1. I think some of my habits are starting to rub-off on my family.
I tend to bring a few extra salad toppings with me when dining out, and my mom has recently started following suit! On this particular evening, my stash included a small log of goat cheese, roasted red peppers and my favorite lemon dressing, while my mom brought along a bowl of organic raspberries.
If you ask me, this is the perfect way to spice up an otherwise bland salad, and ensure that you get a filling meal while dining out!
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2. Another thing I’m hoping will catch on?
Reusable straws! I was pleasantly surprised to see a stainless steel straw served with Austin’s cocktail while we were in NYC. Not only does it look cool, I think it also makes the drink taste better!
At least, that’s how I feel about our glass straws.
If you’re not a fan of green juice, or green smoothies, try drinking them through a glass straw next time! I don’t know why it helps, but it does.
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3. While working in Kansas last week, I was so excited to see a new brand of dehydrated dog food at a local Whole Foods.
It looks similar to The Honest Kitchen’s raw food, which I currently feed to my own dog–> but this new brand is cheaper!
Unfortunately, it’s only available in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Kansas at the moment. If you happen to live in one of those areas, I hope you’ll take advantage of it! (And let me know how you like it!)
Just by feeding my dog a higher quality food, I’ve saved countless dollars with fewer vet visits. Since going grain-free nearly 2 years ago, Yasha is the healthiest she’s ever been!
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4. I seem to have very little patience for working out lately.
With my to-do list piled high, I’m grateful for workout DVD’s like this one, which are over in just 15 minutes!
My hamstrings are already screaming at me, so I think that’s the sign of an effective workout.
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5. Hopefully, my sore muscles will appreciate this.
While I don’t take any supplements regularly (I prefer to get my nutrition from food), I find that a little boost is helpful every now and then.
Particularly when it comes to magnesium! Not only does magnesium boost the bio-availability of vitamin B6 and cholesterol, it also improves muscle functioning, and prevents osteoporosis, insomnia, constipation, heart attacks, hypertension, constipation, migraines, kidney stones, and gallstones. [source]
Kind of important stuff, don’t you think?
I’ve heard that magnesium citrate is the easiest form of magnesium for our bodies to absorb (rather than magnesium oxide, which is more common in supplements), and what I particularly love about this brand is that it doesn’t contain magnesium stearate or stearic acid. (You can read about the potential risks of these fillers in this book, or briefly in this article). It’s a challenge to find supplements with minimal fillers, so I’m happy to have found these!
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Reader Feedback: Do you bring any “extras” with you to restaurants? Any supplements you’re loving right now?
I never bring food to a restaurant as in my mind it defeats the purpose of eating out – this may come from having a different background though as we don’t eat out all that often. Whenever I’ve been on the road a lot more I’ve tended to go to the grocery store and eat it someplace scenic if I can’t find a place I really want to eat at.
I also take zero supplements right now. I’m on a real keep it simple kick!
I can definitely see your point, Emily! Lately, my dining out has more to do with the social aspect of it, rather than the food, so if my companions want to dine somewhere with limited options, I’ll just bring my own toppings to make life easier for all of us.
When I’m back at home, we only dine at restaurants we like, so I don’t have to deal with bringing any extras!
Love your site! And – I totally agree with and bring my own dressings, and toppings when I go out – the only time I don’t is when I know the restaurant.
Keep up the amazing work and – BTW – I lived in Topanga for 7 years – 12 total in LA – I so miss it!!!!!!
Thank you for an incredible bog.
- Natasha
You know, I don’t bring toppings to restaurants with me, but I wish I’d stop feeling squeamish about it. I love eating out, and often like the salads and sides a lot, but that doesn’t totally make a meal. And yet, somehow, I’m still squeamish.
I’m interested to try that magnesium. I’ve been taking a liquid supplement, but I’ll have to go read the ingredients. You’ve made me nervous!
Also, have you heard of Mila? Some new form of Chia that’s making a splash. Truth or hype?
I feel the need to be more discreet about my toppings at certain restaurants more than others, but there’s no need to be squeamish! As long as you’re in good company (not in a business meeting), no one even notices if I add a little extra to my salads. Even my close friends, who expect to see me pull out my toppings, are shocked when they miss seeing me do it!
I’ve never heard of Mila, so I’m not much help there!
I don’t usually bring my own food but I do take liberties with whatever is on the menu – hard boiled egg, cheese, beans, avocado – on other menu items and ask for additions or substitutions. Most restaurants will accommodate for maybe $1 -2 more.
I’ll do that at certain restaurants, too! This particular restaurant was Panera– so the options were REALLY limited– but in a nicer restaurant, that’s definitely something I’ll take advantage of.
Makes sense! I read their nutritional info online once and haven’t been back since…
Hi there! I’m curious….what plugin do you use for your comments? I like how my information is always stored so I don’t have to enter it again!
I think WordPress saves that information automatically! The only plugin I use is called something like “Greg’s Threaded Comment Numbering” and that simply gives a number next to my comments.
Oh that’s cool! Who did your blog design? I just started a new blog and WordPress is harder to figure out than I expected!
I’m a professional designer, so I did it myself! WordPress definitely has a learning curve, but I think it’s definitely the way to go.
I bought a bag of that dog food. My dog seems to like it well enough but it was a bit too sweet potato heavy and not as much meat so I probably won’t get it again. But that might be the reason theyre able to charge less.
Oh, that’s good to know! That makes sense why it would be cheaper, too.
Hi Megan! I just found your site and am loving everything you said here. In particular, I have a large number of allergies and can not handle supplements with fillers. I usually have to take the powdered form. The glass straws are nice because you avoid the chemicals in plastics, so I definitely need to buy some! I love Jackie Warner! I used to watch ‘Work Out’ back in the day on Bravo and really developed an appreciation for her method of training and her attitude. Again, such a cool post with so much information that I actually agree with! I can’t believe I haven’t been by before. Thank you!
So glad you found me, Lauren! I loved that “Work Out” show, too!
Hope you get a set of glass straws, soon– they are so much fun.
I don’t eat out too often, but I totally do the same and bring my own toppings. I guess I just get anxious with the type of dressings they use on their salads. You never really know what is in that stuff and how its prepared!
Hi megan
If you like reusable straws so much you will love these!
I have a couple and using them is very therapeautic…
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/230828269755?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla
x
Those bamboo straws sound great, Gittele! I don’t think I’ve ever seen them before!
Glass drinking straws are awesome. If anyone is looking to purchase one (or several), please consider making the purchase through Glass Dharma (www.glassdharma.com). If you use the coupon code ajc3, my non-profit memorial foundation receives 25% of the sale and the purchaser receives a 5% discount code. It’s a win-win for all, including the environment! And the straws are guaranteed for life. If one breaks, the company will replace it.
If you wish to learn more about my 501 (c)(3) memorial foundation, please visit our website (www.ajc3memorialfoundation.org) or e-mail us with questions (ajc3memorial@gmail.com)
Thank you!
I just purchased some glass straws. I felt icky drinking out of plastic straws – they are hard to clean and, as I said, are PLASTIC! I love my thick glass straws for smoothie – makes drinking it much nicer.
Have you ever tried taking a bath with some 2cups of Epsom salt? It’s a great way to absorb magnesium. I take about two a week! It’s so relaxing and I notice a difference with my skin!