This post is sponsored by National Watermelon Promotion Board.
There are no bad vibes in my book when it comes watermelon. Watermelon is a happy fruit! It’s refreshing, hydrating, sweet, a source of beneficial energy for my runs and workouts – and at the root of a bumper crop of my life’s joyful moments and everyday positive experiences.
If I had to name one food that made me feel all-around happy, it would most definitely be WATERMELON! And, based on the juice dripping off all y’all’s chins, I know I’m not alone in that jumbo-sized declaration of love. In fact, a recent study funded by NWPB*, found that 100% of consumers say that watermelon makes them feel happy.
What did people say when I asked them, “Does watermelon make you happy?”
And, 81% felt like watermelon was a comfort food. I’m like “heck yeah” to that stat – not many comfort foods have just 80 calories per two-cup serving, not to mention zero fat, and a host of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients. Check the USDA Nutrition Facts for the exact breakdown.
Additionally, the study revealed that 82% of respondents felt that watermelon boosted their mood. Just last year, I shared a post about How Watermelon Can Boost Mood. My reasons included: 1) high water content in watermelon supports overall wellness; 2) 25% Daily Value of vitamin C, per serving, supports tissue growth and recovery; 3) watermelon can be used as “equipment” in your workout and exercise is a good way to lift your mood; 4) watermelon is perfectly sized for sharing and showing care toward others – that’s intrinsically satisfying; 5) and watermelon can be a dessert that is unrefined and naturally sweet – a smart choice that still makes you smile!
Also, I always feel happy knowing that, in addition to feeding my family a wholesome food that I am making an economical selection in the produce department. Pound-for-pound, ounce-for-ounce, a watermelon has the biggest bang for the buck – and you can eat the entire watermelon, including flesh, juice, seeds and rind!
A few happy and creative recipes I’ve made using bits and pieces of the watermelon that might otherwise have been discarded are:
Cinnamon Churro Watermelon Rind Fries – Take the leftover rind, slice it up, dust with cinnamon and your sweetener of choice before popping in the air-fryer. Serve with simple vanilla or honey yogurt as a dipping sauce! Easy and economical
Watermelon Gazpacho with Feta and Herbs –This is a quick and easy, single-serve blender recipe that’s featured in my Cooking for One for Dummies cookbook that published in March 2023. To be honest, is a way I use up watermelon that has been sitting for a few days in my fridge and needs to be used up STAT.
Watermelon Juice: Most folks either buy expensive, pressed watermelon juice from their grocer OR use a blender and drain off all the pulp. However, my hack in this post shows you how you can actually DRAIN off a large quantity while cutting and storing without compromising the pieces you want to eat.
More than half of respondents from the 2022 NWPB study reported they feel better knowing that they’ve purchased food that can be used in multiple meals and/or recipes. Watermelon definitely has your back on that! Check out the amazing, creative recipe collection at Watermelon.orgfor all sorts of juicy, yummy, sweet and savory inspiration.
Can you believe it’s a new year?! I’m focusing on becoming my best self with a wellness reset.
And, to help me along the way, I’m incorporating some of the best wellness products for 2023 – a couple I’ve used for years, and others are new finds – but definitely keepers!
I’m Hydrating! And Ultima makes a clean performance drink with the perfect balance of electrolytes and trace minerals with no sugar and fake junk. Super easy to take on the go, just throw in your purse or gym bag and mix in a packet of this zero sugar hydration in a water bottle – CHEERS!
Yummy flavors like Raspberry, Lemonade, Cherry, Pomegranate, appletini, Coconut Pina Colada, and Orange. Featuring important electrolytes and minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium to support hydrate better than water alone along with vitamin C and zinc for immune support. Gluten-free, Vegan, Keto-friendly.
Save and enjoy sugar-free electrolytes yourself with code BABBLE20 for 20% off (expires 1/31/2023)
I’m battling bloat! Between holiday indulgences and reverting back to veggie-packed clean eating in January has my digestion a little out of whack. I tried FLATTER ME from HUM nutrition, it’s a blend of 18 full-spectrum digestive enzymes that help to break down protein, carbs, fiber, lactose, and fats to support healthy digestion and reduce bloating. Registered Dietician nutritionists developed these digestive enzyme supplements that use clean ingredients, are gluten-free and have nothing artificial. For example, it uses ginger and peppermint to support optimal digestion and fennel to help sooth any issues. These anti-bloating pills are super easy to incorporate into your day, just take 1 capsule before your two main meals! Note: Despite the “six pack abs,” I’m a bloater. Between hormones and a love for (but intolerance of) cruciferous veggies seems like I battle bloat a lot. Getting bloated from the likes of broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts and cauliflower seems so unfair – but I really do feel that this pre-meal bloat supplement helps
Check out HUM Nutrition (the make other beauty and wellness products) and use code BABBLE30 for 30% with a $29 minimum from January 2nd, 2023-February 22, 2023.
I’m Healing Skin by taking better care of it with Tamanu Balm Barrier Salve from Erin’s Faces, a clean-beauty and skin care company. Ugh, I’m the queen of scrapes, scratches and little ouchies thanks to my trail running, obstacle course races and gym shenanigans. I’ve also found it ideal for rubbing into my awful hand calluses and into my ragged cuticles and knuckles that don’t respond well to cold weather, dry air and over-washing!
To help remedy these little issues, I’ve been using Tamanu Balm Barrier Salve from Erin’s Faces, a clean-beauty and skin care company. This organic balm is a great petroleum swap and features tamanu oil from the tamanu nut which has been shown in studies to be a therapeutic option for treading infected wounds. It also features safflower oil, that naturally has anti-microbial properties, and also locally-sources beeswax for optimizing skin hydration.
Great for you, great for the whole family! Get yourself of organic Tamanu Balm Barrier Salve from Erin’s Faces and save 10% with code TAMANUBALM
Taking care of my joints! And also skin, hair nails and more with Biosil, a supplement that helps your body replenish its own collagen. I’ve been using this for a year now and love the results. When I crossed over into my 50s about five years ago, I started using a collagen supplement to take care of my joints, skin, hair and more. As a lifetime athlete, asking a lot of my body, I knew I needed to be proactive about replenishing / supplementing collagen after I learned that your body’s ability to produce enough on its own dwindles with age. Even being outdoors in the sun (which I crave and do daily) can diminish collagen productions.
Interestingly, Biosil isn’t actually collagen product like the powders and other supplements that are touted, but instead a clinically-proven supplement backed by my 25+ years and $20 million of research into how it can help your body generate more of its own collagen and protect what you already have. You can also take it in conjunction with a traditional collagen supplement (which I do).
The vegan-friendly capsules are clear, tiny and easy to swallow, and contain the liquid Biosil formula. As directed, I take two capsules a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. Taking care of my joints is priority number one with me, but also, I appreciate how Biosil also helps elastin and keratin become more resilient and make wrinkles and fine lines soften and hair and nails thicker and stronger – and joints happier! You can learn more HERE.
Save 25% on a One Month supply of Biosil with code BabbleBoxxBiosil2023 – code valid for one-time purchases, not subscriptions.
I’m traveling more! Or I hope to hit up some new sights and experiences in 2023 and will be taking PlaneAire Travel Essentials, along for all my adventures. Travel essentials, including sprays and wipes made with anti-bacterial, anti-microbial essential oils, are easy to stash in my travel backpack and help keep me well in crowded, germy travel situations. PlaneAire products are designed to hygienically clean surfaces, sanitize hands, and freshen the air. These sanitizers are also a “feel good, smell good” sensory experience made with nourishing ingredients like essential oils, safflower oil, lingonberry, vegan glycerin, aloe vera, green tea and more. The scents are amazing – like — but not overwhelming if you are sensitive (like me) to smells. Made in the USA, responsible sourced, plant-based, when possible, extensively lab tested (although not required) and never tested on animals.
Save on PlaneAire with code FITFORK for 10% off entire cart, expires 2/15/23
Living life to the fullest reaps so many rewards and opportunities. You love more, you feel more, you see more, you do more, you move more, you give more. But living life, in general, creates little “issue areas” that can put a damper on ‘seizing the day’ if you allow it.
Check out four life “issue areas” for me and the mind and body products I’ve been using to help me keep my self-confidence at 100% so that I can live my 110% best life!
NO MORE GETTING HANGRY
Pursing all the things I love (plus life’s obligations) sometimes gets my schedule overbooked and puts me on the go-go-go. In the past, this has led to a skipped meal or not having time to grab a post-workout snack. Missed opportunities for nourishment and refueling are not good for my general health and wellness. Getting hangry between meals is the WORST – not just for my body, but for friends, family and innocent bystanders. However, when I make a priority of eating to fuel my goals and staying on top of timing my protein through the day, life is GOOD! Point of reference, I try to get 25-30g protein at each meal, and 10g for snacks.
Protein Bars and Protein Cookies from Tone It Up
Tone It Up nutrition products helps me meet my snack-time protein goals and soothes my notorious sweet tooth in a better way. ThePlant-Based Protein Snickerdoodles Cookieshas a sweet cinnamon flavor and soft-baked texture, offering 10g of protein and 170 calories per serving. The Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars are light and crispy, and seemingly decadent while actually a great pick-me-up snack with 10g protein and 170 calories per serving. Tone it up products are plant-based dairy-free, gluten-free and never made with sugar alcohols.
NO MORE ANNOYINGLY DRY SKIN
Every woman wants to feel presentable, if not absolutely fabulous – am I right?! But I am plagued with dry skin, especially coming out of cold weather. After a winter of sitting in front of my space heater all day, these legs of mine look like old, dried-up elephant hides. With shorts-season underway and a bikini-baring trip to Mexico this week, I needed to feel fabulous again STAT!
Tree Hut Strawberry Shea Sugar Scrub
Thanks to Tree Hut Strawberry Sugar Scrub,I’ve been able to exfoliate my legs (and arms and feet) into silky smoothness. Plus, I love that fresh, summery scent of strawberry with hits of pineapple and peach. I feel confident using Tree Hut scrub, the company never skimps on good ingredients. For example, the top three ingredients in this scrub are sugar, shea butter and the natural compound BHA which penetrates into pores to more effectively reveal glowing skin. Additionally, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, alcohol, formaldehyde and is suitable for a vegan lifestyle.
NO MORE STRESSING OVER SCARS
If you are living life, it’s pretty hard not to get a scar. Collectively, there are something like 100 million new scars made per year, or so they say. I personally have a zillion and they sometimes make me feel awkward – at least, if I have to recount to stories of how I got them! Whether it’s fresh new scar from something as simple as scraping your knee or an existing scar resulting from surgery, New Skin® Scar Fade™ is an easy, quick, and effective way to make scars less visible for adults. Use on new or existing scars from injury, surgery, burns, and stretch marks. It is even safe to use on the face for acne scars.
New Skin Scar Fade
I’ve been using my New Skin® Scar Fade™ in three places — a NEW long scrape scar down the front of my shin, an older thick scar on my arm from a fall, and a raised scar under my chin left from stitches. The silicone gel of Scar Fade provides greater efficacy than the “combo” ingredient products that exist today and clinical results showed users to have an 86% reduction in texture, 84% reduction in color and 68% reduction in height of scars. I haven’t been using long enough to give a before-and-after report, but I can say that I’m already seeing and feeling good results!
NO MORE AWKWARD BLADDER SITUATIONS
I sometimes pee myself a little, involuntarily. There, I said it. Initially, this problem arose with the pregnancy, birth, post-partum process from three nine-pound babies. With one delivery, I suffered a urethral tear, and that definitely didn’t help the situation. This was about a 15-year time chunk of my life where I suffered with prolapse and incontinence. You can search the blog, I’ve written about it before – and how I finally, mostly healed under my own volition, with time and with exercises to improve muscle weaknesses! However, I do notice that hormones also tend to play a big role in leakage for me, certain times in the month. And now that I’m flirting with menopause, I’m experiencing this problem just a little more frequently again.
TENA Intimates Pads
But instead of being embarrassed or not living life, I just dealt with it (and sometimes still do) as needed, and then move on to live life. So should you! In fact, if you are a woman in North America, chances are 1 in 3 that you suffer from urinary incontinence, you are not alone! It annoys me that there is a stigma attached to this – a woman’s body is always evolving and, as I mentioned for me, the post-partum and menopause years are two life stages when this can be the biggest issue.TENA Intimates pads offer a solution you can feel confident using and have been gynecologically tested. The pads are made with super absorbent materials that help lock away moisture from your skin, preventing irritation and discomfort. This breathability also helps control odor.
Running, obstacle course racing plus all the gym, boot camp and other fitness stuff I do, can really take a toll on my body! But, even though I’m in my 50s, I’m not about to give any of it up soon. That’s why I place a premium on eating well to refuel my body, taking proper care of minor injuries that come, and general workout recovery and some self-pampering.
I’m always on the lookout for new-to-me products to help me stay at the top of my game as an athlete and enthusiast of adventurous living. Today, I’m sharing five wellness and fitness finds that are perfect additions to my self-care routine.
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar Prebiotic Shots (Ginger Turmeric): Gut health is so important for athletes and apple cider vinegar is one well-known way to cleanse and rebalance the body. Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar (raw and unfiltered) is such a well-loved product and has been providing wellness benefits to consumers for more than a century. One of their convenient and very nutritionally functional products is Apple Cider Vinegar Prebiotic Shot which also features turmeric and ginger (and a bit of honey) to help reduce inflammation – which is something I personally manage as an older athlete. Check out the Bragg’s product line up at Bragg.com and save 20% on your order with code BRAGG20
Intensive Foot Repair and Multi-Purpose Nail Repair from Kerasal: If I’m not in running shoes, I’m in flip flops – and sometimes that can be embarrassing due to all my runner foot problems including calluses, dry, cracked heels and toe-nail fungus -ugh. Kerasal Intensive Foot Repair makes my heels (and rough big toe) much more presentable with visible results in just ONE day! It’s an exfoliating moisturizer and callus remover with Salicylic acid that hydrates and moisturizes dry while exfoliating away dead skin. I like to apply it and wear overnight with cotton socks, for best results!
I’ve also been using Kerasal Multi-Purpose Nail Repair to help lessen the “shock and horror” reactions people have when they see my feet and the nail fungus damage. Many of my toenails have been damaged from running, creating a hospitable environment for fungus, which in turn has also made my nails thick and discolored. The patented formula penetrates through the nail’s surface to help restore a healthy appearance – it can also be used on fingernails! It’s the #1 doctor recommended brand, and initial results can start to be seen in a week (although, expect to treat for 3 to 6 months for best results). Try it out and SAVE with this Kerasal coupon.
ll-In-One and Sensitive Skin Liquid Bandage from New Skin®: If you’ve ever run an obstacle course race or are considering it, TRUST ME, you want to have any minor cuts, scrapes, calluses, blisters, and dry cracked skin you have at the start line protected with the liquid bandages from this brand (because SERIOUSLY, who knows WHAT is in that mud)! Unlike traditional bandages that fall off easily when wet, dislodged from vigorous athletic activities, or just won’t work in an awkward and hard-to-cover areas (like between fingers, knees, or long scrapes). These bandages kill 99.9% of germs by providing a flexible seal that keeps out water, dirt, mud, and harmful bacteria. The Sensitive New Skin® Liquid Bandage are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, plus the application and removal is pain-free. These are available at Amazon and Walmart
Sugar Face Scrubs from Tree Hut make me feel pampered in my skin care routine – especially after a hard, sweaty workout or race through mud, dirt and rough terrain! Tree Hut uses 100% natural exfoliants to help me buff away all the grime, dead cells and impurities from my skin and pores, and brighten my complexion in the process. Plus, the glycerin-based formula also helps my skin rehydrate and feel fabulous. Tree Hut’s Sugar Face Scrub line is paraben and cruelty free, vegan. They do not contain formaldehyde donors and are made in the USA. The line contains four different scents/formulas (being the watermelon-lover I am, I chose the Watermelon & Cactus Water Sugar Face Scrub first)!
Chomps is not actually a new meat stick brand to me, but one I have loved in the past and was so happy to have again — I’m all about getting enough protein for workout recovery and their 1.15 oz sugar free meat sticks have 9 to 10g protein each! The products, including Original Beef, Jalapeno Beef, and Original Turkey, are made from the highest-quality, sustainably sourced proteins with no hidden, harmful ingredients. Protein sources are never given hormones or antibiotics and humanely raised. You don’t have to be worried about eating something you don’t want, as Chomps free of added sugar, soy, dairy, and artificial stuff like preservatives, colors, nitrates, binders. Beef is grass-fed and grass-finished and turkey is free-range. If you are Paleo, Keto, have gluten and dairy allergies, or just expect the best – then these meat snacks are for you! I like to keep them stashed in my bag when hitting the gym, a road trip, or just a day of errands so I don’t get hangry and end up eating something lesser to this high-quality brand. Save with code BABBLE20 on chomps.com
This post has been sponsored by GanedenBC30® through Kitchen PLAY.
“Digestive wellness” has been trending now for a few years, especially the use of probiotics to help support a healthy and active lifestyle. Unlike some of the weird and potentially dangerous nutrition advice on the uptick, probiotics have been around since the dawn of time, are safe to use, and are backed by volumes of serious scientific research.
As a life-long runner and competitive athlete, I believe my diet is equally as important as my training. I strive to eat a balanced and functionally beneficial diet that supports my fitness goals – complex carbs from fruits, veggies and whole grains; a variety of lean proteins; heart healthy fats; specific micronutrients targeted to my needs and the like! I also rely on probiotics to help support the optimal functioning of my body and recently discovered the shelf-stable probiotic,GanedenBC30 (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086). Read on to learn more about this natural probiotic ingredient which is conveniently found in many of my favorite brands of foods and beverages.
While I like to have fun, I take my recreational activities seriously – I’ve been doing all this sporty stuff for my entire life and train hard, rest easy, and eat clean. When I need convenience in my diet (like packing snacks for an adventure race or fully embracing rest mode and avoiding cooking duties), it’s reassuring to know there is a probiotic strain available to support my lifestyle needs in easy-to-find, easy-to-fix, easy-to-store products that taste great too – like that chocolate protein muffin I’m snacking on (top pic) that is fortified with GanedenBC30.
Pin this for reference later!
So, what are probiotics anyway and why do I need them? Simply put, probiotics are helpful bacteria that live in the gut and do beneficial things for the body. Having bacteria in your gut sounds a bit gross, but the human body has trillions of good bacteria cells that live in and on our bodies. When in balance, the flora help ensure we are functioning at our best. However, everyday lifestyle stressors can disrupt gut microbiota and this can impact overall health and wellness. Antagonists to a healthy gut environment include the use of antibiotics and certain other medications, hormonal changes, a poor diet, illness, aging, stress and travel. Regularly taking a probiotic can be a safe and effective way to take your health and wellness to the next level.
How can probiotics help me as a runner, athlete or active and on-the-go person? While probiotics won’t directly make you run faster, jump higher, or swim longer, they will help keep your body’s systems functioning at their best, optimizing your health – which all indirectly allows you to train harder and recover faster. There is no denying that a healthy athlete is a better athlete, at least that’s my experience. As a hardcore fitness enthusiast, who has high expectations on my body to perform well, I am particularly interested in how probiotics (especially GanedenBC30) provide:
Digestive System Support: As a runner, I don’t need tummy troubles or a surprise call from nature when out on a run and GanedenBC30 has been shown to help support digestive comfort and improve stooling habits.
Immune System Support: It’s common for endurance athletes to catch colds or other illnesses right after a race or during periods of over-training. As beneficial as exercise is for the body, it’s also a stressor that requires adequate recovery. A significant portion of our immunity (up to 70%) can be linked to the helpful flora in our gut – these microscopic super-heroes facilitate an environment where your immune system can do its job better, making you more resilient in the process.
What foods are probiotics found in? Not too long ago, probiotics (because they are “alive”) were typically only found in refrigerated products like yogurt, kefir, kombucha and other fermented foods. Also, probiotics in capsule, tablet or “pearl” form have been available, but for me that was always a hard pill to swallow (pun intended, lol)! The good news is that the GanedenBC30 is a spore-forming probiotic, which means it can survive harsh preparation processes (think boiling or freezing), which means it can be used to add probiotics to your everyday foods and beverages.
Product categories GanedenBC30 can be found in include teas and coffee; juices and smoothies; powdered and liquid beverages; snacks, dips, spreads and baked goods; frozen foods and desserts; plus, gummies and confectionary!
Are all probiotics the same? NO! There are many, many, MANY strains and no two from the same bacterial species are exactly alike. This means, the benefits and characteristics of a specific probiotic strain can vary, and data from one strain can’t be used to support the benefits, safety and efficacy of another. Make sure to check out all of the benefits and research on GanedenBC30(Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) and/or other probiotic strain before starting a regimen to ensure it will adequately meet your needs.
What makes GanedenBC30® different? Unlike sensitive vegetative probiotics in things like yogurt, GanedenBC30 is a spore-forming probiotic, which means it has a protective shell allowing it to better survive extreme temperatures – like microwaves, boiling water, and the freezer. This makes it very versatile and a quality-consistent ingredient in consumer food products – like teas, baking mixes, and other things that face extreme temperature change in some other way. GanedenBC30 can also survive stomach acid allowing the bacteria to successfully travel down into your intestines where they team up with your own bacteria. Non-spore, vegetative probiotics are much more fragile and often fail to survive these internal and external challenges, meaning few of them arrive in the gut still alive. Research has shown that GanedenBC30 is an effective probiotic choice that supports digestive health and immune health– all in easy-to-source consumer products found in most markets and online.
Here are a few products I love featuring GanedenBC30. This safe and effective probiotic is found in 1,000 leading food, beverage and companion animal products around the world.
To determine if a consumer product is made with the ingredient GanedenBC30, simply flip the item over to the nutrition and ingredient label and look for the GanedenBC30 logo
To determine if a consumer product is made with the ingredient GanedenBC30, simply flip the item over to the nutrition and ingredient label and look for the GanedenBC30 logo
Is GanedenBC30®safe?Yes, research shows this spore-forming probiotic is safe for everyone including children, adults and seniors. It is gluten-free, non-allergenic, vegan, and Kosher and Halal certified. Foods fortified with GanedenBC30can be eaten daily without worry of having too much. However, if you have specific health concerns, please consult with your medical professional for further advice.
Improving gut health is a goal in 2021 for me. I’ve done pretty well taking care of myself in this way in the past, but there is always room for improvement. Improving gut health is a goal in 2021 for me. I’ve done pretty well taking care of myself in this way in the past, but there is always room for improvement. Being proactive and supplementing with easy-to-find and tasty products that contain GanedenBC30, a safe and effective probiotic that provides benefits for my top issue areas – digestive help and immunity, is an easy way for me to take care of my health.
