Make working out fun with vibrant gear and a refreshing Sweet Peppermint Tea Drop to enjoy afterwards!
As the weather warms up, we find ourselves venturing out into the great outdoors more often than we did in the winter months. We also find ourselves looking forward to lazy summer days laid out by the pool or on the beach. While we should work to integrate a workout and wellness routine into our daily lives year-round, there is something about this time of year that gives us that extra kick of inspiration.
Here are some of our tried-and-true, all-time favorite ways to motivate ourselves to work out. We hope that these simple acts set a lasting foundation for an overall lifestyle shift as you integrate exercise, fitness, and wellness into your daily philosophy.
Find the fun.
Some people are runners and are absolutely addicted to the paths they’ve forged and explored as they improve their running time, stamina and strength. Others are treadmill fans and find the buzz and consistency of the gym (and the awesome classes fitness centers often host) incredibly inspiring. Others absolutely thrive while hitting that elliptical in the quiet intimacy of their own home. Meanwhile, there are those of us who enjoy lacing up their hiking books, packing up a yoga mat, or prepping their mountain bike for an impromptu adventure that doubles as a workout.
Find what works for you—and this can be an ever-changing process. When I was living in England, I fell in love with my daily run from the verdant pastures of Richmond Park to the gates that outlined the limits of Kingston, the neighboring town. When I was in graduate school in Los Angeles, I couldn’t imagine running and fell in love with daily workouts in my university’s wellness center. Nowadays, I enjoy hiking the foothills in our valley. Find your passion and maximize it and working out will truly become time that you treasure and enjoy.
New Gear.
Just like a powerful, new work ensemble can help give you the confidence to conquer that job interview, a new pair of cross-trainers or yoga pants can really help get you in the mindset to rev up your workout goals. Not only is there extra motivation there—it’s exciting to try out our new look—but looking the part truly transforms the way you live the part.
Tip: You don't have to break the bank to get a whole new workout look. I recently found a matched set of workout jackets and leggings on Poshmark, a fashionable thrift store app and was able to use their "offer" feature to grab everything at bargain prices. My brand new shoes came from my closest Asics outlet!
Don’t go it alone.
Some people (myself included) thrive on solo workouts. I think it’s a great time to reflect and relax; I consider it valuable and rare me-time. However, workout coaches and popular weight loss programs are built on a model of peer support, especially when you are starting off because it’s effective. Whether gathering a group of friends (or new, like-minded acquaintances), starting your fitness journey with company is a huge key to success. A peer group can deliver a healthy dose of competition and peer pressure. Also, you have a built-in support network that keeps you positive and looking towards your goal. A group can swap success stories and hold each other up on plateau days alike. Nobody can go it entirely alone in any aspect of life and this is true when it comes to exercise.
Check out this app: Speaking of peer pressure in the name of fun and goodness, Pact is a fun app available on iTunes and the GooglePlay store. Commit to and publish your diet or exercise goals to the app, track your progress, and--as the Pact site boasts--"earn real cash for living healthily, paid by the members who don’t!"
Fitness is just an element in the overall sphere of embracing wellness. Another hugely important component is nutrition. We have curated a pre- as well as post-workout recipe for you featuring two Tea Drops that are a part of our Natural Healing Experience that will truly enhance your overall journey.
Yerba Mate provides a refreshing and natural kick of caffeine to help power you through a workout so here is a Banana Yerba Mate Smoothie that would be perfect to enjoy before you hit the stairs, the trails, or the gym.
Banana Yerba Mate Smoothie
Yields: 1 smoothie
Ingredients:
- 4 oz. iced yerba mate tea (can be made using 1 Yerba Mate Tea Drop stirred into 4 oz of hot water and chilled)
- 1 frozen banana, peeled.
- A splash of coconut water or almond milk
- Agave or honey for sweetener, to taste
Recipe Source: About Food
Instructions:
Divide the frozen banana into segments so that it can be blended and drop into your mixer. Add in additional ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Turmeric is one of our all-time favorite superfoods because not only for its anti-inflammatory properties, but because it can work in so many dishes, both sweet and savory! It is an ideal addition to a treat at any time of day because it's naturally caffeine-free and integrating it into your diet can help combat your chances of heart disease.
These granola bars are a unique and very portable twist when it comes to finding a tasty place for turmeric in your everyday life. This is the perfect snack to bake and take with you when you head out for your workout to be enjoyed on the go as you dash off to the next adventure of the day.
Curried Almond Granola Bars
Yields: 8 Bars
Ingredients:
- ⅓ C sliced almonds
- ¼ C sunflower seeds
- 1 C crispy brown rice cereal
- 1½ TBSPN ground flaxseed
- 1¼ TBSPN chia seeds
- 1½ TBSPN hot water
- 1 TBSPN dried pineapple, finely chopped.
- 1 TBSPN dried cranberries, finely chopped.
- 2½ tsp maple syrup
- 1¼ TBSPN almond butter
- ½ tsp coconut oil
- ¼ Turmeric Tea Drop
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp curry powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
Recipe Source: Eating Bird Food
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 F. Butter a 9" x 6" baking dish or line with parchment paper. Combine ground flaxseed and chia in a small container and pour hot water over mixture. Melt almond butter and coconut oil on the stove, and stir in maple syrup. This is also when you mix in the 1/4 of the Turmeric Tea Drop. Add all to the flax & chia mixture. Combine the rest of your ingredients and gradually mix in your wet mixture. Pack all into the baking sheet, using your hands or the back of a spoon to press your granola mixture down.
Bake for 25-35 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut the bars while still warm and then leave out to cool for about 30 minutes. They can be transferred to the fridge or freezer to chill or store, too!
You can either enjoy this delightful treat in bar-form or break them apart and make it into granola. To transform these bars into granola, break apart and bake in the oven 5-7 minutes for extra crunch!
Note: The recommended full serving of turmeric is 1 tsp, which is the amount crafted into the Turmeric Tea Drop. You can mix the remaining 3/4 Tea Drop into a delightful cup of tea to accompany your granola/bar to maximize your daily serving!
Posted by Erin Renee Schwartz
