Running and Laughing through the Golden State
Running and Laughing through the Golden State
This post is sponsored by DOLCIA PRIMA® Allulose. The opinions and text are all mine.
I’ve recently tried a few low sugar snacks sweetened with DOLCIA PRIMA® Allulose. I’ve realized there are a few benefits to getting my favorite treat alternatives sweetened with Allulose instead of sugar, and I’m excited to share them with you!
Due to a move and getting settled in, we’ve been traveling a lot. Often times, I find myself hungry at odd hours, so it’s been important to have snacks on the go. I like ZonePerfect Bars because you can find them at Dollar General, which has been easy to do while moving across the country.
Our days, schedules, and lives have been anything but routine. That seems like the theme of this year, though. Since many people have opted for traveling via car this year, I thought I would share a few tips I use for staying healthy on a road trip. This isn’t limited to healthy eating, but overall wellness when on the open road too. Wherever you are in your fitness and nutrition journey, ZonePerfect Bars can fit in.
Why ZonePerfect Bars?
You can find ZonePerfect Bars at Dollars Generals around the country. Moving from East to West, there have been plenty of Dollar General stores along the road.
ZonePerfect Bars have up to 15g of protein and taste great.
They sit well in the stomach. I’ve been able to eat one and be running within minutes with no stomach aches or cramps.
Plus, ZonePerfect guarantees you will love the taste of their bars. If you don’t, they’ll give you your money back!
There are two categories of ZonePerfect Bars:
ZonePerfect Macros Bars: All ZonePerfect Macros Bars have 15g protein, 1-2g sugar and 18 vitamins and minerals. They have a balanced blend of macros. While I don’t count macros, many people do, so that is reassuring!
ZonePerfect Classic Bars: ZonePerfect Classic Bars have up to 15g protein, up to 19 vitamins and minerals and no artificial sweeteners.
At Dollar General, ZonePerfect Bars are also on Sale:
ZonePerfect Macros Bar buy 2 for $3
ZonePerfect Classic Bar buy 2 for $2
A Few More Tips to Staying Healthy While on a Road Trip:
Don’t Text/Social Media and Drive. Don’t do it now or ever. There is no excuse.
Wear Sunscreen. You can burn in your car! Typically you’re more likely to get burned on your left.
Pack Snacks: If you pack snacks like ZonePerfect Bars, you’re less likely to stop. We saved both time and money by already having packed snacks.
Pack Water: We travel with a gallon of water in our car to save time and money while traveling.
Make Sure to Stop: This year it is daunting to travel during a pandemic. Stop at gas stations and rest stops when necessary. But to stretch the legs, find a nice park or outdoor spot to stop. This ensures you stay safe.
Keep a First Aid Kit: You never know when you’ll need it.
Take a Break When Tired: There is no shame in stopping and taking a break or crashing at a hotel early. In college, I once needed to stop 90 minutes from my house because I became an unsafe driver. It’s okay, and remember to choose the safer option.
Thank you to ZonePerfect Bars for sponsoring this post. Whether you are trying to stay healthy while on a road trip or just want a healthy snack, ZonePerfect bars are a great option. Plus, ZonePerfect Bars are accessible and on sale at Dollar General stores across the country.
Questions for you:
How do you stay healthy while on a road trip?
Have you tried ZonePerfect Bars?
A departure from the typical Wednesday sports product reviews, but with the pandemic, one thing I’ve been doing is handwritten notes to friends and family. Since we can’t see and hang out with friends right now, I use handwritten notes as a way to stay connected outside of social media.
This post is sponsored by Sahale Snacks but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Recently I was given an opportunity to try Sahale Snacks.
As someone who is on the go and out of my house anywhere from 6-14 hours most days, I am always looking for easy, portable, and healthy snack ideas. Sahale Snacks turns snacking from something that helps you get through the day into a reminder to enjoy and celebrate life. I’ve also found they work for a pre-run snack, if I’m in a pinch.
I remember listening to a pro athlete; I believe Kate Grace, say I will eat anything after a run even it’s unhealthy. I want to eat something before nothing. She meant if she had the choice to eat something unhealthy versus eating nothing, she would choose the unhealthy route every time.
A few years ago, I wasn’t the best at eating anything after a run. I would typically be on the go so that I would run, shower, leave my house, and by the time I knew it, it was 3 hours later, and I was hungry. It’s not a great habit to have.
The 30 Minute Rule:
You don’t have to be “super strict,” but you should have something within 30 minutes of a workout. Even if it’s an easy run, a weight lifting session, or cross-training. You don’t need to have a full meal but a snack important. If you’re on the go, packing something in your gym bag should become standard.
Keep in mind; I’m not a doctor, so what works for me might not work for you. Little known fact, is I do have a public health degree and took hours of nutrition classes in college.
Here is How I choose Snacks:
By now, most people know there are three macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Each are important for your body but in different ways.
Carbohydrates:
Runners need carbohydrates, and somewhere down the line, we forgot that. In fact, carbs should be 60-70% of your total fuel. Refueling with carbohydrates is the most important for those marathon training. If you look at the staple diet of most Olympian marathoners, it’s carbs. For long-distance running carbohydrates are the primary source of fuel.
Protein:
Most athletes are aware that protein is needed for muscle growth and repair. When you run long distances, you break down muscle. Without protein, your muscle cannot rebuild. That being said, many people runners believe “the more protein, the better,” and that isn’t necessarily the case. Protein only needs to make up about 15% of the calories for the day
Fat:
Every runner needs fat, and it’s gotten a bad rap over the years.For any endurance athlete (runner, swimmer, cyclist), fat should be about 20-30% of your diet. You might be surprised to learn (I was a while back), that adding fat will allow your body to run longer.
A Few Reasons I like Sahale Snacks as a Brand:
• Products are thoughtfully sourced and sustainable.
• All Sahale Snacks products are made from high-quality ingredients.
• Sahale Snacks are Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, No Artificial Preservatives or Artificial Sweeteners
• For dry roasting, the majority is done by electricity roasting, glazing, and packaging. To minimize
Sahale Snack’s environmental footprint, they’ve partnered with the non-profit Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). Sahale Snacks uses clean based energy. The older I get, and the more I get into hiking, the more important that is to me.
Plus, the Sahale Snacks Flavors are Unique and Fun. There isn’t anything boring about them!
Here are the Sahale Snack Flavors:
• Maple Pecans Glazed Mix
• Pomegranate Flavored Pistachios Glazed Mix
• Tangerine Vanilla Cashew-Macadamia Glazed Mix
• Pomegranate Vanilla Flavored Cashews Glazed Mix
• Coconut Snack Mixes
• Cherry Cocoa Almond Coconut Snack Mix (my favorite, between the dried cherries, coconut chips, and crunchy almonds).
• Pineapple Rum Cashew Coconut Snack Mix
If you are looking to try Sahale Snacks, you can use their product locator. There are several locations in the greater Philadelphia area. You don’t have to be marathon training, and as my training cycle winds down, I still find myself enjoying Sahale Snacks.
Thank you Sahale Snacks for partnering. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Questions for you:
What are some of your favorite marathon training snacks? Or any snacks?
Have you tried Sahale Snacks before?
Recently I was given the opportunity to try Sweet Earth burritos and bowls. Between life and work, there are some days I’m out of my house for 12+ hours a day. Am I the busiest person? No. But do I find myself stopping somewhere and spending 20+ dollars for a meal if I don’t pack enough food? Always.
When Sweet Earth gave me the opportunity to try their Sweat Earth burritos and Sweet Earth bowls, I jumped at it. Storage for Sweet Earth is easy, and they sit in my freezer until I pack one. The Sweet Earth burritos take about 2 minutes to cook in the microwave, and the bowls take about 3-4. It’s not like you’re taking time to cook. Plus must Sweet Earth products contain foods like sweet potatoes or brown rice.
My favorite is the Sweet Earth Curry Tiger which contains lentils, curried seitan, red peppers, and potatoes. Lentils are one of my favorite foods, so I enjoyed it. It keeps me full for a while thanks to the potatoes as well. I didn’t know what to expect with the Sweet Earth Curry Tiger because it seemed like it was everyone’s favorite but it didn’t disappoint. I’ve heard the Sweet Earth Tiger Curry Bowl is very good too.
My favorite Sweet Earth bowl so far has been the Marsala which has turmeric rice with chickpeas, curry seitan, potatoes, and peas all in an Indian Marsala Sauce. I had never had seitan before this, and it was good! I’ve heard the Sweet Earth Curry Seiten is equally as good. I found myself full for most the day.
Sweet Earth has dozens of more products to try, and all are vegan and vegetarian, made from sustainable and healthy good food. I’ve heard the Sweet Earth Curry Tiger is the customer favorite but I’ve never had a Sweet Earth product I don’t appreciate. Fast doesn’t mean unhealthy, and that is something I appreciate.
When I have a full plate of things to do during the day, saving minutes even hours, has helped me.
Thanks to Sweet Earth Enlightened Foods for sponsoring this post! You can find Sweet Earth at your local Kroger (my favorite grocery store LOL), Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Frys, King Scoopers, Marianos and more. Plus nationwide.
If you don’t know where to start and what to try first, I suggest the Sweet Eart Curry Tiger (bowl or burrito). It’s my favorite and it sounds like a customer favorite overall.
Questions for you:
How do you eat healthy while out?
How do you save time during the day?