A few of my favorite things...

"Sorry I haven't been around much lately. I'm easily distracted by shiny objects." ~The Tick 

Zoi

Zoi Greek Yogurt

For the past few months I have been trying to eat healthier foods. In doing so, I came across something very good. I don't generally rave about products, but if you're into yogurt, Zoi Greek Yogurt is truly a nectar of the gods. Seriously, it's fabulous. This is how good it is: my manly, meat & potatoes eating husband Jeff is mad for the honey flavored Zoi; he takes it to work in his lunch every day.

However, I am partial to vanilla. Over the summer I'd pick fresh blueberries (good brain food) and add them to a cup of Zoi, along with maybe half a fresh peach (during the winter when fruit is out of season, I use frozen, sugar free blueberries and canned peaches), a couple teaspoons of granola and a pinch of flax seeds. yum. so crunchy sweet delish & double plus good for you. Here is an article about Zoi from Livestrong.

Lose It!

I started using this website to track my calorie and food intake at the end of May, and as of today, I've lost 42 pounds! Forget fad diets, awareness is the key to weight loss. The Lose It website has a huge searchable database of foods and the capacity to add your own. To begin tracking, simply enter your current weight and how much you want to lose. The site calculates your daily calorie limit and if you stay under it each day, conceivably you should lose weight. The site also includes a section for logging your daily exercise, as well as generates reports on your progress via daily and weekly summaries, net calories, nutrient distribution, body mass index, and more.

LIKE their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/loseit?ref=ts&fref=ts

In tandem with the Lose It site, when I'm shopping for groceries, I use a free Android app called Fooducate. Scan a product's label and the app grades it, let's you know about everything that's in it, such as the grams of sugar and sodium, and also provides info about healthier alternatives. 

Wine-Trax

My good friend Gail Curtis created this fabulous company. Her elegant portion control glassware has been featured in numerous blogs, magazines and on television. Below is a great video about Wine-Trax from The Daily Grommet:

My testimonial:

Although I love all the Wine-Trax portion control products, I can't say enough about the glassware I use the most—the bowls. Since beginning a weight-lost program earlier this year that combines healthy eating with daily exercise, my Wine-Trax bowl has become an indispensable tool for reaching my goals. I use it every morning to accommodate my one-cup servings of cereal or yogurt (see Zoi above), and I often use it at lunchtime as well for measuring accurate portions of soup or salad. Because I'm always in a hurry, I love that I don't have to measure anything; the attractive lines do the thinking for me! The bowls not only make tracking my portions a cinch, but are also perfect for storing leftovers (they come with a plastic lid). They make great snack bowls, too. Love, love 'em!  

LIKE Wine-Trax on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wine-Trax-simply-elegant-portion-control/152779081434657?ref=ts&fref=ts

New Reign Gear

This distinctive line of hoodie jackets was the brainchild of my friend Casey's husband Robert Giles, a native Oregonian whose job as an electrician often required working outside in a state known for its long rainy seasons. Both fashionable and functional, the jackets are perfect for any outdoor venue, and 100% waterproof—even the zippers and custom stitching. Sports fan? New Reign offers a wide range of custom stitched color options in your favorite team colors! Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, work outside, or simply looking for a quality hoodie, this versatile jacket makes a stylish statement wherever you go.

Visit New Reign on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/NewReignGear

Glamformation

Laura Brewster

Transformative beauty from the inside out. My dear friend Laura opened Glamformation in 2011. A former life coach and a licensed esthetician, Laura offers his and her full body waxing at her studio in Lake Grove, Oregon. 

LIKE Glamformation on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Glamformation?ref=ts&fref=ts

Olay

Although I was fortunate enough to inherit the good genes, using Oil of Olay since I was a teenager probably didn't hurt any. It's good stuff. 

LIKE Olay on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/olay?ref=ts&fref=ts