Saturday Extra: My Most Asked Health + Wellness Questions

Nutrition

Favorite protein/snack bars?

I have a guide to protein bars that you can read here, but the short version is that I love ones with minimal, clean ingredients. My three favorites are Lara Bars, GoMacro Bars, and Luna Bars, but I’m always trying out new ones here and there. They are great for work and on-the-go, so I think it’s ok to buy a couple each week. Just remember – snacking on whole foods is best!

Best kombucha brand and flavor?

I love the GTS Kombucha because it’s organic, raw, and seems to have the best flavors. I love lemonade and gingerade. I buy one bottle a week and have half a glass almost every day. It’s a great healthy bacteria to add into your diet, so you can have a happy and healthy gut.

What can you put in/on oatmeal to give it more flavor and nutrients?

First off, you’re doing the right thing by buying plain oats. Pre-packaged flavored oatmeal contains unnecessary sugar. (Not to play “sugar police” but – just sayin’.) So for your oats, you can add in organic maple syrup or honey for sweetness. I always add cinnamon because it’s an anti-inflammatory agent as well as it helps you fight off allergies. Then I pick a low-sugar fruit topping such as strawberries or blueberries. Add in nut butter, coconut flakes, and chia seeds for extra fats and protein to keep you full.

What should you put in a post-workout smoothie?

Protein is your friend, but you don’t have to have a protein powder to get that protein. (But if you do have a protein powder you know and love, go for it.) I like to do either cooked zucchini or banana, some frozen berries, a date for sweetness, nut butter to bulk it up, and then I add in a handful of greens, chia seeds, coconut flakes, and sometimes even cacao powder for magnesium. Blend with water or unsweetened almond milk. I post many smoothie recipes on my food Instagram account.

How do you use matcha?

I make a matcha latte some days and loosely follow this recipe. Sometimes I add a tsp into my oats for matcha oats, or a tsp into my smoothies. It’s a powerful antioxidant and I love the taste! I buy my matcha here.

Wellness

“Teach me to be a morning person.”

I’ve got my best tips here. But the trick is, go to sleep. I go to bed around 9 every night, and there’s no way I could get up at 6 a.m. bright-eyed and bushy-tailed if I didn’t. I also use the morning for “me” time before work, so I want to get up and squeeze that in. I workout (which I love to do), I listen to my favorite podcasts, I watch/read the news, and I make a good breakfast. If you love what you do in the morning, you’ll get up for it.

Best podcasts?

My favorites are the Anxiety Guru Podcast, the Happier podcast (by Gretchen Rubin), and the Lady Loving podcast (by Lo Bosworth) – you can find them all when you search on iTunes. I play them on my runs, in the car, and while showering, washing dishes, or writing blog posts.

Exercise

What do you think of cycle classes?

Wrote all about my experience in my first four classes here! I go to CycleBar.

How do you start running?

You just start. You find good music (or podcasts) and good running shoes and you go slow at first. Don’t set goals or sign up for a half marathon right off the bat. (Though, signing up for the 8-mile Turkey Trot is what got my butt into gear.) There is no secret guide to how-to-run, you just do it. It gets easier and you get stronger. But if running isn’t for you, don’t beat yourself up about it. There are plenty of other exercises to do to get your endorphins and move your body in a healthy way.

Good Youtube yoga videos?

I do a Yoga with Adrienne video about once a week.