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Like sweets??? Add these to your next get together (and skip the guilt)

Like sweets??? Add these to your next get together (and skip the guilt)

Yallllll these guys are amazing.

No seriously I have not had a complaint yet. Now I am NOT claiming to have come up with these on my own. That comes from paleorunningmama.com.

Here is the original recipe – /Almond Butter Fudge

I changed mine up a bit to not include any nuts so here is what I did:

  • For bottom
    • 1.5 cups of dark chocolate morsels ( I use dairy free like Enjoy Life)
    • 1/2 cup of sunflower butter
    • 1 tbsp of raw honey
    • 1 tsp of vanilla extract
    • 1/4 cup of coconut oil melted
  • Melt chocolate in pan on stove and then add in other ingredients and stir continuously until melted through. Let cool slightly then transfer to a 8×8 or larger pan lined with parchment paper and put in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  • For top
    • Mix 1 1/4 cup sunflower butter
    • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
    • 5 tbsp of raw honey
    • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 2 pinches of sea salt
  • Smooth top layer over bottom in pan and let cool in fridge for 2 + hours before serving.
  • Remove from pan still on parchment paper and then slice into squares and serve. Keep refrigerated if not using

These things have gotten rave reviews and hopefully you think the same. Feel free to swap out the sunflower butter for any you like and the chocolate chips as well.

Enjoy!

 

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Top 20 Fitness and Health Gift Ideas for 2019

Top 20 Fitness and Health Gift Ideas for 2019

Short- Sweet and To the Point- Christmas and holiday gift buying (if you are like me and gifts are NOT your love language) then it can be hard!! One thing I am good at though…… getting health and wellness gifts 🙂 

I complied a list of some of the best for this year so if you have someone in your life that is a fitness, health and wellness fanatic hopefully these help make your gift buying a little easier. 

You will find everything from smart watches to clothing to supplements below. Enjoy 🙂

Top 20 Fitness and Health Gifts for 2019

1- Apple Watch – https://amzn.to/38fTJIZ
  • You can make calls, listen to podcasts, get up to the minute heart rate data, ECG data, its waterproof, track workouts, and MANY MANY other things. This is the newest version but I have a 4 and it is something I really cannot live without now.
  • For those who are anti apple…… (my husband) then I recommend The Galaxy Smart Watch https://amzn.to/2OSVfsR
2- Sonic Handheld Percussion MassageGun  – https://amzn.to/345G8AG

  • This is the new way to release muscle tension and get rid of knots and other stiffness post workout and from daily life stresses. I promise the pain hurts so good and no foam roller is going to get you this good.

 

3- Back and Neck Massager – https://amzn.to/2r8KCsZ

I love a good back and neck massage. This adds heat to the mix too to help relax the muscles. Releasing tension and stress and implementing more recovery into ALL of our lives is something we ALL need more of. I definitely recommend this.

 

4- Hydraflask https://amzn.to/34XujO0

  • Stay hydrated! Keeping a water bottle on hand that is NOT plastic and WILL keep your water at the temperature you want is a WIN. These are great as they contain a large amount without being bulky and over bearing for day to day use.

 

5- Liquid IV – https://amzn.to/389ibeN

  • Not sure if I really need to elaborate here. If you know me you KNOW I love my Liquid IV and use it DAILY. It really helps get hydration to the cells in a more efficient way than other hydration drinks. It also is not loaded with sugars and fake ingredients like some are. You can feel good about what you are adding to your water. No matter if you are just drinking it day to day for health, post a little bit too many drinks, or if you are sick this stuff is my JAM 🙂

 

6- Collagen Peptides – https://amzn.to/2PrhCoi

  • Collagen is something we all should be adding into our diets. I believe this for reason of not only gut support but skin elasticity and helping it stay plump if you will. It also helps with joint health. I have been using this brand for a long time and love their business and ingredient profile.  If you are looking for something for someone who could benefit from this then give them a try!

 

7- Shark Ninja Blender for smoothies – https://amzn.to/33UuOav

  • Truth – this is on my list this year. My husband is about ready to throw my other one out the window as it has gotten old and LOUD. Ninja brand has a great reputation and is proven to be of great quality for the price. If you or whom ever you are looking for is into smoothies or juices or cooking then this is a GREAT option.

 

8-  Foam Roller – https://amzn.to/38aGZmL

  • You may be wondering why I included this with some what throwing it under the bus with the hypervolt option at #2….. but I get it, that hypervolt aint cheap and if you are looking for something more affordable for recovery then this is your best option. This is a great quality and will get the job done for now ;).

 

9 – Alo Yoga Leggings via Carbon38 -(use code CandiceCFitness on Carbon38.com to save at checkout!) – https://www.carbon38.com/product/high-waist-airlift-legging-black

Black Leggings

  • For the yoga or fitness girl in your life. These are super cute, flattering AND comfy!

 

10- Alo Yoga Jacket – (use code CandiceCFitness on Carbon38.com to save at checkout!) – https://www.carbon38.com/product/duality-sherpa-jacket

Sherpa Jacket

  • Take this from class or the gym to out on the town. These are definitely in this season love them!

 

11- Nikes- (use code CandiceCFitness  on Carbon38.com to save at checkout!) – https://www.carbon38.com/product/nike-air-zoom-pegasus-36

Black and Gold Nikes

  • These are some of my favorite nikes for running as I always need more support with my high arches. Shop these or any others here and save at checkout!

 

12-  Exfoliating Sugar Cubes –  https://amzn.to/38nPk6T

  • I fell in  love with these and the smell. They are great for the winter and when you are someone who sweats alot and needs to take care of their skin then these are great!

 

13 – Yoga Mat – https://amzn.to/2Ylf1QC

  • For the yogi in your life. This is a great quality and fan fave from all the yogi’s I know 🙂

 

14- Foot massager – https://amzn.to/2Yw4Hp6

  • Not going to lie I fell in LOVE with this thing when I got to use one a few months ago. It feels like a legit amazing foot massage and you don’t have to worry about the weird

 

15- Fitness Bag- https://amzn.to/2Pjvz7A

  • Cute and stylish- ya gotta put your stuff somewhere right?? 🙂

 

16 – Headphones- https://amzn.to/38aeaHi

  • Favorites and they stay put! Bose is a name you CAN trust!

 

17- Sweat bands – https://amzn.to/367ZExS

– These are super cute and come in a pack of 8 so your fitness lover can have multiple options. They don’t slip and don’t dig into your scalp either! #Win

 

 

18- Socks – https://amzn.to/369qaqm

– Fact – if you workout then you ALWAYS need to socks. No slip and no show are the way to go!

 

19- Deodorant – https://primallypure.com/collections/deodorant use code CandiceCfitness at checkout!

  • This is my DAILY and favorite all natural brand. They have no aluminum or harsh chemicals and they WORK! We know the studies out now about deoderant so use the good stuff! Definitely recommend :).
20- Vegan Protein Powder – https://track.equilibriumnutrition.com/SHie

– I use this stuff EVERY DAY in my smoothies. Not only is it loaded with vegan protein but also ALL your daily vitamins and minerals.

 

 

 

And there you have it! My top picks for 2019! I hope they help and have a VERY Happy Holiday Season!!

 

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Disclaimer : the products above may provide me with small commissions for sales.

Top 5 Tips to Keep Stress Down During the Holidays

Top 5 Tips to Keep Stress Down During the Holidays

The holidays can be some of the most stress filled times of the year. But is all the stress necessary? Do you consider that we are probably the ones putting stress on ourselves…..? And if we are putting it on ourselves then we can probably adapt some habits to change that.

(Please do not take that statement as discrediting some of the hard stuff or memories that can make it hard after losing a loved one or loneliness among other things, but I am referring to the stress that comes from over committing, being a say yes to everything person, worrying about others too much vs ourselves, etc.)

Ps….If you are unfamiliar with what stress does to your body check out some of my previous blogs :

Stress and how it impacts your entire life and Stress and weight gain.

To sum them up quickly – stress is not good for us.

Sress

Whether it is external or internal. Whether we bring it on ourselves from work or allowing expectations to get to us, to over thinking, to what we eat or drink or surround ourselves with (our environment and lifestyle). All of these things can lead to stress on our body, that in turn can lead to illness through inflammation.

So why would we want to add other types of stress to our potentially already maxed state? It is a time we should be celebrating. Again please don’t mis-read that, as I know some people truly do have a hard time due to lost loved ones or other past instances or even loneliness. However, there are ways we can help ourselves feel better during this time regardless of circumstance. Below are a few of my top ways to do just that.

Top 5 Tips for Keeping Stress Down During the Holidays:

1- Get to sleep around the same time most nights of the week if not all of them. 

bed sleep

  • Sleep is imperative to our health. More and more studies are becoming available to show this. If we lack the deep sleep our body needs to restore itself then we are waking up in a stressed state. Our days are beginning with a body that is already overwhelmed this then can escalate throughout the day. You can read more about sleep and stress here.
2 – Don’t over commit yourself
  • Most of us are guilty of this at some point in our lives. We do not want to let people down. Depending upon what stage you are in it may be a time when you feel you REALLY need to show up and impress certain people….. but does that really matter? Sometimes it might, but others we could be doing ourselves more harm than good. We say yes to everything then we give half of our self to these events if not less instead of  choosing a few important ones and giving our all to them. 
  • Destress solution – Figure out which ones matter most and say yes to those. If they involve people you rarely see or add no value to your current life then feel no need to say yes.
3- Get moving atleast 4 days a week for 30 minutes or more.

  • This is MAJOR. Exercise and/or decent movement (meaning getting slightly uncomfortable for 30 or so minutes ) can raise endorphins and serotonin levels which in turn makes us happier. Which makes us feel more accomplished and confident. When we feel this way we tend to make smarter choices aka not over committing.
  • Destress Solution- Think of how many hours are in a week. If you tell me you can’t find 2 out of all 168 then you may need to take a step back from everything you are doing and reevaluate. This will only help YOU and in turn benefit others.
4- Start your day with a smoothie vs a heavy breakfast.

Smoothie

  • Why is this important?? Well for starters I want you to think of energy. Your digestive system uses ALOT of energy. When we eat a heavy meal we tend to get tired after…. the reason?? Our digestive system! If it is using up so much of our energy to work and then we need that energy and have not done anything to restore it then here we go again adding a stress to our body. If you are already stressed then you don’t want to add to it!
  • Destress Solution –  Buy a vegan protein powder or one that is all natural and not Whey (aka dairy that can cause distress on the digestive system) add some frozen fruit and veggies and a healthy fat like almond butter or coconut oil, blend and drink. Smoothies are already a liquid so theyre easy to digest.) (Say hello to being more productive!
5- HYDRATE

Lemon Water

  • This should go without saying. Being dehydrated only zaps your energy, your focus, your ability to get things done and on top of that messes with metabolism and immune function. All of this can make you more susceptible to illness. 
  • Destress Solution – Drink up! Start your day with water (room temp as it is more absorbable that way) a splash of lemon or lime and some sea salt. Chug it before you drink ANYTHING else especially coffee. This helps get your cells hydrated and immune system and digestive system moving. You can also try something like LIQUID IV that I use daily to help with hydration.
  • You can read more on hydration here.

 

So many things can add stress to our life and we may not even know it. The biggest take away I want you all to get from this is that you should focus on what makes you happy and fulfilled this time of year. Hopefully that means being with those you care about and love. This can also mean finding someone to love on or help during this time. Find volunteer opportunities near you, this can help you become more fulfilled in so many ways. 

Do you have any tips or tricks you do to keep stress down? I would love to hear them! Comment or share and tag me @candicecfitness. You never know who you may be helping!

I hope you have a happy holiday this year and look forward to seeing you in 2020!

 

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