Thank you, thank you for your comments on yesterday’s blog post. One thing that occurred to me as I was reading your words of hope and strength is how freaking strong women truly are… So many of you have experienced tremendous loss in your lives and continue living your lives with joy and compassion. That’s not to say grief isn’t there, but there is something incredible about the ability to open your heart to others who are hurting, despite your own pain, and offer words of support, encouragement and kindness. Thank you for doing this for me right now. I appreciate it more than you know.
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How are you guys doing today? I really hope your Friday is off to a good start and that you have some plans on the agenda for the weekend that involve people you love. We’re not traveling out of town for Easter but will be spending Sunday with our friends Carrie and Nick and Carrie’s family who were kind enough to include our little gang in their Easter celebration. I’m looking forward to it and cannot wait to see Chase and his BFF Lilly run around searching for Easter eggs together!
This week passed by in a flash for me and even though it doesn’t feel like Friday already, I’m not complaining one bit. I’m ready for some quality time with Ryan, Chase and Sadie and am looking forward to grilling out tonight and spending plenty of time outside.
Before the weekend officially begins and we (hopefully) take some time to unplug, I wanted to share my weekly Things I’m Loving Friday blog post with you guys and highlight a few small things that made me smile this week. As always, I’d love for you to participate and tell me about something you are loving in the comments section of this post!
Have a great weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving
- RXBars
These bars have been seriously hyped up all over the internet (or maybe I just follow may too many health and fitness people on Instagram?) so I finally decided to buy a few this week. I’m happy to report that RXBars definitely live up to the hype and have one of the cleanest ingredients lists I’ve ever seen for a protein bar! So far I’ve tried the chocolate sea salt and the coconut chocolate and both were slam dunks. I’m now dying to get my hands on the peanut butter RXBar after a few of you sent me messages on Instagram singing its praises. It must happen!
- Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix) – Starley
Though “False Alarm (Hook N Sling Remix)” is still my #1 jam of the moment (you must add it to your workout playlist ASAP!), “Call On Me (Ryan Riback Remix)” is another energizing song I’m loving right now! Now that I’m sharing another song that’s making a regular appearance on my latest workout playlists, I’m beginning to realize it has been ages since I’ve actually shared a workout playlist with you guys on the blog. Clearly I’m overdue!
- Survivor
Do you guys remember when Survivor was crazy popular? My friend Kristen would host Survivor watch parties when we were in high school and we were all so into it! I don’t think I’ve watched an episode or followed a season since I graduated high school so I have no idea how Ryan and I began watching the most recent season of the show. It’s currently the only show we’re watching on a weekly basis and I’m finding myself really looking forward to Wednesday nights so we can curl up on the couch and chat about the show as we watch together. Are any of you guys watching, too? Also, I know this is far from the point of the show, but every week Ryan and I watch and talk about the beauty of Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands. So incredibly gorgeous! That crystal clear blue water makes me want to suit up and go scuba diving immediately!
- Fajita Magic Spice Blend
I first saw Fajita Magic spice blend on Tina’s blog and ordered it several months ago on Amazon to try at home. It has since become a weekly staple in our house and is the perfect blend of southwestern spices that taste great on everything from pork to chicken! (Bonus: The ingredient list is short and clean. Woop!) Like the name implies, I use it most frequently to make fajitas, but this week I rubbed the spice blend and a little bit of garlic salt all over pork tenderloin before placing it in a 425-degree oven for 25-30 minutes.
The end result was some of the most flavorful and delicious pork we’ve had in a while! We loved it and, yet again, I was left singing the praises of Fajita Magic.
- Bee&You Soaking Salts
I was recently gifted the most amazingly luxurious sample of soaking salts from Bee&You, a small company focused on creating quality bath products with sustainable ingredients. Bee&You replaces chemical additives and harmful detergents found in many bath and beauty products with bee pollen, essential oils and natural ingredients and after sampling a small handful of their soaking salts, I have only positive things to say about their incredibly relaxing and fragrant salts.
My favorite salt blend is the Bee Well blend of French grey sea salt, Dead Sea salt, dried echinacea, French green clay, bee pollen and eucalyptus essential oil. (You pour the salts into a delicate mesh pouch and toss it into your tub!) The Bee Well blend left me feeling relaxed at the end of a long day and felt soothing to my sore hamstrings and calves. Soaking in these salts truly felt indulgent and I didn’t want to get out of the tub even when my bath water began to get cold! Thank you for such a wonderfully relaxing treat, Bee&You!
- Bitsy’s Brainfood Snacks
Chase has really been enjoying the Bitsy’s Brainfood Smart Cookies and Smart Crackers I picked up for him at Target and, I’m not going to lie, I’ve found myself polishing off a bag of the cookies myself a time or two. I looove that Bitsy’s snacks have veggies baked into them… And I love this even more when Chase is on a veggie strike. Bitsy’s Brainfood snacks are so tasty that whenever I open a bag for Chase, I know we’ll be sharing the snacks because Mama can’t keep her hands out of the bag!
- Around the Web
Food: Avocado Lime Hummus / Crustless Quiche / Southwestern Sausage and Vegetable Brown Rice Casserole
Fitness: 30 Minute No Running Cardio Workout / Lower Body Tabata Workout
Fitnessista’s Barre Boot Camp: My wonderful and talented friend Gina is hosting an affordable 4-week Barre Boot Camp beginning this Monday, April 17! The boot camp includes a number of at-home barre workout videos, including Total Body Barre, Barre Blast, Lower Body Burn, Barre Strength and Pilates Abs!
Holiday Weekend Sales: Express – 40% off everything (I couldn’t resist ordering this cut-out maxi dress and this strappy flowy mini dress. And I just wish I had a wedding to go to or a reason to order this lace dress because I am in love!) // Madewell – Extra 30% off with code DREAMBIG // Nordstrom Rack – 25% off clearance // Banana Republic – Extra 40% off // Old Navy – Up to 50% off (Love this tiered lace swing dress!) // Pottery Barn – 20% off with code FRIENDS
- Friday Flashbacks
Pineapple Soufflé (If you’re looking for a recipe that’s always a slam dunk at any Easter gathering, this is it!!! My mother-in-law makes this dish every year and it’s one of my absolute favorites. P.S. It’s not healthy at all. But it’s fantastic!)
Easter Rice Krispie Treats (Crispy marshmallow squares get a festive Easter-inspired makeover!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing that is making you smile this week?
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Bitsy’s alphabet cookies have been a staple with MItch. I swear it helped him learn his letters! I’m loving Beauty and the Beast! I’ve be been dying to serve the movie and it was worth the wait.
I still haven’t seen it!!! I’ve heard the best things!
Wow I’ll have to look out for that spice mix that sounds amazing and I’m pretty sure I would use it regularly haha! Hope you have a really great Easter weekend! This week I’m loving seeing the flowers and trees start to bloom with so many pretty colors!
Me too! The new blooms make me so happy. I’m loving the warm weather and the welcoming signs of spring 🙂
Oh man, My husband and I are so addicted to survivor. None of our friends watch it these days, but we are addicted. It’s the best!
We have been loving it! And every week it makes me want to go on a tropical vacation even though I know that is far from the point of the show… 🙂
My fiancé got me hooked on Survivor when we first started dating, about four years ago, and Wednesday night has now become our date night during Survivor season. Did you and Ryan watch this week’s episode? Talk about an intense, emotional tribal council!
Yes! That episode was insane and I cannot believe Varner did that! Definitely not okay!!
Thosebars are everywhere at TJs and they sound really good. It’s tough to know if bars are good when you cant see the actual product, so I have to rely on reviews!
This week Im loving Tatcha’s luminous spray. I have drier skin, so it really makes my face glow!
I think you’ll also love the Maple Sea Salt RX bars! I was a skeptic at first because I’m usually all about the chocolate, coconut and PB flavors but the maple sea salt is excellent! They also add some pecan pieces for a little crunch- SO GOOD!
I just got the RX box sampler!!! The Maple sea salt is my fav along with the coffee :)!
Survivor! My husband and I are total nerds and have been watching forever! This weeks show?!?!?! YIKES what a crazy tribal council!!!
I can’t wait to try those RX Bars! I’m so excited to be able to eat something else other than Lara. Love Lara though! Happy Easter!!!
in 2002 I had a roommate who loved Survivor, so I watched it with her. I’m pretty sure I haven’t watched an episode since. I’m kind of surprised that it’s still on TV.
The fajita spice blend sounds delicious!
i had the same thought as you about the rx bars – everyone is making WAY too big of a deal about these, but then i tried a couple of the flavors and was in LOVE. i’m currently out though, so i think i’ll put them on my grocery list for next week! also those smart cookies are delish – the kids i used to nanny for always had a bag in their pantry and i’d totally snack on way too many once this kids were asleep! i hope they didn’t notice…
I’ve seen those RX bars everywhere too! Guess it’s time to try them! Also, those bath salts sound amazing! This is our opening weekend for baseball so I’ll be working all weekend. Enjoy your Easter Sunday!
When my husband and I got rid of cable, we only got a handful of channels through our antenna and CBS is one of them! We watch Survivor weekly and this week’s tribal crazy and absolutely insane. If you haven’t watched it yet, brace yourself.
Also. The PB RX bar sounds delicious!
So much is making me smile this week. Today though it is mainly the fact that my whole family will be together this weekend since two of my younger sisters will both be home from college!
I love RXBars. I only have tried samples of a few of them at my gym, but I keep being tempted to order a whole box of them and for some reason am resisting? Those bath salts look great, too. I have been really into the bath bombs from Lush lately, but I think the salts would mix it up a bit and like you said, be good for muscle recovery, too.
Have a great weekend and Easter! <3
The PB flavor is my favorite. They have three new ones coming out to the public next week as well!
So many good favorites! I really like RX bars and have been wanting to try more flavors!
Hi Julie! Women are so strong. That’s for sure! 🙂
And with a name like Fajita Magic, that spice better be good! I’ll have to check that out. Oh, and if you want more awesome dance routines, check out this link — there’s this studio of amazing dancers and they put together THE BEST dances … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvalIl8byDE
Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
also obsessed with RX bars! I love the way they show off their ingredients.
Survivor is addicting and I love watching the challenges! You picked a pretty good season to pick it up again!
I stumbled on RX bars a couple months ago and LOVE them! Totally agree on the coconut chocolate and chocolate sea salt but the coffee chocolate has my heart! They just stocked it our local Trader Joe’s and I was tempted to buy them out (I resisted!)
Also, definitely been rocking ‘Call On Me’ on my HIIT playlist for a month and it’s tempting to just put it on repeat! I actually found it through the ‘Motivation Mix’ playlist on Spotify which is my go-to when I’m looking for new tunes to shuffle into my playlist. 🙂 Other favorites right now are ‘Love On Me’ by Galantis and ‘Stay’ by Zedd and Alessia Cara!
Happy Friday!!
RX bars are my favorite. I like the whole 30 pack. It’s a great variety. I love the chocolate but the maple is my absolute favorite. I like to crumble it up in my siggis plain vanilla yogurt! It’s so amazing. There are 3 new flavors of RX bars coming out. I can’t wait
That seasoning blend looks good! I love using blends because they take all the work out of measuring multiple spices and do it for you. So convenient!
Those soaking salts look Ahhhhmazing! I need to get some! I love RxBars but kind of OD’ed on them recently. The blueberry is my fav!
I think this is the first time I’ve never heard of a single thing in your loving lately post! Ha! Great finds!! I hope you guys have a magical Easter – enjoy chasing Chase through the Easter egg fields! 😉
Yes the Paleo world is all about the RX Bars! They are pretty amazing though! You should try the Sea Salt…yellow wrapper. I still love my ‘not as health’ Quest Bars a bit too much though.
I totally forgot about Bitsy’s snacks! My LO just turned one so I am finally allowing him to have packaged type food here and there.
Thanks so much for including my 30-Minute No Running Cardio Tabata in your round up lady! So glad you love that workout as much as I do. And I just discovered your ‘Things I’m Loving’ posts and I love it — so many great things to check out! Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! xo-Lindsey
Of course!!! I began following you when you were pregnant and thought you were just so inspiring!!! <3 Hope you are doing well with your sweet little one!! xo
Thank you! I’m excited to join the #fitmom club with you! I love my sweet baby boy more than I ever thought I could! It was a journey to get to where we are and I want you to know I’ve been following you for a long time and I’ve been praying for you ever since the end of January when you lost your sweet baby…I too found out at a 12 week appointment there was no heartbeat and there’s no words I can say besides I’m sorry and I hope you are doing well. I know I still think about that baby and those words all the time. I hope all is well! xo-Lindsey
Glad I’m not the only one who’s polished off the Bitsy’s Brainfood cookies- SO GOOD!
I don’t have a kid but I’m in love with those Bitsy Brainfood snacks. Can’t beat the easily portioned snacks that sneak in some veggies! Perfect for car trips.
The Peanut Butter Rx bars really are awesome – definitely try one! I just tried the coffee chocolate for the first time and it’s my new favorite, so I highly recommend that flavor as well.
LOVE RX Bars! So far the mint chip is my fave but I think one of the new ones they’re announcing on Monday is going to top it. They’re all seriously fabulous though.
RXbars are soooo good! You have to try Mint Chocolate and Maple Sea Salt, yum. Also, I know Survivor was like so 10 years ago but I became re-obsessed with it a few years ago and convinced a few friends to pick it back up- we love it!!