My fave Black Friday deals is a sponsored post. For some brands I am an affiliate or ambassador. Although I receive commission off of the links in this post. My opinions are all my own. My Full Disclosure Policy
I have found some great Black Friday deals. The anticipated Black Friday is here. There are many deals out there for almost anything you could Christmas wish. I don’t do the stores anymore since I was pregnant with my second daughter but I am a big online shopper so I am all ready to click and pay on Black Friday. I have been scoping out a few deals of my favorite brands and I wanted to share them with you.
Here are seven of my Black Friday must have deals for fit people.
Lakanto
My favorite no sugar sweetener, Lakanto s having an awesome Black Friday sale that you can’t get in stores. Get 30% – 50% off storewide. The sale will start at 12:01am on Black Friday and go through 11:59pm on Cyber Monday
You can have tasty sugar free treats with their entire line of Baking Sweeteners and chocolate. I am loading up my cart for my Lakanto order.
I am newly obsessed with Butcher Box. Having quality, delicious meat delivered to my doorstep. They have a delicious box that is coming out Black Friday through Dec.3rd and it is perfect for Holiday Hosting. You receive in your Ultimate Steak Sampler which includes two Ribeye steaks, two NY Strips, two Filet Mignon.
The meat I get from Butcher Box is delivered frozen solid and some of the best meat that I have ever tasted. Organic, premium cuts delivered to your door makes it easy to make better meal decisions.
I choose Butcher Box meats because ButcherBox Beef is 100% grass-fed, grass-finished and raised free from antibiotics and added hormones. It is also humanely raised and pasture raised.
ButcherBox saves you a trip to the Butcher.. It is a meat subscription company that distributes high quality meat I can trust. I know with ButcherBox my beef is 100% grass-fed and pasture raised beef, free-range organic chicken, heritage breed pork, and wild caught Alaskan salmon directly to your door.
I also value ButcherBox belief and mission to create a world where everyone wins with meat that is better for you, your family, the animals, the farmers, the business, and our planet.
It makes me feel good that all of ButcherBox products are humanely raised and never given antibiotics or added hormones ever.
You should give it a try with this Ultimate Sampler what a great introduction to ButcherBox.
Nuzest Protein
Nuzest Clean Lean Protein is one of my favorite proteins powders for many reasons. Its clean, no sugar, under seven ingredients and really creamy. It’s my go to for plant based protein and they are having a deal 25% off their entire site. You better get on that and take advantage!
Momsanity
Something I use everyday is CRAVE which my husband and I are confessed addicts and the best cleanest best tasting BCAAs. I have ever tried. I am getting my CRAVE for 25% off it makes a great hot chocolate and I add a Great Lakes Gelatin pack. MomSanity is having a sale and you want to definitely get in on it. 25% off ALL INDIVIDUAL products (NO bundles No subscriptions)
My Favorite Collagen is having an Exclusive deal on Black Friday Only! So take a peek at them on Black Friday and stock up and Collagen which is easy to add to anything even your holiday baked goodies.
Biome Bliss
Is a great prebiotic to use in the upcoming season. Regulating your sugar, ridding you of cravings and helping to keep your gut happy. It’s the perfect companion for the holidays. Get 20% off of your purchase with coupon code HOLIDAY20
Sole Healers are a great gift for anyone! These therapeutic foot massages help revive tired feet. I have a few people in my life I plan on getting Sole Healers. They are having a cant miss packaged deal special! Check it out!
This is my Black Friday Specials you should check out! What deals are you checking out?
I received my Life Application Study Bible from Bible Gateway for free to review and post. Although, I received the Bible as a gift. My opinions are my own. My Full Disclosure Policy
Years ago, I was in a Bible Study with a woman whose mother had just passed. She had obtained one of her Mother’s Bible that had her notes, thoughts, and handwritten. It was now one of the woman’s most treasured possession and the Bible she used. The woman’s mother had many Bible, so she and her sisters each took one to remember their mother. It made an impact on me, and I wanted to leave the Bible to my three girls. Since meeting that woman, I have gone through two Bibles. What I mean is that I love to highlight and take notes in my Bible after a few years, many notes and highlights can become distracting when studying. I use the Good Morning Girls Highlight guide while reading my Bible
Leaving a Legacy for my Girls
Recently, I’ve thought I need a new Bible. As I go to study the current Bible, I have read. It’s beginning to be a challenge to overlook all the notes and highlights I have made. I also realized that I get a new Bible in a new season. For the past few months, I have been feeling a new season in my life approaching. When I was asked to review the Life Application Bible from Bible Gateway, I knew it was God’s timing. I have fallen in love with this new Bible and excited to make new highlights and marks. It’s also a Bible I can leave to my third daughter once I move on. I have each of my past Bible’s to my girls. I think it’ll be a special gift I can give them prayerfully when I am living. Maybe their wedding who knows, but it’s something I want to leave them to keep with them and remember me.
A great resource to study
I am excited to explore this Life Application NIV Bible. First, it is beautiful, bound in leather with golden lined pages. Open up the pages, and it has an extensive commentary within each Book. It’s jam-packed with great resources to further your study. The Life Application Study Bible has resources, references, maps, genealogy charts, summations of events. It’s an excellent Bible for me to use in my inductive studies.
I did find that most of the pages have more commentary than the Word, which can be distracting. I wish the commentary to verse ratio were evenly distributed. It’s also a different version than I am currently studying. For the last four years, I have been using the New American Standard Bible to study. I think studying in a different version could change some of my reflections. Most people I do Bible Studies with have the NIV version, so I am curious to see how our conversation goes. I like having a different version to compare to others, but I am excited to see what the NIV brings to my perspective.
No matter the version, when I open the bounded book, the message is always what I need to hear. It’s not necessarily what I want to hear, but it’s required. It also can be different, although I read the same verse. It’s the living Word, and it can be renewed in our Spirit daily if you read it. I’m curious if the version will change my reflections.
Bible Gateway Plus
If you’re looking for a beautiful Bible to give to someone who likes to study the Word or new to studying the Word. I think especially for those new to studying. The Life Application Study Bible is a great Bible to gift or gets for your own Bible Study time. If you’re looking for more opportunities to further your study or research. I want to encourage you to check out the Bible Gateway App for free, or you can access the BibleGateway Plus to get check out over 40 Bible studies and reference books. Bible gateways give you lots of resources to enhance your study experience.
Not only is it my Birthday month. It’s Water Quality Awareness Month! That’s right August is all about “me”-just kidding it’s all about the importance of water! Let’s be real! If you’re honoring your temple every month, you should be too. If your water is a problem, my friends at ZeroWater make it easy to have high quality filtered, great-tasting water. ZeroWater gives me the confidence I need when I am looking for the best source of hydration, not only for myself but for my family. Since I have been drinking ZeroWater, I have the confidence that we are drinking the purest tasting, and virtually free of all dissolved solids. We have always hydrated adequately with ZeroWater. I have actually become a water snob.
Hydration is essential to active people
I have mentioned the benefits of hydration several times on my blog. Whether its for muscle recovery, performance enhancement, weight loss, or just proper fuel. Hydration is key to any active or non-active person. Because of the state of our environment, not all water is the best to fuel your body. We need to take into account what is in our water.
Not all water is made equal
So here’s the problem. The United States is currently in a crisis when it comes to its water distribution. Many states are relying on aging infrastructure. Daily there are reports of water contamination. Water in many cities is showing higher than normal levels of lead, radium, PFOAS, and Teflon. It’s becoming more common than not, and the Flint Water Crisis in 2014 was just the beginning. There is so much more discovered and undiscovered in so many more states and cities. The best way to avoid contamination is a better filtration system.
4 Reasons I am a Water Snob
There are four reasons why I have become Water Snob. It all started when I attended the Well Summit last year. I thought drinking water was a good thing until I realized all of the Total dissolved Solids I was drinking and learned about the Quality of American Water. After more research, I realized the water that my family was free but was not adequate to properly hydrate us for several reasons:
1. Water does have a flavor.
I remember a time when I hated water. It didn’t have a flavor. Here I am 4 years later, and I mostly drink water. I can tell you what comes from the tap, what is purified, and now that I have been drinking ZeroWater, even the purified water tastes different. That’s because unlike purified water. ZeroWater eliminates virtually all of the total dissolved solids in your drinking water. Total dissolved solids are “inorganic and organic compounds like salts, minerals and heavy metals such as lead can hide in your water.
2. Water filters aren’t removing everything.
ZeroWater has a 5 stage filtration process that has been tested to remove 99% of TDS in your water. Compared to the Brita Standard 2 Stage filter that only removes 50% of the TDS in your tap water. ZeroWater has NSF certifications to reduce Lead, Chromium (Hexavalent), Chlorine and Mercury. It also has third-party lab testing to reduce many other contaminants such as Radium, Chromium (trivalent), Fluoride, Arsenic and so much more! These third-party tests found that a standard Brita filter does NOT reduce nearly the same amount of percentage of these contaminants when compared to ZeroWater.
3. My Tap Water is Contaminated
ZeroWater has a “How Clean is your water” application on their site to find out your TDS amounts in your Tap Water. When I entered my zip code in the simple app, it gave me a score of 156. It’s on the higher side of the spectrum but falls into the typical contaminant level of USA water. Areas like Maine, South Carolina, and Wyoming have very low impurities levels, and cities like Texas, Nevada, Arizona, North Dakota, and California have the highest TDS levels in the nation. If you live in these states you probably already filter but know that your water filtration needs to be replaced more frequently than others.
4. I have so many options to filter my water.
I think the biggest reason I am a water snob is that ZeroWater has so many options to filter my water. There is no reason I should be drinking anything but water with 000 TDS. They have a variety from Tumbler on the go to 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,20,23 and even up to 40-gallon filtration dispensers. They also have a Bottle water distribution. There is absolutely no reason why my water can’t be filtered for the entire family.
Using ZeroWater has also saved me from buying bottled water, which although I know it is terrible of the environment. Was a regular purchase out of convenience. My Brita filtered way too slow and was just an annoyance. I never trusted the one on the tap either. I have been using ZeroWater for over three months, and it has been an easy solution to bottled water. We have the 20 cup container, and it keeps my family hydrated. We are active and continuously filling up water bottles, cooking, and even use it for our ice.
So, if you see me walking around with my ZeroWater tumbler, sorry, once you go Zero, you can’t go back! I would definitely take a look at the water filtration system you are using for your family.
Does your family use Water Filtration? Have you tested the TDS in your drinking water?
My blog is in partnership with ZeroWater. I am being compensated for this post but that does not affect my opinion. I chose these brands because I believe in the product and what they stand for. My Full Disclosure Policy
I have had poor gut health for much of my adult life. I never knew prebiotics could help me feel better. It wasn’t until I went on my journey to honor my temple did I begin exploring the reasons behind my gut ailments. Every time I ate, I would have excruciating pain afterward from gas, bloating, and poor digestion. After years of suffering, I finally went to my doctor to see what ails me. After many different tests and elimination diets. We discovered I was lactose intolerant like 70-80% of the American adult population and had a wheat allergy. When I removed both of these things from my diet, my gut health improved, but I still am susceptible to certain foods.
Gut Health affects other areas of health
I am sure that you have heard that all disease begins in the gut and that is very true. How we fuel our body affects every part from the heads on our heads to our toenails. Have you heard the quote, “All diseases start at the gut,”? It isn’t entirely accurate, but proper digestion does begin at the gut. I never knew that I needed a prebiotic until trying Gut Health Digestive and Energy Balance for over a week. I have been using probiotics for years but never recognized the value or need for prebiotics, which is what have been seeking.
What is a prebiotic?
According to an article from Healthline.com, “Prebiotics are types of dietary fiber that feed the friendly bacteria in your gut. This helps the gut bacteria produce nutrients for your colon cells and leads to a healthier digestive system . ” You can find prebiotics in foods like commonly used: cocoa, garlic, onions, asparagus, leeks bananas and a variety of root vegetables like jicama, chicory, and a variety of other sources. We don’t often get enough of these foods in our diets to promote the growth of good bacteria in our stomach that we need to have digestive balance.
Gut Connection is High-Quality Supplements
I didn’t believe in taking supplements before because I thought that was for fit people, and it was hard to find a quality brand that has quality ingredients. Gut Connection has been in the industry since 1971 with a quality and purity standard that is the Country Life Pledge of integrity to guarantee that every bottle is high quality and purity. They are also very passionate about improving gut health.
Gut Connection has a Formula for your needs
Gut Connection from Country life has “8 different formulations that create balance within your gut microbiome by enhances the existing probiotics by using whole food fermentate. It creates a healthy stomach lining that is able to absorb better efficiently. Gut Connection has clinically studied ingredients in each bottle, providing personalized solutions for your everyday issues.***.”
What is Microbiome?
According to BMJ Journals, “human microbiome” is “The human microbiome is composed of communities of bacteria (and viruses and fungi) that have greater complexity than the human genome itself. The human microbiome has extensive functions such as development of immunity, defence against pathogens, host nutrition including production of short-chain fatty acids important in host energy metabolism, synthesis of vitamins and fat storage as well as an influence on human behaviour, making it an essential organ of the body without which we would not function correctly”
Our human microbiome is unique to us, and that is why not everything works for everybody. We have our own naturally existing probiotic bacteria. Probiotic is live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you found in your digestive system. It’s our own unique microorganism systems that are custom to help us function. Having a variety of Gut Connection from Country life to choose allows you to make a specialized shift in your gut microbiota composition.
An imbalance gut
Often times, our microbiota becomes imbalanced because of our American diet. The use of antibiotics, and environmental factors that affect your microbiome. You know that your gut is imbalanced if you feel digestive discomforts such as bloating, infrequent bowel movements and feeling sluggish. Because our microbiomes are individual, we need to use a supplement specific to our symptoms. “Gut Connection’s scientifically formulated supplements can bring back balance and connect you and your gut back to health. Country Life Vitamins believe that is all connected.*** They provide formulas that nourish and feed the probiotics existing in your gut. To help maintain a balance and improve digestion,
Fermentation is Key
Eating fermented foods is often suggested to help neutralize or balance your gut. People either don’t like or don’t get enough fermented foods in their diets. These essentials prebiotics can help relieve some of our digestive issues. The gut connection has created an ingredient that is called fermentate. This ingredient allows the gut to build nutrients and metabolites to build a healthy microbiome. That is what makes Gut Connection different from other digestive supplements. With the eight different formulas, you can match the type of digestive support that you need, whether it is a balance in digestive, cognitive, stress, energy, mood, sleep, and weight. You can pick the supplement combination that helps to improve your health and customize your needs. I will be traveling next week so, I plan on taking Digestive, Immune, and Energy balance to keep me balanced while I am living in travel mode, which can cause anxiety.
Should I stop using probiotics?
I’m not a doctor, but you can use Gut Connections with probiotics; they are two different things. Prebiotics supports the probiotics. It is not necessary to take a prebiotic for your probiotic to work. It will make the probiotic more effective. Probiotics are to help breakdown foods during digestions and prebiotics are not found in your body, and they give your probiotic something to consume. Using them together is called microbiome therapy. It’s really up to you and of course, consult a doctor. People have found positive results from consuming both at amounts and what works for them. Keep in mind that many probiotics have dairy in them so if you are intolerant, make sure you read the ingredients. Gut Connection from Country life is lactose-free.
All the Free’s
I get teased from eating with wheat-free, dairy-free, and trying to be sugar-free but it makes my gut happy. I am all about honor your temple, and we are individuals, not everything is for everyone. And, I have found something that keeps me feeling good and living a good, which is honoring my temple.
Country Life is:
gluten-free and certified gluten-free
vegan and certified by AVA
soy free,
wheat free,
sugar-free
salt-free
artificial: colors, flavors, and sweeteners-free,
kosher
and there is no magnesium stearate. This ingredient causes diarrhea and why many people don’t want to take a probiotic supplement. Most importantly, Gut Health Connection by Country Life is probiotic-free. Now that I know the difference. It will be something I look for and educate others on when suggesting a digestive supplement.
Do I need Gut Connection from Country Life?
I can’t reiterate enough every gut is different, and you have to do what honors your temple. People who are feeling imbalanced gut symptoms and desire improving their digestion. My suggestion would be to try the different formulas. See if they help to improve your gut health and find balance.
Were you aware of prebiotics were different from probiotics?
*** These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
“I received this product for free from Moms Meet and Country Life Vitamins (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided, and this page may contain affiliate links.”
Turkey has been consumed! Family time has been had, and now if you haven’t already, it’s time to get ready for Christmas.
I am sure you have had some sort of clue from the Christmas Display that has been taunting us in most retail stores that’s it’s that time of year. If you have intentionally been ignoring the festive advertisements until now.
Yay! Me too!
Time to start Shopping
Now that the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers have been eaten I am ready to decorate the house for Christmas.
For my girls it’s simple, and I pride myself in getting the girls Christmas complete the week before Thanksgiving and regardless of the early date this year. Now is the hard part shopping for others that I love in my life and the older we get, the harder it gets?
I love checking out gift guides because it gives me some great ideas of things that I may have never considered. Have you ever considered giving someone the gift of Wellness?
Gift ideas for Fitness Enthusiast
No seriously, I know it sounds lame, but your gift can help some live a better life. Whether its makeup, skincare, fitness equipment or the gift of preventative health it all could be appreciated. There may be that person in your life who really values going to the gym, wellness or just fitness. It can be daunting to find a unique gift that they don’t already have or may need.
Feeling a little like Oprah but here are:
7 of my Favorite things
that are must buys for Holiday gifts this year! I am excited to share with you some of the things that I truly love this year. I hope it’s helpful and buying the perfect gift for the one you love.
My Affiliation
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com.
This post also contains other affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I make a small percentage of the sale with no additional cost to you. Although, I was given these products or am an ambassador my opinion is entirely my own and can’t be bought. My Full Disclosure Policy
Activmotion Bar
Life is dynamic, and our training should reflect that and really didn’t realize the potential until receiving my activmotion bar to try. This bar is excellent for anyone looking to add core stability to their workout or challenge themselves. Activmotion bars come in different weights, and the most popular is a 10-pound bar. This gift is going to add variety, body awareness, and stability to your workout and just a great tool to have if you like to exercise.
Right now you can get 25% off your bar using code fitapproach25 from now until January 5, 2019. Grab your bar here
PlateJoy
Plate Joy has been a lifesaver this year for me and definitely one of my favorite things. Getting a subscription to this app would be an excellent gift for the Mom who is at her wits end with creative meal ideas. Until I found Plate Joy, I was always frustrated trying to think of something healthy, fast and affordable for dinner. When it’s the end of the day nothing is worse than asking your family what they want for dinner for them to respond, “I don’t know.”
Having my own personal meal planner that not only plans the meals but also makes the grocery list, tells me the correct portion size and even takes into consideration leftovers. It has been a time saver, budget minded and just a helpful tool. I think any Mom would love to have a year of meal planning from Plate Joy for a Holiday gift!
You can get a Free Trial here, or You can get $10 off your Gift Card or Subscription with code FAITH10 Get your PlateJoy here.
Often get asked about my Inspire necklace from Momentum Jewelry! I customized it this summer to remind me of my “why” The Inspired Necklace inscribes “For His Glory,” and it’s a great reminder of why I do what I do! You probably will always catch me with some type of Momentum wraps, jewelry, and accessories. It’s nice to have wearable inspiration for when you need to see a reminder or your spirits lifted. I think Momentum Jewelry is great for everyone, but this inspiring jewelry is meant for the Athlete in your life.
They are having so many sales for the Holiday’s grab some spark to share with someone in your life! Grab your Momentum Jewelry here.
Glider Gloves
It’s cold ya’ll! Every year around November I start to reconsider my residency in New Jersey. I was made for Arizona or New Mexico because I hate the humidity and hate the cold. Winter in Jersey comes with hat, scarf and a warm pair of gloves. The worst is when you have to take your texting handoff in the cold. Get someone you love these warm and cozy Glider gloves that swipes just like your finger without the biting chill. Great gift for anyone in your life this year!
Sole Healers are Therapeutic Stretcher and Massager for your feet! They are amazing, and everything begins at the feet. SoleHealers are a pair of foot and calf stretching tool. It helps to increase circulation, flexibility, and range of motion in your feet. I highly recommend these to anyone whether you are active or not, using these after you Desk Cycle or standing on them and gathering your balance at the day. If you suffer from foot, knee, or hip pain, plantar fasciitis, tight Achilles tendon, bunions or hammertoe I would add one in for you too! These are by far one of my favorite things to use for recovery.
Grab your Sole Healers here and don’t forget to get you a pair too! Use coupon code “15BLESSED” to get 15% off your purchase.
Cross Training Couture Tanks, Sweatshirts and Hat
Often, I get messages of “Where did you get your tank or what we call a “Truth on a Tee”?
The answer usually is Cross Training Couture which is a Faith and Fashion line that I am an ambassador.
When choosing brands represent companies I have to personally love and believe in what they represent. Cross Training Couture’s ministry is to witness through fitness (And wardrobes) is similar to my own. I am grateful to be able to be a Cross Training Influencer for them.
Another way that I get to connect with women fueled by their faith and desire to honor their temple is through their CTC VIP group monthly. It’s such a God-centered group that devotes, worships, prays and workout together and if you’re looking for something like that in your virtual world you should join them. If you are looking for cute, hats, tanks, sweatshirts and more for you and your family. Check them out! Tell them I sent you through this link and got your very own Truth on a Tee for someone you love this Christmas! Another one of my very favorite thing!
Whoever thought to put an elliptical under your desk was a genius! I am pedaling right now and have to say since getting my Desk Cycle Ellipse I have been getting some extra cardio instead of sitting idle. The Desk Cycle Ellipse can only be used while sitting and is excellent for a tall or short desk. It’s very quiet and comfortable to adjust resistance.
The other day I cranked up the dial, and after reading through emails, I was feeling the burn — leaves very little excuses for why you can’t move. There is an LCD that is found on the Ellipse, or you can have sit on your desk to keep you motivated. My little divas have competition on how many revolutions they can get in their homework time. I am obsessed with the Desk Cycle Ellipse and think it’s a fabulous gift for anyone who sits at a desk in your life and shares it on my Instastories. I am amazed at what I can achieve while sitting. It’s a great way to get your body moving while you work.
Have I told you lately how absolutely thankful I am for you? Some of you have been following me and supporting me from the very beginning. Others are very new to my journey. Whenever you came in I am grateful for your likes, double taps, follows, shares and comments. I want to say Merry Christmas and give you some motivation to stay active in the New Year!
You have no excuses now because I have partnered with Desk Cycle. We are giving away their new under desk exercise equipment the Desk Cycle Ellipse by 3D Innovations. The giveaway will end 12/9/18 11:59 pm EST. So enter as many chances as you can before now and then!
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope I gave you some ideas for a gift for your loved ones!