With 20g of protein and 0g of sugar, thinkThin® protein bars provides a boost of clean energy any time of the day.

• Prepare your favorite recipe that you learned from your Mom, head to the beach or park for a picnic; discuss your favorite childhood memories
• Write a letter that communicates your favorite memory with Mom, read it to her under the stars.
• Share your favorite family photo on a homemade card or create a picture book that share’s your favorite photos of you and your Mom

What are you going to do for Mother’s Day? Leave us a comment or share a photo, tell us about it.

Happy Mother’s Day!

To your vitality!

Grandmas Meatballs with a Gluten Free Twist

• 1 tsp grated lemon zest
• 2 Tbs vegetable oil
• 1 cup gluten free chicken or turkey broth
• 1 small carrot, diced
• 1 green onion, diced
• 1 Tbs chopped garlic
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 lbs 99% fat-free ground raw turkey
• 1 cup crumbled gluten free crackers any kind
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Wilt the onion, carrots, garlic. Combine all ingredients. Shape the mixture into 12-15 balls. Heat a large skillet, heat with oil and brown the turkey balls on all sides. Remove and drain on paper cloth. Heat oven 375F Put meatballs in oven for 15 minutes. Remove and serve.

To your vitality, Lizanne

Some manufacturers claim to be low fat or low-calorie but don’t judge a book by its cover, flip it over and read the back! A wise consumer takes charge.

Let’s be confident that the food we are buying for our family is actually healthy. Foods that are high protein with no or controlled sugar are the optimal choice for your body to have energy and function properly. No more sugar crashes. No more food comas. Just another ingredient in a day lived well.

To your vitality,

Lizanne

• Whole white fish
• Olive Oil
• Black Olives
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Potatoes
• Dried Parsley

Lay out on parchment paper, drizzle with olive oil and grill in oven for ten minutes on each side.

Buon appetito!

To your vitality,

Lizanne

I travel at least once a week so I am very familiar with trying to find portable nutrition on the go. Two important factors come into play when I select an airline; internet connectivity and snack options. All business travelers understand the common dilemma – you haven’t eaten for hours, you are about to board a plane and you need to find something that’s good for you, satisfying and preferably delicious.

Many aspects of air travel have frankly not improved. Much as we all understand the need for careful security; long lines, official ID checks, medical looking scanners, undressing, re-dressing is really not an enjoyable part of the journey. But I have to say one thing about travel that I find to be a positive change – there are many more healthy snacks or portable nutrition on the go options available at airports today.

As an international fashion model I spent over a decade criss-crossing Europe, Japan and Australia. I started when I was 19 and traveled every 60 days. At that time, food options at the airport were limited to greasy hamburgers, hotdogs and potato chips. Meals served on airplanes were often inedible. I could never figure out what was in front of me, was it chicken, pork or beef, who knew? Now as food is rarely included in flights, particularly on domestic routes, the option is to purchase food inflight or from an airport kiosk prior to departure.

This week walking through the airport I was summoned by the smell of BBQ chicken. I was running on empty and was happy to find some pretty delicious tasting protein. Picking up a magazine, I found a great selection of raw nuts (almonds are my favorite), beef jerky, pop chips and a variety of energy bars and sugar free candy. Continuing towards my gate, I passed a bakery offering a good selection of muffins including bran, sugar free and gluten free options.

On my flight home, I took stock; in the time that I have been traveling for my career the lines and the waiting have certainly gotten longer, more people travel and have to fit into ever shrinking seats and the expectation of service has been reduced to the minimum. I must say that I really am pleased to see that as standards have been challenged in many areas, options of portable nutrition on the go have evolved and increased so much. I am actually quite excited to see what everyone else brought on board with them.

When I think about springtime, the first thing that comes to mind is greenness, freshness, open air, and new, gorgeous beginnings.

The air just smells different. Nature is rocking it’s own big bad fantastic self – and colors are exploding around us.  Take a walk around your block today. See for yourself what spring is doing in your neighborhood. Cherry blossoms exploding, fresh rains making wet earth, and clearing the air for a new, fresh breath of LIFE. Great promise of things to come. It is exciting.

So, just like vital spring – our goal is to be the most alive and vibrant that we can be. This is what weight wellness is really all about for me – it’s the optimal weight range at which our bodies feel happy and healthy. It’s about shining the light we’ve got. It’s a gift and a responsibility.

I like to prepare for wellness, in every sense; in my house that involves spring cleaning, for my body and mind it is much the same – cleaning, nourishing, nurturing.  Wheatgrass and Noni Juice are two tools I like to use to build up my immune system during the changing seasons, and help me experience life and my body in the most vital way.

Tahitian Noni Juice

Grown and prepared in the tropical fruit south islands of Tahiti, Noni juice provides a natural health therapy and nutritional supplement that is extremely good for the skin. This Tahitian fruit aids women with weight management and is known to relieve some of the symptoms of menopause. It enhances overall wellbeing and vitality. It contains 10 essential vitamins, 7 dietary minerals, Phytonutrients, Selenium and plant acids.

I have been doing “NJ” for years. I feel that it promotes good mental energy, and helps better absorption of nutrients for the vitality of body and skin. I recommend 2 shots a day (one morning and afternoon). And I also recommend careful research into buying Tahitian grown Noni Juice. Refrigerate after opening.

Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is the young farm grown wheat plant harvested when the plant is at its nutritional peak. Only 26% of US adults consume the recommended daily amount of veggies. Wheatgrass helps to boost the green food needed to increase energy levels, help digestive issues and detox. I have experienced the magical wonders of wheatgrass through many cycles of my life. Wheatgrass must be taken fresh. It should be taken on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before eating.

Try these two wonderful additions to life. Let us know if you have felt the nourishing goodness they have to offer. Bring in health into your life. Let’s nourish our bodies and souls this springtime.

To your vitality,

Lizanne

It was from Patrick Johnson in 4th grade. I had the biggest, and most delicious young girl crush on him. Turns out he slipped a Valentine’s Day card into my book bag. When I got home, found the card and opened it, inside he wrote in bright red ink and tiny, tiny cursive:  “I love you.” What a sweetie pie.

The history and legend behind Valentine’s Day is varied and marked by a Goddess, a Pagan Festival, Martyred Saints, and even birds.

I found this one particularly interesting –during the time of the Romans,  people organized a holiday on February 14 to honor Juno-  who is known as the Goddess of Women and Marriage and the mythological Queen of Roman Gods and Goddesses. It is noted that “ from the following day – February 15 started the Fertility Festival called the Feast of Lupercalia. This feast was organized to protect humans from wolves and to honor the Roman Gods of Agriculture – Lupercus and Faunus besides the founders of Rome -Romulus and Remus. “

St. Valentine – the Patron St. of Love and Lovers is someone we often hear about. It turns out that during the third century in Rome Valentine defied the Emperor Claudius II’s request to end all marriages. Emperor Claudius II found that it was difficult to recruit soldiers to fight for his regieme when they were married and attached to their children, so he wanted to restrict marriage.  It is said that “Valentine – a romantic at heart priest, defied this callous decree of Claudius by secretly arranging marriages of young men and women. When Valentine’s defiance was discovered by the Emperor, he was brutally beaten up and put to death on February 14, about 270 AD.” It is also interesting to note that before his death and while in prison, “it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl, who may have been his jailor’s daughter, who visited him during his confinement. Before his death on the 14th day of February, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed:

” From your Valentine” 

After his death, Valentine was name a Saint, and he became became popular as the patron saint of love and lovers in England and France – so much so that Pope Gelasius proclaimed February 14 as Valentine’s Day on 498 AD.

And finally – birds – the signs of love’s approach! In France and England during the Middle Ages, many people believed that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season – the time when birds begun their search for a mate.  It is said that “this popular notion further strengthened the idea that Valentine’s Day festival that falls in the middle of February should be celebrated as the day of love and romance. The concept soon gained ground amongst the lovers and they began to celebrate the day by exchanging love notes and simple gifts like flower.”

Enjoy this Valentine’s Day.

To your vitality,

Lizanne

Sources:

http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day

http://www.stvalentinesday.org/legends-of-st-valentines-day.html

My son Aydan is at that age where he knows much, and is daily expanding his knowledge base.  He is a confident 8 year old young boy, but he is still a baby. And how fantastic that is, to just be a kid. Kids are open to life.

At the kitchen table this morning, he noticed I had my affirmation cards on the counter. I like to read a card before I leave the house for the day, yes, to set the intention for the day, and give me a kick in my step (and sometimes a kick in the pants when I’m looking to shift my perspective.) 

He asked me what an affirmation card was anyway, and I had to think about that. Really, for me these cards are a way to set the tone for my day. I said to him, these cards are confidence tools. He gave me a quizzical look, no, more a look like MOM! and so I read him one:

I love and accept myself right now….. I am in the process of becoming my own best friend- the person I am most joyous to be with.

And you just should have seen his face. He was so intensely- joyful-  and he got so excited by the words, the idea itself… Kids are like that, they are like that sometimes, when the truth really hits them. They can get incredibly jazzed, yes, excitedly childlike, about…. the joy of living, about the possibilities that life has to offer us. 

thinkThin® promotes weight wellness. This is the optimal energy and weight range at which our bodies feel happy and healthy. This is not dictated by aesthetic, shape, weight or tape measure – it is the physical outcome of feeling energized, confident, and living a life that is vibrant, varied and fulfilling. When we talk about Weight Wellness – the wellness part truly is about confidence. Confidence in our abilities, confidence in our beauty, confidence in our sustained health – inside and out.

Any way you peel it, any way you look at it, reading an affirmation helps with confidence. For me, these little sayings give me a touchstone to my day. When I need a moment to just regroup, I return to the affirmation. The words take me to my highest self- where I feel powerful, happy, and see life full of abundance and possibility. Yes, to a place where I am confident about myself, this world, and my place in it.

What’s the personal affirmation  you use in your day that creates confidence in your life? Post your affirmation below on our blog to enter to win a Weight Wellness Duo Box. We will be randomly selecting 15 winners next Wellness Wednesday- on February 1, 2012 at 3pm PST.

To your Vitality,

Lizanne

ANNOUNCING OUR thinkConfidence WINNERS!

Thank you to everyone who shared their affirmation. Quite inspiring, and some that tickled our funnybone.

The people below have won one (1) Weight Wellness Duo Box that includes with one (1) box thinkThin Brownie Crunch and (1) box thinkThin Crunch Fruit and Nut – Blueberry and Mixed Nuts!!!

Please email us at socialmedia@thinkproducts.com with the subject thinkConfidence WINNERS with your address. NO po boxes. Once we receive your address, we will send  you your package.

1.    Megan Wakely 2.    Marcia Polas 3.    Amy Schneider 4.    Gay Winterringer 5.    Jaime Layton 6.    Leah Nickell 7.    Angiie MsVeterinarian Bolder 8.    Deeanne Bold 9.    Marla Zickefoose 10.   Marti Parks 11.   Elissa DiSalvo 12.   Amy Carion 13.   Carol Sepe Krajewski 14.   Lea DesJardins Allen 15.   Heath Zebeckis Holtz

]]> http://thinkproducts.com/creating-confidence-thinkconfidence-giveaway/feed/ 10 http://thinkproducts.com/gorgeously-gluten-free-thinkthin-guest-blog/ http://thinkproducts.com/gorgeously-gluten-free-thinkthin-guest-blog/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:01:48 +0000 jforms http://www.thinkproducts.com/?p=6393 Announcing our first Guest Blog! We are happy to introduce Heather Collins, our thinkThin® Marketing Events Manager,who provides first hand knowledge in all things Gluten Free. Enjoy! Holiday Greetings Gluten Read more...