be able to put their names, faces, and words together. Please note that it was about 1,000% humidity, so excuse my hair. It was kind of a travesty but I was too happy to care!

Kelly Olexa & I

When our eyes met (true love, baby), the first words that came out of Kelly Olexa’s mouth were, “Oh my god, I love you! You changed my life!” Um, I’m sorry? I believe it was you who changed my life, but it’s fine. Anywho, to my sheer pleasure and surprise, I inspired Kelly to use hummus as her salad dressing. Welp, that rocks. Glad to be of service! Kelly is exactly what I imagined her to be: hysterical, genuine, bubbly, and all sorts of wonderful. I love you, Aunt Kelly!

Me, Julie, and Cait

I’ve been reading Julie’s blog for the past three years, and it was such a treat to meet her. She is the real deal, so down-to-earth, and beautiful inside and out!

Samantha Pepi & I

Samantha Pepi, senior promotions manager for New Media Strategies, was a superstar coordinator for this event. She and I were in contact for weeks leading up the event, and she helped everything to run so smoothly. Thank you, Sam!

Cait, Katie, and I

Katie and I could have hugged and talked forever. It was like clock work when we met – talk, hug, talk, hug. She is the exact same as her blogging personality. Katie has this light of positivity and love surrounding her at all times. Her presence is magnetic!

Cait, Me, Natasha, and Jill

Ladies who lunch together…smile together? I’m not sure where I was going with that. Anyways, I dined with Cait, Natasha Attal, social media manager for Physique 57 (!!!), and Jill Hanner. I kind of have a girl crush on Jill. When we met, we couldn’t stop talking, which is always a good thing. Wish we didn’t live so far from each other!

Cait, Me, and Meredith

Meredith and I have been Twitter buddies for a few months now, so meeting her in person was a welcomed moment! She is so beautiful and her skin is practically perfect in every way (Mary Poppins, anyone?). Look at that glow! 

Carla and I

Carla’s blog is one of my favorites to read. She is a truly gifted writer which I really admire, as someone who will soon have a degree in journalism. She writes from the heart and is equally captivating in person. I adore you, Carla!

Me and Mia Hamm!

Yes…that is Mia Hamm! THE Mia Hamm. As in, the soccer legend Mia Hamm. She rules; and signed a mini soccer ball for me! Enough said.

Lunch was delicious and served buffet style. I snagged some fresh fruit salad (times 2!) and a generous helping of farro with arugula and fresh peaches, tossed in a hazelnut vinaigrette. It was to die for.

My favorite of the seven information sessions was definitely the panel on How to Turn Your Blog into a Business. Carla, Kelly, Julie, and Tina gave some great tips for bloggers who are looking to make it their full-time job. Julie and Carla fielded my question on breaking into freelance writing, which I really appreciated. It is something I’m so interested in but, admittedly, am little intimidated to dip my toes into. They gave me an extra boost of confidence, though, and got me excited for the future!

Four star panel at FitBlogNYC!

The Vendors

OH. MY. GOSH. The swag. We were spoiled rotten with incredible gifts. I arrived with one bag and left with…four.

Swag attack!

We were graciously gifted with some amazing eyewear from the wonderful people at Oakley. I bonded with the ladies and got a new pair of their OVERTIME active wear sunglasses. I love these sunglasses because they are padded on the nose, so you can work up a sweat without having to worry about your sunglasses falling off. Pretty genius, huh?

Me and the Oakley ladies! Love them!

The Reebok table was DECKED out with their line of RealFlex Transition sneakers, designed to help your feet move and flex as you train. They are incredibly comfortable and super cute!

Reebok shoes galore!

Reebok gear!

This Sonia Kashuk bag makes my heart sing. It’s called the “TRIBAL” cosmetic bag, which is so fitting with the pattern! I’m in love.

Tribal Sonia Kashuk cosmetic bag

And now for the goodies inside of it! …

Issue of FITNESS, element YOGA DVD, "Drop Dead Healthy"

CAMELBAK water bottle, Schick HYRDO Silk razor

Sweaty Bands and Dogeared necklace!

How beautiful is this “whispers” necklace from Dogeared? I love the cross and the note written beneath the necklace.

Whispers necklace by Dogeared

Hand n Hand Soaps

NMS yoga mat

After the event, I demolished an unpictured snack pack of original Mary’s Gone Crackers (my all-time favorite!). We also got a bunch of other food-related goodies, 90 percent of which were not vegan. So, I figured, why not host a giveaway? Right? Right.

You have a chance to win the following: Sun-Maid raisins, a Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey granola bar, a chocolate peanut butter PURE PROTEIN bar, a sample of Lipton Tea & Honey packets, a box of Fiber One Chocolate Fudge Brownies, and a box of Fiber One Chocolate Chip Cookies! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Nothing specific. Just comment! Entries will close Sunday at 6:00 p.m. I will announce the winner next Monday, May 14!

Thank you so much to FITNESS Magazine for hosting such an amazing event, to FitFluential for inviting me to come along, and to all of the sponsors. It was truly an unforgettable experience!

Stay lovely,
Heather

P.S. – Part two comes tomorrow: The Tone It Up Meet & Greet and one of the best dinners of my life!

Finals are done and my bags are packed! If you’re reading this, I’m either en route to or realxing at my dear friend Cait’s beautiful house in the countryside of Connecticuit. We’re up and at ‘em early tomorrow morning. Why, you ask?

A couple of months ago, through FitFluential, I was invited to attend the FITNESS Magazine Blogger Meet & Tweet in New York City! I’m over-the-moon excited; the agenda is jam-packed with fitness and nutrition related information sessions, and a pop up workout with KiwiSweat. I am particularly excited to hear four awesome ladies speak: Kelly Olexa (CEO of FitFluential), Julie Fagan (author of Peanut Butter Fingers), Tina Haupert (author of Carrots ‘n’ Cake), and Carla Birnberg (author of MizFit Online). I truly admire these women and am so excited to meet them and learn from their blogging success stories. Cait and I will be joined by a slew of fellow FitFluential Ambassadors too – I can’t wait to meet them all in person!

After the FITNESS event, I will be jet-setting to Times Square to meet up with my favorite trainers on the planet! You may have heard of them?

As fate would have it, Karena and Katrina are going to have a meet and greet at the Oakley store in the heart of Times Square! I’m so pumped to meet these ladies! It’s going to be pretty epic. I’m kind of peeing puddles of joy. 

Before packing (yep, still hate it), I made myself a pretty glorious lunch. It was so simple but really hit the spot.

To start, I massaged a bunch of kale in a large bowl with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, spicy mustard, and nutritional yeast. Then, I poured the greens into a bowl and topped them with cherry tomatoes, carrots, and cashews. I served the salad with half of a sweet potato, smothered in hummus. Massaging the kale really makes a difference when you’re preparing a salad. The kale soaks everything up so well and has such a beautiful texture, especially with the soaked nutritional yeast.

Have a beautiful night!

Stay lovely,
Heather

I’ve officially been up for 12 hours. OY. My alarm went off at 5:45 a.m. and I laced up my sneakers to sneak in a quality workout. I wanted to leave my house at 7:00 so that I could be early for my 8:00 a.m. final, so I decided to complete a short n sweet ZWOW #14. Sweet Lord – I believe I cursed once twice out of sheer disbelief at how hard this workout was. Nonetheless, I completed five rounds in just over 20 minutes. Owned.

Afterwards, I quickly changed (no, I didn’t shower – don’t judge) and packed breakfast and a mid-morning snack!

From left to right: Water (always!), LARABAR, mango/watermelon, chocolate protein pudding oats, and black coffee

I drink water like it’s my job and finally shelled out the $13 for the above Camelbak water bottle last week. I love it! Camelbak also offers a lifetime warantee if you happen to break your water bottle. How cool is that? I feel like that will come in handy for the more accident-prone people like myself.

Around 7:40 a.m., I pulled into the FSU parking lot – with my game face on, of course.

Imma getchu, exams!

Unfortunately, my game face didn’t really help with my second final. It was SO hard. You can’t win ‘em all! You can, however, win the snack bar lottery if you purchase this beautiful baby:

That, my friends, is the new pineapple upside down cake LARABAR and it is absolutely delicious. It totally got my summer-lovin’ self in the mood for sunshine and sand beneath my toes.The pineapple flavor is definitely noticeable but not over-the-top. It was the perfect mid-morning snack!

After our second final, my friend Sherri and I decided it would be a good idea to treat ourselves to Whole Foods. Any excuse, really, to indulge in the salad bar delicacies. Am I right or am I right?

I chose a random mish-mosh of yummies: spinach and arugula, buffalo tofu, roasted broccoli, sweet potato, and beets. Then, I drizzled the goods with sun dried tomato vinaigrette and Bragg’s Liquid aminos. It worked! We happily munched and chatted all things girly. Soon after, we parted ways and I came home to unpack all of my clothes. Ugh. I equally loathe packing and unpacking. 

A few hours later, I broke away from the clothes and made myself some dinner. On the menu tonight? Tempeh bites!

This is a really fun way to make tempeh, and it’s so easy too! All you do is sautee the tempeh in (organic!) cooking spray and one clove of minced garlic, flipping once at the 5 minute mark. Then, add 1 Tbsp. Trader Joe’s Island Soyaki Sauce (low-sodium teriyaki or soy sauce also works) and the carrots, to soften them a bit. Sautee for 5 more minutes. Then, give it all a good stir before laying tempeh slices on your serving plate. Top with carrots and sliced avocado, and voila!

I kind of feel like a little kid eating these – it must be the finger food concept! Regardless, they are so delicious and a fun way to switch things up in the kitchen.

Mmmm. Just looking at those beauties makes me want more. They were gone too soon! Okay, I’m signing off for the night. Two more finals to tackle tomorrow and then I’m done!

Stay lovely,
Heather

Please forgive me for not commenting on your blogs – I’ll be back to normal soon – I’m still reading, though!