In the Lite of Dawn {Product Review + Giveaway}

The plan was in place. We would meet at 6:30 a.m. and run a 6-mile loop. At 7:30, we'd return (hopefully) to our cars and meet the rest of the clan for 9 more miles. A total of 15 miles for Joe and me, the longest run of this training cycle and a cutback week for him (he's training for a 50-miler).

It would going to be cold and dark, though, he warned. We would definitely need tights and headlamps.

Well, he would need a headlamp. I had something potentially better – RunLites.

RunLites are gloves with "built-in" lights for runners, cyclists and general outdoor enthusiasts. Why the quotes around "built-in"? Well, the lights are in pockets on the top of the glove and can be flipped out and removed for washing or charging purposes.

Now, back to the gloves. RunLites have two brightness settings (the max 40 lumens per glove), have a battery life of 48 hours, are made of a breathable fabric and feature a palm pocket with safety strap. They are available in full and half length, the latter of which I chose.

So, basically, they look like a cycling glove with small bungee cords on the bottom for storing a license/ID, gels or car keys.

Now, my Saturday-morning run wasn't the first go-round with the RunLites. I've actually worn them for about a month. I've taken them on early long runs and when I met my BRF in the morning. It's still too cold for me to take my bike out so that was a no go. And, I also made the mistake of wearing them at home to look for something under the couch (because ... yeah), and it caused some serious issues with an inquisitive child.

The Saturday run also won't be the last time I run with them, either. But, they won't necessarily replace other illumination products I have.

Here's the rundown:

Pros
• The gloves' lights are charged via a USB cord. There's no need to hunt down batteries or steal them from your kids' toys.

• The battery life is legit. I have only had to charge the gloves once since using them.

• The gloves are comfortable, and I have not had any experience with them chafing nor with them become ridiculously wet.

• The lights are fairly bright, and I love being able to wave them toward an oncoming car to let them know I am approaching.

• The thumb of the glove is terry cloth – perfect for wiping your nose.

• At $34.99 a pair for the half-glove, RunLites are comparable in price to other illumination products.

Cons
• The gloves are charged via a USB cord, and the gloves only come with one. One cord, two gloves. It requires some planning and, if you forget to charge them, you are a SOL when you are headed out the door.

• I have yet to figure out how to tell whether the gloves are fully charged.

• KnuckleLights are brighter by 5 lumens, and they just seem to offer more illumination. The KnuckleLights also have a strobe setting, and the RunLites do not have. While the strobe setting isn't always great for seeing twigs on the path, it is great for safety.

• The gloves are to see not to be seen and do not replace other night running gear, such as reflective vests/clothing. It would be nice to have a product that served multiple functions rather than adding one more item to the list of gear to grab – especially when you're coffee hasn't kicked in and the sun hasn't risen.

• The half gloves work perfectly for the fall and spring when it's chilly but not cold. However, I can't imagine wearing them when it's hot outside. Then again, I don't like wearing KunckleLights when it's 70 degrees and 90 percent humidity at 5 a.m.

Want to light up the night? RunLites is offering one Healthy Strides reader a pair of her own. Enter using the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In The Mix {Green Blender Review}

"I don't have time for this," I thought to myself. "I should have never said yes to this."

"This" was the opportunity to try Green Blender. Green Blender is a delivery service that takes the now-familiar concept of meal delivery services in a different direction – smoothies.

Each Green Blender delivery includes the ingredients to make five different smoothies, and each smoothie recipe makes two servings. The delivery arrives in an almost non-descript box but inside is a space-age looking silver lining that, along with freeze packs, keeps the goods at the proper temperature. The ingredients are pre-portioned and require no prep save for peeling the occasional banana, trimming off the ends of a cucumber or rinsing off the produce.

But that morning, as I rushed to get Miles ready for school and Si calmed down, the task of grabbing the blender and the foil package out of the fridge seemed like too much. However, I had agreed to it and after falling short on some agreements last year, I had committed myself to being a better blogger and partner this year. So I put Si in the highchair and gave Miles the OK to watch 5 more minutes of TV.

And, honestly, I didn't need 5 minutes. It was more like 7 to 10 that first day but, hey, I spend longer than that in the Starbucks drive-through.

I scanned the recipes on the sheet enclosed in the shipment and decided on the Raspberry Cranapple smoothie. For me, it seemed like the most benign in the bunch with an apple, cranberries, raspberries, walnuts and macia powder. I put the fruit in the blender along with a cup of water and let it whir as I put a snack in Miles' backpack. I grabbed a cup of ice and tossed it in with the walnuts and macai powder, setting the blender on the "crush ice" setting and grabbed Si from the chair. I held him as we watched the drink come together. I had my lazy hipster pants on that day so I poured half in a Ball jar and stuck in a provided straw and put the blender carafe with the other half in the fridge. I corralled Miles, got Si in the car seat and we were on our way to school. On time, I might add.

I sipped the drink trepidatiously as I drove and was pleasantly surprised by the tart-sour flavor. It was good but I made a note that it would be better with a bit of vanilla yogurt or some stevia. The Green Blender smoothies, if anything, are not the frozen desert-like concoctions that populate menus of places I'm most likely to frequent.

But that doesn't mean that the drinks aren't good. In fact, they are pretty darn good – even to this gal, who had sworn off green smoothies ages ago and has (what I call) a Midwest sensibility to healthy eating.

A photo posted by Kimberly (@healthystrides) on Feb 2, 2016 at 5:26am PST

Funny enough, my favorite was probably the most unique-to-me recipe: the Green Sweetpea Smoothie. The drink features collard greens, pear, persian cucumbers, lime, mint and pea protein. The predominant flavors were lime and mint, and it tasted ridiculously refreshing. The Pineapple Power smoothie, with snow peas, kale, pineapple, hemp seed and sacha inchi, was among the top flavors I tried. It was sweet but not overly so and I couldn't taste the baby kale or snow peas.

A thing to note: I received the delivery on a Thursday, tried my first smoothie the following Tuesday and made the recipes throughout that week. Even on Friday, when it had been over a week since shipment, the ingredients were fresh and the greens not wilted.

But, my favorite thing about Green Blender was not the flavors themselves but that the service opened them up to me. I would not have drank a smoothie with greens and cucumbers a month ago. I would have gagged looking a recipe with snow peas and kale. I would have laughed in your face if you offered me a sip of a drink with carrots in it. In an effort to be honest and forthright, I put my fears and preconceived notions aside and I gave it a fair chance and because I liked those, I know there's a good chance I'll like others, too.

I was sipping my last smoothie one night in the kitchen as Mark put away dishes. He had asked about what I thought of the service, and I told him that it's definitely something that I liked.

"How much is it?" he asked. "Do you want to try to work it into the budget?"

And there is my gripe. The cost. It's about $50 per box unless you sign up for regular delivery, for which there are discounted rates. When you budget $120 a week for groceries, adding $50 for smoothies seems sort of ludicrous. It does.

But it doesn't mean that it's a bad deal. The smoothies average out to $5 a drink and considering I have paid $8 at the juice shop a block from work, it's a good deal. It's an even better deal considering the drinks I made in my totally non-fancy blender were 10 times better than those I've gotten at that shop. It was just as convenient, if not more so, than going to the shop, as well.

For me, I told Mark, it's not something I want on the regular but I do want it. I think it would be a great thing to try on a monthly or seasonal basis to shake up your breakfast/snack routine and get some damn vegetables in the mix. Seriously – I felt so good knowing that I was putting good greens into my body before I stepped into the Y each morning to teach class. If there's something I really like, I have the recipe – thanks Green Blender – and can make it on my own!

Now, totally obvs, you want to try it – and you should. And you can do it with 20 percent off using code HEALTHYSTRIDES at checkout. Please note that I do get a small kickback by you signing up. Kickbacks are nice but it has not affected how I approached this review.

Disclosure: I received a Green Blender delivery in exchange for a review but was not otherwise compensated.

You Saw Me: Runner Safety {+ product review}

"I didn't see you."

As someone who regularly runs in the pre-dawn hours of the early morning, I don't want a motorist to be able to say that to me — ever. Worse, I don't want that motorist to have to say that to a law enforcement officer at the scene of a crash.

According to Road ID, a company that makes identification bracelets and shoe tags for runners, 122,000 runners a year are taken to the hospital after being hit by cars. ... In a report by Transportation for America, a public policy organization promoting improved infrastructure investment, between 2000 and 2009 more than 5,300 pedestrians were killed each year in vehicle-related accidents.

Source: Competitor

Runners need to take precautions to not only be seen but recognized as a person. There's reflective vests, illuminating night gear, blinking lights, LED bands.

And I've worn all of them, thinking I was doing my best. But there were still close calls. There were times when cars took longer to get over than I would have liked. Fast cars swerved just a few yards from my feet. The blinking lights, the vest only visible when the headlights hit me at just the right angle.

My early morning gear included other things, too. Things that helped me see the path in front of me and avoid dangers such as sticks, walnuts and snakes — a head lamp, Knuckle Lights — but on the side of the road, to a motorist, the lights can seem fixed or a part a landscape.

"I didn't see her," the motorist might think as he approached me.

But that's no longer the case.

For the past month, I've been wearing the You Saw Me vest. The vest is unlike anything I had ever seen, with 60 embedded LEDs to refract an active lighting source with the ability to dim, flash, and automatically cycle between colors. It also has an ANSI-certified reflective outer layer to reflect oncoming light (i.e. headlights). The lights, according the company, can be seen up to a mile away.

There are front and back pockets that allow you to store cellphones, keys, cards, money, etc. and an adjustable waistband for comfort.

When I run in this, I never have to think, "Does that car see me?" I know they do.

BRF Tami, who bought the vest after seeing mine, and I both notice that cars get over sooner and farther when they approach us on the road. The lights, which are in a V-shape on the front and the back, also illuminate our faces. Motorists don't just see the vests — they see us as people. We've also found that lights are bright enough that it helps us see the path before us. With Daylight Saving Time, we've been able to manage with just the vest — no other lights.

I don't just love this vest for its safety; I love it because of the company. You Saw Me is a small outfit out of Lexington, Kentucky. When I shamelessly approached them to review the vest, I didn't get an email. I got a request for a phone call. The next week, I spoke with co-owner Seth McBee for more than a half-hour. We talked about the vest and social media, running and close calls. I learned about the craftsmanship that's put in the vest and how his partner Kevin took years to develop what is now being sold.

I also learned that this company couldn't, and wouldn't, give its product away to any blogger willing to shill it. The vests cost money to make and as a new company, You Saw Me isn't selling them with a large profit margin. If I wanted to get it, I needed to be authentic and enthusiastic when it comes to sharing the product on my social media channels and in my running community. It's a deal I was willing to make.

So, full disclosure, this vest is not mine for free. If three readers/friends purchase it using the code "healthy strides" (free shipping!), I can keep it. Otherwise, I ca pay for the vest full price — $60 — or send it back.

But I already know that I will happily send a check to Seth and You Saw Me if you aren't into it. My safety and peace of mind is worth $60.

A couple of FAQs/notes:

• The vest does feel heavier than other reflective vests because of the lights. I was worried that it would feel burdensome when I ran but to my surprise, it did not. I do know it's there but my arm swing and pace are just fine.
• There is a wide, adjustable elastic band with a snap belt to secure the vest. It goes through two loops each on the front and back. I have not had a problem thus far with the belt chafing. I do make sure it is snug so as to keep the vest itself from not moving and chafing elsewhere.
• The power source for the vest is a 9-volt battery. I thought this was a bit weird, and it can be awkward to put on if you haven't had a full cup of coffee. It is nice, though, that you don't have to seek out the manufacturer for replacements and can use rechargable batteries, as well. 
• The vest is washable though I have yet to do that. I put it on my passenger seat, over the head rest. I'm sure both smell like Macintosh Apples thanks to Yankee Candle air fresheners. 
• Seth also suggests these vests for cyclists and motorcyclists. I say if you need to be seen, you need this vest.

Packing for a fitness workshop: Get your learn on

There's knowledge and then there's practical application. Up until today, I had obtained the knowledge.

Now, I have the practical application.

As part of the continuing education requirements for my ACE personal trainer certification, I attended a high intensity interval and Tabata training workshop offered by NETA. It was a five-hour class at an area fitness studio, and it was focused on how to apply the fundamentals and theories of interval and rest-based training to clients and group fitness classes.

In other words, it was like brain candy to this enthusiast.

We talked shop, were coached through workouts and programmed our own sessions while we picked up new exercises, techniques and coaching cues. The movement was interspersed through some lecture time and though it sounds boring, it was really a great refresher for some of the material from my ACE studies. Hello, EPOC and OBLA!

But of course, being present isn't the only thing that made the day successful. It was being prepared.

The HIIT workshop is the third of the type that I have attended - the others being my Bodypump and Piloxing certifications. While each required a different set of materials, there are some must-have items to bring in your gym bag.

Here's what I like to put in my Apera bag.

• ID and paperwork.
• Water and/or sports beverage. You will no doubt be working out, even if it's just a 15-minute session, and hydration is key. I brought a water bottle and two tubes of Nuun - Cherry Limeade Energy and Kona Cola. 
• Snacks and/or lunch. Most workshops will at least go through lunch if not last all day. It's paramount to make sure you have the nutrition you need to keep your brain focused and body performing. Today, I brought string cheese, pistaschios and cucumber and tomato salad for lunch. To snack on, I grabbed a chocolate mint INBar from the gas station.
• Pen and paper. Even if there is a course syllabus or program materials, the presenter will give you information that is not included - whether it is background or from experience. I love to write down coaching cues and exercise ideas from other instructors present, too.
• Yoga mat
• Towel. You will want something to wipe off with and not all gyms will be have equipment/supplies available to training participants.
• A sweatshirt. After a workout, the gym will no doubt feel cold. You will want something warm to put on while you are listening to the information. 
• Clean shirt. For after, obviously.
• Other clothing items. You might also want some sweat pants to put over capris if you are especially cold; flip flops for comfort; and fresh undies for smell factor. I also like to bring a pair of ProCompression socks if it's a particularly intense workshop or certification. The intensity that you will bring to a workout when other instructors are present is INSANE, and you will need to recover properly.
• Phone and headphones. Depending on the program, you might need to review choreo on your own and ear buds and music are essential.

It sounds like a lot of stuff - and it is. You most definitely want to pack the night before, even if you are attending a training in your hometown (as that might not always be the case).

I was lucky enough, though, to be recently given an Apera bag to test out. The yoga tote that I chose has storage upon storage, with a compartment for shoes, vented compartments, washable insert bag and wipeable linings. There were several zippered pockets on the outside that allow for easy access and a safe, dry place for electronics such as the phone and ear buds you'll need. I especially loved the outer pocket for a water bottle as I have a habit of tossing one in my bag without pushing down the top. My sloppiness = a hot mess.

From the company:

Apera bags don't stink. Literally. Groundbreaking antimicrobial product protection, inside and out, resists bacterial odor. Our innovative vented compartments allow your bag to breathe, while clever wipeable linings make for easy cleaning. How's that for a refreshing approach to your bag? And Apera's intelligent storage make our bags extremely functional. Your shoes, electronics, and wet or dry gear are kept separate and organized. And the amount of stuff you can carry is unbelievable. Really, you have to see it to believe it.

And, right now, all Apera bags are 20 percent off through July 21. Also, any style of Blue bag, including the Yoga Tote, and all duffel packs are 40 percent off. Apera also hosts a monthly giveaway, and this month the prize is the sprint pack. To enter, sign up for the newsletter at http://aperabags.com/win.

Disclosure: I was provided an Apera bag free of charge in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Running to the kitchen: A cookbook review

I was told by a wise not-so-old vegan that baked tofu would change my world, especially as a new semi-vegetarian.

And she was right.

From the first bite to the last (five days later), I relished the texture and flavor of the baked tofu. Maybe it was my mad skills or the curry powder or the "garnishes" - edamame, brown rice, grape tomatoes and seeds - that made it so great. No matter. I had found a dish, the first in a while, that I didn't mind eating at my desk all week.

I'd love to take credit for the creation but the Brown Rice with Curried Tofu Salad recipe is among 150 in "The Runner's World Cookbook: 150 Ultimate Recipes for Fueling Up and Slimming Down --While Enjoying Every Bite."

Full disclosure: I received a copy of the cookbook, for free, in advance, to review but I chose to make the dishes and all opinions are my own.

From the editors: Runners need to eat well in order to perform, and what they eat can have a direct influence on how they run. The Runner’s World Cookbook is the perfect combination of performance-boosting nutrients to maximize performance with easy, delicious, and quick recipes. This cookbook contains 150 recipes sourced primarily from the authoritative voice in running itself, Runner’s World magazine, along with exciting additional content. These recipes are intended to maximize a runner’s performance

The Brown Rice with Curried Tofu Salad was suggested for recovery but I found it to be a hearty and forgiving lunch that I could take to work. It had protein from the tofu, edamame and seeds, complex carbs from the rice and color from the tomatoes. I love curry, and I relished the simplicity of the flavorings that allowed it to shine through.

While I was running around the kitchen (ha - get it), I also made a batch of the Creamy Potato-Spinach Soup. I loved how easy this recipe came together and the volume it made. I served it for an informal dinner with my in-laws and niece, and there was more than enough to go around among four adults and two hungry toddlers.

I did make a double batch that evening so that I could send some home with my mother-in-law + freeze, and we were both happy with how well it thawed and reheated. Another week of lunches for me!

While I've featured lunch/dinner fare of the vegetarian variety, the cookbook has breakfast, snacks and smoothies recipes, meat and poultry main dishes, fish and seafood main dishes and dessert recipes. I have a number of other them bookmarked, too - Chickpea-Pesto Tomato Soup, Grilled Vegetable Polenta Casserole, Sticky Toffee Figgy Cupcakes.

The gorgeous photos, beautiful graphic display have me excited to actually use a cookbook again rather than relying on Pinterest finds. The hardback book without a jacket makes it easy to have in the kitchen while cooking and - bonus - you don't have to worry about causing a $1,000 damage if a drop falls on it.

"The Runner's World Cookbook" (288 pages, Rodale, $26.99) is available in hardback and on Kindle.

Get into gear: LOCK LACES review

The coulda, shoulda, woulda, oh fig it moments. We've all had them - in life and in running.

When I was interviewing the too-amazing Beth Schrader last month and just chatting about running, we talked about getting into a groove and how the clock doesn't stop during a race. Event directors don't pause it, the way one can a Garmin, for potty breaks, a drink of water or to unzip the SPIbelt for a chew. Learning to run "straight" can be an important part of training as to simulate that aspect of a race, especially if you are going for a time goal.

But running straight can only get you so far if you don't double-knot your shoes.

I shared with Beth the story of my half-marathon PR (which is nearly 2.5 years old). I finished in 1:54:12 at the 2010 Fort4Fitness but I wonder what my real time was as I stopped just shy of the 4-mile mark to tie my shoes. I'm certain that I could have had a 1:53:XX finish had I prepped a little bit better.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda, oh fig it.

Of course, the way I look at it now is that those seconds are just ones I don't have to try to shave off when I try to run hard at Wisconsin in May. Mrs. Brightside, right here. Just got to learn from the mistake and not make it again.

I was recently given the opportunity to try LOCK LACES, an elastic lace and shoe fastening system that makes bunny ears and double knots obsolete.They come in 13 vibrant colors, and the company has the best. slogan. ever. Win. Never Tie.

About LOCK LACES:

LOCK LACES™ is the only patented performance lacing system engineered to meet the demands of endurance athletes such as runners, triathletes, marathoners, and walkers. Also ideal for those who have difficulty tying their own shoes, LOCK LACES™ are popular with kids, seniors and individuals with special needs. LOCK LACES™ is a national sponsor of both the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Fit Feet Program and The Challenged Athletes National Triathlon.

I was sent three pairs to try out - pink, blue and black. I only have two pairs of shoes so ... totally means I need a new pair. Right? Right!

Anyway, I decided to try the pink laces in my Lunar Flys, which I wear for shorter or faster runs. I took the laces out of the package, and I have to admit that I was a bit flummoxed as to how to lace the shoe. The directions on the package are clear but abbreviated and it was early. I found it better to look on the website and watch a video on YouTube and once I saw it done, I was laced up and ready to go in a few minutes.

I wasn't sure how I'd like the LOCK LACES as the clip doesn't secure to the shoe or lace and I was certain that I was going to feel like my shoe was going to fall off. I started the run a bit trepidatiously, wanting to be diligent and notice anything that felt off or uncomfortable. After a half-mile, I realized that the laces were doing their job, felt secure and I could just go. Like a cheetah. Or girl in a cheetah skirt.

I've been wearing the laces exclusively for two weeks now, and I definitely like them. My shoes feel secure and there is no annoyance with feeling a lace slowly loosen and become untied. I do advise to follow directions (imagine that) and lace the shoe with it on your foot. When I put the laces in my long run shoes, I didn't heed this advice and the laces felt tight. I was also a bit conservative and left more slack than recommended when trimming the laces. Doing so leads to a little more bounce than desired, and I went back to trim off another quarter- to half-inch.

My only real complaint is that it seems you would have to buy a new pair of laces every time you get a new pair of shoes as you have to trim the ends of the elastic and I don't see how it would thread through. But, at $7.99 a pair (or three for $19.99), it's not a huge cost and as the laces can be bought in stores, you can just tack it on with the cost of the shoe. Plus, there's a ton of fun colors, and it would be a great way to sass up shoes that don't come in fun colors (looking at you, Nike Structure).

But for the real question: Would I actually buy them? With my own money? Probably. I think they are nice to have - but not necessary - and I like the security of not having to tie my shoe laces. For someone who is going out for a PR or doing a triathlon where every second counts (thinking transition on the tri), it's a worthwhile purchase. If only for the sake of removing one last coulda, shoulda, woulda, oh fig it.

(pv) Body conscious

Warning: Rage induced rant ahead ...

You can't swing a resistance band around the blog world, Twitter and Facebook without getting smacked in the face by pv.Body.

Seemingly the latest incarnation in the subscription fad, pv.Body is a company that hand selects workout ensembles for women based on a questionnaire. The company promises that the outfits they put together are from quality activewear companies, even throwing around the name lululemon, as a result of relationships its built with the manufacturers.

Many of the outfits I've seen from blog reviews - and there are too many to list - have not been lululemon but American Apparel, Nux and Colosseum. I've not worn those brands and can't be sure of their quality but the pieces didn't seem to be anything special. Not the way lululemon pieces are.

Nonetheless, I couldn't help but feel jealous that I didn't have the opportunity to review the service, and I waffled for a good two weeks about whether to join. I tweeted about it, in a shameless, vain effort, to get a free box and took the style survey a number of times. I even put the subscription in the cart before canceling it, deciding that even the discounted rate of $39.95 would be better spent on a race fee.

I should note that during my shameless tweets that I did get responses from the company.

But when I received a coupon code via email for 40 percent off just before Christmas, I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and try it out.

Just one problem: The coupon didn't give me 40 percent off. It gave me 20 percent off - not what I wanted. I had hit order too soon, though, and despite hitting the back button, it went through.

I immediately emailed the company, asking them to cancel the order and refund my card before the outfit was shipped. I explained that the coupon did not come off correctly, and the coupon was the sole reason I was trying it. I got an automated email saying that they were busy but would get to my case. A few hours later, another email came saying that my case had been resolved.

For them.

My card is still charged, an outfit has been shipped and I have had no response from the company now that I'm unhappy and unwilling to try the service. I will admit that the holidays could be causing a delay but I've seen tweets from their account and no response to complaints via twitter nor a followup email. I've since emailed a third time and have received an automatic response that my request will be reviewed. I also called as that's what was instructed on its Facebook page in response to other complaint. No answer. Message left.

As for the outfit? I have yet to receive it - according to FedEx, it's still in California - so I can't attest to its quality. But what I can tell you is buyer beware. Sure, a whole lot of bloggers got to try outfits, made exchanges effortlessly and fell in love ... because it was free and the company was trying to spread the word. Now that the word is out, they either can't handle it or don't want to.

And I'm not cool with that.

Editor's note/disclaimer: I feel like I should mention that while I do like to participate in product reviews and giveaways and I do feel somewhat obligated to do them right, I do my best to be honest and fair. When I feel like I haven't (read: MOTOACTV), I try to revisit the topic and update you.

Fit to be tried: At home workouts

With the new year - and its resolutions - rapidly approaching, I'm highlighting some of my favorite fit things of 2012. 

◊ ◊ ◊ 

I woke up at 5 a.m., just two minutes shy of my alarm. I was surprisingly alert and ready for the day as I rolled out of bed, leggings and tank already on, and headed downstairs. I made myself half a mini bagel with homemade nut butter and gulped a glass or two of water before grabbing my laptop and heading to the basement for class.

Class being Turbo Fire in my quite scenic unfinished basement.

But as I inserted the DVD for the day's workout, I was disappointed - mad, even - to discover that the DVD drive on my laptop was on the fritz. I tried a different workout and still no dice. Ready to give up on exercising for the day, I turned around and discovered I had an old pair of running shoes next to the treadmill. I begrudgingly laced up for a 6-mile sweatfest.

While running will always be my first love, I've come to enjoy adding DVDs to mix things up, improve cardio conditioning and build strength. They are also great options when the weather turns frigid or the skies open up or wee ones are sick.

Turbo Fire. When I came off the marathon and headed into late fall, I made it a goal to focus on cross training to improve my cardio fitness in the vain hope that it would translate to faster runs. I had considered investing in Insanity (and it really is an investment) and trying my hand at what I could find at the library. However, as fate would have it, a Facebook acquaintance posted a deal for TurboFire. For $53, one would get more than 10 DVDs, a resistance band, meal plan and workout schedule - a program that regularly retails for $119.

It was definitely an impulse purchase but one that I don't regret. Not one bit.The workouts are fun yet challenging, and I've been surprised by just how not annoyed I am with Chalene Johnson. I like her delivery, instruction style and the class atmosphere of the DVDs. From the workouts, I've noticed more definition in my back from the punching, and I truly believe the HIIT workouts helped me bring home a PR in the 10K

There are two strength workouts that use a resistance band - sculpt and tone - but I don't find them to be challenging enough, and I find some of the moves to be awkward.

Bob Harper's Total Body Transformation. This workout is tough. Super tough. The workout is a total body one, utilizing compound movements and weights to build strength and cardio endurance. It's an hour of lunges, arms and abs.  And, if you can get past a few things, it's definitely worth giving it a go.

Those things? Slow order processing and delivery, Bob's cargo shorts and some bad form on the part of the other people in the video.

Jillian Michaels' "Get Ripped in 30." Everyone seemed to love Jillian Michaels' "30-Day Shred," and this workout builds on that model. There are four workouts, meant to daily for one week before moving onto the next, and are about 25, 30 minutes in length. She leads the workouts in a circuit style - 3 minutes of strength, 2 minutes of cardio and 1 minute of abs.

And even though I feel like they shouldn't be hard, they are. I like to do a Jillian workout when I need a bit of resistance training but don't have the time to rehearse BODYPUMP. It also allows me the chance to lift a bit heavier than I would to improve overall performance.

Of course I have tried others - a ballet inspired promo and yoga workouts - but these were the ones that stuck. And, if they stick, they are a good investment. Or so says Mark.

Fit to be tried: Box it up

With the new year - and its resolutions - rapidly approaching, I'm highlighting some of my favorite fit things of 2012. 

 ◊ ◊ ◊

Think outside the box - it's such a lovely saying, encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones. Yet, this year, it seems everyone wants you to think inside the box. From makeup to food items to (now) workout clothes, monthly "box" subscriptions are available to allow consumers to sample new products or items they wouldn't buy otherwise. 

I was a nearly six-month member of Birchbox, trying out anti-aging serums and living on samples of BB cream for $10 a month, and I would have kept up the subscription if I was a little more into beauty.

What am I into? Well, you probably already know. Food. Health. Fitness. And lo and behold there are boxes for those. I recently had the opportunity to try out two box subscriptions - NatureBox and Bulu Box.

NatureBox. For less than $20 a month, a NatureBox includes 15-20 servings of 4-6 items "curated" by a nutritionist and sourced from local growers and independent food suppliers across the U.S. NatureBox also incorporates recipe ideas to go with the monthly theme. Every snack included is free of high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors.

In my box, I received dried pears, lemon pistachios, granola, pistachio power clusters and masa crackers. I was a bit worried about the sugar content of the items as I was on track with the Healthy Holiday challenge and not consuming any added sugars. The pears, pistachios and crackers, thankfully, were all without added sugar, and the clusters were borderline, using brown rice syrup. 

I found the products to be tasty, and it was nice to try something new. I was particularly fond of the dried pears (addicting) and the pistachio clusters, which fueled a Real Ryder class and holiday shopping. The lemon pistachios were quite lemon but tasty as long as you didn't suck on the shell, and the masa crackers delightfully salty.

I love the idea of the box, especially as I don't have a specialty market near me and thus the exposure to these sorts of items. However, I'm not sure I can justify the box's $20 a month price tag. I already have to get creative to fit in our groceries on $80 a week and taking out $5 a week for snacks that might not last all month seems like a bit of a luxury - especially as I'm not sure you can customize to specific dietary needs. I'd be more inclined to subscribe if it was the packages were smaller or there were fewer choices - with an appropriately smaller price tag.

Bulu Box. Bulu Box is the best way to discover vitamin, supplement and health products. Each box is filled with 4 to 5 premium products selected to help you feel your best. Look forward to a new mix monthly for both women and men that include: vitamins, weight loss, energy, protein, digestion, sleep support and more. It costs $10 a month.

In my box, I received FRS Healthy Energy Chews, Perky Jerky, Almased Synergy Diet, Reserveage Organics CocoaWell dietary supplement and Crystal Essence Mineral Deodorant Towelettes.

To be honest, I'm not sure if I can fairly review it because I don't know what to do with most of it. I'm bothered that the second ingredient on the chews is corn syrup (the first is sugar) and the jerky has sugar. When I responded to the PR agent's email, I thought I'd be getting vitamins and not chews and deodorant towelettes. It does have a nice price tag so I'll give it that.

Of course, the subscription I'm most curious about is one I haven't tried: pv body. One workout ensemble a month for $40, including brands like lululemon. Of course, none of the blog reviews mention getting lululemon, and I can't imagine buying 12 outfits a year. My poor dresser couldn't handle it!

Food Friday: I want naan of it

Leave it to my culinary husband to offer an incredibly thought-provoking, astute review of dinner.

"It tastes just like the stuff at Taj but it's different. Like, crunchy."

Wow. Thanks. ... I think.

Mark is usually pretty heavy on the compliments when I cook (I think it's because he wants to keep eating) so anything that's not "Oh my gosh, this dinner is excellent. The chicken is moist. I love the complex flavors in the pasta. I am so glad I married you" is cause for concern.

And clarification. Thankfully, he liked it. A lot.

By the way, "it" happened to be the naan of our Chicken Tikka Masala Naan Pizza. Inspired by our favorite Indian dish and courtesy of the kind folks at Stonefire, it features tikka masala simmer sauce (thank you, Target), grilled chicken, sauteed red onions, mozzarella cheese and peas. Yes, peas. They're awesome. I swear. I put it all on the naan, baked it for 12 minutes at 400 degrees, taking it out when the cheese was melty and the crust was crisp.

Hence, Mark's observation of "crunchiness."

I could give you more of a recipe but that would insult your culinary stylings and make me write more about this delicious meal, the lovely flavor of the naan and welcome break from heavy holiday meals. The latter not necessarily a bad thing but I'm completely ravenous after an early a.m. Turbo Fire session and a mid-morning Real Ryder class, and I might start scavenging soon.

Or driving to my house for naan.

◊ ◊ ◊

If you'd like to try Stonefire, the company is hosting a giveaway on Facebook that ends Dec. 24. The winner will receive a Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware Set and a variety pack of Stonefire authentic flatbreads. Share with friends for extra entries!

Food Friday: A man's perspective

Allow me (Mark) just to first state that I don't know what the hell I'm talking about (my History of Art professor in college told me so), so don't take offense. I certainly can't lay claim to the kind of intense devotion that Kim shows to her love of all things fitness. With that being said, the product that I tasted, enjoyed, spit-up and sat down to write about appears below. Enjoy.

Brace yourselves Healthy Strides readers. I often get home to find my porch inundated with an assortment of products that I routinely assume to originate from Kim's blog/giveaways/corporate agreements/etc. I also assumed that Kim was either overworked, going insane (or both) when she approached me with an opportunity to review one of the many aforementioned products that often adorn my front doorstep. With nervous trepidation, I accepted Kim's generous offer to grace my writing skills on her blog.

Really, I'm not generous. I simply found the caloric content of the products (280+ for a bar) to be outside my comfort zone. 

 

Unboxing Premier Nutrition's Premier Protein bars and shakes was an uplifting and pseudo-patriotic experience. The inside of the box was wrapped like a finely-crafted gift from Macy's footwear department. Unfortunately, half of the bars I tried tasted like they came from there, too. The wrapping was red, white and blue, and even the photo of the happy, fit man jogging was wearing the same colors. (Perhaps you're patriotic if you eat these things?)

 Reading the directions on a product is always a good thing, so, of course, I neglected to do so when I tried first Premier Protein's “Original Chocolate Shake.” I know that these shakes are intended for fitness-minded individuals, and that they won't exactly resemble what you'd drink during happy hour at Steak-N-Shake, but I couldn't even finish this protein shake.

 “It wasn't properly chilled, Mark,” said an always astute Kimberly.

True, fair enough, so I braved on to try their other variety of shake called “Original Vanilla.” Being a bigger fan of vanilla over chocolate anyway, I thought this would turn out better. Having been chilled appropriately for over 24 hours, and consumed on the way to work in the morning, well, um, it wasn't any better. The shake tasted, well, bland, like it was entirely crafted from artificial this and artificial that. I spit it out about halfway through.

Word to the wise, from Kim: I drank the vanilla shake, blended with a frozen banana and cinnamon, and I found it to be enjoyable. Sweet but good. 

My tasting experience with Premier Protein products not quite thorough enough (hey, I'm dealing with Kim here), I decided to test my luck with two varieties of their protein bars, Double Chocolate Peanut Butter and Yogurt Peanut Crunch Bar. The double chocolate variety was bland, and smacked of the same mediocrity that the aforementioned shakes had. I couldn't finish it. I mean, if the world was suddenly overcome with the walking dead and I was forced to consume immediate calories to stave off starvation, pass me a bar. Other than that, I can't see myself going out of the way to ever eat one again.

 Fortunately, my blog is not all piss and vinegar, as their yogurt variety of protein bar was not just tasty, but extremely satisfying. I'd like to think that I used a scale to rate their products' quality; “1” being just tastier than a steaming dog turd, and “10” being a Snickers Marathon Energy Bar, I would give the Premier Protein Yogurt Peanut Crunch Bar an “8.” I would highly recommend them for extra calories before, during or after an athletic event. Even if you're a couch potato, I'd recommend them over their less-than-healthy candy bar or nutri grain bar alternatives.

 Thanks, Kim, for giving me a concrete deadline and forcing me to write again.

Armed and ready: A product review

I consider myself to be an active person. I run. I teach BODYPUMP. I chase after an energetic toddler.

But everything I thought about how much I moved was turned upside down within three days of wearing the BodyMedia FIT armband.

I was recently given an opportunity to try the armband and online activity manager. I have worn it for about a month, day in and day out, during 20-mile runs, BODYPUMP classes and lazy days. And let's just say it's been an interesting month.

The basics:  BodyMedia FIT is an on-body monitoring system that consists of the BodyMedia FIT Armband monitor, online Activity Manager and free apps for mobile device users. BodyMedia FIT Armbands automatically track the calories burned during your daily activities, works as a fitness monitor to measure the intensity of your workouts and monitors the quality of your sleep. Using four sensors, the Armband captures over 5,000 data points per minute — from heat and sweat to steps and calories burned — every minute of every day. The information tracked can be managed with BodyMedia's online Activity Manager. The LINK armband, which I selected, also allows user to transfer information to a BodyMedia App via Bluetooth.

Ease of use: I figured it out - and that's saying a lot. The setup for the armband is as easy as plugging the device in via a USB cord and following a series of steps on the online interface. And once you've done that, you are good to go.

You wear the armband with the device facing the back of the arm and a series of beeps singles that it has made the "connection." It sometimes takes a couple minutes and a few days to figure out the "sweet" spot. I've found that it feels better and more secure with a snug fit but the manual says to wear it slightly loose, with two fingers being able to slide between the band and arm.

Surprises: When I had my resting metabolic rate tested., I was told that I would burn 1,310 calories a day if I did nothing. I assumed then that, when I had a rest day, I would burn 1,300 or 1,400 calories a day. And that's not the case because, well, we never just do nothing. I think the least amount of calories I've ever burned is 1,700.

What shocked me most wasn't how many calories I burned but actually how few I burn ... during BODYPUMP. Les Mills touts that participants can work off up to 800 calories in a single class, and I've always "tracked" BODYPUMP as a circuit class, which calculates a 450-calorie burn. However, I've never come close to the 450-calorie number much less 800 calories. Heck, it doesn't even consider BODYPUMP a vigorous activity.

At first, I thought it was a mistake and the armband was faulty but the burn seemed accurate when I was running (about 100 calories/mile) and other activities. I guess BODYPUMP isn't as much of a burner during the class - but it does give you an after burn!

Annoyances: One of the features of the BodyMedia Activity Manager dashboard is that there is a food diary. And it does exist. However, the diary is limited. I found myself still tracking my eats on MyFitnessPal, and it was cumbersome to try to track it on both. I felt like I was living in two different weight loss applications. However, this week BodyMedia partnered with MyFitnessPal, and users of both can link their accounts. You still use both but the two "talk," and I feel like I get an accurate read between input and output to manage and maintain my weight.

I also found that I didn't use the Bluetooth feature often and rarely opened the BodyMedia app on my phone. A user still has to connect the device via USB to a computer to charge, and the online interface was much more user friendly and interactive than the app.

Favorite feature:A lot of people are able to maintain their health, fitness and weight by feel. Intuition, if you will. I am not one of those people. I like numbers. I like lots of numbers. I track the miles I run, the pace I ran those miles at and how long I was running. I look at nutrition labels and log the calories I eat. For me, it's what I need to do to be successful. BodyMedia gives me those numbers.

More than that, though, it gives me an awareness. Looking at my physical activity on the dashboard, I've really realized just how much I sit at work. There will be hours when I don't register any movement if I'm not mindful. Wearing it has inspired me to try to get out at lunch, walk to the chiropractor, use the bathroom that's farthest away. It makes me want to get up and move.

The fine print: The armbands start at $119 but there is a $6.95/month fee for the online Activity Manager. You can use the coupon code STRIDES15 at the BodyMedia Store through Oct. 31 to get 15 percent off the armband.

Bottom line: The BodyMedia is a fantastic tool for weight loss and maintenance. But it's just that - a tool. You cannot magically lose weight by wearing it, and you don't need it to lose. It won't teach you how to eat or how much to exercise; it can only encourage you to do better with friendly reminders. However, if you have those things "down," the one-time cost and reasonable monthly fee can be a way to avoid the costs of programs like Weight Watchers. For me, it's a great way to avoid the pitfalls of overestimating my activity, and I'm excited to have it in my arsenal as I come down from marathon training and return to a more normal (for me) activity level.

Crave-worthy: Product review {+giveaway}

Mark isn't proud to admit it but he's dependent on processed foods. He takes frozen dinners for lunch, cookies and Nutrigrain for the afternoon and lived on Zatarains and frozen pizza before we got married.

As for breakfast? He's happy to make a Jimmy Dean sandwich and content to pop in a few frozen waffles.

This morning, though, he found himself out of the breakfast sandwiches he bought when he went grocery shopping and there were no backup waffles to be consumed. I am sure he was probably dreaming up a trip to McDonald's for breakfast burritos and coffee but I decided to be nice.

nice 
adjective, nic·er, nic·est. 
1. pleasing; agreeable; delightful: a nice visit.
2. amiably pleasant; kind: They are always nice to strangers.
3. characterized by, showing, or requiring great accuracy, precision, skill, tact, care, or delicacy: nice workmanship; a nice shot; a nice handling of a crisis.
4. showing or indicating very small differences; minutely accurate, as instruments: a job that requires nice measurements.
5. Making Peanut Butter Banana Pancakes for your husband and son before having a cup of coffee.

I seriously love these pancakes - they are easy to make, don't require any eggs and are a great way to use up the funkalicious banana that's hanging on the edge.

Oh, and they taste great. They taste even greater when you swap out traditional peanut butter for a half-cup of PB Crave's Cocoa Bananas Peanut Butter. Because, again, I'm nice.

I recently got the chance to try the PB Crave varieties - Razzle Dazzle, Cookie Nookie, Choco Choco and, of course, Cocoa Bananas.

 

About PB Crave

PB Crave is an all-natural, premium peanut butter that is "amazingly" addictive. There are no artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, syrups or high fructose corn syrup. It is also gluten and cholesterol free. PB Crave is a subsidiary of Sweet Harvest Foods, a nearly-90 year-old company located in Minnesota. A new and separate plant was built to craft the dizzying blends of premium peanut butters using cutting edge technology and innovation to insure that top quality ingredients reach the package and the consumer in the form they were blended. When you open a jar, you’ll see the pure Belgium chips, yet when you spread the product on bread, it will spread deliciously smooth with little to zero chunks. This craft has been perfected and consumers have given the product rave reviews for taste, quality, and price, especially when you factor in, no jelly needed.

What we thought

I say we because, again, I'm nice and I shared. To say this peanut butter was a hit in our house would be the understatement of the century. The PB Crave seriously elevated the pancakes this morning, and I'm down to a half jar of Razzle Dazzle because it is sublime on a piece of Ezekiel 4:9. Flax Sprouted Whole Grain Bread with blackberry all-fruit spread. (Yes, jelly might not be required but don't take away my blackberry preserves.) Confession: I eat at least one of these combos a day, whether I'm hungry or not.

The Cookie Nookie didn't lend itself to sandwiches in my mind but I loved it in a simple oatmeal breakfast: 1/3 banana and 1/3 cup oats cooked with 2/3 cup water, 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk, cinnamon and pinch of salt. Once it's to the desired consistency, add sweetener of choice and 1/2 teaspoon maple extract. Top with Cookie Nookie and, if you feel sassy, some chocolate chips (or sprinkles leftover from your son's first birthday party in July).

Some of my favorite things about PB Crave, though, aren't even about the flavor. My favorite things are what's in the jar and where I can get it. It isn't any more caloric than traditional peanut butters, and I can pronounce all of the ingredients. While so many of the fancy flavored nut butters are only available online or at stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, PB Crave is available in northeast Indiana. I spotted it at Fresh Market. (It is available, too, at Whole Foods and Earth Fare if you live somewhere cool.)

If my opinion isn't good enough,check out Celebrity Chef Andrew Zimmern's OpenSky Page and video review. 

Remember how I said I was nice? Well, PB Crave is, too. The company is giving one lucky reader a CoCo Banana Variety Pack. (Value $20.97)

To enter

Mandatory: Visit the PB Crave website and, in a comment, tell me which variety you would most like to try.

Additional entries (leave a comment for each of the following, up to 4): Like PB Crave on Facebook; follow PB Crave on Twitter; follow me on Twitter; tweet about this giveaway, being sure to mention @PBCrave and @healthy_strides.

Nitty gritty: Giveaway is open to U.S. residents living in the lower 48 states and ends Friday, Oct. 19, at midnight. The winner will be selected via random number generator and announced on Monday, Oct. 22. The winner will have 72 hours to email me shipping information or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Void where prohibited by law.

Food Friday: Take flight

180 calories and 39 grams of sugar.

That's how much a grande Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino Light will cost you. Well, 180 calories, 39 grams of sugar and about $5.

But you don't have to spend so much.

5 Sparrows, a Montana-based company, offers sugar-free drink mixes that include Snow Ghost Frappe (vanilla), white hot chocolate, hot chocolate and chai. Sweetened with stevia, the mixes have between 35 (frappe) and 110 calories (chai). They are also gluten- and dairy-free.

When the company offered me the chance to try them, I couldn't resist.

About the company:

For us, coffee is as much a way of life as an occupation. For eight years, we owned and operated a specialty espresso business on the beautiful west shore of Flathead Lake in Northwest Montana. We evolved into devoted baristas. We found great pleasure in working with our hearts, our minds and our hands as a means to connect with people. It was out of this earnest dedication that 5 Sparrows was born. 5 Sparrows is the result of passion, a manifestation of our desire to offer an experience over a product. Our skills as baristas have allowed us to design our formulas specifically for handcrafted beverages. Furthermore, our café products line is comprised of superior ingredients, methodically prepared and routinely tested to ensure perfection. At 5 Sparrows, you will find a family of individuals invested in our vision and ready to help you achieve yours. From product application to marketing, sales or shipping we are committed to finding new ways to defy convention and bring you an unparalleled experience.

Sounds pretty awesome, right? If you aren't so sure, I can assure you that it is.

Over the past few weeks, I've tried all four varieties and have been nothing but pleasantly surprised. We all know that sugar-free products often taste, well, sugar free. And while the 5 Sparrows products don't taste like getting a hot chocolate with whole milk from Starbucks, they don't taste like the diet Swiss Miss that I have to doctor just to drink. I found the Snow Ghost Frappe to be very creamy and the only thing that could have made it better was for me to use strongly brewed coffee rather than the day old coffee I had. The white hot chocolate was rich and tasty, especially made with half coffee, half almond milk.

My favorite, though, had to be the chai.

Chai is a favorite indulgence of mine, and I don't often drink it because the low-sugar varieties don't taste good and I don't think the Starbucks Tazo is worth the calories. The 5 Sparrows chai, made with soy, was spicy and sweet but not overly so. And rich. Definitely rich.

Feeling generous, I offered some samples to my co-workers who had nothing but praise for the drink. Even the ones who don't drink sugar-free products. They said that you could tell it wasn't from a barista but didn't mind. It was hot and satisfying - perfect with fall around the corner.

A big thanks to 5 Sparrows for letting me try the products - be sure to check them out.

And speaking of checking things out ... hello, 98 Degrees on "The Today Show."

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The sound quality sucked and the dance moves seemed a bit ridiculous for men nearing middle age but I grew up in Cincinnati, where Nick and Drew Lachey call home, so I've always had a soft spot in my heart for them.

Tried and True: A product review

There are three things that people say to me when they tell me they saw me on the "Today Show."

1. How nice of Joy Bauer to say you looked like a model.

2. I wished they would have talked to you more.

3. Kathie Lee and Hoda sure didn't give your drink a try.

Sing it, sistas.

When I go back and watch the video, the reaction of the fourth-hour hosts to the True Lemon-spiked water is the one thing that mars the experience. Sure, it looked slightly discolored and it was warm but they had decided it would be off and it was.

To them.

For me? Well, I have come to not only enjoy but rely on True Citrus products.

About True Citrus:

At True Citrus, our goal is to meet the needs of today's consumer by creating innovative, high quality food products that offer taste and convenience while complimenting a healthy diet and providing value for consumer's money.

Add a burst of citrus taste to your recipes and beverages with 100% all-natural True Lemon®, and True Lime™ and True Orange™. Deliver authentic, fresh-squeezed taste in an easy, consistent and shelf-stable format with no labor, waste, or mess! Each serving contains: 0 calories, 0 carbohydrates,  0 grams sugar, 0 grams fat, no preservatives, no artificial colors, no sodium, gluten-free and 25 percent of RDA of Vitamin C. 

How I use True Citrus:

We all know that I love Diet Coke. More than love Diet Coke. I'd probably drink it with breakfast, during  a run and before I went to bed if I didn't let common sense and nutrition prevail.

However, common sense and knowing that I should drink water doesn't make it easier. I've become quite fond of the True Lime and True Grapefruit packets, which are crystallized fruit that is just like squeezing a wedge of fruit in your water. The grapefruit is fresh and the lime reminds me of margaritas. I don't really like margaritas so it's odd that I like it but I'm a complex woman. Deal.

Some of you may always have citrus fruits (or strawberry - do try this in water) in your refrigerator to add flavor to your water and thus negating the need for True Citrus. But I don't. Why? I forget about it, for one; two, I don't want to run up the grocery bill that won't get used entirely; and three ... who carries a grapefruit in their purse for office use?

I usually have a box with a variety of flavors in my desk drawer so that if I know I need water but the vending machine is calling that I can fight off the urge for at least 10 minutes while I chug my water. Chugging water = good, especially in this heat and marathon training.

I also like the more Crystal Light-like packets that are Raspberry Lemonade flavored. I get the sugary sweet taste I want under the delusion that I'm being healthful and without the caffeine. The lemonade also has Stevia as opposed to artificial sweeteners - a fact that I appreciate.

True Citrus also has products that are more cooking specific, and I've used True Lemon and True Orange in my dishes. I used True Lemon in my Healthier Chicken Parmesan on Sunday to brighten the flavor, and I used True Orange in the carrot zucchini muffins that I made for Miles. I think you could easily sub True products when a recipe calls for citrus zest and your lemon is shriveled in the back of the crisper.

In sum:

I like True Citrus. It makes me drink water. Eff you Kathie Lee and Hoda - not all of us can drink wine for a living.

Want to try it?

The 500-count boxes of True Lemon, True Lime and True Grapefruit are 50 percent off this month. Originally $32.99, you can now snag 'em for $16.50 each. (What a deal!) Ten-count, 32-count, 2-quart, and 2.85-ounce shaker products are also 50 percent off + $2.95 shipping too! Just use promo TRUEJULY at checkout on www.truelemonstore.com.

Disclaimer: I received True Citrus products for free in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own and y'all know I have no problem sharing things I don't like.

Food Friday: I tried it - Arctic Zero

Forgive me, readers, for I have sinned.

Cardinal Sin No. 1: I went grocery shopping without a list.

Cardinal Sin No. 2: I went grocery shopping hungry.

Cardinal Sin No. 3: I went grocery shopping while Miles was at daycare thus giving me the freedom to cruise up and down the aisles at the slowest pace possible, looking at anything and everything my heart desired.

While I'm proud to say that I did manage to stick within the budget (sort of) and I passed up the Diet Coke (Fanta Orange Zero and Diet Barq's instead), I failed to resist the temptation of something new to my Kroger and old in the blog world.

Arctic Zero "ice cream"

Called a "protein shake in ice cream form,"  the company website says, "Arctic Zero is a high quality frozen dessert that is all natural, gluten free, suitable for lactose intolerants, and low glycemic. Like 'super foods,' we like to call it a 'super dessert' since it feeds the muscle and starves the fat due to the high quality whey protein concentrate and low calorie/low carb formula."

Of course, that's not what they put on the label. The packaging touts that its a frozen dessert with 150 calories per pint. Yes, the entire carton has the same amount of calories that one serving of low-fat ice cream does.

Coming off my "I'm on vacation" sugar buzz, I found myself reaching for a container of Mint Chocolate Cookie and putting it in the cart - despite its $5+ price tag.

I got home, excited to try my new find, but waited until after dinner. I pulled out the pint and grabbed a spoon, ready to dig in. And I dug. And dug some more. After what seemed like quite a bit of effort, I finally got a bite.

"Hmm," I thought. "Not very creamy. More icy than anything but it does taste minty."

I struggled to get several more bites to put on a graham cracker, which turned out to be an epic fail. Arctic Zero is not meant to be the middle of an ice cream sandwich. I sort of just ate the graham crackers and licked the zero. It was a "meh" experience.

The next day I decided to try Arctic Zero the way it was meant to be enjoyed - pint in one hand, spoon in the other. I did defrost it a bit in the microwave to make it more scoopable. First bite, OK. Second bite, ick - whey. Third bite, I guess I can keep eating it. I ate about half - or 75 calories worth - before offering Mark a taste.

He sat there for a moment. Then wrinkled his nose. Then he stuck out his tongue as if to spit out the taste.

"What do you think?" I asked.

"It tastes like (insert very crude statement about bodily functions)," he replied.

Final verdict: OK but not worth the price. If you need a frozen treat lower in calories, pick up a box of sugar free fudge pops. If you feel the need to eat an entire pint of ice cream, it's possible that you might have portion-control issues that need more than just Arctic Zero. (Note: Previous comment made with all sincerity.)

Food Friday: Feeling nimble (+ giveaway)

I have a crush.

An orange crush.

Would you like me to introduce you to her? And yes, it is a her.

Meet the Yogurt Orange Swirl nimble Bar. It's 120 calories of cute, delicious nutrition.

A bit about her and her friend, the Peanut Butter nimble bar {via their website}:

The nimble bar is an all-in-one 40-30-30 energy, beauty and nutrition bar that keeps you looking and feeling your best in one simple step. Based on the same 40-30-30 nutrition principle as Balance Bar, nimble is made with Truvia® brand sweetener and is the first bar to combine essential ingredients like FloraGLO® Lutein and Beta-Carotene for your skin with 7 critical nutrients for your body, including Protein, Fiber, and Calcium – all for 120 calories.

The folks at Balance Bar, the makers of the nimble Bar, offered me the chance to try these for review after I had participated in a Twitter contest. I've been a fan of Balance Bars so I quickly said yes.

And I'm glad I did.

My biggest complaint with nutrition bars is the calorie count. Clif bars easily clock in at 250 calories and bars marketed to women, such as Luna, routinely come close to 200 calories. There's nothing wrong with that, per se, but I am eating these as a snack or pre-run fuel - not as a substantial part of a meal. If I am going to spend 250 calories somewhere, I want to make it worth it.

And the bars that have fewer calories are often less than nutritional. It's not unheard of to see corn syrup - even the high fructose kind - in a product or crazy artificial sweeteners. The nimble Bar is made with Truvia, a stevia-based product that doesn't give me pause.

As far as taste, the Yogurt Orange Swirl reminds me of a creamsicle and I was a fan from first bite. I'm not as big of a fan of the peanut butter. The first time I ate it, I was a bit thrown off by the texture. It's not off-putting but it lacks a coating or crunch that I've come to expect - it was almost like a fudge. The taste was good but not great. And given I like the orange so much, I've yet to eat more than two.

I love to eat them before a run or when I'm rushing from work to teach BODYPUMP. It's just what I need to get me through a workout without dragging me down.

But you don't have to take my word for it. The folks at Balance Bar have a pretty awesome package for one of you gals.

Balance Bar teamed up with lifestyle expert Laurel House, a.k.a. “Quickie Chick,” for a very special giveaway. The winner will receive:

• Twelve bars of nimble in two scrumptious flavors - Peanut Butter and Yogurt Orange Swir
• An autographed copy of Laurel’s just-published book, “Quickie Chick’s Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion and Finance on a Less Than Fabulous Budget”
  A limited-edition retro-50s-style wildflower wristlet by glittersweet® (By the way, I got one, too, and it is totes cute!)
• Two Bloom Black Ties - a hair tie that is also stylish jewelry. Wear it in your hair or wear it on your wrist. Either way it’s “The Elastic All Dressed Up!”

To enter this contest, leave a comment telling me about what's your #QuickieTip for staying healthy.

Giveaway runs from June 8 to June 13, ending at midnight EST.   Entries after that will be considered null. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be announced Thursday, June 14. Winner is responsible for contacting me hlthystrides at gmail dot com within 72 hours, or a new winner will be chosen. Open to U.S. residents only.

Note: I've had to disable anonymous comments because of spam. I apologize if this prohibits some of you from entering but I had to do it for your (and my) cyber safety.