Favorite Fit Finds: Special Edition!

Now that we're well into spring and less than a month from the heat of summer, I thought it was due time for another edition of my Favorite Fit Finds. Below are five of my favorite things right now, ranging from clothes to recommended breakfast ingredients. Hopefully you'll find at least one of them a helpful addition to your journey towards a healthier you this summer!

1. Cherimoya Fruit

Known as the ice cream fruit, you've likely never heard of this one before. Until I read about it in Clean Eating magazine, I hadn't either. Still, I didn't plan on finding one anytime soon in our area. Enter, Rosauers! I found these sweet, creamy, juicy wonders while strolling (i.e.: stalking) the produce at the new store on Eagle Road. While they do cost a pretty penny (around $5-$6 per fruit), I find them to be an awesome treat when I'm craving something sweet, filling and custard-like. Simply cut one in half and scoop out the flesh – you can eat them as-is. Careful of the seeds – there are lots – and use a paring knife to sort them out of the fruit. These taste like a combination between banana, pineapple, and mango.

2. Tera's Whey Protein Powder

I'll admit I'm somewhat of a protein powder snob, because after years of downing protein shakes only to never feel satiated by them, I've come to learn that quality is everything when it comes to choosing a powder. Finally I found Tera's Whey, a company that makes delicious protein powders but doesn't skimp on the quality of its ingredients. While they have quite a few yummy flavors (Bourbon Vanilla, for one) my favorite by far is the Pomegranate Cranberry Goat Whey Protein. Yes, I meant to write goat just then. It's yummy (sweetened with Stevia instead of fake sugars) and treats my body much better than cow's milk. If you're lucky enough to have a body that responds well to cow's milk, definitely try any of the options available. Check it out at teraswhey.com and also compare prices at amazon.com, where it sometimes goes on sale.

3. Bee Pollen

Bee whaaat? My husband refers to this stuff as bee poop, but don't let that steer you away! Bee pollen is one of those things I don't know why I haven't been taking all along. Taken as a supplement, it can literally do miraculous things when consumed consistently over time. It helps alleviate allergies (which is why I began taking it in the first place), helps muscle recovery, increases energy, increases workout performance...the list goes on. Simply do a Google search for bee pollen and you'll be overwhelmed with what it can do. Take it in small amounts every day - it's recommended you test yourself for allergies first by only taking a couple granules at a time and increasing the dosage every day until you're sure it's safe. I take 2 tablespoons per day either by mixing it into my green smoothies or oatmeal in the morning. You may or may not like the taste – my feeling towards it is that it's not good but it's not bad, and I honestly don't even notice it anymore. My husband, on the other hand, thinks it tastes like bee poop...

Find it at Fred Meyers in the refrigerated section of the Natural department, the Boise Co-Op, or Rosauer's.

4. Jillian Michaels 6 Week Six Pack DVD

You know I'm always loving my Jillian, and she's done it again with another great workout DVD. I added this one to my repertoire when I was about 2 months post-partum and in desperate need to see some form of my stomach again, and a squishy beer-belly look-a-like was not what I had in mind. If you're thinking it's just another DVD with a bunch of crunches, you're definitely mistaken. Jillian uses a lot of standing high-intensity moves that work your whole body while focusing on the abdominals. Use this workout 1-2 times per week for good results. $14.98, amazon.com (as this newsletter is being written, it's on sale for $7.49!)

5. BodyMinder Workout & Exercise Journal

Most people come to me for accountability, but I understand not everyone can afford that kind of commitment. If you're one of those people, my solution for you is to track everything and keep yourself accountable daily by writing things down. I still write everything down – my workouts, food log (usually up until I get home at night and a little person takes charge of my life), water consumption, fitness and health goals and accomplishments, and anything else I feel is important. My favorite journal that holds all of this information for me is the BodyMinder Workout & Exercise Journal ($10.17 at amazon.com). It has a place you can jot down cardio and strength workouts including time, calories, repetitions, sets, and heart rate. You can also track your extra activity outside of the gym, like mowing the lawn, raking leaves, playing tag with the kiddos, or running a 5k. There are enough pages to log 13 weeks worth of workouts, food, supplements taken, water consumption, weekly plans, even fitness expenses. Plus, it's small enough to fit in your purse or gym bag!