My Favorite Things

My Favorite Things

I thought I would compile a few of MY favorite things to help you with your Christmas list. This year I'm focusing on easy. And, by easy I mean shopping online. Because what is better than getting all of your shopping done in your PJ's with coffee (or wine) in hand?! 

This list is a compilation of things that have come into my life in 2017 and made me happy. And will probably make someone on your list happy too. 

Apple Watch

I adore my apple watch and can't really imagine anyone NOT liking it. My husband got it for me for my birthday even though I had never asked for one. I honestly didn't think I needed it but now that I have one, I love it! 

So, if you have someone on your list that is super into their iPhone/iPad, they're probably also going to be obsessed with the watch. I like it best for tracking my movement throughout the day. It holds me accountable to standing up a certain amount of minutes per hour, so I can get away from the computer to stretch, go get water, etc. when my watch tells me. It also tracks steps, miles, active minutes, calories burned (not sure on accuracy because no calorie-counters are accurate), and will keep track of all of your workouts for you. 

Beyond the activity tracking, it also is nice to not have to take your phone with you everywhere. You can get texts and other notifications through your watch (if you want), control your music or podcasts, and even talk on the phone with it. 

The only downside for me is that you do still have to bring your phone with you on walks in order for it to work, but that has been updated in the 3rd version of the watch, so I definitely recommend the newest version!

Life Changing Books

I love giving books as gifts! These would be awesome books to gift someone depending on what they are going through.
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst
The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst
Heart Made Whole Turning Your Unhealed Pain into Your Greatest Strength by Christa Black Gifford
Looking for Lovely: Collecting the Moments that Matter by Annie F. Downs
The Broken Way: A Daring Path into the Abundant Life by Ann Voskamp

Erin Condren Products

I love how they bring fun and functionality together in their products. You can personalize and customize your items too. My daughter got me into all this!!  I use several of the Erin Condren items, including the:

• Life Planner

• Coiled 8.5 x 11 Journal

• Wellness Log (only $6.00)

Use this link and once you create your account you will get a coupon code good for $20 toward your first purchase.

Popsocket

A GREAT stocking stuffer idea! These little round sticky things attach to the back of your phone and act as a shelf for your fingers to hold your phone easier. I got one and was initially annoyed with it and didn't use it. Within a few days, I got to a point where I couldn't imagine using my phone without it. I've gone from dropping my phone regularly to never dropping it. Also great for taking selfies or videos! They come in some really cute designs too, so you can jazz up your phone. I highly recommend getting the actual Popsocket brand and not the knock-offs.

Natural Deodorant That Works

If you've followed me you know I made the transition to natural deodorant a few months ago. After trying several brands, my absolute favorite is Native. 
Their products are made in the USA, are aluminum-free and paraben-free and contain ingredients you can pronounce. I really like the coconut & vanilla scent and I discovered I needed the sensitive deodorant. The regular one irritated me due to the baking soda. But, this stuff actually works!!! I got some travel sizes as stocking stuffers. Use this link to get a free travel size deodorant when ordering. 

Stitch Fix

Believe it or not I don't enjoy shopping for clothes. I much prefer to just have things delivered and Stitch Fix has been amazing! My stylist (Steph) has gotten it spot on every single time. I have such a hard time finding pants because I'm short but she somehow always finds the perfect pair.
Stitch Fix is an online styling service that delivers a personalized shopping experience, just for you. You fill out your Style Profile and a personal stylist will hand pick pieces to fit your tastes, needs and budget—and mail them directly to your door. Each box contains five items of clothing, shoes and accessories for you to try on at home. You can keep what you love and send the rest back in a prepaid envelope. Shipping and returns are free—even for exchanges! If you use this link your first $20 styling fee is waived. 

Perfect Keto

If you've tossed around the idea of trying a Ketogenic diet, I cannot recommend these products enough. If you missed my blog post about my Keto Experiment, I decided to give this way of eating a try a few months ago. The first time around didn't go so well but after a lot more research, the second attempt went better. I won't be staying with this way of eating for much longer but I know after much investigation, that if I were to stick with this, these are the products I would continue to use. Their exogenous ketones are some of the best. I like the fact that they tell you right on the label how much BHB is in their product. (Some other brands do not release that information so you could be throwing your $ away). They also cost 40-80% less per serving than competitors who add caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and fillers to their products. I also like their grass-fed Keto Collagen (With MCT). Use this link and coupon code INSTAKETO15 to save 15% off your first order.

Fabletics

If you’re anything like me, there’s a good chance you’re obsessed with new fitness gear. Whether it’s from expensive stores like Lululemon or Athleta, or just from the neighborhood Target or Old Navy, I can’t get enough. Having stylish new fitness gear makes me excited to work out, and sometimes that little boost of excitement is just what I need to get my butt moving. Fabletics is a member-based online store for fitness apparel created by Kate Hudson. They sell a variety of cute workout clothes that any girl would want. You can use this link to get two pairs of leggings for $24.

Vitality Extracts

They have a lot of stylish handmade diffuser jewelry. You apply a drop or two of essential oil to the black lava beads and the scent will last a day if not more. You can use any of your favorite essential oils or purchase some from their site if you don't have any. They are having a huge sale right now too!! You can get bracelets for less than $10. Use this link for 15% off your first order. 

Green Chef Meal Delivery Service

Green Chef is a meal delivery service. I have never done a meal delivery service because when I looked into some of them, I wasn't impressed with the nutritional content or choices. I love the fact that Green Chef offers Vegetarian, Omnivore, Carnivore, Gluten-free, Paleo, Keto and Vegan plans and all the ingredients are organic. The meat and poultry must be from animals raised without antibiotics or synthetic hormones and they work with farmers to source sustainable, non-GMO ingredients. You have the option of ordering three meals a week for two, four, or six people. I decided to give this a try because I had someone offer me a coupon code for 4 free meals and I thought it would be a great service to utilize the week my husband had surgery. I ended up loving the meals and how easy they were to prepare. Use this link to get your 4 free meals or give this as a gift for someone. I'm sure they would love it!

The All Access Challenge Pack

I can't finish this without sharing my absolute favorite Beachbody package! The reason I like this one so much is because you get access to EVERY single workout program Beachbody has ever released. This includes the 21 Day Fix, Insanity, P90X, Country Heat, Shift Shop, YOUv2, 22 Minute Hard Corps, PiYo, the 3 Week Yoga Retreat and the upcoming 80 Day Obsession. You can check it out here and look here for information about my VIP community. This challenge pack gives you access to my VIP community for an entire year. I can't think of a better gift than the gift of good health.

So there you go! A few of my favorite things that I hope will give you some ideas either for you or a friend. What are some of your favorite things from 2017?

Happy shopping!

If you'd like more information on the health & weight loss programs I provide, feel free to email me at cmarkfeld@gmail.com or fill out this form and I'll be in touch to talk further. 

How to Survive the Holidays

This is the most challenging time of the entire year to stay on track with your health & wellness goals. 

Every holiday season, you try the same old drill. Stuffing? Don’t need the extra carbs. Eggnog? No amount of nutmeg can hide all that fat and alcohol. Pumpkin pie? Too many calories… delicious, creamy decadent calories.

Nope, this holiday season, you’re going to stick to your nutrition goals! But have you ever been successful in doing that? How many times have you gazed miserably at the dessert table, avoiding it like the plague, only to eventually give in? Come January, you’ve eaten everything you said you wouldn’t — and then some.

You’re not alone. The average American eats 32% more over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend alone. (Don't worry, I have a 3 day detox right after Thanksgiving to help you out!) Despite your best efforts to keep unhealthy food out of your line of sight, with all of the social events, candy corners at the office, and tasty sabotages (i.e. gifts, from friends), you simply cannot control your environment as well as you can during the rest of the year. Regardless of all the oaths and intentions, most of us still gain weight during the holidays. So how do you stay 100% committed to your nutrition plan during the holidays?

You don’t! Trying to stay completely on track during the holidays may be the exact thing that causes you to gain weight.

There are several possible reasons for this. The first is the Forbidden Fruit Effect (or Theory of Psychological Resistance). You always long for whatever it is you can’t have. The deprivation itself makes holiday food all the more tempting. Your brain also perceives that you’re being punished and you end up in a battle between the side of you that has promised to stay in control and the side that wants no part of the food restriction. Guess which side typically wins?

The second cause is the Law of Dominant Thought, which says the focus of your thoughts will affect your choices, behaviors, and achievements. There is a reason why health experts recommend you clean out your cupboards of unhealthy foods. Out of sight, out of mind right? Unfortunately, during the holidays, indulgences are constantly in your sight — and therefore at the forefront of your mind. When you spend the day obsessing over not snacking on peppermint bark, you can’t be surprised when you go through the whole tin in one sitting. Where your mind goes, energy flows. Constant exposure to unhealthy foods, combined with the alcohol that often flows freely at holiday events, can make you more likely to overeat.

The third culprit that contributes to holiday binging is stress. The planning, cooking, decorating, and managing schedules of the holidays may push you to crave comfort foods — anything high in fat, sugar, and/or salt — that temporarily calm your nerves. But, in the end you end up more stressed from the disappointment of not being able to fit into your “skinny” jeans. So, now you know what’s going on in your head during the holidays. How can you overcome all of these influences and keep off added holiday pounds?

The solution is the Holiday Hall Pass. This sweet indulgence allows you to make the most of the holidays, with five safeguards to prevent you from getting too crazy. These safeguards — let’s call them holiday helpers — create an environment that evokes positive emotions that calm the negative ones you experience when you attempt to deprive yourself. 

Holiday Helper #1: Exercise a little bit every morning

The first little helper is a pre-performance morning exercise routine. Spend at least 20 minutes doing anything active: FOCUS T25, PiYo, walking the dog, whatever it is that you do. During typical weeks, fitness experts recommend one day of rest, but during the holidays, it’s best to be active every single morning to stay consistent. It can be an all-out workout or a simple physical activity to create a positive tone for the day, helping you keep off the stress.

Holiday Helper #2: Keep a journal

If you simply write down what you do and feel throughout the day, you’ll become aware of your choices, causing you to continue to make good ones. Through writing, you bring a little logic back into the equation, which helps you overcome your emotional tendencies. For maximum results, journal immediately before you show up to a holiday event. Write down what you’ve already eaten that day and how your choices have made you feel. If you’ve already chosen to eat unhealthily throughout the day, the awareness you bring through this journaling process will help you to create a plan of action for the upcoming event. It’s not about saying to yourself “Well, I’ve already ruined this day so I’ll start again tomorrow,” but rather asking yourself what one positive thing you can achieve at this event to feel good about yourself and the choices you made. On the other hand, if you have been eating healthily so far and are energized and proud of yourself, bringing those thoughts and feelings to the present moment will enhance your opportunity to be mindful about what you choose to eat at the holiday event.

Holiday Helper #3: Don’t let yourself get hungry

You should graze every 2–3 hours. Whether it’s a full meal or just a light snack. Keeping your metabolism up and your stomach satisfied will prevent you from becoming too hungry. You won’t end up with plates of food you have to haul away with a forklift if you aren’t starving when mealtime finally rolls around.

Holiday Helper #4: Set holiday indulging intentions for yourself

Remember, this isn’t about denying yourself anything delicious; your intentions simply set the scene for an enjoyable-yet-controlled feasting experience. You can choose to allow a small indulgence with each meal, whether it be one piece of cake or a few little cookies. You can also choose to go ‘all out’ for one special night. Also use intentional cues — pre-made questions pre-programmed and scheduled in your smartphone to help you stick to your intentions. Some examples of intentional cues are: Are you proud of your food choices so far today? Would the people who want you to succeed be happy with your choices? Are you giving all the effort you can to following through on your plan? Does this food taste better than how your body looks/feels when you’re healthy?

Holiday Helper #5: Be easy on yourself

Feeling guilty about indulgences only amps up the stress, leading you right back to the second and third serving of turkey and cranberry sauce. Enjoy your holiday and indulge without beating yourself up.

If you'd like to add some additional help this holiday season, I have a 3 Day Detox starting Monday, November 27th. You can find all the details here. 

Then I'll be kicking off a 5 Day Clean Eating challenge followed by a 21 Day Challenge called Sleigh the Holidays. With my support and the accountability provided in my VIP community, you can get through the holidays feeling great. You'll start 2018 without having those dreaded New Year's Resolutions. As always, don't hesitate to email me at cmarkfeld@gmail.com if you have any questions.