Fresh Thyme: Healthy Food AND Healthy PRICES

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Krissyar

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Fresh Thyme. Though I was compensated for my time, all opinions (as usual) are my own.

Last week I shared my excitement about the new Fresh Thyme store opening in Oakley. The idea of wholesome healthy foods at affordable prices was especially appealing to me since I have a semi-large family to feed. I was excited to visit the store and see if it held up to all the hype.

fresh-thyme

I wasn’t the only one excited about the opening of the new market – the parking lot was packed, and the store seemed to be bursting from the seems. The first thing I noticed, and of course my kids favorite, was the bakery section. They had a ton of great bakery items from cookies, to pies and cakes and beyond. We picked up a cherry pie for our labor day festivities, and the kids each picked a cookie. They have tons of selections, including gluten-free options.

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Now my favorite part was just next to the bakery, ready-made meals! They had a lot of food to choose from, and I was super psyched that they had soo many healthy, natural ingredients to choose from. I did pick up a few pizzas and I have to say they were delicious.

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I was able to pick up some of the great deals they were offering as well, such as 77 cent blackberries, sweet corn 6 for $1, and organic grape tomatoes for just 99 cents a carton! They have some great deals coming up next week as well, and I can’t wait to go back – asparagus for $1.97 a pound, and Haas avocados 3 for $1.

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MORE ABOUT FRESH THYME:

 At Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets we believe you shouldn’t have to give away the farm to feed your body nutritious food. We’re on a mission to improve the way our communities eat by offering fresh and healthy food at amazing values -all in a vibrant and fun shopping environment, with smiling friendly faces.

 The foundation of healthy eating is often based on incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables in our diets. Therefore, at the core of our offerings is an abundant produce department, overflowing with fruits and vegetables, fresh from the farm, often locally grown and much of it organic. We’re so passionate about produce that we’ve made it the nucleus of the store, ensuring the bounty of fruits and vegetables is visible from all other department.

 

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Posted in Cincinnati, Fitness/Health | 16 Comments

Mamma Chia: Seed Your Soul

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Krissyar

This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Mamma Chia. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.“

You know I am always on the lookout for great new drinks and snacks that are healthy and delicious. It’s a bonus when I find  something that isn’t only healthy, but packed full of fiber and protein to boost your brain with Omega-3s to give you sustained energy and vitality – and that’s exactly what Mamma Chia products do. They offer Chia Squeeze Vitality Snacks, Vitality Beverages and Clean Energy Vitality Beverages.

#MammaChiaMagic

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The Chia Squeeze Vitality Snacks are nutrient-rich chia seeds infused with fruits and veggies in a pouch – easy to toss into a lunch bag, gym bag, or in your purse when running out the door. These great little pouches really pack a punch with over 1200 mg of Omega3s – which is about the same as a single serving of salmon, 4 grams of fiber – which is equivalent to the amount found in an average apple, not to mention there is no sugar added. 

The Mama Chia Vitality Beverages are a much needed vitality boost for those tiring moments – after the gym, during lunch time, or after work before all the ‘work’ really begins. The Organic chia seeds are infused with organic fruit juice which makes it quite a satisfying and refreshing drink. They are lightly sweetened with less than one tablespoon of organic agave nectar  and contains more than an entire days worth of Omega3’s (over 2500 mg), 6 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of complete protein.

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MammaChia is also about to release the world’s first chia-based energy drink!! They will be combining chia seeds with the  clean energy of Guayusa that results in a truly healthful, fulfilling and delicious energy beverage that will nourish your entire body & soul. It will deliver 2500 mg of Omega3s, 90 mg of natural caffeine, twice the antioxidants of a  cup of green tea, along with the fiber and protein. I can’t wait to try it out!! They will be available sometime in September at select retailers including Whole Foods, Safeway and Target.
Keep up with all the great things Mamma Chia’s doing via their Facebook page or on Twitter.

Mamma Chia products are Non-GMO Verified, gluten-free, began, kosher, and certified organic by the USDA. The Mamma Chia products are a great option for you and your children, but don’t take my word for it! Try them for yourselves at a local retailer near you, or enter below to win a prize pack of Mamma Chia products, approx retail value of $75!

The winner will receive: One full bag each of Mamma Chia’s NEW black and white chia seeds, one week’s worth of Chia Squeezes, one week’s worth of beverage vouchers,  and one copy of Janie’s new book Chia Vitality!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in Fitness/Health | 4 Comments

Don’t Wait for the Truck: Try Your Ice Cream Favorites at Walgreens

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Krissyar

This post is sponsored by Global Influence. I was compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.

Some of my favorite childhood memories include ice cream on the porch with my parents/grandparents/sister after a fun summer day. It seems like most childhood memories for people young and old include ice cream.  It’s an iconic symbol of American.
Did you know ice cream became an edible morale symbol during World War II?? Each branch of the military tried to outdo the others in serving ice cream to its troops. In 1945, the first “floating ice cream parlor” was built for sailors in the western Pacific. When the war ended, and dairy product rationing was lifted, America celebrated its victory with ice cream. Americans consumed over 20 quarts of ice cream per person in 1946. (read more at idfa.org)

American families have been celebrating love, life and liberty with ice cream, and you don’t have to wait for the ice cream truck this labor day to make those memories! Unilever ice cream brands (Magnum, Breyers, Klondike, Frutare, and Popsicle) are available at Walgreens – and can help start making those memories that last a lifetime.
#IceCreamRun

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No waiting for the ice cream man, no long trips to ice cream shop – just make a stop at your local Walgreens. I have 2 within 5 minutes of  my house so it’s easy to run and pick up some Popsicles or Breyers ice cream which are some of our favorites. My kids love making ice cream cones, and it’s fun to watch them enjoy it (especially when they are little!)

nathan ice cream

How do you Celebrate with Ice Cream?

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Red Carpet Ready with TRESemmé from Walmart

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Krissyar

This post is sponsored by Global Influence. I was compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.

My daughter is obsessed with all things Hollywood, and is especially excited for the VMA’s. She loves watching the stars pose in their stylish, sometimes questionable, styles and she is always look for a new look. My favorite part of the VMA’s is watching the fabulous & inspirational hairstyles. My belief is you can feel confident in any situation when you have great hair, and that’s something I have always tried to make sure that I make time for – no matter how busy my  day may be.

Part of my daily routine is using some great TRESemmé products to get a super sleek look. Daily I make sure to wash, dry, blow dry, and straighten my hair. If something comes up and I’m not able to get this done I feel as if my day is not complete! Walmart and Tresemme have teamed up to help the stars get salon gorgeous hair this VMA season and they want you to feel the glam by inviting you to amp up your VMA style with 5 red carpet worthy looks!

The pumped up pony, super sleek look, rock ‘n roll waves, or full blown volume will have you shining like a star.

 

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 Check out the great info here to find styling videos and more info on TRESemme products at Walmart.

Tresemme

Posted in Beauty | Leave a comment

Riders Always Welcome at Best Western

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Krissyar

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Best Westerns Riders Program. All opinions are my own.

Up until a few years ago I didn’t get the whole “hair blowing, riding into the wind” mentality of motorcycle enthusiast.  I always thought it would be difficult to travel for a more than a day on the back of a bike let alone travel to a destination hundreds of miles away.  Then my father-in-law handed down his Harley to my husband, and here we were with this sitting in our garage and no where to go. After a few weeks my husband couldn’t take it anymore so we planned our first motorcycle trip – a long weekend trip down to Tennessee.

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As we prepared for our trip I did some research on the best routes to take, along with the best places to stay. I was thrilled to find out that Best Western offers bike ‘friendly’ hotels at  more than 1,200 of their locations that offer complimentary wipe-down towels and access to cleaning stations as well as some offer additional benefits such as reserved parking spaces, bottled water and lip balm. In addition to these rider friendly hotels, they also offer a Best Western Riders Program which offer a ton of great benefits such as:

o   By joining Best Western’s Ride Rewards™ loyalty program online, Harley-Davidson and motorcycle enthusiasts automatically receive Gold Elite status, which includes 10 percent bonus points on every Best Western stay and the ability to purchase points for award redemption, along with other signature benefits.

o   Harley-Davidson owners or enthusiasts can register for Ride Rewards™, a free program, by visiting www.bwrider.com

o   Once registered, members earn 10 points for every U.S. dollar spent on qualified room rates or 250 airline miles per qualified stay at more than 4,000 Best Western hotels worldwide.

o   Best Western’s travel blog, YouMust Be Trippin features a motorcycle travel writer, Jason Fogelson. Content includes personal stories, ride ideas,packing tips, bike suggestions and more.

They even partnered with Harley Davidson to offer the Harley-Davidson’s Ride Planner,which riders use to help map and plan rides, posts Best Western hotels along their scheduled route, making it easy to book hotels – many of which are deemed “rider” friendly. 

                                                                                                                                                                                             #BWRider

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In honor of the Best Western Riders Program, Best Western is hosting a Harley-Davidson trip for several motorcycle journalists, Aug.27-29 in beautiful Montana. They will be traveling across the beautiful countryside and stopping to  check out the rider-friendly Best Western’s along the way.

The ride itinerary is as follows:

  • Tuesday, Aug. 26

o   Start in Helena,Mont.

o   BEST WESTERN PREMIER Helena Great Northern Hotels

  • Wednesday, Aug. 27

o    Helena to Polson

o   BEST WESTERN PLUS KwaTaqNuk Resort

  • Thursday, Aug. 28

o    Polson to Shelby

o   BEST WESTERN Shelby Inn & Suites

  • Friday, Aug. 29

o    Shelby to Helena

o   BEST WESTERN PREMIER Helena Great Northern Hotel

 

Best Western will be posting motorcycle content to its blog, YouMustBeTrippin, throughout the course of the week. Be sure to check it out!! Here’s an excerpt of Jason’s pre-trip blog post Movin’ Through Montana:

 

I’m checking the weather, watching a storm front pass through the Big Sky Country. And rain or shine, I’m headed to Montana next week. Let’s hope there’s more shine than rain!

Every year, Best Western gathers a small group of motorcycle and travel journalists together for a three-day ride on Harley-Davidson® bikes. It gives the writers a chance to get familiar with rider-friendly hotels, the Best Western Ride Rewards® program, and Best Western’s three categories of hotels (BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER®), while riding the latest and greatest from Harley-Davidson. It’s always a fun, relaxed trip through great scenery, and we all come away from the experience with great stories, new connections and a fantastic appreciation for the joy of motorcycle travel.

This year, we’re starting our tour in Helena, Mont. at the BEST WESTERN PREMIER Helena Great Northern Hotel, a recently upgraded hotel designed around the theme of the Great Northern Railroad. Helena is the capital of Montana, and there’s plenty to see and do. It’s a great place to start and finish our trip, with a good airport and a central location.

From Helena, we’ll head west to Missoula, a former lumber capital that is now, arguably, Montana’s intellectual center. Its biggest employer is the University of Montana, and a renowned writing program has attracted a number of novelists, poets and journalists,

– Continue reading at:  http://www.youmustbetrippin.com/travel-my-way/motorcycle-traveling/movin-through-montana-with-bw-rider/#sthash.f5IQ7mtX.dpuf

Posted in Travel | 42 Comments