Jackpot!

A few weeks ago I won an awesome giveaway over on Runners Kitchen - a $50 shopping spree on iherb.com. Having never been to the site until I read the post, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the items they have available! The site is not very easy to move around, but there are a lot of great things for sale, especially if you don't live near a health food store.

It took me a while to make my decisions, but I finally did and last night when I got home from the very fun and well attended Girls on the Run fundraiser, there was a box on our kitchen table from iherb.com! Here is what I got:

The Jojoba oil was specifically for Woody because he uses it every day. It is used for healthy hair and skin. Apparently the best way to use it is to put a bit in your shampoo or conditioner bottle and also add a little to your favorite lotion. The oil is an extract from the jojoba trees in the Sonoran Desert and also helps relieve sunburns (good to know as summer approaches!).

Maca Power is a powder that can be added to foods like yogurt, granola, tea, smoothies, etc, much like flax and chia seeds. Raw Maca powder has been used by Andean societies for thousands of years and improves energy, balance and vitality. The nutrients, vitamins, plant sterols and essential minerals help regulate the endocrine system. Once I read all this and many of the user reviews on iherb.com, I knew I had to try it. The powder does have a very strong scent and a unique flavor, so I only added half a teaspoon to my yogurt mess this morning to get used to it. I definitely could taste it through the Chobani greek yogurt, banana, cinnamon, and flax and chia seeds, but it wasn't a bad taste, just unique. I'll let you know if I start to feel any changes as I keep using it! Worth a try!

We're running low on ground flax seed, so I included a bag of Bob's Redmill Golden Flaxseed Meal. Just a reminder - flax seeds do come in golden and brown. There is no difference between them in nutritional value, so you can go either way. Also, ground flax seed and flax seed meal are simply different terms for the same thing. Either way, ground flax seeds are more beneficial than whole as our bodies have difficulties absorbing and breaking down whole flax seeds.

The Yogi Tea Kava Stress Relief just sounded fantastic. It's caffeine free, which is great for an evening cup of tea. Kava is a crop from the Pacific and is known for it's ability to calm the body and mind and promote a good night's sleep. Who doesn't want that?

The Organic Wild Berry Mix from Eden Foods just sounded delicious and like a good addition to yogurt. I'll probably share this one with Woody since he loves nuts, seeds, and dried blueberries, cranberries and raisins. It must be tasty!

So, that's a tour of what I chose from iherb.com. Abby was a fantastic help and it was very kind of them to offer the shopping spree through Megan's website! I definitely recommend you check out the site, especially if you don't have easy access to health foods and supplements. I also found the user comments very helpful, so be sure to take a few minutes and give them a read before making a decision.

What is your favorite 'health food'?

************

Workout Stats -

12mi bike

3x12 leg press

3x12 leg curls

3x10 leg extension

3x10 lat pull downs

3x10 weighted side bends (each side)

3x thru ab circuit including: 30sec plank, seated twists with 10lb core ball, bicycle, hip raises, crunches

stretching and foam roller