Keep Calm and Eat Brownies #SpecialKBrownies

Chocolate is awesome in so many ways! It tastes divine; it smells heavenly and is actually quite good for the mind and body (in moderation, of course). Scientists and nutritionist have spent years researching the positive health benefits of chocolate (tough job) and I’m happy to report that I’ve collected my fair share of anecdotal evidence! Chocolate is a winner!

Sitting around eating chocolate all day probably wouldn’t be a good thing though – I like to reserve chocolate-eating for a treat. I will admit that I do start my day off with a few dark chocolate chips alongside my hot chai or coffee – this ritual that gets me in a good mood to tackle even the craziest days. The kids always request my Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies, but brownies are actually my favorite feel-good, chocolaty comfort foods – but it can be quite dangerous to have a whole, homemade pan sitting out! Oh, the temptation to eat the whole pan of my Mom’s decadent recipe that features entire big toffee-chocolate candy bars baked into the middle.

I was excited when Kellogg’s recently sent me a couple boxes of Special K Brownies to try out – Divine Fudge and Heavenly Caramel. What I noticed right away when sampling these brownies is that they taste like REAL brownies, not like some weird diet food “brownie.” That’s because Special K Brownies are REAL brownies made with real ingredients like cocoa, chocolate or caramel chips and topped with a drizzle of chocolate fudge. The other thing I appreciate about the Special K Brownies is that these convenient brownies are pre-portioned to be just an 80-calorie treat. The brownies aren’t huge, but just the right size to enjoy the indulgence and not end up feeling deprived later in the day (and eating that whole pan of Mom’s candy bar brownies I just mentioned). Sure, I COULD open up all the brownie packages in the box and eat them at one sitting, but I probably wouldn’t since they are wrapped as single servings – a great visual cue on portion-size awareness.

I stashed a few of these brownies in my gym bag for a reward after my 10 mile run and CrossFitWOD – washed down with a carton of milk, it was a totally on target recovery snack. Also, since February is sneaking up, I started experimenting with ways to incorporate Special K Brownies into a Valentine’s Day celebration. It so easy to use a cookie cutter to make a simple heart shaped – serve as a little chocolaty pick-me-up or sandwich two brownie hearts with frozen yogurt in the middle.

Visit www.specialk.com for more information on the new Special K Brownies in Divine Fudge and Heavenly Caramel, available now at grocery and mass retail stores nationwide.

What is your favorite chocolate treat?

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Special K Brownies.

40 Fun Ways to Burn 100 Calories + #SpecialKSnackBars

As soon as the holidays wind down, I know we’ll all be looking for ways to snack healthier – no more gingerbread, egg nog, sugar cookies or candy canes until next year. However, I personally hate to feel deprived — I want to munch on something that tastes indulgent but doesn’t negate the benefits of my workout for the day. That’s why I was excited to find out about Kellogg’s new product coming to a supermarket near you in January 2014 — Special K Snack Bars.

These convenient snack bars are the ideal pairing of taste and nutrition that provide a satisfyingly scrumptious snack any time of the day — after a workout, a mid-morning break, or to sooth the afternoon “hangries.” There are four delicious flavors – Berry Medley, Blueberry Bliss, Salted Caramel Chocolate and Salted Pretzel Chocolate – and each only has 100 calories per bar. It’s amazing how decadent and delicious these bars taste for a mere 100 calories. The product size is just right too – not too big as to ruin your appetite for a full meal later, but so small that your tummy is still growling. After much taste-testing, I think my favorite flavor is the Salted Pretzel Chocolate, but they are all yummy!

Visit www.specialk.com for more information on the new Special K® Chewy Snack Bars, available January 2015 at grocery and mass retail stores nationwide. You can also find out more by joining the chatter on Kellogg’s Facebook (SpecialKUS) and Twitter (@SpecialKUS).

Now, if you want to add a little extra exercise to your day, I’ve rounded up 40 activities that burn 100 calories in 30 minutes or less. The calculations are based on a 150 pound person. Have fun, get moving!

Fitness Fun: 10 – 12 minutes of cartwheeling and handstand practice burns 100 calories!

40 Ways to Burn 100 Calories in 30 Minutes or Less

  1. 6 minutes running up stairs
  2. 6 minutes burpees
  3. 7 minutes high intensity spin
  4. 8 minutes rock wall climbing
  5. 9 minutes competitive soccer
  6. 9 minutes moderate jump rope
  7. 9 minutes running (~1 mile)
  8. 10 minutes box jumping
  9. 10 minutes cartwheeling
  10. 10 minutes downhill skiing
  11. 10 minutes pushups
  12. 11 minutes walking up stairs
  13. 11 minutes water jogging
  14. 12 minutes handstand walking
  15. 12 minutes non-stop sit ups
  16. 12 minutes farmer’s walk
  17. 13 minutes flag football
  18. 13 minutes row machine
  19. 13 minute barbell bench press
  20. 14 minutes skate boarding
  21. 15 minutes water skiing
  22. 15 minutes hiking
  23. 15 minutes moderate biking
  24. 15 minutes moderate swimming
  25. 15 minutes furniture rearranging
  26. 16 minutes ballroom dancing
  27. 17 minutes push ups
  28. 18 minutes garden work
  29. 20 minutes of yoga
  30. 20 minutes casual walking
  31. 20 minutes paddle boarding
  32. 20 minutes hula hooping
  33. 20 minutes vacuuming
  34. 22 minutes drum playing
  35. 23 minutes raking leaves
  36. 25 minutes trampoline jumping
  37. 28 minutes weight lifting
  38. 29 minutes pecan picking
  39. 29 minutes bowling
  40. 30 minutes mini golfing

So, what is your favorite on this list?

What flavor of #SpecialKSnackBars appeals to you most?

This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Special K Snack Bars.